Bracelet Bonanza!

I took a break last week and spent 2 nights with a girlfriend who lives wayyyyy across town. We had so much to do. We shopped at tiny cute boutiques. We had to have Happy Hour and lunches at very cute places. 

 I can't even remember the all names not could I locate them on my own!

 My very favorite lunch was at the Queen Creek Olive Mill. What a fun place. We had perfect weather to sit out on the patio and eat our artisan sandwiches. 

My friend does everything: sews, knits, crochets, reads and beads. (Goodness knows what else!) I am put to shame. Her friend is encouraging her to sell her creations.

Works in progress.

An awesome  combo.

I bought the black bracelet from a fantastic bead gallery. Jo Anna made the red one but it came home with me! Yeah!!!! 

We tried our hands at a knitted/beaded bracelet  pattern. It got a little dicey for me! Thank goodness for the  excellent tutoring on bead selection and stringing. The results are very nice.

Jo Anna's is yummy turquoise with clear glass.

Mine is gold/bronze with the same clear glass bead.

The directions specified metallic hand embroidery thread (all 6 strains) for the knitting. Whew, that was a challenge!  I learn a lot of little tricks. I had never strung beads on any yarn. I think I'll try again when we find a substitute for the metallic thread. It tends to split and just doesn't feel nice.

Sun Lakes is such a peaceful and charming place.  What prompted this sleep over?  Her husband is "down under" on a birding trip.  

Mini Trips Last Saturday

Queen Creek Olive Mill - that was the destination last Saturday. We took off early enough...but I forgot to drop off a key to my friend so we had to back track. Whew, it sure is a long way out to Queen Creek.

It was a happening day there. There was a wine tasting which was very fun. And a champagne tasting as well. To say nothing of all the olives and oils we had to taste! We had a great lunch, sharing absolutely everything we got at the truly yummy restaurant.
We took the lecture tour and learned a lot about how they grow and make olive oil. It's a very small, personal operation, which makes it all the more charming. One of my favorite oils is the blood orange. It made up a mean salad dressing for the evening meal.

Our next stop was an added bonus. The Pork Shop just a couple of miles down the road.

We tasted some fine meats! We took home brats for dinner. Wow - what a neat place! Read this review for more information. I've had some pork from there but it was my first time to visit the site.

To wind up this day we ended up at a Ranch Market in south Phoenix. Where we were exposed to billions more tastes and smells. The fruit cups with lime juice and chili powder are to die for!!

Finally a BBQ with our Chef Eddie. The brats were very fine, but Ed's grilled artichokes were the best!




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