I’m feeling better now, so making plans for some more serious time in the studio before our little girl (yay!) arrives.  My mind has for the most part been elsewhere, but inspiration is striking, especially since my annual trip to Tucson to gem shop earlier this month.  I found so many fun things : ).  I do hope to be sharing new designs in the near future.  It feels good to be back.  I won’t be so long next time…

My Holiday Sale is going on now until November 8th and everything is 20% off in my shop.  Just enter the coupon code “HOLIDAY20″ when you check out!  Get Shopping!

Tromping around in the woods…

Playing tourist in Canal Park and Park Point…

But, the really special part of the trip is to get up to the cabin on the Gunflint Trail.  It’s a huge part of my childhood and the visit is never for quite long enough.  One day I’ll get up there for a couple weeks.  No electricity, phones, TV, internet…  Ahhhh, peace and quiet!  And, it’s just one of my most favorite places ever.

Lots of time sitting on the dock…

Maybe doing some of this…

Did I mention sitting on the dock?  Morning, noon and night.  Never get tired of it.

And, who could resist feeding these little guys?!  Beware, they are total pigs, but so dang cute.

And other very “Minnesotan” sights and activities….

I’m already excited for next year.

Oh, and I have a few more new jewelry items to share soon – so stay tuned.

We also discovered sage leaf tempura.  Oh dear.  It’s so good.  I have a ridiculous amount of gorgeous sage right now and found this recipe in my cookbook In Season by Sarah Raven.

Sage Leaf Tempura

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
Plenty of sea salt and pepper
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups iced sparkling water or cold beer
Peanut oil for frying
30 to 40 sage leaves, depending on size and variety

Sift the flour into a bowl with the salt and pepper and make a well in the center.  Add the eggs and, with a balloon whisk, mix in the beer to make a not too smooth batter.  Keep the batter in the fridge until you need it.  Heat up your oil to about 350, dip your sage leaves in your batter and start frying!  Cook until golden and fish them out with tongs, dry them on paper towels and sprinkle with salt.  Oh, and eat them!!

And, of course we had to grill garden burgers.  Because getting the grill out for the first time just calls for it.

Then some ball throwing and a nice, long neighborhood walk topped off the day.  Pretty perfect.

Oh, the colors in Seattle in the Spring!  Pretty incredible.  Today is another beauty, but it’s back to the studio for me.

And, a BIG thank you for the fabulous response to my Holiday Early Bird Sale.  It was so much fun and I’m excited to share more goodies soon!  Keep an eye out.

I still have a month or so to go in my splint, but I’ve still been able to get some things done in my studio, so I hope to be able to work on some new designs soon.  Honestly, its been a little hard to get the creative juices flowing because this whole ordeal has gotten me kinda down.  Jeweler with broken hand = total bummer. But, as I get more comfortable and stronger, I hope my muse will return!  You’ll be the first to know!

But, alas, I’ve been moving awfully slow with this broken hand of mine and I think I will continue to hoard them a few more weeks until I’m feeling better and stronger.  They shall make an appearance in the shop soon!