Foodie Fridays: Sweet Potato-Cauliflower Mash

After a day spent running errands yesterday I was ready for a fast and easy dinner.  I had picked up a piece of cooked salmon from the grocery store, but needed a tasty side dish that would come together quickly.  My choice was a simple sweet potato and cauliflower mash, and it complemented the salmon beautifully.  The next time I make this I may experiment with adding more flavorings, but the mash is quite tasty as is and may not even need any additions.  I substituted Country Crock Plant Butter Sticks with Almond Oil for the butter, and I did not notice any difference in taste (I am really impressed with this product!).  I just love a simple but tasty side dish, and this one is even relatively healthy!

Sweet Potato-Cauliflower Mash

1 large sweet potato (mine was about 1 1/4 lbs.)
1 bag (12 oz.) microwaveable cauliflower florets
4 T. butter
1/4 tsp. salt
1-2 T. half 'n half
minced parsley for garnish (optional)

Prick the sweet potato several times along the top with a fork.  Put on a microwave-safe plate and cook in the microwave on HIGH for about 8 minutes.  Remove and set aside.  Cook the cauliflower florets in the microwave according to package directions (about 4 minutes on HIGH).

Split open the sweet potato and scoop the flesh out into a large bowl.  Add the cooked cauliflower.  Cut the butter into several pieces and add to the bowl with the salt.  Mash the vegetables and butter together with a potato masher until the butter is melted (I like to leave the vegetables a bit chunky).  Stir in as much half 'n half as needed to give the mash a creamy texture.  Spoon the mash into a serving bowl and sprinkle with parsley if desired.  Serves 4.

Note: Don't be too concerned about ingredient proportions - I just picked out a very large sweet potato, and if you prefer to cut up a head of cauliflower rather than buying the bagged variety use as much as you like in this dish.  Adjust the remaining ingredients as needed to accommodate the amount of vegetables you choose to use.

I need to find a good recipe for this Everything Salmon (a salmon
fillet coated in Everything Bagel Seasoning) that I picked up at a local
grocery store - it is one of the few ways that I will eat salmon,
which I do not especially like.

               

This 'n That Thursdays: For Your Viewing Pleasure

If you are looking for a great way to waste a little time enjoy a spot of entertainment, I have a couple of suggestions for you.  First up is the YouTube series Liziqi Channel, which follows the life of a lovely, fragile-looking but strong young Chinese woman named Li Ziqi who runs her family farm pretty much by herself, with a little help from her grandmother.  This woman does everything by hand (no mechanized devices and rarely work animals involved).  She grows, harvests, prepares, and cleans up her field crops, and somehow manages to make it all look wonderful in her films.  Beautiful landscape and nature scenes plus serene music are added to footage of her everyday farm work, which appears deceptively easy but in reality must be challenging if not downright grueling at times.  When you watch these short (about 5-10 minutes long) films you will be enchanted, but also grateful for the relative life of ease that most of us lead.

From Twitter

My second suggestion is the new website from Gary Larson, the cartoonist who was wildly popular a few decades ago (OMG, has it really been that long?).  He produced quite a few books of The Far Side cartoon series collections back in the day (most of which my husband and I own), but stopped drawing them for quite a while before returning with this website.  Now he publishes five cartoons a day Monday through Friday, plus two a day on the weekends, so you can look forward to a good laugh every day!  While the cartoons are not new, it has been a while since most of them were first published, so it is nice to see them again (and Larson has said that he may just add a few brand new ones upon occasion!).

Should you feel the need for a short break from your own daily life, visit these two sites for a brief visit to the simple rural existence of a hard-working young Chinese farmer and the amusingly bizarre world of a gifted cartoonist's imagination!
             

Wish List Wednesdays: Carstens Free Rein Soft Sherpa Plush Throw Blanket

I recently ordered two of these Carstens Free Rein Soft Sherpa Plush Throw Blankets ($24 each, plus free shipping) as throw blankets for our living room sofas, and I have to say I am quite pleased with them.  They are thick, cozy, and soft, and the 54x68-inch size is generous enough to wrap up in completely when stretched out on the sofa.  Of course I love the horse design, and the warm tan, cream, brown, orange, and red colors complement our color scheme well.  Amazon also carries this blanket in another design which features bears and pine trees on a woodland print.  If you are looking for a great winter throw blanket in rustic patterns and colors, I definitely recommend these!

             

Weekend Wardrobe: 2020 Outfit of the Week #4

Anne Klein Sport Women's 3/4-Sleeve T-Shirt in Brown Paisley Print

This week I am featuring the outfit I wore when I drove my husband to the airport for his flight back to Georgia.  As usual, I pulled this outfit together based on a favorite top, which is shown above.  I am a big fan of paisley prints, and I love the unusual combination of colors on this top.  Paired with comfortable denim leggings in a warm rust hue, this was a comfortable ensemble to wear for a rather long day of driving (I also ran errands in Santa Fe after the round trip drive to the airport in Albuquerque).

Clockwise from top left: J. Crew Women's Cotton V-Neck Sweater in Black (similar to mine); Marmot Women's Kitzbuhel Vest in Black (similar to mine, which is no longer available in black);  Bomba's Women's Merino Wool Calf Socks in Black; Dr. Scholl's Women's Wide Width Marci Gel-Pac Zippered Loafers in Black (no longer available); Coldwater Creek Knit Denim Slim-Leg Leggings in Spice (no longer available); Anne Klein Sport Women's 3/4-Sleeve T-Shirt in Brown Paisley Print.

It was great to have my husband here in Santa Fe for a month, and I wish he did not have to go back to Georgia.  He plans to work for another year before retiring, though, so he had to get back for the start of the spring semester at UGA.  He should be back here in May, and I will be going back to Georgia a couple of times this year, but at the end of the year we will both hopefully be living full-time in New Mexico.

Next week I have a 4x4 (or possibly 4x5) winter wardrobe post planned, and then another Outfit of the Week after that.  I am finding that I enjoy doing these weekly outfit posts because they help me define my personal style (more on this in a later post).  Have a great weekend!
               

Foodie Fridays: Green Chile Pumpkin Soup with Sausage and Yuca

I did warn you to expect more recipes using our favorite flame roasted green chile, and here is the next one!  I also added a starchy vegetable that is new to me in this soup - yuca or cassava root.  I think that I have probably eaten it before in Puerto Rico, but I honestly do not remember what it tasted like (I tasted a lot of new-to-me starchy vegetables in Puerto Rico years ago but cannot remember what any of them were or how they tasted).  You could probably leave it out of this recipe or substitute potatoes, but if you want to try it be sure to read about it here and here before attempting to select, prepare, and use yuca.

One great discovery I made is that almond milk is a surprisingly good substitute for cream in soups.  It is so much healthier and lower in fat than cream and tastes much better than evaporated milk (another often suggested cream substitute).  I think that I will probably use almond milk in cream soups from now on.

We are in for at least a couple more months of wintry weather here in New Mexico, which to my mind means soup weather, so now you can expect to see more soup recipes from me in the near future as well!

Green Chile Pumpkin Soup with Sausage and Yuca

1-2 T. olive oil
1/2 white onion, diced
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. cumin
1 C. sausage crumbles (I used Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Turkey Sausage Crumbles)
1 medium-sized yuca or cassava root, peeled, cored, and diced
1/4-1/2 tsp. salt
4 C. chicken stock
1 can (14 oz.) pumpkin purée
1/4 C. flame roasted green chile
1 C. milk or cream (I used almond milk)

Heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Add the onion and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.  Stir in the garlic and cumin and heat one minute longer.  Remove from the heat and scrape into a bowl.  Heat a little more oil in the pan if needed, add the sausage crumbles, and heat through.  Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.

Place the diced yuca in a medium-sized pot and add water to cover by about one inch.  Add 1/4-1/2 tsp. salt.  Bring to a boil and simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender.  Drain and set aside in the same bowl as the onion mixture.

Rinse out the pot used to boil the yuca.  Add the chicken stock and pumpkin purée and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, stir in the yuca/onion mixture, and heat through.  Remove from the heat and use an immersion blender to purée the soup.  Return to the heat and stir in the green chiles plus the sausage.  Taste for seasoning and add more salt, cumin, and/or green chile if needed.  Stir in the milk or cream and taste one more time for seasonings.  Serves 4-6.

Yuca or cassava root (from Swapfoods)

             

This 'n That Thursdays: The Year 2020 in Favorite Pictures

From Free Calendars

I have amassed a collection of favorite images from the internet that did not really fit into any of my posts - until I had the fabulous idea to create a calendar of images for the year 2020.  Below are my selections for the year composed of photos that I think best represent the feel of each month:

January

The best way to shake off the January blues would be this cozy
setting of rustic blue mugs and saucers surrounded by chocolate!
(image from WeHeartIt)

February

Fire and ice hues are perfect for Valentine's Day.
(image from Medium)

March

Little ceramic dogs, broccoli stalks, and a swath of dark gravel -
what a great table centerpiece for St. Patrick's Day!
(image from Happy Buddha Breathing)

April

Nothing says spring and Easter to me like baby bunnies and daffodils.
(image from Kimball Stock)

May

I took this photo in the yard of our Georgia home in May 2018
 and it is still one of my favorites.

June

Donuts may not be the first things that come to mind when thinking of
summer, but the New Mexico state symbol topping is a great reminder
that June is an excellent month for travel.
(image from TripSavvy)

July

July is the best month for a rambunctious romp at the beach!
(image from WeHeartIt)

August

The Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand, India, bursts into glorious bloom
during the months of July, August, and September.
(image from Tutorial Home)

September

September is the month to start getting cozy again, with a
warm scarf, hot beverage, and colorful autumn leaves.
(image from Imgur)

October

I don't know if the bleached skull or the bug-eyed crustacean is scarier,
but the image is ideal for Halloween.
(image from Diply)

November

My cousin in Korea sent me this beautiful image of Japanese maple
leaves in all of their fiery fall glory, taken in early November.

December

Now this is my idea of the perfect outdoor Christmas tree!
(image from Clark Point Inn)

All of these fun images have me really looking forward to 2020.  Let's hope this year brings us nothing but happiness!
             

Wish List Wednesdays: Colorful Rain Boots for Slogging Through the Mud

Mud - currently I live in a world of it.  We had snow last week that is slowly melting away, plus rain yesterday, turning our neighborhood into a muddy mess.  Fortunately there are all kinds of rain boot options out there for getting us through this mud season.  The London Fog Waterproof Women's Piccadilly Rain Boot in Red Lobster ($34.95 plus free shipping) is one of those cheerful choices.  If lobsters are not your thing, there are a variety of other fun colors available (I find the Leopard print and Navy Whales especially appealing).

If you are looking for a taller boot, look no further than these LoneCone Women's Tall Rain Boots in Dalmatian Original Gloss ($29.99 plus free shipping).  And again, if Dalmatians are not your thing, there are many more options to choose from (I am eyeing the Moroccan Horses Original Gloss myself).

The boots already mentioned are great for gadding about town, but when it comes to slogging through the mud on our property only these Western Chief Women's Ditsy Dot Neoprene Boots from Tractor Supply ($29.99) will do for me.  My current pair have been worn so often that I think it is time to replace them before they wear out too much and possibly spring a leak!  Are you all set for mud season yet?  If not, you may want to consider purchasing some rain boots soon.
             

Weekend Wardrobe: 2020 Outfit of the Week #3

Land's End Women's Cashmere V-Neck Sweater in Camellia Donegal

My third outfit of the week for 2020 was inspired by a hot pink cashmere sweater I own.  I paired it with a navy blue turtleneck and my usual jeans for a casual and comfortable outfit for running errands in town.  Even though pink and navy are not my preferred colors, I have had both the sweater and the turtleneck for years.  They are still in good shape and fit quite well and I am reluctant to get rid of them, so I will continue to keep and wear them until they no longer work for me.  Navy is a color that does not complement my warm medium-tone complexion, but the hot pink near my face predominates and is a better color choice for me than pastel pinks.  Here is the outfit I wore last week:

Clockwise from top left: Land's End Women's Cashmere V-Neck Sweater in Camellia Donegal (similar to mine); L.L. Bean Women's Primaloft Packaway Jacket in Black; MichellesShellcraft Hand Carved All Horse Multicolored Fetish Nacklace on Etsy (similar to mine); Bombas Women's Classic Marled Calf Socks in Marled Navy; Dr. Scholl's Women's Wide Width Marci Gel-Pac Zippered Loafers in Black (no longer available); Red Kap Women's Straight Fit Jean (similar to mine); L.L. Bean Women's Long-Sleeve Pima Cotton Turtleneck in Raven Blue (similar to my much older version).

The necklace is similar to one my husband just gave me for Christmas, and is a perfect choice for a day in Santa Fe.  Up until a couple of days ago we have been having our January thaw with mild dry days, so I wore my lighter-weight winter coat.  Two days ago we returned to winter weather - it snowed all day and well into the night.  Yesterday it was foggy almost all day and last night was windy and cold, so I think our January thaw is over!  I hope you are enjoying whatever weather you are encountering in your neck of the woods.

Next week I will post one more outfit of the week, but the following week I intend to get back to creating more complete wardrobe posts, based on a unique sweater I have been coveting and recently purchased at an after-Christmas sale price (oh how I love a good bargain!).  Life is beginning to settle into a more predictable routine, which makes planning posts a whole lot easier!
             

Foodie Fridays: Easy Applesauce Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake with Simple Maple Glaze

This past weekend we had our neighbors over for dinner.  I made my favorite chili recipe (with the addition of our new favorite green chiles, of course!), my husband put together a fabulous salad, and I baked an easy bundt cake for dessert.  The latter was a new recipe and was quite tasty, especially with the addition of semisweet chocolate chips.  My biggest recommendation is to make sure that you leave plenty of time for the cake to cool (preferably overnight), because if you try to get it out of the pan before it cools completely the cake will probably not release in one piece!  However, even if the cake does not come out of the pan perfectly, it is still delicious, so give this recipe a try when you are in the mood for a Bundt cake.

Easy Applesauce Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake with Simple Maple Glaze

2 sticks (1 C. ) butter, softened
2 C. dark brown sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 C. flour*
1 T. baking powder
1 T. cinnamon
2 C. unsweetened applesauce
1 C. semisweet chocolate chips
Simple Maple Glaze (below) or confectioner's sugar

Spray a nonstick Bundt pan generously with baking spray (such as Baker's Joy).

Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl.  Add the eggs and mix until well combined.  Blend in 1 C. flour, baking powder, and cinnamon.  Add 1 C. applesauce and combine well.  Blend in the remaining flour, followed by the remaining applesauce.  Stir in the chocolate chips.  Transfer the mixture to the prepared Bundt pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.  Remove from the oven, place on a wire rack, and allow to cool completely.  Carefully invert the cake onto a plate.  Drizzle with glaze or sift confectioner's sugar over the top, if desired.  Serves 16.

Simple Maple Glaze

1 C. confectioner's sugar
2-3 tsp. milk (more if needed)
1/4 tsp. maple extract

Combine the sugar and milk in a small bowl and whisk until smooth and shiny.  Stir in the maple extract.  Add more milk, 1 tsp. at a time, if the glaze is too thick.  Drizzle over the cake.  (Keep covered with plastic wrap until ready to use.)

*I used 1 1/2 C. white whole wheat flour and 1 1/4 C. all-purpose unbleached flour

Note: I always seem to have trouble getting Bundt cakes out of the pan in one piece, probably because I do not let them cool completely.  Next time I will bake the cake the night before and leave it to cool overnight before trying to remove it from the pan.  I may also try freezing it in the pan for a short time, allowing it to cool more and firm up without freezing it solid, to see if that makes it easier to get the cake out of the pan.  I will let you know how these methods work when I get the chance to try them out!
               

This 'n That Thursdays: A Trip to the Santa Fe Plaza

Santa Fe Plaza (from The Monumentous)

The Sunday before last my husband and I went to the Santa Fe plaza for a day of sightseeing and shopping.  The plaza is a must-see destination for visitors, with its unique shops, excellent restaurants, great museums, and many historic sites.  Although most of the items in the plaza shops are way out of our price range, these places are great for window shopping.  One of my favorites is the rug room at Malouf on the Plaza, which is packed with colorful woven rugs in a vast array of patterns.

I just love all the colors in this room!
(image from TripAdvisor)

My husband's favorite plaza shop is Andrea Fisher Fine Pottery.  Pottery collecting is my husband's passion, but we do try to restrict his purchases to one a year as these fine pieces are not inexpensive!  We found a gorgeous pot that both of us loved, and my husband made his annual purchase that day.

 

Images from Andrea Fisher Fine Pottery.

One goal we achieved while in downtown Santa Fe was the discovery of the best bagels in town!  Boultawn's Bagelry, Cafe & Gallery advertises themselves as being the "Home of New Mexico's Best Bagels" and as far as we are concerned they are right!  They are not on the plaza, but close enough to be convenient, and they are also just down the street from The Cheesemonger's Shop, another favorite food establishment of ours in Santa Fe.  We stocked up on bagels as well as a few specialty cheeses, and then headed for home well satisfied with our day.  If you ever come to Santa Fe, make sure that a visit to the plaza is on your to-do list!
                

Wish List Wednesdays: Loon Peak Switzer China Cabinet

Our new house here in New Mexico has a lot less storage than our Georgia home.  Since I have an extensive tableware collection, I have decided that I need a large china cabinet to store many of the kitchen items that have not yet made the move to Santa Fe.  These furniture pieces are not cheap!  I would prefer to buy something locally so that I can actually see it in person before making up my mind, but if I had to buy online I would consider something like the Loon Peak Switzer China Cabinet ($4,599) in Artisan Oak available from Wayfair (like I said, a large china cabinet is not cheap!).

I like the simple lines and all of the closed storage, top and bottom, because I have so much dinnerware that there would be no room for artful arrangements on open or glass-fronted shelves.  The color is close to that of the wood floor in our dining room, and the dining room is big enough to fit such a large piece of furniture.  Shipping is free, as is in-home delivery, and full-service delivery plus assembly is available for an additional $120.  The reviews have been excellent for this china cabinet, but I would have to think long and hard about ordering such and expensive piece online.  Maybe if I wait a while Wayfair will have a fantastic sale on this piece - not likely, but I can dream, right?
               

Weekend Wardrobe: 2020 Outfit of the Week #2

White Stag Paisley Print Long Sleeve Top

This week's outfit, inspired like last week by another White Stag long-sleeved top, was worn last Sunday when my husband and I finally made a trip to the Santa Fe plaza for a bit of sightseeing and shopping.  This historic heart of downtown Santa Fe is a tourist mecca, and is full of excellent restaurants, shops, and historic locations, all within relatively easy walking distance (although parking can sometimes be a problem, there are parking garages, and street parking is free on Sundays!).  I will describe this fun outing in another post later this week, but here is the outfit I wore that day:

Clockwise from top left: J. Crew Women's Cotton V-Neck Sweater in Black (similar to mine); L.L. Bean Women's Primaloft Packaway Jacket in Black; James Avery Twisted Wire Link Necklace with Turquoise (similar to my much less expensive faux turquoise one); Bomba's Women's Merino Wool Calf Socks in Black; Dr. Scholl's Women's Wide Width Marci Gel-Pac Zippered Loafers in Black (no longer available); L.L. Bean Women's Performance Stretch Slim Jeans in Black Plum (similar to mine); White Stag Paisley Print Long Sleeve Top (no longer available).

As mentioned in the outfit description, my necklace is a very inexpensive one made of faux turquoise and silver.  Even though I paid less than $20 for it, this necklace is one of my favorites, and I found it quite by chance.  I was at a feed store in Georgia to pick up some supplies for my horse.  I made my purchases and was on my way out the door when a sudden violent storm sprang up.  Not having an umbrella with me, I decided to wait out the storm at the front of the store.  While waiting, I happened to glance at a display case next to me, noticed this little necklace, and was immediately smitten.  I took a closer look and saw that the price was quite reasonable, so back to the register I went to add a new piece of jewelry to my collection.  I now wear this necklace more than any other piece of jewelry I own!

This past week has been extremely busy as I have been putting new furniture together, getting ready to host some neighbors for dinner over the weekend, and gearing up for my husband's departure back to Georgia in a few days.  I plan to get back to posting as usual this week, and of course there will be another outfit of the week included!
                

Weekend Wardrobe: 2020 Outfit of the Week #1

White Stag Long Sleeve Turtleneck Shirt

Until I have a bit more free time, I have decided to put together brief Weekend Wardrobe posts of a favorite outfit I wore for the week rather than more extensive wardrobe ensembles.  This week's outfit is one I wore to lunch at the Boxcar, where my husband and I met his second cousin and her husband for lunch (for some reason several women that my husband has known over the years have decided to retire to Santa Fe, just like us, and we have been getting together with them over the past couple of weeks before he has to return to Georgia).

The turtleneck top above was the inspiration for this outfit.  I love tops that feature animal designs (as opposed to animal prints like leopard, although I have nothing against these patterns).  The above turtleneck features little polar bears in bright red scarves and hats, as well as tiny white snowflakes and pine trees, so it is seasonal without being too much of a holiday print.  I added a bright red pullover sweater with a deep V-neck and comfortable jeans, plus heathered red wool socks for warmth and sturdy shoes with good tread to deal with snow and ice.  I tend not to add accessories like jewelry to an outfit like this one since there is already enough bulk and the print of the top adds enough interest at the neckline.

Clockwise from top left: Faded Glory V-Neck Sweater in Red (similar to mine, which is no longer available); Calvin Klein Packable Down Hooded Long Puffer Coat in Shine Wine (similar to mine, which is more of a deep red color but is no longer available); Wigwam El Pine Socks in Red Heather (very similar to mine); Dr. Scholl's Women's Wide Width Marci Gel-Pac Zippered Loafers in Black (no longer available); Red Kap Women's Straight Fit Jean (similar to mine); White Stag Long-Sleeved Turtleneck Shirt in Light Blue Polar Bear Print (no longer available).

Since it was a rather cold day, I wore my new coat (found at the local TJ Maxx) in a lovely deep red shade that is down-filled and rated to temperatures down to 0 degrees!  The Boxcar is a relaxed sports bar setting, so this casual and fun outfit felt like just the right choice.  We had an excellent lunch and great conversation with my husband's relatives, so overall it was the perfect way to spend a chilly winter afternoon.  This retirement lifestyle is looking better and better all the time!
             

Foodie Fridays: Hot Artichoke Green Chile Dip

Our new neighbors here in Santa Fe invited us over for dinner on New Year's Day.  I decided to bring an appetizer dish and immediately thought of my favorite Hot Artichoke Dip.  As I mentioned yesterday, my husband and I are currently obsessed with a type of jarred green chile called 505 Southwestern Flame Roasted Green Chile and have been adding it to all sorts of dishes, so I decided to add them to the dip.  The result was so tasty that I may never make this dip without green chiles again!  This recipe is quick and easy to make, and I love to serve it with large Scoops! corn chips, but celery sticks make a great healthier alternative for dipping.  Don't be surprised if you see more recipes featuring green chile in the near future here, because we truly are obsessed!

Hot Artichoke Green Chile Dip

1 can (14 oz.) artichoke hearts in brine, chopped
1 C. mayonnaise
1 C. grated or shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 C. flame roasted green chile (or to taste)
juice of 1/2 lemon

Combine all of the ingredients and stir until well blended.  Place in a small lightly greased casserole dish and bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes until hot.  Serve with large corn chip scoops and celery sticks.
             

This 'n That Thursdays: Some New Products I Am Loving Right Now

Since moving to New Mexico I have discovered a few new products that I cannot seem to live without now, so I thought I would share my finds.  First up, you may recall that I was searching for a butter substitute that would replace my favorite butter/canola oil blend in an effort to reduce my saturated fat intake.  The avocado oil spread I tried was good, but did not have the true buttery taste I was looking for.  I tried the spread by Earth Balance, and while the flavor was better the texture was too crumbly and it did not melt easily on toast the way my favorite butter spread did.  Recently I discovered Country Crock Plant Butter with Almond Oil, and it is perfect!  The taste is so similar to butter, and it melts just the way it should when spread on toast.  I also purchased it in stick form so that the next time I bake I can substitute it for real butter.  I will let you know how successful this substitution is when I try it!

New Mexico's climate is much drier than that of Georgia, of course, and when the temperatures drop my skin can get really dry.  For my lips, I discovered that the best treatment is Aquaphor Lip Protectant with Sunscreen (the sun is also very intense here).  I find that I only need to apply it once a day, in the morning, and my lips do not dry out and crack at all.

For my hands, I need an emollient-rich cream to prevent the skin from cracking and bleeding, since I am outdoors several times a day to care for my horse and often must remove my gloves to get my chores done.  The first time it got very cold here I ended up with four bandaged fingers at once thanks to deeply cracked and bleeding cuticles that took quite a while to heal.  The best cream I have found is one my husband got for me a while ago but was too rich for me to use in Georgia.  The Soap & Paper Factory Classic Hand Cream in Lavender has worked so well that I have had not problems with dry hands since I started using it, and the lavender fragrance (my favorite scent) is an added bonus.

New Mexico is known for its southwestern food, and that means chiles, so I have been learning to love chiles!  I got here a little too late for peak Hatch chile season, but I have found a favorite bottled variety that is a good substitute when the fresh chiles are not in season.  I have added 505 Southwestern Flame Roasted Green Chile to my favorite chili recipe as well as soup, corn muffins, and dips, and my husband has been adding them to just about everything!  We both love the smoky, earthy flavor and subtle heat they add to any dish.

If you do make green chile corn muffins, you may want to save some for breakfast and spread them with Heidi's Raspberry Red Chile Jam.  I was afraid that the jam might be a bit too hot for me, but the heat is subtle, not overpowering, and complements the green chile in the muffins quite well.  (As you can tell, we are eating quite well here in Santa Fe!)



As I continue to settle in to our new location I am sure I will discover more useful products, and I will continue to post my finds here.  I still have some unpacking to do, but hopefully I am back on a more regular blogging schedule now!
             

Wish List Wednesdays: Pretty Tops for Zebra Lovers

As a lover of all things equid, how could I resist a colorful zebra print top?  The Knit Mock Neck Top  ($58.00) from Anthropologie shown above is made of a cotton spandex material in a warm maize hue that would be great for layering under a cardigan or blazer during the colder winter months. And the Sugarhill Brighton Look on the Wild Side Button-Up Top ($59.00) from ModCloth, in a rich teal viscose fabric, is also perfect for layering.

Is anyone else feeling the zebra love like I am?  These pretty tops just might be cantering into my closet soon!