Chicken Soup

Being that January is National Soup Month, I thought that I would share with you a soup that is popular at our house.  I found it years ago on Allrecipes.  I know many people tweak recipes but I am not that creative in the kitchen.  I always make this recipe the same way the recipe calls for.  We all love it.  It is hearty and comforting.  You can find the recipe here. Enjoy!

Stone Chip Bracelet

I have made this style bracelet before with pearls and crystals but I decided to use stone chips this time because it is for someone I work with who likes earthy tones. This bracelet is fun to make and works up quickly.

One of the greatest things about this project is that there are not a lot of supplies.

Materials:

6 silver bead tips

#6 silk thread

1 multi strand clasp

stone chips ( I used about 110 chips)

pliers

First, tie a knot onto the end of your silk thread and string your bead tip up close to the knot. The little hook of the bead tip should be facing the end of the thread.  Make one more knot onto the other side of the bead tip to secure it. Next, string enough stone chips onto the thread to make a five inch length. ( I went with five inches because the person I was making it for has very small wrists.  My clasp added on two inches, not including the extender chain. ) Knot your thread at the end of the strand and add your second bead tip. Knot to secure.

Repeat this process two more times, giving you three completed strands.  Hook each strand onto the three strand clasp and then attach to the other coordinating side. Enjoy your new bracelet!

Book Nook

I just finished reading the most WONDERFUL book, Adriana Trigiani's The Shoemaker's Wife.
It is a beautiful love story set in the early 1900's. Enza and Ciro first meet in the Italian Alps.  Their story continues in America as they both struggle to establish themselves in this new country.

Picture Source

 

What I love most about this book is Trigiani's writing.  She has an incredibly beautiful and poetic way of describing things.  Here is an excerpt:

"The only sound was the soft, rhythmic sweep of her footsteps, like hands dusting flour across an old wooden cutting board."

Don't you automatically know that feeling of your hands dusting flour on a cutting board? Her sentences are so descriptive.  They make you FEEL! She does this over and over again.

I have read several of Adriana Trigiani's books which I have truly enjoyed: Brava Valentine, Very Valentine, Big Stone Gap, Lucia Lucia.....to name a few.  I have loved this one the best.

Ribbon and Pearl Bracelet

 I think ribbon and pearls are the perfect combination of femininity and strength. This bracelet is a beautiful way to put the two together. It's very comfortable to wear and kind of "rolls" on your wrist.

Materials:

2 silver bead tips
2 silver jump rings
silver toggle clasp
23 6mm pearls ( I like Swarovski crystal pearls)
ribbon 1/4 inch wide ( I've only used 100% polyester ribbon but you can experiment with others)
beading glue
100% satin thread ( I like #6)

The silk thread comes with a beading needle already attached.  I start by putting a knot on the end of the thread, leaving about an inch tail. Add a bead tip and knot the thread right up close to the bead tip. Make sure the little hook of the bead tip is facing the end of the string. This is where you attach your jump ring at the end. Next, hold a lighter to the end of the ribbon, just enough to melt it so it doesn't fray.  You don't need to actually touch the ribbon with the lighter. It just needs to be close enough to melt. ( please use caution). Fold the end of the ribbon over about a 1/4 inch. Thread the needle of the silk thread through the two layers of ribbon. The folded over end of the ribbon should be on the inside where the first pearl will go. Now you are ready to start adding pearls. Thread on a pearl and then thread the silk through the center of the ribbon at the end of the pearl.  I kind of eye ball this part. Alternate back and forth. Ribbon Pearl Ribbon Pearl. Sometimes  It should look something like this while you are working.....

 

I completed about 6 inches of ribbon and pearls because my toggle clasp gave me an additional inch and a half. Adjust the length of ribbon and pearls according to how much length your clasp will add and how large your wrist is.  When you have it long, enough cut the ribbon from the spool, leaving enough to double it over. End the bracelet by repeating the same procedure you did at the beginning.  Melt the end of the ribbon, fold it over toward the last pearl, and thread the silk through the two layers of ribbon. Make a knot up tight against the the ribbon.  Add your second bead tip with the hook facing away from the bracelet. (Note the photo above). Make a knot. Add a bit of bead glue to each knot inside the bead tip. Cut when dry. Add your jump rings and clasp. Enjoy :))