The HoneyFitzFactory

I've been Neglectful!

2009-02-04T03:04:00.000-08:00

I am so very sorry it has been so long since I have posted anything. I have been caught up in a whirlwind of activity including President Obama's inauguration, moving offices at work, oh excuses excuses.

I am really excited about some of the new pieces that I finished recently. I have discovered copper, which makes for a unique alternative to silver or gold or brass! I'll post a picture of one of my favorites right now- Ras Malai. I named it after a delicious Indian Dessert because the taste of cardamom (spice) would be the color of cooper if it were a color... does that make sense?

Ras Malai is actually cheese- I know, don't get grossed out. It is sweet and in a sweet and spiced cream. I thought the same thing you are probably thinking (ewwww)- but it is soooo yummy I promise. So remember- minds work best when open!!! I'll post the recipe below.

On another note- I had a bad experience over the last month or so as I encountered bigotry and hate in the most obvious way for the first time in my life. I have had the blessing (or has it really been a blessing?) to go through life without dealing with hate and bigotry to my face. Because I don't look "different" people assume things about me and the way I live my life. Sorry for the ramble, but I felt like you needed some context for the rest of the story.

After Christmas this year, I had a really strong pull to get closer to God and was very driven to find a church home for both me, especially my son and our family as a whole. I was raised Southern Baptist and was never comfortable in that faith. I went to Catholic Mass with my grandmother both as a young girl and then as a young adult and always felt as though I belonged most there. Carrie's family is also Catholic, so when I began to think about my responsibility as a parent to Cooper, raising him in the Catholic faith was my obvious answer- and one that I felt very strongly about.

I visited a quaint Catholic Church while staying at Joan and Bill's (Cooper's Neena and Pop Pop and Carrie's parents). It was such a wonderful experience for me that I thought I would inquire about joining, taking Adult Initiation classes and getting Cooper baptized there. Carries parents had registered with the church- so I thought it would be a great way to visit and have dinner with Carrie's folks every week and be part of a wonderful parish.

Joan and Bill (who I adore and treat me like a daughter) inquired with the church about Cooper's baptism, and in the meantime I had contacted the person in charge of Religious Education about starting classes and attended a class. The priest responded to Bill and wanted to meet Carrie and I- so I took the opportunity to be truthful about who we were and how we got to this place spiritually. The response from the priest was one of the most awful things! He said that he would not baptize Cooper, and that I could not return to classes anymore! He was kind enough to offer resources and website for conversion of homosexuals and encouraged us to make the choice to change,

Now- regardless of your views about religion, same sex relationships or whatever- the point of my post is to discuss my hurt, rejection and humiliation. This is my blog- and here I can talk about anything I want. If you don't like it- please blog about it on your page not mine. If you leave a derogatory comment I will delete it and block future comments :)

So- back to the story. Although hurt (and embarrassed because I had shared my faith journey with many people) I don't give up easily so I went at it again trying to find a church home. I found the Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. It is a Roman Catholic Church- with the most welcoming, loving Priest- Father Henry Gracz. Cooper is being given the Sacrament of Welcome this Saturday. Father Gracz said he would be honored to baptize Cooper- and has accepted and welcomed our family as we are wthout any suggestion of or expectation that we change who we are. I am so happy and cannot wait for his special day. The Catholic Shrine website is www.catholicshrineatlanta.org (sorry my hyperlink isn't working)

So- there is my life during my blog world absence. I'll include pics of the jewlery and the Ras Malai recipe below.

Ras Malai

Ingredients
2 pounds ricotta cheese
2 quarts light cream
2 cups sugar
5 each cardamom pods
1 each bay leaf
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspooon rosewater to taste (optional)

Directions
Mix 1 1/2 cups of sugar with the Ricotta cheese and bake it in a 400 F oven for about 75 minutes in a flat dish covered with aluminum foil. The cheese should have hardened and turned a pale brown.

Thicken the half and half by simmering over low heat for a long time. This is best done in a microwave; if a microwave is not available, do it over low heat and stir frequently. Thicken until the volume drops to around half of the original volume.

Add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar, cardamom pods, bay leaf, vanilla and rose water (and any other flavoring that you may want) to the Half and Half. Heat for a few minutes.

After the cheese has been baked, cut it into 1 inch squares and add to the hot thickened half and half. Cool for a few hours in the fridge.

Merry Christmas Cooper!

2008-12-31T17:50:00.000-08:00

Although this is Cooper's second Christmas technically- it felt like his first. He was so cute and had so much fun! He literally played with every single toy (and box and paper) that he was given. It made Christmas morning several hours long. Before I knew it it was 1:00 pm!

We celebrated with my family when we went home for the big party for my grandfather- but we did skype with Naunie and Papa T Christmas morning to open presents together.

Neena and Pop Pop came down for a Nantucket Christmas on Christmas Eve. We had Snow Crab, corn on the cob and red potatoes. For desert, we had Eggnog and German Chocolate Cake. We also went to mass on Christmas Eve. WE spent Christmas Day at Neena and Pop Pop's house and we had a great time. Below are a few pics from the festivities.

Yummy Crock Pot Celebration!

2008-12-31T17:15:00.000-08:00

Carrie turned 35 on December 18th, and to celebrate I cooked for her and baked her a cake. I made a Crock-Pot recipe and it was a big hit with Carrie. It is called Chipotle Lime Chicken and Jamaican Peas. It's a little misleading because the "peas" are actually kidney beans and they are mixed in a rice dish cooked in coconut milk. The rice was my favorite part of the meal. You garnish it all with sliced avocado and cilantro. I'll include the recipe- ENJOY and let me know if you make it and if it is a success for you and yours :)

I also baked her a cake this year complete with her favorite "Funfetti" icing. We had a great evening. Carrie is forever misplacing her keys (and phone and wallet and...) so I bought her a wireless key finder from Brookstone. It is so cool. You attach the litle fob on your keys- and then just hit the button on the base and your keys beep!

Chipotle Lime Chicken and Jamaican Peas

Ingredients
1 cup sliced onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped carrots
4 pounds skinless chicken thighs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1/4 cup lime juice
1 tablespoon minced chipotle chiles in adobo sauce with 1 teaspoon sauce from can
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Lime wedges, for garnish
Directions
Arrange onion, celery and carrots in bottom of slow cooker. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper and arrange over vegetables.

In a medium bowl, whisk together tomato sauce, lime juice, chipotle chiles with sauce, and garlic. Pour mixture over chicken.

Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. Serve half of the thighs with this meal (topped with diced avocado and cilantro and garnished with lime wedges) and reserve remaining thighs for another meal.

Jamaican Rice and Peas:
2 cups instant white rice
1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk
1 cup water
1 (15-ounce) can red beans, drained
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
1/4 cup chopped scallions
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
In a medium saucepan, combine rice, coconut milk, water, beans, thyme, and lime zest. Set pan over high heat and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 5 minutes, until liquid is absorbed. Fold in scallions and season to taste with salt and pepper.

ETSY SALE!!

2008-12-28T11:21:00.000-08:00

Hello! I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday! I am going to come back very soon with many wonderful pics of our Christmas with Cooper- but right now I just wanted to make a quick announcement. I am having a Buy ONE GET ONE FREE SALE in my Etsy shop. Shipping is FREE too- but just until 12/31. Please come by- and tell all of your friends. This is to make room for my new pieces for 2009. HURRY- I only have 11 pieces left :) Happy Shopping

White Christmas

2008-12-20T19:45:00.000-08:00

(I just love this sign from Etsy!!!)

Mom and Papa T

Mom's Farm

I grew up in West Virginia and one of the things I miss the most is having at least the possibility of a white Christmas. If we get a few flurries here we are lucky. These pics are of the most recent snow at my mom's farm.

My Secret Santa!

2008-12-16T14:45:00.000-08:00

Thank you Marlene for my wonderful soaps! I adore lavendar, patchoulli and holiday scents. How did you know that? Also, thank you Kori for allowing me to participate in the Secret Santa- I had a great time!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

2008-12-07T04:07:00.000-08:00

Last year, we received the most wonderful Christmas gift ever- Cooper. At that time, Carrie had our house completely gutted and I was relegated with Cooper to the back bedroom suite where we slept, ate, washed bottles and lived while Carrie feverishly tried to finish the house. Although I love the house now- it was very stressful and we didn't get to decorate for Christmas! We had no tree, no stockings and I missed celebrating the season terribly. This year- we had a great time picking out our tree and hanging our beautiful stockings made my "grandma Susie". Susie Soler has an etsy shop and she hand-quilted our stockings for us. Each stocking captures our personality, and includes a pocket with a hand written note from Susie to each of us. We will continue the tradition in the years to come leaving letters to each other and to Cooper from Santa.

I had a week off for the first time in my working life, and I had such a great time decorating and getting into the Christmas spirit. I was able to take a day trip to my dear friend Audrey's house and we baked all day. We made double chocolate biscotti, homemade butter toffee and almond shortbread cookies. I'll include a couple of recipes below.

I'm also posting pics of Christmas time around our home. Happy Holidays!

Double Chocolate Biscotti

Ingredients
6.75 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate minichips
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 large egg white
Cooking spray
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 6 ingredients (through salt) in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Combine vanilla, eggs, and egg white in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add flour mixture to egg mixture; stir until well blended. Divide dough in half. Turn dough out onto a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. With floured hands, shape each dough half into a 12-inch-long roll; pat to 1/2-inch thickness.

3. Bake at 350° for 22 minutes. Remove rolls from baking sheet; cool 10 minutes on a wire rack. Cut each roll diagonally into 18 (1/2-inch) slices. Carefully stand slices upright on baking sheet. Bake biscotti an additional 15 minutes or until almost firm (biscotti will be slightly soft in center but will harden as they cool). Remove biscotti from baking sheet; cool completely on wire rack.

And so Coopy F is 1!!!

2008-11-26T12:39:00.000-08:00

And just like that- my little baby boy is turning 1. Officially his birthday is November 27th. It's on Thanksgiving this year, so we had a birthday party this past Sunday. We had a bounce house and a caricature artist. It was really a lot of fun. We had about 35 people here and Cooper face planted the cake! Carrie made a DVD of Cooper's first year starting from the day he was pictured as an embryo! Of course, I cried. Cooper has brought me so much joy. He is the love of my life and the love of Carrie's life. He really is such a gift to both of us.

I cried tears of joy- but also tears because my little baby is little no more. Time is going so fast. Here are a few pics of my little boy that is growing up way to fast. Happy Birthday Coopy F. Thank you for coming into our life. You will always be Mommy and Momma's little boy.

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I have been Tagged!!!

2008-11-11T02:54:00.000-08:00

Tag you are it.
THE RULES:
*** Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.

*** Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

*** Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their name as well as links to their blog.

*** Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I LOVE the Indigo Girls.

2. My favorite place to vacation is Cape Cod, Mass.

3. I just saw Tina Turner in concert this weekend and she was FANTASTIC!!

4.I am an Aquarius.

5. I was born and raised in West Virginia and proud of it. Mountain Mama.

6. I am a very liberal, peace loving Democrat and also proud of it.

7. My favorite day of the week is Friday.

Tagged:

The CLackHouse: www.theclackhouse.blogspot.com
Celie and Netties Closet: www.celieandnettiescloset.blogspot.com
Miso Can Cook: www.misocancook.blogspot.com
Three Guys, a Girl and a Prim Place:http://3guysagirlandaprimplace.blogspot.com/

I cannot believe it!

2008-11-03T17:34:00.000-08:00

My little baby boy is turning one on Thanksgiving Day!!!

My grandfather brought delicious apples to me from his farm. I made miniature apple tartlets in a mini-muffin pan because I only had one pie crust so I couldn't make a whole pie! These actually turned out better- and so cute!

You fill each muffin "hole" with a little pie crust, fill with cooked apples and bake for about 20 minutes. Then- serve them warm with vanilla ice cream. YUM!!!

I cored,peeled and sliced the apples and cooked on the stove top with abouot 1/8 (2 tablespoons) of butter, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg and raw sugar to taste.

This is my most recent jewelry piece! I adore this necklace made with a soft feminine pink carved rose focal bead- hanging on a sterling silver rosebud headpin. I also used tiny freshwater pearls to accent and I put one on this necklace by itself on one side, and it falls just on the collarbone. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of it!!

And the Winner IS???

2008-10-24T18:34:00.000-07:00

Clack House!!! Cooper pointed right to you!!! Please send me your address so I can send you your earrings! Thank you to everyone that entered- and please sign up to follow my blog. I'll be giving more jewelry away throughout the holiday season.

Please enjoy the pic of Cooper at a birthday party for his pal Devon. He discovered strawberries and LOVED them! Of course- he had to feed them to mommy :)

Also- my wonderful and very talented cousin Jill made me these wonderful,personalized burp clothes for our cousin Buffy and her new baby Tasso. I've added pictures of them below. Her workmanship is absolutely perfect! Please check out her website/blog "Sew Succulent". The link is on my blog list.
I've attached pics of a few of my new pieces too. Let me know what you think!

Give-Away!!!

2008-10-16T11:46:00.000-07:00

My dear etsy friend Kindra inspired me to start this blog- and one of the things she will do every so often is have a give-away. In celebration of fall and the upcoming holiday season- I will be giving away the pumpkin earrings pictured here! They are made with sterling silver and pressed czech glass. To enter, please leave a comment for me. Cooper will pick the winner.

xoxoxo

Jennifer

It's Fall Ya'll!

2008-10-12T19:48:00.000-07:00

I participated in my first team sell on Etsy with the Georgia Etsy Street Team. I did try and increase my inventory a little in preparation, but I"m afraid the economy impacted (at least my) number of sales. I did have two people purchase from my shop though- YAY!! And Thank you!!! I have been sick this weekend with my Chron's- but the weather has been gorgeous and Cooper has been super fun. It was breezy and cool both days this weekend.

I ordered some really BEAUTIFUL and rare vintage beads today and I cannot wait to get them and begin creating with them. My mom has been crocheting the most gorgeous rugs (pic below) and Joan is really making alot of bibs and these adorable embellished picture frames. I think we are going to try to go up next weekend to Dahlonega because of the "Gold Rush" day festivities in the town and I look froward to seeing all of her finished items.

My newest creation- Pearl Drops on Sterling Silver Filigree

Mom's Rug!

Joan's Bib and Burpee Set (made from super absorbent dish towels!)

Our Home

Cooper and Mommy

First Fall Weekend in Dahlonega

2008-10-05T18:13:00.000-07:00

Carrie picked up an antique brass bed that Joan (Carrie's mom) bought from a family in Woodstock, and we took it up to Carrie's parents. It is really neat and is going to look great in their new house. The bed is on wheels, and has a very pretty patina. Joan prepared a spaghetti dinner and Cooper enjoyed his share of this yummy meal. For dessert, she made the most yummy baked apples. I'm going to include the recipe below. They make a delicious, healthier dessert and they are perfect for fall. We played with Cooper outside on the grass and had a "photo shoot". Cooper had a great time. We were able to get alot of great pictures, so I'll put them on Cooper's blog. Also Joan is sewing bibs! They are so adorable. I'll post a link to her Etsy shop when she opens it as I am certain you will really like them. I am so happy because my mom is crocheting and Joan is sewing and I'm making jewelry I just love it! Joan is making bibs that have a "paci pocket"on the front to hold a pacifier! Stay tuned for more. My mom bought the most gorgeous yarn from Etsy that is hand dyed with Marigolds. The yarn is the most delicious shade of yellow. It looks like a ball of sunshine. I can't wait to see what she makes out of it.

Baked Apples

Core 4 Cameo apples and then cut them in half.
Sprinkle with brown sugar and apple pie spice (or allspice).
Add 1/4 cup of chopped pecans.
Bake at 350 for 1 hour.
Serve with vanilla yogurt (or ice cream)

A Big Order!

2008-10-05T06:41:00.000-07:00

I finally completed a very large order. Whitney Cohen (thanks Wendy!) ordered about 50 pieces of jewelry for a Holiday Gift Mart put on by her church in Saint Petersburg Florida. The proceeds benefit their children's ministries. It was such a sense of accomplishment, and I felt honored to be a part of such a great fundraiser. I'm attaching a pic of me filling my very first order- so imagine this multiplied by 50 :) Thank you Carrie for your help in getting everything done on time.

We had a great day yesterday . We went to see our friends Audrey, Rod and their son's Max and Fin. We then went to Carrie's parents in the North Georgia Mountains. I'll post about that next.

Saying Goodbye to Summer

2008-10-03T15:02:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe we are closing in on 2009. My baby boy will be turning 1! It seems like yesterday I was trying to shuffle to the bathroom in the hospital holding my C-section incision. I remember breast feeding Cooper for the first time and experiencing the most unbelievable joy. Although this year has been hard for me my life is so much better now that Cooper is here. After I came home with Cooper, I had to spend a week in the hospital as I was diagnosed with Chron's Disease. During this year of trying to cope not only with the reality that this is a forever thing- physically my body has really been through it. I have an auto-immune arthritis that affects my joints and I am on a lot of medication. Still- I would have Cooper again in a heartbeat. Afterall, I would turn over my life for his without even giving it second thought.

So it's with this post I am saying goodbye to Summer 2008. I know I should have done this before my official fall postings- but alas I usually do things out of sequence. Enjoy a few summer pics of Cooper this summer. I've also attached a picture of the most gorgeous basket made by Carol at www.puddly.etsy.com- you would love her baskets! Also, I use this most simple home made potpourri recipe for this time of year for as long as I can remember. That means I probably got it from my mom. It makes your house smell so good.

(1) sliced apple
(4) cinnamon sticks
(5-10) whole cloves

Slice your apples in wedges and put in a small saucepan. Snap your cinnamon sticks in half and add your cloves. Fill the saucepan with water (about 1 1/2 cup). Simmer. I let mine simmer all evening. Be sure to watch it and just add more water as it cooks down.

My mom

2008-10-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to write something about my mom. I am so proud of her because she has been through so much adversity and loss, and she remains steadfast in living her life the way she wants and she tries to enjoy every minute. My mom has loved me when I look back and think I was unloveable. I was an angry teenager with low self esteem and I fought with my mom a lot at that time. I cannot tell you how that has changed since I have become an adult. I talk to mom EVERY day. She is my best friend. My mom has loved and supported not only me, but my choice of a partner as well as my son Cooper. She has made over him and accepted him completely in her heart- and had fought on my behalf for others to do the same. I always know that my mom is going to be on my side, and support and love me. My mom drove 8 hours from West Virginia to stay with me when I was first diagnosed with Chron's disease and she stayed with me when I came home with Cooper. Now that I am a mom, I understand the unconditional love that she has for me and my sister because I have that same love for Cooper. In celebration of her, and because Fall is also my moms most favorite time of year- I thought I would list some fun things about my mom.

* My mom is a Capricorn and the youngest of two girls.

* My mom put herself through college when my sister and I were older, and she graduated with her Dental Hygiene degree.

* My mom always made holidays special- and created the best memories around baking, decorating and enjoying the season even when we didn't have any money.

* My mom makes the most delicious homemade chocolate cake, cheesecake, chicken and dumplings and many other yummy things like hot rolls and peanut butter fudge (look at her blog to see a picture of these!).
* My mom does not like butter on her toast, but loves to bake with it.

* My mom loves Tina Turner and Prince as well as Sex and The City.

* My mom's name is Linda Louise.

* My mom loves good coffee, and we always enjoy it together when we are visiting.

* My mom has always been and is my biggest fan.

* My mom is open-minded, progressive and believes in equal rights for every human.

* My mom suffered 5 miscarriages while trying to have me and my sister.

My mom has also quit smoking!!! After almost 40 years!!!!! I am so proud of her! She has taken up crocheting and is working on primitive rag rugs and hats, gloves as well as many other things. Please visit her blog and leave a comment to encourage her :) She will be opening an Etsy shop very soon.

www.celieandnettiescloset.blogspot.com

My mom's Fingerless Gloves

Cooper and Naunnie

My mom came in to be present for Cooper's adoption proceedings (Yes- Carrie had to adopt her own child)

This picture is all of us at the Georgia Aquarium. In this picture- My sister Lisa, my nephew Mason, my niece Taylor and my youngest niece, Kaylee (in the baby carrier), Carrie, me, Cooper and my mom.

Cooper and Naunnie

Red and Black- My favorite Colors

2008-09-29T17:40:00.000-07:00

Take a look at these gorgeous baskets. My etsy friends are so very talented. Please visit sosorosey and see Jennie's adorable shop.

www.sosorosey.etsy.com

My mom has started crocheting primitive rag rugs and beautiful hats and matching gloves. Stay tuned, because I will be posting her shop soon. You will love her things- I am so proud and excited for her.

I am enjoying every minute of our weather as we get cooler and cooler. I look forward to the even more crisp of autumn days to come. Take a look at my little man Cooper enjoying being outside.

I am enjoying pumpkin spice and holiday peppermint coffee- two of my most favorite things of the season. I also wanted to let everyone know that I tried Kindra's recipe for French Dip sandwiches and they were so succulent! I'm adding the recipe below. Perfect crock pot meal.

10 oz can condensed beef broth
12 oz can beer ( I used a bottle of pumpkin lager)
10 3/4 oz can onion/French onion soup
3-4 lb. roast
Salt and Pepper to taste

You throw everything in a crock pot, cook on Low for 6-8 hours. Add meat to hoagie buns with au jus. We added a full onion and added swiss cheese. We put the sandwiches under the broiler for a few minutes as well

I Adore Bluebirds

2008-09-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry I was unable to capture the beauty of the family of Eastern bluebirds that are hanging out at 1082 McConnell. The picture here of the beloved bluebird although stunning, still can not capture how beautiful they are in person. Bluebirds often travel in groups or families- and I have the most unusual "speckled" bluebird in my family. She is so amazing! The color of these wonderful creatures almost seems painted on- it is truly stunning.

Bluebirds are on the decline- so do your part and help these beautiful creatures thrive. They are VERY picky about where they will nest and brood, so you must either buy a pre-made bird house specifically for bluebirds- or build one using the specific entry hole dimensions.

Houses should be in place each year by mid-March to attract birds returning from migration. But bluebirds nest two or three times a season, so often accept boxes put up later for second nestings.

HABITAT

Bluebirds will only nest in boxes that are in the appropriate habitat. Open rural country with scattered trees and low or sparse ground cover is best. Pastureland, acreages, some parks and mowed areas such as cemeteries or golf courses are all good locations for a bluebird trail. if no pesticides are used on them. Here are some additional hints about the habitat they require:

Try to provide a fence line, wires, or tree branches where bluebirds may perch to search for food.
Avoid brushy and heavily wooded areas -- this is the habitat of the House Wren, which may puncture bluebird eggs.
Avoid farmsteads and feedlots where House Sparrows may be abundant. They take over bluebird boxes, often killing the bluebirds.Avoid areas of heavy pesticide use.

Boxes for the Eastern Bluebird should be spaced at least 100 to 150 yards apart; Western and Mountain Bluebirds have a larger nesting territory and boxes should be spaced no closer than 300 yards apart.

Setting Up:
Mount nesting boxes so the entrance hole is about five feet above the ground. If possible, face the box where a tree or shrub is in view no more than 100 feet from the box; this will provide a safe landing spot for the young bluebirds when they first leave the box, keeping them off the ground, away from predators.

For more info on how to protect bluebird nests- check out the following links:

North American Bluebird Society

http:///www.nabluebirdsociety.org

Cornell Lab of Orinthology

="http:///www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Eastern_Bluebird.html">

The Official First Day of HoneyFitz Fall

2008-09-22T15:09:00.000-07:00

Before fall clean-up :)
Our driveway angel watches over us as we head out for the day

Today it is officially fall. I decided to take a few pictures here around the house, so I can document the change in the leaves on the trees on our property. As you can imagine being this far south- our trees do change- but much later than at home in West Virginia. Also, I am WILD about these adorable partridges (or peace doves) created by my fellow Etsy friend Jennifer. I just adore the vintage fabrics so much- that I have asked her to custom make more for my Christmas tree. They are just darling- and they can be ornaments and so much more. I think these birds would look adorable on a door handle or on a drawer pull as well. Please check out her site and she will give you free shipping if you mention me :)- Buddy Designs at www.buddydesigns.etsy.com

Cranberry HoneyFitz Love

2008-09-21T14:18:00.001-07:00

I just adore these vintage lucite "cranberry" beads. I love how they hang freely on the extra large sterling kidney ear wires. Since Carrie and I bought our house on McConnell Drive-I have been able to see more birds than ever before at my feeder. Because we have almost an acre here in the city, it seems like my feeders must be a much-needed haven for my city birds. This year, I'll make garland out of dried cranberries and popcorn for the birds as we get colder. Last year, this treat was enjoyed the most by black-capped chickadees, cardinals and nuthatches. All hail the glorious cranberry.

Cranberry Relish Recipe

1 (12-ounce) package Fresh or Frozen Cranberries, rinsed and drained
1 unpeeled orange, cut into eighths and seeded
3/4 to 1 cup granulated sugar
Place half the cranberries and half the orange slices in food processor container. Process until mixture is evenly chopped. Transfer to a bowl. Repeat with remaining cranberries and orange slices. Stir in sugar. Store in refrigerator or freezer.

HAPPY FALL HONEYFITZ

2008-09-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

Fall is my most favorite time of year, and I am so excited that Cooper is here and will be able to enjoy the season. I also decided it was a perfect time to start a blog dedicated to my life as a new crafter and a mom. I have been crafting using my most favorite fall colors- deep berry, plum, cinnamon, nutmeg. I have also discovered some beautiful vintage pumpkin shaped beads in the most delicious shade of green as well. I cannot wait for fall to really get here- and believe it or not Georgia has a beautiful, crisp autumn. I cannot wait to sit around our fire pit and drink coffee.