Moonstone Circle

Pretty Little Boxes

2010-09-03T15:26:00.000-07:00

My biggest order yet on etsy!! One of my favorite things that I offer for sale in my store:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/moonstonecircle

The customer had this to say, "...they are for a special event - I am the President of a women's organization that is having our end of year banquet soon and I needed gifts for my board members. I attended a banquet last year in Phoenix and saw dream boxes there in several stores but they all had a dark carved wood with an indian feel. I love the beachy feel of these and thought they would be a great end of year gift and to remind the ladies to "Dream Big". They are perfect and I can't wait to give them. Thanks so much!"

Hiking at Graveyard Fields

2010-08-16T17:22:00.000-07:00

Blueberries EVERYWHERE!!

The cutest Mouse I have ever seen!

2010-07-03T10:04:00.000-07:00

One day I found teeny little droppings on my kitchen counter. Well, needless to say I was super grossed out and proceeded to spray everything down with bleach. That night I was watching TV, David had already gone to bed. it was pretty late and all the dogs were sleeping. All of a sudden I see something scurry by. It scared me at first but I grabbed a big heavy blanket and went over to the ottoman that was in the corner where the small dark shadow had run underneath. I pulled it away real quick and there he was. The cutest, sweetest looking tiny mouse I had ever seen. He looked up at me with these giant, disney character looking eyes and my heart melted. He paused only for a second and scurried away.

After that, instead of being grossed out by the occasional found dropping, I was filled with a feeling of "Aw, I wonder if that cute little mouse is hungry?". Finally, yesterday morning Roxy was obsessed with the spare bathroom in the hall. I peeked inside and behold the little mouse had gotten into the bathtub and couldn't get out. I gave him a little dog food pellet and all fear of me disappeared as he happily chewed. I went into the recycling bin and scooped him up with an old plastic container. I couldn't believe how teeny, tiny he was. As you can see in the photo his body is not larger than my thumb! For a second I considered keeping him as a pet, but what an awful existence - to not be able to run free. Instead, I walked him all the way to the end of our property and set him free in a big field of grass. He hesitated for a second and then took off. I miss the little guy!

This morning I found a fresh batch of teeny droppings, even smaller than what I was seeing last week..... could there be a whole teeny mouse family living in my house? Are they wondering what the heck happened to their little brother? OMG I am a horrible, kidnapping, mouse family home wrecker!!!

Shrimp Ceviche Recipe

2010-05-04T14:18:00.000-07:00

The tricky thing about this ceviche recipe is that a lot of the ingredients are put in to taste, no real measuring. But I will do my best to give the closest measurements possible.

2 lbs cooked shrimp

1 bottle of Tomato Juice

1 bunch of cilantro

1 large red onion

crystal hot sauce (or any louisiana style red pepper sauce) to taste

salt and pepper to taste

can of diced tomoatoes

lemon juice

lime juice

olive oil about a table spoon

Slice the onion as thin as you can and let it soak in very hot water for about 10 mins. Chop the cilantro very fine. In a large bowl pour in about 3/4 of the tomato juice, add the diced tomatoes, about one cup of cilantro, add the shrimp and onion. the rest is really to taste, I like it very citrusy so I add about 1/4 cup of lemon juice and 1/4 cup of lime juice. You can add the rest of the tomato juice if you are feeding a big party but you must compensate with the rest of the seasonings so that it isn't bland and all you taste is the tomato juice.

There is one other ingredient, but it must remain a secret. Leave me a comment with your best guess, I will let you know if you are right......maybe.

Baby Caroline what a QT

2010-04-10T17:20:00.001-07:00

Don't you just want to eat her up??

Pretty Box for Crystal Ball

2010-03-18T13:53:00.000-07:00

I sold my Crystal Ball last week. I had to send it off in something special so I found this hollow, naked 5.5" box at the craft store. I was lucky...one of the panels was completely loose. I was able to remove it completely, sand it nice and smooth and paint it. I painted most of it in a white acrylic guasch, on the lid I did a full coat of white and a full coat of taupe. Once it was dry, I sanded it (just the lid) to have the white show up under the taupe. The handle is one of my beautiful river stones found on the banks of Mouse Creek, I drilled holes and tied it with some linen twine. I glued another small river stone inside the box to show how to place the lid.

Bunny Ears for Baby

2010-03-16T10:09:00.001-07:00

These super soft bunny ears are for baby Caroline...she is due on the 31st of March, I made this in soft baby plush yarn for her delicate little head to wear on Easter!

Officially Launched my Etsy Store!

2010-03-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

I finally Launched my new Etsy store!
www.etsy.com/shop/moonstonecircle
I am so excited and have oodles of new ideas for things to create. I am also going to be selling some great things from Ecuador....so stay tuned! I have packaged up my first two orders and will be mailing them out today!

DawnDoll Clothes and accessories

2010-03-10T06:21:00.000-08:00

Big Boy Booties

2010-02-18T06:31:00.001-08:00

I made these Boy-sized booties last night while watching the Olympics. They are soo fuzzy and warm, I think I am going to try and make myself a pair using some of my leftover cashmere.....yummy! I followed the pattern for babybooties (the same ones I made for Paola and Dollie) I just changed the needle size and used a fatter yarn.

Colt is Rock Star!

2010-02-07T18:18:00.000-08:00

Little Buttercup

2010-02-03T13:17:00.000-08:00

OMG Paola's baby is so cute, just a few days old and simply scrumptious!! Here she is wearing my little bootie and hat set home from the hospital! My nickname for her is Sweet Little Buttercup.....

Roxy's Pink Turtleneck

2010-01-25T17:31:00.001-08:00

I finally had a chance to finish this sweater for Roxy...she is just way too cute!

fun with Fondant

2010-01-25T17:11:00.001-08:00

This weekend I baked this cake for my friend JoAnn's husband's 50th birthday party, it took 6 hours and a lot of planning.....the lower tier is a flourless chocolate cake with a chocolate glaze and the upper tier is 4 layers alternating devil's food and red velvet with chocolate fudge icing in between the layers and covered in chocolate fondant. I would have liked to fondant to be smoother but it was only my second time ever using fondant......next time will be better :)

Wrist Warmers for Carolina

2009-11-16T06:56:00.000-08:00

These wrist warmers are made from Alpaca and are very cozy, I made up the pattern myself using circular needles (the two needle trick which is GREAT!) I hate seams!! The top edges are K1 P1 ribbing and I created the thumb sleeve using a great trick I found online:

http://akittenknits.blogspot.com/2006/12/thumb-trick.html

I am planning on felting an old sweater and sewing a square pocket, Carolina had an idea to make a pocket on them to hold a "pocket warmer."

Beanie and Booties for Paola's baby shower!

2009-11-09T07:03:00.000-08:00

What a fun project this was! Super fast too, I want to guess that my total time was about 1 hour for each bootie and 2-3 for the hat. The pattern is from a book called "Natural knits for babies and moms" but I added my own little touch to it. I made the sole be a different color than the rest of the bootie, i made the picot edge on the hat a different color from the rest of the hat and the little flower at the top was my thing too. I made it out of a chain of 5 bobbles. I used Debbie Bliss alpaca silk which is a blend of 80% baby alpaca and 20% silk, OMG the softest most delicious yarn...perfect for baby! I have enough left over to make one more set....this one is going to be a gift for my cousin Paola's baby shower...hope she likes it!

The NC Mountain State Fair

2009-09-13T17:48:00.000-07:00

After a very STRESS FILLED week and a Saturday that was a normal workday for both of us, David and I decided to take a much needed break and check out this fair….OMG had I known the sheer awesomeness of it I would have taken my camera to get some REAL photos, not only was it carny-filled and a midway full of rides that weren't all rusty and falling apart BUT it also had your typical blue ribbon pie contests, preserves, clogging competitions and livestock galore. Tractor pulls, paintball arena....the list goes on and on. Of course a girl like me who grew up in Queens, NYC it was unlike anything i had ever seen before.....don't get me wrong we have plenty of great fairs but nothing like this.....Pure Appalacia Cheeese.....mmmmmm

Oh and by the way that is a 307 lb pumpkin and NO we did not try the frozen pickle pops or that scrumptious sounding corn in a cup BLECH.....there was also deep fried snickers bars...GROSSS

CRAZY gourd vine

2009-07-31T15:28:00.001-07:00

At the beginning of the summer, my friend Lauren gave me a teeny little plant. It was 3" tall and she told me it was a gourd. I planted it in the back, didn't think much of it ...the thing has completely taken over my little hill, it is lush, and green and crazy. It's tendrils crawled up onto my pool area and actually entwined itself onto the pool cover (we never did open the pool this summer due to electrical problems... but that's a whole other story). This vine is reminicent of the monster plant "Seymore" in "Little Shop of Horrors." As you can see, the one gourd that is growing is the size of my HEAD!!!

Muddy Paw Adventures Part1 - Graveyard Fields

2009-06-01T13:39:00.000-07:00

Roxy goes on her first hike of the season...4 mile hike at 5000 feet,

Graveyard Fields with upper and lower falls.

WHAT A PERFECT DAY!!! She is agile like a cat,

hopping from boulder to boulder with no fear... :)

My dog is PINK!

2009-03-02T18:53:00.001-08:00

Introducing Oso Negro Beer

2008-12-26T08:34:00.000-08:00

How cool is it that David Andersen (My sisters hubby) is brewing his own beer ....and NAMING it after my dog?? As a christmas/b-day present (David's birthday is on Christmas Eve) I illustrated and designed his beer labels. Specifically for his one belgian styled wheat beer, the flavor "Witty Monk"

Head Tilt

2008-12-23T08:04:00.000-08:00

the roxinator

2008-12-23T07:59:00.000-08:00

Isn't she so darned cute and.....RIPPED??

A Very Doggie Christmas

2008-12-13T06:38:00.001-08:00

Knitted Cupcake Fun

2008-12-13T05:51:00.001-08:00

Well winter has fully kicked in and so has the knitting itch! I have been busy making Christmas gifts and came across this pattern for a cupcake.....I think I will make 2 more and sell them on etsy in a little bakery type box ...how cute!!

ZOMBIEWALK 2008

2008-10-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

Feather Obsession

2008-08-07T14:48:00.000-07:00

Back in May, I found a feather while we were hiking. Does it sound crazy that it gave me a very special feeling as if i was receiving a gift? I found so much beauty in it--- ever since, whenever I go walk the dogs, go on a hike or whatever I am constantly on the lookout and I find so many.... I can't even count them:

pigeon feathers, dove feathers, duck feathers, crow feathers, turkey feathers, geese feathers, pheasant feathers. BUT these past few days have been UNREAL, I don't know if the blue jays are going through a "molting" phase but as of today I have a total of 40 bright blue blue jay feathers. I have to figure out how to make something from them.... maybe a cool

mobile or talisman.

Cute Fruit

2008-08-07T14:45:00.001-07:00

My very first cantelope became ripe...its so cute its only about the size of a softball, but very yummy and ripe. My one eggplant is just about the same size and shape, but it is still on the vine, so cute and chubby!!

Perfect Pickles....finally

2008-08-07T14:41:00.000-07:00

When I first started pickling my cucumbers earlier this summer, they were very tasty (and spicy) but a little soggy, I was very sad.... Well, my friendly neighbor Marshall filled me in on a little trick and FINALLY this is the first batch that is ready from the new ones....that is super duper crunchy and yummy! The trick is NOT to boil the jars once the pickles are in them, all you have to do is make sure the jars and lids are hotfor the vaccum seal to work....YAY!

The Find of the decade!!!

2008-08-02T17:19:00.001-07:00

I went yard sale hopping today and I found this incredible trunk circa world war I, David is so excited about restoring it. We did a little research and found out the name of the company from this faded logo on the side...Belber Steamer Trunks. The old guy that sold it to me wasn't kidding, definitely early 1900's. He wanted to get rid of it and sold it to me for $5.00!!!! Can you believe it???? SCORE!!!!!

More GREAT July Photos

2008-08-02T17:07:00.001-07:00

Ah...July, what an incredible month...

2008-08-02T16:55:00.000-07:00

July 2008 was a month to go down in history! First mom and juanie came down for a visit, we had an incredible time. Then Colt and Dollie came, and that was just magical. Little Colt is AMAZING, the things he says and the way he acts, what a total CUTIE PIE, you just want to eat him up.....I MISS HIM SO MUCH!! Afterwards my incredible fun-filled trip to Maine where i spent quality time with my little Cecipita and the awesome gagners http://gagfamme.blogspot.com/ hopefully Ceci will have the photos from the pirate party bonanza up soon. And lastly Lorena and her family came for a special visit. It was a fantasmagorical special month and I will never forget it.

Happy Brithday David and Dollie

2008-07-09T08:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was David's 37th bday but we are having the real celebration today! Dollie and Colt are in town...YAY!! and everyone is coming over for a cookout....too bad Juanie missed it :(

MOM & Juanie coming soon!

2008-06-22T09:35:00.001-07:00

We are just sooooo excited about their visit!! I am using this entry as a brainstorming session for the itinerary. Juanie and Mom arrive at Charlotte on July 3rd, since Jua only stays til the 6th, we have a LOT to think about doing....

Thursday -
pick up at Charlotte
dinner - Doc Cheys
walk around downtown asheville
get a nightcap at Skybar and Zambra's

Friday
10am? - 4pm? - Wilson's creek trail and TUBING YAY!
6pmish - Drum Circle
8pm special birthday dinner for ang and jua - Sugo or Salsa's
10pm - asheville fireworks
Dessert at the Chocolate Lounge

Saturday
10am-1pm - hiking at chimney rock
1pm - lunch at chimney rock or black mountain
dinner asheville - the laughing seed or bouchon
evening activities: jack of the wood or
o'henry's bar (the oldest gay bar in NC supposedly LOTS of fun they have 3 bars),
the ashville yacht club (brand new tiki bar so new they dont even have a website yet)

Sunday
Drive juanie to airport :(

NOW there is one big alternative, but it will take up at least 5 hours:
http://www.biltmore.com/

so you decide!

Getting sick of this food journal

2008-06-10T13:31:00.000-07:00

Its getting pretty monotonous and boring....I think the direction of this blog will change, it's not just about what i am eating but more about "HoneySuckle's Preserves" and "HoneySuckle's Bake Shop"

I Have been having so much fun making preserves with wholesome ingredients and unique flavors using strawberries fomr my strawberry patch..YAY!! i sent a bunch of them out for Father's Day, I am new to canning but it definitely looked like they all vaccuum selaed pretty good. So far these are the flavors:
Balsamic Pepper Tickle
Tipsy Nutmeg - Tipsy because it has a dash of rum in it
Cinnamon Lullaby
Strawberry Apricot

I BUCKLED for Buckle

2008-06-06T16:23:00.000-07:00

I went to the fresh market yesterday to get groceries for dinner and low and behold the blueberries were on sale and they were HUGE and sooooo sweet so of course I made David some buckle:
http://wanderlustandpixiedust.blogspot.com/2008/05/blueberry-buckle.html

well I have been a strict vegan since Memorial day weekend but that buckle came out so perfect I had a little piece, I felt so guilty last night about it but today, I don' feel so bad. I have been strict up until then and hey for a first time vegan that's pretty good! I have been secretly making a mental menu in my head for my little fantasy bakery/cafe, the menu will definately include BUCKLE, I may make it in my extra big muffin tin mold thingy....and one of these days I will figure out how to make a VEGAN version of that recipe!

Food journal

2008-06-05T09:22:00.001-07:00

Breakfast
latte w/soymilk

Lunch
1 peach
whole wheat english muff with preserves

Dinner
brown rice with beans avacado
boiled red potato and a salad

HOT HOT HOT

2008-06-04T19:14:00.001-07:00

So Damn HOT today!! I had ZERO appetite....YAY! I know that makes me sound like I have a bit of an eating disorder BUT...I am only cheering because I had a couple of "bottomless pit syndrome" days in a row (thanks to my PERIOD)and now I feel like I can make up for that. Bottom line if you don't feel hungry, that's your body telling you something. heloooooo YOU ARE FULLL.....

Breakfast
Latte with soymilk

Lunch
1 apple
4 almonds

Dinner
1 serving brown rice
cabbage stuffed with lentils and tofu
edamamme and corn mmmmmmm

June Already!?

2008-06-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

Well yesterday marked the one week anniversary of me being a vegan and I have to say, so far so good! I haven't slipped at all except for the day I had lunch in Dandridge with Carolina we went to a barbecue place and I had a nice salad and yummy baked potato, I seasoned it with peppercorn dressing but only a little....it was cream based....UGH! AND I was starving and when bread basket came i couldn't help myself I ate a little cornbread muffin, I know it had egg and butter in it for sure.

The last few days have been a blur, lots of work and lots of strawberry preserves...but here is my food journal for today:

Breakfast
latte with soymilk
1 banana

Lunch
1/2 cup brown rice
small piece of tofu
1/2 vegan cookie

Snack
1/2 cup dry cereal
tofu and almonds

Dinner
brown rice
broccoli
spicy seiten
pinto beans
piece of whole wheat bread

Food Journal Day 5

2008-05-30T04:58:00.001-07:00

Another day of eating too much....I am so dissappointed in myself. My only saving grace is that it was all good food. It actually doesn't see TOO bad but I know there are a lot of calories in the hempnut burger....it is just so tasty at the laughing seed cafe....MMMMMM

Breakfast
latte with soy
banana
cereal

lunch
hempnut burger (HUGE)
and salad with mango lime dressing

dinner
huge salad
1 piece foccacia
brown rice and sweet potato

Food Journal Day 4

2008-05-29T05:30:00.001-07:00

Today was an evil evil day....it is days before my period and I was suffering BIG TIME form BPS (Bottomless Pit Syndrome)I ate WAY MORE than I am proud of....piggy!!

Breakfast
Latte with soymilk
1 mango
1/2 cup dry cereal

Lunch
1 cup leftover whole grain pasta and eggplant

Dinner
1 1/2 serving broen rice
1/2 sweet potato
1 serving black beans
1 serving sesame tofu

Dessert
1 oatmeal vegan cookie (HUGE)
1 oz dark organic chocolate

Beverages
cranberry juice
water
green tea

Food Journal Day 3

2008-05-27T11:46:00.000-07:00

Breakfast
Latte with soymilk
1 banana

Lunch
1/2 cup dry organic hole grain bran cereal
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1 pear

Green tea

1 carob/coconut vegan cookie

Food Journal Day 2

2008-05-27T09:08:00.000-07:00

I was actually able to bake a pie for David and wasn't tempted at all to try it! I did snack on the blueberries and strawberries as I baked. The strawberries from our garden were so sweet!

Breakfast:
Latte with soymilk
1 banana

Lunch
Pumpkin seeds
1 Peach
I just wasn't very hungry

Snack
Strawberries and Blueberries
Green Tea

Dinner
Perfect Harmony bowl, this time with no tofu but I added some delicious Kale that I steamed and then tossed with balsamic vinegar

Dessert
Organic Dark chocolate and almonds

Food Journal Day One

2008-05-26T14:06:00.001-07:00

Since I actually started yesterday this is yesterdays food:

BREAKFAST:
Latte with soy milk (not bad at all)
Banana

LUNCH:
1 serving brown rice
1/2 serving silken tofu
1 teaspon mustard

DINNER:
Perfect Harmony Bowl:
Brown rice
organic black beans
1/2 avocado
1 serving grilled tofu
1/2 small sweet potato
1/2 cupchopped raw spinach
1 cup chopped field greens
1 cup lighty steamed broccoli and carrots
2 tablespoons lemon tahini dressing
balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to tast

this started out as me trying to imitate a menu item from Laughing seed cafe but i added the sweet potato and THIS WAS SO DELICIOUS!!!!

DESSERT:
green tea and a vegan chocolate chip cookie (suprisingly delicious from Green Life)

BEVERAGES:
water (all day long)
sugar free organic cranberry juice

Goin' Vegan

2008-05-26T14:06:00.000-07:00

Yes I am finally doing it! i have always thought about trying it and now thanks to the book "Skinny Bitch" I have decided to move forward and go for it. Loaded with gross facts and written with a comedic tone that makes you unable to put it down, it was all I needed to finally take the plunge.

Here is today's excerpt forom this fabulous book
(an excert I like to call SCARY DAIRY):

Got Mucus? Dairy products produce mucus, and often the body will develop a cold or ALLERGIES to fight the dairy invasion. Mother Nature is no fool. All species, including ours have just what we need to get by. She did not intend for grownups to suck their mothers' tits. We don't need our mothers' milk as adults, just like grown cows don't need their mothers' milk anymore. We are the only species on the planet that drinks the milk of another species. We could be putting gorilla milk on our cereal or having zebra milk and cookies. Why cow's milk? Using the animal that produces the largest quantity of milk but is more easily housed than an elephant means more money for farmers. It has nothing to do with health and nutrtion. The dairy industry is a multibillion-dollar industry based on brilliant marketing and the addictive taste of milk, butter and cheese.

Cows are injected with bovine growth hormone. Their udders, under normal conditions would supply about 10 pounds of milk a day. Greedy farmers have their cows producing up to a hundred pounds of milk a day! Cows are milked by machine; metal clamps are attached to the cows' sensitive udders. The udders become sore adn infected. Pus forms. BUT THE MACHINE KEEPS ON MILKING (GROSSSSS) sucking the pus into the milk....AHHCK

Milk is not a reliable source of minerals you get much higher levels of manganese, chromium, selenium and magnesium from fruits and vegeltables. Fruits and veggies are also high in boron which helps lessen the loss of calcium through urine. Consuming high amounts of dairy BLOCKS iron absorption contributing to iron deficiency. A simple way to get calcium is by including the following foods in your diet: fortified grains, kale, collard greens, mustard greens cabbage, kelp, seaweed, watercress, chickpeas, broccoli, red beans, soy beans, tofu, sesame seeds and raw nuts.....