For All Those Who Fight Everyday Battles

Kind of an unusual title for this posting. I made this bracelet for my cousin who just found out she has breast cancer. If you have been to my blog before, you'll know I made a ring called, "Count on Me" with a portion of the profits going to cancer research. Most of the items for sale supporting women's cancer research are in red or pink. My cousin likes the color blue. So, this bracelet is for you, Karie.

Here is the meaning of the colors I chose according to color-wheel-pro

Blue is the color of the sky and sea. It is often associated with depth and stability. It symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven.

Blue is considered beneficial to the mind and body. It slows human metabolism and produces a calming effect. Blue is strongly associated with tranquility and calmness. In heraldry, blue is used to symbolize piety and sincerity.

Purple combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. Purple is associated with royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. It conveys wealth and extravagance. Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery, and magic.

This Week Was About Chillin Out

Been pretty busy lately both personally and professionally. Time to chill this weekend. I started an earring project which you'll see later this week.

Summer is winding to a close. My garden is beginning to fade. The last of the tomatoes are ripening. I planted the traditional "Early Girl" and "Big Boy" varieties. I also planted two heirloom selections. One is called "Paul Robeson". It's a very dark red tomato that is almost purple/black in color. Juicy, but not gushy with a reasonable amount of seeds. That means that there some, but not enough to make you gag. Very pleased with this plant and saved some seeds for next year's garden. I've included the plant along with the other tomatoes. See if you can spot the heirloom version based upon my description. The other heirloom tomato plant was unremarkable. So much so that I would have to go out to the garden to check the name of the plant. Not memorable in the least.

Anyone who has ever spent a summer in the Great Lakes state in August or early September has heard the call of the cicadas. Not so much a call as a buzzing noise. The frequency seems to increase in direct proportion to the heat index. As the days and nights turn into a steamy swelter, the cicadas song fills the air. I don't know the sub-species or proper name for those that reside in Michigan, but I can show you a picture. Actually, it's a photo of a couple cicada shells the insects shed. I spotted several of the insect skins on a willow tree. They were stuck onto the tree from the base of the trunk into the branches. I found out they live in the tree and lay their eggs at the base of the tree. The young (pupa?) feed on the tree roots and eventually work their way into the tree branches. Wish I would have been able to get more photos but it was starting to rain and the camera isn't waterproof.

Hot Tomato Necklace

You will be looking like one hot tomato in this necklace! With five strands of beads and dangles, you will catch that certain someone's attention...in a good way. Designed for evening attire, this necklace is constructed of new and vintage beads. It simply sparkles in the light.

Theresa Necklace

This is one of my latest creations called the Theresa necklace. It's made of amber and citrine colored glass beads with silver findings. The beads are strung onto a black waxed cord and they dangle into the cleavage area. Looks great with a casual black evening dress.

Puppy on Patrol

Puppy is back on patrol...to rid the neighborhood of vermin and other pests. Turns out she had an inner ear infection. Squirrels and cats BEWARE!! Zoe is on the hunt again.

Puppy isn't feeling well

Puppy is having problems related to arthritis and her medication. She's usually very spunky. If you didn't know better, you would think she was four years old. In reality, she's much older. I would tell you how old she is, but a lady never likes to reveal her age.

She was having trouble standing and walking yesterday. We have an appointment at the veterinarian today. Maybe she needs different meds. We'll see.

Because of Zoe's issues, it may be a few days before my latest creations are posted on the blog. Hang in there, I'll be back soon.

Send your good wishes along for my dog's speedy recovery!

Got a Mani and Pedi

Over the weekend, I got my first pedicure. It was wonderful and so relaxing! My niece is 15 and has gotten manicures and pedicures since she was 12. I have some catching up to do.

The ladies that own the shop are from Laos. The told me that they are not Laotian, rather Mon. They are descendants of the Mongolian hill people. Many of the Mon are farmers and find cures for their maladies in the jungle. Interesting.

That's my history lesson for the day.

Simple Pleasures in the Summer Heat

While in line at Aldi Market today, shopping for tortilla's, I was talking to several customers. One woman commented on how the world is changing so much and it will never be the same.

This phrase stuck with me,"never the same." Wouldn't it be boring to have everything the same every single day. It would be like the movie, "Ground Hog Day." In the film the main character, Bill Murray, relives the same day over and over again. Sure it's scary dealing with change in life. Change is good (so are dollar bills). Change keeps our minds stimulated and who knows, maybe it even prevents diseases.

I wouldn't want to create the same jewelry all the time. I am constantly looking for new ways to put beads together, using found materials and reuse treasures.

And yet, there are constants in our lives; the heat of the summer sun, thunderous storms, noises of the crickets in the evening, kids running through sprinklers, the smell as you approach a stretch of sandy beach - clean and crisp.

My flowers are also a reminder of the simple pleasures. Not extravagant and always a delight to the senses.

Enjoy the day and be ready for tomorrow's adventure.

Pickles, pickles and more pickles

Homemade garlic dill pickles. Nothing better.

I made seven quarts of pickles on Thursday, with the help of my Mom. We used my Grandma's recipe. So good. According to her recipe, you must use kosher salt. If you are in a bind, you can substitute table salt, but it's not the same.

Just have to wait a couple months before taste testing the finished product. Fresh bread is a perfect accompaniment. Can't wait!

Thanks for the Beads

My friend Stacy gave me some beads for my birthday. I have been busy creating jewelry with them. This choker is the latest installment. I call it the Stacy necklace. Wonder why...

The beads are stranded on three separate lengths of filament for a varied appearance. The clasp is magnetic.