Ms. Whimsy's Midnight

It's been a very busy summer at the Whimsy Beading house. Ms. Whimsy Beading, when she wasn't filling orders for our fantastic customers was working on a piece she titled "I Shall Wear Midnight" after the new Terry Pratchett novel in the Tiffany Aching series. She'd planned to try to sell, but with all the work that ended up in the piece, she decided to keep it for herself! (Hey, creator's perogative, right?)

Behold Ms. Whimsy Beading's new piece of pretty, "I Shall Wear Midnight":













Little wonder she's keeping it, but if she'd sold it, it would have bought a whole lot of clover. I'm just sayin'. Oh yeah, and Ms. Whimsy Beading reminds me that apparently mutton could be on the menu if I don't shut up. Later folks!

Wear the Lilac for Alzheimer's

Ms. Whimsy Beading, she says to me, "Angus, why don't you tell your readers about the Wear the Lilac for Alzheimer's campaign we do every year?" So here I am, telling you about it.

Mr. and Ms. Whimsy Beading, they really love their authors. And no author is more loved in their house than Sir Terry Pratchett, the author of the Discworld novels.

In late 2007, Sir Terry announced that he had a rare, early onset form of Alzheimer's Disease. In 2008, he has generously donated $1 million USD to the Alzheimer's Research Trust. Many of Sir Terry's fans started a campaign in 2008 to "Match It For Pratchett," including the Whimsy Beadings. At that time, Whimsy Beading wasn't even thought of yet, and they had yet to engage my most handsome representation services. Still, the Whimsy Beadings are determined folks, and over the course of the last few years, they have raised almost $1,500 selling silk lilac blossom pins.

Last year, they added jewelry to the mix with a one-of-a-kind necklace that was put up for auction. This year, Ms. Whimsy Beading is working her needle-stuck fingers to the bone to bring forth as many special edition "Wear the Lilac" jewelry pieces as she can. Here's a few of the pieces so far:

Wear the Lilac Necklace


Wear the Lilac - Petite Garland Necklace


100% of the proceeds from the sale of the pins and special edition jewelry will be donated on May 25th, split equally between the Alzheimer's Association and the Alzheimer's Research Trust.

This cause really hits home for me. Before I came to live with the Whimsy Beadings as their handsome, not-at-all-highly-paid spokesram, I was the beloved pet of Ms. Whimsy Beading's Grandma Wilma. Grandma Wilma passed away in 2009 from complications of mid-stage Alzheimer's and stomach cancer. She was a wonderfully sweet and loving lady who adored the Whimsy Beadings and was a constant inspiration to them, and a wonderful owner to me. For her sake and for the sake of so many others who suffer from Alzheimer's, I'm asking you too to "Match It For Pratchett" and donate to these two fine charities, or help fund someone who is. I thank you from the top of my wooly head to my manicured cloven hooves.

Angus

Blogger love - Phyrra

Whimsy Beading gets some love from the fabulous (and gorgeous) fellow blogger Phyrra of Fresco Phyrra. Phyrra has been a constant inspiration to Ms. Whimsy Beading, what with her fabulous eye makeup looks and all around pretty.

Here, Phyrra shows some Whimsy Beading love after a custom order was completed. Doesn't she have wonderful taste, folks?

Goodbye, Mamaw Leela

The Whimsy Beadings said goodbye to their eldest kitty, Mamaw Leela yesterday. They estimated her age to be about 18. Like all the other Whimsy Beading beasties, she was pampered, spoiled and well loved.

Again with heavy heart,

Angus

Mr. Whimsy Beading's father has lost his battle with pneumonia. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

With a very heavy heart,

Angus

Etsy Stalker January Shadowbox Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Deb of Debs1967 for winning the January Etsy Stalker Shadowbox Giveaway from Whimsy Beading! Deb won a fabulous set of Bling Rings earrings in Golden Topaz! You can check out Deb's shop here:

Deb's Shop!

Hexensuppen Recipe from Ms. Whimsy Beading

The Whimsy Beadings discovered this soup at their very favorite special occasion restaurant, The Gasthaus in Louisville, KY. Nothing would do but that Ms. Whimsy Beading track down the recipe, only to find out that there really isn't one, at least not one in English that would work with the ingredients commonly available in the US. So, with the help of some Google Translate and determination, she came up with one. I'm pleased to report that the recipe contains absolutely no mutton at all.

Hexensuppen (Witches’ Soup)

2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 1/2 lbs. beef roast, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 med. onions, chopped
32 oz jar of Hungarian pickled salad (Cabbage, red peppers, carrots, garlic)
1 cup button mushrooms, quartered (Fresh is good, but the ones in the jars will work fine too)
3 tbsp. sweet paprika
2 tbsp. salt
1/4 tbsp. pepper
1/3 cup tomato sauce
24 oz beef broth
8 oz cream cheese
1 cup heavy cream
A few shakes of hot sauce (optional)

Heat oil in Dutch oven or stockpot over medium high heat until hot. Add the onions and cook until translucent. Add the beef and cook until just barely browned. Add Pickled Salad, paprika, salt, pepper, tomato sauce and broth. Heat to boiling, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer at least 1 hour. Add the mushrooms in the last fifteen minutes of simmering time.

Remove soup from heat and add the cream cheese and cream, stirring until cream cheese melts. Turn heat to low and return the soup to the heat, simmering for 15-30 minutes more. Serve hot with crusty bread.

This soup will reheat and/or freeze well.