This Week's Blog Post

New Clip On Findings

I recently added clip on earring findings to my shop in the pierced look style.

They immediately started selling well so I have also added clip-ons with a half ball that goes on the ear lobe. I did not realize there was still such a market for non-pierced ears! Available here.

Snack Bags

I was in need for new reusable snack bags which brought me to Preppy Owl Accessories on Etsy.

I purchased 4 sandwich sized bags which will give me a lot of flexibility since they are generous in size. The bottoms are gusseted too so they can stand upright! These are great for bringing my snacks to work without wasting plastic!!!

Garden Update

More irises have bloomed!

My first rosebud bloomed!

When uploading this bud on the computer, I immediately thought of Dr. Suess. I think it reminds me of the Grinch with the extra long greenness sticking out!

My weigela is doing well! I have 4 of these which I purchased through the mail a few years ago. So initially they were so tiny and they have been flourishing!

These are my geraniums which are in urns in front of the house.

New Kitchen Toys

I purchased English muffin rings, a baking mat and a tortilla press!

I have not tried the press yet but Jim helped me with my first batch of gluten free English muffins! They look more like biscuits than muffins but they are tasty.

I can individually wrap them and freeze them.

So whenever I crave bread I can just grab one of these from the freezer and toast it, make a sandwich or make little pizzas! Recipe here.

Thank you for stopping by! Have a wonderful week!!!  ~Val

This Week's Blog Post

Replenished Ear Wires

I received a shipment of ear wires from Bali, Indonesia this week so my inventory is replenished.

Bali wires have always been a favorite of mine for their quality and style. Someday I would love to be making my own ear wires for resale!!!

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

**WARNING** There is a snake in this post!

Jim and I took a ride over to the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary.  This space is over 2,000 acres of reservation for nature.

Some of the trails are boardwalks through a swampy environment.

Of course I almost fell a few times!

We saw a muddy frog.

As well as a frog who likes to keep clean.

Lots of snakes (the harmless kind).

The deer were not too afraid of us since they feel safe in this sanctuary.

There were happy mallard ducks.

Lots of birds. I envy those of you who can photograph birds. That is no easy task!

Including Woody Woodpecker! Jim spotted this little guy this from a distance. He is super far away so the picture is a bit fuzzy.

I have always enjoyed looking up at majestic trees against a blue sky.

There were many twisted tree formations.

The beavers are hard at work on this land. They even chopped this tree down with their teeth!

The pictures do not due the nature justice. Everything was worthy of gazing at.

I can see that the photos do not do justice since I cannot figure out what I was focused on in a bunch of the pictures! It caught my eye in real life. If I could have had a professional photographer by my side I could have had them capture my fascination!

This walk was perfect. Nature therapy is one of the best forms of relaxation…..right up there with laughter!!!

Jim enjoyed it so much that he brought his son there afterwards and they discovered much more than we did since the place is so vast. Apparently there is a grotto there (not like the Playboy mansion one). They brought bird seed and the birds actually ate out of their hands!

Thank you for stopping by! Have a beautiful week! ~Val