Fallen of the face of the earth

At least, it seems like I have fallen off the face of the earth.  

Let's just say that in the last few months, my life journey has had some bumps in the road.  The biggest bump has been that on Oct 28, my husband lost his job.  No warning.  No notice.  No severance.  They were unnecessarily harsh.  This is not some big corporation -- this is a "mom and pop" business -- and "pop" was supposed to be my husband's closest friend.  My husband had taken the job to manage the business, but that never materialized and poor management by the owner lead to cutbacks.  We were stunned at the loss of the job and have grieved the loss of the friendship.

As difficult as it's been, God has been faithful to provide.  Somehow, when we really need something, the resources are there.  Some things have been little, some have been big -- but all needs have been met.  

Mr K has been looking for work and that's been tough.  There are a lot of people out there without jobs and he's not as young as he used to be.  He's applied for at least 80 jobs with few nibbles.  We do battle discouragement from time to time but we also know that God has a plan.  It's a test of patience some days but there IS something out there for us.  Can't give up the hunt.  

I've also applied for several jobs, but no doors have been opened for me.  For our first 3 months, we both looked exclusively in the area where we live but in the past couple weeks, we've begun looking in the areas where our children live.  There have been some wonderful jobs here -- but nothing resulted from our applications -- so maybe God is trying to move us along.  

We've been asking those of our friends who pray to keep us in mind -- can use all the prayer cover we can get!  Specifically, one or both of us need jobs and we need continued provision for our needs.  Unemployment is nice but it's less than half of what he was bringing home from his job and it doesn't cover everything.

We appreciate your prayers -- more than I can say.  I'll try to keep you posted as things develop.  Thank you.

Freaky Friday

Yep ... it's Friday the 13th!  I'm not inclined to be superstitious .. so I almost didn't even notice.  But just for fun, let's make today's coupon code especially for Friday the 13th.  How about using the code "FreakyFriday" to get 13% off your order of $13 or more??!!  Have fun with that!!

And the offer still stands on Facebook ... if you "share" the post I make about today's special, you'll get an entry into a drawing for a free pair of earrings.  But remember that you have to be following my page in order for me to see your "share".
https://www.facebook.com/GentleAdornments

If you make a purchase, you'll get 3 entries into the earring drawing .. which will be Sunday. 

This is my last coupon day .. so don't miss out!!  
https://www.etsy.com/shop/gentleadornments

Have an awesome weekend ... and a great Freaky Friday!!!

Thriller Thursday

For those of you on Etsy, how do you come up with the names for your coupon codes?  I personally like alliteration.  MondayMania.  WednesdayWhimsy.  But coming up with something for Thursday kinda stumped me.  ThankfulThursday?  Well, I'm thankful every day ... so maybe not.  ThoughtfulThursday?  Once again, it's good to be thoughtful every day.  I wanted to communicate excitement ... enthusiasm.  A trip to the dictionary (yes, I actually looked through the "th" section) .. and voila!!  Thrill!  An excellent word!  Because I also have a sense of rhythm, I went with ThrillerThursday.

Today's special in my Etsy shop?  Get 10% off your purchase of $25 or more!!  Use coupon code ThrillerThursday.  Go to:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/gentleadornments 

Like me on Facebook and share today's post, you'll be entered a drawing (Sunday) for a free pair of earrings!  If you place an order, you'll get 3 entries!  
Tomorrow will be my last coupon day ... so don't delay!

Today's Special

When I was growing up, I lived near a very small town.  My mom frequently shopped at the little A&P grocery store in town.  They often ran a series of daily specials ... usually something fresh.  Maybe it was overstocked or maybe they just wanted to know what their shoppers were most interested in .. I was too young to analyze these things.  But it was always called "Today's Special".

Well, Gentle Adornments is running a series of specials this week ... and "Today's Special" is free domestic (US) shipping with a purchase of $20 or more!  Use coupon code "WednesdayWhimsy"!

I'll be posting this on my Facebook page ... if you "Share" that post, you'll be entered in a drawing for a pair of earrings.
https://www.facebook.com/GentleAdornments
In order for me to see the "share", you have to "like" my page.
The drawing will be Sunday and orders placed this week will all be shipped on Monday. 


So go!  Shop!  These special offers won't last long!!  Check it out at:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/gentleadornments

Special Special Week!

I don't have a craft show this Saturday ... and since I don't want to sit around and get bored *cough* I think I'll offer some special deals!
Starting today at noon (US eastern time), I'll post a new coupon code for my Etsy shop.  Today's special will be 5% off everything in my shop and the code is:
terrifictuesday

Are you following me on Facebook?  I'll post the code there too.  And just to sweeten the pot, I'll be doing a giveaway this week!  "Share" my code post and get 1 entry into a drawing for a new pair of earrings ... but you have to be friends with me in order for me to see the "share".  So stop on by my Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/GentleAdornments
Share the code, then hop over to my Etsy shop and do a little browsing:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/gentleadornments

One entry per person per day for sharing.  I'll post a new coupon code every day until Friday ... so don't miss out!  

If you'd like even more chances to win a pair of earrings, I'll be giving 3 entries to everyone who makes a purchase!  The drawing will be Sunday and all orders placed this week will ship on Monday. 

So y'all have an awesome week, ya hear!!

Here I go again...

Well, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth ... but some days I've felt like it.  It's been a hectic summer for me ... much more so than I'd expected.  And even today, I'm between shows and things are crazy.  I just wanted to pop in and tell you that I'll be around more in the coming weeks.  I'll try to bring everyone up to speed on some of my adventures and I've got a couple specials in the works for my Etsy shop (so if you're looking for a great deal, stay tuned!).  My garden is kicking in, I'm trying some new recipes and I have a little epic news to share (but I'm going to make you wait for it!!).  So help yourself to a tall glass of ice cold tea and meet me on the front porch, where we'll set a spell and catch up!

A little Friday decadence ...

We will be gathering with friends this evening ... and I'm bringing dessert!  I have a reputation ... and it can be tough to live up to sometimes ... but I think this will do the trick.  

My daughter found this recipe about 7 years ago and I don't know where (so can't give appropriate credit).  If you even vaguely like chocolate and peanut butter, you're gonna love this!

Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

1 pkg. (1lb 5.5oz) chocolate brownie mix

egg, water and oil per package instructions

1 pkg. (5.1oz) vanilla instant pudding mix
3 cups milk
½ cup creamy peanut butter
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed & divided

12 oz. peanut butter cups, crumbled
6-8 mini peanut butter cups, whole, for garnish if desired

In mixing bowl, combine brownie mix, egg, water and oil according to package directions.  Pour into a 9x13 baking pan and bake as directed.  Cool, then cut into 1" cubes.
Combine pudding mix with milk and beat with mixer at low speed until thickened, about 2 minutes.  

Add peanut butter and vanilla and beat until smooth.  

Gently fold in 1 cup whipped topping.

To assemble dessert: in a large trifle bowl (or other bowl) layer half of the cut brownies, followed by half of the cut candies and half of the peanut butter pudding mixture.  Repeat layers. 

This is how it looks after layering brownie and candy, before the peanut pudding mixture is added.

Top with remaining whipped topping and garnish with peanut butter cups.  Chill in refrigerator for several hours or overnight.   Serves 12.

I put the Cool Whip into a small plastic sandwich bag, then made a small clip on the corner; pressed topping out into small mounds and topped with peanut butter cups.