Published in Stampington Summer Jewelry Affaire

I thought I had shared this. I did on Facebook and Instagram, but not here. Social media and all that. 

This is number six for jewelry

publications, for me. Not that I'm counting. ;) It's a great feeling to know someone else believes what I've made is worthy of this. As in happy dance for days and days. 

This silver focal was a real treasure to find!

Dragon! I wish I knew where it originated and what it was before. 

Six and six. Six pieces, my sixth time being published. It was wonderful times six. 

xoxo

gretchen 

Quick Blueberry Cake

A quick and easy and low low low isugar dessert. 

This is a simple dessert or snack that I've adapted from the many mug cakes. I don't use a mug, I use a small Pyrex or glass bowl. 

Take one box of sugar free cake mix of any flavor or brand and one box of Angelfood cake mix and put them both into a large zip lock bag.  Now shake it up good! There. This is the base for your cake. This mix will make dessert for a long time. I've never measured out how many bowls, but it keeps well zipped up in the bag. If you camp, this is a quick treat to have ready ahead of time. 

I love blueberries. They are grown around here and in season now, so the price of them is quite reasonable. In the winter, I use frozen. 

Measurements - it is up to you. For this one I used 1/3 cup, but normally I use 1/4 cup. Just use equal amounts of your secret mix and water, plus the same of any frozen or fresh fruit or double the fruit (I do like berries). 

If I am using frozen berries, I add them last, after mixing the water into the cake mix with a fork. 

Uncooked mixed cake. When you use frozen, the berries add color to the cake. Don't limit yourself to white cake, I've used chocolate, lemon and red velvet, so far. I also occasionally add different spices- cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom...it's cake, whatever you like is good. ;) 

Pop it in the micro for one minute. If you don't add fruit, cut the time back to 45 seconds or less. Frozen berries take longer, I start with 1 minute and 15-25 seconds. You'll have to play with time. 

Here it is after one minute. It needed a little more time (I doubled the berries) but it tasted fine this way. 

Everything's better with Ice cream! This is Blue Bunny sugar free. After trying several brands, we found this one to be our favorite. So by using a sugar free cake mix and sugar free ice cream, the only processed sugar you are getting is from the Angel food cake mixed into that tiny 1/4 or 1/3 cup of mix. Of course, you don't need to use a sugar free, but it is another choice from the usual. Whipped cream is another option or adding berries afte the cake is cooked, too. 

Enjoy!

xoxo

gretchen 

Blind Buddha Guitars in NYC

One of a kind Blind Buddha Guitars that were created for the new Ralph Lauren Polo flagship store in New York, opening the last week of August. If you happen to be in New York for fashion week, drop in and check them out. We'd love to see photos, too!

xoxo

gretchen 

Florence, An Antique Banjo Neck

This is a lovely old banjo neck that appears to be covered in some type of early plastic, maybe Bakelite? This old gal will soon be making beautiful music again when she hooks up with an equally handsome vintage wood box with the help of Mr. Blind Buddha Guitars. 

On an update from the last post, I figured out what I was doing wrong and can now add phone pictures! I didn't know there was a special app just for blogging (like there isn't an app for everything else,  right?) and I'd been trying to access it from my iPhone web connection. Now to see if this will have me sharing more...?!

Instagram is where you can find way more BMH photos, but I know many people that don't do the daily IG shuffle. If you do, there is a link on the side here to see more of the goings on and other nonscience and images, including cat pictures (naturally). 

xoxo

gretchen

Testing and a Vintage Pick-up Truck

This is such a great old truck. I've been trying to get a shot of it for a while now and finally had the chance. I'm not sure if the 'rust' is real or painted on, in any case it's a beauty.

For some reason, blogger won't let me get into my phone pics. No idea why, but I haven't given up. This also won't let me tag the post.  I would love to get all this worked out, because I know I'd post more if I didn't have to drag out my computer. The quest continues....

xoxo
gretchen