a nice weekend

today i finished these guitar picks.

(i also started a bunch of different pieces for the pub show this weekend, but didn't complete any of them.)

we had a very nice little getaway to albuquerque with glenn's parents. we stayed at a hotel, and swam in the pool, and went out to eat and did some great thrift store shopping . i even got to go to buffalo exchange! we also rode the sandia peak tram, which was awesome. here are some photos:

and then, yesterday, we went for an awesome family ski...

i hope that you all had a great weekend too!

happy thanksgiving a couple days early!

we are taking a little vacation with glenn's parents, so we had our thanksgiving feast tonight. it was fabulous. everything you want in a thanksgiving dinner.

we played some music.

(can you see that junebug is inside the guitar case?)

big ed carved the turkey.

the girls snuggled apple.

cheers!

and for dessert... my chai pumpkin pie.

(just follow your regular recipe, but instead of adding any sugar, molasses, etc. or spices, add 1/2 cup of powdered chai mix. delicious!)

and my homemade whipped cream...

heaven.

happy thanksgiving!

i finished these pieces yesterday.

the "a delicate balance" necklace

with the most incredible flourite cabochon you've ever seen,

amethyst and prehnite

every day for me is a struggle for balance. i so desperately want to feel as though i am doing everything that i need to do and doing it well. i need to be a good wife, and a good mother, and i need to keep my house clean, and i need to run my business... do you feel that way? that everything hangs in a delicate balance?

the chain is wire-wrapped with beautiful chunky flourite beads.

flourite is said to help you maintain balance in your life. maybe this can act as an amulet, a hefty weight to keep the scales from tipping, to keep you centered, and balanced...

this is a custom "petite resolve" ring

(yes, julia, it's on its' way to you!)

oh, and this, this "resolve" ring...

i've been hoarding this stone for a while now.

i thought i could let it go, but once the ring was finished, and i put it on my finger,

i knew i had to keep it.

the stone is just amazing!

a new "be the change" necklace

with a gorgeous, high dome labradorite teardrop

as i was making all of these little strips with words on them, i felt like i was crafting little sterling ransom notes. meet me under the clock tower, unmarked bills, be the change... or else.

also, i have removed the items from my etsy shop because i am preparing for a big holiday sale. should be open again tomorrow!

first ski of the season!

glenn's parents are visiting and they graciously offered to have the girls do a sleepover at their hotel so glenn and i could have a date.

we went up to telluride for a twilight/ full moon ski!

we were very happy.

it was so absolutely wonderful to be skiing again! as you know, there are few things that bring me such happiness. it is one of my very favorite activities. if you've been around this blog for a while, you are probably saying to yourself "oh great. here we go again. everyday, pictures of kristi skiing..." yes, well, i'll try to keep it under control.

i'm not sure who was more delighted, glenn...

or simon.

(sadly, molly can no longer ski with us. her arthritis has gotten really bad and it is sometimes difficult for her just to go for a walk.)

just when we thought we'd have to turn around because it was getting dark, the moon decided to come out after all and we got to go much further than we expected to. afterwards we went out for a beautifully romantic dinner.

thank you so much, ed and kathy!

before we left, i finished some pieces for the upcoming show and the gallery, and some for etsy. i made a bunch of lantern earrings.

"thistled spring"

"bluebird", with aquamarine

"almond", with beautiful, neutral colored botswana agate

these i am selling as a set.

this is a lovely lantern made with a gorgeous botswana agate.

and a "chocolate frosted" one as well.

these will all be making their way into the etsy shop throughout the day (or maybe tonight). i am on my out to the studio for a nice long day!