Sunday, April 7, 2013

Saturday. in photos.






I am trying to get back into this blogging thing, but a lot is going on. Here are some photo recaps of this Saturday.

1. Practicing ukulele 2. self photo. i have been working out and dieting for what seems like ever, but it is working, slowly and surely. down 6 pounds since I started. 3. Grapefruit, limes and blood oranges from the grocery store. Apparently I am really into citrus this week. 4.- 6. Keith and I are not big drinkers. However, we have tried our hand at infused vodka before. I had some vodka from a few months ago, that we were not drinking, so I mixed blood oranges and blueberries together in the infuser, and added the whipped cream vodka and we ended up with this purple mixture, that was pretty good in diet lemon-lime soda. Again, as not big drinkers, we were happy with how the mixture turned out, our first batch back in December was a disaster- cucumbers do not survive in liquor, FYI.

This week has loads of stuff coming up in it, including wedding cake testing and flower shopping. !!! More to come later.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Return

I have been M.I.A. for a year or so. A lot has happened in that year, including a lack of activity in my jewelry business. Life got in the way, yadda yadda yadda.

What's new? I am an aunt, to an almost one year old. I am engaged to marry Keith. I am still drinking a lot of tea and watching a lot of crime shows on tv.

I do play ukulele now. not well, but I am trying.

Things are looking up for this gal. I hope to continue this project. Fingers crossed this time I get better at this blogging thing.

Monday, May 21, 2012


I have been MIA for a bit as life events have popped up. The last few months have seen some tears and some big huge smiles. But now, I'm back and ready to continue the growth of Loki's Jellybeans. I have done two craft shows this year so far, and have a third one in about 3 weeks. I'm getting excited.

I have been on vacation the last week or so, so I'm still trying to juggle personal and professional life to catch up. I promise I will post more when I have something exciting to talk about. Maybe next time a recipe. MAYBE

Thursday, March 15, 2012


This picture (although few years old) sums up how I have felt lately. I have been sick with sinusitis for the last 2.5 weeks. On top of that was work, Loki's jellybeans, and making 90+ soaps for my sisters baby shower. So all-in-all I was tired. constantly.

The weather has been gorgeous. and things are changing, I can feel it. I have lost a bunch of weight, and I want to continue. working out will restart tomorrow when I know my sinuses can hold up.

I also plan on changing and growing. blah blah blah. more to come ladies and gents. more to come.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

derby!


List update: 75.) go to a roller derby event crossing off another thing from the list. Last night Keith and I went to the roller derby. It was pretty amazing, but you'll have to excuse the bad photo, it doesn't do it justice. It was on a flat track, and it was pretty fun and intense. Keith and I had a blast and thought of millions of fun derby names on the way back to my apartment. I secretly got the bug and really am interested in doing roller derby now, but I am pretty accident prone, and I'm not sure I can even skate anymore...

We will go to more derby events in our future. it was a blast.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

my list update

I am slowly, i repeat SLOWLY am making headway on my list. and by headway I mean, I have done more then 1/2 of one.... So here is my update....

1.) make a steak pie- As someone who lived in Scotland, I miss this dish so much.
2.) increase Lokibean sales by 10%
3.) do at least 6 craft shows
4.) write 200 pages in a novel
5.) take a fused glass class
6.) learn to sodier rings
7.) go to Galena- Galena has a home of my favorite president: Ulysses S Grant and its only within a few hours of my home, perfect right??
8.) learn to make 5 different kinds of donuts I have officially made 2, 3 more to go.
9.) lose 20 pounds
10.) go to centinnial beach- a local pool
11.) hike at starved rock
12.) make homemade tortillas
13.) go to the cabin- my cabin in northern michigan
14.) make a bundt cake mini count right???
15.) save $$
16.) make 1/2 my christmas gifts
17.) eat at a fancy restaurant, like super fancy
18.) blog twice or three times a week
19.) do photo a day challenge
20.) be more daring in my cuisine choices
21.) eat lunch everyday- sometimes the day just gets the best of me and I forget lunch
22.) eat breakfast everyday- sometime I don't like to wake up on time... whoops
23.) go to Brookfield zoo
24.) learn to play The Way We Gte By on piano
25.) learn to play Jessies Girls on ukelele
26.) join a boxing class
27.) learn to make cupcakes without a box
28.) buy a soda maker, and make 3 homemade sodas without premade syrup
29.) eat healthier
30.) go to four movies at the theater- I HATE movie theaters, but Keith loves them. I need to learn to compromise more.
31.) go visit MSU
32.) take my gre
33.) apply to grad school
34.) finish my education certificate
35.) ride a rollercoaster
36.) go to a water park
37.) make homemade empanadas
38.) make a vertical garden- my patio is just big enough for one and a small bistro set
39.) add something new to my shop every week
40.) go to springfield
41.) eat a ponyshoe (burger with fries on it)
42.) set up my craft room
43.) make an apple pie
44.) make pesto from scratch
45.) make noodles from scratch
46.) make a meatloaf
47.) sell at least one screenprinted item
48.) find two new soap molds
49.) swim in a lake- Every summer I used to go camping at a lake and couldn't get enough of swimming there, then I moved to Chicago and the thought of swimming in a lake that close to pollution frightened me, so now I need to find a new lake out here to swim in, or go to northern michigan
50.) have a date night with keith every week- Keith is a full time student and full time worker, so I never see him, this will make some special us time.
51.) make a new tablecloth
52.) go on a vacation to another state outside illinois or michigan
53.) go natural in medicine- I mean focus on gingers, mint, etc.
54.) go to woods more- again, I miss running through the woods as a child. I felt at home in it.
56.) Send in a post secret
57.) go to smoque barbq- great restaurant in chicago
58.) Run a 5k
59.) do something new with my hair
60.) cook every meal for one full week
61.) try a new recipe once every 3 weeks
62.) rejoin NAI
63.) Go camping
64.) take an art class
65.) read a classic literature book- I have gotten away from classic lit for things about forensics, and such so I need to get back.
66.) learn to make resin post earrings
67.) go to at least one restaurant featured on diners, drive thrus, and dives- K and I love to watch this show, and the places look so good, so we will go.
68.) do one new thing on Mackinac Island
69.) discover 6 new bands
70.) go to a concert
71.) keep up on an appointment book- I am usually good for the first month of the year then I lose interest
72.) try a new kind of pizza- I am a plain jane pizza gal, I need to try new things
73.) go to a forest preserve
74.) join a sports team
75.) go to a roller derby event
76.) make ice cream from scratch
77.) go to a museum I have never been to before
78.) read one book about a president I don't know much about
79.) go to a presidental museum or library
80.) become a member in the craft community
81.) learn a new craft
82.) beat one video game (keith can help)
83.) wear my own jewelry more
84.) make a multistrand necklace
85.) join MSU alumini society
86.) make a scarf not just dye or decorate
87.) go on a food trip
88.) Make homemade pasties
89.) wear dresses more
90.) make a stained glass piece
91.) read 13 books
92.) get a massage
93.) stop biting my nails
94.) learn how to can
95.) participate in november novel in a month month
96.) join the library and go there more
97.) finish the ulysses s. grant cross stitch
98.) back up all my photos on my computer
99.) wear a bathing suit with confidence
100.) keep a personal journal
101.) take a road trip and stop whenever I want to

55.) disappeared, so I will add a new one: 55.) sell one hand dyed silk scarf

So I am not doing too well in the first month eh? well, I will work on it. promise!v

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Easy Crockpot Chicken recipe


This is the easiest recipe ever! I found it originally on pinterest.

Materials: (can you tell I am an educator and write a lot of lessons?)
-Skinless, boneless chicken breasts. I usually use three since it's just Keith and I who eat dinner.
-one 16 ounce can of salsa, I used pineapple mango last time. it was amazing
-1 package of taco seasoning

Put chicken in the bottom of the crockpot. Pour the taco season on chicken, then pour the can of salsa on top. Mix the salsa and seasoning. Put in the crockpot for 4 hours of high, or roughyl 6 hrs on low. You can tell its down when it shreds with a fork.

this is such a simple and delicious recipe. hope you enjoy!