Annabelle Ship WINS Award from the City of Newton

Who is Annabelle Ship?  She is the owner of Green Planet Kids in Newton Highlands.  A great toy store in the middle of Newton Highlands Village, and an active member of the business community.  She is a great small business owner.  She creates buzz around the Village.  She wants you to visit the Village center - often and of course buy toys from her shop.  Annabelle and her staff can pick out a toy in any price range for any child.  You won't find any Fisher Price here. . . . it is all really good stuff.  Her second floor has a great arts and crafts section.  I love shopping here, as do my kids.

This past June, she ran a scavenger hunt from the last day of school to July 1.  She organized local businesses in Newton Highlands and around the area to be part of this fun event.  We started out with her, where the kids picked a little something . . . then we walked over to visit Eunice's bakery, Bread and Chocolate, where the kids cashed in their ticket from the scavenger hunt to get a cupcake.  We then walked over to the new dentist in the village and got something else.  We drove to Rosie's Bakery in Chestnut Hill, and picked out a cookie for each kid. Naomi had never been to Rosie's - how did I let that happen?  We got bike bikes at International Bicycle.  We got a free slice of Pizza from Sweet Tomatoes.  All local stores. . . . . and all had their doors open to kids.  Annabelle wants people to visit the small businesses in Newton.

Last night at the awards ceremony TWO independent bookstores were honored, and we are happy to be customers of both.  In the Kindle Age and in the Amazon Age it is great to have TWO bookstores in Newton, and both owners are thankful for their loyal customers.  I love going to New England Mobile Book Fair (40% of their sales are children's books) and browsing the cookbook selection and my father in law loves the remnants room.  I love going to to Newtonville Books and having the staff help assist my kids find new books.  The staff listen to my kids likes and dislikes, and then help find a book just right for them.

What other businesses do I go to?  We love International Bicycle.  They fit the kid to the bike.  If your kid outgrows the bike in two years (common occurrence), they give you 50% back if you bring back the bike (no paper receipt needed, it is in the computer).  China Fair is a great place to browse and ask and you might find a kitchenware that is a must have!

Cabots Ice Cream - YUM.  Kids love going there and there is a flavor of ice cream for everyone.  He too gave out a free cone for the scavenger hunt.  The owner donates pancake mix to our school's annual community pancake breakfast.  Cabot's Ice Cream is part of the community and it has been here for years.

The Craft Beer Store - we wandered in there a few weeks ago, and the staff was telling us all about the beer.  I don't even like beer, but I left knowing more about beer and wishing I did like it.  The staffer told us about his other job.  It made me want to come back.

Keyes Drug Store - a place that ALWAYS has the prescription medicine - even if it is hard to find.

Town Cleaners - Effie has hemmed every dress, skirt and pant that I own.  I love her, and she always greets me with a smile.

One Stop Cleaners in Newton Highlands - another great place!

There are the many great restaurants - 51 Lincoln, Walnut Street Grill, Cook, and The Local.

Whole Foods is a chain, but they are always willing to donate to the school or local community.  The management has allowed their staff to become part of the community and be a local business.

These stores, plus many more make Newton a unique and wonderful place to live.

Butter Balls!

This recipe has been tested and well received by MANY of my workers!  Mary's Butterballs by Gale Gand!

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 3/4 cup flour

Filling
Cookie Butter (From Trader Joe's)
Raspberry Jam
Chocolate Ganache

Vanilla Sugar from The Spice Store in Evanston, IL.

Directions:
In a mixer, beat the butter for 3-5 minutes until it becomes light.  Mix in the sugar, and then add the flour.  Mix until a ball forms.  Wrap in plastic and chill for three hours. 

Take off pieces of dough, and roll into 3/4 inch balls.  Chill balls for 30 minutes in the freezer.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Place the balls two inches apart on a greased cookie sheet.  They will spread!

Bake the balls for 13-15 minutes - watch like a hawk so the balls do NOT burn!

Let the cookies cool on the sheet.  Spread the flat face of the cooled cookie with one of the filings, and top with a second cookie.  Roll in the vanilla sugar.