You can take the girl out of Wisconsin ...

It's been a while since I've tended to my weekly enumerations of all things wonderful created in the U.S. I admit to having been been remiss since the Christmas holidays. But, this was the product that reminded me to get back on track.

You haven't lived until you've had this Gouda smoked with apple and hardwood, melted on whole grain toast for breakfast (with a side of Granny Smith apple slices). It's just that good.

The company website is not particularly prolific, and you can't order directly from Red Apple Cheese (crafted in Wisconsin -- where else?), but check your local grocer's cooler. If they don't have it, cajole them into getting it. You will never go back to a bland grilled cheese again. Never.

As to price, I believe that the block I recently bought was under $7.00. Happy tasting!

WHAT WOMEN WANT!

After plenty of research and consideration, I present, for your review, the first half of my 10 picks for holiday gifts for women, and all for under $100 each! Drum roll, please!!!

1. I kid you not when I say I would not be the cook I am today if it weren't for Victoria Taylor seasonings. Simply the best at taking out the guessing and time consumption of arriving at the perfect seasoning blends for any dish. I first found these seasonings on periodic trips to T.J. Maxx. But I've recently discovered the website, and in so doing, also learned a little about the company. It was started in 1988 by Victoria Taylor, who had tired of working in corporate America and wanted to use her food marketing background in a different way. She started out by using her husband for her initial taste testings. Her painstaking efforts paid off. My salmon is amazing because of her ginger citrus blend. My potato/golden beet/carrot soup gets the perfect amount of kick from her smoky paprika chipotle. And now, I'm thrilled to learn about her holiday offerings. What a pretty and useful gift, at just $17.99 for the 3-tin set, including holiday seasonings, and mulling and pie spices. And free shipping on all orders over $49! Visit http://www.vgourmet.com/.

2. Fruitcake, schmootcake! The last thing any self-respecting woman wants is that caloric, sugar-laden brick, no matter how "gourmet" a particular brand is advertised to be. Instead, for approximately the same amount of money, you can splurge on a 5-pound container (7-12 pears) of Harry and David's perennial favorite. These pears are organically grown, in the U.S., and will come to your door (free delivery!) for $34.95. They are a healthy and intensely juicy treat. For more information or to order, visit http://www.harryanddavid.com/.

3. Speaking of taste treats, I've been enjoying herbal coffees from Teeccino, out of Santa Barbara, for years. It brews just like traditional coffee, so I still have the comforting sound of my percolator and the delightful aroma in the morning.

The taste? Far superior to any coffee I've tasted, and without the caffeine jitters or acidic aftertaste. And now, they even come in "Tee" bags, as well. I never would have thought I'd like those individually brewed cups nearly as much, but I was wrong. My daily flavor of choice is the hazelnut blend, but the Amaretto blend makes a great dessert coffee. Why not try a variety gift basket, for $40.99? Visit: http://teeccino.com/.

4. Forget the Uggs and other pricey foreign-made slippers. For $75.00, you can purchase these high quality Colorado Moccasin Sheepskin Slippers, from Sundance Sheepskin & Leather, a 40-year-old, family-based company, located in the mountain town of Guffey, Colorado. These unisex slippers are handmade in the United States, using sheepskin from cold climate Colorado and New Mexico sheep, which, states the company, results in a warmer, more comfortable and durable product. Sundance also states that the American techniques and standards for tanning produce a much higher quality of sheepskin and leather, and conform to strict EPA guidelines that help protect the environment. The double leather sole is durable enough for outdoor use, although the company now also offers a rubber-soled version. The slippers are offered in unisex sizes, but if you have any qualms about fit, you'll be pleased to learn that because all of Sundance's products are handmade, the company can make slight adjustments to its patterns to accommodate for variations in width, if customers advise them of same. All of Sundance's products are washable in cold water, with mild soap, after which they can be formed and air dried. All of its products carry a satisfaction guarantee and a 1-year warranty on materials and workmanship. While I have chosen this particular style, in keeping with my $100 or under price point, the company also offers a 10" high, boot-style slipper for $105.00. For more information, or to order, go to: http://www.sundanceleather.com/html/sheepskin_slippers.html.

5. Another must-have for chilly weather is a pair of attractive, well-made gloves. My choice in this regard is the Cascadia Glove, the most popular model from Sullivan Glove Co., a 70-year-old company with a truly American heritage. It was first established in San Francisco, turning out gloves for ship builders during World War II. After the war, Ed Sullivan moved his company to its current headquarters of Bend, Oregon. It was purchased in 1975 by Dave and JoAnn Dewey, who continued and expanded the original line of gloves and slippers. In 1999, David and Terri Hayes purchased the company and carried on its tradition of producing high quality, comfortable and durable products.

I particularly like this supple and durable deerskin glove because, depending on the color, it could be dressed up or down. The black and dark brown would work well for a classic look, while the light and dark tan versions could be "rocked" with a Southwestern look. The biggest fear I'd have with these glove is simply misplacing them, because they otherwise appear to be part of a woman's wardrobe for a lifetime. A great investment at $39.00 a pair (with free shipping for all domestic orders over $35!). Incidentally, Sullivan Glove Co. also does custom orders, and its gloves have been sported by celebrities such as Sylvester Stallone, Willie Nelson, and Kevin Costner. For more information or to order: http://www.sullivanglove.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=217.

Really want to save money, live better? Buy a book!

This week’s edition of G.R.A.C.E. is about patronizing your local independent bookstore, but first a discussion of the not so attractive side of American consumerism. I recall chuckling at an episode of “The Simpsons” where a sign over the local market stated “In honor of the birth of our savior, Try-N-Save is open all day Christmas.” However, in light of grim accounts of violently maniacal behavior on Black Friday at superstores throughout the U.S., it is difficult to find any humor in that show’s commentary on the human condition. The truth of what the holiday season means to millions of people is, instead, just plain sad.

Not to be outdone by previous years’ displays of inhumanity, this year saw the following:

· A screaming mob fighting over two-dollar waffle makers at a Wal-Mart near Little Rock, Arkansas.
· A woman pepper-spraying others vying for a gaming console at a Los Angeles Wal-Mart. Incidentally, I do not even know what a gaming console is, and I lose no sleep over this fact.
· A grandfather knocked unconscious by police and left lying in a pool of his own blood in an Arizona Wal-Mart, because he was assumed to be shoplifting when he was reportedly trying to guard a video game he had selected for his grandson, from the avaricious crowd around him (the attack was witnessed by a CNN reporter).
· Two women requiring hospitalization after being kicked and shoved in their attempts to get a deal on a smart phone in a Wal-Mart in Rome, New York.
· Shoppers being held up and shot in parking lots outside Wal-Mart stores in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and San Leandro, California.

Kind of puts a whole new spin on Wal-Mart’s slogan: “Save Money. Live Better.”

But Wal-Mart does not have complete dibs on shocking behavior demonstrated by this year’s deal seekers. A 61-year-old pharmacist collapsed, from a heart attack, onto the floor of a Target store in West Virginia, while shoppers, undaunted by the obstacle, simply stepped over the man who later died at an area hospital. While there were reports of at least one nurse eventually coming to the man’s aid, this story still made me wonder about all of those other people … whether any of them considered that this could happen to their own father or grandfather.

Target was the same “thoughtful” company that opted to open at midnight on November 25th this year, to “accommodate” Black Friday shoppers (as in, help spur the public into a physical and psychological frenzy). This move on Target’s part required employees to arrive an hour early to prepare for opening the doors, which meant that those same people – if they had the unmitigated gall to try to celebrate Thanksgiving dinner with family – were exhausted by the end of Friday, so much so, that one of them drove her vehicle into a 20-foot canal when she got off work in Palm Beach County, Florida.

And so, I must also muse at Target’s slogan: “Expect more. Pay less.” I’m sure that Walter Vance’s family expected more than how he was treated in that store.

Enough about that. The good news is that in the midst of that horrific madness, there is still some sanity and humanity in our country when it comes to shopping local, and for a present that has never gone out of style. Saturday marked the first anniversary of "Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day." And, I've been pleased to learn that this is not just wishful thinking on the part of bookstores. Indeed, people have been following President Obama's lead ... or perhaps he is following theirs, and frequenting their local, independent bookstores to purchase children's books. According to a recent report of Publisher's Weekly: Several stores have been so encouraged by sales this year that they are planning to expand to fill the void left by Borders. “We’ve had an excellent year,” says Gladin Scott, manager of Maple Street Books in New Orleans. “Our sales are up tremendously, and we anticipate that continuing over the next year. I would say that we’re at least 15% over last year, because our business increased about 30% over the summer.” In September, Maple Street opened a store on the other side of the French Quarter; on Saturday it will open a third store in a mid-city location.

When I think back to the portentous demise of Kathleen Kelly's delightful bookstore in "You've Got Mail," back in 1998, I'm especially encouraged to see that the indies are thriving, even though at least one behemoth (Border's) has fallen on hard times. As I've said from the start when developing this blog, my criteria for selecting American-made items were strict. Products had to be, among others, durable and attractive. And I just don't know what item fits that description more perfectly than does a children's classic book. (And still under $100 -- thus keeping with my price point). What's more, I doubt you will ever see people breaking out the pepper spray or getting into bare knuckle boxing in an independent bookstore, no matter how precious the prize.

What's more, a book is sometimes even better than a band-aid. This morning, I had just started my pre-school ballerinas on their beginning exercise of flexing and pointing their feet when a late arrival was carried in by her mother. Little Ella was so excited about coming to class today, new pink tights and all, that she pitched, full body, into the sidewalk, scraping her arms, knees and chin. She was a mournful little mess and I was not sure that even with hugs from me and her classmates, we could arrest her tears. Then I remembered what was in my bag and quickly retrieved a copy of My First Ballet Class. Classroom work was put aside for a few minutes as my tiny dancers gathered close and read the book with me. Soon, all was well with Ella, with the added benefit of a special few minutes of bonding with all of my pupils. Thank you, Angelina Ballerina!

Week No. 7: It's beginning to look a lot like ...

So, as I entered the Causeway Approach in Mandeville, Louisiana, this morning, en route to teaching ballet in New Orleans, I saw the newly hung red and green lighted branches on the posts, and realized that the holidays are imminent. With that in mind, it's time to get in gear for quality American-made gifts. As always, I have tough criteria: the items must be made in the United States, attractive, useful, durable, and affordable (under $100 is what I have aimed for and achieved, thus far).

This is the time for a sweet (and still, economical) splurge. Those little fun items, with a bit of girly girl appeal. With that in mind, I present a wonderful company, Fabulous Furs, headquartered in Covington, Kentucky (which I've actually visited, being just a trek across a bridge from Cincinnati), and which bills itself as "the world's finest faux fur."

For just $99.00, you can amp up your wardrobe (or the woman's in your life) with this Tipped Feather Fox Fashionista Vest, which ranges in size from XS to 3X, and is available in Black Feather Fox, Russian Lynx, Ivory Feather Fox, and Tipped Fox.

Other options for revving up your winter style include a great selection of faux fur hats for that classic "Lara" appeal. This faux fur Cossack hat goes for $59.00, and comes in Black Fox, Russian Sable, Russian Lynx, Leopard, and Winter White Mink. It can be adjusted by rolling the brim inside. An elastic band also lends this beauty to fitting most women. If you order one of these lovely items, you'll be in fashionable company.


Coats from Fabulous Furs have been featured on such shows as "Designing Women," "Law and Order," "Gossip Girl," and numerous soap operas. Notable fans of these products include Patti LaBelle, Fantasia, Helen Gurley Brown, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Rue McClanahan, Sally Jessey Raphael, Carol Burnett, Mary Tyler Moore, Tiffani-Amber Theissen, Loretta Swit, and Stephanie Powers.

And now, for the ultimate bargain. How about this wonderful U.S. made Eternity Wrap? This "lavishly trimmed velvet wrap" can be worn in a variety of ways, including as a wrap over a coat or sweater, or as a hood. It is available in black and brown, and comes in sizes S/M, L/XL, and 2X/3X. And here's the kicker: It is currently on sale for $9.00!!!!! Check it out right here. For more info, go to the Fabulous Furs website:
http://fabulousfurs.com/

Week No. 6: I Pledge Allegiance to These Jeans

For a woman, discovering the perfect pair of jeans -- and made in the U.S., to boot -- is akin to finding the Holy Grail. That would explain why my research on this particular American-made product took me an extra week, and could easily take even more time. But, as imperfect as this week's edition may be, it's a start.

Okay. In my closet currently hangs (and usually not for long, as they get a lot of wear) the perfect pair of jeans: Gap brand, "Long and Lean," with a midrise (below the waist, but not of the muffin-top variety), and blessedly long enough for my legs. They have been washed and worn to the perfect level of feel and comfort. And, they were made in the U.S., in December 2004, to be exact. (I know this because Gap tags not only reflect the country of origin, but the date).

Skip ahead a few years. My other favorite jeans are a pair of Gap's "Curvy Flare" style, made in August 2008 ... in Bangladesh. Skip ahead a few more years. October of 2011, to be exact. Gap -- which started out in San Francisco, on a shoestring in 1969, and grew to be an industry behemoth whose four other primary brands are Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta -- has announced plans to close over a fifth of their U.S. Gap stores by 2013, due to declining sales ... while simultaneously expanding its operations in China, tripling the number of stores there.

Way to hang tough, Gap. It's all about the bottom line. But here's the real bottom line: You're still the largest specialty apparel retailer in the U.S., but that isn't good enough. Well, then you're not good enough for me anymore, either. Not when you no longer make your jeans here and, further, opt to retail them elsewhere.

When I started this blog, my goal was to present American-made alternatives to items we regularly use. One of the criteria was that these items had to be attractive. Ladies, we know that no matter how durable and affordable American-made jeans are, we are not going to buy them unless they are both comfortable and flattering as well. I love my country, but I am not going to parade around in a pair of "hee-haws."

Behold a company that gets the G.R.A.C.E. award for producing a pair of jeans that meets all criteria: Diamond Gusset. For 25 years, this U.S. company has been MAKING jeans, starting with growing the actual cotton throughout the southeastern United States. The buttons and burrs are from Kentucky and Tennessee; the hang tags, labels and thread from Tennessee; the pocketing from Mississippi; and the leatherette patch from Alabama. Finally, the jeans are stonewashed and sewn in Georgia, not in foreign sweatshops. You can view the assembly of these jeans via this link: http://www.gussetjeans.com/video/Made_In_Blue_Ridge_Georgia/.
These jeans are also unusual in that they feature a diamond-shaped insert in the crotch for better comfort and ease of movement (hence, the "gusset").

While my research did unearth a number of other companies offering American-made jeans, none of them created their products from start to finish in the U.S., and none featured a pair of jeans for under $100, which has been my preferred price point from the get go. The "Backstage" model featured above is described as a lower mid-rise, just below natural waist, straight leg, but not skinny, stonewashed finish, and sells for $59.95. You can find them here:
http://www.gussetclothing.com/wstretch.html. There are three other women's styles available, including a semi-low rise, boot cut model for $63.95.

Diamond Gusset, headquartered in Bon Aqua, Tennessee, also emphasizes that you can "speak with a real person" during normal business hours: M-F, 9-5; and Saturdays, 10-4:30.

I realize that this home grown company, by its very nature, offers a limited number of styles. You may have to live with these jeans for awhile before they become perfect, weatherworn friends. But -- you can't hurry love.

Part II coming soon: Other U.S. brands of jeans, using imported materials.

Week No. 5: Bringing Halloween Home

All of the mounting hubbub about Wall Street occupation and protesting only seems to drive home my initial point in starting this blog: that John and Jane Doe cannot wait for anyone to bail them out. We have to do this at a grass roots level by patronizing our own country's businesses. It may be a little more expensive at times, but then buy less and buy better.

For instance, Halloween is approaching. You could go to the local superstore and pick up a bag of crap to distribute. You could do that, yes. It would be cheap and easy. It would also be thoughtless.

Look -- no one needs to pick up as much candy as they used to because Halloween has long ceased being a holiday where children (like I was once upon a time) stampeded the entire neighborhood, and far beyond, completely unchaperoned. There was a delightful spookiness in knocking on the door of a house whose occupants you knew nothing about, all part of an avaricious quest to overfill your bag with enough loot to last until the following year.

The times, they have long a'changed. Children now only venture out to the homes of well- acquainted neighbors, under the watchful eye of their parents. Or, they bring treats to share with classmates at school. You therefore don't need the endless supply of sweets required in days of old to take care of your share of trick and treaters. Hence, a golden opportunity to buy less but buy better.

Here's what I discovered. Natural Candy Store is a business opened and operated by two sisters and their mom in Concord, California, offering healthy treats for any child or child at heart. The candies are organized into categories so that you can ensure that your selections exactly match your specific needs and wants. If you want candy made in the U.S., you've got it. Gluten or allergen free, check! Candy that can be safely given to children with ADHD, check! Vegan, kosher, fair trade, organic ... it's all there. And for the record, none of the candies contain artificial ingredients, so there's no reason for anyone to feel left out of the holiday fun.

And, while the prices may not be bargain basement priced, the candy is top of the line and at a sufficiently low cost to feed a classroom for under $20.00. The variety is unsurpassed, from fudge to licorice to hard candy to popcorn balls, and then some. There are also baking decorations, natural food colorings, and dessert toppings.

Here's the website: http://www.naturalcandystore.com/

Week No. 4: The only hairbrush you'll ever need

Ironically, it was in my earliest days of newswriting -- when I was barely formed as a human being -- that I penned a column in which nostalgia played a salient role. One of those columns had to do with my love for "men in uniform," that is, the ones who periodically visited my neighborhood while I was growing up. Impeccable in manner and dress, they offered suburban housewives the opportunity to purchase an array of goods from their respective doorsteps. You filled out a card, left it in the chute, and magically, there soon appeared your requested dairy products. On Saturday mornings, we crowded around my mother at the front door, as she selected crullers and jelly-filled donuts from the baker's tray. Afternoons were regularly punctuated by the cheerful call of "Polly Prim!" That signified an exchange of freshly drycleaned garments for ones to be sent off.

This discussion would not be complete without a mention of the Fuller Brush man, who kept our family supplied with well-made combs and boar bristle brushes. No dime store stuff in our house. Of course, cleaning those investments was as regular an occurrence as any other kind of housekeeping.

If you have never had an excellent boar bristle brush, you are missing out on one of life's pleasurable necessities. Recession or no recession, it's time to quit exposing your wallet and hair to cheap, plastic excuses for a hairbrush. A natural boar bristle brush is a joy to use, distributing the natural oils of your hair, facilitating its health and beauty.

The Fuller Brush man may no longer knock on our doors, but the products are still accessible. And here's what you should know about the company. In 1906, Alfred C. Fuller, a 21-year-old entrepreneur from Nova Scotia, decided to begin the first day of that year by starting what eventually became known as the Fuller Brush Company. "From a bench between the furnace and the coal bin in his sister's New England home, young Fuller set out to make, in his own words, ' ... the best products of their kind in the world.'" These products -- which have expanded to encompass numerous household and personal care items -- continue to be crafted in the United States by a company that strives to offer non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and durable goods.

The brush featured above, made of beechwood and natural boar bristles, fits all of my initially stated criteria. It is beautiful, durable, eminently usable, and affordable, offered at the extremely competitive price of $39.99, thereby also keeping it under my preferred ceiling of $100.00.

For more information, go to http://www.fuller-brush-products.com/.