A gift for Mom – the kanji earrings say Dream

Letting your mom know that you realize that she *has* dreams is a gift in it self – that you recognize her as a person with hopes, fears, and dreams – that’s a major deal. These pretty little earrings are just the icing on the cake, since there are other gifts you can get like collars or a diamond ring which you can find at sites like randor.com and others.

kanji earrings that say Yume, or Dream... shown in bronze green

Of course custom colors are available. Custom kanji, too – but I do think it’s nice to tell your Mom know that you know that she dreams. That she’s a person. That you value her as a person.

All that good stuff. That’s the real gift to your Mom 🙂

Personalized kanji jewelry

Kanji jewelry with her name in Japanese – or your name. Such a pretty, easy to wear necklace – with customizable colors (and names) of course:

personalized kanji necklace with your name in Japanese

The other advantage of this necklace is that, since it has a “cabochon setting” (the slightly-antiqued silver plated frame for the glass-and-paper pendant) it takes less time to prepare: so you can order it, up to a week before Mother’s Day – and get it on time. Just in case you forgot or something.

But of course you won’t forget Mother’s Day. Right? Right 😉

Low Sodium Taco Sauce Recipe

Yes, this is a little diversion from my usual sort of post. But we’ve recently started trying to go low-sodium and it’s proving, well, challenging.

I cook from scratch a lot, so I thought hey, no biggie. I knew there’d be an adjustment period and all that. But it turns out that “cooks from scratch” means I bought a lot of tomato sauce (never checked the salt content), and refried beans (ditto), and, whoa, cheese! And jalapenos! And pasta! Not pasta sauce (which I already make) – but the pasta itself!

This is not going to be conquered in a day. But we’re working on it.

The taco sauce is actually pretty decent. Everything is roughly measured, your mileage may vary. But here’s a good base.

Low Sodium Taco Sauce

8 oz can no-salt tomato sauce
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/2 Tsp. chili powder
1 Tsp. vinegar (I used apple cider vinegar)

I added all the ingredients to a glass jar with lid – closed lid – shook jar (a lot). Voila! Taco sauce.

I’m probably going to be doing this some more – sharing low sodium recipes that worked, I mean. And maybe asking for some sent this way, too 🙂

P.S. I’ll try to remember to take pictures next time!

Personalized jewelry – your name in Japanese, part…three?

Okay, I lose track, all right? I just wanted to show you these new earrings. They are personalized, part of my “Your Name in Japanese” collection, and I think the size and shape really work.

personalized kanji earrings that with your name in Japanese... these earrings say Phoebe in Japanese kanji

The earrings are only about 1″ long. The golden (raw) brass leverbacks are comfortable, much kinder to the skin than plated earwires – and considerably less expensive than goldfilled ones (which can be used too, by special arrangement). And, well, I think the slightly curvy, triangle shape is pretty cool.

Let me know what you think 😉

(Of course the colors as well as the kanji can be personalized, too!)

DIY bracelet storage

I found this wonderful idea at Real Simple – and it really is. As soon as you see it, you’ll go Yes, and Why didn’t I think of that?

DIY bracelet storage

Find a sturdy, non-tippy candlestick. I’d probably paint it to match my bedroom decor. Slip your bracelets on. Easy peasy – they’re findable, they’re easy to get at, and you can enjoy seeing them even if you’re not wearing them.

Go to the thrift store for the candlesticks, of course. Take this simple, useful idea and make it terrific – rethink and reuse. Double win!