Happy Birthday to Me, Me, Me!!!

The day started so nice with a sweet Birthday card from the DH! Thanks honey, you always find the cards that make me cry, love ya!

Yes I'm at work today, but with a cup of coffee in one hand and a chocolate croissant in the other! And tonight with dinner we'll have pink grapefruit margarita's.

It is "Foodie Friday" after all, so click on the name for the recipe, I plan on making it a little different substituting prosecco for the vodka and simple syrup.
Then for this special day I thought I'd post pictures that I have saved over the year and keep in a folder call "Things that I love"
I'll start with this quote that I found that I really like and try to live by.


There's quite a few pictures so sit back and enjoy. Believe me there are much much more than these, but these are some of the top favorites! Think of it as a present of me to you! And as always click on the pictures to enlarge them. Enjoy the day, I know I will!!!

One Down, One to GO!

Well I survived the Firefly Art Fair. My sales were down from the last time I did it, but I really try not to compare income from show to show. Especially in this economy! I am part to blame, I should of sent out post cards to the people that bought from me 2 years ago at this fair and I didn't. I know (Mom) I need to really work on the marketing part of my business, BORING! I just want to bead, bead, bead! I was happy with what I made, and it's always great to hear the nice things customers say about my work and display! I'm looking forward to beading what ever I want after my last show this weekend. Yeah! That and make some pieces I've had in my head for awhile. I want to make a few more things to show the art museum and see if they'll sell them in their shop. I've been tossing around the idea of making more high end pieces and try to get into some "fine art" fairs next year!? That's the kind of jewelry that's fun for me. We'll see, I'm still thinking about it!!

Happy thoughts for me this weekend. I'm expecting little so whatever comes my way will be a nice surprise! That and the help of a good man will go far!! (and he's cute too!)

Foodie Friday, sort of

So, I realize that it's "Foodie Friday" but the only food today is the Banana Bread I'm eating as I type this. It is quite simply the best banana bread recipe. To make it even better, switch out the walnuts for pistachio's and the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips. Seriously OMG!

This weekend I'm doing a show in my hometown. I've been in this show a few times and it's one of my favorites. It's at this historical house, out in the garden. And the garden is beautiful! (Sorry no photo's, I'll take some when I'm there.)

Oddly enough I'm actually calm about it. Yes, I was running around last night getting everything together and loaded into the car, but I know what to expect at this fair. That and I love that I can set-up the night before. Should be a fun filled weekend. I mean really, working outside, in a summer dress, barefoot, that and I get to spend a little time with my family, all the more fun!

Next weekend I'm doing a fair here in the area. It's a new fair, only the second time at this location, it's the first time I'm doing it. I'll be a bit more stressed about it. First, since it's new I'm not sure what to expect. Second, because I have to set-up the morning of the fair. Third, it's on pavement, ie nothing to anchor the tent to!

The other thing is I noticed out of the possible 80 spaces only 52 of them are filled and, and 15 of them are JEWELRY! Compared this to the fair this weekend that has 95 spaces (all filled) and 15 are jewelry.

At first I was worrying about this fact. I mean I am trying to make some money doing this! But the more I thought about it I realized there are 3 things you CAN NOT control, weather, your competition, and sales. I hope for the best in all of these, but there is no way you have control over them. So I've decided not to worry, to just go and have fun! Meet new people, enjoy the day, and if I sell something that would be great too. Oh, and the DH can come visit and bring me lunch!!

Unexpected Dinner Guest!

The DH and I were just finishing dinner last night when a dark cloud moved over our heads. I am not speaking of the cloud of doom, no, no it was a HUGE hawk that flew in and landed in the tree right outside the back door! HUGE I tell you! See for your selves!

He* was intensely looking for food. Luckily the baby squirrel had just scampered off into the wilderness of our side yard just moments before. Isn't he* cute! I wish he could stay small forever, either that or turn into a vacuum cleaner, because the acorns are starting to fall!


We should of known something was up because we had just noticed that the hummingbird had not shown up for his nightly supper. That's right, in case you didn't know it you could set a watch (or an iphone) to that bird, he* comes for breakfast and supper at the same time every day!
Yes, we have feathered and furry friends of all kinds in our little backyard sanctuary! But my favorite one is this one.


Especially when he puts on MY flip flops to run out and take pictures of said hawk. I did say furry did I not!

*I realize that they could be "she", but since I am not a veterinarian, nor do I play one on TV I'll just go with "he".

Oh Mama! Foodie Fridays!

Earlier this week I made this ice cream. And I think it is the best ice cream I've ever had.

I don't know how to explain it. I mean, come on it's ice cream, ALL ice cream is good. But I'm telling you this ice cream makes me get out of bed when I can't sleep (which is often) and go have a few spoonfuls. The base is a vanilla custard, we all know that's wonderful. The cherry's are roasted which I thought would be amazing because I've roasted berries ( thanks to the Barefoot Contessa) and they are the best thing since the push-up bra (not that I need one) :-D So I was surprised that these cherries roasted, were just OK.

You churn the ice cream and when it's just about done, you drizzle in melted chocolate, and that my friends is what makes it so amazing. NOT because it's chocolate mind you, no, no, because drizzling it in turns it into little tiny shards of chocolate that you barely know are there until they melt in your mouth! OMG! And the cherries once added to the ice cream base were so good. Their flavor intensified and the chunks of cherry are not quite frozen so they're a little chewy, and with the chocolate, WOW. The name of this recipe should be The Ultimate Chocolate Covered Cherry Ice Cream.

I must admit, I made it because I thought the "guys" were coming over. I like to make them a treat when their here. I know it sounds like I'm being so sweet and thoughtful, but don't kid yourself, I'm making somethings I want to eat but don't want to eat "all" of it an wind up 200 lb. That said, I so glad they ended up not coming over because I want to covet this ice cream! I am nice enough to share it with the DH thought! I love him THAT much!

Holy photographer, Batman!

I just came across this photographer, Jan von Holleben. Really fun stuff. Too many great photo's to have here, but here are some of my favorite's.







When you go to his site, and you really must, click "work" and "projects" and then all the sub-categories under them. Also if you click on the first picture in the group then once that is open keep clicking on that picture and it will take you to the next picture in the group without having to go back and forth.
ENJOY!

I Love Summer!

We had a great weekend. Well, after all the 7 inches of rain we got friday night and saturday morning that is. We went to Milwaukee to visit my folks and to make the Prime Rib dinner I promised my Dad. DH washed the side of the house and the deck for them while I cooked. I think my Mom liked that as much as my Dad liked the prime rib! Which is A LOT! As always it was great to visit with them.
Sunday was the perfect summer day. Light clouds 83 degrees, cool breeze. I could live in that weather forever! It makes me happy just thinking about it! Ahh!
I beaded all day Sunday and have not to much to show for it! I'm hoping to finish the necklace tonight. And get started on a bracelet.
I'm getting antsy because of the two shows coming up in two weeks! One weekend after the other. I know I can only do what I can do, but what can I say I'm a nervous Nelly. I always want the most, biggest, best, everything right kind of show. In the "back" of my mind I know I have no control of that, but in the "front" of my mind I think, BEAD FASTER!

In the end if I just have weather for the shows like yesterdays I will be happy as a dog with two tails!

Happy Birthday JW!

Quite the phenomenon is happening today, to quite a phenomenal person!
Today my sister "JW" and I are the same age! Irish twins I think they call us. For a month we will be the same age, leaving people perplexed as to which one is older. In years past JW would lie and say it was her. These days, now that we're "over the hill", she not so quick to speak up!
I remember as children we were either playing or fighting together. That's the nice thing about growing up in a large family, there was always someone to play with, always a friend with you.
JW comes from a cloth not many are made of. I've always said she has more balls then most men! And it's true. She has always been her own person. Owning a motorcycle in her early twenties, (back then it was unheard of for a girl). The girl is fearless, from sky diving to scuba diving, if she's interested in it she'll try it.
She's had a tough road being a single mom while going to school then on to working as an x-ray tech. I think we all know being a mom is the most important job a women can have, and being a single mom make's that job even harder. She's worked hard for everything she's got. Which today is a bond with a son like no other, a husband that loves her not despite her idiosyncrasies but because of them, and a job that she's damn good at.
Though she's my younger sister, I look up to her because of one thing. One trait of hers. She is the one person I know that really does not care what others think of her. It could be wearing knee-socks that don't match, with shorts, no less, or calling someone out for doing things that are unacceptable, or standing up for what's right when no one else will. She calls them as she sees them!

Some are lucky to call her friend, but I can one up them, I also get to call her Sister! OK, OK, younger sister!

I love you JW! Have a fantastic birthday!!! Eat sweets all day if you'd like (oh, you already do that) Ha! XO

The Ultimate Trompe l'oeil!

Check out these realistic paintings!

And go to this site to see more!

My brother in another 15 years!

This is the best reason to join twitter.
This guys dad is hilllariousssssss! He reminds me so much of my younger brother! So go ahead and join it's not like it's facebook, you can "follow" your favorites and if you don't do any "tweeting" yourself no one should bug you. This is actually a great story, guy is a writer out of work, living with his parents. Guy starts tweeting shit his dad says, guy is followed by many. Guy gets book deal. Book is made into a sitcom, guy is writer on that show! Only in America people!!!

Watch an interview and the pilot for the show.

And if my sister in-law is reading this, you should hitch a ride on THAT pony!!! It's so much easier to put up with if it's putting veggie's on the table!

Me, me, me...

The time has come once again that the DH is out of town at a customer for the night. Yeah... I mean I will miss him dearly but, YEAH. The house to myself, what to do, what to do. First I have to go to the gym after work to stay in the groove of that, (and possibly work off the beer and popcorn I may have for supper!) then... me, me, me! I think I will bead in my PJ's till I can stay awake no longer! Which will probably be around 8:00 since I got up at 4:am! Yep, I'm a real fire cracker!!!

Foodie Friday!!!

I have patiently waited all week for this day to come. I have been dying to tell you about the cupcakes my niece made last weekend. Sadly, no I did not take a picture, but trust me on this one they were as good looking as they were tasty! It was a spin off of this recipe. The original recipe of Dorie Greenspan's from her cookbook "Baking: From My Home to Yours".

OK, now that I got your attention, Miss M's were even better looking because they were cupcakes, like I said, so they had PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING! Speaking of which cupcakes might be the way to go, because once that cake is sliced the incredible topping slides into the newly made opening, and well you can just imagine how embarrassing it would be to be caught licking a plate while there's cake still on it!!! Someone on the blog the recipe is on, mentioned it might be a good idea to spread marshmallow fluff on the cake first to keep the topping on.
OMG! JW would just die! Too bad she lives so far away or I would make that for her birthday next week (and secure my standing as her favorite sister)!
In other related recipe news, I made these tasty treats for the boys this past week.


Click on the picture for the recipe. They are yummy and pretty easy to make, two things I must say is I used sea salt instead of smoked salt and you should keep them in the fridge because the middle kind of oozes out when sitting out in room temperature. Though it could of been that it was the hottest day of the year.
Ah! Genius that I am, me thinks if you would switch out the topping recipe from Dorie instead of the caramel for this recipe, it could very well be the ultimate tasty treat!

Traveling through the mountains

Ok, grab a cup of joe and sit a spell cause this is going to be a long one.

Thank goodness the driving part of our trip to Colorado was uneventful! We had fun laughing and singing along to the ipod, and listening to "A prayer for Owen Meaning" by John Irving on it too.

Got to JW's earlier than expected, sat and chatted for a bit, then Big Al took us for a drive in the new mustang JW bought him for his b-day last year. It sure is a pretty thing, sounds good too, but two boys in a mustang driving up a mountain road, a bit on the fast side, just to see how she "responds", well let me just say she "responded" better than I did!

Got back and ordered a potato pizza for supper and was it good! Note to self: look for recipes for potato pizza!

The next day Big Al, DH and I went back up the mountain to go hiking. JW stayed home to sneak off to the thrift store, I mean cause she gets car sick.

DH drove his car this time and again boy's like to see how their cars "respond" on steep mountain roads! Boys found out all the cuss words girl knows!

Here's a nice picture from the top before we started our hike.

Here's a picture of the path we took down. (click on pictures to enlarge)

It was nice to be in the desert again with the sun beating down on you. That did little to tan my hide though, I think my legs will stay white till the day I die, unfortunately!
Next day we all drove out to Telluride which is a bustling little ski town about 2 hours away. We checked out a few shops then ate lunch at a local eatery.
Way up on one of the closer mountain ranges is a beautiful waterfall with a house they call the "Wedding House" (look between the 2 waterfalls).

Here's one closer to the "Wedding House" and waterfalls.

I'm guess'n they call it the "Wedding House" cause if you make it up there together and still want to get hitched, conveniently there's a house there for it. Which would not of been the case for JW and Big Al. (Good thing they already are!)
It was pee your pants scary driving up, but once it was over and done I must say I'm glad we did it cause the waterfalls and the views are spectacular!! Thanks Big Al for a day we'll not soon forget!!!
To add a little something, something to the long trip back, we decided to stop at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. After seeing mostly flat lands on the drive there it was great to see some stalactites and stalagmites! Not to mention the Fairy caves! Be still my heart!

They also have this giant swing that whips you out over the mountains, just incase you don't have any boys in cars around ;-D

What is it with the French and Costumes!

We are back safe and sound! We had a fantastic time in Colorado as you will see once I remember to bring the photo to work so I can add them to this blog. Until then enjoy this little vacation in Paris, courtesy of "The Curious Little Place" blogspot.


Oh how cute this would look in my backyard!