Thankful for Janice

I am so blessed in so many ways. This year I have a new blessing to add to my list--Janice is my successor and already taking on the leadership of my EY coaching team. She is awesome--lots of fire in her belly, creative, scary smart and so respectful of me and the work I've done. We have a mutual admiration society and I am loving working with her and doing what I can to set her up for success.

When Janice and I first got to know each other, we discovered that we were sorority sisters--different chapters, different generations--but both Kappa Kappa Gammas. We joked about the secret handshake and signed our notes (tongue-in-cheek) "love & loyalty"! I made Janice a necklace out of the sorority colors of dark blue and light blue and incorporated sorority symbols--owl, key, fleur-de-lis. I added a heart for love and a shoe, as she is definitely a cool shoe woman and jokes about stepping into big shoes. It's a fun piece and looks great on her!

Bottling time

I had big plans for bottling my Homemade Cherry Bounce. I ordered special swing-top bottles and labels. I bought green polymer clay, black wire and red beads to make a holly berry dangle for the bottle. After washing all the bottles and utensils, bowls, funnel, etc, draining the cherries, filtering the hootch and filling the bottles yesterday, I ran out of steam. No dangles. However, I did pit all four quarts of cherries and froze them in separate packages to use for baking. I plan to make some buttermilk, cherry and pecan scones for breakfast tomorrow. The cherry bounce will go with me to dinner today at Susie's so that every family gets a bottle of "Santa's Helper". I tried a little yesterday and it was "okay". Not sure I will go to this much work again next year!

Another Michael's re-do

I love taking the pendants on sale at Michael's and upgrading them with good beads. This necklace looks great with just jeans and a sweater.

Happy birthday, Kim!

My youngest daughter-in-law is turning 40 this week. Now that makes me feel old! I made her a necklace to signify this place in her life. They just made a move to Chicago and will be building a new home there. She is taking this year off and will do some thinking about her career. I'm hoping she dreams big!

When Ellery saw the necklace, she commented, "I doubt if she will wear it. It's not her taste." Oh, the honesty that comes with being six!

When the clouds part

A friend of mine went thru a rough patch of life--made a major move, lost her mom, then her job. She is now with a great organization that fits her perfectly and was recently promoted to Chief Talent Officer. I made her this simple necklace to celebrate her new role and a new beginning.

for me!

Ever since I lost my sister almost 24 years ago, I've had a personal motto of "no regrets". I try my best to live my life that way. I decided to make myself a leather bracelet to remind myself to live, laugh and love to the hilt.