Light up the night.

Twas the night before Hanukkah and all through the house I can't find my matches, Oy, what a louse.

I can't make the rest of this rhyme. Maybe you, gentle reader can. Just trying to find matches of any kind I found a big box from here:

http://www.ddbean.com/products/

Matches are all they make. You can buy in bulk an event in plain white or customize. They work as giveaways at your swanky dive or roadside burger joint,  to put in the gift bags at your next Star Wars convention or stock up for a lifetime supply of menorah lighting.

The packaging is charmingly quaint and old fashioned. I could have found matches in less bulk (this is a life-time supply for us non-smokers) but I had to buy them when I saw "Made in the USA" on the box.

It takes a village ....

... to rebuild the economy it takes a downtown.

There are several communities which have stores featuring products made nearby. Made in Pescadero is a favorite shop of ours, Petaluma now has at least one store for local artisans which I'm hearing great things about but have not been to yet. And downtown Oakland has businesses springing up that make and sell local products. Most feature local design, crafts, artisans.

While desperately seeking last minute local holiday gifts I explored this area right by my commute.

I'll be writing about them all in the next few weeks, stay tuned gentle readers.

For now, off to walk the dog.

Good clean fun on sale!

No, I'm not talking about a political candidate I'm talking about Swan Haven soap.

One of my first posts to this blog was about http://www.swanhavensoap.com/ I've met the artist but yet to tour her farm. You can if you're in Sonoma county, check the site for contact information and dates.

Just in time for the holidays she's offering free shipping, discounts and some delicious sounding winter fragrances like Christmas spice, pumpkin pie, frankincense and myrrh and spiced mahogany.

Love your bike

We love our bikes, maybe you love yours too. How do you transport them? Hopefully you ride them from point A to B. But sometimes that won't do. Well, I've never had to get to a triathlon of any length ... yet. The 5 times I returned my 2 wheeled steed from the end of the AIDS ride it rode in a truck. But if you fly to endurance events, a vacation or bike tour you want to protect your baby from the 500 lb gorillas that are airline baggage handlers.

These will do the trick well and they are made here:

http://www.triall3sports.com/index.php

The Best Seat in the House

Recently I remodeled the toilet. I'd like to replace the entire thing with the same also made in USA low flow model I have downstairs. But for now I'm replacing the seat.

What can you say about a toilet seat? The finish is good, the paint job is smooth and well done, the fittings and hinges work well, the wood which according the the label is pressboard from recycled wood feels solid, smooth and durable. 

This one did not come with directions to install but none were needed. It was a simple job barely needing any tools. 

http://www.toiletseats.com/

Check out their new website.

One of the first products I reviewed on this blog was Critter Gear http://madeinusareviews.blogspot.com/2010/04/this-blog-is-going-to-dogs-and-cats.html

They have given their website a fresh new look and a makeover. Just in time for the Holidays they are offering 15% off. Use coupon code "newsite".

Buy made in USA this season. If your pet could talk they would say "I want something from Critter Gear".

http://www.crittergear.com/

Trick or treat - where is your candy from?

I admit it, I was not looking at labels. Twas the night before Halloween. I was  just shopping for something cheap, in bulk when I spotted Red Bird Brand soft peppermint puffs. It says proudly made in the USA right on the container. These are made with real cane sugar not HFCS. I know, I know, it’s candy, whatevah, don't bug me. Real sugar is a start.

Just open the container and whoosh, even though each mint is individually wrapped you are surrounded by the aroma of real mint.

I thought the kids would scoff at it a bit wanting the so called major brands of candy but the response was fantastic “Great! Mints! I love mints. Thanks” was what I heard from little angels to vampires and zombies though the night.

Proudly made in the USA since 1890 and available in every state of the USA

http://piedmontcandy.com/

Welcoming a new mat

It's time for a new doormat.  Decoir made my old one, it wore well and I loved the doggie "wipe your paws" theme. The new one's a traditional "welcome" message. The only thing that could be better is tiny fine print on the bottom "unless you're sales or prosthelytizing religion".  Hey, I could order custom and they'll do it.

I've always been pleased with their mats and just now noticing they are made in USA. One more thing to love about:

http://www.decoir.com/index.html

It's a chew toy, it's a snack, it's a toy, a snack ....

The boy mutt loves these with a burning passion. Get him the entire rope of dried sweet potato treats and he'll chew and play till they are gone. We have to dole them out. Stay tuned as I try them on the girl mutt.

Made in USA with real ingredients. You don't eat junk, why should your best friend? Ok, maybe you do eat junk but your dog and cat should get:

http://www.snookdog.com/

We're going shopping!

Stay tuned, we're going shopping! K found a store nearby that sells only USA made stuff. Suddenly I feel a burning need for cowboy boots, cowboy shirts, more hats (I love hats), a belt with a big shiny buckle.

No squinting at the bottom of the back of labels trying to see where it's made at this local store. It's simply all made here. Whata concept!

http://www.bethwest.net/store.html

Trying to break this ....

K first met Otterbox in marine biology work. Meters and instruments must be protected from the harsh elements. Whether on a ship or on the beach studying the aquatic critters Otterbox was the choice.

Now while we have "dumb" phones but both use an iPod touch. It's good to protect them from the elements and basic human clumsiness. I am not suggesting that you do this, your results may vary but K has dropped her iPod out of her purse, the car, out of a pack .... it's fine.

Protect your imported toys with the best case, It is made in the USA:

http://www.otterbox.com/

Valentines Day; is your chocolate slavery free?

Theo chocolate is (also reviewed here). And so is TCHO.

I first encountered TCHO chocolate when they gave samples on BART (our light rail). I'd promised to bring a sample home to my sister, somehow it did not make it.

Since then we've passed the factory while walking in San Francisco with K. You can tour the factory, purchase there, order online of find them at a local health food store.

I've tried many of their products and loved each one. Admittedly this is not cheap, this is not a miniature Mars bar you give out on Halloween. In fact once you read the link below you might not buy those again.

This is chocolate you savor, pair with the perfect fresh ripe pear and cheese or even the right port and enjoy slowly.

Smell the chocolate, inhale, take a deep breath. Look at it, the perfect smooth surface and rich brown color. Take a bite. While you savor the chocolate, slowly, enjoying each morsel. Good eh? As good as it tastes it should taste even better because you are preventing child slavery:

http://www.tcho.com/tcho-is/no-slavery

Po Campo bags

As devotees to my blog are aware, I've blugged about the Wald basket on my "commuter mobile" http://madeinusareviews.blogspot.com/2010/06/rack-on-every-bike-for-chicken-in-every.html.  I'd been thinking of going to the other side. Not death, getting another Wald basket. They are super easy to install. K found that sweet spot; not so far forward that you kick it each turn of the pedals, not too far back. Just right. So we could just line it up.

Wald baskets are amazingly sturdy, handy, quiet when folded flat and install easily with few tools.

But maybe my next rack will not be a rack but a bag, a Po Campo bag. Made in Chicago these stylish bags are fun, functional and look great on and especially off the bike.

Stay tuned for reviews. Their new line for 2012 is released, the old ones are on sale. Hmmmm, price or the latest bike fashion? Which to get? We have bags to order and serious shopping to do. 

http://www.pocampo.com/

This is humiliating

What do you do when you have enough race numbers to make a jacket and and a hat yet you are so out of shape people would not believe they are yours? Get the motivation to clear the clutter and do the hard work to get back in shape and rock the jacket. You don't need your bib numbers on the cubicle anymore. Everyone knows you have epic adventures on the weekend. Have them made into clothing as unique as your training schedule.

http://www.elevengear.us/elevengear.html

What to do about helmet hair

Lately a discussion turned to what to wear riding to work. My work attire is casual. I'm not customer-facing so any neat wear will do. My ride to work is not long or hard enough to really need jersey etc

Still I like the visibility the bike gear affords.

I experimented with wearing bike clothes, bringing or storing a change of clothes and found it a bit much. I could still do that if needed.

Lately I'm liking capris such as Columbia Titanium (imported). They have enough room in the seat and thighs that riding's a breeze, handy pocket for the cell and keys. Feels dressier than jeans too. And they're comfy on my short ride.

My sister gave me one of my favorite jerseys. It says "Norge" on the front but otherwise logo free. It's bright red with gray on the sides and under the arms. The gray goes perfectly with most of my capris.

The fabric is technical but not shiny. It has a nice texture to it, short front zipper. So a jersey but with the look of a nice casual shirt. With this I really can ride to work, take the arm-skins and vest off, clean up a little and pop into a meeting if I need to.

But now i have helmet hair. I've got one of these. Mine's mostly blue, gray, green and a tiny hint of purple. The one I have would go with anything:

www.swrvestore.com/servlet/Detail?no=186

Not a baseball cap so I don't have the 10 year old boy feel. Not a cycling beanie although I love those and have many. Just a cute, stylish, fun little cap.

__________________

A great taste and tradition made here.

I don't can, my Mom and niece put up some wonderful stuff; jams, marmalades, preserves, apple butter. Each jar is a taste of summer, Mom's pineapple guava jelly is so beautiful it's hard to put in the pantry. And the jars they use both Kerr and Ball jars are made in USA.

You can join the cool kids who use Ball jars as the coffee cup in our fixed gear bikes. You can fill them with marbles or river smoothed rocks and use as candle holders for tea lights. Or use them to store nuts, flour, spice mixes, tea in your kitchen.

Martha Stewart does not live here ...

... But we found a helpful cleaning item. I give it a 4.5 out of 5 rubber gloves. The half is only because the handle is slick, may be easier to grip with a rubber glove.

The bristles are sturdy, they clean the tub, sink and bathroom counter well without scratching. Design is nice. Pointy tip gets into corners. According to the companies site at least 80% of the bristles are made from recycled plastic. I like that in a product.

And it's made right here in the good ol' in the USA.

http://www.libman.com/products.aspx#/Surface%20Care/48m/0/

I haven't tried this one yet ....

.... but our mutts wag their tails and do tricks for these healthy treats.

Made in the U.S.A from ingredients made here. Some pet food is repackaged here, or made here from imported ingredients. I'm doing my best to keep things non-political so I'll just stress these are fresher and meet our pets wag of approval for creating and sustaining jobs here.

I have a friend who will never buy any pet food in a Supermarket again due to the loss of her young dog. She can't prove the cause as she couldn't afford an autopsy. Let's just say just like healthier food choices for us humans may cost more but are an investment in your wellness it's the same for our four footed furry best friends.

I'm looking at the ingredients and smiling. It's all made from actual food. You won't need a chemistry degree to read the list of ingredients. Find it online or at your local pet supply store:

http://healthpronutrition.com/

Edited to add: this photo is of my dog Mae sliding down the kiddie slide. See the tail? Go, Mae, go.

Since 1909.

It's cold here today, maybe not as cold as where you are but to me it's cold. I'm huddled with a steaming mug of hot coffee, my laptop and a Pendleton blanket.

It's a blanket I've had since I was a mere pup, given by dear family friends. So of course it's not one of Pendleton's latest designs as I'm not a recent design. But all their products have a classic, timeless feel.

Whether you're looking for a housewarming gift, welcoming a new baby into the family, anything you want someone to treasure and remember you for a long time consider a Pendleton:

http://www.pendleton-usa.com

Hand made in Portland

Subtle, fun, cheerful designs made with love in Portland. Bright colors with quality materials. I don't have one of these .... yet but I have always liked them. Recently K got me a wallet similar to queen bee's "minimo" wallet. It was life-changing. Well, I won't go that far, but it was pants changing.

I discovered it's not that the jeans that fit my @zz, it's the huge cluttered wallet won't fit my pocket.

Tiny wallet means I look and feel better in jeans. My next one will be from:

http://www.queenbee-creations.com/