Fairytale Brownies Blog

For some of us, the 4th of July is a day to BBQ and watch fireworks with our friends and family. The meaning of the 4th of July gets lost in translation with the frenzy of daily life. I like to be reminded why I am celebrating holidays when they come around - not just for the commercialization of the holiday. I usually Google the holiday and get reminded of the story behind the occasion. Recently I Googled "History of Independence Day" and found a site that tells a great story. It is short, sweet, and to the point. If you have a minute, check it out: http://www.holidays.net/independence/story.htm.

Meanwhile, if you are celebrating with friends and family today, we hope that you have a wonderful holiday spending it with the ones you care about the most. After all, that's why our forefather's fought for our Independence. And if you happen to catch a fireworks show tonight - savor the moment and reflect on the meaning of the day! 

Personally, I am taking my son to California to visit my Mom who we
haven't seen in a while. We'll spend the day together then head off to Huntington Beach to watch the fireworks show they put on every year by the ocean. I look forward to spending the holiday with family, and talking to my son about the meaning of the holiday. If you get the chance, tell us how you are celebrating your Independence Day! We'd love to hear from you. ~ Hilary

We've gotten some awesome raves in since Father's Day from some very happy customers who sent Fairytale Brownies to their Dad's this Father's Day!

"My mom, Kathy and I wanted to extend a huge thank you for the extra time and effort you took to help us re-route the "Father's Day" gift for my grandpa. Not sure if you remember but my Mom called you and explained that we had entered the wrong address. You said that you would do your best to contact FedEx and see if they could change the delivery location. Well, they did! My grandpa received his "Fairytale Brownies" this afternoon and was so excited. Thank you very much for helping us make this Father's Day a special one for my grandpa! -Annie S."

"Thank you for your great customer service and wonderful product. This is the first Father's Day that I have been separated from my family. Since their move to Washington State, I was wondering what I could send my Dad for Father's Day. Then I remembered your wonderful brownies. My Father loves the brownies (my Mom, too). He says they are the best brownies he has ever tasted. Thank you! -Linda G."

Thank you for taking the time to send in your awesome comments Annie and Linda! We appreciate and look forward to more customer feedback from everyone! Have a Fairytale Day!
~ Hilary 

It looks like there will be plenty of celebrating this weekend in honor of the 4Th of July. Thank you for sharing with Fairytale Brownies how you will be spending your holiday.

Instead of choosing one winner, we chose two: Lucy Roberts and Nancy Wells. Each will receive a Patriotic Morsel 24 brownie gift.

Lucy wrote: First, we will put out Old Glory and place flags around the yard. I'll begin preparing an old-fashioned BBQ, with homemade lemonade, Mom's potato salad recipe, hot dogs, hamburgers, watermelon and some wonderful brownies from Fairytale Brownies (since it is too hot to turn on the oven). We will have some ice cream sundaes as we walk to the park to watch the fireworks show with all of our neighbors and give thanks for our freedom.

Including Fairytale Brownies at your party, Lucy, is a great idea. We approve!

Nancy wrote: Actually, I am planning to scatter my son's ashes. He was a Navy guy who died last year. I'll be someplace by Lake Michigan camping in a beautiful wooded area, with a few family members and friends.

What an appropriate weekend to celebrate your Navy son's life, Nancy.

Again, thank you to those who participated in our contest. We love hearing from you.

Have a Fairytale Fourth!

"I'm currently serving in the Army in Iraq. My wife sent me an assortment of brownies for Father's Day. These are absolutely the best brownies I have ever tasted in my life. I shared a few with some of my Soldiers and they loved them too! They were so good I felt like I had to write something to tell all of you that Fairytale Brownies are above and beyond excellence. -Thanks, SSG Luis P."

Wow, we are very honored to have receive this comment recently from one of our own service members thanking us for the brownies he received as a gift from his wife. With sincere gratitude, it is our pleasure to have had the honor of being the company chosen for your wife's Father's Day gift giving. We hope that the Fairytale Brownies gave you a little taste home. Thank you for your service, and we look forward to your safe return to the United States. 
~ Hilary

I have been asked to be on a panel on Wednesday, July 8
for NAWBO Phoenix (National Association of Women Business Owners).
It is a luncheon event at the Phoenix Country Club at 11am.

I invite you to come with your questions or ideas. There will be a panel of 4 -
Terri Bowersock of Terri's Consignment Furniture, Cynthia Drasler who was frustrated with cleaning products and their chemicals making her kids sick so she started her own clean company, Kim Babjak who can help you sell anything and sell it big - national tv or internationally and myself.
Come get some advice and ask some tough questions - why? how?
More info at www.nawbophx.org

Friends of mine are dropping their son off to the Naval Academy this week. They are proud of his achievement and military goal, even though his mom and sister are a little reluctant to see him go so far away. He, on the other hand, can't wait to begin his new adventure!

As the July 4 holiday approaches, I think about the people who served and continue to serve our country in and out of wars and I thank them for making that choice. My family and I are free to live the way we do because of their efforts. A big FAIRYTALE THANK YOU, Mr. and Ms. Man and Woman in Uniform, for protecting our freedom.

Of course we will be celebrating this freedom with typical American fare - hot dogs, burgers, chips, dips, salads, beverages, etc. But don't forget to serve brownies - Fairytale Brownies' fudgy chocolate brownies. It's not too late to expedite delivery of your gourmet brownies for Saturday's big bash, but if you live in Arizona or Southern California, you don't have to have them shipped. Fairytale Brownies sells individual brownies and 1 lb. brownie trays at all AJ's Fine Foods in Arizona, and 17 of the 18 Gelson's Markets in California. Visit their bakery departments and be sure to buy extras. People will want seconds and thirds of dessert, so it's better to be prepared.

My children (three boys) have requested Chocolate Chip brownies be included in our weekend festivities. They want to top the brownies with cookie dough ice cream, chocolate sauce and a bunch of cherries. They'll skip the whipped cream though. They like to squirt it directly from the can into their mouths. (I'm sort of kidding on this one. I don't allow can/mouth contact, but sometimes it happens when I'm not looking.) And because there are always at least 3 extra boys visiting my house at any given time, I'll bring home extra brownies... Like I said before, it's better to be prepared.

Happy Independence Day!
- Alyssa

Tell us how you are spending your 4th of July holiday. The most patriotic celebration wins a Patriotic Morsel 24 from Fairytale Brownies. 

Comment on this post with your holiday plans by Wednesday, July 1st 12:00 AZ time. We'll choose a winner and ship you your prize to have in time for your celebration!

It's summertime, the kids are out of school, what to do!! It's difficult to find fun activities to do with the kids during the summer while they are out of school. Well, Fairytale Brownies to the rescue!! We've got some fun activities that you can download from our website, brownies.com, to do with the little ones. 

And, if you live in Arizona, you can even bring your activities in to our bakery for a FREE Fairytale Brownie! You may even get your artwork posted here on our blog! We received this great artwork in the mail all the way from Pennsylvania! Great job to the two little ones that sent this in =)

Here is the link to visit our kids activity page:
http://www.brownies.com/fairytale_fun/kids.aspx

Have a Fairytale Day!
~ Hilary

Ever wonder what goes in to a Fairytale Brownie? What makes them so deliciously fudgy and decadent? Well, Fairytale Brownies was inspired by a treasured family recipe and a commitment to excellence. Our magical blend indulges your senses with fudgy chocolate goodness! Fairytale Brownies are all-natural and free of trans fats, hydrogenated oils, preservatives and artificial colors. We use only the highest quality ingredients in our brownies:

• Imported Callebaut Dark Belgian Chocolate
• Premium Grade AA Butter
• Fluffy Cake Flour 
• Farm Fresh Eggs &
• All Fairytale Brownies are certified kosher

What's so special about our brownies is that we bake with 100% pure imported Callebaut dark chocolate. That makes for one luscious brownie! And, our Fairytale Truffles (1/4 size mini brownies) are enrobed with 65% dark chocolate. Talk about a dark chocolate lovers dream! For more information on Callebaut chocolate, visit their website at callebaut.com.

If you love Fairytale Brownies quality, consider sending our delicious gourmet brownie gifts for your next gifting occasion.

Order brownies online at brownies.com or call our 24-hour customer service number at 800.FAIRYTALE (800.324.7982). Call us today with any questions, concerns, or feedback. We'd love to hear from you. 

Enjoy, and have a Fairytale Day!

Brandie recently blogged about an Army family, Kevin, Nadine and their 3 boys. Brandie has corresponded with this family through the years and keeps in frequent contact with them. They were grateful for the story she dedicated to them and even talked about it on their own blog. I just wanted to do a quick follow-up because I thought it was really nice that they spent the time to take a picture with the Fairytale Brownies Brandie sent them and emailed it in. Kevin even saved the Giant Brownie Box Brandie sent him in Iraq and hung it on the wall in his office! We are grateful to you and to all of the military families out there. Thank you for your service!

   

To read Brandie's Army Story Blog, click here. To visit Kevin's family blog, click here.

Here is a picture of the Albrecht family enjoying their Welcome Home/Patriotic Brownie gift together as a family!


If you'd like to read more about them and their journey here is a link to their blog: 
http://thealbrechtsquad.blogspot.com/

Listen to this awesome comment we just received from a customer placing an order with one of our customer service team members:

"I called in and spoke with a young lady, Tanika. She was an absolute delight!!! Not only was she helpful, she was cheerful and made the entire process of spending money so fun :). Thank you for such a bright attitude in a world filled with clouds.
- A Newly loyal customer - Meg P."

Thank you Meg for such a great comment. We love hearing from our customers. We take service very seriously around here and are extremely passionate about our gourmet chocolate brownies. We are always very happy when we receive feedback and hear about customer experiences such as yours! By the way, if you'd like to read Tanika's blog, click here!

According to a recent New York Times article, the latest wedding reception trend for the wealthy is to NOT flaunt their wealth. Brides in Los Angeles are opting for back yard receptions instead of fancy hotels. They're skipping the wedding cake and serving their guests cobbler, cookies and cupcakes. They want their guests to feel comfortable.

What says comfort more than a chocolate brownie? Fairytale Brownies fits the bill for both comfort and enchantment. Here are a few ways to impress the wedding guests with Fairytale Brownies as the wedding dessert:

Instead of toasting the bride and groom with tequila shots, use milk for the shot and wash it down with our fudge brownies.



Serve a few Magic Morsels (bite-sized brownies) in a parfait dish and let the guests top them with fruit, whipped cream and/or chocolate sauce.

Serve Magic Morsels with a chocolate fountain.

The bride and groom can customize the label of a Fairytale Brownie with their photo, the wedding date, a special saying... whatever they like. (The brownies could even double as a wedding favor as well as a dessert.)

Call us at 800.FAIRYTALE. We'll be happy to help you plan your next reception!

About three years ago I was introduced to a man named Kevin.  Kevin was serving overseas in the Army and someone sent him a soldier care package that contained Fairytale Brownies.  Kevin filled out our comment card and sent it in.  He wrote that our brownies were like a taste of home.  I was very touched that our brownies were able to give him that from so far away.  About a month later I decided to send Kevin a box of brownies to thank him and his unit for their service and to give them another little taste of home.  From there I received several letters, emails, photos and even some Iraqi money from Kevin.  One of the coolest things is that I have also been introduced to Kevin's wife Nadine and their 3 boys.  Kevin and Nadine have been married for 13 years.  Their boys are Michael 13, Neil 11 and Daniel 8.  They are stationed at Ford Hood, TX where they have been for 4 1/2 years.  Kevin joined the North Dakota National Guard right before he graduated high school in 1989 and transferred over to active Army in 1991. 
I recently asked Nadine her thoughts on being a Military wife and want to share them with you:  I love being an Army wife.  I always thought my calling in life was to be a Soldier.  For so many years after leaving the Army, I had an ache and wondered if I would ever be satisfied with just being an Army wife.  I threw everything I had into supporting my husband and our kids.  Volunteering within the Army community.  A couple years ago I realized that my path included being a Soldier because ultimately my calling in life is to be an Army wife.  We have our challenges, we go through so many things that many in the civilian sector don't.   Not necessarily harder, just different.  We also get to experience a range of emotions few people get to experience in a lifetime.  It's a sense of pride you can't find in a dictionary.  You can't explain it, you have to feel it.  I am so proud of the job my husband does, he makes a difference in the world each and every day.  My children know that they sacrifice their time with their Dad to provide opportunities for other children in the world.  We are a proud Army family and we willingly serve TOGETHER in all that we do.

Here's a picture of Kevin (he is all the way on the left) and his unit



























Here's Kevin with a couple of Iraqi children





























And here's a picture of Nadine, Kevin and the boys.  Kevin just got home from one of his tours on Tuesday.  Just in time for Father's Day!  Welcome Home Kevin!































I have really enjoyed being a part of the journey this amazing family has been on.  They truly are an inspiration!  I want to thank Kevin, Nadine and their boys and all military families out there for the sacrifices you make to keep our country safe! 

Here is a unique Father's Day gift idea for those Dad's who have everything - like mine! Fairytale Brownies offers Personalized Greeting Cards so your gift becomes one that he won't forget. You can personalize any gift with your own words, photograph or logo on an elegant card. Our selection of cards for Father's Day (and all special occasions) can be viewed by clicking here.

A gift of delicious gourmet brownies is scrumptious in itself - but add on a thoughtful personalized card and this is one sweet gift your Dad won't forget. Not only do we have a large selection of Father's Day gifts to choose from, we also sugar-free brownies for those Dad's that are diabetic or watching their carbs and calories. Click here to view our Father's Day collection. Click here to view our Sugar-Free brownies! 

Send Brownies to Dad this Father's Day with a personalized greeting card. Father knows best, so send him the best brownies out there =). Happy Father's Day!

With summer here it's difficult to think of practical uses for hot cocoa mix, right? Wrong! Fairytale Brownies Cocoa mix, made from pure sweet ground chocolate, is a dark chocolate lover's dream. It's rich, chocolate taste is perfect for those iced indulgences on simmering summer days! What's even better, Fairytale Brownies Cocoa is now on sale - 50% off retail price! Regularly $9.95 - now $4.98!

We've put together a few recipes to illustrate how Fairytale Brownies Cocoa can be used during the sizzling summer!


Fairylicious Smoothie
Directions:
Fill a 16 oz cp 3/4 full of ice and 1/2 fill of milk. Add 3-5 heaping tablespoons of Fairytale Cocoa and blend in a blender. Mix until thick! For a thicker drink, add more ice. For a thinner drink, use more milk. For a mocha flavor, add a little brewed coffee. For added sweetness, add 2-3 tbsp. of sugar. Enjoy!

Fairytale Cocoa Pick-Me-Up
Directions:
2 shots (approx 2 oz.) espresso - Fairytale Coffee can be used in place of espresso. 2 scoops vanilla ice-cream or frozen yogurt. 1 banana, chopped. 3 tablespoons of Fairytale Cocoa. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

If you've been watching The Food Network lately, you may have seen Fairytale Brownies featured on one of it's most popular shows, Unwrapped, recently. If not, catch our segment here entitled "Comfy Foods!" Don't forget to visit us online at brownies.com!

Hello out there in the blogoshpere :)

Not sure how many of our readers are active on the social media site Facebook, but Fairytale Brownies does have a great Fan page there. We post pictures, event information, behind the scenes happenings, and a ton of other interesting brownie information there. We were so excited to hear the announcement that Facebook is releasing vanity URL's available to everyone. There is one caveat however. In order for a business, or an entity that is classified as a "Page" instead of a "Profile" they have to have 1,000 fans at the minimum. We were a little sad that we couldn't reserve the vanity URL facebook.com/fairytalebrownies until we reach 1,000 fans, but see it as a great opportunity to grow our fan base! 

If you'd like to help us reach 1,000 fans that would be great! Click here http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fairytale-Brownies/17947896355?ref=ts to see our Facebook Fan page and click the "Become a Fan" link under the Fairytale Brownies logo! 

Thank you for helping us in our quest for 1,000 fans :P
~ Hilary