Fall 2012 Shoe Trends

It is hunting season here in Idaho. So, as all the men in town go out hunting I am ready to do some hunting of my own. Every Fall I look forward to learning the new shoe trends and hunting down the best deals.


This morning I slipped my foot into a soft suede boot that's been in storage for 5 months. It felt heavenly and I decided to share the boot trends first.

If you slouch boots, never fear! it is still part of this years' style. However, this Fall you get to put aside "Pirates of the Caribbean" and welcome your inner biker. The boot style for today is buckles upon buckles.

And did I mention zippers? Colored zippers?

Heels on boots are wide or flat (which is great for the snowy places).

Now onto the flats. Here we are looking for gold and silver embellishments (from toe to heel).

Chains....

 Gems...

Heel tags and tipped toes (primarily metallic)...

And finally, the creme de la creme, my favorites, pumps... or as some like to call them "stilettos".

The trend that I cannot yet embrace is fur, so this tulle is as close as I'll get....

Straps and studs....

And if you are thinking these are all too biker/punk/rocker for you the vintage style Mary Janes are a great choice (I love that they speak to the dancer in me)... 

Last of all, we have the shoe I will dream of wearing on my next date with my dear husband (at $1200 it will have to stay in my imaginary shoe closet).

There you have it. This years' best trends for every occasion.

Happy shoe hunting!!

Now aren't you glad I stopped drooling long enough to share these amazing new trends with you? ;o)

P.S. I just re-read this to check out the furry shoes that my dearest friend from years ago said she quite liked (that's my spunky little Heather) and realized I forgot the snake or croc skin. Yep! Just like most every other Fall, skin is in. In every color. With spikes and spurs. Sequined or studded. Get the picture? Well, my favorites were these darling yellow ones. Besides the fact that I have an uncommonly strong weakness for yellow, I think the addition of a wood layered heel and platform finalized the natural femininity of this pump.

**Pictures are from 6pm and Zappos

Fall 2012

Fire Tree??

I look forward to the Fall for so many reasons, like:
1) the rows of canned goods lined on my storage shelves
2) cool breezes and sunny shadows
3) piles of leaves to jump into
4) drives through the colorful mountains with a funny family

5) collecting leaves to make bookmarks

6) wearing my favorite jeans and sweaters
7) boots, and socks, and SHOES!!

So every year I sit and take inventory of what the new styles are for this cool breezy season. This year I love because the colors are brighter and much more fun than some of the previous years. I mean who wouldn't want to wear magenta jeans with a yellow shirt and purple sweater??? Or a turquoise and orange dress with tall boots???

Here are some pictures to wet your palate...

  

Lovely, no?

So if you are dying for a shopping spree...I'd love to join you!

**If you are wondering where the shoes are, fear not, I have a whole post dedicated to those lovely foot accessories!

Veggie Bean Burgers

Before starting the veggie burgers I made some yummy buns with this recipe from Holy Cow Vegan... Whole Wheat Burger Buns

Buns in a basket...

Up close...

After I'd found a great bun recipe, I searched high and low for the best veggie burger recipe. Since most of them had such high reviews I decided to combine a few to make my own.

Here's my new recipe...

Bean Burgers
1 can black beans
1 can red kidney beans

1 small onion

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1/2 red pepper

3 baby carrots, finely grated

1 tbsp. ketchup
1 tbsp. mustard
1 tbsp. Worchestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 1/2 cups quick oats (I just used whole oats and processed them a little in my vitamix)
salt

Mash beans with a potato masher. Chop onion and red pepper. Add to the beans. Mix everything else in. Shape patties on wax paper.

(at this point you can cook them or freeze them for another day)

Heat a skillet on Med-high. Spray with oil. Cook patties 4 minutes on each side. They will get some black spots but are super tasty that way.

Pile on a bun with all your favorite toppings...mmmm!!!

Plum Syrup Canning Recipe

So you may remember this picture...

From this post Banana Stuffed French Toast with Plum Syrup

Yes, I'm drooling just looking at it! I have had a whole lot of requests for the syrup recipe, but couldn't find it anywhere. Distressing? I know!! Well, my food storage shelf is now empty right where the plum syrup should be so I felt extra motivated to find the recipe. Yippee!

Plum Syrup

10 cups plum juice (I use a steam juicer, but you can get the juice whatever way works for you)
14 cups sugar
1 pouch *Certo liquid pectin

Bring juice and sugar to a rolling boil (one that doesn't stop when you stir). Add pectin and bring to a rolling boil for 1 minute (this activates the pectin).

Makes 4 quarts + 1 cup

**This is the recipe doubled. I find it too tedious to split a liquid pectin into two parts. But you can make it that way if you want smaller portions.

* You will get different thicknesses of syrup depending on the pectin you use, but this is the one I like.

To can this recipe you can process your jars of syrup in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes. This is my favorite site for canning instructions:

Pick Your Own- Plum Jelly

Eat to Live- Food Pyramid

I have been doing "Eat to Live" by Dr. Furhman in hopes of getting rid of these migraines. I am feeling pretty good but sometimes forget what the best food choices are. So I thought I'd post this for easy reference...

If you haven't read Dr. Furhman's book I highly recommend it. Here are just a few things discussed in the book:

1) the importance of getting nutrients through our food versus through a supplement
2) health= nutrients/calories (our foods should be nutrient rich)
3) the impact of animal foods and processed foods on our health (no need to go vegan)
4) the China Project, the Mediterranean diet and other cultures' diets

Very interesting read!