Stalkers and Valentines...

I love Valentine's Day.

Perhaps it is because I am head-over-heels in love, or because I am a hopeless romantic. Perhaps it is because my birthday is near Valentine's Day and I know when I start seeing red and pink hearts in the stores that my birthday is near.
Whatever the reason, I love it.
I slip love notes in my husband's lunch box and bake cupcakes for my little ones. It is a wonderful excuse to splurge on candy and treats for my Valentines. And this year I have a few extra-secret surprises up my sleeve for them.

This year I have also created a few pieces of Valentine's Day inspired jewelry.
Hopelessly romantic with a little bit of my rustic edginess to them.


They echo the fact that my heart has been pierced by Cupid's arrow.

And I haven't forgotten that men need a Valentine treat to let them know that they are special, too. This stag antler pendant is perfectly romantic and masculine at the same time.

And I think purple has, unofficially, become a Valentine's Day color. This amethyst point necklace is perfect for a Valentine, or for a February birthday girl.

All of these jewelry creations are now available in my Etsy shop.

I am also very excited to be featured in a Solo Exhibit by Beatrice and Violet on Etsy Stalker this week! Violet has been so sweet in our communications and asked me the most interesting questions in my interview. I have been overwhelmed and delighted to the core to read all the kind words that others have written about my jewelry. It has been a wonderful experience.

You can read my interview and enter for a chance to win this moon pendant here.

I am working an a thousand projects at once (as usual), one of which is a horse stable for my daughter's birthday next week. And perhaps a painting or two! I'll be back very soon to share more of my creations with you.

My Holiday Wish List...

Dear Santa,

I have been a very good mama this year.

I have helped my kids with their homework, and always made sure their teeth were brushed and hair was combed.

I have hugged them everyday and told them how special they are.

I have tried to stay afloat in the sea of laundry.

And I only snuck into my kids' Halloween candy once or twice (ok, maybe 3 times).

I have been exercising regularly (well, I have been thinking about it).

So, anyway... I have my eye on a few things...






Top to bottom:

Night owl shirt by Circular Accessories
Moravian Star by LA Glass
Vintage Hair Pin by Pulp Miscellania
Pantaloons by Bayou Salvage
Felt Robin Hood Hat by Frixiegirl

I will be extra good next year, I promise!

I will be sure to leave a home brewed-beer out for you again this year, I know you get tired of cookies and milk.

The Holidays are Upon us...

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We spent it with my parents and had a perfectly lovely meal. Of course, we ate until we were stuffed and then ate some more.

Our home is infused with Holiday Spirit. I am very excited about the Holidays this year. Perhaps it is because my little ones are so excited, it is very contagious, you know. We have been decorating, baking, singing songs.
I am hosting my first Holiday dinner this year and am already thinking of my menu. Should we go with the traditional dinner? or should we do something interesting and start our own traditions?

Hmmm. Decisions, decisions.
Does your family have any dinner traditions for the Holidays?

I have also been creating some new pieces. Holiday Bling done Gypsy Moon style...




These are now available here in my Etsy shop. They would make great gifts, or would make a great gift to yourself. You have been good this year, haven't you?

I have many more new creations and will be adding new items to my shop daily.

We woke up to snow this morning. There was much jumping up and down and clapping from my two little ones. The first snow fall is always so beautiful. I love the snow, I just wish there was some magical way to keep it off the roads.

I will leave you with this magical clip from my FAVORITE Holiday movie, White Christmas.
What a wonderful era this was, ladies wore dresses and pearls everyday, and men wore suits everyday. Oh, to dance with Danny Kaye would be amazing...

Remembering...

Halloween is past, and November comes with it's cold bite and frosty mornings. I have had to dig out knit hats and mittens for the kids to take to school. Can you believe it is November?
The holidays are right around the corner now, and the time seems to fly by faster each year.

Does time go by faster as we get older because we appreciate it more? Or do we appreciate time more because it goes by faster as we get older? Anyway, I wish it would slow down.
I wish I could freeze it right now, with my daughter reading beginner books
and her front teeth missing.
I wish I could freeze it right now with my son learning to write his name and him still wanting to hug me all the time.

I have been thinking about my grandpa alot lately. He passed away while I was on my honeymoon. He didn't get to come to my wedding because he was in the hospital. I hate that he never met my husband, and that my kids will never get to meet him.

He introduced me to Willie Nelson (the only country music that I will listen to) and I thought this song fitting for today.

I also am missing our sweet furry baby, Scotta. She was a 100# Boxer lapdog. She was so lovey and funny. It has been 5 years since she passed and my husband and I still laugh about things she used to do.

So today , on Dia de Los Muertos, I remember my loved ones who have gone
and I will hug my loved ones who are still with me,
and tell them that I love them.

Luck O' The Irish

May you always have
Walls for the winds,
A roof for the rain,
Tea beside the fire,
Laughter to cheer you,
Those you love near you,
And all your heart might desire.

~Irish Blessing

Here are a few of my favorite bits of Irish music. You cannot help but feel happy when you listen to these! One of my very favorite bands is The Pogues, and when they sing with the Dubliners- ooh! How can it get any better??







I am very proud of my Irish heritage, proud to be connected to this culture that is so strong and has persevered through so many hardships. Irish history is rich with stories and legends that I find SO amazing, I could sit for days on end devouring all of the wonderful tales and history.
So, today is the perfect day to hoist a Guinness high into the air and celebrate! Be thankful for what you have. Find the positive in a bad situation. Celebrate that bit of Irish warrior that is hidden deep in everyone, that part of you that gets you through any situation. Happy Paddy's Day!

I will leave you with quote from my Irish grandmother "If your going to kill each other, go outside. I don't want blood on the carpet!"

Sláinte!

Yule Goodies~

*Our resident snow fairy*

Well, I had the most wonderful weekend with my family. Part of what I love about this time of year is the nice times at home wrapping, baking, making cards, and playing in the snow. I am a homebody, I'll leave the busy traffic and last minute shopping madness to others. Obviously, the holidays have become much too commercial, and in my opinion there is nothing like a freshly baked plate of cookies, or a gift that is made from the heart. Our tree has become heavily laden with paper snowmen, and santas that my daughter, the budding artist, has cut out and decorated. Apparently every square inch of our tree wasn't covered, so she decided to fill it up. My husband was on wrapping duty this weekend and our tree now looks like it is being held up by presents.


I spent alot of my weekend in the kitchen. I made snickerdoodles, chocolate-pecan fudge, yummy homemade turtles, my famous salsa, and chicken spaghetti. I still have to bake some bread, make a pecan pie, and a potato recipe that I will take for our big holiday dinner later in the week. I thought I would share my turtle recipe with you all. They are SO simple and delicious! If you need a last minute treat to give away or take to a gathering, these are amazing and easy peasy.

TURTLES

*waffle pretzel

*Rolos (any carmel filled chocolates will work)

*halved pecans

Heat oven to 250º. Lay pretzels out on baking sheet and place one carmel/chocolate on top. Bake until the chocolate just starts to melt. This was about 3 minutes in my oven. If you let it go too long, the carmel spills out and won't set up. Remove from oven and immediately press a pecan half into the top. Let them cool and firm up.

These are so delicious, I had a hard time keeping my hands off of them! But then again, I have absolutely no will power when it comes to chocolate. I have given up trying to fit into that little dress this holiday and decided to enjoy myself! Curvy is in...at least that is what I am telling myself! I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday!

All Eye Want for Christmas...

I took a quick minute to take a photo of my lovely "star pupils" (did I really just write that?!) before they head out into the big wide world and their new owners. These were headed out, amongst other goodies, in today's order shipment.

I recieved an early Yule gift today from my husband (we are as bad as children and can NEVER wait to open gifts!) My wonderful man bought me a cd I have been wanting for ages...Teribus! If you are not familiar with this trio, I suggest you become so. (http://www.teribusmusic.com/) We first heard them at a renaissance festival years ago. Everywhere we went that day we could feel the rhythm of the huge drum resonating through our bones, it was awesome! Their name is Scottish...Teribus was the name of a legendary Scottish bagpiper who marched with the troops on the battlefield. His music would stir them into a frenzy and keep their spirits up. It is the perfect music to keep me going through all the craziness of the holiday season!

Happy Thanksgiving

OK, so it is a week away. But I must take my leave, lovely blog companions (a big hello and thanks to all my new followers!), for tonight, my husband and I will load our two sleeping children into our vehicle and venture on a cross country road trip to spend the holiday with family. My internet presence will be scarce for the next week as I stuff myself to the max with southern cuisine and turkey dinners...did I pack my elastic waist pants?



My Etsy shop will remain open, and I will be checking emails and convos, shipping will resume on Nov 30. I wish everyone a warm, happy, and safe holiday with your loved ones. May your days be filled with naps, lunch-time cocktails, and pecan pie.


On a parting note~ be sure to check out my Celtic Triskele pendant being given away by the lovely Mrs. B on her blog Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom.

Tipping My Hat...

Being from a military family, I simply cannot let Veteran's Day pass by without discussing it. My family has many members who have served this country, including my father and my husband who were both in the Army, and my brother is an active duty Marine Corp officer. I was born on an Army base in Stuttgart, Germany where my father was stationed, and we moved quite a bit when I was very young until my father joined the civilian life once again. My dad is now the Head of Veteran Affairs in the county where he and mom live. He is very good at what he does, and he loves his job. My family is very patriotic and I was raised with a large sense of respect for members of the military.

Now, here is the conundrum. I don't believe in war. Well, I guess I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. Being a Medieval History major in college, I know alot about medieval warfare, and I love it. I love reading about ancient armies, and military strategies. I love reading about early cavalry and ancient weapons (my husband and I have actually discussed building a trebuchet, but that is a story for another time). I mean, what would the Legend of King Arthur be without a war with the Saxons? I realize that war and dispute has gone on as long as humans have been on this planet. It is part of our nature. This point is proven to me everyday as I watch my children fight over space and possessions.

So why do I have such a hard time with this subject when I know and understand it? Because it has hit home with me. It has affected my direct family. My grandfather and my uncle both fought in WWII. I have heard amazing and aweful stories about what they endured and know the effect the war had on them when they came home (my uncle came home with only one arm). More recently, my family has sent my little brother off to war. Twice he has gone to Iraq (or the "sandbox" as he calls it) to fly his huge helicopter in this seemingly neverending occupation we have gotten ourselves into. We don't always know exactly where he is, so everytime a helicopter crash is reported on the news we sit on the edge of our seats...waiting. My mom and I message back and forth "Have you heard from him?" It is a roller coaster ride of emotions when he is gone. He is most likely going to Afghanistan next spring.

So regardless of my feelings toward our government and the agendas and conspiracies that shape this nation's history, I highly respect the men and women who put their entire life on hold while they put themselves in harm's way, and their families who ride that roller coaster of emotion whenever they watch their son or daughter leave. It takes a special type of person to make the sacrifices that our military members make. My hat is off to you. Thank you for your service.

Pictured from top to bottom:

*My dad- David Welihan (Army)

*My husband- Jason "Pudge" Lovorn (Army)

*My brother- Jayson Welihan (Marines)

*My grandpa- William Welihan (Marines)