Thinking Warm Thoughts (in the freezing cold)

 January in Nebraska can be unpleasantly cold. Today wasn't terrible, but we have another deep freeze headed our way this week. Since I'm unable to flee to warmer climes, I'm wearing some of my vintage Mexican tourist items so I can pretend. Fine, it isn't convincing, but you can't blame me trying! If nothing else, the skirt is sunny.

The skirt is part of a set, though the top will never fit-I've given up trying it over the years. The skirt just barely makes it, which is fine with me, as long as I don't try breathing too deeply. I suspect it would have originally been worn with a girdle and crinoline. I don't do girdles, and a crinoline isn't compatible with driving a Ford Focus. That's part of the challenge wearing vintage, but if I like a piece enough, I can generally make it work-except for that top which must be a 22" bust.

Sorry, I grew cold. Ignore the coat.

This is a terrible photo of a beautiful bag. There isn't an unadorned spot on it with even the bottom being tooled. It is large, with more zippered compartments than I will ever require, and weighs a tonne empty. If I ever did manage to fill it, I would be unable to lift it. The bag was in rough condition when I found it, and it will require some leather conditioner and polishing to bring it back, but it is still perfectly wearable and worth the $3.99 I paid for it. This makes six or seven Mexican hand tooled bags in my collection, but they're such works of art I wouldn't consider parting with any of the lot. We won't discuss my collection of belts to go with the bags...

 Outfit Particulars:
Vintage Mexican tourist skirt-Hand-Me-Ups
Vintage wool cardigan-New Life Thrift
Bangles-various shops
Earrings-New Life Thrift
Vintage Sara Coventry brooch-Hand-Me-Ups
Boots-K Mart
Vintage Mexican hand-tooled shoulder bag-Goodwill
Liz Claiborne wool coat-Goodwill
Fragrance-Vintage perfume concentration Emeraude

Now, a bit about a year-long project I'm embarking on. Nebraska is having a birthday-and you're all invited to celebrate with us. 150 years of Statehood is worthy of a party. Throughout 2017, I'll be posting recipes from my many Nebraska cookbooks from homesteading days to the present. Along the way, I hope to tell you a bit about our state and do my best to convince you to visit. No one knows how to celebrate like Nebraskans, and you know there will be kolaches. 

This cookbook from the Centennial in 1967 is a treasure trove of family recipes, political history, and wonderful photographs. 

Mrs. Morrison, wife of Governor Morrison who held office in the 60's is ready to serve you a beautiful luncheon at the Governor's mansion. 

I hope you will find this project interesting. I'm rather excited to show you the place we call home. 

I'll be taking you to Chimney Rock and points West in the Spring.