Black Friday Through Cyber Monday Sale 25% off!

This Black Friday through Cyber Monday Julia Catherine Jewelry will be having their Annual Sale. This is the only time every year where you will automatically receive 25% off all items in my etsy shop! All items have already been marked down 25% with the original price noted in this description.

Please also join my mailing list on the right side of this blog for free giveaway contests and early notification of sales like this one.

I hope everyone had an amazing thanksgiving!
xoxo
Julia Catherine

Famous Fall Squash Soup Recipe

After many requests, I have finally wrote down my now famous recipe for squash soup. This is a great recipe to use for either delicata or butternut squash, or any combination of other squashes. It is a little sweet and a little savory. It only takes about an hour to make if you are really good at managing your time. If you prefer to use fresh or canned broth, forgo the 4 cups of water and bouillon cubes for just 4 cups of the broth of your choice.

Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees.

4 Cups Water Plus 1 cup for roasting squash
3 Delicata Squash (cut in half lengthwise and seeds removed)
3 Medium Potatoes (peeled and cut)
4 Chicken or Vegetable Bouillon Cubes
3 Tbls Olive Oil
1 Medium Onion
1/4 Tsp Salt
4 Average Size Cloves of Garlic (2 monster) Chopped
1 1/2 Tsp Dried Rubbed Sage
1 1/2 Tsp Fresh Thyme Removed from Stem & Chopped
1/4 Tsp Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
2 Tbls Salted Butter
1 Cup Milk

Take a large shallow baking dish and add 1 cup of water in the bottom. Place your squash, cut side down in the dish. Place in 400 degree pre-heated oven. Bake for 40 minutes.

While the squash is baking, peel and cut the potatoes. Place in a large pot with the 4 cups of water and 4 bouillon cubes. Cook over med-high heat till tender.

In a large frying pan over medium heat, add 3 Tbls Olive Oil. Add chopped onion and salt, cook till nearly translucent. Add garlic, sage, thyme and black pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes. Then lower heat to lowest setting.

Remove squash from oven and either peel back skin or scoop it out with a spoon. Be careful they will be hot! Add 'scooped' squash to the onion, garlic and herb mixture. Mash the mixture together with the back of a wooden spoon till the onion mixture and squash are combined. Add to the potato and broth mixture. Add butter. Stir.

***REMEMBER when using a blender for blending hot contents take out the top part of the lid and put a towel over the opening.***

Place half of the mixture in a blender with half of the milk. Blend on middle setting till velvety smooth. Place in a large bowl and set aside. Repeat this step with the second half of the mixture and milk. Return both back to the large pot and stir together.

Hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as myself and my family and friends. It is great to take along for lunch the next day with a sandwich.

xoxo
Julia Catherine

... And Im Back!

It has been a very long time since I have blogged. I am happy to be back. For all of my fans, I am glad to see you are still reading. Newbies, please sign up for my mailing list to the right of this post.

I would like to share with you some new items!
Please take a look at my etsy store to see the new things I have been working on. Check back frequently, I will be added a couple items daily to try and get everything I've been making the past 2 years up.

My shop has a bit of a new look, as you will notice. It's still the same thoughtful, stylish, work I have always made though. I hope you enjoy the new look of Julia Catherine Jewelry.

NEW CONTESTS!! 
I will be starting up my contests again soon! So please join my mailing list, again to the right of this blog post. Mailing list members will get a sneak peak and headstart on all contest and of course VERY generous coupons. All exclusively for mailing list members only! 

A little taste for blog readers though. Visit my etsy shop and type "WELCOME2012" and get free shipping automatically. 

Thanks everyone!
xoxo Julia Catherine

And the winner is...

"Little Galaxy Rings" Submitted by ThePaperBlueBird.etsy.com . Thanks so much for all the submissions for this months contest. Make sure you sign up for my mailing list to the right of this blog post to be notified of future contests and upcoming events!

xoxo
JuliaCatherine

June Contest Starts NOW!

This month's contest is a "Name Game" Contest. Your mission... if you choose to accept, is to name the rings below. A little bit about this ring. It is a new style I have created. They are a limited edition ring. Each one is handcrafted from large gauge sterling silver. Each one is one of a kind. So while they will all be similar in style, no two will be exactly alike.
I just can't figure out what to call these gorgeous rings!

What will you win if your name is selected? The winner will be awarded 2 pairs of my little berries earrings. One pair for yourself and one pair to give away or to Pay It Forward, and of course bragging rights! Your name will be posting in each listing for this amazing ring. As always the winner will also be extended the offer of free shipping on any shopping in My Shop. As well as the 15% off any other purchases they wish to make from my shop.

So leave your name suggestion (entry) as a comment on this post and of course leave your email (entries without emails will not be considered) Entries will be accepted up till June 19th and the winner and name will be posted the following Monday June 22nd.

Have you joined my mailing list?? That's the little widget, over there>>>>
If you did you will receive advanced warning to monthly contests and exclusive discounts.

I look forward to reading all the names you will submit.
xoxo
JuliaCatherine

June Blog Contest Starts Soon!

Hello everyone! Hope everyone is well and had a happy and safe holiday weekend. After a brief break from monthly contests I will be starting one again coming up in June. June's contest will be a "Name Game" contest. I have a gorgeous item that needs naming! The winner of June's contest will be awarded 2 prizes, both the same. One to keep for yourself and the other to Pay It Forward (PIF) to a someone in your life. For full details before anyone else be sure to join my mailing list in the top right section of this blog. Full details will be posted on this blog the first week of June, mailing list members get a sneak peak the end of this week.
xoxo
JuliaCatherine

Perfect by Nature...

Wow it has been awhile since I have posted! I finally had a chance this morning to get out and take some gorgeous photos of the plants and other things growing in the yard here at home. Those who know me, know I have a love taking photos of all the amazing things nature creates. Really close up photos.

For more photos please visit my Flickr photostream.

As for me? Im going to get back outside, weed my garden a bit and then lay out and soak in some of this amazing weather. Enjoy the day everyone, and be safe.

xoxo
Julia Catherine