jean may originals: January 2011

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Wednesday Wishlist: Hearts

Hello all. In keeping with the whole Valentine theme going on all over the place right now, I devote this week's Wishlist to all things love-ly, and made by fellow Etsyans of course. Show them some LOVE please and right click on their name to open their shops in a new window. My dear sellers, I love you all!

XOXO,
Jean

World Peace Alternative Apparel

by rctees

(PEACE!)

Thinking Inside the Box B&W Fine Art Photograph

by bauerart

(this really captured my heart. bravo, bauerart!)

Zipper Bag for Yarn

by TopShelfTotes

(ok, as a knitter and crocheter, I LOVE this!)

Red Toile Fabric Stationery Gift Set

by prettypeardesigns

(fabric stationery. awesome!)

Untold Story Bone Earrings

by Simplish

(tell me your story, and I'll tell you mine)

Broken Heart Greeting Card

by thecattsuglybabies

(LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!)

Antique Oddity Major Atom the Victorian Sideshow Midget Photo

by diabolus

(love me some vintage photos!)

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

by gatelinesalsa

(can you say 'yum'?)

Stoneware Pottery Plate with Hex Sign

by misspottery

(misspottery has the prettiest pottery on the planet!)

OverSoul Alien

by oversoul

(you can't find a more lovable alien anywhere!)

Meraviglia Eccentric Ring

by FridaWer

(now that's amore!)

The Maharani Collection Limited Edition Beaded Bangle

by wintergarden

(I am truly in awe. Gorgeous!)

Felted Crochet Handbag

by BlackDogFiberStudio

(BlackDogFiberStudio, oh how I love thee!)

Whimsical Cottonwood Fairy House Carving

by RiverOtterRustic

(Whee! I want one for my garden!)

ACEO Dragon Watercolor

by AnikasArt

(RAWWWRRRRRR!)

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Jean Cuisine

Fun fact about me: I LOVE to cook. Love it, love it, love it. Trying a new dish in the kitchen is a culinary adventure I always look forward to. I was at my good friend Pam's house recently for a New Year's celebration and her husband, Tony, made this spicy salsa/relish-type dish with shrimp that was simply divine. He called it ceviche. I called it delicious! So delicious in fact that I ate like three whole bowlfuls of it. Of course after I scarfed it all down he informed me the proper way to eat it was spread on a tostada, but let me tell you it was just perfect eaten with a spoon right out of the bowl. So on my next trip to the grocery store I picked up ingredients to make my own version of this tantalizing dish. (I know it's not really cooking per se, but still.) It didn't turn out exactly like Tony's, but it's pretty darn close and just as yummy!

How I made it:

About 25 medium size shrimp (or as much as you want), chopped or you can leave them whole

5 roma tomatoes, chopped

3 avocados, cut into bite size pieces

2 Mexican scallions, chopped

2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped

1/2 tsp. minced garlic

Handful of fresh cilantro, chopped (I love cilantro and used A LOT of it!)

Juice of 1 lime (make sure to get every drop)

Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together and eat! Here I added a few chile and lime tortilla strips (yum!). I had made a pot of white rice for dinner so paired it with that and it was quite good. Tony's dish had more juice, but I think he may have used a tomato other than roma.

This dish is now one of my favorites, and I'm adding it to my permanent recipe book. What are some of your favorite dishes? I'd love it if you'd share them with me!

Here's to good eats,

~Jean

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Wednesday Wishlist: Top Treasury Picks

First blog post of the New Year! Woot, woot! I've been on a roll lately over at Etsy making treasury after treasury, so for this Wishlist I've handpicked 10 of my faves from a selection of my treasuries to showcase here. No particular theme or color palette, just random picks that will leave you in awe. Of course, I'd love for you to right click on the shop names below each photo to show these awesomely talented Etsyans some much deserved love. Check it out: