Jan. 1st, 2020

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Dante's Spirit- Hand dyed silk scarves, Handcrafted beadwork, and more.. All Unique/OOAK.

Dante's Spirit at 1000Markets- Handcrafted beadwork and handcrafted chainmaille pieces, all OOAK

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Feb. 9th, 2010

[No Subject]

WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST WEDNESDAY. SNOW WILL CONTINUE THIS MORNING BECOMING MIXED WITH SLEET BY MIDDAY. 3 TO 5 INCHES OF SNOW AND SLEET ARE EXPECTED. STRONG GUSTY WINDS LATER TONIGHT WILL ALSO PRODUCE BLOWING SNOW AND WIND CHILLS AROUND ZERO ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS.

We have roughly an inch already. It stopped for a bit but just started up again. Mark just left for work. He says if he starts having too many problems, he's turning around. I can't say I blame him.

I need to go shovel the drive out sometime this morning, before we get the sleet, which will make it impossible to do.

I am so over the snow now.

Feb. 6th, 2010

After the snow...



Pine tree and white Oaks in backyard, still relatively snow filled after nearly 2 days of nonstop snow.

It's nice to actually see brilliant blue sky after nothing but grey for days on end.

Larger on my DA page.

Feb. 5th, 2010

Snow, snow and more snow...

It started out as sleet early this morning. By 545am, the snow plows were out, and woke me up. Around that time, it'd switched over to snow and hasn't stopped yet.



My poor Buddeleia (Butterfly Bush) is breaking under the weight. This is a wet, heavy snow. Early this morning, it was near whiteout conditions.



We took a walk earlier this afternoon, just down the road and back again. Our road hasn't been plowed at all. People are parking at the bottom of the hill, for which, I can't blame them. The bank was closed, many shops along the road in front of ours were closed as well.



Caena is in heaven. (Yes, that's her and Mark.) She loves the snow, can't get enough of it. She wanted to continue further when we turned back towards home. Snowplows are out in tandem- one on the center line, the other behind it on the outside line. But the snow's coming down so fast, it looks like they never plowed less than 15 minutes later.



The trees are covered with this heavy snow. I expect, many branches will be come down by the time this is all over. It looks pretty, but it's very dangerous, especially around the power lines.



We've had enough snow now. We've gotten more than Green Bay, Wisconsin, for crying out loud. It can stop any time. LOL. And we're supposed to get MORE on Tuesday and Weds. Those giant and numerous acorns this past fall weren't kidding when it they said it'd be a long, wet and cold winter. The trees were preparing for it.

Feb. 4th, 2010

[No Subject]


I have an Aries in front of me, wanting attention. I'm sitting here, staring out the window at the filled bird feeders, watching the sky get greyer and greyer.

Why yes, they are calling for more snow. That 9" we got last weekend, of which there's maybe 5-6" left, wasn't enough according to Mother Nature. They expect we'll get anywhere from 6" to 12"+, and get sleet on top of that.

I have 3 beadwork projects lined up on my desk. One already half finished, the other 2 not even started. And yet... I can't seem to summon the energy to even work on them.

I also have the Feb Daring Cooks Challenge pics to finish editing, an 'optional' recipe to do for it AND the Feb Daring Bakers Challenge to do. And yet... I can't find the *want* to do them right now.

I blame the weather. *nods sagely*

Feb. 3rd, 2010

Newest beadwork.

So far, I've kept the only New Year's resolution I've made- to finish at least one beadwork piece a month. I nearly finished this one the end of Jan, but ended up finishing it last night instead. The next project is already lined up and ready to go.



'Andromeda Ascending'
2 drop peyote stitch necklace
21" in length
Pendent- 2.25" wide x 4.50" long

* * * * * * *

'Andromeda Ascending' is a gorgeous 2 drop peyote stitch pendant featuring a stunning raku button by Lisa Peters Art on Etsy. The pendant itself is made from sterling silver triangle beads in 2 sizes, and matte iris 'E' beads in the fringe.

The actual necklace portion is made from hand dyed silk shibori ribbon by ShiboriGirl on Etsy. It has been wrapped with a single strand of the matter iris 'E' beads and the larger sized sterling silver triangle beads, then stitched into place with more triangle beads.

The beaded end caps are again made from the triangle beads and 'E' beads, then topped off with a sterling silver 'stardust coated' toggle clasp.

The entire beadwork has been hand beaded using 6lb Fireline for strength and durability.

The overall effect is one of lightness and looks delicate, yet anchored by a substantial pendant. Very easy to wear, and guarenteed to catch the eye of anyone who sees it.

See my Fan Page for purchase details.
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Feb. 1st, 2010

Dear Amazon, you screwed up. Big time.

So, if you haven't heard, Amazon and MacMillian Publishing are butting heads over pricing of eBooks for the Amazon Kindle. Amazon refused to either work with or accept any offeres put forth by MacMilliam. Instead, they opted to pull EVERY. SINGLE. MACMILLIAN. TITLE. from their stock.

That's EVERY book in print form.

Unsure as to how many books/lines that affects?

Here's a quick rundown-

Pan Macmillan UK is one of the largest general book publishers in the UK, with imprints including Kingfisher, Macmillan, Pan, Picador, Boxtree, Sidgwick & Jackson, Tor, Macmillan Children's Books, Young Picador and Campbell Books.

Macmillan USA is dedicated to publishing today's best writers and thinkers in all formats, encompassing the fields of literature, textbooks and academic publishing. The group includes the well-known individual publishing houses Farrar, Straus & Giroux, First Second Books, Henry Holt, Macmillan Audio, Palgrave Macmillan, Picador, Tor Books, Roaring Brook Press, St. Martin's Press, and the Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishing Group.

Pan Macmillan Australia is recognised as having one of Australia's most successful non-fiction lists. With a strong emphasis on biography, memoir, history, travel, sport and current affairs, the list blends commercial success with critical acclaim. Among other awards in 2007, Pan Macmillan non-fiction titles won the Australian Publishing Industry's Book of the Year and the Prime Minister's Prize for Australian History.


Their rebuttal and reasoning behind this?

Dear Customers:

Macmillan, one of the "big six" publishers, has clearly communicated to us that, regardless of our viewpoint, they are committed to switching to an agency model and charging $12.99 to $14.99 for e-book versions of bestsellers and most hardcover releases.

We have expressed our strong disagreement and the seriousness of our disagreement by temporarily ceasing the sale of all Macmillan titles. We want you to know that ultimately, however, we will have to capitulate and accept Macmillan's terms because Macmillan has a monopoly over their own titles, and we will want to offer them to you even at prices we believe are needlessly high for e-books. Amazon customers will at that point decide for themselves whether they believe it's reasonable to pay $14.99 for a bestselling e-book. We don't believe that all of the major publishers will take the same route as Macmillan. And we know for sure that many independent presses and self-published authors will see this as an opportunity to provide attractively priced e-books as an alternative.

Kindle is a business for Amazon, and it is also a mission. We never expected it to be easy!

Thank you for being a customer.


Yes, I know Amazon is replacing the pulled books, but there are still a lot of Authors I love to read that are NOT listed as of today because of this.

And while Scalzi says it so eloquently, it's too little, too late for me, as a fan, as a consumer.


I'm sorry, but no.

I've lost all respect for you as a company, Amazon, when you decided, in a pique of temper to remove all titles by MacMillan that are in current PRINT, not ebook format.

That doesn't hurt the publisher, that hurts the AUTHORS. Authors that I dearly love their works. Authors that I regularly read the journals of. This hurts THEM, not MacMillan.

I will not pay ANYTHING for an ebook. I would rather spend that money on an actual, hold in my hands, BOOK that I know will benefit the author in terms of royalties. A real book that I will not lose if my computer suddenly decides to crash, or my external drive happens to fry itself. A REAL book that, if I so chose, I can take to a used bookstore and trade in for another REAL book.

Because of your petulant actions, because you chose to hurt the AUTHORS in your pulling of all the print titles, I will choose not to spend my money with you ever again.

Yes, I need to have my Amazon account for my 1000Markets shop. But that money in that account will NEVER be used to purchase anything through you again.

You have shown me that all you care about is your bottom line. Not the consumer who might have been looking for a particular title you arbitrarily pulled. Not the Authors who books are now no longer available in print form through you because of your temper tantrum.

Therefore, I will show you exactly how much I do care about those books and those Authors and spend my money elsewhere.

Hopefully, more will see what you are doing is only hurting hardworking Authors, not the publisher and most certainly not YOU.

Jan. 31st, 2010

Hee.

Mark says he hates me.

Why? Because I made evil cookies last night & he says I'm forcing him to eat them.

I told him I could make the rest of the cookies today (I made 1/3 of the dough into cookies last night) & he could take them to work, but then he'd have lots of other people wanting to marry me for my evil cookies.

He said 'NO! MY EVIL COOKIES! NO ONE ELSE CAN HAVE THEM!' LOL.

But then, he made me breakfast too. And says I only took the photo to humor him, cause he kept saying, I made it pretty.

True, I may have taken the photo to humor him, but I'm posting it cause I want to. So there.



He made me an omelet with feta cheese, sauteed mushrooms and red onions, topped with more feta cheese and fresh parsley. With leftover grilled flat iron steak slices on the side. It was yummy.


I think I'll keep him. *nods sagely*

Jan. 27th, 2010

Today is officially fired.



This was my lunch. Pan fried catfish mixed with jasmine rice. Leftovers from last night's dinner. I went to set it down on my desk and... ended up dumping it instead as it decided to lep from my hand. Yeah.


Then I went upstairs a little later. When I took a shower this morning, Max had jumped up to the bathroom sink, using the toilet. So I closed the lid, because he's not the most graceful cat and I didn't want him falling in. Well, when I opened the lid again, the same side that broke 6 months ago, resulting in replacing it, broke again. Yeah.

Fired, I tell ya.




This is the little not-quite-feral black kitty. Don't let the photo fool ya, she's a lot smaller than this. MAYBE 3lbs if that. MAYBE 5-6 months if that. And she needs a home. Currently, she's sleeping in my dye bucket that's between the house and the outdoor A/C unit and covered over with leaves. Stuck my hand in there last night, sucker's warm when she's curled up in it!

But, she can't stay in my backyard forever. Caena wants to play with her too much. We can't keep her- Max hates her just from seeing her through the window and wants to beat her up, and our lease forbids it. So need to find her a home. And get her spayed.

She's gorgeous. Solid black with a single white hair on her chest. Deep antique gold eyes. And very, very playful.

Daring Bakers Jan 2010- Nanaimo Bars, Gluten Free

I have a migraine. Going on day 4. I'm out of excedrin. So for now, until I can focus enough to finish editing my photos, you get this.



I will say, these are damn delicious, even if they are a bit rich.}:P

I'll have my 'real' post up shortly, I hope.

The January 2010 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Lauren of Celiac Teen. Lauren chose Gluten-Free Graham Wafers and Nanaimo Bars as the challenge for the month. The sources she based her recipe on are 101 Cookbooks and www.nanaimo.ca.

Recipes here. )

Jan. 26th, 2010

Newest beadwork- see? I told you a better post was coming.





'Winter Blooms'
peyote stitch beadwork cuff
1.75" wide x 9" long

Fits wrists 7"comfortably loose, 7.5" comfortably snug

* * * * * * *

'Winter Blooms' is a handmade beadwork cuff in single drop peyote stitch, using Czech glass seed beads in 4 shades of blue and 1 white.

It features a gorgeous handmade ceramic button by Veronica Buttons, in gorgeous shades of blues, as the clasp, which allows the cuff to lay completely flat against the back of your wrist with minimal slipping to either side.

This gorgeous beadwork piece has been completely handbeaded using 6lb FireLine for strength and durability. The edges have all been double stitched for added durability as well as adding a slight bit of stiffness to the overall cuff.

See my Fan Page for purchase details.}:)
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Jan. 25th, 2010

Depressive post is depressive.



You know, I'm so freaking tired of thinking maybe, just maybe, we're finally ahead of the game, and can actually think about making plans to actually do things.

Yeah, silly me.

We'd been talking about going to DC in March. Both to see friends and go to the Smithsonian.

Yeah, well, reality reared it's ugly head and said, nu-uh! You won't be able to afford it, watch! (Sorry Morlith)

So tired of everyone trying to gouge everyone else and us getting stuck in the middle with the damned bills.

Let's see...

Need to get Caena in for her 6 month check up and get more heartworm prevention meds.

Need to get Max back in to see if he's healthy enough for maybe at least his rabies shot (I think he is, but I'm not a vet).

Need to get Aries in to get his shots updated.

Need to get the car inspected, which means we need the brakes looked at AGAIN, to find out why they're screeching when we just had them done a few months back.

Got a 100.00 gas bill today. Yeah. And I keep the house at roughly 70 degrees in here.

Got a statement from the City claiming we owe them 55.00 in property taxes on the truck- that I PAID 2 weeks ago. The same truck that should have been taken OFF our records LAST JUNE, which I was TOLD had been. Yeah, not happy.

Mark's parents are coming back down the end of next month for the BiL's and niece's birth days, which means we have to buy birth day gift cards.

Somehow, need to find SOMEONE who will give the black kitten outside a good home, so I'll stop worrying about her when it's pouring out. (Fool cat likes to sleep in the leaves right outside the back door now. Shelter? Pfft, what's that, human? )


Just so tired of finally getting ahead and getting knocked right back down again.

Don't worry, there's a better post coming.
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Jan. 24th, 2010

[No Subject]

NWS reports: Flash Flood Warning in the Roanoke area. Monitor local TV & radio stations for the latest info.
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1053 PM EST SUN JAN 24 2010

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
CITY OF SALEM IN WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA
CITY OF ROANOKE IN WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA
CITY OF BUENA VISTA IN WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA
BOTETOURT COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA
CITY OF LEXINGTON IN WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA
ROANOKE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA
ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL VIRGINIA

* UNTIL 445 AM EST.

* AT 1050 PM EST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
VERY HEAVY RAIN OVER THE WARNED AREA.

* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO
ARCADIA...GALA...GLEN WILTON...NATURAL BRIDGE...GLASGOW...
COLLIERSTOWN...BUENA VISTA CITY...LEXINGTON CITY...CORNWALL...
ROCKBRIDGE BATHS...FAIRFIELD...GOSHEN...BROWNSBURG...VESUVIUS AND
BELLS VALLEY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 3 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE WARNED AREA.

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS...HIGHWAYS AND UNDERPASSES. ADDITIONALLY...COUNTRY ROADS AND FARMLANDS ALONG THE BANKS OF CREEKS...STREAMS AND OTHER LOW LYING AREAS ARE SUBJECT TO FLOODING.

BE ESPECIALLY CAUTIOUS AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS HARDER TO RECOGNIZE THE DANGERS OF FLOODING. IF FLASH FLOODING IS OBSERVED ACT QUICKLY. MOVE UP TO HIGHER GROUND TO ESCAPE FLOOD WATERS. DO NOT STAY IN AREAS SUBJECT TO FLOODING WHEN WATER BEGINS RISING.

PLEASE RELAY ANY REPORTS OF FLOODING INCLUDING MUDSLIDES...OR ROAD CLOSURES TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG BY CALLING TOLL FREE...1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4. DELAYED REPORTS ARE WELCOME.

*** WE ARE NOT IN A FLASH FLOOD AREA. I REPEAT, WE ARE NOT IN A FLASH FLOOD AREA. WE ARE SAFE.***
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Jan. 14th, 2010

Jan 2010 Daring Cooks Challenge- Pork Satay with Peanut Sauce

The January 2010 DC challenge was hosted by Cuppy of Cuppylicious and she chose a delicious Thai-inspired recipe for Pork Satay from the book 1000 Recipes by Martha Day.




Can I just say Yum?

I did two different meats for this Challenge- the specified Pork, and one other. Both came out delicious.

Now, I know, and you know, this is NOT an authentic recipe, ok? Just so we're clear. Cuppy made no bones about this being 'westernized'.}:P In fact, she even states that it is very British influenced. Huh. I wouldn't know, having never had Satay before. I really need to remedy that one of these days... oh wait... ok, authentic Thai Satay.}:P

More! )

Jan. 11th, 2010

Interesting times we live in...

So I received my first ever 'Cease and Desist' letter today, from a law firm in Connecticut-I confirmed it was legit- demanding that I remove a blog entry I posted pertaining to an email I received that requested the information within be disseminated as far and widely as possible.

Said entry was originally posted in May of 2009, and had several comments, anonymous mind, confirming various parts of what the email contained.

As per the C&D letter, said entry has been removed.

However, I am rather struck by the fact that despite numerous confirmations, both here on the entry, and by the person who sent the original email, that the supposed truth has been buried so deeply that people are willing to believe anything.

Then again, it's also possible that money talks.



By the way, this is why I log IPs.

Jan. 6th, 2010

As promised- my Mom's Capt Crunch Crack- I mean, Candy.




Growing up, my mom would make a bunch of different candies and baked goods to hand out to the neighbors every holiday season- fudge, spiced nuts, cookies, etc. But her Capt Crunch Candy was the one that just stuck with me even long after I moved out.

Although, somewhere, I still have the box she wrote her spiced nuts recipe on right before shipping it to me in Okinawa.}:P

Now, she doesn't make candies and cookies to give out to the neighbors anymore. Mostly because the old neighbors are all gone, but also because there's no kids at home to run the plates of goodies through the snow to the neighbor's door.}:P

This has become a yearly staple for me, along with the German Lebkuchen, and it gets handed out among friends, family and Mark's co-workers every holiday season now.

Not much about it has really changed from Mom's version. I did add chocolate chips a few years back and it was so well received that I've done that ever since.



1 largebox of regular Capt Crunch cereal
1 12oz container of spanish peanuts, any brand will do
2 12oz pkgs of butterscotch chips
2 12oz pkgs of peanut butter chips
1 12oz pkg of chocolate chips
1 10oz bag of mini marshmallows

In the largest bowl you have, mix 1/2 of each- the box of Capt Crunch cereal, the marshmallows, the spanish peanuts and the chocolate chips. Set aside.

In a double boiler, or a glass bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water if you have no double boiler, melt one bag of each- the butterscotch cips and the peanut butter chips. If ysing the bowl on pan method, be careful not to let any steam or water get in the chips.

Once the chips are thoroughly melted, quickly pour over the cereal, marshmallows, etc mix and stir, gently, until well coated.

Turn out onto waxed paper, and spread out into one layer. Do not smash, just gently push until it's all in one relative layer. Let sit to set up again. Once the coating has set, break the candy into pieces, however large you desire. (Mom used to do spoonfuls and make it that way. I found it tended to take too long, so spreading it out was quicker.}:P) Store in ziploc container or other airtight container. Can be frozen for up to a month, or refridgerated for a few weeks. It's best is eaten while chilled. And even better when fresh.

Repeat with rest of cereal, marshmallow, peanuts and chocolate chips, then melt other bags of butterscotch and peanut butter chips, and repeat until all candy is made.

Makes A LOT. So share with friends, or hoard it yourself. }:P

Jan. 1st, 2010

2009 Book list

Italics are books currently being read...

Lists Lists Lists... )

December-

42- Heir to Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier
43- Saint Olivia by Jacqueline Carey
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Dec. 30th, 2009

Povitica!

I do believe this is the best loaf I've made to date.



Recipe again, cause it's been a year since I last posted it...

Povitica (Croatian Sweetbread)

Sweet Dough:
1-1/2 cup lukewarm milk
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 eggs
1/4 cup soft butter
2 packages Active Dry Yeast
1/2 cup warm water
7-1/2 to 8 cups flour

1-2 Tbsp melted butter for brushing top of bread


Filling:
1 can evaporated milk
1 heaping cup sugar
2 sticks margarine
1-1/2 pounds pecans (ground fine)*
4 eggs
Pinch salt
1 teaspoon cocoa
1 teaspoon cinnamon



Sweet Dough preparation:

Combine warm milk, sugar, salt, softened butter, and beaten eggs. Dissolve yeast in warm water and add to other ingredients. Add half of flour, mix well until smooth. Add flour to handle easily. Knead dough on lightly floured board. Put dough in greased bowl, cover and place in warm, draft free place until doubled in size.

Punch down and let double again. Divide dough in three parts. Roll each part until very thin in rectangular shape. Roughly 24"-30" in length and 12"-14" wide.

Spread filling evenly over dough, roll and twist in circular shape like a snail or cinnamon roll, or roll up and coil, in 'S' shape for bread pans. Place in greased 8-inch or 9-inch cake pan, or stoneware bread pans. Cover, put in warm place and let rise.

Brush top of bread with butter, and rebrush at end of baking. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes.

Filling preparation:

In heavy pan, over medium heat, combine sugar, evaporated milk, and butter and heat just enough to melt. Add pecans, then beaten eggs, and mix well.

Boil one minutes stirring constantly. Remove from heat, add pinch of salt, cocoa, and cinnamon and mix well. Let cool till just warm enough to spread.

Yield: 3 loaves

* Ground walnuts can also be used. I even made some with strawberry cream cheese filling that was really good as well. so the filling is very versitile. It just needs to be able to withstand baking.

It refrigerates for several weeks, but only lasts a week if left out. Makes great toast, even french toast if you rolled it tightly enough to stay together well.

Dec. 26th, 2009

Daring Bakers Dec Challenge- Gingerbread House

The December 2009 Daring Bakers’ challenge was brought to you by Anna of Very Small Anna and Y of Lemonpi. They chose to challenge Daring Bakers’ everywhere to bake and assemble a gingerbread house from scratch. They chose recipes from Good Housekeeping and from The Great Scandinavian Baking Book as the challenge recipes.

To say I had... issues... with the recipe I chose to use (Y's Scandinavian one) would be a huge understatement.



Continue.... )

Dec. 24th, 2009

German Lebkuchen (Gingerbread)

Several years ago, my local newspaper did an article on a German family that lives here. They included a recipe for Lebkuchen that the lady of the family's ancestors had brought over from Germany.

It's perfect for those that don't care for molasses, great for eating as cookies, and even builds awesome houses. It's become a yearly holiday staple for me, as both my dad and my Father in Law love gingerbread.

Recipe! And pics! )