Weekend Wardrobe: 2020 Outfit of the Week #32

A colorful array of even more vegetables from my garden!

I made one quick trip into town last week, and since our weather forecast calls for a slight cooling trend starting this week I decided to wear one more truly summery outfit before the end of our insufferably long heat wave!  My outfit featured a pair of shorts I got from Talbots last year which is covered with little embroidered red crabs on a blue and white seersucker stripe background.  Despite the fact that I rarely wear a hot color like red in the summer, I chose to emphasize the red in these shorts with my top and shoes.  I also wore a short silver crab pendant necklace I bought from a mail-order catalog a few years ago to complement the crab design.

Clockwise from top left: Blair Women's Essential Knit Tank Top in Classic Red (similar to mine); Aeravida Crab Claws Cancer Zodiac Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace (similar to mine); Great American Leatherworks Leather East/West Crossbody Bag in Dark Tan (no longer available); DailyShoes Extra Cushioned Casual Slip On Flats in Red Linen; Talbots 7" Crab Girlfriend Chino Shorts (no longer available).

I have seven pairs of shorts and one skort suitable for wearing to town, and I have now worn all of them at least once this summer, so I am more than ready to move on to clothing for cooler weather!  I am looking forward to temperatures below the 90s this week, and fall feels like it is just around the corner.  I can't wait!
               

Foodie Fridays: Southwestern Yellow Squash Casserole

Before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I had not planned to start a vegetable garden this year.  Once it became clear that we would all be spending a lot of time at home, however, I decided to put in a little experimental garden with a variety of vegetables to find out which ones would do well in New Mexico's climate.  It turns out that every one that I tried does well here!  I am spending a lot more time caring for this little garden than I intended because so many more plants survived and thrived than I had planned on.  Due to the dryness of this area and a much hotter than normal summer I must water everything twice a day.

I have also been forced to spend a lot of time cooking just to use up all of the produce I am harvesting right now.  This week I have made a turkey and zucchini meatloaf, yet another batch of stir-fried vegetables, and two different yellow squash casseroles, trying to make a dent in the super abundance of squash sitting on my kitchen counter.  I did manage to use up a good deal, but they are once again accumulating on the counter as more continue to grow!

Today I am posting my recipe for Southwestern Summer Squash Casserole, based loosely on my more traditional recipe for this southern classic dish.  Since this is the peak of Hatch chile season, there are numerous Hatch chile products available in the grocery stores right now.  Our local Albertson's, which has a chili roaster set up in their parking lot, is a particularly good source for these products, and I used both their Hatch chile cheese corn muffins and their Hatch chile queso dip in my casserole.  If you cannot find Hatch chile products, just use whatever versions are available to you.

In this recipe, all amounts are approximate so feel free to increase or decrease any one you like.  Also feel free to add or substitute ingredients - dice a regular onion and roast it with the squash instead of using scallions, crush some tortilla chips for the topping instead of Ritz crackers, use any jarred cheese dip or even sour cream instead of the queso dip, sprinkle some shredded cheese over the cracker crumbs, etc. - I put this casserole together using items I had on hand, so you should do the same!

Southwestern Yellow Squash Casserole

6 small to medium yellow squash, halved lengthwise and sliced
2 T. olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
3/4 C. sliced scallions
1 container (10 oz.) or jar (15 oz.) white queso dip
2-4 T. diced roasted Hatch chiles (or any green chiles you can find)
2 large corn muffins, coarsely crumbled
3/4 C. crushed Ritz crackers

Place the sliced squash in a large baking pan.  Toss with the oil, salt, and pepper.  Roast at 400 degrees for about 25 minutes, or until very tender.  Remove from the oven and stir in the scallions, queso dip, and chiles until well mixed.

Grease a 9-inch square glass baking dish.  Sprinkle the corn muffin crumbles evenly over the bottom.  Top with the yellow squash mixture.  Scatter the cracker crumbs evenly over the top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Remove from the oven and cool slightly before serving.  Serves 6.

Notes: If you cannot get fresh roasted Hatch chiles, try this bottled version of roasted green chiles instead.  I served my casserole atop some diced fresh tomatoes,  but this is also tasty with your favorite salsa spooned on top.

Wish List Wednesdays: Soft Surroundings Sweater and Necklace

Fall apparel is beginning to make an appearance, and I recently checked out the new arrivals online at Soft Surroundings.  Two items in particular really caught my eye.  One is the Verse Sweater in Aqua Stripe ($89.95) shown above.  I have a fondness for colorful striped sweaters, especially when they are 100% cotton like this one, and the relaxed fit and dropped shoulders make it more likely that the sweater will not be too tight across my overly broad shoulders.  I would probably order the petite rather than the misses for the shorter length as I do not care for really long sweaters.

I am also attracted to the Omo Flower Necklace in Blue ($159.95) that the model is wearing with the sweater, but I am reluctant to spend so much on a necklace.  The prices at Soft Surroundings can be a little higher than I like to pay, so I would wait to see if this necklace goes on sale before I would consider buying it.  After all, I own so many necklaces already that I really have no need for more.  That sweater is really tempting me, though - I may not be able to wait for a sale before I make the purchase!
               

Weekend Wardrobe: 2020 Outfit of the Week #31 - Denim Shorts, and an Outfit I Will, Sadly, Not Be Wearing this Summer

A colorful display of the abundant produce from my garden - I am being overwhelmed by summer squash!

I did not post any outfits last week because I did not go anywhere, except to the landfill, and I doubt that anyone wants to see what I wear to dump my trash!  This week, however, I made two trips into town so I have two outfits to post.  Both featured denim shorts, of which I have two pairs, a longer dark denim version and a slightly shorter light denim pair.  First up is the outfit I wore to (finally!) pick up my car after having left it at the shop for almost a month to get six leaks fixed (and now my anti-lock brake light is on, which the mechanic said was because it is getting weak - while the brake is fine for now, I will need to have it fixed some time in the near future 😩).  Oh well, be that as it may, here is my first outfit:

Clockwise from top left: Land's End Women's Cotton Tank Top in Desert Peach (similar to mine); wowjewelryco Southwest Pearls Bead Necklace in Sterling Silver and Turquoise (similar to mine); Great American Leatherworks Leather East/West Crossbody Bag in Dark Tan (no longer available); Dockers Vargas Boat Shoes in Rust; Old Navy Women's 9-Inch Inseam High-Waisted Rolled-Cuff Bermuda Jean Shorts in Carla (similar to mine); Steve Madden White Leather Belt with Turquoise Studs (similar to mine).

The main feature of this outfit was the faux turquoise and silver studded belt, which was an inexpensive but attractive find at our local Walmart earlier this year.  I added my favorite little faux turquoise and silver bead necklace (another inexpensive find several years ago in Georgia) and I was good to go!

The second outfit is the one I wore for my semi-monthly essentials shopping trip, an event that is about as exciting as my life gets these days:

Clockwise from top left: Sterling Silver and Amethyst Navajo Bear Fetish Pendant Necklace (no longer available - similar to mine); Great American Leatherworks Leather East/West Crossbody Bag in Dark Tan (no longer available); Lands' End Women's Skinny Leather Belt in White (similar to mine); Croft & Barrow Women's Boat Shoes in New Tan (no longer available) Express Women's Super High Waisted Cinched Paperbag Jean Shorts in Light Wash (similar to mine); Blair Women's Essential Stretch Tank in Light Lavender (similar to mine).

In addition to denim shorts, I also wore a couple of pastel-colored tank tops this week - I rarely wear pastels, but it is still so hot here that I felt I needed the cooling look of pale colors.  For this outfit, I wore a short pendant necklace featuring a purple stone bear fetish that my husband gave me years ago (I really do have an embarrassingly large collection of necklaces given to me by my sweet husband!).

As a bonus this week, here is an outfit I was hoping to wear this summer when my husband came for a visit after the pandemic eased up.  Unfortunately, the pandemic only got worse over the summer both here in New Mexico and in Georgia where my husband is currently still living.  Needless to say, he will not be coming to visit, so this lovely outfit will have to wait until next summer 😩.

Clockwise from top left: Coldwater Creek Canyon Hues Packable Raffia Hat (no longer available); Turquoise Beads Multi-Strand Necklace (similar to mine); Kim Rogers Crochet Straw Bag in Natural; Easy Spirit Willow Slingback Sandals in Tan (no longer available); Coldwater Creek Everywhere Crinkle Maxi Dress in Rosewood (no longer available).

The dress and hat came from Coldwater Creek, which sadly went out of business recently 😩.  And yes, I know that this post is a little late, but I was bitten on the fingertip by a harvester ant yesterday morning and my poor finger was so sore and swollen that I could not finish this post in time 😩.  So how has life been going in your neck of the woods these days?
               

Foodie Fridays: Stuffed Bell Peppers

My vegetable garden continues to produce produce prodigiously.  I had quite a collection of bell peppers to use up, so I decided to make a stuffed peppers recipe from the McCormick website.  Normally I am not a fan of stuffed peppers, but there was something about using peppers I had grown myself that made this dish appealing.  My homegrown peppers were smaller and thinner-skinned than store-bought ones, and in my opinion had better flavor (I did use more peppers than called for in the original recipe because mine were smaller, but the number of servings stayed the same).

I used hot Italian sausage instead of ground beef, and because I am allergic to red meat I used a turkey version.  I also added a shredded zucchini because I am putting zucchini into any dish I can just to get rid of them!  I used a Mexican blend shredded cheese instead of mozzarella because that is what I had.  This recipe comes together quickly and is pretty straightforward to prepare.   It does take a little while to cook, so make sure you have enough time when you make this recipe.  The good news is that this dish is even better as leftovers.  If I accumulate enough bell peppers, I will certainly make this recipe again!

Stuffed Bell Peppers

4 bell peppers, any color
1 medium zucchini, shredded
1 tsp. salt
1 T. olive oil
1 lb. hot Italian sausage (I used turkey sausage)
1 C. chopped onion
1/4 tsp. black pepper (optional)
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 C. cooked rice
2 cans (15 oz. each) tomato sauce (I used unsalted)
1 C. shredded cheese (I used a Mexican blend)

Halve the peppers lengthwise.  Remove the seeds and membranes.  Rinse and set aside.

Place the shredded zucchini in a colander over a deep bowl.  Toss with 1/2 tsp. salt and let sit for 30 minutes.  Squeeze the zucchini with your fingertips to remove all excess moisture.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the sausage and onion and cook until the sausage is no longer pink.  Add the drained zucchini, remaining 1/2 tsp. salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and rice and stir until well blended.

Pour one can of tomato sauce into the bottom of a 9-inch square baking dish.  Stuff each pepper half with the sausage mixture and place in the baking dish.  Pour the second can of tomato sauce evenly over the top of the peppers.  Cover the baking dish tightly with foil.

Bake at 400 degrees for 35-45 minutes until the peppers are tender.  Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top of the peppers.  Bake 5 minutes longer or until the cheese melts.  Spoon the sauce over the stuffed peppers to serve.  Serves 4.
               

Wish List Wednesdays: Sloggers Garden Shoes and Boots

Between taking care of my horse and tending to my vegetable garden, I have been spending a lot of time outdoors on our property this summer.  All of this outdoor work has been taking quite a toll on my footwear!  I have already gone through one pair of barn boots and will soon need to replace them again.  Not long ago my garden clogs also bit the dust (pun intended!), and as the brand I was wearing is no longer available I had to find a suitable replacement.

I have been eyeing the garden shoes from Sloggers for a while now, in particular the Sloggers Women's Rain and Garden Shoes in Chicken Daffodil Yellow ($29.99) shown above, so I finally bought a pair.  I couldn't be happier with them!  The heavy duty tread on the bottom is much more sturdy than that of my old pair, and I just love the cheerful yellow chicken print.  They also fit quite comfortably, which is especially important for shoes that are worn without socks.

I am so happy with these shoes that I may just have to purchase a pair of their Garden Ankle Boots ($34.99) as well, although I still cannot decide if I want to go with the Chicken Daffodil Yellow again or get them in the Chicken Bard Red print instead.  And even though I don't really need more garden shoes right now, they come in so many fun prints that I may just have to get myself a backup pair - the Goats Sky Blue shown below are just a cute as can be, don't you think?  I have a feeling that my first pair will last a long time, but it never hurts to plan ahead!

               

Foodie Fridays: Creamy Zucchini Sauce

With zucchini from my garden threatening to take over my kitchen countertops, I am at the moment constantly on the lookout for more ways to use up as much zucchini as possible!  I found a recipe for Creamy Zucchini Sauce that calls for a huge amount of shredded zucchini, which is cooked down into a wonderfully rich and creamy sauce for pasta, or any starchy base you like (I used potatoes as seen in the above image).  Please note that you DO NOT squeeze the moisture from the shredded zucchini, as the liquid is needed as part of the recipe for cooking down the squash.

Of course I had to simplify the recipe even more thanks to my basic laziness when it comes to cooking.  I reduced the amount of olive oil because I thought 3/4 C. was rather excessive (1/4 C. worked just fine).  The original recipe calls for fresh basil, oregano, and mint, but I made this sauce very late at night and was reluctant to spend a lot of time trying to find my garden herbs in the dark.  I decided to only harvest fresh basil and make do with dried Italian seasoning as a substitute for the other two herbs.  I omitted both the red pepper flakes and black pepper included in the original recipe because I am not really a fan of either one.  Since I had a small amount of leftover pesto in the fridge I threw it into the sauce for more flavor, but you could probably omit it if you like, or add more.  And instead of Romano cheese, which I did not have, I substituted equal amounts of shredded Monterey jack and grated cotija cheese.

Despite all of my changes, the sauce turned out quite well.  It is definitely not a low-fat food so use it sparingly, but it is quite delicious and makes a very satisfying meal.  Don't be surprised if you see another summer squash recipe here next week - even though this recipe used up three good-sized zucchini I still have a plentiful supply to get through!

Creamy Zucchini Sauce

1/4 C. olive oil
1 C. diced sweet onion
1 1/2 T. minced garlic
2 1/2 lbs. zucchini, shredded
1 tsp. salt (I used half that amount)
1 T. Italian seasoning
1 C. heavy cream
2 T. pesto
4 T. chopped fresh basil
3/4 C. grated Romano cheese

Heat 2 T. olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the onion and sauté for 3 minutes.  Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.  Add the remaining oil, then stir in the zucchini, salt, and Italian seasoning.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure the mixture does not stick to the skillet.

Remove the cover from the skillet and add the cream, pesto, and fresh basil.  Heat the sauce through.  Add the cheese and stir until melted and smooth.  If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of water.  Serve the sauce over cooked pasta or potatoes.  Serves 8.
               

Wish List Wednesdays: Animal Print Tops

I recently purchased two t-shirts from Old Navy and one sleeveless blouse from Banana Republic which all feature fun animal prints.  While I do not mind tops with prints of animal markings such as leopard or zebra, I much prefer those that have a repeating pattern of the entire animal.  As a confirmed Dalmatian lover, the minute I saw the Old Navy Women's EveryWear Printed Slub-Knit Tee in Dogs Green (on sale for $11.00) featuring Dalmatians, I had to order two!

I had never shopped at Old Navy before this spring, but when I discovered that they had comfortable and lightweight cotton t-shirts which often feature animal prints, I was hooked.  (I do have to go up a size in their shirts with sleeves because I have very broad shoulders, which means that the rest of the top is a bit wide, but I am okay with that.)  I also ordered the Old Navy Women's EveryWear Printed Slub-Knit Tee in Zebra (on sale for $10.00) because I like the cute zebra print as well as the muted medium-green color.

Old Navy and Banana Republic are both part of Gap Inc., although the latter carries apparel that is a bit less casual than the former.  I could not resist the Banana Republic Cotton Utility Tank in Safari Zoo Print (on sale for $66.99 plus an extra 40% off) because I just love the zebras and giraffes roaming across this sleeveless blouse!  (I can order tops without sleeves in my regular size because I do not have to worry about a tight fit across the shoulders.)

I know that many women do not like overly busy prints on their clothing, but I adore apparel that makes a fun statement, so if you are like me and prefer tops with fun patterns rather than boring solid colors, check out these and other selections at Old Navy and Banana Republic!
               

Weekend Wardrobe: 2020 Outfit of the Week #30

This baby pumpkin in my garden has a long way to go, but I am hoping it will be ready to become a jack o' lantern by Halloween!

Well, I still have a loaner car (my vehicle should be ready by Tuesday of this week) so I am not doing much driving, but I did have to make an essentials shopping trip into town last week.  Although the days are definitely getting shorter and the nights are pleasantly cool, we have been having very hot daytime temperatures in the low to mid-90s, so I am still choosing apparel that will keep me as cool as possible.  This week's outfit is very similar to the one I posted last week, and it even features zebras again!  The sleeveless blouse from Banana Republic has a safari theme which includes giraffes and zebras, so I once again wore my zebra pendant necklace.  I swapped out last week's tan belt for a similar black one, and I was ready to go:

Clockwise from top left: Banana Republic Cotton Utility Tank in Safari Zoo Print: Amula Zebra Pendant Necklace (similar to mine); Great American Leatherworks Leather East/West Crossbody Bag in Dark Tan (no longer available); Dockers Vargas Boat Shoes in Rust; L.L. Bean Women's Wrinkle-Free Original Fit Hidden Comfort Waist 9" Bayside Shorts in Khaki (similar to mine); L.L. Bean Women's 3/4" Belt in Black (similar to mine).

I am so ready for cooler temperatures, if only to slow down the production of zucchini and yellow squash in my garden!  Autumn is my favorite season, and summer is my least favorite, so it is not surprising that I am looking forward to fall.  Has anyone else had enough of the heat of summer?  I know I have!

Foodie Fridays: Cheesy Zucchini Melts

Cheesy Zucchini Melt made with homegrown zucchini and served with a handful of sweet cherry tomatoes, also from my garden!

I am being overwhelmed with zucchini from my garden right now, which means that I am frantically searching for recipes that use as much zucchini as possible!  I have already made lots of stir-fried vegetables and a zucchini bread, and just made this recipe for cheesy Zucchini Melts.  While it does not use up a lot of squash, this is a very tasty sandwich.

I omitted the salt and pepper used in the filling in the original recipe because I decided that the mustard was all the seasoning that was needed.  I also substituted Monterey Jack cheese for sharp cheddar because that is what I had.  I enjoyed this sandwich so much that I will be making it again even after zucchini season is over.  Tune in next week for yet another zucchini recipe, as I still have plenty of squash to use up!

Cheesy Zucchini Melts

4 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/2 C. (6 oz.) shredded cheese (I used Monterey Jack)
2 T. whole grain mustard
1 medium zucchini, grated
1/2 tsp. salt
4 T. unsalted butter, softened
8 slices marble rye bread

Place the first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl and let sit out at room temperature while preparing the zucchini.

Place the grated zucchini in a colander set inside a large bowl.  Sprinkle with the salt, toss to combine, and let sit for 30 minutes.  Squeeze the zucchini with your fingertips to remove excess water.  Add to the cheese mixture and mix with a fork until well combined.

Butter one side of the bread slices with the softened butter.  Flip 4 slices over and smear them with 1/3 cup of the cheese mixture.  Close the sandwiches with the remaining bread slices, buttered side up.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add 2 of the sandwiches and cook until golden-brown and the cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes per side.  Transfer to a cutting board and repeat with the remaining 2 sandwiches.  Slice in half and serve immediately.  Serves 4.
                

Wish List Wednesdays: Susan Branch For the Love of Books Jigsaw Puzzle

I am constantly on the lookout for new jigsaw puzzles to work on when the weather is less than ideal and forces me to spend too much time indoors.  The Susan Branch For the Love of Books Jigsaw Puzzle ($24.99) shown above is available for pre-order.  I placed my order, and it should be on its way in late October.  I am a book lover, and I enjoy reading the Susan Branch blog whenever a new post shows up, so I am looking forward to working on this fun puzzle done in her signature style.  She also has a new Christmas-themed book coming out this month that is available for pre-order right now.  I highly recommend checking out the Susan Branch website for even more delightful items!

               

Weekend Wardrobe: 2020 Outfit of the Week #29

Hatch green chiles are in season now, and roasters are starting to appear in parking lots everywhere (image from Santa Fe Farmer's Market).

Can you believe that August has arrived already?  It seems like the year is flying by, even in this time of pandemic uncertainty.  I am already noticing that the days are getting shorter - I had to rush to get my garden watered yesterday evening before it got too dark!

I am still using a loaner car as I wait for the repairs to my car to be completed.  I am trying not to drive the loaner too much, but I did make one quick trip into town last week to pick up dog food as well as a few more items I forgot to get the week before.  I finally got the chance to wear a new Old Navy tee in a medium-green color with a fun zebra print design, and I added a short sterling silver zebra pendant necklace that was, once again, a gift from my husband (he does love to buy me unique jewelry, and luckily he has good taste!):

Here is the complete outfit that I wore:

Clockwise from top left: Old Navy Women's EveryWear Printed Slub Knit Tee in Zebra; Amula Zebra Pendant Necklace (similar to mine); Great American Leatherworks Leather East/West Crossbody Bag in Dark Tan (no longer available); Dockers Vargas Boat Shoes in Rust; L.L. Bean Women's Wrinkle-Free Original Fit Hidden Comfort Waist 9" Bayside Shorts in Khaki (similar to mine); J. Crew Skinny Italian Leather Belt in Pecan (similar to mine).

Hopefully my car will be ready to pick up this week so that I can return the loaner.  There are certain errands, like loading up gardening supplies, transporting dogs, or hauling trash to the landfill, that I would rather do with my own car.  Have a great week, everyone!

I am not growing Hatch chiles, but this bell pepper plant is absolutely laden with peppers (I have already harvested three good-sized ones and there are six more left on the plant!).