Sneak Peek

So here is a little sneak peak at what will be coming soon to my Etsy shop. I have been dying to take a metalsmithing class ~ and I just may do that soon. But in the meantime, I contacted Gemmafactrix, another Etsy member whose work I really respect, to find out what books she might suggest for a beginner. She supplied me with the titles of a couple of books she highly recommended. I purchased them and have learned a few new techniques! I was reading in Gemma's website that she is beginning to teach individual classes - - one on one. Holy Cow! What I wouldn't do to have a lesson from Brooke! Alas... Ohio is a long way away from Utah....

I made these earrings with a bit of elbow grease and hammering. (Thanks Dad for the new steel!)

xo

Cindie

Crocus

Today my boyfriend came over and brought me this little crocus bloom.... ahh the first sign of Spring in my ice infested world. Those tiny little buds seemingly pop through the snow and bring us that precious hope that all this white stuff eventually will go away...

But for now, I am going to snuggle up with that great cup of coffee turn the heater up and stay in... It still is 30 degrees outside for goodness sake! But Spring is right around the corner!

xo
Cindie

Utah Dream Center

I have long since been one who fights and champions for the underdog. That hasn't always served me well, but this year's Superbowl it worked huh? But this year I decided that I would be donating 10% of all of the earnings from my Etsy shop to the Utah Dream Center. What an amazing organization. I have been aware of them for a couple of years now and have donated those things that I normally would have sent to the Salvation Army. Please take some time to read about them.

It feels good to give back. It feels good to strive toward living in a state of gratitude. It is important to me to understand all that I have been blessed with ~ a great family, a home to live in, a good job, and great friends. I believe it is encumbant upon me to take active steps in making my world a better place to be. The Utah Dream Center provides such a great opportunity for me to do this!

Thanks!

February Recipe

CHINESE NEW YEAR EGG ROLLS

Yields 15-18
1 lb. hot ground sausage
1 cups chopped celery
4 chopped green onions
3/4 pkg. slaw mix, chopped fine
1 cup fresh mushrooms, chopped fine
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 pkg. egg roll wrappers

In a large skillet cook sausage until it loses its color. Add celery, onion, slaw and sprouts to sausage in skillet; sprinkle soy sauce over top and cook for a couple of minutes. Drain and cool.
Put 2 tablespoons of sausage mixture in the middle of each wrapper, fold and seal with a little water.

* Heat vegetable oil in deep skillet, drop egg rolls in and fry until golden brown. Serve with your choice of sauces.

*If you are not frying right away, just cover with damp paper towel to keep them from drying out.

Presidents Day

I know this is going to date me, but I remember growing up we got TWO, count them TWO, not one holiday in February. We got Lincoln's AND Washington's birthdays off from school. Now we have just one. I felt fortunate just to have the day off from work!! I spent the bulk of the weekend in my snuggly clothes making jewelry. It was good for my soul! Seems like life just happens sometimes and we don't have control over it ~ it just takes control of us. This weekend I took control and hung out in sweats...Thanks George and Abe!

Brothers

I just got back from my Uncle Jim's funeral. He is on the left, Daddy on the right. Uncle Jim was Dad's only brother. He has lost his Dad, Uncle Clayton, and now Jim, three very important men in his life. Although I know death is a part of life, it was very hard for me to imagine how it must feel to lose your brother. My dad was sad ~ that I know.

Good-bye Uncle Jim ~ We'll miss you ~ and we'll see you again!

Organization

Well, this year for my birthday, my kids, sister, and boyfriend decided to help me get organized. I don't know - I think there is something to being in chaos that feels inspiring and creative.... okay not really, but that was my rationalization for not getting organized! Well, here you have it... the beginning stages of organization... No, the clock is not hung... the wire is not in its drawer... there are miscellaneous beads in a lot of different places, BUT hey, it is a start! I am hopeful to become even more organized as this progresses. I am having to work in a vertical manner instead of horizontal and that is new for me. I used to have two 8' tables that I wandered left to right and found what I needed. Now I have these great cubbies that all of my bead boxes can go in and stay organized! Besides being cute and darling!