All Things Italian

Share your christmas with those serving for us! Ensuring the freedom that we sometimes take for granted.

About 6 weeks ago, we received an order for multiple cannoli kits to ship to Virginia. Personally, I didn’t even question the use, but my helper for the day asked, “What do you think they will be used for.” Not giving it a second thought, I said, “probably a wedding.”

Two weeks ago, I received an email, from someone in the military, serving in Afghanistan. He said that his wife ordered the cannoli, then shipped them to him. All of the cannoli (over 150 of them) arrived in perfect form. He shared with his base for “Italian Night” and they were all enjoyed. He wanted to let me know how much he appreciated them! He promised to send pictures, and as soon as I receive them, I will post.

That same week, I received a call from another individual asking if we shipped to APO’s. I mentioned this past experience and we decided to give it a try. This time shipping to Iraq. The following Monday, we shipped over 100 cannoli to our fine service men and women in Iraq and to our surprise, they arrived on Friday, all in tact! Again, response was greatly appreciated – it was so nice to be able to experience the simple tastes from home, especially during the holidays.

So, while we can’t guarantee that this will be the experience EVERY time, we have had great success sharing our Italian favorites with our military.

Cannoli by Mail will have limited shipping during the week of 7/27/09. Items ordered prior to Thursday, July 23rd at noon (CST) will ship as scheduled during the following week. Items ordered after this day may not ship until August 3rd. We will have limited supplies during the last week of July and will ship on a first come, first served basis.

If you are wanting delivery during this time, please be sure to place your order early and we will ensure that it is delivered, as requested.

Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

OK, so this isn’t really “Italian” but I have to share this great story.

Blondie is a little girl that regularly volunteers at an Animal Rescue Re-Home, sometimes 5+ days a week.  She has decided that she wants to raise money for these animals.  For the last few months, she has been selling tea, cookies and candles, as well as coordinating events to raise money.

Her goal is $10,000 – can you believe she’s already to to over $2500?!

Please visit Blondies site at http://blondiesgift.com and help her cause!

Support Cannoli by Mail in the 2009 StartupNation Leading Moms in Business Competition

A Tribute to Moms in Business

Though it’s not the result I was hoping for, but I can’t knock it. 

The 2008 StartupNation Home-Based Business competition recognizes the top 10 home-based business across 10 categories.  There’s no question why we entered the “Yummiest”.  This was our first year to enter and though we are disappointed, we can’t complain.  We know, as do our customers, how DELICIOUS our products are.  We just have to spread the word.

Thanks to y’alls help, an amazing product and our success, we made the Honorable Mention cut for StartupNation’s 2008 Home-Based Business award.  We will enter again next year and sweep away the competition!

Planning a menu for a dinner party necessitates finding foods and desserts that can be assembled in advance, to ease in the preparation the day/night/time of the party.

Cannoli have always been a favorite of ours.  Though we make our cream and chill it in advance, we are “stuck” with having to fill, dress and display the cannoli themselves as close to serving as possible.  We wouldn’t want a soggy shell, would we?

With a little imagination though, cannoli can be the PERFECT dessert.  Yes, it’s not traditional, but it’s easy to prepare, easy to eat and a little fun.

Instead of piping your cannoli cream into a shell, think in terms of shot glasses (picture coming soon.)   Mix it up a bit too!  No need to use identical glasses, have fun finding vintage/unique glasses to add excitement.

In advance, prepare your cannoli cream and shells, or purchase a cannoli kit from us!  Select your shot glasses.  We recommend taller glasses, but any will do.  You can fill your shot glass (1/2 to 3/4 full) the day of your event, place them on a tray and chill until serving time.

Crunch your cannoli shells into larger pieces, though you want them to fit into your glass.  When it comes time to serve your dessert, retrieve your chilled shot glasses, top with crushed shells, pipe a bit more cream on top and then sprinkle with crushed pistachios, chocolate sprinkles and powdered sugar.  Better yet, setup a station and allow your guests to dress their dessert to their liking!

Your cannoli shells will stay crisp and the taste will take you to heaven!!!

We’ve searched and searched and have finally found a reusable grocery/shopping tote that is functional and fashionable. No need to be a walking billboard for your local store and with the larger size of our bags, no need to carry 6 or more!

Our reusable totes are made from eco-friendly jute with a coated inner lining for easy cleaning. The classic paper bag design stands up and stays open as well as folds up for easy storage. The size is generous enough to replace 2-3 plastic grocery bags. It’s even wide enough to hold a gallon of milk!

Three different designs are available and they make great gifts for the holidays! Find out more here. Don’t delay in ordering, supplies are limited for the holidays.

We’ve been trying to determine how we can contribute to the Go Green wave, and the most obvious solution is in our packaging. Cannoli by Mail is no longer using packing peanuts!!!  (Please see our note below to see our policy on reusing peanuts that we receive.)

This move will save money, we’re able to reduce our shipping fees, and will help to save our environment.

We will continue to look for ways to “save our environment.”

Thank you for y’alls continued support!!!

Note: Some of our products are shipped to us with packing peanuts.  When we have these available, we will re-use them to help keep them out of our landfills.  But we will not purchase peanuts to use in our regular shipping practice, instead we are using void-fill air bags.

Are you looking for a delicious sfinge mix? Just in time for the holidays, Cannoli by Mail is now offering sfinge mix.

Made from my nana’s recipe, the mix includes all of your dry ingredients to make 30-40 doughnuts. Just add eggs, water and fry!

These are perfect to keep in the house for a treat and great for holiday parties. Don’t forget your coffee when ordering!  Sfinge Mix is an easy and perfect addition to your holiday gift baskets!  What a great way to share your Italian traditions with others.

It was great to see everyone out at the Festa Italiana in Houston this past weekend. We couldn’t have asked for better weather! Though the venue is not as great as when the festival was held downtown, the festival is a great time to reconnect with old friends, make new friends and just have a good time!

The food is great and the activities are alot of fun for kids, old and young. My daughter especially loved the grape stomp and my son enjoyed bocce ball! If you are in the Houston area and didn’t make it out this year, be sure to come next, it’s a GOOD TIME!!! You can stay up to date about festival events at http://houstonitalianfestival.com.