Eve's House

Richard and Mildred Loving 1965

2012-01-21T21:05:00.000Z

Blog Posts and Writing for Fun!

2011-11-26T18:36:00.000Z

May I ask you something? If you blog, who do you blog for?

Wow! It's been about a year since I've sat down to write for this blog. Thank you all for the private messages I've received asking if I were ok. Yes, I'm well thank you. And yourself?

Sometimes, things stay the same, and sometimes change rushes in like a typhoon. I feel I've changed massively within a year, don't know if I would still find interest in writing about the things, and in the very same style, as I used to.

When I started this blog, I thought, ' oh cool, a place where I can keep a running list of my craft projects, documenting them with photos and such.' The blog was for me, mostly. Then I started wondering as a few people found my blog, 'What would they like to see on here?' And my first idea went out of the window. I didn't mind, still enjoyed it, but then found so many wonderful, and I mean Amazing blogs out there. Most of my time was spent reading and commenting on other people's blogs than writing on my own, and then ultimately, enjoying my own.

I stopped blogging because the commitment became too much.

Right now I'm thinking about making a blog come-back.

I miss expressing myself in this format. So deciding to enjoy myself this way again means that I'm going to have to say, I wont be able to visit everyone's blog and comment on every post, and respond to every comment that if you feel led to, leave on my posts. I am sorry.

On the bus into work I sometimes take out my mobile phone and read, but commenting on posts is too time consuming and tedious, especially with my slow uploading phone service. I suppose I just want to say that I'm grateful for all of the thoughtful comments made on my previous posts, but if I'm allowed to enjoy this space, I won't be able to keep up with everyone else's blogs every day. If you understand exactly what I'm saying, I understand there's no time to comment to say so. Have fun. xoxox Love Eve

Baby, it's so so cold Outside!!

2011-11-26T17:20:00.000Z

I can remember living in a few dodgy ghetto apartments when I was a kid. There was my little brother, my mother and I. Some places we lived had horrible windows with the thinnest glass (if it was glass) and the largest gapped window frames allowing cold wind to blow inside. The windows rattled and screeched, and our drapes fanned over the back of our settee.

My Mom always tried to make the best of bad situations. During the cold winter months she especially put her ingenuity to work. Duct tape worked great along the gaps of the window frames. Cling film and thick plastic worked when the duct tape didn't. Tacked-up blankets and thick drapes covering the blankets was the extra desperate measure. The gas oven turned on high, door open to warm the place, and a few huge water pots boiling on the stove for hot steam to warm us was the cherry on our cheap-living cake. There's a faint memory of an electric, plastic heating pad during the nights as well. My mother did nearly everything to warm our winters, everything next to starting a camp fire in front of the tv. Really, what else could she do with restricted means? It was COLD!

I know you too probably have make-do stories from your Mom as well. Most you remember only by finding yourself repeating them! I'm happy to have inherited my Mom's make-do skill; to always try to make the best out of what I have. My husband is very appreciative of this skill you see. If it saves us money, he's in. Case in point, it's pretty cold out lately and to keep my body warm, instead of whacking up the central heating to full blast during the night, I place two hot water bottles under my blanket! Bamb!

It's truly a thrifty way to keep warm on the cheap. I really wish my Mom had known about hot water bottles for warmth, but I recall she used them for something else. Don't ask.

I simply half fill them with hot water, squeeze out the air, then tightly seal it with the cork screw. Placing one or two under your blanket for a few minutes before getting into bed would amaze you by how warm you'd be at night!

Hot water bottles could be more popular in the United States than they are. Here in the UK they are very common. Check out some of these lovely covers for them.

Oh, aint he cute? Found this one on cuddlykingdom.com along with this pretty one with strawberries.

Stay warm this winter! xoxo

Diabetic Chocolates

2011-03-22T18:13:00.000Z

Oh so swweeet!

My husband gave me a box of diabetic chocolates; the gift that keeps on giving.

Merry Christmas Every One

2010-12-25T18:40:00.001Z

Merry Christmas one and all!

To all my family I wish you a blessed day, lots of you have gone through tough times but still hold your head up and forge ahead. I love you and you are in my prayers. Hope I'm in yours.

To all my friends, I wish you all the peace and joy only God can give. Merry Christmas! Thank you for being my friend. I learn and laugh and share many of your stories. Let's us be better people in 2011 and keep goodness and hope in our hearts!

To all my enemies, I hope I don't have any, but if I'm a lover of Christ Jesus than I know you are there. Merry Christmas. I wish you great peace to you and yours. And I wish you understanding and forgiveness only found in the Lord.

I hope EVERYONE is having a wonderful, festive, joyful Christmas with this holiday spirit in balance in your hearts! Keep it real and remember the reason for the season.

All the very best!!!! Eve

Congrats To The Winner!!!

2010-11-23T20:03:00.000Z

Apologies for announcing the winner a bit late, I haven't been around my computer as I've been really beat after work. I'm happy to say Random.org chose the winner to be the lovely KMQ Knitting Machine Queen of the fantastic blog Smoking Needles.

She said: "I want it, I want it, I want it. Want what you ask?? The entire set of course. It is beautiful. I'd wear that set and work it like a government mule! LOL" So funny. KQM please email me your mailing address and your items will be on their way!

I would also like to give you this blog award for having a Blog with Substance!

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway.
I will try my very best to visit everyone’s blog. See ya soon!
Eve

My New Job and a Giveaway :D

2010-11-10T22:37:00.000Z

Hi there!

Thank you to everyone who's wishing me well with the new job! You know it was a long time coming. Though, I must admit, I had slowed down with job searching because I was basically demoralized. But I kept praying, and felt that others were praying for me too. And once I stepped up the searching again I was quickly hired somewhere! "They liked me, they really liked me."

My new job is so outside of my comfort zone, however I believe being in a midlife crisis has spurred me on! When did I get the nerve?!? Just really wanting new changes in my life. Usually I don't prefer to speak much. But now I'm a ... (wait for it...) Customer Service Advisor in a Call Centre!!! I have to yap it up all day!

Right now I'm in a two week training group, and guess what, out of the 40 other people in the group I was picked as the person with the best phone voice!!! I almost bit my tongue when it happened. Can you believe this girl from Brooklyn beat out a room full of proper English accents! I still can't believe it! The company is going to give me a nice gift, I'll tell you what it is once I found out. That would be right after I find out 'what were they thinking?' :D hahaa

But enough about this chick. I think it's Giveaway time! (Yay!)

Oooh, What is this mass of red loveliness...

and these interesting red dangling delights...

It is a brand new jewellery set! Large hoop earrings with sterling silver ear clasp, bow tie necklace and an adjustable glamour ring!

When I first started making jewellery I called my endeavours "Evette Sparkle" simply because I love sparkly things. Well, these definitely have that sparkly vibe, with the red colour making this set especially nice around the holiday festive time.

What I wanted to achieve with the earrings especially was a balance of dangle and shine, with different features on each one. One has the word 'love' and the other a 925 Sterling Silver Eiffel Tower inspired my by trip to Paris. The set also includes a butterfly, hearts, and flowers mix. I hope this set inspires and alludes to all that's lovely.

How to Enter: Closing Date Friday, November 19th 2010

This is open only to my blog followers.

Comment on this post mentioning anything about the jewellery set. That's it. So if you want to say anything about my new job, like advise me to run fast from all call centres, that's cool too, but if you mention the jewellery set in your comment, you are entered to win the set whether you like it or not. hahahaa heheheee hahaaa :D

I will use Random.org to choose the winning comment number, which can be a bit quick for me. Maybe I should place all names in a hat and ask the hubs to pick one. Hmmm. Well, whichever method I'd choose, trust that it shall be fare and square and you just might be picked!

By the way, I have lots of lovely items in my jewellery kit, so a good response to this giveaway would sort of let me know if I should keep having jewellery giveaways. I enjoy doing this.

So all you good folk, take really great care of yourselves. Until later. Cheerio!

Just a bit of Good News!

2010-11-07T14:26:00.000Z

I've landed a job!
I'm happy!
Although I'm trying to force myself not to get my hopes up.
I'm tired of let downs.
It's totally out of my comfort zone.
I'll tell you all about it if it works out,
heheehee
Have a BRILLIANT day!

Calling All Animal Lovers! Giveaway

2010-11-03T21:47:00.002Z

Are you an animal lover? Do you know someone who is? Particularly fond of cats? Or do you just simply like reading good books? If you've answered yes to any of these questions, then this Giveaway is certainly for you!

I'm very fortunate to be able to offer two wonderful books by Sylvia Murphy.

BIG GINGER: The Life of a Remarkable Cat

And

TYFOON'S TALE: The True Story of a Seafaring Cat

Both are signed by the author,

And

Sylvia Murphy has passed along a little trinket to also give to the winner of this Giveaway!!

How cool is that?

I'm really happy about doing this giveaway because reading books is my favorite treat, so to be able to give away two great reads puts a smile on my face.

If you know me, you know I'm a little scared of cats, so a book about a cat wouldn't seem to be on the top of my reading list. But I'll tell you, once I started reading Big Ginger, I loved it and finished it in one sitting!! The second book gripped me just the same.

My bookshelf is full of what they call "misery memoirs", but it seems these days Animal Memoirs are hot commodities. Check out the author's website to see all of her wonderful books.

Click here Sylvia Murphy

I'm also pretty proud to say Sylvia Murphy is my wonderful Mum-in-love :D

To Enter: Leave a comment below stating one thing you've noticed on Sylvia Murphy's website. That's one entry.

For a bonus 2 entries, blog about this giveaway then leave two more seperate comments with the link of your blog.

You don't have to be a blog follower to enter.

You don't even have to be an animal lover, I'm sure you know someone who is and these books would make a great gift to an adult reader (not for children).

And even if you don't win this time, you can still purchase from the author herself.

I will use Random.org to choose the winner.

This Giveaway ends Monday, November 22nd 2010.

Open to all countries!!!

My 1st Blog Giveaway Winner is....

2010-11-02T17:53:00.000Z

Thank you to everyone who entered this Giveaway! I'm so excited about this. It was really fun. There's always that trepidation that no one would enter. But you all liked the prize and said so!

I was really excited about finding out myself who the winner would be!! Also, it was so so interesting finding out what you all liked. From good scissors, to cupcakes, to shopping and dancing; there wasn't a wack idea in the bunch! You guys Rock!

I used Random.org to enter the numbers 1 to 15, I closed my eyes and had my husband see the number as I clicked. And the winner Number was 5!! I went to my blog to check who left the 5th comment, and it was Uma Preve!! Uma is a great gal from UmaPreve.com. I'm so happy for you Uma. Congratulations! Contact me and your gift will be on it's way to you! Also, I am giving you this lovley Blog Award! because your blog is Awesome!!

Thank you to everyone who entered, I have more cool prizes coming up soon!

Two Days Left to Enter my FIRST Giveaway!!

2010-11-01T12:11:00.001Z

Check out the simple rules and enter Here.

Giveaway ends Nov. 2nd 2010, London evening time.

All The Best - Eve

Kicking Off The Giveaways!

2010-10-30T20:27:00.001+01:00

"Her stingy self is finally doing a blog giveaway."

Hahaa. Don't even say it!

I've been sharing my life, my loves, my encouragement, my recipes, my creativity, my heart. Do these things not count for anything?

"Whip out the goods, sister! Everyone likes free stuff!"

Hehee – and don't I agree!
So without further ado, up for grabs is this lovely jewellery set.

These bold costume jewellery pieces were designed and created by me. The set includes earrings with sterling silver ear clasps, a chain linked necklace featuring an extender chain to adjust to the length that you prefer, and a matching bracelet that should fit any wrist size as it’s stretchable for adjustment.

The colours are silver, black, brown and beige, with a leopard print twist.

Would you like to enter for a chance to win this set? Here's all you need to do.

Be a blog follower of Eve's House by Google and leave one comment below telling me that you are a blog follower, then share something with us that you like. Anything!

For example, "I'm a blog follower and I like cookies."

I will use True Random Number Generator to pick the winner on Tuesday November 2nd, probably in the early evening London time.

And this Giveaway is open to all!! Follow the rules above, and you're in!

Fast, simple, with honest choosing, you can't beat it. And stay tuned for more fun giveaways coming your way! WINNER HAS BEEN CHOOSEN: Congratulations Uma!

In Love In Love

2010-10-28T16:18:00.000+01:00

It's nice being in love. Especially with your husband. It's like having a constant sleepover with your best friend. And more.

Now, I'm not too bad in the kitchen, I can crack an egg with the best of them. But can I talk about my husband? He's awesome in the kitchen! He likes trying new things, adding a bit of his own ideas to simple dishes, even came up with baking cupcakes for our neighbours until I talked him out of it. (I'm a native New Yorker, we don't do that- even in England) lol

Check out some of the dinners he's made for us.

BBQ Chicken, Mint Peas and Bow Tie Pasta

Creamy Linguini with Chicken and Bacon

Sweet Steak with Broccoli and Chinese Style Rice

Chicken Flavoured Rice, Pepperoni Pizza, and awesome Salad

Crispy Pork Chops, Fresh Spinach and Chick Peas

Most dishes there's no time to grab my camera for, we've already said grace and I'm eating!! Mmmm.

What's your love's favorite thing to cook?

Giveaways on the way...

2010-10-20T18:34:00.000+01:00

Everyone likes free gifts right? My good Lord knows I do, I wont front.

For the longest time I wanted to treat all you lovely blog readers with chances of winning nice Giveaways, but just couldn't decide on, or figure out, what to give away. Well I'm about to get my act together so I'm seeking out some nice things.

Stay tuned yall... and thanks so much for doing so.
You all are so AWESOME!!!

I also would like to give a Big THANKS! to these lovely ladies:

Marla from Girl From Rio

I WON A BEAUTIFUL BROOCHE, made by Marla herself!

and

Ruthy Ann from Discovery Street

I WON $40 from CSN Stores Gift Card!

Also

Thank you to folks who have shared blog Tags and Awards with me!!!

Midlife Crisis?

2010-10-12T15:38:00.000+01:00

Hello fine folks! Firstly, I want to give a big THANK YOU to all of you who are still here at my blog!

This blog-break that I seem to be on wasn't intentional at all. I have been away from my computer so much because I'm battling a Midlife Crisis!!!!

What exactly is a Midlife Crisis?
(described by Wikipedia)

A period of dramatic self-doubt that is felt by some individuals in the "middle years" or middle age of life, as a result of sensing the passing of their own youth and the imminence of their old age.

Characteristics: Individuals experiencing a midlife crisis have some of these feelings:

Search of an undefined dream or goal. (check)

A deep sense of remorse for goals not accomplished . (check)

Desire to achieve a feeling of youthfulness. (double check)

Need to spend more time alone or with certain peers. (not really)

They exhibit some of these behaviors:

Abuse of alcohol. (no, but chocolate has been calling my name)

Acquisition of unusual or expensive items such as motorbikes, boats, clothing, sports cars, jewelry, gadgets, tattoos, piercings, etc. (Big Yes! Two pairs of glasses, expensive boots, wigs, make-up, etc.)

Depression (yes)

Blaming themselves for their failures. (yes)

Paying special attention to physical appearance such as covering baldness, wearing "younger" designer clothes etc. (yes- see above)

Entering relationships with younger people (either/or sexual, professional, parental, etc.) (no)

Placing over importance (and possibly a psychologically damaging amount) on their children to excel in areas such as sports, arts or academics. (If I had children, Yes!)

These women on the mag cover seem a bit older than I am, but maybe they are expected to live up into their 80's. I'll be glad if I could kiss 60, according to my family history. So my midlife is NOW!

You guys know what I look like, right? So what on earth am I doing with wigs, blue eye shadow and red square glasses??

I feel so drawn to personal aesthetics. I’ve never really felt this strongly about outwardly beauty at any other time in my life. It’s troubling me, and I’ve even mentioned this to my doctor, but she said it was a good thing and sent me on my Dolly Parton way.

It's really quite strange, suddenly having a midlife crisis at 39 when I’ve been really looking forward to turning 40 for the past 3 years. To me it seems 40 means no longer caring what other people think of you. Well, this is a really fine way of approaching that stage! Like getting speared by thorns before smelling the sweet roses.

But I will survive.
As for this blog, I'm fighting a very strong urge to turn everything red and black! (please don't leave if it happens. It's only a phase :D

I did something really cool today. Got myself a really pretty journal book and dedicated it to listing all that I’m thankful for. Hey, why don’t you join me? It’s a great way of documenting all that’s good in your life, and writing it down keeps it in mind. My first entry was about my husband, so thankful for him in my life. And my second was regarding my ratty washing machine. A girl doesn’t have to lug a wobbly-wheeled pushcart to the local laundromat and fight over whose got next on a coin guzzling, dirty washing and drying machine any more! YES!

And even if I did have to lug clothes to my local laundromat,

I should still be thankful and think of these women, who

would be really grateful of such a luxury. I'm no better than they are.

Can you imagine how badly your back would be killing you after washing clothes like this? I know I personally have a lot to be thankful for.

So... is this Midlife Crisis just a bunch of hogwash? (check)

I'm hoping to grow out of it really soon. Frankly, aesthetics, and things and possessions and depression are tiny bits of escapism that can accumulate to turn one into a big unsatisfied mess.

I may not be a boxer, but I'm going to fight my way out of this one. My wigs and I are going to come out swinging!!!! hahaa

Stay tuned...

[photos from google images]

Mirror Makeover - Inspire My Spirit

2010-08-19T20:22:00.007+01:00

I love this project!! Do you remember those two cheap mirrors that I paid £1 for at car boot? Can you say FUNKY REDO?

The Funkiest of Redos!
Two basic mirrors with wood around them, painted white with pink cupcakes. Yuck!

Don't get me wrong though, I do love real cupcakes! :D

But these mirrors, as they were, weren't really to my taste, so I painted the first one back with Acrylic paint. As you can see, my sewing machine is right there also, because my creative space is so small, I can only use the edge of my kitchen table to work. :D (enter your jealousy here)

I tend to horde old Ebony magazines, but decided to use some for my mirror project. I was determined to make something inspiring! :D

I cut out all the pictures that I could find of women with a certain look. I wanted to feature an afro hairstyle or a natural, simple lowcut style. These women where to inspire me to keep up with my own afro hair style that sometimes challenges me.

I wanted the pictures to be rough edged so I carefully tore around the images with my two fingers.

I manoeuvred them around the mirror, seeing what worked best. Not all of them were keepers. I then glued down the ones I felt were perfect.

Hmmm, something feels missing, I thought. There's a certain vibe that I want when I look at the mirror. A unique individuality vibe! And with that, I knew just the person who should grace the top spot!!!

Fabulous Model Nikia Phoenix!!!!

She's so gorgeous! She's one of the most uniquely talented models out there! She's smart, opinionated, speaks out on the ills of her industry, uses her strength to the pinnacle, makes clothes look like a million bucks and screams confidence!

Have you ever seen her?

She's quite hard to forget!

Nikia's industry is plagued with cookie cutter images, many runway models look the same, and many designers and casting agents like it and prefer to keep it that way. Nikia's look is very different. She has a freckled face, unique features and a killer, ripped body. And guess what, she's a nice person too.

How do I know?

Because I didn't have a magazine picture of her, but desperately wanted to include her on my mirror. So I did what I thought was right, and asked Nikia if I could use one of her own blog pictures, and she said yes. That's right, I said I ASKED HER, and SHE SAID YES!!!! :D

She is so nice, she said she's looking forward to seeing what I do with my mirror!! Check out Nikia Phoenix's blog, it's awesome!! Model Liberation is so informative, fun, serious, heartfelt, fashionable, stylish and not at all boastful. She has a very beautiful spirit about her.

So rightly fitting, I've decided to call my mirror Inspire My Spirit!

To make it really personally me, I gathered all the things I like; lace, beads, buttons, jewellery, stickers, fabric flowers, and dried grass weeds. I brought out the hot glue gun, wires, and white screw hooks that I found in my husbands tool box (To all my artsy sisters, I advise you to raid your man's tool box every now and then, you could find some nice items in there.)

Ladies, do you ever look in the mirror sometimes and not like what you see? Is there something physically about you that makes you stand out from other people? Tough going? When I see Nikia I think of doing my own thing, not letting anyone stop my flow, being who I am, knowing what my strengths are and going for it!

Pictured below is my new mirror that hangs on my bedroom wall. I love it and am so happy with the end result. It's very useful as I can hang some of my necklaces, bracelets and earrings on it. It hangs over my Mother's old mantel piece that I had shipped to England from the States.

Hmmm, now what should I do with my hair today?

Uh oooh, I'm getting ideas.

But would it work? Well, if I don some funky jewellery with it, I just might end up hot!

Oh yes, this is working. So glad I purchased this wide toothed comb.

I'm just going to do me, and be the best me I can be.

Excuse me while I shape my afro.

Thank you all for reading this post. ANd thank you Nikia. You inspire me to enjoy uniqueness and individual style. ~ Happy Weekend Everybody!

psss... want to know what I did with the other mirror?

Car boot loot

2010-08-14T16:30:00.001+01:00

Check this out!!!!!! You couldn't PAY ME to have this!!!

Hubs and I went to a carboot/outside flea market recently, our favourite thing, just looking really. And when I came across this fox head I Freaked! I know I embarrassed my husband because he looked at me and calmly said, "It's taxidermy, sweetheart."

I've seen birds, I've seen a fish, but never a whole real snarling mounted fox head! YUCK! As if!

Anyway... this is more of a better look at what a carboot is, if you aren't used to that name.

Here in England, the trunk of a car is call the boot, so when you pull up your car in a field or lot, and sell things from your car or set up tables around it, it's called a carboot sale. There had to have been something like 300 cars here I reckon! It takes hours if you want to see everything being sold. Sometimes we sell our household extras this way too. Your ~~junk~~ stuff can be someone else's treasure! :D

Oh lookie what the hubs found. His favourite animal besides the squirrel is a big cat, don't ask, so he purchased this tiger for a few pence/cents. It is now featured in our livingroom. It looks cute, we like nick knacks, and we like toys too.

Speaking of toys, after the carboot sale we headed to a Toy Collectors Fair at Westpoint Exhibition Centre. The entry fee was £3.50 ($5.49 USD) which I thought would be a waste considering most people outside on line looked like either old model train collectors or sci-fi figure freaks.

But when I got inside I found a few tables selling what I love, DOLLS!! I'm on a really tight budget so couldn't get buck wild about it, but I did pick a few really nice pieces for my doll collection.

This is my stash! The purple lady was £2 ($1.50 USD), the two brown babies together were only £1 (£1.56USD) and the Asian doll was also £1. The girl baby sweetly giggles when you touch her plump belly, the boy baby is anatomically correct :o and unfortunately has a mark on his head, and the Asian doll is wearing a dirty tight dress, but I can work on these and make them so cute. I'll show a picture when I do.

I hope you all are having a great weekend!

Do you like going to carboots sales or flea markets?

Does anyone else collect dolls like I do?

(Link Partied on)

Creativity

2010-08-09T21:43:00.000+01:00

Are you Creative?
Where does your Creativity come from??

Is it forced, is it inherited, is it borrowed, is it home grown,
Is it fleeting, is it out of hand, is it lacking, is it overblown?

What does your Creativity look like? What does your Creativity feel like?
Does it inspire, does it renew? Is it all not what it seems like?

Does it get you in trouble, is it misunderstood, is it lawful?
Is it safe, sane, soldiering?
Simple, joyful, sobering?

Would you defend it?

Is it all over you?
Are you Creative?
Who can take it from you?
And from whom does your Creativity come?

(Poem by Eve)
(Dedicated in honour of Charles Henri Joseph Cordier and his many subjects)

Charles Henri Joseph Cordier born 1827 - died 1905.

(Cordier's biography) "A firm believer in racial equality, he became well known for his bust of Saïd Abdallah, a former Nubian slave.

In 1848, Charles Cordier caused a sensation at the Paris salon by exhibiting the bust of a Sudanese man. It was derided by critics for showing an African man as a subject of beauty.

Although greatly admired by many artists during his lifetime, throughout his career Cordier was forced to defend not only his subjects, but also his materials. Setting aside the standard white marble, Cordier traveled to Algeria, Greece, and Egypt to explore their quarries for black onyx and rare translucent marble veined with blue, peach, and red hues. The confidence of his artistry is captured in every detail, revealing the vibrant humanity of each subject. Cordier is recognized for both his academic and anthropological contributions to French art as well as his technical inventiveness."

Charles Henri Joseph Cordier was "forced to defend not only his subjects, but also his materials."

Can you believe it, his Creativity got him in trouble, and he had to defend it. Well I, for one, am glad he didn't allow anyone to extinguish the creativity inside of him and that he traveled far and wide for the black onyx and the colourful veined marble that he wanted to use. Wasn't it enough that his subjects most likely suffered enough of such a stifling fate of crushed creativity? Look at these busts. I believe his subjects, from the way they twisted their scarves, to the way they curled their hair, used their awesome creativity even when stripped of everything else and enslaved. That's why I wrote in my poem "Is it all over you?" "Who can take it from you?"

Remember both Charles Cordier and his awesome subjects and how they both held on to their Creativity in spite of the different pressures. Let us shake off anything or anyone who tries to squash our creativity, simply because the world didn't give it to us, and the world couldn't take it away.

Eve at the Musee d'Orsay, Paris

So Many Projects - So Few Fingers

2010-08-09T18:51:00.001+01:00

Eve is a busy beaver! And a happy one too! There are so many Artsy projects around my apartment just screaming out my name! Check some of them out:

My sewing machine has been smoking! Can you tell what I'm making? Here's a peak at a project I'm working on for my Mum-in-Law. She loves cats and I've been making cat hot water bottle covers for her.

Guess what, I've just purchased my 1st professional Hot Glue Gun! Is this girl excited! I've been in such a creative mood lately, I think I'll be wearing my gun around my waist. I'll glue anything that moves and feels lucky!

Below are two picture framed mirrors measuring 10" x 10" (pictured front and back). I don't have a clue what I'll do with them yet. Got these last weekend at a car boot sale/outside flea market. They were priced at £1 each, but the seller gave them to me at .25 pence each (.39 cents). I might paint them, and hot clue something around the wood. Any ideas what?

On a different trip to a Car Boot Sale, I made off with these!

Check out the price, (Only £2/ $3.18 each) They are discontinued, notice the X, fabric sample books from an upholstrey store. The really Humungous books with quality fabrics!

This doesn't show how large they are and how many are in each book, but they are jam packed and so heavy to carry. The embroidering and colours are amazing! And the seller took my name and number, next time she shows up at a car boot sale, she's going to call me to purchase tons more books from her!

The back sides of the fabrics are just as pretty as the front sides. I have big plans for these fabric pieces. Stick around my friend, and I'll show ya one day really soon :D

At a different Car Boot Sale I purchased these 3 canvas boards for £1 the set ($1.54). Don't know what I'll do with them yet, the suede coverings are nice, but I want them to match my livingroom colours which I'm changing to red, and brown. These measure around 12" X12" and should hang in succession on my living room wall.

In between working on all of these super fun craft projects, I'm still looking for work and trying to cope with my health issues. Remember I said I was having doctor visits and eye exams all last week? Well the outcome wasn't so great, but instead of getting bummed out over things I'm going to focus on all that's good and lovely.

Like my blog followers; the new and not so new :D

THANK YOU to ALL you WONDERFUL blog FOLLOWERS!

Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips

2010-08-06T17:55:00.000+01:00

I've been trying to make Banana Tear and Share Bread but my yeast WONT rise!

I found this Banana Bread w/ Chocolate Chips recipe on a blog, that for the life of me I can't remember the name. (Plz contact me) It's an excellent recipe, and doesn't require my arch enemy yeast. It's sweet and moist and yummy, and smells so delightful. Try it yourself.

The Ingredients are:

1/2 cup softened butter (not melted)

1 cup sugar (or artificial sweetener)

3 ripe bananas

2 eggs well beaten

1 1/4 cup of flour

1/2 tsp. salt (I would leave this out myself)

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 cup plain oats or oatmeal

1/2 cup nuts (I used chopped walnuts)

1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 F/180 C degrees

In a bowl mix butter, sugar, eggs and chopped bananas with a hand mixer until soft. (It will be a little lumpy because of the bananas)

I don't own an electrical hand mixer, so I tend to go crazy handmixing with a fork.

In a separate bowl, sift flour, salt and baking soda. Then add the oatmeal into the dry ingredients.

Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients a little at a time until completely mixed. Then add nuts and chocolate chips.

Pour into a greased loaf pan.

Bake for 50-55 minutes.

Slice and enjoy! Yummy!

Weekend Fun

2010-08-02T18:41:00.000+01:00

Hiya, I hope you've had yourself a wonderful weekend.
I surely did, and have a wonderful week ahead full of doctor visits and eye exams. Yippie me! :D

I've realized that for this blog I haven't shared a lot about my surroundings, which is a shame because I live in such a beautiful county called Devon. I'm surrounded by stunning countryside areas and lovely beaches, one of which I live straight down the road from. There's lots to do here, and my town is actually a tourist hot spot! It really comes alive in the summer with art exhibits, festivals, carnival, aquatic events, etc.

Hubs and I went for a tradition Sunday walk this weekend. Here's a look.

A beautiful wheat field

Great sunshine and blue skies.

Walking forest grounds (or resting the puppies I should say)

The greenery is just awesome, although sometimes I still get afraid that a wild tiger or lion might eat me in the forest. And by the size of me, that'll be no small feat, giving my husband plenty of time to go run for help. heeheee

But he says he wouldn't run and would defend me to the death and besides there are no wild lions or tigers in England.

But I'm not the type to stand around waiting to see what's about to eat me. Right here is where I almost became a complete blur of lightening, but it turned out that it was only two squirrels making noise in the grass (this time).

Hey, whatever can catch this, deserves to catch this, is what I say :D

I'm not afraid in the city, I'm scared to death in the forest! But overall I do have a wonderful time enjoying the great outdoors with my hubs.

Do you find that it's always last on your list to explore and enjoy the area where you reside, preferring to have adventures in other cities, towns, counties, states, countries?? :D

When I lived in New York, I'm kicking myself now, I never quite enjoyed the city to the extent to which I wish I could now. And if I should ever move out of Devon, because one never knows where God might place you, I pray not to look back on my time here and wish I'd spent more time enjoyed it.

And so after hubs and I enjoyed the walking, the fresh air, and wonderful nature, we went to the most manufactured place on earth. McDonalds!! :D

Happy Trails!

Here's to Enjoying All That's Good in Your Area!

Sticky Fingers???????

2010-08-02T18:24:00.002+01:00

We had a dry Big Mack, hard fries and a milk shake that was nothing but air bubbles. And it was one of the best McDonalds' experiences I've ever had!

On Sunday, hubs and I finished a really pleasant countryside walk and afterwards decided to treat ourselves to a very rare stop at McDonalds.
I should have taken pictures!

This Mickey D's was spotless!!!! Even when paying for the food, I was checking out the back kitchen over the cashiers shoulder, it seems so clean, calm and organized back there. I'm not used to seeing this at McDees. I was really shocked. But this isn't the point of my post really :D

While sitting down at the table, I reached over and picked up a plastic child’s bib that was hanging over a row of children's highchairs near our table. My crafty mind, as it does, immediately thought of what great use I could get out of it. I had needed something like an adult bib to use when eating spaghetti for dinner, which I do quite often and always create a big mess on myself. I’m tired of ruining nice tops so thought the tie on bib would serve me well.

After removing ONE of the bibs, raising my pocketbook a bit too high in the air, and placing the bib inside, I noticed a few dinners eye-balling me. As if I was stealing!

I most certainly was Not!

I had full intentions of telling the employee who had just laid the bibs out nicely, that I've taken one. Plus I felt that I didn't want her to get in any trouble for not doing her job right, so I would go out of my way to get her attention to tell her that I had removed one. But not wanting to shout across the restaurant, I waited for her to come near. Though, in the mean time I'm sitting there looking like a thief!

Have you ever done something like this? Have you take a few straws or sugar packets from restaurants, putting them in your purse for later? Do you consider this stealing?? Aren't they Freebies??

I remember when I was a kid, my Mom used to help herself to restaurant freebies. I’m SURE she didn’t consider this stealing because she wasn't a thief in any way shape or form. She viewed them as free items.

I'm talking ketchup packets, sweet and lows, straws, even those coffee cup stirrers, they all made appearances in our kitchen cabinet at home.

And these weren't only just the items from restaurants that we actually ate at! Mom didn’t discriminate, even got us kids in on it. "Go in there and get us some napkins," she would say to me as we'd pass an eatery. Considering that we were poor and probably was low on tissue paper at home, this seemed to my thinking to have been clever. Though I remember one time I got yelled at by a guy behind the counter in a pizzeria for struggling with the silver napkin holder that was filled too tightly. I wasn't impressed, and was a little bit more annoyed for being yelled at. How rude! I though, I'm glad I don't eat in this restaurant! And I gathered the napkins and left, handing them over to my Mom who waited outside.

But was that stealing????? I can see now that it was. I guess we didn't know any better then.

Yesterday at McDonalds, the employee finally walked in our direction so I explained that I took a bib from one of the highchair. She was all smiles, and said no problem. She even asked if I wanted more! She went in the back and came out with 15 bibs for me!

I thanked her and side-eyed those nosey bodies at the other tables. "Wish they had some" I thought and smirked.

They say on the front "I LOVE TO DRIBBLE."

Well, I may have a dribble issue, but at leaste I know I don't have sticky fingers :D

She Sure Can Rap!

2010-07-28T12:46:00.000+01:00

Awesome or what?

DISRESPECT YOUR HUSBAND club

2010-07-23T22:02:00.000+01:00

I married a really great guy. When I think about how wonderful my husband is, I smile and feel very blessed to have him. He's my soul mate, confidant, and best friend. I LOVE him!

This guy does it for me! For him I want to be the greatest wife!

But... according to what I've just found out, I am a DISRESPECTFUL WIFE!
Are YOU wives disrespecting YOUR MAN too?

If you check out my previous post of summer readings, you'd see a book called The Fruit Of Her Hands by Nancy Wilson (not the singer). The author touches on respect for one's husband and what it does and doesn't look like.

I was thinking, 'Oh I’m going to breeze through this respect chapter.' And I started mentally striking off her examples; I don't talk to hubs as if he's a child, I don't complain about him to friends, I do pray for him, he truly can trust me, etc, etc.

But then I came upon another example she regards as disrespect, and found I was as guilty as OJ on a Freeway!

If you happened to have read some of my previous posts you're aware that I've been job hunting. It's mentioned in my KFC post, and my clothing post, saying how I don't have much money to purchase a lot of things for myself.

Here's the connection: according to N. Wilson this is disrespectful to my husband! According to her I am telling everyone that my man is not providing for the lifestyle I want. According to her I am letting my slip show just from those bits of sharing, and according to her I am displaying a complaining spirit- where not coincidently my husband is the bad guy. I'm like Whoa! Wait a minute Nancy! You don't know me from Eve.... well, Umm, you know what I saying!

I had to mull her points over. My marriage is too important not to.

She mentions that disrespecting one's husband can even be the case if you're discussing your personal business with your Mother or good friend. And I'm thinking if not them, than to whom can a wife ~~rattle~~ tell stuff!? Urrgh :D Hahahaaa

She doesn't mention blogs specifically, but says:

"It can apply to many things, but the general idea is this: sometimes private things that ought not to be shared are shard in full view of the public." (pg.44)

I know that's right because I have read some blogs where wives say personal things about their husbands and I think... 'Does he know that she's sharing that?' From light stuff like how smelly he is, to how he doesn't help around the house, to bigger things and in detail that I can't mention here. And I have to say, those are usually the blogs I don't follow.

"Am I saying that women can never share their troubles? Yes and no. A wife should share her troubles with her husband's blessing, in a way that is honoring to both God and her husband." (pg.45)

Do you agree with this?
Do you think some bloggers go overboard with sharing?
Any chance that you also have possibly gone overboard with sharing?

Wilson's point is a big pill to swallow, and it's taken a few days for me to get it down, but I got it down. I never want to be disrespectful to my other self. Yes, although money is a bit tight, he's a very hard working man (two jobs) and doesn't put pressure on me to contribute financially. He supports me in everything I do, and actually there's nothing to complain about.

Imagine this:

Imagine you mosey on over to your husbands blog, and you see he's posted pictures of Shilpa Shetty or Megan Fox or Gabourey Sidibe or Eva Longoria or Beyonce (anyone who doesn’t look anything like you) and they’re nicely featured on his blog and called “yummy” or “his crush” or what he "fancies." How would that make you feel?

Imagine you also see on your husband’s blog, a post about how you left your panties on the bathroom floor last week, or that you left your child in the supermarket by mistake last year and now he's secretly watching what you do. How would you feel?

Imagine you check out some of the comments he's been leaving on other people's blogs, saying how beautiful their family and their home is and how he wishes his home could look like theirs. How would you feel?

Imagine he says how ugly he is, and that he needs to look better, cook better, clean better, letting everyone know that your spouse is a louse. Is that him telling your business also? How would you feel?

I'd say finding these things wouldn't feel very nice at all.
So is it only ok if a woman says them?

Whether you agree with Nancy Wilson or not, one has to say she does make an important point to ponder, whether we are disrespecting our mate purposly or unaware. Let's not be a part of the Disrespect Your Husband CLub.

Proverbs 10-12 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

I know my husband might pop his head in and read this post, as he visits from time to time, and I love it. Hubs, you should know that I love and respect you, and you can trust me, and I will be mindful of these things because I love US! You're a hard working man who loves the Lord, and his wife! And I'm very thankful. Big Hugs!!! :D

My First Batch of Homemade Dolls

2010-07-18T22:02:00.021+01:00

I've been really excited about participating in the Dolly Donation drive. Please see my previous post for more information. Basically, Sarah Hanson has asked folks to make dolls for children in a Haitian orphanage. Check out her wonderful blog.

I'd wanted to make dolls for a great long time, had my own patterns and fabrics ready to go. But I ditched my ideas to adhere to the doll pattern that Sarah gives. My first step was to turn to my fabric box to choose the best bits. I then realized that my box didn't include a lot of boy patterned fabrics, so I turned to hubby for a couple of his good quality shirts that he might possibly in the slightest have been out-growing, maybe.

My husband is such a sweetie.

He donated these two Marks and Spencer wears.

Washed, ironed and ready to chop to bits!

I also used a book of sample fabrics that I purchased for a couple of quid. This is a great idea for anyone looking for small fabric pieces. Ask at your local upholstery and fabric store if they have any books of discontinued fabric samples. Telling them about this cause, they might gladly give them to you for free!

But don't rely on that because some people couldn't give two monkeys :D

I then cut out the patterns below. Sarah has listed the instructions on them. You print them on regular paper from your printer. Although I glued mine down on card stock.

I traced the patterns on fabric and designed each doll as I wished.

After designing each doll, I placed each individual set into a plastic bag. The reason I did this was to avoid having to constantly change the threading in my sewing machine. If I was using orange thread, I pulled from each bag what required orange thread, stitched it and returned it back into the bag - and every other colour in this manner. (You can tell I can't stand constantly threading my machine)

I was sewing and stuffing with wadding when I realized I was doing something that I didn't want to do. I was finishing the doll assembly, then painting on their faces. I painted two faces that looked pretty weird, but had to go with it because the dolls were already complete! Ughhh. So I said to myself, why not paint the faces first, and if they appear ok, then use it for the dolls. Ah, I said, you're Brilliant Eve! :D

Back to stuffing and sewing. Plz don't think I've done all this in one day. It does take a bit of time making these dolls.

These dolls measure at 16 inches tall!

Do you think that boys don't play with dolls? Sure they would! These are sport stars, each boy has a number on his back! As you can see I know nothing about sports. My hubs pointed out that footballer's numbers might not go as high as I thought. Ooops :D ...

Well here is the finished Dolly Family!

I do hope the children would enjoy them and know that they were created with them in mind and heart.

I woke up this morning thinking, hmmm, I'm low on cash, how am I going to ship these dolls to California for Ms. Orlowski to ship them off to Haiti. And when I went to read my emails for the day, I got a very special one from a very wonderful person. This person sent me $50 through paypal saying the Lord put it in her heart to send me money, no other reason! WOW! I started crying because I knew exactly what I was going to use it for. Thank you God! And thank you to Shanette Carpenter!

These dolls are on their way to the USA and then on their way to Haiti! And I'm on my way back to my husband's closet just in case anything else seems to be a bit possibly maybe slightly tight around the edges :D Have a wonderful day!

Getting Word Out on These Link Parties!

Ity Bity Bits

2010-07-15T18:43:00.001+01:00

I feel like sharing a bit more of myself in ity bity bits.

Here, it's raining like crazy, and I'm feeling kind of cozy and a bit lonely today. Does rainy days have this affect on anyone else?

I made some Brand muffins and Apple heart-shaped muffins and they turned out GREAT!

I made some cranberry almond cookies on a different day but they didn't turn out so well.

I wont even show the finished product. Yuck!

I must find a better way of storing my sewing threads.

How do you store yours?

Here's a picture of me that I love, Shopping in Paris. That was fun.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend ahead!

TRUTH - I Wish It Came In A Spray Can

2010-07-13T15:04:00.001+01:00

I'm sitting here thinking about TRUTH today. It's on my mind because recently I was accused of being something really shabby, and it wasn't by someone who doesn't know me. Someone who knows me rather well accused me of being this thing. I was really shocked.

The fact that this person accused me of being this thing, regardless of how close we are, lets me know that he doesn't really know me at all.

On top of this insult, this person brought up the fact that my faith in God wavered last year during the lowest point in my life, when I lost my baby. "So how can You tell me about faith!" he said to me.

I started to cry and couldn't believe how someone who I love so much could cut me so deeply, just because I asked him not to listen to a blaspheming occultist on my computer, on my television and in my house. You would think I have that right.

I had never been so low in my life, and never doubted my faith, as when I lost my baby last year. Today, my faith is stronger than it ever has been. Everyone who has faith in God spiritually grow at different paces. We all have a lot to learn. I certainly do, but what I have learned I can share with those who don't know. But pride can be a wicked thing. What I mean by that is that pride of self can get in the way of learning truth. And judging the person who brings you that truth is a wrong thing to do.

When I presented this person with truth, and what I've learned, something almost like a chemical reaction seared through his being, and he responded with one of the most hurtful things; to bring up my feelings when my baby died. Regardless whether I struggled with my faith in my past, or if I was the worst person on God's green earth, judging the person who presents you truth is a wrong thing to do.

I woke up one morning feeling really sick, remembering the conversation I had with this person and I thought of Jesus, and the dirty, filthy, scandalous lies told on him. I wonder if He got mad about it. Some people didn't want to accept the truth Jesus spoke simply because he was just Joseph and Mary's son from down the road. Judging Him and dismissing His truth.

And I thought about the same lies placed on the Holy Bible. The tangible Holy Bible. The Word is accessible. I'm blessed to come from and live in a country where it's easily accessible and not (yet) a crime to read the Bible, as in some countries today. I'm reminded of a conversation I had with a co-worker in New York several years ago. She swore up and down that a certain quote was in the Bible. I nicely informed her that it wasn't and she jumped in my face and wolfed me down, "Oh, yes it is! Read your Bible girlfriend! Oh, yes it is!" She got even angrier when I simply, calmly said again, with a smile on my face, "nope." She was foaming at the mouth at that point. It makes me laugh now, but it was sad. And I'm going to say it again, nicely, in this post; these 'sayings' are not quotes from the Bible:

If you take one step forward, God will take two (the foam causer)
God don't like ugly
Money is the root of all evil (it's actually the love of money)
And there are a lot more 'sayings' attributed to the Bible that aren't quoted as such in the Bible.

There are lies on all kinds of things, I just wish TRUTH came in a spray can so I can spray it all around me, on me, in my own mouth, and everywhere I go! Ssssppp Ssssppp Ssssppp Ssssppp Ssssppp Ssssppp Ssssppp! Ssssppp Ssssppp! Hahhaaaa. I'd be a can-spraying fool I would.

I guess the point of this post is to turn something shabby that I've experience into something positive like encouragement to anyone who needs it. It doesn't matter what anyone can say against you, or say against the truth, because the truth is true.

Even those who you think know you quite well can distort the truth of who you really are. This post is not really about me in the bigger picture. Those who accused, and still accuse, the Father of being what He wasn't and isn't only let Him know that they didn't and don't really know Him at all. That's worth saying a prayer over.

And P.S. Don't anyone be cheeky and ask me what I was accused of either - ha hahaaa :D

My Whole look is Gifted

2010-07-11T00:19:00.003+01:00

My Mum-in-law gave me a really cool gift for my birthday - I mean present. Isn't it birthday present, Christmas gift? Right. So, anyway, Mum gave me £60 in gift vouchers for M&Co fashion store. This was so kind of her, and smart -since she didn't pick me out anything herself. I'm choosey in the clothes department. I don't like short short sleeves, hate short waisted shirts, can't stand form fitting anything, and only in the last year have I given in to collar-less drop neck tops. I haven't purchased clothes in so long, I was tickled like a nerd in an Apple Store when I walked into the shop.

And this stood out to me as a pretty, bright and cheerful top.

For some reason I've been really, really loving yellow this season, quite unusual for me. I intended on making myself a yellow earring, necklace and bracelet set to match the colours but couldn't wait to wear my shirt, just opted for my green jewelry, which was gifted to me by my hubby- no special reason.

My handbag is a brown, yellow and gold Baby Girl that was given to me by my sweet teenaged cousin Nece. And my Sweet cousin Renny gave me these Old Navy jeans for Christmas.

So my whole entire look this time wasn't ThRiFteD
but GiFtEd!

And under my fro is a smile gifted from my Mother.

* Thought I'd add this picture in for a laugh. I almost ruined my lovely top with splatter when right before a snap of my camera I suddenly sneezed, my fingers crunched, the camera clicked and this is what was capured. Hahahaaa -I crack myself up sometimes :D

Wearing Braided Hair

2010-07-10T22:13:00.001+01:00

Here I am pictured wearing something weird and unusual; Braided Synthetic Hair.

It's not weaved into my own hair, but technically still on my head. Can you see what it is?

Hanging from my ears are my latest jewelry creation made with synthetic fibers. Since I've gone natural and started wearing my hair in an afro, my unused packs of fake hair were taking up space underneath my bed. I don't like wasting stuff, so I said, "Hmmm, what else can I do with this stuff?"

If anyone has any ideas, do let me know.

But I came up with one fun idea I thought was worth giving a try.

I braided two long stands of fiber, and strung plastic hair beads on them. I twisted them into swirls and stitched them in place with needle and thread, then sealed them in hot water. Then I used a strand of leather to wrap the top, then included gun metal jewelry findings to finish them off.

Now, I - personally think hair earrings are uniquely creative :D plus they look really cute matched with a beaded necklace that previously belonged to my Mom.

But I'm not going to wear these earrings outside of my house. Why?

Because I can almost already hear someone saying,

"Oh no she didn't?! Or,

"Some people just got too much time on there hands." Or,

"What she needs to do is put that hair on her head and stop playing."

One of these statements I would agree with, hahaaaa.

But before anyone thinks that I have too too much time on my hands, and starts calling asking me to do stuff, think again. I have dolls to make! Check out my Dolly Donations post to see that I'm a busy little bee. :D

Honestly, would seeing someone wearing hairy earrings gross you out?

Newest Latest

2010-07-05T11:45:00.000+01:00

Hello folks,

Hope you all are enjoying the beautiful Summer so far! I've had a very full plate as of late, but I'm still around reading your wonderful blogs and thinking up new ideas for my own.

Here's a wonderful highlight of my week, (all smiles) I'm featured over at Fat Jin Slim ! It's a great blog owned by the beautiful and talented Jhe'anell Talee. You can check out my little story here. Thanks! And I'm sure you'll enjoy Jin's blogs.

See you in a bit!
Your girl, Eve

Why Celebrate a Birthday??

2010-06-26T14:45:00.000+01:00

I was thinking, ok, my birthday is coming up, whipty doo. Another year, and I'm grateful for it, but it's nothing to celebrate. Is it?

I mean, what's to celebrate? Why do adult people celebrate their birthdays? Is it vain to want everyone to reward you with gifts and cake for being in this world another year? I got stuck on this last night. Good thing my buddy got me unstuck.

Hubby goes "It IS a special day, God created you and you are thankful for Him giving you life, and giving you another year. Also, I can show you how special you are to me." From what he was saying, I got it. It's not about me wanting to celebrate me, it's about me celebrating life and the gift of life that I've been given. That's worth celebrating. Hey... get my groove on now! Hands up!! Now slide!! Funky chicken! Whoop whoop! 39 and feeling FINE!!

Some say a real woman doesn't tell her age. I'm going to say a real woman can be proud to tell, as each year was a special gift, and she's thankful for how far her creator as brought her.

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face

2010-06-22T14:27:00.000+01:00

This song is one of the most beautiful love songs I've ever heard!
My husband brought it to my attention a few years ago that a man wrote this song for the woman he loved. I'll admit, I couldn't believe it. Ashamedly, I assumed, seeming like such a sentimental, emotionally driven song, that it was written from a woman's point of view. Dead wrong.

Can you imagine? Can you imagine your love writing a song saying that he/she knew the joy you shared would fill the earth? Wow! (I go gushy, face in hand).

Ewan MacColl (1915-1989) was a British folk singer, songwriter, poet and actor. Folk music was his main thing. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face was originally a folk song, set to a faster pace than how it's known today. In fact, it's said that MacColl hated the slower versions done of this song, such as the way Roberta Flack recorded it.

Image from Citylife.co.uk

Roberta Flack recorded MacColl's song in 1969, and took it to the top of the Billboard chart in 1972.

And she won a Grammy for her trouble: Record of the Year.
And MacColl won a Grammy for Best Song of the Year.

So many recording artists have covered this song, from Isaac Hayes, Celine Dion, Aaron Neville, to Elvis! And tons more.

MacColl's family states that the the Songwriter disliked mostly all versions done of it, Flacks included. But he sure didn't turn down his Grammy for her version. Hahaaa, guess he learned to love it!

I've heard several artists' renditions, and while Flack put this song on the map for me, Leona Lewis brings tears to my eyes when she sings this song so tenderly. It's the BEST! Have you heard Leona's version?

(Click video for visuals)

Create a MySpace Playlist at MixPod.com

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face :

The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave
To the dark and the endless skies, my love

And the first time ever I kissed your mouth
I felt the earth move in my hand
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
That was there at my command, my love

And the first time ever I lay with you
I felt your heart so close to mine
And I knew our joy would fill the earth
And last till the end of time, my love

The first time ever I saw your face
Your face, your face, your face

Just beautiful!

(What's your favorite rendition?)

Hot?

2010-06-20T17:33:00.000+01:00

There's nothing as good as a really cold drink on a really hot day. For myself, I've already sweated a bullet or two, but when it comes to avoiding dehydration choice is limited because I'm also avoiding sugary soft drinks. Truth be told, plain water isn't to my taste. And there's only so much diet coke a girl can drink while remaining the proper burpless lady that she is. Ughmm, mmm.

I'm getting bored with all other artificially sweetened soft drinks as well, such as crystal light and squash, so I decided to start making my own summer coolers. Smooth fruit drinks are great and store well in the fridge, but sometimes a thick, chewy, fresh fruit juice can hit all the right spots.

Here is the recipe for my first Summer Drink Feature:

Spicy BananaRama

The ingredients needed are:

1 Banana

3 table spoons of low fat natural Yogurt

1/2 tsp of Cinnamon

Sesame Seeds

and Pepper

This drink taste best when your banana and yogurt are cold so having them in the fridge for a bit is useful. Chop your banana and add it with the yogurt and cinnamon into a blender. Set blender on medium speed until your juice is smooth and bubbly. Ooh Lovel-ley

Pour into glass, and sprinkle with Sesame seeds and a pinch of Pepper. Do you have any Pretty Straws? You can pick up a pack from any 99 cents/ pound land/ party goods store to make your summer drinking fun. So toss in a pretty straw into this mix and you've got yourself a cold delicious Spicy BananaRama! Mmmm

Enjoy!

Summer Reading

2010-06-20T15:50:00.000+01:00

I'm looking forward to getting stuck in to some, if not all, of these books this Summer. I keep them by my bedside and have two more books to finish reading before delving into these. Has anyone read any of these and found them enjoyable and helpful? What are you reading this Summer?

Crafting for a Great Cause

2010-06-16T15:03:00.001+01:00

Several posts ago I wrote about how my husband and I would love to be parents, and how we both have the heart for adoption. I've been following families, and have wonderful followers on this blog, who not only have hearts for adoption but have adopted, and are advocates for orphans around the world. And I must say, I've never been SO happy to read about the wonderful homecomings of little ones leaving orphanages and settling in to their new homes.

For all those who are still waiting for their adoption process to be complete, when I make comments on your blog saying that I include your process in my prayers, those aren't just words to replace 'wishing you well.' I honestly pray for you.

What's stopping my husband and I from starting our adoption homestudy is, well, quite a few things, all of which I can't go into, but a major factor being economical holdbacks. We seriously doubt we would be approved concerning fostering and adoption. But God is good and we're looking forward to breakthroughs and working towards better days.

So I've been thinking, "Well, if we can't take in children at this point in time, what could I do to help orphans, and families who are adopting?" For families I know I can support them with an encouraging word and prayer. With orphans, I had no idea.

Until I found Dolly Donations!

I'm a crafty person who loves making things, and for the last month I've really wanted to make dolls. For years I've collected dolls because they give me such joy, probably residue from childhood. We'll just yesterday, I came across a dolly website that totally blows me away. Dolly Donations is exciting to my soul on so many levels!

The website is headed up and was created by lovely Sarah, who would love for caring people to make dolls for children living in orphanages!! How cool is that? I can do that! I would love to do that! And I'm going to do this with so much love in my heart. My dolls might not come out all that professionally (I'll show pictures of my progress) but I'm going to put all I've got into it. Would anyone like to join me?? Sarah gives a basic pattern but you don't have to stick to it. And you don't need to be brilliant at sewing. Do you think this is a good idea? Then head on over today!

Home Made Headbands

2010-06-15T14:40:00.000+01:00

Figuring into my new look is an easy, simple hair style that I can wear all Summer, but sprucing up the look with colourful headbands. As some of you mentioned, the headaches you can get with wearing headbands can really be annoying. I was finding that my one and only black headband caused me serious mood changes. So what does a jobless girl, with little spending cash do when she wants perfect fitting, headache-less headbands? Scrap it baby!

Yup, I pulled out my fabric scraps and got down to work.

These are really easy to make, AND they don't cause headaches.

You can make them to match an outfit, a handbag, etc. Here's how I do it.

I first made a paper pattern for the band, and on that pattern I also marked the length I needed for the elastic piece at the back. (click picture to enlarge)

Now, my head is what I like to call 'full' (some might say big bucket) so I cut this pattern based on my required size :D It measures 11.5 inches in legnth. And because I wanted my bands to be thick, 6 inches width. Adjust this as best suits you through trial and error.

Trace the pattern on the back side of your fabric, then cut out the fabric piece. Cut the correct legnth of elastic piece you'd need as well. My elastic piece measured 7.5 inches.

Fold fabric in half.

(Right side in.)

Then stitch close along the open side.

Turn entire band inside out.

On one end of the band, tuck in the edges and place one end of your eslatic inside. Sew this straight across once.

On the second crossing, bunch your fabric back with your finger (careful not to stictch your finger) Sew in this manner one or two more times, just to make the edge that tucks behind your ear smaller.

Take to embellishing your band with beads, flowers or buttons, stitching on ribbon or bows. Complete this before connecting the other side of the band and elastic in the same fashion as how detailed above.

So happy headbanding!!

And just think, depending on how your sweetie behaves - these also can be used as sling shots :D

Will Work For Chicken Wings and Wedges

2010-06-12T20:37:00.000+01:00

If you don't know, I've been looking for a job recently. Where as a few months ago I was pretty picky, but now I'm kind of desperate.

I was searching for jobs on-line and saw that my local KFC was hiring. I thought, 'hmmm, besides wearing that dorky orange hat, working there might not be too bad.' So I applied. And this is the letter I received 5 minutes after taking half an hour completing their application.

For KFC Full Time Team Member

Thank you for your application

Evette,

Thanks again for applying for a position with KFC!

Unfortunately your on-line assessments and experience do not match our requirements so we will not be progressing your application. We do however wish you all the best in your continued job search.

Denied! ??
Who can't get at job at KFC?
I have more experience with KFC than the Colonel himself. I was eating KFC's chicken since being in my mother's womb! How can they tell me that I don't have chicken experience?

Do they possible think I'll steal the 'secret recipe' and open up my own chicken shack across the street from theirs? Who can't punch buttons and pick up pieces of chicken? Do they know how long I've been picking up pieces of chicken? Look at my thighs! Does it look like I don't know fried chicken? DOes iT?

What kind of person fails an assessment for boxing up chicken? LOL... Me, that's who.

Uugh, I have now heard it all. I'm not going to give up though, I'll keep searching for work but please pray for me people. This not-good-enough-for-KFC girl has taken a confidence whack! :) thank you.

Getting My Quiche On

2010-06-10T03:44:00.000+01:00

Quiche is big in this country! I've never seen so many varieties as I have living here in England.

But for many years, possibly ten, I've been creating my own home made Spinach and cheese quiche straight out of Brooklyn. And it's absolutely delicious! It takes very basic common ingredients and can be quickly thrown together. So if this looks good to you, here's my how to:

Ingredients:

2 cans of spinach

2 eggs
1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon of black pepper

4 to 5 cups of graded mild cheddar cheese

1 bag of shortcrust pastry mix (or flour and butter to make your own crust)

1. Place spinach in a bowl and microwave for 4 minutes. Stop to stir mid way. When finished strain as much water out of the spinach as you can, and set aside to allow cooling.

2. In a large bowl crack 2 eggs, add the garlic and pepper and beat it like it stole your coin purse.

3. Grade enough cheese to fill 4 to 5 (depending on how cheesy you like it) tightly packed cups.

4. Stir together the egg mixture, cheese and spinach.

(If your spinach is in large pieces, cut it up before adding so that it's not stringy, nothing like sucking spinach strings from between your teeth while trying to look cute in front of your man.)

To prepare the crust you can make it from scratch. Or use half a pack of pastry mix to make one pie bottom

5. Roll the dough like you're rolling your burdens away. Pinch a bit off and set aside for a bit of decoration.

6. Lay your dough, and with a fork poke holes in the bottom - I found this makes the crust flakier.

7. Place your spinach and cheese mixture into the dish.

(Here's where you can be creative and add whatever your mind comes up with, such as cooked sausages, fried onions, etc.)

With this pie, I halfway filled the dish then sprinkled it with chopped ham slices I found at the back of the fridge. Oh yes, Eve is going to work with what she's got. :D Then I placed the rest of the mixture on top.

Remember that piece of dough you set aside? Remember elementary school art class?

8. Roll the small piece of dough flat, then sculpt and carve something cute, like a leaf or a happy face etc. This makes your pie look like you're a culinary expert who knows what she's doing. Ssssh ;)

9. Bake at 375 degrees F = 190 C, for 1 hour covered with foil. For the last 15 minutes remove foil. Allow pie to cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing to serve. Eat a slice for lunch or as the main veg with dinner.

Here we have Yummy Cheese and Spinach Quiche!!! after my family got to it, the first time round :D

This has been Linked at the following sites

http://terelauritsen.blogspot.com/

http://www.thegirlcreative.blogspot.com/

http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/

Tagging Game 1: Lesapea Musings

2010-06-10T03:36:00.000+01:00

Thank you So much Lisa!!

I was tagged by Lisa at Lesapea Musings

http://lesapeamusings.blogspot.com/

who was tagged by A Reflection By Tuesdai

http://areflectionbytuesdai.blogspot.com

who was tagged by Fashion And Other Fancies

http://fashionandotherfancies.blogspot.com/

1. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Right here in Devon, England. It's green, safe, friendly and peaceful.

2. What is your favorite band/singer?

Whitney Houston is Tops! Crystal Lewis is Awesome! And Jordin Sparks is Great!

3. If you could be someone else for a day who would it be?

I've gotten out of wanting to be someone else. You never know what other people are going through, I'll stick with what I have on my plate, it's not all good, but it's mine and it's me.

4. Concert or Broadway show?

Oooh, good one. I'll go with Broadway show, and can I request two more tickets for Lion King? Saw it on Broadway on my wedding night, and it was awesome!

5. Do you have a theme song of your life?

Please, be patient with me. God is not through with me yet.

6. Would you choose a fancy dinner at a nice restaurant or a picnic in the park?

Fancy dinner at a nice place, wearing a pink and white rosey dress and wooden jewellery.

7. What's your favorite place to shop?

I can't decide between Staples, Michael's and B&Q (Home Depot). I just get excited right at the door.

8. Favorite movie?

Shawshank Redemption is still my all time favorite.

I would like to tag these wonderful folks:

About Michelle Obama and the Obamas' going ons.

http://aboutmichelleobama.blogspot.com/

Lovely painter living in the Netherlands- Sofia

http://sofiasemedo.blogspot.com/

Brilliant Mom and Jewelery Designer- Kella

http://kellascreativewishes.blogspot.com/

Wonderful fashionista of Plus Size fashions - Courtney

http://lovingthereflection.blogspot.com/

And everyone else too! I love too many blogs!
As not everyone likes being tagged or given awards. I hope these 4 do.

Guest Blogger: Interracial Relationships

2010-06-04T23:09:00.000+01:00

Hi there, I’m hubby, aka cookie monster, also known as Dom, and I’m honoured to have been asked to be the first guest poster on Eve’s terrific blog.

Eve asked if I’d like to contribute a few words on the subject of interracial relationships, and I certainly would. Eve, as you know is a wonderful and beautiful black gal, and I’m a white guy, and we married in New York in 2005.

We have experienced contempt and antagonism in different ways from both black and white people and in both the UK and the US; but we have also experienced a lot of natural acceptance without any question.

Something Eve said to me a while ago really hit home when she pointed out that a few decades ago in the US, in many if not most States, we simply would not have been able to marry. And that seems crazy. And it made me very appreciative of how far we have come since such days, of the fundamental freedoms and rights we have the benefit of enjoying now, and it made me very aware how very, very grateful we must always continue to be to those who fought hard and sacrificed much for us to have this freedom and right.

And I would add that it is crucially important we never lose vigilance, because the forces of ignorance and hatred and evil are ever marching onward in various guises and under various banners and in all parts. And until that great day when the Lord returns and all things are transformed we cannot take our fundamental freedoms and rights as entirely safe, for, strange as it may seem, they are always under attack.

That’s one reason I decided to do my blog ‘To the Glory of God’, because if ever I have to look into my children’s eyes and answer the question, “But what did you do to make the world better for us?” I wanted to be able to at least say, “Well, it might not have been much, but I tried to do something.”

And I feel just doing something, however small a gesture it may be, is inestimably better than doing nothing when it comes to tackling the appalling evil of racism.

The blog is developing very slowly, and is not nearly as dynamic as I would ideally like it to be, but I hope it can be at least some small kind of a resource or thought-starter or encouragement along the way for a few people somewhere.

As Christians, Eve and I allow our views to be informed by the teaching of the Holy Bible, the basis for the Christian perspective on all subjects. The Holy Bible has been, and probably will continue to be, abused in support of racist views, but I have studied the scriptures closely and I know for an absolute fact that it in no way promotes racialism or advocates racism.

Indeed it provides the answer to such evil, firstly by detailing the true history of mankind, one race, and then by showing how God wishes us to live, and then finally because for the Christian we are one in Christ, the ground for our whole existence and outlook.

So, I decided to say yes to Eve’s invitation to post here about this subject not because I believe I have all the answers but because I think it is important to try, to at least try, to actively speak out against racism and celebrate interracialism.

Yes, that’s right, I said celebrate interracialism.

Overcoming ignorance, hatred and evil is something to celebrate isn’t it? Truth, love and hope are worth celebrating aren’t they?

It's stating the obvious, but I certainly don't think interracialism is something that should be merely 'tolerated'; I personally defend it, celebrate it and promote it.

I see people of different races all over the place, I often see interracial couples around, and I see many individuals of mixed race; and in each instance I think “Praise God!”

A Girl Can Dream

2010-06-01T22:36:00.000+01:00

This is one of my dream homes. In New Hope, PA. Priced at $619.995. With 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths, a 2 car garage, it's perfect for me, hubby and a gazillion kids I would love to adopt!

I enjoy looking at nice homes, be they in magazines, newspapers or real estate websites. It's not a constant hobby, but every now and then. I don't live in fantasy, and I'm careful not to lust after the material, but I sure do like to say sometimes, "one day, I wish.."

Do you like this Foyer? I think it's cool. I can imagine telling my children not to slide down the banister. Hmmm, I can even imagine me doing it when the kids aren't looking! I would have to change the linoleum flooring though, it's giving me a headache that.

The Music Room and the Office

Isn't this Living Room awesome? I really like the drapes at the windows and the fire place. I would definitely add more chairs and couches, and place a thick & soft throw rug in the center.

Lovely Kitchen, except flooring. Lots of light, wide open space and welcoming. When I was a kid I used to be homeless for a while, so looking at houses is enjoyable for me. I also love keeping house, and making a great living environment for my family means a great deal to me.

Dining Room and one of the Bathrooms

Master Bedroom

Ohhh, check out the columns. And what great space. Really nice. And the view doesn't seem too shabby.

So what do you think about the house?

[I better add -anyone interested in purchasing this house should contact Toll Brothers, PA, regarding Hopewell Estate]

Town Festival

2010-06-01T19:10:00.000+01:00

Wonderful day in my neighborhood the other day. I went to Exmouth Festival that has been a week long event. There was food, children activites, craft sales, music and much more.

I saw an awesome Funk and Soul band called Sophie Mendoza & The Sonic Blue. Really great sound, plenty surprises, and when they performed one of my favorite songs, Alicia Keys' Empire State of Mind, I would have danced and sang loudly "New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of," right along with them, except I was over to the side of the stage sniffing soaps.

This is Ishbel Ramsay, the creator of Naturally Made Soaps. Her items are natural, homemade, wonderfully scented, cutely shaped, and with really cute names. I had a really great time at her stall.

I couldn't stop smelling the cupcakes, they all seemed to have different scents.

Did I purchase anything? Oh yes. I treated myself to a bar of White Chocolate Truffle & Strawberry. I seriously want to eat it!

Girly Top Sewing Project

2010-05-30T17:18:00.000+01:00

Pulling out the summer clothes this weekend led me to find this nifty little number. I made this top last summer. It's my creation of combining two previous shirts;

1. a pink t-shirt that I hated for being too short waisted and sleeveless, and

2. an overly flowery see thru blouse I purchased in Poland a few years ago.

Here's what the blouse looked like in Poland

I don't have a picture of me wearing the T-Shirt,

But here is the finished product of the two combined.

What do you think?

How to Cut Green Beans

2010-05-29T22:53:00.000+01:00

I know exactly what you're thinking,
"Why is she trying to teach someone how to cut their green beans?"

Because I didn't know how!!
That's why. hehheeee

1. Line up the beans at the bottom of the bag.

2. Slice through the end of the bag with the lined up beans, removing the ends.

(I forgot where I learned this, but wherever I learned it, it's taught me two lessons in one. This technique taught me something about my childhood, that I must have been an annoying child due to the fact that my mother used to sit me down at the kitchen table with a pot full of green beans and ask me to snap off the ends with my bare fingers, one by one. Surely, she must have thought that I needed a hobby).

(Sometimes we do things in adulthood that we don't really think about, but do it out of habit, or tradition or because 'Momma did it this way.' Until one day it hits you, "Why Am I Snapping Greenbeans!?")

3. Turn the bag around, and shake the beans down to the opposite sealed side of the bag.

4. And chop the ends off the same as the first time, slicing through the entire bag.

(Here is where you see that this is such a time saver.)

There you have it! This could have saved me hours as a kid! If I only knew.

(NExt WEek: The Proper Way To Fold Bloomers)

My Left Foot

2010-05-29T01:15:00.000+01:00

Every morning I feel really guilty about the attention that I give to my left foot.

You know the process we girls go though after just getting out of the shower, ie. applying deodorant, maybe talc or fragrance, and smoothing in moisturizer, maybe into our hair or into our skin.

Well, after all that, I sit on the side of my bed and moisturize my left foot. Since my early twenties, my left foot has always been a bit dry and if left as is, can get pretty rough. My right foot is fine, smoothed skin and soft as butter. But the fact that my feet are two different textures trips me out and upsets me over the injustice!

Of course I’m not in a rage over the injustice of having one rough/one smooth foot, but the fact that the left, rough one gets the lotion makes me angry!!

Have you ever heard the phrase ‘the loudest chirp gets the worm,’ - as when a mother bird feeds her babies? Or ‘the squeaky wheel gets the oil,’ or any term along this line? Do you not find these sad facts of life downright rotten?

Why can't the quiet birdies get a worm too? Why can’t the wheel that doesn’t squeak get a squeeze of that oil? And why can’t my good foot, that doesn’t itch me at night, and doesn’t snag on my sock as I’m pulling it off, get caressed and massaged with Vaseline Cocoa Butter Deep Conditioning Lotion!!

The bigger picture. The things we do. The way we think. And we know it’s wrong. We reward bad behaviour. We give ear to a bit of gossip. We pass along a bit of bad news, while good news dies at the second person. We complain to the manager about the snotty waitress, but the great waitress’s manager hears nothing about her. Certainly this doesn't apply to all people, but a lot of people indeed.

So should I caress and moisturize my good foot just because the dry foot needs it? I’ll admit I tried that, and realized that it uses up too much lotion, it eats into my time, and it doesn't make a difference to the good foot anyway. And that’s what I’m upset about, how easily treating the good one nicely can fall by the wayside.

(And I guess you can say these feelings are hightened by growing up with a bad behaving older sibling, and yet, the behaved one (me) also deserved, wanted and needed attention). I know it sounds funny to say, but I can relate to my own right foot.

Car Boot Sale Fun

2010-05-23T15:53:00.000+01:00

Hello there.
Today I went to a Car Boot Sale,
aka
outside flea market, a place where people empty out their cars filled with mostly used items to sell to people like me looking for a bargain. I so love going to these with a pocket full of pound coins on a nice warm day like today. There are so many car boot sales around on the weekends, I could just take a pick from my local newspaper listings but my all-time favorite is the MASSIVE sale at Marsh Barton. And it seems to grow larger every year.

There's something called haggling that I've never been good at, but since I'm told it's a custom at car boot sales, why not do as the English do. I found a box full of badge-pack buttons selling for £1 each ($1.64 usd). I picked up two packs, put a coin in my hand, and headed over to the seller asking sweetly, "Could you please take a pound for two of these?" He said, "Go on then." And that was my one and only haggle of the day. Yeah, I know. I'm good. :D

I just had to take this picture of a box of BROKEN Biscuits (cookies). They actually sell them broken! Talk about keeping it real!

Then as I'm walking, I look down and see the prettiest little baby dress just calling out my name, "Sucker, Sucker, over here." So I HAD to get it. Isn't it darling? Only .50p (.73cents)!

Not only do I purchase baby clothes for children that I don't yet have, (I've done this regarding my wedding outfit before I was even in a relationship as well, but that's another post entitled; 'One Can Never Be Too Prepared.') but I've also gotten pretty decent baby toys, a great pram (stroller), and baby bath from car boot sales. It seems unfair to raise children not to know the joy of secondhand items. heheee (she laughs with a 'well, it was good enough for me' grin).

I got this really stylish red pocketbook for only .50p!

Dolls were everywhere and calling out my name as well, but I was so good. On my best behaviour not to spend all my dough on dolls, nor doll houses, doll cars or clothes. Don't get me wrong, I did look and rummage through people's boxes and such, but knew that I had too many dolls at home, and bringing in more would just be greedy. So to reward myself for being so disciplined in the face of so much temptation, I gifted myself a doll. Just one!!

Supposedly she's Lara Croft from the Tomb Raider movie, a doll I didn't have. Her weapons were missing but that's cool with me. Oh, and I purchased one little pink and white rocking horse. It was only .20p! The rocking horse is to complete the baby nursery on my book shelf.

Booksellers where everywhere, and since I was getting low on change I had to narrow down my choices to these three. Total only £1.20. The baking book was a pleasant discovery, but Damaged and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas were two books I've always wanted to read.

I had a great day out, and now I'll take a rest on the couch and read a bit, and enjoy a cold drink. Hope you all have had a great weekend too. And tell me, where is your favorite place to shop?

My Generous Cousin

2010-05-23T14:18:00.000+01:00

This is my generous, stylish, humours, sweet and warmhearted cousin, Shamina. She's a student on a serious mission, loves travelling to different places and often feeds her tiny turtle named Snaps.

I remember when she was a little girl, she used to visit my house and play in my jewellery box, doing herself up in my and my mother's clothes and shoes.

Now, 18 years later, she's as full of life as she ever was!

I visited her house in New York last summer and rummaged through her jewellery box finding the latest must haves and unique bling. And Wow, did she really hit me up with a lot of goodies. If I said that I liked something, she'd say, "You can have it, Evette." She even went out and purchased me a duplicate of her bracelet that has the Ten Commandments on it.

Not only does Shamina have a great sense of humour and the cutest laugh ever, she's a strong headed, positive young lady, street savvy and a good friend. She's just totally awesome. Love you Mina! And thanks for the goodies!

Eve's Chowdown Ginger Cookies

2010-05-20T19:51:00.001+01:00

These cookies are Awesome! If you're in the mood to munch on moist, spicey, surprisingly rich and delicious cookies, this is your recipe to keep. This recipe makes 2 dozen plump cookies.

Eve's Chowdown Ginger Cookies (2 Dozen)

3 bowls would be useful (all of my cookie recipes seem to require 3 bowls for some reason :)

In bowl 1 combine:
2 1/2 cups of all purpose flour (280 grams in UK)
1/2 tsp of pepper
1/2 tsp of allspice
1/4 tsp of salt
1 tsp of baking soda
1 tsp of cinnamon
3 tsp of ground ginger

In bowl 2 cream together:
3/4 cup of margarine of butter softned (170 grams in UK)
1 cup of packed white or brown sugar or artifical sweetner (225 grams in UK)

In bowl 3 whip together:
1 egg
3 table spoons of orange juice or water
1/4 cup of syrup or sugarfree syrup or molasses (4 table spoons in UK)

Now mix everything together and whip it like it bit ya!
Wrap mixture in cling film to refridgerate for at least half and hour, otherwise the mixture would be too sticky to work with.

Once cold, roll cookie dough into walnut size balls, then flatten with a spoon on non-greased sheet. (With this batch I've added a small spoon full of strawberry jam in the center of each)

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) in pre-heated oven
Bake for 10-12 minutes.

Let cool and marvel the really cool crackles on the cookies. Enjoy them warm, and with a nice tall, cold glass of milk. Mmmm. Yummy!

Adoption Fundraiser

2010-05-19T21:23:00.000+01:00

I am taking part in an Adoption Fundraiser found on Storing Up Treasures blog. It's really a great cause helping families who have the space, support and love for welcoming and raising children who are parentless, domestically and internationally.

To know me is to know that I'm broke as a joke, but managed to scrape up $5 to donate. Would you be able to donate as well? You can do it through Paypal. Please head over to Storing Up Treasures and check out what's going on, read and see pictures of the families that could use the help. This is direct help. Really direct. And such a worthy cause. You can even win some funky cool prizes donated by kind hearted people.

Update: This was a very successful fundraiser and has now finished. ALL 26 families were given a donation to their adoption funds, one family received $5,000 as the blessed winners. I was glad to participate in the fundraiser, these types would always have a place in my heart.

Horror Story

2010-05-19T16:45:00.000+01:00

The past two days have been the most horrible I've experienced in a long, long time. I've been looking for work recently, applying online and through the government jobcentre for work, sending out my cv/resume to folks, but not receiving many call backs. I started sending off speculative enquiry letters to local businesses asking for work who weren't even advertising! All to no avail, with the exception of a local residential care home whose Manager called me in twice for an interview!

I've been hired as a Carer!
So I'm so overjoyed, never having worked as a carer before, just really grateful for the opportunity and eager to get started. Unfortunately I had to wait until my Criminal Background Check was completed, in the mean time being so desperate to bring in an income, I still send out my CV, but still really looking forward to working at this care home. When given the tour of the place it seemed so wonderful, friendly staff, lovely residents, clean and up to scratch.

Nearly two months go by. Fast forward to last Thursday, my head is bowed and I'm praying to God for a job break through, when the phone rings! I'm asked if I could start the care home night-shift on Sunday night! Yippy. Finally, I'm saying to myself, yes indeed I'm saying to the manager. The hours to work are from 9:15pm to 7:30am.

My husband's so cute, he's showering me congrats, but at the same time saying how much he's going to miss me overnight. And I him, but really looking forward to working and doing a job that I feel I'm called for, caring for other people who can't care for themselves. I don't mind that it's the midnight shift, I don't mind that it pays minimum wage. I don't care that I have college degrees suited for a different field. I'm at that age (38) where I now want to do what gives me personal joy. I've had lots of different jobs in my life, from being a death certificate issuer in NYC, (super busy job), to selling shoes at Payless, (constantly having to run off the local foot fetish shoe sniffers when customers who removed their shoes to try on new ones found their old ones missing). I worked at a Theological Seminary library, putting Mylar protection over books and papers from 17th century, I've been a church secretary, I've been a top seller of Coco Chanel high priced items at world famous Bloomingdales. I could go on and on. A lot of my previous jobs were to bide my time, to get to somewhere else, or to make lots of money. I'm done with those reasons now.

I'm super excited about helping the elderly, turned up nice and early, said goodbye to the massive day staff who told me all residents where in bed. It was just me and the one carer I was to shadow while she showed me the ropes. She was such a doll, but the whole ten hours I only got to sit down and rest for 10 minutes! If I told you all that I had to do, I could write a book!! So would you mind a poem?

Upstairs, downstairs, changing diapers, making tea.
Scrubbing the bathrooms, vacuuming the carpets, polishing tables, wiping up pee.
Doing the laundry, folding the clothing, ironing the sheets, tripping over the cat.
Taking out garbage, and cleaning the kitchen, my ankles are killing me, never feeling so fat.
Trying to stop R from whipping out his willy, trying to stops M from ripping off her clothes.
Checking that everyone’s breathing every two hours, reminding myself this is the job that I chose!
I lost my voice, I'm sweating bullets, getting the rooms confused, in need of a map,
The call-bells ringing, running to help, told next week I'm on my own,
Oh she shouldn't have said that!

I made it through, but I was a complete and utter mess. My husband had to come pick me up after my shift because I could not physically walk the short distance home. I fell on my bed crying my head off and in dire pain. I was emotionally drained and my spirit was broken. It took me till now to recover, and this morning, being totally torn up inside, the manager was told that I would not be returning. She said she totally understood.

Why is it that good intentions sometimes turn out bad? Why did I have to feel so full of joy in getting this job, thanking God for His blessing, but it turned out to be a horror? I have nightmares now, I feel like a failure now, and I'm back to being jobless!!

Ughhh,

I'm back to sending off CVs/resumes again today. I can't stay sad, I have to pick up and carry on, be strong, I will survive, and all those other good songs from the 70's. heehee. Thanks for allowing me to share with you. I'll be fine, God is good, He'll sort me out. Hope all's great in your neck of the woods! Your girl Eve.

Plus Size Pretty Spring Tops

2010-05-10T19:20:00.000+01:00

I would love to rock these tops this spring! I found them at Avenue.com.

I'm contemplating tossing out all my old clothes no longer good, and forcing myself to get new tops otherwise I'd just have to stay in the house in my bra and nightgown.

Leopard Crinkled Peasant Bloouse $43, and Bead Neck Tie Dyed Tunic $40.

Rosa Blossom Print Tunic $30.

Sometimes I feel really guilty purchasing things for myself, so if I did have the money to treat myself to these pretty tops, I probably wouldn't. Is that normall?

Christian Blogger Widgets / Buttons

2010-05-09T23:55:00.000+01:00

I've made a few more Buttons (or Widgets as they are also called).
Feel Free to take them. Remember:
They are Free!
They Won't Link Back To My Site!
No attributing credit neccessary!
So be my guest to GRAB IT!

If I find myself not being able to stop making buttons, I might start a new blog just full of them! Should I?

Free Christian Blogger Buttons

2010-05-08T02:28:00.000+01:00

Here are a few more free Christian blogger buttons I've made. It's so fun creating them, I just might do this forever. Hope you enjoy! (Should you need instructions on how to apply them to your blog, please see previous post)

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Free Blogger Button

2010-05-07T01:50:00.000+01:00

Hello there,
I've been searching the web for really cute buttons that won't link back to any particular website, and that would express something wonderful. Because I've had a difficult time finding many, I've decided to create my own buttons!

And to Share them!
Free!
They Won't Link Back To My Site!
No attributing credit neccessary!
So be my guest to GRAB IT!
This feature shall be growing, and growing as I create more and more buttons. Please tell me what you think if you wish. All the best! Your girl Eve!

Have fun and enjoy!!!
Here are the instructions with this first one as an example.

Just copy and paste the code below into your Add A Gadget - HTML/Javascript window. And save!

If any problems, please let me know, but it should be quite easy.

P.S. to center the button just put a < at the front of the code, type in center then close it with > Do the same thing at the very end of the code and click save.

Back To My Love Of Drawing

2010-05-02T01:05:00.001+01:00

Mommy Taught Me

(Click image to enlarge)

This is one of my favorite drawings called 'Mommy Taught Me.' The inspiration behind it is my dear Mom, who taught me lots of artful things, and my particular fav was sewing.

The person who inspired me to find my hidden-away sketches and art supplies is Vanessa Brantley-Newton.

I’ve recently started following her blog Ooh La La Design Studio and I just get so tickled looking at her work! Vanessa’s so inspiring, she does it all, illustrations, writing books, she sings, she cooks, she’s a Mom, Wife and awesomely beautiful woman inside and out. Check her out!

Thanks Vanessa for getting me (to get my husband) to dig through the dusty garage for my art supplies!! I'm having a ball! :D

My New Name

2010-05-02T01:05:00.000+01:00

(Real conversation I had with my husband)

Honey? Hun?

Hmmm?
      I think I want to write a book about my life growing up. Though, I don't know if I want to use my real name, I mean my family would know I'm writing about them if they know it's me. I need an alias.

How about Florence Mcflurry?
   Well...not quite me

Doris Donut?
   Doris Donut?

Lucy Brucie?
   Honey?

Sally McNally?
   Honey!

Rosie Dandelion?
No

Penny Arcade?
No

Trixy Popper?
     You know what, I'm gonna stick to the good name my mother gave me. My family is just gonna have'ta bite the bullet. Thanks for your help.

No problem. (He smiles)

(Drawing by Eve; Materials used: Colour pencils and Paint.net free internet program)

All Of My Children

2010-05-02T01:04:00.000+01:00

I'm a dutiful follower of a variety of parenting, adoption and homeschooling blogs. I love reading about big families getting bigger and bigger, homes filled with love and commitment, tips from happy couples or strong single moms, of disciplining and rewarding children for good or bad behaviours, and homeschooling curriculums fascinate me.

The authors of these blogs that I follow probably have taken a few minutes to check out my blog to see if it's similar to theirs, scanning for pictures of my children, seeing if I'm posting about lunchbox fills, or cute jokes my kids come up with. I feel really bad to say, but I'm sorry, I don't have any children.

When I was a little girl, all of my dolls were adopted children in my mind. As a teen, erroneously, I thought that women who had their own children were selfish for not adopting. In my twenties I signed up for adoption seminars. I wanted to build a career around being in the presence of children all day so I've earned a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education and taught in several classrooms as a student teacher. But now, in my thirties and married, I want to desperately give my husband a biological baby of our own. My husband would truly make a wonderful father and I would love to look into a baby’s eyes and see my husbands', or my own.

I love children!

But my reality really stinks. Too often drooling after the babies I see in the local Tesco supermarket. I adore babies. But I’ve lost two by miscarriage and feel that a huge chunk of me died with each one. I think I would be an awesome Mom. Too often I find myself asking God why me? Why do I have to be the barren one in a family full of fertility-blessed women? Whose toes did I ever step on? I surely must have crushed then down to the white meat!

My mother used to tell me that her mother had 6 miscarriages before she conceived. I’m sorry but, “I’m just not that into you,” I would have to tell my ovaries, because 6 miscarriages would drive me straight loo loo. And in fact, I can’t bear to imagine experiencing a third miscarriage. I’m so afraid and I worry all the time. And I’m fearful that what God has placed into my heart will never get to manifest.

Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” And

And one of my favorite scriptures, 2nd Timothy 1:7 says “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” So my worrying and fear is truly out of place.

I’m thinking of adoption now. Again. It sets really well with my husband and I. So I’m back searching into it and learning all I can, and know that if God wills it, He will choose all of our children for us. And He will provide a way to get them home.
(Artwork by Eve; Materials: Colour Pencils and Paint.net free software download)

I Need a Chill Pill

2010-04-20T23:23:00.000+01:00

Just went to see my doctor today and I can’t help but feel uplifted and full of joy!
What? Going to see your doctor doesn’t make you feel the same? Oh, that’s because you don’t have my doctor. She is the bees’ knees (British term which basically means she’s awesome).
I don’t even have to tell her much of what’s ailing me, just on the line of, and she tells me the rest. “That’s right, that’s right,” I say, shaking my head and wanting to hug her, and feeling most happy to not even have to pay for the visit.

When I was in America, I was under HIP health insurance, and Medicaid when I was poorer. Neither health coverage systems left me feeling cared for, to put it nicely. Under Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) not only can I see a number of caring doctors and specialists, but there’s no different care given to me than given to a rich person, no one asks can I afford the bill before seeing me in their office, and because I’m a diabetic I don’t have to pay for my meds of any kind. I love the NHS! I wish all American’s could have access to this type of tax-covered care. Now with that said, the clinic needs more spaces in the parking lot and could use a better ventilation system in the waiting room… and… and… can a person ever be truly satisfied? :)
(photo by Renjith Krishnan / Freedigitalphotos.net)

Chocolate Covered Bacon Strips

2010-04-19T17:57:00.000+01:00

An elderly man lies dying in his bed. At death's door he suddenly smells the aroma of his favourite treat, chocolate covered bacon strips wafting up the stairs. He gathers his remaining strength, lifts himself from the bed and slowly makes his way out of the bedroom. With laboured breaths, he staggers down the stairs into the hall and gazes into the kitchen. Here, spread out on the kitchen table and worktops are trays of chocolates, including his ultimate favorite chocolate covered bacon. A final act of love from his devoted wife, seeing to it that he leaves this world a happy man.

Mustering one great final effort, the old man throws himself towards the table and lands on his knees. He reaches out a withered hand towards the tray of his favorite treat - when WHACK!

He's suddenly struck with a spatula. "You stay out to those," his wife yells at him. "That's for the funeral!"

(I just had to tailor this joke to fit this picture from Marini's candy store in Santa Cruz, California) Sorry :D

Cool Items That Cost Money

2010-04-17T00:43:00.000+01:00

I think this is just smashing, and not because it's my favorite colour pink. It's an MP3 Carrying Case that comes with a built in speaker.

The sound comes through the perforated metallic layer. It can be clipped onto your jeans or carried in a handbag. And it only cost $8.80 from Forever21.com

I probably won't purchase this because I've made my own MP3 carry case with felt and beads. But this one's far better.

Ever sit to dine at a restaurant and don't know where to safely put your purse or handbag? This stylish Jeweled Purse Hook allows you to bling out while you hang your purse under the table with style. It has a high polished finish and foamy surface underneath to prevent slipping off the table. This little bling only cost $3.80 from Forever21.com

Fantastic jeans, but that's not the cool item I would love to have.
It's the jean chain.
It's off the hook!
At about 7 bucks, it's a high polished decorated, two clasp chain with beaded accents and twisted strands. Forever21.com again.

If ever in one of their stores, you might shop like crazy. I know I would.

Great earrings! To know me is to know that I'm an earring fanatic. And these two really float my boat. I would definitely purchase these Jewel-Encrusted Zipper earrings for $5.80, but the Threaded Earrings featuring a coiled edge and large teardrop design for $3.80 I wouldn't purchase.

Because lots of people are getting these, and why not, they are beautiful, it's the reason why I wont get them.
I like to be a bit more unique.

Both earring sets found at Forever21.com, of course.

Coconut Cookie-Balls and Almond Sandies

2010-04-15T23:36:00.002+01:00

Baking cookies is a thrill. It’s quick, it’s simple, it thrills your senses, and I dare say it’s just about fail proof. Oh, yes, and they are delicious!

My ingredients included Splenda which is a sugar substitute, ideal for diabetics like myself. The cookies are really buttery so they aren’t diet cookies by far, just sugarless.

The two following recipes are a combination of different ones, tweeked and twisted into perfection. I can now say they are my own concoctions.

Coconut Cookie-Balls

Get 3 bowls

1 cup of softened butter

1 1/2 cups of Splenda (or sugar)

1 medium egg

2 tablespoons of cold water

1 teaspoon of lemon extract (optional)

2 1/2 cups of plain flour

3/4 teaspoons of baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/2 cup of flaked dried coconut

In first bowl cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. In a separate bowl crack your egg, (I always do this separately in case there’s something in the egg that’ll make a woman scream). Beat the egg, add the water and lemon extract, then combine your two bowls into one. In third bowl mix the flour, baking powder, salt and coconut. Combine everything together, stirring with a knife, then mush with fingers.

Roll the dough into balls in the palm of your hand. Make all different size balls and place on an un-greased sheet or pan.

Bake for 10 minutes in a preheated over at 175 degrees C (350 degrees F).
Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes then much out!

Almond Sandies

(You can also use Pecans or Walnuts)

Get 3 bowls

1 cup of softened butter

1 cup of vegetable oil

1 1/2 cup of Splenda (or sugar)

2 eggs

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

4 cups of plain or all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1 teaspoon of salt

2 cups of chopped almonds

In first bowl cream together the butter, vegetable oil and the sugar until smooth. Crack eggs into second bowl, whip and then ad the vanilla to it. Combine both bowls into one. In third bowl mix your flour, baking soda, salt.

Combine all of the ingredients, then mix in the almonds. Roll the dough into balls in the palm of your hand. Place balls onto un-greased sheet or pan, 2 inches apart. Take a fork and flatten the balls leaving fork tracks for effect. (All professional like)

Bake for 10 minutes in a preheated oven set at 190 degrees C (375 degrees F) or until you see cookies browning around their edges. You don’t want them to brown all over because then they’ll taste burnt.

Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes then much out!

My hubby approved of the finished product. We all did. It was Awesomely delicious if I do say so myself.

This pic shows just half of the batches that came out of my dough mixtures.

Let me know if you give these a try. All the best. Eve

QDTAH58PADFH

My Spring Make-Over

2010-04-15T20:27:00.000+01:00

Spring has sprung! And lot’s of people believe Spring means spring cleaning around the house. Sure it can, but it also can mean sprucing up ones look. Recently, I’ve been inspired by two awesome blogs to give a go at re-styling myself. I turned to UmaPreve for makeup tips and to Bglhonline for hair styling dos and don’ts.

Please don’t let my pictures reflect poorly of the advice found on both wonderful sites, I take sole responsibility for my own look.

I applied bright colours to my eyes (silver and purple) and lips (raspberry) then blackened my eyelashes with mascara. Applying flattering colours is not an easy thing to do. I applied a light foundation to my face but it didn't do anything for me so I washed it off.

I released my hair from wet twists and gone buck natural. My hair feels soft and spongy, kept asking my husband to bounce his hands on my head to see how bouncy my hair was. He loves me natural. And so do I. Chances are I’ll probably never perm, straighten or ad extensions to my hair again. (This year)

I pinned a fabric flower in my hair and played around in my jewelry box picking lots of pinks and browns (My two favorite colour combos).

So thank-you to the two lovely blogs, I shall be returning often. As you can see I need plenty more tips.

And back to Pink and Brown, did I mention that it's my absolute FAVORITE two colours. I made myself a jewelry set featuring these two colours in varying degrees.

The earrings, necklace and bracelet took me nearly 3 hours to complete. I purchased the pieces in New York last summer and finally got around to working with it. I think the outcome is pretty sweet. What do you think?

I feel selfish if I make a really nice jewelry set and keep it for myself. But I think I deserve something nice too. This is the first complete set that I've kept just for me.

Doll Collecting

2010-04-15T18:50:00.000+01:00

I didn't know there was a stigma attached to collecting dolls. I recently was made aware of this on a few dc blogs. According to some sources, doll collectors are weird loners, live in lala land, speak to inanimate objects, don't have friends, are spooky and stuck in childhood.

Learning of this almost made me want to hide my hobby, keep it from my friends, blacken my windows incase someone's watching and only listen to Barbie for advice on how to live my creepy life. NOT!

There are nearly 150 dolls in my possession; Action Men, My Scene, Get Real Girlz, etc. Collecting dolls puts a smile on my face, gives me something to spend extra pocket change on, and affords me a silly topic to blog about. It doesn't hurt anyone and doesn't cause me gallstones. It doesn't freak out my husband, and... and, it's without a doubt the best hobby I've ever enjoyed. So who cares what haters say, I'm gonna have my fun anyway.
(doll bedding created by me)

Costume Jewelry with Style

2010-03-27T23:12:00.000Z

The Obama Earrings are the collaboration between Sheila, a fantastic, innovative artist from New York, and myself.

Both sides of the earrings feature the picture of US President Barack Obama smiling handsomely.

The materials used to create this set included gold yarn, beads, gold vinyl, clothe and gold fish hook findings.

They hang at about 3 inches in length.

The gold Barack earrings were recently, rather easily, sold on Ebay. And I received pretty decent feedback from the purchaser saying his girlfriend absolutely loves them!

Remember the Time?

These Michael Jackson Earrings were created right after Michael passed away in June 2009. Again, a teamwork effort between Sheila and myself. Unlike the Obama Earrings, they feature two different pictures on either side; one of Michael from the early days in his life and career with The Jackson Five. The other picture is of him later in his life during his Remember The Time song release. I have to say I really dig these, I've never worn them but at the same time struggle with the thought of putting them up for sale.

Another pair of Obama Earrings in black. This pair is beaded with a black and gold emphasis.

Simon Cowell Earrings

Okay, I take full 'credit' for this creation. I personally like them.

Because I have a like/not like relationship with Simon Cowell I made this weird combination of clay and paint, on Sterling Silver findings.

The Simon earrings were fun to create. If anything, they're definitely a conversation piece.

Black Headbands

2010-03-24T18:10:00.001Z

I think I'll start rocking black headbands this Spring. Headbands seem to be making a major comeback for adults, although they never went out of style for children. Headbands are great for semi-covering bad hair styles. And that's right up my alley! All of these headbands I found at Forever21.com and they range in price from $3-$9, which I consider dddirt cheap! Now, I could grab my sewing box and find my old headbands from the 80's, then create something unique. Or I could just ask my dear sweet, sweet cousins in NY to pick a few of these up for me and ship them here to England. Yeah, that sounds great to me!!

The Sneeze

2010-03-21T14:45:00.000Z

I recently received two very heart touching forwarded emails both entitled "The Sneeze." Has it found its way into your mailbox yet?

THE SNEEZE

They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-two students filing into the already crowded auditorium. With their rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt.

Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and Moms freely brushed away tears.

This class would NOT pray during the commencements----not by choice, but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it.

The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families.

The speeches were nice, but they were routine, until the final speech received a standing ovation.

A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and silent for just a moment, and then, it happened. All 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly SNEEZED !!!

The student on stage… simply looked at the audience and said, 'GOD BLESS YOU.’
And he walked off stage...

The audience exploded into applause. This graduating class had found a unique way to invoke God's blessing on their future with or without the court's approval.

Isn't this a wonderful story? Pass it on to all your friends....and GOD BLESS YOU!!
This is a true story; it happened at the University of Maryland.
Oh, how I wish THIS one would take off and FILL the whole Country!!

Hmmm. Well, it’s certainly filling everyone’s email box. One must be careful of believing these sort of email forwards, even in the opening of them really, it's a prime way spamers and virus senders forward their junk from person to person.

Well, knowing this, (just call me snoop) I opened it anyway. Then I wanted to find out if The Sneeze was indeed true, so I went to my kind of website; Snopes! They seem to sort out email forward origins by research and tracking. Turns out "The Sneeze is not true! Not entirely.

To find out more on this story: http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/sneeze.asp and any other email forward you might have received from aunt Mary, cousin Brian or best friend Sarah who still owes you a babysitting favor but considers emailing your cute forwards as payback, check the fables here: http://www.snopes.com/ . And no, there isn’t a movie coming out about Jesus being gay, and no one is camped outside of Wal-Mart stores shooting only black people. Have a great day.

Belly Fat

2010-03-17T00:45:00.001Z

Cut down 20 pounds of flubby belly fat by following this one weird age-old tip:

Uhhh...Do Some SIT-UPS?

Lose inches off your waist by changing 3 things you eat:

Would that be Seconds! Thirds! And Fourths?

Is it just me or are you also tired of those lose-weight scam ads every place on the net? I could just eat them! Pop-bellies know when they have to do a few crunches, we don't need to be reminded of our belly every web page we visit. Lay off and move on to someone else, like people with dry feet! Where's the ad for that? I know a few people who need to click on those ads every single day, and I can give you their names. (She says while munching on ginger cookies she made last night). {Image: Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net}

Jewellery (UK) Jewelry (USA) I've Made

2010-03-11T20:32:00.000Z

Apple Crumble Dessert

2010-03-06T22:13:00.002Z

Apple Pie is as basic a recipe as ... well... Apple Pie! So for that reason this is not a recipe.

I wanted to make a huge, mammoth, juicy, yummy crumble experience for the two guys in my house. This is just how it went.

Please excuse my pictures because noodles, rice and syrup was not included in my pie. And if YOU include such ingredients in YOUR pie, you need to pay very close attention, then email me for my recipe. LOL

First, you start off with some good apples. Six red ones here, plus I included a yellow apple I found in my fridge, plus an additional bag of reds.

I pealed my apples with a knife, (because a certain someone misplaced my potato pealer), then cut them into medium size bits. And you know I was munching as I went along. :)

I set out all of my ingredients ready to use. I could have made my own pie crust from scratch but a pack of pastry mix is faster, I just added 8 tbl spoons of cold water to the shortcrust and set it aside. Apples are naturally sweet so not much sugar is needed in an apple pie/crumble. Since I'm a diabetic, natural sugar is like filthy poison to me anyway. So for my filling I used a bit of Splenda to mix with flour, raisins, all spice, cinnamon and nutmeg.

The shortcrust was laid into the biggest baking bowl I could find. Poking holes in the dough with a fork makes the crust come out flakier. Then I mixed my apples with the rest of the ingredients and scooped it all into the pie crust.

For the crumbly top, I mixed flour, Splenda and butter, and cut-crumbled it with a cold, sharp knife. Well, I don't use real butter, but it's hard to believe that I Can't Believe It's Not Butter is not real butter. You know what I mean! LOL. I also dart the apple mixture with 'butter' to make the pie juicy and succulent. Yum.

After sprinkling the crumbs on top, this is the finished product ready to bake for 40 minutes. Just enough time to clean up the messy counter top and wash the dishes.

I'm happy I got this shot of the finished product, the pie was going QUICKLY! Mmm, just look at the juice oooozing out. The apples were soft but solid, hot, gooey and sweet. The crumble was flaky and buttery, and it all went so well with Franks Diabetic Ice Cream.
Yummmmmmmmy!!

The Breakfast Song

2010-02-27T21:00:00.000Z

Wow, I've had lots of different things for breakfast before,

but sugar and rice? That's on a whole'nuther level!

And seriously, I was kind of hoping that there'll be all-you-can-eat pancakes in heaven with all different flavours of syrup. Sausages and bacon too.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

And Now For Our Top Story Tonight...

2010-02-23T19:46:00.000Z

Wow, does this Newscaster know that he resembles the wanted man?

I mean he's got the same hair cut, eye brows, mustache, same eyes, nose, lips, chin, and everything. Oh man, I hope they caught this guy.

This is a real newscaster. His name is Marc Brown. I have no reason to believe that the story isn't real also.

I Really Really Dig...

2010-02-23T19:27:00.001Z

All Things Sweet!

It's downright rotten being a diabetic. Can't have this, can't have that. So whomever it was that invented artificial sweeteners - I Adore You! Now I can have this and that. Yes!

I usually bake cakes, cookies, and pies with Splenda artificial sweetener. There's no after-taste and it doesn't give me any side effects, some people say Splenda gives them headaches.

'Franks' brand does a very nice diabetic vanilla ice cream.

And Werther's Original candy comes in a sugar free pack now. Yummy!

Being a diabetic isn't all that horrible if you watch your intake and check labels on everything. Everything. I'm not an expert on the subject but I'm learning all the time.

At Least I Gave It A Go...

2010-02-20T14:00:00.000Z

Two years ago I got this awesome idea about making Greeting Cards for interracial couples.

Having tons of magazines around my house gave me plenty of materials to work with considering that I wanted to do abstract, montage images. So I went to snipping and ripping and cutting and gluing until my office looked like Broadway after a ticker-tape parade.

And here we have the two end products of my heartfelt, grueling labour.

Needless to say, my new career in card making went up in smoke. Or at least that's what it should have done. So I moved on to another hobby, jewellery making, and folks I'm soooo much better at that craft. As far as making cards go, I at least can say I gave it a go. What have you given a go to and it ended up a nasty mess?

Well, If you can't take a joke...

2010-02-14T17:16:00.000Z

I went to the doctor and said, 'Doc, every morning when I get up and look in the mirror, I feel like throwing up. What's wrong with me?' The doctor said, 'I don't know but your eyesight's perfect.' (Rodney Dangerfield)