I’m working on moving my older posts over as well, though that’ll take a while. I hear that there are ways to do this without pain but my eyes crossed when I tried, so I gave up. Ahh well, a little honest drudgery never hurt anyone!

I’ll meet you there — over at http://omshantihandcrafts.blogspot.com/!

Poor Chocolate’s toes…

I don’t know if Loiosh chewed them up, or if he stepped on something sharp when he got outside for a couple minutes, or what; but his poor toes were beat up and pretty infected and after a brief attempt to treat them myself I took him to the vet.

So there’s my poor kitten with a bandage on his back left paw which he hates, and I’m trying to convince him it’s better than the cone I had him in but he’s not buying it. Well, cats have short attention spans anyway.

So! It looks like October’s sale has turned into a Get the Cat’s Toes Fixed Sale, and if I can bring in enough to cover Chocolate’s vet bills, I’ll be a happy woman.

25% off of everything until the end of October! There’s still time to shop at Om Shanti Handcrafts.

Well, what did I get in the mail today but a notice that I’ve been featured! That’s my logo right there, at the center right.

I’m listed in the ‘Body Channel’:

The Body Channel represents alternative medicine, martial arts, yoga, massage therapy, meditation, nutrition, bodybuilding and more. Strengthen your body, challenge your mind, encourage your spirit.

So I’m right where I belong. Come and have a look!

Rose absolute oil. Rose petals as an exfoliant. And a single rose petal pressed into the top of each bar.

What else needs to be said?

Alys’s Tomato Bread Soup (my comments in italics)

1 lb. Italian sausage links (I’ve also used loose sausage just fine)
1 onion, chopped
5 or 6 cloves garlic, sliced or minced (though it’s hard to have too much)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp basil
2 tbsp parsley
1 tbsp rosemary
other herbs as desired (oregano, marjoram, thyme, savory…)
1 6oz can tomato paste
2 or 3 14-1/2 oz cans diced tomatoes (or cut up fresh if you’ve got em)
1 48 oz can chicken broth (or from scratch — easy and AWESOME)
1 tbsp dry sherry or wine
1/2 tsp salt or bouillion (I use this only if I’m using my own chicken broth — otherwise there’s already plenty of salt)
dash pepper
1 loaf bread (a good, sturdy loaf of Italian or French — bread with some heft!) (I’ve used Philly soft pretzels with awesome results)
shredded parmesan cheese

Note that all measurements are approximate, and should be adjusted to taste.

Cook sausages at least halfway done, allow to cool enough to handle, and slice.

Meanwhile, saute onions in olive oil for a couple minutes, add garlic and saute a little longer, until garlic is done.

Before garlic turns brown, stir in herbs and tomato paste. Add diced tomatoes, sliced sausages, broth, and wine. Add salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, and simmer until the sausage is done through.

While soup simmers, tear or cut the bread into crouton-sized pieces.

Place a handful of bread into each bowl, ladle soup over, and garnish with parmesan. Add a drizzle of good, fruity olive oil and/ or freshly ground pepper if you like.

Amy at Creative Flutter is turning 35 today. In an attempt to share the joy (or something), she’s hosting a giveaway.

Many of the items are from her Etsy shop and as you can see, she does some awesome stuff. Others are from some friends of mine — Cinnamon and Honey and Paper Girl Productions.

Y’all go enter!

Well, it turns out that in the Catholic Church October is the Month of the Rosary. Having been so reminded, I figured it was about time to do some posting.

Coral was one of the most popular stones for a paternoster. These gorgeous 12cm coral beads just begged to be made into one, and I chose this simple design to set off their total awesomeness. Because, really, coral this good doesn’t need much to make it look even better.

With a brass bell on one end and a tassel on the other. Perfect for 15th century reenactment, Renaissance Faires, or your SCA persona.

This one’s got coral too but really it’s the jade that makes this one special. Beautiful 10cm jade beads with a single rock crystal bead to finish it off. The whole set off by tiny gold-coloured seed beads.

Either is perfect for an apprenticing gift, a Twelfth Night present, a special bit of largesse. Or just a gift for someone who appreciated a piece of history.

None of them to your taste? Worry not — I’ll be posting more over the next several days.

Isn’t that just adorable?

Anyway, I looked over at her blog to learn the rules. Apparently I have to list six (6) facts about myself and then tag five (5) other people to do the same. So here goes:

1) In addition to the kitten, I also have four pet rats. They’re awesome.

2) I live in Colorado. It’s beautiful here.

3) This is my friend Tim. He’s a little odd some days.

4) It’s cold.

5) Right now I’m fighting with my new DSL modem.

6) I’m having a sale. Oh, wait, you knew that…

6a) Lunchtime will be soon.

I’ve picked five people from the Big Damn Crafters. Here they are:

1) Inlerah — Etsy shop — blog

2) Oh My Tie Dye — Etsy shop — blog

3) Lady Artisan Dolls — Etsy Shop — blog

4) Double Dipped Sweets — Etsy shop — blog

5) Rose Bush Designs — Etsy shop — blog

I look forward to reading what y’all have to say!

And the contest! I’m continuing last month’s contest until the end of October — perhaps this will help people get in the mood! Here’s what you need to do:

Tell me a tale of harvest — whether it’s ‘tomatoes coming out our ears’, or a ride in a haywagon with a teenage sweetheart; a corn maze, the farmer’s market, or your grandmother’s favourite method of cooking up all the extra zucchini. Pictures, recipes, poetry, I’ll accept it all! For those in the southern hemisphere, a story of spring may be substituted.

Comment to this post, or email me at the link above. The prize will be a ten dollar gift certificate to my shop — perfect to use in combination with my Get the Cat Fixed Sale.

And a thank you to all those who’ve already voted for me.