My Piece - Packing Light

On Tuesday Sophie and I leave on a two week vacation.  We are going to visit my parents in California and some high school girlfriends and their children in Washington.  We are going to make two round trip airplane journeys.  It is springtime and California is averaging temperatures that are on average 20 degrees warmer than Washington.  I made sure I have travel sizes of all my liquid/gel toiletries.  I like to keep them in my carry-on just in case my suitcase gets lost.

That is all fine and good.  But then I noticed that one of the airlines charges $15 one-way for one checked bag.  That is $60 for Sophie and I to check our bags.  Now, we could take just one larger suitcase, or we could just pay for two.  Sixty bucks won't break the bank.  It's the principle of the matter that bugs me.  I'm getting old and I remember when you could check two bags and take two carry-ons.  Times are getting tough for everyone, but I find this new rule irritating.  Back in the day the overhead bins were overflowing even when you could check bags for free.  Now people are incentivized to bring carry-ons. 

So, incentivize away.  I very well may just bring one carry-on plus one personal item for each of us.  I pulled out my Wardrobe Magic book by Diana Pemberton-Sikes.  I bought it back when Sophie was a baby because I wanted to educate myself on how to disguise my post-baby problem areas.  But, the book has all kinds of helpful info, including a section on wardrobe capsules that is helpful when you want t0 pack light.  The theory is that, rather than packing outfits, you pack just a few pieces that all work together.  I was able to fit two wardrobe capsules, accessories, workout clothes, and pajamas (minus one outfit to travel in) in one carry-on suitcase.  That leaves a big old camera bag (will probably go ahead and purchase the pocket camera we've been talking about) and my toiletries.  Sophie's suitcase is a little bigger than mine so I can probably throw my toiletries in with her stuff.   We'll put snacks and activities in our personal bags that we're allowed.

My wardrobe capsules are made up of the following:

1.  Black pencil skirt

2.  Twilight blue peasant top

3.  Black cardigan with tie waist

4.  Multi-color floral dress

5.  Low-rise straight jeans

6.  White long-sleeve tee

7.  Skinny grey cords

8.  Pink tank

9.  Purple cardigan 

1.  Denim skirt

2.  Black turtleneck sweater

3.  Black velvet jacket

4.  Short polka dot dress

5.  Flare jeans

6.  Black long sleeve tee

7.  Skinny grey cords

8.  Twilight blue short sleeve top

9.  White lace top with white cami

Plus:

Black and nude stilettos

Black patent ankle boots

Turquoise sneakers

Black patent ballet flats

Blue rain coat (Will wear on plane)

Winter hat & gloves

Skinny black belt

Wide black belt

Print scarf

Black patent purse

Undergarments

Hoodie, tank, yoga pants

Then, just combine using the numbered items above to make outfits.  For example:

3+2+1 = Black cardigan + Blue peasant top + Black pencil skirt or Black velvet jacket + Black turtleneck + Denim skirt

Then you can move on to 2+1, 3+2+5, 2+5, 3+4+5, etc.

Without even mixing between wardrobe capsules, which is entirely possible, I have over 70 combinations I can make.  More than enough for 2 weeks.  I could have probably gotten by with one wardrobe capsule.

Who knew all of that could fit into one carry-on.  Of course, I'm 5'3", a size 2 or 4, and size 6 shoe.  I think my husband's carry-on would be completely filled with size 12 shoes.  In any case, now that I know it can be done, I have to decide if I want to do it.  It doesn't sound like much fun to schlep around a 4-year-old, two carry-ons, two personal items, and a booster seat around Dulles which is where our 3-hour layover is.  If we need to go potty or get a drink or wander around we have to take all of that with us.  It's probably worth $30 or $60 to avoid all of the trouble.  But, they offered the incentive.  I might just make it happen just so I can be smug.

Tweet

What's Cooking? - Spaghetti with Asparagus

Fettuccine with Asparagus

serves 4

I revised one of Martha's Everyday Food recipes and it was a big hit at my house.  The original recipe called spaghetti and for the asparagus to be shaved and added into the pasta water just before draining.  I had very nice pencil-thin asparagus from Trader Joe's so I didn't fuss with the shaving.

coarse salt and ground pepper

12 ounces fettuccine

1 bunch (1 pound) asparagus, tough ends removed

4 strips lemon zest, thinly sliced plus 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

4 tablespoons butter

1 ounce shredded Parmesan

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente.  Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.  At the same time, in another pot, steam the asparagus until bright green in color and still very crispy.  Add lemon zest to pasta pot; immediately drain pasta mixture and return to pot along with the steamed asparagus.

Add butter and lemon juice.  Season with salt and pepper, and toss, adding enough pasta water to create a thin sauce.  Top with Parmesan.

Tweet

Sophia Update - Horses

Sophia's ballet teacher invited all of the girls out to the farm where she keeps her horse.  The girls got to groom, feed, and ride the horses.  Sophie loved it and wanted to be the first to try everything.  After our big snow last week it was nice to be out in 80 degree weather.

Tweet

What's Cooking - Mexican Style Coleslaw

Mexican Style Coleslaw

Kenny doesn't really care for vinegar.  I don't really care for mayonnaise.  That leaves us in a bit of a pickle when it comes to coleslaw.  When I found a recipe for a Mexican Style Coleslaw in How To Cook Everything Vegetarian by Mark Bittman I knew it would be perfect because it uses lime juice.  This is my spin on his recipe.

1/2 Tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 Tablespoons lime juice

1 small clove garlic, minced

1 minced serrano chile

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 head green cabbage, cored and shredded

1 red pepper, seeded and diced

1 carrot, shredded

1/3 cup pumpkin seeds

Salt

1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves

Whisk the mustard, vinegar, garlic, and chile together in a small bowl.  Add the oil a little at a time, whisking all the while.

Combine the cabbage, pepper, carrot, and pumpkin seeds and toss with the dressing.  Season with salt and pepper and refrigerate until ready to serve.  (It's best to let this rest for an hour or so before serving to allow the flavors to mellow; the cabbage will also soften a bit and exude some juice.  Or let it sit for up to 24 hours if you like.  Drain the slaw before continuing.)  Just before serving, toss with the cilantro.

Tweet

Sewing Room - Amber's First Quilt

Amber is another JAG wife and she decided she wanted to learn how to quilt.  We picked an easy half-square triangle pattern and went shopping for fabric.  She chose some really great 30s reproduction fabrics from Moda.  I just picked some scraps from my scrap baskets that were large enough to make 9 3/8 inch squares.  She just has to hand stitch her binding and her label on and she'll be done.  She did a really great job.

Tweet

What's Cooking? - Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower

Sophia often asks for mac and cheese.  I'm not sure it's really her favorite, but she knows that it's the favorite of lots of kids so she thinks it's cool to ask for it.  I thought the cauliflower in this recipe was a great idea.  It pairs nicely with the cheese.  My family likes cauliflower so I roughly chopped mine, but if you wanted to hide it you could finely chop it and nobody would ever know it's in there.  Kenny didn't really care for the mustard flavor so I'll leave that out next time.  A note on the recipe said that when you use a sharper cheese you don't need as much of it which is good news on a dish like this.

I ended up with extra bread crumb topping that I saved to use as breading for veggie meat.

We like to have peas with our mac and cheese.  I guess it's a comforting childhood favorite.  This time I used fresh English peas from Whole Foods.  I remembered that Carla made some that really went over well on Top Chef so I made a simplified version of hers.  I just blanched the peas in some salted water, drained, and tossed them in some butter, tarragon, and salt.  They were pretty amazing.  The peas were nice and plump and the tarragon added a little bit of a sophisticated taste.

Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower

based on a recipe from Real Simple Magazine

Serves 6

12 ounces multigrain elbow macaroni

1 head cauliflower, roughly chopped

4 slices multigrain bread, torn

1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped (curly parsley is for GARNISH...don't substitute)

3 tablespoons olive oil

Kosher salt and black pepper

1 onion, finely chopped

1 1/2 cups grated extra-sharp Cheddar (6 ounces)

1 1/2 cups low fat plain yogurt (original recipe called for sour cream)

1/2 cup light soy milk (original recipe called for 1% milk)

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (I'll leave this out next time to make my husband happy)

Heat oven to 400 degrees F.  Cook the pasta according to the package directions, adding the cauliflower during the last 3 minutes of cooking time; drain.

Meanwhile, pulse the bread in a food processor until coarse crumbs form.  Add the parsley, 2 tablespoons of the oil, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and pulse to combine; set aside.

Return the pasta pot to medium heat and add the remaining tablespoon of oil.  Add the onion, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, just until soft, 5 to 7 minutes.  Mix in the pasta, cauliflower, cheese, yogurt, milk, and mustard.

Transfer to a shallow 3 0 quart baking dish, sprinkle with the bread crumbs, and bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.

Tweet

Sunday Laundry Shirt Dress GIVEAWAY!!!!

Sunday Laundry Shirt Dress GIVEAWAY!!!!

This dress is achingly beautiful.  The designer imagines it as something a hip trendy single girl in her 20s might wear.  What about a stay-at-home mom in her 30s?  The boots add the perfect edge.  I love beautiful fabric so much.  Maybe I should learn to sew clothes.

Tweet

Sophia Update - Swimming

Sophie had skiing and swimming lessons today.  She did really well at both.  I'm proud that she can happily handle such a big day.  She continues to be very comfortable in the pool and she was more than happy to show her new teacher what she could do.

Tweet

Sophia Update - Snow

First of all, I have to say that it was very sweet listening to Sophia and her cousin Ashlyn (also 4) telling knock knock jokes to each other on the phone this evening.

The other big news of the day is that we woke up to about three inches of snow...the most we've had so far this year.  Kenny's school was canceled so he took Sophie out to play.  I went out a little later and we went for a walk behind the house and took some nice pictures.  Sophie is an adventurer.  She wanted to climb rocks, roll down hills, and wade in icy cold water.

Tweet

Papercrafting - Etsy Inspired Blog Hop

I participated in the Etsy Inspired blog hop today.  Every hour, for the better part of the day, a different designer hosted a papercrafting challenge on her blog.  I started a little bit late, but eventually caught up and was able to participate in real time.  Four-year-old Sophia made some cards along with me and I'll post her work as well.  Here's what we made:

Tiffany hosted the first project.  She challenged us to create something using Etsy as inspiration. We had to type "inspired" in the search box and choose one of the results as our inspiration for the challenge.  I chose a beautiful Twilight inspired ring from SimplySharon Gifts for my inspiration.  I embossed a silver border and then added a white cardstock circle covered by an aqua vellum circle covered by a window charm.

Lee challenged us to use black, white and pink in our creations.  Here's what Sophie and I came up with.  I stamped on a paper flower and added a black button with a black bow.  Since there was extra credit for bling I added some sparkles around my sentiment.

Lindsay wanted us to make something without using patterned paper.  This is very hard for some people, but I often make cards in this style because I like the clean look of simple stamps on cardstock.  This time I embossed a dandelion gold added a sentiment in red.  Sophie made something for this one too.  She picked what she wanted it to say.

Jackie  had us make something following her sketch.  We were also to draw our colors from our patterned paper.  Here's her example as well as what Sophie and I made.

Sara wanted us to use some kind of clear item.  Sophie was getting a little sloppy by this point.  I used one stamp to create a background and then added a clear window charm over a circle stamp as my embellishment.

Joy gave us a Desperate Housewives photo to use as inspiration.  She also encouraged us to use what we're desperate for as theme.  I stamped a quote that sums up what I'm most desperate for.

Kerry challenged us to only use circle embellishments.  I really felt compelled to use a ribbon on this one but it wasn't allowed so I added a brad "ribbon."

Shannon asked us to make a moo card which I had never heard of before.  It is a tiny 1x2-4/5 inch card.  She said she puts her business card on the back of her moo cards which I thought was a cute idea.

Heather posted a 7-year-old's sketch for us to use as inspiration.  I'm not the only one who involves a child in the creative process.  I tried to be true to Piper's color scheme as well as the design.

And finally, Ashley asked us to make something using only 1 type of ribbon, 2 colors (plus a neutral), and 3 layers.  So, after making cards all day I decided to make my final project a bookmark.

Thanks to all of the very talented designers to made these challenges for us.  I had a fun, full day.

Tweet