Soup's On

So how's January going for everyone? Eh? Yeah, I hear you. I've been taking out my aggression in the kitchen chopping vegetables for pot after pot of soup, and kneading the hell out of bread dough. Murder on a manicure, but if it keeps me from murder, then that's a small price to pay. I have a recipe for sweet and sour cabbage soup I'm going to share at the end of the post, so you can skip ahead if you need soup more than vintage clothes. I understand. 

I'm mixing Ultra Suede with Genuine Suede here, which seems a little like fucking with the Universe. Sort of like those sweaters that combine wool and acrylic so in theory you get the best of both worlds, but in reality it still can't go in the washing machine. This skirt is cheap Ultra Suede, not the branded stuff from the 70's and it shows. Ultra Suede should not wrinkle. If you think I can be bothered to get out the iron for a fake suede skirt...of course you don't think it, you already know I wouldn't. 

I bought this Mexican-made vintage leather bag years ago, and forgot about it. Oh, I'd see it every once in a while and think, "I should wear it" but then never did. Today's they day then. This bag is so soft you could roll it up and tuck it away in a pocket. 

Unfortunately, the skirt has no pockets so I guess that means the bag will be carried. 

This jacket is such fun. I am a sucker for contrast stitching, and good pearlised snaps. The canvas-like material has softened (advantage of buying vintage) over the last forty years and is just about perfect. I made the brooch from a necklace I rarely wear by adding a backing. By keeping the loop, I still have the option of using it on a chain. January seemed like a good time to reevaluate my accessories and find ways to get more wear from what I have. Viola! 

 In that spirit, I went through my rings to see if I could give some neglected ones a wear. The Hopi ring was my Mum's, the Deadhead pinky ring, a gift, and the two circles in a rectangular setting have flowers encased in the glass.

The turquoise ring on my index finger was a gift from my Dad in the 70's, the large (fake) turquoise is recently thrifted, and the wrap-around snake pinky ring was my Mum's as was the clamper bracelet. 

No foot on the vanity photo today, I'm afraid. Some days are like that with RA. I'm sure I'll be swinging my legs in all sorts of indecent ways again soon, but for the moment I'm avoiding any dramatic movements. Can you see the tread on the bottom of the shoes? These were cheap shoes From K Mart, but they are durable, well made, and (I think) OK looking. In a few weeks K Mart will be doing the their Winter shoe clearance. I'll be there!

I look like a tourist ready to go to Tijuana-back when tourists still went to Tijuana. Probably not a good destination now. It was always seedy, but sometimes that can have charm. I know I preferred the old Times Square to what it is today. Just as well all the Beatnik writers are dead, all their haunts have been ruined. 

Outfit Particulars 

Coldwater Creek Ultra Suede-ish skirt-Goodwill

1970's blouse-Goodwill

Vintage embroidered suede waistcoat-Goodwill

1970's Cotton jacket-Goodwill

Mexican Tourist purse-Thrift World

Shoes-K Mart

Earrings-K Mart

Fragrance-Wind Song (seemed appropriate) 

  That shine in my hair? VO5 lotion. The formula for grey har removes the yellow bits from my grey and gives it a nice bit of conditioning. A tube is cheap, and lasts forever and smells like your grandparents. Bonus effect if you've just pulled a jacket out of mothballs and the smell lingers and mingles with the pomade. 

So here's that Sweet and Sour Vegetarian Cabbage Soup. But first...

Q: "What's the difference between roast beef and pea soup?" 

                                A: "Anyone can roast beef."                                                                                          

You Will Need: 

1 small or 1/2 large head cabbage, chopped

2 1 lb. tins of diced tomatoes, and their juice

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Lots and lots of black pepper (the more the merrier)

1 cup cooked lima beans (frozen or tinned OK)

1 onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

2 large carrots, chopped

1-2 stalks celery (with leaves if you have them) chopped

4 cups veggie stock (or beef if you prefer)

1 cup raisins or sultanas (that's the "sweet" part)

Everything goes in the pot at once. If you insist, you can cook the onions in a bit of oil first but it really isn't necessary. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered about 1/2 way with a lid until the cabbage and carrots are soft, and the liquid has reduced by about 1/4. 

If you like, add some diced potatoes in the last 1/2 hour or so of cooking. This makes a good amount of soup, but it freezes quite well. It isn't fancy, but when faced with -10 below F it is welcome.