Weekend Wardrobe: 2021 Outfit of the Week #14

The chives that I planted last year are flowering profusely at the moment, and the bees love it.

I have been spending a lot of time getting my garden planted lately (mostly vegetables and herbs, with a few flowers included to keep the bees and the hummingbirds happy), so today's post will be a short one.  I did make a trip into town last week, mainly to pick up more garden supplies, and this is the outfit I wore:

Clockwise from top left: PegsVintageShop Single Strand Red Glass Bead Necklace (similar to mine); Torrid Navy Slub Open Front Cardigan in Peacoat (similar to mine); Great American Leatherworks Braid Flap Crossbody Bag in Dark Tan (color no longer available); No Nonsense Women's Flat Knit Crew Socks in Denim Blue; Dockers Vargas Boat Shoes in Rust; HDE Women's Jeans Jeggings Five Pocket Stretch Denim Pants in Red (similar to mine); Talbots 3/4-Sleeve Bateau Neck Rose of Sharon Print Tee in Pink (no longer available); Center: Walmart Skinny Faux Leather Belt in Pink.

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The weather is really starting to heat up here, and my outfit was a bit warm in the afternoon - I think it is about time to start wearing short-sleeved or even sleeveless tops under a light jacket or cardigan.  It is still chilly in the mornings and in air-conditioned stores, so I like to have a second top layer just in case.  

I hope to get pretty much all of my planting done this week, except for one raised bed that will take me a while to fill with soil before I can use it.  My husband will be here at the end of the month, just before Memorial Day, and it will be so wonderful to finally see him again!  Now that we are both vaccinated we can finally finish moving from Georgia to New Mexico.  If all goes according to plan our move will be complete in the fall.  Slowly but surely life seems to be returning to normal - hopefully the rest of the world will see a return to normal as well!  Have a great week, everyone!

Foodie Fridays: Overnight Oats

I have been busy lately trying to get my garden planted, so I have been looking for really quick and easy recipes to make since I have little time to cook (I have also been neglecting this blog a bit for the same reason, as you may have noticed).  Anyway, I was watching the latest video on one of my favorite YouTube vlogs the other day and, even though this vlogger is not that interested in cooking she actually included a recipe for overnight oats that looked so simple and tasty that I immediately mixed up a couple of servings (you can watch this vlog episode below).

Luckily I had all of the ingredients needed on hand, plus a couple of small Mason jars I had placed in a box that is headed to Goodwill next week but retrieved just for this recipe.  The weather is finally really warming up here, and this oatmeal is great eaten cold, although you could warm it up in the microwave if you prefer a warm breakfast.  I have been wanting to try overnight oats for a while now, and I am glad I finally did.  I usually eat the same thing for breakfast every morning (a slice of buttered toast and some cheese) so it is about time I changed up my routine once in a while - this recipe will certainly help me do that!

Overnight Oats

6 T. rolled oats (I used quick-cooking oats)
1 T. chia seeds
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. coconut sugar (optional)
1 T. dried berries (I used a raisin, cherry, and cranberry blend)
3/4 C. milk (I used almond milk)

Layer the dry ingredients in a small (1/2 pint) mason jar.  Pour the milk over and stir to blend.  Allow to sit for a few minutes and then stir again.  Refrigerate overnight and serve the next morning.  Serves 1.

Foodie Fridays: Easy Chicken Casserole

I check out several cooking vlogs on YouTube that feature quick and easy recipes.  While most of the recipes are for baked goods, there are some main dishes as well, and today's dish is one I found on the Last Minute Kitchen channel.  This Easy Chicken Casserole (watch the YouTube video below) is probably one of the most effortless chicken recipes I have ever made, especially since I bought prepared chicken cutlets instead of a chicken breast at the supermarket, which eliminates the need to slice and pound the chicken pieces.  The instructions say to season the chicken to taste, but be sure to season generously or this dish will be rather bland.  The casserole makes two generous or three more normal-sized portions.  I served my chicken with steamed Brussels sprouts (but I did not cook them together as my photo seems to imply -  I simply stored the leftovers in the same casserole dish that I cooked the chicken in).

These days I am spending a lot of time outside gardening, so a quick dinner like this one comes in very handy when I have little time to cook.  The recipe also lends itself readily to modifications, using any type of cheese and/or herbs you prefer.  I can't wait to try it with Cheddar cheese and Mexican flavors, or feta and Greek seasonings.  I have a feeling I will be coming back to this recipe often!

Easy Chicken Casserole

1 chicken breast half, sliced horizontally into 3 pieces*
salt, pepper, paprika and thyme (to taste)
1/2 C. sour cream
1/2 tsp. dried basil
2 T. minced fresh parsley
2 small tomatoes, sliced
1/2 C. shredded mozzarella

Pound the chicken breast pieces flat with a meat tenderizer.  Combine the salt, pepper, paprika and thyme in a small bowl.  Rub the seasoning on one side of the chicken pieces.

In a small bowl, combine the sour cream with the basil and parsley, plus salt and pepper to taste.

Place the chicken breast pieces, seasoned side down, in a greased baking dish.  Season the tops.  Spread the sour cream mixture on the chicken and top with the tomato slices.  Evenly sprinkle the cheese over.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and golden brown.  Serves 2 generously.

*I think that most supermarkets sell chicken cutlets now, usually three to a package, and this is what I used.

Weekend Wardrobe: 2021 Outfit of the Week #13

This lovely veronica that I bought last year survived the winter and has returned to bloom again this year!

Last weekend I was not able to get a post done because I was recovering from my second COVID vaccine.  I got the vaccine early on a Friday afternoon, and exactly 24 hours later I developed chills, so I ended up sleeping for several hours.  When I finally woke up I felt much better and my fever was gone but I decided to take it easy for the rest of the weekend.  I was a bit tired the next day and slept again in the afternoon, but by Sunday evening I felt fine and had no other side effects.  I am so happy that I am finally fully vaccinated, and by the end of this week I will be considered fully protected, so my husband can start planning his visit to Santa Fe now!

Since I missed posting last weekend you are in for several outfits of the week, from two weeks ago as well as last week.  I will start with the outfit I wore to take my dog Madison to the vet clinic for her annual exam.  She is officially a senior dog this year so I had baseline bloodwork done for her as well.  The final verdict - Madison is "a little overweight but healthy", so we will work on getting her to lose some of the winter weight she gained (I need to work on that as well, so the two of us can diet together!).  I only went to the vet clinic that day - we still had to wait in our cars while our pets were taken inside due to the pandemic, and my car window was still broken at the time, so I wore a very casual outfit only slightly dressed up by a simple silver and pearl pendant necklace that I inherited from my mother.  Here is the complete outfit:

Clockwise from top left: Old Navy Women's Vintage Crew-Neck Sweatshirt in Snow Leopard; Novica "Nest of Lilies" Sterling Silver and Cultured Pearl Pendant Necklace (similar to mine); Craghoppers Women's Expolite Hooded Jacket in Black (similar to mine); Great American Leatherworks Braid Flap Crossbody Bag in Dark Tan (color no longer available); Nothing New Women's Eco-Friendly Crew Socks in Light Grey (similar to mine); Dockers Vargas Boat Shoes in Rust; Wit & Wisdom Women's Ab-Solution High Waist Ankle Skinny Pants in Dove Grey (similar to mine); Everlane Women's Organic Cotton Long-Sleeve Crew in Oatmeal (similar to mine).

The next day I was finally able to take my car in for its appointment to get the window fixed.  This process took a few hours but I opted to wait for my car instead of leaving it so that I could then run a few errands before heading home.  I decided to wear one of my new sweaters from J.C. Penney, a new pair of jeans in a unique color from Old Navy, and a simple necklace from my collection that is one of many given to me by my husband:

Clockwise from top left: St. John's Bay Women's Cable Crew Neck Long Sleeve Pullover Sweater in Brown Glove; Craghoppers Women's Expolite Hooded Jacket in Black (similar to mine); Great American Leatherworks Braid Flap Crossbody Bag in Dark Tan (color no longer available; MIRMARU Women's Cotton Crew Socks in Black; Dockers Vargas Boat Shoes in Rust; Old Navy Women's High-Waisted O.G. Straight Mineral-Dye Jeans in Merzouga; L.L. Bean Women's Long-Sleeve Interlock Mock-Turtleneck in Black; Center: Michael Kors Gold Tone Curb Link Pendant + Black Leather Cord Necklace (similar to mine).

I made a third trip into town that week for my COVID vaccine appointment, and then finished up more errands before heading home to take it easy for the weekend in anticipation of any vaccine side effects.  The weather was finally starting to warm up a bit, so I wore a lightweight sweater embroidered with beautiful cheetahs, and a lighter weight coat which I ended up removing as the afternoon warmed up.  I received my vaccine at the pharmacy of a supermarket that I usually do not visit (it is a little too far away to be convenient).  This was only my third visit to this store, but each time I went there I received a complement on the outfit I wore - this time someone admired my cheetah sweater.  Maybe I should shop at this supermarket more often!  Anyway, here is the outfit I wore that day:

Clockwise from top left: Lost Galleon Snake Chain Gold Necklace (similar to my much less expensive version); L.L. Bean Women's PrimaLoft Packaway Jacket in Black; Great American Leatherworks Braid Flap Crossbody Bag in Dark Tan (color no longer available; MIRMARU Women's Cotton Crew Socks in Black; Dockers Vargas Boat Shoes in Rust; Old Navy Women's High-Waisted O.G. Straight Mineral-Dye Jeans in Merzouga; Chico's Cashmere-Blend Embroidered Cheetah Sweater in Multi.

I only made one trip into town last week, mostly to pick up gardening supplies, as planting season has finally arrived here in the Santa Fe area.  The weather during the day is now consistently warm, so I wore a new long-sleeved tee with cute embroidered foxes as well as a very lightweight animal print vest.  These lighter layers were quite sufficient, and it won't be long now before I can finally start leaving the outerwear at home!  I also opted for much lighter colors that are more suitable for spring:

Clockwise from top left: Talbot's Embroidered Crewneck Tee in Champagne Rose; Hot Cotton Leopard Print Vest (no longer available - similar to mine); Great American Leatherworks Braid Flap Crossbody Bag in Dark Tan (color no longer available; Target Women's A New Day Crew Socks in Cream; Dockers Vargas Boat Shoes in Rust; Rachel Comey Norm Straight-Leg Jeans in Khaki (similar to my much less expensive pair - no longer available); Walmart Skinny Faux Leather Belt in Pink; Center: DressingVintage Extra Long Multi Strand Mixed Gold Chain Necklace (similar to mine).

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 I am hoping to get a lot of gardening done this week as the weather will be mild to warm.  There is rain in the forecast for tomorrow but every time we are supposed to get rain it never materializes.  Hopefully we will get some rain soon because it has been terribly dry so far this spring. Have a great week, everyone - I hope you have been able to get your COVID vaccine scheduled, and that you are having great spring weather!