Thanks Giving

Wishing for you the joy of a Thankful Heart.
I am especially thankful for all of you who have ordered Comfort Silkie and shared the gift of comfort this past year. A zillion, trillion thanks to you.

Here is my recipe for joy while you are cooking up your Thanksgiving. Slow down, take a moment to breathe in the day. Take a comfort moment because the ingredients of life should be mixed slowly to produce the best finished product. Learn to have a thankful heart: by choosing to appreciate with gratefulness each tiny goodness life offers you.

This has been a difficult year for many people and yet we have so much to be thankful for. Last week I was feeling weary and decided to be thankful for the little things in my life. As Greg and I were leaving for a work day at Comfort Silkie I said, "I am at 52." Greg looks at me and says, "52 what?" I replied, "I have counted 52 things to be thankful for this morning." Pointing to my succulent garden in the front yard I announced, "53, and I have a car, so 54," and on it goes being thankful for things I take for granted everyday.

When our kids were little and they would start complaining I would begin the "Glad Game". It was a competition to think of as many things to be glad about as possible. A competition of any kind in a big family is a great distraction but the Glad Game always refocused our hearts.

As we gather with family and friends, think of the Mary Engelbreit poster that says "Let's put the fun back in dysfunction!" Smile, laugh, eat, and spend time enjoying the little differences and idiosyncrasies that make the people around you interesting. Appreciate the people in your life. The person sitting next to you may not be with you next year. Tell them today how thankful you are they are in your life.

I liked everything about last year's Thanksgiving blog so we thought we'd share it again this year.
I love Thanksgiving.
Gathering my family and enjoying a beautiful meal together makes me crazy grateful. I usually can’t contain myself so I break into song. My kids start to groan but they know I won’t stop until they join in. As a mom, I try to instill in them thankful hearts. Gratefulness is learned, not just in response to receiving, but a celebration of life. It is easy to become burdened with the day to day and forget to savor, yes savor, life’s moments.

Here are some of Troncone Thanksgiving traditions:
Five Kernels of Corn: When the table is set for the Thanksgiving meal every plate has 5 kernels of corn. They represent the Pilgrims struggle the year before the plenty and celebration of Thanksgiving. According to tradition, the Pilgrims suffered through a two year famine with a food ration of five kernels per day. When we compare the meal about to be served to the five kernels we can’t help but be thankful for our blessings.

Thankful Memories: Over the years I have had a Thanksgiving book that we pass and note our gratefulness. We pass the book, even writing for the small ones and letting them scribble their names. It is fun to look back and see, from old to young, the comments they made.

The Acorn Theory: An oak tree produces many acorns and those acorns produce more oak trees. At our family Thanksgiving it is tradition to pass the acorn and tell what each individual is thankful for. We also say one thing we are praying and hoping for this next year. Sharing each others joys and carrying each others burdens – it's what makes families strong.

For Stuffing Lovers: Yes, that is me. You must try this. When preparing your stuffing for the turkey: add chopped walnuts, apple bits, and golden raisins to the bread crumb recipe. Oh, so good!

Pumpkins Bars: I always make this yummy dessert during Thanksgiving. Chopped walnuts are a nice topping to the cream cheese frosting. You can double this recipe or make multiple batches and do up plates to bring to neighbors and friends. See recipe below.

Pumpkin Bar Recipe:
Oven 350
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
4 eggs, beaten slightly
2 cups pumpkin

Combine in bowl in order given. Beat well. Spread on greased deep cookie sheet or 9x11 baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool. Frost with cream cheese frosting. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
2 packages (3 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 Tbsp. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 cups powered sugar, sifted

Mix in bowl and beat with electric mixer. If necessary, add milk to make of spreading consistency.
Happy Thanksgiving,

Please share your thanksgiving traditions, favorite recipe or what you are thankful for with us....leave a comment below or on the Comfort Silkie facebook page. We look forward to hearing from you!

Troncone Thanksgiving Traditions

I love Thanksgiving.

Gathering my family and enjoying a beautiful meal together makes me crazy grateful. I usually can’t contain myself so I break into song. My kids start to groan but they know I won’t stop until they join in. As a mom, I try to instill in them thankful hearts. Gratefulness is learned, not just in response to receiving, but a celebration of life. It is easy to become burdened with the day to day and forget to savor, yes savor, life’s moments.

Here are some of Troncone Thanksgiving traditions:

Five Kernels of Corn: When the table is set for the Thanksgiving meal every plate has 5 kernels of corn. They represent the Pilgrims struggle the year before the plenty and celebration of Thanksgiving. According to tradition, the Pilgrims suffered through a two year famine with a food ration of five kernels per day. When we compare the meal about to be served to the five kernels we can’t help but be thankful for our blessings.

Thankful Memories: Over the years I have had a Thanksgiving book that we pass and note our gratefulness. We pass the book, even writing for the small ones and letting them scribble their names. It is fun to look back and see, from old to young, the comments they made.

The Acorn Theory: An oak tree produces many acorns and those acorns produce more oak trees. At our family Thanksgiving it is tradition to pass the acorn and tell what each individual is thankful for. We also say one thing we are praying and hoping for this next year. Sharing each others joys and carrying each others burdens – it's what makes families strong.

For Stuffing Lovers: Yes, that is me. You must try this. When preparing your stuffing for the turkey: add chopped walnuts, apple bits, and golden raisins to the bread crumb recipe. Oh, so good!

Pumpkins Bars: I always make this yummy dessert during Thanksgiving. Chopped walnuts are a nice topping to the cream cheese frosting. You can double this recipe or make multiple batches and do up plates to bring to neighbors and friends. See recipe below.

Pumpkin Bars Recipe: Oven 350
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
4 eggs, beaten slightly
2 cups pumpkin

Combine in bowl in order given. Beat well. Spread on greased deep cookie sheet or 9x11 baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool. Frost with cream cheese frosting. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
2 packages (3 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 Tbsp. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 cups powered sugar, sifted

Mix in bowl and beat with electric mixer. If necessary, add milk to make of spreading consistency.

Happy Thanksgiving,



"The Mother of Comfort"

March of Dimes Premature Baby Awareness Day

November is Prematurity Awareness month and we wanted to share how Comfort Silkie makes a difference for preemies in the NICU. As a Comfort Therapist and founder of Comfort Silkie company I design products and education that empower parents to soothe their babies in the NICU. For the past two decades, bringing comfort to precious preemies and their parents has been our mission. The NICU can be an intimidating and heart rendering environment. Simple comfort techniques make life-long emotional markers for both baby and parents. Comfort Silkie’s Original patented Security Blanket is recommended by Neonatologists and NICU Nurses around the country to enhance bonding and create a scent connection. This small comfort blanket is designed with special features that soothe: The cuddly flannel feels like soft skin and the silkie satin feels like the fluid within the womb. The small, light weight size is easy to work with and easily absorbs parent’s unique comfort scent. The Comfort Silkie encourages normal nurturing interaction and help parents feels connected and close to baby. The Comfort Silkie encourages self comfort behaviors that will continue with baby’s ongoing care and development.

Additional Preemie recommended products: The Silkie Nest: Provides soft boundaries and silkie comfort touch. Infant Swaddler: Designed to comfort “womb wrap” baby: preemie and regular size. Comfort Message Isolette/Blanket Cover: Write your love message on the satin side and use to cover isolate. When baby leaves the NICU it can be used as a blanket and memory item.

Comforting Your Precious Preemie:
Click here for Comfort Tips for Preemie Babies and Their Parents.

- The Mother of Comfort

www.comfortsilkie.com

"I bring high risk babies into this world, but I am glad to know that we have such a valuable partner in Comfort Silkie." Dr D. Adair, Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine

"Nothing can replace a parent’s love and gentle embrace, but Comfort Silkie is the next best thing. I am a NICU nurse, babies need comforting and soothing touch especially under stress, such as prematurity or other life threatening medical problems. Comfort is a powerful medical treatment." P. Ferenbacher RN

"My baby was born at 25 weeks gestation. I took a Comfort Silkie to her while she was in the NICU for 4.5 months. It was so soft and soothing for her to lay on and even though she couldn’t be home with us she had her mommy’s scent with her. I love your products!" C.K.

“I am Neonatal RN, your Comfort Silkie’s are the perfect thing for our tiny babies.” A. Qick RN

The Comfort Silkie:

Winner of the JPMA Award and National Parenting Center of Approval
Supporting and addressing psychosocial needs within the NICU environment.

Comfort Silkie has been a part of the healing environment of many NICUs across the country and Foundations that support Preemie Care. Including: Graham's Foundation, Jim Moro Foundation, The Bearman, Rook, and Ganahl Family Foundations, Loma Linda University, Children’s Hospitals, Rockford Memorial, and St. Joseph Hospital.

Bringing Comfort and Joy.

Especially at Christmas, we have NICU families that purchase a Comfort Silkie for every baby in their NICU. Find out how you can be apart of bringing Comfort Silkie to your local NICU or support a Foundation working with preemies by emailing me at jeanelle@comfortsilkie.com or call 800.266.2229.

Comfort Silkie Stories

We love hearing from our customers! These stories and pictures warm our hearts and bring joy to Comfort Silkie. If you ever visit us you'll discover that our hallways and offices are decorated with your beautiful children and sweet stories. That is why we usually just call you our Comfort Silkie Family! Thank you for sharing your lives with us. We feel so grateful to have such amazing families who enjoy our products. Here are a few recent Comfort Silkie stories. If you have a story or picture please email us at: family@comfortsilkie.com We can't wait to hear from you!

"Both of my kids LOVE their silkie. They both sleep with the blanket and use the smaller silkie for the babysitter and going out of the house. Their face literally lights up and all tears stop when ever I hand them their Comfort Silkie." - Amy

"My son is in love with his Comfort Silkies! We could not live without them and I pass them along to all of our friends who have children! Thank you for some great, comforting products!
Truly amazing!!!" - Jen

"I knew I'd love these forever. I was in college in 1996 and a little boy I babysat for had literally over a dozen of your Original Security Blankets. He called them his "buh" and his mom would sleep with the blankies to leave her scent on them for him because he didn't like the freshly laundered smell. I thought it was the sweetest thing, and I wrote down the 800 number and company name from the tag. I kept it in my calendar year after year so I wouldn't forget these for my own future kids. In 2002, my daughter was born and I finally got one. I gave them as gifts for all the 1st babies I knew. Then I had twins. They each got one, and all 3 got Cuddle Pillows. When I stopped nursing my twins after their 1st b-day, I missed the cuddle time with them and their silkie little things, so I bought myself an All Silkie Pillow Cover. They're now 3, 3, and 7, and they use their Comfort Silkie things every day. And so do I. Thank you." - Amanda

"My girls got these blankets when they were babies. The best gift ever. They are 8 and 11 and still have them in their beds and wrap their baby dolls in them. I give the little blanket as gifts. You can't go wrong with this amazing product!!!" - Andrea

"My eight year old son wants a new blankie for his birthday. I had him feel different brands but he wants a Comfort Silkie because he said they are the softest. We even did a blindfold test and he can tell the difference!!! There are no substitutes!!! They are the best! Thank you for a great product!" - Tamara

"My daughter would have been lost without these wonderful Comfort Silkies." - Shane

"These were the blankies that were given to us as gifts from family. My children still use them when they nap. Love this product. My children associate these comfort silkies with sleep. They are a comfort to me as well!" - Elizabeth

"I have 4 children- ages 18, 16, 6, and 3. They have ALL been Comfort Silkie babies. I still have my oldest sons' special blankies, even though they are WELL loved, they will always be a special remembrance of when they were little. My 2 little ones still LOVE their Comfort Silkies. They have me spray them with my perfume so that when they go to bed, they still have a part of 'me' with them. Their blankies have always been THE thing that they wanted with them to go to sleep. I can't imagine my life, or my baby's lives, without these fabulous blankets!" - Amanda

"No baby/toddler/child should be without one!!!! These are the very best things around! Come in all sizes, fabrics, colors etc. Besides the fact the company is amazing to deal with!!!! My children are now 8 1/2 and almost 4 and they never nap or go to bed (no matter where in the world we are) without one...or two Comfort Silkies! I even have the pillow cases as they are soooo comfy to sleep upon...no matter your age! They make great gifts as I've given out tons and they're always a welcomed present!!!!" - Dena

These stories were recently added to our facebook page. Are you a fan yet? Join Comfort Silkie's page to receive insider news, discounts and be the first to know about new products!

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Our Story

“You may not have known her story, but every mother who swaddle wrapped her baby or offered her child the magic of a security blanket should thank this woman. Her original and beloved products opened the market place to the comfort needs of babies and their parents.” Donna Holloran, MSW, Child Development Specialist/Parent Educator, www.babygroup.me

An inventive, compassionate mom,
a caring dad, six kids, and a dream . . .
this is the Comfort Silkie story.

I am Jeanelle Troncone, the Mother of Comfort, the founder of Comfort Silkie Company. As a Comfort Therapist, I write and teach about comfort skills and techniques that embrace the power of comfort.

I was a mompreneur a decade before it became a word. A mom by day and educator by night, I was teaching comfort techniques and skills to expectant couples and breastfeeding moms. The needs I saw began the research for our initial product, the little Soft and Silkie Security Blanket. It was the first patented baby blanket designed to evoke a comfort response and to make a scent connection with mother. Next, I designed and patented a swaddling blanket that was easy for parents and shaped for baby comfort. These were new and original inventions, first to comfort and first to market.

At our first tradeshow in 1988, the Comfort Silkie Security blanket could be ordered in pink or blue. Our first order form had two extra lines just in case we added something new. Comfort Silkie won the Juvenile Product Manufacturer Award for Innovation and Design and the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval. Soon my husband Greg and I realized this was journey that I would not be able to manage alone. My brilliant left brained man quit his construction business to help his very right brained wife.

Comfort Silkie became a leader in the juvenile industry and the top baby line at Nordstrom. The American Dream for our family was becoming a reality. Our mission was to bring comfort and our company was heart driven, family financed, and maintained with long hours and hard work.

We were devastated when a buyer at one of the department stores that carried Comfort Silkie copied our products and ignored our patents. We entered into a long court battle holding to our principles and sense of justice to protect our little company. What we didn’t know is that most patents do not survive litigation. I watched as my inventions and dreams for our family were disappearing into the hands of a competitor.

The marketplace soon became flooded with knock offs and variations of the Comfort Silkie original designs. I was enduring the roller coaster ride of the business world along with being an attentive mother of five children, a new baby, home schooling, and a husband with a life threatening disease. We had invested everything we had into the mission of our lifestyle company and survival became key. We hunkered down, focused on family, choosing to bring comfort, and do good. Oh my, the life of a mompreneur.

Here we are twenty years later, creating more than sixty products selections for Babies, Kids, Mama, Home, and Therapeutic. Our original products that launched our company have proven to be time honored favorites. Our second generation of Comfort Silkie customers are on the way. Babies who used our products are now choosing them for their own little ones. Thank you for being a part of our amazing journey.

Feel free to pass our story on or comment at info@comfortsilkie.com
To learn more about Comfort Silkie please visit: www.comfortsilkie.com