Dear Friend,

Here's a funny shortbread story that can't resist sharing with you.

One of my best local customers, Curtis Trousdale, of Chenette Real Estate, recently had an important closing with a VIP client of his.

Curtis always gives shortbread for closing - it's become his signature. Last week or so, he had told me he needed a shortbread by 8 a.m. sharp the next day, and I didn't want to take any chances of it being late. So, the night before his morning closing, I delivered shortbread to Curtis at around 5 p.m.

Curtis was not in the office when I arrived... there was only one other realtor there, and he was on the phone at the time. So I left the shortbread gift box on a table in the waiting room.

I emailed Curtis and told him where the box of shortbread was, so he'd be able to retrieve it first thing in the morning.

Curtis arrived at the office at 8 a.m. the next day..........

to a box of mostly eaten shortbread. The other realtors broke into the box and ate it!

It never occured to me to put a sign on it "For Curtis" because I deliver shortbread to him all the time. I assumed his officemates knew that the green box means "Hands off - Curtis has a closing."

Moral of the story: Always label your shortbread box because there's a huge probability someone will tear into it if you don't!

I hope Curtis was able to tell the story and make it funny at the closing.

Order your Holiday Shortbread Gift Boxes today.

Season's Treatings from Ann and Friends at Vermont Shortbread Company

We'd like to welcome you to our first ever holiday shortbread page!

Yes, here at VSC we're decking the halls with boxes of shortbread.

If you find creative ways to put your Vermont Shortbread on display... snap a few photos, and send them our way!

We'd love to post your pics on a future Vermont Shortbread Collage. Email to Ann - jsaz@gmavt.net, or Dina - dina@wordfeeder.com.

What's a holiday get-together without Vermont Shortbread?

Order your holiday shortbread early so you'll have lots of delicious homemade goodies to hand out at the holiday office party and the family Christmas gathering!

(And don't forget that Santa Claus loves shortbread, too.)

Our Flavors:
Traditional (plain), almond, chocolate, raspberry jam, strawberry jam, lemon curd, walnut-cinnamon.

Place your order for holiday shortbread now

Another Way to Make Your Holidays
EASIER This Year

by Ann Zuccardy

At Vermont Shortbread Company, we're all about taking the stress out of holiday shopping and year 'round gift giving. Here's another company and a dear VSC friend with a similar mission.

May I introduce Dave Rubel of Send Out Cards. I met Dave who hails from Barre, Vermont through BNI and liked him immediately. Dave is a master networker who has sent many new referrals my way and who is just a darn fun guy to hang out with.

Send Out Cards is an online product that allows you to keep in touch with people through custom or pre-designed greeting cards that arrive on your recipients' doorstep with a real stamp and your address as the return address. With Send Out Cards and the power of the internet, you can even create your own custom font to reproduce your own handwriting! You can create direct mail campaigns, import your contact lists, and even direct the system to help you remember important dates.

I recently signed up for a Send Out Cards account with Dave. I'm looking forward to using it to create unique and memorable shortbread mailings, but mostly I'm looking forward to not having to drive to the mall or supermarket the day before an important birthday. I sent one to my mother for her birthday year with a photo of yours truly on the front. It arrived on time and she loved the creative effort behind her one-of-a-kind birthday card.

There are other companies out there doing similar things to Send Out Cards. Even the United States Postal Service has jumped on the bandwagon, but you're on your own if you work with their online system. So, why should you consider Send Out Cards and Dave Rubel? For me, the answer is simple: Dave rocks. His responses to my questions are quick, thorough, and Dave always lets me know how much he appreciates my business and our friendship (I'm a sucker for impeccable manners!).

As Dave tells it, "I spent 4+ years working for my dad’s company Proforma. I was a sales guy and sold mostly promotional products (premiums, giveaways, logowear etc). I have a firm grounding in doing one on one presentations either in person or on the phone/computer. I believe I found the right business for my skill set and interests with Send Out Cards. I love working with small businesses owners or commissioned sales people and helping them build lasting relationships with their prospects and clients." Not only does Dave know the Send Out Cards business inside and out, but he is always happy to lend his extensive marketing and networking expertise to small business owners.

And here's something about Dave not many people know: before Proforma, he spent 4 years as a teacher in Japan! This piece is especially cool because to me, it shows that Dave understands, respects, and appreciates people from all cultures and all walks of life. And as far as I'm concerned... knowing how to build solid relationships based on mutual respect is what makes Dave and Send Out Cards a good business to do business with.

You can visit Dave at www.FollowUpMadeEasy.com/ReferralKing or just pick up the phone and call him at 802-839-0357. He'll set you up with a free trial account and explain the system to you.

Do you really want to address and lick all those holiday cards this year? Then don't! Call Dave while there's still time.

Calling All Writers & Poets!

Help Vermont Shortbread Company Win a Limerick Contest

Seven Days Vermont is holding a food limerick contest. The lucky winner receives breakfast for two at Penny Cluse restaurant here in Vermont.

Help the busy holiday elves at VSC write a shortbread limerick and enter this contest! With any luck, you and I will be meeting at Penny Cluse one morning soon.

And if you're not a Vermont local but want to contribute anyway, rest assured you will be well compensated for your efforts (with what else - a delicious shortbread) in the event we take home the Seven Days Limerick first prize.

Email your shortbread limericks to Dina@Wordfeeder.com and include address info so we know where to ship your shortbread in the event you win.

Markey Read, EmployVT.com

Not only is Career Consultant Markey Read an amazing inspiration to me professionally, but she's one of Vermont Shortbread Company's best holiday customers!

Each year, Markey brings boxes and boxes of homemade shortbread to her family on the holidays... and from what she says, they can't get enough! Read Markey's funny family anecdotes here.

Want to be a featured VSC Customer of the Month? Send your shortbread testimonial, photo and website link to Ann Zuccardy at jsaz@gmavt.net.

LIKED THIS NEWSLETTER? Please forward to a fellow shortbread lover. Interested parties can type their email address into the signup box at the bottom of our home page to receive next month's issue in their inbox.

Vermont Shortbread Company will never share your email address. Feel comfortable knowing your information is safe here.

Copyright 2006 Ann Zuccardy, Vermont Shortbread Company. All rights reserved.