A Day of Reflection

With today being the 7th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, I wouldn’t deem it appropriate to blog about anything else. Much has been written and spoken about the events of that day, and even though life has gone on, it has changed in so many ways. On this day I find myself recalling where I was at the moment I learned of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center. Seven years later, the memories are still vivid. This morning on the drive into work, the radio station I listen to was interviewing the author of “Tower Stories”. I found myself completely drawn into the gripping accounts of those who survived the WTC attack. It brought me back to the events of that day as if they were happening all over again. I find it very hard to focus on anything else today; I suppose it all seems so insignificant in the scheme of things. Personally, I think 9/11 should be declared a “National Day of Reflection”, but that’s just my two cents. Let us not forget the innocent lives that were lost on that day ~ those who were simply going about their routine and never made it out alive. Likewise, let us not forget our Service men & women who fight for our security every day, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. God Bless them all, and their families!

Welcome, Fall

I'm baaack!!! The last few weeks have been jam packed, and I've been neglecting my blog, my Etsy shop, and a few other things. I hope everyone had an enjoyable and fulfilling Summer. Now that Labor Day is behind us, I'm ready and raring to buckle down and get to work :) Spring and Fall are my favorite Seasons. Spring because it is always welcome after a long, rough Winter. I love to see the trees awaken and hear the birds chirping. Although nature goes the opposite way in Fall, I welcome the cooler temps and crunching leaves beneath my feet. It is always fun to take a trip out to the Cider Mill and experience the traditions that come with it. For me, a new Season signals change and the chance to start anew.

Since I love cooking (and eating!) about as much as anything, I thought I'd start with this simple, delicious recipe. I actually saw this being made on the local TV news channel this morning. Since I had all of the ingredients on hand, I whipped this little treat up myself. Take advantage of the wonderful crop of apples that are plentiful this time of year, and make one for yourself!

"Apple Blossom"

*Cut an apple into slices (I used a Granny Smith)

*Drizzle with hot caramel ice cream topping, cinnamon and chopped nuts.

*Enjoy with someone you love!

Don't Forget to Say "Hello!"

If you've stumbled upon this blog, don't forget to sign my Guestbook at the bottom of the page. C'mon, don't be bashful ~ I know you're out there! At the very least, I'd love it if you would take a quick second and answer the survey question at the top right. I'm always curious to know how people find me :) On the jewelry front, I've created some new pieces for my Etsy shop, which I hope to start listing this week. Stay tuned for those!

Weekend Getaway

We all need to get away sometimes, and my hubby and I did just that a few weekends ago. We extended our weekend by a few days and headed to the town of Port Austin, MI. This scenic area is situated near the tip of the state's "thumb" ~ right on Lake Huron. It is roughly a 2.5 hour drive from where we live, but it is a different world altogether. It is a place that is very near and dear to my heart, for it is where Tony chose to pop the all important "question" back in May 1998.

These photos show the beach where he orginally proposed marriage to me as the sun went down over Lake Huron ~ what a romantic guy, eh?! Even back in those days when we were fresh out of college and very low on funds, he found a way to make the moment special.

This is proof that a vacation doesn't have to be costly and elaborate. Sometimes, simple is better. Just getting away from the daily routine can do wonders for the soul. I hope I've inspired you to start planning your next getaway!

The Perfect Summer Dessert

We're more than knee deep into July ~ that means heat and humidity in most places. This week in Michigan we experienced some near 90 and muggy days (this after I was just saying how pleasant our weather has been!) That aside, we still need to eat, right?! If you have a sweet tooth like I do, then your craving for dessert doesn't subside just because it's warm outside. However, I did learn my lesson a few years back when I baked a chocolate layer cake for my mother in law on a super humid day. The frosting melted instantly and the whole thing basically fell apart ~ it looked like a mudslide!

This Chocolate Mousse Torte is the answer to any summer dessert dilemma. It is rich in appearance, but light and airy. You can garnish is with raspberries, or practically any fruit ~ thereby taking advantage of freshly grown summer berries that are out there. It requires few ingredients ~ on my first attempt I found that ladyfingers were not exactly easy to find in the local grocery store. Eventually I found them at a nearby produce market, which has an excellent selection of ethnic and International foods. Feel free to experiment with the different flavors of mousse that are out there, too. You might notice in the photo that I added crushed Heath bars as a topping. I can't help it ~ I'm a supreme chocaholic! :)

Chocolate Mousse Torte

Ingredients:

2 (3 ounce) packages ladyfingers -- split

2 cups cold milk

3 (2.8 ounce) packages chocolate mousse mix

3 cups whipped topping -- divided

Fresh raspberries

Directions:

Line the bottom and sides of a lightly greased 9-in. springform pan with ladyfingers (save remaining ladyfingers for another use). In a large mixing bowl, beat milk and mousse mixes on medium speed for 1 minute; scrape sides of bowl. Beat on high for 2-3 minutes or until thickened and lighter in color. Remove half of the mousse to another bowl; fold in 1/2 cup whipped topping. Spread over crust. Fold remaining whipped topping into remaining mousse; carefully spread over first layer. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Garnish with raspberries.

Sneak Preview

Here is a little sneak peak at a new creation that I will be adding to my shop very soon. I call this the “Pearl Treasure” bracelet. It is made with nearly 300 4mm Swarovski “pearls”. I had a lot of fun making it with a tool called the Coiling Gizmo. I love the classic design of this piece ~ it will never go out of style. This bracelet can be made in any color that Swarovski pearls come in. For this one I chose Burgundy, but I do think that it would look stunning in any shade. Imagine this in Ivory for a bride ~ sooooo elegant and lovely!

This and a few other new designs will be listed in my shop very soon. Stay tuned!

Move Over, Martha!

OK, so I'm having a little fun with the title of this post :) I am no Martha Stewart by any means, but I do have to brag a little about my green thumb. My flowers seem to be doing exceptionally well this year, which is due mostly to the extraordinary weather we've been having, not to my gardening skills! Usually by now our lawn is dried up and we're limited to watering every other day due to lack of rain. I'm glad to say that so far this summer, that has not been the case. So far it's been a balance of sun and rain, with very few days, if any, surpassing the 90 degree mark. As you can see by this photo, the flowers on my front step are loving it ~ they get full sun all day but they look happy and healthy as can be.

I can't claim the genius (and mass fortune) of Ms. Stewart ~ but I think she would be proud. The pot these are planted in (which is not visible in the photo) is one of hers, purchased at that store that begins with a "K" (on Clearance, no less!)

The Monday "Blah's"

I’m not big fan of Mondays ~ who is, right?! This morning it was especially hard to get back into the “routine” after coming off an extended holiday weekend. I’m really, really not motivated today. So, rather than jump headfirst into the events of the week, I’d rather take a minute to reminisce about the past three days. It was the perfect balance of time spent with family and friends as well as time spent relaxing alone. There was a lot to do but nowhere in particular to be at any given time. Those are the best kind of days. I even managed to squeeze some time in there to create a few new pieces for my Etsy shop. Look for those soon. Yesterday my hubby and I went out to breakfast and spent the early afternoon tooling around in nearby Royal Oak. The downtown is home to an eclectic mix of shops, sidewalk cafes and the like. We especially love the Farmers Market, which turns into an Antique/Flea Market on Sundays. It’s always fun to hunt for treasures there ~ you never know what you will find!

Summer Dish: Thai Pasta Salad

A friend of mine has been making this dish she calls "Thai Pasta Salad" for as long as I can remember. Just about every time we see each other, she makes it because she knows how much I love it. Finally I got the recipe from her and started making it for myself. The recipe makes a big bowl which is perfectly sized for a potluck. It can be served hot or cold, and chicken can be added if you wish to serve it as a main dish. I prefer it cold, sans chicken. I make a batch for the two of us, and we eat it for several days, which is a big treat at my house. Essentially, it is very similar to Pad Thai.

Thai Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

8 oz. chopped peanuts

1 Tbsp. minced garlic

1/4 c. olive oil

1 bunch green onions

12 oz. cabbage (coleslaw) mixture

3/4 c. peanut sauce

1/4 c. light soy sauce

1 pkg. cooked spaghetti noodles

1 lb. cubed cooked chicken (optional)

Directions:

In a large pot, saute' olive oil, chopped peanuts and minced garlic. Add chopped green onions and cabbage mixture. Stir and cook until completely coated with oil and cabbage is slightly softened. Do not overcook, causing the cabbage to be soggy.

In a separate bowl, mix peanut and soy sauces.

In a very large bowl, combine cooked chicken, cooked spaghetti noodles and cabbage mixture. Pour sauce over top and toss until thoroughly coated.

May be served as a hot main dish or chilled as a side salad.

Happy Fourth of July!

Just wishing everyone a safe and Happy 4th of July! I hope you're able to spend the day relaxing or doing whatever it is you enjoy, with the ones you love. God Bless our Troops and their families. Thank you for the sacrifice you make!

Creamy Lemon Squares

With July 4th only a week away, picnic/potluck season is in full swing. Here's a yummy recipe for a dessert that's easy to make and highly transportable to your summer gatherings. If you're leery of cheesecake recipes, don't be afraid to try this one. As long as you follow it step by step, the end result should be refreshing bars that are sweet and tangy, with a fresh lemony bite.

Although the recipe says to garnish with lemon peel and powdered sugar, I did neither. Instead, I threw a few fresh blueberries on top and called it a day. These would be wonderful served with any fresh fruit. A few low fat ingredients are used, making this a relatively healthy dessert ~ although you'd never know it from the taste.

Enjoy!

Creamy Lemon Squares

Ingredients: 20 Reduced Fat Vanilla Wafers, finely crushed 1/2 cup flour 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold margarine 1 pkg. (8 oz.) Neufchatel Cheese, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 2 eggs 2 Tbsp. flour 3 Tbsp. grated lemon peel, divided 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 1/4 tsp. Baking Powder 2 tsp. powdered sugar

Directions:

PREHEAT oven to 350ºF. Line 8-inch square baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan. Combine wafer crumbs, 1/2 cup flour and the brown sugar in bowl. Cut in margarine with pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; press firmly onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 15 min.

MEANWHILE, beat Neufchatel cheese and granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs and 2 Tbsp. flour; mix well. Blend in 1 Tbsp. lemon peel, the lemon juice and baking powder; pour over crust.

BAKE 25 to 28 min. or until center is set. Cool completely. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and remaining 2 Tbsp. lemon peel just before serving. Makes about 16 squares.

Just checking in

I’m taking a break from this hectic day to update my blog with a few pictures from our recent trip to St. Louis. Despite the overflowing Mississippi River, we had a fabulous time ~ in fact, the weather couldn’t have been better! A few highlights of the trip were: a tour of the Anheuser Busch Brewery (complete w/ samples!); an evening baseball game between the Cardinals and Royals; riding up to the top of the Arch; shopping in the very hip Delmar Loop area; taking in the museums of Forest Park (site of the 1904 World’s Fair); and a very enjoyable trip to the beautiful Missouri Botanical Gardens. Gosh, did I leave anything out?! More pics of our adventures can be seen on my Flickr page.

On the jewelry front ~ it’s been a while since I’ve added new items in my shop. Never fear ~ new designs are on the way! I’ve been really itching to bead, but the past few weeks have been jam packed with various activities, leaving me with very little free time. My new bead buddy Janna from Jac Jewelry sent me the most lovely keshi pearls direct from NYC ~ I can’t wait to make something spectacular with them! For now, I have a bunch of new designs in my head ~ with any luck, they will see the light of day very soon! Hope everyone’s summer is off to a terrific start!

Buy some jewelry, do something good

Last week we ventured to the great city of St. Louis for a few days of leisure and fun. It was our first time there but hopefully it will not be our last. While we were there, we witnessed a small section of the ever-rising Mississippi River. This photo was taken on day one of our visit ~ it’s almost as if the sign is telling the River to “STOP” before more devastation occurs. By the time we left, this sign was barely visible. The river was expected to crest in this area the day after we departed. This scene is minor compared to the flooding experienced in other towns and cities in the Midwest and Central United States. The amount of damage in some areas is staggering. Seeing this evokes feelings of sympathy, but also helplessness. The first thought in my mind was “What can I do to help?” With that in mind, I will be donating 10% of monthly sales from my Etsy shop to the American Red Cross. Their Disaster Relief fund will help aid those in need. So, get yourself some “bling” and help a worthy cause in the process ~ it’s something we can all feel good about!

An Etsy Fave: Dornick Designs

Just because I make jewelry doesn’t mean I’m too proud to buy stuff that’s made by others. The reality is that the only time I acquire a new piece anymore is when I buy it. Feast your eyes on this recent purchase from Dornick Designs on Etsy. Kathy Hardy is the talented artist behind this successful shop. She has a penchant for naming most of her creations after Classic Rock songs. I love that! The name of this piece is “Stone Free” and it features lovely chunks of Labradorite, which is a gemstone that’s at the top of my list of favorites. The stones are hand knotted on silk cord. I love every detail of this piece. I’ve already worn it several times since receiving it about one week ago. I love the fact that it looks great whether dressed up or down. Check out this shop, if you haven’t already. Her designs are both whimsical and wonderful. Perhaps what I admire most about this seller is that she has carved a niche for herself and created a style that is unmistakably her own. Hats off to you, Kathy!

Cool as a Cucumber

At the Polish cafes in nearby Hamtramck, they serve a side called "Mizeria" ~ which is essentially cucumbers and sour cream. I've grown to really love this dish ~ so much so that I could probably eat the entire bowl of it (pictured) as a meal. It may sound incredibly simplistic, but it goes along with my belief that simple is best. After asking the restaurant staff for the recipe (they don't use one!), I found one that yields a delicious end result. It's especially refreshing to enjoy Mizeria on a hot summer day.

Mizeria (Cucumbers and Sour Cream)

Ingredients:

1-2 large cucumbers

1/2 of a 16oz. container of sour cream

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 lemon, juiced

2 tablespoons freshly chopped dill

Directions: Peel and slice the cucumber. Place in a colander, sprinkle with salt and leave to drain for 30 minutes. Rinse and pat or squeeze dry. Arrange the cucumber in a dish. Make a dressing from the sour cream and lemon juice and pour it over the cucumber. Sprinkle with dill and serve.

**May be chilled in the refrigerator and served later (I prefer it very cold!)