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A week ago we hosted a birthday dinner for a friend. We decided to have just hors d’oeuvres plus a special dessert, all with a French theme. Here’s the result:

(PS Forgot to take any pics of the dessert: lemon yogurt cake with home-made lavender ice cream and sparkling wine.)

The whole spread. We couldn't have done it without Choux-Choux Charcuterie (olives, jambon de Champagne and Fol Epi bread), Terra Nossa organic farm (sausages and chicken livers) and some inspiration from here.

The whole spread. We couldn’t have done it without Choux Choux Charcuterie (olives, jambon de Champagne and Fol Epi bread), Terra Nossa organic farm (sausages and chicken livers) and some inspiration from here.

GJ's home-made paté along side delicious French olives and a lemon rosemary goat cheese dip for crudités.

GJ’s home-made paté along side delicious French olives, candied walnuts and a lemon rosemary goat-cheese dip for crudités.

Tiny caramelized onion quiche and organic sausage/sage/pear bites.

Tiny caramelized onion quiche and organic sausage/sage/pear bites.

Delectable cheeses from Choux Choux.

Delectable cheeses and meat from Choux Choux.

Baked brie with fig jam.

Baked brie with fig jam.

Such a beautiful morning at the Dallas Road waterfront. The ocean was calm and the Olympic Mountains were glimmering in the morning sun. Just after I took this, I met Fred the west-highland terrier and his human. Fred sat by my feet while I spoke with his human; I wish I had remembered to take his picture as he was so very sweet.

Such a beautiful morning at the Dallas Road waterfront. The ocean was calm and the Olympic Mountains were glimmering in the morning sun. Just after I took this, I met Fred the west-highland terrier and his human. Fred sat by my feet while I spoke with his human; I wish I had remembered to take his picture as he was so very sweet.

 

Here are a few of my newest pieces. Hoping to make at least a dozen more before a special event at Arrogant Pirate, the shop which carries my designs.

An amber-coloured chandelier crystal hanging from pearls of amber, siilver and grey colours with amber- and clear-coloured faceted glass. © Firehorse Designs

An amber-coloured chandelier crystal hanging from pearls of amber, silver and grey colours with amber- and clear-coloured faceted glass. © Firehorse Designs

Amber chandelier crystal, detail. © Firehorse Designs

Amber chandelier crystal, detail. © Firehorse Designs

A single clear crystal chandelier drop hangs from amber-and silver-coloured pearls and clear- and amber-coloured glass. © Firehorse Designs

A single clear crystal chandelier drop hangs from amber-and silver-coloured pearls and clear- and amber-coloured glass. © Firehorse Designs

Clear chandelier crystal, detail. © Firehorse Designs

Clear chandelier crystal, detail. © Firehorse Designs

Small white pearls and green stone on red thread with coin, resin cinnabar and a pale jade Buddha. © Firehorse Designs

Small white pearls and green stone on red thread with coin, resin cinnabar and a pale jade Buddha. © Firehorse Designs

Pale jade buddha detail. © Firehorse Designs

Pale jade Buddha detail. © Firehorse Designs

The chandelier pieces hanging at Arrogant Pirate.

The chandelier pieces hanging at Arrogant Pirate.

The pale jade Buddha hanging at Arrogant Pirate.

The pale jade Buddha hanging at Arrogant Pirate.

This piece was commissioned by a friend who had a special memento coin from her family. GJ wrapped the coin in wire and I hung it from gorgeous blue apatite stones and moonstones with pale teal embroidery floss. © Firehorse Designs

This piece was commissioned by a friend who had a special memento coin from her family. GJ wrapped the coin in wire and I hung it from gorgeous blue apatite stones and moonstones with pale teal embroidery floss. © Firehorse Designs

This antique watch chain with medallion and encased coin wanted to be hung as a necklace. I added a smokey-blue length of suede into which I sewed tiny seed pearls. I also added a grouping of pearls to the chain. This piece was commissioned as a gift and the recipient was very pleased. © Firehorse Designs

This antique watch chain with medallion and encased coin wanted to be hung as a necklace. I added a smokey-blue length of suede into which I sewed tiny seed pearls. I also added a grouping of pearls to the chain. This piece was commissioned as a gift and the recipient was very pleased. © Firehorse Designs

An almost-stormy day last week.

Looking north at stormy sky, with Ocean Point Resort, float plane leaving, harbour ferry, our infamous blue bridge and a gorgeous SALTS ship in view.

Looking north at stormy sky, with Ocean Point Resort, float plane leaving, harbour ferry, our infamous blue bridge and a gorgeous SALTS ship in view.

Looking out towards the entrance to the harbour. We considered turning back, but I'm glad we didn't as this didn't develop and it was such a nice walk.

Looking out towards the entrance to the harbour. We considered turning back, but I’m glad we didn’t as this didn’t develop and it was such a nice walk.

We were surprised to see these large yellow irises growing wild.

We were surprised to see these large yellow irises growing wild.

Lupine blooming along the cliff top.

Lupine blooming along the cliff top.

This Hummingbird flew down and landed on a branch just where we were walking along Dallas Road. It was so close and stayed for so long, we couldn't resist taking a lot of pictures. In this one, as a bee flies by, you can almost make out the rich magenta colour of its throat. The sun was behind it unfortunately.

This Hummingbird flew down and landed on a branch just where we were walking along Dallas Road. It was so close and stayed for so long, we couldn’t resist taking a lot of pictures. In this one, as a bee flies by, you can almost make out the rich magenta colour of its throat. 

Scratching its little neck.

Scratching its little neck.

And again, with the stormy sky closing in.

And again, with the stormy sky closing in.

It’s been drizzling the last few days so thought I’d post some pics from finer days last week.

One of our local SALTS training vessels with the magnificent Olympic peninsula behind.

One of our local SALTS training vessels with the magnificent Olympic peninsula behind.

Beacon Hill Park in Victoria BC: every week brings new colours, ever-changing landscapes to explore. I'm looking forward to some summer picnics this year.

Beacon Hill Park in Victoria BC: every week brings new colours, ever-changing landscapes to explore. I’m looking forward to some summer picnics this year.

Fields of unending camas.

Fields of unending camas.

Another lovely prospect in Beacon Hill Park.

Another lovely prospect in Beacon Hill Park, camas creating a purple hue through the meadow.

Found this glorious Rhododendron while running an errand. I thought their season had ended, but this one was still in its full splendor.

Found this glorious Rhododendron while running an errand. I thought their season had ended, but this one was still in its full splendor.

The first California poppies we've see this year.

The first California poppies we’ve see this year.

The first wild rose we see along Dallas Road. The scent is magnificent!

The first wild rose we see along Dallas Road. The scent is magnificent!

Happily wearing our Fluevogs today!

GJ is looking mysterious in his Swordfish from the mid-1990s. Vintage Tie and velvet smoking jacket complete his ensemble. At Arrogant Pirate, Dragon Alley, Victoria BC.

GJ is looking mysterious in his Swordfish from the mid-1990s. Vintage tie and velvet smoking jacket complete his ensemble. At Arrogant Pirate, Dragon Alley, Victoria BC.

I went with my red Mini Zazas.

I went with my red Mini Zazas.

Another of my favourite neighbourhood haunts is Trade Roots, a furniture and home decor shop at 545 Herald Street. Their small space is full of gorgeous antiques, furniture custom crafted from reclaimed wood and fixtures, and imports.  This welcoming and inviting shop is also a great place to find unique gifts!

Trade Roots: one of our favourites. Chinatown, Victoria BC.

Trade Roots: one of our favourites. Chinatown, Victoria BC.

Beautiful postcards and packages of assorted buttons and interesting bits and bobs.

Beautiful postcards and packages of assorted buttons and interesting bits and bobs.

I dream of sitting at this desk with all its magical drawers.

I dream of sitting at this desk with all its magical drawers.

A large selection of super-cool lighbulbs.

A large selection of super-cool lighbulbs.

I love their line of metal shelves and cabinets from India.

I love their line of metal shelves and cabinets from India.

Reflections of our wonderful neighbourhood.

Reflections of our wonderful neighbourhood.

A recent install of maple and pipe shelving at another neighbourhood treasure, Arrogant Pirate in Dragon Alley.

A recent install of maple and pipe shelving at another neighbourhood treasure, Arrogant Pirate in Dragon Alley.

More new work from the last few weeks, also all over at Arrogant Pirate. In the next week or so I hope to take some pictures of these being worn so the length can be seen.

Gorgeous teardrop pearls and brass bells necklace. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Gorgeous teardrop pearls and brass bells necklace. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Pearls and Austrian coin wrapped by GJ Pearson. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Pearls and Austrian coin wrapped by GJ Pearson. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Pearls and coin wrapped by GJ Pearson. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Pearls and British 1943 florin coin wrapped by GJ Pearson. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Pearls and coin wrapped by GJ Pearson. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Pearls and Austrian Mozart 25 schilling coin wrapped by GJ Pearson. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Pearls and coin wrapped y GJ Pearson. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Pearls and Canadian Centennial Bobcat quarter wrapped y GJ Pearson. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Pearls, jade, wood and painted bone. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Pearls, jade, wood and painted bone. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Pearls, mother of pearl and coin. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Pearls, mother of pearl and coin. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Here are a few new pieces from the last few weeks. All have gone to Arrogant Pirate in Victoria and are available there.

Anklets with gorgeous teardrop pearls and brass bells. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Anklets with gorgeous teardrop pearls and brass bells. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Piratey anklet of silvery pearls and wooden skulls. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Piratey anklet of silvery pearls and wooden skulls. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Bracelet of blue-grey pearls and moonstone. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Bracelet of blue-grey pearls and moonstone. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Larger jade rounds with small jade drops and aventurine flower detail bracelet. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Larger jade rounds with small jade drops and aventurine flower detail bracelet. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Double row of woven small green jade with aventurine flower detail bracelet. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC

Double row of woven small green jade with aventurine flower detail bracelet. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

Bracelet of grey, silver and gold pearls with Baltic amber heart. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC

Bracelet of grey, silver and gold pearls with Baltic amber heart. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

 

Sea tones stone bracelet. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC

Sea tones stone bracelet. Firehorse Designs, Victoria BC.

There are so many great shops, restaurants, and boutiques in our Old Town/Chinatown neighbourhood of Victoria BC. Dogs in the Bakery is one of my favourite. Located in vibrant Dragon Alley, Dogs provides toys and novelties for your beloved pooch as well as house-made healthy treats, including custom birthday cakes.

The sign still says High End Dog, but royalty or average pup, Dogs in the Bakery has something for you.

The sign still says High End Dog, but royalty or average pup, Dogs in the Bakery has something for you.

Roxie and Max are always ready to great you warmly, whether human or canine.

Roxie and Max are always ready to great you warmly, whether human or canine.

Delicious nibbles for pup; great as gifts too.

Delicious nibbles for pup; great as gifts too.

Special treats.

Special treats.

Lots of sizes and colours!

Lots of sizes and colours!

Waiting for friends on a blustery day.

Waiting for friends on a blustery day.