Oh! And new items to share...

Here are a few new things going up in my Etsy shop. I hope to get them all posted tonight. I really want a packed shop in anticipation for the holidays coming up. I will also post my holiday code for discounts and let you know the scoop on that in the coming days...

Vitamin D in Sedona

Hubby and I decided to take a quick weekend getaway to Sedona for some much needed Vitamin D before the Pacific Northwest winter really takes over. We got back last night and our trip was fantastic. The SUN was fantastic. Indescribably beautiful in Sedona. Pictures just don't suffice, but I will share some anyway :). Even though the airline lost our luggage for a full day (we were only there 2...) we had a great time. Our room at L'auberge was crazy! A little cottage with an outdoor shower and sunny deck. We got a great deal on the room since they are doing renovations, but we didn't even notice. For just being there a couple days, we did and saw it all!

Our absolute favorite thing was our trail run up Broken Arrow trail to Submarine Rock. I was a little worried about the altitude, but trail running is so fun and it was so gorgeous, I didn't even notice if I was tired or not. Of course I didn't have my camera with me since we were running, but I don't think I'll ever forget the views.

I have to say I am happy to be home. Normally, I want to stay wherever we vacation for...well, ever. I missed good food though!! Southwest cuisine is not my thing. Burgers everywhere! Fried this, fried that, green peppers and onions on everything. Every place we went had an identical menu. I finally found fresh halibut from Alaska the last night and was pretty happy. What a food snob I am. Now it's time to detox all the grease out of me...

Enjoy the photos!

Weekend Deals on Etsy - Buy one, Get One!

Gosh, I feel so car salesman-y.... But, I am holding a Buy One, Get One Free sale in my Etsy shop this weekend. For every item you buy, you get these earrings free. Just enter "weekend deal" in the "Notes to Seller" during checkout. So, get some holiday shopping done!

There are TONS of Etsy sellers doing the same all weekend long. Click Here for just a sample. You can also search "weekend deals" on the home page and get a ton more results of shop owners offering Buy One, Get One deals.

Have a great weekend!

Quiet night...

Well, a super busy week came to an end...all the family is gone - even my hubby is gone out of town. So, it's just me and the dogs and a seriously delicious dinner. I thought I would treat myself to a bit of a naughty dinner tonight...butternut squash pasta with brown butter. A couple weeks ago, hubby and I went to a little restaurant, La Medusa, and had a delicious dinner. I had a pumpkin pasta and just had to try and recreate it. Now, I'm no recipe writer, but I will do my best....

BUTTERNUT SQUASH PASTA AND BROWN BUTTER

Ingredients

1/2 butternut squash

1 shallot - diced

1 clove of garlic

small handful of sage leaves

dash of nutmeg

2/3 cup of ricotta

1/3 cup yogurt

Olive oil

salt and pepper

2 TBSP butter

pasta sheets

freshly grated parmesan

Directions

Preheat oven to 425

Peel the butternut squash and cut into small bite size pieces. Toss with a little olive oil and salt and pepper and roast for about 30 minutes.

While the butternut squash is roasting, saute the shallot and sage leaves for about 5 minutes, adding the garlic at the last minute or so. Cook your pasta according to the package. I used lasagna sheets, but I would have liked to use fresh pasta sheets. They are shorter and wider and just seem cooler. However, if you are less lazy than me, you could make ravioli too.

Stick the shallot mix and butternut squash in a food processor and add the ricotta, nutmeg and yogurt. Puree and add salt and pepper to taste.

Put the butter in a saute pan on medium to medium high for a few minutes until it starts bubbling and turns brown.

Place a couple pasta sheets in a bowl and add some of the squash mixture. Top with the brown butter and parmesan. Enjoy.

New Goodies!!

I've spent the last couple days making bezels, setting stones, filing, sawing, polishing...Whee! So, here they are....Look for these new goodies in my Etsy Shop in the next couple days. I will hopefully have time to post them super soon. More jewelry tomorrow and a super fun weekend coming up. My mom will be here and it's my sister's birthday, so lots of good stuff coming up!

Oh, and check out the pink Opal ring in the middle...remember that stone?? Oh my gosh, I am in love with it...

Studio Song

So, the White Denim album "Fits" just came out today - so now I can finally download my new favorite song - "Regina Holding Hands" - perfect for a day in the studio. Go ahead and take a listen - make sure to give the song 1 minute and 20 seconds and you'll fall in love...

I'm hoping to take some photos of all the goodies I've been working on in the next couple days...so keep your eyes peeled for those on my blog and in my Etsy Shop. Then, Thursday my mom comes for a visit - Hi Mom! (She's the only person who reads my blog, I think :). A good couple weeks coming up...

New stone setting projects

Ooooo...here are a few fun stones. I've been working on a few of them already. The big pink one is actually an Opal from Greece. I got it from a guy who got it from THE guy who found it and cut it in Greece. You will be surprised when you see what I'm doing with it...Oh, I love it! Then there are 3 Labradorite stones (1 bigger and round and the other 2 smaller and square), a Peruvian Opal - the triangular shaped one and then a Chrysoprase. It will be fun to show you what I do with them all! Wheeee!