Pistachio and Walnut Cupcakes

I love baking cupcakes (though this is my first attempt in 4 years). I love eating this particular cupcake, having tasted this at Stop&Shop. My interest in baking this recipe was rekindled recently when my sister and I treated ourselves to one piece. Here is my version. Pardon the burntness - it does taste good though.

Baking? Steaming Siopao

I've a hankering for steamed buns (siopao) with sweet meats inside. Right now, I'm here at my sisters' place. But when I come home, that is what I will be doing -- trying out these recipes with salted egg. yummy.

On the beading side, I've just visited about.com jewelry making forum monitored by Ms. Tammy Powley.

Checked out my facebook site, and found one handmade lampwork jewelry artist who has bought advertising space - is it effective?

I'm wondering. . . .

Perhaps, I should surf over at about to see if there are topics on artists paying for online advertising and if -- it is worth it.

abangan (in Pilipino speak) or to follow. . . .

My Studio - Sounds Grand.

It sounds pompous (at least to me) but I can't help feeling good each time I say this. I used to have a huge table back in the Philippines. But transplanting myself has led to my tools and materials being moved from place to place.

To finally, get plenty of rich sunlight, a big table that looks like it has seen better days. To have the kind of tools I now have - from Beadsmith (pliers and cutters) Xuron (flush cutters), my own Lortone tumbler (hooray!!!), soldering torch, firebrick, stamp, the prerequisite hammers, and steel blocks. To have my selection of semi precious beads and precious metals right there, instead of packing and unpacking.

What a luxury. . . . it all seems to me. What a necessity -- I think because it is the kind of worklife I am aiming for. What a blessed life I live.