Meatballs... my go-to party food.

Do you have a food you make for every party? I actually have 3 and sometimes worry if the neighbors are getting tired of the same stuff over and over. So here are my meatballs (yes, I know most of my recipes involve these little cups... I actually serve meals in them to my husband and he's gotten used to it in the last year that he how thinks it is normal).

The meatball recipe that I love... pre-cooked frozen meat balls into crock pot with equal parts barbeque sauce and grape jelly. Cook on high for 1 hour then turn to low for 2-5 hours.

Such an easy, tasty recipe and many of my friends think that I'm spending hours over the stove (even though I tell them I am not).

Yippee the heat pump is fixed!

Just in time for spring, too! (But at least there will be no worries when next winter rolls around.)

The local Sanford Airotemp company was able to help me out... I cannot tell you how nice it was to have a repair/contractor-type person show up to my house when they said they would.

Dear Census Bureau

Please stop wasting my hard-earned tax dollars... So not only do you buy ad space on cable TV (Since I watch about 2 hours of TV a week and have seen your ads, I'm sure most Americans have seen them), you sent me a letter about a week before you sent me my census to say you'd be sending me a census in the next 5-10 days, but now, I, a person who filled out my census and returned it the day you sent it to me, get a post card saying I must send back my census?

I will never understand the government and its practices.

100 Mile Fitness Challenge... Week 11

So another great week!

Fri - 2.5 mile walk, 10 min Yoga (10 min solution DVD), 15 min Pilates (Pilates Complete for Everybody) = 4
Sat - 2 mile walk, 15 min Pilates (Pilates Complete for Everybody) = 3
Sun - 1 mle walk = 1
Mon - 2.5 mile walk, 10 min Yoga (10 min solution DVD), 30 min Cardio (Ab Boot Camp) = 5
Tue - 1.5 mile walk, 10 min Yoga (10 min solution DVD), 5 min elliptical, 15 min weights = 3
Wed - 1.5 mile walk, 15 min Yoga (15 min Results Yoga), 32 min Cardio (Cardio Cabaret) = 4
Thu - 2 mile walk, 15 min Pilates (Standing Pilates Blend), 45 min Cardio/Strength (Feb '10 Cover Workout from Shape Magazine) = 6

Total: 26 (Overall Total: 187)

Back to the grind...

So last week I started a new job. It is an absolutely wonderful new job, but I totally underestimated the adjustment that I would face. Even though I've always been an early riser, over the past year, I wasn't worried about what my hair looked like or even if the clothes I put on matched and my days seemed pretty long. Now, I feel like I have no time and am neglecting everything... like vacuuming, laundry, this blog, and everything else you can think of...

EtsyBlogger of the Month: Dizzy Dragonflies

This month's etsyBlogger is Dizzy Dragonflies.

The owner of Dizzy Dragonflies is Vicki. I feel like I am meeting "Vick-ee's" everywhere online recently... or maybe I am noticing only because I am a "Vick-ee."

This Vicki knits and crotchets, two arts I have always found elusive, but interesting. She has more recently begun spinning and dyeing her own yarn. This is something I find extremely interesting (but hopefully would never try on my own, because what would I do with tons of yarn?) and if you want to see some of her dyes, check out this blog post titled Dyeing For Spring.

In her etsy shop, the first yarn that called out to me was this HOT HOT HOT red skien. But then, I thought maybe too much fire and settled on the spring green yarn as my favorite instead...

100 Mile Fitness Challenge... Week 10

My best week yet (for week 10)!

Fri - 2 mile walk, 15 min yoga (15 min Results Yoga) = 3

Sat - None

Sun - 1 mile walk = 1

Mon - 2.5 mile walk, 25 min yoga (Yoga Fitness) = 4

Tue - 2.25 mile walk, 22 min Pilates (Standing Pilates Blend), 53 min cardio/strength (Billy Blanks Basic Boot Camp) = 7

Wed - 2 mile walk, 15 min yoga (15 min Results Yoga) = 3

Thu - 2 mile walk, 10 min Cardio (Slow and Steady Burn), 35 min cardio/strength (Cover Workout from Shape Magazine Feb 2010 issue) = 5

Total: 23 (Overall Total: 161)

My New Pedometer

I've been posting my updates for the 100 mile fitness challenge weekly since October... which is probably getting boring, but I feel like if I show the world what I am doing every week, I'll be motivated to do more because I don't want people to think I am some little weakling.

In 2005, I began to almost religiously wear a pedometer and I found it a challenge to reach 5,000 steps per day (the literature I had was saying to be healthy, you needed 10,000 steps per day). I remember dropping the pedometer in the toilet at work (by accident - it fell off my belt) and never getting a new one in 2007.

Being without a job outside of the home over the last year had me worried (I've been trying to get back into shape since my knee replacement in December 2008 and know the expected time for "complete" recovery was to be 18 months.) I walk a lot since that was most of my therapy after I passed the 8 month mark, but was worried I am still not getting enough movement to be healthy.

So here is my pedometer from the Dollar Tree: I had such a happy surprise to find out that I am ranging 11,000-15,000 steps per day on weekdays and 8,500-10,500 on weekends. I am no longer quite so worried about my health as I was two weeks ago.

Brownie Tips from Alton Brown

Do you ever watch Alton Brown's Good Eats? My husband just recently introduced me to his show. Between his show and an easy recipe in self magazine, I now label myself as a woman who can cook (a year or so ago, I was a woman who knew how to reheat!)

We must have been watching a chocolate marathon on the food network, becuase at least four shows in a row were about chocolate. What I took away from show #3 was Alton's tips on doing your brownies... Now me, a known chocolate addict, thought I should try immediately.

Doing the brownies part 1: spray pan with cooking spray, then line with parchment paper (cooking spray is only to hold onto the parchment paper until you get the batter in) Brownie tip part 2: Remove brownies from pan while still hot with nice parchment paper sling (Yes, this worked very well, except for the one corner that wasn't cut straight and the piece fell off. I ate it, so you don't have to worry about it going to waste.)

Brownie tip part 3: Use your pizza slicer to make clean cuts in your brownie. (Now, I didn't think it made the brownies cut any cleaner, but it was 100 times easier than using a knife.)

So, my end result still had messy brownies... but I'll eat messy brownies any day :)

Saint Patrick's Day

I had a friend ask me what I was making [jewelry-wise] for Saint Patrick's day... and then I thought, what am I making - I've never done clovers before...?

So sitting in front of the TV, I drew this (interupting my husband's viewing of the Colbert Report) and held it up to my neck to see if hubby thought it was the right size and could tell what it is supposed to be:

(the "what it is supposed to be" is a new litmus test I've been using because I discovered I don't see some things the same way as others.)

And here's what came out when I played with the wire and a green glass bead:

Now, it just needs a jump ring and a green ribbon necklace.

This week's favorite... a concrete finale!

And no collection from me would ever be complete without a sampling of jewely :) And can you believe these creative people make jewelry with concrete?

First up, the Oak Tree Necklace in Silver and Concrete by Lulu Bug Jewelry: Next, we have the Concrete Teardrop Charm from Green Couch Design:

Last, but not least, is the Lucky Concrete Clover from Dr Craze:

100 Mile Fitness Challenge... Week 9

Looking good at week 9!

Fri - 2 mile walk, 20 min strength/cardio (Cardio Flexband) = 3

Sat - 1 mile walk = 1

Sun - 1 mile walk = 1

Mon - 2 mile walk, 10 min cardio (Slow & Steady Burn), 10 min Pilates = 3

Tue - 2 mile walk, 10 min cardio (Kickbox), 10 min strength (Boot Camp), 10 min Ballet = 4

Wed - 2.5 mile walk, 15 min yoga (Ab Yoga), 49 min cardio (YBB Hip Hop Abs) = 6

Thu - 2 mile walk, 5 min jump rope, 15 min strength (quick full body session) = 3

Total: 21 (Overall Total: 138)

This week's favorite... even more concrete!

And a little bit of what I would consider more traditional concrete decor:

This concrete and wood candle holder is from Formd: And concrete oil lamps from The Ceremonial Home:

Finally, a Hibiscus Concrete Flower Impression from Concrete Garden:

If I wasn't already married, I think I'd be using concrete candle holders for my centerpieces and putting placecards on concrete shell impressions for a reception.

This week's favorite... Concrete continued...

Concrete furniture is more beautiful than I would have imagined.

First up is the coffee table from Timeless Modern: Next is a very soft looking end table from Joe Jaech:

And finally, here's the displacement stool from Concrete Encounter:

This week's favorite... Concrete!

So this week begins my long awaited construction projects around the home, beginning with digging out the end of the driveway to lay concrete...

What seems like such ugly destructive work, I wonder if etsy has any concrete beauty?

Oh, never fails... the creative minds out there can create beauty out of drab grey!

Our first featured item is a fat white concrete vase/bowl from Impure Vessels: Next on the list are these indoor/outdoor planters from Tortoise Loves Donkey:

And finally, a medium concrete bowl/pot/planter from Concrete Crone:

Come back tomorrow for the next installment of concrete on etsy!

Awww... Bunny

In my back yard... it has been more than a year since I've seen one there. I didn't get to see him long because the little ferocious fuzzy beast that runs my house was getting a bit too much spittle on the window, and I closed the blinds.

Yum... Sweet Potato Soup

In the week before Valentine's Day, the Fayetteville Observer posted some "perfect" Valentine's meals and there was a sweet potato soup recipe that looked so good I had to clip it.I made this soup for dinner and it was so good, I had the leftovers for breakfast the following day... although I am completely sure "healthy" is not a descriptor you can use.

Sweet Potato Soup

Bake one large sweet potato until done.

Peel and mix with 2-3 cups vegetable stock in blender until smooth.

Add 1/2 cup heavy cream, a 1/4 stick of butter, and a teaspoon of fresh finely chopped rosemary and heat until warm in pot.

Serve in bowl with small spoon of sour cream.

I, of course, forgot to serve it with the sour cream, but still would label the flavor as "divine."

100 Mile Fitness Challenge... Week 8

Results for Week 8!

Fri - 2 mile walk = 2
Sat - 1 mile walk = 1
Sun - 2.4 mile hike (Raven Rock State Park) = 2
Mon - 1 mile walk = 1
Tue - 2 mile walk, 20 min strength (Quickie Resistance Band Shape-Up), 30 min cardio (YBB Latin Flavor) = 5
Wed - 1 mile walk, 50 min yoga (Cardio Yoga), 10 min cardio (Carb Killer) = 5
Thu - 2 mile walk, 18 min strength/cardio (Cardio Flexband) = 3

Total: 19 (Overall: 117)

I had not made this public yet, but my personal goal is 200 "miles"... looking at my progress, with 4.5 weeks left, I need to get 18-19 miles per week to make my goal... which doesn't sound too, too bad, just 3-4 days with an extra 15 minute workout than my past average has been...

Snow... Again...

Snow, snow, go away! If only I could sleep through my days like Libby!

The Letter S... Etsy Product Review #11

Recently I ordered some letter "S"s so that I could make some workout journals. I got them from Tweet Memories on etsy and am impressed with the price and quality.My neighbor is the one who actually found Tweet Memories and has ordered 3 banners this year for various parties. I saw a puppy banner, a cupcake banner and the twilight banner... and was impressed, so figured she was the right one to help me make my journals.

The price was great and shipping very reasonable. Tweet Memories papercrafts are put together great - all items are punched/cut perfectly with no flaws that I can find. Everything is glued perfectly center and there is no extra glue or bubbles in the paper from too watery a glue. All papercrafts should be such high quality!


I haven't had time to even look at my journals yet, but when I do, I'll make sure to post follow-up pictures.

Yippee! A Treasury!

Such soft and calm colors in this treasury from Mystic Wynd:

If I could go anywhere, where would I go?

I have been very lucky in the first half of my life that I enjoyed extensive traveling - seeing ancient wonders like Prambanan,

Prambanan from Java Tours

scaling mountains to enjoy views of active volcanoes, viewing native arts done in centuries-old fashion, staring in amazement at the damage done to Borobudor by imperialists of the past...

One thing is completely missing from my travel diary: Europe!

And if I only had one place to pick in all of Europe, I'd say I want to see the beautiful Irish countryside that has inspired so many poems and other written works
Irish Countryside from Ireland Photography

plus a castle or two... because what little girl never dreamed of living in a castle?

Ashford Castle from Travel Pete's Journal

This week's favorite...hot/cold therapy pillow

I have had a headache for what seems like days now... Even etsy has a cure for that!

I should invest in one of these hot/cold therapy pillows from Little Monkey Pouches: This cute pouch is filled with rice and oil of lavender and can be warmed or frozen depending on your needs.

The cutest dog gift tags...

So earlier this morning, I was reading Four Dog Day and the post ended right next to these gift tags: Aren't they just the cutest? And they're on clearance!

100 Mile Fitness Challenge... Week 7

This week was great! Got in my alternate workouts Mon-Thurs... I now just need to work a bit more on my food intake because I was just way too sore too many days.

Fri - 1.25 mile walk = 1
Sat - 1 mile walk = 1
Sun - 1.25 mile walk = 1
Mon - .5 mile walk, 25 min strength (Quickie Resistance Band Shape Up), 10 min pilates (Pilates Complete for Everyone), 10 min cardio (Slow and Steady Burn) = 3
Tue - 2 mile walk, 10 min cardio (Interval Burn), 10 min yoga (10-min Solution) = 3
Wed - 2 mile walk, 10 min strength (Metabolism Booster), 10 min yoga (Yoga Fitness) = 3
Thu - 2 mile walk, 10 min cardio (Power Blast), 15 min pilates (Pilates Complete for Everyone) = 3

Total: 15 (Overall Total: 98)

Invoice

So, I've been selling stuff online since 2005... and in all those years I never once created a personalized invoice for my business. How lazy was I that I just printed off the standard invoice from eBay or etsy or PayPal?

Well, just recently, I made my very first sale in my shop on 1000 Markets (yes, I will be doing the happy dance for the next two weeks). I couldn't find the easy, quick print invoice button on 1000 Markets (don't worry it was probably just user error). That inconvenience finally made me get off my butt and make my own invoice.

So here is the masterpiece that I will be sending out with all future purchases no matter what the venue - in a style I'm labeling "artistically professional:" I water marked one of my sea shell wall hangings and made it so it prints in 6x9 size so it will fit flat in my packages (most of my mailings are in 8 1/2 by 11 envelopes).

Chick Necklace Giveaway at The Rusted Chain

The Rusted Chain is giving away a chick necklace on her blog (you pick what type of chick you are) - I'm of course a "beach chick." All you need to do to enter is visit the Rusted Chain blog and leave her a comment on what made you smile today :)

Etsy Blogger of the Month: Tilt Creations

This month's etsyBlogger is Tilt Creations...

She has a shop full of colorful bags, like my favorite here, a medium sized purse: And a destash shop, Tilt too, where she's getting rid of fabric, patterns, and supplies from her handbag shop.

Somehow, she finds time for two blogs... I barely have time for this one :)

Speaking of time, earlier this month on her Tilt Creations blog, she has an article on "Time Boxing" ... a method that is more than scheduling, but the basics are assigning a measurable amount of time for all necessary tasks during the day. I definitely need to delve into this one a bit further...

On Tilt Creations Too, the lastest article is on this new site called "Buy my Handmade Crap" - Cute!

My pendant in another listing...

I was a bit miffed today when I was browsing jewelry on etsy looking for a gift... Like normal, supplies are tagged as jewelry first (and I was searching handmade only, not both) - but since I'm a shell person and the crazy names people come up with for shells amuse me, I went ahead and openned it up...My little surprise... my hawkwing conch pendant is the last shell pictured. I know people would say it was meant as a form of flattery, but for me it seemed like she was saying the last two pictures were hers (and I do wonder who the other artist is because that pendant is impressive). I would have been happy if I had come across it and it said something like: "The last two pictures are my favorite shell pendants from other sellers on etsy and hopefully give you inspiration to play with these shells." I would have been fine without any credit.

Well, it is off my chest now, so I will go about my normal business... I got a new bead catalog in the mail today, so I'm sure all 565 pages will keep my mind occupied :)

This week's favorite... Bangle Bracelets

I love large bracelets... actually I probably own way too many, but I sure would love to add these favorites to my personal collection.

This beauty, named Silver Spiral Cuff, is from The Silver Swan: And here's some more silver spirals in a piece called Warrior Queen by New Byzantium Designs:

Since no collection from me would ever be complete without dipping our toes in the ocean, here's the Tide Pool from Handmade Jewelry by Pamela Jean Lacasse: And here's Sea Treasure from Fanceethat:
Last but not least (and because I have way too much brown clothing) here's the Brown Fresh Water Pearl Bangle from Infinity Jewelry Club:

Now, I just need to work on getting my husband to believe I really do need all of these bracelets!

Love...

“Love is a grave mental disease.”
- Plato

For a great article on Valentine's quotes and trivia, read here.

100 Mile Fitness Challenge... Week 6

Ah, a slow week for me, but I think I needed it:

Fri - none

Sat - 1 mile walk = 1

Sun - 2 mile walk = 2

Mon - 2 mile walk = 2

Tue - 1.5 mile walk, 30 min yoga (Cardio Burn Yoga DVD) = 3

Wed - 2 mile walk = 2

Thu - 1.25 mile walk = 1

Total: 11 (Overall Total: 83)