Gently Spoken

Cheers to You!

2011-02-10T13:54:00.000-08:00

Since we're celebrating love this month, why not bask in the people we love most: our readers! As you know, each Eat Your Peas book is based on a promise from the giver to the receiver to be there through times both good and bad, and we've often marveled at how far that promise can travel. We call this proliferation of affection the Circle of Peas. It all starts with one book:

“The title (Eat Your Peas for New Moms) jumped right out at me because when my daughter was 8 years old she would come home from school saying ‘we’re not having peas are we?’ She hated peas and her father would make her clean her plate! Everything in the book applied to her and since she is expecting her fourth child and is extremely ecstatic about it, I wanted to remind her how very much she is loved."

A mother gives her daughter a book, and the daughter is inspired to send one back:

"For Valentine's Day, my daughter gave me the book Eat Your Peas for Mothers. She has always been so thoughtful from when she was little. I've been going through some hard times. I feel lonely and depressed. I keep this little book of love by my bed. I read it often. I cry a lot, but feel loved. I decided that when my grand daughter gets older, I'm giving this little book of love to her to give to her mother and hope that she will always feel as loved as I do."

After receiving a Peas gift, readers are often inspired to give books or notepads to friends and colleagues:

"I'm the one who is honored to have the opportunity to give such inspiring gifts to teachers and friends. I love your gifts. People need to be lifted up and inspired these days. The world is changing too fast and not for the better so once again I'm the one who is honored. Your thought provoking gifts are a blessing. God bless you and your work."

Or sometimes, the message is for yourself:

“I’m so happy with Cheryl’s products. They’re simply THE BEST! What a beautiful spirit Cheryl has—it really shines through in the titles and texts she’s chosen and the illustrations are beautiful. Sandy has a real gift. I truly enjoy each and every aspect of these lovely gift items. My order included gifts for others as well as gifts for ME! Special thanks to Cheryl for the copy of Eat Your Peas for Me. I love reading it to myself aloud every day.”

With each gift, the Circle of Peas continues, drawing in loved ones new and old, and sending stories of hope and renewal home to us.

Love is in the Air

2011-02-03T14:53:00.000-08:00

Ladies and gentlemen, it's that time of year again: The time when stores are covered in pink hearts, aisles are crowded with decadent chocolates, and florists outdo themselves with gorgeous bouquets. Yes, that's right, it's nearly Valentine's Day! For me, this means forgetting all sense of moderation in the presence of candy hearts, but for most people, it's about celebrating the one they love (I say "one" rather than "person" on behalf of those pets who get treats full of love on Feb 14th!).

The book that best encapsulates that Valentine's spirit is Cheryl's ode to her husband Mark, Eat Your Peas for Sweethearts:

Cheryl dedicates the book to Mark, "for the laughter, the joy and the journey. We truly are two peas in a pod." (Insert your awwwww here.) Presenting the happy couple:

Wait, those are peas! Close, but not quite the couple, though the resemblance to their smiling faces is uncanny. Here we go:

Cheryl really hits the pea in the pod in this book when it comes to the wonder of finding that special someone...

...and the joy of realizing true love brings out the best in both parties:

Not to mention the power of that certain spark, friendship caught on fire. Or, as Mark Twain puts it, "Love is the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."

Wishing you fireworks this February...

Finding A Way Back to Love

2011-01-27T12:31:00.000-08:00

With Valentine’s Day approaching, it seemed like the perfect time to shine some light on an oft overlooked title from our Heart and Soul Collection, Can We Try Again?

Though not as well known as the Eat Your Peas series, CWTA was actually one of the first books Cheryl ever wrote, preceded only by To Let You Know I Care. Subtitled Finding A Way Back to Love, it’s a love letter for an estranged relationship, acknowledging the difficulties the couple is facing while expressing a desire to renew and restore their love.

CWTA features beautiful black and white photography by Orin Rutchick against crisp white pages with simple, honest messages of hope and longing.

Models Susan Wagner and Dan Hogan portray a couple in search of renewal...

with scenes shot at local parks and inside Anoka's own historic Ticknor Hill Bed and Breakfast.

Cheryl describes the book as "an artful invitation to risk the repair of love."

Valentine's Day may only come once a year, but there's no reason one can't celebrate and renew their love any day of the week. Why not try again?

Compassionate Hearts

2011-01-20T13:43:00.000-08:00

This February, we're introducing a new line inspired by Cheryl's sister, Darlene, who for over 30 years struggled with cancer and heart disease. It's a series of 12 greeting cards called the Compassionate Heart Collection. We're honored to be able to donate a portion of the proceeds to CaringBridge.org. If you've never visited, it's an online community connecting friends and family during health challenges. Darlene's entries are especially inspiring, depicting a strong woman who retained hope and a sense of humor throughout struggles most of us can't imagine. You can read her journal entries at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/darlenehauff

Here's a sneak peek of the new line!

Inside message: You'll never be less than perfect in my eyes.

Inside message: Sending you my love and prayers.

The best part of introducing any new product line is the opportunity to receive feedback on how each message has impacted someone's life, whether it restored a relationship, gave the recipient hope, or just made someone laugh when they really needed it. The Compassionate Heart Collection is especially dear to us, and we hope you'll love it, too.

Some Assembly Required

2011-01-17T14:46:00.000-08:00

Prior to my employment at Gently Spoken, I held the uninformed belief that most items you see on store shelves are manufactured by machines. After all, are we not living in the 21st century? Weren't we supposed to have flying cars and robots by now? How else could a whole row of uniform products be produced?

Soon after my arrival, I learned the answer to just what (or, more accurately, "who") exactly would be assembling these fine products: me! (Well, not just me; more like a whole team of mes!)

This is our Sweet Peas of Inspiration for New Moms affirmation can, not seen on our shelves or in our catalogs for a while:

During the yearly rite of inventory, we discovered some miscellaneous parts for these beauties, allowing me to assemble a few more for some lucky customers.

The warehouse is home to many treasures.

This is a very scaled down version of assembly, compared with what's usually involved in rolling out a new line, but I thought I'd give you an idea of how one of our products is made. A few big steps are missing here, like the actual sizing and ordering of the cans, design of the wraps and affirmation cards, adhesion of the wraps to the cans, etc etc!

Each Sweet Pea can comes with 31 affirmation cards (or "peas") inside. Careful consideration is given to the order in which the cards are stacked.

Something is needed to hold all those little cards in place, and that's where shred comes in!

Colored shred is a fun and fairly easy way to fill up space and add a bit of spring to your creations, but I'll warn you now: you will be finding pieces of it on the carpet for seemingly ages afterward!

After an afternoon of unwrapping empty cans, stuffing said cans with shred, setting a stack of cards inside, then adding a bit more shred before capping them off, I had created this satisfying tower of completed Sweet Peas:

These are the very last of the last Sweet Peas cans, so if you're looking for a sweet gift for a new mom, contact us soon before they're gone!

Today's the Day. It's on the Calendar.

2011-01-13T10:10:00.000-08:00

I just learned that today, January 13th, is Make Your Dreams Come True Day! Who knew such a thing existed? I like the idea of this day, because it’s not directly linked to the need to buy greeting cards or send flowers (Not that there’s anything wrong with cards or flowers! We have plenty of both around here.).

And this is just the shelf where we keep our reports!

Instead, it’s about being given a reason to reach for, work for or ask for what you really want in life. (Along those lines, if someone wants to send me a quilted Chanel bag, it would make my dreams come true!)

A lot of what we create at Gently Spoken is about encouraging people to live their lives to the fullest and trust in their own ability to make their dreams come true. You couldn't ask for a more positive environment.

Earlier this season, a very nice couple in the store was telling me about their vision boards. They have a wall filled with big bulletin boards dedicated to positive, inspiring messages that correspond to their goals for the future. Luckily, I had some Scatter Joy cards that were a perfect fit.

Cheryl has something similar to the vision board idea plastered across the back of her desk:

She also wrote a message for me apropos of my ill advised afternoon desire for white chocolate mocha and the inevitable sugar crash that follows:

Why not consider every day was Make Your Dreams Come True Day? You never know what could be just around the corner...

T

Spring is in the Air

2011-01-06T09:43:00.000-08:00

The weather outside may indeed be frightful, but spring has come to Gently Spoken with Cheryl's new displays!

Yes, we possess more artificial veggies than any other shop on Main Street!

The soap you see beside EYP for Daughters is ridiculously delicious smelling.

My favorite part: the peas are wearing rings!

We're feeling warm and fuzzy inside as well thanks to this sweet testimonial from a new reader:

"A few years ago I became very depressed. I live away from my parents, since college, and am on my own. In the time of my deepest depression I pushed everyone in my life out of it. My mother felt helpless as I wouldn't answer her phone calls. She had to do something, she was not able to let go when I needed her to. So she started sending me the Eat Your Peas Seeds for the Soul every week. I got a little card in the mail about once a week with an Eat Your Peas message. She'd write on them to personalize or put a "we" instead of an "i".

I am not sure why I didn't keep all of them, or when I started keeping some of them, or even why. But they cover my fridge and are tucked away with my sentimental cards.

I wanted to just let you know that those cards were able to keep a connection with my mother and I, and did make a great difference in that period in my life. I am reminded of that and how they made me feel, every time I see them. I hope, when I have my own children one day, to be able to do that for my children as my mother did for me if they are ever sad or down.

So, thank you, for creating such beautiful things to touch others lives. They had a huge impact on me."

Stories like this are why I love packing up orders for our customers; you just never know who's going to receive them and what kind of impact a few kind words can have on a person who's feeling lost and lonely.

Girls Gone Curly

2010-11-22T10:09:00.000-08:00

I have to share with you one of the cutest things in our store right now:

Curly Girl magnet board

Here's a close-up of the message:

And the coordinating magnets, my favorite part:

We were only able to get a few of these in, and they're bound to go fast as we approach the holiday season. I won't be able to enjoy them for long, but I know they'll go to good homes!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

2010-11-19T11:29:00.000-08:00

This horrific mess can only mean one thing.

Yikes!

It's time to redecorate the shop for Christmas!

For those of you in warmer climates, that white stuff outside the window is SNOW!

The maestro at work.

We don't have a lot of space in the company store, so we have to cram a little holiday cheer in where ever we can. Cheryl is going for a Victorian Christmas theme this year...

...complete with dolls and vintage furniture from her mother's collection.

And what Gently Spoken holiday display would be complete without Cheryl's famous flocked trees? We try to get away with keeping these beauties up all winter long.

That ginormous ornament is a Kelly Rae Roberts angel.

Now we just need to wrap some pretend presents for the dollies, and we'll be just about set to face the season!

RIP Halloween!

2010-11-17T14:54:00.000-08:00

Is there anything sadder than putting away Halloween decorations?

Some may find it odd that we’re just now dismantling the last holiday when it’s nearly Thanksgiving and most people are getting Christmas up and running, but we are in Anoka, the Halloween Capital of the World. The way I see it, we’re entitled to a longer Halloween.

It will come again next year of course, but I will miss the cheery faces of ghost in the store!

See you next year, Halloween!

Are You Listening?

2010-10-27T07:36:00.000-07:00

Many people aspire to live the lives they’ve always dreamed of, but it’s rare to meet someone who actually makes those dreams a reality, which is why Lynn Sunde is such an inspiration. Downtown Anoka shoppers will likely recognize her smiling face from her work as former longtime manager of local coffee house Avant Garden. Now Lynn is realizing a lifelong dream of becoming her own boss with the publication of her debut, Are You Listening? Lynn recently joined us in the company store to sign copies and catch up with old friends.

Writing a book wasn't a lifelong goal of Lynn's. All she knew was that she wanted to be her own boss someday, and had always loved the therapeutic process of writing. She even wrote a gift book for her mother of life lessons, but never really thought of combining her entrepreneurial goals with the written word until she came across a letter she’d drafted to a friend and tossed aside with no intention of ever sending. The letter was a response to her friend’s comment that there was no point in talking to God because he never felt like God was listening. Her response, detailing all the ways in which one can find God’s voice in every day life, eventually became her first publication, Are You Listening? She’d written the letter mainly for herself, to get her feelings out on paper, but it wasn’t until she showed it to someone else and was blown away by their powerful reaction, that she realized she’d written something with the potential to inspire others.

Working alongside the entrepreneurs of Anoka (including our own Cheryl Karpen) provided Lynn with the inspiration and knowledge to pursue self publishing, as did a friendship she’d struck up with graphic designer and publisher Guy Mahmarian of Vision van Gogh. To tackle the daunting task of publishing a book, Lynn began by creating a list of steps necessary for achieving her goal and set about crossing them off. After working out time frames, budgets, marketing, and a year and a half of revising and designing, she finally had the finished product in her hands. How did it feel? “It was crazy,” Lynn laughed. “I couldn’t stop smiling. It’s a book!” All the hard work she poured into Are You Listening? should pave the way for coordinating gifts (calendars, magnets, and posters) and a second book in the next year or so. But for now, Lynn is enjoying the sense of accomplishment and relief that come with a job well done, and is looking forward to getting her message out to new audiences.

To learn more about Lynn's book, check out her website or stop by Gently Spoken's company store to read a copy.

www.anotherwordpublishing.com

T

Ode to Barrie

2010-09-03T14:33:00.000-07:00

Since we deal in affirmation and encouragement at Gently Spoken, we throw around words like “inspiring” a lot. But the other day, I spoke with someone who truly defines the word through her thoughts and actions. Her name is Barrie, and she’s about as close to an angel on earth as you can get. At one point in our conversation, I told her I’d feel set for life if I could muster even a small percentage of her compassion and positive energy. In response, Barrie started laughing. “Not if you’d had to live the life I’ve had to get it!” she replied. But let me back up.

We first met Barrie some seven months ago, after she’d come across a copy of our book Eat Your Peas for Me. The uplifting, self-loving message really resonated with her, and she needed a new book to pass out to people in need since her previous choice, Love Letters from God, was now out of print. It’s not uncommon for readers to stock up on their favorite Eat Your Peas books to give to friends and family, but what makes Barrie unique is her affinity for identifying strangers in need of a pick-me-up. During our most recent conversation, she said she wakes up each morning with one goal: to do everything she can to overcome her own worries by helping others. In the retirement complex of nearly 600 people where she resides, Barrie is known as a friend and healer. (“You can go now,” one such friend informed the emergency personnel trying to assist her. “Barrie’s here!”)

Barrie’s philosophy, informed through her life experiences and deep faith, is that all most people need to feel good is for someone to listen—really listen—to them. In my work as Gently Spoken’s customer service manager and resident (unlicensed) psychologist, I can vouch for the veracity of her claim. Prior to joining the team here, I spent my early college years working in an academic support center as a tutor, and I saw first hand that what most students needed, even more than study skills, was to believe they could do well. Without that experience, it never would have occurred to me that so many people live in constant uncertainty of their abilities (I lack this uncertainty not because I’m a super genius, but because I absolutely refuse to fail). Barrie’s made it her life’s work to seek out these distressed people and offer them hope and encouragement through tokens, conversations, and handmade reminders.

We’re truly honored to have such an amazing woman utilize our simple, sweet little book in her goodwill ministry. She’s living proof that kind gestures both large and small really do make a difference in the world.

-T-

A Day in the Life of Whirled Peas Headquarters

2010-05-17T10:09:00.000-07:00

Our day begins at about ten to 9:00 am, when our office manager pulls into the back lot of downtown Anoka and enters our happy, colorful shop.

The first part of the morning is spent returning phone calls and invoicing. Paperwork time! We love it when orders are waiting for us online from customers all over the country (and a few from other countries). Most of our orders are sent to our fulfillment center in St. Paul to be shipped out by our tireless friends at Ideal,

but small orders are packed in house. Every order gets a few of our famous Scatter Joy cards and a personal note thanking them for their order.

10:00—time to open the store! This complicated procedure involves turning the satellite radio on to a soothing station,

pulling the cord on the open sign, and propping the door open to welcome customers and let in fresh air. Sometimes that “fresh air” is a cloud of exhaust and cigarette smoke, but what can you do? On a good day, the birds are chirping, the air smells like breakfast at G’s and Truffles, and the marching band is gearing up over at Sandburg.

As customers select goodies to take home from the store, supplies must be replenished from the back room.

Recently, the shop got some extra special product courtesy of Cheryl's move and subsequent need to clean some things out: antique head vases! If there are any interested collectors out there, shoot us a line; these lovely ladies need good homes.

When she's in town, our owner/author Cheryl can usually be found working away at her desk or hanging out with pictures of her famous (at least around here) mom in the store:

Lunch is often enjoyed across the street at GrassRoots (Cheryl) or at a desk with a good book (Torrie).

In between helping customers in the shop, our general manager toils away at her computer invoicing orders, concocting newsletters, and overseeing shipments to customers all over the continent.

5:00 - Before you know it, it's time to close up shop (literally), tally up the day's sales, and head out to the car to drive home.

See you tomorrow, Anoka!

Small Town Blue (jeans)

2010-04-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

I never really thought of Anoka as a small town. It was just Anoka, a place with cute shops and a nice waterfront. Case closed. But then we moved our offices to the downtown. Possibly the best part of having a storefront is being part of the retail community here. We have the best neighbors, and getting to know them has taught me a whole lot about quality customer service.

Here’s a perfect example: we love Jenson’s and would shop there for the excellent selection of clothes if for nothing else, but the service there is nothing short of amazing. Just this week, an intrepid associate brought Cheryl a pair of pants to try on. That’s right—she walked down the street with a pair of pants our owner had set aside, just so Cheryl could try them on at her convenience. If that isn’t above-and-beyond customer service, I don’t know what is!

The greatest thing about independent retailers, in my humble opinion, is their ability to have independent thought. That sounds blatantly obvious until you consider the utter lack of independent thought at many chains. Let me be clear: I have nothing against chains and certainly shop at them for many of the necessities of life. And it’s not the fault of the employees that they can’t make decisions on their own. They’re not allowed! I’m sure there’s bundles of research supporting the efficacy of such top-down thinking, but it sure loses something in the human connection. Can you imagine a Macy’s associate walking out the door with a pair of pants for a Cinnabon employee in the mall to try on? The alarms would go crazy!

Last night, a companion and I dined at my absolute favorite restaurant. Our waiter smiled when he saw me, took out his order pad, and said, “Bean burrito and side of rice, right?” Another waiter, who wasn’t even serving us but who knows us all too well, brought frothy cerveza over without needing to ask. It’s like walking into Cheers! Before I get distracted thinking about that tasty dinner (mmm), the point is it’s incredibly nice to feel like you’re not just a number to a company, but a valued customer/participant/neighbor and even friend. That’s definitely something we’ve found in Anoka, and I hope you find it at your local shops, too. If not, come to ours—we’ll share!

T

Same Kind of Different

2010-03-10T12:22:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while I stumble across an extraordinary book. The kind you want to shout out to the world that it’s a must read. Being an enthusiastic person by nature, I think many people just kind of ignore my recommendations and chalk it up to another one of my obsessions.

My new friend Sally gave me same kind of different as me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. It sat on my shelf for weeks until I brought it along on a flight to Nashville last week. Everyone on the plane knew the book I was reading was really good. Tears kept rolled down my face; so many that I think I used up a box of tissues. I’m sure the passenger sitting next to me wanted to say, “It’s going to be okay, it’s just a book.” But he didn’t. In fact, he leaned the opposite way. Most men don’t like seeing a woman cry. Maybe he doesn’t know that tears are raindrops of hope. It was obvious: I was transformed, touched and inspired by Ron and Denver’s story. You might be too.

We get one chance, one lifetime, to make a difference on this earth. You’re probably already doing it, but I need to get really busy.

I’d tell you more about the book but I’d probably just start crying again. I’ll just say that it’s a beautiful story about faith, courage, adversity and grace. You can learn more about the book and its authors at www.samekindofdifferentasme.com. Read it. Embrace its message and tell a friend. You won’t be disappointed. Promise.

Here’s to spring and all its forthcoming beauty!

Name Your Year!

2010-01-15T07:57:00.000-08:00

Hard to believe it’s already the new year! It seems like just yesterday we were putting up the Christmas trees and prepping the window for the holidays. Now all the razzle and dazzle are gone! (Well, not all of it; we left the flocked trees up. After all, snow-covered trees will still be timely until at least March here in Minnesota!) In exchange for all the shiny wrapping and bows, we get something even better: the chance to start over with newly defined purpose.

Here’s one of my favorite ideas: name your year! I love this idea because it works. Think about a theme you’d like to live your life by all year long. Here are some examples we’ve used at Gently Spoken: Year of Heroic Customer Service, Year of Affirmation, Year of Listening. Think about what matters most to you. Maybe your family, group of friends, or coworkers could join together to name the year. How about the Year of Community Involvement of the Year of Gratitude? Better yet, the Year of Positive Self-Talk!

As a gentle reminder, place signs around your house or place of work. Put them on the mirror or fridge, or whatever you look at on a daily basis.

Live your year!

The Merry PEAS of Christmas

2009-12-28T09:56:00.000-08:00

"The stockings have been hung with care
Without Gently Spoken inspirations they’d seem quite bare

Awaiting their chance to encourage and empower
Closer and closer ticks the holiday hour

And who’s to thank for spreading such holiday cheer?
Why, the same wonderful people who’ve helped us throughout the year!

Our friends, reps, vendors, and printers
Without you there simply couldn’t be any PEAS this winter."

Grateful People are Happy People

2009-12-02T08:09:00.000-08:00

Is it true? Are grateful people also happier people? My friend and mentor, Dr. Tom Hill, claims research says it's so. And I believe him. Surveys of the gratefulness levels of family and friends confirmed what I’ve found to be true in myself.

Are grateful people happy all the time? Goodness, no! It's just that the odds are in their favor. Even in challenging times, when they’re struggling with relationship, health, job or financial issues, grateful people often see through the fog of uncertainty and fear. They see hope on the horizon and look for life lessons to grow by.

As I grow older, I find myself naturally becoming more grateful. So many people and places amaze, even astound me. Like you! And Torrie and Maggi, young women who work behind the scenes at Gently Spoken who are incredibly smart and self-directed. They make me look good. Come to think of it, my personal gratitude list is infinite! Family. Friends. My neighbor Eva. I still look at Mark, my eHarmony husband, in awe, and my mom never ceases to inspire me. Mom's the ultimate grateful one. No wonder she's still a spitfire at the age of 88. She spends a great deal of her day counting her blessings (I'm not kidding).

Writing about Mom makes me think of food. I LOVE food and my gratitude shows. As a result, I'll be eternally grateful for the amazing tummy holding power of Not My Daughters jeans (If you haven't tried them, run to your nearest store. They're worth every penny.). I'm also thankful for my legs that take me on spirited adventures and help me walk off calories from eating too many piping hot cheesy enchiladas, even if it's sometimes means only walking to the corner store. My legs bring me such happiness! I'm grateful for eyes that help me see nature's extraordinary beauty.
I'm grateful for every breath. Today I will breath deeply and take a moment to reflect and be grateful.

How about you? What are you grateful for?

Ever grateful,

Cheryl

Red Lights

2009-11-24T14:49:00.000-08:00

I always try to be grateful for the little things, because all of those little details really do make a difference in our lives. Today, I was profoundly grateful for…the little red light on my electric stove top! This selfless little light stayed on long after I’d forgotten I had a heater burning. If it wasn’t for that light, the burner could have been left on for hours before I noticed it, and that could have been very dangerous indeed.

It's nearly Thanksgiving, a time of year that reminds us to be grateful for all the little red lights in our lives. It’s part of my mission to express gratitude for those lights, be they human or inanimate. I’ve noticed that when I affirm someone lately—verbally or especially in writing—they say, "You don't know how badly I needed to hear that today." I think a lot of people: moms, dads, co-workers, husbands, sisters, friends, neighbors, teachers and kids, are walking around doubting their magnificence, stressed beyond measure and feeling a bit overwhelmed dealing with all the activity and responsibility of their lives.

I'm today's red light, and I’m blinking at you in reminder of all the wonderful people in your life.

Why not send an email or a note to someone today and remind them how extraordinary they are? Tell them how much you admire their courage, their talent, their undying faith or their tireless role as a working mom or dad. Send a note of appreciation. Send a love note. For no reason at all.

Inspiration comes from the strangest places. Keep an eye out for red lights.

Turning 52

2009-09-25T14:56:00.000-07:00

I turned 52 today. It feels good to be 52. I used to think 52 was old. Now I think it’s young—because that’s how I feel. Young.

I want to run through fields of daisies. I want to climb more mountains and be amazed when I reach the top. I want to kayak through the San Juan Islands in my sporty yellow Eddyline, paddling effortlessly while whales shoot water from their spouts, so close I can almost touch them. I want to reach out to more people with empowering and encouraging words. The world has so much angst; could I possibly be a bright light? I want to love more (my heart is big). Laugh more (Is that possible?). And I want to actually prepare a recipe from the pages of Bon Appetite.

It’s going to be a busy year.

Waiting

2009-09-18T13:42:00.000-07:00

I have never been very good at waiting. I like things to happen—now! Push a button, change the channel, problem solved. I was reminded of just how unaccustomed I was to waiting when our internet suddenly stopped working and could not be fixed for several days. Several long days.

My folks’ generation was used to waiting. During the depression they waited in lines for rationing coupons, sugar and tires. Mom waited forever to save enough money for a new dress or a precious pair of nylons. My dad waited patiently for our family crops to grow.

My folks spent a lot of time waiting. It was just what they did.

With little complaint.

So what makes me think I need everything …now? Well, it’s a new era. Technology has spoiled us with nearly instantaneous everything: movies, access to any expert or information, instant cash or credit, directions, good books, hot meals…all are just a button or click away.

Except, of course, for the internet problem. I couldn’t solve it with a click of a button and neither could the experts. So what did I do? I waited. And you know what? I survived. It didn’t hurt me one bit to have to wait a few days to check my email. The world wide web didn’t cave in without me.

And the truth is you simply need to wait for some things, like maturity, friends, family and coworkers, your hair to grow, a zit to dry up and disappear, security lines at the airport, a green light.

Sometimes you even have to wait for love. Believe me, I know. I waited 48 years. And it was worth every moment. Maybe waiting isn’t so bad after all.

After all, waiting builds patience, character, courage, gratitude, faith and so much more. Waiting for the things we think should be instantaneous gives us time to do the things we think we don’t have time for, like writing a personal thank you note or cleaning out the closet. And, as they say, good things come to those who wait (my husband is living proof of that!).

So I am going to try to be more patient, to appreciate the process as much as the end results. In fact, I can hardly WAIT to get started!

Patiently,

Cheryl

Full Circle

2009-09-08T14:38:00.000-07:00

Customers, neighbors, vendors, and friends, they’re all chiming the same words. “Cheryl, you’ve come full circle. How does it feel?”

Scary, thrilling, exciting, overwhelming—all at the same time. Really.

I didn’t mean for this to happen. I simply couldn’t help myself. OMG, maybe it is true. Do I have an addiction—to creating and operating pretty stores?

A couple of weeks ago, I opened the doors to my publishing company’s first ever retail store, Gently Spoken, on Anoka’s historic Main Street. But it’s not like I’m new to the neighborhood. This is the fifth location I’ve operated a retail store in—within the same block, in the same city, during the past 16 years.

What could have ever inspired me to do it all over again, especially considering the current state of the economy? Earlier this summer while reading a book called The Reluctant Tuscan by Phil Doran, I had a revelation (great book, by the way). Just as the author discovered the beauty of being part of a small Tuscan village where people knew his name, cared about him and his wife, laughed and cried tears with him, I, too, yearned once again to be part of something larger than myself. I needed people.

One by one they’re trickling in.

And they’re giddy and I’m giddy. It’s like an all day, every day high school reunion. Connecting with my old customers is a thrill. They want to hear about my life: where I’ve been, what I’ve been doing, and did I really get married? To be frank, I don’t want to talk about me. Life has been great! I want to hear their stories. It’s been five years since I sold my two former stores and I have a lot of catching up to do. Did Sally ever complete her MBA? Did Debbie finally leave a job she loathed? Did Becky and Allen ever sell their company and spend a year sailing the world? Is Cathy’s MS still in remission?

For many years “we,” my customers and I, were so closely connected: growing, becoming, imagining and dreaming together. I missed them immensely. I yearned to hear their voices and their stories.

So here I am, listening once again. Dreams have been dashed and realized. Lives and careers have been reinvented. Faith has been challenged. Faith has grown. Teen kids grew up and even survived, and so did their parents! Grandkids were born and brought much joy. Hearts have been broken. New love abounds! Life is, after all, a circle.

And it’s so good to be home.

Ever grateful,

Cheryl

Gnome Gets Respect He Deserves

2009-08-28T10:02:00.001-07:00

Well well well. It's about time someone listened to my advice and set up a shrine to the Gently Spoken Gnome. That's me, Charles, if you haven't figured that out already. This shrine is bright blue and green and contains shelves full of product and tables artfully arranged all as an offering to yours truly. Now, you may have heard that this shrine is called "Gently Spoken," and some folks are calling it a gift store, paperie, and all-around center of serenity. Ha! I know a Gnome Shrine when I see one.

The neighbors are delighted, too. They've brought offerings of glorious flowers and plants that really tie the room together, all to welcome me into their vicinity. Of course, this is no less than I deserve, but I will admit it pleases me. I think I will like having them in my presence.

I even have my own throne now, from which I can oversee the wholesale operation and keep my peons (mainly Torrie) in line. If I do say so myself, I look rather majestic when viewed from on high. If that lazy girl even got around to dusting and making a nice mat for me to sit on. I have delegated my paper clip guarding duties, because there simply isn't time for me to bother with the work of underlings now that I've assumed a more prominent role in the company.

Just wait until Cheryl goes on her globe trotting trip come fall...the company is mine! Mine! Mwa hahahaha!

Eh hem. Excuse me. I got a little carried away. The time will come soon enough when I may officially proclaim my superiority over the office, so until then I can work to contain myself. Yes, things are turning up waxy indeed for this gentlegnome.

And not a fly in the place.

C. St. Gnomey, esq.

The Gnome Speaks!

2009-07-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

Charles St. Gnomey here, official gnome of Whirled Peas Headquarters. I'm chuffed to be writing a guest column on Gently Spoken's shiny new blog, the first ever by an inanimate object in the office. Take that, stuffed frog! You lose, Pink dog! Ahh, but I kid. You might think being a citronella gnome candle who guards over the office all day long is a boring occupation, but you'd be amazed by the insanity I bear witness to time and again. Oh, the stories I could tell you. The frightening things I've seen: Cheryl without her coffee, for instance.

I've been given this opportunity because your normal correspondent is happily swamped with orders to process and can't fulfill her epistolary obligations. Apparently, there's a new line called Just gotta tell you... that all the humans are prattling on about, speaking nonsense like "aqueous process" and "margins." These things concern me not. In fact, there are plenty of things a gnome could say about the state of this office. Does anyone, in their new paper printing frenzy, stop to dust the desk on which I sit? Ha! These paper clips that I so nobly and uncomplainingly guard over night and day are getting mixed up. Does no one care for the careful organization of size and color? Obviously not! And don't even get me started on Edward, that sneaky undead assistant to the GM, who hoards all the large, shiny colored clips to himself and stands by the computer with his perpetually brooding expression.

I don't much care for paper products, I'm not going to lie to you. Sure, they tell me they've switched to recycled paper and they're printing with soy ink, and some other bosh about FSC certification. Do they want a gold star or something? You know what's more important than environmental responsibility? That's right, the gnome! Here I sit, gently wafting citronella throughout the office, warding off insects. There hasn't been a fly in my vicinity since I emerged from my box last summer, handsomely yellow and quite tall--if I do say so myself--for a candle. I give my waxy heart and soul to this company and receive nothing in return but the occasional "oh cute!" from a visitor. Cute?! What's cute about guarding paper clips with my life, risking proximity to matches and sunlight on a daily basis, all for the selfless purpose of making Cheryl and Torrie's lives a little easier? It's called being a gentlegnome.

I guess if I had to buy a card, match to my head, no other options, I'd get one of these Just gotta tell you... ones. They are 16 pages long, and that's a lot better than those sissy single fold cards masquerading as a card and gift in one. I can't tell you if the paper is as soft as they claim, because my hands are affixed to my sides for all bleeding eternity, but I know a nice paper when I smell one. And I can guarantee there will be NO FLIES anywhere near a card that comes from this office. How many other companies can make that claim?

There. That's all the praise you'll get out of me! I'm already running my mouth off too much; we gnomes are supposed to be stoic. Don't go looking to me for sentiment. No sir, that's Cheryl's territory. I wouldn't have to come up with anything at all if Torrie weren't so preoccupied (cough-lazy-cough!) with her "orders." Wait, can she see me writing this? Um. That's all. Stop begging to hear more. I have my priorities. There are paper clips to guard.

Drinking Kool Aid

2009-07-07T14:16:00.000-07:00

Ladies and gentlemen, it's that time of year again, that magical time when everyone momentarily goes insane in the pursuit of gorgeous displays, and the gift industry collectively drinks the Kool Aid. That's right: It's show season!

It takes some serious reprogramming to get used to advertising for Christmas in the middle of the summer. I remember attending "Christmas in July" craft fairs with my grandma when I was a kid, and getting equally excited and frustrated about the idea of Christmas: Woo hoo, decorations! Red and green! Nope...still hot out. Blast! Don't even get me started on thinking of summer colors in the dead of winter. It just seems wrong. But then, this is an industry in which we're always thinking ahead, and I have to stop thinking like a consumer.

I couldn't help but notice that the school supplies were out in stores already. Never mind that I'm done with school; it still makes me cringe to see all of those shiny new binders and erasers infringing on the carefree days of summer. The nerve! And I love office supplies--it's a conflicted relationship. And what's with all the fall clothes crowding into stores now? They know it's still hot out, right? We won't have cool weather until at least October. I'm just breaking in my summer clothes!

This is my theory: store owners are really excited about NEW stuff! Who wouldn't be? Sure, their customers (like me) aren't ready for the change yet, but then we haven't been staring at the same displays day in and day out like the retailers have. I'm sure by the end of a season, they have feelings akin to rage at the trendy shirts hanging there, staring them down.

It's kind of fun, actually, to be operating a season ahead of the crowd. Who else gets to pick out their Christmas decorations in July (other than, you know, Martha Stewart)? It's like cheating. We get to celebrate twice. Now if only we could find a way to incorporate Halloween decorations into the equation. That is a holiday that could easily go all month as far as I'm concerned. So long as I can still find a few articles of clothing on store racks not made out of wool, I'll just go with the disjointed flow.

Oohing and Ahhing

2009-06-18T12:53:00.000-07:00

Yours truly has just returned from a splendiferous trip to Charleston, a city so rich in history it requires its tour guides to carry a license. That's taking your tourism seriously. After oohing and ahhing at glorious old buildings for three days, I reluctantly came home to plain old Minnesota. On the ride home from the airport, it occurred to me that nothing is interesting in your homeland. The closer I got to Anoka, home of Whirled Peas Headquarters, the more the oddity of this realization struck me. If I didn't roam Anoka everyday, if it wasn't so familiar, I'm sure I'd be just as awed by the history of this city as I was by Charleston. Sure, we don't have the distinction of being the first state to secede, nor were the first shots of the Civil War fired on our soil, but we are a pretty historic river town in our own right (and the Halloween capital of the world!).

Something I've always loved about Anoka is its determination to preserve that history. Instead of tearing down old buildings to put up new ones with old-timey facades (like a certain town I know, which shall remain nameless), the city simply re-purposes the existing structures. The old post office, a stately brick structure, is now home to shops and eateries (our personal favorite, if you're in the area, is Cornerstone, makers of one fierce Oreo cookie salad). Main Street has done its best to keep its past alive, just like Charleston.

Which is why I think Anoka is such a good fit for Eat Your Peas. Never mind that the town spawned our author; that's besides the point. Anoka tries to preserve its uniqueness and independent spirit, rather than allowing faceless chains to infiltrate the main drag and transform it into a clone of every other shopping town in the area. These are the retailers who are in it for the love and for the long haul. They actually want to get to know their customers and make sure they're happy, and they don't need a big, generic building to do it in. Weird, huh?

On the drive home, I just might have to make a point of oohing and ahhing at at least a few buildings.

No Sweat (right??)

2009-05-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how many steps are involved in the creation of a new product. I never thought about this prior to joining the team here at Peas HQ. Displays magically made their way to stores to be admired by unsuspecting shoppers like me. They're just there. I didn't have to think about it. And really, you ask, why should anyone? I suppose the simplest answer is that all of the effort that goes into putting a display in a store is rather astounding.

Take our newest line, Just gotta tell you..., for instance (and take it you ought, for it's physically impossible not to like it). This line began as a little seed inside the brain of our fearless leader. She wanted something with the heart of our Eat Your Peas books but more compact and maybe a little funnier. What if, she wondered, we had a series of phrases preceded by the expression "I've just gotta tell you!" How many times have we all said some variation of that phrase followed by some kernel of awesomeness we just had to get out? So there you have it: Step 1. An idea is born.

What never ceases to amaze me is how that idea actually comes to fruition.

Let me tell you, it involves a lot of brainstorming meetings! Fortunately, when it comes to storms of the brain, we're regular chasers around here. Everyone on the team originated their own lists of ideas independent of the group to avoid any cross-contamination. Then we all met to read them aloud to much acclaim (and snickering, in some cases). The best of the bunch were culled into categorical lists of potential cards, such as birthday, any occasion, sympathy, etc. End Step 2, begin Step 3! What good are lists of titles without any content?

While we scribble away at text to flesh out our new ideas, our wonderful artist, Sandy, simultaneously begins Step 4, which is the daunting task of turning the abstract images in Cheryl's head into fun, real life designs. Don't ask me how she does it. It's a state secret.

Countless rounds of matching words with pictures and revising and editing and did I mention revising follow (let's call that Steps 5-10). But wait, there's more! What kind of paper do we want? (Step 11) Which colors from the deck? (Step 12) And, oh no, is there a proper display with pockets this size? (Step 13) If not, would it be exorbitant to make one? (Step 13.5) Decisions, decisions!

But fear not, because--miracle of miracles--all of this craziness does come together in the end. There it is: a proof. Beautiful! Unless...the color isn't quite right, and don't you think we should move that text around? (Steps 14-20: further revision!)

And that's just brainstorming in the office! There are still the logistics of shipping the displays, introducing the line to reps and retailers alike, making sure everything comes in on time, redesigning the layout of the catalog to accommodate new product, creating promotional mailings...shweew! I'm exhausted just thinking about it, and I know I've missed a few steps here and there.

I honestly don't think I'll ever shop the same way again. This knowledge has infiltrated the very core of my previously ignorant brain. For instance, I bought a pair of pants this last weekend, and as I looked at the hanger the sales person let me take, I decided that department store routing guides probably require manufacturers to preprice and hang such pants in a manner that best suits their existing fixtures, which makes it possible for me to keep the hanger, because it won't work with future shipments and storage space is at a premium...ahhh! So much work to get that pair of pants in my hands! And this is all local; don't even get me started on international shipments!

Okay, it's official: I'm rambling now. The main point (yes, I have one!) is that so much of the world functions without us ever having to think about it and, at the end of the day, that might be the best mark of a job well done. If a consumer can wander into a store, spot something she can't live without, and cart it away without ever once having to think about all the sweat and tears (and blood, as anyone who has manhandled a tape gun knows) that went into putting it there, then we've all done our jobs. Like a virtuoso guitar player or ballroom dancer, the hundreds of hours of effort never show. We make it look easy.

Think globally...you know the rest.

2009-05-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

It's a blustery day here in lovely Anoka, MN. Thankfully, we are safely ensconced in our office, too firmly rooted to blow away, but we fear for our packages and the good people who carry them!

So, what's going on at Whirled Peas HQ? Gently Spoken recently joined the cause of the 3/50 Project, which has gotten me thinking about my spending habits. Isn't it worth it to support independent retailers, even if it mean spending a bit more?

Yesterday, I visited a certain big box store to pick up some random essentials and came armed with my own tote bag to carry them away in. Not only was the clerk baffled by my tote, he couldn't be bothered to put anything in it. Apparently, if you bring your bag, you pack your own purchases.

I can't help but compare this to my experience a few weeks ago at the local co-op. The staff was friendly and helpful and didn't seem inconvenienced by my desire to purchase their goods. I left thinking, "Wow, they're so nice. Why don't I go in there more?"

Well, why don't I? It's not out of the way, the prices are reasonable considering everything is organic, and the service is great. That's not to say that all independent retailers are an oasis of superb service, but they usually have to put more effort into making and keeping their customers, and that dedication shows.

The 3/50 Project encourages consumers to spend $50 each month in three independently owned businesses. I easily spent $50 in the big box yesterday and didn't come out very satisfied. Now, to be fair, I've had plenty of perfectly satisfactory experiences in large chains, but considering what a boon it can be to the local economy to spend more money at the independents, I have to be a little more deliberate about where I shop.

2009-05-12T13:05:00.000-07:00

We've been working on a brand new line of cards this month, and the more we write them, the more I wonder why I don't say these things to the people in my life. Am I embarrassed? Afraid they'll laugh? Maybe. They might...but so what? Isn't that better than never saying what I really feel for fear of reprisal?

So I'm starting right now. Look out, world!

2009-05-05T11:41:00.001-07:00

Greetings from Whirled Peas Headquarters!

It is my pleasure to inaugurate our Gently Spoken blog! We're on a mission to enter the information age (a little late, I know!). What better or more efficient way to connect with readers from all around the world than the Internet?

Life is blessedly busy here at Peas HQ. All morning long, Cheryl has been on the phone talking to customers about matters both business (how best to merchandise our books) and personal (how to overcome a heart break). We've decided she's our own personal in-house life coach. Which is something funny about Eat Your Peas: It isn't just a book series, though it's certainly a wonderful line of books. Eat Your Peas is a whole community full of people who care about making the world a better place, one healed heart at a time.

Every so often, someone will try to tell us that our message is outdated; apparently encouragement is just too "mushy," too sentimental for modern, ironic and disconnected consumers. Every so often, we start to worry they're right. But then someone will call or email to share their story, and we're reminded that sincerity never goes out of style.

A great example: a woman left a message on our machine over a week ago, and we still can't bear to erase it. She told us about sending our Eat Your Peas for Sons books to her child who is stationed in Iraq. Her son was "just ecstatic" about the book, and she wanted to "salute the carriers of the book and the author herself." What better incentive than that do we need to keep going?

There is a board in our office covered with letters and notes we've received from happy readers who remind us why we do this everyday. We're incredibly lucky to be an office that receives more kind words than angry ones (knock on wood!). If you're one of those happy readers, please share your story with us!