salvation

sorting through crap, not wanting to do what I need to. finding solace in broken bits and pieces, trying to glue them together and make something new, if not fixing what is broken. praying like I've never done, hoping to something that my kitty will heal or pass quickly. the in between is the hardest. not knowing and not being able to edit her path to something that is safe and kind.

Warm woolen night

Dyed wool necklace with blown glass bead pendant. Silver toggle clasp.

Paper Pendant

I found some old paper scraps in a pile in the basement from the beginnings of Team Eight and decided to play around with them and with some of the tag making bits that I have. Paper pendant. 

Devine Inspiration

I am constantly looking for inspiration. This evening was a pile of beads, stones and pieces from expired jewelry. Pendant, misc stones and bobbles.

Work in Progress

Hershey Kiss Wrapper + Badge String = necklace!

Fuzzy Balls

Fal/Winter broach - felted balls, sterling pin. Whiskers on kittens & warm wollen mittens ... all that jazz.

The Art of Zen

I have no idea what this says, if anything. But I found these pieces, separately, years ago, and have re-found them in my crap whilst cleaning out and up. I like cleaning out in the fall since it helps to make the interior times that are spent through the winter a bit more tolerable. The chilly air, the fading sunlight, the tinge of rust that is beginning to settle on the leaves; it's all part of the changing that is life and part of the cycle that makes us reflect, take time and turn inward. Looking at my art and at being human, tolerating the lack of zen but trying to attain some sense of fulfillment.

Fssshhh Tacos!

Apparently the Psshhh sound is annoying Spencer since I have been making it all morning for no apparent reason. So, I decided to make Fssshhh Tacos to continue to legitimately make the sound.

1 large tuna steak
fried in coconut oil. Grilling would have been better, but I was lazy and that's that.
1/2 c black beans
2 flour tortillas
1/2 tbs herbed mayo
S&P
sirracha
shaved lettuce
radishes
baby tomatos
avocado

pile in and serve with a squeeze of lime and a squeeze of Spencer. He's smiling about the Fsshhhh

Grilled Cheese with Tomato and assorted farmers market Crudités:

Quick simple lunch that was thought up on the fly. I had more important things on my mind, like staring into the sky. (Check out this evening sunset!)

Sammich:

2 good, thick slices of multi grain bread

1 tbs duck fat

1/4 small onion sliced thin

1/4 tomato, sliced thick

sun dried tomato paste

1/2 tbs herbed mayo

2 thick slabs queso blanco 

sal & pepper

fry the tomato and onion in the duck fat and set aside, same pan, start toasting the bread with the leftover fat. Pile on all the ingrediens and place a large heavy skillet on top to compress. 

Serve with sliced carrot, cucumber and radish. Go watch the sunset.

Pendant Pieces

This beautiful and eventful afternoon didn't hold much time or my attention for being in the studio so I made this charming little pendant that is reminiscent of a charm bracelet. Hopefully it will make it into the NACo tomorrow for the opening.

Quick Sip

This quick little ring was created from the label of a St Germain mini bottle. I love the pattern and color. Jewelry / art is everywhere. You just have to know how to look at it.

Office Supply Fail

The cool looking wooden push pins at the office gave out under pressure while I was pinning things to the cork board. Instant jewelry! Early morning for a long day ahead. Office Open House and long list of other things on the docket. Sleep will be welcome this weekend.

Found Simplicity

Easy as a morning walk with a good friend. Found this sparkly metal thing, I am assuming earring, on a walk with Shaun this morning. Hoping there will be more treasures of inspiration and walks.

Raindrops on Rings

This weather is making me a bit more of an introvert, spend more time in the basement, think more about life, etc. This ring is made from silver and silver casting grain that looks like rain drops splattering. I am embracing the fall. That is until the cold hits. As beautiful as snowflakes are, they are  a bitch to make and then there is the whole dark thing, I'm not event going into that.

Amber Earrings

It's been a long Sunday. I needed a little pick me up. Here's a nice warm amber pair of earrings.

Afternoon Light

I found a little inspiration and this lil gem while helping Tiffany get organized. Beautiful light and a beautiful day.

Like Newton

but more like a pine cone and no revelation about laws of gravity or anything. Found on a walk. This little part of the pinecone broke off and really intrigued me. I wrapped a ribbon around it and called it a bracelete. Meh, works for me.

Early Day, Late Night

Today is ging to be a long day. Last night, too much love and fun. No regrets. Just a morning of quick decisions. Running out but not before I get to "make" a quick ring, leftover from the cigar from Honduras we enjoyed on the porch.

Foreign Family Time

I love LOVE LOVE! My god children and their parents Elizabeth and JB. Unfortunately, I never get to see them since they live all over, most recently in Honduras. This is cool because I get to go visit, but not nearly often enough. Tonight I got to have them over for dinner and it was lovely. I thought that they would be homesick after a week of traveling so I made the most latina thing I could and it's mostly what Elizabeth taught me how to cook.

frijoles negros:
starting with dry beans, rinse and soak overnight. This step is key since it will lead to softer beans in the end.
The next morning, drain, add just enough water to the crock pot to cover 1/4 in over top of the beans. Add
1 bay leaf
1 slice bacon
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
1 tbs salt
2-3 cloves garlic crushed
1 tbs olive oil
let cook on low heat for minimum of 8 hours.

cebollas y pimientos:
I used poblano peppers which are a bit warmer and have a more smoky flavor to them you can use garden / bell peppers but know your audience. Ellie I am sure could eat a ghost pepper if she wanted to. Me, poblanos were pushing it on the Scoville.
Sliced widthwise and sauteed in olive oil with yellow onions until caramelized.

carnes a la brasa:
I used chicken and beef from the farmers market. Not sure what cut, but oil in the pan, hot hot heat, lil salt and char until medium. 3-4 min tops. Slice on the bias and serve with warmed corn tortillas.

Guac:
mine is really really awesome.
2 avocados
1 tsp ( 2 cloves) minced garlic
1/2 lime juice
1 jalapeno fine dice
1 tbs olive oil
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbs red onion fine dice
smash all together but not until a paste, you want to know where the food came from.

Pico:
Tomatoes diced
1 jalapeno fine dice
1 tsp ( 2 cloves) minced garlic
1/4 red onion fine dice
1/2 lime juice

Serve with shredded cheese and lettuce and a giant pile of love.

Nothing too Crazy

This is a simple dish that took little to no effort. Why?  Today is a time for reflection for many and my biggest beef with myself, is not taking / having enough time for my loved ones. So I made a quick dinner so Spencer and I could spend some quality time together and share in each others company, not the perfection level of the dish, cleanliness of the house, or one of the other umpteen things that would normally keep me busy and away from my kissy face.

Steamed Rice & Broccoli :

Rice cooker with 2 c rice & 1 large cluster of broccoli large thick stems submerged in the water and the floret's above. Perfect way to cook both!

Sliced omelet:
4 eggs whisked with sesame oil and fried in a pan omelet style, no stirring while cooking. Cook like a pancake. Add scallions if you would like.

Fried Shiitake Mushrooms: sliced thin with a little oil and garlic. Brown and serve on top of the rice, broccoli and omelet.

Douse all with soy sauce and perhaps chili paste.


Enjoy with someone who's had a long day. They need your company more than they would need the food. But, you know, food is love.

roadside inspiration

I love, love, love walking through RVA on beautiful afternoons. If you are looking up, big blue beautiful sky, down, lost treasure that no one else seems to notice or care. I may be sharing this city with a million other people, but I will never feel like it in my own little world of street & sky. Found this crusty looking cap on the pavement and he just had to be made into a pendant. Accompanied by some castoffs from a new friend and blam!!! Instant neck art. Repulsed by the thought of donning something that was found in the city street? Good, I don't have to share. ;-)

Blueberry Morning

I freaking love Sundays. It's a time for slow food, fun,  family & friends. This lazy Sunday morning, full of lounging in the sun and not really getting dressed til well after the sun is up, is brought to you by blueberries! Summer is coming to an end and I am getting all the fresh picked lovin' & sun I can while supplies still last.

Blueberry Corn Cakes:
3/4 c corn masa
2 c bisquick (cheater, perhaps. efficient & effective, always.)
1/4 c vanilla sugar ( sugar with a vanilla bean in it for flavor)
1/4 tsp cardamom
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
2 c milk
2 tbs butter for the pan
1 1/2 c rinsed blueberries

melt butter in the pan. Let it get a lil brown, that's were the goodness is.
Combine your wet ingredients and your dry, mix well. Let stand for 3 min before spooning out, it helps with the finished texture of the pancakes. ( I am learning, rubber pancakes be damned!)

Spoon out about 1/4 c worth of batter into your large skillet of brown butter goodness as many times as will fit. Top with 2 tbs of berries, or as many as will comfortably fit. You want a good surface batter to blueberry ratio. Too many berries and it will be a gooey, sticky mess. Too little and it's not really a blueberry pancake. You want the batter to be able to cover the berries when flipped.

Cook until bubbles form on the top and flip. Cook about the same amount on the opposite side.
Serve with fresh maple syrup and fresh blueberries, and steak like bacon if you happen to have some.

Enjoy lazily whilst snot fully dressed and on your own damn time.