Just Nibbles

Cold Pursuit By Carla Neggers

2011-01-13T11:47:00.000-08:00

Back in her hometown of Black Falls, Vermont, to do damage control on her career, Secret Service Agent Jo Harper is drawn into the search. But her efforts face an unexpected challenge: Elijah Cameron.
With his military training and mountain rescue experience, no one knows the unforgiving terrain better than Elijah. But he and Jo have been at odds forever and Elijah believes the missing teenager isn t just lost she s on the run.
Forced to work together, Jo and Elijah battle time and the elements in a race into the unforgiving mountains. The twists and turns awaiting them will take them closer to the explosive truth and into the sights of a killer.
This was worth it. When I picked up Cold Dawn, I didn’t think about the fact that it was the third in a series of Cold books. A few chapters in, I realized I was lost with all the characters. Now I know who everyone is.

The Black Fall series pretty much pairs up the remaining single siblings of the Cameron clan to their respective mates. Elijah, bad boy turned good, is the first to be tied down. Even as a ball-bustin’ Secret Service agent, Jo had her soft side. They were well matched, seeing as how both knew how to handle their weapons. The romance aspect is fairly typical. Long-ago lovers meet up again and struggle with their feelings all while trying to solve a murder mystery. But as any true romance should end, they ultimately work out their differences and we assume will live happily ever after.

What I really liked was the way you see through all the major players’ eyes, all adding their side of the story until it comes together in one dramatic chain of events. Other than the ringleader, the question isn’t who done it, but how it will all play out. All the extra characters and their input made this great. You see Melanie’s side as the accomplice of Kyle, the killer for hire. She was wonderfully delusional; thinking she controls Kyle even while she’s getting on her knees. Grit was cool, together with Myrtle, it’s a shame she’s so old and he’s so young. Oh, and Charlie, someone needs to put some parental controls on him!

So we’re left with the question who is the mastermind of this killer-for-hire business. Moving on … Next: Cold River.

Powers By John B. Olson

2011-01-10T11:00:00.000-08:00

"Deep in the swamps of southern Louisiana, Mariutza’s beloved grandfather whispers his ominous last request – and dies in her arms. All her life he’s looked after her, trained her in the old Gypsy ways and kept her hidden away in the swamp. But now … The Badness has found her. Mari’s only hope is to find Jaazaniah the prophet, the legendary hero of her grandfather’s bedtime stories. But how can a girl who has never left the swamp survive the terrifying world of men long enough to find a savior who may not even exist?

In the heart of New Orleans, musician Jazz Rechabson runs for his life. Everyone is out to get him. Soldiers, government agents, mysterious hooded men. What do they want? And who is the beautiful young woman who haunts his waking dreams?

Can strangers from different worlds come together in time to unmask a horrifying enemy? And if they do, will they be able to STAND?"

I have to preface this by saying I am not a fan of Christian fiction, fantasy or otherwise. And I did not read Shade, the prequel to Powers, but I don’t feel like I missed anything at all.

It took me a bit to get into this but that may have just been where I was mentally at the time, because once I got into it, it was a quick light read loaded with action. Mari and Jazz fight for their lives against supernatural forces with a gypsy twist, which I wasn’t even aware existed, while each on a quest to discovery their destinies. Mari is great, fresh from the swamps and learning to deal with city life. They are being followed by Special Agent Groves who is on a spiritual journey of his own.

The ending was fairly predictable … except it seemed to be missing pages of explanation. I actually went back a couple of times thinking I must have missed something. It pretty much ends in a miracle, except one that leaves huge holes, like with crime scene investigations and letting the only suspects go basically just requiring them to leave a telephone number. SA Groves picked an odd time to have a total conversion and Jazz is truly blessed (no pun intended) given the number of federal agents dead and mass destruction that was left behind.

This book is a take-or-leave read. I enjoyed it overall, even with my disappointment with the ending. Definitely not one for the permanent collection, but I suppose if you were a part of a book club or picking up something from the library, this would work well.

Cold Dawn By Carla Neggers .... to be continued

2010-12-08T08:56:00.000-08:00

Cold Dawn

Cool cover, read the synopsis and thought it sounded interesting, bought it and...

Page 53 ... that is how far I got before I had to put this down.

You know when you're reading a series and each new book rehashes what you already know, going over the people and events that have brought you to this point? I hate that. Whole paragraphs wasted telling me what I already know because, apparently, other people don't know what's transpired and all the skeletons in the closet because they didn't read the preceding books.

Apparently that's me this time around AND .... Carla Neggers doesn't do that. She just laces all the characters in as though we're sitting around the table discussing the family... and I'm new to this family. So I'm the idiot sitting there smiling while names and places and exciting events whiz right over my head. And I want to know this family.

Now I sit patiently waiting for Barnes & Noble to send me Cold Pursuit and Cold River.

(Well, not exactly patiently, I'm way behind on reviews).

The Friday 56: Stolen

2009-12-04T09:19:00.000-08:00

The Friday 56 is a weekly bookish meme hosted by StorytimeWithTonya. The rules are simple:

♥ Grab the book nearest you. Right now.

♥ Turn to page 56.

♥ Find the fifth sentence.

♥ Post the sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or if you don't have a blog in the comment section of this blog.

♥ Post a link along with your post back to Tonya's blog.

♥ Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the closest.

Stolen

By Kelley Armstrong

When we got to the hall, I surveyed the parking lot and counted four vehicles: two mid-sized rental cars, a Jeep with California plates, and an Accord with Massachusetts plates.

Very good read if you like sarcastic dangerous werewolves. Review here.

Bitten and Stolen by Kelley Armstrong

2009-12-02T08:32:00.000-08:00

I have a Love/Hate relationship with series. I never pick up the first one because I have no patience to wait for installment 2, 3, 4... or, more likely than not, I would just forget to come back for more a year later. I mean do you have any idea how many books I can go through in a year? They’re lucky if they can stay in my memory for a month. A year? Please. So many great books and authors, so little time. Anyway, I’m always looking for great series to power through (hint?) and can spend hours crawling and climbing the shelves at bookstores and libraries in search of something to satisfy my need.

In comes Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld. Oh, yeah. Did you know there are 10 of them?!?!? Yep, Frostbitten is No. 10. That was enough for me. Decision made, I started at the beginning and got Bitten and Stolen at the same time.

Mini Synopsis:

Bitten - Adopted by the Pack when bitten, Elena had spent years struggling with her resentment at having her life stolen away. ... But now the Pack has called Elena home to help them fight an alliance of renegade werewolves who are bent on exposing and annihilating the Pack. And although Elena is obliged to rejoin her "family," she vows not to be swept up in Pack life again, no matter how natural it might feel. …

Stolen - …Vampires, demons, shamans, witches -- in Stolen they all exist, and they’re all under attack. An obsessed tycoon with a sick curiosity is well on his way to amassing a private collection of supernaturals, and plans to harness their powers for himself -- even if it means killing them. For Elena, kidnapped and imprisoned deep underground, separated from her Pack, unable to tell her friends from her enemies, choosing the right allies is a matter of life and death.
Elena Michaels is intelligent, tough and sarcastic. I liked the storyline in Bitten, but Elena’s sarcasm in Stolen had me in laughing a number of times. On the other hand Clayton… yum. Loyal, dangerous, passionate…Yeah, that about describes him.

The only aspect of the books that I didn’t particularly like was Armstrong’s description of the dog pack interactions. Not that there were awkward canine sex scenes, no. Sex scenes were juicy if a bit scarce but purely bipedal. It’s just that the interaction between the pack members did conjure up images of Disney’s Never Cry Wolf. For those too young to remember, I won’t elaborate, but it doesn’t quite … do it for me.

Werewolves didn’t even warrant their own classification. They were lumped into “Zombies, Werewolves, and other Miscellaneous Demonic Phenomena.” Miscellaneous demonic phenomena? The demonic part kind of stung. I was not demonic. Well, maybe driving some hapless guy from his airplane seat wasn’t exactly nice, but it certainly wasn’t demonic. A miscellaneous demonic phenomenon would have shoved him out the escape hatch. I’d barely been tempted even to do that.

Page 12, Stolen.

Verdict: I loved my first dip in the Women of the Underworld pool. Okay, maybe I wasn’t up all night devouring every word, and I may have taken time out to answer the phone and make dinner, but still great books. If you’re into supernatural action-packed romances, this will work. It’s a well mixed drink, little sweet and sour with just the right twist of sarcasm. The dog-pack imagery is like the little umbrella in your drink; I personally can do without it and am more afraid it will put out an eye, but some people like them and think they're cute.

Now the dilemma: be a good girl and read 3, 4, 5 before 6 Broken, which continues with Elena’s escapades, then 7, 8, and 9, before 10 Frostbitten, the continuing saga of Elena and Clayton's life ….or just go straight to 6 and 10?

Bitten (2004) and Stolen (2004)

Written by Kelley Armstrong

Published By Penguin Group (USA)

The Friday 56: Bitten

2009-11-27T09:30:00.000-08:00

The Friday 56 is a weekly bookish meme hosted by StorytimeWithTonya. The rules are simple:

♥ Grab the book nearest you. Right now.

♥ Turn to page 56.

♥ Find the fifth sentence.

♥ Post the sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or if you don't have a blog in the comment section of this blog.

♥ Post a link along with your post back to Tonya's blog.

♥ Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the closest.

Bitten

By Kelley Armstrong

They hadn't materialized on their own, but I might have been less surprised to find that they had.

(What, you ask? "Honeyed ham and pancakes, my favorite breakfast." Page 56, Line 2)

Think I know what I want for breakfast this beautiful post-Thanksgiving day. Have a wonderful day.

Tuesday Treasures

2009-11-24T09:35:00.000-08:00

Sex Bomb Type Creamy Whipped

Sugar Body Scrub

by MadCitySue

Okay, being purely selfish today. Life has been pulling me in all different directions the last couple of weeks. The few luxurious moments in the shower are a refuge in which to not think about anything and just take care of me.

Pomegranate Shea Butter Soaps

by Body Language Soaps

You've got to admit that closing the door to the noises and stress

of the day and sinking into a tub is one of those mini-vacations that everyone needs.

Lavender Blossom Bath Bombs
by Burnt Mill Candles & Soap

It's not just the water though. It's the scents that are intoxicating and necessary for the complete effect.

Love Reed Diffuser/Vase
By Oscar Baron

So here's some treasures that I want to find in my stocking this year!

Mermaid Splash Award

2009-11-21T07:07:00.000-08:00

Missy from Missy's BookNook has awarded me with the cutest Blog Award. The Mermaid Splash award for blogs which allure, amuse, bewitch, impress or inspire you. This is so cool!

Here's the rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog/post. (Check)

2. Nominate up to 9 blogs which allure, amuse, bewitch, impress or inspire you. (Check)

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post. (Check)

4. Let them know that they have been splashed by commenting on their blog. (Check)

5. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your Splash award. (Check)

6. Have fun. (Double check)

Now it's my turn to pass it along. So here are my choices:

1) All Things Tangled
2) City of Dionne
3) For Love or Funny
4) My Overstuffed Bookshelf
5) Seasons by Laurel-Rain
6) Snowbell Jewelry
7) Yahgie

The Friday 56: Truly, Madly

2009-11-20T08:37:00.000-08:00

The Friday 56 is a weekly bookish meme hosted by StorytimeWithTonya. The rules are simple:

♥ Grab the book nearest you. Right now.

♥ Turn to page 56.

♥ Find the fifth sentence.

♥ Post the sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or if you don't have a blog in the comment section of this blog.

♥ Post a link along with your post back to Tonya's blog.

♥ Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the closest.

Truly, Madly

by Heather Webber

Dovie spun and nearly dropped her spatula when she saw me.

Well, I don't know who Dovie is yet and it doesn't necessarily make me want to dive in and read the book... but it's a complete sentence and it makes sense. Sometimes that's all you can ask for in a Friday 56.

Book review in a couple of weeks, once I shovel through the detritus in my brain and make some room ;)

The Friday 56: In Shade And Shadow

2009-11-13T06:02:00.000-08:00

The Friday 56 is a weekly bookish meme hosted by StorytimeWithTonya. The rules are simple:

♥ Grab the book nearest you. Right now.

♥ Turn to page 56.

♥ Find the fifth sentence.

♥ Post the sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or if you don't have a blog in the comment section of this blog.

♥ Post a link along with your post back to Tonya's blog.

♥ Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the closest.

In Shade And Shadow: A Novel of the Noble Dead

by Barb and J.C. Hendee

Poor Imaret broke, and Wynn's guilt overwhelmed her. Her interest lay only in what had killed the messengers. She tried to turn back to the girl but couldn't get out of the captain's grip.

I got through the first 20 or so pages but had to stop. I don't know why I bought this book, but I've discovered a huge mistake on my part which is why it is the closest to my computer right now. There's a five-part series that explains the whole story behind why there is this murder and... I didn't read them. So.... I was looking last night to see all I have to buy of the Noble Dead Saga Series 1 and have to put this one aside and get the others first. Oh well, more to read.

Happy Friday 56!

Tuesday Treasures

2009-11-10T06:46:00.000-08:00

Wine Glass and Red Book Oil Painting Limited Edition Print

by Daniel Montoya

Lovely rich warm colors of autumn.

Okay, cool autumn weather has finally settled into my little piece of California and thoughts of curling up in a soft blanket with

Expressions of Autumn Beaded Slim Belt Scarf

By Nina's Custom Designs

Red Clusters Coral Bracelet
By Snowbell

a great book, glass of merlot and a warm fire are dancing through my head.
Enjoy!

Quote it Sat: Whole of the Moon by Waterboys

2009-11-07T07:51:00.000-08:00

Quote it Sat is a weekly meme hosted by Leslie at That Chick that Reads in which you can quote from anything really. Favorite books, people, just anything that you like!

Anyway, this week's quote is from...

Waterboys

The Whole of the Moon

You were there in the turnstiles with the wind at your heels

you stretched for the stars and you know how it feels
to reach too high
too far
too soon
you saw the whole of the moon.

The Friday 56: The Bone Factory

2009-11-06T08:01:00.000-08:00

The Friday 56 is a weekly bookish meme hosted by StorytimeWithTonya. The rules are simple:

♥ Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
♥ Turn to page 56.
♥ Find the fifth sentence.
♥ Post the sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or if you don't have a blog in the comment section of this blog.
♥ Post a link along with your post back to Tonya's blog.
♥ Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the closest.

The Bone Factory
By Nate Kenyon

"Well?"
"Let's start practicing," he said.

Helen Pierce's inquiry of her husband after informing him she'd like to have another baby. And his response for context ;)

Happy Friday 56!

Quote it Sat: The Graveyard Boy

2009-10-31T08:31:00.000-07:00

Quote it Sat is a weekly meme hosted by Leslie at That Chick that Reads in which you can quote from anything really. Favorite books, people, just anything that you like!

Anyway this week's quote is from...
The Graveyard Boy
By Neil Gaiman

Bod shrugged. "So?" he said. "It's only death. I mean, all of my

best friends are dead."

"Yes." Silas hesitated. "They are. And they are, for the most part, done with the world. You are not. You're alive, Bod. That means you have infinite potential. You can be anything, make anything, dream anything. If you change the world, the world will change. Potential. Once you're dead, it's gone. Over. You've made what you've made, dreamed your dream, written your name. You may

be buried here, you may even walk. But that potential is finished."

This is where I am right now in my life. Reminding myself that I have infinite potential. Not the thought I thought I would be thinking starting my Halloween morning, but there you go.

Happy Halloween!

The Friday 56: The Graveyard Book

2009-10-30T07:19:00.000-07:00

The Friday 56 is a weekly bookish meme hosted by StorytimeWithTonya. The rules are simple:
♥ Grab the book nearest you. Right Now.
♥ Turn to page 56.
♥ Find the fifth sentence.
♥ Post the sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comment section of this blog.
♥ Post a link along with your post back to this blog.
♥ Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Continuing with my Halloween Horror run, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is my final Halloween offering and it's still sitting here next to my keyboard, so it's the closest.

THIS IS THE HOLIEST OF ALL HOLY PLACES,

AND IT IS GUARDED BY THE SLEER.

From Bod's first venture into the barrow located in the graveyard.

Ancient Celtic magic at work deep in a barrow in the graveyard. It's actually written all in caps, so I've given it to you as written. This is much better than last week's Friday 56. Enjoy!

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

2009-10-29T06:54:00.000-07:00

The Graveyard Book

By Neil Gaiman

Stardust is still my favorite Gaiman book, but where it was once followed by Coraline, Graveyard Boy moved in as my second favorite. This is a cute Halloween read.

My first sip of Graveyard boy was in M is for Magic, a collection of short stories in which a chapter, The Witch's Headstone, makes an appearance. Loved it and wanted more.

Whereas Stardust touches something of the fanciful dreamer that hides deep in me that still longs to stretch its wings and soar, Graveyard is a slightly twisted dream come true. When I walk through a graveyard, I can't help but look at the names and dates on the headstones and wonder about the person buried there, their lives, wondering how they filled their days, what the highlights were and low points, the people they touched, did they make a small dent in their dreams before they were called away.

Is that what Graveyard Boy is about? No. It's the story of Nobody Owens, an orphaned infant that is taken in by a loving couple that happen to be dead and have a spot in the local graveyard. It follows his life being raised and taught by the denizens of the graveyard and the adventures he has in and out of the graveyard.

"Bod's left ankle was swollen and purple. Doctor Trefusis (1870-1936, May He Wake to Glory) inspected it and pronounced it merely sprained. Miss Lupescu returned from a journey to the chemist's with a tight ankle bandage, and Josiah Worthington, Bart., who had been buried with his ebony walking cane, insisted on lending it to Bod, who had too much fun leaning on the stick and pretending to be one hundred years old."
Page 96, The Graveyard Boy

This is a really wonderfully written story and I'm not just saying that because I love Gaiman's work. It's the sort of read that doesn't tie you down breathless with anticipation of what's going to happen next but you want to pick it up to read the next chapter and see what happens next in Bod's interesting life.

♥Have added to my library.

Terrifying Tuesday Treasures

2009-10-27T09:44:00.000-07:00

Witches' cauldrons boil and bubble this Halloween with Witch's Brew, a spicy, earthy Patchouli scented candle. Tantalizing scents of Halloween and autumn and beyond can be found throughout Kathy's WoodcraftsAndCandles' Etsy store.

Who doesn't love a masquerade ball? Marie Antoinette Halloween Masquerade is such a cute charm necklace. TickleMePinkBoutique has other wonderful finds for gifts this season.

Isn't this too cute? Looks like pumpkins caroling and having a wonderful time. Halloween is one of a number of cute digital prints available by SarahKDesigns.

Don Quixote by Cervantes (Epics Etc. Book Club )

2009-10-25T06:33:00.000-07:00

I was so busy with Halloween and work and life in general that I failed to see that Don Quixote is the Barnes and Noble's Epics, Etc., Book Club reading material. I was so excited to see this. Per the suggested reading schedule, I should be completing Chapter 27 today and, well, I'm not.

Don Quixote and Sancho Panza

Honoré Daumier (1808-1879)

I read Don Quixote freshman year college and thought it was great, and I'm kind of excited and yet slightly daunted by the reading schedule. It will be like being back in college. But that will not stop me from taking this challenge. I think I can catch up by Halloween without interrupting my book reviews.

It does mean that Harry Potter 4 will have to wait yet again. After enjoying the Half Blood Prince movie, I decided to read the series from start to finish yet again. I got as far as Chapter 10 of the Goblet of Fire when I got bored. I have read a least 10 books in the interim, including the Lord of the Rings trilogy (fourth read), and had finally picked up HP4 again to continue my journey... when Don Quixote fell into my lap. Harry will just have to wait a bit longer.

Quote it Sat: Animal Mummies from National Geographic

2009-10-24T09:13:00.000-07:00

Quote it Sat is a weekly meme hosted by Leslie at That Chick that Reads in which you can quote from anything really. Favorite books, people, just anything that you like!

Dag in the dreaded snow. He hated water and

just because it was frozen didn't make it better, LOL.

Anyway this week's quote is from...

Animal Mummies

Written by A. R. Williams

National Geographic Magazine

November 2009 Ed.

"Some were preserved so that the deceased would have companionship in eternity. Ancient Egyptians who could afford it prepared their tombs lavishly, hoping that their assembled personal items, and everything shown in specially commissioned works of art, would magically be available to them after death."

Page 38

I've been missing Dag. He was my protector, my friend and the biggest, friendliest 150 lb. teddy bear you could find. Reading this the other evening, I realized that although I've had dozens of pets in my life so far, Dag truly is the only one I would want to have when it's all said and done. He died in July, and I don't think I've truly felt safe at night since, even with the two other dogs. Although, I must say, I'm not sure where I would have kept a German Rottweiler of his size stashed while he waited for me. Miss you, Dag.

The Friday 56: 23 Hours

2009-10-23T06:58:00.000-07:00

The Friday 56 is a weekly bookish meme hosted by StorytimeWithTonya. The rules are simple:

♥ Grab the book nearest you. Right Now.

♥ Turn to page 56.

♥ Find the fifth sentence.

♥ Post the sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comment section of this blog.

♥ Post a link along with your post back to this blog.

♥ Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

23 Hours, A Vengeful Vampire Tale

By David Wellington

"Come on. Tell me." She sighed.

That was laughable for a first-time Friday 56. "Come on." That says so much. Thank goodness the rules allow me to add a couple or that would just sound stupid. Laura, vampire slayer, is talking to her cell mate Gert who's giving her the silent treatment because Laura hurt her feelings and didn't want to talk to her before.

Oh well, there it is, my first Friday 56.

23 Hours, A Vengeful Vampire Tale, by David Wellington

2009-10-22T04:59:00.000-07:00

23 Hours

By David Wellington

Here I am in the middle of my Halloween run and 23 Hours land on my reading list. It fits in with my vampire theme this week but if you're looking for a terrifying horror story, this isn't the book for you. If you're looking to be huddled in bed, the covers pulled up to your chin and the lights on to banish the shadows, this won't do it ... unless just the mention of the word vampire or half-dead frightens you, then this will work for you.

The fourth installment in Laura Caxton's vampire-slaying life, this time she's doing hard time in a women's prison which has been infested with half-deads and vampires. Older than Buffy with a MacGyver-ish ability to create weapons out of whatever is at hand, Laura has her work cut out for her in 23 Hours. She has been given 23 hours to save her girlfriend from the evil vampire Justinia Malvern and her half-dead horde. What ensues is a chaotic dash across the prison while battling Justinia's group as well as a psychotic ninja inmate Guilty Jen and her prison gang.

I will be honest, I hated Guilty Jen. She was cheesy in a book that has great characters otherwise. Yeah, she beat Laura up, but I never felt she was remotely a threat to anyone, least of all Laura. I kept wondering how someone like her could have more control over a prison than the warden or guards, and I kept thinking, "Why hasn't she died yet?" But she doesn't take away from the great action story that this is. The ending was so sweet, I'd read it again, Guilty Jen and all, just to enjoy the twist.

Justinia Malvern, sole surviving vampire, is my favorite vampire I've seen in a while. Evil laced with wisdom, patience and cunning, no step taken without careful and calculated planning. "Malvern didn't have a sadistic bone in her body. Not out of any nobility or morality, though. It was because sadism was inefficient. It didn't help her meet her goals."

I also loved Laura's celly and sidekick extraordinaire Gert. She was one sick puppy but with great lines.

Wellington's ability to write action sequences that get your adrenalin pumping is worthy of the big screen. If you're looking for an action-packed thriller, this book is for you.

Terrifying Tuesday Treasures

2009-10-20T07:23:00.000-07:00

Isn't this sweet? Kukubee has captured young love, sharing some blood, while a bird serenades them. This Vampire Picnic Zipper Pouch is so cute but not the only Halloween Zipper Pouch to be had. She's got more pouches... a really adorable vampire graveyard you've got to see.

What are the young vampires drinking? Vampire Vino, of course. One of the terrifying self-adhesive wine bottle labels created by TonyaDusold. Check them out... Selection 1 and Selection 2. Very cool. As well as her blog, there's a yummy Halloween cheesecake there for you to enjoy.

Do you have something that needs to be said this Halloween season and don't know how to say it? This Bite Me T-shirt will do the trick, especially as a nightshirt... I'm just saying. If you have something special to say, FloozeesDoozees probably has the shirt for you.

And, of course, what vampire treasure would be complete without a little something from Twilight. FriendsAtFirstSight have the cutest collection of necklaces and this one, My Husband is better than Edward, says it all. Let your man know how truly special he is by wearing this for him.

ENJOY!

One Lovely Blog Award

2009-10-17T08:11:00.000-07:00

Isn't it pretty!! I received this beautiful Blog Award from Yahgie. I hope my little blog is worthy of such a pretty award and can live up to the honor bestowed up on it!

Here's the rules for the "One Lovely Blog Award." Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Now it is my turn to pass it along so here are my 15 choices:

1.) Aurora Rose
2.)   Autumn2May
3.)   DawnWillBreak
4.)   FiredUpLadies
5.) Kate and Oli
6.)   MamiMadeIt
7.)   The Moss Garden
8.)   MyPrettyPicks
9.) Nina's Custom Designs
10.) Pepperberry and Co.
11.) Snowbell Jewelry
12.)   Sweet Harvey
13.)   Talulahblue-Talulahblue
14.)   TonyaDusold
15.)   Wee Sparrow

♥  So there, I have made my 15 choices, all very lovely. Check them out!

Elsewhere By William Peter Blatty

2009-10-16T07:23:00.000-07:00

Elsewhere

By William Peter Blatty

I just love a well-written horror story. You keep reading as the shadows deepen around you, and by the time you take a breather to make some tea or use the restroom, the shadows dominate the room and the hallway is dark as a tomb. Yep, I love that, except when I'm home alone and the wind is blowing and the house is making creepy noises. This is one of those horror stories that take me back to my childhood when scary things hid under the bed and I slept with the blankets up over my head.
Elsewhere is a classic suspense-filled haunted house story by one of the masters of horror William Peter Blatty, author of the Exorcist. It’s the story of a real estate agent, author, psychic, and psychologist on a ghost-hunting expedition gone awry. I don't remember any blood, though there might have been a paper cut, but I don't think so. Just empty hallways, a creepy maid, bangs and bumps in the walls, a Ouija board, priests, and all laced up nice and tight with unanswered questions. Even when you have an idea what’s going on, it still keeps you captivated and that’s all you can ask for from a great story.

Terrifying Tuesday Treasures

2009-10-13T07:04:00.000-07:00

That Spooky Cat Earrings reminds me of my cat Belladonna waiting in the window when I came home from work. Hand-drawn and crafted by IstanbulDesigns, a must-have for Halloween, a cat lover or just want something truly unique.

Oh, so cute. This Trick-or-Treat Altered Journal is perfect for your thoughts and ideas. A little treasure handmade for you by the QueenofNostalgia.

OneStrangeGirl offers these perfect little Pumpkin Gift Tags in beautiful autumn colors. What a wonderful way to finish off those special treat bags of cookies for friends and family.

How cool to be on the receiving end of this adorable Cute Little Witch watercolor postcard. Send it or keep it for your personal collection. It's hand drawn by PersonalGenius.

Enjoy!

Spellbinding SteelGoddess

2009-10-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

Victorian Witch Parchment Paper

This is SteelGoddess and the illustrations are amazing. I have bought from this shop and the quality is impeccable.

Favorite scary author and book~

My first memory of a book actually scaring me was Stephen King’s frightening tale of “The Mist.” It literally freaked me out. I never saw fog the same way after that. Jason and his hatchet can take a backseat ANY DAY to big spiders and insects jumping on me.

Child Blessing Print

from Book of Shadow Collection

Favorite Halloween Candy ~

By aesthetic appeal, I have always liked the look of candy corn. Not much on taste, but they look festive and are a classic icon for Halloween. As for the rest, any candy shaped like eyeballs, bats, ghosts...like a zombie zeroed in on brains, the more spookier and creepier it looks, I gotta try it.

Enchanted Cat Bookplates

Classic Television, Move in with the Munsters, Addams? Bewitched or Charmed?

Most definitely the Addams' Family! They see themselves as a completely normal family and have no clue that others find them strange. Not a dull moment in their home. Besides, their family reunions have to rock.

Since I'm a big fan of "Charmed" - I would love to hang out with the Halliwell sisters. Does that mean I get special powers too?

Cleansing Apothecary Label

Classic horror film: Would you rather take on the Blob or the Birds~

After referring to my Zombie survival kit complete with a handy map of obscure travel routes and possible hideouts, I am forced to consider my options.

Protection Apothecary Label
Do I stick around to get oozed and trampled on by a big slimy bogey OR do I risk getting my eyes pecked out by a gazillion birds of all different sizes, shapes and speed velocity? Do I die a painful yet quick death by drowning in sludge or do I get a number of nasty paper cuts and pecked a slow grisly death?

Since I doubt I would ever have the opportunity to be outdoors without being spotted by countless birds, that leaves me with my arch enemy of The Blob. I’m wondering if a good dose of slug salt wouldn’t dry it up (mental note: must plot a course to the Salt Flats of Utah ASAP).

A truly gifted illustrator. Go check it out!

Terrifying Tuesday Treasures

2009-10-06T07:57:00.000-07:00

Here's some wonderfully cute Terrifying Tuesday Treasures I found for you stashed away in my skeleton's closet!

Thanks to MrsEvil, what better way to keep your hair arranged properly over your brain than with this adorable Mr. Zombie ponytail holder.

Zombie Mmmm-Brains Lunch Bags, let the world know what delicious culinary cuisine is hiding in your bag, by Sammo.

How do you convey a delicate message such as "You're a good friend, but if Zombies chase us...I'm tripping you"? Say it with stationary by AleynaRose.

Bohtieque has designed the sweetest Friendly Neighborhood Bat Address Lables so when you send your letters out, people know where your haunted house is.

ENJOY!

Chocopumpchip Cookies

2009-10-04T07:52:00.000-07:00

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies

2¼ cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
*¼ tsp combination of ginger and/or cloves

1 cup butter or margarine
¾ cup white sugar
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
*2 tbsp pumpkin puree
2 cups chocolate chips

*If using pumpkin pie mix, omit spices.

1. Mix or sift together flour, baking soda, and spices.
2. Cream butter with sugars.
3. Add pumpkin and egg to creamed sugar and beat well.
4. Add the flour mixture and mix well.
5. Add chocolate chips.
6. Place balls of cookies mix on ungreased baking sheet.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Allow to cool and enjoy. Makes about 3 to 3½ dozen cookies.

Sleepers Awake By Patrick McNulty

2009-10-03T07:16:00.000-07:00

Sleepers Awake

By Patrick McNulty

I went book shopping thinking about the different subjects of Halloween I wanted to cover, things like Zombies, Vampires, and the proverbial Ghosts. Based purely on jacket descriptions, somehow I equated undead with zombie. I forgot there are a number of different definitions of Undead.

Bishop Kane, the hero of the story, is not a zombie. Although he died trying to kill the ancient evil that resides in his daughter, when he’s resurrected, he’s not a zombie, or a ghost in the classic transparent sense. He’s a badass killer of evil with knives and guns and explosives. If you like guns-blazing, blood-gushing, flesh-being-rendered-from-bone action, this has it all. Bishop Kane battles malevolent monsters called zijin with their sharp claws and teeth, with the help of the local sheriff, and boyfriend of Bishop’s nefarious daughter, Sean Berlin and his deputies.

Did I learn anything? Primarily held in a little town in Alaska, it’s a perfect lesson why not to live in a remote little town where there’s only one road in/out of town that can be disabled by possessed beings simply by blowing up a snowplow.

This is Patrick McNulty’s debut novel and it’s good. It’s a quick read but not a bad story. I’m actually looking forward to a sequel (if there will be one) with Bishop Kane and/or Sean Berlin continuing their evil-killing spree.

This book would be perfect for reading clubs.

Sleepers Awake is available through BarnesandNoble.com.

Zombilicious BusterMcGee

2009-10-02T06:59:00.000-07:00

Halloween Zombie Love Card

If you haven't seen BusterMcGee on Etsy, you've been missing a good thing! His Zombie/Vampire kids line of cards are hilarious and cute, and his Heartfelt and Tinman Love Cards are sweet (but that's another episode).

From the beautiful city of Sydney, Australia, comes the very talented John Marsh. With such cute little monsters, I might want one of my very own. John explains that "It's important that they go a special school for kids with special needs...

somewhere where the teachers and other kids wouldn't mind if your kid pulled out a brain sandwich from their lunchbox or popped a straw into a blood box instead of a juice box...you know, the usual stuff." No wonder these little ones seem so well adjusted.

Halloween Vampire

Love/Hate Card

"Well, having grown up in Australia, we don't celebrate Halloween... at least we didn't when I was a kid. I was always getting about in a costume of some sort though... it was usually a Superhero... mainly Batman or Superman. I did cut about as Tarzan for a while too. No sack (Halloween bag or just a pillow case) for me, but did you know that in Australia they make money purses out of kangaroo scrotums to sell to tourists? Now that's gotta be creepier than any Halloween thing surely!" (Having seen a few kangaroos in my life, I'm sure what they have to offer works as a money purse but would never cut it for the halloween candy haul my kids ever pulled in.)

Some of the horror writers he enjoys are "Bram Stoker, Clive Barker, Neil Gaiman (I used to be a comic fiend) and Mary Shelleys' Frankenstein." (Neil Gaiman is a personal favorite of mine and The Graveyard Book is on the Book Report List for this month ~ sweet.)

Ghouls Love Card

"I love zombie films, anything to do with vampires and am quite fond of monsters, beasts, ghouls and demons. As to why I'm drawn to this kind of stuff? Well, perhaps it's overcompensation to being a scared-of-the-dark kind of kid... I not only conquered the monsters that plagued my imagination and horrified me but I befriended them and put them to work for me. It's only fair." Thank you for sharing your little monsters with us!

If You Change Your Mind

Halloween Zombie Love Card

If you were buying your product, what would you want to know (Part 2 of 2) - Thoughts on preparing your online store for the holidays

2009-09-30T07:06:00.000-07:00

The holiday window displays are going up all over the malls and shops, sprucing things up for the holiday shoppers. Etsy sellers are and have been in full swing as well. People are window shopping thinking of loved ones and the gifts that will need to be bought.

Aren’t these hats adorable?! I have been preparing my blog for the Halloween season (which starts tomorrow!) and fell in love with this Pumpkin Pie Crocheted Hat by CraftyGAGal. Smiles and Pumpkin Hats is the wonderful story of how this adorable hand-crocheted hat turned into this adorable photo. A simple sale touched so many people and created a beautiful memory showcase. A handmade success!

Although I do have a list of difficult people to buy for, not everyone is difficult to buy for during this time of year. Being crafty, I love the charm of a handmade stocking stuffed with cutesy things for the little members of the family and friends. Funky Newborn Munchkin Hat by MadAboutColour fits the bill, wouldn't you say? Another handmade success as http://www.parents.com/ is featuring it in their gift guide.

While we would all love to have great pictures like these, even good pictures work with a description giving the details of what’s being sold. That’s all the shop can do. It’s up to us to then put ourselves out there and bring the business back to our shop. Hopefully, we can all add to the success of buying handmade this holiday season.

Happy holiday sales!

Autumn is in the air!

2009-09-29T06:26:00.000-07:00

We’re winding down from the sweltering heat of summer here in Southern California as the warm days are melting into chilly nights. There have been chilly teases before but with October right here, I think this chill is here to stay.

Isn’t this print by VelvetWoods just breathtaking? It seems perfect for this time of year, sitting out in the cool evening and enjoying the sunset, as if my sunsets were ever as beautiful as Percolating the Liquid Amber Sky.

The colors of autumn are so wonderful and earthy and jade is such a great stone for this time of year. Snowbell’s beautiful Harvest Necklace incorporates jade in shades of pale yellow, green, pink and brown and would make a beautiful compliment to any outfit.

With the chilly days fast-approaching (and for some already here), it’s time to keep warm while out and about. Tinateee has handknit this cute lady’s poncho in stunning shades of red and burgundy.

Anyone remember Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel? That story is full of the joys of fall and winter and adds the cuteness of Owl. I saw this adorable appliquéd Night Owl T-shirt by CatSoup and could not help but think of Owl and The Guest and Strange Bumps.

It started with a blog follower, a click and a link.

I follow that link. It eventually leads me to a shop, but not just any shop,

a shop with lovely handmade goods that I’m sharing here with you.

If you were buying your product, what would you want to know (Part 1 of 2) - Thoughts on preparing your online store for the holidays

2009-09-16T06:38:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to say that it's mid-September and I feel like I'm doing a good job of narrowing down my holiday gift selections for my "difficult" list. This is going to be a two-part blog because

Medium Casserole Dish

by PhenixPottery

I've become more aggressive in my gift-hunting search and have realized the importance of ... a good description. I've learned that we are our own worst enemy or best friend when it comes to our online stores.

I realized the importance of that initial picture - Window Dressing - to capture the window shopper who is inundated with potentially hundreds of pictures and luring them into your store. Here, I was looking for handmade casserole dishes and what I searched for was "casserole pottery."

There were many casserole dishes to choose from, but I wanted a handle on the lid and lugs to pick it up and carry it. To me, these were beautiful pieces

Yellow Covered Casserole/Serving Piece

by Cabbagehead

and when I "stepped" into the store, many (not all) had pictures of the outside and inside of the dish. I'm happy. I appreciate that my selections have included the measurements. I do expect that, though.

... Now, I'm not buying this hand-thrown piece of art to put on the table and fill with potpourri. Can I put food in it? Can it go in the oven? Microwave? Dishwasher? Should I just assume it can? I know that there are pieces on Etsy that are not ovensafe and the "manufacturer" put it in their description. I couldn't tell you what makes it magically ovensafe.

Some added general stoneware information, that's nice. At least that would have partially answered those questions above. But short or long, PhenixPottery and Cabbagehead told me what I needed to know - Just tell me can I use it as a casserole dish.

I now need to step out of my store and try to look at it through a buyer's eyes and that's hard, but I hope that between now and next week I will figure out this description dilemna and not assume the buyer will be satisfied with my list of materials and measurement.

Holidays are a time to share laughter and love

with family and friends.

Share the love with a handmade gift from an Etsy Artisan!

From Purse Pulls to Pictures, what a wonderful Etsy World!

2009-09-15T06:10:00.000-07:00

I was following my followers' footprints back to their blogs and even further back to their stores and found some wonderful things to share with you this week.

Look at the gorgeous lampwork bead and all these yummy colors on Snaky Pete Purse/Zipper Pull by Beadnik Boutique. Cindy has put together a beautiful accessory that is worth going out shopping and finding the perfect purse to go with this awesome purse pull! But why stop there; this would work with big bags which are all around work and on campus.

Yo Gabba Gabba is a perfect name for this adorable embellished boutique dress by Nina's Custom Designs. Modeled by her granddaughter, how completely unique is this cute little dress! I've never even watched the show, but I know if my daughter wasn't in college and was still little, she'd have one of these. There's so much handmade goodness in this one-of-a-kind dress! Oh, and it comes with a necklace too!

This find is so crochetably cute! His name is Jacob the Jellyfish and you can learn to make him as well as other cute toys. Although you can contact EssHaych and see about getting the finished product, this store has cute amigurumi patterns of a turtle and a Kokeshi doll as well as other patterns that you can learn because EssHaych sends out complete PDF instructions.

Stone Home is such a wonderful photograph. This house, full of memories, looks like it needs love and attention, so lost in the undergrowth. Country Windows has captured it and you can bring the picture home. It also comes in sepia which adds an old-world charm to it.

It started with a blog follower, a click and a link.

I follow that link. It eventually leads me to a shop, but not just any shop,

a shop with lovely handmade goods that I’m sharing here with you.

My Little Hedgehog!

2009-09-10T06:28:00.000-07:00

I was a winner!! I entered and won my very own hedgehog from AppleAndEve, and it was sent to me beautifully packaged all the way from Frankfurt Main, Germany.

This little hedgehog is adorable, plump and so well made. I can't tell where it's turned in. -- Is that the right word? The pictures, I hope, show the amazing attention to detail.

AppleAndEve has hedgehogs, bunnies, puppies and kitties with different colored flowers and stuff embroidered on them.

Did I just write a product review? Oh, yeah, it is that great!

Let me pick it up and admire it - Thoughts on preparing your online store for the holidays

2009-09-09T06:46:00.000-07:00

Why are pictures so important for selling online?

Continuing from last week's post about the importance of grabbing the window shopper, once I step through the door of your cute little Etsy boutique shop give me what I need,

Fresh Air by Chez Moi Handbag

by JeannieBags

pretend I'm picking up your merchandise and admiring it.

My friend *Sarah knits, and I was thinking that she would enjoy a cute bag to place her knitting stuff in instead of a plastic bag. Of course Etsy has an abundance of hobo-style bags available for me to look at, almost 7,000.

Again, just looking for things that caught my eye and “entering” that store, I wanted to know what the bag looked like. If I was in a department store, I would not just look at it hanging on the rack and buy it;

I would pick it up and look to see that the bag overall has the quality I expect and inside to see if it has pockets.

Pleated Hobo in Gunilla
by AllyBu

Sarah may want a spot for some water or her wallet. I don’t want a single pocket or worse, no pocket at all.looking at your store seeing how I can improve my store, I’m looking at everything, checking pictures, prices, descriptions, etc. As a buyer who’s looking through product, I haven’t looked at their description yet.

After a dozen clicks and misses, I noticed something. If I’m

I don’t care if their description says it has one pocket or three, which I don’t know because I never looked, I just moved on.

Carnival Bloom Handbag
by GypsyRoseHandbags

While looking at 25 hobo bags, I did not feel like I was obligated to “convo” a dozen sellers to see what I wanted to see. The outside and the inside, and if the back looks different than the front, I would hope that would be shown as well.

I’m not saying the photos have to be gallery-quality or that you have to use all five spots, I know I sure don’t. If you’re selling a blank note card with a beautiful picture on the front, give me the picture and maybe one with the envelope so I can see how it looks. Oh, how cute. If there are words on the inside, I want to see that because I may or may not like the font. What’s important is have you given the customer what they need to make a decision if based on photos alone.

*The name of the recipient and her craft has been changed because it's supposed to be a secret!!

Holidays are a time to share laughter and love

with family and friends.

Share the love with a handmade gift from an Etsy Artisan!

And the Winner Is....

2009-09-08T15:36:00.000-07:00

Sherri419

Sherri419 is the lucky winner of the Dori Earrings. Thank you to all the wonderful participants! There was such a great turnout, I'm actually looking forward to doing it again soon.

Sherri419, I've sent you an email. Hope to hear from you soon.

Dark and Delicious, the better to tempt you with!

2009-09-08T00:30:00.000-07:00

Although Three Women at Sunset by ImagineStudio wasn't my inspiration piece, this beautiful Giclee print would have been. The detail is divine. The colors and position of the women with their gorgeous sunset taps into my soft spot for old films. The gorgeous actresses on the silver screen were always so polished, not a hair out of place with their stylish hats.

JanetDavies' Bracelet cuff has all the drop dead gorgeous colors of Autumn! Dripping with Whiskey Quartz, Ruticulated Quartz, Citrine, Garnets and more, it is stunning enough to grace the wrist of any silent screen goddess!

BurntMill has created an Enchanting Patchouli Glycerin Soap with precious little perfect flowers in orange and black. Although rose or lavender would probably have been the scent of the times, I imagine Clara Bow would have been better suited to this delicious scent.

Going with the gorgeous colors of Autumn, this little Tattoo Baby Dress is so awesome. I love seeing little girls dressed in something that brings out their personality. If you want something to individualize your little one, RockinMamaBG has done it.

Vintage beads are so much fun to create with, and WeeSparrow has channelled the colors of Autumn in all its splendor with these Hippie Chic earrings. These beads have all the lovely colors that speak of toasty nights with hot buttered rum or chilly walks crunching through the fallen leaves!

My Color Inspiration:

The Station Fire in California sadly made for
some amazing sunsets from my house.

It started with a blog follower, a click and a link.

I follow that link. It eventually leads me to a shop, but not just any shop,

a shop with lovely handmade goods that I’m sharing here with you.

Happy Labor Day!

2009-09-07T16:10:00.000-07:00

I don't know about where you are but today has been one of the most beautiful days in a long time. It was sort of reminiscent of school days and flying kites and picnics. The temperature is wonderful, it's breezy and bright and sunny and I've been enjoying a lazy day.

Here's some new earrings I'm going to list on my Etsy store. I made them yesterday, though, so it doesn't count as being productive today.

Tuesday look for Featured Followers and I'll announce the winner of my blog giveaway and then Wednesday is the next installment of Holiday Shoppers and Etsy.

To Embellish or Not to Embellish, that is the question!

2009-09-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

My Labor Day Weekend is being spent laboring to rebuilt my family history files. I had a computer crash about six years ago and lost so much hard-sought information and I have finally put aside my frustration and begun the task again.

My Grandpa Ralph's father, Louis Elmer Miller, died somewhere between the age of 31 and 34 (depending whether you believe the headstone or take the family's word and I haven't found records for that yet), when Grandpa Ralph was two years old. First hard sought bit of information: the back of the photograph says Wilbur, Oregon. The kids and I took a trip there and searched on foot the cemeteries and there was no Millers by the names we knew. Thanks to the internet, he is actually buried in the Merriman Cemetery [Miller Cemetery] near Gold Beach, Oregon.

Photo graveside with Lodge members

As a kid I was told that he had died in a logging accident or a bear accident. Those sounded so exciting to me with my imagination. Louis Miller was a logger in rural Oregon in the late 1800s-early 1900s. I assumed that the lack of knowledge as to the actual cause of death was because it happened in 1902, so it was clouded by time. I don't know how that started and my grandfather passed in 1961 before I was born. Now I wonder if it may have been told because it sounded more exciting. My grandfather was a solid outdoors man-hunter type guy who wrote in his memoirs in the 1950s:

"My spare time was spend hunting and trapping -- mostly skunk. Ooh, what memories and stories I could tell. I well remember one morning before school I ran my trap line and found a skunk I thought was dead -- but he warn't! I learned something about trajectory that day, believe me. Also I missed that day of school."

Closeup of my great-grandma

and Grandpa Ralph

with the headstone

He wrote that he was raised in Wilbur for a while after his father's death, so that might be where the misinformation on the photo came from. And he also wrote that great-grandfather Louis Miller died of peritonitis.

Getting All Tangled Up in matching sweaters for you and your precious pet!

2009-09-04T15:18:00.000-07:00

Light Blue Corset Cardigan

Fall is in the air, it's time to unpack the cooler weather wear and ... Okay, yeah, I know, it's Labor Day Weekend and the heat is still up there, at least for the Southwestern portion of the U.S. I was trying to find my inner coolness and got all tangled up in AllThingsTangled's Etsy store.

AllThingsTangled is a wonderful store with beautiful sweaters, scarfs, socks, hats, and more. Joan learned the art of knitting and purling from her mother and with this talent has created this gorgeous Bolero in Pink and Gray. It also comes in a beautiful Red and Cream color as well! Joan's favorite actress is Sandra Bullock and I'm seeing Miss Congeniality III and some cute butt-kicking moments in one of these adorable boleros!

Once in a while Joan will knit something for a friend, maybe for a new baby, but she doesn't sell baby clothes. What she does sell is a ...

Pink and Gray Dog Sweater.

So cute!

Umm, did I mention it also

comes in Red and Cream?
Miss Congeniality III?!?!

Joan makes her home in Las Vegas where her life is never dull. You can keep up with Joan's scuba lessons, life and store at her AllThingsTangled blog.

If you've never been to Vegas, there is a huge selection of excellent cuisine and more than enough opportunity to get dressed up and go out. Joan's favorite place to eat at is Pamplemousse. I would be there too after a day of sightseeing with this adorable Cafe au Lait Beret, enjoying a Tomato and Goat Cheese Tart.

Initially taught to crochet by her babysitter, Joan had to take up a hook and a book a few years later and refresh herself and it looks well worth the effort. What a wonderful holiday gift this would make. AllThingsTangled is a wonderful store full of beautiful handmade treasures for yourself or someone you love.

Snow White Scarf

Window Dressing - Thoughts on preparing your online store for the holidays

2009-09-02T07:06:00.000-07:00

Some holiday shopping is easy. A gift certificate, a bottle of wine, a snowboard with new bindings and new boots made by... well, you get the idea. But every year I have a short list of family and friends that I have no idea what to buy for them. I always plan on beginning my shopping for these few in February, telling myself to keep my eyes open. Well, it's not February anymore!

I have begun window shopping via Etsy which is not an easy task. The first step I took was to search for "fingerless gloves" because I think Beth would like them. (The name of the recipient has been changed because it's supposed to be a secret!!). It returned with over 4,500 items. Then I began the arduous task of going page after page after page looking for anything that took my fancy.

Bamboo Fingerless Gloves

by LeArmoire

My intent here isn't to suggest that after going through 25 pages of searching "fingerless gloves" that these are the only good pictures I found. No. I am just a buyer looking to purchase something beautiful for someone I love and I was frustrated by what I found. I was specific in my goal. Beth wouldn't wear gloves like bike riders or over the elbow. There were many pictures of gloves in the style I was looking for but while many were displayed on tables, the Bamboo Fingerless Gloves by LeArmoire jumped out at me.

With 4,500 listings, I can't go into countless listings to see whether the length was right, if it came up into the finger area, or if the yarn was too thick. At this point I was window shopping and was simply not attracted to so much that I saw that I might have been interested in had the window dressing been more enticing. I'm not in their store yet, I'm just window shopping and I "walked" pass many shops. What attracted me to these were the picture was clear that the gloves were the right length, weren't too thick, and she would be able to show off her lovely rings. While displayed on a 20-year-old, they would look equally attractive on a 40-plus-year-old.

Tree Frog in Maroon Fingerless Gloves

by Scarfmaker

Mind you, I started window shopping with a particular person in mind, but as window shopping does with me, it became personal. These Tree Frog Fingerless Gloves are adorable. All three prior requirements are met, but the picture took my mind in a personal direction. I would look so cute with those on! Now I'm opening the door and looking into their store to see these items more closely and possibly see what else they have, what else might meet the needs of others on my impossible list... or me personally.

That got me thinking about how I can improve my own Etsy store, so I'm working on my window-dressing marketability this week. Next week I will continue my search and share my discoveries with you.

Holidays are a time to share laughter and love
with family and friends.

Share the love with a handmade gift from an Etsy Artisan!

From Sophisticated and Sexy to Cuddly and Cute, that's usually how it goes!

2009-09-01T06:12:00.000-07:00

I'm wishing I was feeling autumn in the air, the breezes with a hint of a chill...

This skirt is so classic yet chic, with such beautiful lines. I was torn with which color to select and share of this Simply Sophisticated Knee-length Skirt but I didn't have to choose because here they all are. It comes in coal, bark and almond. EterKnity has captured sophistication with sexy in this gorgeous skirt.

This lovely Burgundy Pearl and Smoky Quartz Necklace would add a touch of sophistication to any outfit. What an incredible gift this would make! JLR Designs has combined stylish smoky quartz with the timeless beauty of pearls in this stunning creation!

How about these Baby Announcement sample, aren't they so adorable! The same lovely little giraffe comes on a Shower invite, how cool is that. There's a wonderful assortment in Sweet Harvey's Etsy store. More information on custom orders can be found at Sweet Harvey's website.

With cool weather just around the corner, what a wonderful shower gift this would make. Can't you just see a sweet little face snuggled in this cuddly Handmade Baby Blanket in baby blue! CraftyGAgal has taken her talent and made a family heirloom for you to cherish!

It started with a blog follower, a click and a link.
I follow that link. It eventually leads me to a shop, but not just any shop,
a shop with lovely handmade goods that I’m sharing here with you.

Wedding Tablecloth Handmade by the Bride

2009-08-30T08:09:00.000-07:00

There’s so much emphasis placed on the wedding day, all the wonderful things to plan and do. Gifts to make for your wedding party, flower arrangements, beautiful centerpieces for the tables, which ring, which dress, what to eat, where to honeymoon. I don’t know what my grandmother did on her wedding day, on August 1, 1925, and she’s gone now, so I’ll never know. What I do know is that years before she met my grandfather, she prepared for her married life. She was working on a wedding tablecloth (70"x90") that was going to be put away until some unknown time in the future to grace a table for a family she didn’t have yet.

I’m not saying that preparing for a wedding isn’t fun and shouldn’t be enjoyed. I was just thinking as I sat with my cup of coffee, my grandmother’s tablecloth gracing my table for its photo shoot, that as a teen she sat around with her grandmother, mother, and sisters, and worked on this tablecloth, putting care into each inch of it, into a tablecloth that was not going on the dinner table anytime soon.

I’m in a similar situation. I am not married now, no prospects, but wanting to get married and share my life with someone (sigh with me). My grandmother was at such a point in her life. What I add to the equation is a bit of hindsight in that I have been married, had children, cooked and laid many a table, tucked kids in with blankets I’ve made by hand and are still loved and used today.

Would I begin and finish a creation of this magnitude, spend months working on this masterpiece, then wrap it up unused and put it away in anticipation of someday falling in love, getting married and then, after all that, finally eating a meal on my handmade tablecloth? Have I lost a bit of my romantic side that the first thing that comes to mind is that I’m not sure what size my table will be? All questions to ask myself over another cup of coffee.

$15 iTunes Gift Card and set of three "Congratulations on Your Tax Deduction Cards" in the Kate & Oli giveaway!

2009-08-28T05:50:00.000-07:00

Congratulations on

Your Tax Deduction Cards

I know I've got a giveaway going, but it's time to blog about someone else's giveaway party!! Kate & Oli's blog is having a really cool blog giveaway and I'm taking time out to share the news. The prize is a $15 iTunes gift card and a set of Congratulations on your Tax Deduction cards from her store Ichbinseins. This giveaway ends September 8th. This is not the IRS so there are no extensions being granted, the drawing will be held September 9th!

The rules are simple but make sure you make a separate comment for each entry. The rules are as follows:

♥ Follow her blog,

♥ Go to her etsy store, Ichbinseins, choose your favorite item, heart it, and leave a comment on the blog about which item it is and why you like it (I picked her Are you Kidding Me Belated Birthday Card),

♥ Heart Ichbinseins,

♥ Facebook about the blog giveaway leaving a link or your Facebook username,

♥ Blog about the giveaway,

♥ Start a thread in the Etsy Promotions Forum about this blog and leave a comment with the link,

♥ If you're having a giveaway, enter Kate in it.

Okay, that's it. Head over to Kate's blog and Good luck!!

Oh, by the way, once you've got your tax deduction home, it's always important to have instructions in case of emergency. For instance, perhaps this card from Ichbinseins should be laminated and kept by the changing table or in the front pocket of the diaper bag.

I'm just saying...

Silverberry Goodness

2009-08-27T09:23:00.000-07:00

This is my newest addition to my Etsy store. I called it Silverberry. I intended for it to go up yesterday afternoon, but my computer wasn't playing nice with my camera or maybe vice versa. Oh, well. Bi-color Lemon and Smoky Quartz topped with a ruby.

This weekend I'm having a BOGO sale, buy one item and get 50% off an item of equal or lesser value. Just write "Weekend Deals" in message to seller!

There's still time to enter the giveaway for a pair of earrings.

It's still summer here and the flowers are holding on.

Rocks of Love

2009-08-26T05:31:00.000-07:00

I was reminded the other day of how loved I am when my mother, sister-in-law and kids went for an evening walk and came by to visit. Even on that short walk, my niece remembered how much she loved me. “Tata, I brought these for you.” While walking over, she found these beautiful raw, uncut, fresh-from-the-earth quartz.

This is not new to me. I have two grown kids that were just as generous too when they were tots. Christopher would come in from playing outside in the yard with a little dirty gray rock and present it to me with a kiss. Later, we would go hiking on the weekends, gorgeous variegated jasper all around and my daughter Mackenzie would smile with chubby cheeks of joy as she handed me a dirty gray piece of shale. By the time she figured out the pretty stones were what we were picking up, she had decided picking up rocks was altogether stupid.

Rock love runs in the family. Ten years later, my nephews continued this practice. And now, last but not least, my niece has continued in this wondrous tradition, never dropping the torch. Now Mackenzie smiles with glee when I receive my rocks of love, “Tata loves those, you know.” Thank you, dear.

It is a sign, though, that my niece is growing up as she’s able to differentiate between rocks and concrete ...

Two Peas in a Pod, smiling

...because I’ve gotten that in the past (“Oh my, so beautiful,” look at it admiringly, keep smiling, “Let’s put it someplace special,” place gray rocks and concrete on the piano with the travel souvenirs, “It’s wonderful, thank you so much,” make mental note to throw them back outside for future tokens of love and smack Mackenzie for that evil giggle).

P.S. – Someday: grandchildren, rock love, and then I will do the evil giggle!

Peas in a Pod

2009-08-25T07:24:00.000-07:00

This week has started wonderfully. I've got all my ducks in a row and am so very focused and organized. All my peas in a pod I would go so far as to say.

ChantelleNicole has done that as well with her lovely necklace called Peas in a Pod. This lovely necklace is sterling silver with white pearls and a sweet tendril just like a real peapod! Her store has wonderful stamped pieces as well.

AuroraRose has an enchanting store. She takes beautiful ribbon and makes flowers bloom in her hands that she then conveniently plants on a comb to grace your hair. This one is done is lovely Maroon and Coffee. If your hair doesn’t play well with hair combs, she’s plants them on hair bands too!

White Vamp

Moonangelnay's store has a completely different way of expressing beauty and yet so very lovely. White Vamp with its delicate ruffled petals frozen in time. She has captured the beauty on camera and provides it to you … well, so many ways. Although Vamp is listed as an 8x10 archival print, it is available on cotton rag and satin lustre and so many other sizes and framed and the list goes on, all done by Moonangelnay!

It started with a blog follower, a click and a link. I follow that link. It eventually leads me to a shop, but not just any shop, a shop with lovely handmade goods that I’m sharing here with you.

Giveaway Time!

2009-08-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Dori Earrings

by Justine's Originals

I am doing a blog giveaway and as it is my first, I want it to be something special. You can win a pair of my Adorable Dori earrings, made with white freshwater pearls and beautiful faceted Chalcedony briolettes in lilac, aqua, or pink, winner’s choice. The earwire and findings are sterling silver. They dangle a little over 1½ inches.

How do you enter?

Head over to my Etsy store and then leave me a comment telling me which item you like and your email address so I can contact you if you’re the winner. It’s as simple as that! You're entered!

Not enough for you? You want more chances? Okay, here are a couple other things you can do, but don’t forget to leave a comment for each separate entry.

♥ Tweet with link about the giveaway,
♥ Post with link about the giveaway on your Facebook.

This contest ends Monday, September 7, 2009. The winner will be chosen at random on Tuesday, September 8th.

Legal stuff: If the winner fails to respond with mailing address by Sunday, September 13, 2009, a new winner will be selected on Monday, September 14, 2009.

Have a fantastic Monday!

Beaded Leaves Love

2009-08-23T07:04:00.000-07:00

I have a short list of crafts I want to learn before I die. Number one is going to Italy and learning to be a glassmaker (Thank you, Nora Roberts). A close second is learning the art of beaded tapestry, sewing beads on cloth.

I read a story once (20 years ago, so don’t ask me to remember the title) about a woman that saw ghosts. It was a good read but the only two details I can remember are the murder had something to do with a "priest’s hole"

and she made gorgeous beaded tapestry. I’m not sure where I can find a master to teach me how to do that but the story was set in England, so I might have to start there.

This purse belonged to my grandma Cecile. The beading is simply gorgeous. The bead size isn’t uniform and the leaves are made with clear beads and colored thread. It’s got a couple of loose spots and I can see peeks of muslin cloth underneath. I don’t remember seeing my grandmother doing beaded tapestry only cross-stitch, so I don’t believe she made it. I don’t see any label either, so I don’t know who made it. It doesn’t stop me from enjoying it though!

The So Un-Empty Nest

2009-08-21T06:08:00.000-07:00

The Empty Nest

This is not the first time you’ve seen Janet from The Empty Nest on this blog. Her lovely hand-painted napkins graced my Follower Footprints post earlier this week. Maybe her nest is now empty and the fledglings have grown and flown, but The Empty Nest in anything but. It offers a wonderful assortment of artwork and prints, crocheted and knit goods, totes and beaded bags, wearable art and aprons and more.

Isn't this adorable! And winter is coming!

New Zealand Suffolk Sheep Twins Cardigan

If Nicole Kidman (Janet’s favorite) was photographed carry Sunday Rose’s stuff in this adorable East Hampton Tote, she would have something unique and special. Isn’t that one of the nice things about buying handmade from Etsy? I don’t think Katie would be photographed with an identical bag either. Pluses all around!
East Hampton Tote

The one thing I was wondering was do her paint strokes continue on beyond her Etsy listings? Oh, yeah. Check out her kitchen desk area! I would ask her to make a house call, but she’s in Virginia and I’m all the way in California (which she visited BEFORE I knew how talented she is). Sucks for me :(

Janet is hard at work on tantalizing goodies that she’ll have in her Etsy shop this holiday season for you to buy. This year’s offerings will include wonderful hand-painted ornaments, upcycled children’s felted cardigans, cashmere fingerless gloves and, of course, festive aprons. Keep your eye on The Empty Nest for these new additions!

“With the holiday shopping season right around the corner, it is very important now more than ever to support your independent home based artist. Etsy can be so very affordable. The quality in most of the Etsy shops is incredible and the customer service cannot be beat.” Janet, The Empty Nest.
Snowy Village Art Print

I wanted to feature Etsy talent and got no nibbles and then Janet stepped forward and agreed to be my First Featured Artist! Janet, I just want to say thank you so very much for the opportunity to show off a little of your beautiful work!

Busy getting ready

2009-08-20T11:50:00.000-07:00

Starlight Earrings

Well, the holidays are coming and I've got to get my shop motor not just running, I've got to start revving the engine. So this weekend I'm having a 20% off sale on everything in my shop.

Also, starting Monday, August 24th, I will be having my first blog giveaway, so stay tuned for that!

Does anyone else have any sales going on this weekend?

Plethora of Pink Blossoms

2009-08-18T20:03:00.000-07:00

It’s getting to be that time of the year when so many beautiful blooms are saying good-bye or are already gone, which is always so sad because I love flowers. It’s been a while since I’ve visited one of my favorite places in the world, the Pasadena City Public Library, and I was shocked. These wonderful trees that are usually just pretty and green were like bright pink feather dusters lining the parking lot.

This is obviously the right time of year for trees like this to flower or I suppose they wouldn't be doing it, but I don't know because I don’t have trees like this in my yard since they make more of a mess than I want to clean up after, but they sure were beautiful.

P.S. - If you've seen the Three Amigos, you know what it means to have a plethora! If not, El Guapo will explain it for you here: Plethora YouTube!

Follower Footprints

2009-08-18T06:42:00.000-07:00

It started with a blog follower, a click and a link. I follow that link. It eventually leads me to a shop, but not just any shop, a shop with lovely handmade goods that I’m sharing here with you.

Well, Biologie kept popping up in my blog commenting, so I followed her footprints back to her blog and was greeted with … Cherry Blossoms. It’s a really cute necklace with Cherry Blossoms which I love and stunning intricate knots. From the hand-knotted adjustable satin cord to the beautiful hand-sculpted Cherry Blossoms, Kelly has created a wearable work of art.

Cherry Blossoms Necklace

by Kelly from Etsy’s Biologie

I continued on my quest and found a shop called The Empty Nest. The nest isn’t empty at this Etsy shop though. Janet is a multifaceted artist with a shop full of goodies. I saw these adorable vintage tea napkins and fell in love with them. Since I blogged about the mustache teacup, I’ve been thinking about tea and these just jumped out at me. They’re hand-painted. How sweet is that!!

Hand-painted Vintage Napkins

by Etsy's The Empty Nest

April Ink always seems to catch my eye. Why and how does she do that? I don’t know. Whatever it is, it works. Don’t tell me you don’t need these! Personalized Calling Cards. I love things personalized, something that says it’s all about me, something pretty to carry and have ready to hand out. No more corners of napkins and backs of receipts, and don’t tell me I’m the only one that uses those!

Pink Stitched Circle Personalized Calling Cards
By Etsy's April Ink

Until next time, leave footprints!

2009-08-17T06:46:00.000-07:00

Sienna Earrings

I love earrings that are fun and easy with jeans and a jacket or a cute dress and these fit the bill. Although it's still warm here, I'm starting to channel cooler weather again and am thinking of fall as the nights have started to cool down here. I love these fossil beads, their color is so cool. They're available in my Etsy shop!

These lovely little ducks were next to Sentinel Beach in Yosemite National Park during my summer vacation there. They don't look little and they weren't but that didn't stop their mother from hovering close by and keeping an eye on them.

A bit of history

2009-08-16T15:23:00.001-07:00

What is it you ask?

It’s called a mustache cup.

Victorian gentlemen with their large manly-yet-waxed mustaches must have thanked Harvey Adams for this ingenious variation of the time-honored teacup. Nevermore would their flowing mustache wax mingle with hot tea and melt because their teacup had a very clever china ledge to rest one’s bushy lip hair on while enjoying one’s tea.

This cool antique is a family heirloom from the Daniel side of the family, from Wales. It has a lovely floral display with gold trim and scalloped edges, but it doesn’t have a logo on it so I can’t tell you who it was manufactured by. I did include some lovely photos for your enjoyment, though.

Wedding Guest Book Box Giveaway

2009-08-15T01:35:00.000-07:00

Wedding Guest Book by JustWrightBoutique

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Cookie-cutter wedding days are so over, thank goodness, because it makes room for the artists to step up and make your special day just that much more unique and special.

RBK Creations has featured Just Wright Boutique on her blog with a lovely article and it's been wrapped with a juicy giveaway bow! It's an adorable Wedding Guest Book Box!

Rules are simple (You've got to love simplicity!):

Leave a comment on RBK Creation's blog about which item from Just Wright Boutique is your favorite and the color, and leave your email address in the message so they can contact you if you win. Done!!!

Not enough for you. You want more chances. Fine, here goes:

♥ Follow RBK Creation's blog

♥ Follow Just Wright's Typepad blog

♥ Blog about the giveaway

♥ Tweet about the giveaway

Myotis Boarder

2009-08-14T07:16:00.000-07:00

My front porch acts as a bed and breakfast for many a weary traveling insect. Most of the time during the day it's moths hanging out sleeping off a night of light bashing. There was a praying mantis that, to be honest, completely freaked me out.

But yesterday I had a charming visitor and it's my first time I've had a mammal boarder. I think it's a long-legged myotis. It took a spot for the day and was such a pleasant guest, very quiet and no complaints. He was up in a corner and I had to use my zoom lens to capture these shots (along with a dozen others), but I was happy with the results.

I was sad to see him go as we so rarely see bats around here anymore. That's the way progress is though.

Solitaire

2009-08-12T07:11:00.000-07:00

Starred Necklace

Crystal Quartz and Blue Iolite

Available in my Etsy Shop

An absolutely beautiful large facet Crystal Quartz Briolette Solitaire measuring ¾ of an inch (19mm), joined by precious pretty violet blue Iolite rondelles. The Diamond Cut Rollo Chain is finished with more Iolite rondelles and a Sterling Silver lobster clasp. It measures 21 inches. The length of the chain can be shortened or lengthened. Also available with Green Peridots.

The photograph of the beautiful violet blue lupin was taken while on vacation in the high Sierras near Mammoth, California.

Enjoy!

Cute as a Pumpkin!

2009-08-11T06:37:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Ear Flap Hat Giveaway

by Jessmiloo's Blog

With all the heat this summer, I've forgotten that cool times are just around the corner. (Dance with me!!)
I'm not sure what my favorite pumpkin dish is. I love pumpkin pie but a warm slice of pumpkin bread on a chilly morning is always welcome with a cup of coffee. The kids at Hogwarts drink pumpkin juice which I haven't found at my local grocery store.
I do know what I want right now though is this really cute Pumpkin Ear Flap Hat by Jessmiloo. I've got a nephew that would look adorable in this. I can see him looking for pumpkins in the pumpkin patch with this on! And it's part of a Giveaway. Sweetness!

Rules are simple (love it!):

Go to Jessmiloo's Etsy Shop and leave her a comment on her blog

about an item that you like and your email address.

You're entered! How simple was that!

For extra chances to win you can:

♥ Blog about the giveaway,
♥ Tweet about the giveaway, or
♥ Buy an item from Jessmiloo's shop.

Newborn Flat Top Hat in Bright Colors
The item I chose from Jessmiloo's
shop was this adorable

little number.

The Tale of Despereaux

2009-08-10T07:25:00.000-07:00

The Tale of Despereaux By Kate DiCamillo

♥

"Stories are light. Light is precious in a world so dark.

Begin at the beginning. Tell Gregory a story. Make some light."

Tale of Despereaux, Kate DiCamillo, page 81

This is such a great story! Let me just start off by saying that I've never seen the movie, but the previews looked so cute I just had to get the book and I was surprised.

It looks like a children's story, and maybe the movie was, but it's so complex and dark and rich. Sure my 7-year-old nephew could read and understand the plot, but there's subtle spices flowing through this that make it a library keeper. The way DiCamillo talks to the reader asking if I can imagine how something would feel or did I know what "perfidy" meant. Well, I do now.

Is Kate DiCamillo joining the ranks of my favorite authors? Not sure yet, but she's got other books that look interesting, so I'll see.

Stranded on an Island: Yes.
Book Club donation: No. Don't get me wrong, I want you to read this, but give it back!

Winston is looking for a home Blog Give-Away

2009-08-08T07:14:00.000-07:00

Winston is looking for a home

(and he wants to come to mine!)

Free! Yeah, I always like how that sounds. And when it's in connection with something I actually like, well, that's awesome. It's like a mini-Christmas or something! That's what Blog Give-Aways are all about, something for nothing. Cami from IckyDogCreations is having her First Ever Give-Away and she's made it simple, Really!

Just check out her shop on Etsy, IckyDogCreations, and comment on what she should make more of, what she shouldn't make again , or something that you'd like to see her make. You can even look at her sold items. Then, you comment. That's it, You're entered. As you can see, it's simple.

Check this out! It's in her shop and it Rocks!
Steampunk Cat Sculpture

Then, if you want another chance at winning you blog! Hello, I want another chance, so YES, I'm blogging! Woot, another chance!

Secrets to beating a heat wave?

2009-07-28T06:22:00.000-07:00

I’ve lost track of how long we’ve been baking here. Three weeks? Four weeks? I don’t know anymore. Vultures are circling. Doing my part for the environment and needless to say my electric bill, I have refused to turn on the air conditioning. Don’t think I’m a cheapskate, LOL. We had it on all afternoon and evening recently for a party. It just seems stupid to cool a whole house, hand over good money to the electric company and contaminate the ozone layer while I’m all alone in the house.

Having spent this much close and personal time with the heat, I have come to a conclusion. Heat sucks! And we haven’t even gone over 110 degrees. I feel bad for other areas where they say the heat is worse.

Let me share with you some of the heat-beating ideas I have been experimenting with:
• Hot lunch. Okay, I know some cultures do this to deal with the temperature. Hot food during summer, chilled food during winter. It made sense to me. If the food that goes in is hotter than the ambient temperature, it would logically stand to reason that then it would feel cooler. No. It just makes it hotter.
• Chiles. These go hand-in-hand with hot food. See above. I have had no luck with this tactic.
• NoDoz. Having taken a NoDoz a couple of mornings in a row and being able to continue to work through the heat, I surmised it must be the medicinal qualities in NoDoz that made me heat tolerant -- Yeah, I know. Stupid.
• Wet t-shirts. This is something I learned from my mother who wet her scarves before donning a hat and working in the garden. This works probably the best for the short period of time it remains wet… But everything has to be covered with towels.
• Close windows. The light breezes that tickle the drapes are hot, not a drop of refreshment to be found. This seems to help during the hottest part of the day, closing the windows that bring the heat wafting in.

My latest greatest idea: Iceless water. Okay, just bear with me. Here’s my reasoning. I have been drinking so much ice-laden water to beat the heat, and still feel like the heat is seeking me out and laying a heavy blanket on me. Using ice cools my innards too much, so it makes the heat that much more pronounced. This might seem like it’s in the same vein as eating hot food only the opposite, right? But do you see my rationale? For this reason, I have come to the conclusion that the ice is counterproductive. I’ve got my fingers crossed.

Any home-grown suggestions?

P.S. You don’t have to tell me…I know I will regret complaining this coming winter.

I am here, but my camera is in London

2009-07-23T12:49:00.000-07:00

So my kids have arrived in London, loving life. And they have my camera....
Yellow Flower on Flikr!
I am only an amateur photographer but I'm happy with this shot. It's gotten more attention than anything else of mine on Flikr so far. I think these flowers were so pretty. I saw them while on vacation a week ago. These were just off the beaten path on the way down to the water at Mono Lake. I wandered aimlessly among the blooms as they were buffeted by the wind and was sorry that only this one was worthy of your attention.

Acclimating to the heat!

2009-07-20T17:12:00.000-07:00

We are in the middle of a heat wave. Having returned from a couple days of beautiful chilly nights and moderate days, 100+ degree weather is yucky. It's not even cooling down enough at night. We've had a couple of "almost" thunderstorms, and even had a few minutes of rain yesterday, but so far nothing exciting. I also seem to have come home delicious. I got no mosquito bites on vacation, but within one day of being home have no less than 12 spider bites on my legs. I'm so happy to have been able to satisfy my arachnid friends. LOL

Maybe I'm drinking enough water to keep my braincells hydrated, but I found the energy to make a new pair of earrings today. Irina earrings are continuing in the vein of my love for Chalcedony. I love the elongated earwire on these.
I also joined Artfire today and so I listed them there. My one and only product there so far, but I'm acclimating and my creative juices are finally hydrated enough to flow!

Taking a couple of days off!

2009-07-16T11:26:00.000-07:00

Ahh, I love vacations, even when they're short, and this one was short! I only went for a couple of days. I still got rid of a lot of stress, made some great memories and got some gorgeous shots all at the same time. What more can one ask for!

Now that the kids are grown, our family vacations are coming fewer and further between. My brother and his family were up at Mammoth, so we joined them. The High Sierras are beautiful in summer. We hit Mono Lake, Bodie, and Yosemite.

Mono Lake is interesting. I've driven by dozens of times and never stopped and this time decided to remedy that. We went to the South Tufas. There are these amazing little flies that blanket the beach. They're very gracious and move as a single body so you can walk through them. It was sort of eerie. The water wasn't completely smooth, but I got some great reflection shots. Maybe I'll find the time and make a trip to the north shore.

Bodie. I've been there before, but there's something about taking a walk through the past. I get lost in imagining people living their day-to-day lives there. I was very happy that my niece really seemed to enjoy herself, taking time at each building to look in windows or go through them when she could. I saw a bit of myself when she talked about wanting to be a park ranger and living there for a while so she could really explore the place. Loved it!!

Yosemite is always a winner. This is Siesta Lake. Perfect name. It was so peaceful and quiet. No tourists.

We took some time out to see Bridalveil Falls. This is a picture of Mackenzie. Christopher and Mackenzie's boyfriend climbed up top and swam in a pool while being dusted by the mist. We all took time out to swam at Sentinel Beach where the rafts end their trips. I'm going to have to do that sometime.
Didn't see much wildlife this time, but we did catch some deer feeding in Tuolumne Meadows on our way out and I got a shot of one on his lonesome (see top photo). Took some video of it as he made his way from the island to the further meadow.

The kids are heading to London next week together and I might go to San Diego for a day. Something else to blog about. Yeah!!

Chalcedony love!

2009-07-10T10:56:00.000-07:00

I love these earrings! I am not a fan of pastels. I see them. I appreciate them. I've bought cute Thank You cards in pastel. I've even got a couple of articles of clothing in soft pink and baby blue. But earthy tones are much more my style. I've got a closet full of blacks, browns, golds, and creams of all shades.

On my list of things to do this year is to expand my color palette. Okay, I know that I've not jumped into the deep end with these colors, LOL. But when I saw these stones, I had to get them.

These Chalcedony are dyed, as is most chalcedony sold in jewelry nowadays. But dyed ... well, there's no end to the colors. I've got my eye on some fabulous neon pinks and blues, some vibrant red and deep grapy purple. Once I get a life preserver though, I'm so taking the plunge!

These beauties are available in my Etsy Shop! Dori Earrings

Wonderfully Sweet Display

2009-07-03T11:12:00.000-07:00

I went out to do some shopping and have lunch with my son the other day. We stopped by the local college and while he went in to clear up something, I wandered through their pond and rose garden. Unfortunately, of the probably 75 roses in the display, there was only a dozen or so that hadn't completely gone to seed... Is that what roses do? They were completely overgrown and only had rosehips left. I did find these beauties, though. They started out creamy white with a touch of pink and turned into a vibrant hot pink.
They smelled wonderful!

Scones with Lemon Glaze

2009-06-16T12:37:00.000-07:00

Simple but Delicious.

Scones
2 cups Flour
3 to 4 Tablespoons Sugar
1½ Teaspoons Baking Powder
4 Tablespoons cold Butter
1 Egg
¾ cup Milk

Glaze
½ cup Powdered Sugar
Juice from about half a lemon

• Stir together first three ingredients.
• Cut up butter and rub into flour mixture. I've done this by hand when my nails are short, but most of the time I just pulse this in the food processor.
• Mix together egg and milk. Set aside about a tablespoon or two to brush on the top of the scones before baking.
• Using a spatula or spoon, gently fold the flour mixture in with the milk mixture.
• Once mixed, turn out onto a floured surface and fold over on itself a few times adding flour if it's still too wet. Be gentle though and don't knead it.
• My preferred method of cutting is to pat this out into a square or rectangle about 3/4 inch thick and using a pastry cutter slice it into triangles ... All dough used. I've got a nifty little fluted round cutter, but then, once cut, I have to take the scraps and put those together just to use up all the dough. If these aren't going to a tea party... not worth the time :)
• Place scones on baking sheet. I use parchment paper. Brush with milk mixture and sprinkle with sugar if you want.

• Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Let cool before glazing.

Okay... Lemon Glaze. I put the powdered sugar into a cup and using a lemon squeezer, I add about a tablespoon lemon juice, stir and then check consistency. Add more if needed. If you're frosting them like the picture on the left, you want a slightly thicker consistency than if you're drizzling.

Makes about 12 scones.

I use this basic recipe and modify it to incorporate all different sorts of things. I use Blueberries, Cranberries, Chocolate Chips, sun dried tomatoes, herbs, parmesan cheese. I've switched out and added buttermilk or sour cream. From savory to sweet, I love these.