Rootin' Tootin Casserole

Had to share. I made a bean and broccoli casserole this weekend. It was my own creation.

Use your favorite tomato sauce or use a 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes, add balsamic vinegar, garlic and oregano to the tomato sauce. Spoon a layer of sauce the just covers the bottom of an 8 inch by 8 inch pan. (I like using Pyrex glass dishes). Place a layer of no-bake lasagna noodles on top of the sauce. Puree 12- 14 oz. of cooked beans; your choice of white, red, black and spoon the beans on top of the noodles. Place chopped broccoli, raw or frozen, on the bean puree. Top with another layer of noodles. Pour the remaining sauce over the entire casserole. Use 6 oz. of grated, part-skim mozzarella cheese to top the creation. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30-40 min.

So yummy you would not believe! The broccoli and beans do make for a fragrant household. Great with a glass of Merlot. Enjoy!

Black and Moonstone

This is the bracelet that coordinates with the moonstone earrings. The chain is brushed aluminum with black resin beads, moonstone beads and silver accents held together with silver wire. The clasp is silver plate. The chains hangs below the beads giving the bracelet a draping effect on your hand.

There was no marker for his grave

Sounds a bit depressing doesn't it? No marker for a burial site. Who am I talking about? The larger than life figure, John Henry. Do you remember the story of the folk hero that was pitted against a machine to dig tunnels out of mountains? That was John Henry. Some say he was a compilation of many men that worked in the mid-nineteenth century to lay railroad tracks and dig tunnels in the Blue Ridge mountains. One day, the men in charge brought in a machine that could dig tunnels faster than any man. John Henry took this as a challenge. He worked fervently without rest and proved to the railroad owners he could do the job better than any machine.

Many people have lost sight that people have a great deal to contribute. Machines can only do what people program them to do. Machines can't adapt to problems as well as a human being can. Sure, we can make robots that can lead orchestra's. What happens when the lead violinists' chair breaks? How would the robot react?

I am not against technology. I use a cell phone, computer, television and more items with circuit boards and semiconductors every day. Computers are a great boon. I am using one right now to reach many people. I can also write a letter and reach people. It costs more, but I can personalize each message.

The human touch is so vital.

Days are getting warmer

Temperatures rose into the seventies this week in the Midwestern United States. The trees are starting to bud and lawns are turning green. Can summer be far behind? (There's a rumor that we will have snow next week).

I was feeling in a summer frame of mind, thinking of warm breezes and ocean waters. A travel magazine had a spread on Puerto Rico, the lovely island jewel. Made me start to think of a necklace I would wear in that tropical climate. That's how the San Juan necklace came into being. While it was designed for the steamy days and salsa nights of the Caribbean, you can wear it to the beach or local grocery store. Let everyone think you bought the necklace on vacation. It'll be our secret.

Feather Your Nest

Feathers are so much fun. You can use them anywhere to lighten the mood. Take a look at this 11-1/2 inch pink feather boa wreath I made. It's girly, frisky and fresh. I have one in white on my front door.

Summer is coming - Rev up with RED

Red is such an exciting color. It's the color of passion and anger and true love. With summer so near, I made a pair of red earrings like the color of the sun warmed earth in Georgia. Maybe these earrings are a little deeper in color than the Georgia soil.

Red is the color of happiness and prosperity in China and may be used to attract good luck. Here's to rouge, scarlet, crimson, burgundy and all the other names for these fiery earrings.

Moonstone becomes you

Back again with more moonstone. This time it's earrings with sterling silver. So delicate and so spring-like. Great for those weddings and graduations we all attend at this time of year. (psst...look for a bracelet to match next week)

Fab Clothing Sites

What's a girl to pair all that jewelry with? Fabulous clothes, of course! I love to check out the newest styles and trends and adapt them to what works for me. Not every style looks good on a tall person...I can't wear the trapeze jacket (looks like my clothing shrunk).

I believe you should make your own style, but it's also interesting to find out if someone else shares your point of view. Here are a couple of my fav sites that I peruse on occasion.
The Budget Babe
The It Lists.
Now it's your turn. What fashion blogs do you visit? Leave a comment. I would love to hear from you.