The Hoffman Necklace

Finally a piece that I can publish. The terrible thing about me is.... I don't seem to ever take a picture of my work before I sell it or give it away! Well, I just happen to be at my girlfriend home before Christmas and she took a picture with her cell phone of this Viking necklace and bracelet that I made for a friend. Actually, the bracelet in the picture are parts from the first necklace I made that I wasn't happy with. I made a second necklace that turned out much nicer (pictured). I only had time this year, due to I started my projects late, to only make a few things. I swear, next year I will start all my projects in June!!!! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a safe New Year!!!

Merry Christmas

Well, it's here - Christmas!!! If at no other time in the year, this is the season for togetherness, happiness, laughter - not sorrow and heartache! The picture included in this post is my darling son, age 4. Yes - he was Santa Claus for Halloween in 1990. He is now 24 years old and I consider him not only my son but my best friend.

THE WINTER HEART ~

Wish but one wish when winter comes,Dream but one dream of the past. The light from a fire is in all our homes, But the flames from the hearth won't last. For faint and few are the embers, Snuggle up and keep on your gloves;What the Winter Heart always remembers, Is the warmth of a heart that loves.

Crazy How Time Flies!!!

I know that time is time - whether we are young or old. Though I swear, the older I get the faster time goes!!! Here is our little Dexter - Then (2 years ago) and Now! Our little guy is all grow'd up!! Dexter was a rescue puppy - meaning I rescued him from a horrible breeder who had no business breeding dogs or anything else for that matter. I had talked to Mark about a dog and for him the jury was out. He lost his dog Mika a year or so prior. I think for him he didn't want to let go of his memory of her with a new dog. Anyway, I had called him when I heard about my potential adoption. He wasn't thrilled but left the decision up to me. Well, the rest is history. I brought our little bundle home and it wasn't long before Mark and I were in total love with our doggy son! I just wanted to share my doggy love story with you today. Enjoy the day and make it a good one!

Ahhh - Christmas Time!

My most favorite time of the year!! Trees, Lights the smell of fireplaces in the neighborhood - it all adds to the warmth and comfort that I get during the season. Our home - this will be our second Christmas at 116. We strung the lights and are soon headed off to pick out the BEST Christmas tree on the lot.

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzing, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch tought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more." Dr. Suess

Truly, I think Dr. Suess was on to something! Christmas doesn't come in boxes or bags, it does mean a little bit more! It is my hope that we think about Christmas and why we celebrate Christmas. It is in the spirit!!! Have a wonderful and safe holiday.

CRAZY Year !!!

Wow, I can't believe it has been a year since my last post!!

So much has happened - where to start and how to finish? Life is definitely a work in progress.

My jewelry business is not much of a business. I buy books, I buy beads (much to Mark's dismay), I buy wire and all the things one would need to make beautiful jewelry to sell!!! It is a dream of mine to make handmade beautiful jewelry that people would buy and treasure - some daaaayyyy!

My sister Bev came to visit a few weeks ago. Words just can not describe my feelings for her. Bev arrived on a Friday and left the next Wednesday - not a very long time really, but long enough to walk by the spare bedroom and feel like something was missing when she was gone!! We had such a good time. Bev, Mark and I went into Sausalito and tripped around and had lunch at FISH then went to Fort Mason and watched the Blue Angels for fleet week. Throughout the four days we talked, shopped, visited with our folks, laughed, cried and enjoyed each other until she flew back home to Mesa, Arizona! I made a deal with her - we alternate years. Mark and I will go to Mesa next year then her and Ron will come here the following year and so on, and so on, and so on!!! Mom always says to me, "I don't want you girls to drift apart - stay close!", "don't worry mom, we promise ~ we will!"

Being Thankful On So Many Different Levels!

Well, you could say it has been a while since I've posted. I wish that I could share a new picture or two of my jewelry creations but I just haven't made the time to create. Life has been very busy with remodels and work, work, work! With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I was thinking about all the great things in my life that I am thankful for. One of my first thoughts was of my sister Beverly. She is truly a very special person in my life! We are nine years apart in age and live hundreds of miles away from each other and she is my best friend! We don't see each other enough or talk enough but there isn't a time that we can't just pick up where we left off. I like to tell the story of when I was very little, I found a suitcase full of Beverly's paper dolls - a very beautiful collection indeed! Needless to say, I found the suitcase and Beverly found me pinching the heads off of her entire collection. Mom, tells me that Bev loved me so much, she never lost her temper with me. I couldn't have asked my Heavenly Father to pick a better or more loving family for me. Beverly has 5 wonderful kids. Well, not kids anymore!!! All of which are grown and have wonderful families of their own. I am very lucky indeed to have the family I do. There are so many reasons to be thankful! I wish you a wonderful and warm Thanksgiving!!!

Things that inspire me!

Hind sight - I started this blog a couple of months ago never giving credit to the two people that deserve it the most - my parents. My folks and I don't live too far from each other and as I was visiting last Wednesday evening, having wonderful conversation, it dawned on me - I am the luckiest girl in the world. Never have I known, two people to give so much of themselves and their lives for their daughters. I owe my craftiness (among other things) to my lovely mother. She has always encouraged me to be creative - to have no limitations. She always seems to cherish the things that I have made but is never surprised. I am sure there is something to be said for that. My father has always been the gentle giant. The one who taught me to stand on my own two feet. The one who taught me how to ride a bike and then doctored up the cuts and bruises when I fell. To them - I owe so much! You inspire me! I love you!