Nine Years!!

I wanted to share a recent photo of my husband and I during our trip to Mackinac Island, in northern Michigan. We were celebrating our 9th wedding anniversary. I can't believe how time flies :)

The island is a great place to go to escape the stresses of everyday life. Motorized vehicles are not permitted there, so the only method of travel is on foot, bicycle, or horse and carriage. We truly enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the laid back pace. We also enjoyed some of the homemade fudge that the island is so famous for!

In this photo we were standing in front of the magnificent Grand Hotel. If it looks familiar to you at all, it might be because the film Somewhere in Time starring Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve was shot there. How romantic!

Earring Giveaway!!

With all of the negativity in the news and the media as of late, I figured there's no better time than the present to spread some cheer :) So, I am giving away this pair of earrings to one lucky winner! They are made with bright, cobalt blue Czech glass lampwork beads, along with shiny Brass links. They measure 2" in length and have 14k gold filled earwires.

To enter, just leave a comment on this post. Entrees must be received no later than 12:01 am EST on 10/31/08. This contest is open to those age 18 or older. Please enter only once, in fairness to others.

A winner will be randomly chosen and the results will be posted on this blog by 11/1/08. The winner will not be contacted, so you will need to check back to see if you've won.

Good luck everyone!

**THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED**

Shining the Spotlight On: Crickets' Creations

Scarves are my favorite chilly weather accessory. I've had the same black cashmere scarf with hot pink stripes for a few years now ~ it's probably time to change up my look. On my Holiday "Wish List" this year will be something from Crickets' Scarf Boutique on Etsy. All of her beautiful creations are handknit from cruelty-free, vintage and novelty yarns. They are colorful, unique and totally fabulous! They're even meant to be worn year-round. I recently discovered this Seller in the Etsy forums, where she can often be found handing out valuable tips and advice to other Etsy sellers. It is that spirit of generosity that prompted me to find out more about Celeste, the super sweet gal behind Cricket's Creations. Below is what she recently shared with me:

Tell us a little about *you*: My name is Celeste and I hand knit luxury, designer fashion scarves! I live in the Golden Circle near the Grand Canyon, so my tagline is, “Handcrafted in the Heart of Canyon Country, USA!” Because I live in the high desert (it’s either very hot or very cold), my designs are for year-round wear. You can even see a pic of me modeling one of my Skinny Summer Boas in 90+ degree weather, outside here. Tell us about your craft ~ How did you get started? What keeps you motivated and inspired? I took an elective class when I was eight years old. From there, I studied knitting books and tried out patterns. Now I design all my own work and can get really creative! My muse, inspiration & support is my sweetie, Nicky. I made my very first scarf for him. He loved it so much that he said, "You could sell these and people would love 'em!" And since August 2007 I’ve sold over 300 scarves, so I guess he was right. :) I love to play with texture and color, and typically make 2-3 scarves a night, whether for custom orders, special requests from the over 10 retailers I supply, scarves to sell online (I offer over 100 different styles, colors & thicknesses), or getting ready for craft fairs & expos. If you’re a professional crafter, too, please let me know if I can offer support or advice on how to succeed.

How did you first hear about Etsy? I saw it in the forums of the Crafty Critter online community for crafters who care about animals. What is the best piece of advice that you could give to a new Etsy seller? I could never choose just one piece of advice (as a Gemini, I find that an impossible request, lol)! Here’s a compilation of links to my success tips. Time to toot your own horn ~ tell us about your proudest crafting achievement (either on or off Etsy) I think that so far, my biggest thrill came when Better Homes & Gardens bought a scarf a few months back for a photo shoot! Please see the next question for details…

Tell us about your featured shop item ~

I felt like I'd landed on the moon when Better Homes & Gardens magazine bought one of my pieces for a June 2008 photo shoot (it will probably appear in one of their Fall 2008 issues)! If you'd like to see the scarf they chose, please go here. Because it was a one of a kind, I made this new scarf *almost exactly* like the original. The difference is that the new design is thicker, warmer, sturdier & includes some new yarns. There is even a bit of sparkle in one of the chocolate yarns. We all know there is Life outside of Etsy ~ what do you like to do in your “spare” time? When I'm not designing and knitting, I happily work for Best Friends Animal Society. I also enjoy gardening & Bikram yoga. See ya 'round, I'm looking forward to learning more about YOU!

Thanks for your insight, Celeste!!

Now, be sure to check out her shop, Crickets' Creations :)

It's the Creamiest!

I’ve been on a major comfort food kick lately. I suspect that has something to do with the change of seasons. The drop in temps is signaling to my body that it’s time to add a layer of insulation in preparation for winter ~ which I need like a hole in the head, but that’s another story.

What dish is more comforting that macaroni in cheese? It certainly tops my list. I recently made a batch using the recipe that follows. This is the best recipe that I have ever used ~ the result is rich and creamy, with a little bit of zing due to the cayenne pepper, and a wonderful flavor that is created by the addition of garlic. It really is interesting how there are so many variations on this simple dish out there. This version is by no means low fat ~ serve it on the holidays and it is sure to impress. Mac and cheese is filling, substantial and relatively inexpensive to make (and I’m not referring to the kind that comes in the blue box here). This recipe yields a pretty decent amount, so if you’re making it for one or two there are bound to be leftovers ~ and it tastes just as good, if not better, the second time around.

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper, to taste

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste

1/4 teaspoon minced garlic

2 cups half-and-half

2 cups milk

2 (10 ounce) packages sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided

1 (10 ounce) package extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni, cooked

Directions:

In a big skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat.

Whisk the flour in gradually until the mixture is smooth.

Cook and whisk continually for 2 minutes.

Add in salt, pepper, cayenne, and garlic; stir to combine.

Gradually whisk in half-and-half and milk.

Cook and whisk continually for 8-10 minutes or until mixture is thickened.

Add in half of the sharp cheddar cheese; stir.

Add in all of the extra-sharp cheddar cheese; stir until smooth.

Take skillet off stove burner.

Mix together the cooked macaroni and cheese mixture; transfer to a greased 13x9 inch casserole dish.

Sprinkle with the remaining sharp cheddar cheese.

Bake in a 350° oven for 20 minutes, or until the top is crispy.

Be a Voter "In the Know"

Election Day is less than a month away ~ I hope everyone has registered to vote :) Record turnouts are expected this year (didn’t they say that during the last Presidential election??)

That being said, I just learned of a helpful site where Michigan residents can go to get all the details of your polling location; including hours, a detailed map, etc. There is even a sample ballot for you to familiarize yourself with! Click here.

I’m very glad I checked it out, since I learned that my voting location has changed. Hopefully this information will make your voting experience painless and free of unnecessary confusion. With any luck, the next four years will be, too ;)

A Salsa Soiree!

If you’ve read this blog more than a few times you probably know that I love to cook. As a descendant of a long line of good cooks, I come by this trait honestly. In my family, we show you that we care by feeding you.

When I was a kid, my mom was hard core ~ baking cookies from scratch, every night dinner was something different and definitely not from a box. By the time my parents finally gave in and bought a microwave, it was rarely used.

So, you can see that I inherited my culinary skills. The one thing I never attempted was canning or preserving food. I remember my mom canning jam in the summer ~ usually on what seemed like a sweltering hot day. My memory is of her slaving over a stove for what seemed like an eternity. As a kid I never fully appreciated the time nor the love that she put into each and every jar. As a family, we would often travel to the blueberry farm to pick the berries that would later become jam. Sometimes they would be strawberries or blackberries that were grown by members of my family who lived in Northern Michigan. I now know that canning fresh produce is a lost art ~ but at the time I just took for granted that we had homemade jam at my house while all of my friends had the stuff you buy in the store. You can probably imagine my reaction when our good friends suggested that we get together and can Salsa with the peppers we grow in our garden every year. I seriously thought they were insane ~ it sure didn’t seem like a fun way to spend a perfectly good Saturday to me at all. It took a little coaxing, but I finally gave in. After all, we end up with more hot peppers than we could ever consume, and I hate to see them go to waste. This seemed like the best way to make them last.

A few weeks ago, we all got together for our 2nd annual Salsa making party. These are some pictures of the fun we had, and the result of our efforts. Each of us has our own role, which seems to work out really well. The process took about four hours from start to finish, and that is with four people chopping, peeling, stirring and pouring. I think back to the days when my mom made that jam by herself, and now I realize how much work she put into it!

It is fully worth the work, though. We ended up with 18 jars of Salsa, which we can enjoy throughout the year. It is really good stuff, too. Slightly on the hot side, but fresh and wonderful!

If you’ve never canned before, give it a shot. Get together with some friends (preferably some who know what they’re doing) and let the fun begin!

An Etsy Favorite: Ceramics by Sumiko

I first discovered Sumiko's Etsy shop shortly after I opened up my own shop. Since then, I've made several purchases from this super friendly and talented seller. I can honestly say that I've been overjoyed with each one.

Sumiko makes lovely pottery creations, including vases, plates, pendants and even Sushi sets! Her shop announcement reads "I am an artist who likes to make pretty things". This is an understatement. There is not one thing among her creations that isn't beautiful.

This little plate with the dragonflies was a gift that I purchased for a dear friend who loves pottery and appreciates handmade treasures. Like most of Sumiko's designs, it is simple and sweet; however as simple as the design is, it is also a beautiful work of art. I just love going to her shop and browsing her wonderful creations. They are so pleasing to the eye.

I really love that Sumiko offers pieces in every price range. From this gorgeous Double Wall Clematis vase, which is completely stunning, to pieces like the dragonfly plate, which cost less than $10. There is sure to be something that fits your budget in this shop. Consider doing your holiday shopping at Ceramics by Sumiko, or from any of the other talented artists on Etsy.com.

New Necklaces!

Earrings are undoubtedly a top seller in my Etsy shop, and I think the same goes for most other jewelry sellers. My Earring section is loaded up, with new additions on the way. I do think I've been slacking in the Necklace category, though. So, I've decided to focus on some stellar new necklace designs. Personally, I love necklaces! I try to wear a different one every day. I love to coordinate a piece with what I am wearing ~ it can make the difference between a so-so outfit and one that is "WOW!!" Not to mention that earrings often get hidden behind my hair, but a necklace stands out and people really do notice them.

These are two new designs to my shop ~ you will see that they are vastly different. One is made of Vintage Lucite beads, while the other is made with a stone called Crab Fire Agate. I recognize that everyone's taste is different, and I love to be able to offer something to suit your individual style.

Keep an eye on my shop in the coming weeks, especially if you're a fan of neck jewelry. I hope you'll see something that you love!

Milkshake for the Big "Kids"

Just in time for football season and those tailgating parties where the beer is usually flowing! If you're like me and not so much into massive beer consumption, here's the perfect alternative. It starts with beer, and a few other simple ingredients are added. I'm willing to bet that you've never had anything like it before ~ at least, I had not. It reminded me of a root beer creme soda float. Give it shot!

Vanilla Beer Shake

Ingredients:

12 oz of your favorite beer

1 shot vanilla extract

1 can "Reddi whip"

2 shots vanilla vodka

1 shot heavy cream

Directions:

Pour beer into a 16 oz beer glass (any glass will work, just make sure it's big enough!) Add the vodka, extract and the heavy cream. Top the glass with the "Reddi whip". This recipe makes one shake as pictured above.

Wine Wisdom

On my desk at work I have one of those “Page a Day” calendars that seem to be so popular. Not surprisingly, it is about wine ;) One day last week the topic was a quote from novelist Jay McInerney that has really stuck with me. It went like this: “Bottles of wine aren’t like paintings. At some point, you have to consume them. The object of life is to die with no bottles in your cellar. To drink your last bottle of wine and go to sleep that night and not wake up” The point is that most of us, myself included are guilty of saving “special” things for that proverbial “rainy day”. In the process of doing that, we deny ourselves the pleasure of enjoying things we deem too “good” for daily use. So . . . ya know those stilettos you spent way too much on and haven’t taken out of the box??? Wear them to work tomorrow. Or, how about those pearls that haven’t seen the light of day since your High School prom ~ be sure to put those on the next trip to the Grocery store. And that fine china that was given to you as a wedding gift and collects dust somewhere in the basement ~ start using it daily. What are you waiting for?? As for me, well ~ there are about 4 bottles of wine gathering dust in my wine rack that were purchased on a winery tour in September 2007. I think I’ll start by cracking one open with dinner tonight ;) ** On a side note: Be sure to check out my friend Kay’s blog ~ she is giving away a pair of earrings!!! **

Shop Update

I've been asked about when I will be adding some new items to my shop ~ the answer is, quite simply ~ "Soon!" In fact, I've already started to list a few exciting new pieces (there's two of them on the right). I have quite a few more to add, and will be doing so over the next week . . . or maybe longer, depending on how fast I can type :)

Also, keep a look out for the "SALE" section ~ you never know what might show up in there :) It's a great opportunity to get your hands on some one of a kind, handmade creations for a steal!

As always, thanks for looking!

Must Try: Lychee Martini

For the past several months, I’ve been on a quest to try a Lychee martini. I had first read rave reviews about this amazing cocktail and then received an overwhelming testimonial from Janna of jac jewelry as to just how delicious they are. I believe her exact words were “You’ve got to try one ~ NOW!!”

And so I did. The picture is proof ~ it is an “Amici Lychee” from Amici’s Living Room, located in Berkley Michigan.

I must say, locating a venue that serves this fine beverage was a challenge. Many a bartender looked at me as if I was from another planet when I requested it. In case you never heard of one, a lychee is a fruit bearing tree that grows primarily in Asia. The picture shows what the fruit looks like. The drink tasted refreshingly fruity ~ both sweet and a little bit tart. It went down with no problema. So be careful not to overdo it, and make sure you have a DD :)

In case your local drinking hole doesn’t yet have one on their menu, here’s a recipe I found so that you can make one yourself:

Ingredients: Ice 3 ounces lychee nectar or juice 2 ounces vodka 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1 1/2 teaspoons Simple Syrup

Directions: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the lychee nectar, vodka, lemon juice and Simple Syrup and shake well, then strain into a chilled martini glass.

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!