Hummingbirds

I love this hummingbird shirt by Stevester. I am just finishing up a sterling hummingbird necklace, so I guess I'm on a hummingbird kick. I'll post the necklace soon.

What's for Dinner?

I think I need some good week-end food.

Danish Burgers with Herb Caper Sauce and a Mod Salad Recipe
courtesy of Rachael Ray


2 pounds ground chicken
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning, a palm full
2 shallots, finely chopped
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
5 button mushrooms, stems removed, finely chopped
1/4 pound Havarti with dill cheese, cut into 1/4-inch dice*
Salt and pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling, plus a couple tablespoons
1 cup sour cream
3 to 4 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped or snipped with kitchen scissors
3 to 4 tablespoons capers, drained - run your knife through them once
1 seedless cucumber, cut in 1/2 lengthwise, then sliced into half moons
1 small red onion, peeled and sliced
3 plum tomatoes, seeded then thinly sliced
1 pound sack washed baby spinach
2 to 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
4 crusty poppy seed rolls or other burger buns of choice
2 large radishes, thinly sliced
1 sack gourmet potato chips, such as Terra Chips Onion and Herb Yukon Gold or Blue Potato chips

Combine ground chicken, poultry seasoning, chopped shallots, Dijon mustard, chopped mushroom, diced Havarti, salt and pepper, and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. Mix thoroughly. Score the meat with your hand marking 4 equal portions. Form each portion into large 1-inch thick patties.
Preheat a non stick skillet over medium-high heat. Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil over the patties and place them in the hot skillet. Cook 6 minutes per side until the patties are firm to the touch and cooked through.

While the burgers are cooking prepare the herb caper sauce and mod salad. In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, chopped dill and capers then season with salt and pepper.

In a salad bowl combine the cucumbers, half of the red onion, plum tomatoes and 3/4 sack of baby spinach. Dress the salad with white wine vinegar, salt and pepper then drizzle with a couple tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil to coat the salad lightly and evenly. Toss to combine and adjust salt and pepper, to your taste.

Split the rolls or buns. Place the burgers on the bun bottoms. Top with sliced radishes, baby spinach and a heaping spoonful of herb-caper dressing slathered across the bun tops. Add remaining sauce into the salad and combine to give your salad a creamy finish. Fancy chips finish the plate.

* TIDBIT
The colder the semi-soft Havarti with dill cheese is the easier it will be to dice it. Pop the cheese in the freezer while you prep everything else. Because of the fat content of the cheese, just 10 minutes in a deep freeze makes the dicing a real breeze!

Sveta is gone :(

Well, the visit with Sveta was great. We got to see her almost everyday that she was here. She is a wonderful friend that I will have forever, even if she is on the other side of the world.

The Rick and Dick Hoyt Story

The story of Rick and Dick Hoyt is an amazing one. The father is commited to racing with his son because Ricky could never do it alone. In one interview after a race, a reporter asked Dick why he never did the race alone seeing as how he might actually win that way. Dick replied "Why would I EVER do this without my son?"
When I heard that story, all I could think was Jesus saying that to me in this race of faith we call life. "Amanda, why would I EVER do this without you!" And I know He never would, because he ran the race FOR us, and he is still carrying me through.

What's for Dinner?

Roast Chicken with Potatoes, Lemon and Asparagus
Courtesy of Everyday Food

This is so simple and good. I substitute olive oil for the butter. Scrumptious!


Ingredients
Serves 4
1 1/2 pounds new potatoes, halved
3 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 package cut-up whole chicken (about 3 pounds)
1 bunch asparagus (1 pound), trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges
6 sprigs fresh thyme
Directions
Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Place potatoes and half the butter in a roasting pan; season with salt and pepper. Roast, tossing once, until potatoes are golden, 20 to 25 minutes.
Place chicken, skin side up, on top of potatoes; season with salt and pepper. Roast until chicken begins to brown, about 20 minutes.
Scatter asparagus, lemon, remaining butter, and thyme around chicken. Roast until asparagus is tender and chicken is opaque throughout, 5 to 15 minutes. Serve chicken, vegetables, and lemon drizzled with pan juices.

Flugtag

I was there along with 80,000 other people, which was a record number of people to attend the flugtag in North America. Go Nashville! It was unbearably hot, the kids complained a bunch, the lemonades were $5 a piece, but I had a blast! We were lucky enough to meet up with a friend of ours who owns a building on First Ave., so after two hours of standing outside and walking the bridge, we were able to watch the rest of the crazies crash their "planes" into the Cumberland from a cozy, air-conditioned office. When we finally walked back to the LP Field and piled the kids into the car like limp sacks of potatoes, I was completely exhausted but ultimately glad I went.

Me, Seth and the baby watching from the bridge



Elijah and Gabriel looking hot on the walking bridge



Andrea and Kaleb (in the background) watching from the walking bridge.



Amber and Jeff



Alyssa



Sveta from the Ukraine with the kids on First Ave.



Seth and Elijah on First Ave.


These are pictures of family and friends we saw there. We saw many other friends there too and I didn't snap their photo, but I'm glad they were there! (You know who you are!)

100 Things About Me

So, I haven't been tagged to do this or anything but I have SO enjoyed reading other's 100 things that I decided to write my own. I first read 100 things about this girl, and don't even know her, but I was really interested by her 100 things. Then Carrie and her husband Lance wrote theirs and I laughed the whole time. I thought it would be fun to try and think of 100 things about me. So here goes:
1. I love lists.
2. I like to play Scrabble.
3. I'm a sore loser.
4. My favorite color is green.
5. When I was little I thought I would own a red convertable Cabriolet when I grew up but my first car was an Oldsmobile Cutlass that stalled at every light.
6. I also thought that I would run an orphanage.
7. I daydream all the time.
8. Sometimes I have 5 or 6 daydreams going at the same time and I get confused about which one I'm trying to think about the most.
9. I think I could have been a professional skier had I only been given the opportunity.
10. I tried out for track in junior high but didn't make the team.
11. I dance for my kids and it makes them laugh.
12. I love love-stories.
13. I watch too much T.V.
14. I like to give myself pedicures.
15. I am terrified of chiggars.
16. I don't like heights; not because I think I will fall but because I'm afraid I might accidentally jump.
17. Mangoes are my favorite fruit.
18. I have eaten the same breakfast every single morning for almost two years: Kashi GoLean Crunch with blueberries and coffee.
19. If I didn't have kids I would live in a downtown loft.
20. I'm glad I have kids.
21. I wish I didn't have so much stuff.
22. I love to read.
23. I read the Bible every single day.
24. I use my fingers to add and subtract.
25. I love jewelry.
26. I really want to do more traveling around the world.
27. I never liked spicy food until I got pregnant.
28. I like to get dressed up occasionally.
29. I like things to be well organized.
30. I might be a hypochondriac.
31. I have practiced trying out for Saturday Night Live in the mirror.
32. When I was little I would go out in public with my blanket on my head and say my name was "Mary".
33. I made my sister eat a booger one time; I said it was a vitamin.
34. I'm paranoid about getting too much sun on my face.
35. I love back massages.
36. I can only talk on the phone for more than a couple seconds with certain and very few people.
37. I like to go spalunking.
38. I have gone cliff diving.
39. My bed time is usually between 10 and 10:30 p.m.
40. Stomach viruses really freak me out.
41. I do thirty minutes of kickboxing or other aerobics and 30 minutes of Hatha Vinyasa Yoga almost every day.
42. I live in a 1930's English Cottage.
43. I have made all of the curtains in my house.
44. I love to eat seafood.
45. I start feeling bad (physically and mentally) if I skip more that three days of exercise at a time.
46. I have to have fruit or vegetables at every meal.
47. I love spending time at my mom's house.
48. I feel good about having a clean house, but the actual act of cleaning makes me feel anxious. I think it's because I know it's going to get dirty again in the next 5 minutes.
49. I have a hard time choosing.
50. But I like to be in control.
51. There are days when I am a complete contradictory mess!
52. I cook a sit-down dinner for my family on most nights.
53. I prefer to make lunches for my children instead of letting them eat at the school cafeteria.
54. When I write a to-do list, I break down large tasks into small bits so that I'll get to cross off a lot of things.
55. Crossing things off makes me happy.
56. I love it when my kids are clean.
57. I floss.
58. I read every night before I go to sleep.
59. The first time I used a torch in my jewelry making, I was scared.
60. Sometimes I get on myself's nerves.
61. I am generally very happy with the way my life has turned out.
62. Although I desperatly need a vacation.
63. My husband and I had to stay in youth hostils during our honeymoon (long story).
64. I have been over-seas twice.
65. I used to draw and cut out my own paper dolls and clothes to fit.
66. I have an extensive rock collection that I started when I was ten.
67. I can play a little bit of piano.
68. I sang with four different bands when I was younger.
69. I can carry a tune but I can't project my voice very well.
70. I am a perfectionist.
71. Many times I notice the jewelry someone is wearing before I recognize their face.
72. My husband remembers what I was wearing the first time he met me and I barely remember that.
73. But I DO remember when I first noticed HIM.
74. I worked a United Colors of Benniton but I quit after I had suspicions that the manager was re-selling his old Benniton clothes.
75. I planned my wedding in four days. Not for any reason, mind you, we just really wanted to get married.
76. When I gave birth to my last child, my husband, my mom, my sister and my best friend were all there. It was like a party in the hospital!
77. Having the hic-ups makes me angry.
78. I love magazines for the pictures and the way they smell.
79. I never spent very much time on a computer until this year.
80. I love people that can make me laugh.
81. I know a few really funny jokes and a lot of really stupid ones.
82. Too much noise causes my brain to shut down.
83. I love to pretend I'm an art critic.
84. I love live music, but I hardly get to see any.
85. I love to go to IMAX movies.
86. I like getting presents.
87. I like giving presents even more.
88. I decorate a lot for Christmas.
89. I hate my vacuum because it's a bagless and I'm paranoid about inhaling poisonous particles so I make my husband empty it.
90. I feel better after I cry.
91. I barely wear any make-up, although I love shopping for make-up.
92. I love having curly hair, but it's annoying to fix.
93. I suffered a major head injury in high school.
94. A lot of people think I am taller than I really am. (A result of good posture perhaps?)
95. My defense mechinism is to stop talking or to go to sleep.
96. My husband makes me feel like I am the most beautiful woman in the whole world.
97. That is one of the reasons I married him.
98. I made my husband's and my wedding bands.
99. My favorite coctails are a bloody mary with three olives and a gin and tonic with lime.
100. If I start a video game, I get addicted, so I try not to start any.

Well, there it is. If I had 101 and one things on my list I would probably add that I am not always a good speller and since this spell check feature is currently not working you may notice this. So, sorry.
Oh, and I tag Kristen, Amber, Andrea and Jenny.

I won!

I entered a give away on Your Heart Out and I won! They are shipping me awesome stationary package from Seraph. The cool part is that I was just shopping for stationary because I'm all out! I haven't ever won anything either, so I feel very special! (Except for the time I was in college and they called my name at a basketball game to say I had won $5,000, but I WASN'T THERE! so they gave it to someone else. Carrie was the one who broke the news and my stomach hurts to this day when I think about it.) So now my day has come! It's not $5,000 but I don't care. I'm super excited!

My Ukraine Friend

Many of you know that a few years ago I had the opportunity to go to the Ukraine for an arts conference. I made some really good friends there, and a couple girls I kept in touch with. One of them is coming to Nashville this week! I am so excited, but there is a lot that I need to do before she gets here. Today and tomorrow will be the crunch days full of cleaning and baking apple pies, and then I will get to entertain Sveta! Hopefully I'll get some good pictures of her visit and I can share them with you! (The bottom picture is Sveta and the top ones are of some of the artwork that was done by the Ukraine artists.)

What's for dinner?

Pork chops make a great meal when you add these two side dishes.

Couscous with Apricot Vinaigrette

1 10-ounce box couscous
1/4 cup apricot jam or preserves
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 scallions (white and green parts), chopped
1/4 cup (1 ounce) roasted almonds, chopped

Place the couscous in a serving bowl. Add 1 1/2 cups boiling water and stir. Cover tightly and let stand for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the jam in a small saucepan over medium heat or in a microwave on low until bubbling, 30 to 60 seconds. Remove from heat. Immediately add the vinegar, then the oil, and mix until combined. Season with the salt and pepper; set aside.

Fluff the couscous with a fork and stir in the scallions and almonds. Add the vinaigrette and toss. Serve warm.

Tip: This slightly sweet side dish is an ideal accompaniment to grilled or roasted pork or chicken. You can also drizzle the vinaigrette over rice or quinoa instead of couscous.

Yield: Makes 4 to 6 servings

NUTRITION PER SERVING
CALORIES 305(30% from fat); FAT 10g (sat 1g); SUGAR 6g; PROTEIN 7g; CHOLESTEROL 0mg; SODIUM 324mg; FIBER 3g; CARBOHYDRATE 47g

AND:
Green-bean and Feta Salad
Ingredients
Serves 8
2 pounds green beans, trimmed
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 cups quartered cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup sliced scallions
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Directions
Cook beans in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain in a colander; run under cold water to stop cooking.
Whisk oil with vinegar and mustard; season with salt and pepper.
Toss beans with vinaigrette, tomatoes, scallions, and feta.

Abalone

Abalone: (ab-a-LONE-ee) The richly colored interior of a mollusk shell; it's lesser colored counter part is known as mother-of-pearl.

I recently did a commission using abalone. I had never used it before but I am so pleased with the way it looks! It literally goes with EVERYTHING! The iridescent colors seem to change to match with what ever color you put next to it. And if it doesn't match it contrasts beautifully! I never would have thought that I would like working with shell so much, but I think it is definitely what to wear this summer!

New Necklaces

New necklaces - If you see anything that you like just write me comment. I can ship anywhere and I will send you a Paypal invoice (you don't even have to have a Paypal account!)If you see something that is already sold, I can always make another that is similar. To view more work, scroll down or click on the earring button on the right of this page that says "Jewelry Catalogue". Thanks for visiting!

Sterling silver circle with fire opal; circle is 1" in diameter, $9o.-


Sterling silver "Hope" with abalone; $78.- sold

New Jewelry

Here are photos (by Tiffany) of some of my new jewelry. You can also view
more of my jewelry here.

Sterling silver ring with the letter A; size 8, $40.-


Sterling silver and abalone earrings; hang 1 3/4" from ear, $55.-


Sterling silver and abalone earrings; hangs 1 1/2" from ear, $55.-

A Trip To The Frist

I recently went to the Frist Museum with my husband, Seth, to see the Picasso and Matisse series that they had hanging there last month. The whole trip was worth it only because of the Edgar Degas' sculpture and Paul Gauguin's Tahitian Woman. Matisse is hardly worth mentioning since he couldn't even paint (every one of his images were completely flat; I saw better paintings than those in high school). Picasso had some drawings that were fabulous (Seated clown with boy) and some drawings that looked like he were drunk and needed to get out of his bar tab by doing a little sketch for the bartender, and hoping that based purely on his fame he would get away with it (which he obviously did). But when I walked into the room and saw Gauguin's painting, it literally took my breath away. The colors were AMAZING (and probably very toxic). There are no pictures of her that really show how vivid this portrait really is. Then I turned the corner and there was Degas' Dancer and again I felt completely faint. She was beautiful with her muslin skirt and satin ribbon in her hair. She met more than my expectations, even with a crack in her shoulder. I wanted to stay all day to look at her! (Again the photo does NOT give her justice.)So any way, all to say, If you ever get a chance to see these in person, it is worth the price of the ticket!

Sweet Cherries!

I just bought some very sweet cherries from Kroger of all places and it reminded me of the cherry trees that were in fruit on our trip to the Ukraine. I ate so many cherries on that trip so every time I have a good cherry it brings back all those memories. But even if you don't have those same mental pictures, you can still enjoy some delicious cherries! Get some and eat happy!

What's for Dinner?

Creamy Asparagus Soup
Serve with a whole-grain roll and a piece of fresh fruit to turn this light starter into a filling meal.

Serves 4
1 lb asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 tsp butter
1 small onion, coarsely chopped
1/2 leek, trimmed of all but 1 inch of dark-green top, sliced
1 celery stalk, sliced
1/4 tsp salt
2 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
White pepper
Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
1 tbsp pine nuts

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil; add asparagus (make sure water covers asparagus). Cook 5 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup asparagus water. Remove 16 asparagus tips; cut in half lengthwise; set aside. Heat butter in a medium saucepan over low heat until melted. Cook onion, leek and celery, covered, stirring occasionally, until soft but not brown, 10 to 16 minutes. Add salt. Add broth; bring to a simmer. Cook, partially covered, 8 minutes. Puree broth mixture, asparagus (not tips) and reserved asparagus water in a blender, in 2 batches. (Remove center part of blender lid to prevent hot liquid from bubbling over. Instead, hold a folded dish towel over hole in cap.) Return pureed soup to pot; heat until it just reaches a simmer. Season with pepper and, if desired, nutmeg. Cover; remove from heat. In a small pan, toast pine nuts over medium-low heat, shaking pan occasionally, until nuts are fragrant and browned in some spots, about 6 minutes. Season nuts with salt. Divide soup among 4 bowls; top each with 8 asparagus-tip halves and toasted pine nuts.

The skinny 93 calories per serving, 4.2 g fat (1.4 g saturated), 10.3 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 6.5 g protein

Free Movie

Today I am taking the kids to the Regal Family Festival. Every Tuesday and Wednesday this summer they play a pg and a G movie at 10:00am for FREE! My kids are soooo excited and so am I. We are going to watch How to Eat Fried Worms. We have never seen it, but the book was one of my childhood favs.

Overcast Day

Today my kids are having a play-date with a friend, and I really need to clean the bathrooms. I think I am in a funk because it is so overcast outside. I just feel that I can't see straight when there isn't proper lighting. I don't FEEL like cleaning - but I can't live in this mess either. O.k..... I'm just going to DO IT!
(P.S. The picture is from a previous play-date when it was beautifully sunny and the house was already clean. I wish it looked like that today! sigh...)

Farmer's Market Soup

This is the time when the Farmer's Market is hoppin'. I went there and picked up some beautiful tomatoes, so I decided to make my very favorite summer soup. Since the squash were looking pretty, I added some of those into my soup too.


Ingredients
Serves 4
6 beefsteak tomatoes, halved and cored
2 leeks, white and pale-green parts cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 carrots, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
4 garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 (14 1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium vegetable broth
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees;. In roasting pan, toss tomatoes with leeks, carrots, garlic, and oil. Season with salt and pepper. Roast in a single layer (tomato cut sides down) until tender, 1 hour. Using tongs, peel off tomato skins.
In saucepan, bring vegetables, vegetable broth, and 1 cup water to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes.
In batches, purée in blender. Stir in basil.

Pool Day

I finally bought another pool after I said never I would again because the dogs always chew it up and they are generally a huge hassle... but the kids broke me down, and I'm glad they did. They are having sooo much fun out there. And THIS time I put it on the front patio where the dogs can't get to it. I mean, we're out in front of all the neighbors, but who cares... Kids splashing in a pool is a beautiful summer inspiration!

Bijougirl Designs Catalogue

These are some of my newer pieces of jewelry. If you are interested in anything leave me a comment. If you want something that has already been sold, I can always make another that is similar. I am set up to accept Paypal (I can send you a Paypal invoice and you do not have to have your own account.) Enjoy!
Most of these pieces have been sold. Visit my Bijougirl Designs Etsy shop for available pieces.
Sterling silver hoops with adventurine drops; hangs aprox. 1 1/2" from ear $58.- sold


"Love" fine silver pendant about 1/2" in size, with a-symmetrical turquoise
drop; labadrite on chain w/sterling box chain on one side and sterling
rolo chain on the other $80.- sold.


"Set Apart" sterling silver pendant with sunstone 2 1/4" length;
sterling chain, box chain on one side and oval chain on other side $78.- sold


Fine silver earrings w/ rainbow moonstone; hangs about 1 1/2" from ear $58. -sold


Sterling silver pitcher with moonstone $80.- Sold


"Hope" fine silver pendant aprox. 3/4" diam. with bezel set fire opal;
moonstone spaced on sterling chain $110.- sold


Amaznonite and sterling silver ring size 9 1/2; $30.-


"Love" Sterling silver with carnelian; script is aprox. 1 1/2", heart on
side is 1/4" $75.- sold


"Love" fine silver earrings; inscribed heart is less than 1/2" and hangs
aprox. 3/4"long $50.- sold


Sterling silver flower-link necklace w/ jasper; center flower
aprox. 1" diam. $84.- sold


"Hope" fine silver pendant a little less than 1" long w/ hope inscribed
on back; turquoise, amazonite and sterling silver chain $100.- sold


Sterling silver hoop earrings aprox. 1 1/2" long x 1" wide $55.- Sold


Sterling silver ring with the letter A; size 8, $40.- sold


Sterling silver and abalone earrings; hang 1 3/4" from ear, $55.- sold


Sterling silver and abalone earrings; hangs 1 1/2" from ear, $55.-


Sterling silver circle with fire opal; circle is 1" in diameter, $9o.- sold


Sterling silver "Hope" with abalone; $78.- sold