Christmas Treats

When I was a kid, my mom and I made Christmas candies every year for friends and family. Well, she would make the candies and together we would bag them up in these cute little "gingerbread houses" that we would make out of lunch bags. We'd cut the top couple inches off of a brown paper lunch bag and take red construction paper and make a square that was a little wider than the paper bag and we'd fold that in half and make that the roof. My mom had scissors that cut zig-zagged edges. We'd cut doors and shutters out of construction paper and draw on the windows with marker and use other craft supplies to complete the gingerbread house look. The paper bag would roll over itself a little at the top and my mom would hole punch holes into the roof and paper bag, tying the roof on with Christmas ribbon. I actually found a kit online to make similar looking gift bags. The picture below is linked to a package of 12 sold at Oriental Trading.

Now I make Christmas candies and cookies in my own home, though not as many as my mom used to. I buy Christmas tins and gift bags - as busy as my mom is, I don't know how she found the time to make candies and gift bags! The gift bags of candies are nice to have because you can give them to your family, but they are also nice to have to give something small and inexpensive to give to your friends that you don't exchange gifts with, or for those awkward occasions when someone surprises you with a gift and you didn't get anything for them.

I'd like to share my Rum Ball recipe with you. I found it a few years ago online. My only complaint is that they aren't as formed as I would like and they are really sticky when you make them. I discovered that it helps to roll the balls as directed and coat them with sugar, but then let them sit a few minutes and then dip the balls back into sugar and re-roll them into a more round shape and freeze immediately, but they still tend to go flat and stay a little gooey.

Rum Balls
1 small package (8.5 oz.) Oreo cookies
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1 cup finely chopped nuts (optional - I leave 'em out)
3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (sweetened cocoa is fine, too)
2 Tbsp corn syrup
1/3 cup rum (don't use more!)
granulated sugar

Put whole cookies in food processor and whiz until finely crushed. In medium bowl, combine crumbs, powdered sugar, nuts, and cocoa. Blend in corn syrup and rum. Wet hands and shape mixture into one-inch balls; roll in granulated sugar. Store covered, in a cool place.

I quadrupled the recipe this year using two regular sized (16.6 oz) packages of Oreos.

Christmas Etsy Wishlist

The EtsyBloggers team is writing about what they would like for the holidays from Etsy. I don't really want or need much this year, but I searched around and found some cool things. Before I share them, I'd like to inform shoppers about a cool Etsy App that could come in handy this holiday season, Gift Ideas for Facebook Friends. Etsy promises to "be cool" and not post to your wall without permission, contact your friends, or share your personal data. It searches for gifts for your friends based on what they "Like" on Facebook. I haven't found it to be completely accurate, but its a fun time suck and maybe you'll stumble upon something accurate!

I came across this bangle, by ValleGirlDesigns, and it cracked me up. It features Laurel Thatcher Ulrich's quote, "Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History." The lettering was burned, and then the bangle was stained and sprayed with several acrylic coats. Just a wearable warning for the well behaved women out there!


Sometimes in Pilates I get frustrated with the zipper hoodie that I wear, which can get in the way of my moves. The fitness room is kept too cool to go without one until I'm warmed up, so it's a necessary evil. How about this Hanuman Black Tube Sleeve by Kayayogawear?! It looks like it would keep the arms warm without getting in the way.


As a hiker, I can appreciate these bear bells/hiking bells by CaliforniaCollarCo. Though they are most likely intended for a four-legged hiking companion, as the name of the business indicates, they can also be hooked onto a belt loop or hiking pack!


I already make glass tile pendants, Scrabble tile pendants, and bottle cap pendants, so I'm not interested in taking on any more of those projects, but I wouldn't mind owning some domino pendants made by TaylorRain1, like this "Make someone happy. Mind your own business" extraordinary domino pendant. Her pendants are collaged, stamped, and have fun and sassy quotes. They are sealed with a high quality scratch free resin.

Devine Designs

Cindy, of Devine Designs, is a very talented jewelry artist. She has always been crafty, sewing swimming suits and dance costumes, and now working with with metal. Creativity comes naturally to her, stating that she has some talented family, but she has also studied under other talented artists and learned a lot of the art on her own. She only uses high quality components and each piece is unique.

You can see her talents meticulously put to work on this amazing piece, Goddess Spirals.

I love how she boldly mixes metals in pieces, like in these Western Style Earrings.




She also has some items that are more beads than metal, like this Fiesta Necklace.


You can also find Devine Designs Jewelry on her blog and on Facebook:

http://www.devinedesignsjewelry.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/DevineDesignsJewelry

Splendid Little Stars and Sparkly Park

Margaret of Splendid Little Stars and Sparkly Park has a lot of creative talents. She hand dyes and hand paints clothing, and has been doing so for over 18 years now. Like myself, she enjoys being outdoors and finds inspiration in nature. She makes really cute infant and toddler clothing as well as beautiful jewelry.

This cute bubble suit was hand-dyed and hand-painted by Margaret and is called Dreaming in Pink. It features pink roses and green vines painted with dye on a light pink dyed bubble suit.

She has matching knotted hats available on 100% soft cotton jersey. These hats feature the same hand painted pattern. There are also several different patterned bubble suits and hats available.


If you're shopping for an adult, she has plenty of jewelry available in her shop Sparkly Park. I particularly liked the vintage blue grass and fresh water pearl earrings.



Margaret has a very interesting blog that I recommend following!

Sawteeth

I was lucky enough on my hike up Basin and Saddleback to get some emails of other aspiring 46er women to hike with. When I have free weekends that I don't have to work or attend a wedding or wedding related event there isn't always an ADK group going on a high peak hike that I haven't already completed. I don't quite feel comfortable hiking alone on the high peaks for several reasons. First of all, as a woman, I don't really feel that safe going anywhere alone these days. Besides, with a neuromuscular movement disorder and my new tendonitis problem, I'm prone to falls and possibly injury, so it's nice to have someone with you in case something happens.

One of my new hiking buddies contacted me letting me know that her and a friend were going to be doing Sawteeth so I was excited for the opportunity. Group hiking is nice in that there is a leader to make sure you get back down the mountain, and there are enough people around that are experienced to help you in trouble spots. The disadvantage to hiking in a group is the pressure to keep moving when sometimes you'd just like to stop and take a picture and enjoy the moment. I found two great hikers with a good pace that enjoy photography when time permits!

We started from the parking lot by the Ausable Club on Rt 73 in Keene. The walk to the AMR gate was beautiful with the foliage, even though it was slightly passed peak up there. We signed in at the gate around 7:30 am and made it to the boat launch (just over four miles from the car) by 8:45. We took the Scenic Trail which breaks off from the West River Trail just over the dam. The beginning of the Scenic Trail doesn't cover much elevation, and is kind of rugged, but has gorgeous views of the Lower Ausable Lake and Indian Head. Indian Head is a large rock on the other side of the lake with a peculiar shape that resembles the side profile of an Indian's head.

Ausable Club

Indian Head

The Scenic Trail later picks up the East River Trail. There is a total of five overlooks before the summit. After the fifth overlook you feel like you are on a summit but the trail suddenly descends for a while. We were a little nervous that we had missed the summit sign, but knew we did not have any sort of view after the fifth overlook and there is supposed to be a view of the Great Range. We eventually started another ascent on the trail and were glad that we did not miss the actual summit when we arrived, as Sawteeth has more than one bump which is how it got its name.

Giant all the way to the left, Rocky Peak Ridge to the right of Giant, Noonmark is the small one in front of Rocky Peak Ridge

Lower Ausable Lake

At the summit we were rewarded with views of Haystack, Marcy, Basin, Saddleback, Gothics and Pyramid. My hiking friends taught me how to do the "numbers" on the summit when they require more than 2 hands. Some aspiring 46ers like to have their picture taken on the top of the summit showing with their hands what number peak it is for them. Mine was 18 which requires one finger on one hand and 8 on the other. Which is where the third arm behind me comes in!

Haystack back left, Marcy back right

Marcy left, Basin center, Saddleback right

Saddleback, Gothics, Pyramid

We followed the East River Trail out stopped opposite the top of Rainbow Falls for some pictures. Not too far away is another trail for Rainbow Falls which leads to the base of the falls. We took a side trip there for some photos too. We got back to the dam and followed Lake Road out back to the gate, signing out around 3:30pm.

Top of Rainbow Falls

Base of Rainbow Falls

I recommend going in and out the way we did if it's a nice day because the views of the Lower Ausable Lake and from the overlooks and summit are spectacular. All my photos from this hike can be found here.

All Time Favorite Halloween Costumes

Halloween is definitely one of my favorite days of the year. Not only do you get to be creative and be someone other than yourself for a little while, but it comes with candy and parties without your typical holiday stress.

My mom always made my costume when I was a kid, which typically would involve a sewing machine or large cardboard box. I wasn't allowed to go trick-or-treating like the other kids because she feared that I would get hurt, so we'd jump in the station wagon and visit local family members. All my chocolate bars would be traded for white chocolate because I didn't react well to caffeine, but most of the family knew that and would give me non-chocolate candy or cans of olives which was one of my favorite foods. (And yes, despite our unconventional traditions I still loved Halloween).

The first costume that I can remember wearing was a nurse costume which was a white dress with white stockings and a nurse hat. I carried a first aid kit with my trick-or-treat bag.



My nun costume was recycled from the Pilgrim outfit I had to wear on Thanksgiving. My mom sewed a habit and I wore a large crucifix.


Despite my fear of bees, I got the idea for a bee costume from my mom's wardrobe. She had a yellow and black striped sweater that I wore with black leggings and wings made of tulle. She covered a cone shaped piece of craft foam with a black sock for a stinger and made my antennas with a headband, pipe cleaners, and painted yellow foam balls.


In fourth grade I was a die in a dot covered cardboard box. I wore polka dots underneath and accessorized with dice earrings.


I was almost 20 the first (and only) time I went real trick-or-treating. My college suitemates pitied me for missing out on one of the coolest childhood activities and took me to Hyde Park into some nice looking neighborhoods. They let me ring the doorbell but explained that typically its a race to who gets to ring the doorbell first. I was a baby doll because I didn't want to look too old, and I was on a college budget. We didn't get too much hassle for our age, but when we did we just explained that it was my first time and in some cases that got me extra candy!


One fun adult costume was when a friend and I were Joe Six-Pack and Joe the Plumber. I made us jewelry out of soda can pop-tops and ironed on some graphic t-shirts.



My absolute favorite adult costume was when my husband and I went as Peter Griffin and the Yellow Chicken from family guy. I did a whole write up on that last year.

This year, though, is up in the air. There is talk amongst fellow bridal party veterans that we recycle an old bridesmaid dress into a costume. I'm thinking my husband and I could do a Peter Pan or Captain hook and Tinker Bell theme, or perhaps Patty O'Green and another cartoon character from the 1980s using this dress:



If that idea falls through we were thinking about being David Bowie personas such as Ziggy Stardust and Thin White Duke.

A Social Perspective

Bev, of bjsartworks Gallery, hosts the Domestic Violence Awareness Project to raise awareness of domestic violence and to reach out to victims and their families. Her third annual presentation is titled "A Social Perspective"and it is taking place in her Gallery at The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls, NY. Local artists will be selling their art inspired by any social element of domestic violence and awards will be given to best in show for first, second, and third place, as well as an honorable mention.

All proceeds will be donated to Catholic Charities Domestic Violence Project, a local organization that has helped many local victims and their families. Charitable donations are also being accepted, please review the show cards designed by bjsartworks Gallery for more information.





Follow the personal and artistic journeys of bjsartworks at the following blogs:
http://bjsartworks-kimberlylong1977-2008.blogspot.com/
http://bjsartworks.blogspot.com/

For the Bride and Her Ladies

I try to keep a variety of jewelry in my shop to suit different styles and occasions. Some pieces are more appropriate for a night on the town, while others are better for work or a special occasion. Some are more versatile, dressing up a simple outfit or accenting something more elegant.

The Blog Carnival topic for the EtsyBloggers this month is weddings. I actually carry items in my shop that would be perfect for the bride's special day or as a gift to her bridesmaids. My crocheted pearl necklaces are popular for weddings. I don't mass produce them, but I do accept custom orders. It's helpful to me if you send me a picture of the color you are trying to match or a link to the beads you'd like me to purchase to use.

I offer a couple styles of crocheted pearl necklaces. My favorite style is the single crochet pearl necklace of either the same color pearl or of alternating colors. This works well with fresh water pearls or glass pearls.


Another style I can make is the single crochet strand that simulates a double stranded necklace. This requires two colors of pearls.



The third type is the braided crochet necklace. This uses only a few pearls and many tiny seed beads. It is similar to this necklace (without the starfish pendant).



Don't forget about jewelry for the bachelorette! I can make matching bracelets for the divas or a Bridezilla whistle lanyard.

Basin and Saddleback

I tagged along with the Albany chapter of the ADK to hike Basin and Saddleback. We had carpooled from Queensbury and fortunately were able to squeeze into two cars because the parking lot at the Garden was already full at 7am when we got there. Us passengers got a head start and walked toward the Johns Brook Lodge where we met two more in the group, while the drivers parked their cars at the overflow and walked back to meet us at the lodge. The walk from where we were dropped of at the Garden to the Lodge was 3.6 miles, mostly flat terrain.



When we had all of our group together we started off to Slant Rock via the Johns Brook Trail (Phelps Trail). We stopped to rest at Slant Rock before picking up the Shorey Short Cut trail which is a tough, steep climb, but allows you to avoid climbing Little Haystack. We picked up the State Range Trail which we followed up Basin. There were a few tough spots going up Basin requiring us to find foot and hand holds to pull ourselves up the bare steep rock.

The view from Basin was very rewarding, Haystack and Marcy were so close. It's not quite a 360 degree view but you can move around the summit and see almost everything. There's a tricky spot coming down Basin which leads you down a some steep rock (with some roots to hold on to) ending at the side of the mountain with not much between you and the bottom. From this spot you can see Saddleback ahead, as well as Gothics and Pyramid.





I had heard about the Saddleback Cliff that we'd have to climb, but it was not as bad as I had expected, though the other short women with me on the hike and I joked that there should be a Smokey the Bear sign at the bottom of the trail saying "You must be this tall (maybe over 5'6") to ride this ride." It is definitely helpful to have a taller person go up first and grab your had as you try to step across between a foothold and the other side of the crevice in the boulder where you need to be. I'm not quite my short legs would have made it across without the leader giving me a hand. There is one spot after that where assistance is nice, but then its pretty manageable. We pretty much scaled the cliffs on our hand and feet nearly vertical while joking that we were like Spiderman. It's about as close to technical rock climbing without actually being technical rock climbing. I was just glad we were doing a loop and I didn't have to go back down that!


The summit was a little smaller but had great views. We could look over and see Basin, where we just had come from. We took the State Range Trail to the Ore Bed Brook Trail and then back to the Johns Brook Lodge and followed the same way out back to the Garden.



The whole trip was about 16 miles and we completed it in about 11 hours.

To see all the pictures click here.

Colvin and Blake

I joined the Central New York Hiking Meet Up Group when I saw they had a group going up Colvin and Blake. We met around 9am at the DEC parking lot on Rt. 73 by the Ausable Club in Keene. Half the group split to head right up Colvin and Blake, but the rest of us took a side trip to Cathedral Rock and Bear Run.



We passed Cathedral Rock and continued on to Bear Run on a flat to small grade incline terrain. We had to climb up a narrow crevice between some rocks, and at the top Bear Run was waiting for us. There was a nice view where we stopped for some picture taking. Returning to Lake Rd from Bear Run we decided to take the Pyramid Brook Trail to pick up the Lake Road Trail again. We thought we saw the Lake Road Trail on the other side of the river, and we were trying to find the bridge to cross but nobody was sure how far back we would have to go to find it. We rock hopped across the river, I lost my footing and fell in. This was my first time wearing my new boots hiking, but this was a bad situation to test their waterproof abilities since the water had gone over the top of the ankles and down in. After zipping off the wet bottoms of my pants, pouring the water out of my boots, changing my socks and making linings with plastic bags to keep my extra pairs of dry socks from getting wet from the soggy interior, we were on our way. My pride was bruised but I felt a little less embarrassed knowing two others went in as well. The whole side trip took longer than expected and it was now noon as we began to pick up the pace.

Once we found the real Lake Road Trail we took that to the Bypass Trail and decided to save Indian Head and Fish Hawk Cliffs for the end if time permitted. We (the front half of the group) made it up Colvin in good time, took a brief rest on the summit with views of Haystack, Marcy, Basin, and the Ausable Lake.



We continued on to Blake before some of our group had caught up. Going down Colvin was steep in spots, a couple ladders have been built to make going down the steep bare rocks easier. We met those who skipped Cathedral Rock and Bear Run, including the barefoot hiker, just as the trail was starting to ascend Blake. Blake is probably my least favorite peak so far. It was a difficult climb up only to get a little peak through the trees at the summit. Only a tree carving indicates that you are on the summit.





Leaving Blake we had to go up Colvin again and at the summit we could see the rain clouds closing in. The weather forecast was for 30% chance of showers all day, but we had been blessed with blue skies and perfect temperatures up until this point. The rain storm coming towards us looked pretty fierce but we only got a little rain at the top of Colvin, and a little more once we were down.

We skipped the plans of Indian Head and Fish Hawk Cliffs and headed back to the AMR gate via the seemingly endless Lake Road Trail. We arrived at our cars just before dark. Though my feet were sweat soaked in the non-breathable plastic bag inserts in my boots, I was pleased to see that I may not have a knee problem after all! Every hike I had gone on this year my knee would be aching on the descent, if not earlier. I attributed the pain to my dystonia and the way my foot naturally turns out when I walk, figuring that over time it was taking it toll on my right knee - but maybe it was all in the footwear.

To see all the pictures from this trip click here.