Menu Plan Monday

Today's been a flurry of getting s&*t done, though to look at my to-do list you wouldn't think it. I've added to it and added to it as the day's gone on (and as I made a sale in the etsy shop.)

These earrings were listed and quickly sold after an Instagram 'friend' saw them. Woot!

Though there was that bright spot in my day, the bulk of it has been focused on food (shopping for it, preparing it, eating it. You know the drill.) and that includes making the weekly menu.

Breakfasts: Smoothies, Peanut butter toast, Yogurt w/granola, Omelets, Pancakes

Lunches: Chicken salad sandwiches, Leftovers, Soup and grilled cheese, PB&J, Tuna Noodles, Cheese quesidillas, Salad

Dinners:

Cauliflower chowder w/bread

Bucatini with mushrooms w/broccoli

Spicy peanut butter tofu w/green beans and yellow rice

Homemade pizza w/salad

Chicken Pot Pie

I'm linking this Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

I don't have any recipe reviews this week as everything we ate wasn't new to us. And now. . .well now it's time to stop writing about the food and start making it. It never ends does it? I really shouldn't complain, first world problems and all. Anyway, here's hoping you had (are having) a lovely Monday!

Inspiration and Eye Candy

I've been in the midst of catching up on all the things and that includes going through my feedreader, e-mails, digital files, and every other location that I've stashed and saved links. At the beginning of May I mentioned sharing the interesting that I find every so often. As with that post and any other ones I do like this remember - {{If you're going to Pin or Tumble or share these yourself in some way, PLEASE make sure you go to the original source and do so!!}}

Let's start with these tin can lanterns.  These looks super simple to make and how great is the recycling aspect of them!? I think they're perfect for summer, and wouldn't they be great to put some citronella candles in to shoo the bugs away?

Summer Lantern Tutorial from Whee! The People

These 'bits and bobs' collections from Vintageologie are so very inspiring and beautiful. You can find more like this at the Vintageologie facebook page.

This turquoise, blue, and green collection was my favorite of the three collections.

How simple and yummy are these Strawberry Waffle Parfait bites from The Painted Apron? She combined some great breakfast items with pure delicious-ness to come up with a unique breakfast/snack.

Breakfast YUM from The Painted Apron

This guitar and bass bangle from Erin Siegel is awesome! It's rock-n-roll, but still nice enough to be worn to work. The link will take you to her tutorial for it, including how to make the chic tassels.

Guitar and Bass Bangle tutorial from Erin Siegel

Lastly, this short and sweet list from Handmadeology of some of the most common photography mistakes for your products had me really thinking about my own photos and how to improve them. I hope it helps you too.

Handmadeology's list of 10 Common Photography Mistakes

I think there's a little something for everyone in this list so I hope you found something to inspire you over the weekend. Have a great one!

Bead Table Wednesday

Here's what's on my bead table today.

Because I've got commitments all day away from the house (getting to hang out with and help some friends), it's what'll be on on my table tomorrow too. I'm looking forward to it.

This set is my attempt to work through the box I packed for Spring Break (back in April). Alas, that's how little I've gotten to play with my supplies. Here's ho far I've gotten.

What's on your bead table today?

Take Heather from HumbleBeads' prompt and share!

Lemon Icebox Cake Recipe (plus my meal plan and recipe review)

Despite the craziness of the last few weeks, I've eaten pretty well!

While Pat was out of town I chowed down on some Lemon Basil Pasta (minus the grilled chicken) and roasted broccoli for at least two meals. Yeah, it's that good.

At the urging of my grandmother, my niece and I picked up a mixed dozen doughnuts from Sugar Rush in Mobile. Tasty!!

With Pat back home and our schedule settling down, I tried to get our eating habits back on course with this Tofu Parmigiana (recipe and review below - it was indeed as good as it looks.)

Now I'm back to scheduling our meals and trying to make the time for us to eat them. Here's what we've got planned this week.

Breakfasts: Oatmeal/grits, Smoothies, Peanut butter toast w/fruit, Cereal, Omelets, Pancakes

Lunches: Leftovers, Simple sesame noodles, Soup & grilled cheese, PB&J, Tuna Noodles, Cheese quesidillas, Big salad

Dinners: 

Grilled Chicken w/ red potatoes and green beans

Jalapeno popper stuffed mushrooms w/corn and salsa brown rice

Cauliflower chowder w/bread and/or salad

Homemade pizza w/salad

Hamburgers w/sweet potato fries

I'm linking this up for Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

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Before I get on with my recipe review, let me share with you a really simple recipe that I made up for a dessert to share at a friend's house.

Lemon Icebox Cake

Ingredients:

~2 pkgs Newtons Fruit Thins (Lemon Crisp flavor)

~Whipped Cream (I made my own, but you could totally just buy a tub)

Directions:

Spread a thin layer of whipped cream on the bottom of your dish. Lay out a single layer of the cookies (like in the above picture, Break cookies if needed to fill in spaces.) and top with a layer of whipped cream.  Repeat this until you've used all or almost all of the cookies. Make sure the top layer is whipped cream. Crumble any remaining cookies over the top. Cover and store in the fridge overnight. Done!

I served this with raspberries and blueberries on the side. It was light, refreshing, and DELICIOUS!

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Recipe Review

Blueberry banana muffins: These used quite a few bowls and made a big ole mess. However, it was pretty easy; healthy-er; and tasty. I'll likely make them again.

Tortellini soup w/parm crisps: This soup was pretty good but seemed to be lacking something, salt perhaps. The crisps were awesome though and it came together quickly. I'll likely make it again.

Tofu parmigiana: This was so good, such a great comfort food even if it is tofu. I love the addition of the mushrooms to this classic recipe. I'll admit that I really can't get the breading to stay on, but I do it anyway. It's a recipe I'll make again and again.

Lemony pesto pasta with edamame & almonds: This is such a yummy, light, perfect-for-summer recipe. It comes together pretty quickly too. I'll likely make it again.

I think that's plenty enough talk about food. I hope you find something in this post that tickles your tastebuds.

Hidden Craft Room Treasures

Whew, it's been a crazy month! Between my grandmother's hospital stay, Grand Assembly, and working on Creative Spark I just haven't had any time for much else. There's been no jewelry-making and only the basic house cleaning. In fact, all the time spent in the craft room has been on the computer. Today I got a chance to clear some of the clutter that's piled up around the house and in the craft room. In doing so, I discovered stock piles of supplies I've gotten and simply tossed in the craft room. 

 There was a large bag of goodies I'd ordered with a gift certificate from ZnetShows.

This innocent-looking box of 'beads' sent to me from my childhood best friend was hidden under my desk.

Here's a look inside that box. . .at least one of the layer of stuff. I'll try to show off the wonders inside later.

I also had a bag full of supplies we bought when we found a  discount store that was selling off the items from an Ace Hardware that had closed. It was like a toy store!

Now that I can walk through the craft room again, I can't wait to get my hands on some of these treasures and all the other amazing supplies I've had stashed away. First we're going to enjoy what's left of the weekend with a paddle in the river. But, I'm actually looking forward to Monday!

Summer Days & Nights Blog Hop and reveal of Creative Spark Summer 2014

Smack in the middle of May I showed off what my fun ingredients were for ZnetShows latest challenge. We were given the task of making at least one casual piece and one dressy piece for this Summer Days & Nights Challenge. As well, the designs were to be revealed in the newest issue of Creative Spark, the Summer 2014 issue. First, let me remind you of the luscious sea glass I received.

I'll admit right off that I had a hard time with the challenge. The additional sea glass bead colors I was sent threw me for a loop. However, I knew when I selected my colors that I would want the smoky quartz for the nighttime piece. It took some playing with the bottle-curved diamond pendants and moving them around on my desk before I came up with an idea.

I coated the 'back' (convex) sides of three of the diamonds with silver leaf and sealed them. They are a little ragged and torn, but I like the touch of rustic imperfection to them. In addition, I hung some faceted black glass beads from the same chain as in the necklace to add just a touch more sparkle and shine to the matte glass. I think they're just right for a dressy occasion.

From there it was on to the rest of the beads I was sent and the amber hues that seemed to really challenge me. Finally I just mixed all the beads together on my table and an idea began to formulate of making a long necklace on knotted waxed linen cord. I even started on the necklace, but ended up cutting the whole thing apart because it just wasn't working for me. After moving the beads and the chocolate brown waxed linen around a little more, I was struck with inspiration.

I made a kumihimo rope with the waxed linen cord for the length of the necklace. As for the pendant and clasp, I knotted a few of the cultured sea glass pieces together including the desert and turquoise bay fancy rings, the opaque blue opal thin rondelles, and the amber teardrop to make a pendant. On the other side of the rope, I attached the light sapphire hour glass bead as  a toggle. With the rings on either end of the pendant, this necklace is convertible.

I will admit that this was indeed a challenge for me because of the mix of colors I received. However, I always enjoy this type of learning opportunity as it allows me to think outside my own little creative box. As well, I think the necklaces I made are pretty cool. The sea glass from ZnetShows definitely lends itself to summer designs and is a lot of fun to use in designs. As well, there is such a huge variety of colors and shapes that there's a little something for everyone!

Anyway, both of the pieces I made appear in Creative Spark Summer 2014. 

Make sure you check out this newest issue as well as the blog hop going on over at the ZnetShows blog to celebrate this reveal.

Amy Severino of AmyBeads

Andrea Trank of Heaven Lane Creations

Becky Pancake of Becky Pancake Bead Designs

BobbieRafferty of BeadSong

BR Kuhlman of Mixed Mayhem Studios

Charlie Jacka of Clay-Space

Christie Murrow of Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles of Wings N Scales

Christine Stonefield of Sweet Girl Design

Cynthia Machata of Antiquity Travelers

Cynthia Riggs of Cynth's Blog

Donetta Farrington of Simply Gorgeous

Hope Smitherman of CraftyHope

Kashmira Patel of Sadafulee

Kathy Lindemer of Bay Moon Design

Kay Thomerson of Kayz Kreationz

Kelly Patterson of Travelling Sideshow

Klaudete Koon of Only Road

Lee Koopman of Strega Jewellry

Lisa Lodge of Grateful Artist/Pine Ridge Treasures

Renetha Stanziano of Lamplight Crafts

Sandra Washington of To the Moon and Stars and Back

Shaiha Williams of Shaiha's Ramblings

Sheryl Stephens of Babble Bead

Stephanie Haussler of Pixybug Designs

Tammie Everly of TTE Designs

Thanks so much for swinging by! Now that this issue is out, I'm hoping to get back to regular life and posting. We'll see how that works out for me. 

Getting to Know Me

I've been so crazy swamped with all kinds of activities and events going on in my life that I've let my reading of others' blogs fall to the wayside. I feel quite remorseful over this. Don't worry, if I haven't made it to your blog lately they're all saved in my feed-reader and I AM working on getting there eventually!

While working my way through my feed reader, I discovered that the Alabama Women Bloggers have added a few new bloggers to the team and allowed them a chance to introduce themselves. In addition, they've given the rest of us the same list of questions to answer and introduce ourselves further. Despite that post going up weeks ago and the linky now being closed, I still thought I'd play along. Here goes!

1. Name and Birthday

Hope, born on Oct 24th

2. How long have you been blogging?

A while, I think it's something like 6 1/2 years now.

3. What is your favorite part of being a blogger and why?

I really enjoy the social interaction. I feel quite awkward in person.  Making friends and learning about people (as well as sharing about my own life) without that in-person awkwardness is freeing to some extent. I also enjoy getting to put my own words out there. I've always loved writing and blogging is such a creative outlet for that passion.

4. Why did you start blogging?

After about a year of working a technology-related job that gave me a lot more free time than my previous profession, I had the opportunity to read blogs. I decided that I wanted to be a part of that community. I thought it would be fun to share some of my own creative endeavors, life, and fun things I find online. One day, I just up and started a blog. Well, a bit more thought went into in than that, but you get the gist.

5. Tell us a little about your Family.

I'm blessed to be married to my soul mate, Pat. We have two cats (one is my niece's if you ask her. . .long story.) While we would love to have children of our own, we've been blessed in other ways (nieces and a new nephew just to name a few.) We are both close to our families, and I don't know what we would do without either of them.

Two of our three nieces

6. Where are you from?

I was born in Mobile, AL but my dad was in the Air Force so we moved around during my younger years before returning to Mobile when I was 11. Pat and I now live in his hometown of Fairhope, AL, just across the Bay from Mobile. I love the quaint and small-city atmosphere.

7. What is your greatest achievement?

Scoring Pat as a husband. He's an amazing man and probably the greatest blessing I'll ever receive. I don't know what I'd do without him.

8. If you could live anywhere where would it be and why?

Because Pat works from home as a software developer and I'm a jewelry artist/social media manager/housewife, we really could work ANYWHERE. However, we are very happy where we are. We would both love to be just a bit closer to the water on a little more property (in the woods would be nice), but South Alabama is the place for us. We're close to the beach, the weather isn't too awful, and our families are here.

I mean, who wants to live any further away from this?

9. Favorite Movie?

I can't pick one, that's like picking a favorite niece. Here's just a few of ones that go into the favorite category: The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies (I know the last Hobbit hasn't been released, but I'm positive I'll love it), Harry Potter (all of them), Empire Records, Labyrinth, Dead Poet's Society, The Princess Bride, The Lost Boys, Return to Oz, horror movies, and so many more.

10. Favorite Music/Song?

I've said for years that my favorite song is 'Galileo' by The Indigo Girls, and that pretty much still rings true, but I like a fairly extensive variety of music. It's easier to rule out what I don't like: angry music, twangy country, or rap. I'll listen to most anything else.

11. What are your hobbies?

Can I count jewelry-making as a hobby? Ha! I enjoy all kinds of crafting, thrifting, beach-going, floating in the water, beer-drinking, kayaking, movie-watching, and picture-taking.

The three B's: beach, boat, beer!

12. What inspires you?

What doesn't? The sky, other designers, other bloggers, a shift of light, nature, music, color combinations, and my friends and family are all examples of inspiration for me.

13. Favorite Color?

Blue, but my absolute favorite shade is a bright peacock/sky blue.

14. What is your dream job?

It's possible that I'm doing it. I'm pretty content and happy with my life as it is so I have a hard time imagining what would make it better. The only thing that comes to mind is being a mother. Being an awesome aunt is a close replacement though. I went to school for psychology, got the degree and everything. I do think that being a child psychologist would still fit me well.

What more could a girl want than to play with beauties like these?

15. What are you looking forward to most in 2014

Ummmm. . ..college football season (ROLL TIDE!), a vacation with the hubby (no solid plans yet), and more time in/near the water.

I hope I haven't bored you too much with this list of information about me. I appreciate you taking the time to read all this. You can find my social links in the right side bar. I'd love to have you follow me.

Found Objects in Use

Since I shared my obsession for and collections of found objects the other day, I might as well show you some of the jewelry in the CraftyHope Etsy shop that I've made with found treasures of the same ilk.

This Pump up the Volume necklace was made with a guitar knob that was probably just laying around the house (Pat's a musician)

As you can guess, the Lamp Finial necklace utilizes a lamp finial I picked up at an antique store.

In the Distraction earrings, you can see just one way that I've used hardware washers.

The focal in this Island necklace was made with some sort of found sewing notion (a grommit maybe) and a hollow pearl-like bead, both found.

Keys and buttons are some of my favorite found objects as you can see

The Key to Spring necklace

Curvy Earrings

There's quite a few more examples in the shop that you can check out for yourself.

As a side note; my grandmother was admitted to the hospital yesterday with some breathing issues. I'm staying with her for the time being. As such I'm not sure how present or absent I'll be for the next few days. Please say a little prayer or send us some good vibes for a speedy recovery.

Meal Plan and Recipe Review

Ah, Monday once again. A day for me to try to resume routine and get back on track. That's indeed what I've been doing as I've already cleaned out the fridge and completed the grocery shopping for my weekly meal plan. Here's what I think we'll be eating.

Breakfasts: Blueberry banana muffins, Smoothies, Yogurt w/granola, Cereal, Omelets, French toast

Lunches: Bean burritos, Simple sesame noodles, Leftovers, PB&J, Tuna noodles, Cheese quesidillas, Soup & grilled cheese

Dinners:

Grilled Chicken w/sweet potatoes & roasted broccoli

Spaghetti w/salad

Tortellini Soup w/bread

Homemade pizza w/salad

Grilled steaks w/red potatoes & grilled corn on the cob

I'm linking this up at I'm an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

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Recipe Review

Raspberry Chocolate Icebox Cake: This was super easy to make and so, so tasty. However, it makes a ton. Even with one of our niece's help to eat it, we still didn't finish the whole thing. I think I might half it when I make it again. Oh, and I didn't have amaretto so I just used almond extract. It was definitely good.

Walnut, Parsley, and Parmesan linguine: I was a little concerned about Pat liking this since it had no meat, but he really chowed down on it. I also really enjoyed it. I'll definitely make it again.

Whole Wheat blueberry waffles :  I substituted 1 cup of white wheat flour and 1 cup of regular whole wheat flour instead of using the two cups of whole wheat. These were really divine; silky and wonderful. YUM!

And now with that taken care of, I'm off to check off some less desirable and less blog-worthy chores.

Pick Up Artist

You may or may not have noticed, but I love using found objects in my jewelry-making. Much of what I use that's labeled in that manner are 'found' at thrift and antique stores. However, I'm always on the lookout for other little treasures and usually have my eyes trained downward.  I'm constantly stuffing my pockets or stashing items in my car after I find some little trinket on the sidewalk, parking lot, beach, etc. In fact, I have little caches of found objects all over the house.

In the craft room

a little bowl holding these treasures

One the dryer (where they come out of my pockets)

This is after I've picked out all the change and stashed it elsewhere

On the kitchen counter

Some shells and driftwood from the beach

On my side table in the living room

Not much here as it usually ends up in the laundry room

 In my car

pardon the grossness, I need to get in there and detail it soon

As you can see, these treasures range from miscellaneous metal pieces to rocks and shells to buttons and broken jewelry. I pick it all up. Now if I could only figure out what to do with these bits of awesome. At some point, I will sort through them and store them in these drawers, but for now they stay scattered.

These are somewhat organized by type

Please tell me you have collections like this as well. And, what trinkets catch you eye?

Giveaway Winner and Menu Plan

Remember the milestone giveaway I mentioned a few weeks ago? Today's the day I pick a winner for this loot (and the other bits I've added to it since then!)

I listed all those who were interested in winning (a local friend wasn't) in order of their comment and used random.org to select a random number from the list.

Here's the list.

Congrats Bead Addict, you've won some loot for your stash. I'll be sending out an e-mail to you shortly to get your info! Thanks to all of you for playing along. :)

With that taken care of, it's time for me to share what's on the menu.

Breakfasts: Smoothies, Cereal, Toast w/toppings (avocado, nut butter, or jelly), Yogurt w/granola, Omelets w/bacon, French toast

Lunches: Bean burritos, Simple sesame noodles, Leftovers, PB&J, Tuna noodles, Cheese quesidilla, Soup & grilled cheese

Dinners:

Kung Pao Tofu quinoa bowl with veggies (test recipe)

Walnut, parsley, and Parmesan linguine w/ green beans

Veggie cheese soup w/bread

Homemade pizza w/salad

Grilled chicken w/sweet potatoes & roasted brussel sprouts

I'm linking this Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

And that's about it for today. I hope you have a glorious week!!