Monday Musings

Today brought many plans and thoughts about making the most of the daylight.
Yet I had one of those days where my feet don't seem to move from the place I planted them, and all the ambition in the world is not enough to get to the stage of actually doing.
Tomorrow is a new day.

Shop Update Sneaky Peaky!

All these pretties will be heading into the shop starting at 10am PST Thursday Jan 27th!

Rosy Disposition Necklace
Sterling Silver and Laguna Agate

Rosy Disposition Ring Size 8.5
Sterling Silver and Mookaite

Cobble Stone Ring Size 8
Sterling Silver and Turquoise

Night Falls Ring Size 7.5
Sterling Silver, Rainbow Moonstone, Swiss Blue Topaz and Black Druzy

Story of a Lady Ring Size 8 3/4
Sterling Silver, Copper and Chalcedony

Plume Earrings
Sterling Silver and Mookaite

None of these have been claimed yet - so if you don't want to take your chances contact me about reserving a piece specially for you!

Dinner Dilemmas Solved :: Breakfast Edition - Best Bran Muffins

So first of all, yes, this is not a dinner recipe. When I started the series I had no intention of sticking to dinner dishes, but "Dinner Dilemmas" just sounded good LOL


These are the *moistest* Bran Muffins I have ever made, and the recipe has become tried and true for me. I normally make these with raspberries, cause I like them, but I was out so blueberries it was! I should mention as well that I only use frozen fruit, because rarely can I afford to buy fresh berries unless it is summer time and they are in season.


Oh, and you should also know, these are traditional non dessert like muffins. That means they have a very subtle sweetness, the muffins originally were. If you prefer yours a little sweeter, go ahead and up the sugar content, but my main goal with these is a satisfying breakfast accompaniment, or snack - not a sugar/fat bomb.




Bestest Bran Muffins

Ingredients:


1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups of wheat bran
1 cup skim milk
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1 egg
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups frozen berries {today I used blueberries, but raspberries are awesome!}
1/4 cup packed Spenda Brown Sugar Blend
 { if you can't find this, or don't want to use it then use 1/2 cup packed brown sugar}


Directions:


Preheat oven to 375F and spray muffin tines with non stick cooking spray.
In a separate bowl let bran soak in milk.


While bran mixture is soaking, mix egg, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and applesauce in a separate bowl. Add flour, baking soda and powder, salt and fold until combined { do not beat or over mix} 
Stir in frozen fruit until combined. Spoon evenly into muffin tins and bake for 20-25 minutes depending on how hot your oven is. Check my gentle tapping the muffin top to see if it bounces back.


Run a knife around the edges and remove muffins from pan to cool, then enjoy!



{PS for ladies doing WW, these are 2 points plus each!}

Monday Musings

You will find a hole in your work pants when you can't get to the store to buy a new pair.
Good thing you are quick with a needle.
Then you will get home to find the sole of your work shoes is cracked.
Once the store has closed again of course.

Then you will come home, and wonder when the day will arrive where this is your office.
The only place to check in to everyday.
Where your dreams takes form through metal and fire,
and you set your soul free.

It will come...

Shop Update - additions!

Also in todays shop update {commencing in 10 minutes!}

Tide Pools Ring Size 6
Sterling Silver and Turquoise

Fern Ring Size 6.25
Sterling Silver, 14k Gold and Freshwater Pearl

off to list them!

Each Lady Tells Her Own Tale...

I love antique jewellery - cameos and lockets. 

I always wonder about the silhouettes featured in them, 
so lady like and proper.
I wonder what story these lady's could tell if they were still around?
Would they tell me that they in fact were not so pristine and proper? 
Would they regale me with tales of cocktail soirees and glamourous happenings? 

Or perhaps they would smile a mischievous ladylike smile and keep me guessing?


The Story of a Lady Series have become near and dear to my heart. They start from a hand drawn silhouette, and each damsel takes their own unique twist after that. 


These two gals are going in the shop Thursday Jan 18th at 10am PST
{unless you would like to lay claim on one before then!}


Story of a Lady Ring size 7
Sterling Silver, Copper and London Blue Topaz

Story of a Lady Necklace
Sterling Silver, Copper and Freshwater Pearl

There will hopefully be at least one more piece for Thursday (but I am thinking more since my giant silver order finally arrives tomorrow!)
toodles,

Soaring and Rising Above

Sometimes, despite all that brings you down in this world there will be one shining moment that wakes you out of a foggy existence.

Yesterday, I had one of those days, were everything was a stinging reminder of what I haven't yet accomplished in my life. A cruel indication that the things I have waited so patiently for seem still so far away.

I got home from work, crawled into bed to sleep away the day, and then remembered I had snapped these shots just as the sun was going down :





Ever changing clouds scattering through the sky. Each gone as fast as they came, but leaving the prettiest patterns while doing so.Little reminders of what was, what is, and what COULD be.Soaring, rising above - that is something I can do.I can take painful moments in stride, knowing I will move on, I will grow stronger.I will get where I am headed, but while I may not always like the journey there, it is part of the Story of Me, and who I am.

New Catalog Items!

It has been oh so long since I was able to show off some new items for the Made to Order Shop. I created a few back in November when I was preparing for my art show, but life got ahold of me, and I am just listing them now!

All of these are made to order, and I have been adding them to www.bellabijoutoo.etsy.com over the last day - they should all be in there by later this afternoon.

Dew Drop Necklace
Sterling Silver and Amethyst

Dew Drop Necklace
Sterling Silver and Rhodolite Garnet

Dew Drop Necklace
Sterling Silver and Swiss Blue Topaz

Fern Barrette
Copper

XOXO Studs
Sterling Silver

Zuni Barrette
Copper

Budding Stems
Sterling Silver

Daisy Chain Stems
Sterling Silver

Tartan Earrings

Sterling Silver and Copper

These last ones are made in memory of my grandfather, who would have been 80 yesterday. Channelling my Scottish Heritage through him and thinking my fieriness must surely come from him :-)