This week's favorite... Christmas Cards

I was in the mood to find a Christmas Fairy ornament on etsy, but just wasn't finding my style this morning. But not to be disappointed, I did find this really neat set of Christmas Fairy Cards by Studio Flower Power on etsy. Studio Flower Power uses real pressed flowers in each and every one of their cards and not prints. It is making me rethink my Christmas Card plan for this year. I've been buying one from different sellers at each of the craft shows I attend in order to get the total that I will need.

100 Mile Fitness Challenge... Week 7

Want to join a group of people getting in 100 miles before the end of the year? Go to the 100 Mile Fitness Challenge Blog for the details. (Don't worry, it's not too late! You can just do a graduated total based on your start date from the program's start.)

This week, I got in a total of 13 miles making my new total 94!

Now the 100 Mile Fitness Challenge Blog had the perfect workout cartoon this week:

This is so me!

HES Art and Craft Bazaar Tomorrow!

Oh, yet another one :)

You'll find Linda here, too.

(Yes, you can now say the Shell Girl from Shore Debris is really stalking the Wire Lady from Linda Searcy Jewelry Designs!)

Raleigh Jewelry Art Show Follow-up

Doesn't everyone need that one show day when not only does no one buy anything from you, but you don't even get an interested person to take a card? Anyway family and friends who maybe thought I was getting an inflated image of myself recently, my ego is perfectly back to where it should be!

Since no one was buying I had plenty of time to take pictures and here are most of the booths:

The local jewelry artists signed up to sell at this event were: Alicia Coats Jewelry, JLHilton Jewelry, New Byzantium Designs, Simply Twisted Designs, Jillybean Jewels, Linda Searcy Jewelry, Be-Jeweled by G, Danenke Jewelry Design, Acanthus Beads, Just Beautiful Designs, Crafted 4 You, Sheila Adams Jewelry, ACPY, Anne Terry, Jewelry Designs by Rebecca, Marilyn Shelley, and Shore Debris!

A-Z Wednesday from Reading at the Beach

Good Evening! Welcome to my portion of A-Z Wednesday brought to you by Reading at the Beach.

This week's letter is "O."

To play, simply scan your shelves and piles of books to find a title starting with the letter "O." Post a picture, the title, synopsis, a link to the book (from amazon, etc), and post your link on Vicki's Blog in her A-Z Wednsday Post. Have fun finding an old friend or maybe something you've been meaning to read, but had forgotten for a time...

I did not have any fiction "O's" so I found Odysseus in America Combat Trauma and the Trials of Homecoming by Jonathan Shay, M.D., Ph.D. on my nonfiction shelves.

I read this book in the fall of 2003 while I was working at the Center for the Study of Professional Military Ethics. The Colonel there had given me a selection of books to read from the ethics library and this was just one of many (but only one of two that I bought after leaving that office).

In the book, Dr. Shay compares Homer's Odysseus to the Vietnam veteran and his attempt and sometimes failure to assimilate back into normal society. For me, part 1 describes the "Why there is a problem," part 2 describes "How to fix the problem," and part 3 describes "How to prevent the problem." I never particularly thought anything Homer wrote could be translated into modern terms (me the overly avid reader was an English literature teacher's nightmare...), but Dr. Shay uses allegorical interpretations to compare Odysseus's delays in getting to Penelope as the problems Vietnam veterans faced when coming back one at a time to the U.S. Thankfully, the U.S. military has gone back to full unit deployments and has implemented measures to ensure individual augments have a safety net that was not in place during Vietnam.

This book spoke volumes to me when I read it and I would fully recommend the reading to anyone who has had a father, grandfather, uncle or other relative who is a Vietnam veteran - especially if you were not able to connect with that person when he returned and now have forever lost that chance.

TBOP Holiday Fair

Last week was the Temple Beth Or Holiday Fair over what seemed like two really long days. I think it was the horrible weather that made it seem so bad... yucky rain the whole time kept most of the would-be customers at home, too.

But lucky me... I had time to take pictures :) So here was my 1/2 of a table that I shared with my neighbor who is Elavations on etsy.

And Linda Searcy was two rows behind us (you're starting to wonder if I am stalking her, right?) :)

Across from me was Cynthia O'Toole (also a member of the Raleigh Jewelry Meet-up Group that both Linda and I are also members).

And this was the artist next to me, Ginki Goods. I was able to buy a pack of notecards with prints of her original paintings (a good gift for the letter-writer in my family).

Moon Dance Soaps and More was also there, and I picked up a bar of their "Christmas Spice" to help me get into the holiday spirit. I also picked up a neat magnet, but failed to get that crafter's card... don't you just hate that!

This week's favorite... porcelain Necklace

Apparently my eye is being caught by porcelain, pottery, stoneware and other various clay creations... (at least if you look in my checkbook, that is what I have been buying!). This beautiful pendant is from Down to Earth Pottery. This pendant is handformed from porcelain clay and fired with 4 different glazes before being wrapped in copper wire. I don't know what it is about Down to Earth Pottery, but everytime I think I've found my favorite necklace, I see another under "seller's other items" that looks even better!

100 Mile Fitness Challenge... Week 6

Want to join a group of people getting in 100 miles before the end of the year? Go to the 100 Mile Fitness Challenge Blog for the details. (Don't worry, it's not too late! You can just do a graduated total based on your start date from the program's start.)
Well, sometimes life (and absolutely horrible weather) gets in the way of your goals and plans. That was the story of my life this week. Or at least that is what I thought it was... I just added it up and it is 16 miles.... looking at my workout log, apparently my week started out stellar, but ended up at the bottom. My total is now: 81.

Raleigh Jewelry Art Show

Looking for fancy gifts from local Raleigh-Area Jewelry artists? Come on out to the Jewelry Art Show tomorrow, Saturday, 14 November from 10 am - 4 pm.

Experience beautiful, one of a kind creations from Alicia Coats Jewelry, JLHilton Jewelry, New Byzantium Designs, Simply Twisted Designs, Jillybean Jewels, Linda Searcy Jewelry, Be-Jeweled by G, Danenke Jewelry Design, Acanthus Beads, Just Beautiful Designs, Crafted 4 You, Acanthus Beads, Sheila Adams Jewelry, ACPY, Anne Terry, Jewelry Designs by Rebecca, Marilyn Shelley, and Me (Shore Debris)!

TBOP Holiday Fair

Do you live and/or work in Raleigh? Want something to do during your lunch hour today or tomorrow? Or after work today?

Check out the TBOP Holiday Fair! Thurs, 12 Nov 830AM-1230PM and 6-9PM; Fri 13 Nov 830AM-1230PM

5315 Creedmoor Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612

All sales will benefit the Temple Beth Or Pre-School

I will be there along with a couple other etsy sellers I recognized when setting up last night: Phroggy Dee, Elavations, and Linda Searcy If I spy more, I'll update my list:)

A-Z Wednesday from Reading at the Beach

Good Morning! Welcome to my portion of A-Z Wednesday brought to you by Reading at the Beach.

This week's letter is "N."

To play, simply scan your shelves and piles of books to find a title starting with the letter "N." Post a picture, the title, synopsis, a link to the book (from amazon, etc), and post your link on Vicki's Blog in her A-Z Wednsday Post. Have fun finding an old friend or maybe something you've been meaning to read, but had forgotten for a time...

Image from Amazon.

I had a hard time finding an "N" and ended up in my husband's collection of books - he reads lots of military nonfiction, so here is a little bit about Not a Good Day to Die by Sean Naylor.

The author, info from the back flap of the book, is a senior writer for the Army Times and has developed a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable military writers in the U.S. His coverage of Operation Anaconda earned him the White House Correspondent's Association's Edgar A. Poe Award.

The book is about Operation Anaconda, the mistakes made by senior military officials that cost Americans their lives and how a small ad hoc unit of various special operations men prevented a total U.S. military catastrophe in the mountains of Afghanistan during the Spring of 2002.

Now I have not read this book, but per my husband: As for the book: pretty good book overall. He's served with several people who fought in that battle including his old platoon sergeant, who thought the book was fairly accurate although the author mixed up a few units and details. It's a good look at a turning point in the war when conventional forces were first used in combat.

Western Wake Farmer's Market

This past Saturday, I participated in the Western Wake Farmer's Market's 1st Annual Fall Craft Festival. Now, I approached this day with some trepidation... a 1st annual event - expect chaos when you show up and few customers, but boy was I surprised.

When you show up, they cross your name off a list, send you down the row in the parking lot and show you where to park (1st come, 1st serve) so they just filed you in right after the other. This was nice because there was no last minute moving of your display. They had a portable ATM on site and obviously had done enough advertising because not only was there a steady stream of customers the entire day, this was my best show this year!Granted I did take my camera with me, but failed to take any photos of my booth (always seems to happen...), but I would like to take a moment to introduce you to the great couple that had the booth next to me: Lisa and Jeff Ross of Eclectikos. They have beautiful pottery and I picked up two of their ornaments. The one above is for me :) I love celtic inspired designs - although this is currently on my mantle next to some Indonesian stuff, it still looks good.
And this one I bought for my Aunt, the only member of my family who is probably more of a nature lover than me. My picture doesn't really show it, but it is a hummingbird on the right and flowers on the left. I think it will be a great box topper for a present this upcoming Christmas!

Once I got home Saturday afternoon, I started thinking about all of the other gifts I should have been looking to buy - but hopefully, I'll find Eclectikos again in another show this fall.

This week's favorite... Slip-Hers!

Last night I was browsing the Handmade Highway and was looking at members from Florida - when I saw these cute slippers- Or as Genevive calls them, Slip-Hers! They are just what my slightly cold toes need and, ah'em, honey? This pair of Pink Fem Slip-Hers is in my size and on sale (hint, hint). :)

100 Mile Fitness Challenge... Week 5

Want to join a group of people getting in 100 miles before the end of the year? Go to the 100 Mile Fitness Challenge Blog for the details. (Don't worry, it's not too late! You can just do a graduated total based on your start date from the program's start.) Since last week, I decided to up my goal, I had to work hard and I was able to do it! 18 miles this week - making my new total 65! That just leaves me 85 to go by the end of the year.

Now to kick myself back into gear writing on my blog regularly!

100 Mile Fitness Challenge... Week 4

Want to join a group of people getting in 100 miles before the end of the year? Go to the 100 Mile Fitness Challenge Blog for the details. (Don't worry, it's not too late!)

Now week 4, another good week - as of last Friday - 15 miles! Making my overall total to 47.

I was thinking in the shower today - I need to push myself more and change the goals a bit. I'm making my new goal to get in 150 miles before the new year! This will be a lot of work, but working harder is better :)

RWestDesigns earring giveaway on Little Reminders of Love!

RWestDesigns is giving away her polkadot earrings on the Little Reminders of Love Blog in her October Giveaway! The giveaway ends on 7 Nov.

Dinner again... Beef Stew with Butternut Squash

I found a new recipe in a magazine - it was either Self, Fitness, or Shape (but I can't remember and have read all 3 in the last month). I'm not normally a beef person, but I've done beef meals twice in the last couple of months. This one tasted great and had a sweet flavor. Here is my altered version of the recipe (fed 14 adults over the weekend). The meal was easy to prepare and everyone liked it. I had guests arriving at 6 PM, but left for the grocery store to get ALL of the ingredients at 3 PM.

Ingredients:
2 T olive oil
2 lb stew beef (cubed)
2 large sweet onions (chopped)
3 T garlic flakes
2 t ginger
2 med butternut squash (cubed)
28 oz can diced tomatoes
16 oz can tomato sauce
4 c beef broth
1 T cumin seed
1 T cinnamon
8 c whole wheat couscous
1/4 c sliced almonds
1/4 c minced fresh parsley

Directions:
Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook until browned on all sides (about 5 min). Transfer meet to stock pot leaving juices in pan. Add onion to pan; cook until translucent (about 6 min). Add garlic and ginger and stir while over heat for 1 min more. Transfer onion mix to stock pot and add squash, tomatoes, sauce, broth, cumin, and cinnamon. Bring to boil; reduce heat to low and simmer until beef is tender (about 30-35 min). Place large spoonful of couscous in bowl and top with stew. Sprinkle with sliced almonds and minced fresh parsley to garnish.

More Pumpkins...

After I took pictures of my pumpkin and posted them yesterday, I thought, keeping in the theme of Halloween, I'd scour the Handmade Highway for a better pumpkin :)

Here's what I found:
An original 8x10 watercolor painting by Jessica Tai of CLine Creations. Want more pumpkins? Check out the Handmade Halloween Gift Guide on Notes From the Handmade Highway.

Two-Day Pumpkin Carving Project

Here is the gigantic pumpkin I bought at Gross Farms. It did not look nearly as big as it is while sitting amongst the other pumpkins... I openned the pumpkin and was surprised by the icky, spider-like, goey insides - surprised because it has been more than 10 years since I carved a pumpkin and I'd forgotten how icky the insides really are. After, I finally got it cleaned out, I wanted to come up with a unique design... looking at my fridge, I saw my sea shells. So what better for me, than a sea shell halloween pumpkin. I got out some computer paper and created a pattern:

And here is the final result:

At least no one else in my community will have the same design :) even if they all think I am weird.

A-Z Wednesday from Reading at the Beach

Good Morning! Welcome to my portion of A-Z Wednesday brought to you by Reading at the Beach.

This week's letter is "L."

To play, simply scan your shelves and piles of books to find a title starting with the letter "L." Post a picture, the title, synopsis, a link to the book (from amazon, etc), and post your link back here at Reading on the Beach. Have fun finding an old friend or maybe something you've been meaning to read, but had forgotten for a time...

The synopsis from the publisher's website: New secrets, old flames, and hidden agendas are about to send bounty hunter Stephanie Plum on her most outrageous adventure yet!

MISTAKE #1: Dickie Orr. Stephanie was married to him for about fifteen minutes before she caught him cheating on her with her arch-nemesis Joyce Barnhardt. Another fifteen minutes after that Stephanie filed for divorce, hoping to never see either one of them again.

MISTAKE #2: Doing favors for super bounty hunter Carlos Manoso (a.k.a. Ranger). Ranger needs her to meet with Dickie and find out if he's doing something shady. Turns out, he is. Turns out, he's also back to doing Joyce Barnhardt. And it turns out Ranger's favors always come with a price...

MISTAKE #3: Going completely nutso while doing the favor for Ranger, and trying to apply bodily injury to Dickie in front of the entire office. Now Dickie has disappeared and Stephanie is the natural suspect in his disappearance. Is Dickie dead? Can he be found? And can Stephanie Plum stay one step ahead in this new, dangerous game? Joe Morelli, the hottest cop in Trenton, NJ is also keeping Stephanie on her toes-and he may know more than he's saying about many things in Stephanie's life. It's a cat-and-mouse game for Stephanie Plum, where the ultimate prize might be her life.

With Janet Evanovich's flair for hilarious situations, breathtaking action, and unforgettable characters, LEAN MEAN THIRTEEN shows why no one can beat Evanovich for blockbuster entertainment.

This is book #15 in a series of books about bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum (two were "between the numbers" books). This past summer, I was eating these books up - read through book 11, so I have not yet gotten to this yet. I found these books very funny and easy reads when sitting in a doctor's waiting area.