Etsy site update!

Today I uploaded new listings on my etsy site! Check them out.

Have any jewelry requests? I am taking orders for Valentine's Day.

Email me or convo. me through my etsy site, Jewels by Jeannine.

Quick and Easy Valentine's Treats

I am getting in the mood for Valentines Day!

I found this really cute and tasty Valentine idea at Pleasant Home.

It uses left-over small candy canes and white chocolate...and a stick! I think I could even do that! Give it a try.

Jewelry Trends This Season

What is hot this season in jewelry? Without being super trendy, the best “on-trend” designs on the runway can certainly be translated to beautiful pieces worn by all of us. Here are a couple of examples of the designer trends and my own interpretation of the theme.

Chandelier Earrings

Chandelier earrings are perfect accessories this season because they are typically embellished with gorgeous gemstones that elegantly cascade down the ears and frame a woman’s face beautifully. The above set of Chandlier's are the designer version, while the Pink version below, are my interpretation of the trend.

This season look for earrings with intense color palettes such as infusions of fuchsia with garnet or deep olive greens with topaz. A burst of fierce color and glistening gemstones creates a striking contrast that gives any ensemble a touch of alluring glamour. Chandelier earrings are usually worn without a necklace. They are intended to be the center of attention.

earring by Jewels by Jeannine

Designer Jason Wu

Bib Necklace

This “Bib” necklace flaunts large, over-sized shapes against muted color schemes. Look for eclectic bold pieces that infuse various textures within the design such as ribbons vs. metal and woods vs. gemstones and colorful pearls. The "Bib" necklace is to be worn with little if any other jewelry. It is a great way to stay on trend while exuding a look that seems like it required a minimal effort.

The two examples of "On-trend" yet sidewalk savvy "Bib" necklaces are again, my interpretation of the designers. I used sterling silver sticks for the embellishments.

The first one with Jasper stone spacers...

...and this one with freshwater peacock purple pearls.

Bib necklaces by Jewels by Jeannine.

Velcro Ball

Picture and idea borrowed from Dollar Store Crafts.

Since it is still cold outside, you local dollar store should still have those "stretchy" gloves in-stock. Pick up a few pairs to make this fun indoor game for the kids.

Materials you will need:

a pair of "stretchy" gloves ($1)

a pair of "whiffle" golf balls ($1)

Velcro sticky rounds ($1 and up)

Stick the velcro rough side to the balls in several places. Put a glove on the catching hand and have fun tossing the ball back and forth and catching it IN THE HOUSE!

nook

For Christmas, my hubbie ordered the new Barnes and Noble nook e-reader for me. It was on back order at the time, and I just received in on Tuesday! I love it! I most certainly am NOT a "Techy" but, this thing is really COOL! I do love the feeling of an actual book in my hands, but the convenience of being able to have the choice of over 1500 books to read in my purse is a huge draw for me. The books are only about 1/2 price to download too! (Even the new releases)

I am big into reading lately. I drive my kids to their activities and practices and sit there waiting for them to finish for hours. Instead of shopping while they practice, I have been reading. I will tell you that not having to hold the e-reader while sitting or "lounging" on the bleachers is great! I set it down and hit the button to turn the page. I can read it at any angle and it does not flop shut when I put it down.

Downloading is a snap! In my home I have a wireless router that connects with the nook, but if I am out and about and want to download a new book, I merely need to click "connect" on the touchscreen, and it picks up a 3G connection for FREE, and the entire Barnes and Noble library is at my disposal. So convenient, and no wires!

I can even share my favorite book with a friend, just like a "real" book! I choose the book I want to share, and send it to a friend's nook. They are free to read it for 14 days before it reverts back to my nook. How cool is that!?

It is easy to read, and I am really enjoying the fun of taking it with me everywhere! I could purchase really cool carrying cases at Barnes and Noble, but I plan on making something really chic for it soon. I will save that for another blog. :)

Check out this link for more information...nook.

A Great Salad

This recipe was borrowed from Cooks.com. It is truly a great salad and so simple!

1 bunch of spinach
1 big honey crisp apple, sliced thinly
1/2 red onion, sliced thin
4 or 5 cremini mushrooms, chopped into pieces
1/4 C. cubed extra sharp cheddar

Olive oil
red wine vinegar
salt & pepper

Combine all ingredients...so simple! I mix a bit of the olive oil and a bit of vinegar with salt and pepper to taste and dress the salad. The tartness of the apple and red onion really sing together. If you have it on-hand, toss in some grilled chicken and/or an avocado.

Serve in your favorite piece of Longaberger pottery and YUM!

Save 20%, 30% even 40% in January!

Don't think I have been neglecting my Longaberger business... I have been compiling all of the great January Sales since the January flyer came to my home. We have all pledged to be more organized in this new year, and Longaberger has given us the opportunity to put that pledge into place. We can get organized and save money at the same time!

This month only, you can order the Sort & Store Paper Bin Bundle for only $130. (It is originally $218!) The set included the Basket, Liner, Protector, Wrought Iron Stand, and Woodcrafts Shelf! For the sale price, you are only paying for the Wrought Iron Stand and Shelf, and getting the Basket, liner and protector for MORE THAN FREE...YES! Your accountant will love you for being organized during tax time AND frugal!... Your desk will look great too!

Connecting with friends and family is another priority for most people in the new year. What connects us more than homemade food and get-togethers? To whip up a couple of pies you will need beautiful pie plates, and a way to carry them to the gathering.

The Woven Traditions Grandma Bonnie's Pie Plate Bundle will do the trick. The Bundle includes, 2 Grandma Bonnie's Pie Plates, a Wrought Iron Two-Pie Server, Fancy Pie Basket and Protector! The set is only $103 this month, (regularly $173). It is like getting the Wrought Iron Server and 1 Pie Plate for FREE! No excuse for slacking on the entertaining this year!

For the hubby or for the kids going off to college this year... this Medium Berry Basket will keep their "trinkets" corralled. The set includes the Basket, Liner and Protector. The set normally sells for $56, and is on Sale this month for only $33! It is like paying for the basket, and getting the liner and protector for FREE!

These are just a sampling of the great Sales that the Longaberger Co. is featuring in January. For the whole scoop, click HERE.

Fire Wood

Yesterday was a simply gorgeous winter day. I have been complaining to my dear husband for several weeks now, that we had run out of firewood.

I gotta have my fires in the winter!

He finally obliged and got me some wood. He filled his van with it and recruited a friend with a pickup truck to carry more home. My boys were very helpful, even after their morning swim practice, and moved all of the wood to it's designated location about 1/2 way back in the yard by the fire pit- and then stacked it. All of the recent snow did make their efforts much more difficult though. They used a toboggan to make it a bit easier. It took them over 2 hours to finish the project. I think we are having a fire tonight! :)

Just Beautiful

After our recent snowfall...not as much as predicted but still beautiful.

Bracing for the Storm

picture from National Geographic

The Chicago-land area has been experiencing seemingly endless bitterly cold days and nights. It seems the weather will warm up a touch and get into the low 20's for the next couple of days but along with that, comes LOTS of snow. Here is the National weather forcast for the area:

Tonight...Cloudy. Chance of snow in the evening...then snow after midnight. Snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches. Temperatures nearly steady 17 to 21. Light and variable winds. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.

Thursday...Snow. Snow accumulation of 4 to 6 inches. Highs in the mid 20s. Light and variable winds in the morning becoming north 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation 100 percent.

Thursday Night...Snow. Areas of blowing snow. Snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches. Total snow accumulation 7 to 12 inches. Blustery. Lows 14 to 18...except in the lower 20s downtown. North winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph at times until early morning increasing to 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph at times during the predawn hours. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.

If you were keeping count...the total snowfall could be 7-12 inches when it is all done. My kids are hoping for a snow day.

I have taken the liberty to resort to my experience of growing up in Wisconsin and have done some grocery shopping, so if we are snowed in we are prepared. I love a good "snow in", but I like to be prepared.

If it is a snow day, I plan to make a big pot of soup and snuggle up with the family. How do you spend a snow day?

Ice Fishing

Yesterday, my husband and my son Damon went ice fishing at the Chain of Lakes in Northern Illinois, near the WI. border. It was COLD! The high temperature was only about 7 – 10 degrees. Not a wise act by most people’s definition, but they are “hard core”. They relish the opportunity to get outdoors whenever they get the chance. After about an hour and a half, they broke out the portable “shanty” and a gas heater for a bit of comfort.

They caught 30+ fish, but kept about 13. One crappie and twelve blue gills. We are having fresh fish for dinner tonight! Yum! There is nothing tastier than fresh caught fish.

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies

For years, my sister-in-law has been making a particular type of Chocolate Chip cookie without eggs. They are light and fluffy and delicious! Since this recipe came from her husband, Karl’s family and was a family secret, she had been reluctant to give me the recipe. She has offered to bring them to any family gathering but could not give me the recipe. Well, I think I have found the recipe! (Giggle) I made these little beauties last night and I think they are as close to her recipe as I am going to get. They are WONDERFUL!

They are definitely once a year cookies, considering the amount of butter in them. What I love about these is that they are rich (you really don't overindulge in these, and I make them small for that reason). These shortbread cookies are so simple. Just mix the ingredients, use a tablespoon to scoop out and drop on to a parchment lined baking sheet. I know you'll want to do more, asking yourself if you should flatten them, or at least roll them in sugar, but really, there's just no need. Make these and you will have plenty to put out on a plate when someone comes over. Which they will... If your family is like mine, they disappear within a day…so hide some for later!

Shortbread Chocolate Chip Cookies

16 oz. butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream the butter and powdered sugar until fluffy. Add in vanilla, then slowly add in flour and mix between batches (add salt to the flour before you begin adding it to the mixer). When mixed, add in chocolate chips and just stir to combine. Drop in tablespoon-sized balls (or even slightly smaller) 1" apart on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes. (Hide half so you'll have them for later.)

Happy New Year!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!