Wardrobe Wednesday~ Pastels

Very, very slowly the temps here in New England are creeping upward reminding us that Spring hasn't completely forgotten to stop by.

There is almost no snow left & the bird life have moved in bringing welcome songs that announce the warmer weather. Joy!


Top is a coral orange, soft & lightweight, great for layering. Brand is from Body Central. Skinny jeans neon aqua are from Kmart.

Cardigan is a soft grey from Maurices.

Pure feet comfort are these wedges by Nine West.

Earrings are from Amazon. Makeup, eyeshadow, & mascara by Jane Iredale. Lips, Maybelline.
Love!
 

Monday Mani~ Spring Elegance in Purple & Gold

I am a pretty big fan of Sally Hansen as you'll come to know. Fast drying, long wearing, & always fabulous colors to inspire every season & occasion.

Along with office work for the business, boxing & shipping, I cook & take care of a house filled with five guys my hands are washed many, many times a day. The wear & tear that my finger tips are exposed to it's a wonder that I can even grow fingernails.

When I find a nail polish that doesn't chip after 4-5 days of what I put my nails through I know I've found a good thing.

Anyway, yeah, I do occasionally find time to do a self mani. Nothing fancy like cuticle trims or anything like the treatment you'd get at a nail salon. Just the basics.

 Basics like hurriedly swabbing on some color then hope that you don't have to use the bathroom. Is it me or does everyone with fresh nails hate to unzip your jeans?

Lately, I've enjoyed adding a contrasting color to the tips.

My mom-in-law shared with me recently that her mother, back in the day, used to color her nails & then highlight the 'moon' at the base of the nail. This was fashionable for the time.

Have you heard of or seen this style of mani. I may just try it sometime...

Food Friday~ Soft Garlic Knot Rolls

It's only a matter of minutes once the dough has been mixed & set to rise that the smells draw comments form the critters like "Oh Mom, you're making those "knot thingies"!

I don't make these very often, maybe twice a year, for the past eight years, but when I do mix up a batch I ask myself why I don't make these more often...

This dough is super easy to whip together, beginning with a brief kneading, one rising after mixing, then a short rising time after rolls have been knotted.

Kneading is my favorite part. I can feel through my oiled hands working the mixture, when the dough is just 'there'. I believe anyone who has done a bit of bread baking can relate. It is an almost holy realm to which those soul is welcomed & fed through this ceremony & rhythm of kneading.

The need to hide these after baking is essential because my guys & their friends can make a meal of scarfing down more than several of these gems. Leave out a few then hide the rest. Hide them well.

A longtime favorite, these melt in your mouth rolls are a sure winner among any crowd. The magic ingredients are milk powder & potato water. A small boiled potato, mashed, in its own water.

Brushed with an herbed, garlicky, butter/olive oil mixture that brings all the flavors to life & one can be transported to a higher, blissful existence.

Enjoy!

Soft Garlic Knots

1 c unbleached flour
1 c spelt flour
1 c white whole wheat flour
1/4 c powdered milk
4 tsp Italian seasoning
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp. sugar
2 tsp instant dry yeast

1 small potato, peeled & boiled, then mashed in about 1 1/4 cups  warm potato water
2 tbsp. olive oil

Mix together dry ingredients. Stir in potato-olive mixture. With oiled hands knead until elastic & smooth, about 5 minutes.

Set in oiled bowl to rise in a warm corner of your kitchen for about an hour. Knead air out of risen dough. Divide into about 8 pieces.

On an oiled surface, poll between your hands, each piece into a rope about 10 inches long. Tie each piece into a knot.

Place knots on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let rise for about 10 minutes. Bake for about 15-18 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

Herbed Glaze

2-4 cloves, peeled & crushed garlic
1/2 stick, butter
3 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

Whisk together over med heat until butter has melted, remove from heat.
Brush glaze over hot rolls.

Wardrobe Wednesday

An invite to celebrate my nephew's eleventh birthday that was held indoors poolside was an opportunity to dress in Spring-friendly clothing.

Still, now almost mid-April & there is the evil white stuff on the ground & plenty of it. Sigh.

Inside the poolroom, with cozy, warm, almost tropical temps let me shed some layers...


Cute, soft, button-up coral Silk/Rayon blend top. Charter Club from Macy's.

 

In pale yellow, with a sweet lace edge detailing. Pieces Clothing line.

White sandal wedge by Bandolino from Amazon.

My bday bracelets from mom & mom-in-law. Arrow wrap ring from Maurices.

                                              Turquoise pendant necklace, bday gift from my sis. 
I'd love to see Spring looks that you are wearing from my readers. Leave a comment below, or a link & I'll check out your blog or channel.

Wardrobe Wednesday

Although there's still all of  2 feet of snow on the ground outside, I am dying to wear spring appropriate clothing.

True, you won't find me out & about wearing this look today or even next week, but indoors I am defying the elements. If only I could add a Bahama breeze, maybe some white sand....

I know, too much winter for too long is taking it's toll! The increasingly warm sunshine gives me hope.

While out shopping in the 'big city' this week I fell in love with so many lovely colors & styles that this year is bringing.

This is one look that I came home with.

I chose a sea blue striped shirt by American Rag, soft & lightweight.

Shorts are a classic cut, cuffed hem, sits at the hips, very flattering & dressy by, Maurices

LOVE, LOVE these wedge sandals by Lucky Brand. Not heavy in the least & the subtle color variety goes with almost anything.

Linen/Rayon jacket by Maurices.

What's not to love about these cute ruffles? I also appreciate the princess seams for a more tailored look.

My hair is still shower-damp, pulled back into a bun, secured with an elastic. Earrings are twice-loved from Goodwill. Eyeshadow is from Kamamak. Mascara is Jane Iredale. Lipcolor is Maybelline Colorsensational in Plum Perfect 435.

Food Friday~ Coconut Chicken Korma Curry Over Rice

The people in our house are pretty big fans of curry, any variety or heat of curry. If you are as well, you know what I mean when I say what could be more satisfying than a dollop of curry oozing over freshly steamed rice?

There is something about the warm, earthy, pleasantly sweet heat that warms one's soul through & through. Always receiving many thanks, this is a dish I can visit & present again & again.

I almost always make my own curry sauce using whatever curry powder I have in the cupboard, but this time around I picked up a jar of Korma curry in the International food isle of my grocery store.

Along with a jar of premade sauce I 'stretched' it by adding a bit of flour, coconut milk & water.

4lbs  boneless chicken breast, cut into 1-2 inch strips
1 yellow (or green) squash, chopped fine
1-13 oz jar coconut Masala sauce
1 tbps curry powder
3 tbsp. flour
1 tsp salt
1 c water
1 c lite coconut milk
Whisk together, curry powder, flour, salt, coconut milk, and water. Set aside. Brown chicken in heated med-high skillet with a splash of olive oil. Once chicken has lightly browned, add squash, cooking for about 3 mins. Add prepared jar of masala sauce to browned chicken, stir in whisked curry mixture. Turn down heat to low, simmer for about 10 mins.
Rice
In sauce pan, add 2 cups rice to about 3 cups water. Bring to boil then simmer for about 10 mins, or until desired doneness. 1 min before removing from heat, stir in 1/2 cup chopped green scallions. Cover until serving.
Enjoy!!

Cut chicken into bite sized pieces. Always use a separate cutting board when cutting meats.

While browning meat bring rice to a boil then simmer over very low heat about 10 minutes for jasmine rice.

About a min or two before removing from heat stir in half a cup of sliced scallions. Cover until serving time.



Brown meat until most of pink is gone & is lightly browned in spots.

I find it's relatively easy to get away with serving a vegetable to the critters if my choice is yellow squash. It absorbs the flavors & is perfectly masked by the yumminess. Add this to the browned chicken & cook for about 3 min.

Add the jar of Korma, coconut-flour-water mixture.