UPDATE!

    Hey Everyone! Yes, it has been a while since my last post...sorry, been crazy busy! I recently added a few pages to the blog. I linked my Tumblr, Facebook, and Twitter pages, so feel free to pop in and say hello, or not.

Just started the Tumblr and so far so good! More pics to come. Feel free to post a comment and let me know what you think!

margica.tumblr.com

Route 209 to the Delaware Gap

    Currently my daughter is home from school for spring break. This past Saturday we decided to spend the day out in the great outdoors, to see how lady spring has decorated one of our favorite places --- the Delaware Gap.
     As soon as we crossed the Hudson river Mother Nature saluted us with clear blue skies. I cannot describe this amazing feeling that I get whenever we cross the Tappan Zee Bridge. Away from the city life, away from the conglomeration and high stress from day to day life. With the city behind us and only the road to the Delaware Gap before us, I just can’t help but feel so happy and giddy! It’s funny how you notice the differences when you’re out on the road. The beautiful trees that are beginning to blossom (quite early this year too!), and the many, many hawks circling above them. They are so majestic! And so large too. I can’t imagine how big they are in person, they must be enormous if we see them down below so large. Anyway, there were so many, I mean literally at every bend and turn there would be at least 7 or 8 at a time. We simply lost count!
       The Delaware Gap is a favorite spot of ours because 1) if you love nature and its landscapes you can understand, you are surrounded by these beautiful mountains that envelop the Delaware river with each bend. 2) There are grounds where you go fishing, and go picnicking with your family and pets! Our Muffy loves it there! We go to our usual spot marked by a rather large weather battered limestone rock.
     We had a lovely picnic at the Gap. Muffy chased all the ducks on the banks (got real muddy too), picked a few pebbles for my jewelry. She has a special talent for this; loves to grab large pebbles in her mouth  and then plop them on my lap. Too cute :)
     After the picnic we headed onward on Route 209 landing in Milford, PA. It is such a lovely historic town with lots of little boutiques and shops. Unfortunately due to current economic times a lot of the local businesses have closed out of business.
     We did though find a neat thrift shop hidden behind an art/antique boutique called “Calling All Angels”.  I must say that I found the neatest tangerine suede leather blazer for an astonishing affordable price ($1!), plus it was in mint condition. I got it for my daughter and it looks really chic on her. Likewise my daughter found a really nice red wind jacket for me too. We met with the owners of the shop and they were so lovely. They told me a good deal about the town and their shop with a noble cause.  “Calling All Angels” is a thrift shop, in which all proceeds (after paying rent) go to the local Food Bank supporting over 150 needy families in the area.  Yes, we found some neat items, but the story behind this place gave quite an impression on me.
        Wrapping up, on our way home there was this guy out on Route 209 in this funny costume holding up a sign “Honk if you Liberty”. I couldn’t help but smile and honk!

List of FUN things to do in 2012...

  It is now a week into the new year 2012. Wow, already it seems like time is flying! I am with my daughter now, who in a week will be returning back to campus for the semester. We created for fun a list of things that we would dream of doing if given the chance in this new year. So here it is. A list of 5 things from each of us that we would love to do.

Me
1. Find a treasure!--- I mean....who wouldn't want to? A classic dream for the child in you!
2. Go deep water fishing--- and get a catch worthy to take a picture with and hang it up in the local fishmonger's shop's hall of fame.
3. Visit Louisiana--- gumbo and crawfish, yum!
4. Visit the Finger Lakes---- so many geodes have been found there, and not to mention beautiful raw gemstones.
5. Quit my day job!--- And do what I love instead! Create jewelry and paint!.

My Daughter
1. Go skydiving.
2. Go parasailing.
3. Learn how to sail a boat and be good at it. (What can I say except that she is a bit more daring than I am-----hehe....that what she thinks!)
4. Visit Prince Edward's Island--- A place where one of her favorite books is set in, Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery.
5. Take a Road Trip with Mom, Muffy, and MISS Minnie.

  Well hope you enjoyed our list of fun things that we'd love to do this year. What would you love to do this year if given the chance?

A piece for my daughter

       A new year, a new beginning, new strength, new hopes and the list can go on and on...
Every single piece of jewelry that I create has a certain symbolism and meaning; stones, crystals, and fibers are paired to create a meaningful piece with its own special power. Each year I dedicate the first piece I make to my daughter-- she is my first customer, I please her, I please the world.

   For my new design I was inspired by the ivy plant. Its everlasting vitality, strengths and survival perseverance is to be admired. The snake-like design of the cord enhances the symbolic power of the ivy. The round shape of this choker makes you think of the continuity of the life cycle and infinite possibilities. I sprinkled 12 crystals (each representing a month of the year), AB (aurora borealis) fire-polished, that are of the icy blue reflections of the polar skies. The deep ultramarine ribbon color reminds me of something we both love, the ocean, and of our enchanting vacations out in the Outer Banks, NC.

Cin Cin--To A New Year....

  Happy New Year Everyone!
Although we are now in January, it certainly doesn't feel like it here in New York. Usually at this time of year, we go out of the city and go skiing with our friends and spend New Year's Eve together. This year---no snow. So, my daughter and I decided to spend it together at home with our dog Muffy, and cat Minnie. We had a lovely New Year's Eve! For dinner we had roasted orange duck, and lemon rice spinach. May I say--- it was delicious! As the ball dropped in Times Square on TV, I popped a bottle of a girly pink bubbly (Barefoot Bubbles Pink Moscato) and my daughter and I celebrated and welcomed the new year 2012!
  The Christmas tree filled the air with an enchanting smell of pine, the candle flickering, the crowds outside cheering, and our bubbly flowing in our fine crystal flutes....oh, this will be a wonderful new year!

  In the following morning after having fluffy blueberry/blackberry pancakes, we decided to take a drive out to Long Island and visit one of our favorite places---The Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in Oyster Bay. Many of my jewelry inspirations came from this place. At this time of year the camellias are beginning to bloom. They have a special greenhouse dedicated to many species of camellias (the largest collection in North America),. The original collection was purchased by Mr. Coe in 1916 from the Isle of Guernsey, many of the original plants are still blooming today.

           Here are the first camellias to bloom this season. More to come in the next few weeks.

I like to call these "snow balls".

                                                               Pink ruffles. Aren't they lovely?

This is the Main Greenhouse filled with seasonal poinsettias.

Pink Poinsettias

NEW Sparkle Earrings

Hello Everyone!

It has been a while since my last post.... 'tis the holiday season, no?

Anyway, I wanted to share with you the latest earrings that I have created. They are part of the new Sparkle Earrings Collection and are now listed on Etsy! Take a look, and don't hesitate to let me know what you think.

Here are a few of them:

  These are called the Aurora Borealis Sparkle Earrings. Named AB because they reflect the colors of the rainbow. They look lovely in the light. Its almost like having a small chic disco ball in your ear.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/89311066/aurora-borealis-sparkle-earrings

     These are the Multi AB Sparkle Earrings. With gold faceted czech crystals, these earrings are light in the ear. These have darker sparkle beads then the earrings listed above this pair, and are not as pearlescent. These bring a pop of color to your ear!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/89322951/multi-ab-sparkle-with-gold-crystal-drop


I only listed two of the earrings. But there are more! Check them out at this link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Margica?section_id=10896602

St. Nicholas Day- The Spirit of Christmas Begins

 
           This year, I am watching in horror how the most magical time of the year is transformed into a circus conducted by money hungry lunatics. Supposedly they are saving the crippled economy???? CHRISTMAS decorated stores in the first week of november?
What happened to after Thanksgiving? In the name of what are you killing our traditions? MONEY? Are you taking any with you when you depart? No, you leave as you came,only with your soul-GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOU!
          As a child growing up, on the eve of the 6th of december, all the children placed their best pair of shoes on the window sill.Of course our shoes needed to be sparkly clean and polished so ST.NICHOLAS would fill them with candy and chocolates, new socks,and school supplies. We all tried that evening to be at our best behavior, as to show ST.NICHOLAS that we were indeed little angels all year long. Before falling asleep, I always said a special prayer asking him to overlook anything that I might have done to upset my parents, promising from the bottom of my heart to be the most obedient child ever on this planet. I don't have to say I always fell asleep with my fingers crossed.
            Tradition was, according to the way we behaved over the year, we would be rewarded on this pre-CHRISTMAS visit by ST.NICHOLAS. A mischievous child, will find in his shoes a wooden stick and nothing else. That meant, until CHRISTMAS he or she needed to really become a little angel, otherwise there will be no gifts under the CHRISTMAS TREE. SANTA DOES NOT COME TO BRING GIFTS TO A BRAT !OH HO HO! Now that was the best month for our parents. There was a real competition to demonstrate how good we did in school, help with the house chores and so on....! Can't describe how we counted the days until CHRISTMAS DAY EVE, when we would fall asleep amid all the wonderful aromas from my mom's kitchen, where the oven was baking the most delicious cookies, sweet traditional Christmas bread and so many more goodies .
            Waking up CHRISTMAS morning, my brother and I would run to the living room to find the most amazing fresh CHRISTMAS TREE EVER. I remember how we closed our eyes, before looking under its branches to see what Santa brought us.
        As an eastern orthodox, these childhooh memories are precious to me. I grew up in hard times from a religious point of view, in which the goverment tried to impose an atheist education. I will forever remember the love that embraced our home at CHRISTMAS.Traditions that unite a family are a good thing, and should be carried on, as the magic time of CHRISTMAS DAY really begins with ST.NICHOLS DAY, 6th of december. Stop the circus and take a second to remember what we do celebrate, your home will be a much happier one.HO,HO,HO.....
                                                                                                     

Jim Thorpe, PA--- How I love you!

       Saturday morning---- my daughter's home from college---need I say I'm in heaven?
    Early morning,I made her pancakes with caramelized apples, a raspberry sauce , and maple syrup to start the day, and a glass of cold milk (we just love this combination). We decided to drive and see what's happening in Jim Thorpe, PA, one of our favorite little towns ever! For those of you unfamiliar with this place, I must say, that this little town in Carbon County, PA has been selected by the National Geographic Adventure Magazine as one of the top 50 places to visit and explore in the U.S. Spend a Halloween or Christmas here, and it will be purely magical!!
     Nestled amid the pitoresque hills of the Pocono mountains, on the banks of the Lehigh River, I have heard many who regard this place to be a Little Switzerland of America. I highly recommend that you discover the historic legacy of Mauch Chunk, a.k.a Jim Thorpe, PA. Go! You can bring your children for fun train rides on a historic train from the 1880's, explore the whimsical boutiques and stores, hiking, white-water rafting, biking, and visit the historical mansion of Asa Packer, as well as the historic and haunted jailhouse, infamous for the Molly Maguire hangings...*shiver* very scaaaary! Be it Autumn, Winter, Spring or Summer, you are bound to enjoy yourselves in Jim Thorpe!

Arriving in Jim Thorpe, PA. Muffy is looking at view. See below.

Jim Thorpe, PA.,october misty air brings the magic in...

Here is the main street.

I just thought this store's window was so pretty!

This is the Inn. One of the many accomodations here.

Pumpkin Ice Cream. Yum!

Carriage Horses. They are breathtaking! So handsome!

Read Pumpkin Soup, more on Mauch Chunk a.k.a. Jim Thorpe... and did I mentioned his tomb is up the hill.

http://margicasnotebook.blogspot.com/2011/10/pumpkin-soup.html

Pumpkin Soup

Do you like pumpkin soup?
  Yes, no, may be so. As a child I did travelled a lot with my father, weekends and school breaks were happy and full of adventure, beautiful memories. He taught me how to understand  the dynamics of our development as human beings by looking at a specific natural environment.  If you want to learn about a certain culture, he told me,look and listen to the folkloric traditions.
 After my husband's premature death from cancer, I decided to raise my daughter (she was 14 months old when her dad moved to the rainbow) as my Dad raised me, free,curious about our universe, to be an independent thinker , and most important to love and respect all life. Now, in order to do that ,I had exchanged the pencil skirt with a pair of jeans and my heels with a pair of snickers, and  almost every weekend we are leaving New York City behind and,we travel to learn what we cannot learn from books alone.
   One late october weekend ,while in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania  my old Chrysler New Yorker refused to start and we had to spend the night there. My daughter was about three years old at the time and Jim Thorpe was decorated to her delight, as a true Halloween Town. Since then it did became a tradition for us to be at this time of year in Jim Thorpe.The magic is overwhelming , pumpkin is king, from ice-cream to soup and beyond.
  That particular night, a lady dressed as a witch (what else?)served us the most delicious pumpkin soup,in a small pitoresque cafe.The pumpkin soup as she told me, was an old family recipe that originated from the Lenape ancestors that inhabited the upper Delaware region.  The Lenape clans were a matriarchal society, and had three designations "turtle","wolf" and"turkey". Her maternal great great mother was a"wolf" descendant. She credited her for the pumpkin soup goodness.Two years ago, we found out that the gentle witch moved with her Lenape ancestors. She was the last of her kind, and the velvety pumpkin soup recipe never written down. May be this year, we'll meet somebody who might know the secret, miracles happen all the time, after all it's Halloween time in Jim Thorpe.    
    

The Reading Dilemma

  A friend of mine invited me for a cup of coffee a few days ago. While in the kitchen, she suddenly asked me, "What do you think, how can I make my son read a book? He is already in the third grade, he doesn't read anything, what should I do?"
    I took a sip from my coffee and asked her if she watched HGTV from time to time-- she has such a beautiful house. She looked at me in dismay and asked me why I was changing the subject. No, I actually did not.
  "Look around you", I said, "you have such a wonderfully spacious and well organized house....five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and so on.  A far cry from my place, which is a cramped L shaped studio apartment. You have a beautiful house, but this home is missing something. I do not see any bookshelves. Where do you keep your books?" Nervous she grabbed my hand and pulled me upstairs to her son's room.
  "You see he has plenty of books. Everything on the school's list, he has them all." she tells me.
"Yes my darling, however, I asked you where do you keep YOUR books? In this big house I've seen only two albums on your coffee table."
 "Oh yes, I found them in a garage sale, they are good conversation pieces and great for decoration. They match the color of my carpet don't you think?" she exclaims.
    "Ok. That's exactly why I asked you if you watch HGTV. These young designers arrange beautiful houses, but none of them look like a real home. Books are non-existant, except for decorative purposes. No one seems to read a book. Today every one listen to their ipods, watches TV, see my point? How in the world do you expect your child to read a book and love it, when YOU never read one?"
    In my studio, one wall is entirely dedicated to a library, where books are overflowing everywhere. My daughter grew up among books that I READ. I never asked her to read, and I never tried to MAKE her read anything. It came naturally to her. A child does exactly what his/her parents are doing. Parents today expect their children to excel in school solely on the education given by the teachers. What they must understand, is that their child's education and healthy habits begin at home. The school is just a continuation of their own example and efforts.