The process of bead-making...

Soooo,...it all begins with a bunch of coated mandrels...and,....

lots of beautifully-colored glass rods! 

These glass rods are melted by a torch and fired to become unique, one-of-a-kind beads!

As they "bake", I anticipate the final product, and I'm always anxious to pull them out of the kiln! I love having something to look forward to!

The tough part comes when they're sitting on the table. Black and white and sunny yellow beads; great combo!  So,...what shall I create with them? 

Summer Sounds...

Searching for great summer tunes this evening.  Just took a long walk with Charlie, and I'm beat! I realized that I need to download some summer tunes on my mp3.  I'm certain a new playlist would motivate me to walk longer,  maybe even a jog...yup...MAYBE! 

What a beast that dog is...all ninety pounds of him pulling me this way and that!  Oh well, at least I made it outside for some exercise on a beautiful summer evening.  So, I'm goin' create a super-hot summer playlist for my walks and visits to the beach.

This song, by Keith Urban, ranks up there as a favorite.  "Here's to a better life!"  Even if you're not a country fan, this one is upbeat and makes one feel optimistic! Keith Urban's not bad lookin either. :-)  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buRnPSlWQHk&feature=player_embedded

The first ten choices for my summer listening pleasure...
1.  Better Life - Keith Urban
2.  New Shoes - Paolo Nutini
3.  It's a Beautiful World, We're all Here - Jim Brickman
4.  Where you Lead - Carol King
5.  You Give me Something - James Morrison
6.  For the Love of You - Isley Brothers
7.  Is This Love - Bob Marley
8.  How Deep is Your Love -  The Bird and the Bee (or the Retro Version - Bee Gees...the BEST!)
9.  Sand in My Shoes - Dido
10. Sail Away - David Gray

My puppy is the smartest animal in the entire world!

So, the other day I was makin' peanut butter blossoms for my wonderful neighbors (delish) http://www.hersheys.com/recipes/recipes/detail.asp?id=5191, when this pathetic but awfully cute creature gave me a look that I couldn't resist.  While I'm cooking, HIS typical routine not only includes a sad stare, but a walk around the kitchen island a million times with his nose scanning the edge of the counter.  He's into scents,...big time!  Just like me I guess. I'm all about things that smell wonderful!

Well, I had to give him a cookie,...but only if he earned it!  Isn't this the greatest trick?  He's the smartest puppy ever!  He'll wait until you give him the command, "okay, Charlie." before he gobbles it up.  He just sits there patiently with a treat (of any kind...he's not picky) on the bridge of his nose until we release him to enjoy.  No worries, we didn't give him the chocolate kiss (it's bad for animals), just the cookie part...and, we did give him a big smooch on that big nose for how smart he is!  Good Boy, Charlie!

...Everybody say,...."Awwwww!"