Thank You!

November 19, 2013 By Suzette Peterson

“‘Thank you’ is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.” ― Alice Walker

This is the month that prompts so many people to become publicly thankful. With a national holiday like Thanksgiving just around the corner, how could giving thanks not be on our minds?

While I am thankful every day for all of the blessings in my life, I am just as guilty as the next person of not always expressing that thanks often enough. Do you know what I mean? I feel it, but I don’t always say it.

I’m working on changing that.

Thank you! from Mini Mops House Cleaning

So let me tell each of you here and now that I am truly thankful for the trust you’ve placed in me and my company to take care of your home for you.

Our newsletter has given me a chance to connect with you on a deeper level (at least it feels that way to me). Many of you have called me as a result of receiving it, and we’ve had a chance to chat and catch up … I love that! Thank you!

Some of you have been with me since the very beginning of Mini Mops, when my partner Lillian and I did the cleaning ourselves. (I can hardly believe it, but that was nearly 40 years ago!) As a matter of fact, one of you reminded me just recently of how we’d pile out of our little orange car with all of our equipment and supplies … just like clowns piling out of the itty bitty clown car at a circus.

We’ve come a long way. And I thank you for it.

I am so very thankful that Mini Mops has survived the tough economic times our nation and our state have gone through. We’ve been able to provide jobs and an income for many families over the years.

I am thankful, also, for my employees, who take such pride in a job well done. As many of you know, it takes a team effort to maintain a successful business. I think we have a pretty special team here at Mini Mops.

Don’t you?

I know this month’s message has been longer than my others. for bearing with me, sticking with me, and reading all the way to the end!

Easy “Great Pumpkin” Muffins

October 31, 2013 By Michele Peterson

Since it’s October, the month of the “Great Pumpkin,” we’re sharing this recipe for super easy pumpkin muffins. Enjoy!

For Muffins:
1 Yellow Cake Mix
15 oz. can Pumpkin
1 t. cinnamon
½ t. ginger
¼ t. cloves

For Topping:
½ c. flour
¼ c. brown sugar
½ stick butter
½ t. cinnamon

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350º. Put liners in muffin pan.
2. Combine dry cake mix, pumpkin, and the spices. Nothing else, really. Pour batter into the lined muffin pan.
3. For topping, combine all ingredients into a food processor and pulse until crumbly. (Or you can use a pastry blender or even a fork to obtain the same crumbly result.) Sprinkle over the batter, pressing in slightly to “set” the topping on the batter.
4. Bake for about 15 minutes.

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It’s Beginning to Look Like the Holidays

October 31, 2013 By Suzette Peterson

“Sharing the holiday with other people, and feeling that you’re giving of yourself, gets you past all the commercialism.” ― Caroline Kennedy

I enjoy the holidays as much as the next person, but they’ve become pretty commercial … don’t you think?

Go into any store these days, and you’ll see Christmas decorations, along with Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, and Halloween. I’ve even seen New Year’s decorations. And it’s October!

Remember when Christmas stuff didn’t hit the shelves until AFTER Halloween? The good old days!

Maybe people just like to plan ahead and get things taken care of early. Many of you have already called me to confirm your holiday house cleaning schedules (Thank you for that, by the way! I hate having to disappoint people, but there’s only so many houses we can clean in a day. And we get booked to capacity at the holidays.), so is it the same thing for stores? Just planning ahead?

Maybe. I’m not entirely convinced, but … maybe.

As a grandma, I enjoy seeing the kids during the holidays. Most of my grandbabies aren’t babies anymore, and the oldest is driving! But the holidays tend to bring out the “kid” in all of them.

As for my kids … Now that my youngest son, Ron, is working in the business with me, I get to see him often. Darin, my oldest, works at Quady Winery in Madera, and I don’t see him as much. I look forward to spending more family time with all in these coming months.

Commercialism aside, the holidays are a special time of year. I hope you share yours with people who make them special for you!

Bathroom Exhaust Fan Lint is a FIRE HAZARD!

October 24, 2013 By Michele Peterson

You’re probably aware that the lint that builds up in a dryer vent is a potential fire hazard. But what about the lint that accumulates in your bathroom exhaust fan?

Just like dryer lint, bathroom fan lint is flammable, making it a fire hazard.

Bathroom exhaust fans — generally installed in the ceiling, and made with or without lights — are designed to remove moist air from the room. They help prevent steamed up mirrors, damp walls, and fogged windows, as well as remove odors.

BUT … the moist air combines with air particulates, and lint builds up. It builds up on the outer cover and also inside, on and around the motor. Over time, the lint accumulates to the point where heat builds up and can cause the motor to overheat.

Since the lint also acts to insulate the motor, the heat build-up gets accelerated.

Heat + lint = trouble!

The lint is an easy-to-ignite fuel source for fire, which in turn ignites other nearby combustible building materials in the ceiling and attic. And now you have an attic fire.

Travelers Insurance alone has documented multiple millions of dollars of loss due to fires that originated in overhead bathroom exhaust fans.

ACTION STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PREVENT THIS:

1. Inspect and clean all bathroom exhaust fans regularly.

2. When cleaning, remove the fan cover to clean and remove lint from around the motor, paying careful attention to all air-flow areas.

3. Wash the fan cover in warm soapy water to remove all lint. If there is any mold growing, add bleach to the cleaning mixture. Make sure the cover is completely dry before putting it back up.

Yes, this adds some time to your cleaning routine … but it’s worth it to decrease your risk of a fire. So please work it into your routine and be safe.

Until next time … Keep it Clean!

The Best Brownies I’ve Ever Made!

September 29, 2013 By Michele Peterson

Michele Peterson - Best Brownies I've Ever Made

Michele Peterson here, and I found this recipe through an Internet search one Sunday when I was craving a chocolate treat. They’re really, really good!

For Brownies:
½ c. butter
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
½ c. flour
¼ t. salt
¼ t. baking powder
1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

For Frosting:
3 T. butter, softened
1 T. honey
1 t. vanilla
1 c. powdered sugar
3 T. unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350º. Grease and flour an 8-inch square pan.
2. Melt ½ c. butter in a large saucepan. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 t. vanilla. Add the dry ingredients (not the powdered sugar or the 3 T. cocoa powder for the frosting). Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
3. Bake 25-30 minutes. Do not overcook!
4. Combine all the frosting ingredients and stir until smooth. Frost the brownies while they are still warm.
These are good warm or cold, but just be warned … they’re very rich. Plan on sharing!

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