Here's the Dirt...from The Clay Pot...Pumpkin Arrangements

Pumpkin Arrangements for Fall!

Pumpkins make a wonderful container for fall arrangements. These pumpkins were carved out and filled with wet oasis. They contain sunflowers, Australian greens, china berry, salal, rover mums and birch sticks. We can create these wonderful arrangements in many sizes. Call The Clay Pot and we'll fix you up for fall!

Here's the Dirt...from The Clay Pot...Mums in a Box

Mums in a Box

I love creating these mounded arrangements using fall mums. They look great grouped on a mantle or dining room table. The mums are long lasting and are available in many fall colors.

The arrangements shown are done in brown metal containers.

Available at The Clay Pot

423.265.2007

Here's the Dirt...Repeat of Joe's Hot Sausage Dip

This was one of the first recipes I posted on my blog. I don't want people to miss it, so I'm posting it again, just in time for all those tailgate parties!

Joe's Hot Sausage Dip

1 lb. ground sausage
1 10 oz. can original Rotel, drained
1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Cook sausage in a large skillet, drain well. In mixing bowl, stir together sausage, drained Rotel, softened cream cheese and 2 cups shredded cheese. Spoon into a lightly greased 1 quart baking dish. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheese on top. Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with Scoops. Enjoy!

Here's the Dirt...Apple Cake

This is the perfect time of the year for a good apple cake. This is one of my favorite cakes, especially in the fall. An apple cake, right out of the oven...you just can't beat that!

Apple Cake

1 1/2 cup oil
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups plain flour
1 tsp. soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
3 cups diced apples (peeled)
1 cup chopped pecans

Combine oil, eggs and sugar. Add vanilla. Sift dry ingredients and add gradually to liquid mixture. Fold in apples and nuts. Pour into greased tube pan. Bake for 1 1/2 hours at 325 degrees. Enjoy!

Combine oil, eggs and sugar

Here's the Dirt...from The Clay Pot...Rose Mounds

Rose Mounds from The Clay Pot

One of the signature arrangements The Clay Pot

has been creating over the years are our "Rose Mounds".

They consist of roses mounded in a clay pot filled with salal leaves, moss and a ribbon. They can be bright and cheery or more elegant, like this one, in more monochromatic tones. They are great hostess gifts and make great centerpieces for your next shower or luncheon.

Call The Clay Pot at 423.265.2007 for prices.

Remember, we deliver citywide daily.

Here's the Dirt...1311 Hanover Street, 1937, Future Home of The Clay Pot

1311 Hanover Street

September 24, 1937

(Future home of The Clay Pot in Chattanooga, TN)

This photograph was given to me by a nice lady who grew up in the bungalow home which is now the location of The Clay Pot.

This photograph was taken on September 24th, 1937 on her 5th Birthday. The kids in the photograph are standing on the steps to the entrance to my shop. I'm sorry I do not remember the lady's name. She came into my shop one day and introduced herself. Two weeks later, I received this wonderful photo from her in the mail.

Pretty neat!

This September, 2009, The Clay Pot is celebrating a Birthday, too.

Seventeen years in business!

Pretty neat!

Here's the Dirt...Fun Stickers

Fun Stickers!

One of the fun things about having your own business is getting the chance to design your own packaging. The stickers above are a sampling of the designs we have used over the years at The Clay Pot. I have them printed in a 3x3 inch size and a 5x5 inch size. They are versatile and can be used on bags and boxes.

Each season we change the design. I love coming up with different ideas and looks. I will post more designs in the future, so keep checking back. I'm working on our "Holiday 2009 Designs" as we speak.

Here's the Dirt...Taco Soup

This is one of my favorite fall and winter-time soups. I've been waiting to post this recipe until there was the "anticipation" of a chill in the air. Fall, football and a great bowl of soup! Everybody digs that! Special thanks to Woo Kelley for sharing her recipe with me.

Taco Soup

2 lb. hamburger, browned and drained
1 large onion
2 pkg. dry Ranch Dressing
1 pkg. dry Taco seasoning mix, mild
3 cans beans; Black, Kidney and Pinto (1 each)
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 can reg. chopped tomatoes
1 large bag frozen white corn (or 2 cans, drained)
2 cups water

Bring to boil and simmer until done.
Enjoy!

Here's the Dirt...2009 Gallery Hop, Saturday, September 12th

"Ochre Cup"

by Georgia Nagle

available at Hanover Gallery

"Green Cup"

by Georgia Nagle

available at Hanover Gallery

"Cup and Sugar"

by Georgia Nagle

available at Hanover Gallery

2009 Downtown Chattanooga Gallery Hop

Saturday, September 12th

2:00-9:00

Make sure you stop by!

Hanover Gallery

111 Frazier Avenue

Chattanooga, TN 37405

423.648.0533

Here's the Dirt...from The Clay Pot...Spooky Tree Art

Photography by Joe Jumper

"Spooky Tree Art"

This is a simple idea for Halloween...

Go outside and take photos of different trees. The spookier the better! From your computer print multiple 8x10 black and white copies. Hang multiple photos on your wall, alternating images. Repeat as needed to fill the area on your wall. This is a fun project to do with kids. Let them pick out the trees...and be involved...til the final masterpiece is created!

Here's the Dirt...from The Clay Pot...Wire Birds

""Wire Birds"

Wire birds from Design Legacy available at The Clay Pot

$9.99 each

Here's the Dirt...The Clay Pot "Shop Photos"

Photography by Joe Jumper

Here are additional "shop photos" from The Clay Pot. We are always changing the look of the shop. We just received these beautiful hydrangeas that can be dried and used in your home for fall. Believe it or not, there is only one large hydrangea bloom in each vase in the lower photograph. They are huge blooms! Call if you would like to order some of these beautiful hydrangeas.

423.265.2007

Here's the Dirt...from The Clay Pot...Robots are arriving!

Photography by Joe Jumper

"Robots are arriving at The Clay Pot"

Every little boy loves his robots! These cute "robot" piggy banks are the perfect gift for any young boy. They are just a sampling of the cute Christmas merchandise we have coming in now. We're busy getting everything ready for our Holiday Open House at The Clay Pot,

November 5th, 6th and 7th.

Stop by a get a preview of the fun items available for Christmas!

Here's the Dirt..."Quirky Flowers" by Laura McCandless

"Quirky Flowers" by Laura McCandless

How much fun are these! I love the retro styling of these paintings by Laura McCandless. They are available at Lines Orchids on Signal Mountain, TN.

Call 423.886.2111 for information and pricing.

Check back to see more of Laura's fun work!

Here's the Dirt...from The Clay Pot..."Boo" Photo Votives and "Spooky Tree" Photo Votives

"Boo" Photo Votives and "Spooky Tree" Photo Votives

Just in time for Halloween, these 3x6 inch glass votives are great for adding some clever decorations to your home or Halloween party.

All the photography for Photo Votives is taken by me, Joe Jumper. Each 3x6 inch glass votive includes a votive candle and comes packaged in a clear cellophane bag, tied with ribbon.

Add some "Spooky Tree" photo votives to your mantle and a set of "Boo" votives on your front porch to greet all your tricksters!

Photo Votives is an original product line, created by Joe Jumper and Michael Sparkman, and is available at

The Clay Pot.

$16.00 each

423.265.2007