a few more baubles ...

Marcel and me had a few more earring projects we wanted to finish on the weekend. These little birdies have been hanging around waiting for some inspiration so they could take flight.

Ceciley asked for something red so Marcel thought a little coral might look nice.

Looks like he was right. I added a little bit of red abalone to mine because it always makes me think of one of my favourite books, Island of the Blue Dolphins.

Then I reminded Marcel than in his rush to get Anne's present finished he totally forgot to make some earrings to go with the necklace.

Whew, he's all tired out from making so many pretties!!

new retro specs

Around two years ago, shortly after I moved into my new place, I broke my favourite purple glasses and completely lost my spare pair. Now I don't wear glasses all too often because I only wear them for distance, but I'm particular about them nonetheless and I considered my purple ones "perfect". I searched and searched for months for a replacement until I found Gafas on Queen Street.

I must have walked by it a million times and just never noticed. The outside storefront is quite narrow, but they pack a ton of wonderful glasses and sunglasses in this place. Tony helped me pick these Barton Perreiras - "DiPrima". I never thought I would choose brown, but I love them!

In fact, I loved them so much that when I realized I had some credits left over that I needed to spend, I thought I would just get the same pair in another colour. When I bought the first pair I had really been looking for a frame that was clear.

But Tony steered me in a new direction - Barton Perreiras again; this time "Halston".

 

 I know they're a bit cartoon-y, but I think they're fun!!

minor obesessions

Making earrings for me and my sister. I have a habit of getting hooked on a particular colour or type of stone when making jewelery. My last fixation was aquamarine, and that's still lingering, but I'm loooooving labradorite right now.

I finished the pearls above with some labradorite and I really love the shape and design of these. But then I lost one walking down Queen Street one day - sads, especially because the store doesn't have these anymore.

This is my attempt at a substitution but somehow they are just not as perfect.

But it seems that labradorite is a healthy minor obsession right now. Apparently it will help reveal my spiritual destiny and path, promote strength of will and a feeling of inner worth, and help combine intellectual thought with intuitive wisdom. I could really use all of that right now. Maybe I should make a few more things with it ...

making cookies with my sister

My sister and I lived together for many years on our own and for all of those years our cooking repertoire consisted of pasta and eggs - everything else was take-out or order in. Neither of us knew how to cook, so this is actually the first time we have made something together.

It's funny to me to see how we interact together. I've got the technical and instructional part down and then she makes it fanciful and creative. We're both good at both of those things but when we're together these are the roles we tend to take on - me being the bossy older sister and all.

Since I started making these cookies last year, they have become an absolute staple. They're super-easy to make and everyone loves them - enjoy!



Here's the recipe again:

• 1/2 cup sucanat (or brown sugar)
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter

• 1/2 cup smooth almond butter
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips or a bar of your favourite chocolate, chopped up
* you can add other goodies that you like in addition or instead

- preheat oven to 350 degrees
- mix dry ingredients together
- add nut butters and mix
- add egg and mix
- add chocolate chips (and/or other goodies) and mix
- drop dough in rounded balls onto greased baking sheet
- bake for 5-10 minutes, keep and eye on them as they can burn quickly
- let them cool for about 10 minutes so that they set and don't fall apart
- EAT, ENJOY! they are yummy with a glass of almond milk!

it feels like spring!!

I wore my spring coat yesterday and no hat, and I didn't even need my gloves!

Today is supposed to be warm too but maybe with a bit of rain to wash away all the dirty ice on the sidewalks.

I know it's not spring yet, but knowing that it is right around the corner is such a relief with lots of good things to look forward to.

Including my 40th birthday ...

dinner party for my sister - with the actual dinner

In case you were wondering how the lobster salad turned out, the last video did indeed show us triumphantly finding the perfect, and perfectly ripe avocados to serve it in. And if you would like to see how it turned out press play below:

 

And here's the recipe for the Lobster salad:

- 1 can lobster (tails & claws only)
- grape or cherry tomatoes*
- mini cucumbers*
- celery*
- red onion*
*all chopped very small

Dressing:

- juice from 1/2 a lemon
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- splash of grenadine or pomegranate juice
- salt & pepper

Serve in half a perfectly ripe avocado and enjoy!

Happy Valentines Day!!

To all of my beloved friends and family - Marcel and me, we luvs you all!!

And since I forgot to wish a Happy Lunar New Year, here are some sweet bunnies to make you feel loved.

Wishing you a day full of sweetness!!

belated jewelery

Marcel is a bit behind on getting Anne's birthday gift finished.

Last year he was much more on time so it's a good thing Anne decided to take a trip for her birthday and only just got back.

He decided to go with amethyst this time since Anne is kinda into purple right now, and he thought a larger stone would add some nice variety to her jewelery box.

He's added some lovely variegated fluorite as the accent. He really does have such good taste!

dinner party for my sister

When my sister was here I threw a little dinner party so she could meet the fine fellow and a few of my other boat friends. And to make it seem like summer, I wanted to serve the amazing lobster salad that Tim had taught me how to make.

Since I'm still kinda new to this whole cooking thing it could have been a disaster, particularly since i forgot to get avocados the day before. So we went to Kensington Market on a quest with fingers crossed ... 

glamour shots

One of the bonuses of having my sister come to visit is that there is someone to take some photos of me with Marcel!

Marcel is working on his sultry look.

And seems to have mastered the "over the shoulder".