Review: A Different Witch

A Different Witch by Debora Geary

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Wow. Powerful. Incredible. I couldn't put it down.

Beth's character was so real, so vivid, I felt like she really existed. Not that the other characters aren't as vital, there was a rawness to her that spoke to me. She presented as unlikable for much of the story and yet she tugged at my heartstrings. There were challenges, there were sides to characters of Witch Central that we haven't seen before.
Stereotypes were suggested, but only partially developed, much as the way a person is in real life.

Overall, I think this is my favorite thusfar. For being what I call a Brain Candy series, this was a very powerful read hidden within.



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Fall Jewelry Goals

With Fall fully upon us, the dark setting in earlier and earlier, it is time to start putting more time into my jewelry making. I want to have at least twice as many pieces as I currently have for shows so that when I sell a piece, I have something to fill the hole. I want to learn some new techniques and I want to get better at some techniques I currently use.
This spring, I started a 30 Day Bead Challenge from Fusion Beads. I want to finish the challenge. I will pick up where I left off and then find another challenge. I want to broaden my jewelry horizons.
I want to bead with friends more.

What about you. What are your goals for this fall?

Review: To Have and To Code

To Have and To Code by Debora Geary

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



After having spent so much time getting to know Nell in the Modern Witch series, it was really wonderful to go back and read about her beginnings with Daniel. This definitely classifies as Brain Candy and I found it impossible to put down. Even though this story was written after the characters were already developed, I really enjoyed how it felt like the characters were younger and slightly more naive.

* Brain Candy is my term for reads that are easy and fun to read, that offer nothing more than an escape from reality.



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Review: A Modern Witch

A Modern Witch by Debora Geary

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Witches are real with very real powers although Lauren doesn't yet realize she is one. This story follows her journey as she finds out, struggles, and eventually accepts her new found power. This read is Brain Candy*, pure and simple. The characters are warm and enjoyable. The story line is fun and easy to follow. I found it to be a quick read that left me anxious for the next book. Take it for what it is, don't try to turn it into something it is not.

* Brain Candy is my term for reads that are easy and fun to read, that offer nothing more than an escape from reality.



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Etsy Sales and Another Show!

I had my first two Etsy sales over the last few weeks. So exciting!
I finally ordered and received my business cards. Love them.

I have been accepted at the Bethel, VT 'Our Community Festival' formerly the Bethel Forward Festival.  It is September 22, you should come see me!
I have applied to the Queen City Craft Show in November. Fingers crossed.

Curry Spiced Chickpea Burgers

I was looking for a quick and easy lunch without needing to go to the store. I had a can of chickpeas and onion and decided to start mixing. These are not vegan, as there is egg. They turned out wicked yummy.

Curry Spiced Chickpea Burgers
1 can chickpeas, drained and mashed
1 onion, grated
1 summer squash, grated
2 cloves of garlic, grated
1/2 cup oatmeal
1 egg
1-2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp garam masala
salt and pepper
olive oil
butter

Sauté the onion, squash, and garlic in a combination of butter and olive oil.
Season with salt and pepper.
Mix into mashed chickpeas and add curry powder and garam masala. Taste for seasoning. Add more curry or garam masala if necessary.
Once seasoning is right, mix in egg and oatmeal.
Form 4 patties and cook on medium heat in butter or olive oil until solid and browned.

Serve with your favorite burger toppings although chutney is an excellent topping.

Etsy Shop - LIVE!

Finally, I bit the bullet and posted several items to Etsy. Come check them out!
Sirenical on Etsy.com

Shows! Past and Future

With some coaxing from Bethany, over at Bethany Renee Jewelry, I ventured out to my first vendor showing in Randolph called The Randolph Antique and Artisan Sale held on the park at Gifford Medical Center.

We each had goals that we surpassed!  It was a great experience to see what people liked, how much time it took to set up, and what items I really did and did not need to bring with me.

My set up is on the left, Bethany's is on the right. 

I have officially been bitten by the bug, drank the koolaid, whatever you want to call it. I am signed up for another show this weekend! Bethany and I are planning to be side by side in Burlington at The Ramble's O.N.E. World Market.

Here's to a better display, more confidence, and some great sales!

Humanity & Poignancy

The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, he said:

"Man.
Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.
And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present;
the result being that he does not live in the present or the future;
he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."

I came across this quote on a wall of my coworkers and it struck a cord with me. While money and health are important, so is living in in the present, being aware of your life and living it to the fullest. I too get caught up in the race to make money, then pay the bills when my health is struggling. My goal is to live in the present more, strive to be healthier, and not be ruled as strongly by the almighty dollar. 

Using up Some Beads, Kind of

I decided to spend a bit of time beading outside this afternoon. I was looking through my beads, trying to figure out what to make, when I remembered the challenge. 

I have a fair amount of beads, but several containers with only a few beads in them. I decided to see if I could use up the left over beads.  While I didn't use them all up, I used up some of them.  It was great to get creative with them and make it happen.

#1 Make Earrings- Done.
#2 Use up Some Beads - Done.
#11 Make a Beaded Gift- Done.
#13 Make an Inspiration Board - Done.
#16 Make Something Green - Done.
#20 Inspired by Spring- Done.

Feeling Green

I've been sitting at home with a stomach bug. I decided to be somewhat productive with my beads, so I tackled another challenge.

While feeling a bit green, I decided to tackle making something green.  Malachite is my favorite stone and I bought some chips last time I went bead shopping on my own.  I have made a tree similar to this one that had been a gift for my mom. It turned out beautiful, but not exactly like I had pictured.  I decided to make another one. This one came out more like I had envisioned.

#1 Make Earrings- Done.
#11 Make a Beaded Gift- Done.
#13 Make an Inspiration Board - Done.
#16 Make Something Green - Done.
#20 Inspired by Spring- Done.

Beaded Gifting

Another challenge listed is to make a beaded gift.  While beading with my cousin last weekend, one of the necklaces I made I realized would be a perfect gift for my sister-in-law.  While I didn't set out to make a gift, it was an excellent coincidence.

The necklace I made was out of chain, amethyst, and fresh water pearls. I love the contrast of the stone with the pearls and the chain.  The gift was a hit, although I did have to make a new chain for her as the length was a bit too short.

#1 Make Earrings- Done.
#11 Make a Beaded Gift- Done.
#13 Make an Inspiration Board - Done.
#20 Inspired by Spring- Done.

Inspired by Spring

I spent some time hanging out with my cousin Stacey this past weekend. Stacey was telling me about a type of necklace she was interested in, so we went bead shopping.

I started off making a necklace Inspired by Spring.  This is #20 on the 30 Day Bead Challenge.  The style was one that my friend Bethany created, you can see her examples on her blog, Bethany Renee Jewelry.  Stacey wanted a bright, bold, fun necklace. She picked out some beads and the blues and greens reminded me of spring.  The added light green rondelle's brightened it even further. So much fun!

#1 Make Earrings- Done.
#13 Make an Inspiration Board - Done.
#20 Inspired by Spring- Done.

Challenge Earrings

Today I ticked another item off the 30 Day Bead Challenge! 

I brought my beads and findings with me to the Northfield Teen Center today.  One of the volunteers and two of the teens played with me and had fun making some bracelets. I made a pair of earrings. I am struggling with how much I like them, but here they are non-the-less.

 

#1 Make Earrings- Done.
#13 Make an Inspiration Board - Done.

30 Day Beading Challenge

My friend Bethany over at Bethany Renee Jewelry is doing this challenge called the 30 Day Challenge for Craft Month, and it is all about the beading.
She has inspired me to take the challenge myself.

I am not planning on tackling an item every single day, as I find my life a bit too hectic for that.  What I am going to do is tick off at least one to two items every week until the list is complete.

The first day of my challenge was #13 - To Create an Inspiration Board.  Instead of creating a physical board that would require me to tear pages out of magazines and to remember to print off images I find online, I decided to create an electronic inspiration board on the website Pinterest.  You can check out my inspirations here.

Back on the Wagon

I have done it. I have gotten myself back on the workout wagon!
I have been doing Zumba and Jazzercise a few times a week, I have started to get to the point where I don't quite know what to do when I can't do it. Today I started Turbo Fire. What a fantastic program.
I think I have been so successful with sticking with it this time around due to my wonderful friends who are working out and sticking to the programs with me.
Here's to keeping it going!

Review: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I had put off reading The Hunger Games for a long time. A friend invited me to go see the movie when it comes out at the end of March. I realized I didn't want to see the movie without having read the book. I used my Amazon Prime membership and borrowed The Hunger Games. I devoured it in one night.
There is a sense of familiarity in the setting, after all it takes place on the land that once made up North America. Despite the sense of familiarity, this is not The United States of America. The urgency in the characters, what was going to happen, to find out if the worst had happened; each of these things kept me turning the page.
Great read. Wonderful suspension of belief.
My only fear is that one day our society could become very similar.



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