Getting ready for busy season!

It is that time of year, we are busy every weekend, kids, us, football, etc..  It is also always my busiest time of the year for jewelry.  I feel as if I am moving forward, my website is now re-done, but there is always so much to do.

One thing I have found that really helps me stay organized is my planner.  I used to use paper planners, then I went totally electronic, which worked for the routine, daily things but not the long term plans.  I had a planner called Planner Pads recommended to me, and I have never looked back.  It has a great flow that can incorporate many areas of your life, and flows it all to the daily things, in an hourglass format.  I use it to plan, set appointments, take notes, it is my all in one brain!  If there is one drawback that I can find, I really would like a more colorful, fun pattern and they are very basic!  You can find them here, www.plannerpads.com .

Hope you are all enjoying the fall as much as I am, it is so beautiful!  Here is a sneak peak of my latest creation, learning how to set stones and make hinges!

I also recently had some pictures taken, and can I say how much I hate to have pictures taken, here is one from the studio!

with that, I am off to start the day!

New, Fresh Start

Ah, I really don't have a huge post but just wanted to share that my website has been updated, along with my blog.  I will be spending the next few weeks tweeking and loading products.  I am so over the top happy with the results, that I couldn't wait to share.  I will be sharing some of my thought process and development process in the next few weeks, but today, I just wanted to say thank you to Stephanie Williams of http://cloverstonedesigns.com/ for doing such a great job!

Fall, a time of change

Is it in the air?  Fall is a time of change, the weather is changing, the leaves are changing and it leaves me in the mood for changes.  I am currently reworking my website, blog, etc.  so things are more coordinated and easier to tend to.  I have also been changing things around my home, painting, cleaning, etc..  What are you changing?

I am sharing a recipe to change up your dinner time for the fall.  It is a Pampered Chef recipe from the newest Season's Best Cookbook!

Autumn Risotto with Chicken & Cranberries
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Ingredients:
1  cup (250 mL) sweetened dried cranberries
2  cups (500 mL) hot water
1  medium onion
1  cup (250 mL) uncooked Arborio rice (see Cook’s Tip)
1  tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
2 3/4  cups (675 mL) chicken stock
3/4  cup (175 mL) dry white wine such as Chardonnay
1/2  tsp (2 mL) each salt and coarsely ground black pepper
1/2  cup (125 mL) blanched slivered almonds
2  stalks celery
2  oz (60 g) cream cheese
2  cups (500 mL) diced cooked chicken or turkey breasts
1/4  cup (50 mL) finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Directions:
1.  Combine cranberries and hot water in Small Batter Bowl; set aside. Coarsely chop onion using Food Chopper. Combine onion, rice and oil in Deep Covered Baker; stir using Small Mix 'N Scraper(R). Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 2–4 minutes or until onion is translucent. Add stock, wine, salt and black pepper; microwave, covered, on HIGH 13 minutes or until rice is still slightly firm, stirring once halfway through.

2.  Meanwhile, toast almonds in (8-in./20-cm) Sauté Pan over medium heat 5–7 minutes or until golden brown, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Slice celery using Veggie Slicer. Cut cream cheese into cubes using Utility Knife. Drain cranberries using (7-in./18-cm) Strainer; set aside. Carefully remove baker from microwave using Silicone Oven Mitts. Add chicken and celery to baker; stir. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 3–5 minutes or until rice is tender and risotto appears creamy.

3.  Carefully remove baker from microwave. Add cream cheese and almonds; stir until cheese is fully incorporated. Fold in cranberries. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

Yield: 6 servings (about 6½ cups/1.5 L)

Nutrients per serving: (about 1 cup/250 mL): Calories 420, Total Fat 13 g, Saturated Fat 3.5 g, Cholesterol 50 mg, Sodium 470 mg, Carbohydrate 51 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 23 g

Cook's Tip: Arborio rice is an Italian short grain rice that can be found in the rice or ethnic section of most grocery stores.

If desired, substitute an additional 3/4 cup (175 mL) chicken stock for the wine.

To cook on the stovetop, soak cranberries as directed in step 1. Place almonds into (12-in./30-cm) Skillet. Cook as directed above and remove from Skillet. Add onion, rice and oil to Skillet. Cook over medium heat 2-3 minutes or until onion is softened. Add stock, wine, salt and black pepper. Bring to a simmer; cook 13 minutes or until rice is still slightly firm, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, prepare celery, cream cheese and cranberries as directed in Step 2. Add chicken and celery; cook 2-3 minutes or until hot. Remove from heat. Continue as directed in Step 3.
(C)The Pampered Chef, Ltd. 2006 

If you make it for dinner make sure you come back and share the results with us!


Have a great weekend and week!

Back for my workshop with Hadar Jacobson

I just returned from a 2 day class with Hadar Jacobson in Brighton, Michigan.  First, I was lucky enough to get away for 2 days and thanks to all my friends who helped out with my kids.  Sometimes, the planning to go away is just so darn hard, you have to coordinate everyone's schedules, that I just want to say nevermind.  I am so glad that this time I didn't and made it happen.

We did a 2 day class on using base metal clays and doing mokume gane patterns.  I learned so much and as soon as I get my pieces fired, I will post a picture of them!  Hadar was just a great teacher, she is so patient and accomodating.  I was lucky to meet some very interesting and great people and found a new bead store to add to my list in Michigan!

I think it is so important to do these things, to feed your heart with the things you love!  In the end, it makes you a happier, more fulfilled person, so I challenge you all to think deep and find something you love and go do it, take a class, take a few hours and just immerse yourself in it!

This picture was taken when I was trying on a necklace she made and I was trying to convince her it looks great on me!  It was embedded with a magnet, a very cool style!

New Experiences

This past weekend I did a 3 day show at the state fairgrounds.  I have been extremely stressed about this since I have never done something of this size before.  Well, I am happy to report that it went very well.  Some things could have been done better, and you always learn from every experience but I am happy with the results.

Best of all, I have met some awesome people.  I also got to add to my jewelry collection, I purchased two pieces from other artists.  Yes, I not only like to make it but love to buy and wear it!

The next few months I will be focusing on creating a new website look and listing more online.  I welcome any and all suggestions to make this better!  I am also going to be trying to get a good system in place to incorporate all aspects of my day, kids, work, house, etc, so when I have some good tips or ideas I will share!

Hope you all have a good week!