<![CDATA[Heart's Desire Beading Company - Blog]]>

<![CDATA[Heart's Desire Beading Company - Blog]]>Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:24:58 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Free Shipping!]]>Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:10:42 -0800http://www.heartsdesirebead.com/2/post/2010/10/free-shipping.html

Save money, help your bottom line and start your Christmas shopping early with Heart's Desire! Beginning today, every online order will be shipped Free to any address within the USA! This offer is good through January 1, 2011, so beat the rush and start your shopping here!

Blessings,
Debra

]]><![CDATA[Chocolate Banana Smoothie]]>Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:25:42 -0800http://www.heartsdesirebead.com/2/post/2010/08/chocolate-banana-smoothie.htmlThis delicious shake is a wonderful way to add some soy and fruit to your diet! It is also a great way to start your day!

1 frozen banana
1 c. soy vanilla milk
1/4 c. silken tofu
2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
1 Tablespoons honey
1/2 c. ice

Blend soy milk, silken tofu, cocoa powder and honey. Continue blending while adding frozen banana and ice. Blend until mixed well, pour and enjoy!

Blessings,
Debra]]><![CDATA[More Recipes for Fresh Tomatoes From the Garden]]>Wed, 04 Aug 2010 21:00:55 -0800http://www.heartsdesirebead.com/2/post/2010/08/more-recipes-for-fresh-tomatoes-from-the-garden.html

Try this yummy recipe from Living on a Dime! It's a great and easy to make side dish and with butter and Parmesan cheese, what's not to love????

Tomato Casserole

8 medium tomatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
8 slices of bread, cubed with crusts removed
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. of margarine or butter, melted
1 tsp. each of salt, thyme and dried basil
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Place tomatoes in a greased 9x13 pan and top with bread cubes. Mix butter and spices and pour over tomatoes and bread. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake uncovered at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until tomatoes are tender.

Blessings,
Debra

]]><![CDATA[Oh So Yummy, Bacon, Tomatoes and Basil]]>Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:21:48 -0800http://www.heartsdesirebead.com/2/post/2010/07/oh-so-yummy-bacon-tomatoes-and-basil.htmlLooking for another way to use up all those extra tomatoes from your garden? Or, maybe you don't have a green thumb, but you love lushcious, red tomatoes too! Try this family favorite, Bacon and Tomato Pie. It is a delicious combination of tomatoes, bacon and basil, and iIt is very simple to put together too! Bake some rolls and make a salad and you have a wonderful summer supper!

Bacon and Tomato Pie

9 inch pre-baked pie crust
12 slices of crisp bacon, crumbled
3 large tomatoes, peeled, sliced and well drained on a paper towel
Generous sprinkles of fresh basil, sliced into thin strips
8 green onions, chopped

Layer ingredients in baked pie crust in the order listed.

Topping

1-1/2 c. grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 c. mayonnaise

Mix these together and spread on top of tomato and bacon layers.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until top is lightly browned. Let stand at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Enjoy!

Blessings,
Debra ]]><![CDATA[Zucchini Brownies - Delicious and decadent!]]>Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:49:32 -0800http://www.heartsdesirebead.com/2/post/2010/07/zucchini-brownies-delicious-and-decadent.htmlDo you have children or a husband who won't eat their vegetables no matter how much you plead? Then try this delicious zucchini brownie recipe! It's a wonderful way to give them a serving of veggies and use up some of that abundance of zucchini squash from your garden! I promise, if they don't see you make them, they will never know that zucchini is lurking within this yummy treat! So get out your food processor and start shredding your abundance of zucchini!

Zucchini Brownies

2 c. all purpose flour
1/3 c. cocoa
1-1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

2 c. shredded zucchini
1-1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. pecans (optional)

In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa, soda and salt. In another bowl, combine shredded zucchini, sugar, and oil. Add to dry ingredients and mix well. Stir in nuts and vanilla. Pour into a lightly greased 9x13" pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes.

Creamy Brownie Frosting

3 Tablespoons butter, softened
3 Tablespoons cocoa
1 Tablespoon light corn syrup
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. powdered sugar
1 to 2 Tablespoons milk

Beat butter, cocoa, corn syrup and vanilla. Add powdered sugar and milk, beat to spreading consistency. Makes about 1 cup frosting.

Enjoy!

Blessings,
Debra ]]><![CDATA[What is a Fibula?]]>Thu, 22 Jul 2010 09:51:11 -0800http://www.heartsdesirebead.com/2/post/2010/07/what-is-a-fibula.html

Heart Fibula by D. Strickland

In the Shop section of this website you may have noticed a section call Fibulas and More, and wondered what a bone has to do with jewelry? The word fibula actually has three meanings according to the dictionary on Ask.com, and they are as follows:

    1. The outer and narrower of two bones of the human lower leg, extending
         from the knee to the ankle.
    2. The corresponding bone in the hind leg of an animal.
   3. An ornamented clasp or brooch used in ancient Greece and Rome to
         fasten clothing.

Of course the third definition of an ornamented brooch is what you will find made here!

The modern fibula is perfect for dressing up sweaters, shawls and loosely woven scarves. Most of these brooches are bold and unique in design, and are considered statement pieces of jewelry!

Over the years of creating jewelry, I have found several books and tutorials with instructions on creating different styles of fibulas. If you want to try your hand at one of these wonderful pins, try these sources for great instructions:

    1. Bead On a Wire, by Sharilyn Miller
   2. Heart Fibula, by Julie Sigmund (a tutorial found in her Etsy shop called
         juliebeads)
   3. Creating Wire and Beaded Jewelry, by Linda Jones
    4. Contemporary Copper Jewelry, by Sharilyn Miller

Thank you for stopping by to read the first of my many musing on life and jewelry at Heart’s Desire Beading Company!

Blessings,
Debra

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