Saturday, August 4, 2012

This Week's Blog Post

New Bracelet

This focal piece is ocean jasper. It has really cool orbital markings! I used natural fossil stone beads to accent it.
Available at Miss Val’s Creations.
Flowers at The Steven Coolidge Place
We made a follow up visit to The Steven Coolidge Place which I blogged about back in the spring.
The gardens here change throughout the season.
These pink flowers have the cutest shiny pink buds! It was very breezy that day so it was difficult to take pictures
Yellow pom-poms!
I find this fuchsia pink flower ugly (I have never said that of a flower before), but interesting! Despite its oddity, it has beautiful color.
I have no idea what these green pod things.
Hosta blooms.
Here are some more pretties!
New Wines
These are new to us! Our favorite wine store (Wine ConneXtion) has complimentary wine tasting every Saturday afternoon so of course we are regulars! Last week all the bottles to taste were red (which is what our taste buds prefer).  
This Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel (2010). Its flavors include dark berries, coffee, chocolate and vanilla. Perfection! These are from vines in Oakley, California.
This Australian red, Pill Box Red, is a delicious blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. It has a lot of depth with its rich flavors. Yes, we chilled it slightly. What a refreshing treat!
Gluten Free Lasagna
We enjoyed our first gluten free lasagna with the red wine! This is brown rice pasta from Hodgson Mill.

I was relieved that its taste and texture is just like that of whole wheat pasta!!! Pasta has always been a love of mine so now I can start making pasta dishes again!
Neither Jim nor I are experienced lasagna makers but this was pretty good for our first attempt! Jim grilled some asparagus in an awesome cast iron grill stove top pan I have. Mmmm!
Thank you for stopping by! Have a great week!  ~Val


24 comments:

  1. Wonderful pictures!
    The bracelet is beautiful.
    Love hosta and daisies.

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  2. Love the beautiful flowers and that ocean jasper is very gorgeous!

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  3. Oh, My!.. What a precious stone you got! Super-beautiful, only wonder about weight? (ha ha, too much stories about thirsty wolf drinking from river) :))

    Your garden is wonderful, and your hair shines under the sun! Means, some wine and lasagna make life beautiful! Enjoy ;)

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  4. Hi Val, it is always great to see you and Jim in a post, you two make a very handsome couple.

    Your bracelet is quite stunning, it is very, I don't know...cooling to the eye, it feels like if I were to slip it on, it would keep me cool on a very hot day.

    thank you for the tour of the beautiful gardens. I hope you have a great week. stay cool.

    ruth

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  5. I love all your photos. So many pretty sights. You inspire me to get out there more!

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  6. I love your bracelet Val! So pretty! Love the markings! All the flowers are stunning!!! Even the pink ugly one! LOL! Wine, lasagna, asparagus, great way to end you post! Very yummy ;o)

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  7. Hi Val,
    Beautiful bracelet, I love Jasper, beautiful flowers too!
    I enjoy wine, but my palette leans towards the sweet wines.
    Therese

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  8. That bracelet is gorgeous -- the whole piece looks very planetary!

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  9. The bracelet is beautiful. So are the flowers and that dinner looks delicious!

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  10. Val, that bracelet is lovely. I love the ocean jasper! Fantastic collection of flower photos, I kind of like the fuchsia flower. The color is amazing. Your lasagna looks really tasty, and I like the sound of brown rice pasts. Have a great week!
    Valerie
    Everyday Inspired

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  11. wanna try out that wine!

    the STYLE Fringe BLOG
    http://the-stylefringe.blogspot.com

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  12. Ohh gluten free lasagna that looks good. I will have to keep this in mind for my coeliac friends. I do like that bracelet. Really beautiful piece. And those flowers are lovely.

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  13. Of all the flowers I like the whites ones with the pink center. They are beautiful. Have a nice week Miss Val.

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  14. That is a very lovely bracelet you made. The stone is fabulous! And the flowers are a beauty - especially that first one and the white ones. I'm so happy you found a pasta you could eat. The lasagna looks so delicious. That's a dish I haven't made in years. :-)

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  15. Dear Val,
    the focal piece is gorgeous! I love the swirly bits :)
    Beautiful flowers! We have those allium in our garden. Of course I love the pink rose :)
    I never tried gluten free lasagna - i would think they probably need more time to cook, right?
    have a great rest of the week!
    Duni

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  16. What a beautiful combination of stones in this bracelet, Val.
    You really have such a wonderful eye for design.
    Your flowers are beautiful, and that lasagne looks so yummy.

    Wishing you a wonderful week ahead, my friend!
    xo.

    P.S. The earrings arrived, and they are even more beautiful than in the photograph. Just love the color of the pearls. Thank you so much!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Lisa. I am so glad you love the earrings. :)

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  17. Lovely garden stroll - beautiful flowers!

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  18. Hit return too quickly! LOVELY focal ... jasper is one of my favorites, and I just love Ocean jasper with its intricate patterns. So pretty

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  19. thank you thank you thank you :)
    xoxo Lola

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  20. That ocean jasper bead is very cool!
    Love all the flower photos!
    And a wine with coffee, chocolate and vanilla...yes please :)

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  21. The necklace is so pretty! I also enjoyed your lovely garden images, you definitely have a green thumb...

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  22. I love the necklace!!!! cute photos!!!
    Have a good week, dear!

    Besos, desde EspaƱa, Marcela♥

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  23. I follow you with G+ now!!!
    I'm very happy if you follow me too!

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Thank you for stopping by! I love reading visitor comments! ~Val