Key West Pork Chops

This is a recipe I've been making for years. As a matter of fact, the cookbook that provided the inspiration for it came with me on our 7 year sailing adventure. There weren't very many times that pork chops were available (ones that I would eat, that is), but when they were, this was a go-to recipe. I've adapted it from The New York Times Cook Book, by Craig Claiborne.

Key West Pork Chops

2 TBSP oil
4 - 6 pork chops (not the boneless kind - they dry out too much, even with this moist recipe)
1 1/2 cups raw rice (I think long grain white rice works best here)
1 onion, sliced
lemon or lime, sliced
salsa (your favorite brand, or homemade)
3 cups tomato (or V-8) juice
tabasco sauce

Brown the pork chops on both sides in the oil in a large frying pan. Here, they are just starting on side one:

Remove the chops to a plate and stir in the rice, just to coat with the remaining oil. Turn the rice into a large greased baking pan. You need a deep-ish one. Arrange the pork chops on top of the rice.Sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired. Distribute the onion and lemon (or lime) slices on top. Spoon some salsa over each pork chop and add a bit of tabasco here and there. Here's what mine looked like at this point:

Pour the juice around the pork chops. Cover tightly with foil. Bake at 325 for 1 - 1 1/2 hours. I forgot to take a picture of them on our plates, but here's what the baking pan looked like after we ate half:

I served this with roasted brussels sprouts, because that's what I had on hand.

New Jewelry in my Etsy Shop

I've been steadily adding new items to my etsy shop over the past few months. Actually, I do so all year long, but this time of year calls for more steady production.

Just this week, I listed these earrings. While the crystal cubes have been in my "stash" for quite some time, I've never used them quite like this before. I think this design is perfect for holiday dress-up.

The coloration of these crystals is a bit mysterious. It is called Heliotrope and yes, there is some purple there, but there's also teal and lots of gold, including a bit of coating on two sides. Super special, especially when dangling from sterling silver disc chain.

This necklace is also brand new. I've been doing pearl and gemstone clusters for a long time. This chalcedony briolette was just begging for some white keshi pearls. It's like a match made in heaven.

Click on either of the photos to go directly to the listings. And thanks for looking!

Bad Girls of the North Rock Fairbanks!

Last weekend was our annual Bad Girls of the North craft show in Fairbanks. Once again, I am awed and humbled by the customer turnout and the enthusiasm with which we were greeted. I love when there's a whole crowd of people just waiting for us to open then doors to the banquet room. Thank you Fairbanks!

On a more personal (and when I say personal, I mean Orion Designs) note, my asymmetrical necklaces were a big hit again. I had 5 of them with me and sold 4 of them on Friday evening. Why is it that nobody will ever buy the last of something? Seriously, about 4 people tried on that fifth necklace. Maybe there's comfort in seeing a whole batch of something. Makes me wonder: if I had 8 of them with me, would I have sold 7? Dunno. Can't really go back to test that theory.

In case you don't remember what necklaces I'm referring to, there are several in my etsy shop.

Click on the photo to go directly to that listing. Or, click here to see all of my asymmetrical necklaces.

And if you just haven't seen enough asymmetry, here's a pair of earrings that might satisfy your craving:

Sale in My Etsy Shop!

I don't do it often (and I actually do it less frequently than I used to), but I'm here to announce a sale in my etsy shop.  This one starts today and ends Friday, the 14th.  The entire shop is on sale at 25% off.  You need to use Coupon Code AUTUMN to get the discount.  And don't forget to click "Apply" after entering the code!

Here are a few new things in my etsy shop that might tempt you.

Copper Flourish Earrings II

Rose Quartz and Mystic Pink Quartz Cubes

London Blue Topaz Cubes with White Pearls

As always, click on any of these photos to go directly to the listings in my etsy shop.

The Best Bran Muffins . Ever

I've been making these bran muffins for over 15 years.  I worked on the recipe for a few years before I got it just the way I wanted it.  The truth is, it is a conglomeration of several recipes, with enough changes that I feel I can call it Mine.

Vicki's Bran Muffins

1 egg
3/4 cup milk (I use 1 %)
1/2 cup oil
1 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups All Bran cereal (that's the one that looks like twigs)
1/3 cup honey
3 tsp baking powder
1 cup raisins

Pour the milk on the cereal and let sit 1 - 2 minutes. Beat the egg with the oil, then add the milk/cereal mixture.  Stir to blend.  Add the honey, flour and baking powder, stirring just until moistened.  Stir in the raisins.  Spoon into 12 muffin cups, lined with papers.  Bake at 400 for about 20 minutes.

This etsy shop has some really cute cupcake liners: Cupcake Social

Happy baking!

What's On My Work Table?

After what has seemed like an endless round of making earrings, I noticed that my necklace inventory was having that "picked over" look.  I had sent some of my most colorful pieces to galleries on consignment and I was left with lots of neutral pieces.  Time to brighten it up!

I spent a few hours selecting gemstone duets and trios (the funnest part, for sure) and then spent the next day or so wrapping with wire and assembling the necklaces.

Here's the line up:

Most of these are slated for general inventory, but I have selected a few to photograph and list in my etsy shop. If one of these catches your eye, let me know and I'll provide a better photo for you to examine! Then, if you simply must have it, I can list in for you on etsy.