find

I’m quite fond of Kitty Genius’s blog. See her Etsy store here.

Etsy alert:

Isn’t this trinket lovely, now? It can be found at luxe Deluxe. I would totally wear so many of her creations. Actually, I think this would look darling gracing a certain sister’s neck at her bird themed wedding. No?

3 4U

I’ve been tagged. Twice. I’m still working on one sent my way by Dok. Seems yesterday, unbeknownst to me, it was Blog Day. I know this because Sigrid, a reader in Italy who herself has an awesome cooking blog; il cavoletto di bruxelles (love the photography), tagged me and let me know. So I thought I’d share three blogs that I’ve never mentioned here. Enjoy:

DearAda: This is a blog after my own heart. You may have noticed the absence of links for what I like to call pretty-pretties recently. I still peruse around for them; just have been too distracted for posting. Pretty-pretties everywhere here, and when I’m in dire need of eye candy, here I go.

Bright Stupid Confetti: I always find wonderful artists working in all sorts of mediums on this blog. I love and trust their eye.

3191: This is a beautiful collaboration between two friends who happen to live 3191 miles apart; simple, stunning, and precious. An ongoing visual blog  of morning capsules of life around and abound. I love peeking in.

just checking in…

I have so many things I want to talk about but little time right now. There’s tents and faux-campfires to build and enjoy with the kiddo, spring cleaning, and some other projects.

But there’s my disappointment with the reaction to Gore’s testimony on Capitol Hill…what’s up with that? Is there a Republican plan/response to the global warming issue besides obstinence? Or do they want to cob major points from the Dem’s, implement them, and swipe credit for saving the world? I’m tired of the games. I’m admittedly not as politically tuned in as I would like, but this issue is NOT something that comes with a do-0ver, it’s not something to be screwed up.

Ok, I am calm again. Really. I am working on some bird assemblage art that I promise to share with you in the coming days as WIPS (works in progress). For now I will leave you to admire the work of artist Lauri Faggioni’s soft sculptures, which include, yes, birds and other creatures. Lovely work.

j’aime fifi

 

have you seen her yet? Fifi is a sweet, fashionable bunny, an haress and an only child. Like other haresses with time on their hands, Fifi Lapin models. I like the monkey love number she has on here.

petit treasures

Currently on my Etsy favorite list:

Shana Barry’s delightful Fofers have gone miniature and are now available at Etsy along with the new Peaceballs.

This jewelry is like wearing fragments of vintage France. By Amy Hanna.

ScrapDanny’s work is just like its title…scraps incorporated into bags, scarves, and collages.

And lastly, I just love Sweetpea the seahorse:

drool, drool

I don’t even wear jewelry that much anymore, but is this not a pretty necklace? By thomcat designs. At Etsy, natch.

Nina Bagley is another artist and jewelry maker I admire…beautiful work with beads, found images, words, and nature.

just gulp and take a deep breath, right?

love is… buying the yellow crocs that the kiddo wanted from the very beginning when every fiber of your fashion sense screams and drags its nails in protest at the cash register.

It’s the little things sometimes, folks.

***

I’ve been admiring these for awhile. Thought I’d share. Isn’t this bird darling?

another m.s. moment

This tortilla soup is wonderful…I made it with the last of the turkey. It cannot be messed up…you can make it as spicy or mild as you want, add or subtract ingredients…sometimes I use pinto beans, sometimes black beans. Add rice. Anything. I like adding bits of pre-cooked bacon to it for extra flavor. Just throw it into the slow cooker and wait for its aroma to invite you. Yummy.

Let’s take a trip to Etsyland again…cuz I’m very fond of A Black Apple and her beautiful illustrations…whimsical, with a bit of an edge.

The kiddo woke up next to me this morning and just stared at me pensively for what seemed like the longest time. Then she said “I missed you.”

:sigh:

a sort of Martha Stewart moment…

but in a kinder, gentler fashion…

So I’ve been gathering my recipes up for the big day this month and making shopping lists. I pretty much always make this ahead of time by two or three days for my turkey. Be generous with the maple butter and you will be rewarded with a nice, moist and flavorful turkey….and excellent gravy. My turkeys don’t always looks so good…a little mottled looking instead of that nice, even, golden color, but they nearly always taste good. Except for the first time I brined a turkey for my birthday dinner and used table salt instead of kosher salt. If you’ve never brined a turkey, brining is the way to go. Just, please, if you use table salt, reduce the amount by half, and the turkey will be good to go. Otherwise, you’re in for a mighty salty, inedible turkey.
I usually try a new side every year but haven’t made a decision yet. Maybe something with mushrooms. There’s always creamed onions, and mashed, not marshmallow topped sweet potatoes (apologies to anyone who really likes that…it’s too much for me. I like mine with butter and a little nutmeg). And scalloped corn is a must. I either add bacon or jalapenos for an extra kick.

And then I compliment the whole thing with a nice Reisling. I tried the traditional Beaujolais, but it tastes too rough for me. Mulled wine is good around dessert time.

ok, Martha Stewart moment over…

we now move on to these….aren’t the softies (scroll midpage) freaking cute?!