It’s a tradition in our house to start the new year with a meal that involves cabbage. Sometimes my mother would make corned beef and cabbage and other years she would make a pork roast with sauerkraut, but we always have cabbage in some form.

I am not particularly fond of cooked cabbage, so I am always looking for a new way to prepare it in hopes of finding something that is more pleasing to my own taste buds.

This year, I am planning to use a friend’s recipe for fried cabbage with smoked sausage as a side dish with our New Year’s meal. I thought I’d share it with all of you. It’s very simple!

Fried Cabbage with Smoked Sausage

1 head cabbage coarsely chopped
1 pound smoked sausage sliced in 1/4 inch slices
Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat a large skillet over medium heat then add sausage. Brown sausage for about 5 minutes then add cabbage and toss to coat in sausage drippings. Cover and cook 15 minutes stirring occasionally. Uncover and cook an additional 5 minutes. Season to taste and serve immediately.

Some might say I’m a tad reserved. Ok, a lot. So what does a girl like me do when she wants to let out her fun and flirty side?

Fun, colorful jewelry like the designs at Elle B are the perfect thing to bring even the most conservative lady out into the lights.

My personal favorite: the St. Tropez earrings. The lime green and sky blue venetian glass beads have silver foil inside that really give them a special glimmer.

For many Native Americans tribes, the sale of jewelry, blankets, and other handcrafted items is a source of both economic and cultural survival. The items the produce are known throughout the world for the quality of workmanship as well as their unique styles.

One of the most characteristic products of Southwest Indian crafters is the intricate jewelry design of the squash blossom necklace. These beautiful examples of true craftsmanship are highlighted by a crescent-shaped pendant, a shape which the Indians adapted from the iron ornaments on horse bridles of the Spanish Conquistadors during the late 1500s and early 1600s.

Examples of squash blossom necklaces can be found in many history and art museums across the United States. If you’re not in the mood to travel to a museum for a peek at one of these exquisite necklaces, visit AllTribes.com and purchase one for your own collection!

My favorite is the squash blossom necklace pictured here, designed by the Navajo artist Jimmi Emerson and available for purchase on AllTribes.com.

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I went searching for something unique and beautiful to show you and found the most fabulous site! Anne Scarpa McCauley’s Honeysuckle Baskets are a must have for any home. No matter your decor, the artistic quality of these beautiful creations, made from wild honeysuckle found along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountain in Virginia are sure to please the eye and still be very useful.

I chose this woven heart because of our proximity to Valentine’s Day, but there are so many other incredible hand-woven items available. Baskets, vases and trays just to name a few!

Take a moment to visit Anne’s site. You won’t be sorry!

In 1942 the explorer Columbus returned to Spain from his sojurn to America. With him he brought many wonderful treasures from the new world. Among these items were several plain, dark brown beans. Little did King Ferdinand or Queen Isabella know what these inoccuous little beans, now called cocoa beans, would be the source of untold happiness for many generations to come.

They dismissed them as unimportant and it wasn’t until Cortez discovered the Aztec Indians using cocoa beans to make a drink that chocolate began it’s voyage to the treat we know it to be today.

Being a colossal fan of chocolate in all its forms, I was quite pleased to discover Barefoot Chocolate, a Chicago based company who produces their delicious confections using only organic and fair trade ingredients.

I would say that these hand-painted hearts would make an excellent gift, but I’m afraid that I would never be able to part with them!

Looking for stocking stuffers or unique gifts to complete that holiday gift list? Consider checking out a little webshop called Crafters for Critters. Crafters for Critters offers a wide range of crafty delights from very talented artists the world over. And a portion of the proceeds from each sale benefits various animal and greyhound rescue organizations. Shop for incredible handmade gifts while at the same time helping rescue animals - it’s a win, win!

In case you didn’t know, the ladies of Craft Revolution are spread out across the eastern United States. One of us is in South Florida, one in North Carolina, one in Vermont, one in Tennessee and I am in Northeast Indiana. I just wanted to let anyone who lives in this area, or is planning to visit, about one of my favorite places on earth!

If you are anywhere near Ft. Wayne or Auburn, Indiana, a visit to Mad Anthony Brewing Company/The Original Munchie Emporium is a definite must!

Whether it’s a casual business lunch, spending an afternoon with friends, or enjoying an evening out, I can’t think of a better place to spend my time! A complete menu including “munchies”, burgers, pizzas with some very unique toppings that are sure to please the pallet, entrees and so much more will ensure that no one goes hungry.

If you are a beer lover, Mad Anthony will be your new best friend! With the brewery inside the downtown Ft. Wayne location, barely hidden behind a glass wall, you will always get a fresh glass of your favorite ale or lager.

Life is good at “Munchie” (as the locals call it)!

Join the Miami Craft Mafia at The Wallflower Gallery this Saturday for a wonderful opportunity to finish off your holiday shopping!

I read recently in a style watch magazine that the spring trend was going to lead us towards colors that are neither pale nor bright, but instead are somewhere in between.

This delightful Pink Chalcedony & Pearl Bracelet from Coquito Designs features this unique blend of soft yet bright colors. I love the contrast of the clustered round pink chalcedony briolettes and the square freshwater pearls seperating them. The addition of gold vermeil daisy spacers and a gold vermeil twist toggle bring a sunny, bright feeling to the piece.

This one is sure to bring a smile to your face and help break away those winter blues!

Have you heard the good news?? Herb + Ginger officially launched! So, now you can ‘get your tea on’ indie style.

Herb + Ginger invites you to induldge in yummy flavors like CandyTopia Fruit Tea and Gingergrass Blast Herbal Tea. There are even lovely teaware items to tempt your fancy. But don’t just take my word for it, go check it out for yourself. You’ll be glad you did!