Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Black Beans and Coconut Rice

Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Black Beans and Coconut Rice

Feb 15, 2018 · 20 Comments

This Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Black Beans and Coconut Rice is so easy in an Instant Pot. It all cooks together and the spices and the coconut give everything such a fantastic flavor!

Post contains affiliate links.

Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Black Beans and Coconut Rice

Just like pizza and popcorn, rice and beans is something that I could easily eat every day. It's so homey and comforting. Simple, classic food. I used to make it by slow cooking beans all day and then cooking rice and serving the beans on top of the rice. Since I got an Instant Pot, though any electric pressure cooker can be used, I've fallen even more in love with rice and beans.

Click here to pin this Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin with Black Beans and Coconut Rice!

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Winter Capsule Wardrobe The Black Sweater

Feb 14, 2018 · 4 Comments

My Winter Capsule Wardrobe workhorse - a French Connection Black Sweater with fun striped sleeves. Post contains affiliate links.

Winter Capsule Wardrobe The Black Sweater

I am a firm believer in "When all else fails, wear black." You can't go wrong with black. It's timeless. I always have a black sweater in my Winter Capsule Wardrobe. A couple of years ago, I found this black French Connection sweater with striped sleeves at Marshall's. It instantly became a favorite.

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Kiwi Envy Fruity Gin Cocktails

Feb 12, 2018 · 3 Comments

Looking for a gorgeous fruity gin cocktail? Then look no further, than this Kiwi Envy. It's so simple and such a refreshing gin cocktail! Post may contain affiliate links.

Kiwi Envy Fruity Gin Cocktails

When my local grocery store had some organic kiwi on sale, I grabbed a bag. I was planning on freezing slices for smoothies, but then decided to do a search on kiwi cocktails. I found Kiwi Envy at Aviation Gin. Since I’ve already discussed the state of my liquor cabinets (as in, I have too much liquor!!), it should come as no surprise to anyone that I had everything I needed to make this fruity gin cocktail.

Click here to pin this Kiwi Envy now!

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Belle Fiore Winery Wine Tasting

Feb 10, 2018 · Leave a Comment

Belle Fiore Winery Pavillion Tasting Room

On our recent trip to Oregon, we were told that we simply must stop at Belle Fiore Winery in Ashland, Oregon. What everyone meant was that we simply must stop at the Chateau at Belle Fiore Winery. The Chateau is over the top and truly a one of a kind experience. However, that wasn't what we were looking for. We cram as much in a day as we can. We visit as many wineries as time allows (within reason of course!) The Chateau sounded like something that was probably going to need a whole day. Luckily Belle Fiore Winery has just the spot for people like us, The Pavillion Tasting Room.

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Cats in the Morning

Feb 9, 2018 · 18 Comments

Cats in the Morning

I've posted several times about my morning time with Luxie and our morning ritual. Well, it's changed a bit. Now that Coco is not going outside, she has decided to join Luxie and I for our planning and gratitude journaling. It looks so peaceful, doesn't it? Early morning sun streaming through the window, notebook ready for planning, two kitties waiting to start their day.

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Adrienne Vittadini Scarf Winter Capsule Wardrobe

Feb 7, 2018 · 8 Comments

This outfit of the day for my Fashion Over 50 Winter Capsule Wardrobe features one of my favorite scarves! An Adrienne Vittadini Scarf that features cute cats! Post contains affiliate links.

Adrienne Vittadini Scarf - Winter Capsule Wardrobe

While fashion trends come and go, big shoulder pads in the 80's anyone?! One thing that stays constant and that is scarves. I have two tubs of scarves, one for spring and summer and one for fall and winter. I have vintage scarves that belonged to my grandmother and I have scarves that I bought myself right out of college that are probably considered vintage now!

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Books Read in 2018

Feb 6, 2018 · 3 Comments

Books Read in 2018

I've decided to do thinks a little differently this year. Instead of keeping a long running column of my books read in my sidebar, I am moving them to this page. I will update this page through the year and then will repost it at the end of the year. Anytime through the year, you can just find them page under the Books menu item. Links are affiliate links.

Also, differently, I will keep a sort of running favorites. That's going to be so much easier than at the end of the year when I try to remember which ones I loved!

Favorites so far: Sing, Unburied, Sing. Days Without End.

The Girls in the Picture by Melanie Benjamin (⅘)
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward (5/5)
Autumn by Ali Smith (3.5/5)
Everything Here is Beautiful by Mira T. Lee (⅘)
By the Book by Julia Sonneborn (4.5/5)
Days Without End by Sebastian Barry (5/5)
Where the Wild Cherries Grow by Laura Madeleine (⅘)
Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver (⅘)
Rosie Colored Glasses by Brianna Wolfson (5/5)
Saints for All Occasions by J. Courtney Sullivan (⅘)
The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian (⅘)
Broken Girls by Simon St. James (⅘)
I was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhorn (⅘)
Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman (5/5)
Feast by Hannah Howard (⅘)
After Anna by Lisa Scottoline (4.5/5)
The Man on the Middle Floor by Elizabeth S. Moore (⅘)
The Wanderers by Meg Howrey (⅘)
Beaten, Seared and Sauced by Jonathan Dixon (⅘)
Love and Ruin by Paula McLain (⅘)
Paper Ghosts by Julia Heaberlin (4.5/5)
The Lost Family by Jenna Blum (⅘)
The Boy on the Bridge by M.R. Carey (⅘)

Sticky Sesame and Ginger Pork Meatballs

Feb 4, 2018 · 23 Comments

Gingery pork meatballs cook easily in the oven and get a delicious sticky sweet glaze in these Sticky Sesame and Ginger Pork Meatballs. Serve them with soba noodles or even alone as an appetizer. Post may contain affiliate links.

Sticky Sesame and Ginger Pork Meatballs

I am a firm believer in meal planning and shopping with a list. Sometimes though I don't get around to making the recipes that I planned and then I end up with ingredients in my fridge and freezer. Such was the case with the pound and a half of ground pork that I found in my freezer. I remember buying it for a specific recipe, but then when I actually went to make the recipe, I realized that I forgot to defrost the pork. So, it's been sitting in my freezer.

Click here to pin these Sticky Sesame and Ginger Pork Meatballs now!

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Why Do Cats Love Sunshine?

Feb 2, 2018 · 22 Comments

Why Do Cats Love Sunshine?

Have you ever wandered why cats love sleeping in sunshine? Why they find the best little sunpuddles all through the house? I did a little googling and it seems like there are a variety of answers. From the very simple - they just like to keep warm to a little more complex because it helps offset the drop in basal metabolism. What do you think?

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Gray Puma Suede Womens

Jan 31, 2018 · 5 Comments

This outfit of the day for fashion over 50 features my new favorite find, my Gray Puma Suede Women's! Post contains affiliate links.

I Found Gray Puma Suede Women's

I suppose you've noticed that I am suspiciously missing from today's fashion over 50 photo. Yep. I have the flu. I was going to skip posting fashion this week, but I wanted to share my gray puma suede women's shoes! But I haven't worn make up in days, I'm wearing the warmest clothes I can find and I'm not changing them, and I can't remember when I last washed my hair.

On a positive spin, I've been wanting to try a flat lay and here was the perfect reason to. Believe me this outfit looks better laying flat than it would on me right now!

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Satan's Whiskers Cocktail

Jan 29, 2018 · 18 Comments

Such complex flavors with the gin, vermouth, and orange liqueur in this Satan’s Whiskers Cocktail.

This easy gin cocktail is a classic for a reason!

Two glasses filled with an orange cocktail and a blue cocktail shaker.

So many cocktails, so little time! It seems like every day I discover a new-to-me classic cocktail that I've never tried or heard of.

Sure, we've all heard of a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned.

Like this Satan's Whiskers Cocktail. Funny name, delicious cocktail!

This is an easy gin cocktail featuring vermouth and orange liqueur. You definitely need to put it on your list to try!

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Sunrise with Cats

Jan 26, 2018 · 23 Comments

Sunrise with Cats

I've mentioned before my morning ritual with Luxie, Morning Time with Luxie and A Day in the Life with Luxie. What I didn't mention is that we are early risers. Yep, Luxie and I are both morning peeps. In the winter it's especially nice because we get to watch the sun rise.

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Instant Pot Frittata with Spinach and Mushrooms

Jan 25, 2018 · 14 Comments

You are going to love how easy it is to make frittatas in the Instant Pot, like this Instant Pot Frittata with Spinach and Mushrooms. Post contains affiliate links.

Instant Pot Frittata with Spinach and Mushrooms

At first, I wasn't going to post this Instant Pot Frittata with Spinach and Mushrooms, because I wasn't super happy with the photo. I should have gotten one of it sliced and from the side so you could see the texture. But this frittata was so good, I didn't want to have to wait to share until I took better photos!

Click here to pin this Instant Pot Frittata with Spinach and Mushrooms.

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Winter Capsule Wardrobe The Camel Sweater

Jan 24, 2018 · 8 Comments

This Fashion Over 50 post features The Camel Sweater a new addition to my Winter Capsule Wardrobe. Post contains affiliate links.

Winter Capsule Wardrobe The Camel Sweater

Some may find it surprising, but since starting a capsule wardrobe (click here to see my capsule wardrobe journey on Grey is the New Black) I actually shop for clothes a lot less. Like right now, I don't need to add anything to my wardrobe, I have everything I need. Oh, I might still find something here or there, but it will be one of my colors: black, white, gray, cream, camel or blush. It will go with practically everything in my wardrobe, like this camel sweater.

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Eeyore's Requiem - A Gin Cocktail

Jan 22, 2018 · 12 Comments

Are you looking for a deep red, sexy and mysterious cocktail for Valentine's Day? May I suggest an Eeyore's Requiem.

It's an easy to make gin cocktail that gets lots of complex flavor from orange bitters, Campari, Fernet Branca, and Cynar.

While it's obviously great for Valentine's Day, it's so easy so good, you'll want to make it more often than that!

Click here to pin this Eeyore's Requiem now!

A deep red cocktail on a silver platter with text reading Eeyore's Requiem.

I am just going to have to admit that our liquor cabinet has now spread to 3 different locations.

That’s what happens when you start buying all the speciality liquors. Some of the specialty liquors are only used occasionally and we probably would have been better off ignoring them.

Others, however turned out to be favorites, like Campari - which you must have to make a Negroni and Aperol - which is they key to making an Aperol Spritz of course!

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Ginger and Almond Biscotti

Jan 21, 2018 · 23 Comments

Dried ginger and candied ginger combine with almonds in these Ginger Almond Biscotti. They are so easy to bake and everyone loves them! Post may contain affiliate links.

Ginger Almond Biscotti

Mr. Sidewalk Shoes is a dessert kind of guy. He always likes to have a little something sweet after dinner. It doesn’t have to be much, no big production, but he does like something. While I am also extremely fond of a dessert every day, my calorie tracking on My Fitness Pal, isn’t too keen on it.

Click here to pin this Ginger Almond Biscotti.

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Hydrangeas Are Poisonous to Cats

Jan 19, 2018 · 25 Comments

Hydrangeas are Poisonous to Cats

A couple of years ago I made one New Year's Resolution. That resolution was to always have fresh flowers on my dining room table. That was probably the only year that I've actually kept a resolution for the whole year.

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Winter Capsule Wardrobe The Gray Cardigan

Jan 17, 2018 · 17 Comments

This is a Fashion Over 50 Post featuring the gray cardigan a staple in my Winter Capsule Wardrobe. Post contains affiliate links.

Winter Capsule Wardrobe The Gray Cardigan

I am no longer posting to Grey is the New Black, so my fashion, travel and cocktail posts are now being posted over here! All in one handy dandy place for you! I will be updating my email subscription list to include categories so that you can choose to subscribe to all of my posts, or only those that interest you. Hopefully I will get to that later this week or next week.

This is my first fashion post on Sidewalk Shoes, so I'll take just a smidgen of your time to explain a Capsule Wardrobe. I started doing a capsule wardrobe last fall (you can read about that here.) Basically, a Capsule Wardrobe is a set of clothes that all work together. I use The French Minimalist Winter Capsule from Classy Yet Trendy as an inspiration, but make lots of liberal substitutions.

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The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin

Jan 16, 2018 · 4 Comments

A book review of The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin. Post contains affiliate links.

The Immortalists begins in 1969 in New York’s Lower East Side. We meet the gold children - Simon, Klara, Daniel, and Varya. The children have learned that there is a fortune teller in town and they make their way to visit her. They each go in one at a time and come out forever changed. She told each of them the day that they would die.

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Vanilla Infused Rum

Jan 15, 2018 · 6 Comments

Add a vanilla bean to some rum add in some steeping time and you've got the amazingly delicious Vanilla Infused Rum.

This definitely needs to be in your favorite infused rum recipes!

Jar with brown liquid, burlap tied around it with a vanilla bean.

I like to joke that making Infusions is one of my favorite hobbies!

It really is though! At any given point in time, I usually have about 3 or 4 jars of liquor infusing.

So, when I say that this Vanilla Infused Rum, is one of my favorites, you know it's good!

Rum and vanilla are a match made in heaven.

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Luxie Cat and the Orchids

Jan 12, 2018 · 26 Comments

Luxie Cat and the Orchids

As you can see, one of Luxie's favorite places to sit is on a table in front of our dining room window. On that table are three orchid plants. The one plant that you can see in this photo just blooms like crazy. Right now it has two stems that are going to start blooming. It blooms several times a year.

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Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Jan 9, 2018 · 4 Comments

A book review of Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. Post contains affiliate links.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Wow, I don’t even know where to begin in describing Little Fires Everywhere. I think that it is definitely at the top of may favorite books of the year. The novel opens with a mother, rushing out into the street, clutching her bathrobe as she watches her house go up in flames. Bit by bit, the rest of the family, slowly start arriving, except one daughter is missing, Izzje. We then begin to learn the events that led up to this fire.

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Ginger Syrup for Homemade Ginger Ale

Jan 7, 2018 · 36 Comments

Make your own homemade ginger ale with this easy ginger syrup!

Read on to learn how to make refreshing ginger ale at home!

Jar filled with dark orange liquid, labeled Ginger Syrup on a piece of tape

Ginger syrup is used to make your own homemade ginger ale. If you think you’ve tasted ginger ale before, you haven’t tried making your own.

It tastes like ginger. I mean really like ginger. At first, I was thrown off by how much it tasted like ginger, but then I grew to love it. Once you try it, you'll never go back to store-bought ginger ale again!

It can also be used in cocktails, teas or even drizzled over ice cream or desserts. I've used it in salad dressings and in making sauces for roasted chicken.

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Elan Guest Suites Jacksonville Oregon Lodging

Jan 6, 2018 · 1 Comment

A review of Elan Guest Suites in Jacksonville, Oregon, a great option if you are looking for Jacksonville Oregon Lodging.

Elan Guest Suites in Jacksonville, Oregon

On a fall trip to Oregon, we faced the dilemma of where to stay in Southern Oregon. We wanted a sort of home base to return to for a couple of days, while we explored wineries. We were debating about staying at a regular hotel in Medford Oregon, but I really like the sound of Jacksonville. We made the choice to stay in Jacksonville and chose Elan Guest Suites. It was the best decision of our trip, our stay in Jacksonville ended up being the highlight of the trip. We fell in love with Jacksonville and with Elan Guest Suites.

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