Texas is filled with joy.

Ronnie has been wanting to try stamping for a while. She finally caught me in the right mood, so I showed her the tools and a few tips. I gave her some aluminum blanks, and left the room. I couldn't watch. To my surprise, this is what she came up with. I was impressed! Not bad for an 8 year old's first try! And how true. Texas is filled with joy :). We are visiting family for the holidays, and all getting a little spoiled for a couple weeks.

Seeing Stars

Here is a great new collection of simple everyday celestial inspired pieces with pave cubic zirconia. This tiny star is fun to wear. Pave is really popular. I will even have a few pave diamond pieces in my shop when I reopen, including this black diamond pave hamsa.

Sideways Craze

I'm turning everything in my shop sideways! This sideways craze is credited to stars like Kelly Ripa and Miley Cyrus. I think it's a great cool and casual way to wear your faith. But it's not just for crosses! Here's a sweet little sideways heart necklace. And how about a sideways lady - complete with belly button (you should see her bum!). Check my etsy shop after the first of the year for your choice of sideways pieces - cross, heart, hamsa, and yes, even a lady!

Chappy Chanukah

Presents (8 nights x 4 kids + a few for Daddy = lots of wrapping) Candles (6 for last night, Lila's turn to light, and Noe's candle is NOT lit, but it sure looks that way!) Cupcakes (thanks Uncle Max, the chocolate peanut butter was my favorite, of course!) Linking up for InstaFriday with LifeRearranged. Happy Hanukah!

Tree trimming

We went to a beautiful home in the Berkeley Hills for a tree trimming party. This is generally the type of view you see from the Berkeley Hills - there is always a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge. Our house is one of those lights at the bottom of the hill. I think it was my kids' first time to decorate a Christmas tree, except for Ronnie who helped a friend last year. Lila loved it and kept busy the entire party! She was very proud of her work. It's probably a good thing we don't celebrate Christmas. I would really get obsessed with the ornaments and decorations! I love it!

A retreat

This weekend was the annual Vision Science Retreat in Tomales Bay. Nice to start off a weekend of vision science with some optics. Then I got to enjoy the peace, quiet, science, and beer while Edwin held down the fort.

For the visually impaired

As an optometrist and vision researcher, I've been trying to figure out how to make Braille jewelry ever since I started making jewelry. Usually when you stamp on metal, the impression goes inward, or makes a hole. That certainly won't help someone trying to feel texture. But now, I can make the little nubbins stick out on the surface of the metal. This first necklace says, "LOVE." I couldn't stop feeling it all night! It's pretty amazing that fingers can learn to distinguish these patterns and the brain can interpret it. You can order your custom braille necklace in my etsy shop.

Ben

This picture says it all.

Terrible One and a Halfs.

We are four for four that the terrible twos start at one and a half. Awww, they're not so terrible, but Noe sure has a great set of lungs and strong throwing arm.

One person's trash...

On the beautiful Pacific Coast is the little city of Fort Bragg. Fort Bragg was a city dump in the early 1900s. Now, the beach is made up almost entirely of sea glass from automobile headlights, glass bottles, etc. Some of the glass wasn't quite "cooked" enough. Noe was happy to hang out with Daddy while everyone else climbed over rocks and hunted through the beach. We made it until sunset, then even went back the next morning for more climbing!

Oakland At-Ats

There is a rumor in these parts that the cranes in the Oakland port were the inspiration for the AT-ATs in Star Wars. That's an All Terrain Armored Transport Walker. What do you think? Doesn't the Golden Gate Bridge look pretty in the sunset? And here are Coit Tower and the Transamerica Tower.

Colorful San Francisco Dinner

Dinner is always more colorful when Grandma and Grandpa are in town, not to mention my stepsister and brother-in-law! This colorful little Italian restaurant was in North Beach, right around the corner from Uncle Max's house, who put together an amazing Italian dessert after dinner!

The Black Rose

A dramatic name for a dramatic necklace. Customize yours in my etsy shop.

Bento Bandwagon

We occasionally pack the kids' lunches bento style. It's all the rage in the school cafeteria these days. I shouldn't be showing off how processed their lunches are. If you've seen 100 days of real food, one family is working hard to eat REAL food and help us as well. I'd love to go unprocessed, but it's trickier than it looks, especially when many food at the grocery store are marked "healthy" or "organic," but they are still processed and refined. We're always trying to do better, but for now, I will leave you with a little bento inspiration from the Japanese dollar ($1.50) store. Oh, well, I had my share of tv dinners growing up, and I turned out ok (so far)!

Lots of legos

In honor of Master Ben's birthday, we took a drive down to Legoland in southern CA. It did not disappoint! The new Star Wars miniland was a big hit. The second day was pretty quiet and there were no lines for any of the rides. I would imagine if you are a lego fan, larger than life Bionicles and dracula minifigs walking around the park are pretty cool. We were even able to squeeze in a walk through lego Sea Life. Definitely a fun, tiring weekend!

Berkeley Fall

Even thought the weather ALWAYS feels like fall in Berkeley, there are a few signs that it is actually fall. Mainly that I trade in my converse for boots.

More European Style Beads

I've expanded the collection! Here is a rhodonite large hole bead capped with two sterling ends - one side with, "This too shall pass," in English, and the other in Hebrew. It is strung on a black braided bracelet with sterling ends that unscrew to add or change the beads. The central bead is surrounded by two black onyx beads, then two sterling beads, all separated by black silicon stoppers. This beautiful porcelain bead has a light gray and pink floral pattern, and is capped with sterling discs reading, "mother, daughter, sister, friend." This porcelain bead is strung on a metallic berry flat braided leather cord with sterling ends. The bead caps each read, "love" in both Hebrew and English. Here is another porcelain bead, also capped with "love" in Hebrew and english, with pink rose design. It is strung on a brown leather cord and surrounded by sterling beads and silicon stoppers. You can find a limited number of these beads in my etsy shop!