Wish List Wednesdays: Butterfly Garden Dress from NorthStyle

I rarely wear dresses, but the Butterfly Garden Dress ($79.95) from NorthStyle may just make me a convert!  I love the fit and flare style and the fact that the material is 97% cotton with a bit of spandex for stretch.  Most of all, however, it is the colorful butterflies and tiny red ladybugs against a black and white floral background print that catches my eye.  What a beautiful dress to wear on a warm spring or hot summer day!  Even I could imagine slipping into this dress for a fun day in town once life is back to normal again - honestly, I could even be convinced to wear it around the house while sheltering in place as a break from my usual jeans and t-shirt, just to enjoy the cheerful print!
               

Weekend Wardrobe: 2020 Outfit of the Week #15

Madison on the left, Ruby on the right.

My only reason to go into town last week was to take our dog Madison to the vet for her annual vaccinations.  I also got the results from our older dog Ruby's biopsy, which fortunately was the best possible cancer diagnosis.  She had a soft tissue sarcoma removed, and it was a Grade 1, which means that it is highly unlikely to grow back.  We will keep an eye out for any more unusual growths, but hopefully no more will appear and if they do they will again be the least aggressive type.  To celebrate, I decided to support our closest local restaurant by ordering a pizza to go.  I will likely be ordering from them about once a week from now on to help keep them in business until the coronavirus pandemic is over, which I think will not happen until we have a vaccine so it could take a while.  Here is the outfit I wore to take Madison to the vet and to pick up my delicious pizza:

Clockwise from top left: Land's End Women's Lightweight Fitted Long Sleeve Crewneck T-Shirt in Zinnia (color modified to more closely resemble mine); Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Embossed Horse Round Pendant Necklace (similar to mine); Port Authority Women's Fleece Vest in Dark Chocolate Brown (similar to mine); Hue Women's Jean Socks in Espresso (similar to mine); Sperry Women's A/O 2 Eye Boat Shoe in Dark Brown (similar to mine); Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda Stretch-Fit Jeans in Coffee Roast; Indie Spirit Designs Braided Leather Belt in Cognac (similar to mine).

🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🌸🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🌸🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🌸🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩

For some reason I was in a brown mood, as is obvious from my choice of outfit!  I am much more comfortable wearing brown as a neutral rather than black, so I buy brown apparel whenever I can find it.  I don't know why most people consider brown to be a color to wear only in the fall - even clothing manufacturers seem to believe this and seem to only offer brown clothes options for autumn.  This color is much more complementary to my complexion than black and I prefer warmer hues to cooler ones, so I wear brown all year round.  A petal pink top adds a touch of spring to the above outfit, and a favorite simple silver horse pendant necklace I bought here in Santa Fe a couple of years ago continues my goal of wearing more of my jewelry collection this year.

We are in for some really warm weather this week (up to 90 degrees by Friday!), and this is my week for grocery shopping, so I am looking forward to wearing some truly springlike apparel when I go into town!  I hope nice weather is headed your way soon as well.
             

Foodie Fridays: Quick Chicken Shawarma with Mashed Sesame Sweet Potatoes and Greens

One of these days I will be making the recipe for Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma with Sesame Sweet Potatoes and Hummus from the Half Baked Harvest website.  However, I had leftover chicken breasts from a rotisserie chicken that had to be used up, so I modified this recipe to make a quicker version with the same seasonings.  I had a bag of microwaveable sweet potatoes, and since I was not roasting the chicken I simply microwaved the potatoes and turned then into a mash flavored with sesame seeds.  I used power greens rather than arugula, so I decided to sauté them rather than serve them raw (I also left out the sun-dried tomatoes, which I did not have on hand).  My version may not be quite the same as the original, but the chicken seasoning really makes this dish (in my opinion, the fresh lemon is essential so do not leave it out!).  As I said, one day soon I will make the original recipe, but for now this quick variation is a delicious and satisfying substitute!

Quick Chicken Shawarma with Mashed Sesame Sweet Potatoes and Greens

2 cooked chicken breasts, diced or shredded

1 1/2 T. olive oil

1/2 tsp. garlic-infused olive oil

1 T. sweet chili sauce

1 tsp. smoked paprika

1 tsp. cumin

zest of 1 lemon

juice of 1/2 lemon

salt and pepper to taste

1 bag (1 1/2 lbs.) microwaveable sweet potatoes (about 4)

2 T. olive oil

2 T. butter

2 tsp. sesame oil

1 T. toasted sesame seeds

1 package (5 oz.) fresh baby power greens (or other greens)

1 T. olive oil

2 tsp. sesame oil

1 tsp. toasted sesame seeds

Combine the first 8 ingredients and season to taste with salt and pepper.  Microwave on HIGH for one minute.  Set aside (this may make more than 2 servings depending on the size of the chicken breasts).

Microwave the sweet potatoes according to package directions until soft.  Cool slightly before peeling.  Mash the sweet potatoes with the 2 T. olive oil, butter, 2 tsp. sesame oil, and 1 T. sesame seeds until smooth and well combined.  Set aside (this will make more than 2 servings of mashed potatoes).

Sauté the baby greens in the 1 T. olive oil over medium heat until wilted.  Stir in the sesame oil and 1 tsp. sesame seeds.

For each serving, place a large scoop of the mashed sweet potatoes at the bottom of a large bowl.  Top with half of the chicken and half of the greens.  Serves 2.
                

Wish List Wednesdays: Southern Living Chicken-Knob Cast Iron Dutch Oven

If you are in the market for a new Dutch oven, then Dillard's has a deal for you!  The Southern Living Chicken-Knob Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Lid has been reduced from an original price of $115 to 60% off, or $46!  This 6-quart enameled cast iron pot is oven-safe to 500 degrees and sports a unique chicken-shaped knob.  You have your choice of red or teal - both colors are so attractive that I am not sure which one I would pick.  AT this price, though, I had better make up my mind quickly and get my order in soon!

               

Weekend Wardrobe: 2020 Outfit of the Week #14

Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia)
(image from Wikipedia)

Last week was one of those weeks that kept me on my toes, to say the least.  For some reason it seemed to be my time to get up close and personal with local wildlife.  On an unusually chilly Monday morning I had to rescue a cecropia moth that was clinging to the shady side of my well house and was in danger of freezing to death.  I put it on the sunny side and waited until it warmed up and flew away to keep it safe from any lurking insect-seeking birds.  Cecropia moths are extraordinarily beautiful and this was the first time I had ever seen one - I wish I had had my camera with me but I never take my phone out to the barn for fear of dropping it where my horse might step on it!  Then on Thursday morning I had to catch and release two birds that decided to fly into my garage, got confused by the sunny but closed window in there, and could not figure out how to find the open door again.  One bird was a house finch, which was scared but calm as I carried it out and let it go to fly away.  The other was a Say's phoebe, who was also scared but feisty.  It kept snapping its beak the whole time I carried it and I am sure that if a stray finger had gotten too close to that beak it would have been grabbed with gusto!

Top: House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)
Bottom: Say's Phoebe (Sayornis saya)

I then had to make a trip into town very early Friday morning because my beloved old dog, Ruby, was scheduled for surgery to remove a suspicious lump from her left foreleg.  After I dropped her off I decided to do my shopping for essentials before I went home, even though it was a week too soon, because I had to pick up a few things for her post-surgery care and I also wanted to make sure I had everything I needed for the two weeks she needed for recovery just in case I could not get back into town during that period.  It was an exhausting day, for her and for me, but I am happy to say she came through surgery with no problems and is recovering remarkably well now.  We still need to wait for the biopsy results, but the vet said that the lump was very easily removed so that is a good sign.

Below is the outfit I wore that day - I wanted to wear a cheerful and optimistic color so I chose a top in bold dark orange.  I also wore an old pair of colorful Laurel Burch socks with a dog print pattern.  The base color of my socks is the same as the color of the top I wore, but they are no longer available so I linked to a similar pair that has dark orange as an accent color.  A simple necklace of blue and turquoise seed beads picked up similar colors in the socks.  Even though I knew no one would be able to see my socks, their fun pattern was another much-needed cheerful addition to help me stay positive for the day.

Clockwise from top left: Pendleton Women's Long-Sleeve Turtleneck Jersey Tee in Red Rock (color slightly modified to resemble my mock neck tee); craftybb1 Shades of Blue Seed Bead Single Strand Necklace on Etsy (similar to mine); L.L. Bean Fleece-Lined Warm-Up Jacket in Moss Khaki (color modified to resemble mine; sadly, this jacket is no longer available in women's sizes); Laurel Burch Women's Doggy Dog Socks in Ivory Heather (similar to mine); Dockers Vargas Boat Shoes in Rust (similar to mine); AGOLDE Mid Rise Loose Fit Jeans in Affair (similar to mine); Brooks Brothers Women's Suede Whip-Stitched Waist Belt in Copper (similar to mine).

As I've mentioned before, it is the simple things in life that get me through these days of life during a pandemic.  Getting to meet some New Mexico fauna, dressing in apparel that lifts my mood, and taking care of a beloved pet in her (and my) golden years - these are the things that I choose to focus on, because there is no point in obsessively worrying about a situation which I can only do so much to control.  Keep staying safe out there, everyone, and look for the bright spots in your week!
             

Foodie Fridays: Three-Ingredient Protein Cornbread

I have always enjoyed baking more than any other type of cooking, but ever since I put myself on a low-carb diet I have been doing very little baking.  I do, however, keep an eye out for interesting baked goods recipes that are made with lower carbohydrate ingredients.  Some of these recipes are just as good as if not better than their high-carb counterparts, while others are similar in name only.  Today's recipe for 3-Ingredient Cornbread from the Nest & Glow website falls into the latter category.

While corn is of course mostly carbohydrates (albeit gluten-free), the other ingredients in this recipe do not include either wheat or sugar, the usual carb culprits in baking.  Chickpea flour and ground flaxseed are great sources of protein and fiber, and while the texture and flavor of this cornbread are very different from that of the more familiar version, I found it rather tasty.  It is a very dense and moist bread, but without the crumbly aspect because there is no leavening to create air bubbles in the batter.  I served this bread with soup, and the combination is a very satisfying meal for lunch or a light dinner.  Some may find this recipe an acquired taste, but it is worth a try, especially if you can no longer find wheat flour at the grocery store.  I doubt that most people are stocking up on chickpea flour or flaxseed, and so far frozen corn seems to be in good supply!

Three-Ingredient Protein Cornbread

2 C. frozen corn, thawed

1/2 C. water

1 C. chickpea flour (I used Bob's Red Mill Chickpea Flour)

1/2 C. ground flaxseed (see Notes)

1/4 tsp. salt

Reserve 2 T. corn and place the remainder in a blender with the water.  Blend for a minute to cream the corn kernels.

Pour the creamed corn into a large bowl.  Stir in the chickpea flour, ground flaxseed, and salt.

Place the cornbread batter into a greased 8x4-inch loaf pan.  Sprinkle with the reserved corn, pushing the kernels into the top of the batter.

Bake at 375 degrees for 50 minutes, until the top is golden.  Remove from the oven and cool for 15 minutes.  Serves 8.

Notes:  I used Carrington Farms Organic Milled Flax Seed rather than flaxseed meal because that is what I had on hand, but the original recipe recommends golden flaxseed meal for a more attractive color (like Bob's Red Mill Golden Flaxseed Meal).  Eat this bread within 3 days and store somewhere cool and dark.  This bread tastes best toasted and buttered.

                

This 'n That Thursdays: Quarantine Baking Fails

From Handle the Heat

With so many of us under orders to shelter in place, it is no wonder that we are all looking for creative ways to spend our extended time at home.  One of the most popular pastimes turns out to be baking (just try finding a packet of yeast at your local supermarket!).  Personally, I love to bake but since I am on my own and trying to stick to a low-carb diet I have mostly resisted the urge to bake.  Apparently there are a number of people out there who should have done the same, as shown by the number of epic baking fails posted online recently!  Just take a look at some of these amazing results (and their accompanying hilarious comments) from Bored Panda:

Egg custard pie (that lump in the middle
is supposed to be the bottom crust)

And these efforts from the Daily Mail:

Fortunately these would-be bakers approached their baking fails with good humor, and most seemed willing to try again.  I almost wish that I had attempted and failed at a baking project of my own, just so that I could have similar amusing images.  I would send them to family and friends to add a bit of fun to their day, something we could all use at the moment.  Happy baking, everyone!
               

Wish List Wednesdays: Tulip Dinnerware Collection from Anthropologie

Nothing says spring like tulips, and wouldn't these cheerful 11-inch Tulip Dinner Plates (set of four for $80) from Anthropologie look lovely in a spring tablescape!  The hand-painted stoneware is dishwasher and microwave safe.  You can complete this dinnerware collection with bowls (set of four for $64), mugs (set of four for $56), and side plates (set of four for $56):

Additional pieces available in this pattern include a tea-for-one set ($38), a sugar pot ($14), and a creamer ($14):

What a great way to add garden flowers to your home décor, even if you cannot get outside to garden right now.  And best of all, these flowers will never fade!
             

Weekend Wardrobe: 2020 Outfit of the Week #13

El Santuario de Chimayo, a popular New Mexico Easter destination
under normal circumstances (image from I Love Santa Fe Homes).

Happy Easter, everyone!  We had some unusually warm weather last week, so for my now semi-monthly trip into town I wore a slightly lightened-up outfit which included vibrant pink and a lightweight cotton vest that I have owned for years but never wore in Georgia for some reason.  Even though we are in for a cold spell over the next few days, I will resist wearing any apparel that makes me think of winter.  If I have to wear layers they will only be in springlike colors!  My necklace of the week is one I made myself many years ago from dark brown carved wooden animal beads:

The animal beads represent horses, bears, coyotes, armadillos,
frogs, and a fish in carved stone.

I am not usually someone who enjoys craft projects, but every once in a while I surprise even myself and take up a task that I normally would not ever consider!  Actually, jewelry-making might be a good project to work on right now since I am forced to be home for days on end anyway.  But enough of that topic - let's take a look at my outfit of the week:

Clockwise from top left: Hanes Women's V-Neck Long Sleeve Tee in Sizzling Pink (similar to my long sleeve mock neck top, which is no longer available in this color); HOT COTTON Leopard Print Vest (similar to mine); Carved Wood African Animal Bead Necklace (similar to mine); No Nonsense Women's Flat Knit Crew Socks in Denim Blue; Dockers Vargas Boat Shoes in Rust (similar to mine);  L.L. Bean Relaxed Fit Double L Jeans in Stonewashed (similar to mine); H&M Leather Belt in Dark Brown.

🌞🌸🐝🌞🌸🐝🌞🌸🐝🌞🌸🐝🌞🌸🐝🌞🌸🐝🌞🌸🐝🌞🌸🐝🌞

I hope you are all able to celebrate the spring holidays safely in some way.  I have to go into town next week even though it will be sooner than usual because my dog Ruby is going in for surgery - she is having a mass removed from her leg and we are hoping that it is not malignant.  It will be biopsied after removal, so we will know the following week.  Wish Ruby luck, and take care out there!

Ruby as the Easter Bunny in 2015 (I promised her she would never have to
pose again, but I never said I would not repost this image - sorry girl!).

           

Foodie Fridays: Quick Chicken Marsala

I much prefer cooking chicken tenders to whole chicken breasts because they cook much faster, which means they are less likely to dry out.  When I found the Chicken Marsala Sans Mushrooms recipe on the How Sweet Eats blog, I had to try it, especially since I had no mushrooms in the house!  I modified the recipe, making some of my own changes and also using some changes made in a later version of this recipe on the blog.  Next time I think I will add more seasoning to the sauce (salt plus more nutmeg and possibly some of the smoked paprika) because I found it just a bit bland, but otherwise I really enjoyed this fast and easy recipe and I will be making it again.

Quick Chicken Marsala

1/2 C. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
black pepper to taste
1 1/2 lbs. chicken tenders
2 T. olive oil
2 T. butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 C. marsala wine
1 C. chicken stock
minced fresh parsley for garnish

Combine the flour, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper in a shallow dish.  Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil.

Dredge the chicken tenders lightly in the flour mixture (reserve the flour mixture when done dredging), then brown them on both sides in the skillet, about 2 minutes per side (they will not be cooked through).  Remove the chicken tenders from the pan and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.

Melt the butter in the skillet.  Add the garlic and nutmeg and cook for about a minute.  Pour in the marsala wine, scraping any browned bits up from the bottom of the pan.  Whisk 2-4 T. of the reserved flour mixture (depending on how thick you like your sauce) into the chicken stock.  Discard any remaining flour.  Add the flour slurry to the pan, whisking constantly, and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to simmer and cook, stirring, until the mixture thickens.  Return the chicken tenders to the pan, nestling them into the sauce.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.  Remove from the oven and cool slightly before serving.  Serve over pasta or rice (I used cauliflower rice) and top each serving with the minced parsley.  Serves 4.

           

This 'n That Thursdays: Easy Easter Centerpieces

My Easter table from 2017

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic my plans for a transitional move to New Mexico have been put on hold.  We were going to move all of our belongings in three gradual phases.  I completed the first phase last October, when I moved just enough of our furnishings to make our Santa Fe house livable. I was supposed to move more of our things at the end of March, but had to cancel my travel plans thanks to the pandemic.  Now we have no idea when we can restart our moving plans.  Unfortunately, most of my tableware and holiday décor are still in Georgia, so I have not been able to decorate or create table settings for the holidays (our dining room furniture is still in Georgia as well, so I have had to make do with a smaller table that used to be my desk!).

Even though I am not decorating for the holidays right now, I decided I could still collect ideas for future use when we finally do get completely moved.  Today's post is a collection of easy Easter centerpiece ideas that I hope to use in the future:

From Two Sisters Crafting

From Katie Brown Home Workshop

From McCormick Image Gallery

From Dream Home Decorating

From Amazing Interior Design

From Warm Cozy Home
(for a different look, use tiny succulents instead of flowers)

From Inside the Brick House

And finally, I think this one is my favorite (because what could be easier than pretty little Easter cakes on a plate?):

From 1-800-FLOWERS

🌼🌸🐇🌷🐣🌼🌸🐇🌷🐣🌼🌸🐇🌷🐣🌼🌸🐇🌷🐣🌼🌸🐇🌷🐣

Pretty much everyone has probably had to make drastic changes to their usual Easter/Passover traditions.  I hope all of you can still find some way to celebrate, and maybe even come up with new ideas for future holidays.  Even though I am on my own this year and will not be decorating, I did get some hot cross buns and the ingredients for a spring frittata so that I can at least treat myself to an Easter brunch (I also purchased a Lindt Gold Bunny, because for me it just would not be Easter without a chocolate bunny).  Here's hoping we can all go back to gathering with family again next year!  And now, here is my annual link to my favorite Easter YouTube video:

             

Wish List Wednesdays: Joules Dalmatian Footwear from In the Company of Dogs

I am sure you all know by now that I am a Dalmatian lover, so it should be no surprise that I am coveting the Joules Dalmatian footwear currently available from In the Company of Dogs.  The Joules Dalmatian-Print Mid-Calf Welly Boots shown above are currently on sale (reduced from $79.95 to $59.99).  I particularly like the Dalmatian-spotted inside lining!

I am really in need of some short waterproof boots, and the Joules Dalmatian-Print Yellow Wellibob Boots would be perfect.  They are also currently on sale (reduced from $69.95 to $49.99) and have the same fun Dalmatian-spotting inside lining as the taller boots.

Summer will be here before you know it, and the Joules Dalmatian Red Flip-Flops ($24.95) would be my choice for casual warm weather footwear.

🐶🐩🐶🐩🐶🐩🐶🐩🐶🐩🐶🐩🐶🐩🐶🐩🐶🐩🐶🐩🐶🐩🐶🐩🐶

If you are looking for more dog-themed apparel, check out the other options available from In the Company of Dogs.  My order has already been placed, and I am looking forward to wearing my new Dalmatian-themed footwear!
             

Weekend Wardrobe: 2020 Outfit of the Week #12

Signs of spring are very subtle here in New Mexico, but they are
beginning to make an appearance!

Milder spring temperatures are slowly but surely making their way to our part of New Mexico, which means that I am wearing fewer layers when I dress for any trips into town.  I am cutting back my shopping for essentials to just once every two weeks, so my only trip into town last week was to the post office.  Nevertheless, I still wanted to look halfway decent, so I included one of my many necklaces as an accessory, even though I was the only one who got to see it!  My necklace for the week is one I bought a few years ago at a silent auction fundraiser for the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, an event which my husband and I attended every year to help support this beautiful horticultural treasure:

I wore this accessory with a casual outfit of black mock-neck long-sleeve tee and faded denim jeans. Many women prefer dark wash jeans, but I consider my color combination a classic and actually do not care for very dark blue jeans (this shade is too close to navy, which does not flatter my coloring).  The addition of the color turquoise may be unexpected, but I just could not resist this bright note to celebrate spring!  Here is the outfit I wore:

Clockwise from top left: L.L. Bean Women's Long-Sleeve Interlock Mock-Turtleneck in Black (similar to mine, which is no longer available in black); Elizabeth Locke 31" 19kt Yellow Gold Turquoise Bead and Small Link Necklace (no longer available, similar to my much less expensive necklace); L.L. Bean Women's Trail Model Fleece Vest in Teal Green Heather (no longer available); MediPEDS Crew Socks in Black; Dr. Scholl's Women's Wide Width Marci Gel-Pac Zippered Loafers in Black (no longer available); AGOLDE Mid Rise Loose Fit Jeans in Affair (similar to mine); Madewell Braided Leather Belt in Black (similar to mine).

💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠

Once the COVID-19 pandemic is under control I hope to visit the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, which is currently closed, and hopefully my husband and I can help to support this public garden as well.  In the meantime, I will be enjoying nature closer to home, and I hope all of you out there get opportunities to do the same.  Take care, everyone!

From Santa Fe Botanical Garden