Night hiking

A couple weeks ago we went night hiking in Yosemite. I thought it might be fun with the full moon and all.

NOT!

ok, the moon reflecting off the granite was really pretty, but even with our head lamps it was still hard to see. So it was sloooow going.

We saw a few of these (I have never seen one of these during the daytime) 

Glad we tried it, but I don't think we'll do it again.

xo

Soup Mix

I received my "Bead Soup" mix from my partner Wendy Blum. The focal is a Peruvian Amazonite (which is much prettier in person) Looking forward to some play time to see what I can come up with. 

You have a little more time before I go to random.com, to get yesterday's Facebook giveaway winner!

xo

A Giveaway!!!

Today I'm having a giveaway...

A fun Fall giveaway for a cute little acorn and 4-glass head pins.

This is a Facebook Giveaway, so we'll have to be "Facebook Friends"

But, it's easy for us to be friends!

Just click on the link below...
https://www.facebook.com/people/Maria-Grimes/100000006884795
(then click on "add friend")

Once we are friends, just leave a comment on my Facebook wall (not here on blogger)

That's all it takes, easy peasy...good luck!

I also put a set in my Etsy store, just in case you don't want to wait to see if you're a winner...

xo

Show and Tell

These are the beads I sent my "Bead Soup" partner Wendy. As you can tell, I was in a Fall mood when I made her beads (wishful thinking) with acorns and fall colored blooms. I also added a few glass head-pins.

I received the beads she sent me this weekend! I need to take a pic of them...I love them! Very Summery and beachy feeling. 

Come back tomorrow, as I have a little giveaway! Which is always fun...xo

potato potahto

  baby potato...so cute!

I can not believe I've never grown potatoes before!

And I only did this year by chance. Saw a bag of them as I was leaving the garden shop and said "what the heck, I'll give them a try"

We've been having potato salad for dinner and fried potatoes & onions for breakfast the last few weeks.

The package only gave planting instructions, I had to look on line to see when they would be ready for harvest (when the plants die back) 

I had no idea how easy growing potatoes were! 

They are my new favorite thing...

xo

Hello Sunshine

Looking out my window at my garden, it's like a little spot of sunshine. 

My bees are loving all the yellow blooms this year! Between tomato blooms to cucumbers to pumpkins to sunflowers, my bees are happy visiting those sunny yellow blooms this Summer.

In the photo above there were at least 7-8 bees tucked inside just that one bloom!

What are you growing in your garden this year? 
 

Deadlines

 

As if I'm not busy enough, I signed up for a couple more things to participate in..what was I thinking?

I know! I just didn't want to miss out on anything! Now I think I have a panic attack coming on...so many deadlines! But it's a fun busy...

Above are the beads I sent to my Bead Soup partner, Wendy Blum. They are incognito until she receives them...I hope she likes them! Once she receives them, I'll show their identity and I'll show off what she sent me. It's like Christmas in August! Fun Fun Fun

Weekend plans?

I am taking a little break to go night hiking!

With the full moon tomorrow, we thought it would be a perfect time to give it a try.

I must admit, I'm a little nervous about coming face to face with a bear (IN THE DARK!!!)

What are your weekend plans?

In a pickle

With my garden giving me lots of cucumbers and red peppers, I need to find ways to use them.

One of my favorite ways is making pickles. I.LOVE.PICKLES! LOVE!

All pickles, sweet, dill, bread and butter, I love them all.

Recipe:

1/2-cup apple cider vinegar

1/2-cup white vinegar

2-cups sugar

1-tablespoon salt

A pinch of...celery seed, mustard seed, whole peppercorns and 3 whole cloves

1-onion (sliced)

1-red pepper (sliced)

1-clove of garlic

6-cups cucumbers (sliced)

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, bring vinegar, salt, spices and sugar to a boil. Boil until the sugar has dissolved.
2. Place the cucumbers, onion and red pepper in a large bowl. Pour the vinegar mixture over the veggies. I make these in the morning and they are ready just in time for dinner (BBQ hamburgers) Store pickles in the refrigerator.

Going strong

(Nevada Falls)

The waterfalls in Yosemite are still going strong. This weekend we hiked up to Nevada Falls. It's been awhile since I've done a real good hike and my legs felt it! They were like jello when we got to the bottom of the valley floor. It was a little smokey up there too, as last week a fire started from a lightening strike and they like to let natural starting fires burn themselves out. I'm hoping it will be out by next month (when we hike Half Dome) my throat is a little sore this morning from breathing the smoke. 

Today I'll take pics of a few Tide Pool Pendants I made last week. I'll send out a newsletter then they are up and ready.

Have a great week.

xo

End of the roll (so to speak )

A few random shots from last week (vacation)...

Molly waiting for Kurt to come out of the jerky store (Cattaneo Bros. in SLO is the best! I like the honey pineapple turkey)

We found this fun nursery years ago. We go back every time we go to the coast.

They have a couple kitties there too!

And Fairy doors! Which reminded me of the Fairy Doors I make.

Love!

The window display at a garden store.  Of course I loved it!!! buzzzzzzzzzzzz

One day we ventured over to Morro Bay and found a crowd at a little hot dog stand (Hot Dogs on Harbor) so we gave it a try.  We both got the Chicago dog (yum) and Kurt had to try the Waffle Dog. He gave it two thumbs up.

We are heading up to Yosemite this weekend to go hiking. (we are training for our Half Dome hike in Sept.) There have been some horrible accidents up there over the last few weeks. With 3 people going over the waterfall and then last weekend someone fell off Half Dome as she was coming down the cables. It's sad, as none the these deaths should have happened. People climbed over fencing to wade in the water and climbed the cables when it's advised not to when it's wet (it was raining there last weekend)

Have a fun weekend!
xo

Design of the Month {August}

Starfish seem to be the main attraction in many of my Summer pieces.

This month they are specially priced too! Click HERE to place an order.

I also re-opened my made-to-order page on my website.

xo

Back to reality

Last week we came across this cute little old school house.

Patricia Griffin's studio/gallery

I loved her clay creations...

I bought one of her one hole salt shakers. A bunny one of course.

It felt good having some down time this last week...sleeping in, eating breakfast at noon (we only did that once) walks around town after everything closed at 5:00pm (love small towns) treasure hunts for moonstones (we still need to go through them to see who won. The biggest, the prettiest and who got the most. But I already know I won that one!)  

I know I just got back, but I'm taking off again.

My dad is going into the hospital for a little procedure today, so I wanted to be there.
So off to Santa Barbara I go.

I'll open up my website store when I return tomorrow...

xo

♥

oh how I ♥ the sea.

xo

Inspiration

Tide pool inspiration.
I found some new shells this week. I'm thinking new tide pool pendants next week?
I'll just need to make some lampwork sea life first.
xo

as simple as ABC

ABC burger (avocado, bacon, cheese)

ok, might not be the healthiest (I am on vacation after all) it was so good after a long walk on the beach collecting shells.

xo

Flying high...

xo

I'm not telling

 I didn't have the heart to show her the sign, she loves running on the beach. Luckily she has no idea she is a dog and everyone else thinks she is a rat on a rope, so we were safe.

Watching her dad in the distance collecting  moon stones.
xo

A Castle on the hill

The one room school house was for the Hearst Castle employees from back in the day. 

(Hearst Castle sits on the hills up on the right hand side)
If you are ever driving up the California coast, the castle is a fun tourist stop.  
xo

Some...

At least for this week.

Enjoying some cool salty air, some down time to relax, some walks on the beach, some good food.

xo

Ebelskiver

I have fond childhood memories of Sunday drives to Solvang, a little Danish town about 30 miles north of Santa Barbara. Sometimes we'd get these sphere shaped pancake like treats (called ebelskivers) served with raspberry jam and dusted with powder sugar.

Now that I have my own ebelskiver pan, I can get my ebelskiver fix anytime the mood hits me!

Plus, I love saying the word, ebelskiver...such a funny word!

xo

BTW {Bead Table Wednesday}

It's Bead Table Wednesday!

So what's on my bead table this Wednesday?

Lots of Halloween goodies.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to answer the poll about rings or bobby pins...it looks like I'll be making both!

xo

Foto Friday

New things added here and here too.

Enjoy your weekend!

xo

pluggin' along (and a question)

(photo of sold tide pool pendant)

I'm still pluggin' along making upcoming show beads.

I think I'm done making Halloween beads, now I'll need to make them into jewelry. Which I'm looking forward to.

Then I'll start on Christmas goodies. I had no idea how hard it would be to make things out of season. Making snowgirls when it's 100 degrees just seems wrong.

I did find a little extra time to make a couple Tide Pool Pendants (just need to take a couple pics) I'll try and list them on my site soon. So keep an eye out if you'd like one.

Plus, the Dog Paddle set is ending today on Ebay.

I have a question for you.

I have a poll at the top/right of my blog.

As I'm making things for shows/my website store.

If you could only pick one, which would you prefer me to offer...Lampwork Rings or Bobby Pins?

Thanks! Hope you are enjoying your Summer. xo

Technique

Molly is still working on her stopping technique.Ouch

xo

Happy Friday and New Beads

Happy Friday!

Summer is in full swing here, warm weather, BBQ's and a little time in the pool. Thank God for audiobooks, otherwise there would be no time for Summer reads for me! I'm getting ready to start Lisa See's new one, Dreams of Joy. Have you read it?

I've been working on things for a couple upcoming shows, so I had to put a hold on special orders for now.

I was able to make another "Dog Paddle" bead set, which is on ebay if you'd like to take a peek. 

Hope you are enjoying your Summer!
I'm off for my daily walk (3 miles) before it gets to warm. 

xo

March 2012

The Movie is coming in a few short months (8 months to be exact)

Have you read the books yet?

I'm looking forward to seeing it.
xo

Happy 4th

Hope your 4th was a nice one!

Mine was filled with swimming, BBQ and fireworks.

xo

Design of the Month {July}

Happy July!

Really, where is the time going?

This month I picked a rainbow of colored Octopi for the Design of the Month.

Perfect for Summer pendants, earrings or as a center piece in a bracelet.

They are specially priced throughout this month.

You can order yours here.

Have a Happy 4th of July weekend!

xo