Vegan Fudge Recipe

I haven't made vegan fudge yet this year, so I don't have any pictures to share, but I generally make it every year for Christmas and it's so easy and so good. I thought I should get my butt in gear and post it in time for you all to enjoy it. Nothing makes me sadder than thinking about some poor fudge deprived vegan feeling sad about their lack of holiday chocolatey goodness...

Easy Fudge

6 tablespoons vegan margarine
3-1/2 cups organic powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup soy milk
1 cup chopped nuts (0ptional; I usually leave them out)

Lightly grease a 5x9 inch loaf pan, using a little of the margarine (I actually prefer to line the pan with parchment paper or waxed paper; it makes the fudge easier to get out of the pan).

Place the remaining margarine, sugar, cocoa powder, and soy milk in the upper part of a double boiler (or just use a smaller bowl in a large pot of boiling water). Stir ingredients in bowl over simmering water until smooth. Add vanilla, and nuts if desired.

Pour the mixture quickly into the prepared pan. Chill thoroughly and cut into squares. (If you don't want to eat it all right away, I've successfully frozen this for a few weeks; just wrap it well and put it in a freezer bag or other airtight container.)

More new rings

I'm really happy with these! What do you think?

Sweet little pink tourmaline surrounded by hand fabricated sterling silver dots. I love this one!

Special order for Denise; labradorite and sterling silver

Labradorite and sterling silver, size 6

Purple sapphire and sterling silver, size 7
I love this one so much, I think I may make one for myself as well!

New cabs

I went to a gem show over the weekend, and was thrilled to discover a local gem cutter with a beautiful selection of cabochons. They have all this wonderful tourmaline that is mined right here in California (near San Diego) - so cool! These cabs are all available for custom ring orders.

A nice, clear peachy-pink tourmaline cab

A bright, bubble-gum pink tourmaline cab

Nevada gem variscite

And my favorite - a large green cat's eye tourmaline...

... it was a splurge, but well worth it!

Kucinich Weekly Campaign Update

Newest Rings

I made these two rings yesterday; the first is a large mens ring, with a cushion cut labradorite and some cool texture effects on the band. The second showcases an amazing chrysoprase cabochon with some fun beaded sterling silver accents.

So Cool!

I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that I own an olive pitter. I am even more embarrassed to tell you that I've owned it for well over five years and have never used it until the other day. I actually bought it to use on cherries (there was a certain black forest cherry cheesecake I used to love to make prior to becoming vegan, and I still have never gotten around to veganizing it... but I digress); I don't cook with olives all that often. But when I do (most notably to create this dish), I've somehow always forgotten about this little prize, which was sitting at the back of my silverware drawer. I used it for the first time a couple of days ago and it works SO well! The pits just shoot right out, in a very satisfyingly forceful manner.

Carlos being clean

Last night Carlos decided to "clean up" (his words)... here's what we ended up with.