Saturday, March 19, 2022

No Recipe Required and a Couple of Rare Outfits

 

After a week of dealing with a cold that was surprisingly worse than expected (I took 2 covid tests because I just couldn't believe a cold could make me that sick) I was a bit out of place when I finally wandered back into the kitchen. Mr. ETB had been cooking (and shopping) so it was a surprise to open the fridge and see a bag of Brussels sprouts. They're expensive here, bordering on luxury item, but he'd managed to find a good sale. 

Looking around, there was half a packet of nitrate free turkey bacon, which is still not exactly good for you, but less bad than the stuff loaded with preservatives. Well that decided it, and with the addition of some carrots and red onion, it made a quick sauté to serve over farro.  Most of the time, that's how I cook. There was just enough left over for Mr. ETB to take for his lunch the next day. 

I'm still somewhat weak from the cold, but so thankful it wasn't flu or covid, both of which are still circulating in Omaha. We all caught it to varying degrees, but I was the only one sick enough to stay in bed. As soon as I'm completely over it, I'm off for my fourth dose of covid vaccine (second booster) unless they change the advice yet again. 

Dan is taking his college entrance exam next week. They take it Junior year so if they crash and burn there's still time for a re-take next year. I hope that doesn't happen. He took a test preparation class and feels confident. Fingers crossed. He's still planning to attend school in Belgium so I guess if the recent situation hasn't put him off Europe, that's good. Interesting time to study International Relations! Not sure what's going to happen with the trip to France this spring, but hopefully the covid numbers will go back down again. They're scheduled to go in early June. I don't know how he's suddenly old enough to be doing all these things, it feels like he was just a colicky newborn that did nothing but scream and throw up. Now he's moving to Europe. Probably. 

I wasn't going to post photos of my outfit, but Mr. ETB was so impressed with how well the dress and handbag matched, I'm going to go ahead and do it, but with the warning to click away if looking at me right now would be upsetting. I absolutely understand. 

That is a good match! The dress is a stretchy jersey thing with the most absurd wrapping feature...
I'm not convinced the ties add much but I can flap them like wings, which is fun. Obviously my standards for what constitutes, "fun" have sunk rather low. 

I was already coming down with a cold when I snapped this photo. The sweater is much brighter than I typically go for, but I liked it. Much as I'd like to think winter is over, I know better. We were treated to a lovely, warm sunny day today which was nice. 
 
This was today's outfit. The vintage dress is made of a lightweight nylon that was too sheer to wear alone, so I've also got a full slip on beneath it. I knew that navy blue slip would come in handy eventually. I bought the dress at a bargain price because it was falling apart. I made a few repairs and while not perfect, it is pretty good for what it is. It is a little too big right now, but eventually it will fit correctly. It would benefit from a structured bra, but my days of wearing those are over. 


 I will leave you with this game I spotted at Walgreens. As an anthropologist, I should point out that we don't actually know if Neanderthals had language. There's no reason to think they didn't, but poetry might be a stretch. At any rate, I'm not sure how I feel about a game that has you hit opponents with a stick, inflatable or not. Remember, Neanderthals were the ones with the big brains, not us. 

Only $19.99 😏
Have a good weekend.










12 comments:

bahnwärterin said...

the wildcat dress and the tapestry bag are a match in heaven - glad mr.ETB changed your mind!!
but stripey bag with stripey dress is dreamy too - so very 50s but cool! and i love green with blue.....
i´m impressed that the boys managed the food shopping and cooking obvisiously well - there is hope ;-D brussels spouts are a very common winter veggie here and we like it - but never saw turkey bacon, anyway with or without nasty things in it...... your dish looks yummy!
fingers crossed for danny´s exam!
xxxx

Vix said...

Brussels sprouts - yum! I'm surprised they're expensive things in your part of the world, they're one of the few leafy veg I'll eat cooked.
Mr ETB was right to be impressed with the matchiness of the leopard print dress and carpet bag, they're perfect together. I love how the chevrons on your dress are so well aligned.
Good luck, Dan! xxx

Miss Magpie said...

Yum I love sprouts . I do hope you are feeling better from your cold now. I love the green and blue dress, so pretty.
Good luck to Dan for his exams! xx

Polyester Princess said...

We've just been given a bag of Brussels sprouts by our neighbour today. I am not particularly fond of them on their own - the way my Mum used to cook them - but your recipe looks really yummy! Brussels sprouts, by the way, are very common here.
Love the matchiness of your first outfit, but that final one is my favourite by far.
Keeping my fingers crossed for Dan's exams! xxx

Emily said...

You look wonderful in those outfits. The incredible matching purse and dress really did merit a photo. Nothing wrong with flapping those "wings." If I were you, I'd flap them all day while making pterodactyl screeches to amuse my cat.


I'll be making your banana cake and penuche frosting recipe later today. I can't wait to taste it.

The Walgreen's game looks like ridiculous fun!

Best wishes to Dan on his test.

Vronni's Style Meanderings said...

How exciting for Danny to go abroad to study. I hope he has a ball and that you won't miss him too much. Good luck with he college entrance exams, too.

I love the animal print dress with the 'wings'. So many dress that come into the charity shop have these weird wrap bits that sometimes I'm at a loss to see what they add to the dresses other than give them a more fitted look. The handbag is such a good match. I really loved the green stripe dress; what a lovely style on you and how very flattering.

I'm glad you're making a recovery,

We eat a lot of brussel sprouts in our house; OH loves them!
xxx

Sheila said...

Yay, outfits! I adore your ocelot dress and the amazing matching purse! Those patterns were meant to be together. The wings are hilarious, so very typical of the era (which I think is mid-90s). The blue and green dress reminds me a lot of a green dress I had in nearly the identical style in the early 80s. I have a navy blue slip as well - it's surprisingly versatile.

I am not a huge fan of Brussel sprouts, but my brother (who used to be a chef) makes them with bacon and carmelized onion and they are fantastic. Bacon makes most things better.

I hope your cold fades quickly.

Unknown said...

I think you look fantastic! Absolutely loving the cheetah print ensemble and the navy and green number. Brilliant!
Bacon & Brussels sprouts = YUM

Anonymous said...

You bring to mind my beloved kitty cat in your outfit with matching handbag . I must admit though, my kitty rarely carries a handbag. Your batwing green dress has beautifully matched stripes in the front. Thank-you for the photos of fun and pretty outfits.

Best Wishes,
Gail from Pa.

Goody said...

@Beate
For some reason turkey has a reputation for being healthier than chicken. I'm not sure it is deserved, but it is plentiful in stores and generally not too expensive. We have so many wild ones running around town I'm tempted to grab one :)

@Vix
Cabbage is expensive too. I guess the whole family has fallen out of popularity. Everything is courgettes now (hard eye roll).

@Miss Magpie
Thank you!
He felt like it went well.

@Ann
I grew up having them boiled beyond recognition and then topped with margarine. I think today's cooks have learned a thing or two :)

@Emily
I really hope you like it!
Good luck.

@Vronni
I keep threatening to move away with him ;)
Someone has to cook and do laundry...

@Sheila
I was wondering if it was 90s. Those years are a bit of a blur to me because all I did was work. Slept, ate, worked. That's my memory of the 90s (and a good part of the 80s).

@Unknown
Thank you!

@Gail
I'm trying to find a joke about a cat being let out of the bag, not carrying it but...better stick to my day job!

Propagatrix said...

“Speak good or get hit with a stick” is my new motto.

Mim said...

Colds do hit harder after a few years without them, and you've been so poorly this year I'm not surprised you got knocked back by this one.

Seeing everyone's responses saying how cheap sprouts are in Europe, I'm now picturing you and Mr ETB visiting Danny when he's at uni and smuggling suitcases of the things back into the US. (Obvs don't do that. A workmate had a friend who got caught smuggling rhubarb into the US. Not good.)