Actually making good on the promises I made below

One down and one to go. Today I learned how to add links to the blogs I read. For me this is quite an accomplishment. Wander over and have a look at what Beki, Marilee, AJ and Lora are doing. And have a wonderful day!!!

Karen

Excited to find her blog linked on another site

So excited in fact, that I had to blog about it.

I was reading my friend Beki's blog this morning and noticed that the had linked to me. This is a first for me, and it honestly made my day.

Please give Beki a look here, she's featuring an AMAZING charm bracelet that she made from PMC. Her charms are truly beautiful, each one unique and full of texture and spirit. Many of them are set with gemstones adding flair and individuality to her already incredible dangles.

I'm going to have quite a lot of time to fill over the next month and intend to update this blog with photos (I know, I already promised that below, but I really am going to do it.) as well as try to figure out how to add links to the blogs that I enjoy reading.

Wish me well, I'm going to need it.

Karen

Playing with something she knows very little about

Today I updated all the items in my Etsy store. Not very many items in there, it sure took a long time. *sigh* Anyway, I thought I'd update my blog include a link to my Etsy store. I really like the things that I've created, and am offering other things - BEADS - that I've got an excess of.

Etsy Buy Handmade beadcause

Paying it forward

On one of the forums that I read each day someone posted a link about the concept of paying it forward. I've always been fond of RAKs (Random Acts of Kindness) and after watching several people play tag I decided to get in on this one. I tagged my beady friend Beki (see her beautifully embellished blog here) and now it is my turn to "PIF."

Pay It forward rules: I will send a handmade gift (something beaded) to the first 3 people who leave a Comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange (and email me their mailing address), and who make the same pledge on their own blogs. I don't know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward meaning you will do the same for three people who comment on your blog.

Full of soup and feeling charitable

Today I enjoyed my dinner at a fund raiser called Empty Bowls. I met my friends Jenni, Paul, Emily, Heather and Pam at the Masonic Temple in Racine. We each chose a bowl made by a child specifically for the event. Mine is a really cool ceramic bowl shaped like a leaf and glazed in white with aqua and pale purple spatter. It is lovely.

After we made our bowl selections we moved downstairs to pay for our meal. Purchase of a bowl and soup is $15, soup alone is $7 and is also available to go. Next it was on to the serving area. One side was a large room filled with a variety of soups and breads all donated by thoughtful business and people in and around Racine County. Across the hall was a banquet room set up with tables and a very smooth jazz band. There were also bowls made by talented artisans that could be bid on in a silent auction.

I chose a Mediterranean Chicken soup and it was lovely. It had chicken, orzo, rich broth and lots of herbs. Paul had Creamed Corn soup with ham. It looked delicious. Pam chose a Beefed Up Tomato soup that she said had lots of kick. The other soup I noticed was a Chicken Curry. We arrived an hour before serving stopped. Throughout the day there were many more kinds of soup available usually there were more than 10 varietys at a time. Truly there was something for everyone.

Proceeds from this event go to fund all of the soup kitchens in Racine County. Businesses all over Racine donated soup, bread, coffee, money and time to this cause. Even the band donated their time and talent. It was an evening full of good food and good company. I'm looking forward to attending again next year.