Happy Spring!

Oh bother!  It's that time of year when working in my one window studio makes me not want to be in the studio. 

The sun is shining, the grass is getting greener everyday, and folks are coming out of hibernation.  Kids are zooming by on bicycles and scooters.  Even my own kids asked for a frisbee the other day.  Of course, the really funny thing is that the weather is still barely above freezing most days!!  I suppose 34*F feels like a heat wave compared to -20*F though. 

I can't wait for the trees to start budding and flowes to bloom.  Ah, spring!

Inspiration can come from ANYWHERE

Sometimes in life beauty just hits you square in the face and you just have to take notice!  Enjoy.

P.S. This is a piece of Tiffany Stained Glass from the Stained Glass Museum at Navy Pier, Chicago, IL.

On the BENCH

A few NEW designs are in the works.  Most of my creations tend to be very bright, traditional and perfectly symmetrical.  However, these new designs are more organic. Created in fine silver (99.9% pure silver) the circles aren't quite round and the sizes vary slightly from piece to piece.

Here is the inspiration behind the new designs:

The circle is symbolic of purity and the cycle of life.  I don't believe the cycle of life is completely smooth!  There are rough times and smooth times in everyone's life. Some people have a larger or longer cycle, others may have a smaller or shorter cycle. Every individual has their own unique life cycle.

TEX - MEX Casserole

I thought I would start out my recipe sharing with some nice comfort food,  "The casserole."

Tex - Mex Casserole
Ingredients:

4 large flour or wheat tortillas
1 15oz. can of fat-free refried beans
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Monterrey jack cheese
1 cup chunky salsa, plus 1/2 cup
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbs ground cumin
1 Tsp ground coriander
1/2 Tbs lime juice (optional)
1/2 cup corn (optional)
1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
Shredded lettuce, guacamole, diced tomato

I made this recipe using a square 8" x 8" Pyrex pan.  But, if you happen to have an 8" round tall-sided pan, that would work too!

• Mix refried beans, salsa, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, corn, lime juice and olives (if using). Blend in 1/2 of the cheeses (1/4 cup of each) and 1/4 cup of the sour cream.
• Trim the tortillas to fit inside your pan. (To do this, I placed my pan on top of the tortilla and used a pizza cutter to trim off the excess.)
• Spray pan with non-stick spray
• Spread 1/4 cup salsa on the bottom of pan
• Place a tortilla on top of salsa
• Layer about 1/3 of the bean mixture on top of tortilla
• Place tortilla on top of bean mixture
• Repeat bean layer and tortilla layer
• Top final tortilla with the remaining cheeses

Bake 20 - 30 minutes in preheated oven at 350 degrees. Let cool 2 -3 minutes before serving. Serve with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, shredded lettuce and/or diced tomatoes. Enjoy!

Bonus points for making your own refried beans, tortillas, guacamole, lime juice and/or salsa!!  :)

FOOD

I've never referred to myself as a foodie, but I suppose I am one.  I'm always on the hunt for new and delicious meals and recipes. I dabble in presentation. Mix a few cocktails. I even tried napkin folding....once.

Beginning next week I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite recipes. Try them if you'd like.  Comment if you want.  But most importantly, enjoy the process of cooking!

Special Blog Reader DISCOUNT

I know I love a discount!  Don't you?

Beginning February 1st, now you can use the coupon code "ElementsBlog" for a 10% discount at my Etsy Shop.

Enjoy!!

AMETHYST - February's Birthstone

Lucky February babies are bestowed with amethyst as their birthstone.  Traditionally a deep shade of purple, amethyst played an important role in ancient times. Ancient Europeans believed amethyst could defend its wearer in battle and the ancient Greeks believed amethyst would protect against drunkeness.  Until the discovery of vast amethyst deposits in Brazil, the gemstone was considered to be precious, and enjoyed the company of similar precious gemstones such as rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds.

In a way, I am glad amethyst was discovered in Brazil. Now, this gorgeous gemstone is easily affordable to most individuals. Sure, it may not be the status symbol it once was, but one look at a beautiful stone and I know you'll be thinking....."Where can I get one?!"

This will be the first of many musings about the history and folklore surrounding birthstones and other colored gemstones.

What is your favorite gemstone(s)?