Vacation Teaser and a Meal Plan

I know I've promised you pictures from the vacation, but right now that's a bigger task than I need to undertake today. As per me, I used three different cameras to capture shots over the last week and am working on getting them all loaded and edited before I can share. So, please hang in there and I'll get them posted as soon as possible. For now, here's a teaser from one of the most magical places ever.

Hogwarts Castle at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

I swear that catching up from vacation takes twice as long as the vacation itself. Even though we came home a bit early, I didn't allow myself to complete any usual household tasks (except cooking and the dishes.) As such I still have to unpack, wash clothes, put away miscellaneous items, upload and edit all those photos, catch up on my blog reading, and all the other normal chores. I wish I could just wave my wand (of course I scored one at Ollivander's) and have it be done. Instead, I'm playing catch up.

This morning, I knew my main chore was to get a menu plan made and grocery shopping done since we had minimal food in the house. I'd REALLY like to make it into the craft room at some point, but considering that it's almost 3pm, that goal may not be achievable today. Sigh! Of course, once I get this post done, I may forge ahead and really work to get as many chores done as I can so that I can spend lots of time in there tomorrow. Here's hoping!

For now, let me go ahead and show off my menu plan for the week since it is Meal Plan Monday. I encourage you to visit the other blogs linking up at I'm an Organizing Junkie today.

Breakfasts: Cereal, breakfast burritos, muffins, bacon and cheese muffins, waffles, omelets

Lunches: Bean burritos, ham sandwiches, tuna noodles, calzones, soup/grilled cheese, leftovers, ham/cheese quesidillas 

Dinners: Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta, Pork loin (w/ yellow rice & broccoli), Taco Soup, Grilled Pork chops (w/gilled veggies, field peas, & rice), Crockpot chicken (w/potatoes and green beans)


I was also able to check "List new item in shop" off my to do list today as this quirky bracelet was added.

Mechanical Breeze Bracelet

Now let's see what else I can accomplish in what's left of the day!!

Yum in the Sun

Yesterday was good enough to eat, and boy did we eat well.
It was a day spent next to the pool smoking a Boston Butt (which we affectionately refer to as smoking an ass)




Some corn was also roasted on the grill for a corn and tomato salad.




It made for one heck of a glorious ending to the day!




This has been a wonderfully relaxing vacation so far, and it's just the beginning. I'm looking forward to the rest of it! We're leaving this morning to head out. We now have a hotel reserved in Orlando for two nights. I guess we'll se what kind of trouble we can get into there. For now, it's time to pack up and hit the road!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

I Heart Macro - Florida Vacation Edition

So far, the vacation has been an absolute blast.
We've spent an excessive amount of time in and around the pool, and that's where this shot was captured.


Do you know what it is? It's the limbs of a palm tree right where they meet the trunk. Dangerous-looking huh?

In all honesty, it's not a true macro shot as it was taken with my iPhone and edited into a close up. I do hope y'all will forgive me.

Now, back to it! Whatever IT may turn out to be. (most likely some more pool time!)

Head over to Lori's blog at Studio Waterstone for more I Heart Macro.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Vacation Time

Oh my bags are packed and I'm ready to go!

This week's been hectic as Pat and I have attempted to prepare for a vacation to destinations unknown.
We know where we're starting and are looking forward to seeing some good friends and spending time with each other. Of course, we may just end up back at home. I love the mystery, the spontaneity, the adventure!

As I stated earlier in the week, I don't know what my posting schedule will be like this coming week. Much like my vacation, there's no telling where this adventure will take me. I may not be able to post again until Monday the 20th. But, who knows.

It's almost about that time.
Later y'all!

Challenging Myself (BTW)

I'm trying to break out of my little shell of protection and anonymity little by little.

Blog Hops and Bead Table Wednesday have worked for me so far, but I still crave more.

This month, I'm working up to the Art Bead Scene Monthly Challenge.

As such, my craft desk this week is covered with the bits and pieces I'm sorting through and making to finally enter the challenge.

When I saw the June's inspiration piece, the colors just screamed at me "NOW'S YOUR CHANCE TO TRY." So, I'm trying. I'll share the completed piece with you when I get that far. For now, here's the screaming inspiration.

ABS June Challenge

Go to the Bead Table Wednesday Flickr Group for more eye candy.

Bead Table Wednesday

Since I'm still leading up to a vacation of sorts (unplanned and spontaneous as it is going to be), this will be the last item I list in the shop before vacation. 

Destinations Unknown Necklace

As well, a few items were placed ON SALE in the shop including this necklace (a favorite of mine.)

Secret Garden Necklace - ON SALE

I've got some plans for the rest of the day and need to be on my way.

Have a happy Hump Day!

Embroidery, Vacation, and a Meal Plan (kinda)

With a nice rain storm and the resulting power outage yesterday, I took the opportunity to do something creative that didn't involve jewelry or beads.

I didn't say a thing about buttons!

Yes, I broke out the embroidery thread, sat by the window, and went to town!!

I know I'm no wiz with the embroidery hoop, but I do find it meditative and therapeutic.

Perhaps I'll have more chances this week to finish this piece since our forecast looks like this.

I need to go ahead and mention before I forget that Pat and I will be taking some vacation time together starting this weekend. Of course, in true fashion, we still haven't nailed down what we want to do with that time. I'm going to go ahead and put the shop in vacation mode on Friday morning (even though we may end up staying at home), so if you want anything from there soon, you better go ahead and grab it. You know, like this new necklace.

Around the Globe Necklace

In related news, I'm not sure what my blogging forecast looks like during the vacation time. That all depends on what we decide to do I suppose.

With the upcoming vacation and a few other plans in the works, my menu for this Meal Plan Monday is minimal. I'm an Organizing Junkie has lots of complete and thorough menus over on her site. Here's a simple run-down of the meals I do have planned for us this week.

Breakfasts: cereal, bagels with peanut butter, breakfast burritos
Lunches: bean burritos, hot dogs, bagel pizzas, ham sandwiches
Dinners: ranch style chicken, pork chops with creamy mushrooms and dill, leftovers

I apologize for the actual lack of planning, but it seems as though something keeps springing up. Of course!

Right now, there's one of those storms-a-brewing. So, I better get off this machine before it's all out paparazzi flashing out there!

Mouth Watering Macro

My I Heart Macro post today is a little scattered (go figure.)

First, I want to let y'all know that I am still working on/contemplating getting the craft room reorganized and designed. I've got paint chips of the colors I like sitting around all over the house and even in my car. Since I won't be painting the walls, these are my color picks for the furniture and accessories.

What'cha think?

Secondly, Pat and I went to a the Tin Top Restaurant in Bon Secour. We happened to luck up and hit the place right at lunchtime when it was crazy packed. We sat at the bar and just chilled. Apparently, because of "our patience", we received a complementary half dozen of their "Dirty Dozen Oysters." 

Typically, I'm not much of an oyster-eater. However, these oysters that were baked, covered in crawfish sauce, ham, and cheese were DELICIOUS. I may be a convert!

There's lots more I Heart Macro going on over at Studio Waterstone

Soldiering on with Solder

While Pat had band practice here at the house last night, I decided to experiment with some glass pebbles, paper, and solder.

I don't know if I was just tired, if there's something wrong with my soldering iron, or if I just need to work on this technique a bit more; but the backs of my little bubble gems ended up looking like this. I finally I threw in the iron and exited the craft room for the evening. 

Yeah, I know. . .

So, this morning, I worked on trying to get the solder a little . . . prettier.

I even gave in to Pat's suggestion and tried filing down the bumps.

It helped, some.

In the end, I'm leaving them like this.

I think I'm going to finally break down and purchase some solder patina. Perhaps an aged look will enhance the flaws (you know, like magic!)

At least the fronts are kinda cute!

If you are more experienced with solder than me and have any suggestions, please PLEASE let me know!

I did accomplish getting another one of my favorite bracelets relisted.

Dainty Lady Bracelet

For now, I'll just trudge through the rest of the day and look forward to the margaritas tonight!

Happy Friday Y'all!!

The Heat is ON

When I got into my car yesterday afternoon to head to the craft store, the temperature gauge on my dash read 103 degrees. Let me repeat that in case you are hard of reading. It was ONE HUNDRED AND THREE DEGREES yesterday. It was only the first of June. The first day of summer is not for a few more weeks. . .OH DEAR!!!!

My grass looks like this

And, we've already had the air conditioning company out to check on the A/C

sigh. . .It's going to be a LONG, HOT summer.

At least I have some new craft supplies to keep me company as I hide away in the craft room.

New "Facets" from Tim Holtz at Michael's

Bezels

Colorful Shell Beads

Perhaps I can kick out some more new jewelry pieces.
Until then, here's another re-listed item.

Copper Calla Lily Earrings

If you can believe it, I'm off to make some steaming hot potato SOUP. Yup soup, I think the heat has already gotten to me.

Exploring Creativity this Bead Table Wednesday

I've definitely been all over the place in my creative pursuits lately.
This is quite obvious on my bead table where you can find evidence of collage and soldering.

As well, I tried out new clasp and stringing techniques by using some suede cord, making a loop, and tying on a button for the clasp. It works great and looks pretty with the other natural shell elements to this necklace.

Lastly, I decided to make an uber-girlie piece with a polymer clay cupcake pendant I made a few months back. So, out came the pink and purple seed beads.

That's as far as I've gotten today because I'm hoping to get some shopping done before I head to Mobile to help with the nieces. I'm sure there's a ton more creativity happening on other Bead Tables this Wednesday!

Bead Table Wednesday

In other news, I spent some time yesterday taking pictures and editing photos, but haven't quite gotten to writing up the descriptions. However, I wanted to make sure I put something 'new' in the shop. Sooooo, I re-listed an item that I loved which never sold. And, I even brought the price down some too.

Happy Wish Bracelet

In addition, this went on sale.

25% Off - Naughty or Nice Necklace

With it being the first of the month, I decided to change up the blog header. (You might even recognize that bracelet as my previous blog header picture.) With the onslaught of summer, I went with a beachy picture. I'd love to know how you like it!

Working It

How was your Memorial Day yesterday?
Did you get to enjoy a long weekend?

Since Pat was off, we took the opportunity to head to the beach.

Of course, in reality I was still working as I dog-earred magazine pages with jewelry design aspects I really liked.

Today, I went through those pages with my trusty Sharpie pen and wrote in more specific notes about what it was I liked about the designs.

Well, I did that AND caught up on some chores, some picture taking, and some jewelry making.
Today became my Monday and what a Monday it was!
How did you survive the long holiday weekend and the catching up it created?