I like to be mysterious!

I know that it's almost a full month too early to post our designs for the Bead Soup Blog Party, but in all of the excitement, I forgot to take a picture of my "raw soup."  I'm really happy with what I created with what my partner, Stephanie LaRosa sent to me.  Instead of posting hints to what I've made, I thought to post a picture of the pendant that I sent to my partner Stephanie.  I also neglected to take a picture of the clasp and soup ingredients.  I suppose this makes things more mysterious.  Yes, let's go with mysterious.  Stay tuned, the blog party goes live at the end of February!

Show Gratitute for Freedom (And Long Weekends)

Enjoy your long weekend.  While you are doing so, take a minute or two to reflect upon the civil rights struggles of your fellow man.  Remember the man for whom we celebrate.  Be thankful.

Grateful for Collaboration

Aren't these earrings gorgeous?  My dear friend from high school, Amy and I swapped some beads months ago.  These earrings are the product of my polymer beads and her wonderful design sense.   She really does beautiful work.  Her designs are magical.  I was so excited when Amy asked for more of my beads to design with.  Stay tuned for more of her talented designs and more of my beads. 

It's Soup Weather -- Bead Soup, That Is

More Gratitute -- This Time For The Young People In My Life

"I loved you the minute I heard your heartbeat. I loved you the minute you were born; then I saw your face and fell in love some more. You were only a minute old, but I knew I would die for you and to this day I still would."

The above is a status that people (mostly moms) are posting on facebook lately.  It's so true.  How could you not love those faces.  The picture above shows my nieces on the left and my sons on the right.  Ahhhh.... love.

Just in case you were wondering ...

From Marrion Webster, the definition of GRATEFUL:

1a : appreciative of benefits received

  b : expressing gratitude

2a : affording pleasure or contentment : pleasing

  b : pleasing by reason of comfort supplied or discomfort alleviated

— grate·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb

— grate·ful·ness noun

For my word of the year, my definition is 1a:  expressing gratitute.  I have so much to be thankful for and I willfully remind myself to make the words "Thank You" be the first I say every day.  I say these words to G*d.  What I want to do more of this year (and every year forward) is to tell those in my life, my wonderful sons, my amazing friends, my colleagues, my little group of blog readers, who grateful I am for all of you.  How you all enrich my life and make it worth living.  Grateful, that's me.

My One Word for 2011 -- Gratitude

“If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” ~ Rabbi Harold Kushner

1-1-11 (ok it's 1-4-11, but who's really counting?)

May this new year bring health, happiness, prosperity and love to all of the universe that seeks it.  Blessed be you all in 2011.