Monday, August 29, 2011

Pecan Crop Predictions...

The outlook for pecan crops this year is bleak. As a matter of fact the outlook for any crops this year is bad. Since I have seen cactus dying in this weather I think you might even have a hard time being a "cactus farmer"...if there was such a thing.

Jake and our staff out in our orchards are working overtime trying to not only save what crop we might have left but also try and save our trees for future harvests! If a pecan tree dies it will take over 8 years for a replacement tree to begin production. So a lost tree is not only a lost crop...it is a lost crop for 8 consecutive years...and that is if everything goes right during those 8 years.

I know the experts are predicting a pecan shortage for the U.S. somewhere around 30 million or more pounds. If any of you have had basic economics then you know that when demand exceeds supply this causes prices to rise. With this being said, be ready for higher pecan prices this upcoming season.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Just In Today...New Coffee!

We just got a shipment of super cute new coffee packages from our supplier out of Tyler, TX. If you are looking for a cute gift for a great price check out these new items!

Cowgirl Coffee, Stagecoach Coffee, Cowboy Coffee, and Thanks A Latte Coffee

At only $2.95 each bag makes a pot of coffee (8 to 10 cups). It is the perfect gift!

Stop in to check them out. Of course we still have our other great flavors like Southern Pecan available.

Coming soon...pumpkin flavored coffee for the Fall and Christmas Coffee for the holidays!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Trip Down Memory Lane...

Going through all the files has brought back a lot of memories...some of them sweet...some of them bitter sweet. Have you ever noticed the things that you save...that you hold on to? Have you ever come across something later and wondered...why in the heck did I save this?

I have wondered what my mom was thinking many times during this process of cleaning out her old office. I know my mom is sort of a "pack rat" but some of the stuff she has saved has just cracked me up. She kept product brochures from 2003. Pretty sure most of that stuff is "out of stock" by now. She kept whole notepads in which only one page was written on and the rest was empty. Now these "steno" notepads had to have been from the 80s I swear!

But she also kept newspaper articles about the Pecan Shed. She even has a copy of the original letter she sent out to prospective buyers when the Pecan Shed moved to our current location. She kept pictures of us planting trees at our "Parker Place" location. She kept old Pecan Shed labels...back when we had an 817 area code. She kept one of my grandma's checkbooks too.

While I might not always understand my mom's need to not throw away things...anything! I can appreciate her sense of family...her need to stay connected to the past...her love for this store and all the blood, sweet, tears, and joy that went into making it the success it is today.

While I can't "file" away Mom's love for our family and this store...I can carry on that tradition. And that is exactly what I plan to do...only with a less cluttered office! :)

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Jalapeno Fudge

Introducing "Jalapeno Fudge"!!!

You may think we have lost our minds but for those of you who like the flavor of jalapenos, who like things a little spicy, and who want a bit of a kick...you have got to try this new fudge flavor.

Kathy has been chomping at the bit wanting to make this fudge for some time now...and with the holidays around the corner we decided to give it a spin. If it turns out to be a HUGE hit we will offer it on a more regular basis.

Now I am not a big fan of spice. (Sometimes pepperoni slices can be too spicy for me...I know I am a total whimp!) But the fudge does look very neat and like nothing we have had before.

It is at least worth a sample taste! Stop in and tell us what you think!!! And if you need to...ask for a sip of water too!!!