Culottes

"You're not really going to buy those, are you?" Danny asked with a combination of fear and admiration in his voice. He needn't have asked as he knew damn well I would be buying the silk culottes and the matching top. For $1.97 cents at New Life Thrift, someone's home sewing project from the 80's is now a cheerful addition to my drab mid-winter wardrobe. I do love a pair of big pants!

I love New Life Thrift as I always see the strangest things there. 

This looks like an earlier attempt at art restoration by the woman responsible for this...

Similar technique, no? I didn't buy it. I did however buy a designer, 1980's puffy gold lame full-length evening coat that I intend to use as a cover-up at the pool when we're on holiday in February. New Life Thrift is easily one of the best thrift stores in the US, and worth a trip to Nebraska. Because of the proximity to the Air Force base, you get things donated from people that have lived all over the world. There's some really strange stuff, and the book selection is incredible. OK that's my unpaid plug for New Life Thrift. I don't work for them, I just love the place!

I stopped to buy birdseed, and saw this in the window. Obviously, they know our Blondin. 

 Danny's still cooking supper on Friday evenings, and this week we were treated to a lovely tofu a'la King and a salad of winter lettuces with an orange chili dressing. The tofu was first baked, and the mushrooms, peppers, and peas do get cooked in a sauce he had to make with a roux. I was impressed. The original recipe called for an entire cup of heavy cream, but he thought better of it and used 2% milk. You can over-do a good thing. Anyway, A+ for this meal, and extra points for enriching the sauce with an egg yolk and not turning it to scrambled eggs.

We like shaved fennel bulb and red cabbage in winter salads to add a bit of interest to the lettuce and watercress. 

I ate my share of a'la king foods as a child because my mother's idea of cooking was either sticking things between two slices of bread, or over toast. Salmon and peas always felt indulgent as tinned salmon was still a bit of a luxury item then. Tuna worked too, but we never, ever, had tofu a'la king. 

Outfit Particulars:

Norton McNaughton top 90's Filene's

Long jacket-Goodwill

80's (ish) culottes-New Life Thrift

Necklace-Annual Omaha Fiber Arts Show a few years ago

Brooch-Vintage Carol Dauplaise (80's)-Marshall Field's (I had earrings and a necklace as well. I loved her early stuff).

Kells inspired wristwatch, 80's gift from dad

Enamel bangles-Both Target about 10 years ago

1960's clip earrings-Hand-Me-Ups

Boots-Hand-Me-Ups

1960's handbag-A thrift store in western Massachusetts

Brooch on coat-(I think it is Miracle but it is only marked with numbers) Goodwill

Fragrance-Courreges in Blue

 I'm a big woman, I need big necklaces and brooches. And specs.

 "Quit pulling my beard!"
"Well let go of my leg!"

This watch never fails to get comments. It is huge and clunky, but I love it.

The brooch is in one piece. I had a beautiful one in two pieces, but I lost it. I'm still not quite over it either. I lost it at the library, and kept checking the lost and found hoping someone would turn it in, but no. I hope the bastard that found it stabs themselves through the heart with it the person that found it enjoys it. 

 Anyone have plans for Monday? I'm in charge of the veggie haggis and the bag-piping records (yes, I have some) and Danny will be reading the Ode to a Haggis. Our neighbours are used to seeing this on the door each year, but it still gets strange looks from people new to the neighbourhood.  Sometimes I put on a Groundskeeper Willie accent just to screw with people.

I'll leave you with a bit of Scottish rage at the cost of neeps in our supermarkets. Two and a half dollars a pound?! We're having parsnips instead. Thank God whisky is affordable!