Alex Shorter

I always thought I knew how to wrap a present - I discovered I was terribly wrong - after watching the queen of gifts show me how. Watch this short video tutorial and let Jennifer Shorter, Owner of Grandpa Shorter's Gifts, teach or refresh you on wrapping a present properly.  This is a skill tha...
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Recently Ryan, Carl and I met my sister-in-law, Jennifer Shorter and her family in Vancouver, BC for the weekend.  Jenn as many of you may know is the Owner of Grandpa Shorter's gift stores.  In our group we had 6 parents, 2 grandparents and 5 children ages 4 to 13 years old.  Vancouver is loca...
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Now, I don't know how many of you love to host a party but I really do. I think it is especially important to stop and celebrate a child's birthday.  I know both my husband and I have very sweet mothers who threw us parties each and every year.  It is something growing up that I really looked for...
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I was born and raised in Seattle, Washington in the Wallingford neighborhood.  My parents still live in the beautiful, eclectic, 1900s house I grew up in.  My husband, son and I live about 2.5 hours away in Wenatchee, Washington so it is always fun to go visit the Otto grandparents and have fun ...
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Hi, my name is Alex, and I have an addiction, and it consumes me. But, really, I can stop whenever I want. No, honestly, I can't stop - each week, I try, and I think I have the will power, but I don't. I have a NEED to plan parties. So here we go again... Hi my name is Alex, and I have an addic...
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Everyone has their go-to salad recipe - this is mine. We love this salad - it is something I can just throw together in a jiffy!  I generally have the ingredients in the fridge and it pairs with fish or meat so nicely - especially anything grilled. Ingredients: - Cucumbers - Tomatoes - Red O...
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There are so many sweets consumed on and around Halloween it is always fun to make a healthy festive snack. This one is perfect to bring into a classroom or take to a party - it is super easy too!  I found this recipe last year in the 'Family Fun' magazine. Banana Ghosts - BOO! In...
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The title of this blog comes from a dear friend of Ryan and mine, AJ Cronk, who loves to throw a party.  He was known in college for his wild costume theme parties where the guest list was envied by all. For many people parties cause stress and it disables them from entertaining often or at all. �...
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A little known fact is that when Grandpa Shorter's Gifts opened in 1946 their first account was Minnetonka Moccasins - in turn Grandpa Shorter's was Minnetonka's first account. That is just remarkable. Minnetonka and Grandpa Shorter's have both changed and grown with the times but stayed ...
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Hi Friends, This is my mother's scone recipe. She has been making them for decades - I remember waking up to the smell of scones when I was a kid. Recipe for Grandma Otto's Almond Scones Ingredients: - 2 cups flour & a bit extra - 1/2 cup sugar & a bit extra - 2 ts...
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