Showing posts with label Fall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fall. Show all posts

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Outfit: “Scottish Seafoam”

Many thanks to my obliging brother for taking these photos!

~What I'm Wearing~

Shoes: Black Mary-janes (thrifted)
Stockings: Tan sheer hose, George via Wal*Mart
Skirt: Seafoam Tartan (thrifted)
Sweater: Seafoam Ribbed Sweater (thrifted, altered)
Shirt: Seafoam Turtleneck (Kohl's)
Necklace: “Wild Irish Rose (w/Rainbow Moonstone)” (Wild Rose Designs & Laurie Sarah Designs)
Hairstyle: “Swedish” Braids
(I also wore a pair of silver ball-studs with this outfit, but they don't show up at all in the photos. Stinkers. :-P) 
 
As the days get colder, it's time to pull out the warmer clothes. Of late I've been drawn towards incorporating skirts into my everyday wardrobe—not all the time, mind you; just once in a while for town or special outings or visits. And this Fall I've become quite enamored of the tartan skirt/sweater-set look. Unfortunately, up until recently I had only one tartan skirt (which was too formal for everyday-wear), and some of my turtlenecks had no sweaters to go with them. But of course God knew all about it, and has graciously begun to fill these gaps in my wardrobe. Guess it's more than a silly whim after all, wot? ;-)

This smart little pleated skirt, made of 100% wool in a lovely shade of green that I call seafoam (although some call it teal or turquoise), with a complex pattern of blues, shocking pink, bits of black and bright-red, with a ghostly impression of purple, was a last minute purchase at a local thrift store a few weeks ago. I spotted it while trying on some other things, and on a whim tried it on, too. While the waist is a wee bit loose, it looked so good on me, and blended so well with my seafoam turtleneck, that I bought it! 

Technically the buttons are supposed to be on the side, but I like them better down the front.
As you can see, God also provided—not too long afterwards—a sweater to go with my poor, orphaned T-neck (I'd outgrown my previous sweater three years ago, and I NEVER wear T-necks by themselves. 'Cos I'm weird like that :-P). The sleeves were three inches too long, so I zigzagged them (yes, by machine) at a point where my wrist hit and cut off the excess. I then raveled the cut-off bit and used some of the yarn to crochet a little picot-edging on the sleeves and neck...which unfortunately doesn't show up in the photos.

 
About the stockings: Looking over the pix from the Springtime Tea, I realized how “heavy” black hose can look, especially with a dark dress and in sunny weather. So I determined to get meself some “nude” or tan ones for the good weather. We found these (under the brandname “George”) at Wal*Mart, and while $4 seems like a lot to pay for one pair of nylons (so saith those two drops of Scotch blood :-P), they're worth every penny. Not only is the color (“Oatmeal”) exactly what I was looking for, but they make me feel so much more put-together of a Sunday. They're more becoming, too! 

My shoes were a thrift store find a couple years ago, and I love them! The narrower toes and low heels give these shoes a slightly more grown-up feel than your typical Mary-janes, and also have a wonderful vintage vibe.
When it gets colder (AAAAAAAHHHH!), I'll be changing out the nylons and MJs for leggings and tall boots.

It strikes me that this isn't the best hairstyle for this outfit, but it was quick and easy. Perhaps I'll do some exp-HAIR-imenting this Fall to see what looks best with sweaters and kilts. ;-)

Once again, y'all get to see Wild Irish Rose in action, this time set with a Rainbow Moonstone. This stone, being mainly white with an iridescent-blue sheen, is very versatile, which is good, as I don't have a green cabochon at present. :-) Eventually I want to get one, but that'll have to wait...while I try to fatten up my poor, starving bank account. :-P

The picture at right shows the crocheted picot-edging on the sweater. It ended up a bit "curlier" than I wanted, so I'll probably redo it...later.






It amazes me how fast the seasons change up here. One week, The Guardians were green and leafy, then suddenly one day the front yard looked like this:


BANG! It's Fall now!
Then this past week the temperatures went from low seventies to fifties and sixties in one day! With lows in the thirties!!!
BANG! It's Winter!
Oy.
Is it any wonder we're feeling a little wild round hereabouts?
It looks like my knees are touching the ground, but they're actually not--optical delusion!

But at least we have the woodstove now! Major, major blessing, that! The Very Cold Season (which lasts about eight or nine months up here :-P) won't be so miserable now, especially since various people have given us wood. PTL! What's that verse that says, "My God shall supply all your needs"?
And a few things on the Wish List, too, now and then. ;-)

Until next time, Gentle Readers,
God bless, and keep warm!
~“Tom”~

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Recipe: Oatmeal-Chocolate Chip Cookies



Now that the weather has turned cooler (alas!), and people are beginning to think of roaring fires, comfy sweaters and hot baked dishes, what better way to kick off Fall than with something sweet and chocolatey to go with them? 

For years I made cookies that all came out runny and baked up paper-thin and crunchy. Bah! Then one day the idea popped into my head to put rolled oats in my chocolate chip cookies, tweak a few proportions, and voila! Suddenly they were soft and rounded, and chewy with a little crunch to them—just the way we like them. Hurrah! The oatmeal helps tone down the sweetness, too (but it was Mom's idea to add baking powder, an ingredient not called for in the original recipe). Below is a double recipe, which makes enough to keep your family in cookies for quite some time. I'm ashamed to say I never counted to see how many dozen it makes, but we usually fill two 24x18” cookie sheets (four down and three across) twice, plus one extra sheet. One final note: Creaming the butter and sugar first may seem like an extra step—and I'll admit I didn't do it until just recently—but it really does make a smoother batter. No more butter-lumps making the mixer jump and splatter flour everywhere!

~Oatmeal-Chocolate Chip Cookies~
Preheat oven to 350° F.

Cream these ingredients together in mixer bowl:

½ cup butter
½ cup oil*
¾ – 1 cup sugar
¾ – 1 cup brown sugar

Add slowly while beater is still running:

3 eggs*
3 ¼ – 3 ½ cups flour
3 cups rolled oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
4 tsp vanilla

Mix until smooth. If batter is too thick, add ¼ cup milk and mix until blended into batter. Next add:

2 cups chocolate chips
~OR~
1 cup each chocolate chips and raisins

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets, about two inches apart, and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until no longer gooey in the middle. Allow to cool before refrigerating.
Enjoy with a cold glass of milk!

* If using a single recipe, omit oil and use ½ cup butter and 2 eggs. I only use three eggs in a double recipe because of allergies—too many eggs, and it doesn't do down well. Feel free to tinker with the recipe as you feel the need or inspiration. That's half the fun of cookery, anyhow, wot? ;-)

Happy baking, Gentle Readers!
God bless,
~"Tom"~