Spring Sprung

Things are finally starting to bloom in Omaha, but it is much later than usual. It has been a difficult spring so far-drought, wildfires, dangerously high winds, excessive heat followed by snow flurries, etc. You name it, we've probably had it, save for measurable rain. We really need rain. But for now, I'll enjoy the flowering trees for as long as they last. I'm amazed anything can survive the wind we've been getting. I haven't been up the park yet this year (you can't drive in, and I don't feel like an uphill walk) but I wonder if the magnolia is blooming. I imagine the apple and apricot trees have started. They're predicting about an inch of rain Friday, but it comes with dangerous storms. We'll see what ends up happening. The last few have missed us. UPDATE: we got rain, and not too much else in the severe category. 

It wouldn't be spring without asparagus and strawberries though both are scarce, and expensive this year. 

I pickled a few in balsamic vinegar to add to salads, I like pickled fruit, and usually do cherries and blueberries later in the season. 

Stewing hens were once a common and inexpensive item, but I almost never see them in the grocery. Occasionally the butcher will have them, but always frozen. I don't know if it is the messed-up supply chain or what have you, but for a couple of days right after Easter, the grocer had stewing hens. These are old hens that can no longer lay eggs. You can't roast them as the meat will be tough, but a few hours in a pot at a slow simmer will produce a lovely, soft, moist bird and delicious broth with it. My mother called stewing hens, "Soup Chicken" and she wasn't wrong. It was always a treat when she'd make one instead of broiling cut-up fryers. They're more work, which might have something to do with how they've fallen out of popularity. 

This bird weighed in at a mind boggling 8 pounds! It did provide a week's worth of meals, and I didn't hear anyone complaining about leftovers. 

This is a pumpkin kibbeh baked as a tart with a red onion and spinach filling. The boys loved it, and it wasn't terribly difficult to do. The recipe is HERE. 

Also made a salad of yellowfin tuna, chickpeas, capers, spinach, celery and herbs. 

Cut-up herb omelet with fresh basil. It fell apart when I tipped it onto the plate. Oh well. 

It was time to feed the sourdough starters (I've been neglecting them in the back of the fridge) so I made a rye bread and added some oats and oat flour. I used agave syrup for sweetness and while it isn't low carb, it has a lower glycemic index than your typical rye bread (they tend to be mostly white and full of molasses). It came up nice and light with a beautiful crumb. The diabetic enjoyed it with some cheese. 

Have you had fermented tea leaves yet? They're available in simpler preparation, but I don't like dealing with chilies, so I bought some already done into a pickle. I wasn't sure what Dan would think, but he enjoyed the salad I made. These are spicier than I'd probably make them, and everyone was happy with it. Thirteen bucks a jar is expensive, but also worth it for the time saved. 

I made a very non-traditional Lephet salad with some shredded cabbage and cooked chicken. Anyway, I've been taking inspiration from this cookbook...

I'm sure Mim crinoline robot could guide you to much more authentic Burmese recipes if you're interested.

Turning away from food for a moment...

You'll be happy to know I did not purchase this dress, but rather took a photograph to keep the memory

without owning the item. 

No really, look at this abomination up close...

Meow, meow. 

Ready for some clothes? Okay then. Standard warnings apply. 

A very cheap fast fashion dress with a very not cheap Eileen Fisher linen jacket. Both were thrifted.

I do like the generous pockets. 

Time to wear the lily of the valley brooch. 

The necklace and bracelet are a set but the earrings are not. I think they *almost* work. 

This might be the world's most boring jacket, but it is warm, well made, and goes well with most of my spring/summer wardrobe. But yes, it isn't anything to cause excitement. 

The print on this dress is excellent, but I'm not comfortable wearing a babydoll dress. It isn't so much age, as it is having worn my fill of them in the 90s. 

The necklace was purchased in the gift shop of a museum in the 90s. It is a little chipped up but that just enhances the cave painting look. It is inspired by Altamira cave in Spain. There's a close up of the fabric. I should have worn it for Easter as it reminds me of  Colomba di Pasqua. I'm still trying to decide if I like it enough to cut it apart into a skirt and shirt. I'm leaning in the direction of "no". 

Sometimes I revisit a style from the past and do like it, and in this case maybe I'd even say I love it.

The underside of the skirt has multiple strings for tying it up, but I can't figure it out. Maybe it is supposed to puff and blouse in spots? I skipped getting creative with it and instead wore it straight down. The parachute material was risky enough in our gale force winds. Perhaps it is for holding it in place after washing it so the pleats dry a certain way? I'm sure one of you will know!

The shoulders on the jacket are laughably big even by 80s standards. It works with the boxy shape though. 

Might as well put a giant 80s belt to use while I'm at it.

Been a while since we've imported clothing from Korea.

80s Givenchy necklace.

Honolulu, but made in Indonesia. 

I did not hand wash it. I chucked it in the machine on the gentle cycle with a few other things and it was none the worse for it. 

This 60s jacket has a matching pair of pedal pushers but I've worn it here with a skirt. 

The blouse is vintage as well. 

Some bangles.

Bad photo, good handbag.

More inept pinning of skirts but it makes it wearable.

Ah, memories of getting dressed for work in the 80s. 

Made in Japan! Definitely don't see that anymore either. 

I'll definitely be repeating this outfit, maybe with a cream coloured skirt as we move into warmer weather. 

The dress and cardigan are both modern, but with vintage accessories give an overall impression in the vintage direction. At least I think so. 

Fell in love with the print, and this time it paid off. Dress was originally from H&M and I found it at Goodwill. 

Some vintage accessories.

Better look at the handbag. It is incredibly heavy, but beautifully made.

Yep, that's one-of-a-kind.

Completely unnecessary cut-out in the back, but okay. I don't make a point of showing my wonky spine most of the time. 

Vintage beaded belt that was just waiting for the perfect dress. 

Isn't that pattern beautiful? 

I've saved the best for last again...

I do love a good vintage scarf and though it isn't exactly skiing weather, it is still cold enough for the occasional snow flurries. 

It isn't signed but it reminds me of a Tammis Keefe design. Or someone trying to work in that style. 

New to me vintage skirt by Panther. I don't usually get excited about beige polyester skirts, but this one is perfect.

I had the best bag to wear with it

There's that buffalo horn cuff bracelet again. I'm getting loads of wear out of it.

That's about it from here. See you later, aligator.