Sartorial Saturday–MAXImizing My Wardrobe

Everyone once in a while, I add a “modern” piece of fashion to my wardrobe…but really, this denim maxi skirt from Lane Bryant reminds me of the 90s!

What I really like about this skirt is the tulip hem, which I think gives it some good movement and visual interest.

I paired it with a sweater (also from Lane Bryant) with a fun neckline that has been in my wardrobe for YEARS. I added an Erstwilder scarf as a belt, and Dr. Martens Mary Janes, in keeping with the 90s theme:

I accessorized with a Spiffy the Sausage Dog brooch from Erstwilder to match the scarf, plus a RockLove Jewelry necklace, and earrings and a bracelet from Lane Bryant:

This is a fun modern, and yet familiar, look for me!

I’ve already found many other ways to style this skirt…denim is very versatile!

A Day of Italian Dishes for the 2026 Winter Olympics

Happy 2026 Winter Olympics!

I’m so excited about the start of the Winter Games, so of I course I planned a day of Italian food for us to try in honor of Milano Cortina 2026. We started the day with a trio of homemade biscotti to enjoy with our coffee (or hot chocolate, as the case may be)…orange-cranberry, chocolate, and traditional flavored with anise.

For lunch, Chickadee and I enjoyed “Zuppa Pavese,” which is toasted bread swimming in beef broth and topped with an egg and parmesan cheese…super warming and delicious! We also made a light “Frullato di Frusta,” a slightly sweetened fruit smoothie.

I guess maybe I do bake bread? I sliced this Italian bread pretty well, too!

The star of tonight’s Olympics Opening Ceremonies dinner was Carbonnade à la Flamande, a delicious beef stew braised in beer:

I also made two side dishes to go with our Italian Feast…Insalata di Arance e Finocchi, an orange and fennel salad, and Radicchio in Padella, radicchio sautéed in garlic oil and drizzled with balsamic vinegar.

The best special meals include a special drink, and we really enjoyed a non-alcoholic limoncello spritz made with homemade lemon oleo saccharum:

I think this was one of the best Opening Ceremonies dinners I’ve made!

For dessert Chickadee and I baked a Crostata di Ricotta e Visciole, which is a Roman sour cherry and ricotta tart. The filling was very similar to a cannoli filling minus the chocolate chips, and spread over sour cherry jam.

I’m looking forward to immersing myself in winter sports and Italy for the next two weeks!

2025-26 School Year–Week Nineteen

This week Chickadee graphed quadratic functions (including parabolas) in algebra. We read about the Great Depression and the rise of Hitler in Germany in history. In science, we talked about how work, force, and energy are related. She read most of the second act of As You Like It. In religion we discussed the Sacraments including Confession and Absolution. We wrapped up the main lessons in our study of the US Constitution and read through the Declaration of Independence before we go amendment-by-amenedment through the Constitution itself. Our recipe for the week from the American Girl Sweet & Savory Treats Cookbook was “Mac-&-Cheese Cups” inspired by Kit, which is timely give our study of the Great Depression

We also began preparing for the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics by making our favorite edible Olympic torches…we did some other food prep as well, but you’ll have to stay tuned for the details on today’s full day of Italian dishes!

We’re looking forward to really immersing ourselves in the Olympics over the next two weeks!

Chickadee Thursday

We braved the cold to visit the Missouri Botanical Garden while there was still snow on the ground, and then warmed up while we admired the blooms at the Orchid Show!