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The pace of the mug orders finally slowed down. BDH has ordered 965 mugs since they went on sale.

::sigh::

With that amount of mug sales hitting at once, we are probably going to have some issues. Things we’ve encountered in the past:

  • Broken mugs – it doesn’t matter how well they are packaged, they can’t survive being tossed to the front door.
  • Wrong mugs – because these mugs are printed at a vendor that does many orders, sometimes they pack the wrong mug into the box

The resolution for both of these is to email the store. We will figure out how to make it right.

Maggie mugs and specifically stelka mugs: yes, but you have to wait until release.

Tote bags and other merch: not right now. We are still waiting on the payments from the store to actually come in.

Must write now. Please don’t order any more mugs for a bit.

Update: 1038 mugs now. Your mug buying privileges have been temporarily revoked. We need to catch up and at least see some mugs delivered. No worries, mugs are not gone, we are just hiding them from you until next week.

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Comments

    • The update of this message had me laughing out loud!

      “BDH privileges have been temporarily revoked” That needs to be on merch, just kidding.

      Thank you and the team for all the hard work!

  4. Congrats – and this was after telling the horde to us restraint! (I’m waiting still – for about 45 to 60 days is my goal so the payments from the first round at least clear though Maggie Mugs might break my resolve)

  5. Omg, so much for staggering the orders. Sorry! That said, I might get one after Maggie comes out. Just because.

    Happy writing! while waiting for all the mug issues, sigh.

  7. yay, horde *snickers a little Bit

    I hope every parcel and mug stays whole *fingers crossed*
    Happy writing!

  8. WOW! Saying “Thank you for doing this again” just doesn’t seem enough, but Thank you for doing this again bc it is appreciated. You are appreciated.

  9. Thanks for opening the store up for mugs hopefully the mugs nolonger being limited release will help spread out the orders! So looking forward to a Maggie mug ❤️ I’ve already told all my friends to read the preview and they loved it!!

  11. I bought three mugs last time the store sold mugs. At first I was just like yeah they will be in rotation…now they are my favorite and I avoid my expensive name brand coffee mugs for those 🙂 I am sorry for adding to the onslaught but grateful to add more to my collection

  12. BDH just can’t help themselves. lol
    and to think that was only US orders

    Looking forward to Maggie & more Maggie

  15. Thank you House Andrews for offering the mug merch!
    May your creative spirit be strong and fruitful!
    Sending peace, health and safety to all!

  19. I’m being good. I will wait as long as I have to without ordering any mugs. Please let us know when you feel like dealing with more orders.

    (I really do want at least two…)

  20. While I will not hold you to anything said on the blog, ….STELKA MUGS!!!! <3 <3

    *pitches tent in the mug wa*ting line for April opening*

  21. We need a Mini Mod R to run the merch dungeon! 5000 requests enter, 1 Horde leaves!

    But in all seriousness, even though I am not currently in the market for mugs I appreciate you all taking time to satiate those among the Horde who are. Take care, and may the rest of your week with Maggie and co. be very productive.

  23. Whoa to all the mug orders. Oh, wow. Sheesh.

    I’m getting a picture of this large group of people like my “Member of the Book Devouring Horde” t-shirt, only with credit cards, debit cards, and other forms of payment in their hands instead of the shield that’s on the t-shirt. 😂

  24. > Please don’t order any more mugs for a bit.

    Um, ooops? *closing order confirmation tab*

    Feel free to postpone the order I just did until you’re ready to deal with it.

  25. Thank you for doing this!

    Like others, I am also waiting as requested. Planning to purchase in the spring.

    I am pretty sure that if you hadn’t asked us to pace ourselves it would have been much, much worse.

  27. “Please don’t order any more mugs for a bit.” Hmmm, this looks like a reverse phycology trick to have us order more mugs. Very clever. Here’s to smooth sailing on the writing.

    • No tricks this time hehe. The store will be open semi-permanently, so there’s no need to armugedon 😉

  28. I’m not interested in print books. I’m used to Kindle font resizing since my vision went away. I’m totally invested in Andrew’s coffee cups
    Because I use them every time and they lift me up. To the team. I’m not begging for anything.
    I want to say I find much value in this.

  29. My name is *redacted* and I caused a mug to be ordered.
    In my defense, I’m in Canada and was able to review the preview mugs. So I sent link to my niece in Philly, who could order; she is flying out to visit on Sunday, mug slated to arrive before she leaves, so she will bring to me.
    With this fortuitous junction of events and timing, I was unable to resist.
    I beg mercy.

      • It’s a mugdemic! All over the world the BDH can’t get enough mugs! No known cure (except Ilona’s no more buying mugs warning) for this buying frenzy. 😁

    • Hello *name redacted* (waves)

      I, too, caused a mug to be ordered . . . I was going to be chalant . . . I was just looking . . . and . . . and then I realized it could arrive by Valentine’s Day . . . and it was just one . . .

  30. I have made two pots of sbiten in the past three weeks, because polar vortex. Looking forward to enjoying some in my new mug! (Actually I mostly use it as a flavor syrup, unless I’m really depleted from hacking at the ice fka snow, or from snowshoeing a little longer than ideal. A couple of ounces in a mug of hot water is enough of a treat.)

    • I had to Google sbiten. Sounds delicious! I’ll make a hot toddy with a similar sounding profile (especially when my husband gets the “man cold” 🤣).

      What all do you put in yours? Looks like the recipes can really vary. 🤗

          • I linked to one at the time of the serial, but it wasn’t Ilona’s authentic take 🙂

            When the long-awaited House Andrews recipe book gets some time in the sun, the sbiten recipe will definitely be included!

            • How dare you tease us with a recipe book! Now you know we will be insatiable!

              Now you’ve done it, Mod R. Prepare to batten down the hatches as we (metaphorically) storm the castle to, politely, request a cookbook. Not demand or expect, but just give sad puppy dog eyes and stare longingly at the cookbook treat. 🐶

              (Also, thanks for the link! 🤗)

      • I adapted the one from the blog link ModR supplied. Didn’t have nutmeg or cloves on hand. Blackberry spread and honey for both pots, though I may experiment with others once I’ve figured out my preferred version of this recipe.

        First pot I used cardamom, rosemary, and lavender in addition to the ginger and cinnamon; forgot the mint.

        Second pot I used peppermint, rosemary, and lavender, all of which I have in the garden (though finding enough mint that wasn’t frostbit took some doing) plus the ginger and cinnamon.

        If I do another pot this winter, there are cloves in the cabinet to add now. The cardamom worked well, but I was trying to get closer to the original recipe on the second batch. It may be included in some future batches. Not a huge fan of nutmeg, so that will not necessarily be included ever, though I don’t rule it out entirely.

        This stuff is really yummy and restorative, so huge thank yous to Ilona and ModR for the introduction.

        • Ah, just realized the blog link above isn’t to the YouTube tutorial. The YouTube is to Clare Moran’s “Thirsty For” sbiten recipe:

          Basically 1 cup each blackberry jam and honey with 5 cups water. The spices she calls for are 2 tsp whole cloves, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1.5 cinnamon sticks (I’ve used ground cinnamon on occasion), and 1 sprig mint.

          I use a large tea infuser for the spices, a metal mesh sphere that probably holds about 1/3 cup itself, and is easy to pull out and clean. Or you can use cheesecloth or gauze, or throw them in loose and strain after, or whatever.

          All of that goes into the pot, bring to a boil, simmer on low 15 minutes, done. If I’ve done the math right, the finished product is about 6.7 grams of sugar per ounce. That’s why I generally dilute it for everyday use.

          But there are definitely occasions when it’s worth drinking it straight. 😀

  32. … and you haven’t even gotten the EU ones yet… ^^;;;

    But that’s ok. I don’t mind waiting… much… ^^;;

  33. I did not mug, only because we actually just donated a bunch of them along with other various kitchen items to Goodwill. Our mugs have mugs. Couldn’t justify additional muggification 😉 But thank you so much for the fan merch. I got myself a tshirt for xmas, and I LOVE IT <3

  38. In my defense, I only ordered one mug. It’s to replace one I loved and broke by accident. Will wait until Maggie arrives to look at the store again. Thank you for everything.

  39. I had my cart going but will now hold off on completing my order.
    Many thanks to HA for adding the mugs I wanted! 😍
    The mug-loving BDH is mighty indeed!!

  40. My cart is ready, but I was trying to pace myself at your request. Was I the only one? Lol. Looking forward to ordering when the store reopens.
    Thank you for this opportunity to order more mugs!

  42. “Your mug buying privileges have been temporarily revoked.“

    Hey BDH!, we’ve been mugged! 🤣🤣🤣

    If it’s any consolation, I’m undecided so my mug preferences are still carted🤷🏽‍♀️

  43. Thank you for the mugs. I wish I lived closer so I could offer to help. As excited as I am for my mugs, I’m more excited for your books. Best wishes that the writing goes well (and long). 🙂

  44. I was good and did not order any mugs (yet.) 😇

    Okay, okay….I still THOUGHT about ordering more mugs, but I was good and I did not order any. 😇

    All right, all right already, settle down: the reason I didn’t order any more mugs was that my hubby said if I ordered any, I’d have to get rid of one mug I already own for every new mug I order…..some nonsense about not having room in our cabinet for anything other than mugs? 🙄 Sheesh, what a whiner….😂

    • Yes, ok, avoiding that exact conversation was part of why I w*ited to order. But I figured I’d at least w*it until after hubby’s birthday to order. Which is today, so I guess it’ll b another week. Sigh, this being p*tient is hard work… Thanks to HA and gl w the writing.

  46. I love the BDH.

    I keep thinking that one day I’ll run into a BDH member and we’ll be jump-hug-scream and take selfies, lol

    You guys made my day (and it’s been a long one!)

    • We all should meet somewhere in the summer.
      Preverably in Europe somewhere.
      Like a mini Festival. With costumes. And mugs.
      🙂

      • This is just the best idea!!!
        I would try to move mountains to travel there.
        Moves straight to google the place – oh, okay… that’s really far away.
        Maybe it’s a little to far off for my middle european self. But now I I imagine myself to rent a RV and make a week long travel out of the 40h drive.
        That would be an adventure for sure…

  47. I don’t plan to buy any mugs from your store. Other stuff, yes – in fact, I have (with no problems, I must add). But it is very nice to know that you are aware of the BDH’s enthusiasm.

  49. Bad BDH, bad! Go sit in the corner and think about what you’ve done. No more mugs until next week for you.

    🤣🤣🤣

  50. Wow, and that’s after telling the BDH that the mugs would remain available long-term and we did not need to rush to order… 😂😂😂
    Oh well, I might have done the same if I was not p*tiently waiting for orders to the EU to be available 😉

  51. Waiting til later, too much going on to look at lovely goodies right now. Appreciate the heck out of them coming back <3

  53. I can’t buy a mug until I get rid of a mug. Pact with spouse since space is getting limited at our place.

    Mod R., may I offer a mug to the Horde?

    • Someone’s already started signatures for a European Mug Con where the BDH can meet in the summer 😀 I’m sure there will be a mug swap involved lol

  54. Ohh… thats hard. Can’t you just give out the designs and we order some in shops who custom print things?
    You could sell us the designs so we feel good about supporting you?

    Hugs from Germany <3

  56. my ADHD distracted me from remembering to order mugs (although I spent time in the kitchen measuring how many ounces fit into my current favorite mugs to determine what sizes I need) but I will pretend I was being patient and not overwhelming the store.

  57. Dear HA
    Surely you know that rules are important, but that there can always be an exception made for Moi? (Moi in this case refers to any individual of the BDH or even humanity in general)…

    Good luck with the mugs and other merch!

  58. I don’t have space for another mug, and so I am practicing restraint. I just wants books. Happy writing.

  59. I was going to get me a nice mug but I figured I could be patient and let the chaos die down first lol

    • Welcome to the horde. It’s so cute that u think the chaos will die down. But, pls, we don’t use that kind of language here. If u must, at least use p*tience, for the sake of the kids who might read this. 😺

  63. Happy writing — It’s the thing you do that I love the most, but it was sweet of you guys to offer merch. Also, your whole team’s writing is great. I even enjoyed reading this post and chuckled at the added post-script. Thank you.

  64. I wasn’t able to access the store at all! I tried two different browsers *cries in despair*
    I would like a stelka mug when we get our privileges back :,(

    • The store was only available to US shoppers this time 🙂. Stelka and other Maggie merch after the release at the end of March.

  65. I thought the mug announcement last Friday was just a preview. Did I missed the opportunity to order ? 😱😭

    • Preview on Friday, initial opening Saturday and Sunday, and again soon once some of the order money offsets the printing costs 🙂

  68. I heroically refrained from ordering more…well, truthfully because there were no Ability to Even ones available. But maybe at least partial credit for self-control?

  69. I’m so proud of myself for not contributing to the Muggening! It was hard, but I have mugs (yes, more than one) from last time AND I’m approaching maximum muggage (or well over it, potato, potahto). My secret plan is to w@!t until mugs have not been mentioned for a little bit, and THEN sneak into the store for a cute tiger mug. Or maybe an Inheritance mug?
    The other reason I abstained (for now), I can’t decide!

  70. Thank you again! If you give us back mug privileges, is it possible to get some Roman? (I am pissed off and filled with the horrible love of my God) And if not, I get it completely – no kidney involved.

  71. Here’s a great crossover with mugs: When Kitty’s (the cute blue tiger from Beast Business) mug comes out, if you bought the Kate mug that said, “Here kitty, kitty” (if there was one), put them near each other. 😉😂😂😂😂😂

    • Ikr! Those r the two I was eyeing. But I anticipate local complaints about mug storage areas, despite the obvious need to buy extras, in case of breakage. Which would clearly be unrelated to stacking mugs…

    • Why buy shirts elsewhere? I need a full rotation of HA shirts to maximize the chances of finding BDH members in the wild! But I’ll prob still buy a couple mugs, later. I can’t promise any restraint when t-shirts r offered.

  74. “Your mug buying privileges have been temporarily revoked.”
    *snickers* saw that coming from a mile away!

    I am currently in the DEATH-BY-HOT-FLASHES stage of my life, so hot beverages are avoided like the plague to try to maintain a little bit of sanity. Thus I was able to not order mugs.

    My mom gave me a funny card she was given years ago back when it was her turn. It says “Real women don’t have hot flashes, we have Power Surges. And right now I could light up Las Vegas.”

    • I’ve been dealing with those since 2012. The biggest intensity trigger for me is anything calorie-dense – think high sugar or high fat.

      But in terms of immediate triggers, hot flashes happen right after I feel cold. As in, if I feel the need to put another layer on, a hot flash will be along in the next few minutes. My body just doesn’t regulate temperature well anymore. When my temperature drops, it revs up to fix that.

      So I dial back the sugar in hot drinks, and in everything else, and that mitigates the intensity of the hot flashes effectively for me. Much less annoying when they do happen. You may want to experiment a bit and observe the results. The heat itself may not be the trigger.

  79. Oh BHD, that update … LOL!! I was good and didn’t order any mugs. I will when Maggie releases. And I have put up my hooks to transfer my mugs from the cabinet they are overflowing in (coming up on 50 now).

  81. This made my day. 😂 We are the BDH we will have our mugs!!! All the mug, every mug NOW!!! With that said I will be a good bunny and order my mug later.

  82. Is that Galiene POV I see in the background behind the adorable stelka? I don’t remember that being in the sample or maybe I’m just imagining since I’m so excited for the release of Maggie. lol

  83. Oh boy. Sorry. The BDH clearly cannot resist your merch.
    I was also thinking of ordering a mug but waited still to see if new ones pop up
    Well.. anyhow… we love you guys and love all you bring to the world. What can I say? 🙂
    Happy February, happy writing and all the best with the mugs. You can do this. And of course BDH will keep on keeping – as in devouring all.

  85. I did as requested and did not order a mug right away. I’m counting on you not punishing me by taking the mugs away since I followed the initial request. 🙏

  88. I haven’t ordered my mugs yet. It’s good to know. I still will be able too. Thanks.

    which mugs are being ordered the most?