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Under a Blue Moon

Decor, cooking, organization, all the pretty things

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Shuz.

Shuz

This is so not a fashion blog.  Anyone that knows me would just laugh out loud at the very notion.  My idea of high fashion is a plain white t-shirt and a pair of comfy velour yoga pants. 

However these shoes are singing their siren song to  me – I lust over these shoes.  Me!  Not a shoe person.  I buy a brand spanking new pair of Keds each May and call it a year.  Shoe shopping done.  I wear flip-flops ten months out of the year (and honestly, I couldn’t stomach spending that much on a pair of shoes).

It doesn’t mean I don’t wish I was more fashionable.  I don’t have a very fashionable body type though.  I’m a little too late for that – I’m more the Rubenesque era (which is LONG over due for a comeback, if you ask me).   I’m lucky in that I’m a good height (5’7" – not too short, not too tall) and I have long legs.  I also have a bustline like a chicken.  Not so good for fashion.

I had a dream last night that I was late for school (standard issue anxiety dream – late for class – when you haven’t actually BEEN in class for, oh, 20 years or so).  I was in the bathroom, trying to get ready when I really noticed my reflection and I had hair exactly like Amy Winehouse (if you don’t know who she is Google her – she has a bee-hive hairdo).  However I also had a very lithe, slender figure like Amy so I was able to overlook the hair disaster and my impending mid-term which I had not studied for.

Long-time readers of my blog remember that disastrous day at the doctor’s office – well since then I’ve lost 12 lbs.  Not bad.  Not great.  Not the amount I need to lose.  I need to lose five more pounds.  Nine times. 

My sister Trish** works at a local hospital.  She joined a group of people at work that each ponied up $50 for a 12 -week diet program.  I’m not entirely sure of the details – it sounded like each person would come up with their own diet plan and the end of the 12 weeks whomever had lost the largest percent of weight would win the pot.  Twenty people signed up so the ‘loser’ will get $1000.  Not bad.  There will be one person that will be in charge of confidential weigh-ins and a photo will be taken at the beginning and end.  Trish has decided that she is going on the South Beach diet.  I thought it was a splendid idea and was all set to start with her today – as a show of solidarity – only I forgot when I woke up and ate two pieces of buttered toast, a piece of See’s candy and, whatthehell, a KrispyKreme donut – all by 11:00am.  I’m not sure, but I am pretty certain that KrispyKreme donuts are not part of the South Beach diet induction period. 

Tomorrow is another day.

And what the heck – shoes ALWAYS fit.

**Edited to add – this is the same sister that back in our early 20’s we came up with a grand, dieting plan.  We decided that instead of swilling down countless calories in beer on the weekend we would make *one* decandently rich cocktail of Kahlua and cream and slowly sip it the entire evening.  Figuring that due to the richness we could make that one drink last the entire evening – thus saving calories.   The morning after we launched this grand scheme we woke up to one empty Kahlua bottle, two missing quarts of cream and little sticky rings around our mouths (not to mention screaming headaches).   I don’t think the Mayo clinic is going to be hitting us up for our thoughts on dieting any time soon.

September 17, 2007 8:42 pm Andrea Filed Under: Musings

Torta Rustica

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You can tell Fall is approaching because I’m drawn to baking more.  The weather has been so gorgeous lately – cool evenings and mornings, warming up in the afternoons.  And the shadows are different late in the afternoon.

I wish I could give you a slice of this tart – instead I’ll have to just wish you a very lovely weekend.

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Rustic Tart

Three Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into chunks
Two ripe pears (I used Bartlett), peeled, cored and cut into chunks
Two tablespoons sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
One tablespoon butter, cut into small bits
One pre-made pie crust (the kind that comes rolled up in a box, not in a shell)(unless you are braver than I and want to make your own pie crust)
One egg & one teaspoon of milk mixed together for glaze

Heat oven to 375 degrees Farenheit (note I use a pizza stone to cook this on but you could use a cookie sheet instead) (but you really need a pizza stone in your life).  Toss the apples and pears with the sugar and cinnamon.  Unfurl the pie crust onto a lightly floured cutting board.  Pile the apple/pear mixture into the center – leaving about two inches of pie crust all around.  Dot with bits of butter.  Fold up the extra pie crust and brush with the egg/milk mixture.  Sprinkle with additional sugar (or cinnamon sugar mixture).  Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes.  Keep an eye on things so the crust doesn’t get too brown.

September 14, 2007 5:00 pm Andrea Filed Under: Food

Nice things

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This is going to be the most random post ever.  Just a few things I wanted to share that are making me happy at the moment.  Little bits of joy.

The card above is by an Australian artist named Christopher VIne.  I love cards.  I have a drawerful at the ready in case I need to send off a note to someone or attach one to a gift.  I was in Papyrus a couple of months ago and every card that caught my eye was by this artist.  It reminds me a bit of my niece and nephew’s wedding invitations.

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It’s actually cool, crisp and breezy here today and I have all the windows open to catch the breezes and freshen up the house.  I also have my Henri Bendel Lemon Verbena candle burning.  It’s one of the richer lemon verbena scented candles I’ve tried and it smells heavenly.  Not quite a Fall scent but lovely nonetheless. 

This next item is something that I want to buy for every person I know.  I have the driest skin and no matter how much I lotion up my skin is still kind of ashy and dry looking.  Then I heard about a Japanese washcloth that a friend has been using and her skin is so soft and smooth.

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Ha!  You didn’t think I was actually going to put a picture of me in the shower did you?  You can order the Salux Japanese Washcloth from Amazon but honestly  – if you have a Japanese or Korean market nearby you can almost always find them there for about $2.50.  Since I’ve been using this my skin is so much softer and absorbs lotion better. 

And finally – since I tend to get the chappest lips and I have a bit of a lip balm addiction (I have them in my purse, in my car, by my bed, at my desk….) – this is my newest favorite.  When all my standbys weren’t working for me I bought this and in a day my chapped lips were gone (well my lips were still there – just not chapped any more).

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I bought it at Longs but I’ve seen this brand all over the place. 

Okay that’s enough consumerism from me.  Other than the candle everything can be had for under $5. 

September 13, 2007 10:13 am Andrea Filed Under: Musings

Happy Birthday Kate!

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Someone I know is celebrating a milestone birthday today.  She is off doing lord knows what in Las Vegas with her husband (you know the saying…). 

Happy Birthday Kate!  _0 is the new 29! (you couldn’t get me to divulge her actual age – I’m rather fond of my head staying firmly attached to my body). 

The picture above is one of my favorites of Kate – She was a very worldly and sophisticated 12 going on 25 year old and we were on our way from Istanbul to Greece?  Spain?  I can’t remember.  I just remember she was soaking up the sun in a white bikini and the boat was in danger of tipping over because all the boat crew some how needed to be on the same side of the boat where she was sunbathing. 

(Note:  Not visible but just to the left is my Dad, keeping a stern eye on things)

Enjoy your day, Kate!  I hope all your birthday wishes come true.

Edited to add:  And by the way Missy – we need a birthday menu or it’s….um…..what is the culinary equivalent to tube socks?

September 12, 2007 9:13 am Andrea Filed Under: Musings

Pumpkin cake

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It’s very hard not to eat your subject when it smells so good. 

In the mood for some Fall scents I got up early and baked a cheater’s pumpkin cake this morning.  I had to get up early because it’s supposed to get up into the mid 90’s today and I didn’t want to be baking when it was so hot.  Temps like that kind of ruin the whole Fall ambiance I am going for here.

I don’t know what it is about Fall that just appeals to me so.  If you were to ask me what I my favorite season is I would, without hesitation, say Spring.  But I love the anticipation of Fall so much.  The waiting for leaves to turn, the air to get crisper and cooler.  The cinnamony, nutmegginess of it all.

There is a house down the road that has a big old pumpkin growing right by the roadside.   It makes me smile every time I pass by it.  And the fact it has remained unmolested by squirrels and marauding children is pretty amazing.   I should have more faith in man- and squirrel-kind ~ they probably appreciate the simple joy of it too.

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Cheater’s Pumpkin Cake

1 box spice cake mix
3 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cup canned pumpkin

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees farenheit.  Grease and flour a bundt pan (I love that baker’s spray – kind of like Pam but with built in flour).  Mix all indredients together with an electric mixer for two minutes and then pour into prepared pan.  Bake for 40-45 minutes.

Sprinkle with powder sugar or make a simple vanilla glaze to pour over top. 

September 8, 2007 9:23 am Andrea Filed Under: Food

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