A Pretty New Pair of Earrings

Okay, don't laugh, it's pretty obvious I need to finish that table, but in the meantime here's a lovely pair of earrings that just happen to match an even lovelier necklace. Stop by my Simply Sheryl's shop for more details: Bird In Hand Earrings

Spiced Pear Syrup on a Why Not Wednesday

I was supposed to do a Tasty Tuesday share, but  it's obvious I missed that due to how crazy busy I get this time of year. Sooooo here's a recipe for Spiced Pear Syrup that's a delicious reason for why you should save your pear peelings and cores as you are canning. Make sure you have pint or quart canning jars sterilized and ready to fill and process.

Set up a big pot next to where you will be peeling and coring your pears. Make sure you wash your pears prior to doing this. As you prep your fruit for canning add all the peelings and cores that aren't buggy or rotted into the pot. When done fill the pot with water to cover the fruit scraps. Simmer until until everything is mushy, about an hour.
Take a colander and line it with cheesecloth. Put the colander over a large bowl and pour the fruit scraps into the colander. Let drain until all the juices are in the bowl. You might have to help this along by pressing your fruit pulp and moving it around in the colander. Don't be afraid to squeeze handfuls to get any extra juice.
Discard your scraps into your compost pile if you have one and measure your liquid. Pour into a large stockpot. For every cup of liquid add about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of sugar and 2 teaspoons of cornstarch, plus one tablespoon of lemon juice for every 8 cups. Add 1 teaspoon each ground ginger and nutmeg for every 8 cups of liquid. Stir to blend in the cornstarch and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Once thickened and hot pour into jars, wipe rims and cap with lids. Process for 20 minutes for pints to 30 minutes for quarts. This is a great way to use your fruit scraps without having any waste. The syrup is mild and absolutely wonderful over pumpkin pancakes. Any questions, drop me a line!

Happy Anniversary Honey!

We woke up to a cool and fresh morning, much like the one on our wedding day 12 years ago in Anchorage, Alaska. After having days and weeks of hot weather here, with no end in sight, the parched desert was drenched with torrential (isn't that a great word?!) rain. So this morning the air is clean, and the temperatures are what I would expect from a Labor Day weekend in Alaska.

It was a beautiful Saturday morning, the day we married, with the birch trees starting to show promise of the gold dressing they wear for Autumn. The skies were a vivid blue, with puffs of clouds here and there. A perfect Autumn setting, which I had always wanted, for the start of a new life together. We did it right, no living together first, or any of what goes along with that. We put our faith in God that we were doing the right thing, and he has helped us endure the challenges and grow stronger together. Our love has grown, because we have faith and trust in each other, and we like each other, along with loving each other. We made a promise to each other to be faithful, true and work together to have a happy life.

Here's to at least 12 more years together on this earth, and eternity to come. If that seems to be a short time to ask for, well, you never know what will happen, but the beauty of knowing that this life isn't the end for us is comforting. The knowledge that on August 31, 2002 we started our eternal life together is a blessing! I love you Kent. Thank you for asking me to be your wife.

Pear Perfection

We are in the car on our way to Heber Valley so my time here may be short, but I have to share some ways to enjoy pears this Autumn. I bought a box of pears from a friend at church in Oregon. On the way back to Utah I get this phone call from a sweet elderly woman who had more pears than she knew what to do with so I scored big time! Yay! The first box of pears are already on the shelf in the form of pear sauce, much like applesauce only yummier in my opinion. I also saved the peels and made spicy pear syrup for pancakes. Due to the battery getting low on my puter I will share the recipes with you on Tasty Tuesday, but I had to let you know I'm still here, just canning and painting and canning some more. Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Re-purposed China and Broken China Creations

 If you care about what goes into our landfills as I do, you probably look for ways to re-use or re-purpose a lot of items that might otherwise get thrown away. Sounds crazy to throw away a good plate, especially when you can re-purpose it and create something lovely for your home. How about turning the plate and an old candle holder that is sitting around not being used, into a nice jewelry tray or soap dish? That's just what I did, in knowing that it would look pretty on a dresser, or kitchen or bathroom counter. If you are interested in this piece you can find it here: Blue Delft Style Pedestal Dish

 I have become a collector of Memory Lane China by Royal. I love the red and white pattern, especially the oak leaf and acorn trim on each piece as Autumn is my favorite season. Unfortunately some pieces arrive with chips and or broken, but not to worry, I have used some in creating a mosaic top to an antique table, and am now creating jewelry with some of the pieces.

This piece is also available in my Simply Sheryl's esty shop here: Autumn Cascade Pendant Necklace

What do you do with broken or lonely dishes?

Hearts a Bloom

 I'm having so much fun re-purposing broken china and flatware! As I continue to get ready for Chief Joseph Days, which is this week, eeeeK! I have windchimes and jewelry bits and pieces all over my dining room and laundry room.

Luckily Nature Guy has been visiting his sons so I have been free to create away. If you happen to live in the NE corner of Oregon, come on over to Wallowa County for the happenings this week. You won't be dissapointed! LEt me know if you are a visitor to my blog and I will give you a 25% discount on any purchase.
This necklace, created using copper elements and pearls to complement the colors of the pendant, will be available at my booth, unless someone let's me know they are interested otherwise. I hope you have a happy and creative Monday!

Broken China Jewelry Pendants

 There are such nice people here in Wallowa County! I happened to post some broken china pendants I've created on my Mother's Dream blog, and on Facebook, and a sweet lady asked me if I wanted some pieces she found in her backyard while digging out sage brush. Score! It was with great trepidation that I took hammer to china.

 Thankfully I got a few useable pieces for jewelry. The scraps will be used for mosaics so all is not lost. I haven't finished grinding the edges on all the pieces I did get, and I still need to drill holes and seal the edges, but here are a few of the pendants I'm getting from pieces parts my friend gave me, as well as some from some of my own dishes that have taken a hit, literally.

No, I don't just randomly break my dishes, but if they become too chipped or cracked, then they are fair game. Sometime in August, when I'm back in Oregon we are going to dig out more sagebrush and see what's in the stash. I was told that the area my friend is cleaning out used to be a local dump for these sorts of things, from a business that used to be around back in the day. There's also bottles and such to unearth. Who knows, we may find some real treasures that are worth something! I'm hoping, for her sake that is true!