Employee Spotlight

I feel truly blessed to have the most wonderful employees and I know that I can count on them to give you the best customer service so that your shopping experience is the best it can be. But there’s more to them than just the bright smiling faces that greet you when you come into Renewed Expressions, so every once in a while I’ll be sharing with a little more about them, starting with my first employee and long time friend, Monica Visser.

Monica has been with us since day one, when we opened our doors as a furniture consignment store and she was instrumental in helping us transition into clothing consignment. She is a delight to have at the store and is always willing to help our customers find that perfect outfit. Her warm smile and gentle demeanor keeps our customers asking where she is on her day off.

In addition to being great at helping our customers, it just so happens that she is one of our best customers! She always has her eye out for her favorite brands (Ann Taylor, Banana Republic & White House, Black Market) in neutral tones which highlight her lovely olive complexion.

She is married to her best friend, Brian and has two married children and two beautiful grandchildren. When not out hunting for treasures in resale shops, Monica loves to spend time gardening or hiking with friends and family. She also loves to read and cook and, as those who know her can attest, she is quite good at it, additionally, she is a fine hostess. She was happy to share a favorite recipe for Pumpkin Bread! Could it really be that fall will be arriving soon?

Pumpkin Bread: Makes 2 loaves

3 1/2 C. Unbleached flour
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Nutmeg
2 tsp. Cinnamon
2/3 C. Water
2 C. Canned Pumpkin
2 tsp. Baking Soda
4 Eggs
3 C. Sugar
1 C. Vegetable Oil
2 C. Chocolate Chips

Mix dry ingredients in large bowl. In separate bowl, combine wet ingredients. Add wet ingredients to dry. Mix thoroughly, and add chocolate chips. Pour into greased and floured, standard size bread pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 1-1 1/2 hours. The bread is done when toothpick comes out clean. This bread freezes well.

Thanks, Monica, for being a faithful friend and wonderful employee!