This weekend brought forth a lot of action. On Friday we had the inauguration, which I refused to watch—but don’t think I didn’t scope out the fashions—and that’ll be another post.
Friday’s inauguration crowd on the left. Obama’s inauguration crowd on the right! Guess who’s more popular?
Yesterday also brought us a great thing. The Women’s March. While I did not go—mostly because one of my sons works for the news and the last thing he, or anyone else would need to see would be footage of me being arrested and screaming obscenities. I’m not as composed as the women who marched!
However, many of many of my girlfriends did march—among them Jeanette, Lee, Debbie E., Tracy C., my favorite niece Beth! And a shout out to one of my besties Robin! I am indebted that you marched for me and all of our sisters! I am thankful and appreciative.
And while I wish I marched, I don’t feel guilty that I didn’t. I did my duty as an American and VOTED!! I voted for the woman who received the popular vote by a couple of million. ARE we REALLY a democracy?
And now, let’s get down to other business. Like the long a-weighted week.
I need to revisit my food plan. It isn’t that I’m getting sloppy or anything, but this plateau moves up and down in the ounces’ department. This week, I’m down four ounces. It’s fine but some strategies need to be taken.
And I am happy to say, I FINALLY got a pedicure! Don’t my toes look cute again?
I need to cut out bread. Again. It was bad enough that Friday was filled with anxiety and sadness for me as that man who is not MY president was inaugurated. And worse, when I arrived home from work I came home to a chewed up, gnawed, quarter of a loaf of home baked bread.
This is what I came home to on Friday. I do not think that Chippy was trying to offer me assistance in my diet by helping me cut carbs. He just enjoyed eating 3/4 of a loaf!
I shan’t repeat what I screamed, shouted, yelled said.
And do you think he cares? No. He disrespectfully ignores me!
Anyway, yesterday morning, Saturday, I woke up with plenty of ambition. The only way to jump-start the body to lose a bit of weight is to be active. No. I most certainly did NOT work out. I ran errands.
Our first errand had us running driving to a local frame shop. When we were in Paris in November, we picked up a painting that had been in Daniele’s apartment. We should have taken it home a couple of years ago, but were pretty lazy about it. And when we finally did pick it up, Bonaparte had to gingerly take the canvas off the backing. An operation he performed with the skill of a surgeon.
We must’ve looked at a good 50 frame tips. We agreed on a more distressed look. My eyes may be crossed, but when it comes to decor, those crossed eyes come through!
The painting is a portrait of Vincent’s (Oona suggested I start calling Bonaparte by his given name—so I’m experimenting) sister, Isabelle. The portrait was painted by their father, Dany, in 1956. Dany is a well-known artist along the Cote d’Azur and his work is wonderful! We picked out a frame that would work well with the beauty of the portrait. We bring Isabelle home from the framer’s in a couple of weeks!
Isabelle is wrapped for now. And she has been stretched upon a new wooden backing. I freaking LOVE this portrait so much. Everything about it is just so beautiful in a subdued way..
..and Vincent is thrilled that his sister will be with us!
Then we had to take a trip to the bank because I had some “issues” with the password on my debit card. Thankfully the issue took all of two minutes to correct.
Onward and upward to Errand Number Three: A trip to The Container Store! Felix Unger—aka, Bonaparte—aka, Vincent, is very much disturbed by my lack of organizational skills. He insisted that I start to organize in baby steps; starting with my shoes.
This was a good start. We also picked up a rack for my boots. I need a lot more of these!
We He decided on an over-the-door shoe thingy and a thingy for four pair of boots. Artillery in hand to help me become neater, less sloppy, organized, we went on to …
I was happy AF to find these suede heels by Marc Fisher. They were exactly what I was looking for! They match my Longchamp bag, they have the perfect pointy toe, and there’s a bit of toe cleavage! Perfect for jeans and skirts and dresses. I’m lusting…
…Errand Number Four. Shoes. One of my co-workers gifted me with a card from DSW (an astute young man, I must say). I’ve been on the prowl for a pair of brownish-tannish-nude-suede heels. I found them and found them on sale. Mission accomplished.
Errand Number Five: Stopping at Ethan Allen to see if the cushions on our overpriced sofa could be replaced.
I am so glad that I kept this photo on my phone. I was able to show the manager how sloppy the sofa looks. Sadly, this has been discontinued, but he is looking into how we can have the cushions replaced by the company. The customer service is excellent. I want a fat sofa!
Errand Number Six. Stopping at the grocery store for more flour. I needed to bake more bread!
Once back home it was just a matter of time management.
I prepared the dough for the bread. Here’s the recipe from the Chicago Tribune. I did a couple of things differently, but the recipe is fantastic. It’s easy and doesn’t take forever!
Pullman bread
Prep: 25 minutes; Rise: 1 hour, 30 minutes; Bake: 40 minutes
Makes: 1 loaf, about 20 slices depending on how thinly you are able to cut them
When baked in a Pullman pan, this recipe makes a loaf with a large, square slice. The recipe originally appeared in “Baker’s Bread” by Paul Richards (The Baker’s Helper Co., Chicago, 1906) and was adapted by PJ Hamel, baker/blogger and Web producer at King Arthur Flour. You will need a Pullman loaf pan with a sliding cover. Two sizes are available. This recipe is for a small pan, 9 inches long by 4 inches wide and 4 inches high.
1 3/4 teaspoons (5.5 grams) yeast
1 1/2 cups (362 grams) warm water
2 tablespoons (25 grams) sugar
4 cups (548 grams) bread flour (I used all-purpose flour instead and the recipe was fine)
2 1/2 tablespoons (33 grams) lard (I used softened butter and it was fine)
1 to 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- Sprinkle the yeast in a medium bowl; pour 1/4 cup warm water over the yeast. Add 1 tablespoon sugar. Allow the yeast to bloom in the water until the water begins to foam, 5-7 minutes.
- Place the flour, remaining 1 tablespoon sugar, remaining 1 1/4 cups water, lard and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer equipped with a dough hook. Add the yeast mixture. Mix on low until a dough forms. Turn speed to medium; mix, 8-10 minutes. (My dough was a bit dry so I added a few drops of water)
Yeast blooming, dry ingredients at the ready. All very easy. REMEMBER! When you use yeast always check the date. Don’t use expired yeast–it’s too risky in the fact the yeast may not rise!
3. Place the kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl; cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in bulk, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
When well-kneaded (I used my Kitchen Aid) the dough should look like this. You want it more on the moist side than dry. I needed to add a few more drops of water than called for.
4. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Punch down the dough; knead on a lightly floured work surface, 30 seconds. Shape the dough into a log. Place dough in a lightly greased Pullman loaf pan; cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise until the dough has almost reached the top edge of the pan, about 30 minutes. (Watch closely so that the dough does not overproof.) Carefully remove the plastic; slide the metal cover closed.
The dough after the second short rise. My kitchen is cold so I turned the oven onto 200 before rising then shut it off so it would be nice and warm for the dough to rise. During the second rise, since the oven was preheating, I placed the dough on the stove. The heat from the oven flowed to the stove top!
5. Bake, about 40 minutes. Remove the lid in the last 5 minutes of baking. The bread is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 190 degrees. Turn the loaf out onto a rack to cool completely before slicing.
And while that bread was rising, I worked on organizing my shoes!
I could not stop thinking about that commercial “A Place For Mom” as I organized my shoes. “A Place For Mom’s Shoes” is more like it!
Due to the amount of boots that are in my possession, I need another boot rack…
…and I DO need more shoe organizers, but for now, this is great! I don’t think I’ve seen the floor of this closet in a while!
Bread done.
I love my Pullman Pan. The bread is perfect for toast or sandwiches–or toasted sandwiches.
I need a moment here. See my cutting board? It’s been with me non-stop for 15 years now. Oona made it in middle school in 2002. This is why our public education is so important. We need elective programs for our children. School needs to be a welcoming and fun place to learn. Please don’t allow our schools to regress–children are our future! My public service announcement is finished!
Chippy didn’t steal any bread and we were able to enjoy toasted slices with pate foie gras and a nice Sauternes!
For starters! And the bread was divine!
I was in a very plaid mood this week. Basically, I was mad for plaid!
I’m literally in love with this pair of Steward plaid pants that I ordered for a big-time sale price at J. Crew. I have a lot of love for these….
Look how great they are! I got into a LOT of trouble though. I purchased them after a “no buy” vow. And then the bill came. It’s a great thing that Bonaparte loves these pants!
An oversized plaid scarf warmed up and gave this black and tan outfit a bit of a punch! I took out my Nat et Nin bag to also give this outfit some personality!
More plaid in the form of a jacket. I love stretchy pants because they don’t bunch up when wearing boots. Boot bunch up drives me crazy!!
Yesterday’s “Errand Day” ensemble. A bright orangey red blazer, stripped turtle, skinny jeans, old beat up Weejuns and a toasty scarf!
Backtracking with another very casual look from last Sunday. Cuffed jeans (AG jeans, my new favorite jean brand), newer Weejuns, an old gray sweater, trench from J. Crew Factory (note the hair clip hanging off the coat) and a red and white checked scarf from J. Crew!
And now I am going to go downstairs and make chicken salad! Hope your weekend was productive and fun!
And so, on this Saturday, I kept busy from day into night. It was, A Hard Day’s Night!
