pleasure in simple things

thoughts on fall fashion 2016

September 9, 2016

I started to organize my fall wardrobe this past week. For Friday field trip today, I am sharing a few of my ‘closet’ thoughts.

For this fall, I have a favorite trend. I am loving exposed shoulders. (These trendy cutouts are great for all ages since undergarments can still be worn.) One great dress and one neutral sweater with cutout shoulders are plenty to embrace this continuing trend and stay current with fall!

Another fashion favorite for the new season – and guilty pleasure – is a message tee. There are so many great ones out there and one t-shirt for weekend wear is a fun and inexpensive way to change things up for the season! Think ‘powered by caffeine’ or maybe a witty saying exposing your candidate pick this election year, or a tee in support of breast cancer awareness coming up in October. I love this ‘body by pizza’ tee that I found at Target. I don’t usually wear tees, but I like to wear one while I do my outdoor painting or projects in the fall, and purchasing a new t-shirt for the season doesn’t break the bank!

This photo came from The Limited’s website.

Been there, done that. Sometimes, enough is enough. When a trend lasts for years, it gets old. Remember how the chevron pattern was beat into the ground? I am currently feeling this way about fringe and tassels. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good tassel, but I have been embracing this trend for a few years now…time to move on! Although I will be wearing some of last year’s embellished purchases, I will not be buying any more clothing or accessories with fringe or tassels this fall season!

As always, fashion trends are about what works for you. I know I will not be purchasing a puffer jacket or wearing statement chokers this season, but this long-limbed gal is loving the extra-long sleeve trend! And, although I may not purchase velvet clothing this season, I may incorporate this trend into my home décor.

I hope you are inspired to pick one or two trends you love this season and use them to update your fall wardrobe…what are you embracing for the new season?

Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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creating a change in perspective

September 6, 2016

How was your Labor Day weekend? Mine was great! I was able to visit a friend I don’t get to see often enough. I left my coastal town in Connecticut to spend some time at my friend’s log cabin in Dutchess County, New York. Though my usual time off is spent at the beach, my Labor Day off was spent in the woods!

Changing up surroundings is great for a change in perspective. Once I recognized this fact, it seemed I had examples of perspective changes all around me this weekend!

Did the yellow watermelon make you look twice? Great example, right? (This was purchased at a farmer’s market over the weekend – very juicy and very yummy!)

Probably the best example I found of a perspective change though; was on our hill walk. That’s right – not a mountain – just a small hill! You might think climbing a hill barely worth the time, but you know what? A walk up this hill – a mere 550 feet above the Hudson River – created an amazing change in perspective.

Just with this little shift in elevation from the top of the hill, a whole new perspective came into view – the Catskill, Taconic, and Berkshire Mountain ranges as well as much of the Hudson River Valley!

I am proposing that you create a little change in your own perspective. Something as simple as changing your usual route to work can be amazing! Give it a try! Be inspired to create a little change in your perspective this week.

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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summer garden mint

September 2, 2016

Now that summer is on its way out, you are probably thinking about all the ways you can use or preserve the remaining herbs in your garden.

For Friday field trip today, I am sharing a way to use your overwhelming crop of garden mint.

If you grow mint, you know exactly what I am talking about! Mint can easily take over a garden! I learned years ago, the best way to plant mint in the garden is to first plant it in a terracotta pot and then plant the entire pot in the ground. This contains the growing area and prevents the mint from taking over the entire garden!

A great way to use your mint is to make some mint syrup! I love to experiment with all types of simple syrups, but this easy, three ingredient recipe I am sharing today comes from The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Vegetable Cookbook by Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell.

Make up plenty, keeping some for yourself and package some up in pretty bottles to give as gifts. It can be used in iced tea or seltzer or spooned over fresh fruit or ice cream. Or, in my case, used on shaved ice or spooned over The Pantry’s sorbet! Enjoy!

Fresh Mint Syrup

1 ¼ cup packed, fresh mint leaves
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

In a medium saucepan of boiling water, cook the mint leaves for 10 seconds to set their color. Drain, run under cold water, and drain again. Transfer the mint to a food processor and puree.

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to melt the sugar. Stir in the mint, remove from the heat, cover, and let stand for 30 minutes at room temperature.

Strain the syrup thought a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl, pushing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. To store, transfer to a jar and refrigerate up to 1 month.

Remember, if you don’t have mint growing in your garden, you can always purchase some at your local farmer’s market or specialty store. The photos here are from Gilbertie’s Herb Farm in Westport, Connecticut – a great source for fresh herbs. As you can see, mint comes in many varieties at Gilbertie’s! Chocolate mint, grapefruit mint, orange mint, ginger mint or any of the many varieties sold at the herb farm would be wonderful to create a syrup this year – and, when planted – many years to come!

Have a fabulous holiday weekend!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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september book giveaway!

August 30, 2016

With September here in a couple of days, I am announcing the next giveaway book. It is The Year of Cozy by Adrianna Adarme. This book is fabulous! If I were to write a book, I would want it to look like this! It includes 125 recipes, crafts, and other ‘homemade adventures.’ Adrianna has created a book that is truly a joy to experience. The recipes, creative inspirations, and DIYs are organized by season – starting with Autumn/October. Anyone that reads this book is sure to enjoy a wonderful takeaway – whether it be a new perspective, or a new recipe.

I feel lucky that Adrianna chose to share her ‘good life’ moments with me in the pages of this creatively inspirational book…I am sure you will feel just as lucky when you read it! Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a copy for yourself. (The photos here weretaken of my own copy of The Year of Cozy.)

The winner of the August giveaway, My New Roots by Sarah Britton is Sheryle. Enjoy creating some of the healthful plant-based selections in this wonderful cookbook, Sheryle! Click here to read more about this title.

Instagram users, please read on! All during the month of September, in keeping with the giveaway book, let’s share things that make our lives cozy! Use the hashtag #pleasuregram to share! Have fun with it!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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guilt-free birthday treats

August 26, 2016

A birthday doesn’t have to be defined by a cake dripping in sugary icing, does it?

Because I gave up processed sugar at the start of 2016, I decided this year I would make my own birthday treats so I wouldn’t feel obligated to indulge in a sugary dessert that might not even be my favorite taste treat.

My two favorite tastes this time of year? Watermelon and fig…not necessarily combined, of course.

I looked through this month’s giveaway book, My New Roots by Sarah Britton, to get some recipe ideas! I decided to make the Walnut Fig Bars. My love for figs was the motivation for this choice, but it seemed a good recipe to try out for the upcoming fall season as well. (For a chance to win your own copy of My New Roots, click here and leave a comment.)

I also leafed through my go-to recipe book, Clean Slate from the editors of Martha Stewart Living for dessert ideas. This book was given to me as a Christmas gift last year and it jump-started a whole new way of eating – an unprocessed foods way of eating! I love frozen treats and this book included a few recipes for really simple frozen treat ideas. I chose a watermelon-lime granita to add to my birthday dessert selection!

With just three ingredients – watermelon, honey, and lime juice – what could be easier, or tastier, for an icy birthday treat! Watermelon and frozen – a great summer birthday combination!

To make: Pulse 7 cups chopped seedless watermelon, ¼ cup honey and 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice in a food processor until smooth. Pour into an 8-inch square glass baking dish, cover tightly, and freeze overnight. To serve, scrape with a fork into bowls.

My birthday present to myself – unprocessed, guilt-free treats!

Thanks for sharing my birthday treats with me today on Friday field trip! Have a wonderful weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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an evening full of love… & white flowers

August 23, 2016

Shortly after I contemplated appreciating summer gardens, I had the opportunity to party amidst the breathtaking grounds of the Burr Homestead in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

The beauty of the surroundings was overwhelmingly surpassed by the incredible feeling of love filling this wedding celebration on a hot, summer evening.

My good friend’s daughter was married on this evening, and the vision the bride and her mom had for the venue aesthetics was implemented to perfection by a talented florist.

And, to my delight, the flowers were done in my favorite flower color – white!

I hope these few photos help you share with me the beauty in the details created for this special celebration.

gift from bride's dad pleasure in simple things blog

So special – the tomatoes in the salad course were grown in the garden of the bride’s dad!! :)

Love you Phyllis & Mrs. G.! xo

Thanks for stopping by. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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stop and smell the roses

August 19, 2016

Friday field trip today is a simple reminder to enjoy the flowers around you! I am sharing a few photos of the beauty surrounding me.

As the summer gardens are winding down,

I am appreciating all the beauty they have to offer!

Before you know it, I will be harvesting the last of my summer flowers and displaying them in pumpkins!

I hope I have inspired you to take some time to notice summer growing!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful weekend!

And, remember to take pleasure in simple things – like smelling a fresh flower! :) xo Jackie

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take a breath

August 16, 2016

Did you know yesterday was National Relaxation Day?

It seems odd to me to assign a relaxation day on a day when so many people are starting a busy work week. Am I the only one that needs to hit the ground running on a Monday morning? I think this day should be renamed ‘National Take 5 Minutes of Relaxation Time’ for the average person to realistically participate! If you have a whole day free to relax, you probably don’t need to!

With that being said, I am sharing my most recent relaxation time – not an entire day, mind you – but, a couple of hours on the water with some friends.

I hope these photos will inspire you to take your ‘5 minutes’ of relaxation time. Take a deep breath and truly relax – even if only for the few minutes it takes you to look through these photos.

Thanks for stopping by.

(No, that’s not me, but my friend is definitely chillaxing…queen of the world!)

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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watermelon gazpacho

August 12, 2016

Watermelon is a favorite of mine. I have shared some of my standard watermelon recipe creations with you in the past, as well as crafts with a watermelon design. Today, I would like to share someone else’s watermelon recipe!

I came across Tyler Florence’s recipe for watermelon gazpacho and had to try it! Love gazpacho. Love watermelon. What’s not to love? I just had to give it a try! A cold soup on a hot, humid day – what could be better?! So, I gave it a try and I was not disappointed!

Here is the easy, make-in-the-blender recipe:

Tyler Florence’s Watermelon Gazpacho

1 large tomato
½ serrano chile
2 cups cubed seedless watermelon
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tablespoons minced red onion
½ English cucumber, seeded and chopped
2 Tablespoons minced fresh dill, plus more for garnish
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
¾ cup crumbled feta cheese

Puree the tomato, chile and 1 cup watermelon in a blender. Add the vinegar and olive oil and pulse. Add the red onion, cucumber and dill, season with salt and pepper and puree until smooth. Chill at least 30 minutes. Loosen with a few tablespoons of water, if needed.

Pour the gazpacho into chilled cups or bowls; top with dill, the feta and the remaining watermelon.

Serves 4

My gazpacho did not come out really red like the color of watermelon – as you can see. I am thinking if the tomato I used was a darker red; it would have helped make a deeper shade of red for the soup. But, no worries – it tasted wonderful! What a great first course for company!

I hope I have inspired you to try this gazpacho recipe or to experiment with a cold soup of your own! Have a wonderful weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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home infused water

August 9, 2016

Infused water tastes especially wonderful on hot, humid days.

Some fruit from a farmer’s market and a few sprigs of herbs from the garden transform the taste of ordinary water into a refreshing summer beverage.

Although I have seen some cool water bottles sold with a built-in infusion basket – also good for cold-brew tea – no special equipment is necessary to make some great tasting infusions!

A quart size container of water stored in the fridge is perfect to create an infusion with a piece of fruit and a couple sprigs of herbs.

With my garden rosemary, I like to add slices of a medium size orange for a refreshing infusion. Basil from the garden goes wonderfully with strawberries. Mint combines well with any type of berry, melon, or cucumber.

I also like the combination of peach and ginger. For a quart container, I buy a 1 inch piece of ginger at the grocery store and cut into small slices. It provides such a wonderful taste combination with a medium sized, sliced, fresh peach from a local farmer’s market!

Walk your garden or a local farmer’s market and be inspired to create a refreshing beverage for a hot, summer day!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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watermelon gazpacho

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