Strike a Pose There's Nothing To It

 We've reached the "Silly Pose" phase of social distancing where I attempt to spice up the beige walls and carpet of my surroundings with the likes of this. What can I say? It is easier to act like a fool than to decorate. 

Sometimes, I just sit my rear end on the stairs like a sullen teenager and take photos with the phone camera propped up on the piano. I don't play the piano, and it hasn't been tuned in years. I'd hoped Danny might want to learn, but he didn't. I'd get rid of it as it never gets used but where would I prop my phone for these artistic shots?! I guess the piano is finally being used, though not in the way I'd envisioned. 

I haven't been thrifting since February. I thought by this point the wardrobe pickings might be getting a bit thin. I was wrong. Now it feels like a challenge of sorts, unearthing unworn vintage from the depths of my collection. I'm in no hurry to get back into entering stores without a good reason, so I'll see how long I can go. It will be interesting to see if an entire year goes by. 

This 1940s rayon dress is a great example of things I own but never wear. If I worked outside the home it might get worn more, but if you can't be over-dressed at home during a pandemic, when can you?! Clearly, I need to reconsider my day-to-day wardrobe now that my trips outside are limited to supermarkets and pharmacies. I did go to Target last week for the first time since winter. It was empty. I bought two badly needed lampshades. To my delight, they also had both bread flour, and cake flour so I stocked up and feel quite rich now. I can make Danny's birthday cake in December without worrying about finding cake flour. They also had Crisco shortening. I've been buying the organic Spectrum brand shortening at the health food store, which I prefer for pastry, but it felt foolish to pass up a giant tub of Crisco-even if I don't use it, someone will want it. These days I take nothing for granted. 

Nice lamp though. I have the pair. They weigh a tonne!

Anyway, back to the dress-look at that button! The details are just incredible. Shame on me for neglecting this beautiful dress. 

Outfit Particulars:

Vintage Rayon dress-can't remember

50s stretch bracelet-Goodwill

50s shell and rhinestone earrings-antique store in Wayne, Nebraska

1940s brooch-gift from an old neighbour who bought it in Mexico on her honeymoon

Handbag-Antique mall in Lincoln, Nebraska

Fragrance- My Sin (I still can't get my head around it, but I have a small bottle I wear now and then hoping I'll experience the magic)

I haven't worn this three piece set for close to two years. Why? Who knows, but here it is in full on 70s animal print glory.

I'm a little sorry I no longer need to do the school run. I'm sure my teenager would love me turning up at the school gates looking like this. 

I dressed-up a boring sweater clip with a big brooch. The jacket really ought to have a closure, but I'm too lazy to sew something on. 

This hard-shell purse is by Columbine, and is a sought after collectible. I wouldn't sell it, but I can understand why young people are so in love with these. Won't hold much, but most people carry their phones anyway. 

Outfit Particulars:

Dress set-Hand-Me-Ups

Shoulder bag-Goodwill

70s belt-Goodwill

Whiting and Davis bracelet-Goodwill

Brooch-Thrift World

Sweater Clip-can't remember

Fragrance-Tuscany Per Dona (nice, but too sweet for me. I have a giant bottle that might end up room freshener) 

Staying with animal print for a bit...

Scuba material (like a padded foam) tiger leggings? Why not? It isn't like anyone is going to see me.

And as a bonus, they're warm. They do have a zipper and waistband so technically, they're trousers, not leggings. I dunno-maybe I should try them out with the sequined tube top from my last post. Or not. I'm cool with waiting until Danny returns to in-person school.😆.

I don't remember where either piece came from, and the clogs were retail about 10 years ago. 

Next up in the neglected wardrobe is a silky, Liz Claiborne skirt. I like it. The colours are pretty. Do I wear it? Not often. Maybe only once. 

Roughly translated-I will have joy. Reverse reads: This I will have.. Not a bad sentiment. 

This vintage Brio handbag got quite a reaction on Instagram with someone offering to swap me anything in her shop for it. No deal though, I'm rather attached to it.

He was in a jam...it was a giant clam!

Outfit Particulars:

Liz Claiborne skirt-Goodwill

80s shirt-Hand-Me-Ups

Belt-Thrift World

Purse-Can't remember

Earrings-retail, gift to myself for my 50th birthday which went unmentioned  and unobserved (like everything else, mother's day, etc.). It was a  long while ago, so I'm not still sore about it. Much). 

Brooch-Etsy seller Nomads With Baggage

Fragrance- Hermes 24 Faubourg (another large bottle of something I'm indifferent to)

You'd think a red, silky dress would be an indispensable wardrobe staple, but it rarely makes an appearance.  The two breast pockets are annoying, but not enough to put me off wearing it, so I have no idea what the problem is. Perhaps in some way it just seems too plain-or as plain as a red dress can ever be. I threw an 80s belt at it for visual interest. 

The handbag is by Johansen who are still making shoes in the US. I have quite a lot of vintage Johansen, and what can I say? The stuff is well made and the 50 year old shoes are still wearing beautifully. This handbag is sturdy. If I had to, I could knock someone out with a well-aimed swing to the head. At my age, those are serious considerations when selecting a handbag. Damn kids.

You think I'm kidding? Do I look like I'm kidding? My pitching arm is nothing to scoff at. You don't want to see my change-up executed with a purse in place of a baseball. You've been warned. 

Outfit Particulars:

80s dress-Goodwill (I think?)

80s belt-Hand-Me-Ups

80s shoes-Goodwill

Bracelet-Goodwill

Earrings-Hand-Me-Ups

Fragrance-Dana Tabu (I don't know why. Another big bottle. I had a friend that wore it in the 80s and it was gorgeous on her. Unfortunately, it isn't on me. Not terrible, and pleasant enough for a cool autumn day, but again-no magic). 

Still buying up vintage frames. These were won in an ebay auction with another pair. I am going to have these set as sunglasses with my Rx but I'm not sold on the green. The silver chrome and white plastic make for very futuristic frames, so maybe purple is the way to go. Or grey. Anyway, I love them even though they make me look like a guy I went to school with who went by the nickname, "Ludeface." I'll give you one guess how he got that nickname. 

Here's the other pair. I want these set very dark, Jackie O style. I dropped off my Lapidus frames with the optician and should have my specs back in a few weeks. I guess everything is slowed down now because of the pandemic, but I'm not in any hurry. *sing song voice* "I have all the time in the world..."

I'm going to give you a recipe that turned out nicely. I needed buns, but wasn't going to make a trip to the store for one thing. This recipe didn't take much effort, and they resulting bread is sturdier than what you could typically buy for burgers. I used dairy-free milk and margarine in mine, but regular milk and butter would also do. It should make about 24 buns depending on size. They freeze well. 

You Will Need:

1 1/2 cups milk

4 tablespoons margarine or butter

1/2 cup lukewarm water

4 teaspoons granulated yeast

1 tablespoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger (works as a dough improver)

2 teaspoons salt

2 tablespoons honey (omit it if you like)

2 tablespoons vital wheat gluten

4-6 cups all purpose (plain) flour

In a small saucepan, scald milk and margarine, then set aside to cool to lukewarm. In a small bowl, combine water, ginger,  and sugar. Sprinkle on yeast, stir in and let stand until foamy-about 5 minutes. 

In a large bowl, combine cooled milk/butter, yeast mixture, salt, honey, and vital wheat gluten. Mix well. Add flour a cup at a time until dough clears sides of bowl. Remove to a floured work surface and add only as much flour as required to knead it without sticking. Sometimes letting the dough rest while you wash out the bowl is enough time for the gluten molecules to start getting in place, and you'll find the dough needs less flour for kneading when you return to it. I always give super-sticky dough a short rest to avoid over-flouring which makes bread dry and tough. You can knead or fold-whichever technique works best, but I'd do it by hand, not in a mixer. Of course, I don't have a mixer, so that's easy for me to say!

Place kneaded dough in a greased bowl and cover. It should double in size in about an hour unless your kitchen is very cold. Punch it down, let it rest 10 minutes and then pat out into buns. Place on a greased or parchment lined pan. Cover with a tea towel and let rise another 30 minutes. Begin pre-heating the oven to 375 degrees F. 

Bake rolls 15 minutes, then rotate pan and bake another 5-10 minutes or until nicely browned. If you like very soft bread, cover with a tea towel as they cool on a rack. 

I hope you enjoy them as much as we did. 

Have a good week everyone. Stay safe.