Joe’s Parkway market has been family owned and run for 42 years. Big Joe, as he was called, purchased the grocery in 1969. He moved from managing the local Safeway to owning this small grocery store whose primary customers were Montana State University college students. In 1991 Joe’s Parkway sold the most beer per capita West of the Mississippi.

Today, Joe’s Parkway Market is well known for their specialty food and wine selection. Owned and operated by Judy and her daughter-in-law, Tara, Joe’s Parkway stocks over 200 imported and 500 domestic wines. The market also has a full service meat and deli department and gourmet hand cut cheese case. As a great honor, in 2005 Joe’s Parkway Market was awarded one of Montana’s top ten “local secrets, big finds” by Travelocity. The two “foodie” mavericks stock 10,000 products and try everything before they buy it. Their trick to 42 years of success is simple; they know the products and help their costumers.

This holiday season, try a new appetizer, a specialty sauce or gourmet dessert from Joe’s Parkway Market on College or Downtown in Heyday!

Tara and Judy Wantulock

A variety of goodies.

Gift Baskets are a fun way to give lots of great little treats to your family and friends!

Start with an interesting theme so everything works together.

We like these:

The Italian Festa—Gourmet marinara sauce, dried specialty pasta, an oven mitt and a colorful strainer

Sweets for Your Sweet—Bequet Carmels made here in Bozeman, gourmet chocolate bars, assorted candy, wooden bowl, a serving spoon and dessert plates

The Wine Drinker—Wine tags, cocktail napkins, a bottle of wine, wooden cheese board, a unique corkscrew, Inkstone wine facts playing cards made in Missoula and a Wine and Food Pairing Book

Girl’s Best Friend—Lollia lotion and bath gel, scented candles from Lollia, a cashmere scarf, bottle of wine and pair of shiny antique earrings

Kiss The Cook—Modern twist placemats, Now Design mugs, an apron, colorful linen napkins, a specialty cookbook

Think about shapes that will fit nicely together, coordinating colors, filler, gift wrap and gift tags. It’s festive to see some of the gifts sticking out of the top of the bag or basket! If you are using a deep bag or basket, try to fluff up your filler so your contents don’t get hidden inside. You want your gift basket to appear overflowing with all of your great little gifts.

Use interesting wrap. We like tea towels, burlap and shiny cellophane depending on the type of gift basket. Then, coordinate your gift tag to your wrapping so the whole bundle looks lovely together. Your recipient will appreciate all of the thought you have put into your gift!

Here at Heyday we make gift baskets all year round. However, we tend to think more about giving goodies like these around the holiday season. You can always direct us to build your perfect gift basket if time is short. You know the number 406-586-5589!

Holiday bulbs are a steadfast tradition in my family. Mom always seems to be able to start hers on time so that she has beautiful blooms by Christmas. Paperwhites (or Narcissus) take about 6 weeks from the time you start them to the time they bloom. I never remember to get mine started until Thanksgiving so I usually have the fragrant flowers in bloom for our New Year’s celebration. In fact, I like having Paperwhites in bloom all through January. They have a very distinct strong smell and I have heard that some people are turned off by this. Not me. These blooms remind me that spring is around the corner somewhere. . . .

How to get your Paperwhite bulbs started:

1.) You can buy individual bulbs at any nursery for a coulpe of dollars each. Or . . . you will find kits at HeyDay that  include a container, the bulbs and some potting soil, all wrapped in a beautiful shiny bag.

2.) Cover the bottom of your flat-bottomed container with river rocks, little beads from the craft store, or potting soil. Place the bulbs on top of the rock layer with about an inch of space in between. Pour about an inch of water in the container. Do not cover the bulbs with water–they will rot. Find a sunny spot for the bulbs and then . . .  you are done!

3.) Continue to add water as it evaporates. The greenery will become tall and flop over as the plant grows. Supports like ribbon or gardening wire can help this. Look for blooms after six weeks.

Easy, easy and fun to have on the kitchen window sill!

I am proud to announce that Faye Kommers is our one and only winner for the puzzle contest! Only one of our seven winners came in to the store on Thursday night — so all of you who missed the party, better luck next time . . .

Here are some shots from the party. Great food, great people and of course, lots of unique ideas for Christmas and beyond. . .

Joe’s Parkway Market

Leslie Lucas Weddings and Events

The Decoristas

Katherine Atteberry, Mind Over Matter

Karl Newmann Photography

Mery Donald Photographics

Molly Stratton

Manifest Creative

www.designsponge.com

www.apartmenttherapy.com

www.etsy.com

www.ohjoy.com

www.hostesswiththemostess.com

Welcome, HeyDay friends, to our very first blog entry!

I am excited to begin this new adventure. I hope to provide you all with fabulous tips, new trends and special news-worthy notes that will help you explore your own creativity. You’ll find links from the industry, updates on latest trends and tips for great parties and gift-giving.

Please be in touch and comment freely.

I look forward to hearing from you. And happy reading!