Shaiha's Ramblings: August 2012

Aug 31, 2012

Podcasts: Beneath Ceaseless Skies

(Photo credit: Dale Gillard)

I admit that I am addicted to my Ipod and I am not an Apple fan. It's just that when it comes to podcasts and audio books ITunes makes it all so easy. And let me tell you a little secret. I don't have any music loaded onto my Nano.

I listen to a lot of audio books but even closer to my heart is the podcasts. If I am not on the computer, I have my headphones in and listening. When I am down in my studio, I am listening. Heck I can't even go to sleep without a podcast blocking the outside noises. They even help me to overcome my road hypnosis as they keep my mind awake and active.

Today I thought that I would share a one of favorite podcasts. I am actually thinking about making this a series and through my standbyes and review ones that I are new to me.

One of my favorites is BENEATH CEASELESS SKIES. This actually the name of an online magazine that focuses on fantasy short stories. Some of the stories from the magazine are also made into podcasts. You can subscribe to the podcasts and the magazine itself for free as long as you don't want the issues delivered directly to your Kindle.

I have ran across some of the most unique stories in these podcasts. We aren't talking about standard stories either. If I had to pinpoint them I would say that they are speculative fantasy. While not every story is to my taste, there are far more that just hit the spot. Most of the stories are between 20 to 45 minutes which is just perfect for a quick project such as driving to the store or cooking dinner.

Aug 29, 2012

Book Review: One for the Road

D’Anne Palmer and her husband had a life others dream of—traveling the US in a luxury forty-foot motor coach, going where they wanted. Suddenly, D’Anne finds herself a widow with her only asset being the motor home. Without funds to return to California, she decides to hire out the RV.

Tyler White was a “one-hit-wonder” ten years ago. At a crossroads, he decides to attempt a comeback. He’s hoping the three-week tour he’s put together will reignite his career. All he needs now is some cheap transportation, and the widow with the RV might just fit the bill.

D’Anne and Tyler discover a lot about themselves—and each other—as they journey from Nashville to Las Vegas, via Texas, with the band and Tyler’s dog. Can close quarters really help a has-been singer on the comeback trail and a widow with California style find love?

* * * * *

First of all. let's make it clear. I can't stand country music and the lifestyle utterly baffles me. So needless to say, I became a little wary when I discovered that Tyler was a country singer. But I had committed myself to reading ONE FOR THE ROAD. And I absolutely loved it!

I think what impressed me the most was how real everything is: the characters, the situations that they find themselves in, their worries, concerns and emotions. D'Anne starts out as a middle aged soccer mom who needs to find a way to get back home. She is very closed off and cautious. You can see her blossoming as she worries about crow's feet. Tyler is a country gentleman through and through with a prescription for Viagra. The rest of the band are unusual to say the least.

ONE FOR THE ROAD is a fantastic book that doesn't shy away from the concerns of middle age romance. This is totally refreshing. I mean, seriously, when you read young adult you hear about teenage angst. Let's show the other side of it more often.

I rate this book a 5.

***Book was a gift.

Aug 26, 2012

Beautiful Things

If you are looking for the Bead Soup Blog Party click here.

The picture above is Kitsune, our eleven year old Shiba Inu. Sorry about the background but I can never stay ahead of the nose prints on the window. The back of the couch is one of his favorite places to be and since we don't know how much longer he will be around, well he gets spoiled.

I had been missing an envelope from ArtBeads and it contained items that I need for my next blog hop including a clasp that is now out of stock. Saje was gathering up the library books and found it being used as a bookmark in one of them. We had searched the house but we hadn't searched the book so now I am back on track there.
I spent a very enjoyable day yesterday kicking back and looking at the masterpieces of the various participants in the Bead Soup Blog Party. There is so much talent out there.
Saje had to work last Wednesday so I finally had the house totally to myself. It has been a few weeks and I had almost forgotten how much I need those times to recharge my batteries. Not that I don't love having my husband around, it's just that I tend to be really sensitive to noise with my fibro so a totally quiet house is heaven once in a while.

Aug 24, 2012

Bead Soup Blog Party VI

It is finally here and I am so excited to be able to show off what I made with all the wonderful ingredients sent to me by my partner Maria Rosa Sharrow of Willow Street Gifts. According to the rules of this hop, we sent each other a focal, some supporting beads and a clasp that isn't a lobster claw. Maria was more then generous and actually sent me three soups and a focal.

I do want to apologize up front for the pics. I have tried every which way to get some good ones and have come to the conclusion that I have to find a mannequin since I tend to go for longer necklaces. Guess that it is time to start haunting thrift stores.

I also want to thank Lori Anderson for putting together such a wonderful hop. I have no idea just how she managed to keep track of 400 of us and to do it with such grace. She has a book coming out in October based on these hops so aptly named Bead Soup. Be sure to check it out!

The Bead Soup Blog Party is all about challenge and this one presented a couple. First of all, I have never worked with this style of focal. They demand that they take center stage in an understated type of way. And that led to my second challenge which was to keep things simple. And you know I don't really understand why that is such a challenge as that is the style that I tend to wear. I also challenged myself to use all the ingredients and I did with the exception of the bonus focal. I am waiting for it to whisper to me.

This was my first soup. Isn't that focal just gorgeous! She really reminds me of a sailor's wife waiting for him to come home.

I decided to ease my way into cooking and made this pair of earrings. In a way I guess that isn't really easing as I don't tend to make earrings even though I love to wear them. In these I used the silver heart beads and the faceted coins. I added a pair of sterling silver ear strands to the mix. I am happy with how they turned out.

Next up is an anklet that has already been put to good use this summer. In this serving I used the black crystals that Maria Rosa sent to me and I added gunmetal chain and pewter charms.

This necklace is the one where I really could have used a mannequin as it is 30" long. In this necklace I used that lovely focal and clasp, and added in some gunmetal chain in a couple sizes, some blue beads from Earthenwood Studios with bead caps and some painted wooden beads. Check out the redhead from the other side of the focal!

Now onto the second bead soup sent by my generous partner. I love this focal though it isn't one I would have picked out for myself. That is the fun of this hop.

I started out with a pair of earrings using the vintage red and gold lucite. I just added a bit of chain and the findings.

For the necklace, I used the focal, the clasp, and some more of the vintage lucite. I added in the chain and the gold Swarovski pearls. This is again a longer necklace at 28".

And now for the third helping. I fell in love with this focal. It is so unique and orange has really been calling my name lately.

I started out this soup also with a pair of earrings. Another challenge that I made to myself and I am happy that I followed through on. In this pair I used some of the wooden orange beads and the black crystal. I contributed the findings and the charm.

In the necklace I used the gorgeous focal and the clasp. I added some chain and some lampwork beads from StudioJuls. I have been wearing it lately and I have had one person offer to buy it right off my neck. However this one is mine and besides I had to try to get some better pics then I had.

My last piece is a combination of all the soups as I wanted to use up the rest of the beads. This is the first time I have tried crocheting with beads and I am not all together happy with this bracelet so I will probably be remaking it.

Okay still with me? I promised a giveaway with this party and so there shall be. I will be giving away both the first and second pair of earrings to one lucky commenter. I will be keeping the giveaway open until September 2nd to give everyone a chance to look at all the gorgeous jewelry that everyone has made.

Now be sure to check out everyone's blogs. There will be lots of eye candy there and possibly more contests.