Pretty in pink...

Cotton shirts.  Love 'em. Usually can't wear 'em.  Too tight. Pull at the boobs.  Or, shrink in the first wash.  And being a plus size gal, I need some softness and movement to keep an illusion of me.  Reality in a stiff button up, not so pretty. So, an old linens table cloth, so soft. Nicely torn for texture. And an old soft lace cafe curtain.

Stella, my model, is asymmetrical so it appears wonky.

 

My own bohemian rhapsody...

Thrift store score.  I had hours to kill today.  And was relatively close to several thrift stores. Locals to the 'Burgh know that the Red White & Blue on Route 51, or as we call it - 51, is pretty much a sure thing. Especially for linens. So, with time on my hands and money in my purse, and with my purse handle looped around my wrist because about a decade ago some old woman tried to pick-pocket me there, off I went.
Seriously, not a lot of linens.  It was late Saturday afternoon.  It was almost as though a bunch of ME had been there are scooped up all the calendar towels, aprons, craft ribbon and lace-edged pillow cases.  I was not defeated though.

I had to delve deeper.  And that's when I found this gem.  This bohemian beauty.  The handmade patchwork on silk shantung. At first I only saw the orange squares so I immediately thought about cutting it up and making totes.  Then, I saw the price, green tag  $7.95, which was 50% off.  Wahoooooo!!  

It has a yarn fringe trim which I don't love, but it is authentic so it may stay, or be upgraded to something funkier.  But that would be on my sewing to-do list.    So, maybe it stays.  Once I saw the other colors and vintage fabrics, I knew it was a keeper.

Our family room is very vanilla.  Plain.  Actually, more taupe than vanilla.  There is a huge old credenza that holds our flat-screen which definitely needs paint.  Three years later, it is still on the paint to-do list.  Our ottoman is huge and comfy just like the I-swore-I'd-never-get-a-sectional mammoth sectional.  And this bohemian beauty is perfect as a burst of colors when draped perfectly on the ottoman.  It is fresh from the dry cleaners.

Now, I am ready to funk up the vanilla room with more fun accents.  All because of this perfection.  To whomever sewed this beauty:  thank you.  And to the family who donated to the RW&B: thank you!

"What to do?"

That trivial question was once asked to me at an unfortunate moment.  In a romantic setting. Actually it was scribbled on an envelope, in lieu of a proper farewell.  I kept the note.  Cause it is ridiculous and noteworthy. And so me in my 20s.

This question is less romantic and life-changing. Not cowardly.  Just me pondering. And chewing my lip. And weighing my options. Nothing life changing or major.

Trying to determine if I should do a major vendor show this spring.
It is way outta my comfort zone. Not the show as much as the commute. The expense.  The gamble.  The schedule conflicts it will create at home.  And always, not supportive husband may lose his mind.

Just spewing. Obviously this post is quite ridiculous but I can't stop myself.

And here's another what to do?  Tofu  cheesecake or lemon depression-Era cake?  Both are vegan. For my daughter's 16th birthday!  Sweet girl.  Time flew...

I think the cake is a keeper.  Cheesecake wasn't bad. But wasn't great.  Why don't any of my kids like birthday cake?? The very thought makes me sad.  I love cake more than just about anything.  My son, loves key lime pie. My other daughter, not a cake fan either.  She would prefer an Edible Arrangements bouquet. And Cathrynn is a vegan and doesn't even like cake.  

Failure.  Motherhood.  No leftover cold cake, with sugary crusty birthday cake icing.   It would be perfection. As I sit and ponder this trivial and monumental question.  "What to do?"  

Organized Chaos

That is what my sewing/craft room is.  I am fortunate to have a tiny escape room for my stuff. Not that it all fits in there, but I have spent about 6 months editing, labeling, sorting, tossing and now I am ready to get sewing again. And, now I will know where everything is. Wahooo, love January. The dreary days, the sickness/germs. The nothing to do and no money.

Gilmore Girls' Confession

I am Kelley and this is my Gilmore Girls' confession.  I never watched it. Never wanted to.  And I don't like the name Loralei (sp??) At all.  Still don't.  And how is Rory a nickname for that? Maybe.  Still not sold after about 140 hours of GG binging.

How did it happen you ask? I was in between crime/violence/mystery dramas and I got sucked into the hype of the reunion episodes.   Binge watched all 7 seasons in November.  Nice diversion from life and election! Quirky. Silly. Happy. Cute guys, pretty clothes, romantic chemistry.

Annoying.  Bad acting. Flawed characters. Plots that were just obstacles.  And Hellooooo. I binge watched Parenthood over the summer which probably melted the ice a bit on my attitude towards GG.  Hello. Lauren Graham's character dating her daughter's teacher?  Helloooo?  of course, GG did it first.  But I was already trying to keep the Bravermans outta GG. Enough I thought.  But I kept on watching because Luke. I loved him. Hated him.  Loved Loralie (sp, still not sure!) hated her. And Christopher.  Hated him.  Never liked or loved him.  Loved Logan after I stopped cackling over Carey Agos (Good Wife anyone?) with the hairdos!  And Paris.  (HTGAWM anyone?)

The quaint town,  the bumpy, weird lives, I love it all. Toile wallpaper, mismatched upholstery + my dream of having an inn, swoon!

So I watched the trailers, and then the spoilers. I agree and disagree with them, which is so November 2017, right?  And I am now an expert on GG, old and new. And I watched it seamlessly - They aged 10 years overnight for me.  So I think I am having less of a letdown.  No meltdown. I don't think they wasted precious GG minutes on the oddball characters, nope. Those crazy plots and Kirk-isms are what kept GG light and easy.  Not heavy, L&L drama.  The musical. Loved  L's reaction.  Just like I loved the karaoke scene.  Which is 3 minutes of great TV and bad singing.

And I am 1/2 done with last episode. Still no Dean? I was such a fan... still no Suki? come on!

But they just snuck a bit of Parenthood in there, so ha!!  I caught it. Thank you casting agent.

I am going to watch the end. And I'll be back to comment. Because I like to amuse myself.  And all my TV shows are colliding...

Junquey Gal: Omgosh Vegan Banana Cake

Junquey Gal: Omgosh Vegan Banana Cake

Omgosh Vegan Banana Cake

So. I have been MIA for almost an entire year in blog days.  I can hear the crickets. Nah, even they have left the building.  But, I am not a quitter.  Regardless of what you may have heard!  So I am back with a mission. I want to capture my recipes here. Yawn. I know. Food blog so 5 years ago.  But, it is for me. So I can have an actual record of my successful vegan offerings. I know. Vegan.  Yuck. Right?  How did that happen?  One daughter with a soul for kindness and ethical treatment of animals.  The rest of us are just vegetarians.  We are shamefully consuming butter, eggs and cheese. Not often. Just enough to gorge ourselves with our favorite pizza. And cookies. So the vegan child doesn't waste away to her birth weight, I am on a mission to redo our recipes into really good vegan offerings.  So. Warm from the oven on a brisk Autumn eve, banana cake.

It is a yummy first attempt.  I can't believe I am saying this but I will cut the sugar next time.  Crazy, huh?  I didn't factor in the natural sweetness of the bananas. I usually make a zucchini or carrot base cake.  It did turn out soooo good when warm from the oven.  Here's the recipe:

Subject to improvements the very next time we have over ripe bananas. First, let me mention.  Along with the vegan thing, we are all about the organic, non-GMO ingredients.  If you aren't. Start with one ingredient and work your way through.  

• Okay, preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
• Mash bananas to equal 3 cups. Should be nice and soft.
• 2 1/4 cups flour, non bleached
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups unrefined sugar (too much, I know. Try 1 cup next time). 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda.
• 13 x 9 pan.  I prefer to use parchment paper. If you don't, you'll want to grease and flour the pan
• Sprinkle with dairy-free mini chocolate chips.  Enjoy Life is the brand. I can find 'em at Krogers. 
• Bake about 30 minutes. Maybe 40.  You know. Start sticking it with a toothpick at about 25 minutes to gauge.  
• Enjoy.  Seriously.  You will not miss the eggs and greasy butter taste. The coconut oil gives it a pleasant crust.  
•