Feeding Frenzy

Rustic warm comfort

Like cozy fireside camping –

Fun for everyone

Warm Comfort Earrings

It feels like my entire day has been taken up with FOOD!

I went ahead and planned my menu last night, but then spent the morning clipping coupons and organizing the grocery list. After lunch (more food) I was able to finally head to the store.

I couldn't find a few items at my regular store, so I went BACK out to two other stores. Sadly, they didn't carry those ingredients either and I was forced to find substitutes back at the house. Sigh. . .

Now, I'm finally here for some Meal Plan Monday goodness.

Check out some of the other fab menus at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Here's mine!

Breakfasts: Peanut butter or nuttella toast, waffles, sausage and egg sandwiches, raspberry breakfast bars, hashbrown baskets, cinnamon sugar croissants (all with fruit/juice on the side)

Lunches: Cheese quesidillas, chicken salad, tuna noodles, turkey sandwiches, homemade pizzas, bean burritos, soup w/grilled cheese

Dinners:

Chicken Tikki Masala

Beef Stroganoff w/green beans

Chicken Noodle Soup, baguette

Grilled Pork chops, corn, potato salad

Crockpot beer chicken, mashed potatoes, peas

Leftovers

Let me admit that meal planning isn't really the only thing I accomplished today.

I did list the earrings at the top of the page and place this necklace on sale.

Copper Flowers Earrings

 

And now. . .it's just about time to start cooking dinner.

Maybe I can finish working on this necklace before the day's over.

 

Let's hope that's not just wishful thinking!

Where I Have Been

How much time online a day do you have to log before you get diagnosed with an addiction/obsession?

Since I haven't been very productive in the craft room lately, I figure I should expose where I HAVE been spending my time and some of the many places you can find me. 

Physically, I've been in my chair in the living room trying to keep the room from tilting.

In cyberspace. . .I've been all over the internet.

Like many others, I've become addicted to Pintrest. 

If you haven't heard of it, you really should go check it out! Basically, all users have "boards" onto which they "pin" the interesting tidbits they find while surfing the internet waves. The pins are basically pictures. The boards vary by topic and I've yet to figure out it there's a limit on the number of boards you can have. Boards' topics can be anything: a particular color, food stuffs, a type of craft, inspiration, pretty much ANYTHING. Then, you follow people with interesting boards. . .they follow you. . .you share the cool bits and images all in one place. 

If you haven't joined up yet and are interested, let me know and I can send you an invitation!

If you are already on Pintrest; please follow me and let me know so I can follow you back!

In addition, I do spend quite a bit of time on Tumblr also. 

Tumblr, to me, is a lot like Pintrest. . .but there are WAY MORE options than just a photo board. It's basically a blog, basically. It's a bit more social and smaller snippets than a full blown blog. You can post photos, text, quotes, links, videos, music. . .whatever you want. Much of the time, whatever I repin on Pintrest, I tumble on Tumblr and vice versa; but not always. I use them both a little differently. However, Tumblr allows me to use my URL CraftyHope.com. So if you ever enter that, my Tumblr is what you will find. 

I recently joined up on Google+.

I haven't really completely figured it out yet, but I know it's still growing and as it does I'll learn more. If you want an invite, again just let me know. If you're already on there, drop me a line so I can add you to one of my circles!! If you get it more than me. . .please educate me!

The BULK of my time gets spent on blogs.

I use Google Reader to manage the long list of blogs I read. Many of my favorite blogs can be found on the sidebars of my own blog. (Of course, if you're reading this in a feedreader like Google Reader, you'll need to actually click over to my actual blog to see those blogrolls.) You'll find a list of other jewelry and bead related blogs on the left sidebar as well as a list of friends' blogs on the right sidebar. If you find that YOUR blog isn't on either of these lists, please don't hesitate to let me know! Please note that these are not the ONLY blogs I read. . .there are many, many more!

Lastly, my other time-consumers are the usual suspects. . .Facebook and Twitter. I've been using these two for YEARS and can never catch up, ever. You can find me in both places as CraftyHope. Of course, I do have a Facebook page as well. Simply search for CraftyHopeJewelry and you'll see me! 

I do have links to finding me in all these places (except Google+) on the right sidebar. So, you won't have to go back and find this post again, just refer there!

Now, for some eye-candy!

Twirling Fairy Earrings

Find me! Friend me! Follow me!
I don't mind a stalker or two ;)
Back to it!

Doctors and Menus and Haiku

I've already posted once today, but there's still so much to say.

As such, WELCOME to my second blog post of the day!!

First, I saw a doctor (nurse practitioner) today who also told me I just have vertigo. She said there was a possibility there is some fluid on my eardrum and I can take some allergy medicine to dry it up. Otherwise, I should keep taking the motion sickness meds the Urgent Care place recommended. sigh. I guess I've been so immersed in Harry Potter lately I was hoping for some magic. Alas, no.

Second, I actually got a meal plan done while I was sitting in the waiting room. Since it is Meal Plan Monday, I want to go ahead and share it to prove that I'm getting back on track (more for myself than anyone else). Please visit I'm an Organizing Junkie for more menus! **Menu Plan Monday is being hosted by Finding Joy in My Kitchen this week. . .oops**

Breakfasts: Cereal; muffins; waffles; omelets; biscuits and sausage; and eggs, bacon, & toast.

Lunches: Tuna noodles, leftovers, soup and grilled cheese, ham quesidillas, chicken salad, homemade pizzas, and PB&J

Dinners:

Steak (w/broccoli and potatoes)

Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta (w/salad)

Pork Loin (w/green beans and rice mix)

Fancy Macaroni {w/sausage instead of ham}(w/broccoli)

~I'm short on dinners this week as Pat's got a busy band-playing week ahead~

Third, I listed my first Haiku piece (hit the link to go to the shop and check out my poem!!)

Fly High Necklace

I think that's all. I'll let you get back to your regular schedule while I attempt to find mine!

Announcing a Change

While I know there's been very little NEW activity in my shop lately, there's also been very few sales the last few months. This has dampened my spirits some but has also given my an opportunity to think more about my shop, my jewelry, and my approach to selling what I make. I'm still not sure if this much thought is a good thing or not, but let me get to the point. . .

Starting today, all new items listed in my shop will include a Haiku as part of its description.
WHY?
Well,

• It's a little something that will set my shop apart from others
• I do love words
• I used to write poetry on a fairly consistent basis and miss that outlet
• This will help me stretch my creative muscles beyond simply making jewelry
• Each haiku will serve as a basis for the title of the piece (since I always have a hard time with those)
• The poems will give buyers get a little insight into how I think each jewelry piece 'feels'

I'll go ahead and admit that while I will try to write each Haiku in the traditional manner (syllabic, punctuation, seasonal words), this will not always be the case. In general, each poem will have the 5-7-5 syllable lines that most people come to expect. Hopefully, I won't receive too much criticism for this lax in traditional haiku.

I also plan on including a copy of the poem with each piece sold (at least the ones that have one written.)

The first Haiku piece(s) should be listed this afternoon, so please keep your eyes peeled. (That is, if all goes well and quickly at the doctor's office this morning.)

In the meantime, let me share other happenings at Etsy.
1. My White Trash JUNK Necklace was included in this cute treasury

Trashy and Classy

2. I put this bracelet on sale 20% off!

After a Spring Rain Bracelet

3. As well, this stone and bead necklace is now 25% off!

Peach Beach Necklace

I know I'm probably going off the deep end with this Haiku idea, but it was just one of those things that came to me in a flash and I thought I'd try to pursue. . . at least for a little while. We'll see how it goes. I can always change things up if I need to!! Oh, and I am a little afraid of becoming known as HaikuHope because of this. Let's not let that happen okay!

Thoughts? Comments? Loads of giggles at the silly girl? I'd like to hear it!