June is Bustin Out All Over

Just as I began to fear we'd never warm up, a summer heatwave arrived. I'm not complaining. We began May with snow, and given the choice I'll take the 100+ degree temperatures. I know this is an unpopular opinion. The spinach in my garden has all bolted, but the tomatoes and chard are happy. 

It is so nice being able to wear shorts again.

June is a busy month for me as it is syllabus writing time. Our curriculum needs to be submitted to the department of education by 15 July. Most years I have it in by the second week of June, but it is still stressful. This autumn will be grade 8, and it is Danny's last year of homeschool. He'll be off to high school after that, which feels appropriate. He's ready, and now that he doesn't have medical issues that would complicate things, he's excited to have the teenage experience of high school. It is bittersweet for me knowing this will be our last year of school together, but I do feel good about the education we gave him. At some point I want to set up a meeting with the school to see if there's anything they think I ought to focus on to get him ready. Academically he's in good shape, so I'm planning to work on time management, more written assignments, and independent reading. We are doing summer school, but a shortened schedule because...baseball. If he can get his work done by noon I have no problem letting him listen to the game. I'm not some kind of monster😁

Just chillin with me owl. Sometimes it gets boring eating ambrosia and listening to lyre music, so what's there to do but escape Olympus and hang out with an owl in Omaha? You wouldn't believe the strange looks I get going about dressed like this. Were I *really* a goddess I'd turn all the side-eye giving idiots into pigs or something. Alas, all I can do is stare back.

This is my displeased face. You don't want to see angry.

I haven't used our oven in over two weeks due to the heat. We have central air conditioning, but so many years on the farm trained me to keep the house cool without spending a fortune. We keep the lights minimal during the day, and the blinds drawn-this is just common sense. I run the washing machine in the evening and let everything dry on our wooden rack instead of using the tumble dryer. I can't hang my laundry outside as our neighbourhood traffic would have it stinking and dirty again in minutes, but I do let things dry on hangers on the shower rod, etc. If they need a light pass next evening in the dryer it takes but a few minutes. Cooking has been salads (tabouleh, hummous, etc) and things that can be cooked atop the stove (I have spinach crepes planned for tomorrow). I enjoy the change as it keeps my cooking skills fresh, and forces me to use what I have in my pantry and garden as I don't dare venture out to the grocer in the heat of the day. Anyway, it has been nice challenging myself. 

I also made strawberry jam because that's what I do this time of year. As you can see, I leave some hunks of berries in it as I prefer pieces of fruit in my jam. This year's batch turned out perfect. It is a rare year that my strawberry jam isn't soup or a solid ball, so whatever magic came together this year, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to replicate it. I could get more uniform results with pectin, but the jam made with it always seems undercooked to me. I suppose you could call it, "fresh tasting" if you like that sort of thing. This was my first time using Weck jars. I'm not sold on them, honestly. the cost is so much more than the old Ball jars I've used for years that it might take some convincing that they are superior. I'm old and set in my ways, but I will admit the glass lids are very pretty. At any rate, I can't use them for the fair as Ball is a contest sponsor. 

The garden has been providing nightly salad greens. 

Summer pudding does not require the oven. 

With spring underway my Mexican style skirts are being worn.

And my hair is very much going wild. I can't be bothered with a hairdryer and curling iron in this weather. I don't like my curls, but I'm learning to live with them as the alternative would be misery, and heat up the house during Operation Keep Cool. 

I recently found a second lobster brooch in black and gold. 

This skirt had a day out as well. 

On the fragrance side, I've been enjoying this Yves Rocher cheap-o. A nice, light summer fragrance that would have to be seriously over-applied before annoying anyone. If I want to offend, I have Carnal Flower to wear on a 100 degree F. day😁. Not that I would...but I could. 

 I'll leave you with a look at a couple of handbags that have been neglected in my collection. The straw bag has beautiful seashells sewn onto it and the Caron of Houston bag was something I recently discovered with no memory of having purchased it.

 Where did it come from? Who can remember?

I might be scarce around here as I put together the syllabus. I still post at Instagram (@goodymcgoodface) if you enjoy an abbreviated version. Hope you have a great June. 

Oddities

I've run across my share of odd items in thrift shops, but this gold-plated seashell is certainly one of the strangest.

I have to wonder at the artist's thought process that finally arrived at, "Hey, I'll gold plate a seashell." It is a genuine shell (you can't quite see inside in the photo) which also makes me wonder how many tries it took to get something that didn't break. This isn't very carefully made, but it was just so odd, I felt compelled to purchase it. $1.99 has been spent on sillier things.

I have no idea what this basket's intended use is. I'm using it as a straw handbag, but I suspect it began life with other use in mind, I've thought about decorating it with some pom-pom trim but I also like the plain look of it. I still feel like I ought to be carrying tamales in it or something.

 I'm wearing it here with a favourite skirt.

The belt is another oddity-the edges of the brass disks are sharp and thin leaving me terrified I might give myself abdominal surgery if I lean forward suddenly. I take it off to ride in the car-can't be too careful. That would be such an embarrassing way to die, disemboweled by your vintage belt. 

Now this is odd! Anyone for a cross-body lunch bag? I'm already wearing my lunch on my stomach-can't I just carry the bag by the handles?  

I thought I'd just wear it as a shoulder-bag, but as you can see, the strap is too long (and not adjustable). I might just give up and carry my lunch in a paper sack like we did in the stone-age before paved roads and wipe-clean lining in Laurel Burch cross-body bags. 

Funny story about the denim shorts-I bought them in the late 80's at the Gap and my mum was horrified telling me I was, "Too old to wear them." Yeah. My Back Pages, etc. etc. I spent my youth dressed like a middle-aged widow in head-to-toe black. The only reason the shorts survived is because I rarely wore them as they were so out of character for me-an odd item if ever there was. They're VERY high-waisted, even by 80's standards. I'm getting caught-up with the 80's fad for day-glo as well. I had no idea how much I'd end up loving this cheap tee shirt when I bought it (or I'd have purchased a dozen).

*Whines* But I really like this bag...

This one is more a coincidence than an oddity. We drove out to Lake Wanahoo (in Wahoo, Nebraska-no, I'm not making that up) to try and see the Aurora Sunday night (there had been a recent solar flare and the chances looked good). It was only upon returning home that I noticed I was wearing my vintage cha-cha bracelet with the AB crystals. We never did get to see it, but we spent a lovely night at the lake being eaten alive by mosquitoes looking at the stars.

We could hear barn owls hooting in the distance, and plenty of frogs. I did see a meteor, so the night wasn't without excitement. You don't need to get too far outside the city to get free of light pollution in Eastern Nebraska. This was a 30 minute drive from home. 

Have any odd items found their way into your collection that you now love strangeness and all? 

Liberty and an Echo

 I finally succeeded in finding a Liberty scarf in the wild. It cost me a dollar, and was in good condition free of snags, stains, or holes. Oh sure, I could buy one online, but as a matter of principle, I wasn't going to spend much money on something everyone else seems to be able to locate in the thrifts with little effort. I don't mind waiting for something I want at a price I'm comfortable with.

 I love the print, which makes it all that much more enjoyable.

 Outfit Particulars:
Vintage polyester blouse-Thrift World
Vintage 80's suede skirt-Goodwill
Suede jacket-Hand-Me-Ups
Vintage suede and leather Johanssen handbag-Hand-Me-Ups
Shoes-K mart several years ago
Tights-Walgreen's
Liberty scarf-Goodwill
Large bangle-Salvation Army
Earrings-yard sale
Fragrance-Bandit (This much suede in an outfit needed something that could stand up to it)

Did someone say something...say something...?

 (I think there must be an Echo (scarf) in here).

Dumb joke, awesome scarf. 

 With my hair worn up, I really need something on my neck this time of year-might as well make, "something" a nice scarf.

Hairdo? Couldn't be bothered. Thank God for combs to hold it all in place.

Outfit Particulars:

Vintage Echo silk scarf-Goodwill

Top-K Mart

Vintage double-knit poly blend skirt-New Life Thrift

Boots-Hand Me Ups

Vintage jacket (part of a suit)-long gone vintage shop

Brooch-Goodwill

Belt-Goodwill

Earrings-Yard sale

Vintage Damascene bracelet-Goodwill

Vintage Handbag-Goodwill

I had to go somewhere looking "Normal" and this was the best I could come up with (The clothes anyway-my face is beyond all attempts at normal). My wardrobe really doesn't do, "Normal" without much difficulty. 

As they say, "Normal is overrated."

I have a few other odds and ends I've worn recently that don't quite deserve their own post, so I'll share them here.

 The tights were cool, as was the spectacularly ugly pink handbag from Harrods. Everyone knows the only thing worth shopping at Harrods for is perfume, certainly not an ugly pink bag with the "H" logo embossed all over it. I bought it at a thrift store for .99 cents as a joke. I can't imagine anyone carrying something like this with a straight face.

 "Hey, nice pumpkins"

Why, thank you!

I love this ankle length suede skirt, and wear it to death this time of year. As it can graze the ground, I don't wear it when there's snow/road salt on the ground as that's murder on suede. Hopefully, we have a bit of time before that shows up.

The robins are still here. They don't all migrate, but it was odd to see a tree full of them...and they were singing!

Ugly shades, but they do the trick.

In the same week I found the Liberty scarf, I also found both a blouse and dress from the Liberty collaboration with Target a few years back. Feast or famine around here, I guess. If I wish hard enough, what do you suppose the odds are of finding another Hermes scarf and a handbag?

Hope the weekend is treating you well.

Before and After

 Now you see it

and...

...bob's your uncle haircut.

Danny's hairdresser cut my hair, as I've been doing it myself for the last decade, and didn't know anyone else. She took off a good six inches of hair, and it will be interesting to see how it takes a roller set. The layers should help disguise my thinning hair.

Outfit Particulars:
Poloneck-Gordman's
Shorts-K Mart
Tights-Walgreen's
Vintage Napier necklace-Hand-Me-Ups
Vintage Ultra Suede jacket-Goodwill
Haircut-$14.00 plus tip Great Clips
Fragrance-Woman by, Jovan

Have a great weekend, everyone!

April ( Snow) Showers bring Frozen Spinach

Thought you might appreciate a photo in the powder room for a change. The mirror's divided which is awful for photos, so I made the youngster drag out the tripod and start snapping.

Do you see the applique hand towels behind me? Those were purchased for me in the mid 70's by our housekeeper Ella Mae. Why she thought a child needed fancy hand towels I'll never know, but I kept them for, "Someday", and here they are in my powder room. I also managed to hang onto a small plastic handbag she gave me when I was about seven, though I've long since lost the gloves that came with it. Everything I know that's useful I learned from Ella Mae-no exaggeration, my parents were hopeless. I don't know who Danny will learn anything from as we can't afford a housekeeper. Maybe I should just get him a Ouija board, and see if he can get hold of Ella Mae. 

I had a sort of achievement today-I drove from the north west side of town to the south east without getting lost at all. That's a first, so after two years in Omaha, I'm finally learning how to work the cross streets and number system. Each time we'd set off for our next destination, I'd get a grumble from the back seat about whether I'd like him to consult a map. Thanks, no. I managed rather well all on my own.

The child wanted a pair of summer trousers. I can't blame him really-jeans get uncomfortable in our heat and humidity, and khakis look terrible on everyone. We looked for a decently made pair of linen trousers to no avail, and finally settled on a pair of Ralph Lauren blue and white seersucker. I've made him promise under no circumstances to wear them whilst eating or drinking, and to never, ever wear them with the madras blazer I bought him. I know he'll do the later anyway, but I'm holding firm on the eating and drinking thing. It is nearly impossible to find well-made children's clothing, and almost never in thrift stores. He's just too tall (a ten year old with a 28 inch inseam) but his waist and hips haven't filled out, so he can't wear young men's sizes yet. Shirts are worse as his arms are already too long for most shirts, but his neck and chest haven't caught up. I'm not confident enough in my sewing skills to tackle dress shirts and jackets, but I may need to try my hand at trousers. Anyway, if anyone spots linen trousers in a boys 12/14, give me a head's -up (I'd appreciate it).

On our way back from purchasing the trousers, we stopped by the perfume counter at Dillards. The place was practically deserted and the sales assistants immediately fell in love with Danny. An hour later, we were on our way with an armful of sprayed (and labeled) cards.
"Oh god, what IS that?"  He gasped dramatically, pushing the card aside.
"Youth Dew" announced the lovely young woman behind the counter.
(looking at me) "Don't EVER wear that."


Some sort of aquatic Armani got a similar reaction from him to the amusement of all. I really did appreciate how patient and nice everyone was with him, but I had to drag him out of there before someone came along and offered him a job.

Because he already has a job as my official blog photographer.

Outfit Particulars:

80's Corduroy shorts-Gap (I have a matching jacket somewhere)
1970's Russ Togs polyester jacket-Thrift World
1970's Damon Turtle poloneck-Thrift World
Tights-Walgreen's
Bass Wejuns penny loafers-Goodwill
1970's vinyl handbag-Goodwill
1970's bracelet-Hand-Me-Ups (or Goodwill, can't remember)
90's Liz Claiborne earrings-Von Maur
1980's necklace with lapis-The Mexican Shop, Evanston, Illinois
Fragrance- Perfumer's Workshop Tea Rose (meh, better for layering but the kid likes it on me so I wear it)

 Danny has his own ideas about fashion. As they don't involve extreme body modification or inserting a plate in his lower lip, I let him do as he pleases.

When I spotted this vintage tie with the pheasants, I knew he'd love it. I can't remember where he picked up the tie clip, but that's another growing collection.

Our strange weather has really been testing the limits of my originality. This Pendelton wool skirt is great for spring days that behave more like winter. We had snowflakes falling a few minutes ago.

"Excuse me? Snow? In APRIL? Go get me some fucking raisins, and brush the snow off my beak, would you?"

Outfit Particulars:
Pendelton wool skirt-Goodwill
Vintage Designer Originals cardigan-Can't remember
Tights-Walgreen's
Easy Street Comfort Shoes (they're NOT comfortable!)-Thrift World
French made vintage handbag-Goodwill
Gloves-Can't remember
Necklaces-all over
Lisner brooch-Hand-Me-Ups
Vintage Chez Original straw hat-Goodwill
Milk Glass clip earrings-Hand-Me-Ups
Fragrance-Dans le Nuit, Worth



It has been so nice having this time off to go out and be in public spaces when all the other bastards suckers assholes people are at work. I've really enjoyed it! This weekend is the Weather Symposium in Lincoln, which is about the largest crowd I can tolerate (and they're all science nerds, so less awful). We're going to swing by Branched Oak Lake as the pelican migration has started, and I'm curious to see them. Mr. ETB was fishing there once at dusk and saw a huge flock settle in on the lake, but was without his camera. I don't know about you, but I can't even think of a pelican as a bird. They're so large, and stupid looking with that huge beak. Usually the size of the bird doesn't change my feelings about them (I don't like birds) but anything that looks that ridiculous deserves a bit of sympathy.  I mean, for god's sake, pelicans. Right?

 Thanks, Mother Nature.

Tomorrow is Friday!