Summer Breeze Makes Me Feel...Uncomfortable.

 More of a hot, humid breeze actually. Like standing over a pot of boiling water. But eh, that's August in the Midwest.

Hello friends. We've nearly made it through August which for us means, Back To School time. While I no longer need to purchase school supplies like crayons and glue, I did splash out and buy Danny some new shoes and athletic clothing. Not that he really requires them as their PE class consists of lifting weights and occasionally walking around the track. But he'll look cool doing nothing. He jokingly said he wanted an Adidas track suit so he could look like a Russian YouTuber. Ultimately he ended up with Fila. JC Penny's had a mega sale which I was grateful for. I can get most of my clothing at a thrift store, but it is a bit trickier for menswear. Anyway, he's happy, I'm happy, and he doesn't look like he's about to abandon a stolen car on a railroad track (have you seen these crazy Russian videos?!).  

 

The bright colourful backdrop is my temporary bedroom window covering. My blinds broke. I have a replacement, but haven't got around to putting them up because that would require getting out a drill and well...yeah. I'll get to it eventually. The fabric is a very silky polyester I bought to make a caftan and much like replacing my blinds...yeah. I swear this isn't a pattern with me, just a coincidence. I'm usually rather good with chores. Anyway, I like how it looks when the light is coming through as it almost has the feel of a stained glass window. I might make proper curtains once the blinds go up. Well...yeah, I wouldn't hold your breath. 

Since moving the full length mirror in the bedroom I find it a pleasant spot to take selfies. It does require that I make my bed as I can't easily crop it out, but I make it most days anyway. Now that Danny's back in school I've been making his as well because I think it is nice to get into a made bed at night. I only do the linen once a week though. I haven't completely lost my mind.

I have my index finger strategically placed on my phone concealing my telephone number. Yep, I put my telephone number on the back of my phone. Look kids, my brain is full. I don't have space for learning a telephone number I almost never use. Pathetic? I don't know, but I do know that I have pretty much zero shame these days. 

Back to the carton of forgotten clothing for this pair of y2k era boot cut jeans from the Gap. They're massively uncomfortable thanks to the complete absence of  stretch material, but they also look better than jeans with stretch material. Such a quandary. Since the surgery I really haven't been able to tolerate things pressing on my abdomen, so these jeans might need to go back in the carton until I'm better healed. 

But before I go I'm obligated to flash my behind at you because why else wear a pair of jeans? 

This is more my style. I bought this dress back in the early 90s though it was made from a vintage 50s tablecloth. I wore it quite a lot in the years I lived in Boston, and thought of it now and then but assumed I'd given it away. I'm so very glad I didn't get rid of it. It is a little shorter than I'd wear these days but with summer clothing I think it is acceptable without looking silly. 

I was joking on Instagram that it gives off the vibe of a waitress that would dump soup in your lap! Whoops!

The rattan bag has a cotton lining with a drawstring. That solves the biggest issue I have with these types of basket handbags. I'm happy I was able to use the bag this summer. That giant orange plastic bracelet is in two pieces held together with magnets. I'm not sure why there was a fad for magnetic jewelry in the 70s (earrings were popular too) but I find quite a lot of it in thrift shops. I wouldn't have guessed I could manage to pinch my skin in it but I did! Left quite the impressive bruise as well. So be warned. 

We've had some storms again, but nothing like the flash floods we experienced earlier in the month. So far the roof repair seems to be holding. 

I made it back from my walk just as the first raindrops were falling. I take my walks around the college campus next door. Four laps around equals a mile and I don't need to worry about random idiots on the street as the school has a security guard that makes rounds visibly in a golf cart. The world keeps getting stranger, so I stick close to home when I can. Never did make it over to the pool this year, but I guess there's still a bit of time until it closes at Labour Day. 

The "Dog Days" cicadas have been singing.  These aren't the ones you read about in the news that only emerge after 17 years. I've noticed quite a few cicada killer wasps around, so I hope this one made it away safely. They're beautiful insects. 

Still trying to make meals that satisfy everyone's tastes. I made a batch of sugarless plum sauce and was looking for something to do with it. The tofu turned out nicely. I have to try brushing it on chicken before baking-it would probably be amazing. Ginger and plum is such a lovely combination. Right now the Italian prune plums are hitting our stores, and it is a very short season. I might need to get out the canner and make a few more jars. 

I have a bumper crop of basil this year, so expect to see it artfully scattered across everything. 

More plums being used in savoury dishes. This time I've "artfully" strewn the dish with coriander. Clearly I missed my calling as a food stylist. 

Finally, a homemade Salisbury Steak, which is more or less a meatloaf with mushrooms and onions. To someone my age that grew up eating the Swanson frozen dinner Salisbury Steak this seems a little on the fancy side. 

It was money from Swanson's frozen food empire that built my Omaha neighbourhood (and our library) so I can't say anything negative about it. I always enjoyed a TV dinner as a kid because it was something my mother couldn't ruin-not without considerable effort anyway. 

This dress is a recent purchase when I found myself killing some time at Ross Dress For Less waiting for World Market to open next door. I don't buy much new aside from undergarments, but I liked the style and the lightweight printed mesh fabric. It was an absolute bargain and looks to be well made. With some gentle care it ought to last better than most modern clothing. I had the perfect handbag to go with it.

I can imagine this as an all-seasons dress with the addition of tights and a cardigan. I think it was $15.00 well spent. I did eventually make it to World Market for tea. I resent paying almost $10.00 a box for PG Tips. I understand imports are more expensive now, and there's a pandemic, etc. etc. but it also feels a bit extreme as a box of Yorkshire Gold is only $6.00. So I bought a box to try. 

If you didn't already know I'm stupid-well, helooooo. I brewed up a cup of the Yorkshire gold and thought it looked sort of weak-so I left the bag in for something like eight minutes and then gave the bag a healthy squeeze just to extract a bit more. I grumbled about it being watery and weak, drank it down and then went about my business for a few minutes until the caffeine hit my bloodstream. Well that was a surprise. *Slaps forehead* you can't judge the strength of Gold Blend by comparing it to the colour of PG Tips black tea. Oh. Well that's fine-I'll take whatever little jolts of energy I can get these days. I've never smoked meth but I imagine it is probably a lot like leaving a tea bag to steep for eight minutes. No? Well the house was very tidy after that caffeine hit, that much I'll say. I really can't handle drugs caffeine. 

I never knew I needed a pair of yellow shorts until these came into my life. Off the dollar rack at the thrift store, they're now in regular rotation in my wardrobe-I'm wearing them now as I type. Two side pockets and two back pockets make them perfect for doing chores or just running out with my keys and phone. Yellow and grey is such a pleasing colour combination that I think I'll have a look through as I unpack next season's clothing to see what I have in those colours. 

This was an extremely lucky find, though I'm honestly not in love with Arpege but I will give it another try. I was wearing an N95 mask with a surgical mask over it so there was no way to smell it at the store. For $3.99 I took a chance. Smelled it when I got home-it smells like Arpege. Maybe this is a perfume I needed to age into. We'll see. I don't want to try it until the heat breaks. 

The pricing at Goodwill is silly. This they practically gave away when they wanted an obscene $40.00 for a bottle of Ralph Lauren Polo. I suppose the randomness is what keeps thrifting exciting. 

"Quick, make a face like a jack-o-lantern!"

"Okay"

How's that for unexpected and random? Oh good. I like to think I'm still full of surprises. 

Finally, I have this modern Vera Neuman print dress. It is too big, and not very well made, but the print is so adorable.

Good opportunity to wear my tiny fish brooches.

The colours are just so good!

The fabric creases easily-another strike against it. I even pulled out the steamer before putting it on. It is a shame, but sometimes even the best print can't make up for poor quality. I'll give it some time to consider having it altered, but I'm likely to just get rid of it. I'm ruthless these days. 

That's about all from here. I'm hoping to get my third dose of vaccine this week (I'm on medications that suppress my immune system) and try to keep as cool as possible while Omaha bakes in the late summer sun. I hope you stay safe, well, and take some time to listen to the singing of cicadas. Take care.