So, there was a day I was bored this weekend...

and I decided to make some jewelry.

Gasp!

Can you believe it?????

Here's what I made.

I've been wanting some bangles,

so I made two of them!

I love them! 

They are very eclectic.

Are you prepared for the Journey of Hope?

That's the name of my first bangle.

I don't have many of my lampwork beads with me, so I had to take apart a couple of projects.

That's okay.  I do like this bangle.

The spoon pendant says, "Hope."

The copper piece says "Journey."

I love to wear it!

It makes me think about the journey our family has been on this year.

This bangle is just a fun collection of "junk," odds and ends.

It's my Scrappy bracelet,

just bits and pieces put together for fun.

I never thought I'd use the left overs like this, but I'm glad I did.

I wear this bracelet 24/7.

It's a love knot bracelet with small "rosettes" to join the knots.

I don't have my liver of sulphur with me, so I am wearing this bracelet to help it develop a beautiful patina.

Last, but not least, is this necklace.  People look at it and then look at me when I wear it.

Minnesota is very conservative, and, to be perfectly honest,

it looks much better in person than in a photo.

I don't think I'm finished with it yet, but I don't know what to add.

I'll have to see.

I am enjoying it.

The only thing I didn't make are earrings.

Do you know, that in a year and a half, I have sold one pair of earrings?

I don't get it.

I thought I made cute earrings, but no one else seems to think so.

I think that my next challenge will be that:

make cute earrings that will sell.

I think I had better get to work on that task now.
I'll be taking a journey of hope with that idea, too.

Let Freedom Ring!

We are Blessed!

I Heart Macro!

So,

yesterday Jenny and I went to the dog park again with Pixie!

I HEART MACRO!

Red Berries and Green Leaves.

Plants at the bottom of the trees.

Cotton from the Cotton Wood Trees.

A neighboring pine seeking the sun.

A fungus growing on a piece of bark.

A fern being host to something or the other.

I HEART MACRO!

Ten Reasons to Go for a Walk.

I have a dear friends whose kids have told me, "Mom always said when we didn't feel good, or if we had a hang nail, 'Go for a walk.  You'll feel better."  Turns out, Sandy was right.  Think about it, and see if you agree with these reasons.

1) You’ll feel better.
2) Your endorphins get flowing as you get moving.
3) Your muscles warm up and your body begins to purge chemicals that affect you negatively.
4) You burn calories.
5)  You get away from the stressors that you face.
6) Your circulation will improve.
7) Your bones will develop more mass because walking is weight bearing.
8) You can, literally, stop and smell the roses.
9) Your brain tissue is nourished and new synapses, neurons and blood vessels are formed.
10) You boost your immune system.

What do you think?  Do you walk?  If so, how do you feel?  Does walking really make you feel better if you have a hang nail?

Three Beautiful Things This Week

Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Clare writes called Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.

1) Jenny's counts are still great!  She had a good visit at the doctor yesterday.
She's still tired, but that's the nature of the beast.  Soon, she'll feel better.  We are all happy about that.

2) When Jenny and I were at Whole Foods today, the clerk who was bagging our groceries gave us the nicest smile.  It seemed that it was hard for her not to smile. Her smile was contagious, and we left there a little bit happier than when we came into the store.

3) Pixie and the kitties continue to make us smile as we see them laying together, butt to butt, paw to leg.  They don't get it, but they make us happy.
3)