My 101 List

My 1001 Day Project ends on Friday, October 1, 2010 in .

• Main Goal
• Do something towards my goals every week (1/104)
• Cooking
• Catalog all my stray recipes
• Grow an herb garden
• Grow an organic garden in a pot
• Learn to cook fish
• Learn to cook flan
• Learn to cook my dad's garlic chicken
• Learn to cook pastelles
• Learn to cook piononos
• Declutter
• Clean out garage
• Declutter house
• Photograph and post at least 10 ebay or craigslist items for destashing 1x month (1/34)
• Photograph and post at least 10 supply items for destashing 1x month (2/34)
• Scan and shred all household documents
• Financial
• Create a budget
• Establish a $1000 emergency fund
• Inventory household items for insurance purposes
• Pay off all credit cards
• Health
• Establish an exercise habit
• Get hair trimmed 3x year (1/9)
• Get a real hairstyle…and not just a trim
• Grow my Kickboxing skills
• Lose 80 pounds
• Plan my meals out and shop for them 1x week (1/143)
• Start mountain biking again
• Start rollerblading again
• Test for brown belt
• Visit dentist 2x year (2/6)
• Household
• Buy/make non-disposable shopping bags
• Finish our living room curtains
• Fold laundry 1x quarter (4/12)
• Landscape yard 2x year (0/6)
• Paint our bedroom
• Setup memory board/mirror display in living room
• Vaccuum house 1x week (0/143)
• Wax truck 2x year (0/6)
• Jewelry
• Buy a tumbler and shot
• Establish a blogging schedule for A Pretty Rock
• Learn Chinese knotting
• Learn silver wire fusing
• Pay off A Pretty Rock debt
• Redesign website
• Submit website for write up to 4 blogs 1x month (3/34)
• Knowledge
• Learn to type Spanish language characters on keyboard
• Read 3 books in Spanish (0/3)
• Read Boriquas: Influential Puerto Rican Writings -- An Anthology
• Refresh my Arabic language knowledge
• Loving my dog
• Brush Snickers 1x week (0/143)
• Take Snickers for walk around block 5x week (0/143)
• Personal
• Create a family tree book
• Create an "in event of our deaths" list for both our moms
• Help our mom's fill out their own lists (0/2)
• Give blood (hate needles)
• Have a baby (again...hate needles...and pain)
• Create a book from my Grateful 365 project
• Take my mom to see The Nutcracker
• Recreational
• Attend a USPS dead letter auction
• Create website for my WoW guild
• Create wedding scrapbook (been 9 years…about time!)
• Finish baby blanket cross-stitch (started for my godson who is now 2)
• Go hiking in the Appalachians (I live so close!)
• Go horseback riding
• Learn how to handbind a book
• Learn to alter/customize clothing for myself
• Learn to rock climb
• Learn to snowboard
• Participate in project 365
• Purchase a dSLR
• Read all the Chronicles of Narnia books
• Read my lapsed comic book series
• Visit a corn maze
• Wear a costume to DragonCon
• Relationships
• Buy/make everyone's Christmas gifts before November each year (0/3)
• Host get-together 3x year (1/9)
• Keep track of birthdays and anniversaries (and addresses) and send a card on each one.
• Write thank you notes every time I receive a gift
• Spiritual
• Go on a missions trip
• Memorize a bible verse 1x month (1/34)
• Read bible 5x week (2/143)
• Travel
• Go back home to Puerto Rico with husband
• Take Jason to La Palguera
• Visit St. Thomas/Virgin Islands
• Visit New York
• Go to the top of the Empire State Building
• Go to the top of the Statue of Liberty
• See a musical on Broadway
• Visit Europe
• Visit Las Vegas
• Take a weekend getaway with my husband 1x year (0/3)
• Work
• Back up my computers 1x week (0/143)
• Create a program to serve a useful purpose for others
• Grow my business so my husband can stay home and work with me
• Join a networking group
• Learn a new programming language 1x year (0/3)
• Learn to expertly analyze web traffic tracking results
• Organize files on computers (0/3)
• Read a technical book 4x year (1/12)
• Setup landing pages for all my registered domain names
• Update paperwork for taxes 4x year (0/12)
• Write a blog post 1x week for Turtletopia (2/143)
• Write a blog post 1x week for YazminMedia (1/143)

When good flan goes bad · 12/19/2008

Around the holidays, in almost every Puerto Rican household, you’re guaranteed to find one of two holiday favorites: arroz con dulce and flan. I had great plans today to make arroz con dulce, but totally forgot to pick up some rice at the grocery store.

So all I have to show you is a picture of a failed attempt at flan. (Notice I have not crossed it off my 101 list…yet!)

I didn’t write down the recipe my mom gave me in January when she was up for a visit. So, I called my mom for the recipe in hopes of surprising our friends with some dessert. In my defense, the only reason the flan turned out lopsided was because she halved the recipe for me. Instead of using the two pans I remembered from earlier this year, I really only needed one. Unfortunately I didn’t realize this until it was too late.

Couldn’t let a good flan go to waste, so I went ahead and cooked it all lopsided…no matter how odd it looked. Let me tell you it was just as good. ;)

Now I know, though, and I have plans on making this again real soon.

If you’re feeling brave enough to try the recipe yourself (without one of my wonderful photos to cheer you on), here’s you go:

FLAN

SPECIAL SUPPLIES
A double sauce pan

INGREDIENTS
5 eggs
1 15oz. can of condensed milk
1 15oz. can of evaporated milk
1 tbsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of water

DIRECTIONS
1. Place water in bottom pan of double sauce pan.

2. Place pan in the oven and heat to 350 degrees.

3. Beat together the eggs and the two milks. Set aside.

4. Put sugar and water in a microwavable bowl. (I use a glass measuring cup, saving me the cleaning of an extra measuring cup.)

5. Microwave on high for 6 minutes or until sugar has caramelized to a deep brown (like the cognac color of a dark hessonite garnet.)

6. BEFORE THE CARAMEL COOLS, pour it on the bottom of the other sauce pan (the other portion of the double sauce pan not in the oven.) Make sure to tilt the pan, making the caramel cover all portions of the bottom of the pan.

7. Pour the custard into the caramel lined pan.

8. Bake for approximately 1 hour. Flan is done when a toothpick test comes out clean.

9. Remove pans from oven and let cook in refrigerator for 1 hour.

10. Invert flan onto a serving tray. The caramel sauce is served over the custard.

I want pictures if you make it!

If you’re looking for more Christmas traditions & recipes or a Christmas shop spotlight, make sure to check out the Etsyblogger’s blog on December 22nd for our blog carnival post.

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tags: etsy blogger's, miscellany, recipes

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Etsy Blogger's December Featured Blogger: Spotted Cow Soaps · 12/18/2008

Each month, the Etsy Blogger’s Street Team promotes one of its members as the featured blogger of the month. This month’s featured blogger is Spotted Cow Soaps…

Soap is something I have a hard time resisting. Take me to a craft show. You can bet that if there is soap, I will be drawn to the booth to sniff the amazing aromas. Pair the soap with one of my favorite holidays (Christmas, in case you don’t know) and it’s a guaranteed stop for me.

So, if you’re like me – love soap, love Christmas – you should definitely make a stop at Spotted Cow Soaps Etsy shop. Home grown in Vermont amongst mountain views and dairy farms (hence the name Spotted Cow Soaps), I’m sure her bath products would be a great gift. Maybe I’ll even find her candy cane soap in my stocking…what a treat!

Here are more of her Christmas products for your perusing:

Go check out her soaps and get clean!

See more of her work on Etsy: Spotted Cow Soaps
Visit her blog at: Spotted Cow Soaps

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tags: etsy, etsy blogger's

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Etsyblogger's Holiday Sale! · 11/30/2008

Are you still looking for a good deal on your presents this year? Don’t forget my free earring sale with every order now through Dec. 3rd, but also make sure to check out the Etsyblogger’s Street Team Holiday Sale! Here’s a list of all the shops participating below:

http://spottedcowsoaps.etsy.com
LAST SALE BEFORE CHRISTMAS!
20% Off entire shop (Shipping & Custom Orders excluded)
FREE Domestic Shipping on all orders over $75 (Before Discount, Shipping not included)
Soap, Toiletries, Hand Crochet Bath Accessories

http://candysticklane.etsy.com
Free Shipping on all orders of $50 or more

http://www.thejumpoff.etsy.com
Free shipping on all orders

http://nanjodogz.etsy.com
10% off all shop items (excluding custom orders and shipping)
Dogs and Critter sculpture, ornaments, beads and tiles

http://dirtyfootprints.etsy.com
20% off entire shop!!!! (Shipping excluded)
Funky, little PAINTINGS & Cool, carry-tons-of stuff TOTES!

http://ToteNTots.etsy.com
20% off handbags—See sale section (Price reflects discount).
Free monogramming on select baby products.
Free domestic and discounted international shipping on orders $75.00 and over (before shipping)

http://jerseygirldesign.etsy.com
10% off all purchases (shipping excluded)
free shipping on purchases over $50!
jewelry designs

http://jezzabell13.etsy.com
10% discount on all items in my etsy shop
crochet clothes accessories and jewelry

http://twinbirchbathandbody.etsy.com
Free First Class shipping within US for all orders over $75 (product total)
free gift with every order
fun, fabulous bath & body handmade in Vermont

http://fiveoclocksomewhere.etsy.com
10% off all items in my shop (excluding custom orders and shipping)
free shipping on purchases over $50!
jewelry designs with special equestrian line

http://weeoneslittlethings.etsy.com
20% off all orders.
Be sure to convo me first so I can do a price adjustment BEFORE you pay…Easier all the way around.
Free Shipping on orders of $50 or more!
Mom and Baby Essentials and more!
Baby Carriers, Blankets, Security Blankets, Bibs, Burpcloths, Bags and more.

http://BunnyKissd.etsy.com
Free shipping on all orders!
Painted polymer clay jewelry & more for every season – Find the magic!

http://www.jaimesews.etsy.com
Free Shipping on all items!
Children’s Clothing, Quilts & More

http://storybeader.etsy.com
10% off all items, and free shipping in the US
Please contact me before purchase so I can adjust the price
one-of-a-kind jewelry and other fun stuff

http://SpiritMamaVintage.etsy.com
BOGO entire store!
Buy 1 item get second of equal or less value 50% off

http://SpiritMama.etsy.com
10% off all “filigree leaf” section jewelry

http://SpiritMamaBamboo.etsy.com
10% off everything!

http://beadedtail.etsy.com
20% off all items in my shop (excluding custom orders and shipping)
Free shipping on purchases over $30!
Beaded jewlery for animals lovers!

http://fuzzysheepcrafts.etsy.com
20% Off entire shop, including CUSTOM (Shipping excluded)
FREE Domestic Shipping on all orders over $55 (Before Discount, Shipping not included)
Baby, Toddler, BabyShower gifts

http://MagdaleneJewels.etsy.com
All items in my shop will be 15% off – please convo first so I can make the price adjustment before you purchase to save confusion (for you and ME!)

http://leakymouth.etsy.com
All Bibs are BOGO FREE!
Free shipping over $40

http://TulipsTreasureBox.etsy.com
30% discount sale on everything over $150.00
10% off everything else
Sale items, custom orders, and shipping are not included.
Unique One-of-a-Kind Jewelry Designed and Created for Women.

http://www.miesmama.etsy.com
Free shipping to anywhere in the world!
Handmade felted bags, bowls and other goodies!

http://www.tiltcreations.etsy.com
10% off all items
handmade handbags and accessories

http://jmwjewelry.etsy.com
FREE SHIPPING within the US & Canada if you mention the EtsyBloggers Holiday Sale in the comments at checkout (PLEASE wait for me to send you a new invoice before paying, or you will not receive the discount!)
Silver jewelry with a dash of something special! Custom orders and commissions welcome!

http://skygirlstyle.etsy.com
20% off all orders, not including shipping for orders under$50
20% off and Free Shipping on orders of $50 or more!
Booties, Bibs, Onesies, Notecards and more

http://fabricboutique.etsy.com
15% off all Fabric orders
Fabric and Covered Buttons

http://bfbeads.etsy.com
Baby Friendly Beads — Jewelry for Breastfeeding & Beyond!
Free U.S. shipping on purchases of $40 or more

http://mamasmagicstudio.etsy.com
Fraternal Earrings and other nifty beaded items
Free U.S. shipping on purchases of $20 or more

http://macaroniandglue.etsy.com
$2 off any boxed holiday card set and free shipping,
when you add any blank note set to your holiday card purchase!

http://shellmitchell.etsy.com
10% off plus free shipping

http://lunasbabublebilities.etsy.com
10%off all items
Free Shipping on any order over $45.00
Original adornment for eclectic individuals.

http://goblinsmarket.etsy.com
Free Shipping on all orders placed this weekend!
Sumptuous supplies – Happy Holiday Creating!

http://stormydesigns.etsy.com
20% OFF Entire shop!
FREE shipping!!
(Custom orders excluded)
Art for your body and home

http://impawsibletoresist.etsy.com
http://themagickalewe.etsy.com (patterns & yarn shop)
Free Shipping on all ACEOs and OSWOAs prints and/or originals.
Free gift tags with every order on any merchandise.
10% off all other merchandise except custom orders, ACEOs, OSWOAs.

http://uniquecommodities.etsy.com
Free Shipping via First Class Mail on ALL items in my shop
(shipping Insurance is NOT included)

http://www.panoptica.etsy.com
FREE SHIPPING EVERYWHERE!!!
Bottlecap jewelry and vintage stuff

http://paperwire.etsy.com
Free first-class shipping to the U.S. and Canada;
U.S. shipping prices to the rest of the world!
Fun and fashionable handmade jewelry and artwork.

http://www.abracapocus.etsy.com
free first class shipping on any print
Digital art, photography and note cards

http://www.rockababyclothing.etsy.com
free first class shipping
Hip vintage-inspired clothing for boys, girls and their dollies

http://www.dorsethillbeads.etsy.com
FREE U.S. SHIPPING on all orders

http://www.winemakerssister.etsy.com
Buy one item – 10% off
Buy two items – 15% off
Buy three items – 20% off
Free shipping on all orders over $75 (figured before discount and shipping)

http://sugarlovehoney.etsy.com
15% off all purchases (shipping excluded)
free shipping on purchases over $50

http://agoodwitchtoo.etsy.com
10% off Soap Subscriptions.
20% off on Soap.
Excludes the cost of shipping

http://LazyTcrochet.Etsy.com
get Free Shipping on orders of $40 or more
plus a Free Gift with any purchase

http://www.smox.etsy.com
10% OFF, and FREE shipping on orders over $40 (before shipping)
Eating and art aprons, hair bows, fleece baby bedding, hand burned wood and other unique gifts

http://www.thefabmissb.etsy.com
One of a kind and vintage finds for you and your home!
Enjoy free shipping on all paper goods!

http://www.beckykazana.etsy.com
Cards and Gifts from Becky Kazana!
Enjoy free shipping on all greeting cards and half price shipping on Ballerina Ornaments!

http://www.graciouscreations.etsy.com
My November “Thankful” Sale continues until Dec. 1
Most items have been marked down 10-20%
FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $25
Handmade Boutique Baby Items

http://lilbees.etsy.com
FREE SHIPPING anywhere in USA OR CANADA
baby blankets, cloth diapers, cloth pads, wetbags and nursing pads
free gift with any purchase over $20
there is an ongoing “theme of the month special” for a discount with certain purchases

http://BrightBlack.etsy.com
FREE SHIPPING anywhere in USA OR CANADA
Christmas stockings, tree skirts, fabric gift bags
all purchases entered in a drawing for a free set of giftbags!

http://memoriesforlifesb.etsy.com
20% off select items in my store
See “Thanksgiving Sale Specials” section in my shop for items on sale
Please wait for a revised invoice before paying
Memories for Life Scrapbooks…Scrapbooks and More

http://maryeb.etsy.com
20% from the original price (no need to wait for an adjusted invoice) including sale items
free shipping to the U.S and Canada.

http://homemadeoriginals.etsy.com
10% off all purchases (shipping excluded)
free shipping on purchases over $50!
Please convo me after sale and before payment so I can send a revised invoice

http://DizzyDragonflies.etsy.com
Free shipping, and an extra 10% off!!

http://www.athenaworkman.etsy.com
10% off all items; free shipping for orders over $50
Original artwork and photography

http://www.groovinpop.etsy.com
10% off all items; free shipping for orders over $50
Pop, retro and funky photography, jewelry and magnets

http://maclancy.etsy.com
20% discount on all of my vintage photo prints

http://dogmawglass.etsy.com
15% off entire store!
Handmade jewelry, cards, quilts, and glass beads

http://createathought.etsy.com
HUGE UNDER TEN SALE. NOTHING OVER TEN DOLLARS!
And free gift with purchase!
Journals, cards, fridge fabulousity, rings and lots of awesome things!

http://peacoxcreations.etsy.com
10% off entire shop and free shipping on orders of more than $35.00. Please contact me before purchase so I can adjust the price!
Exquisite pine needle baskets (a very unusual item), Christmas decor, scrubbies, fine crochet, cards, and a book!!!

http://www.thyme2dream.etsy.com
$5 off $25 gift certificate (or order)
$10 off $50 gift certificate (or order)
$20 off $100 gift certificate (or order)

http://demandablue.etsy.com
Free shipping on all orders for the holiday season!
Handmade clothing for women and girls in all sizes.

http://gnomegrown.etsy.com
10% off total purchase (before shipping) if you mention the EtsyBloggers Holiday Sale in the comments at checkout (PLEASE wait for me to send you a new invoice before paying, or you will not receive the discount!)

http://youvegotmaille.etsy.com
10% off all store items and free shipping on orders of $30 or more
chainmaille jewelry & accessories and wire wrapped pendants, rings, and ear cuffs (and maybe more!)

http://www.wysiwygbeads.etsy.com
10% off all store items and free shipping on orders of $20 or more
beads and focal items

http://treasuresbytina.etsy.com
20% everything before shipping.
treasure candles, photography, photo note cards, flower pens, holiday charms, destash, and more

http://kalapohl.etsy.com
10% off entire shop.
Free shipping on orders of more than $75.00 (before discount, excludes shipping cost)
Please contact me before purchase so I can adjust the price!
Unique, colorful gemstone jewelry.

http://3rexesjewelry.etsy.com
FREE SHIPPING
Modern Jewelry For The Medieval Lady!

http://cardsbyjenna.etsy.com
FREE SHIPPING + A FREE HOLIDAY GIFT
Affordable greeting cards for any occasion

http://www.FeltArtistic.etsy.com
25% off all Holiday Stockings!!!

http://sockmonkeygreetings.etsy.com
15% off everything in the store.
Cards, journals, jewelry, magnets & more!

http://www.sidheforest.etsy.com
Free shipping!
All Prints Buy 1 get 1 Free!
Friday – 1st sale of the day wins a set of 3 special limited edition Xmas prints ( Only 20 made)
Saturday – 1 name will be drawn from sales made between 12:01 am and 12:.01 pm to win an 8 × 10 Print of Golden Bright Eyes
Sunday – 50% of all items under $25 (no limit ) and 40% off any one (limit one) item over $25

http://carapace.etsy.com
$5 print sale! Any piece of art in the store (or on my blog!), any size up to 8“x 10”, is just five dollars!
And I will be having to raise print prices soon, so strike now!

http://twozanyzebras.etsy.com
See “Thanksgiving Sale section” in my shop for items on sale
Free shipping on orders more than $50.00.
Please contact me before purchase so I can adjust the shipping price!
Zany things for babies and toddlers (clothes, blankets, toys, bibs)

http://lilesj.etsy.com
15% OFF orders of $25 or more
see pre-renewal sale section in my shop for FREE shipping
hand-made, one-of-a-kind jewelry

http://mintagehome.etsy.com
10% off everything in my store (except shipping)

http://www.morningskyjewelry.etsy.com
10% off any item (excluding custom orders and shipping)
Free shipping on orders over $50 after discount.
Handcrafted chainmaille, bead crochet and beaded jewelry.

http://heatherknitz.etsy.com
25% off the entire store!

http://kkennedydesigns.etsy.com
25% off any item in sales section
free shipping for orders over $75.00
One of a kind jewelry items inspired by the beauty and nature of the coastal islands of the Low Country.

http://kdhetherly.etsy.com
Free shipping!!
Free matching hair scarf or head band with the purchase of any dress.
Free matching headband with any regularly priced scarf!!

http://thymelytreasures.etsy.com
All items in my shop will be 10% Off!
Free Shipping on any orders over $75.00!
I will include a free gift with all purchases!
My shop is items that I have sewn or crocheted.

http://calkat.etsy.com
Free Domestic Shipping
We offer OOAK pieces of jewelry, lanyards and bookmarks.

http://donnapool.etsy.com
50% off all Puzzle Ball Ornaments and all Photographs!

http://rosebud101.etsy.com
10% off jewelry items in my store
Rosebud’s Lampwork Beads

http://fuzzysheepcrafts.etsy.com
15% off EVERYTHING – including custom orders
FREE SHIPPING on orders over $45
Baby toys, baby shower gifts, booties and more!

http://blisscandles.etsy.com
10% OFF! – Comment Code: Bloggers08
High quality, attractive soy candles in an assortment of jar styles, tea lights, and gift sets.

http://coffeepotpeople.etsy.com
free shipping
free surprise in every package

http://jenaardell.etsy.com
BUY ANY THREE ITEMS and RECEIVE A FREE 8×10 PRINT OF YOUR CHOICE.
+ a surprise gift

http://roseworksjewelry.etsy.com
10% off all items in my shop!
PLUS free shipping on orders of $20 or more!
Rose Works Jewelry – Beautiful Things for Beautiful Women


♥ Thank you storybeader.etsy.com for assembling this list for us!

Here’s hoping you find something to check off your list!

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tags: etsy blogger's

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Etsy Blogger's November Featured Blogger: StoryBeader · 11/29/2008

Each month, the Etsy Blogger’s Street Team promotes one of its members as the featured blogger of the month. This month’s featured blogger is Deb of StoryBeader…

I’m quite fond of this month’s featured blogger, as she does make an appearance in my blog comments quite often. (Yes, I do take notice!) It’s nice to know that someone other than me reads my blog. hehe

My favorite things about her shop is that each of her items comes with a haiku written specifically for that piece. Many marketing and sales gurus will tell you that a story will sell a piece better than just the stats. I like that she’s taken that concept to the next level by writing accompanying poetry for her beautiful jewelry.

Pieces I would wear? Definitely her treasure/fetish necklaces…that lapis is just to die for:

Go check her jewelry and poetry out!

See more of her work on Etsy: StoryBeader
Visit her blog at: Stroll Through Storyland

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tags: etsy blogger's

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It's all about the dessert baby! · 11/21/2008

Holiday traditions for me really revolve around food. As a Latina, there was never an occasion where my family wasn’t all huddled in the kitchen cooking, laughing or just plain being ornery. Oh…you say we have a living room…What’s that? :)

One of the topics for this month’s EtsyBlogger’s Street Team carnival called for favorite holiday traditions. I will admit that while J and I do live away from family, that doesn’t stop me from making one of my two favorite desserts during the Holiday season.

Sadly, I don’t have time to get into the specifics of my recipes for these dishes as I’m busy finishing up for my show this weekend, so I’ll just leave you a picture of each of the dishes for your salivatory pleasure:

Image © Gabo

Image © Eduardo Veguilla

If you are the first person to guess what they are (and don’t cheat by clicking through to Flickr!), I’ll send you a little surprise. Leave a comment with your guess!

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tags: etsy blogger's

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For when you just need some chocolate · 11/13/2008

Last month I participated in an EtsyBlogger’s blog carnival about favorite recipes. If you follow my blog, you’ll know that I offered my pumpkin muffin recipe. (Now I’m going to have to make some of those this weekend.)

While browsing the carnival, I came accross this fantastic recipe for 5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake on Holly’s SilverRose Jewelry blog. I love chocolate and I love anything baked, so I thought “why not?”

I have to say, it’s not the exact consistency of cake. It’s more dense and a bit more “wet”. Adding the chocolate chips really did do it wonders. Regardless, I do believe I would try it again…maybe with one tablespoon less of applesauce.

Oh, and I did modify the recipe a bit (you might have noticed that from the mention of applesauce if you’ve seen this recipe floating around before.) So here is my version of the 5 minute cake:

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
Makes 1 serving
WW Points: 8.5

INGREDIENTS
1 Coffee Mug
1 tablespoons flour (plain flour, not self-rising)
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
3 tablespoons egg substitute
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons applesauce
1 tablespoon chocolate chips (optional), some nuts (optional)
Small splash of vanilla

DIRECTIONS
Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well.

Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil, and mix well.

Add the chocolate chips (if desired) and vanilla, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes on high. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don’t be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate, if desired.

Finally, I should mention that I couldn’t remember who it was originally that I got the recipe from until I did some backtracking. While searching, I produced two other Etsyblogger members who had tried the recipe. Check out Tina Rice’s and Spotted Cow Soaps’ notes on the recipe.

If you try it, let me know!

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tags: etsy blogger's, recipes

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Etsy Blogger's October Featured Blogger: Mama's Magic Studio · 10/25/2008

Each month, the Etsy Blogger’s Street Team promotes one of its members as the featured blogger of the month. This month’s featured blogger is mamasmagicstudio…

This month’s featured blogger has not one, but two shops on Etsy! Jen’s first shop, Mama’s Magic Studio has the cutest knitty earrings and dragonfly creations:

Here second shop, Baby Friendly Beads, showcases her wonderful name sake…“baby friendly” jewelry:

Go check her shops out!

See more of her work on Etsy: Mama’s Magic Studio & Baby Friendly Beads
Visit her blog at: Mama’s Magic

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tags: etsy blogger's

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'Tis the Season for Pumpkin · 10/24/2008

At least around this house it is! Just mention the word “pumpkin” and I am all over it. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin tea…even pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks (and even though coffee used to be one of the leading main exports of my island, no, I am not a regular coffee drinker.)

As you can imagine, I’m indulging my pumpkin urges on a weekly basis as we move into fall. So, you know that when the EtsyBlogger’s Street Team carnival called for recipes this go-around, I had to post my latest pumpkin creation:

Pumpkin Muffins
Makes 1 dozen
WW Points: 2 per serving (3 per serving if sugar used for Splenda)

INGREDIENTS FOR MUFFINS:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin
1/3 cup applesauce
2 large eggs
2 tsp pumpkin-pie spice (cut in half if you don’t like your muffins too spiced)
3/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup Splenda (you can use sugar here as well – I just substituted Splenda to cut down on WW points)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

INGREDIENTS FOR TOPPING:
1 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp sugar

EQUIPMENT: 12 foil or paper muffin liners; a muffin pan with 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups

DIRECTIONS:
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven toe 350F. Put liners in muffin cups.

Whisk together flour and baking powder in a small bowl.

Whisk together pumpkin, applesauce, eggs, pumpkin-pie spice, 1 1/4 cups sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until smooth, then whisk in flour mixture until just combined.

Stir together cinnamon and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar in another bowl.

Divide batter among muffin cups (each should be about 3/4 full), then spinkle tops with cinnamon-sugar mixture. (If cinnamon-sugar is not to your liking, a glaze of powdered sugar and lemon works just as well drizzled on the muffins when pulled from the oven for cooling.)

Bake until puffed and golden brown and a wodden pick or skewer inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.

Cool in pan on a rack 5 minutes, then transfer muffins from pan to rack and cool to warm or room temperature.

I picked up my recipe from Muffin Top and modified it slightly to fit my diet, so if you try the recipe, let me know! I always love to hear how they turn out for others.

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tags: etsy blogger's

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Goodies are here! · 10/22/2008

EtsyBlogger’s Street Team totally rocks! One of the things they decided to do recently was a “Treasure It Forward” box, full of tons of goodies that you can’t use, but maybe someone else can. After closing the list at 51 participants, the box finally made it’s way out into the world around the middle of September.

About two days ago, I came home to find the highly anticipated box on my door step. I may even have squealed with glee. Opening it was like unwrapping a present on Christmas morning. Sweet thoughts of the wondrous things I would encounter as I pulled out bag after bag of supplies flooded my mind. After a little clean up (tons of glass beads got shook up and scattered throughout the box), I sat down to pour over each and every single thing.

There were many wonderful glass beads, fantastic color-comboed polymer clay beads and thread, but what really caught my eye were Leslie of UniqueCharm‘s lovely little scented charms. Charming (no pun intended) trinkets wafting with the aromas of pumpkin pie, vanilla and hazelnut continually drew my attention. I really had a hard time leaving any of them in the box for the others!

So, after taking some of the charms (and forcing myself to leave some in there), I put in a bag full of strings, yarn and cord, ready to be used in a multitude of crafts. I also added a bunch of my Totally Indie Coupon packages from group 8 that expire at the end of the year. If they expire before someone makes a purchase, they can at least be used for decoupage. (Only one bead – a large rose quartz heart – did I add to the package…so many beautiful polymer clay beads in there as it is!)

Now it sits in my kitchen, waiting for its trip to Treasures by Tina in Mountain View, California. Makes me wish I was towards the end of the list. I can only imagine what a wonderful mix of things I would have encountered in the box.

Anyone else on the list? Tell me what you plan to put in it!

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Etsy Blogger's September Featured Blogger: joeyandaleethea · 09/30/2008

Each month, the Etsy Blogger’s Street Team promotes one of its members as the featured blogger of the month. This month’s featured blogger is joeyandaleethea…

While I don’t have kids of my own, I do understand the pull of baby and children’s items. The cuteness factor can just be off the charts…enough to draw “oohs” and “aahs” from grown adults.

This month’s featured blogger is one who has done an excellent job working that angle:

MONSTERLICIOUS Zip-Up Hoody – Pink – Custom Made – $46

KIMONO – Elephant Sweetness – Short Sleeve Onesie or Long Sleeve Onesie or Toddler Tee also Available – $28

ONESIE and BINKY BLANKIE – Ares the Monster Onesie – Minky Ocean Blue Lovey – Short Sleeve Monster Onesie or Long Sleeve Monster Onesie and Security Blanket – GIFT SET – $65

How can you resist such cuteness?

See more of her work on Etsy: Joey & Aleethea
Visit her blog at: Joey & Aleethea

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Etsy Blogger's ROCK!: Etsy Treasury Feature - 09/25/08 · 09/25/2008

StormyDesigns is great at making sure the Etsy Blogger’s team is promoted as best as possible. So when I woke up this morning to see that the team had a new Etsy Blogger’s Rock! treasury, I wasn’t surprised to see that she was the curator.

I don’t always catch myself in treasuries, but when I do, I like to say “thanks!” So if you find me in a treasury, let me know!

Thanks Stormy for the feature!

And if you’re interested in the earrings, you can find them for sale here or on my Etsy site!

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tags: etsy, etsy blogger's, etsy treasuries, press

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Facebook Users Beware - Part II · 09/19/2008

Since my enlightenment concerning the terms of service for Facebook in regards to images, blog posts and other media, I’ve been looking for ways to minimize my exposure, but still use their website as a means to not only connect with friends and family more often, but continue developing the marketing and branding aspect of A Pretty Rock as well. (Whoo – that was a mouth full of a sentence, huh?)

By now you’re probably wondering where is Part I of this blog post. I guess there actually is no continuation for this post, but to get you caught up, this is what’s going on…

Tuesday I ran across a post on Michelle’s Complete Fragments blog titled Social Network Copyright Information. The post was about Facebook and their policy in regard to your media or that of anyone else’s that you post on your profile.

In short, Facebook takes a free use copyright on anything you post in the profile. This means that if they want to create a magazine with your images or your blog posts or anything else they find on your profile, they can do just that, without your explicit permission, because you already agreed to it when you agreed to the terms of service. Kinda sucks, doesn’t?

(Btw, that’s exactly what happened last December, as several people walked into their local bookstores to find an issue of Facebook Magazine on the shelves.) Once I read the terms myself and decided I didn’t like them, I chose to pull all of my imported blog posts and my link to my Flickr account through the MyFlickr app.

And with that, you’re caught up to this post. Having had time to think about the terms, I also had time to think about the various comments my friends made. One of them in particular, is what I think will be my approach to Facebook marketing from here on out: posting of lower resolution images.

Thanks to Facebook themselves, we are given the tool we need as a business to post information about our products without leaving ourselves open to abuse: the “Share on Facebook” bookmarklet.

With the bookmarklet, you can post a link on your Facebook profile from any page you are currently viewing. The bookmarklet then pulls all the images from the page, allowing you to select an image to post with your link…or if you prefer, no image at all.

Using the bookmarklet in conjuction with Etsy product pages (that contain the thumbnail photos) or your own pages with scaled down images, you can control how much you expose yourself to the Facebook ToS. If you look at my Facebook profile, you can see that I’ve put the bookmarklet’s “post a link” feature to use several times already, purposefully using the lower resolution images in my link posts.

Where do you get this fantastic bookmarklet? You can find it on your posted items page on Facebook. In the right hand column, you’ll see the information box for Share on Facebook.

So, lesson learned: Make sure you read the Facebook Terms of Service or any terms of service for social networking sites you frequent. Better to take the time and read, than to not read and get burned later.

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tags: etsy blogger's, miscellany

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Etsy Blogger's Carnival: Glitz Lounge Challenges · 09/12/2008

I always love a good challenge. One of my current favorites is the Glitz Lounge challenge group on Flickr. Each month, we get a theme to play around with and create a piece based on that theme.

The group was started back in June with some fantastic theme’s to play around with. To kick off the challenge group, June’s theme was “La Dolce Vita”, which I previously blogged about. This was the piece I made for the challenge:

 
La Dolce Vita – $180

This necklace, made with quartz, keishe pearls and watermelon tourmaline, was a hit with the group. I think what they liked the most was its flexibility. Being wearable as one long 36” necklace or doubled into an 18” focal piece, really extends its life and usability.

For July, our theme was “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!” and here is my take on the theme:

 

This was another hit with the group. The blackened sterling silver really set off the colors of the prehnite, carnelian and apatite stones I selected. The only thing was that we couldn’t decide if I should have used peridot instead of the prehnite. I’m actually still on the fence about that! I haven’t posted these for sale, but I’ll make sure they go up next week.

With my birthday and preparations for Dragon*Con, I wasn’t able to get around to making an August “Art-Inspired Piece” theme piece, but one of the great things about this group is that we can catch up on our own time. So I have the materials set out…some beautiful rutilated quartz and imperial jasper pendants that I can’t wait to make into their own little piece of art. My September “Cocktail-Inspired Pieces” theme piece will follow shortly, I’m sure.

There are other groups I participate in that have challenges, but I’m always looking for more to help me expand my creativity. If you like challenges, one of the topics of this week’s EtsyBlogger’s Street Team Carnival is challenges or contests. Reading the the carnival would be a great way to see what other events are out there for participating.

I’ve been thinking about posing a challenge myself. It’s time to use up some supplies! What does everyone think about that?

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tags: etsy, etsy blogger's, glitz lounge challenge

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Etsy Blogger's August Featured Blogger: TulipsTeasureBox · 09/03/2008

Each month, the Etsy Blogger’s Street Team promotes one of its members as the featured blogger of the month. Last month’s featured blogger was TulipsTreasureBox…

One of the things I find sad about jewelry is that many buyers never quite understand the value of the item they are holding in their hands. The materials are only one aspect of the piece. Time and skill usually get discounted.

Once you move past the sticker shock to enjoy an intricately beaded piece of jewelry, you’ll discover pieces like the ones found in Lily’s shop:

Sahara OOAK Necklace – $145

Silver Snow Bracelet HEARTS Peyote Cuff – $40

Silver Heart Necklace – $40

In person, the pieces can be nothing but beautiful.

See more of her work on Etsy: TulipsTeasureBox
See her other shop on Etsy: Octahedron Jewelry
Visit her blog at: Tulips Teasure Box

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Etsy Blogger's Carnival: The Best Tool Ever · 08/15/2008

Inquiring minds want to know…that is, the Etsyblogger’s street team wants to know for this month’s blog roll…what is my favorite tool? Well here it is:

A simple dowel, you say? Why, yes…it is! It slices and dices and…oh wait, wrong tool…

As you can see, I’ve customized the dowel with plenty of little sharpie marks to help me create different types of earwires. In addition (although not seen in this picture), the dowel has a hole drilled from one side to the other for wire anchoring purposes. While my dowel is simple, it has helped me create wonderfully fantastic pieces like these:

 
 
 

I couldn’t have made any of them nearly as beautiful without my dowel. I can’t be the only dowel lover here…or is your favorite tool quite different?

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Etsy Blogger's 1st Anniversary Sale · 08/12/2008

I know it’s been a while since I’ve last blogged. Who knew that having your husband home with a back injury would upset a schedule so much? ;) Regardless, I’m back! And I have plenty of news for you!

Our super fab Etsyblogger’s street team is turning 1 on August 13th!!

To celebrate our 1st Anniversary of bloggy goodness, the EtsyBloggers street team is having a 5 day sale!!

Starting this Wednesday Aug 13 (that’s tomorrow!!) until Sunday the 17th you will find lots of items on sale in the various shops ranging from free shipping to 10% off to 25% off!

My two Etsy shops will have the following sales available:

http://aprettyrock.etsy.com
Handcrafted Limited Edition Jewelry
But One, Get One 1/2 half off (of equal or lesser value – no custom items, please)

http://rockstash.etsy.com
Gemstones, beads and more!
Free Shipping on orders over $20 (hold off sending payment and I will invoice with correct amount due)

You’ll have to see individual team member shops for their sale details. Bright and early Wednesday morning there will be a list of participating shops posted here: http://etsybloggers.etsy.com

In the meantime, you can find the beautiful items from our team members here in our team shop’s favorites and also here.

To promote the sale, the team is snatching up treasuries left and right! Here’s one of the latest with my Flora – Winter Bloom – Biwa Pearls and Mother of Pearl Carved Flower necklace listed:

The treasury will be visible until Thursday at 12:12am. After that, you can view it here.

As you can see, it’s not the best photo of my necklace, so I took the liberty to reshoot the beauty:

 

I definitely like these snapshots better, but sadly the treasury doesn’t update with new photos once it is made. Oh well.

So, don’t forget! The sale starts tomorrow…make it a point to visit all these fantastic shops…and their blogs, too! You might find something that you love to read.

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Etsy Blogger's June Featured Blogger: AliciaMae · 06/26/2008

Each month, the Etsy Blogger’s Street Team promotes one of its members as the featured blogger of the month. This month’s featured blogger is AliciaMae…

This is where I normally write a snappy little introduction to the featured artist and then introduce a piece of theirs on my blog. However, photography always speaks better for itself:

New York City Radio City Music Hall
at Christmas – Original Digital Photograph – $5

4×6 Brooklyn Bridge in antiqued sepia – sold

Outer Banks North Carolina Lighthouse 5×7 matte finish – $5

Definitely great additions to any photography collection. Make sure you visit her shop.

See more of her work on Etsy: AliciaMaePrints
See her other shops on Etsy: Eclectic Design Gifts and Random Supplies
Visit her blog at: Crafts and cooking as I know it

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Etsy Blogger's Carnival: The Pieces I've Loved · 06/19/2008

Psst. Come closer. Let me tell you a secret…so, I make all this jewelry, but guess what? I’m really not that girlie! I have a pair of gold-filled hoops I made that get worn all the time and that is about it. I find that awfully funny, don’t you?

While I love all my pieces, this trait of mine really helps me to not keep everything I make. This is a good thing since I know I wouldn’t wear them on a regular basis.

As it turns out, one of this week’s EtsyBlogger’s Street Team blog carnival topic is “Loving the Craft”. So, I’m going to show you a few pieces that I have kept because I absolutely loved them and some that I would have kept if I had some place to wear them:

These I just made for a friend for her birthday. If I had more moonstone coins, I totally would have kept this pair.

These sat on my desk for months before I could make myself post them in the shop. As you can see, they went quickly.

These earrings are so springy and I wear so much green. I kept pulling them out of storage and almost claiming them for myself. But as you can see they are still available in the shop!

This is such a great summer necklace that goes with so many things. Maybe I should make another one for the shop.

These almost never made it to my mother in law’s for Christmas. I should probably make my own pair now as I still love them so.

These I kept. Mine…all mine!

Yet another necklace I absolutely adored. The original one sold, but there is another one still available!

Finally, another wardrobe staple that I totally forgot about. My personal pair is now a lovely shade of black from all the oxidization. With a quick polish, they always look beautiful. Of course, if you’d like your own pair, these are also still available in the shop while my supplies last.

How about you? What pieces could you almost not part with and what have you kept for yourself?

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Etsy Blogger's May Featured Blogger: Cozy · 05/29/2008

Each month, the Etsy Blogger’s Street Team promotes one of its members as the featured blogger of the month. This month’s featured blogger is Cozy...

If you remember from before, one of the things I don’t have much of an interest in creating myself are needle arts. (Aside from cross-stitching, that is, and I haven’t even touched a cross-stitch in who knows how long.) The end result of knitting and crochet always seems so far away. For me, it lacks the immediate satisfaction I get from seeing a jewelry piece come together in a much quicker span of time.

This is one of the reason I so enjoy other people’s needle work. The time and patience to delay the gratification is a feat in and of itself. Kathy of Cozy is one of those people with the patience of a saint. Having worked with various needle mediums throughout her life, her interest has always come back to knitting, crochet and sewing work. They are the love of her crafty life.

Maintaining a shop on Etsy, you can find headbands, scarves, bandanas and kitchen cloths in her store. My favorite in her shop is definitely this headband:

Simply Black and White Headband – $6

At that price, it’s definitely a steal. Go get it and don’t miss out!

See more of her work on Etsy: Cozy
Visit her blog at: A Cozy Life

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Etsy Bloggers Carnival: Etsy Purchases · 08/06/2007

Helping my friend Garrett move out of his condo this weekend made for a long two days away from the computer. So yesterday evening, I looked forward to catching up with all the Etsy Bloggers Street Team carnival posts on the goodies they have gotten from other Etsy sellers:

Susan of cserpentDesigns writes about her latest Etsy purchase of ceramic and silver plated disks. Colorful!

Karen talks about the best smelling package she’s ever received in Goodies from Gudonya! posted at faded willow.

Alicia Mae tells us what she’s going to do with New things from new supplies posted at Aliciamae’s Xanga.

Jodi lists 3 recent purchases for her daughter, in-laws and herself (including this fabulous metalworked cross on the left) in Look what I bought!!! posted at HHQ.

LazyTcrochet presents her window decal goodies in Knitting Nerd posted at LazyTcrochet.

Sadie Lou Who shows off her banner in What Was Your last Purchase From Etsy? posted at Craftily Ever After.

Nicole Isaacs gushes about her new sleep mask with bunnies and clouds in My Latest Etsy Purchase posted at Filed Fingers.

Jen (bfbeads) of Baby Friendly Beads presents More Etsy Love posted at Mama’s Magic.

Sue Wickham shows us the birdie cards she purchased at My First Etsy Bloggers Street Team Carnival posted at The Lily Pepper Blog.

Jessica went to town shopping on Etsy! Check out her finds at to the right and at My Etsy Purchases posted at AllSweet.

joeyandaleethea presents My husband is an Octopus posted at J o e y & A l e e t h e a. ‘Nuff said!

The Last Thing I Bought From Another Etsian by Terri is full of fairies at Impybat~Groovy Vinyl: An Eclectic Mix Of Jewelry And Art.

Mrs Dragon longingly waits for her custom order in A Little of This, A Little of That posted at Mrs. Dragon’s Wares.

This week, Confections features a collage of Parisian images and handpainted bobbins and spools posted in Handpainted Bobbins and Spools with Silk Ribbons posted at Cheryl Schweitzer.

Judy presents What I just couldn’t live without – handmade by Shoozles posted at Artsy Clay.

And of course, don’t forget to check out my post yesterday called Leashes, collars and bags…oh my! You’ll get to see my dog do a trick!

Make sure to check out next week’s theme of a “Carnival of Colors!” that will be posted at Bead Jewelry by ShopGirl. I already have tons of ideas floating in my head!

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