Mud, Mud, I love Mud

Amidst the ice and dirty snow mud has appeared. I have never been so happy to see it. It is a sign that spring is truly appearing. An added bonus is there is actually sunshine breaking through today, too! My goodness, I don't know if I can take it! (The photo is kitty Luna looking at me thru the sunroof)

It has been a busy week with responsibilities. My taxes are filed. I finally got my application in to my summer show. I will hear something in mid April. I am entering my 6th season of selling at the Missoula Saturday Market. It is juried but they allow guest vending. That is what I have been doing. It takes many years for a jewelry artist to get in, because everyone seems to make jewelry. This is my 2nd year to apply as a permanent vendor so I try not to have expectations. If a lot of slots open up I may have a chance.

Now that I see mud it is time to start my spring cleaning. Last night I prepared my honey, telling him in the next few days we would be going thru the house seeing what we can get rid of. He just moaned, so I told him not to worry that I would supervise him. He said "When do you not supervise?" He got a pillow in the face for that remark!

New chandelier earring findings arrived in the mail from Turkey yesterday. I am excited to work with them today. What a juggling act it is to keep your shop looking fresh, as if all you do is create (and eat bon-bons).

Wordless Wednesday

Photo by Etsy Artist Laurie Ryan.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Today I have my first online ad!
I used Project Wonderful and found free advertising on www.gallerialindashowcase.blogspot.com It looks like the pic is a bit warped and I am not sure why. But, way cool!
Update: I just discovered free ads come and go, I was out bidded. So much to learn!

The bad is that I must get my papers in order for the accountant! I keep putting it off. I am thrilled this year to be turning them over to an accountant. I have always done them and get stressed out every year. I always felt confident on what I was doing with them until last year. Reading the Etsy forums and hearing this opinion or that opinion, confused me. So, I found an accountant who does small business and large corporate taxes. I am so relieved...but, still hours of organizing to do today!
Lesson: Keep paperwork organized weekly or monthly not annually!
Update: All done and in the hands of the accountant...this feels great!

The Ugly are dumb nightmares! Must have been the way the planets were aligned or something! LOL

Simply Asia

As the cook in the house there are days I want to create a fast and healthy meal. In the morning, before running off to my studio, I through in two pork country ribs into the slow cooker. I like to add garlic and crushed red peppers. You could use any meat to your liking.

I get home hours later and pull the pork out of the slow cooker, with Luna, my cat mewing like crazy! After giving little Luna her share, I shred the pork and place it in the skillet. Then put on a pot of water to boil, chose which flavor of Simply Asia to make. I like spicy so usually we have Spicy Szechuan. Plus, I love saying Spicy Szechuan.

So, the water is heating now and you just toss in a bag of frozen veggies into the skillet with the meat. I use asparagus stir fry. Add more crushed red chili, toss about until veggies are heated.

Toss in the Simply Asia noodles and cook 9 minutes. Drain, rinse, toss in skillet with meat and veggies. Add the Szechuan sause and toss, and diner is served.

Growing up our family rarely added salt to our meals. We were raised knowing that was not healthy. So, I am sensitive to prepared meals sodium levels. I really like Simply Asia because they are not overly salty.

I sure hope I didn't sound like a commercial! I just wanted to share this fast meal!

Primitive Surrealism