Classic Jean Jacket $4.00

The temperature has dropped almost 20 degrees from yesterday. What I had so lovingly chosen last night for today is back on the hangers for another day.

I've decided to fallback on a piece of clothing that should be in every woman's closet - Jeans. A pair of jeans (although I don't know anyone who has just one pair of jean pants), a jacket and a skirt. The darker the color of the jean the easier it is to wear it from day to night.

Did you know? Denim refers to a type of cotton cloth called "Serge de Nimes". Which literally means "cloth from Nimes" a town in the south of France.

So for today you'll see me sporting:
Gap jean jacket $4.00 Value Village in Puyallup
Fred David blouse, $7.00 Nine Lives Vintage at Freighthouse Square
White Stag pants $1.00 The Thrift shop on 72nd


What's secondhand in your closet?
Tschuss,
Elizabeth

Wednesday, 25 August...National Secondhand Wardrobe Day

At the beginning of the year a friend threw out a challenge, all clothing must be purchased secondhand. Why I never thought about this is beyond me, since I own a shop that sells 2nd hand maternity clothing. But back to her challenge, pretty simple right, since I absolutely love shopping secondhand, but all my clothing?

It's now almost the end of August and I realized I haven't bought ONE article of clothing that didn't come from a 2nd hand shop! Oh hold up, lingerie does not count! I'm not buying them secondhand, I'll go without first!! So in celebration of today, I'm going to start blogging about my wardrobe.

Today I'm wearing:
Studio 1 dress 100% polyester and it's lined, $5.00 from Value Village
Gap belt (leather) $1.00 from St. Vincent de Paul
So, what's in your secondhand wardrobe?
Tschuss,
Elizabeth

Saturday, 14 August...National Garage Sale Day

Great, just what I need, a day to celebrate what I do as naturally as breathing. Yard sales, Goodwill, etc. they all call my name! What did you pickup today? I bought a small school chair, a child's art easel, a white teapot, wooden box with handle and a memo board.

November is just around the corner so I've got to get myself in gear. These pieces will be the beginning of my bazaar items or used as display pieces. My theme for the Spanaway Bazaar is words. Have you ever thought about the power of words?

Speaking of words...earlier today I was at a light waiting to turn right when I heard loud profane language across the street from a woman. At first it seemed like she was screaming at a car waiting at the light but the next glance confirmed that she was screaming at another woman who chose to keep walking down the street. I kept glancing across the street hoping it would continue as a war of words and not escalate into anything else. "Don't worry", I heard, "It won't get any worse, you always hear arguing around here". That was news to me, I've been driving in this area for over a year and take the Link 4 times a week. The messenger was a man in his truck waiting to merge into traffic. "It's a lot better than it used to be" he continued, "getting quite nice around here except for this block" and THEN, "I used to carry a gun but don't need it anymore". This from a white guy perhaps in his early 60's! Save us from folks who think we're back in the Wild West. More people have a weapon turned on them rather than saving themselves or someone else. When are we going to get it?


On a much nicer note...how's your garden? Mine is in overdrive! There's a pear tree in the back that's doing much better than last year but I'm just not familiar with this type of pear and there's way too much zucchini. My husband's coworkers, our neighbors and my fellow shop owners are going to get zucchini next week. I'll be really nice though and include a recipe for a salad and/or bread!
Tschuss,
Elizbeth

Saturday, 24 July...Tell an Old Joke Day

Knock, Knock
Who's there?
Lettuce!
Lettuce who?
Lettuce in, it's hot out here!

Hey fellow Tacomans, it's hot out here. I'm not complaining just saying. The garden wasn't doing much of anything but suddenly it's in overdrive. I've got to pull out all sorts of recipes to make use of what we have and we'll still have plenty for co-workers and friends. Here's a quick recipe for spinach. A loaf of bread and iced tea, and I'll be ready to finish a few things on my continually growing to-do list for the shop.

Spinach & Green Apple Salad
2 T. olive oil
1 T. cider vinegar
1 T. Dijon mustard
salt & freshly ground pepper
5 oz baby spinach (about 5 cups)
1 Granny Smith apple
1/3 c. walnut pieces, toasted in a dry skillet until fragrant, about 2 minutes

- In a small jar with a lid, mix the oil, vinegar and mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss the spinach with dressing until evenly coated. Then divide among 4 plates.
- Core the apple and slice into matchsticks. Sprinkle 1/4 of the apple pieces on top of each salad portion. Follow with walnut pieces. Serve immediately.
Tschuss,
Elizabeth

Thursday, 17 June...Blah, Blah, Blah Day

Sometimes folks just go on and on about things that really doesn't amount to a hill of beans. You sort of go with it until you get some bad news, a loved one's just died, a child is missing, a husband has yet again beat the daylights out of the "love of his life".

I had decided that I wasn't going to the Farmers' Market today but realized it was probably just what I needed. I picked up some oatmeal raisin cookies from StoneGround Bakery (who ever said sugar is a natural high, is sooooo right!!).

I jumped at the opportunity to get a free 5 minute massage from Monica Of Excellence Salon & Spa (located at 114 South 9th St) and I feel ever so much better!!

Next on the list is flowers, $7 for a bunch that will light up your area for days to come.

Back at the shop I passed over a small piece of paper, trash really, but because I was so wrapped up in myself I ignored it. The third time going by I bent down and picked it up intending to throw it away. But it sort of looked familiar, red and white - a fortune perhaps??? So I unfolded it and read: Prepare today for the demands of tomorrow. Plan your move.

A sign from??? Everything happens for a reason, doesn't it? Sometimes we get it and other times we don't. We just have to be open to all the possibilities out there.
Today's Blah, Blah, Blah Day. Make today and every other day more than that.
Tschuss,
Elizabeth

Friday, 11 June...Hug Day

What a nice day I had yesterday! Thursday's Farmers' Market day down on Broadway so my Mom and I walked over and soaked up the sights and sounds of the market.

I picked up a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I keep forgetting to include a pic but promise to do so next week.

Our lunch was 4 potato latkes with sour cream. We had to wait while they finished cooking so the cook included applesauce. Who could imagine that just latkes could fill you up for lunch? But of course, isn't there always room for dessert? My Mom got a gingersnap cookie and I opted for a cheese danish from Grand Central. I've got to buy 2 of the cheese danish next time and TRY and save one for my tea in the morning.

My garden's lacking a few things so I picked up a parsley plant and a mixed salad plant (I think it's called mesculan). A little bit pricey but I know my money's going to the gardener that I paid and she can impart so much information.

Typical Western Washington weather being what it is, rain came pouring down later in the day and I saw something that made my heart sing!! A woman and child were walking down the sidewalk and a huge truck slowed down beside them. The passenger window rolled down, the driver leaned out with an umbrella, opened it and extended it out to the woman. Since I was in my house, I couldn't hear if words were exchanged but it wasn't necessary. This GENTLEMAN, saw a need, helped out and moved on his way. He didn't have to stop, he was nice and dry in his truck but in that instant he saw what he could do to help. This small act of kindness brought tears to my eyes. We can and do so many things out of pure kindness to others. Please remember this act when next you read about some ugly thing that another human being has done against society.

Today's Hug Day!!
Tschuss,
Elizabeth

Thursday, 3 June...National Rocky Road Day

I can't say that I like Rocky Road candy but I do like salmon and since Thursdays the Farmer's Market is open on Broadway I'm off to purchase some of the best salmon around from Rolf's Choice Alaskan Salmon. He gives tasting samples, I dare you to try and not be at least tempted to buy! I've decided to try one of his recipes:

Smoked Salmon Pasta
2 T. butter
olive oil
1 c. heavy cream
salt & pepper to taste
8 oz. smoked salmon (cut into 1" pieces)
1/2 c. chopped onion
zest & juice of 1 lemon
1 lb. cooked pasta (I'll use fettuccine) save a bit of the pasta water
1/2 c. chopped parsley

It's a rare recipe that I don't add garlic, so I'll saute 2-3 cloves of chopped garlic with the onion.

Combine a little olive oil with the butter in a pan. Saute garlic & onion until soft. Stir in cream, lemon zest & juice. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook 4-5 minutes on medium-low heat until slightly thickened, add salmon. Lightly stir to mix. Add the cooked pasta. If it's too thick add some of the pasta water. Add the chopped parsley.

A simple salad, wine and bread and this dish is ready to serve 4-6.
Tschuss,
Elizabeth