Garlic or Chive Blossom Vinegar

Garlic or Chive Blossom Vinegar

Jul 8, 2018 · 11 Comments

A few garlic or chive blossoms and some vinegar and a little time give you this amazing Garlic or Chive Blossom Vinegar! It's great in vinaigrettes or to give as gifts!

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Chive Blossom Vinegar

A few years ago while infusing some vinegars, I stumbled upon a chive blossom vinegar. I immediately fell in love with it's soft lavender hue and promise of oniony tart goodness. When my CSA gave me a big gorgeous garlic blossom, I realized I could use the same technique to make Garlic Blossom Vinegar.

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Coco Lounging on the Porch

Jul 6, 2018 · 25 Comments

A few photos of our calico cat, Coco, lounging on the back porch.

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Cat Days of Summer

We don't know why they call it the "Dog Days of Summer" - it's definitely the cat days of summer around here. That means lots of lounging on the back porch.

We have this very old wicker stool that has been a favorite of the kitty cats for years! This year, Coco has really fallen in love with it.

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The Best Fruit Salsa!

Jul 5, 2018 · 18 Comments

With mangoes, cantaloupe and strawberries this is the best fruit salsa! So delicious and bursting with fruity flavors! Goes great on tacos, grilled meats and fish, or to top salads!

Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

I made a resolution this year to eat more fruits and vegetables. Even though many diets disagree on what to eat and what not to eat, you can't argue with trying to increase your amount of fruits and vegetables. Study after study shows how they help your immune system, prevent cancer and basically help you live longer.

Vegetables are pretty easy to work in, fruit has been a little trickier. So, when I saw this three fruit salsa from Cooking Light, it sounded like the perfect way to get in lots of fruits!

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How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe Step 3

Jul 4, 2018 · 3 Comments

How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe Step 3. Follow these easy steps to creating a minimalist capsule wardrobe! Once you love everything in your closet, getting dressed becomes so easy!

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Capsule Wardrobe Step 3 - Pick Your Accent Colors

I hope you are enjoying this Build a Capsule Wardrobe journey with me. If you missed it, here are Building a Capsule Wardrobe Step 1 and Building a Capsule Wardrobe Step 2. I have completed the first two steps: purging my closet (oh how freeing!) and choosing my neutrals. My wardrobe in the past has been all over the place, filled with random bits of this and that. My new wardrobe is based around all neutrals: black, white, gray, beige, and chambray.

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How Hard Can it Be? by Allison Pearson

Jul 3, 2018 · Leave a Comment

A book review of How Hard Can it Be? by Allison Pearson.

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How Hard Can it Be? by Allison Pearson

I am sure that I am within the target audience for How Hard Can it Be by Allison Pearson. The book primarily deals with Kate Reddy as she is facing turning 50. Since I just turned 60 this year, I totally understand dealing with these big birthdays.

The book is both humorous and entertaining.

Kate is turning 50 and she is constantly dealing with all of the symptoms of peri menopause, which she calls Perry. She forgets things, she has hot flashes, and her libido has vanished. On top of that, she is dealing with her husband who is having his own midlife crisis. He has taken up biking and counseling and all things mindful. Of course, there is no time for a job with all his new mindfulness, so Kate has to look at returning to work at age 49.

In addition to finding a job, being exasperated with her husband she has to deal with her teenage son and daughter. She is constantly walking on eggshells with her teenage daughter.

Then there is Jack. The almost love of her life. They met years ago and almost started something but didn’t. Well, he’s back and Kate is wondering if maybe it’s not too late.

A fun book, with insights on a lot of areas. A lot of social issues are covered in a humorous manner, like ageism in the workforce and the social media pressure of teenage girls. She manages to address these issues in a funny way, while still shedding light on the fact that they are issues.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next Kate Reddy book. I've also read and recommend: I Don't Know How She Does It - the first Kate Reddy book.

I received an ARC of this book.

To see what I've read so far this year (trying to keep it updated) - Books Read in 2018.

Blackberry Vodka

Jul 2, 2018 · 10 Comments

Don't you wish you could bottle summer? Well, you can with this Blackberry Vodka or Blackberry Thyme Infused Vodka if you want it's full name. Makes gorgeous and delicious summer cocktails!

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Summer Berries

I hate summer. I hate heat. I hate the sun beating down on me stealthily creating wrinkles. Summer has only a few redeeming features in my eyes. Turquoise blue skies with fluffy clouds, fields of flowers and a profusion of berries. That’s it.

Let’s address the third one, shall we? The profusion of berries. Nothing makes my heart beat so happily than a table filled with strawberries, or raspberries, or any other kind of berry.

While we have an abundance of strawberries and blueberries, it’s the delicate berries that I am really drawn to. You know the ones that come in the tiny containers and cost a fortune – raspberries and blackberries.

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Peel and Eat Grilled Shrimp

Jul 1, 2018 · 17 Comments

Who doesn't love Easy Shrimp Recipes? This Peel and Eat Grilled Shrimp is so delicious and so easy, you'll make it over and over again!

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Peel and Eat Grilled Shrimp

Every once in awhile a recipe comes along that is perfect. Perfect for me is where the balance of ease and output leans heavily towards output. This recipe has that in spades. It was so easy and was amazing!!

I don't know about you, but I hate peeling shrimp before I cook them. One, so much of the flavor comes from those shells and shrimp cooked in their shells is so much better and two, peeling shrimp is time consuming - I'd much rather spread the work out amongst the eaters instead of it all falling on the cook.

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Luxie and Her Window

Jun 29, 2018 · 25 Comments

Calico Cat in Front of Window

I would say that about 90% of my photos of Luxie kitty are in one of two places. She is either on the table by the bay window, where we do our morning journaling or she is on this blue table in the dining room. I usually open up this window for a little bit in the morning before it gets too hot and she loves to have bird chirps to accompany her bird watching.

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Swiss Chard Frittata

Jun 28, 2018 · 11 Comments

Frittata Recipes are perfect for meatless main dishes. This Swiss Chard Frittata can be on the table in under an hour making it a great weeknight dinner!

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Frittatas - Perfect for Using Up Vegetables

I hope you like frittatas because you are going to be seeing a lot of them around here. Why? They are one of the easiest ways I know to use up a bumper crop of summer vegetables, especially if you belong to a CSA. There is no easier way to use up bits of this and bits of that than in a frittata. Oh, I know you can make fried rice or even a grain salad, but nothing beats a one pan meal.

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Growing Pink Evening Primrose

Jun 26, 2018 · 5 Comments

Pink Evening Primrose (Oenothera Rosea) goes by many names, but it an easy to grow, pretty pink flower. It rewards me every year with it's lovely pink color.

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Pink Evening Primrose

When I googled what to call these pretty pink flowers, I found that they go by many names. You might also know them as Pink Evening Primrose, Showy Evening Primrose, Mexican Evening Primrose, Show Primrose, Pink Ladies, Buttercups, and Pink Buttercups.

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Thyme Simple Syrup

Jun 25, 2018 · 4 Comments

This Thyme Simple Syrup is so easy and delicious! It can be used in cocktails, teas, or even desserts. You're going to love the herby sweet syrup!

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Thyme Simple Syrup

Who can resist the cookbooks at Anthropologie? Anyone? Or is it just me, that walks out after every single visit with a new cookbook or two? I don’t know who it is that chooses their cookbooks, but we are on the same wavelength. I want every single one in the store. Sometimes it’s fun to walk through and see how many I have. Mr. Sidewalk Shoes doesn’t find that so amusing, but I do.

My latest find was Wild Cocktails from the Midnight Apothecary: 100 Recipes Using Home-grown and Foraged Fruits, Herbs, and Edible Flowers. I know. I already have a zillion cocktail books, but I loved the premise of this one. The promise of unusual herby cocktails.

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Sriracha Honey Popcorn

Jun 24, 2018 · 14 Comments

Whether it's for Movie Night or an after school snack, popcorn makes a great snack. This Honey Sriracha Popcorn may be a little too spicy for an after school snack, but adults are sure to love it's sweet and spicy flavor!

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Favorite Snack? Popcorn!

If you had to choose a favorite snack, what would you choose? Nuts? Fruit? Cookies? Chips and salsa? The options for snacking are endless. My hands down favorite? Popcorn. I could live on popcorn. I could eat it every single day and never grow tired of it. I love it fresh, hot, buttered, air popped, oil popped, salted, stale, every which way. When my husband goes out of town, I usually have it for dinner!

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Patchouli Kitty in the Garden

Jun 22, 2018 · 15 Comments

Patchouli Kitty in the Garden

This post is going to be short and sweet because we are getting ready to have a garage sale tomorrow! Several years ago we decided garage sales were not worth the trouble and we gave away tons of stuff to Goodwill. But when a neighbor said they were having a garage sale, we decided we might as well put some things out.

"Put some things out" - that sounds like we have a few things doesn't it? Well, believe me, we have more than a few. I was one of the first sellers on Ebay and went to garage sales and estate sales all the time. When I stopped selling, I still had quite an inventory. We have 8 chandeliers hanging in our garage, if that gives you any idea!

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Strawberry Beet Smoothie Popsicles

Jun 21, 2018 · 19 Comments

Take your favorite strawberry beet smoothie and freeze it for these delicious and healthy snacks!

Yes, beets in a smoothie are a thing. No wonder, just look at that gorgeous color.

Add some strawberries for extra sweetness, orange juice to balance the flavor and some cashews to keep it creamy!

Click here to pin this now!

Three bright pink popsicles with flowers on a metal tray.

I was late to the smoothie bandwagon, but after getting my Vitamix, I embraced it whole-heartedly.

I know beets are a love them/hate them kind of vegetable, but this beet smoothie recipe is going to turn you all into beet lovers! If you already are a beet lover, you'll want to have a jar of these Pickled Beets in your fridge at all time.

Even kids love these! Believe me, you can't tell there are beets in these smoothie popsicles, except for that gorgeous color!

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Capsule Wardrobe Step Two

Jun 20, 2018 · 5 Comments

Step two of How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe. Building a capsule wardrobe allows you to easily reach in your closet and choose what to wear. Everything goes with everything else and you've chosen only items that you look good in!

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Capsule Wardrobe Step Two - Choose Your Neutrals

I will talk more about this in a later post, but not buying enough neutrals was one of the main reasons that I had a closet full of clothes, but felt like I had nothing to wear. It’s neutrals that provide the backbone of your wardrobe. Common neutrals are black, white, gray, navy, brown and beige. Other colors can be considered neutral like denim and chambray.

When I started thinking about a capsule wardrobe, I knew that I wanted to focus mainly on neutrals. I liked the simplicity and ease that they brought. My neutrals are black, white, gray, ivory. I don't count denim and chambray. I know it seems like I've kind of chosen all the neutrals there are, but they all work together beautifully.

If you missed step one - find it here: Capsule Wardrobe Step One.

How to Choose Your Neutrals

In choosing your neutrals, look at your closet. You will probably find that you have naturally leaned towards certain neutrals. I always favored black and white, so they were a natural fit for me. Whatever you decide on, pick 3-4 neutral colors. Decide what you want for bottoms – skirts, capris, shorts, and pants. Maybe two skirts, two capris, four shorts and two pants – it’s up to you. Maybe you never wear shorts, only capris. Make it your own.

Then choose 5 or 6 tops in your neutral colors and 1 or 2 dresses. Just this simple step of choosing neutrals as the base of your wardrobe is huge. It makes all the difference in the world. I bet you are already seeing your capsule wardrobe come together!

Let’s talk about what I’m wearing in today’s post. So simple and so easy to put together. I found both the Velvet Heart Top and the White Premise Skinnies from Steinmart. I paired them with some classic Adidas that I found at Marshall’s.

You can get a similar look: Chambray Cold Shoulder Top, Chambray Off Shoulder Dress, Lee's Easy Fit Capri, Slimming Fit Capris, Adidas White, and Adidas Pink (because they are so cute!)

This week I am linking up with:
Visible Monday |
Hello Monday |
I Will Wear What I Like |
Turning Heads Tuesday |
Confident Tuesday |
Spread the Kindness |
Style With a Smile |
Trendy Wednesday |
Style on the Daily |
The Pleated Poppy |
What I Wore Thursday |
A Labour of Life |
Chick &
Stylish
|Thursday Fashion Files |
Curly Crafty Mom | Top of the World |
Fashion Friday |
Fun Fashion Friday |
Fancy Friday |
A Style Wise Link Up |
Sharing a Journey |

Strawberry Martini

Jun 18, 2018 · 12 Comments

Searching for the perfect summer cocktail? If you love gin, you're going to love this gin cocktail for summer! This strawberry martini is delicious and pretty!

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Gin Cocktails

Liquor of choice? For me, it's gin. I know gin is kind of like cilantro, you either love it or you hate it. Like cilantro, I also love gin. That herby piney flavor gets me every time. So, I collect gin cocktail recipes. Makes for a nice hobby. So when I saw the recipe for Summer Thyme in my favorite cocktail book, Zen and Tonic, I was all over it.

She calls it Summer Thyme, which is adorable. But I'm afraid no one would find it if I called it that, so I'm calling it a Strawberry Martini, because basically it's a gin martini (minus the vermouth) with flavors from strawberries and thyme.

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Growing Cat Grass Indoors

Jun 15, 2018 · 14 Comments

If you have indoor kitty cats, you need to be growing cat grass indoors! It is so easy and cats love it! Even my outside cat eats some of it when she comes inside!

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Growing Cat Grass Indoors

I've mentioned it before, but if you have indoor kitty cats, you really need to be growing cat grass indoors for them. Most vets speculate that cats eat grass because it aids in digestion, may help with hairballs or provide additional nutrients. So, even though the jury is out on what benefit cat grass has, everyone agrees that cats love it!

Our outdoor cats eat grass all the time, so I decided Luxie, our indoor kitty, needed her own supply of cat grass.

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Capsule Wardrobe Step One

Jun 13, 2018 · 9 Comments

Are you wondering how to start a Capsule Wardrobe? It's easy! This series begins with Capsule Wardrobe Step One - Purge Your Closet!

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Why I'm Starting a Capsule Wardrobe

Last summer on my now defunct Grey is the New Black Blog, I started my capsule wardrobe journey. Since some of you have been emailing me about how it began, I decide to reshare my first steps of How I Created My Capsule Wardrobe.

I started a Capsule Wardrobe because I was spending too much time staring at a closet full of clothes trying to decide what to wear. It was exhausting and frustrating. It was decision fatigue.

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Growing Sweetshrub or Calycanthus

Jun 12, 2018 · 13 Comments

Sweetshrub or Calycanthus is a wonderful flowering shrub. The shrub blooms profusely and the unusual flowers last a long time in bouquets.

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Growing Calycanthus or Sweetshrub

If you are looking for a beautiful reblooming flowering shrub than look no further than Calycanthus or Sweetshrub. I can see where it comes by the name Sweetshrub because it is one sweet shrub! It has rapidly become one of my favorite flowering shrubs.

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Rosé Sangria

Jun 11, 2018 · 2 Comments

What to call this amazing Summer Sangria? Strawberry Sangria? Raspberry Sangria? Strawberry Raspberry Sangria? I settled on Rosé Sangria, but whatever you call it, it's delicious!

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Summer Sangria

If you are looking for an amazingly easy and delicious cocktail this summer, you must make a summer sangria. It's so easy. A bottle of wine, some fresh fruit and you are ready to go!

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Black Bean Salad with Avocado Dressing

Jun 10, 2018 · 13 Comments

If you are looking for a meatless main dish salad that everyone will love, then this recipe is for you! Corn, Black Beans and Tomatoes make a healthy summer salad with lots of tang from the avocado dressing in this Black Bean Salad with Avocado Dressing.

Black Bean Salad with Avocado Dressing

Anyone else a menu planner? I sit down on Wednesday mornings with the grocery ads and plan my menu for Thursday - Wednesday and create my grocery shopping list at the same time. Some mornings this goes quickly and some it's a struggle. I try to make sure we eat healthy, so I've made a little check list for my plan in Evernote.

It list the highlights that I want to make sure I hit every week: beans, grains, colorful veggies, seafood, and meatless. This easy healthy salad definitely goes on the list of my favorite salad recipes.

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2016 Luna Rosa Rosado

Jun 9, 2018 · 1 Comment

A wine review for an Australian Wine from Cumulus Wines - 2016 Luna Rosa Rosado.

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2016 Luna Rosa Rosado

2016 Luna Rosa Rosado, Central Ranges, Australia, Wine Awesomeness Wine Club. 76% Merlot, 24% Mourvedre. This wine hales from the Central Ranges of Australia. It is particularly interesting because it is created using Portuguese winemaking techniques in a "New World" region. You can see the Portuguese influence in the traditional Portuguese Polished Stones on the wine label. These tiles are a vivid representation of all things Portugal. The wine has a reddish tint and showcases the various tints that are available in the rosé family.

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Cool Summer Mornings and Cats

Jun 8, 2018 · 17 Comments

Summer Mornings and Cats

We have had the most glorious weather this past week. Morning temperatures were cool and the humidity was low. Mornings like this were made for Patchouli and me.

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Strawberry Champagne Jello Shots (Gelatin Cups)

Jun 7, 2018 · 6 Comments

If you love champagne jello shots, but want something a bit more elegant, then you are going to love these Champagne and Strawberry Gelatin Cups. These are absolutely gorgeous when served in a fancy glass, and the strawberry champagne combination is so delicious!

Champagne Jello Shots

I admit it, I love jello shots. Getting your cocktail in a throwback to a childhood favorite is fun. But jello shots as fun as they are, lack a bit of sophistication, don't you think?

I mean they were perfect for college. Even out of college. But now, I want something a bit more elegant. A bit more fancy. So, when I found these sparkling wine strawberry gelatin cups from Sweet Paul, I knew I just had to try them.

Champagne jello shots with strawberries in a pretty glass? Yes, please!

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