The Cookie Jar

Today I am Soulful

2011-10-01T18:14:00.000-04:00

I'm the kind of person who gives everything I've got when I do something. That might seem like a blessing, and it is something that I wouldn't change about myself, but it is exhausting. I want so badly to be laid back and casual, but it just doesn't happen that way for me. I find that something as simple as writing a blog post can set me off. I have never been able to define the tone that I want to portray when I write. I usually allow my instincts to lead me when I am unsure, but putting myself out there in an honest, soulful way is scary. And then there is the whole "come across like a business person" thing that I struggle with. Truth is, I don't know how to be a business woman. I somehow created this amazing set of customers that have supported my creativity and dreams. And they told their friends. And then I get to go to work doing what I love to do. So I guess what I'll do is be honest, be myself and trust in what I have to say. Sometimes, I feel like emptying my soul. I definitely have that tendency. But other times, I guess I'll just share some awesome and exciting news of features and new products. It is a woman's prerogative to change her mind, right?!

I have always been tickled by the wonderfully inspiring stories of people who create their future. They have a passion and they make that their life's journey. It seems that they intuitively know all of the steps and have all of the resources that are needed to get where they want to go. I don't think that it magically happens, but it sure does happen. These people know the outcome they are trying to achieve before it even shows up.

In my case, I build upon what I am creating. This is not a comfortable way to be. Believe me when I say that I wish I worked like those other people. It feels more like reacting rather than interacting. And so I chug along. Lately, the chugging is more like crawling.....

In the meantime, my husband, Ira, and I are so unbelievably grateful for the business and support that you have given us. This journey is leading us places that we never had an idea existed. We work every waking moment to stay on top of what we are doing. We rarely ever turn business away...even if it means taking no days off or staying up until the sun rises. I work the equivalent of two full time shifts a day - with no breaks. Ira rarely sleeps. It is obviously time to take the next step in expanding our operation. Our first big step was 6 months ago when we were blessed to hire our fabulous baker, Lola. I don't know how we happened upon her. She is a blessing and a godsend. She bakes hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of cookies a week and then works her full time job on top of that. Lola is my savior.

Just Popping In

2011-08-20T20:18:00.000-04:00

I really do exist! I do!

Funny story...just when you think that you have had it up to your eyeballs, an amazing person comes along and goes wayyyyyy above and beyond.

Let me back up just a tiny bit. Working the amount of hours (ok ~ sleeping as little as we do) can leave you feeling like you are the only one out there putting in the effort that we do. I LOVE what I do, but I sometimes wonder how I can be this dedicated. So many people go to work and come home. And that's it. I get very frustrated with that. Ask my family.

Shipping is very time consuming. It is a necessary evil to our business though, so Ira tirelessly works his magic. He is a saint and I love him dearly for the hours upon hours that he dedicates to getting all of your cookies to you safe and sound and on time. Once in awhile, they don't. I hate those times. we have worked many hours to create those cookies and a little one is usually standing by the door waiting with baited breath (not to mention all the mommies as well). Today, we found out that Fed Ex made a mistake. They sent out the cookies to the wrong place. How can this happen?! Actually, I always wonder how they can even get through all of the steps and still be delivered! Anyway, Ira got on the phone, like usual. He happened to come across a wonderful young man who cares about his job. He was just getting off of work and picked up the phone one more time. Little did he know...! Turns out that he offered to go get the package and hand deliver it to that little two year old who was waiting by the front door with baited breath! He called us to tell us of his success and I don't know who was more excited! You could actually hear it in his voice.

He will be receiving a package of cookies for his kindness. We asked what sports he liked and he said he would choose flowers for his wife. What a selfless person. It really renewed my faith. Ira and I needed this today and we are more than grateful to you Dan...even if you are a Braves fan ;)

Sweet Thoughts,
Lisa

Whew! A Week In Review! Kate Landers and HGTV in ONE Week!

2011-02-12T11:46:00.003-05:00

Ok. So I started this blog and then abruptly disappeared! Unfortunately, that is how it is going to be. I knew when I decided to blog again that I would have a hard time finding the time. But, I knew that it was important to me to have a place to communicate with everyone. So, while I was working, I came up with the idea of doing a "week in review" type of post.

This week was my most challenging week to date! And the most rewarding as well. We are so busy that we have decided to expand. Having your own business is scary enough, but bringing on new people to take over what you have had full control of and have nurtured exclusively, is a BIG step! We have been talking about this for a long time, but we have continued to push the limits alone. The time has come and we are very excited to begin the process of looking for a baker's assistant. I am ecstatic about the prospects!

FaceBook has been very, very good to us! It blows my mind, but we have blown right by 1000 fans! I was planning on celebrating the 1000th fan, but I missed it! I will be announcing the winner of a dozen free cookies to that person. Check for the winner on our FaceBook fanpage.

{photo by Lyndsey Fagerlund}

We also had another VERY exciting event take place! My cookies were featured on HGTV's website!!! And our shop was even linked! Amazing. The wonderful Kara of Kara's Party Ideas styled the most adorable gumball party for the article. You just have to stop by her blog and take a look at her amazing work! There are more party ideas than you can even imagine. Thank you soooooo much for including our gumball machine cookie! They just belonged there!

{photo by Lyndsey Fagerlund}

And did I mention that I was spotlighted in Kate Lander's blog? I can't even imagine! This is something that I am so very proud of. Kate has been a wonderful, supportive friend and is an inspiration to all. She is the consummate professional and is highly respected in this incredible field of "party". We have collaborated on two amazing photo shoots, The Wizard of Oz and and I am aching to share the next bit of news with you all...but you guessed it...I can't YET! I'm trying to be patient ;) Thanks, Kate, for this incredible journey :)

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Well, I've tooted my own horn enough! It doesn't come very easy to me to be in the spotlight. I am more comfortable on the sidelines. But as our business is growing and our accomplishments mount, well, hey, I could get used to this! It feels awesome and who doesn't love feeling proud ?

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to say hello!

Forging Forward

2011-02-05T12:28:00.007-05:00

I am so touched by the beautiful comments that everyone has left :) I think that is more support than I gathered in a year's worth of blogging put together! I truly warms my heart! Thanks for the boost.

My plan, if I even have one, is to post pictures of custom requests. On of the problems that I encounter, though, is that I am always finishing orders up to the very last possible minute. Ira packs the cookies and RUNS them to Fed Ex JUST in time to make the trucks. That man has figured out every loop hole to the Fed Ex system! I'm serious! He has figured out how to cut off the trucks as they are leaving the central facility! They all know him by name and that doesn't happen too often here on Long Island ;) Anyway, the problem is that I don't often get a chance to photograph the cookies and when I do, the light is far from optimum. I will share, but know that the pix are not my best work! Somehow, we have to change our schedule. But for now, this is all that is available.

I've been noticing puppy themes lately and luck would have it that I created a puppy set for a customer. Often, I am fashioning a cookie to coordinate with an invitation. I love to work this way as it gives me a real direction. Here is what I created:

A Fresh Start

2011-02-03T20:31:00.007-05:00

I've been contemplating starting my blog again. There are a few reasons for this. I want to have a better way to get to know my customers. FaceBook is great, but I feel like I need a forum where I can express myself just a little bit more. I have come to realize that my company has grown {THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!!} and that there is a need to connect in a way that FaceBook does not allow. I have also come to realize that I have sold myself short. I am not the kind of girl who is comfortable with strutting her accomplishments. But in keeping quiet, I realize that I have not allowed you all to know what is going on behind the scenes at The Cookie Jar. And because I am an impatient kind of person, please know that this format is bare bones. It will get prettier as time goes on! I'll work on that!

Ira and I {Ira is my other half for those of you who don't know} have worked extremely hard for the past 18 months and have grown our business from filling orders once in awhile to filling upwards of 7 or 8 orders a day. For two people, that is an unbelievable accomplishment! We have also taken on many wonderful requests for custom cookies that are used for professional photo shoots. We have been featured in prestigious blogs, such as Amy Atlas, Kate Landers, Tomkat Studios, Hostess With The Mostess, Pen and Paperflowers, One Charming Party, Kara's Party Ideas and more. My cookies have been featured in an HGTV.com article and we are even waiting on an incredible announcement having something to do with a national magazine! I can't wait until I am able to share!!!!

So you see that we have had many accomplishments that have gone by unmentioned. THAT is one of the biggest reasons to begin blogging once again. I am promising myself that I will learn to give credit where credit is due *wink*! I am not all "up" on the latest blogging techniques. I do not plan on having a fancy format. I am not looking to sell ad space or compete with the beautiful blogs that abound. I just want a place to get to know each other more and a place that feels like home. After all, that is who I am.

Please stop by often and leave a quick message. I will be here as often as possible. My goal is to blog at least twice a week. That is realistic, as I work 16 hour days and everyone needs a little sleep! Thanks for taking an interest and I look forward to sharing my thoughts and pictures of my orders as they are created and fly out of my bakery before I can even get a good photo!

Summer Fruits On My Mind

2010-04-22T12:42:00.004-04:00

What a glorious day it is today! It has been wavering between spring and fall type weather here and I was beginning to lose my patience! Today is definitely SPRING!

One of my favorite things to do when baking, is to incorporate fresh, in season, fruits. Local fruits are not quite ready on Long Island, but the minute they are, I scoop them up. It is really important to me. The feeling I get from baking like this is like no other. Oh so domestic ;) Strawberries are just around the corner!!!

Anyway...I am itching to do some fresh fruit baking and so I was thinking of baking my delicious sugar cookie recipe, which always has freshly grated orange zest and freshly squeezed orange juice in it, and instead of using it for cut out cookies, I will ice it with flavored royal icing. Yum! I am thinking of trying fresh oranges as my first choice. I have to get eggs (wish I had a hen!) and then I'll report back tomorrow with some pictures.

Meanwhile, check for these in my Etsy shop. I'll be adding them as a listing, as well as some lime meltaways, and other fresh fruit varieties. I'll be experimenting today!

Cowboy Cookies! Yeehaw!

2010-04-21T14:07:00.007-04:00

I wanted to wish a very happy birthday to a special little boy named David. He is very special to his grandma who ordered a set of cowboy cookies for his 3rd birthday party.

When I heard that I was going to be making this theme, I was so excited! After a long rush on crosses, doves and angels, I finally get to test my creativity and new found skills of cookie cutter making! I will be making a tutorial of this in the near future, so please check back and see how to make your own cutters!

After creating the shapes that my customer requested, I got to work on the design. I am so excited with the results! I have to say ;) Can I do that?! My customer asked for a saddle and a cowboy hat. For a third design, I suggested a gun and holster after seeing the invitation. To finish off the set, I decided upon a horse for the birthday boy! I hope you all like!

Baptism Season

2010-04-16T15:56:00.006-04:00

Every time I get myself all geared up to blog more often, one thing or another gets in the way! I'm tired of saying "I'm sorry" so I won't. I'll just pop in here when I can and accept that that is how it is!

I have been busy, busy, busy! And I LOVE that I can say that :) I have had so many orders for Baptism cookies that I stopped showing pictures! They are all variations of the same cookie with pink or blue themes. I love how they looked all wrapped up with pretty bows.

I would like to take the time to share some of my feedback. My customers have been so supportive and I am so grateful for their positive words. I hope that you all feel as good about my products as I do when you read these comments:

" Engeline Victoria - hey lisa! thank you!.. i can't wait til the guests see and taste the cookies.. keep baking and designing those cookies... twas a pleasure working with you Lisa =)"

"The cookies were great! In my experience a beautiful cookie doesn't always taste good. But these were beautiful and delicious!" kudos..."

"gayleannemorris says: I JUST LOVE THEM, THEY ARE EVERYTHING I THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE , AND TASTE GREAT"

"carlabelniak says: Oh what a success the cookies were! The children were thrilled and the adults....well they ate more than their share. the little one who had her tonsils out was so excited. Thanks so much for rushing them. Will definitely order again. Carla"

Tomorrow, I'll address the reason I posted all of these comments!

I'm Gonna Be A Dove Mommy!

2010-03-17T14:21:00.004-04:00

I am so excited to announce that my dove laid an egg! It is so beautiful and white! We thought that it was strange that it was only one egg. The next day, there were two! This picture is through the window and screen. I went outside to get a clearer picture, but the angle is all wrong and branches are in the way :(

It is almost as if she wanted to place her nest so that I could see it perfectly from the house! She is perched 3 feet from where I am sitting. Isn't she pretty?! I'll keep you update ;)

Brilliant Find!

2010-03-12T16:16:00.006-05:00

A few weeks ago, my husband bought an immersion blender. It seemed like a fun sort of tool. I love to make soup and this tool is great for thickening up the soup. It went under the counter in a cabinet and never came out. Isn't that the way of most gadgets?!

The other day, I was mixing some different colors of royal icing with my spatula and daydreaming about wishing I had a had mixer for the job when I realized that I did! And it was actually BETTER than a hand mixer! The immersion blender has an attachment beater and it works beautifully for this job!

Using this blender enables me to have even better control of color mixing. No more streaks! And I can create just the right icing consistency with ease. Please just remember to let the icing sit for 20 minutes so that the bubbles rise to the surface. Gently bang the base of the container on the counter. I find that this helps the bubbles rise even quicker. Then, run a knife through the mixture. Now the icing is ready to use.

The Cutest Dog

2010-03-11T16:21:00.004-05:00

I wanted to post the cutest picture that I took the other day. If you know me, you know that I am a lover of Malteses'. My Maggie is my love. I have enjoyed ever minute of the 14 years that I have had her. She is a pip and makes us smile 100 times a day!

My neighbor brought over her new puppy the other day. We wanted to eat him up! The pictures don't really tell how small he is! Maggie is 7.5 lbs. She's small. The puppy walked under Maggy. Right under her!

Here is Jakey enjoying her!

Spring Has Arrived!

2010-03-11T16:09:00.004-05:00

Oh happy day! The other day I noticed a pair of doves sitting in the evergreen tree that is just outside the window where I sit in my den. It was so excited to see them up close and their song is pretty. I was sad to see them fly away.

When I sat down, today, I saw what looked like the beginning of a nest in the same tree! Could it be?! A moment later, the two love birds landed on a branch and the little lady placed herself gracefully in her nest!

It is such a present to be able to see these birds up close like this! I am hoping that this is where they will hatch their chicks. I've never seen Mourning Doves in anything more than pairs. I'll have to look up info about their young. I do know that these birds don't go anywhere without each other and he perches himself on the outer branches and is so aware of everything.

I do hope that they make this tree their summer home!

Pt. 2 - Make Your Own Cookie Cutters

2010-03-10T16:37:00.005-05:00

Now that I have my apron stencil, I can proceed with making my favorite cookie dough. Rolling the dough out used to be my least favorite task. The thought of flour all over the place really makes me uptight, so I solved that problem by filling a small container that is used to sift sugar onto baked goods, with flour! It is the perfect tool and a MUST HAVE for me! Isn't this a great tip?! Now I control where the flour goes.

Roll out the dough and cut out the apron shape using an exacto knife or paring knife.

I bake my sugar cookies on a Silpat in the oven. I love that nothing sticks to this silicone sheet and everything bakes so evenly.

Decorating is the really fun part! I had seen an apron that sparked the original idea for this project on a great blog that I follow. Lindsey of The Pleated Poppy has so many really innovative and creative ideas. You should check her blog out! When I saw one of her aprons, I decided that it would look great as a cookie. Here is the final product!

I would love to see what you are making. Drop me a note!

Making Your Own "Cookie Cutters"

2010-03-08T15:10:00.011-05:00

Since I am just beginning my sugar cookie adventures, my collection of cookie cutters is just beginning to grow. Creating the cookie shapes I want requires a bit of resourcefulness - something I love to do! Since I needed a sturdy piece of plastic, I decided to use a disposable take-out container lid. A good friend of mine had suggested that I save these just for that purpose ;)

To start out, make a drawing of your cookie. Make sure to make the outline nice and visible. I use a Sharpie to go over the final product.

Next, you'll need a sharp Exacto knife and a self-sealing mat to work on. Please be sure to work on this surface. You won't want to cut an apron shape onto your kitchen table!

Place your drawing on the mat with the lid centered over it. CAREFULLY cut the shape out. You'll probably need to push fairly hard with the knife until you have cut all the way through. When you are done, you can remove the shape that you have cut out.

Now you have a stencil that you can use to cut out your shape on your dough. Some people use what I call the negative, or the piece that you remove from the lid, to cut around. I feel more comfortable using the lid part to cut out my shape. It is more convenient to hold in place and I can see what I am doing more easily. I also find that working on a Lazy Susan is very convenient as you can turn your work around as needed. These are easy enough to find and I use it constantly. I would highly suggest getting one. I think Rubbermaid makes one and I've seen it for sale at Wal-Mart.

Tomorrow, I'll continue with my Apron cookie. I hope you check back! Thanks for stopping by!

Make Your Own Fondant

2010-03-06T14:56:00.012-05:00

I'm the kind of girl who likes to be self-sufficient...ie. I'm too lazy to run to the store every time I need something ;) And it doesn't hurt that it is so much cheaper when you make something yourself. Anyway, I wanted to share the fact that making your own fondant is simple as can be and tastes much better than pre-made fondant I'm told.

The three ingredients you need are:
1. marshmallows - mini is easier, but not required
2. water
3. confectioner's sugar
4. food coloring

I only needed a little bit of fondant to make some flowers for my cookies, so I just made a small amount. You be the judge of how many times to multiply this recipe by according to your project's needs.

The first step includes microwaving the marshmallows with some water. In a glass bowl, measure cups of marshmallows and add water. Microwave by 30 second intervals, stirring with a rubber spatula (this is a sticky venture!) in between, until no lumps are left.

The next step is to add sifted confectioner's sugar, all at once, and begin kneading. I would suggest using the spatula as long as you can. Then spray your hands with vegetable spray and get right in there! You can turn this out onto a confectioner's sugar lined surface to knead, but I just keep it all in the bowl. I guess larger amounts would need to be handled differently ;) Don't be afraid to spray your hands when needed.

Once you have kneaded your fondant nice and smooth, you can color it with food coloring. I do this in a ziploc bag so as not to get the dye on my hands. It is helpful to spray vegetable spray inside the bag first.

Once the color is well incorporated, it is ready to be rolled and cut. There are many specialized tools on the market, but don't be afraid to improvise. I have cutters, but I also use straws for circles, etc. It is smart to roll the fondant out on wax paper, or as I have, on a silicone sheet that is used to bake on. Be very careful not to cut the sheet with the metal cutters. I've learned that the hard way ;)

When you have cut out your shapes, let them dry until they are hard to the touch. It is better to arrange them so they will dry in a 3 dimensional shape - they look more realistic. I have an egg tray from a warehouse box of eggs that works wonderfully. Use your imagination, or buy one of the gadgets that are available for this purpose. You can store your pretties in a ziplock and I'm told they will last for months and months.

Have fun with your creations and most of all, have fun with your imagination =) Be adventurous and don't be afraid to try something new!

Another Chapter Begins - Decorating Sugar Cookies

2010-03-05T14:48:00.004-05:00

I had an idea. Most of the blogs that you read are by talented people who are already accomplished at what they do. I mean, who wants to post pictures of things that are not perfect?! That is how we think - us creative people. Well, I've decided that I want to keep a running log of my progress while learning this amazing craft of decorating sugar cookies.

The truth is that I decided 6 months ago that I wanted to add this technique to my baking skills - be what they may. I was so drawn to the art that I set out to learn everything I could. I read everything in site and scoured the internet, reading and re-reading until I felt like I had a grasp of the process...and there are quite a few!

And then I felt like I froze in my tracks! Having never even held a pastry bag, and absolutely dreading the thought of dealing with rolling dough and cleaning up the mess, I found myself avoiding the kitchen. I felt like it was all too overwhelming to even try! There are sooo many steps and soooo much preparation. I couldn't step over that threshold and that is soooooo unlike me. Usually, when it comes to creating, I eagerly dive in. Nothing gets in my way.

I sat on this whole thing for months. At the same time, I kept searching out exposure to this craft. One day, I had a request for some duck cookies. I was so excited because I finally HAD to face my fears! I baked my cookies and mixed my icings. I reluctantly set up my pastry bags and then something happened. All of a sudden, I felt empowered! I found that I could actually outline these shapes without them looking like 3 year old did them! From that moment on, the process just "flowed" pardon the pun ;)

And that is how it began. I want to make it very clear that I am just a beginner in this journey. I am humble and only want to share my ideas and the process of learning. There are some of the most talented artists out there and I aspire to do half what they do...Callye. So come along with me. Learn a little, share a little and please, please, please converse with me! I want to learn from you as well!

Love Is In The Air

2010-02-15T22:48:00.003-05:00

Valentine's Day will forever be a melancholy holiday in our family. Don't get me wrong. Hubby and I are in love, even after 29 years together, but on the day after, 4 years ago, the most special person on earth left us. And we miss her every minute of every day. So with emotions that run the gamete, we remember Momma.

Valentine's Cookies

2010-02-12T15:35:00.012-05:00

Stuffy head - sniffling, sneezing! Winter is so over rated. I'm dreaming of the spring. I just can't help it. I was meant to live in a warmer climate ;)

Instead, I'll go bake. I just got an order for my "love" cookies. They are so soft and warm looking. I can make them in this soft pink or vibrant colors. Any word can be inserted as well, so use your imagination! How about purple and orange hearts with your child's name added for their birthday party favors? Or the word "hope" for someone who needs to be reminded to be strong. A wedding date would look beautiful printed on a white on white cookie with a hint of the bridesmaids' color added in the center of the dots.

A Poem By My Mom

2010-02-10T19:51:00.004-05:00

When my first son was born, my mom wrote this most beautiful poem for him. I hold it especially close to my heart. Joshua is now a Sophomore in college.

Mom was an 8th grade English teacher for 35 years. She loved her job more than most. I don't think I ever once heard her say a negative thing about work. When I went away to college, she says that she filled the void and dealt with her emotions by writing some of the most wonderful childrens' poetry. She says that it all came pouring out! I figure there are probably 40 or 50. And then she was done. Nothing came. I have asked her to pen a few here or there, but nothing seemed to strike a chord...proof that you can't force creativity.

The best part of having a teacher grandma who writes poetry and is retired, is that she can come in to your classes and read them. We have so many fun memories of her sitting in those tiny little chairs with the little ones all gathered around. Joshua, and later Jacob, would enjoy many years of feeling special as Mia read her poems and their friends laughed out loud (many of the poems are very silly ;)), while mom (me) would try to hide the tears. Great memories. I'm sharing Joshua's poem. Enjoy.

Dream Sweetly, Love

Lullaby
Still, sleep awhile,
My life's delight.
For thee alone
God made the night.

Sweet babe, let slumber,
Soft and mild
Hover o'er
Thy mother's child.

Be silent, love,
In peace, at rest.
Dream sweetly of
Thy mother's breast.

Of little lambs,
Of golden suns,
Dream sweetly, love,
My sleepy one.

Donna W. Paskin

It Finally Happened!

2010-02-10T14:51:00.004-05:00

As you can tell, for many months, and even years, I've been searching for answers. I believe in life's journeys. I believe that we learn from our lessons. So I don't feel too badly that it has taken so long for me to find these answers. I have been reaching down deep for a path that both feels right and is not an uphill battle. I don't mean that I don't want to work hard. I mean that I need there to be market for my goods.

Being creative has been both a curse and a blessing for me. It has brought a strong desire that I can't deny, as well as a distraction that holds me back. I have said before that I MUST create. I don't know anything else. And I am lucky in that I can be successful in most anything I put my mind to learning. At the same time, I have tried so many different ideas that have not been successfully received, that it starts to feel wrong...and embarrassing, to boot!

After a long, drawn out attempt at marketing my jewelry, which I LOVE to make by the way, I decided to move on to another area. With the market in the dumps and people not spending money on things like jewelry, I decided to concentrate on baking. My cookies have always been received very well, so I put my efforts in to creating an Etsy shop and honing some new recipes. I also decided that I wanted to add icing cookies to my repertoire. I began researching and reading everything I could get my hands on. I studied every tiny detail and tried every recipe I could find. Still, there was something that was holding me back from just diving in to this new endeavor. I felt like I already knew what I was doing. I had recipes that I loved. I gathered all of the tools I would need. Yet I was intimidated. For 6 months, I have had it in my mind that I would be creating these cookies in the future, but I never found the courage to actually try my hand at this craft.

Along this journey, I met a friend. It's funny how things happen. I have never had a friend who is also creative. I've never known what it is like to relate to someone on my level of creative passion. Pretty sad. I've always felt like people thought I was "playing" while I was creating, while actually, I was honing my skills. It has been life changing, making a friend who has the same appreciations as I do. It has actually given me a new perspective on many levels. Thanks "C"...more than you know.

Things happen for a reason. I got a request from a customer for Elmo cookies. My first thought was that I couldn't create a figure. It had to be discernible! But then I realized that I had to give it a go. The experience was eye opening and wonderfully freeing! Elmo actually looked just like Elmo! And do you know that another order came my way that evening for a large platter of Baptism cookies! I was on my way and will never look back! I am in love with this medium. I love to bake and the icing no longer intimidates me! I have a great feel for what I am doing and I just want to make more and more designs!

I am so hopeful that I can find local customers so that I won't have to ship, but when need be, shipping is definitely is doable. I just hate the added cost to my customers. I need more customers, now, so keep the orders coming! I have so much excitement for this and am looking forward to creating my own designs as well as yours.

Hope to hear from you soon!

New Beginnings...

2009-12-31T19:46:00.002-05:00

It's hard for me to say this, but I guess I'm not so good at this whole blog thing. I have always fancied myself as a fairly good writer, but the fact that I am in competition with the whole world has kind of taken it's toll! There are some of the most awesomely interesting bloggers out there and with so little time in a day, you have to be particular with your choices ;)

I never quite found a style, either. I wanted to make it a business blog...to share my creations with friends. But I kept finding myself wanting to be "me" as well. I wanted to share my thoughts and feelings on my family and friends. In truth, this whole blog thing has a way of mirroring my present state of mind. For the past few years, since my children have grown older, I have felt a loss of personal purpose. And it shows.

With the New Year just a few hours away, I have decided to make a resolution for the first time in many, many years. I know that in order to feel purpose, you need to find purpose. And in order to find purpose you need to give purpose.

I invite you to join me in my journey. I will be finding clarity along the way. Of that, I am certain. And I promise. You will be able to experience it with me if that is your goal as well. Please check back and I will be more specific.

Have a wonderful New Year and it feels wonderful to be back. I do love to write.

What Do You Think?

2009-10-16T15:23:00.002-04:00

Well, things have certainly changed quite a bit in my life in the past month and a half. My husband, who has worked from home for 4 years was forced to go back to work at a corporation. He leaves before I get up and returns between 8:30 and 10:00. My oldest went back to college and my youngest began high school. He plays football and comes home around 6:00.

There was a time when that sounded like a dream - oh to have time to myself... But having too much time puts a pit in my stomach. Hubby just went on a business trip across the country and he was gone for 4 days. I have had too much quiet time. Being an eternal thinker, quiet time can be dangerous for me. I have been contemplating "what to do with the rest of my life" for too long, now, and it is getting the better of me. I have felt happy, but "unwhole" for such a long time. It is all I ever think of. I know what I wish for, and I believe in dreams. I believe in making your dreams come true... I just don't know how to make that happen. I am not a go getter, but I have talents that I know have value. I just don't know how to sell myself. I'm not sure if I even have that desire. That is scary. My comfort level is in doing my craft, but not in the selling of it. I find amazing enthusiasm in being around others who share my passions. I'm just no good at being a one woman team.

One of the decisions that I have come to terms with is that I would love to work with other creative people. My energy swells. But with no degrees in anything that I ended up liking to do, I can't even send in my resume to the lowest level jobs. That is taking away my empowerment. I would love to work as a baker's assistant. A baker would be lucky to have me assist, but all of the help wanteds require years of experience as well as degrees. I don't even have retail experience. I could not even land a counter help job! What do I do?

If anyone knows of someone who is looking for a business partner for a home based baking business, jewelry business, knitting business, or any kind of crafting, please send them my way. I just want a partner. I need someone who I can bounce ideas and energy off of, and someone who is able to sell and create buzz. I'll create product 24 hours a day.

And another thing. I can't seem to decide if it is alright to be myself on my blog, or keep it strictly business. I'm a talker and a worrier, and I tend to write when I am upset. I just don't want to give the wrong impression.

Too Much Thinking...

2009-10-13T18:53:00.002-04:00

I needed some time away. I had some thinking to do. I'm that kind of gal. Some things happened with my customers that put me in a spin. I know that I am supposed to be tougher. Believe me. My husband has told me that a time or two. He tells me that having a business is not an emotional journey. I don't know if I'll ever be totally there, but I am learning...one situation at a time.

It all began with an exciting order for 6 dozen cookies. They were for a party on the upcoming weekend. I am always honored when someone decides to choose my baking for their event. And when you are starting out, each event is an opportunity for others to experience your work. My customer paid for her order and told me that Paypal incorrectly put it through as a check. I was disappointed because that left me having to choose between waiting for her check to go through, which would put the order arriving too late, or trusting and coming through for her in a pinch. I made my decision, knowing the chances. I wanted to believe that no one would steal baked goods. Someone stole baked goods.

I won't bore you with all of the details, but it got more tangled as the days wore on and I shipped the order in a panic to please a customer. The next day, her check came through as bounced and I had to have USPS return the box to me. The cookies were all stale because it took so long. Oh- She closed up her account and ran.

In the week following, I had a few other shipping nightmares. My customers left honest, but not so positive feedback. I began to doubt what I am doing. Shipping these baked goods is very expensive and very difficult to pull off successfully. USPS really has no understanding for FRAGILE. Let me tell you. One of my mistakes was that I was wrapping my cookies so they looked nice. I am going to have to wrap them to stay in one piece. That means that baskets or platters cannot be setup and shipped. I have worked on other techniques and I can assure you that I have tried my best to fix the problem. I don't want to let the difficulties stop me from doing what I love. And I DO love baking for my customers.

So I have decided to crank the oven back up, take out the cookie sheets, and get baking again. I am trying to think of some fun ways to promote my shop :) I am going to think of it as a brick and mortar shop. I'll be having specials on certain days and flavor specials on other days. If you can think of a fun way to celebrate sweets, let me know! You just might find a few goodies on their way to you!

I Made Cinnamon Buns!

2009-09-07T14:50:00.003-04:00

I have to be honest, I haven't felt like writing this past week. I usually LOVE to write. I could write all day, but with Josh leaving, Jake getting ready to go to high school and Ira off to a new job, I have felt kind of melancholy. I write when I need to get things out and my mood was to keep things in.

I baked. I wanted to feel like I was accomplishing something. My goal, now that I am home alone, is to start getting out and finding customers, but I need to add some new Autumn flavored choices to my shop, so I took the time to research and try some new recipes. That is my favorite part! It takes longer than you think to come up with the perfect combinations of ingredients, techniques, cooking times, and packaging!

Sin-A-Buns

I have a potential customer who wants to stock her sweet shop with some of my goods {YEAH!} and so I am working on Fall type items that travel well and will keep well. Oh - they have to taste amazing!

For some reason, I kept thinking that cinnamon buns would be a good product, so never having made them before, I began my research. I tried quite a few recipes and techniques until I had, what I consider, the perfect product. I wouldn't stop until I had a light, fluffy, cinnamony, gooey bun. I present you with Sin-A-Buns!

Don't forget that you can have your own with a click of a button at The Cookie Jar. I dare you to stop at one!

I Bought Myself a Gift

2009-09-01T21:01:00.003-04:00

I love organic, handmade jewelry. There is something about the unique style that makes me feel like it was made just for me. It seems to have a soul. And I am always all about soul.

Jewelry By Natsuko

I don't buy very much for myself, but once a year, for my birthday, I buy myself a piece of jewelry that I absolutely love. This year, I bought the prettiest little poppy charm from Jewelry By Natsuko on Etsy. Her work is so beautiful that I just had to have a piece! I am loving the depth of glass enamel and the variations of color that she achieves as she carefully applies layer after layer of crushed powdered glass to hand sawn copper discs. The coated metal is then fired to melt the powder into a smooth sheet of glass. It is an amazing process.

Please stop by her shop to view her beautiful work. You won't be sorry!

2009-08-28T16:14:00.002-04:00

I just wrote this comment on a friend's blog. She is facing her fears and adjustments regarding becoming a full time stay at home mom. I find myself on the other end of that stage and I just needed to write a little about how right it was for me to be home.

"There is nothing so wonderful as the peace you feel when being fully present in your childrens' lives. And there is no more amazing feeling as knowing you made the right choice.

All this is said as I just watched my Joshua drive off to return to college, 7 hours away. It was soothing to have him home for the past few months, but saying good bye is never easy. And knowing that his return is never the same as it once was is even harder. This is what the love of a child is all about."

Joshua's summer was spent coaching, playing, umpiring, and prepping fields.

There are many changes that are going on in my family at the moment. I don't do well with change. I've learned to try and I've learned to have a little patience, but that same feeling in my stomach is still there. No Matter What. As an adult, I am trying to find the positive in change. But as a person, I want to kick my feet and clench my fists and cry. I know to turn inward and keep a stiff upper lip.

My son just drove off to return to college. I know he is incredibly happy at school, so in that, I take solace. It is about him, not me. We let Wilton free last night. It was much harder to do than I thought. I still caught a glimmer of Jake as a little boy. Those moments are very few and far between these days. I hang on to every moment I can get, because that has been my most favorite part of raising my children. Ira scooped up the rabbit, we each took a turn saying goodbye and he put him on the grass. We thought he would hit the ground running, but he poignantly turned to us, nibbled on some grass, and slowly made his way behind the hydrangea bush.

To add to the change, my neighbor moved out and a new one moved in, Jacob made the football team (YEAH!) and he is starting high school in a new HUGE school with a very early start time. No biggie, but still... And biggest of all, my husband, who has been working from home and then was eventually out of a job, for 5 years, has finally found a new job. That is wonderful and I am so so so happy and relieved, but in the same time, bittersweet in some respects. It has been a long time that he was home and an integral part of our family's life. It is going to be hard to give that up. And if I am being honest, I am going to miss him. That sounds needy and strange because most dads are always at work. We had a different arrangement than most families, and although temporary, not planned and not financially sound, it was wonderful for our children. Now I have to face the music and reality and adjust and prosper. I know I will, but all this at once?

To tie this all together, I am just remembering how grateful I am to have been able to be at home with my children. It ripped my heart in half when I had to go into work for the first 5 years. Although I am not always very confident with my decisions, I knew with out a doubt that I wanted to be home with them. And I would not have changed a thing.

I love you Josh, with all of my heart. Have a wonderful semester.

Jakey's Going to High School

2009-08-27T13:49:00.003-04:00

I started the day with an orientation to Jake's new school. I've been through this with Josh, so I am already comfortable with the High School...it's my baby going to High School that I am NOT comfortable with ;[

I guess you really can't stop the clock from ticking.

As far as baking, I'm a little confused. I spent some time baking a delicious Pumpkin Spice cake, crumbling it (felt weird!) and combining it with cream cheese, pumpkin frosting. I dipped them in white chocolate and was soooo excited to taste these amazing treats that everyone raves about. I thought that the combination was great.

Ehhh. I don't get all of the hype! They were ok, but nothing to write home about. Is it me? Or is it everyone else? To be honest, I love the cake and the frosting that I made from scratch. It is the "chocolate" melts that I don't like the flavor of. And the cake/frosting mixture is weird to me. Any comments to change my mind?

Wilton Update

2009-08-25T11:57:00.003-04:00

Wilton the bunny has grown! I just wanted to show how much 4 weeks can mean for a baby bunny. Although he has been "in captivity" since he was so tiny, his natural insticts are to be in nature. He won't even let us pet him! It seems like he would be used to us, but alas, he must return to the wild... :[

Jacob, on the other hand, does not agree. We will cal the vet and see what he thinks. I know what I think. I'll let you know what the verdict is.

25% Off Discount

2009-08-21T22:00:00.002-04:00

Not to toot my own horn, but I just wanted to share another customer's note about my cookies. I've been happily filling a bunch of orders these past few weeks and this particular customer from Australia was sending a basket of cookies as a birthday surprise to her friend in the States. What a nice, cheerful woman! Thanks for your good wishes, Donna.

Hi Lisa,
I just wanted to let you the cookies arrived to my friend and she was thrilled! She said they were packed beautifully and tasted even better! I'm sooo envious :P She has kept your card/details for future purchases.

Thanks so much for helping me spoil a friend on her birthday.

happy days,
donna

She also wrote,

"Fabulous! It was a great birthday surprise for my friend. They arrived on time and she said they were presented beautifully. Were they delicious? Oh yes, nom nom nomnom! Thank you so much!"

I wanted to let you know that I will begin a series of giveaways leading in to the holidays. I don't know how many "regular" readers I actually have, but it would be really fun if I could start having more of a following! Hint Hint! So what better way to attract some friends than with some cookies?!

Right now, I am offering a 25% discount to be applied to your next order when you refer a new customer to The Cookie Jar. Just have your new customer mention the you, the referring customer's name, when they place their order. I will be having this promotion for a few weeks, so if you are thinking of ordering, make sure to take advantage of my offer and help me build a customer base at the same time! It's a yummy win/win!

Band Aids!

2009-08-20T14:58:00.003-04:00

I have been studying every bit of info and technique that I can get my hands on. Truly, I've been obsessed! My poor husband has been cookied to death! And although my children don't mind all of the taste tests, they can't stand hearing about cookies anymore! And I can't get enough of it!

I am at the point in this learning curve, that I think I kind of know what I am doing. I have not mastered the techniques, by any means, but I feel comfortable with the products, recipes and storage/wrapping. I can go from beginning to end without having to think - which shows me that I am confident with what I am doing. I like to describe hand crafting as "it flows from my fingertips". I feel as if it is a part of my fingers when I am creating something comfortably. It is a freeing feeling when you don't have to think and you just do.

Now I am searching for a personal style. I find this to be the hardest part of being a creator. And also the most frustrating. With the ability to connect with so many other artists, it is so easy to be influenced by their work. The real test is to come up with your own look. With my jewelry, it took me a few years to know what my own style was. And then, your style morphs with the trends. It can all be very intimidating. As an artist, you don't want to be imitating another's work, but sometimes, I find myself thinking, "There are just so many ways to ice a cookie! Or twist a wire!" So that is my quest. What kind of cookie style am I after? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I know what I am thinking. I tend to love elegant styles. I just gravitate towards that. I love simple, but elegant. But bright and cheerful and fun sounds great too! And with those thoughts, I present to you my second cookie! It's a BIG one!

Cherries All Around

2009-08-18T21:17:00.005-04:00

I made some really yummy flavored cookies today and I wanted to put up some pictures. Get your napkin so that you can wipe your drool! I was in a cherry kind of mood. I even made the beginning of Cherry Extract.

Everything's Better With Cherries

Chocolate and Cherries - Enough Said!

Get these while fresh cherries are still available.

Customer Appreciation

2009-08-17T15:34:00.004-04:00

I just wanted to share a nice note that one of my customers sent my way today. It is special to know that people appreciate what I love to do! She is referring to an order of blueberry and of peach hand pies.

"I got them on Thursday - they were beautiful! Too pretty to eat - but then I ate one and thought they should be outlawed!!! WOW! I have one left - of the entire order!! I had a family gathering on Saturday (perfect timing by the way) and all but one was inhaled! I wanted so badly to take credit for them, but I didn't...you are a wonderful cook!! You can rest assured I will be ordering from you again! Sincerely, Susan"

Since pie season is on it's way, I have been playing around with some ideas for delicious flavors. We always go apple picking, so apples will be aplenty! I, personally, love to mix fruits. Are there any combinations that you particularly like? I'm always open to suggestions! As a matter of fact, I just filled an order for pumpkin pie - bite sized! They are delish as delish can be! And so cute as well!

Anyway, as the holiday season approaches, make sure to get your orders in so that I can bake you your favorite flavors! Keep in mind that you can order a variety of flavors and that is a unique and tasty gift to bring with you as a guest. Just saying!

In Continuing With My Reflective Mood!

2009-08-13T12:26:00.004-04:00

I was just over at Apples For Poppy Anne, a most beautiful blog written straight from Erin's heart, and I find myself in the same reflective mood. Her most current entry is written about her dear grandmother who has passed away and how she sees signs of her presence through nature.

When I met my husband, 28 years ago, I was blessed to meet a wonderful woman who quickly became a very special grandma to me. We instantly bonded and I was fortunate to have her as an intricate part of my life. She was everything family should be and my children were her world. She and I had very similar souls, something that I desperately needed in my life. I knew that I could count on her for anything and she knew that I was there for her. I was, and am, so very grateful that my children were such an integral part of her life and she in theirs'. The love just poured forth.

When we lost her, we lost ourselves. It's been three years and we take her memories wherever we go. Yesterday, I spoke of our amazing trip to Israel. It was more than we ever dreamed. My youngest, Jacob, was Bar Mitzvah at Masada. This was a dream of my mothers'. I had no real connection to the event as we had already had his Bar Mitzvah at home with family and friends. But as usual, mothers know best, and I was blown away with the emotions and importance of the event. In fact, I could barely contain my emotions. Masada turned out to be a barren, desolate plateau, high atop a mountain. There wasn't a plant or tree to be seen. The temperature was 113 degrees. It felt like we were so close to G-d.

Since Momma had been at my older son's Bar Mitzvah and she had just passed away, we were feeling the lack of her presence especially hard at the time. As Jacob read from the Torah, 2 beautiful iridescent black birds perched themselves on the wall behind him and sang a beautiful song. It was like a mirage! They stayed there for the entire ceremony. I knew that Momma was there and it gave me the most wonderful, soothing feeling.

Birds continue to play a role in my "staying connected". Whether it is with nature or with memories, they just give me such pleasure. In fact, the other day, as I was deep in contemplation and sitting at a large, busy intersection at a red light, a bird suddenly perched itself on my sideview mirror! I have never seen a bird fly up to a car, in traffic, and sit down! I couldn't believe my eyes!. There it was, 1 foot away from my face! The light changed to green and I had no choice but to proceed. The bird stayed there for 5 minutes, until I could pull into a parking lot. Then it gently flew away. How's that for a signal?! :)

I'm In A Reflective Mood

2009-08-12T12:46:00.002-04:00

I have been on the go recently and haven't had so much time for thinking {this is a very good thing for me!} other than to strategize about my baking. Last night, I came across a travel journal that I kept on my last few trips and I sat quietly to remember the wonderful, amazing moments that I have experienced with my family. It has been loud lately, with boys galore, and I found this to be quite calming. I have been blessed in so many ways and this journal brought me back to center.

I tend to be a very concise person. I plan. And if my plan gets changed around, I can get a bit flustered. I married a man who does not believe in making a plan. I do love that about him, because I grew up with the strictest of plans laid and it{usually} feels good to throw that to the wind. Reading back through these journals, I was able to recapture the magic of discovery and spontaneity that my husband has brought to our experiences. We have had the most wonderful times and my children have be gifted with his need to explore and experience. I am the careful one and he is the fun one and I am so very grateful that we have balanced out our childrens' upbringing in such a special way.

In the past 6 years, we have been first to Spain, then to Israel, and then to Hawaii. Who could ask for more? We have my parents to thank for the first two. It was their gifts to my children for their Bar Mitzvahs. Our memories are beyond the stars. And Hawaii {click for post} was a last minute decision of my husband's to celebrate our 20th Anniversary. We were forever changed by these trips. Each and every one of them. Thank you my honey, for all of you that you have shared with us!

Another Treasury on Etsy!

2009-08-09T22:59:00.003-04:00

I am so excited to say that I have been featured on my second treasury on Etsy, by someone that I don't even know! It is such a wonderful feeling to be acknowledged. I'm sending a big "Thank you" to Paula from City Candle Company for her generosity and enthusiasm!

Make sure you take a peak here to see which one of my goodies is showcased!

A Few Successes!

2009-08-08T17:42:00.004-04:00

I have been on a quest to make the "right" chocolate icing for my Black & Whites. Nothing was going to stop me. I went to 6 grocery stores yesterday, trying to find Dutch processed unsweetened cocoa powder. I was convinced that this ingredient was going to solve my bitterness problem. I don't know why, but no one carries this product anymore. At my wits end, I ran in to a local bakery and tried to persuade the baker to tell me what I was doing wrong. He wouldn't help ;< I just wanted him to tell me what ingredient I needed to use ;) Oh well, I guess I understand.

He did give me a hint, though, and I took it and ran. I sent darling hubby out to bring home the chocolate bars and premium baking chocolate. The first one I tried was a hit! YEAH!!! I am so satisfied! The icing dries hard and it tastes wonderful, just like it should. The vanilla side came out perfect, too. I will let you all in on a little secret that I tried. I wanted the white to be nice and white, so I added a little of the food coloring from Wilton that whitens the icing. It looks awesome.

I had another order for Rugelah and for hand pies that I was working on as well. I am thrilled with the pies! The crust is sometimes hard to make just right and I am very happy with how it turned out. I like the round hand pies that I made this time. I might still go back to the crescent shape, but the round gives a bit more fruit to crust proportion... and it looks cute!

These hand pies have such great potential! I think they would look adorable at an outside wedding as a favor or on a platter. I'll take some pictures of them individually wrapped. I think that it would be wonderful to take to a friends for the holidays. You can order them in different flavors - an assortment pack!

And the rugelah taste better than you can imagine. Look how fluffy the dough puffed up. Thanks for looking!

Here Is my Packaging and My First Ever Cupcake

2009-08-05T16:12:00.007-04:00

For those of you who place an order and are wondering what your package will look like, I wanted to show you a few pictures. This is an example and I do have a few different styles according to the size and type of order. The style is always similar, with the color being consistent. I hope you like! I do ;)

I also made my first cupcakes the other day. I gave Clementine's Cupcakes, recipe that was published in Better Homes and Gardens recently. Supposedly, she won a contest with this recipe, so I figured I had nothing to lose by starting here! They were delicious and the cupcakes came out perfectly!

I used a frosting that I got from the Culinary Institute of America. I filled a bag and began piping and I have to say, I was pretty happy with the results! I am so excited to learn more and to perfect the techniques available. Stay Tuned!

I Found Me Some CakeLove!

2009-08-04T17:15:00.006-04:00

The other day, as I watched tv, I caught a view of a baker in his kitchen. What was so unusual about this moment was that I usually have the tv on, but I never watch the commercials...ever. They just annoy me. For some reason, I hadn't looked away yet, and I caught sight of a man named Warren Brown. The message was about small businesses and the support that American Express is going to give them in rebuilding our economic future. I was glued to the commercial.

Quite a few years ago, in the beginning of my quest to "find my passion", I saw a biography about this wonderful, energetic young man. He was a successful lawyer, but was feeling the need to follow a different path. He was seeking what he called "a third dimension" to be added to his life's work. That dimension turned out to be the same yearning that I had. Connecting to others through the act of creativity is a powerful feeling, and one that I was slowly discovering myself.

I felt connected to this man. Finally, I found someone who knew what I felt inside. It validated my quest while all everyone around me kept telling me to do was to stop thinking so much. Easy for them to say. I still had this gnawing feeling that would not go away.

Mr. Brown baked because it felt right. He baked because his mind, his body, and his soul told him to. And he was smart enough to follow his instincts. Even his company's name exudes his attitude for life and baking...CakeLove. I fell in love with one of his quotes: "...that’s the whole idea with baking: finding harmony between the ingredients, the equipment and the baker." Having had a great background in music, I totally get what he means. It really is my motto of life!

He has a new book out that I will be purchasing immediately. I promise that you will love his story. Look for him on his commercial and then go back on line and read more about him. You won't be sorry. He is what "feel good stories" are all about.

Nectarine and Plum Hand Pie Critique

2009-07-30T18:24:00.005-04:00

I know it sounds a little unconventional, but I only had nectarines and plums. I even squeezed a bit of orange in the mix and added a smidge of nutmeg. I love the idea of these hand pies, but my first try, although I'm pleased with how they look, are a little on the dry side. I need to add a bit less flour next time. I know why I did that. I am notorious for making reeeaaaalllyyy juicy apple pies. No matter what kind of apple I use, it turns out like soup, so it is natural that I would want to try to avoid that. I guess that nectarines don't yield as much liquid.

The process of making these is a bit time consuming. You have to let the crust chill for 30 minutes 3 different times, but I used the freezer for a shorter amount of time and they seemed fine. I might make the pies a little larger next time and rolled a little thinner as well. The amount of fruit to crust was too small. I want to figure out how to make them hold a bit more fruit. Maybe I'll try a different shape.

I am really happy with how they look, after all, presentation is important! I am very pleased with how the leaf looks and I sprinkled a little sugar and cinnamon. With just a little tweaking, these will be delicious!

I also tried my hand at making marshmallow fondant today. I was determined to find a way around buying it from the store. I just like being able to create my own and I plan on only using it sparingly, so I can make it only when I need it. This recipe was recommended by some Flickr bakers and I just had the best experience with it! It took hardly any time and costs next to nothing. It took 2 seconds to clean up and made great tasting fondant! I have nothing to compare it to, and I am only cutting out flowers, not covering a whole cake, but I think that I can safely say that it is a great product. There was no cracking and as long as you keep your surface lightly sugared, there is no sticking either. The recipe calls for mini marshmallows, but I used the regular sized - 16 for a half batch.

The third thing I tried today is this recipe for sugar cookies. I added orange zest and the juice from a piece of orange and they taste delicious. I really like the flavor and they were just moist enough. This is a 5 star recipe from AllRecipes and everyone raves about it. I will continue to use it.

I remember seeing Martha make a wedding favor of stacked sugar cookies in graded sizes. I want to try my hand at these. I think that they would make a pretty "wedding cake" shape. I'll post the results tomorrow after I ice them. I can't wait! I'll get to use my fondant flowers, too! Oh the possibilities... a tree out of stars, a square cake, maybe a snowman!

One more thing. I also gave another idea a try and I am pretty happy with the results. No pictures yet, but I'll describe. I thought, "What if I use cookie dough like clay and decorate a base cookie with ornaments?" I took a base cookie (unbaked) and placed another small flat flower cut out in the middle. I topped it off with a tiny ball in the center. I used the handle of a paintbrush to push in on the center. It attached everything together. Then I textured with dots. The patterns stayed well when it baked... better than I thought! I'll have to play some more!

Random Act of Kindness

2009-07-27T21:21:00.006-04:00

It is amazing to me how the kindness of another person can make you feel so wonderful. Today, I was the recipient of a Random Act of Kindness! And I must admit that I feel giddy like a little girl! And better yet, it came on my birthday!

Tiny Shinies hand forged by C. Gail Designs

A few years ago, I decided to introduce myself to a woman who seemed to have so much in common with me. Through her pictures, I could tell that we had so many of the same interests. We both create jewelry, we love flowers and family and knitting. We were both trying to grow our businesses and we both seemed to have the same insecurities as well! We became fast friends and have followed each other ever since. I am so grateful for her friendship and although I don't always leave messages on her blog, I always stay close to her writings about her experiences.

Thank you so much Candace, for thinking of me. I promise that I will pass this act on to someone who will appreciate it as much as I do! I have always been a great fan of Random Acts of Kindness and I wish more people would think this way. In fact, I challenge you all to participate. Think of someone who is in need of a smile and give them a reason. Come back and tell me what you did!

A Must Have Icing Tool

2009-07-25T14:39:00.002-04:00

I am the kind of person who LOVES to find tips and tricks to make being creative even more fun! I am always challenging myself to find the best way to accomplish a task.

ICING TOOL!!!

Even though I am very new at this sugar cookie decorating, I came up with a tool that is fantastic! It is great to scoop out gel food coloring with. It is great to delicately spread icing with. And it has a little pointy fork on the other end that is perfect to coax tiny amounts of icing into those tiny spaces with! And I even used the fork end to slip under the little flowers that I was picking up! It is not disposable so you will always have it on hand. You'll use it all of the time - I promise!

I found this on line at the following link, but I saw it in my local supermarket, so be sure to check for it.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000DE7OZ/ref=asc_df_B0000DE7OZ863170?smid=AGRO36SJYWHFN&tag=shopzilla_rev_1203-20&linkCode=asn

Are there any tools that you suggest? I'd love to hear about your ideas.

Wilton The Rabbit!

2009-07-24T10:34:00.002-04:00

My kids named him Wilton. There is a significance to that name. It wasn't just pulled out of the air. A long time ago, when my 18 year old was in elementary school, he wrote a story about a raindrop. He named him Wilton. Since then, there has been Wilton the inchworm and now Wilton the bunny. And so it goes... I thought he looked like an Abbey! I guess I was wrong!

Wilton was in the street and couldn't hop up on the curb to join his sibling. We don't know where mommy is. The boys left Wilton for a few hours and came back to check on him, but he was alone and lonely.

They were supposed to be umpiring a baseball game, but I wasn't surprised when they came bounding in the door, full of glee, like little third grade boys. They had the cutest little bundle I have ever seen. I have to say. Pictures can't even capture the cute factor!

Everyone kicked in getting a cage and water and rabbit food and hay. We made him a little home and called the vet to find out the details. Baby rabbits are very fragile, but if they make it, they are fine to keep. If we want, we can let him go in a few weeks and he'll be fine to adjust back into nature. There are no diseases to worry about and the boys saved his life by bringing him home. The vet doesn't think the mom was coming back. Whew!

We have spent countless hours staring and checking on him. He ate all of his carrot shavings and spilled his water twice. It is priceless the amount of joy this experience has brought us. I hope he makes it. We are already in love...

Black and White Cookies

2009-07-23T23:02:00.003-04:00

I am so excited! I made Black and Whites! I grew up enjoying these deliciously spongy cookies. The big question is always how to enjoy them. Do you eat the vanilla and then the chocolate? Or do you eat your way down the center, enjoying the taste of both flavors at once? Me. I enjoy the vanilla the most, so I eat the chocolate first and save the best for last!

This recipe is almost the one. I need to tweak the icing a bit. I am not too thrilled with the chocolate yet. Does anyone have any suggestions? There are so many versions out there. I'll work until I find it. It is that important!

Should I Have A Giveaway?

2009-07-21T10:15:00.005-04:00

How is everyone? I've been busily baking away! I've been enjoying trying new recipes and perfecting others to my liking. It's a difficult task, but someone's got to lick the spoon! I have also begun seeing a tiny bit of interest in my Etsy shop. I am so excited about the prospects! If you haven't, please stop by and check out my bakery! Tell me what you think!

I sure hope that people have followed me over from my other blog. I am giving it a little time. I realize that the summer is sporadic in blogland. I want to have a giveaway so that you can taste my cookies and not just look at them! Hmmm. What kind should I give? Why don't you give me some suggestions and I'll get an idea what your mouths are watering for!

Will it be these?

White Chocolate Macadamian Nut

Or these?

Chocolate Cutout Sandwiches

Or maybe these?

Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Bars

You tell me!

Some Piping Practice Today

2009-07-14T21:52:00.007-04:00

Every time I get these feelings off my chest, I feel really stupid the next day. But I am going to chock it up to the hormones...and good ole stress.

I made sure to have a resourceful day today. I found a recipe for candy clay posted by Meaghan Mountford of The Decorated Cookie and played around with it. The clay is supposed to be a substitute for fondant so I gave it a try. The results weren't perfect. It dried out very quickly on me and tended to crack, but I am a beginner and I'm sure that with practice, it would be better. I cut out some flowers to start. Pardon the picture.

I also began working on piping. I am just getting used to achieving the right consistency of icing. My black was too thick and I adjusted the other colors as I mixed them. I figure out a lot today so I feel good. I'll post pictures, but being the perfectionist that I am, it is difficult! Actually, I feel like there is hope. I need to practice my details though ;)

What do You think for the second time ever?!?

Warning...My Head Is Spinning!

2009-07-13T12:20:00.001-04:00

I have been feeling really happy and content lately, but that hasn't been the case for the past few days. I am struggling with my direction and I am a person who needs a definite plan. I have always followed my intuition, but lately, it took a vacation.

The problem is that I have tried so many different venues, so many paths. I am so feeling the need to be successful with something. Don't worry. I feel accomplished at my art, but until people actually want them, I don't feel successful. That is the truth. You can't be a successful business unless you share your wares with others.

I am having so much turmoil inside, because I know that I can't keep trying new things anymore. It has driven my family crazy. I think that they don't take anything seriously anymore. How can they when I don't know which way to go either? I am serious about my baking. I have worked so hard to hone my products. I am just dragging my feet because I don't really know the next step. When you don't have a shop, how do you get your name out there?

And now, I am obsessed with making decorated cookies. My husband doesn't think it is the way to go. He says to do what I know. He is usually right, but I so strongly feel that decorated cookies draw attention and I need something to draw attention. Desperately. I have a whole idea in my head and have only made one batch of very silly looking cookies. I have spent so much time in the past few weeks reading and reading and reading, that I feel like I know I can learn quickly. I already have the baking part down pat and I felt very comfortable with the icing. I just have to design properly for it all to look right. Is my head in the clouds again? Am I just ridiculous for trying yet another "idea"? Or do I follow my instincts? One part of me says that success only comes when you try enough, but another part is getting ashamed. I need to work. I need to contribute.

So much for my rant. On a brighter note, I baked these delicious Peanut Butter Chocolate Swirl bars. They can be found, along with many other amazing varieties at my etsy shop. Take a look!

I've Moved Back!!!!!

2009-07-08T18:42:00.002-04:00

Over time, I have branched out from creating jewelry to bridal jewelry, to knitting, to baking. Actually, I've always been very involved with all of these activities {passions}. But as my concentrations changed, so did the names of my shops and blog names. I've been aware of the need to simplify all of this. I hope that my friends and customers will update their links so that you will all pop in and say "hello". I know it is a bit unusual, but I am picking up with my original blog because the address is simply

lstonedesigns

Presently, I am concentrating on rebuilding my baking business. As I've said before, I have been baking and selling my cookies for 15 years. I put it on the back burner (pardon the pun!) to make a go with my jewelry. I am still very much selling my jewelry, but I am also very excited to be baking once again! My children are in celebration mode as well ;)

Please check out my shop on Etsy and I have one at 1000 Markets as well. Spread the word and check back for some free giveaways. I have my tried and true recipies, but am always adding to that list. As I experiment I will be asking for opinions and I am looking forward to sending out some goodies!

The Time Is Coming

2008-05-27T20:22:00.006-04:00

I hope you all had a restful Memorial Day weekend. I actually took some time to tackle some of those projects that I keep putting off. I feel like I made good use of my time. I had forms to create and pictures to take, research to do and organizing that was waiting for me. I feel so much better now that I was able to accomplish them.

The one thing about working from home is that it is easy to work all the time. It is so hard for me to separate myself from my jewelry because it is all that I think about. Now that my children are older, my "me" time has grown and since I love what I do so much, I end up choosing to work! I have realized lately, though, that I need to make myself put it away. I work from a studio during the day and I sometimes leave the laptop at work just so that I am not on it all night!

Today, we went to get Josh's tux for his prom. He is so adorable! He looked so handsome as he was being fitted! Even with the khaki shorts ;)

I just can't believe how fast this all came upon us. I don't know what to say. I am trying so hard to be happy about all his exciting activities and concentrate on them. Really, I am getting more and more aware of his leaving for college...

I've Been Tagged

2008-05-23T14:23:00.006-04:00

I've been tagged by Candace at C. Gail Designs. Here it goes!

1) Are your parents married or divorced? Married.
2) Are you a vegetarian? No.
3) Do you believe in Heaven? Yes
4) Have you ever come close to dying? Thank goodness NO
5) What jewellery do you wear daily? My engagement ring and wedding band, a bracelet that I made for myself, and a charm bracelet that I created for myself.
7) Do you eat the stems of broccoli? Yes.
8) What is your hair styling agent? Tresemme
9) Ever have any surgery? If so, what? I ruptured a disc in my back while in labor, so I've had a lumbar laminechtomy. I've also had my gallbladder out.
10) Do you color your hair? No, but soon!
11) What do you wear to bed? nightgown
12) Have you ever done anything illegal? Not once.
13) Can you roll your tongue? No
14) Electric razor or blade? Blade
15) What kind of shoes usually? Sandals in the summer and anything that slides on in the winter.
16) Do you condone abortions? It's a personal choice, but definitely no for me.
17) What is your hair color? medium brown
18) Future child's name? All done.
19) Do you snore? Only when I have a cold.
20) If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be? Everywhere!
21) Do you sleep with stuffed animals? My maltese, Maggie!
22) If you won the lottery, what would you do first? Pay off the bills.
23) Gold or platinum/white gold? platinum
24) Hamburger or hot dog? Hamburger
25) If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Homemade chocolate chip cookies- or really the dough!
26) City, beach or country? Beach and country....how about a country cottage setting near the beach? Yes, that would be it! Perfect answer Candace! Mine is on Sannibel Island, Florida.
27) What was the last thing you touched? Yarn.
28) Where did you eat last? In my kitchen.
29) When's the last time you cried? 1.5 hours ago, but not too often usually.
30) Do you read blogs? Yes
31) Would you ever go out dressed like the opposite sex? Why not?!
32) Ever been involved with the police? Not that I can remember.
33) What's your favorite shampoo and soap? Pantene and Ivory
34) Do you talk in your sleep? No
35) Ocean or pool? Definitely pool!
38) Window seat or aisle? Window on a plane. Otherwise, the aisle.
39) Ever met anyone famous? The personal assistant to Kimora Lee talked to me on the airplane a few months ago. He's on her tv show. And I sat next to Vincent Irrizarry from the soaps, at the mall food court!
40) Do you feel that you've had a truly successful life? If my children are my success, I've been blessed beyond belief.
41) Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it? Twirl
42) Ricki Lake or Oprah Winfrey? Oprah
43) Basketball or Football? Baseball. Go Mets!
44) How long do your showers last? 10 mins
45) Automatic or stick shift? definitely automatic
46) Cake or ice cream? Ice Cream
47) Are you self-conscious? Very!!
48) Have you ever drunk so much you threw up? No
49) Have you ever given money to a beggar? Yes
50) Have you been in love? Very
51) Where do you wish you were? At that cottage on the beach!
52) Do you wear socks with your shoes? sometimes, and preferably ones I knit!
53) Have you ever ridden in an ambulance? No, but I gave birth in one!
54) Can you tango? Not even close!
55) Last gift you received? A needlepoint that my mom made for me.
56) Last sport you played? I don't do sports.
57) Things you spend a lot of money on? Jewelry supplies and a little on yarn.
58) Where do you live? Long Island
59) Where were you born? Long Island
60) Last wedding attended? My cousin's
63) Most hated food(s)? Olives and prunes
64) What's your favourite? ice cream and cookies
65) Can you sing? Not a note.
66) Last person you instant messaged? I don't
67) Last place you went on holiday? Hawaii and Israel all in one year! Great year!
68) Favorite regular drink? I'm into diet Pepsi.
69) Tag 5 friends: Can only think of 3 that would participate
70) Current Song? On My Way Here by Clay Aiken. Get his album. It is outrageous.

I am going to tag

Ginger at www.msbelle.blogspot.com
Beakee at www.peanutbutterfly.blogspot.com
Michelle at www.memorableeventsbymichelle.
blogspot.com

Barron Is Doing Well!

2008-05-21T21:20:00.002-04:00

In case you all were wondering how my new doggie is doing, I thought I'd give you an update! All is well in Barron world! He is actually so comfortable already, that I have to go look for him! He seems like he has been here forever. The other dogs have taken him in as well. Colby even shared his favorite toy.

I wonder if Colby realizes how much his toy looks like him?!!! He actually stole it from my son when we first adopted Colby two years ago. It was so cute to see him running around with an exact copy of himself!

Anyway, I wanted to stress how amazing it is to adopt pets that need a home. Two out of our three dogs are adopted and I can't tell you how incredible it feels to see how happy they are and how much we love them. And adopting a dog that is a few years old is the easiest thing you could do. They came here already trained in every way. All they want is love and security.

Welcome Barron

2008-05-20T15:48:00.006-04:00

Well, the boys won out again! I've talked about my 2 dogs, Maggie and Colby, before. I adore them. Maggie is my lovey. She is my lap dog and every other minute hug! Colby is our gorgeous larger dog. He is a rescue and he just makes our home complete. The boys, husband included, need his playfulness and love. One day, they decided that Colby needs a buddy. DEEP sigh....

I am the kind of person who loves a clean and organized house. I like to be in control of a thing or two and three dogs kind of put a damper on that. Welcome Barron! They boys always seem to get their way! Barron has a story, as all rescues do. I am a softy for "the story". Barron is a lucky dog to have found our home. He is a 7 year old long haired German Shepherd whose owner passed away. The son brought the dog in to be put down, but the vet would not go through with it. Fate brought him to us and in the end, I am so grateful for that. He is the most loving boy.

Another Blogging Format!

2008-05-19T19:02:00.005-04:00

Yes, I changed my blog again! I hated the other look and just never put the time into fixing it. I am happy to report, though, that I am much more comfortable with this look, after I get a banner made and I spiff it up a bit!

I am planning on working on my ETSY shop this week, too. I have to get pictures taken with backgrounds that I think look good together. Then I will start adding my new line of Czech glass and brass jewelry made from beads such as the ones above. I am actually very excited to see if I can make my way with this thing called ETSY. I see so many people who are successfully selling their wares. I think that I have a good product at a good price point for this venue.

I plan on continuing to sell my bridal jewelry through boutiques and my website, and my fashion jewelry through ETSY and my website. But my main focus for ETSY will be my brass collection. That is my plan for now. If I can get a following going, I might even open a separate shop just for my fashion jewelry. I have such an abundance of really pretty sterling and semi-precious pieces that haven't been sold, that I feel guilty about them. That's another story though. And the amount of beads I have accumulated! Maybe I'll have to open a shop for materials, too! Actually, I have always been very careful about my purchases. I have kept a lid on spending, but it still accumulates over time! This could be my workshop!

Well, I plan on being more diligent about posting here. I have two blogs and Flickr to keep up with and it sometimes feel like I don't have enough to say! Or pictures to post! Have a good one!

Faith Has Conquered Fear...On My Way Here

2008-05-08T17:47:00.005-04:00

I have to share with you all a song that I have fallen in love with. I've posted before that I enjoy me some Clay Aiken! I don't walk around talking about this usually (well, my husband hears more than he would like! ;) ), but basically, I enjoy his voice and his message immensely. He just released a new album and I can't get enough of his cover song titled On My Way Here. The words are very meaningful to me and I wish that everyone would hear it. It is so frustrating that the radio doesn't play his music. It is just wrong. Everything is about the buck.

Anyway, the song was written for him specifically for this album and it tells about a young boy who goes through many experiences, both good and terrible, and how, as he grows, he has learned to prevail. There are so many lines that give me the chills. I can relate to so much of this story and how you "need to learn to fly and how you have to want to leave the ground...faith has conquered fear...I wouldn't change what I've been through...I've been loved...I'd rather try and fail a thousand times denied at least whenever you feel pain it lets you know that you're alive..." These are my favorite lines. I will be referring back to this post often, because I am trying to learn all of this myself, both in my personal life and my business life, which, by the way, is conjoined.And in addition, my oldest son is almost 18 and on his way to college. It all feels very interconnected.

On to other topics! I finished the blanket I was knitting. I'm happy with it. It is very scrappy/handmade looking which is different than what I usually make. It was fun.

And I couldn't resist my cutie, Maggie. The lion pillow was bought for my toddlers 12 years ago and Maggie claimed it. I have always thought it was the cutest thing!

A Different Line of Jewelry

2008-04-18T19:33:00.001-04:00

It has been a few weeks since I last wrote. I needed some time off from blogging. I was starting to get frustrated with it. It really is a lot of work! I actually like keeping a blog, but I don’t feel very successful at it. I started paying too much attention to the social aspect of it, or lack thereof! Truth is, when I began to blog, I was aware that it was for myself. I knew that there was going to be very little feedback, but I found that other people got comments and I started to resent that I didn’t. Well, I’m over myself and ready to go! Comments or not, I will share the trials and tribulations of a hard working, clueless businesswoman who absolutely loves what she does and MUST continue to create! So there you have it!

To keep you up to date with my jewelry making, I am off in a different direction, for the time being. I first got the bug for this line when I came across Aloha Beads at the Bead Show. I was drawn in by the wonderful array of creamy pastel glass beads. They actually look like candy! I had begun to notice that Czech glass was making its way all over Etsy. I have always loved glass, but didn’t know how to incorporate it in my creative style. When I saw the mounds of Czech glass flowers and leaves and beads of all shapes, I had to buy some. I had no idea what I would do with them, but I bought them anyway, This is what beaders do. Well, I took them home and figured out exactly what to do with them! I am incorporating them into my own style and loving it! This line is created with antiqued brass. Wirewrapping is a very important element of what I do and I found that with a little tweaking here and there, I can create very similar jewelry as I have been, but with a vintage flair. This jewelry is more romantic looking. I LOVE me some vintage! My home is full of vintage. It is my personal style, so this suites me perfectly! And it is less expensive to produce. The same amount of time goes into creating this jewelry, but brass is a fraction of what sterling costs.

I hope you will find it more appealing to your pocketbook, and therefore, will be able to buy my pieces more readily. I am working hard to create less expensive, yet well made jewelry. As usual, I don’t use jump rings, so you won’t be sending my jewelry back for repair. Jump rings have a way of always opening and pieces fall off. That is why I wirewrap. It creates a secure closure. Please remember these details when you make a purchase. You get what you pay for. As soon as I get some pictures taken, I will post them. This line will be sold through both my Etsy shop as well as my website. Please stop by and take a peak. Mother’s Day is just around the corner and I know a few mothers who would love this gift!

My New Love is Green Amethyst!

2008-04-01T22:12:00.004-04:00

So I've made many posts regarding the "Sticks" part of my blog title, I'm sure you all realize that reference is to knitting needles! I decided to give the "Stones" a turn. This reference is to my jewelry and to my last name, which is Stone! I haven't purchased too many stones for some time. I've been trying to use what I have. The stash was getting a bit too big! Well, every once in a while, a girl's got to shop! And shop I did! I have been waiting impatiently for this past weekend to attend The Whole Bead Show. For living in such a fashion center, Manhattan does not get it's fair share of bead shows. I get to only two local shows a year. It was worth the wait though. I am so excited to work with my new purchases! I'll keep you up to date! Oh, did I say I am in love with green amethyst!

Spring Jewelry Ideas

2008-03-27T18:42:00.005-04:00

I have some fun spring jewelry that is just sitting on a shelf in my studio. They want an owner. They are calling out to someone "Take me home! I need to get out of here and see some sunlight!" I guess I am in need of a home party or something. I haven't had enough business lately and I don't allow myself to make more jewelry unless I sell some jewelry. Tell your friends because my fingers are itching!

This first piece is cool. I was at Home Depot and saw some cable. I unwound it, glued some pretty pearls along the length, and attached sterling crimps and clasps. It is a really neat look!

I REALLY love gold and silver together. I also really enjoy the look of quartz and antiqued silver. Here is a favorite look.

This pretty necklace has three rose quartz beauties and a nice size chain. The look is screaming spring.

These pieces, and much more, can be purchased at my website here.

I am going to the Whole Bead Show tomorrow. I am actually excited because I haven't bought beads in quite awhile. I really needed to use up some of what I have and besides, I have also been working on my bridal jewelry a lot more. Another reason that I am anxious to go is that I have been having problems with the quality of the stones that my usual resources in Manhattan are providing. It is very frustrating. I used to rely solely on my trips to the Fashion District. I barely buy from them any more. The beads are scratched and broken and just thrown around. I will not provide my costumers with that quality material. It is surprising that there are not more bead shows in NYC. This is the only show that comes and it is here twice a year. So you get what you can get when you can get it!

I'll bring my camera, but they are sometimes funny about taking pictures, so we'll see what happens!

Brioche Stitch and Tiny Needles

2008-03-24T18:18:00.008-04:00

Hi! I hope you all had a nice Easter. My holiday is next month. It is weird when they fall out so far apart.

Since going on my vacation and them being in bed for all that time with my back problems, I have knitted quite a few preemie hats! They are great travel projects because they are so small. I also made a great find as far as knitting small things in the round is concerned! I don't know if you all knew about these, but there are double pointed needles that are 5"s long! I bought a set of them in the size I wanted (size 5) and they are perfect for socks and baby hats! I am going to purchase a few other sizes from www.yarnsandthreads.com as soon as I can. Talk about small projects that are easy to carry around!

I wanted to try some new stitches out on these hats. I gave the brioche stitch from Weekend Knitting, by Melanie Falick, a whirl and here is what I came up with:

I just love how the stitch highlights the two colors. This is a bit of an advanced stitch, so don't get too frustrated if you have trouble with it. I have been knitting for 20 years, and it gave me a bit of trouble. It is worth figuring out though...I think so at least!

Some of my collections.

2008-03-22T16:05:00.004-04:00

My honey bought me these wire pieces yesterday and I thought that it was so nice of him. I just love wire baskets and things. Vintage pieces are great too. I have a nice collection of them. These are from Home Depot Expo in case anyone wants them, too. Anyone who knows me knows that I don't buy myself things very often. That is why it was so meaningful for him to surprise me with them. It's those little things in life that make me happy :D !!

While I was taking the pictures to share with you, I thought of making a theme for Fridays of "Things that make me happy!" I found myself walking around the house snapping photos of the different things that I have collected over the years. I am a collector of sorts. I like things that are vintage, like architectural salvage. I am drawn to things that had a previous life as something else. I collect crystal door knobs and white pottery. I LOVE things that have letters or words on them. I also love things such as old shutters and metal tins. I'll elaborate more each week. Here are a few letters and words that I have gathered.

This week, I wanted to share a cool collection I recently thought of having. As you know, we went to Hawaii a few weeks ago. One of the exciting activities that we planned to do was to visit many different beaches. We read beforehand that there were various beaches that each had different colored sands. I bottled samples from each beach and it is so pretty to see. This picture shows sand from a black sand beach - the sand was created from lava, a red sand beach - the sand was also created from lava. We went to a green sand beach - olivine is responsible for the green sand. We also saw beige sand beaches. I just love the memories that it brings back! I highly recommend this!

A New Line of Jewelry!!!

2008-03-12T16:46:00.007-04:00

Ever since I was in grade school, I have gotten a child-like excitement when I see the first Robins of spring! Here on Long Island, we were taught that this was the first sign of spring. Guess what? I saw a group of three Robins today! Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera so I don't have a picture to share. Bear with me. I'm just getting back into the swing of things! I'll get my camera out and tote it around again.

Speaking of cameras...awhile back, I blogged about borrowing my sister-in-law's Nikon D40. I fell in love with it and then the day was over and I had to return it. My husband surprised me with one for Chanukah, but it was on back order. Luckily, we got it the day before we left for Hawaii. I actually learned how to use it on our trip! It is amazing. I am so thrilled with it. I will have to get a light box and start replacing some of my pictures of my jewelry little by little. I am so sure that they will come out beautifully. Thank you hunny for a much loved gift!

The wheels are spinning for a new line of jewelry. Before I left on my vacation, I made myself a pair of earrings (one of the perks of being a jewelry designer!). I was really pleased with how they came out and have been thinking about expanding on the theme. I have always loved silver and gold together, as well as hammered metal and antiqued metal. This line will pull all of these elements together. I think that it looks sophisticated and hip. Tell me what you think.

Back to Work

2008-03-11T20:48:00.001-04:00

I'm finally back to work! I was so excited to go into my studio. It feels like home to me! I am so relieved to be able to stand and sit after being in bed for 2 1/2 weeks. It really got to me. I was able to knit at least! My collection of preemie hats has really grown. Now I feel like I can go in with a bunch! I think they will look so adorable on those tiny ones!If anyone wants to make them and send them to me, I'll get them where they belong.

I am so anxious for spring to get here. Turning the clocks ahead is a great feeling. I am so happy to have more sunlight in my day. I can see the buds almost ready to break open! I look for these things. Really, the birds are what I long for. Their songs make me feel happy.

My wonderful husband bought my hyacinths while I was stuck in bed. Nothing smells better! I'll take pictures tomorrow so you can share in the spring kind of mood that I am in!

I'm BAAAACK!

2008-03-08T16:01:00.009-05:00

Hi guys!

I'm so glad to say that I am actually able to sit! I have had such an awful four weeks. I mean, who goes to Hawaii and can't wait to get home? I really loved my trip, but unfortunately, I was in a lot of pain and couldn't relax and take it all in. I do have some really special memories though such as snorkling with the sea turtles and unbelievablely beautiful fish.

We also saw whales galore! It was so breathtaking that it brought tears to my eyes! We took a boat out to see them and they were everywhere! We were so close to them! A dolphin even joined in for some fun splashing us over and over again with her tail! I wanted nature. I got nature.

It was funny. As we toured the different beaches, we couldn't believe how tremendous and powerful the waves were until we visited the next one! Even the famous pipeline, where all the surfers go, was closed due to rough seas! It was mesmerizing. We visited black sand beaches, green sand beaches, red sand beaches, and white sand beaches. Each of them was more beautiful than the last. (Don't tell anyone, but I took home samples from each and they are so wonderful. Your not supposed to.) Shh....

I also pressed flowers everywhere I went! I carried a book with me and just stuck them in! I'm thinking creatively always!

We visited three Islands in two weeks. This was a lot of flying! And anyone who knows me, knows I don't like to fly. I'm proud to say, though, that 7 flights later, I am now over it! I could fly a plane myself if I needed to!

We also did some outrageous roads. And anyone who knows me, knows I don't like to be on the edge! We drove the road to Hana. This was probably my most favorite day. Pure beauty. But the road is treacherous. And true to form, my darling husband had us drive back at night! If I made it through that, I could make it through anything! And then there was the road to Haleakala. We drove up a volcano to 10,000ft. above sea level. Those are just numbers until you actually start climbing! Treacherous road #2! And again, we watched the sunset and then drove down! Really, it was an amazing event. We happen to be there to see a lunar eclipse. It was awe inspiring. I, of course was altitude sick and having incredible back pain. It was the 20th step that did me in! Thank goodness, pictures tell a thousand words. Here are pictures of the sun setting from over the clouds. We were way above the cloud line.

The other major event was Volcano National Park. By now, I wasn't very able to get around so the boys did much of the helicopter riding, lava flowing, crater hiking stuff without me. I was in bed at the bed and breakfast worrying how I was going to make it through three plane rides home. Somehow, I got home. And the rest was history.

I am so incredibly grateful for my husband's persistent planning and incredible insight of this trip. He worked so hard to make sure we knew all the best things to do down to the minutest detail. I love him for that and more!

Not Back Yet....

2008-03-02T21:16:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note. I didn't forget my friends out there, although I'm worried you all forgot about me! Unfortunately, during my dream vacation to Hawaii, I developed excruciating back problems and have not been able to focus on much. I am looking forward to getting this problem under control and getting back to my normal routine. My vacation was wonderful and I will post the most beautiful pictures as soon as I am up to it. I hope to talk to you soon.

Hawaii bound!

2008-02-11T21:16:00.000-05:00

Wow! I have been soooo busy that I haven't been able to keep up with everything! I have had a few bridal orders (YAY!). And some V'day orders (not enough). We had a HUGE Super Bowl party. YAY Giants!!! My boys were happy campers as were my 50 guests. Lots of cooking was done and LOTS of cleaning, too! But it was fun and the company was wonderful.

We have actually been preparing for a trip to Hawaii! I can't believe I am saying that! I am sooooooo excited! It has always been a dream of mine to see Hawaii and my husband and I are going to celebrate our 20th anniversary there! I'll have lots to talk about when I get home!

Until then....!

A Day With Clay Aiken - Spamalot

2008-02-04T21:46:00.000-05:00

Ok. So I am about to admit to something that I have actually kept very quiet for years! I haven’t told many people this, but today, I’m screaming it from the rooftops! Well, not really, but I had fun with it! Here it goes… I am a Clay Aiken fan. Whew, I said it. I am not one of those fan girly ones that follow him around ( not that there is anything wrong with that!), but I am actually very private about it except to my kids and my husband. My husband usually laughs at me when I tell him things I’ve read at the message boards. I guess I would too, if the tables were turned.

Anyway, my hubby was wonderful and bought us tickets to see him in Spamalot on Broadway! Today was the day! We were in the second row and I couldn’t believe how incredible it was! I haven’t stopped smiling yet! It was weird to actually be able to hear his incredible talent up close like that. And those eyes……..I believe that he looked right into my eyes a few times! I blushed ;) . Seriously, it was the most fun I have had in a very long time. The play was outrageously funny. Every one of the actors made me laugh hysterically. What was so funny, though, was that a lot of Clay’s humor was extra funny to the people who ‘know” him and what he is all about! He works so hard to be “family friendly” and in the play, he soils his pants, chases after hot women, and curses! This is certainly not what we have ever seen from Clay! He pulls it off in such a funny way! Clay is actually a very funny performer with a very dry sense of humor. Most people don’t know that about him. I have seen so many You Tube clips of his concerts and he cracks me up! But The Voice. That is why I love him, Well maybe The Eyes, too! I fell in love with his voice from the first note I ever heard. I haven’t ever been affected that way before by a performer. To this day, I can’t get enough of his voice. I hope he finally finds a successful partnership in the music business so that he can put together an album that lives up to his capabilities.

And to make things more exciting, Ira saw Tyra Banks and her mom being escorted right past us to go backstage! I saw them and didn’t even realize it was her. I still haven’t stopped kicking myself! She walked right past me. I would have loved to have seen her. I love Tyra. She and Clay are friends.

When we went outside to the stage door, I entered the crowd of people waiting for pictures and autographs. I didn’t think I would get one, because there were so many people there. Clay didn’t stay outside too long because he wanted to get back to Tyra. He was really rushed and didn’t talk or take pictures, but a dear woman named Linda, who was standing next to me, took my Playbill and reached over everyone and Clay signed it! I thanked her profusely and she said to do something nice for someone else. I told her that I was the right person to say that to, because that is how I live my life. What she did for me was my karma coming back to me. As the crowd dispersed, I noticed a teenage girl crying. Her mother was talking to her and hugging her. I found myself walking over to her to see if she had gotten an autograph. I thought she hadn’t and I was going to give her mine. Luckily for us both, she had gotten one. She was crying from happiness. Her mom thanked me for my kindness, as did she. As I walked away, I thought to myself that it’s funny. I wanted the autograph so much, but this girl’s reaction made me want her to have it. I’m grateful that there was enough to go around. But I am also grateful that my first thought is still to have compassion for others.

It was a good day.

No snow for LI

2008-02-01T13:24:00.000-05:00

WOW! It is absolutely pouring out! Once again, my boys are asking why it is not snowing. They love the snow, but for the past few years, it hasn't really been very snowy on Long Island. A few years before, it snowed endlessly! I have pictures of the boys as little ones in the snow up to their waists! I remember one time when Ira dug a hole in the yard and inserted on of the kids in the hole! The snow was up to his ears!!! We don't usually get that much either, but for a few years in a row, we did.

On the third year of shoveling our pretty large driveway, Ira finally had enough. He gave in and purchased a monster of a snowblower. He even purchased a vinyl hood that protects the user from all the snow. Believe me when I say it looked silly! But then something happened. It stopped snowing. The joke has been that it is all Ira's fault! He takes the blame. "Sorry" to the children all over Long Island. "He's sorry that you have no snow days from school. Sorry that you have no sledding and hot chocolate runs. Sorry for no catching the flakes on your tongue and not making angels in the snow. Ira says he's sorry.

There's talk that we might have to break the darn thing! This is from the news the other day!

A Special Treat for Me!

2008-01-30T17:56:00.000-05:00

So I purchased a special treat for myself the other day and I wanted to tell you all about it! I know that all you other indie people out there don't want to hear this, myself included, but I try very hard not to spend all my money on buying all the great handmade stuff out there. I would go broke if I bought everything I loved! I appreciate handmade items. I love handmade items. As a matter of fact, I am rarely interested in anything in the stores anymore because they are machine made and have no "soul". I have said it before, but I am all about the soul.

Back to my story. I bought myself an apron! It felt so domestic!I've never had one before and I fell in love with a green paisley fabric so I had to have it! And the maker of this apron isn't bad herself! Check out her work. Christina is a wonderful, conscientious, business girl who aims to please. And her stitches are perfect. I even found her signature on the back, which makes it feel even more special! The only downfall to having such a wonderful apron is that I get all upset if something gets it dirty!!! Please check out her website at
www.designsbychristina.biz

This is a picture of an apron in one of Christina's other amazing materials. Thanks!

I Will Pursue!

2008-01-28T20:45:00.000-05:00

So I took some time off and regrouped. It did me some good to get away from the over load of information that the internet can provide. I love information. Don't get me wrong. I just tend to over do it. I research and research until my head is swimming and then I get overwhelmed.

Lately, I've been working on how to get my bridal jewelry line recognized more. I have been surfing the net for outlets- ways to connect with the brides. I feel like I am banging my head against a wall because I just don't feel like I know what direction to take anymore. I spent time researching how people make sales on etsy. Geese. Some of my friends have 1000 hearts and more!!! I have 19. Granted, I haven't worked much at promoting over there. That is why I was looking into it! But I just don't know how they do it! I have tried some of the techniques that are suggested, but I don't see any payback! I Flickr. I've joined groups and made contacts. I have fun, but not much else!

I have been calling to purchase vendor space at upscale expos. They won't sell me space! I go into bridal shops and they already have vendors that they represent! I'm not sure where to connect, but I will not give up. I will find my way through this mess! I believe in my product and I believe that brides will want my jewelry. If you have any ideas, please pass them on!

An Even Keel

2008-01-24T16:57:00.000-05:00

So I took a few days off and I feel soooo much better! I guess I can get myself overwhelmed when I spend too much time surfing. It becomes "too much information" and I go into overload. I read so many success stories and compare everything to what I am trying to do. I realize that I can't do that. It is human nature to compare, but everyone's stories are different. I realize that I have to concentrate on MY story! I find that the internet is amazing for connecting with other people, but the more you connect and the more information you gain, the more you have to try and keep up with. It is up to me to keep everything on an even keel.

I wanted to thank Mellisa from www.chinookjewelry.com for the mention on her blog. She has wonderful jewelry. She is also a very talented clay pendant designer. I just love the earthiness of her designs. There are wonderful colors to choose from and her pieces look like artifacts. Please visit her website and you will be as excited as I am. Here is a picture of a simple necklace that I designed to showcase the bead, itself. I love the sage green of the bead with the oxidized sterling bar chain. If you like this, I can make you one, too. Pick any bead from her site and it is yours!!!

Design to Sell? or Design from the Heart?

2008-01-18T23:33:00.000-05:00

I probably shouldn't be writing this at this moment. It is late and I am blurry-eyed from being on the computer ALL day. I am feeling at a crossroads and I'm really not sure what to do. When I feel like this, there is no stopping me though...

I guess every designer faces this at one time or another. It is probably inevitable. I am questioning everything about my jewelry. Up until now, I have believed in my instincts. I know what my style is and I know what I expect from my designs. I know what price points I feel comfortable charging and I know what customers I am targeting. Then, along came blogging, Etsy, The Switchboards, and my website, among other things.

All of a sudden, my head is swimming. I haven't had many sales at all. I am spending so much time reading about so many other peoples' successes that I have started to second guess everything that I have worked so hard to figure out for myself. I am beginning to wonder if I should be designing to sell or designing from my heart.

I have always felt very strongly about designing what feels right and good. I have taught myself this wonderful craft of jewelry making. I adore every aspect and every minute of it. This, I am certain of. I have worked hard to find my style. I know what makes me inspired and I have such a wonderful time exploring it. What I don't know is whether I should compromise these things to do what is proven true. Less expensive items sell more. But they are not challenging or inspiring to design. I have felt that what makes my jewelry my own is that it is more intricately designed and created. I love to work detail. That is what I do. I find the balance between intricate and classic. But people don't seem to want to pay for that. At least that is what I see online.

I'm going to sleep on this and see what tomorrow brings.

Wrestling is Over!

2008-01-17T14:02:00.000-05:00

I am so relieved. We (and by "we" I mean "me") made it through the season. I try to be strong. I really do. But someone, sometimes, more than one, gets hurt. Sometimes they get very hurt. I've seen too much. Well I thought I did, until yesterday. One of Jake's teammates got hit on the back of his head, stood up and fainted to the mat. These are 8th graders. They are babies still. It is hard to watch. The boy was sick to his stomach when he woke up and the coaches took a long time until they let him get up. Fifteen minutes went by. I was having a fit that they didn't call the ambulance. My instincts were screaming to have him checked out.

They had him sit for awhile , and then he kept falling asleep and not remembering things. HELLOOOO!. It was hard to not take matters into my own hands. His mother was there and trying to stay very calm, but come on. They eventually called the EMS which took another 15 or 20 minutes to get there. I was nauseous by the end of the event.

I still haven't found out any information. I'm sure he is fine. It was probably a concussion, but my message is to act on the side of caution with your kids. The last casualty was a compound fracture and the boys parents weren't there or available by phone. I know we are all busy, but be there for your kids. They need us.

I'm done with my rant. WRESTLING IS DONE!!!!!!

Can She Make it Work?!!!

2008-01-15T12:03:00.001-05:00

Hang in there with me! I am trying like the devil to make this blog design my own! I really enjoy working on this. I am actually very proud of myself because I have taken on this challenge of understanding HTML and CSS with no one to ask any questions of. I have spent many more hours than I should obsessing over this. I have lost much sleep, too. Why can't I get the border to work? And how come the line won't move over a bit? The colors are fun to play with, but I can't make the pictures fit correctly?!! I know that I am one of many, many beginning bloggers who are obsessing, but what the heck? I have gone from "Just let me see if this will work.", to "@#$% it! I can't believe this!". And then to add insult to injury, Blogger can't be contacted to save what I've done!!!

But I'm having fun! And soon, you will see the end result of my obsessive creativity! Check back often to see this work in progress. If it hasn't progressed, I've lost my mind.........!

This beautiful picture of yarn, or something like it, is what I hope to incorporate into my header. We'll see....!

How Come Jewelry?

2008-01-12T20:35:00.000-05:00

A woman over at The Switchboards posed a question today that made me think about expanding on the topic. She wanted other women to explain what exactly made each of them decide to settle upon what they do. She stated that she had the desire to "channel her creative energy", but I guess she is feeling unsure about what exactly that should be.

Deciding what to do with myself, in my case, was like knowing if I wanted to marry my husband. There was not a question in my mind. Every bit of me just knew that I had to use my creativity. I used to work in an office for 10 years and a piece of me died every day. I felt so out of place and all I thought about was the project that I was currently involved in. It was an obsession and I had no control over it. I did not understand this pull and I felt awfully about it. I felt like a failure, because I worked so hard to receive my BS and Master's Degree and all I could think of was knitting.

This went on for many years. I eventually stopped working to be home with my children. Those 10 years were all about soul searching for me. I had anxiety problems that had to be dealt with. They came to a head when I quit my job. Little by little, I started to realize that I had choices. I could decide to make my self worth dependent upon what I wanted to be doing, not only on what other people in my life perceived to be success. In those 10 years, I started to understand that living a happy life was essential to me. I needed to feel right in my own skin. I had never felt that way before. The quest began. I started to study what other people were willing to spend their money on. I went to trade shows and just watched. The booths that had the biggest crowds seemed to consistently be food booths and jewelry booths.

After some time, I attended a friend's jewelry party. The jewelry was beautiful, handmade jewelry and everyone was very responsive to it. I sat and watched. I took in everything. I was mesmerized by the excitement and enthusiasm that the customers showed. And then the light bulb went on!!! I can do this myself! I can learn how to make this and sell it myself!

I set out to learn a whole industry with no one to teach me anything. It was a difficult, but very challenging. Five years later, it is ALL I still think about (besides my beloved knitting of course!). I researched the fashion district and now have my favorite shops that I rely heavily upon. I have gone to many trade shows and have searched out the best resources for silver findings, wire and everything else I might need. I purchase materials directly from dealers on 47th st. It is so much fun to take a day with my mom and galavant in Manhattan! This is what makes me feel right in my own skin. I now look forward to working every minute of the day!

Don't get me wrong. There are still MANY frustrations and difficulties, but I feel challenged by them, not depressed by them. I have MANY mountains still to climb, but I still get excited by making a sale. Each time a customer wants a piece that I have created, is a reminder to me that I am right where I belong. The biggest hurdle I have, is to find a way to make people know I exist! That is huge for this quiet, fairly private person! I have yet to find my success with this. But I am not going to let this stop me. I am now working on finding my niche in the industry. I have recently begun to extended myself to brides.

I believe that I have a product that brides love. My goal is to provide brides with choices that are subtle, classic, and have quality. I want to provide jewelry at affordable prices, yet have no rhinestones! In reaching out for this market, I have found a love in sparkle and romance!

.

Why we knit

2008-01-11T18:28:00.000-05:00

Well, Josh passed his road test. I can't believe I have a son who drives. It just can't be happening. But it is, and so on we go. Please keep him safe.

I have been knitting a blanket for him for two years now. This is a very special blanket. I began planning it two years ago so that it would be ready for next September. It is Josh's "college blankie". I know I've mentioned it before. I've even shown a square or two. It has sentimental meaning to me because, besides the obvious, I have some very emotional memories that are connected with it. When I began testing out patterns, my knitting buddy went into the hospital for a knee replacement. She was actually my buddy in all aspects of life. Momma was my husband's grandmother and she was the most special person I have ever known. We were together many days a week and she was a part of everything I did. Joshua was her pride and joy. No two people could be closer or more in love. Josh was the first grandchild of the now 6. He had a special place in her heart and everyone knew that. Thank goodness he was old enough to know that till this day.

When Momma went in for her surgery, I came in with 3 or 4 different ideas for the blanket. I stayed with her and knit by her bedside for a week as she healed. I would make one square, decide that it wasn't just right, and rip it out. She made fun of my quest for the perfect blanket idea! On the night of Valentines Day, the doctors told her that she needed a pacemaker. Momma was 83. She was very upset, but we told her how lucky she was to have a new heart at that age! She was the youngest 83 year old I had ever met! As she slept, the snow fell outside. It piled to 1 foot. Inside, we snuggled and the perfect pattern settled into my head, my heart, and my hands.

The next morning, she went in for a 15 minute "procedure" and then she was gone. I have never told anyone this, but every stitch of that blanket is a part of her to me. And what makes it even more special is that it is made for Josh. Maybe I will tell Josh this story someday. For right now, it is his college blankie.

I wanted to say that the reason I needed to share this very personal story is that it represents the essence of knitting. This story has come full circle as I am almost finished assembling the squares. It feels melancholy.

New Designs for spring

2008-01-08T22:25:00.000-05:00

Well, it felt like spring today- I think we broke some records here on Long Island! It was almost 70 degrees in the middle of January! I was in such a spring mood that I took out my camera to capture the gerbera daisies that my darling hubby gave me the other day when it was 23 degrees out! I wonder if he knows that this is my most favorite color in the world! Come to think of it, I just built a website and blog around it! This fuchsia just makes me smile :) ! And I fell in love with the pictures I took of them, too. Isn't it funny how you can try so hard to take a picture and it doesn't meet your expectations, and then you just snap a picture in your kitchen and it can look like it was taken at a beautiful garden?!!

I have been working on a new line of jewelry for the spring. I just love how gold and silver look together and have been having a lot of fun combining them in unexpected ways! I really like the graphic look that I have come up with. Working with wire is my first love. It is so satisfying to me to take a straight line and form it into whatever shape I want. I also feel the need to create my own findings lately. I want my pieces to be my own design whenever possible. I'll give you a peek at what I have been working on.

Gimme girl time!

2008-01-06T20:59:00.000-05:00

Ok. So It isn't easy being the only girl in a house full of boys! This isn't news to me. I have been living this for 20 years! Sometimes I am more aware of it than others. During baseball season, it is my life. My family eats and breathes baseball. We even plan our vacations around spring training! I have been to the Mets camp more times than I can remember! Don't get me wrong. I am so grateful for those experiences. The memories are incredible. But other times, I just long for some girly talk! The other day, my husband saw a knitting stitch counter that I had made. I used letter beads to spell out some knitting abbreviations. He looked at me slyly and smiled. "See," he said. "Here is proof that I really do listen to all your girly talk!" He pointed to the stitch holder that had PSSO and said, "That means pass slip stitch over! And that (CO) means cast on and that (BO) means bind off!" I belly laughed and realized how much I LOVE my boys! I wouldn't trade them for the world... I'm off to paint my nails ;)

The Handcrafted Wedding

2008-01-04T11:09:00.000-05:00

What a nice treat this morning to check my emails and see some happy news! Lynn, at The Handcrafted Wedding, included a wonderful write up about L. Stone Designs in her blog! What a nice feeling to see my pictures featured! And she described my company exactly as I am working so hard to be! That tells me that my website depicts exactly what I am trying to convey. Success at last! I finally feel like I am truly headed in the right direction. Now the challenge is to find brides. I have so many ideas and I am sorting through how to accomplish them. If anyone has any ideas, I'm listening!

For the meantime, I plan to do some wedding expos. That is a large step for me because these expos are usually very professional, but I feel really confident that I will find the right market this way. I also feel like I am ready to handle the more professional shows! It is even a little more exciting than scary!!! I am also interested in advertising in some bridal magazines. I have to find some that are in between Martha Stewart Weddings and the dinky little local ads. I also want to do some local newspaper articles.

Please check out www.blog.thehandcraftedwedding.com
Lynn is doing a wonderful service for indie designers and I would like to support her back!

2008-01-02T15:18:00.000-05:00

I was tagged!!! I feel loved! I've seen other people who were tagged. Now it is my turn! The thing is, I have to think of seven weird things about myself. My husband would love to chime in! He would come up with 20! I, on the other hand, am having a hard time thinking of something to write! Oh well, here it goes...

1. I have an obsession for magazines. I could spend hours at Borders just reading every magazine I can get my hands on! It gives me a rush.

2. I LOVE to rummage through old things. I absolutely love going to antique shops and looking for old things with soul. It is so inspiring to me.

3. I knit EVERY possible moment that I can...in the car, at my friends, at sporting events, everywhere! I have gotten a lot of looks! By the way, not while I am driving!!!

4. I save cutouts from magazines for probably 20 years now! I love cutting them out an putting them in a box that I have. It is like a dream box to me.

5. I get nuts if words are spelled wrong or if grammar is incorrect. What can I say? My mother is an English teacher and she drilled it in to me! My children love it when I correct them ;) !!! I actually hear them correcting others.

6. I get freaked out when I can't figure something out or if I can't make something work. You should see me when I can't get something to work on the computer! Or maybe you shouldn't!

7. OK. I want to be an author. I want to write a knitting book. I have always wanted to share my enthusiasm of knitting with others. Maybe some day.

So how'd I do? Do you think I am weird? Do me a favor. Follow the rules below! And have a good one!

The rules are as follows:

Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
Share 7 random and/or weird things about yourself.
Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

I linked to :
1. www.claudinehellmuth.blogspot.com
2.www.msbelle.blogspot.com
3. designsbychristina
4.www.belbaciojewelry.blogspot.com
5.www.bridedesign.blogspot.com
6.www.thedapperdarling.blogspot.com
7.www.anniesmarket.blogspot.com

My wishes for the new year

2007-12-30T16:57:00.000-05:00

I haven't been as good about blogging as I have been in the past. I am taking some time to regroup and figure out some new plans for the new year. I feel really excited about having a website to send people to. Now I have to let everyone know that I am here! It is the hardest part of this journey for me. I have never been the "center of attention" kind of person. I have always been the kind of person who treasures quiet, quality time. That is one of the reasons I have such a passion to create. This year, I will learn how to make other people want to share in my passion.

This past week, I met with a Bride and her Matron of Honor. This particular consultation reminded me of just how much I love what I do! It is so gratifying to me to design just what a bride is dreaming of for her wedding day. I am given the chance to create pieces for her bridesmaids' that will always remind them of their friendship. And I take part in traditions that have been around for hundreds of years. What more could I ask for? Thank you for including me in your very special moments.

And the same sentiments go for my fashion jewelry customers! I feel so lucky every time I fill an order for you. I have had the honor of sharing a moment in your busy day to design a piece that fills a certain desire. Whether the piece is for your mom or your best friend, or just a special gift for yourself, I have participated in creating the exact piece that brings a smile to your face as you wear it or give it as a gift.

I am ending the new year with some heartfelt sentiments and hoping the new year is filled with good health and peace and lots of love!!! And weddings!!!

Back from the holidays

2007-12-27T22:43:00.000-05:00

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas. I visited with special friends that I haven't seen in two years, so mine was wonderful! It was so relaxing and I feel rejuvenated and ready to make jewelry, which is a good thing, because I met with a bride today who ordered all of her accessories and her 7 bridesmaids' jewelry! I love the selections she made and am excited to get started on her order. I just love working with brides! It is so gratifying and sparkly! I'm going to make this style with swarovski crystals of various sizes and shades. It will be beautiful.

So, have any of you got this going on in your homes?! My boys and their friends have been doing marathon Guitar Hero sessions! It really is funny to watch. They are soooo serious and they look like they know what they are doing! My sons have never played the guitar before. Yet they look like pros! I get such a kick out of it!

Maggie is so funny! She stole Colby's cookie. It is almost too big for her mouth and yet she runs around and looks for the best place to hide it, over and over again! It can take her two days until she actually eats it! The big dog, Colby, is such a good sport! Here he is eating. We think it is hillarious that he lays down to eat! He usually has his paws on each side of his bowl. Hey...my son eats in the same way!!!!

Lightning Bug Designs

2007-12-19T14:17:00.000-05:00

I wanted to take some time to officially thank Leila and Lauren of Lightning Bug Designs for their tireless work in creating my long awaited website! Before I signed on to have them build me a site, I researched endlessly to find a reputable company. I had been very disappointed by two other web designers who really knew nothing about working with people. At the time, I was very let down by their lack of dedication and enthusiasm, but looking back, I realize how lucky I really was!

LBD runs their company with extreme professionalism. I have never experienced a business that performs with such competence and organization! It was a pleasure to do business with them and I wanted to share that with you!

My website was developed using a template based program called Zen Cart. Not knowing what zen cart even was, put me in quite a bind! My friends at The Switchboards all highly recommended LBD. I trusted their word and dove right in, attaining a start date. I had one problem. My assumed understanding of the process was nothing like what was actually about to happen! I guess I should have researched zen cart beforehand. I thought that zc was the shopping cart part of my site. I spent so much time just trying to decipher the information that was coming my way! It was like taking a college course! I feel sorry for Leila, but thank goodness, she held my hand and led the way!

Looking back, I realize how lucky I am. In learning zc, I now have full reign over the day-to-day happenings of my site. Before, I would have had to hire my web designer to change every picture, every word, and every detail. That would have driven my crazy. I love the fact that I am free to update my pictures as better ones are available. And I am free to add merchandise as I want.

To my customers, please know that I am always working at bettering my computer abilities. There is so much more for me to learn about. Bear with me and thanks for taking this journey along with me!

Geneseo bound!!!!

2007-12-18T16:07:00.001-05:00

The holiday season has brought our family a wonderful gift! My oldest son, Joshua, has been accepted to the college of his choice! And to make it even more of an accomplishment, he was accepted on early admission! He will be going to Geneseo in upstate NY. He is beaming, as are we!! We are so very proud of him. He put his mind to this accomplishment and made it happen.

Josh has always been a great student and when he decided to look into Geneseo, my only opinion of the school was that it was going to be VERY cold and far away. After researching and visiting this beautiful school, I, too, fell in love with it. This college is extremely competitive and very highly thought of. Not many of the applicants are accepted. My Josh was though!

So, we went out for dinner to celebrate and I made sure to tell everyone that I could! We had lots of fun. And my mother-in-law and I tried to take it all in.

Then, I went to bed and reality started to set in. I began, for the first time, to really realize that my baby is going to go away. I was up all night thinking. I am feeling so happy for him, but I don't know how I am going to deal with it. I know that all parents have to deal with this, but I really I guess I will concentrate on the time we still have left and worry about next September in August! Who am I kidding?!!

I better get going with knitting his blanket! I have been making him a great heavy "college blanket". I have been knitting for so long and my boys have never let me make them anything! I have always been so disappointed about that! But now Josh has an interest and he picked out the colors. I've been working on it here and there knowing that I had time. Now, the time is coming closer!. He told me to get going with it! Off to get my project started!

Fingerless gloves

2007-12-14T23:57:00.000-05:00

I always wanted to knit a pair of fingerless glove. Here on Long Island, it gets very cold. Having kids to tote around, I never had the patience to wear gloves. I couldn't feel what I was doing and so I couldn't be bothered! You know how it is..."Boys. PUT YOUR GLOVES ON THIS MINUTE. IT IS FREEZING OUT!" And then you run out with no coat on yourself!

When I realized that I could use gloves AND feel what I was doing, I went right to knitting myself a pair! I love them and they really suit my needs! I highly recommend them.

I actually made these from my own design. I like to challenge myself with designing my own patterns. I can't create complicated patterns, but I am able to copy shapes of other pieces. I made these with scraps of leftovers. The arm part is chenille yarn while the pattern and hand part is wool. I wanted the arm parts to be long so that they covered my arm up under my coat sleeve!

Tomorrow, I have a craft show to do at Josh's high school. I haven't done one in awhile. I don't usually sell much because people are generally looking for $5 items, but I need to start working more and I figured that this would be a good place to start. I'll let you know how it went!

No shabby chic mood today!

2007-12-13T17:58:00.000-05:00

I usually LOVE working on my bridal line. The colors are soft and romantic and very soothing, to say the least. Truthfully, that is really my style. I love to work with tone-on-tone and texture in everything I do. My home is cozy and very neutral, my knitting is usually soft looking, and my studio is shabby chic. I am all about cozy and soothing.

Yesterday, I woke up and decided to go bright and bold. I have been seeing many designers working with heavily darkened sterling silver and I felt inspired. I decided that I love the stark contrast of the bright colors and black. I set out to find my brightest beads from my extensive collection and went to work. Funny thing is that I have always been very drawn to natural stones. I felt like it was pure heracy to dye innocent quartz a screaming pink or turquoise color! I only bought these dyed beads to satisfy orders. I NEVER thought that I would ever come back to them! It always works that way, doesn't it?!

Well, I mixed and matched and bended and twisted and here are the results! These earrings are part of my Eye Candy Line. I decided to introduce a fun, less expensive line that I hope will attract customer's who are looking for a quick, inexpensive, handmade gift. Hope you like them as much as I do. Fun, fun, fun!!!!

Nikon D40X for L. Stone Designs

2007-12-11T14:34:00.000-05:00

Chanukah really paid off for me this year!!! I got a present that I REALLY really wished for. Remember the Nikon D40X that I was freaking out over a few weeks ago? My wonderful, amazing, super, duper honey surprised me with one! I am jumping out of my skin over this! I didn't think that I could ever treat myself to that camera. It takes such clear pictures. I will have to retake all of my jewelry pictures for my website. That is a HUGE undertaking, but worthwhile. Thank you my sweetie! I love you.

Jacob wins the prize for the strangest/funniest gift request this year! He said he always wanted a metal briefcase like James Bond! You should have seen the grin on my husbands face when he walked out of the store with one of these in his hand! I guess it is a boy thing! Jake had the cutest reaction to it...he said that he wasn't going to tell his friends about this gift!

My oldest son's girlfriend, Melody, enjoyed a pair of sterling and jade earrings. I made them to go with the necklace that Josh gave her last year.

I am down to the last few bits of finalization for my website. I'll let you all know when my launch is! I will be having a great sale as soon as it opens- just in time to spend all of the cash gifts and checks you received as gifts for yourself!

Jake the wrestling god!

2007-12-08T14:41:00.000-05:00

One of the ultimate joys of being the mother of boys is that I get to go to wrestling matches. I mean, who wouldn't want to see 8th graders grabbing each other and throwing the other to the floor as hard as they can? It goes against every grain of the mommy part of me! I have to contain myself from yelling to them to get off of each other and to stop fighting...that someone is going to get hurt. I have to sit on my hands and remember not to be mad at the other kid for grinding my son's face into the mat for as long as he can! Wrestling...I love it! Oh, and they do get hurt. A lot. And by, the way, mother knows best!!!

Jacob is large. He has always been one of the largest in his class, even when he was in pre-school. He only wrestles when there is a match for him on the other team. Today there was. After they took a child away in the ambulance (he broke his wrist), Jake started to limber up and get psyched for his match. He was really uptight. You could see it as he paced. Ira gave him some words of wisdom and off he went. I don't think he won any of his matches last year. It was his first year last year. Jake PINNED the kid! I was screaming like a wild woman! Secretly, I was mostly relieved that he didn't get hurt! Shh, don't tell him! It was amazing to see his feeling of accomplishment! Love you Jake. MWAH!

Chanukah Menorahs and Traditions

2007-12-07T23:32:00.000-05:00

I wanted to wish everyone who celebrates this holiday a Happy Chanukah ! It is already the fourth night! Boy how time flies! This year, I am having a hard time getting in the spirit because it is so early. I like it better when Chanukah and Christmas fall out closer together.

Chanukah is filled with family traditions. I grew up singing our traditional prayers and lighting the most beautiful antique menorah. I love my mom's menorah. My dad bought it for her many, many years ago in an antique shop. When I got married, my parents bought Ira and I a beautiful sterling menorah that is more modern. We have used it every year for 20 years and now my children will grow up remembering lighting it.

My kids are chomping at the bit to open their gifts! When they werE younger, they received a bunch of little gifts each night and it was exciting. Now that they are older, there are much fewer gifts, but the gifts are bigger. They have to wait for the nights that we are getting together with family to open their presents and they are having a hard time being patient! Isn't that just what it is like to be grown up?! It isn't always easy! And so it goes...

Feminine bridal jewelry

2007-12-05T23:14:00.001-05:00

I am so so so so excited! My website is set to launch on Monday! Please stop by and tell me what you think! I have been waiting for (I'm embarrassed to say)5 years for this to actually happen! I have attempted this 2 other times and have had bad luck finding responsible people. This time, I am thrilled with the results and can't wait to share my jewelry with you!

I was making a really pretty, feminine piece yesterday for my mother-in-law. I am so happy with it that I decided to make a bridal version, too. See what you think. The beads are all Swarovski crystal and light up the room. I can just picture this delicate necklace on a gorgeous bride's neck. I hope it will have the perfect home soon. And since Swarovski is available in every color under the rainbow, I am able to match it to Mother-of-the-Bride dresses or bride's maid dresses. If you know of someone who is getting married, be sure to tell them about my website!

Herringbone stitch sweater

2007-12-03T18:13:00.000-05:00

Be patient with me as my quest for a website is slowly coming to it's end! I seem to have no time for extras. My time is spent either typing of knitting to unwind. And the rest is laundry and cleaning and loving my boys!

My mother-in-law asked me to knit her a sweatercoat. It is made with a beautiful stitch that we both had never seen and believe me...we have seen a lot of stitches! Between us, we have knit everyday for 60 years (combined I remind you)! We both carry our projects everywhere we go. She was my mentor 25 years ago. I loved what she made and couldn't believe what knitting could actually produce. From the first stitch, I was hooked. Being in college and knitting didn't go well together. Back then, the only cool thing to do was watch Wheel of Fortune and drink. I watched Wheel of Fortune and dreamed of knitting in the open. Only grandmas did that and I was in college. Well, I'm proud to say that I am now out of the knitting closet and proudly knitting on the train, during my son's football games, and everywhere I feel like it! I even make many friends who are interested in what I am doing!

Each sleeve is 27" across and this stitch is a very slow stitch! That's why I call this a labor of love! Until tomorrow!

Zencart, Templates, Photos, Oh My!!

2007-11-30T12:31:00.000-05:00

I'm going to give a quick hello! I am working day and night to get my website completed. I had NO idea that it would be this much work! No complaints, just surprised! I have been entering information into zencart for what seems like days at a time. I guess that means that I have lots of choices to offer. "That is good." I keep telling myself. I get a little frustrated because when I take a peek, I wish I had the foresight to take my pictures differently. I want them all to match each other as well as the site. The picture taking was happening gradually with no idea about the website so I have to remember to give myself a break and realize that I can change things as I move forward.

That being said...I LOVE MY SITE!!!! I have to admit that I had no idea what I was getting in to when I signed up. I didn't realize some of what I was buying when I signed on with Lightning Bug Designs. They are wonderful with a capitol "W"! I have learned so much and Leila has put up with so much of my nitpicking! Or maybe I just know what I want. Anyway, she always obliged.

I did not know what zencart was. I didn't realize that templates played such a large role in dictating my website. I worked around it, but I do feel like the product page looks very "all over the place". There is no cohesion to the template. I feel like all of the details are just thrown on the page. Leila worked with me to get it as best as we can without going into a lot of custom charges. That is what I wasn't aware of before hand. I thought all of the pages were going to be customized, not just the first page.

Anyway, I do love my website and I highly recommend working with LBD. They got me through something that I never thought would happen! Thank you Leila and Lauren!

Felted wool

2007-11-27T18:28:00.000-05:00

I have a passion for wool. I always have. I've been knitting for 25 years and not a day goes by without it! It is like your morning coffee. Well, last year, I thought I'd try out felting. It was in every magazine and it piqued my interest. Like every good crafter, I went to the thrift shops and started searching. It became a near obsession! I get such a thrill in seeing how the sweater fabric comes out after it has been shrunk! I don't know what it is. I am driven. I love the search for great colors and patterns. I love the fact that I am saving these sweaters from being destroyed. I love the idea that this will be exciting fabric to someone else. And it is fun to get out and have an excuse to shop!

I hope that I am able to connect with those of you who have a need for 100% wool felt. There are so many applications. I'm sure you know of someone who uses felt. I cut the sweaters into smaller pieces so that I can offer an array to those of you who need them. I feel good recycling, too. So pass the word and I will keep providing what I can. If you have a need for larger pieces and less color choices, let me know. If you are looking for certain colors, I'll keep that in mind. Have fun with these scraps. There are some really pretty colors to be had! And some really pretty things that you all make with them!

Maggie got in on the fun as well!

2007-11-26T14:05:00.000-05:00

Back to work! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! Mine was quiet as my family was scattered. But I thoroughly enjoyed cooking with my Jake, visiting with my mother-in-law, and enjoying my son Josh and his girlfriend. We were all together and for that I am grateful.

My husband, Ira, is a wonderful cook. He loves to try fancy projects and 99% of the time, he has amazing results! This Thanksgiving, he decided to make a ham. Being that we are jewish, we haven't made all that many hams... lots of chicken soup and matzah balls, but very few hams! He loves ham and so he bought all the wonderful ingredients and set about his dish. I wanted to show off his amazing results! Here is the before and after:
Before

After

We also made all the usual and the turkey came out just perfectly! I also had great luck with my pies this year! I have a thing with pie crusts and it is not good. I tried Martha's perfect pie crust and it really is doable and perfect! It really was so easy to do. Forget the store bought kind. I was actually so happy with the results that I took a picture! This blog thing is really fun! I never thought of taking pictures of my pies before!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-21T13:52:00.000-05:00

Just a quick note! I wanted to wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving. It is one of my favorite holidays and I love being with family and friends. I know you do too, so I hope you are with the ones you love enjoying lots of wonderful food and laughs!

My Fashion Jewelry

2007-11-19T22:31:00.000-05:00

Ok. Here we go! I am going to post some pictures of my fashion jewelry because I think that I have really made my bridal jewelry my main focus. I actually have been making fashion jewelry for five years until I added my bridal line and decided that I LOVED making a better class of jewelry to offer the brides.I think the pictures will actually work this time!
And I also have some earrings...actually, I have many earrings, but my website is opening in two weeks and I should leave some reasons for you all to go visit! Here are my favorite ones! I have been in a real earring mode lately and in designing, you go with what moves you!

And here is a bracelet-one I wear every day might I add! It's funny how certain things just catch you attention! It never leaves my wrist. I had no idea when I made it that it would become my favorite. I wear it with another charm bracelet that I made for myself with Amy Peters charms that my children got for me. I chose the "create" and "follow your heart" ones. It is very special to me. I adore her work.

Now I'm losing my patience.

2007-11-17T20:51:00.000-05:00

What's going on? I can't add pictures to my blog. It is unacceptable. I am frustrated. I keep coming back here to try and nothing. I wish I chose a different company to go through. I was just getting in to this whole blogging thing and then I hit this roadblock. I guess that I will have to find a way around it.

Well I did have some beautiful fall pictures to share with you all. My son's friend visited from Florida last week (we live in NY), and she asked if the trees were always yellow! I laughed, but realized how much I adore the colors of the fall. They seem extra vibrant right now and so I went out on a color adventure. I've been so couped up with my website assignments that I haven't been out in a few days. The air smells fresh.

I am going to post about my adventures when I can illustrate them.

Back to my website assignment.

Bye Bye Nikon

2007-11-15T21:33:00.000-05:00

Well, I had to give it back. It was difficult, but I did it. It was the right thing to do. I gave back the camera. No more crystal clear shots. I guess I'll have to start saving my pennies! Or selling lots of jewelry! Come on everyone! Do a good deed. Buy lots and lots of jewelry so I can buy an awesome camera and show you far superior pictures!!!!

Well, I promised to share some of my favorite fashion shots. I have so much fun making fashion jewelry. It seems that every time a woman walks by with a cool necklace or earring, I run home to create a new design! Does that happen to all you jewelry designers too?! I can't turn on the tv without finding inspiration! Here are some pix. (If only I could upload them...damn Blogger glitch).

Thank you Aunt Debbie!

2007-11-15T00:06:00.000-05:00

So I spent the day taking pictures! And yesterday too. I actually like taking pictures, but in excess of 300 is a little tiring. My sister-in-law did the most amazing thing for me. She lent me her Nikon D40 for a day or two. I have been salivating over her camera since she got it a few weeks ago. The pictures are crystal clear... just amazing. Don't get me wrong! I actually love my camera! It has been a good friend to me, but for the type of close-ups that I need to take of my jewelry, it doesn't always do the job. I know what I expect of it, but it doesn't always come through for me. And I have been feeling sorry for myself.

I am adding the product information into my website and my pictures are telling my story. That is why this issue has become so personal. Thank you Aunt Debbie. You came through in a big way! I am VERY happy with most of what I took. I have come a really long way in this journey of photographing jewelry! I think it is next to impossible to get good pix of jewelry unless you have professional equipment. I have tried every setting in every possible lighting situation! I think that there is no science behind it...just pure luck! And to top it off, I am trying to capture pearl and crystal. Try taking a picture of a clear glass and see how difficult it can be!

Here are some of my bridal favorites:

Stay tuned for my fashion jewelry best pix tomorrow!

Fashion District shopping

2007-11-11T14:39:00.000-05:00

Well, I finally got to NYC to pick up some materials that I need to get. I always have such a hard time keeping my purchases to what I went there for! Over the last five years, I have accumulated the most awesome collection of beads so I usually don't need too much any more. I just have to "fill in" with the most up -to -date colors. I also have to keep my pearl stock current and supplied. I, personally, never buy pearls on line. I MUST touch them and see the shine etc. It is such an important part to me of what I do. How the beads feel is just as important as how they look. Here are some pictures of one of the bead warehouses that I shopped in. It is so colorful...and soooooooo many choices!

The amazing thing to me is that I can actually choose beads with no plan in my head and then create just the right piece with them! It is great fun! I can't wait to actually get down to work. I have so many ideas in my head and never enough time to create!

My two boys are off galavanting in NJ. This is the first time they have ever gone anywhere by themselves. They actually went on the train to meet some special friends they made last summer. Our family took a trip to Israel for my 13 year old's bar mitzvah. It was an amazing trip and they met so many great kids. A bunch of them met in NYC and went back to one family's home for the weekend. I miss them, but they will be home soon. It has made me realize how different things will be next year when Josh goes off to college...

My knitting is coming along. For those of you who are new here, I am making preemie hats to bring to the local hospital NICU. Here are some pix. Aren't they cute? It is so much fun. I'm trying to find more people to contribute hats. If you know anyone who knits, please pass my blog address along. I want to make a difference. The hats don't need to be knitted. They can be crocheted or sewn. Send them along and ask me any questions.

My Website begins!

2007-11-08T23:08:00.002-05:00

Yay! I have been waiting soooooo long to say this.My website is being made! I sent over some pictures and answered my first set of questions! I am so looking forward to seeing what it will actually look like! I'll keep you all up to date. The beginning of December is the target date for my launch. I have heard such great things about Leila and Lauren of Lightning Bug Designs. I just know that all my failed attempts at a website are going to be put to rest and I will love my successful one!

Yesterday, I spent a good part of the day over at Flickr getting acquainted. I have put a few pictures up and joined a few groups so please go take a look! If you have any suggestions, please comment. I am far from being proficient with it yet, but I got the hang of what it is all about. I am hoping to meet some new people over there that have similar interests and maybe even a bride or 10 or 20! It is so amazing to me how many people there are in the world if you know what I mean! There are so many opportunities to connect with people in so many different ways if you just have the time and the inclination.

I actually got to make some jewelry today. I don't seem to be able to do that lately with all the computer work that I have been doing. It felt great. I'll post some pictures of my works in progress tomorrow. I didn't have my camera with me today.

Is computer time worth it?

2007-11-07T14:04:00.001-05:00

It happened again! I was up all night long trying to figure out this whole business thing. I started out with my business being home parties. When I used up every favor that I could pull out of the past, I moved on to trying to sell to boutiques. When that didn't seem to be productive enough, I tried to figure out a niche and I am presently working on bridal jewelry. I am sooo excited about my decision, but with that decision, came delving into the online world of blogging and websites and Flickr and everything else I can possibly think of! It feels like I am in school all over again. I knew nothing to start out with. Now I know next to nothing! I am wondering if this part of my journey is all that it is touted to be. I feel like I am on the computer 24 hours a day, which I actually enjoy, but it feels like I am in high school gabbing with my friends!!! Just like my kids do!!!

I guess that I need to hear some feed back about the successes and failures of networking on line. I have always been very confident about following my instincts and my instincts are very strong that I can connect, eventually, with the brides out there. It is also so much fun surfing the web wedding wise! But the $ is sparse and I need to make this work soon.

If you can take a minute, share your feelings about your experiences. I would love to hear what you all feel about this. Is my time and effort worth putting into networking online? I guess I'll figure it out eventually.

Spamalot for the boys

2007-11-05T22:49:00.001-05:00

Well, I didn't get to go shopping as planned, but I had a wonderful evening anyway! I even got to take some pictures to share with you. I am so lucky to be able to go to Manhattan as often as I like. It is about 1 hour by car and we go in at least 5 or 6 times a year. This time, my mother-in-law was so generous as to buy my two boys tickets to see Spamalot on Broadway. It has been a tough two years for her and to see her enjoy this night with us to such abandonment was a wonderful feeling.

We had a yummy dinner at Juniors, famous for their cheesecake, and then she and the boys attended the play. My husband and I had a few hours to walk around and enjoy the gorgeous weather. We walked over to Bryant Park, my favorite part of the city, and saw that the skating rink had been constructed for the season. I was so excited! We sat and people watched. It was so refreshing to see so many people having such a fun time with their loved ones and family and friends! So many smiles. It was like we were on vacation.

As we sat and enjoyed, we received a text from Josh saying they were having a blast! I was so excited for them. You never know how boys are going to like a play! The funny part of this story is that my husband bought us two tickets for the same play in February without the boys and my mother-in-law didn't even know it at the time she bought her tickets! My boys were so disappointed when we only bought two! Grandma pulled through in a big way! And it really paid off! They can't wait for us to go now! Me either. My favorite person is going to be starring in it!!!
Here is a shot of the famous Times Square in all it's glory. Enjoy.