Monday, June 30, 2008

A Summer Evening in Hawaii

Here's some photos of a garden party--aka Bar-B-Que--- we recently held at our home. I thought the photos came out pretty nice and captured the garden party atmosphere (aka "Bar-B-Que") that evening. Enjoy!



Martha Stewart was Here!





Our Beverage Table



Welcome to our Home!




Relaxing and Eating with Friends






Surprise Birthday Homemade Mocha Cheesecake for Norm!
Hey Norm!



After Sunset in Hawaii

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

The Story of the Glorious Mango


The Glorious Mango


Once there was a little green mango sitting in his tree wondering what happened to all his friends who turned orange and suddenly disappeared. He didn't want to turn orange but he couldn't stop himself no matter how much he would say to himself "stay green, stay green".

He kept growing and growing and growing. First, his greeness had a bit of yellow showing. Then, more yellow and more. Then, the yellow started to turn orange and then other parts of his skin turned red where the sun hit.


Mango in his Mother's Arms

He started to get real nervous and couldn't sleep well at night. Besides all the slight murmurs of the birds nesting in his mother's branches, he could hear things falling to the ground. But he couldn't see what was falling from where he sat.

Then one day, a weird looking object came by him and plucked him from his mother's arms. He didn't know what was happening or where he was being taken. Next thing he knew, he was somewhere he had never been to before. There was no wind blowing thru this area. He was surrounded by his other mango friends so he was happy...for the time being.



Mango and his other Mango Pals

He noticed that a few of his friends would be gone. And then more, and then more. Until one day... EEEEEeeeeeekkkkk! Okay, I can't continue on with this crazy story b/c now I can see where's it's going and it'll sound like Mango Murder.


Mango on the Chopping Block...EEEeeekkk!

My neighbor has a HuGe mango tree in his yard. Throughout the day and night, our house sounds like a war zone with heavy ThuDs onto our poor old roof. Anyhoo, with all these Mangos---glorious mangos---Jimmy and I have been making Mango Bread. Between the two of us, we've cranked out 24 loaves of Delicious Mango Bread.


Mango Bread...Onolicious!

I'm going to ShaRe with you, not the Mangos, but the Mango Bread recipe which is "Ono"licious (aka "Delicious" in Hawaiian). Here it is:

Mango Bread
* 2 cups flour
*2 teaspoons Baking Soda
*2 teaspoons ground Cinnamon
*1 1/4 cup Sugar
*1/2 cup shredded coconut
*1/2 cup chopped nuts (macadamia, walnuts, pecans, etc.)
*2 cups chopped ripe mangos
*3/4 cup canola oil (or vegetable oil)
*3 eggs, beaten
*2 teaspoons vanilla
Other Optional Additions: chocolate chips, raisins. (we're going to try adding some banana next time and see how that turns out)

Okay, this is THEE Easiest Recipe you will find.

Combine the flour, baking soda, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl---I normally sift it all together so that the baking soda doesn't bunch up and ruin the flavor; add in the sugar, coconuts, nuts, and All the other remaining ingredients; Mix well by Hand. Pour this delicious batter into greased and floured pans. We've been using the approx. 3 x 5 inch tinfoil pans and baking at 350 Degrees for 45 - 50 minutes. It's done when the "toothpick" inserted into the middle comes out clean.

That's it. See how easy. This is hands down one DeliCiouS Mango Bread! Everyone LoVes it.



The End?


Monday, June 16, 2008

Flowers Flowers Flowers


Candies & Flowers Forever No. 7
the cutie bracelet


Here's my latest creations which I just LoVeeeee! I have this fetish for Vintage and Modern German Glass flowers and other lovely beads. Ok, I just Love flowers. Enjoy! I had so much fun creating these cuties! ;)



Vintage Romance No.1



Candies & Flowers Forever No.8
the cutie matching ring
to No.7

If you want to see more photos of these and other pretty pieces of jewelry, please step into my Etsy Shop----Stacy's Designs 88----stacysdesigns88.etsy.com (just click on this and you'll be there).

Remember, it's not too early to shop for your friends and relatives Birthday and Xmas gifts! Tell me if it's a gift b/c I'll make sure it's packaged extra special and enclose a handwritten sentiment from you if you want me to mail it directly to your girlfriend, lucky friend or relative.

I've got other beauties dancing around in my head and I'm going to put my hands to work to create them. Please Bookmark my shop and stop by often as I try to put new jewelry on my shop "shelves" daily or at least several times a week.

Have a terrific week!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

From Our Garden To Our Table


Roma Tomatoes---Ripening in Our Garden

Here's a photo journal of the journey of our home grown garden fresh Roma Tomatoes. We bought one plant from our local Home Depot and Jimmy planted it in our vegetable & herb garden.


Proud Papa with his Romas


He took great care of his tomato plants---we also got a grape tomato plant. In no time, the little plant had grown so big. Not quite like Jack & the Bean stalk but pretty good for our patch of soil. The vine ripened tomatoes were ready for picking...and eating!


Tomatoes ready for eating



Tobey watching Papa Cut his Romas




Tobey watching intently



Maybe Too Intently...nudged by Papa, getting too close
to the knife



Tobey checking out the Romas for Herself



The Yummy Romas...juicy, red, and soooo sweet!



Frying up the Bacon



Roma Tomato Sandwich with Mayo, Lettuce, & Bacon
On St. Germain fresh baked bread
Yummy!!!!!



Jimmy savoring the Bounty of his Garden

Finito...for now :)

Sunday, June 8, 2008

What's Better Than True Love?


True Love Necklace
all handmade with love

ONe of my all time favorite necklaces just sold from my Etsy shop---Stacy's Designs 88. Which necklace is that you ask? My "True Love" necklace. It's all handmade by moi.

The True Love necklace is one made with all my love and takes several hours to create. First, I form the heart frame by hand and eyeball it using sterling silver wire. Then, I painstakingly wirewrap sterling silver wire around the heart frame. And then, finally, the best part, I weave in the fresh water pearls and the Swarovski crystals to create the center of the heart...True Love.


True Love with Extender Chain


This beauty hangs from a handmade all wirewrapped chain made of sterling silver and petite fresh water pearls. Then, I complete this circle of love with either a heart shaped toggle or a lobster clasp and extender chain. Everything in this necklace is made from sterling silver.

My fav customer Nicole purchased this lovely for her sister who is getting married this month. I wish I was there when her sister opens up this special gift from Nicole so I could see the look of surprise and happiness on her face. This will look soooo beautiful on Nicole's sister who is wearing an all white tea length polka dotted wedding gown. So romantic, so fresh, so mod-retro. I LoVe it!



True Love with Heart Toggle

If you're getting married, looking for a gift for a new bride, or just want something so very special to wear on your special evening out, then this is the necklace for you---one of a kind and all handmade. You know that you deserve it. If you want matching "True Love" earrings and/or bracelet, feel free to Convo me and I can design your custom pieces.


Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Kathy Griffin Was Here in Hawaii!


Kathy Griffin was HERE!

On Saturday, May 24, 2008, Kathy Griffin made her 1st concert appearance on the island of Oahu at the beautiful outside concert venue, the famous Waikiki Shell. And she was fantabulous (fantastic + fabulous)! I am such a die hard Kathy fan. I've watched her and began loving her on the "Celebrity Mole" and "Suddenly Susan". Her sharp machine gun wit and her eye on Hollywood comments are so refreshing and funny. Who needs to watch the E! or the Enquirer? Just listen to Kathy on the up-to-date happenings and mishaps of Hollywood celebs.


The Hawaiian crowd filling the Shell

Kathy is the ultimate entertainer b/c she pretty much started on time and gave us 1 hour and 45 minutes of non-stop laughs. She's like a marathon comedian...she took NO breaks, just the occasional sip of her beverage of choice to keep her vocal chords good to go. The only time she took a well deserved break was to watch the firework display. Guess someone decided to celebrate her 1st concert here with a bang.



Kathy Big and small

The crowd at the Shell was a good one. Both the lawn and the seats were filled to capacity. There were laughs echoing across the yard. Kathy kept us rolling . I think everyone could hear me laugh. I'm one of those LOUD laughers. Kathy would definitely not want to sit next to me at the movies.



Fireworks to Celebrate Kathy's 1st Concert


Can't wait for her 4th new season of Kathy on the D-List which starts on Thursday June 12th at 9pm EDT on BRAVO. Check it out. It's just HilaRious! I DVR it so that I'll never miss an episode and so I can replay it over and over. She is just that good. YOu go GirL!




The crowd filing out of the Shell



Kathy, please come back to Hawaii soon!

Note: sorry, all photos were taken with my little bitty cell phone! ;)

Sunday, June 1, 2008

New Batch of Lovelies for My Shop


True Love No. 8


White Lotus Bloom


Geisha in Black Kimono


Just wanted to share with you some new lovelies which I just created and put on my Etsy shop shelves. I just love these. They really make me smile. These are perfect for the bride, her bridal party, your BFF, your special someone for her graduation gift, for yourself b/c you deserve it.
If you'd like to see them, please come on over to my shop----stacysdesigns88.etcy.com :)



Bouquet No.7 Ode to Mary Engelbreit

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