Back in my day, "following" is what a cub does to a mama bear, "pinning" is what my Ma did to my sister's skirt hemlines and "tweeting" is what the birds do at the crack of dawn. But apparently, it's the Internet age for most of you folks out there and that's why Jacob Bromwell invites you to connect with us on our social media channels, particularly our Facebook page where we've been doing all kinds of neat-o giveaways of our products.

Here's where you can find Jacob Bromwell on the social media channels (each is linked directly to our page):
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Google+

 
We love conversing with our customers and fans there, and announcing new products as well as made in America news, recipes, corny jokes and anything else we think our followers will find useful. We look forward to getting social with you!

It happened inside Old Man Wilson's haberdashery. I was waiting to pay for my bag of flour when I noticed that the gentleman in front of me had dropped some hard-earned cash on the floor. Now, spilt milk is one thing and not something to cry over, but spilt bills is something altogether!

"Excuse me, good sir--but I believe you dropped this" I said as I handed over his wad of cash. "Land sakes!" he replied. "Thank you, my good man, ever so much for being an honest Joe."

"Actually, the name's Jacob, but you're welcome!"

"And I'm John--John Lexington. You have yourself a good day" he said with a tip of the hat, as he left with his wares and recovered money.

And that's when the creative juices struck me--folks need something would hold money and keep it together. After some tinkering in my factory, I emerged with the Lexington Money Clip: a beautiful, 100% copper clip that allows gentlemen to carry their bucks in style. My clip is made in the USA just like all of my products. No more fumbling with a wallet, digging into a pocket or dropping cash on the ground! My Lexington Money Clip--inspired by Mr. Lexington--will keep everything from bucks to Benjamins in their rightful place. Just click right over here to learn more or to buy one (money not included.)

Folks, if there's one thing that gets ol' Jacob's underdrawers in a twist it's litter. Back in my day, there was no such thing as trash…namely because we had less stuff to throw away! Think about it…the rise of packaged goods in the 20th century means that some parts of the good ol' U.S. of A look like a garbage heap.
April is Keep America Beautiful month. The Jacob Bromwell company is dedicated to keeping our beautiful country as litter-free as possible, year-round. The Keep America Beautiful site has some tips to help us all from being litterbugs. Some of those tips include:
*Choose not to litter.  Make the commitment now to join with thousands of other Americans to not be a litter-bug.
*Use a car litterbag.  When it is full, empty it into a trash and/or recycling receptacle.
*Set an example for others, especially family, co-workers, friends, and children by using trash and/or recycling receptacles and not littering.
*If you see litter, pick it up.
*Pick up after your dog as you walk through your neighborhood.  Use newspaper delivery bags, "scoopers", or other easy-to-use methods to clean up after your pet.
*Make sure your trash cans have lids that can be securely fastened or use bungee cords to hold them in place.
Don't be a litterbug. Keep America looking beautiful! Visit the site for more tips.

Hippity hoppity, Easter's on its way as the song goes! Mamas and papas are busy buying chocolate eggs and baskets and their squalling tykes are waiting in line at shopping malls to get their photo taken with the Easter Bunny. But when exactly did we start anticipating the rabbit's arrival every Easter morning in America?

We can thank German immigrants for bringing the legend of the Easter Bunny to the States. In pre-Christian Germany, around the 13th century, people worshiped gods and goddesses. One of those goddesses was named Eostra (sounds a lot like Easter, doesn't it?) She was the goddess of spring and fertility and the rabbit was her symbol because of the bunny's tendency to multiply!

As early as the 18th century, German settlers in the Pennsylvania Dutch area told their children about tales of an egg-laying hare who dispensed eggs, candy and trinkets to good children on Easter morning. He was known as the Osterhase--which of course, later become known as the Easter Bunny in more modern times. Children would find eggs from the Osterhase in their bonnets and caps.

So folks, here's hoping that you've been good enough that the Osterhase will pay you a visit this upcoming Sunday! Happy Easter!

March 8, 1820

The calendar is saying that spring is only two weeks away, but someone needs to tell Ol' Man Winter that. For today we awoke to at least a foot of the frosty white stuff...and just when my cousin and I were talking about picking up seeds at the local general store for spring planting. So, when life gives you snow, you make maple snow taffy! You see, March is Maple Month and when that sap starts to flow I get a hunkering for that sweet stuff we call maple syrup.

So today I took my cousin's children, Abraham and Cora, out behind the homestead and we made delightful maple syrup taffy on the fresh, clean snow. All you need is some maple syrup, a pot suitable for heating it at a high temperature, a candy thermometer, freshly fallen, clean snow and a pie pan to pack it in. Just be sure to take care and do this carefully, as the syrup gets hot--mighty hot! Check out the directions here courtesy of The Kitchn on how to make this fine treat.

I may not have lived during a time when the motion picture came into existence, but did you know that a few Jacob Bromwell products have found their way to the big screen? Why, that's no flibbity-flab. With the Academy Awards taking place tonight, I thought I'd highlight a few items that had supporting roles in feature films...

The Help: As the camera pans across a radio on a kitchen shelf in one scene, you can see a vintage Jacob Bromwell grater with the "Bromwell" stamp on it plain as day, just like my modern day Morgan's Famous Grater!

The Green Mile: Tom Hanks himself sipped from one of my Classic Tin Cups in this 1999 period prison drama film!

Big Daddy: 1999 was a good year for JB products -- my Legendary Colander made an appearance in this Adam Sandler comedy -- and that's no joke!

Whether you need authentic looking cooking props for a period film or just want to give your home that vintage touch, Jacob Bromwell's got you covered! Best of luck to all of the Oscar nominees.

February is always National Pancake Month, folks--did you know that? When I was growing up, my ma and pa called them flapjacks but I just call them tasty! Instead of making the usual standard pancake (not that there's anything wrong with that) why not check out this here Bon Appetite page and tuck into some scrumptious variations including lemon-ricotta pancakes, spiced coconut pancakes, and more. Get the maple syrup and butter handy--and you can thank ol' Jacob later!

Let's face it; even though the groundhog says we're going to have an early spring, the calendar still says we have 41 days of winter left. That means 41 days of potential snow and ice to fall on. I've learned the hard way that falling on your keister during the winter hurts like the dickens! So this here handy dandy guide to walking (and falling) on the frozen stuff should hopefully help you out. Stay safe, folks!

January 30, 1819

If this diary has seemed a little quiet lately, it's not for want of trying. One morning we all awoke to the chills, fever like a hot poker, achy bones from head to toe…oh, no! The demonic flu struck my cousin's household and spread through us like a flame set to dead crops on a dry summer's day. In between fits of coughing, there wasn't much we could do except keep the fireplace alit and drink hot toddies. This soothing elixir was a godsend and even my cousin's wife Virginia made the little ones sip them straight through to the bottom.

Even if you're in tip-top shape, imbibing this lemony drink will help those bitter cold winter days go by a little faster. See the recipe for yourself at Refinery29. By the way, this warm-me-up--or others such as hot chocolate or coffee--makes for perfect sipping from my Classic Tin Cup.

December 12, 1819

There's a sniff of snow in the air…candles twinkling from nearby homesteads…and the sounds of kiddies giggling with anticipation. This can only mean one thing…that Christmas season is here! I'm hunkering down with my cousin Isaac, his wife, Virginia, and their two children, Abraham and Cora through the winter months until I get my factory up and profitable.

Today we ventured into the nearby woods and chopped down the perfect Christmas tree--a fine looking fir, about 5 feet tall, with lush branches for hanging ornaments. Issac and I secured it into a stand, and we all adorned it with homemade baubles crafted by Abraham and Cora's hands: garland made of popcorn and cranberries, shiny tin ornaments, and paper cones and fans. But no candles--we all agreed that would be too risky, especially with Abraham and Cora's rascally kitten running about!

With the hearth crackling and family gathered about, the tree sure creates a festive atmosphere in this Bromwell home. Hard to believe that in less than two weeks, Kris Kringle will be making his rounds.

If you need popcorn for your own tree, or just to munch on, my Original Popcorn Popper will do the trick nicely! It works over a stovetop or fireplace, and you can check it out here.