Weekend Wardrobe: 2020 Outfit of the Week #20

A pop of color added to my garden.

Last week was my week for essentials shopping.  I went into town on Friday, and it was forecast to be a hot day.  I made sure I got into town as early as possible, and I wore a comfortable but cool outfit which included another new t-shirt from Old Navy.  I love their EveryWear Slub-Knit V-Neck Tees for hot days as they are lightweight and cool, but provide enough coverage in an air-conditioned store to keep me from getting chilly.  The v-neck of these shirts looks best with a shorter necklace, so I wore a short one from my collection which featured shell beads as well as a shell pendant:

The cognac-colored belt coordinates with my purse, but I decided to wear my dark brown boat shoes because they complement the dark brown beads of the necklace, and because they are very comfortable without socks.

Clockwise from top left: Old Navy Women's EveryWear Slub-Knit V-Neck Tee in Ancient Forest; Jacob Foster Designs Natural Sea Shell Necklace (similar to mine); Great American Leatherworks Leather East/West Crossbody Bag in Dark Tan (no longer available); Sperry Women's A/O 2 Eye Boat Shoe in Dark Brown (similar to mine); Rachel Comey Norm Straight-Leg Jeans in Khaki (similar to my much less expensive pair); J. Crew Skinny Italian Leather Belt in Pecan (similar to mine).

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My zucchini seeds have sprouted!

In addition to buying groceries, I also purchased a few more items for gardening.  I am almost done with the plantings I wanted to do for this year.  I purchased quite a few inexpensive large and extra-large pots for herbs, and put some vegetable seeds and seedlings in the ground to see what would do well.  The zucchini and pumpkin seeds I planted have sprouted, and the tomato, eggplant, and pepper seedlings seem to be doing well so far.  The only problem I have had is mice eating my potted basil seedlings, so I bought another ever-so-slightly smaller pot to cover them at night and that seems to have solved the problem.

My pot of basil is flourishing now that the mouse problem has been resolved.

I did get one red geranium and a yellow daylily to add a bit of floral color to our smaller enclosed patio, but I do not really want to plant a lot of flowers yet - I am saving that phase of gardening for next year.  I do have some sunflower and marigold seeds and I will probably plant them, although I expect that mice will eat the sunflower seedlings (that happened when I tried to grow sunflowers in Colorado).  Oh well, we will see what happens, and if I do lose the sunflowers at least they were only seeds!  

Foodie Fridays: Quick Caprese Sandwich

I do love a good Caprese salad, but when fresh tomatoes and basil are in short supply I am happy to make myself this tasty Caprese sandwich instead.  For a recipe made with so few ingredients, this sandwich packs quite a flavor punch.  If you prefer, you can grill instead of microwave, but I actually think the microwaved version is better when made with a ciabatta roll.  I have been enjoying this sandwich for lunch or dinner a lot lately - it is so quick, easy, and tasty, and those are three qualities in a recipe that always appeal to me.  Why not treat yourself to this taste of summer on a plate?

Quick Caprese Sandwich

1 ciabatta roll
1-2 T. pesto
1 medium tomato, sliced
4 thin slices fresh mozzarella

Slice the ciabatta roll in half horizontally and place on a microwave-safe plate.  Spread both halves with the pesto.  Place two slices of the mozzarella on the bottom half of the roll.  Top with enough tomato slices to cover the cheese.  Put the remaining mozzarella on top of the tomato slices.  Cover with the top half of the roll.  Microwave the sandwich on HIGH for 60-80 seconds to melt the cheese.  Let the sandwich rest for about a minute before serving to allow the tomato slices to cool and the cheese to firm up.  Serves 1.
             

This 'n That Thursdays: It's the Little Things...

These two little sleeping beauties are of course most important when
it comes to getting through our sheltering in place days!

I have always felt that it would be the little things in life that would get me through the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during this lockdown phase.  Today I thought I would share a few of these little things that are giving me joy these days.  Some of them are purchases and some come courtesy of Mother Nature, but all are greatly appreciated!

I tend to be a creature of habit, and have been using the same functional but quite utilitarian white mug for my morning tea since I got to New Mexico last October.  Recently at a local supermarket I happened to find a slightly more interesting mug in a size and shape that are perfect for my needs, and I bought it on impulse.  I am so happy that I did, because even though it is a little thing I do look forward to using this new mug every morning!

A couple of months ago I found these inexpensive lightweight t-shirts at JCPenney and fell in love with the lobster and turtle prints.  I bought them in anticipation of warmer weather, and finally got to wear them last week.  These shirts are cool, comfortable, and fun to wear - just looking at the animal prints makes me happy!  I was dismayed but not surprised to hear that JCPenney is filing for bankruptcy.  I do not know if this means the company will disappear forever, but if they do I will miss them.

I always look forward to finding a new mystery book series to read, and the Aloha Chicken Mysteries by Josi Avari promises to be a fun one.  I finished the first in the collection last week, and will be ordering more from Amazon soon.  If you have any interest in Hawaii, chickens, and/or cozy mysteries, I highly recommend this series!

I am constantly learning more about the flora and fauna of my new home state.  Pictured above is a white-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata) I discovered clinging to one of the many yucca plants (Yucca glauca) growing wild on our property.

And speaking of yucca plants, here is one that is currently flowering right next to one of our entrance gates.  Last year, which was a very wet year, almost all of our yuccas flowered, but this is the only one that waited until this year to do so.  The yucca flower is the New Mexico state flower, so I am especially pleased to see this one blooming happily on our property!

Long after yuccas have flowered, the sturdy dried stalks remain on the plants.  I find them very artistic-looking and just had to collect a couple to display in a wooden vase I bought recently online at a fantastic price (less than $10!) from Pier 1 (another favorite company that has fallen upon hard times and may not survive the pandemic shutdown).

The arrival of spring always puts me in the mood to garden, and I have started a small indoor kitchen windowsill collection.  I found these three tiny succulent planters at Lowe's around Mother's Day, and the cute animal-shaped pots always make me smile!

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Have you found that little things are important during these pandemic days?  I must admit that my current pandemic lifestyle does not differ much from my pre-pandemic way of life, and I have always found more joy in life's little everyday matters rather than in major events.  I hope all of you out there are finding ways to cope!
             

Wish List Wednesdays: Joules The Showers That Be Raincoat from ModCloth

I have really been hitting the jackpot lately when it comes to Dalmatian-themed goods.  My latest find is the Joules The Showers That Be Raincoat (on sale for $64.99) from ModCloth.  The eye-catching Dalmatian print on a red background would cheer up any rainy day!  This unlined lightweight coat is meant for summer weather, and the polyester fabric is machine-washable.  There is also a navy dog print featuring multiple breeds, but only smaller sizes are still available.  These raincoats will probably disappear quickly, so if you are interested get your order in now!
             

Weekend Wardrobe: 2020 Outfit of the Week #19

From MTC Federal Credit Union

I did not have time to finish my weekend post yesterday, so I am posting it today instead.  While it is technically no longer the weekend, today is a holiday and considered part of a long weekend, so I am taking advantage of that fact!

Memorial Day promises to be a wet one here in Santa Fe.  Until today, we have been having warm to hot temperatures with no rain.  The day I wore today's outfit was quite hot.  I have been going in to town as early as possible in the mornings, to avoid crowds as well as the heat.  Pale colors help me feel cooler, as do lightweight fabrics.  The tee came from Coldwater Creek recently, bought at a great sale discount.  I added a long silver link necklace to my ensemble (purchased from a shop at Serenbe in Georgia back when we had a house there) and my outfit was complete:

Clockwise from top left: Coldwater Creek Natural Inspirations Printed Tee in River Blue: Armenta Sterling Silver Twisted Link Necklace (similar to my much less expensive necklace); Great American Leatherworks Leather East/West Crossbody Bag in Dark Tan (no longer available); HUE Ultrafine Cotton Sock in White (similar to mine); Dockers Vargas Boat Shoes in Rust (similar to mine); 7 For All Mankind High-Rise Skinny Ankle Jeans in Solid Pink (similar to mine).

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I got most of my garden planting done yesterday.  It turns out that it was a good thing I did not get everything planted, because the few plants that I did not get into the ground were to have gone into a spot that floods when it rains.  Thanks for the warning, Mother Nature!  I hope you have safe but special plans for today, and let's not forget to honor all of those in the military who gave their lives fighting for our freedom.
             

Foodie Fridays: Herbed Walnut Potato Salad

If you are looking for a great potato salad recipe to try for Memorial Day, you should check out this one for Herbed Walnut Potato Salad.  I am not fond of mayonnaise-based potato salads as they are usually very bland, but this dish has a vinaigrette dressing that is quite tasty - just be sure to serve it at room temperature to bring out the flavors (another advantage of a vinaigrette dressing is that it can sit out at room temperature without spoiling).  Rather than adding all of the walnuts to the entire recipe just before serving, I prefer to offer the toasted walnuts on the side, to be added to individual servings and stirred in just before eating.  This method guarantees that the walnuts will be crisp and crunchy and will not become soggy from sitting the vinaigrette for too long.  Have a safe and fun Memorial Day, and enjoy whatever dishes you decide to serve!

Herbed Walnut Potato Salad

3 lbs. each small Yukon Gold potatoes

1 can (15 oz.) white beans, rinsed and drained

1 red bell pepper, diced (about 1 C.)

3/4 C. sliced green onions

1/4 C. minced fresh parsley

1/4 C. extra virgin olive oil

1/4 C. white balsamic vinegar*

1 T. Dijon mustard

salt and pepper to taste

1 C.walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped

2 T. snipped fresh basil

Quarter the potatoes and place in a large saucepan fitted with a steamer basket.  Steam for 20-25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.  Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, combine the potatoes with the beans, bell pepper, green onions, and parsley.  Whisk together the oil, vinegar, and mustard, add salt and pepper to taste, and drizzle over the salad.  Lightly toss to coat the vegetables with the dressing, then cover and refrigerate until ready to serve (at least 1 hour).  Just before serving, stir in the walnuts and basil.  Serves 8.

*We were given a bottle of Savory Olive Comic Pear White Balsamic Vinegar as a gift last year so I used it in this recipe.  I would recommend getting a bottle if you can find it, as the comice pear flavor adds a unique sweetness to the salad that is irresistibly delicious!

                

Wish List Wednesdays: The Novogratz Dalmatian Collections

If you adore Dalmatians as much as I do, then you are going to find a lot to love in The Novogratz bedding collection on Amazon!  There are two sheet sets based on two different famous Dalmatians.  Shown above is the Novogratz Major Sheet Set in Blue ($39.99- $79.99 plus free shipping).  Major was the name of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt's White House Dalmatian, and his image is featured prominently on these 100% percale cotton sheets.

The other Dalmatian sheet set is the Novogratz Scout Sheet Set in Charcoal ($34.99-$62.68 plus free shipping).  It is also 100% percale cotton and is named for a famous canine hero from a Brooklyn fire company who saved a family of five from a burning building in 1928.

If you need a blanket for your bed, the Novogratz Major Blanket in Navy ($39.99-$49.05 plus free shipping) is the perfect complement to these sheet sets.  The 100% polyester plush fleece is machine washable for easy care.

Complete your bedding with the Novogratz Scout Duvet Cover Set in Charcoal ($67.99-$129.98 plus free shipping).  The 100% percale cotton set includes the duvet cover plus shams (one sham for twin and two for full/queen and king).

The Novogratz Major Throw Pillow in Grey ($22.49 plus free shipping on orders over $25) can be added as an accent to your bed, or use it on a chair or sofa.  This 14x20-inch pillow is 100% cotton canvas and the envelope cover is removable for cleaning.

Finally, if you need a couple of throw blankets to use around the house, there are two Dalmatian options.  The Novogratz Major Throw in Navy or "Nautral" (not sure if that is a misspelling for "Natural" or possibly "Neutral"?) are both 50x60 inches in size and are made of 100% polyester plush fleece.  The navy throw is identical to the blanket-sized version described earlier, and both throws are available for $24.99 plus free shipping on orders over $25.

For those of us who are obsessed with all things Dalmatian, these Novogratz bedding collections are irresistible.  I placed my order yesterday, and am already wondering if I need to add a few more pieces (there are shower curtains available in both the Major and Scout prints, but luckily for our bank account the showers and bathtubs in our house are not the types that need them!).

               

Weekend Wardrobe: 2020 Outfit of the Week #18

This large shrub is located in front of our house.  I am pretty sure it is a
grape holly (Mahonia aquifolium) even though it is growing quite robustly
in a spot that should be too sunny and dry for it!  Right now it is literally
covered in bright yellow, deliciously fragrant tiny flowers.

Hopefully by now everyone in enjoying warm weather!  I have been doing a bit of gardening, mostly planting herbs and some vegetable seeds to see what will grow well here in our part of New Mexico.  The climate is very different from that of Georgia, much drier and cooler, and I find that I need to water new plants twice a day so that they do not dry up before they have a chance to establish a root system.  Everything I planted should be able to tolerate dry conditions once they become established, but I am sure that many of the herbs that are perennials in Georgia will only be annuals here due to the much colder winters.  Hopefully by next spring I will have a better idea of what to plant, and if the pandemic has eased up by then I will be able to do a lot more landscaping in our yard.

I ended up going into town twice last week, once to pick up a prescription and then again to do my essentials shopping trip.  I could not combine the two trips because I had to get back home quickly after my first trip to pick up my prescription (our pest control person was coming later that morning and I had to meet up with him).  Below is the outfit I wore for that quick trip into town.  I am calling this my Old Navy outfit because both the tee and the jeans I wore are recent purchases from that establishment.  Both items are lightweight and perfect for the warm weather we are experiencing right now.  I wore another necklace from my collection, a simple white teardrop pendant that I have had since I was a teenager!

Clockwise from top left: J. Crew Women's Vintage Cotton V-Neck T-Shirt in Leopard Print (similar to mine); White Jasper Teardrop Pendant Necklace (similar to mine); Great American Leatherworks Leather East/West Crossbody Bag in Dark Tan (no longer available); HUE Ultrafine Cotton Sock in White (similar to mine); Dockers Vargas Boat Shoes in Rust (similar to mine); Gap Mid Rise Girlfriend Jeans in Faded Indigo (similar to mine); Madewell Braided Leather Belt in Black (similar to mine).

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The Old Navy boyfriend jeans are currently my favorite jeans ever!  I used to be a big fan of Lee jeans, but then the company changed the style and fit of their jeans and, even worse, switched to a denim that was not 100% cotton.  I find that stretch cotton jeans do not breathe well at higher temperatures, making me feel too hot, and I am not a fan.  I decided to give the Old Navy jeans a try because they are 100% cotton and also inexpensive, and I got them on sale for about half price.  The fit of jeans is always iffy for me, but these fit me perfectly!  I also love the look of faded denim (I know that most women would rather wear dark denim, but I do not like that shade).  I now own five pairs of these Old Navy boyfriend jeans - I hope that this style never changes, and that they will be around forever!  I have also recently found 100% cotton Lee jeans that are a medium weight and I like them for cooler weather.  Thank goodness the makers of jeans are giving us back the option of all cotton denim!

I may or may not make a trip to town this week, but even if I do not I will do a post of the second outfit I wore to town last week.  Have a great Sunday - if it is a gorgeous day and you decide to get out and about, remember social distancing and wear a mask if necessary!
               

Foodie Fridays: Easy Tuna Melt

One of my favorite sandwiches is a tuna melt.  I always have the ingredients handy for my easy version, which is quite simple and very quick to make.  Most tuna melts are grilled, but I am just as happy to toast one in a toaster oven, or even to just heat it up in the microwave.  You can get fancy with your tuna salad and add chopped celery, onion, and/or any seasoning that you like, but I prefer my simple three-ingredient version.  Use any bread you like, but an English muffin can be toasted in a regular toaster for a crispy texture without the bother of grilling.  You can also use any cheese you prefer, but I think that sharp cheddar is the best complement to the creamy tuna salad.  In my opinion, a good tuna melt is one of the best comfort foods you can make while sheltering in place!

Easy Tuna Melt

1 packet (2.5 oz.) flaked tuna
1 tsp. mayonnaise (or to taste)
1/2 tsp. pickle relish (or to taste)
1 English muffin, split
2 slices cheddar cheese (I like to use sharp cheddar)

In a small bowl, combine the tuna with the mayonnaise and pickle relish.  Toast the English muffin halves and divide the tuna salad evenly between the two halves (if you like, spread the halves with a little mayonnaise first).  Top each half with a slice of cheese.  Place the halves in a toaster oven and toast until the cheese melts, or if you do not mind a less crispy bread place your sandwiches in the microwave on HIGH for about a minute to melt the cheese.  Serves 1.
               

Wish List Wednesdays: New Summer Dress and Hat from Coldwater Creek

I am a big fan of Coldwater Creek apparel, and recently decided to take advantage of one of their discount sales by purchasing a summery dress and hat that I have had my eye on.  I am not usually one to wear dresses or hats, but our current coronavirus lockdown for some reason has many women, including myself, longing to wear clothing we normally would not consider.  I guess it has something to do with the fact that we are so limited in what we can safely do right now that we are more willing to try new things as long as they do not endanger our health or the health of our loved ones!

The dress that I purchased, shown above, is the Everywhere Crinkle Maxi Dress in Rosewood ($89.95, at 40% off plus free shipping).  I love the relaxed style and earthy hue (it is also available in blue) and the fact that it comes in a petite length, which suits my shorter legs.  It is fully lined so that it is not overly sheer, and even has on-seam pockets!  I do not happen to mind wearing sleeveless dresses, but one could easily wear a lightweight layer with sleeves under the dress if this is an issue.

I decided to buy the Canyon Hues Packable Raffia Hat ($59.95, at 40% off plus free shipping) as an accessory for the dress.  As I mentioned, I am not normally a hat person, but the sun in New Mexico is intense and I feel that I should probably wear hats more often here.  Once again I love the earthy hues, and because this hat is packable I can wear it on trips when it eventually becomes safe to travel again.

Right now Coldwater Creek is having a 50% off sale for 3+ styles or 30% off for 2 styles (use code CHOICE) plus free shipping on purchases of $99 or more.  Are you finding yourself wanting to wear items that you usually tend to avoid - perhaps brighter colors, unusual color combinations or patterns, or either more casual or more elegant styles?  I surprised even myself with this dress purchase, and cannot wait for really warm weather so that I can wear it on one of my essentials shopping trips.

I might possibly shock myself even more by putting on a little makeup, which I rarely wear even in normal times.  On second thought, probably not - I hate wearing makeup as I find it very uncomfortable, and the whole point right now for me is to be as comfortable as possible in these trying times!
               

Weekend Wardrobe: 2020 Outfit of the Week #17

Our backyard bunny (actually a black-tailed jackrabbit).

Our backyard bunny photobombed by a bird (probably a Say's phoebe).

Before I describe my outfit of the week I thought I would introduce you to our backyard bunny, who is actually a jackrabbit!  Lately he has been enjoying the spring plant growth in our yard, and I often see him out there very early in the morning.  We also have a resident pasture bunny (a cottontail, but I am not sure what species) who shares the space with my horse.  He is not very afraid of me, and if I ever remember to bring my phone out to the pasture I should be able to photograph him as well!

Now on to my outfit of the week.  I had not planned to go into town last week as it was not my week to shop, but one of my car tires seemed more deflated than the others so I took it in to get it checked.  It was indeed very low on air, so I will be watching it closely to see if it deflates again and will take it in to get it fixed if it does.  Since I was in town anyway I did a bit of shopping, mostly gardening supplies as well as some electrical tools because I have a couple of electrical repairs that I will be attempting on my own due to the coronavirus (I would rather not have people coming into the house if I can fix things myself).  It was a very mild and pleasant day so I was able to wear warm weather clothing.  I recently bought a fun t-shirt from Old Navy that features a cute avocado print, and it became the basis of my outfit selections:

The tiny avocados feature pits in the center in shades of rust and orange, so rusty shades were my color choices for the rest of the outfit, except for the socks which are the ivory hue of the t-shirt base color.  I wore another necklace from my vast collection, this one made of simple bamboo tube beads which, like last week's necklace, was purchased in Puerto Rico decades ago:

Clockwise from top left: Old Navy EveryWear Printed V-Neck Tee for Women in Light Avocado; Bamboo Tube Beads Necklace; Great American Leatherworks Leather East/West Crossbody Bag in Dark Tan (no longer available); We Love Colors Knee Highs in Ivory (similar to mine); Dockers Vargas Boat Shoes in Rust (similar to mine); Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda Stretch-Fit Jeans in Roasted Chestnut (color no longer available); Brooks Brothers Women's Suede Whip-Stitched Waist Belt in Copper (similar to mine).

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I hope all of you mothers out there had a great Mother's Day, and that you got to wear a special outfit, even if you had to shelter in place!
                

Foodie Fridays: Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Asian Peanut Sauce

I know several people who just do not care for whole wheat pasta (my husband and sister are among them), but I happen to prefer it to white flour pasta.  When I saw the recipe for Thai Noodles with Peanut Sauce on the Olla-Podrida blog, I knew that I had to try it with some whole wheat spaghetti I had on hand.  I made a few minor changes to the peanut sauce (used sweet chili sauce instead of chili garlic paste, omitted the brown sugar because the chili sauce is sweet, and added some minced ginger) but the basic recipe is excellent.  I replaced the julienned radish with zucchini because I had the latter but not the former (cucumber would also be a great substitute).  This recipe is so quick, easy, and delicious that I know I will be making it over and over again, of course using whole wheat pasta!

Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Asian Peanut Sauce

8 oz. whole wheat spaghetti

1/2 C. creamy peanut butter

1/4-1/3 C. hot water

2 T. soy sauce

2 T. fresh lime juice

1 T.. sweet chili sauce*

1/2 tsp. minced garlic

1/2 tsp. minced ginger

1/2 C. julienned zucchini

1/2 C. sliced scallions

Cook the spaghetti according to package directions.  While the pasta is cooking, whisk together the peanut butter, water, soy sauce, lime juice, chili sauce, garlic, and ginger in a large bowl until smooth.

Drain the spaghetti and add to the sauce.  Toss until well coated, adding hot water as needed to loosen the sauce so it distributes easily over the noodles.  Toss in the zucchini and scallions.  Serve warm.  Serves 4.

                

Wish List Wednesdays: North Star Designs Perch 21-inch Concrete Complete Birdbath from Lowe's

Now that spring and warm weather have finally arrived here in New Mexico, I am starting to think about gardening.  We have a completely empty walled-in front yard filled with nothing but bare dirt and some weeds.  Eventually, when the pandemic is over, we will need to come up with and implement a garden design plan, but for now I want to at least do some bare minimum gardening.  I am dealing with the weeds, but need to start thinking about doing some planting and also adding a bit of garden décor.

One item I would really like to add to the yard is a birdbath, because it is so dry here and I think our resident birds would really appreciate a water source.  The North Star Designs 21-inch Concrete Complete Birdbath ($81.36) from Lowe's is the one I am thinking would work for me.  I like the simple but rustic style, the price is quite reasonable, and it seems sturdy enough so that it is unlikely to tip over and break.  It is not very big, but that is probably an advantage at this point - we will probably decide to go with some sort of water feature in the future (this is what my husband would like to do) and the birdbath would still be a nice secondary water feature in our yard.  Best of all, I can order it and have it delivered to the store with no delivery fee.  It is so nice to finally get out and putter around in the dirt, dreaming of future garden plans!

             

Weekend Wardrobe: 2020 Outfit of the Week #16

Spring wildflowers are starting to bloom in profusion here now.

It is hot in New Mexico!  We had record or near record highs all last week, which meant that I got to wear what I consider summer clothing for my essentials shopping trip into town on Friday.  I almost never wear very light-colored clothes, but I really felt the need to don items that would reflect rather than absorb heat, so cream-colored all-cotton ankle jeans and a very lightweight cotton tee in an off-white print were my choices.  Somehow I even managed to avoid stains!  For the first time in months I did not need a second top layer of any sort, and I did not even feel the need to wear socks.  I did accessorize with another necklace from my collection, a short and very lightweight one made of shell fragments that I purchased in Puerto Rico so many years ago I do not even remember what decade it was!

The only jarring note (which you will not see here) was the mask I wore.  I recently purchased some disposable masks from Costa Industries on a recommendation from my sister - they are filter masks almost as good as the ones health care workers wear but are not rated for that purpose.  They are relatively comfortable and have an adjustable nose piece, but imagine my surprise when I unpacked one and discovered that it was a very bright green (the image on the website, incidentally, shows a white mask)!  Oh well, it did the job well so I am not complaining too much.  Below is my outfit, without mask:

Clockwise from top left: Coldwater Creek Natural Inspirations Printed Tee in Canyon Rose; DK Hawaiian Collections Rose Clam Shell Necklace (similar to mine); Great American Leatherworks Leather East/West Crossbody Bag in Dark Tan (no longer available); Croft & Barrow Adagio Women's Boat Shoes in Ivory; Mango Mom Relaxed Jeans in White (no longer available).

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This week is supposed to be just as hot and dry as last week.  Luckily I do not have to shop for essentials until next week, and I hope it will cool down to more normal temperatures by then so that I can actually wear a spring outfit.  Have a great day no matter what sort of weather you are experiencing!
           

Foodie Fridays: Ricotta and Zucchini Frittata

When we first started to shelter in place for the coronavirus pandemic, I decided to buy a carton of egg whites to try as an alternative to whole eggs.  These egg whites came in handy for my variation on a recipe for Ricotta and Spinach Frittata from the Clean Eating website.  Frittatas use a lot of eggs, and this healthy recipe greatly reduces the fat content by using mostly egg whites.  The addition of just one whole egg adds the expected yellow color to the frittata.  I changed the original recipe by using scallions and zucchini rather than white onion and spinach, and I think any combination of vegetables you have on hand would probably work.  This frittata is great for a hearty breakfast or a light lunch or dinner, and is quite tasty despite the lower fat content - in fact, I think I prefer this version to the traditional recipe using all whole eggs!

Ricotta and Zucchini Frittata

8 egg whites (about 1 cup)

1 large egg

1/3 cup milk (I used almond milk)

2/3 cup low-fat ricotta cheese

1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced

1 T. olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 medium zucchini, grated and squeezed dry

1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper

pinch of ground nutmeg

In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg whites, egg, skim milk, and ricotta until frothy.  Stir in the scallions and set aside.

Heat the oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the zucchini and sauté for 3 minutes until softened.  Add the garlic and cook for one more minute  Season with the salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Pour the egg mixture into the pan and stir gently to evenly distribute the zucchini mixture.  Cook for 3 minutes, until the eggs begin to set on the bottom.  Transfer the pan to the oven and bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes, until the eggs are firm. Cut the frittata into wedges and serve immediately.  Serves 4.