This Body is Mine

I had a long listcicle written about styling vintage, and I realized a) there are many bloggers out there who have covered the topic in greater detail and with better style than I could hope to articulate and b) my long post was really just a symptom of a larger issue I'm having with my body.  Namely, I'm uncomfortable in my skin a lot these days.  There are lots of understandable reasons for this: five babies in six years, nursing an infant round the clock, the predictable weight and mood swings that accompany those things, increasing food allergies and gastroparesis, etc.  

I'm trying to get comfortable with my shape, with the saggy skin, lines under my eyes, the deflated water balloons that are the legacy of nursing, the thinning and grey hair, all of it.  Honestly, I'm not afraid of growing older, or even of going grey or getting wrinkles, but the overall shape of my body is different since I've had my babies, and it has been hard for me to get used to this post-partum body and appreciate it.  I'm not immune to the idealized, heavily Photoshopped female imagery presented in magazines and online, and I've noticed that even though my fashion imagery these days is mostly vintage, I still struggle a lot with accepting myself.  Buying vintage these last two years and sewing for myself these last few months has given me a new understanding of the particularities of my body, but I'm still having trouble loving the image in the mirror.  I'm hyper-critical of most of the outfit photos I take, and it is always a struggle to post them without negative commentary.  

Today I'm sharing an outfit photo series, and I'll state at the outset that I dislike these photos for a lot of reasons that I'm not going to detail, but in an effort to stop the negative self-talk and start appreciating what I do have, I will list instead the details of my body that are unique to me (in the hopes that it might help someone else appreciate their own particularities).  I also think it is important to be able to laugh at your body's more unusual characteristics, or to realize that what is currently valued in physical appearance was not always the case.

I am short-waisted--sometimes empire-waisted garments hit me pretty close to my natural waist.  I am also short through the my calves although, oddly, not my thighs--my inseam is approximately 27".  Snack size, if you will.  This means that boots intended for "mid-calf" hit me near the knee.

I do carry a LOT of muscle mass, however, and can probably bench press my husband (who weighs 25 pounds less than me).  I like being so strong.

I have narrow shoulders.  I also have peasant hands, but I like how well my hands are able to do manual things, and the unique way that my knuckles look--I get the shape of my hands and feet from my dad's family.  My nose is straight and relatively narrow--I get the shape from my mother and like it very much.

I have a 10" differential between my waist and my hips and my arms are short in relation to my legs.  This means certain exercise moves are actually physically impossible for me without modification (I'm lookin' at you, Shaun T, and your hip-ups!)

I have a lot of cowlicks!  Two in the back (the run in opposite directions) and one in the front.  I also have naturally curly hair that resists straightening, but is a great foundation for vintage styles!  I also have a slightly asymmetrical mouth, which I got from my grandma and I love that little reminder of her.

I have very fair skin.  I heard someone else describe skin like mine as "burns in the moonlight", which is fairly accurate!  I've been known to burn through my clothes.  On the upside, I've got the perfect skin for vintage, as pale skin was highly prized in earlier eras.

My eyes have unusual color, and change with what I'm wearing, so sometimes they look blue, or green, or gray, or something in-between.

Here's the thing, and I think this is important to note.  Appreciating the unique qualities of my body doesn't mean that I want to be satisfied with the things I have the power to change.  I cannot change the basic anatomy of my body--I will always have short legs and arms, cowlicks, an asymmetrical mouth and so on.  I can, however, change the composition of my body; I do need to lose the rest of the baby weight in order to be healthy, and I intend to do so, but I've found that hating my body usually gets in the way of lasting weight loss efforts.  I have to love my body enough to want to change it for the better, not hate it so much I run away from the chore.  I'm getting there. 

(Updated: there's nothing like jumping on a bandwagon you didn't know was passing by--Gemma at Retro Chick has an excellent article today about body shape versus clothing size.  Go read it!)

Outfit details:

Purple wool sweater: H&M via ThredUp

Green skirt: me made

Boots: Modcloth

1950s deadstock "Mother" pin: Etsy, Mrs. Finder

Earrings: Etsy, Mrs. Meow (no longer in business)

Odds and Ends, Vol. 6

Time for another Odds and Ends!  

Rod Dreher examines the ways in which the Western mind is different from the rest of the world, and how our rationality and scientific approach to life may blind us to the metaphysical realities that surround us.  From the article: "In practice, what he’s raising here is a fundamental questions about the nature of secularism and the experience of reality. Is the “buffered self” of secularism (in the sense that Charles Taylor means) a method of interpreting the same data we all perceive? Or is secularism something that makes it literally impossible to perceive a certain level of reality? Put another way, does the secular mindset help us to see reality more clearly, or does it blind us to things our pre-modern ancestors could see?"

Defining Digital "Mindfulness"--this is an excellent short piece on the purpose of being mindful.  From the article: "Stepping away from technology will not make us more or less mindful—just as a day of detoxing or fasting will not automatically change our perception of food. In all things, we want to cultivate Aristotle’s virtuous mean, searching for that place between excess and defect where excellence dwells. Mindfulness does not necessitate pure abstention from iPhones, Twitter, and the like—it is not about neglecting certain platforms. Rather, it defines how we use those platforms. The reason for a “fast,” “detox,” or what-have-you is to help us see the big picture, to give us greater purpose, understanding, and discretion."  There are so many articles about taking a technology break in order to reconnect, slow down, etc., but none of them examine what the metapurpose of it is, nor how to really approach technology in our everyday lives.  The author doesn't suggest a quick fix, but rather a global approach to the problem of distracted living.

via

A cool photo essay of vinyl record sleeves blended with real people.

Lessons from Urban Resurgence.  I thought this was an interesting observation about the ways of modern cities.

The Trouble with Bright Girls--reasons why smart girls may struggle in new situations, or fail to succeed later in life.  So much of this article resonated with my own educational experience.

Ways to Handle Temper Tantrums (in adults and children!)  Useful whether you are a parent or not, as many of us never outgrow the need to flail on the ground when things don't go our way.

Via

These brick sculptures are amazing.  I didn't know you could do that with brick!

A fascinating book review on the history of liberalism.  Mr. Siegel's book pokes holes in all the dogma of the arc of liberal thinking, and points to an interesting turning point in the development of the movement, placing its primary birth in the 1920s.  I have to agree, as society changed so drastically in the wake of the Great War, so many social mores went out the door, and the 1920s was a time of great social experimentation and avante garde of the type that makes the revolutions of the 1960s seem tame indeed.  I also think it is interesting (on a lighter note) that fashions of the 1920s were replicated in the 1960s.  Coicidence?  Probably not, since fashion tends to reflect other things going on in society.

The Secret Emotional Life of Stay at Home Parents.  Written by a stay-at-home dad, it is poignant and completely on target.

A letter from a working mother to a stay-at-home mom, and vice versa.  Food for thought, certainly.

Dweeja writes about how our expectations (especially when small children are involved) can easily make us angry, upset, and unhappy with our lives.  Adjusting them to reality can make life easier.  Brief, but well worth the read.

The War on Humans. Wesley J Smith writes about how the environmentalism movement has turned into a war on humanity.  The movement has changed from one that seeks to preserve habitat for the human race to one that seeks to save it from the human race.

When a society that was based on religious convictions moves away from that foundation, there are bound to be cultural consequences.  Rod Dreher discusses some of them.

Via

19th century lithographer makes alphabet from landscapes--very cool imagery!

I'll be the first to say that I strongly disliked Catcher in the Rye, and don't really understand the public fascination with J.D. Salinger, but this article on the character of Holden, and how he exemplifies the post modern existential quest, was interesting.  The most interesting part about the article is implied, which is that perhaps the modern existential quest, and the obsession with identity is beside the point.

I know there are many out there who are sick of this winter, but I, for one, will take it over our nasty, humid, ridiculously hot un-airconditioned summers.  Any.day.  Jason Peters nicely articulates why.

Fyodor Telkov, Yekaterinburg

Beyond Sochi: Photographs of Rural Russians, by Russians.  A fascinating photo essay, sent to me by a friend.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  The western media doesn't understand Russia.

And more on how the Western media doesn't get it when it comes to Russia.  This resonated so strongly with me, especially after living there and seeing how, so often, even the in-country Western journalists missed what was really happening.

The vanishing art of letter-writing and why it matters.

Getting of the Social Media Soapbox.  Meagan Francis discusses why it is sometimes best to walk away from an online argument.

Via

A Scotland built on stories.  Cultural narrative!  Scotland!  Battle of Bannockburn! Robert the Bruce!  (about whom I wrote a rather Long Paper at one point)  Of course this one makes the list.

Just for fun: A Nature Soundbox.  This little application (that can run on a PC) is like a radio full of nature sounds that you can customize.  Try it and see!  It is so soothing to have going in the background, and there are lots of options for different combinations of sound.

Especially appropriate for this pre-Lenten period: Tony Woodlief talks about the Prodigal Son.

Yarn Along: Avert Your Eyes Edition

Joining Ginny for Yarn Along today.

My big plan for today was the Knit for Victory sweater reveal.  Well, best laid plans and all that....

Remember this?

Nearly finished, just one sleeve to go.  I finished the sleeve, and then decided I still didn't like the "right" side (pictured above) and wanted the "wrong" side out.  So I switched it.  But then...

Those of you who know me on Facebook, saw this:

Then I decided I hated the v-neck, so I ripped it out and added a triangle of purled knitting, and a line of crochet to finish the edge.  It was okay, but not fabulous.  

Just...no.

So I ripped out the neckline again and tried a shawl collar, but the instructions were frustratingly vague, and I gave up and went back to the v-neck but made the ribbing wider than my original neckline, and cast it off much more loosely so it would go over my head a bit more comfortably.  

But no one saw this:

The finished sweater--the second v-neck came out well, but there were other problems lurking.

And then, there was this (any sensitive knitters in the room might want to avert their eyes):

Yes, folks, I frogged it.  The whole.thing.  Before you start clawing my eyes out for such a travesty, lemme 'splain.  The sweater didn't fit.  It was too big in the bust, too wide through the shoulders, and the ribbing on the bottom was not wide enough for my liking.  I felt like a linebacker in it.  The construction on the sleeves didn't look right at the top, and there were problems with the neckline (that I mostly fixed after three tries, but still).  Several people encouraged me to sell it, but I still would have had a red sweater gap in my wardrobe.  

I learned a lot about ease and stitch sizes during this project, as well as what I do and don't like in sweater styling, and I want to have another go.  When I started taking it apart, I honestly thought I would just redo the sleeve construction and see if I liked it better, but I had woven in my ends too well and things started flying apart when I located loose ends to unsew.  I figured it was better to go with my instincts and frog it, and start anew with a better pattern.  

This is the pattern I'm planning to use next--it has a better shape, the ribbing at the bottom is a lot longer, and I think will be more flattering, and the top has less ease (plus bust darts, which always help with fit), and the sleeves are raglan, so I don't have to worry as much about accommodating my narrow shoulders. The stockinette stitch, while plain, will knit quickly and have far less ease than my fancy ribbed pattern, so that will also help.  

Live and learn, I suppose!  As it was only my fourth adult sweater (and the first two were not at all fussy in construction or fit), I think I'm going to give myself a pass.

In the meantime, I've cast on a commissioned sweater!  Someone in my reenacting group loved the original vintage cardigan that I sold there, and asked me to make her one too.  I had overbought the colorway for the first cardigan, and easily have enough for a second, so a win for destashing yarn!!

Her measurements are closer to the pattern's measurements, so I'm paying close attention to gauge and fit this time around.  I'm actually not using the same pattern exactly, but am using Ann Budd's sweater book with the basic lines of the Vintage Cardigan to make this one.  I don't want to do a lot of math with the gauge as this yarn is heavier than called for, and Ann's book takes all the guesswork (and poor math skills on my part) out of the equation as long as you get a proper gauge swatch to start with.  So far so good.

As for reading, not much right now.  I'm trying to finish season 2 of Game of Thrones before the Fast, and by the time I get myself into bed, the best I can do is Tilly Bagshawe's Fame on my kindle.  I'll set both aside for Lent and read something more edifying like Everyday Saints.

Redemption, part 2

Today I bring you the next installment of Redemption, the story I started writing last summer.  You can read the first installment here.  I wrote this installment shortly after the first during the dog days of summer.

 

Redemption, part 2

Do not copy or reprint without express permission.

Sara Jan sat in the yard, washing the dinner dishes.  The weather was so nice today, she thought she'd best enjoy it before the cold weather hit and they were forced to stay indoors all the time except to do the chores.  She paused now and again to gaze at the clear blue sky, take a deep breath of the crisp early fall air and to appreciate the loveliness of the changing leaves of the trees.  She glanced at her knobby hands, wrinkled from the wash water and calloused from hard work.  She didn't mind it.  Hard work was good for the soul.  She did regret that there had been no living children--no one to help them on the farm, no one to carry on the family name.  Amos had never blamed her, never said anything about the babies except to pat her back now and then and sigh.

Sara Jane thought she might spend the afternoon with the pile of mending--she could sit on blanket in the yard and enjoy the weather.  She didn't expect Amos until suppertime; he'd gone down by the river to look for scrap lumber to fix the barn.  It was several miles down and back and Amos had never been a fast walker.

She dumped the water from the basin on the garden and brought the clean dishes inside.  She gathered the pile of mending, her sewing kit, and a blanket to sit on.  She had just started darning one of Amos' socks when she spotted Amos walking down the road, his characteristic limp instantly recognizable.  He had a small box in his arms, and was peering into it intently, looking up periodically to make sure his walkway was clear.

Sara Jane was surprised but figured that had been no suitable wood today.  She went back to her darning, curious about the box but content to wait until Amos came into the yard to ask about it.  She had finished the sock and started its mate when Amos shambled up.  He sank to the ground next to her, breathing noisily through his nose.  He carefully set the box down--she could see now that it was a battered train case--and opened the lid with a soft snick of the latch.

Amos sat back on his heels and rubbed a hand over his face. Sara Jan dropped her darning egg in surprise.

"Amos Walker!  Where did that baby come from?"  She reached out a hand to touch the baby's soft fuzzy head.  Warm.  No dead, then.  Her heart stopped hammering away and she drew a deep breath.  The baby was asleep, making small sucking noises and rooting around against the silk.

"Tossed off the Number 4 into the river," Amos said.

"My land!  Who would do such a thing?" Sara Jane was shocked.

"Guess someone who didn't want him."  Amos flopped on his back a shaded his eyes with one hand.  He rested for a minute and then stood up.

"Best get on back to the river for that lumber."  He dusted himself off, leaned in to kiss Sara Jane on the forehead and reached over to touch the baby's ear.  "I was thinkin' we could call him Samuel."  Then he turned around and started back down the river road.

Sara Jane stared at his retreating form, tried to still the questions swirling in her mind and forced herself to focus on the task at hand.  The baby was clearly hungry; what to feed him?  She knew Mrs. Parsons was nursing a baby but she was two miles away and Sara Jane wasn't ready for questions.  They didn't have a milk cow, but they did keep a nanny goat and milked her every day.  Sara Jane decided to see if goat's milk would work.  She ran inside for a clean rag and a bowl of milk and then lifted the baby into her lap.  He was so tiny and fragile; she was afraid of hurting him.  Gently she cradled his head in the crook of her arm, feeling awkward and inexperienced.  The baby--Samuel--opened his eyes and regarded her solemnly.  She twisted a corner of the rag and dipped it into the milk, then held the dripping end near the baby's mouth.  Samuel opened his mouth and sucked vigorously on the rag and started fussing when she removed it to dip into the bowl again.  It took a long time to feed him--she wondered how long it had been since he'd eaten--but once sated, he closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

Sara Jane held him while he slept, thinking about what to do.  The warm sun made her feel sleepy and the dead weight of Samuel in her arms was comforting.  She lay down on the blanket and arranged Samuel in the crook of her arm next to her.  She dozed fitfully in the sun, her mind occupied with practical questions of feeding and clothing the baby as well as trying to sort through the myriad of emotions that washed over her as he slept next to her.

He woke again mid-afternoon, grunting and rooting.  She discovered his diaper was soiled and again ran inside for some rags she used during her monthlies.  She had diapers packed away in a trunk somewhere, but the rags were close to hand.  She changed him and got another bowl of goat's milk and began again the long process of feeding him.  She felt her heart swell as she gazed at his blue eyes and fuzzy dark head.  He was too new to be plump yet, and she had noticed his umbilical stump while changing him.  He seemed healthy enough to look at, though, and she hoped he would live.  He had survived so much already.

The light changed slightly as the afternoon wore on.  Sara Jane reckoned it was near chore time.  Amos should be back soon, but she knew she should start with the milking.  Samuel finished eating, burped loudly and settled back to sleep.  Sara Jane laid him back in the train case and brought the case inside.  She put the case on the floor in the kitchen and then went back outside for the blanket and the mending.  Then she headed to the barn to milk the goat.  She hoped there would be enough milk for Samuel; she figured there'd be no extra for cheese for a while.  She leaned her head against the goat's side as she milked.  The goat was a sweet animal they called Nanny.  She focused on the rhythm of her hands and the sound of the milk hissing into the bucket.  She'd worry about everything else later.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Wardrobe Challenge: A Red Skirt

7 Posts Time!

So, a red skirt.  I decided earlier this fall that what my wardrobe lacked was a good basic red skirt.  I found some red twill at fabric.com that suited my purpose, and decided to have a go at linings, and bought some persimmon rayon bemberg at Fashion Fabrics Club for a good price, and searched my pattern stash for a 6 gore skirt pattern.  I have a reissued vintage version, but I've heard that it has too much ease built in, and I didn't feel like fiddling much with the pattern, so I went with a modern version that was very similar (Butterick 3134).

Red is so hard to photograph accurately.  And the lining is more in the orange family.

I bought the bemberg because so many sewing bloggers I read love it and rave about it, but I have to say, I'm kind of meh.  It doesn't exactly have the same hand as regular acetate lining (or a slip) and it was pesky to work with.  Very slippy, like raw silk.  Still, I love the little pop of orange sherbet on the inside, and the fact that the raw seams are all encased.

Zipper insertion went well; the waistband, not so much.  I know this about patterns, but many of them don't allow enough fabric for a lapped waistband, but I got a little sloppy and assumed I was cutting enough extra.  Nope.  I had the thing attached and everything and it just met at the zipper. Plus the overlap at the back didn't work quite right, so the whole thing was a mess.  Not.good.  I ended up ripping it off and cutting a whole new waist band and starting over.  The second time was much better.  I didn't do the top stitched seam on the outside very well, so I zig-zagged it to cover it up and provide a little visual interest.

On to hand sewing--1940s skirts are zipped on the left side, and I had the skirt finished to do so.  I did all the hand sewing, including the hem and the button/slide closure/snaps, and realized I'd put all the closures on the wrong side!  So in order to wear it, I'd have to zip it on the right.  Which isn't terrible, but all my other skirts are on the left, and it would have been strange to have this one on the right.  Plus the waist band was too loose, so I needed to cinch it in a bit.  

So off the clasps and snaps came, and I redid the hand sewing.  I also had to sew the hem twice because I blind stitched the hem to the lining instead of through to the front layer of twill and it didn't quite hang right.  I added a line of stitching through to the front, and it is better.  The hem is still a little wonky, but I think that's to do with the hang of the fabric--the twill is quite heavy, almost like denim.  I'm hoping it softens with wearing and additional washing. 

A note about the thimble: I found it in my grandmother's stash, and it just made me so happy.  The Lansing Sewing Store was in the southern suburbs of Chicago, where my mom's extended family is from.  The address was on Ridge Road, which was quite close to the family farm (in the days when Lansing was mostly farmland and populated by Dutch people; now it is completely urban and ethnically diverse).   

I was using the thimble because sewing through that twill by hand was no.joke.  I did as much on the machine as I could, but the dress slide and snap both had to be done by hand.  The button is just for show.  I did have a moment where I thought I might try and figure out the buttonholer on the machine, but I just.couldn't.do.it.  I think I can only learn one new thing per garment, and lining was the thing on this one.  

So the final result!  I'm happy with it, but not ecstatic.  It fits well through the hips and the length is good.  I like the weight of it, and the lining mostly works.  I like how neat the inside is.  But, as with all the skirts I've made so far, the waist band is about an inch too large, and I had to pin it near one of the gores.  (I didn't pin it for the pictures, so it looks a little loose).  I can't figure out how to fix this problem, because if I bring the waist in enough to fit snugly up top, the skirt gets too tight across the hips.  Maybe my mom can help me understand how to fix this when she comes for a visit next month.  I've got fabric to make several more skirts, and I'd like to fix the problem before I tackle another one.  

I realize this outfit is completely unsuitable to the current weather, and I don't really have a cardigan that looks good with this blouse, but I'll save it for warmer weather.  I ended up taking off the blouse after I took these photos because I was so cold and putting on this blue blouse instead.  

See?  Weird hemmage.  The green skirt started out that way too, and has loosened up over time, so I'm hoping this will too.  I think its to do with how the fabric hangs.  I also don't love how much this fabric wrinkles, but that is cotton for you.

You might remember the blouse from last fall.  I've not worn it much because of the afore-mentioned cardigan problem, but I think it will get more wear as the weather gets warmer.  I like that I can wear it tucked or untucked.  (Although, every single blouse I have sewn this year has a slightly unsymmetrical hem, just in the front.  Why??) 

I've got to talk about this brooch--it is a US Army sweetheart pin from World War II.   I'm really digging sweetheart jewelry lately, and most of it is out of my price range, but this one was listed under $15, and I snapped it up quick!  It is quite dainty and a nice light weight.  The silver bow could use a polish, but I've not had time to do it.

Wearing the super-awesome boots.  

What I Wore Sunday: Shake Your Maracas!

7 Posts in 7 Days: Ready, Set, Go!

I am seriously running on fumes today; Ponchik continues to think that sleep is for suckers and is up every 90 minutes all.night.long, and I'm really starting to feel it.  I'm mostly over the pneumonia--mostly just lingering sick-fatigue.  So that's something anyway.

Today I bring you...an outfit post (I did warn you...)  I'm going to talk more about the skirt tomorrow, but today, that's what I got.  I wore this to church today--it has warmed up enough that we got our car unstuck from the ice!  Yippie!!  

Linking up with FLAP, like we do.

I made the skirt this week (details tomorrow!), and I talked about the blouse and boots last week.  Nothing spectacular to report, really.  

Mostly I just like the way I feel in this outfit.  A lot of my clothes make me feel squirrely right now (is that a thing?) and I'm just happy to find something that fits reasonably well, is nursing friendly, and doesn't make me feel crazy all day.  Win. 

I wish I could figure out why I feel this way so much lately--like my skin is on too tight or something.  I'm not generally one to change my clothes once I've gotten dressed in the morning, but lately I find myself trying three outfits before I find one that doesn't make me want to scream.   

And the maracas pin!  This sort of fell to the bottom of my box, so I forgot about it for a while--I really need a better storage system for my pin collection, as it is getting kind of large, and the box is jumbled.  It was the perfect thing to draw together the colors in my outfit and tie in the brown of my boots.   

What else?  Oh, wait!  Like my victory rolls?  I know you've seen them on me ten times before, but I got a new tool that makes doing them much nicer.  It's not faster than my fingers, but the end result is neater.  (I can still do my hair in five minutes or so). On an unrelated note, I found some marcel clips and I am going to master a 1930s finger wave!  When I have the time and energy, that is.  Right now I'm barely doing a wet set.  (boo).

Brace Yourselves--we're doing it again!

(I have to say, now that I'm into season two of Game of Thrones, this meme seems even funnier to me)

Starting Meatfare Sunday, and going through Cheesefare Week, look for seven days of posts from me! Once again, I'm joining the link up at Conversion Diary for a week's worth of posting.  I'm planning to show you a skirt I made recently, my completed Knit for Victory sweater, the next installment of Redemption, some thoughts about Lent, and another Downton Abbey-inspired outfit.  Light fare, to be sure, but it will be fun!

Foodie Friday: Chick'n Fajitas

I've made these twice now, and each time they get better.  So easy, so so tasty.  They are vegan if you don't add anything, but personally, I like to eat mine with a dollop of sour cream.  My husband prefers his with guacamole, which would also be vegan (just in time for Lent!)  Tortillas are nice but optional, in my opinion.

Chick'n Fajitas

Serves about 6

3 packages Gardein Teriyaki Chick'n Strips (save the sauce packets for a stir fry or as a salmon glaze)

2 red onions, coarsely chopped (yellow onions will work, but red give such a nice extra oomph)

1 package frozen bell peppers (or three fresh bell peppers, sliced into strips and then cut in half)

16 oz package frozen sweet corn (use less if you don't like as much corn; personally, I think the roasted corn makes the dish)

2 envelopes fajita seasoning (I used the Simply Organic brand from Whole Foods)

olive oil

Optional: tortillas, sour cream, guacamole, salsa

Preheat oven to 400.  Spray 2 9x13 pans with cooking spray and layer Gardein, onions, bell peppers, and corn in the pans, dividing evenly between the two.  Sprinkle each pan with one envelope of fajita seasoning and drizzle liberally with olive oil (do not stir).  Bake in oven for 20-30 minutes or until nicely browned.  Stir to mix well before serving.  

Talking Tuesday: Robert W. Jenson

This is an older article from Robert Jenson in First Things, and nicely parses out why the postmodern mind is so different from the modern and pre-modern mindsets. Mostly, he says, we've lost our sense of place in a larger cultural narrative that moves in a straight linear fashion, as with Aristotelean plot structure. It was, until fairly recently, the way the West understood itself as a cultural matter. All that changed with the Great War at the start of the 20th century, as people lost faith in the old ways and lost touch with traditional cultural understanding and narrative. The disillusionment wrought by the Great War on Western culture cannot be overstated. Jenson also then discusses the difficulty of addressing the Christian message of salvation to a mindset that does not understand contiguous narrative, nor of how one might fit oneself into a larger cultural narrative. A theme I shall continue to think on.

"For the ancient church, the walls of the place of Eucharist, whether these were the walls of a basement or of Hagia Sophia or of an imaginary circle in the desert, enclosed a world. And the great drama of the Eucharist was the narrative life of that world. Nor was this a fictive world, for its drama is precisely the “real” presence of all reality’s true author, elsewhere denied. The classic liturgical action of the church was not about anything else at all; it was itself the reality about which truth could be told."

~Robert W. Jenson, How the World Lost Its Story, First Things, October 1993

Light Fare: How Not to Look Like a Christmas Tree (or something...)

I know the programming over here has been a bit, shall we say, light this last while.  My apologies to those who expect a bit more substance from me, but with all the sickness, snow, and crazy-up-all-night-nursing babies lately, these sorts of posts are the best I can do right now.  In any case, this blog is always going to be a bit of both. :)

Today I present an outfit based on this outfit from Tasha.  The blouse is a recent acquisition from etsy, and I thought it paired well with my green skirt and didn't look Christmas-y.  I think a different cardigan would look better, but I don't have a lot of cardigan options right now (must knit all the things!) so this lightweight Old Navy version is what I went with.  Incidentally, I find Old Navy to be cut rather blousy and big, so my super stealth trick is to size down and buy petite.  

The blouse is short sleeve and a nice summer weight, so I think this will be a great outfit for warmer days too!

A recent brooch purchase from loveevol--I've got several from her and they are all fun!  I have the shamrock one, and a similar brooch to this one but with a telephone at the end of the bow instead of a wishing well.  I love them all.

 The necklace I found at an antique mall l when I was visiting my parents in October.  Pairs perfectly with these red earrings my mom had forever and gave me as part of a jewelry destash.  The green skirt I just wear to death--it is seriously one of the best things I made this fall.  I have fabric to make a six-gore version in navy and red (because I've decided what my wardrobe really needs is a good red skirt, and my current beloved Haberdashery navy skirt is starting to show its age) 

'Fit details:

Red plaid blouse: Paisley Face Vintage

Four gore green skirt: me made, Simplicity 2314

Red Cardigan: Old Navy

Sunglasses: Retronetty

Tights: Foot Traffic in Heather Mocha

Boots: Modcloth