EarRings

In my quest to secure fancy adornments for my person

(the tree is already trimmed)

I again searched through my junk jewelry.

The earrings are becoming my favorite for ideas this season.

With specimens like these, who could blame me?

Most of these are fairly old but very well made,

and as beautiful as the woman who wore them.

My grandmother would cheer my efforts for finding

new ways to enjoy them as much as she did.

I know she would approve of the ocean pebble cuff.

She would also suggest that I need a cocktail ring.

Ring blanks.

You can get these from any costume supply store.

I decided to use the blue stone for my cocktail ring.

With a little more effort than my time permits

(I leave town tomorrow)

the other ear rings will make great stocking stuffers

for a few friends. 

The scale is pretty impressive but a little boring.

It needs a hood ornament!

My selectiveness and the fact that the back needs to be flat for a

permanent fix will limit my choices considerably.

Three to be exact.

I remove the post and carefully file (dremel)

any rough spots then attach with E6000 or a 2 part epoxy.

 This earring I used is 14ct gold with a sterling silver center.

I lost the other one a few years ago.

I think it is a nice compliment to the color and scale of this ring.

Festive, non.  'Tis the season!

The First Thanksgiving Menu

Little is known about the first Thanksgiving dinner in the Plymouth Colony in October 1621. The feast was attended by some 50 English colonists and about 90 native Wampanoag men in what is now Massachusetts.

We do know that the Wampanoag killed five deer for the feast, and that the colonists shot wild fowl, which may have been geese, ducks, or turkey. Some forms of Indian corn were also served.

Jennifer Monac, spokesperson for the living-history museum Plymoth Plantation said the feasters likely supplemented their venison and fowl with fish, lobster, clams, nuts, and wheat flour, as well as vegetables such as pumpkin, squash, carrots, and peas.

"This was the time of year when they were really feasting. There were lots of vegetables because the harvest would recently have been brought in."

Traditional Thanksgiving fare that certainly wasn't on the table: potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.

If you want to eat like a Pilgrim, try some of the Plymoth Plantation's recipes, including stewed pompion (pumpkin) or traditional Wampanoag succotash.

Here is the entire article from National Geographic News.

Happy Thanksgiving

Ocean Pebbles

The month of Dec. presents me with many opportunities

for holiday socializing with clients after work.

If I had to pick only one accessory item this season that would
put me in a more festive mood as well as spiff up
my work attire for these after hour functions,
I would choose the cuff bracelet.

Studded Leather

Roberto Cavalli

Medina Cuff

Monica Vinader

Black Onyx

Kara Ross

Ocean Pebbles

Nonflammable

This far, I have managed to stay within the boundaries of
my significantly reduced personal spending budget.
(Negative adj. for prev. months purchase of Fiorentini and Baker Boots)

Until I find one of my wish list items in my stocking (hi honey),

I will rely upon the imposing resouces at hand.

The junk jewelry drawer.

A selection of old earrings. 
Most of these were my grandmothers.

Hmmmmm.

Not feeling it yet.

A few alterations and additions resulted in a haute mess.

I blamed my wine consumption.

Back to the cast aways

where I came up with a clearer plan.

After making my selection, I carefully remove the earring back

and the frame around the cabochon, if there is one.  For tough

settings, hold under water to loosen the old adhesive.

After removing,

clean in warm, soapy water to remove all residue.

Plan the design.

Hint: Apply thin strips of masking tape to the back
of larger cabochons to get an idea of how
the pieces will look together on the cuff blank.

You can get cuff blanks at a costume supply store

for very cheap. This one is brass and cost less than $3.00.

I use E6000 adhesive, but a two part epoxy works just as well.

Use in a well ventilated area. (OPEN A WINDOW)

I don't recommend applying pieces to the back side of the cuff.

Metal, plastic, or glass....use your imagination. 

As long as there is enough of a flat surface

to apply the adhesive, anything will work.

Use tweezers to affix smaller components.

A toothpick will clean up excess residue

without marring the surface and goop off

will help remove sticky residue from cuff base.

Let setup overnight and go back over

with a toothpick to see if any beads are lose.

I really like this assembly.

The brass beads compliment the pearl cabs nicely.

I was unable to effectively capture the lustrous details of this cuff.

It turned out so well (better than I expected), I  plan on wearing

this next week while in Quebec City.

Breakfast Casserole

I make this breakfast casserole almost every Sunday.

It's quick, easy, and everyone likes it.

There are never any leftovers.

I use tater tots instead of hashbrowns as they help

the ingredients hold together better.

Put tater tots (or hashbrowns) in a casserole dish

and cook at 400° for 10 minutes.

Brown sausage and drain. 

Scramble 10 - 12 eggs over low heat; add salt, pepper,

or seasoning such as cayenne pepper,

drained sausage, and green onion.

You want the egg mixture slightly undercooked.

Remove tater tots and break them apart until crumbly. 

Add egg/sausage mixture to the tots and blend well.

 Using a spatula, press firmly into the dish.

Add paprika, shredded cheese, and parsley.

Bake 300° for 12-15 minutes.

Remove from oven and let setup for 5 minutes before serving.

Serve with hot sauce.