So, here I am.....

The girl that said she'd never blog. The far from computer savvy girl that is always up for a challenge despite a serious lack of time.My blog goals. Do I have blogging goals? Hmmm, I guess I should. So I pledge to be funny, lighthearted, not vent or complain to much and maybe just maybe share a crumb of wit and wisdom on occassion.I will most likely chat about etsy, my addiction and muse. the incredible artsists and friends I have found in a community that oozes with creativity, friendship, support and a home for all things handmade.You will hear me ramble about the insanity of my life including my 3 boys, ages 12, 16 and 53. Yes, that last one I am married to, but trust me, he is just as much boy as man. After 17 years of marriage I find myself raising him along with them. Then again, he would probably say the same of me at times. I will often speak of friends I would go to the ends of the earth for and a family that more often than not defines dysfunction. Then again, I strongly believe a functional family is the stuff legends are made of.I am a lover of music of all kinds and not so much the TV ( except maybe Glee). I have an addiction to handmade glass, especially venetian and lampwork beads as well as unique pottery. I have made a concerted effort to tame my jewelry fetish with my own creations which can be seen at http://www.kjbeads.etsy.com/If you haven't figured out by now, I can jabber my jaws and my fingers as if someone could care what I have to say.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Pork Carnitas

A favorite of mine and I love this recipe from many, many years ago on the Frugal Gourmet. Easy Peasy and taste great.


Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Another Recipe Share

This one for my friend Seb. These are both winners. hearty, rich and more than satisfying, yet not difficult to make at all.



Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Butternut Squash and Apples

This one's for my friend Fern. I got her all jazzed up about the raisins, only to see they are not in the recipe. I do strongly beieve that I added some sweet, plump raisins to the mix though. It's been awhile, but this is a Thanksgiving fave. enjoy!


Butternut Squash and Apples


2 # butternut or buttercup squash
½ C brown sugar
¼ C margarine; melted
1 T flour
1 t salt
½ t mace (can use cinnamon or nutmeg)
2 baking apples; core, peel and slice

Preheat oven to 350°. Halve, seed and skin squash, slice in ½” slices. Stir together remaining ingredients, except apples.
Arrange squash in ungreased baking dish, cover with apples and pour sugar/spice mixture on top.
Cover and bake 1 hour.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

10 Lesson Grandma Taught Me


1. Women can be strong, independent and self reliant

2. Presentation is everything

3. There's a way to save almost any recipe gone wrong

4. A pint's a pound, the world around

5. Faith = Strength

6. Hug each other. A lot

7. Rolling dough is an art

8. Pennies make dimes and dimes make dollars

9. Everyone's a little Irish

10. Nothing beats a good Manhattan

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Tech and Spanish

Seems there's no limit to the integration of technology in education. It amazes me every day. My kids no longer lugging textbooks in backpacks heavier than they, emailing term papers to avoid the penalty of missing a deadline, the ability to contact a teacher at anytime, from anywhere. the world is such a global place and so much smaller for them than my generation. I find it fascinating. Sometimes a little sad, but still it amazes me.

The mystery of far off lands, the wonder of other cultures, the dream of someday experiencing a whole other way of life is minimized to some degree. They see it, interact with it and almost touch it daily. It has fostered tolerance and understanding, broadened horizons and contributed to a generation a little more concerned about the fate of the world outside their neighborhood. All in all, a good thing. Perhaps their new frontier will take them beyond the earth's atmosphere.

What prompted this little comparison of generations and look a the affects that phone, laptop or ipod has had on life. Well,this for one. The daughter of a friend, looking for blog followers, all in the name of a good grade in Spanish class. Sharing the ways of the Spanish language, as if I had a command of the English grammar that I should. I Do however, look forward to a brush up on my rusty Spanish and the art of verb conjugation.

So stop by and read up on occasion. Maybe even follow a new, young face on the blogging frontier. Who knows, you just might learn something at learnspanishandspeakit.blogspot.com

Thursday, February 18, 2010

The New Season

By the title, many of you may think I am referring to the mid season replacement shows on TV. If so, you don't know me very well. I am not much of a TV watcher. However, the Olympics do have me poaching the couch more than usual, and boy am I glad for the new laptop. Hoe did we watch tv and sports for so many years without the ability to tweet about them?



Well, enough of that. the New Season is, as usual, all about the creative. Once again, my "Studio Open House" is upon us. On Saturday, March 6th, I will be opening my home to all my customers, providing them with drinks and nosh, laughing, chatting and best of all, displaying my new treasures. It took several years and plenty of prodding from friends, but through the years has become a staple of my selling season. A chance for my loyal customers to get pampered and be the first to see my new creations before the show season begins. Though in my early years, this felt self serving, I was finally convinced to host this event and have come to love it. The ability to socialize and enjoy my customers in a relaxed setting where i can display my appreciation without the stress and chaos of a show is quite enjoyable.

So, if you're in the Chicago area, please stop by. I'll have a wine glass ready and trust me, the spinach dip can hold it's own. If that's not enough to entice you, there will be a great display of jewelry/trinket boxes (and a few other goodies) by my good friend Glassdiane and some great jewelry pouches, felted items and other handsewn goodies by my lovely and talented SIL, Ohsewhannah


Thursday, January 28, 2010

3 Years!

Yes, Yes, yes, I am remiss on my blog posts of late. I admit it. Often I have great ideas and no time to type. It's been a nutty year and until they perfect cloning, you will have to put up with me, faults and all.
So, in keeping with my harried and chaotic life, comes a last minute, seat of my pants, no time to plan but glad I caught it in time sale.

Today is my 3 year etsyversary. Yep, 3 glorious years as a member of the etsy community. I have made friends, gained customers, learned more than I could have imagined and found a place that just feels like home. So, here ya go. I may not have a show schedule or an Open House ready to go as we head into February next week, but this one I caught just in time.