Holy Caftan Batman

I love a good caftan, not the kind Mrs Roper used to wear on Three's Company but the very stylish beaded, Middle Eastern type.  I love the flowing fabric and the air of mystery they possess. I can hear men whispering...what do you think she looks like under that fantastic dress?
Check out these lovelies I just came across while checking out the latest from fashion week.
These are from Naeem Khan Ready to Wear Spring 2013 - check out his show here.
All photos from style.com.

Thoughts on Music

You know music can move you in a way that comes from nowhere? Like one moment you are fine, then a certain song plays and you are down on the ground?

It happens to me all the time when working with my headphones on and I hear something beautiful, touching or timely.

I am wondering if musicians are ever moved by their own music? 

Like when I am writing, sometimes it just takes over and I don't even digest what I am writing until I am done and read what I wrote and at times it can be emotional – do you think musicians work the same way?

Anyway – just on my mind this morning and thought I would tap your brains. I am listing to some beautiful guitar music this morning and it is so moving and I wonder how the musician can even stand to play it without crying.  I just wonder if their creative process is the same as that of another artist or writer where the music takes over and then after they are like – WOW.

Thank you Wendy for encouraging me to post this when I emailed you this very thing a while back.

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...

Post fashion week, thought I would use something fresh off the runway.

Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2013

Music on my Mind

Ralph Stanley :: I'll Fly Away

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...

Obsessed

I am kind of obsessed with this little girl.  We are working hard on her school stuff (she is scared of other dogs so walks have been a LOT of work). We are walking three times a day and I am working her like a drill sargent so I thought I would reward her with a new toy.  Once I saw this cow I knew she would love it.  From the moment I pulled it out of the bag she dragged it around like her little buddy.  So cute.

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...

Chana Dal Remixed

I make Chana Dal a lot at home, I love the smell, the spices, the warmth and zen of the entire process of cooking it and it makes me feel so good inside.  The other night (it was cold), I decided to mix it up and add some potatoes and kale and it was out of this world.
Here is an update to my old recipe, which I made a bit smaller since the original makes a lot. I also made it on the stove top this time around (click here to view the original version).

Chana Dal Remixed

1 1/2 Cups Chana Dal - (Indian style yellow split peas - Lentils also will work here)

4 1/2 Cups of Water

1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Garlic powder

1 tsp ground Turmeric

1 tsp ground Cumin

1 tsp ground Coriander

1/8-1/4 tsp Cayenne (depending on how hot you want it, you can start small and add more later, I like it HOT so 1/4 tsp did the trick!)

3 medium carrots diced
1 medium onion diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 small mild red pepper, diced
8 small potatoes (mine were the size of large marshmallows) - just eye ball it
1 bunch of tuscan kale (take the rib out), chopped

Heat heavy bottom pot hot enough that water skids and dances across the bottom of the pot.  Add onions and sauté until soft and translucent. Add garlic and other spices and mix together, add carrot, red pepper, dal and water and bring to a boil. Turn down to a simmer for about an hour until the dal is just about done (el dente). Add potatoes and continue to simmer until potatoes are cooked. You may need to add more water at this point if your dal is too thick with the addition of the potatoes, I added about one additional cup of water. When potatoes are soft, add kale and cook about 5 more minutes until kale is soft but not super limp. Scoop into your favorite bowl and enjoy! 

Gluten Free Pancakes...FINALLY!

I cannot even tell you how many batches of pancakes I have made in the past month or so, trying desperately to perfect gluten free pancakes that actually taste good and are not too gummy.
I think I have done it!
Here is my recipe if you are gluten free, vegan, no oil, no sugar - these should make you happy and if they don't, well, I don't really want to hear about it.

GFV* Banana Oat Hotcakes
1 1/4 Cup Gluten Free Rolled Oats
1/2 Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 1/2 Cup Almond Milk
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
2 ripe Bananas

All ingredients besides the bananas should go into your blender or food processor (whichever has more power). Blend until smooth. Add bananas (break into pieces before adding) mix again until smooth.

I pour this right from the blender container onto a hot griddle. I will admit to spraying the griddle with some cooking spray, I was scared they would stick even though I had the griddle screamin' hot!

This recipe makes about 16-20 pancakes (depending on size) enough for breakfast and some left over for a snack later...who am I kidding? We ate ALL of them between the two of us!

*Gluten Free Vegan.

3 Days of Sky and a Slide

Took these above photos from the overlook in my neighborhood the past three days and it is amazing how much the sky changes.  This is one of my favorite places to walk Korra these days; there and back is just about enough for my couch-potato-of-a-dog who would rather lounge on the couch and eat bon bons while watching Real Housewives of New York over going to the dog park. Yesterday we went up the many sets of stairs across the street from this overlook (about 2 blocks worth of pure uphill) and when we got to the top, we took a slide down part way - how fun! Korra seemed to like coming down the slide on Tim's lap, but I think she was hoping for more speed, she likes wind in her hair. Of course, I had to have her pose for a photo afterwards. 

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...