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.