Wolf's Den

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

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Audax Artifex was our January 2012 Daring Bakers’ host. Aud worked tirelessly to master light and fluffy scones (a/k/a biscuits) to help us create delicious and perfect batches in our own kitchens!




I didn't get to do this Challenge to the fullest this time around. It's been a rough month and honestly, this week really sucked. But I got to it at least once and these, while no where near perfect, are pretty darn tasty.



I made Maple-Cinnamon-Brown Sugar Scones. The Cinnamon and Brown Sugar came through really nicely, but the maple syrup not so much. I also got sidetracked and left them in the over a few minutes longer than I should have. So the outside was crispy while the inside was tender and chewy- rather how I like my scones, honestly.}:P



And they're pretty darn tasy with strawberry cream cheese too}:P

( THE RECIPES )

For that matter, neither is Ustengrav Barrow. Or the local wildlife. Or it seems, those who don't like Dragonborn.

I have a knack for making 'friends' in Skyrim, can you tell?

Overall, I'm thoroughly enjoying myself, even if I've never played any of the previous games. We have Oblivion for the PC- Mark plays it, and I borrowed it for the PS3 from the InLaws, but I've not actually played it or any of the preceeding games- there ARE preceeding games, yes?

After all, if Oblivion is The Elder Scrolls IV and Skyrim is The Elder Scrolls V, it stands to reason there was a I, II and III. Right?

Haven't picked a side (Imperial or Stormcloak). Though I'm now a 'Thane of Whiterun'. Go me? Heh. Something about killing a dragon, even though, really, it was mostly the other guys. So. Um, yeah.

Haven't gotten back into Assassin's Creed: Revelations yet. No particular reason.

Seems a small percentage of multiplayer people in ACR are really, REALLY unhappy with the MP that came with ACR, and it appears, back to ACB. Something about glitches, MP mechanics not working like they think they should, PC players getting content so much later than console players (really??? REALLY?? this is a problem that'll make you boycott the game??? Seriously? Most game developers don't make the bulk of their money off the PC version anyway, so no wonder they don't release them at the same time), etc.

Umm, it's a video game, there's going to be glitches. You either deal with them, don't play anymore or inundate the Dev team with emails asking when a patch is coming. But really? Boycotting the game after the creators already got your money? Seriously? Saying you're not going to buy the DLC- as if the game creators make any sort of significant amount of money off them in the first place (here's a hint- they don't.)?

I think this is a proper place for that good ol' phrase, 'First world problems'.

Me, I could care less, as I don't play Multiplayer, so therefore, they don't get money from my for MP DLC anyway. When the game itself stops being fun, glitches included, then I'll stop playing it and stop buying it. Until then, whatever. Hell, I've run into glitches in the 6 hours worth of playing in Skyrim already. It's to be expected. That's part of playing video games

Tonight I get the 'fun' task of setting up my new computer. Last night's attempt was an utter fiasco, as we couldn't find the disc for the photo program I use, and when Mark downloaded an updated version on his new computer, figured out that it will not work with Windows 7 anyway. So now I need a new photo editing program.

And reinstall all the other programs I use, set up all my quick links...

Yeah. Fun.

Well, did dishes, most of them.

Then made the Jan Daring Bakers Challenge.

Yesterday I did 40 minutes on the PS3 Move, and realized just how out of shape I am today as my arms, shoulders and back still protest even after 3 Motrin.

Friday we went to dinner at Carraba's and to a movie after- Girl with a dragon tattoo is quite good, well worth seeing even if you've read the books.

Sat I saw the resident hawk fly off with a rather large rat carcass and found where it had taken down its prey and disemboweled it. That was awesome. Haven't seen the rats since.}:P

Still haven't gotten back to playing Assassin's Creed: Revelations. No particular reason really, just haven't felt like playing.

Something that's been bugging me lately and I really shouldn't let it...

I sent Michael (my birth mom's brother who sent me that letter out of the blue right before Thanksgiving) and his family a Christmas card. In it I said I don't mind emails or letters but that's all I'm ready for right now.

And... nothing. No response back, no reciprocation of a Christmas card, zip, zero, zilch.

Friends I'd expect that of, but blood family? Even blood family I've been out of contact with for 33+ years? Not what I expected, I guess.

But it bugs me and I'm not sure why. I mean, the balls in their court now. I opened up the lines of communication, it's all on them.

Had a message from someone over on Ancestry.com, they'd signed up for the free 14 day trial to research their grandfather and got a notice that we were connected. Well, she couldn't figure out how.

Turns out her grandfather is my granduncle. Heh.

So now I have contact with yet another group of family members as well.

Shiny! New bathroom floor! We still need to get the rest of the old silicon off the front of the bottom of the tub and then put down new silicon aout the edge but the floor is done, including the shiny new transition plate in the doorway.

After we finish the kitchen, we'll be working on deciding on paint colors for the bathroom. Haven't even though about it yet. Then, working on the back bedroom- getting rid of the old corner desk, getting a new buffet, table and bookcase for it, after we tear out the carpet, paint and refinish the floor. THEN we can tackle the bedroom as we'll have a place to put the bed, dressers, and bookcases in there.

I expect by the end of next year we might be done. LOL.

So. This is the next beadwork project I had lined up to work on.



Except... it's not speaking to me.

You know how it goes. A project like this generally has a certain way it wants to be created. Well, this one apparently has decided to not talk to me.

In the meantime, while I wait for it to finally give up its secrets I work on these.



A couple steampunk themed brooch pins. They'll be listed by next week, as they aren't very big and have been relatively vocal in how they want to look. The bottom one in fact, has the backing and pinback in place and just needs finishing details.

Although, with as cold and dreary as it's been lately, I'm starting to think Caena has the right idea as to what to do with my time.}:P

Ok. Making a choice here.

Despite not being happy about the AF Assurance plan thingy- I still plan to opt out- I've worked too hard to just walk away flat out. So I guess, until I see it starting to affect my views and sales, I'll keep listing things here in the meantime. And promoting my Zibbet and Big Cartel shops more and more as well.

And just like that, as soon as I put the 2 cuffs and 1 necklace I had over on Zibbet and Big Cartel up on Artfire, double digit views. Ok, I might have twittered the links too, like usual. But still. THAT is why I stick around, honestly. If I avoid the forums which are turning into a bullying playground, and only read what I need to read to keep up with whatever new program I'm going to have to decide whether I want to opt out or in to, I should be ok.

I walked away from Etsy cold, selling wise and I definitely saw a change in views, mostly for the better. But my sales didn't really increase either. So, who knows. I've yet to find a site that works better over the others yet. But I keep trying.