Pink Rhodonite Earrings and an Update

Pink Rhodonite Earrings

Rhodonite is associated with peace, generosity and attention to details. The stone is also pretty to look at! These sweet sterling silver dangles are available at Miss Val's Creations.

A Little Update
The pool is open!

So I'm thinking about doing laps in place of yoga on those super hot days! I've never had an in-ground pool before so this is a first. My dad gave us that itty bitty tree in the left in front of the fence. It is an eastern redbud!

I haven't cared for swimming since I was a little girl. I think a huge part of this was due to wearing contact lenses since I was 15 years old. Since having Lasik surgery a year ago I can now swim while seeing and not have to worry about lenses in my eyes! I may start enjoying swimming again!!!

The peonies are on bloom. I love this type! So gorgeous. It is also a flower I never had in my yard before.

Monday Blog Tour Questions

Duni of Duni's Studio passed the torch to me! These were fun questions to think about and answer!

What am I working on?

As many of you know, I just moved. While I’m settled in now it looks like we are moving to Florida at the end of the summer. This means I don’t want to get into anything new! However I have been adding new items each week to my findings shop. Nothing bulky since I will be moving again! I do have ideas for new eyeglass chains and lanyards but I think I will be waiting until I’m settled in my next home to start working on those.

How does my work differ from others in its genre?

My signature style includes gemstones which have always been my first love when it comes to beads. Simple and classic is my personal style that carries over in my business. However I have been known to create some conversations pieces from time to time!

Why do I write what I do?

First and foremost my blog is a personal journal. While I don’t get too personal on it, I like to chronicle things I do as well as my time with Jim.  He enjoys the blog just as much as I do and reads it every week. So here you find things including my business, cooking, gardening, day trips and more.

How does my writing process work?

I simply write about what is going on. I just post once a week so sometimes I have a draft or 2 already written. Other times I feel like I have nothing to blog about but an idea always seems to turn up! I like having a working draft to go back to and make tweaks until I’m happy with it.



To see responses from fellow bloggers, the hashtag on Twitter is #MondayBlogTour.

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you have a fabulous week! ~Val

New Yard and Pink Mother of Pearl Earrings

Mother of Pearl Earrings

These pretties are pink mother of pearl accented with sterling silver. Available at Miss Val's Creations.
New Yard
So I'm getting used to my new yard!

With pretty trees and cool vines.

Blooming shrubs.

Bleeding hearts.

Sweet weeds.

I love how these are growing out of the steps.

Climbing pretties.

The birds love it here. They even start vocalizing before 4am! Yes, before 4! I was not too happy looking at the clock one morning after being awoken by birds and seeing 3:50am as the time! However, they are wonderful to listen too during the day. So many different songs being sung.

The rabbits love the yard too. This is mommy next to the deck. Her bunnies hide because there is a hawk who feeds in the area.

I've never had bamboo before so this will be interesting to watch!

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have an awesome week! ~Val

Gabby Cases of Etsy and New Earrings

Mountain Jade Earrings

I had a little geometric fun with my Wubbers! To keep them more afforable, I used sterling silver filled wire in the design and suspended them from solid sterling silver ear wires. Available at Etsy.

Gabby Cases
Here is my iPhone case from Gabby Cases on Etsy. This shop has cases for both iPhones and Galaxy phones.

I love the vintage style print. That is what drew me to this shop!

iphone case

I also love the art deco prints offered.

Art Deco iphone case

You can also find cases for your iPad, Tablet or Surface here!

Great Blue Heron iPad case

This fabulous vintage print fits an iPad Mini as well as other sizes.

Red Tulip iPad Mini case

Paris is always a good idea.

Paris phone case

Next time you are looking for a fabulous new cover for your Apple or Samsung device, check out Gabby Cases!

Thank you for stopping by! Enjoy your week. :)  ~Val

Quinoa and Gouda Dish and Mixed Stone Earrings

Sesame Jasper and Snowflake Obsidian Earrings
I've never put these stones together before. It works!

Both stones have grey tones in their marking which helps them blend well. These are available at Miss Val's Creations.

Quinoa and Gouda Dish
This was a delicious and easy dish!

We started by cooking some quinoa. While that was cooking we sauteed mushrooms, spinach and sunflower seeds in olive oil. 

This was flavored with curry powder, chili powder, salt and pepper to taste.

We shredded a HUGE pile of gouda cheese and melted that in.

This made a filling meal! On the side we roasted some cauliflower on the pizza stone. Mmmm!

I hope you are all ready for the Christmas holiday if you are celebrating! Time is just flying by! Thank you for looking. ~Val

This Week's Blog Post

Freeform Wire Earrings
I had some time to play around with wire! I love the look of freeform designs. These findings were made with 18 gauge sterling silver filled wire and hammered flat. Since they are for myself I used inexpensive steel ear wires!

Eventually I will get around to making findings like this for the shop!!! The various loops are great. The findings look pretty solo but all sorts of beads could be dangled to make unique earrings or pendants!

More Etsy Stuff!
My 10 year old niece is into One Direction! More fun things to shop for on Etsy! If you do not know what One Direction is, they are like the new New Kids On The Block or the new Nsync.

Niall Horan is her favorite One Direction band member.  This bracelet is from iccgiftco. It came with 2 different bands so she can change out the look with outfits!  You can find all sorts of fun bracelets here.

This Mrs. Horan 1D necklace is from Tag Soup. This is a great shop for personalized hand stamped jewelry pieces.

This unique nightlight is from Cheryls Creative Block. Each side has a different photo of One Direction! This shop also carries a variety of other fun nightlights for any obsession.

This personalized water bottle is from On Your Mind Designs.  This shop has cool tumblers, water bottles and more!

I also made her a necklace using zebra print beads. I could have sworn I took a photo of it but can't find it!!!

It is time to say Happy New Year! I hope you all have a brilliant, prosperous, happy 2013. ~Val

This Week's Blog Post

New Earrings
These pretties are garnet and iolite. Both beads are handcut giving them character!

All metal is sterling silver. Available at Miss Val’s Creations.

Coconut Curry

Jim and I love coconut curry and have eaten is at Thai restaurants, Indian restaurants and P.F. Changs. However we have never attempted recreating it!!! If you love coconut curry but have never cooked it before it is really easy and super healthy to make at home!!!

We made a HUGE batch with this easy sauce.

• 2 cups of coconut milk
• 8 tablespoons of soy sauce (we used light to keep the sodium count down)
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 4 tablespoons of brown sugar (more could be used if you like saucers sweeter)
• 8 teaspoons of rice vinegar or cider vinegar
• 2 cups of peanuts (yummy)

Just mix them all together. I looks totally disgusting but tastes heavenly!!!

Then we sautéed our veggies of choice in olive oil. This could include:

• carrots
• sugar snap peas
• regular potatoes or sweet potatoes (we prefer sweet since they are more nutritious)
• mushrooms
• bell pepper (green is really good in this)
• cauliflower
• broccoli
• peas
• onions

• 
 After sautéing for a few minutes, then add in the sauce and cook further. Then taste test. You could add more curry, maybe cumin, black pepper….whatever suits your fancy. It is ready when the veggies are at the texture you prefer.

While this is going on, cook up some basmati rice to serve with the dish.  The first time we made this we used regular white rice, but what a difference when using the “correct” rice!!!

It really tasted like we got take out from the local Indian restaurant!!!!  Unfortunately they may not see us anymore since we are now confident in our Indian cooking!

The Walled City

My town is a bit walled! These structures look like they belong in Europe.

I could not find information explaining these online. There is a street with high walls that go on for quite a length!

There were a few key wealthy families in town back in the day that had some fabulous structure built so I am sure this was the brainchild of one of them!

They certainly add character to the town!

If you live in the U.S., have a wonderful Thanksgiving! This is my first year going to Thanksgiving on a gluten free diet which kind of stinks but at least I can still eat my mom’s sweet potato casserole! Cranberry sauce it still my friend too.   ~Val

This Week's Blog Post

New Earrings
Just posted! Black onyx and blue lace agate earrings! Both are suspended from sterling silver leverback ear wires.

Available at Miss Val’s Creations.

Nachos

Jim made me some nachos! I LOVE eating nachos but restaurant ones bother my stomach since I am sensitive to onions and garlic.

These were delicious without those additions.

He layered tortilla chips, shredded cheddar, black beads, corn and diced green pepper.

After baking them we added diced tomato and avocado on top! I forgot to take a picture of the finished product. I must have been too excited to dig in!!!

I love when my man cooks for me! This weeked we are attempting a harvest style stuffed butternut squash. The weather is perfect for it!

 Anniversary

Our anniversary was perfect as intended!

We have a pizza making system. I makes the gluten free crust and Jim does the toppings. This delicious beauty has artichokes, mushroom, red bell pepper and zucchini!

Jim gave a gorgeous dozen of red roses and a totally sweet card. J

We watched a French filmed named Angel-a.

It is a fantasy, romantic comedy and drama all rolled up in one! If you love a fun foreign film and have Comcast On Demand, this is where we found it (free too).

Thank you for stopping by! Have a great weekend and week ahead! :) ~Val