"Buffums" Chicken Salad Sandwiches

I grew up in the retail clothing business. My first job was as a "gift wrap girl" during the holidays when I was sixteen. I soon became a sales person, "keyholder" and was promoted to assistant manager my freshman year of college. I worked retail all through college and was promoted to a store manager position when I was a sophomore. I was transferred to the Santa Anita Mall in Southern California, and my store was next to a now defunct department store called Buffums.

Buffums was an upscale department store...designer labels, crystal chandeliers, and restaurants where "ladies who lunched" dressed up in smart suits, gloves and matching pumps and handbags. I loved that restaurant and would take my lunch break there whenever possible. I often ordered their famous chicken salad sandwich...which, if memory serves (this was a looong time ago), included grapes in the salad with sliced toasted almonds sprinkled on top. The bread was toasted raisin, and the combination of fruit, nuts and chicken salad was delicious. I forgot about this sandwich until the other day when I recreated it for a luncheon. It was a hit. Memories, so very special. Enjoy!

"Buffums" Chicken Salad Sandwiches
(makes 4)

1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, chopped

1/2 cup red or green seedless grapes, cut in quarters

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 small red onion, chopped 

1/2 cup mayonnaise 

small pinch sea salt

small pinch black pepper

1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

8 slices raisin bread. toasted

Combine first 7 ingredients in a medium bowl until well mixed. Divide evenly between 4 slices of bread. Sprinkle the toasted almonds over the chicken salad. Top each sandwich with remaining bread and slice diagonally. Serve immediately.

Click Here For Printer Friendly Recipe

Did I remember this recipe incorrectly? If you ate the chicken salad at Buffums and have the correct recipe, please let me know in the comments section of this post. I googled to no avail.

Summer means easy, breezy dishes made from fresh, just-picked produce and this week at Food Network's Summer Soiree we are celebrating Chicken. Do you have a favorite chicken recipe? Share in the comments section and/or link to your blog if you have one. And be sure to check out the delicious sounding recipes from my blogger friends and Food Network. 

Feed Me Phoebe: Gluten-Free Healthy Chicken Parmesan with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce
The Lemon Bowl: Za’atar Spiced Grilled Chicken
The Heritage Cook: The World's Easiest BBQ Chicken
Creative Culinary: Smoked Chicken with Chipotle, Peach and Bourbon Barbecue Sauce
Homemade Delish: Thai Chicken Lettuce Cups
Daisy at Home: Perfect Fried Chicken with 5 Dipping Sauces
Healthy Eats: 6 Reasons Not to Write Off Chicken — Summer Soiree
Red or Green: Spicy Pesto Chicken Bruschetta
Napa Farmhouse 1885: "Buffums" Chicken Salad Sandwiches
TasteBook: Asian-Style Grilled Chicken Thighs
Domesticate Me: Chicken and Goat Cheese Burgers with Peaches, Corn and Cherry Tomatoes
Taste with the Eyes: Gochujang Chicken Adobo
Elephants and the Coconut Trees: Tandoori Chicken
Bacon and Soufflé: BBQ Chicken Pizza
FN Dish: The 6 Essential Chicken Recipes of Summer

best,

diane

napa farmhouse 1885

red or green? 

California Girl in Taos

MoseyLove
please follow me on Facebook

I have started sharing my newest blog "California Girl in Taos."  Please visit and let me know what you think.

special offer for our friends!

  Take $10 off of a purchase of $30 or more of our products on AbesMarket.com with this E-Card - this limited coupon code is an exclusive offer for our fans and good for this week only! Enter code: SL-197-nrr at checkout. Shop our products on AbesMarket.com now.

do you love animals?

the first thing i did when i started my company...before i sold my first item...was to create our vision statement.  the "road map" if you will as to the guiding principles of how the company would be run.  read the entire document here.  one plank in the statement is:

"we believe companies need to clearly articulate their philanthropic position so consumers can make informed choices as to the brands they support. napa farmhouse 1885™ is actively involved in our community by supporting not–for-profit groups working to green the planet, care for animals and improve quality of life for people in need. we sponsor neighborhood events and contribute at least 5% of total net profits to not-for-profit organizations."


we have been supporters of napa humane since i started napa farmhouse 1885, usually by donating to their annual event, "cause for the paws".  this year we are walking...and sponsoring a team...for their first walk for the animals.

so....i'm moving my paws for the cause! (and mosey is walking too)

that's right… we are proudly walking in napa humane's inaugural Walk for Animals on august 5, and need your support!

because every animal deserves a healthy life in a happy home, i'm collecting donations to sponsor my participation and meet my fundraising goal!

100% of the proceeds go to the amazing programs and services napa humane offers:
• affordable spay/neuter services
• weekly low-cost vaccination and microchipping clinics
• shelter support services, including the mobile adoption program
• humane education programs serving adults and children alike

Donating through this website is simple, fast, totally secure, and the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts. (checks and cash are appreciated forms of donations, too, of course—just let me know if you'd prefer to donate offline!)

and hey, you don't have to sit on the sidelines… if you live in/near napa, you can walk with us! register and join team napa farmhouse 1885.  (and for those of you who dislike asking people for money...trust me i am in this camp....you can just register and walk...that would be a big help!)  the walk is short...only a mile...your dog can walk too...and registered walkers get a t-shirt and "goodie bag".  who wouldn't want a goodie bag??!!  here is some additional info from the napa humane website:

100% of proceeds benefit Napa Valley’s pets and their people.

Join us for the inaugural Walk for Animals – a fun Napa Humane event walking a one-mile route through Downtown Napa (with or without a pooch!) in support of pets throughout the Napa Valley.


This short walk goes miles and miles for animals!


Beginning and ending at Veterans Memorial Park on Main Street, registered walkers will receive a Walk for Animals t-shirt and a goodie bag, and enjoy live music, doggie contests, our Napa Humane puppet show, "The Right Pet for Princess Penny," give-aways, and activities with our pet-centric sponsors as we walk together to raise funds for Napa Humane – serving Napa Valley pets and the people who care for them.

many thanks for your support, and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate, too!  once again, if you are able to donate (any amount would be so helpful), please click here to get started.

thank you!

diane and mosey
napa farmhouse 1885

do you listen to KTAO?

you cannot spend time in taos, new mexico without becoming familiar with the radio station KTAO.  it truly is the soundtrack to this wonderful, wacky, historic, delicious, creative and stunningly beautiful place.  KTAO is my favorite station in the world...not only because of its eclectic mix of music, its coverage of local and world issues, its wackiness(there is that word again), but because of its commitment to living green.  read about their history below...taken from their website...and then listen to the station.  take my advice...listen for a day.  you just may get hooked too.

History of KTAOS Solar Radio

Thirty-five years ago, a small radio station began along a dirt road in Taos. Since then, the station has grown into the world’s most powerful solar radio station and the most popular FM radio station in Taos County. The origins of FM radio in Taos extend back to Chicago when the owners of successful station WXRT decided to bring their formula to Taos. In 1975, Taos Communication Corporation (TCC) was formed, and a year later KXRT was on the air. In 1979, Brad Hockmeyer moved to Taos to work at the station, but by 1982, it was clear “the big city” approach would not work in the unique mountain art colony.


Brad took control of the company in 1986 and changed the call letters to KTAO. Five years later, KTAO received international attention when it became the first radio station in the world to be powered by the sun. A super-structure holding 150 solar panels (more have since been added) was installed on the top of the 10,800 ft. Picuris Peak and racks of batteries along with the transmission equipment were housed in an “earthship” made of recycled materials that maintains a safe, constant temperature range year round. In 1996, KTAO grew again, adding staff and doubling the size of its building on Blueberry Hill Road. In 1997, Brad started the KTAOS Solar Music Festival, which attracted an audience of thousands. The three day show was renamed the Taos Solar Music Festival in 1999 and over the next ten years Solar Fest became an internationally recognized event that continues to grow in popularity.


In 2010, Brad sold KTAOS to four employees – two couples – who continue to run the station and foster it into a flourishing new age of management. Today, KTAO is licensed at 100,000 watts making it the world’s most powerful solar powered radio station. The eclectic station, which is number one in its market, is truly world famous with coverage ranging from CNN, Time Magazine, USA Today and dozens of additional national and international media outlets. Its signal can be heard from Colorado to Santa Fe, as far south as Albuquerque and across the globe right here at ktao.com.


What’s Solar Radio?
In 1991, KTAO installed a structure holding 150 solar panels on the top of the 10,800 ft. Picuris Peak. Racks of batteries along with the transmission equipment were housed in a self-sustaining Earthship – a partially underground building constructed of tires, rammed earth and other recycled materials – that maintains a constant and safe temperature range year round. Over the past 20 years, the number of solar panels has grown and KTAO is now licensed at 100,000 watts, earning it the title of the world’s most powerful solar powered radio station. 50,000 watts is considered big in solar radio, making KTAO huge in comparison. The photovoltaic panels are virtually maintenance free and cut the electric bill to almost nothing, while allowing KTAO the capability to transmit over a 100-mile radius from Taos. KTAO has not only made a commitment to bringing a great variety of music to the Taos community, but on a larger scale, it is committed to making a lasting difference on the planet with its use and advocacy of solar power.


KTAO LISTEN LIVE


best,
diane

diane padoven
founder/president
napa farmhouse 1885
"live a green life of style™ "

do you like us? really like us? then please like our facebook fan page https://twitter.com/napafarmhouse

tedx napa valley is this weekend...are you going?

i am thrilled to be an in-kind sponsor for this weekend's first TEDx Napa Valley event.  are you familiar with TED? 

Riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world

What is TEDx?

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDx Napa Valley, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDx Napa Valley event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.
 
so...now you probably want to know about the upcoming event...here is the info from their website:

Empowering Leaders at Every Level


WHAT:
An enjoyable fall afternoon filled with live performances and TED speaker videos at the Napa Valley Opera House. Mingle with other guests during intermission with snacks then have the opportunity to meet the speakers during the after program wine & beer tasting and food sampling.
(click here to view the list of speakers for this year's event)


WHY:
This TED-like experience will be the catalyst to inspire the achievement of common goals. They will ignite excitement which will go on to live locally in the conversations that ensue, and worldwide as part of the TED community.


**The live talks will be taped in real time and the best of the presentations will be submitted to TED in New York for consideration as TEDTalks and potential posting to TED.com, translation into multiple languages for the fast-expanding and global TED.com community.


FOR WHOM:
Attendance at TEDx Napa Valley is for: dynamic thinkers, positive reinforcers, determined citizens, those searching for answers to questions never asked, and those willing to question the answers already given.
We’re seeking to bring together: inspiring teachers, engaging locals, community leaders, innovative individuals, and those with a sense of humor.


TEDxNapaValley will be hosted in downtown Napa on September 11, 2011 from 12-6 p.m. at the

Napa Valley Opera House – 1030 Main St., Napa, 94559, California.  click here for tickets

the speakers conclude their presentations at 5:00 pm and there is a reception from 5:00 pm-6:00 pm featuring food, wine and beer from local producers.  napa farmhouse 1885(tm)  is proud to be an in-kind sponsor for this amazing event.  we will be preparing appetizer "bites" featuring our farmhouse food.  click here for a list of participating sponsors.

i hope bay area locals will be able to attend this event....for everyone else, have you been to a TED, or TEDx experience?

best,
diane

diane padoven
founder/president
napa farmhouse 1885
"live a green life of style™ "

do you like us? really like us? then please join our facebook fan page

to receive special offers only available to our preferred customers, please sign up for the mailing list on the right hand side of this post...

want a tip on going "green"? check out "rebinders"

regular readers know that i usually write about food...local, organic or sustainably grown food...and share recipes that follow the philosophy " use the best quality possible ingredients and then don't muck it up with overly complicated techniques".  but real food is only one way to be a bit greener.  today i want to tell you about a company i discovered that is helping to promote landfill diversion (a philosophy we strongly support) and has created some really cool products.

i received samples of eco-friendly notebooks, binders, folders, cd covers and notepads from a company call rebinder with a request to review them.  my policy regarding product reviews is:
1. i only blog about products i like and would personally use AND
2. the items must reflect our "live a green life of style" motto.

let me tell you...rebinder really meets the criteria...i am a fan.

a bit about rebinder from their website info page:

"Each year, over 500 metric tons of toxic PVC ends up in landfills as the result of vinyl binders that people use. Today we should expect more. Products should be made in our country, with our workers, out of responsible materials with the intention that no landfill be required. ReBinder meets that demand.

ReBinder is the only true zero waste office supply manufacturer and the brand of choice for customers looking for sustainable, quality office supplies. Assembled by a local, AbilityOne certified disabled workforce, all ReBinder product materials are sourced from responsibly managed forests and verified FSC and SFI certified sources. With each purchase of ReBinder products, solid waste, greenhouse gas, energy, tree and water consumption are reduced.

"ReBinder products have recently been nominated for the Best Office Products in North America. Learn more about our product line and how they stack up against traditional vinyl binders.

Making products responsibly means considering the source of the materials, the use of the products and where they end up at the end of their life. When used for Sales & Marketing, Events & Training or simply every day internal use, our innovative, durable and practical products raise both brand and environmental awareness while helping responsible organizations reduce solid waste and lower their carbon footprint.

Together, our customers have saved:
-Millions of pounds of greenhouse gases
-Millions of gallons of water
-Tens of thousands of trees
-Tens of billions of BTUs of energy
-Hundreds of tons of solid waste

As a privately owned business in Seattle, Washington, our philosophy embraces a balanced approach to providing exceptional value to our customers with products that reduce the environmental footprint of our industry and our customers."

rebinder sent me samples of their cd sleeves  (called  re-play and resleeve eliminating the need for plastic cd, dvd and computer disk sleeves and cases),   tab dividers (retabs),   recycled notebooks (rebinder) , a presentation folder ( repocket) and a really cool (my favorite) composition notebook (rewrite).  the items are made from recycled corrugated cardboard or chipboard.  their "kraft paper" brown look is clean and elegant with a terrific feel.  i love they way they look.  i would use them for storage, filing and organization at both home and work offices.  my only call out is i don't think they would be durable for heavy daily use....but all other needs...perfect.  i have begun to use my samples...will keep you posted on the durability factor.

i love the eco-friendly components of this product line.  i love the look.  i admire their commitment to strong corporate citizenship and giving back demonstrated with their hiring a certified disabled workforce.  good people, terrific items...check them out. 

to view their line and  to learn more about the company, please visit the rebinder website. 
 
best,
diane
 
diane padoven

founder/president
napa farmhouse 1885™
"live a green life of style™ "

do you like us? really like us? then please join our facebook fan page


to receive special offers only available to our preferred customers, please sign up for the mailing list on the right hand side of this post...

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

to keep or to give away?

it happens to most of us. a friend or family member will give us a gift and...it is just not to our taste...sometimes it can be pretty awful. but we know the person picked it out because they thought we would love it..or because it was something they really liked. what to do? keep it and put it out for display or wear it if it is clothing? keep, but store in a closet or attic? give away?



i have such a hard time with this topic. my personal style is pretty clutter free...and i just am not comfortable with a lot of "stuff" around. yet i have major guilt issues with giving away items given as gifts..it just feels wrong... i believe you can be really grateful for the thought and effort that went into buying or making the gift..even if you do not care for the actual piece. even worse are those items that have been in the family for a long time..not valuable heirlooms...but handmade items...made with love. a perfect example is a doll collection my mom saved for me. these were dolls that i played with as a child. a few were handmade by my grandmothers..some were hand-me-downs from relatives..the rest were purchased by my parents or other family members. my mother lovingly kept all of them for me.. in case i ever had a daughter to pass them to. well, i never had children of my own..and i only have nephews...so what to do? putting them on display is so not my style..and i can not fathom giving them away..especially the handmade ones. so there they sit..packed away in the attic. seems wrong. i am starting a company where all the items are made from repurposed, reimagined, recycled and/or reused materials and this process has really inspired me to lose the clutter..and donate or reuse to avoid adding to the landfill. i am getting better with giving away the non-sentimental items..i keep telling myself that donating will do some good, and other people will enjoy...but am struggling with the rest of the "stuff". my sister, kathi, has a good solution for her home. when her house was being built, she designed a special cupboard..she calls it the "memory closet"...where she stores items with meaning for her...family items..the crafts her boys made when they were small...anything that she wants to keep..but does not want on display in her home. when she is feeling sentimental she opens the closet and enjoys the contents. when she is through she shuts the door..it all goes away!! unfortunately, the closet is completely full so any other "memories" will be a problem :).



while i feel that giving away/donating to charity the non-sentimental items is good for the planet..i cannot bring myself to tell the gift giver what i am doing. how do you tell someone you just do not like their gift? and i still do not have a good solution for the family "memories". but just writing about the topic is helping.



so today's questions..what do you do when given a gift that you just do not like? what do you do with family hand-me-downs or other sentimental items that do not fit your style? please add your tips, suggestions and/or comments to this post. (oh..by the way..the photo in this post was a free download from the net..could not use an actual photo of something someone actually gave me..that would just be mean...)



best,
napa farmhouse 1885™
"live a green life of style™"

what is "coopetition"?

no..this is not a misprint...the word is "coopetition"..what is it and where did it come from?..first..let's go back a bit... i wrote in earlier posts about my disillusionment with the corporate life. i loved leading/managing my team..and the actual work. but i grew so tired of all the politics, and one-up-man-ship..for those of you that have been there..you know those endless meetings planning future meetings?..the ones where you just know the individuals that will need to make a point..even if the point has already been made..because they just have to talk..hoping to make an impression on the senior most executive in the room. nothing is more frustrating than the time wasted in these meetings. ick..i just could not take it anymore. i also never could get used to the dishonest people..the ones that would steal ideas and not give the proper credit..the ones so insecure that they looked at everyone else as competition..and tried to eliminate that competition. people that could not help or support others because they were jealous and thought if others were successful it would somehow make them less so....i have seen this in major corporations..and in small local businesses. where does that come from?

this is why i continue to be so impressed mary jane butters. i have talked about her before..she started a company called maryjanes farm which is a combination of organic food, gardening, farm living and giving back. please see my earlier post can you live in town and be a farmgirl? to get a bit more background on this amazing woman. today, i want to talk about her philosophy on supporting others in business. although she is working very hard to ensure her business is a success, she believes wholeheartedly in sharing and supporting other people in their businesses. there was a post to her online forum that articulates her philosophy really well.

this was written by brenda from spokane..aka past blessings:

"MaryJane has a wonderful philosophy on business. She encouraged me when I was dealing with someone not handling competition in a very kind way. She
said she fully believes in what she termed "coopetition" which is combining the words cooperation with competition . . . meaning we help each other even when we may be involved in similar things. For example she is very into organic farming, but rather than acting like she should be the "only organic farmer" she encourages others to come walk beside her in their endeavors.She has been a huge encourager to me with my endeavors in antiques and other creative venues. I think embracing one another in our talents and abilities is something she encourages and she truly likes seeing other women succeed.I think this thought process is what has helped us to be so endeared to her.If only the rest of the world operated like this . . . seems to me wars and famines could all be a thing of the past. I am honored to know someone of such high standards and example."

whoa..how often do you see this in business? mary jane butters exemplifies the best of a businessperson..and a human being..in all that she does. i really encourage you to check out her website http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/ ..read her books..buy her products and her magazines...you will be glad that you did!

one more thing to illustrate the character of mary jane..i emailed her to ask if i could quote her philosophy in my blog..now, she does not know me from adam..but she personally replied..no assistant here...and this is what she said:

"But of course you may use it and THANK YOU so much for asking first. Your blog is adorable. I love this blog trend. It gives so many unsung female heroes an outlet for their creativity. Write on! MaryJane"

need i say more?..i can not think of anyone in business i respect more than mary jane...

which business leaders do you admire..and why? please share your stories in the comments section..

best,

napa farmhouse 1885

"live a green life of style"

February 14th, 2008

welcome to my first post. this one will be a bit long so please bear with me. as i stated in my intro, i am almost one year in to a "retired" life. i always seem to use quotes around the word retired because it is hard to believe this has really happened. i spent 30+ years in the specialty apparel retail business and always experienced 60-80 hour work weeks. needless to say i never had the typical home/family life....coming home at night..cooking dinner..eating with the family etc. i rarely was home before 8:00 pm and traveled a minimum of two weeks per month. i worked really hard saving..investing...planning..so that i could retire early and experience a different kind of life. i have been married for 25 years to an amazing man, have a massive, adorable, energetic golden retriever and really wanted to spend lots of time with both of them. my strange realization after this year is that, although i had periods where i really loved my jobs and was quite successful, i never really had the passion for fashion required to truly be satisfied with my career. this year has been one of discovery and, as cliched as it sounds, searching for my bliss.

ok..just realized spell check does not work..kinda in a panic with this as i type faster than my brain processes spelling...will try to correct errors but if a few slip through please forgive me....

i have spent the past year focusing on what i love...family, cooking, recipe development, gardening, non-profit work, etc. so many opportunities have opened up that i am always busy. people constantly ask me so many questions... if i am bored, how i spend my time, how to make this work financially...how to get involved in non-profits, etc that i thought i would start a blog and share my life, my experiences and my journey. i hope to make this a 2 way dialogue with readers so please, if you read my blog, please feel free to comment and share your thoughts and questions.

all for now,
happy valentine's day!

napafarmhouse1885