On the Homefront: Much Needed Down Time Ahead!

From U.S. Patriot Tactical

My busiest time of year has arrived.  In a few days I will be leaving town for a long weekend to visit family, and I will have a number of chores and projects to catch up on when I return.  You may have noticed a few late postings now and then, thanks to my current crazy schedule.  I have decided it is time for a blog break so that I can get caught up.  I will return by the end of the month, hopefully refreshed and reinvigorated for timely blogging.  Enjoy the start of summer, and I will be back soon!
             

Weekend Wardrobe: Early Summer Vacation Travel Wardrobe

Banana Republic Floral Shift Dress

The lovely dress from Banana Republic shown above was my travel wardrobe inspiration for an early summer vacation to a resort town for about a week of relaxation and fun in the sun.  All of the apparel and most of the accessories are from Banana Republic, as I sometimes like to see if I can put together a travel wardrobe to my liking from a single source (the only items I outsourced were the suitcase and two of the handbags in the colors I chose to use as accents).  First up is the outfit to wear in transit:

Clockwise from top left: Banana Republic Print Hi-Low Tank in Printed Floral; Banana Republic Packable Fedora in White; Banana Republic Confetti Gem Drop Earrings in Pink Multi; Banana Republic Brett Sunglasses in Rose Gold; Cellini Spinn 530mm 4 Wheel Carry On in Strawberry; Banana Republic Ampersand as Apostrophe Stiff Small Half Tote in White; Banana Republic Lace-Up Sneakers in White Leather; Banana Republic Logan-Fit Cropped Stretch Linen-Cotton Pants in Bright Blue; Center: Banana Republic Stretch-Cotton Cardigan in Strawberry Pink.

And here is the rest of the wardrobe to pack:

Clockwise from top left: Banana Republic Sun Stud Earrings in Gold; Banana Republic Stretch-Cotton Cardigan in White; Banana Republic Vintage Colored Petal Bracelet in Pop Pink; Banana Republic Floral Shift Dress in Daisy Yellow; Banana Republic Onia | Nina One Piece Swimsuit in Light Blue; Banana Republic Onia | Gina Kimono in Multi Stripe; Banana Republic Demi Loafer Slide in Sea Coral; Banana Republic Bee Pendant Necklace in Gold; Banana Republic Stretch Cotton Shell in Strawberry Pink; Kate Spade New York Cameron Street Leather Wristlet in Morning Dawn; Banana Republic Low Heel Slides in Light Blue Suede; Banana Republic Bi-Stretch 10" Bermuda Shorts in White; Banana Republic Riley Tailored-Fit Sleeveless Super-Stretch Shirt in Light Blue Stripe; Center clockwise from top left: Banana Republic Supima Cotton Vee T-Shirt in Heather Light Blue; Banana Republic Button-Front Top in Golden; Banana Republic Supima Cotton Vee T-Shirt in White; Coach Derby Crossbody Pebble Leather Handbag in Strawberry; Banana Republic Stretch 5" Shorts in Deep Royal.

🌴👙👓🍹🌴👙👓🍹🌴👙👓🍹🌴👙👓🍹🌴👙👓🍹🌴👙👓🍹

This is a light and summery collection with a couple of cardigans thrown in for any chilly evenings.  Just looking at this wardrobe makes me want to plan a trip.  Are you ready to start your summer vacation?  I know I am!

From Ambient Mixer

                

Foodie Fridays: Mozzarella Pine Nut White Pizza

Any cheese lover absolutely must try some variation of the recipe for Burrata Pistachio White Pizza from The Almond Eater blog!  I had neither burrata nor pistachios in the house, but I did have fresh mozzarella and pine nuts, both of which turned out to be great substitutes.  I did happen to have store-bought refrigerated thin-crust pizza dough in my fridge (from the dairy section of our local Fresh Market), but your favorite version of a pizza crust should work just fine.  I used more arugula than called for in the original recipe, and next time I may use half the amount of shredded mozzarella as there was more than enough cheese on this pizza, but the combination of flavors was wonderful and unlike any pizza I have had before.  If you love cheesy pizza, give this recipe a try!

Mozzarella Pine Nut White Pizza

1 pizza crust (store-bought or homemade, preferably thin), unbaked
3 T. olive oil
1/2 C. thinly sliced red onion
2 C. shredded mozzarella cheese
6 oz. fresh mozzarella slices (1/2 of a 12 oz. package, or seven slices)
1/4 C. pine nuts
1-2 C. fresh arugula

Roll out the pizza dough if needed and fit into a large baking or pizza pan.  Drizzle with 2 T. olive oil.  Heat the remaining oil in a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat.  Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion.  Cook until the onion is soft and just starting to caramelize.  Scatter the cooked onion over the top of the pizza dough.

Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella on top of the onions.  Top with the fresh mozzarella slices, spacing them evenly over the pizza.  Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.

Remove the pizza from the oven.  Scatter the pine nuts evenly over the top.  Place the arugula in an even layer over the pine nuts and spray with a bit of cooking spray.  Return to the oven and bake for five more minutes.  Turn off the oven, crack the door open a few inches, and let the pizza rest in the oven for about three minutes.  Remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly, slice, and serve.  Serves 4-6.
             

This 'n That Thursdays: First Ever USPS Scratch-and-Sniff Postage Stamps!

From USPS

Have you heard that the US Postal Service is about to issue their first ever scratch-and-sniff postage stamps?  Just in time for summer, these new releases, called "Frozen Treats", will feature ice cream pops with a sweet scent evocative of the season.  The stamps will become available on June 20th, so mark your calendars to be one of the first to purchase these colorful delights, either from your local post office or at the "Frozen Treats" link provided above!

And if you have a brilliant idea for even more unique stamp designs, you can submit your suggestions to The Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee here.  Hmm, I wonder if they have done a series on dog breeds yet, maybe those that were developed in the United States, or US horse breeds, or even native crustaceans?  Or what about a set showcasing critically endangered species like the pangolin?  How about a series on state symbols, such as state birds, trees, flowers, etc.?  I do seem to have a fauna and flora bias, don't I?  But the possibilities are endless - this could be fun!
             

Wish List Wednesdays: Iris Apfel Collection for Grandin Road

Grandin Road, the home decor site that specializes in unique and colorful items, has partnered with legendary style icon Iris Apfel, known for her love of all things bold and colorful.  The Iris Apfel Collection includes furniture as well as tableware guaranteed to brighten any interior.  Two if my favorites include the earthenware Iris Apfel Jungle Print Dessert Plates (set of four, on sale for $59.00) shown above, and the cotton Iris Apfel Printed Napkins (set of four, on sale for $19.00) shown below.  These items would add some lovely flair to any summer table setting!

If you are unfamiliar with Iris Apfel, you can watch a fascinating documentary about her life on YouTube here:

             

On the Homefront: Newer Is Not Better!

Dead as a doornail!

I may not get to do a Weekend Wardrobe post this weekend, because our fancy, less-than-two-year-old digital programmable thermostat stopped working after a power outage yesterday and I will be spending the day waiting for a call from our HVAC company to find out when they can send a technician.  I find it ironic that this relatively new thermostat was the only electronic gadget in our home that could not survive a two-hour power outage.  Our second floor thermostat, which is almost 30 years old, has never given us any problem.  I may be biased as my husband and I are never enthusiastic about advanced technology, but I highly recommend against complicated thermostats.  In our experience they never last long.  On the other hand, the over-60-year-old thermostat in the house I grew up in still works (although it has had some parts replaced over the years).  Sometimes newer is not better!

I will try to get a post written for this weekend, but if I don't have time it will show up next week.  I hope you are having a great weekend with no violent thunderstorms!
             

Foodie Fridays: Three Potato Salad

When I was in New York last summer caring for my sister, I had very little time to cook, so I depended on a lot of pre-made foods from her local grocery stores.  One of the deli salads I often bought was Three Potato Salad, which is made with Russet, sweet, and red-skinned potatoes.  Normally I do not like potato salads, but I became quite fond of this version.

Unfortunately, none of the supermarkets where I live sell it, so I decided to try my hand at making it myself.  The version I had in New York was a very simple salad with few embellishments, so I searched for a recipe that seemed similar and found one for Three Potato Salad on the Life, Love and Sugar blog that looked right.  This side dish was exactly what I was looking for.  I like to keep it simple, but feel free to add herbs, eggs, seasonings, or other ingredients if you prefer.  I know I will be making this easy and delicious recipe again soon, as it is a great summer side dish!

Three Potato Salad

2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
3-4 medium red-skinned potatoes, diced
1 C. mayonnaise
1/4 C. finely diced red onion
1 T. sugar
1 T. white vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Place the diced potatoes in a large pot and fill with enough water to fully cover.  Bring the water to a boil and boil the potatoes for 15-20 minutes, until softened but still firm enough to hold their shape.  Drain the water from the potatoes and refrigerate until cold.

In a large bowl, combine the cooked potatoes with the remaining ingredients and stir until well combined.  Serve immediately, or store in the fridge until ready to serve (the potato salad tastes even better if chilled overnight).  Serves 8.