A Walk in the Woods (by me, not Bill Bryson)

Ever since my kids started school at the end of August, I have been making a concerted effort to go for an hour-long walk every weekday. I am fortunate that, from my house, there are a number of different options of where to walk. I can walk down the street, up the street, through various meandering back roads, or through the woods. Only a few blocks away, there is a large expanse of forest which is criss-crossed with paths that veer off and return periodically to the main road. This results in dozens of choices for walking options, with various levels of evenness and hills, smooth or rocky paths, and sun and shade.

Since I freely admit to having zero sense of direction, I was at first hesitant to take any of the paths through the woods for fear I'd end up walking in circles for hours. However, my husband (the Human GPS) took me walking in the woods several times, and pointed out certain trails which lead to familiar outlets, and I've begun to have the confidence to literally wander off the beaten path now and then as I walk through the woods.

The main point of my walks is exercise. I'd love to shave a few pounds off the number on the scale and a few points off the number on the blood pressure monitor. But when I walk through the woods, it's sometimes difficult to keep marching along at an exercising pace. Because the truth is, I want to stop and admire those wildflowers peeking through the underbrush. I want to stand still long enough for the birds to start singing again. I want to find out what kind of creature just skittered away through the dry leaves. I love the exercise, but I love the surroundings more.

After all, how can one pass by such loveliness as this without stopping to admire it?

Plus, these particular woods have interesting traces of humanity that pique my curiosity. Being New England, of course there are many random stone walls scattered here and there. This one looks like it's become a home for some kind of creature, perhaps a family of chipmunks or a snake or two. 

And then there is this stone wall, which clearly delineates a small grassy area. Upon closer inspection, you can see that there are a number of small square stones lined up in neat rows next to the long stone steps.

A sign at the center of the front wall offers an explanation: The nearby Fernald Center and Metropolitan State Hospital, both of which were historically homes for mentally ill and developmentally delayed patients, used this space as a cemetery from the mid 1940s until the late 1970s. The gravestones bear no names, simply numbers and the letters "C" (Catholic) or "P" (Protestant). A small shrine visible to the right of the photo indicates the Catholic section of the cemetery.

It makes me sad that the cemetery is tucked away in the woods, perhaps forgotten by the families of those buried here, but at the same time, it is a peaceful, serene place. I try to bring that serenity with me as I follow the sun-dappled path away from the cemetery. 

Today's weather feels like summer still, but deep in the woods I still spy signs of autumn's arrival: many fallen orange and gold leaves, and the occasional bright scarlet of a sumac plant. 

The wildlife sounds have a more autumnal feel to them, as well. The hum of insects in the trees feels more sluggish, and the occasional buzz of a cicada has a tired, lazy sound. Although it's hard to see in this photo, a pair of hawks was circling and calling under a bright half-moon in the clear blue sky.

Even as I reached the roadway and came back to civilization, peeking through the tall branches at the woods and marsh beyond, I felt like I brought the peace of the woods home with me.

Exercise is important, but I think the stillness of the woods lowers my blood pressure as much as the walking does. So I'll still do my heavy-duty exercise marching most days, but every now and then, I'll still just go for a walk in the woods.

Boobs on Parade: The 2016 Emmy Awards Red Carpet Review

I noticed that the Emmy awards were on last night so I flipped on the TV and was immediately assaulted with boobs. Cleavage, side boob, overflowing bodices...it was Boobs on Parade. Sure, there were a few gowns that featured general see-through-ness or slits all the way up the thigh or totally open backs, but it was quite obvious that The Look this year is simply: Boobs.

Let's take a look at some of the red carpet looks that featured boobs.

 

Shiri Appleby and Julia Louis-Dreyfus wore gowns that were nice examples of a trend that I would describe as "banded deep decollete". This category of gown features a plunging neckline that is held together with one or more bands of fabric wrapping around the wearer's rib cage. This allows the V-neck to be extremely wide without requiring the use of double-sided tape. Appleby's long, straight column was a flattering style on her slim figure, and the color was gorgeous on her. Louis-Dreyfus' narrower neckline with criss-cross straps and a fuller illusion overlay was lovely and flattering on her, as well. 

  

Angela Bassett, Tina Fey, and Allison Janney were perfect examples of how (forgive me) older actresses can make the revealing neckline work well for them. Bassett's canary yellow gown was something of a stylized kimono, with wide, flared sleeves, a broad v-neck, and a slightly flared skirt with a small train. I didn't love the color on her, and the overall style was somewhat bland, but the neckline was controlled and flattering and didn't show too much skin, so I'll give her look a hesitant thumbs up. 

Fey's green Grecian gown was gorgeous. Its full but soft skirt flared out from a wide crushed sash high on her rib cage which allowed for a deep v-neck that was firmly anchored in place and looked deeper than it actually was. She looked comfortable and was able to move without fear of a wardrobe malfunction. This is what all revealing gowns should aim for. 

Janney's gown had a broad v-neck that showed more skin but less cleavage - a very nice illusion for ladies of a certain age who may not have quite as perky a figure as they used to. Janney's gown pairs the revealing bodice with a slim, fitted skirt with a high slit and a small train, perfect for showing off her toned legs. 

 

Kristen Bell and Jessie Graff wore gowns with bodices in another popular style, one that I describe as "wide suspenders". It's pretty much two bands of fabric that go over the shoulders and tuck into the waistband. They don't actually meet at the bottom, so it can't be described as a "v-neck". There is usually much double-sided tape required for this look, and it is definitely more flattering on less buxom figures (which Bell and Graff both have). I loved the patterned fabric in Bell's dress, although the skirt of the full ballgown was so voluminous that it looked out of proportion with the minimal bodice. A bit less fullness and this would have been a very nice look. Graff's wide, high sash and gathered fabric allowed her a little more firmness (and a little less double-sided tape), and her softly gathered gown with a deep slit was nicely proportioned and graceful. 

 

Laverne Cox and Claire Danes both wore gold lame concoctions which nicely illustrate how similar gowns can look different on different figures. Cox's curvy figure defied gravity in her clingy v-neck gown, emphasizing both her height and her voluptuous figure. Danes, on the other hand, has a much more slight, straight figure, which was not quite as flattered by her "starburst" bodice, but which worked well with her full skirt and wrapped sash. Point to Cox. 

 

Portia Doubleday opted for a mostly full-coverage column with long sleeves and a high boat neckline, but which featured a large triangular opening in the front allowing just a peep of side/underboob. It was...interesting. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it, either. The color was spectacular for her, and the simplicity of it, with just a few details like the folded pleat at the waist and the slightly overlapped neckline, gave it just enough visual interest. Rhea Seehorn's gown used a similar triangular cutout, but worked into a shoulder-revealing halter top accented by a black neck strap and tiny black belt. The more fitted bodice of Seehorn's gown wrapped her figure nicely and held the fabric firmly in place, which I found a more attractive look than Doubleday's. 

 

Kirsten Dunst and Sarah Paulson both wore gowns with necklines which, in my opinion, showed more skin than was truly flattering. Dunst wore a plunging, broadly v-necked gown which featured plenty of cleavage. Instead of a straight "V", the neckline was arched outwards, allowing for even more visible skin. Unfortunately, that gave me the impression of the fabric being strained and poorly fitted. It was a shame, because the rest of the gown was stunning, with its see-through skirt with vertical lines and zig-zag-edged bodice, and perfectly tailored to skim her figure without being tight. And the pure black was perfect for her icy blond coloring. The devil really is in the details. 

Paulson's gown was something of a hot mess all over. The deep v (which ended at an odd level near her navel) emphasized the straightness of her figure, especially with the very square shoulders, the 3/4-length sleeves, and the straight skirt with only a tiny back train. A bit of softness or curves was needed somewhere. And the long metal fringes which swung and dangled as she moved made her look like an unfortunate Christmas tree. Great color, terrible dress. 

  

Judith Light, Abigail Spencer, and Constance Wu all opted for a bit of illusion, wearing narrow but plunging necklines with modesty panels (see-through or flesh-toned fabric which creates the illusion of exposed skin) holding them firmly in place. The geometric art deco lines of Light's silver and white gown emphasize her slender figure, while Spencer's fuller, flowing midnight blue gown created younger, softer, and more feminine lines, adding a few curves to her rather straight figure. Wu's cobalt and black gown was all smooth, graceful curves flowing beautifully to the floor with a tiny all-around train. Three very different but very effective and flattering looks. 

 

And finally, we have two examples of cleavage emphasized via corsets or fitted, push-up bodices worn by Trace Lysette and Lili Taylor. This style works well for figures that require more structure and support. Lysette's sweetheart neckline plunged at the center, supporting her figure while focusing attention on her cleavage, a focus further emphasized by the deep center slit of her white column. Taylor opted for a woman-cut tuxedo, with flared, wide-leg pants and a shawl-collared jacket over a corset-style bodice with center separation, adding a feminine touch. Unfortunately, neither the jacket nor the pants were as well-fitted as they could have been, as the pants pulled at the crotch and the jacket rode up and gapped at the collar. Good idea, poor execution. Point to Lysette.

And just to prove that not everyone opted to flash their boobs, here's Anna Chlumsky showing that modesty doesn't always equal good fashion.

It's Soup Season!

I love this time of year. By September, I'm tired of all my summer clothes and ready to pull out my long pants, sweaters, and boots. I'm ready to close the pool and sit by the fireplace instead. I'm ready to stop drinking lemon drop martinis and start drinking Brandy Alexanders. And I'm ready to stop cooking on the grill and start cooking on the stove.

One of the things I love most to cook on the stove (or sometimes in the crock pot), is soup. I love all kinds of soup: vegetable soup, chicken soup, spicy ethnic soup, you name it. So here are a few of the most delicious soup recipes I have in my repertoire. Pair a steaming bowl of any of these with a slice of crusty bread, a wedge of buttered cornbread, or a moist flaky biscuit, and you've got a complete meal that will warm you right to your toes!

Lentil Soup (I got this recipe from the back of a bag of lentils)

3 tbsp butter

½ onion, sliced thin

1 tbsp minced garlic

1 tsp thyme

1 tsp cumin

½ tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

6 cups chicken broth

1-1/2 cups carrots, sliced

1-1/2 cups celery, sliced

½ package dried lentils (~1 cup)

1 lb. sweet Italian sausage (optional)

Grated Parmesan-Romano cheese

Melt the butter in the bottom of a dutch oven or large saucepan. Saute the onions and garlic for a few minutes. Stir in the thyme, cumin, salt, and pepper. Slowly add the chicken broth. Stir in the carrots, celery, and lentils. If desired, remove the casing of the sausage and crumble into the pot. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 50 minutes (covered). Sprinkle with cheese before serving. 

Ginger Carrot Soup (based on a recipe from citronlimette.com) 

2 tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

1/2 cup diced celery

1/4 cup peeled and grated ginger root

3 tsp minced garlic

1-1/2 pounds carrots, peeled and diced or thinly sliced on a mandolin

6 cups chicken (or vegetable) stock

Salt

Pepper

Pinch cayenne

Sour cream (optional)

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Saute onion, celery, ginger, and garlic for 5-10 minutes, until tender. Add carrots and stock and and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes or until carrots are tender. Puree with an immersion blender or in batches with a regular blender or food processor. Add a pinch of cayenne and salt and pepper to taste. May be served with a small dollop of sour cream on top. 

White Bean with Bacon Soup (based on a recipe from Table for Two)

5 strips of bacon, cut into tiny pieces

1 medium onion, diced

2 tsp minced garlic

4 carrots, peeled and chopped or sliced thin

1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)

4 cups chicken stock

4 15-oz cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

1 tbsp tomato paste

Salt

Pepper

In a large stockpot, cook the bacon pieces until browned and crispy. Let drain on a paper towel and discard all but about 3 tbsp of bacon grease. Saute the onion, garlic, and carrots in the grease until tender (about 5 minutes). Stir in the rosemary and cook for an additional minute. Gently pour in the stock and add the beans, then whisk in the tomato paste. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer gently for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve hot with bacon pieces on top. 

Black Bean Soup (based on a recipe from And What I Ate)

1 tbsp olive oil

1 sweet red pepper, diced

2 red onions, diced

5 tbsp cumin, divided

3 tsp minced garlic

3 cans black beans, rinsed and drained

1/3 c fresh cilantro, chopped

3 tbsp lime juice, divided

1-1/2 to 2 cups chicken broth

1-1/2 to 2 cups water

1 tbsp Salt 

Pepper

1/3 cup sour cream

In a large stockpot, heat the oil over medium-high heat and saute the pepper and onions until they start to brown (about 10 minutes). Add 4 tbsp of cumin and the minced garlic and stir until fragrant. Stir in the beans. Add water, just to cover (add more if you like thinner soup), then add desired amount of chicken broth. Bring just to a boil, then cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in a tablespoon of salt, freshly ground black pepper to taste, 2 tbsp lime juice. and cilantro, and simmer for 10 additional minutes. Use an immersion blender to smooth texture to desired consistency, then adjust seasonings to taste. Combine sour cream with remaining 1 tbsp cumin and 1 tbsp lime juice and use to garnish individual servings. 

Lasagna Soup (based on a recipe from Cooking Classy)

2 tbsp olive oil, divided

1 lb lean ground beef (or turkey)

Salt

Pepper

1 large yellow onion, diced

3-5 tsp minced garlic

4 cups chicken stock

1 14.5-oz can petite diced tomatoes

1 14.5-oz can crushed tomatoes

2-1/2 tbsp tomato paste

1-3/4 tsp dried basil

3/4 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp dried rosemary

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1-1/2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1 tsp sugar

8 lasagna noodles

1-1/4 cups shredded mozzarella

1/2 cup finely shredded parmesan

8 oz. ricotta cheese

In a large stockpot, crumble and brown the ground meat in 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Drain and set aside. Heat remaining tbsp olive oil and saute onion until slightly soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and saute for 30 additional seconds. Add stock, both tomatoes, tomato paste, all herbs, sugar, and the browned meat. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. 

Meanwhile, break the lasagna noodles into bite-size pieces and cook according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Add pasta to soup along with enough reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency. In a separate small bowl, combine the three cheeses and use to top individual servings. 

Potato Soup (based on a recipe from Gimme Some Oven)

5 slices bacon, diced
1 cup diced onion

1/4 cup flour

2 cups chicken stock

2 cups milk

1-1/2 lbs potatoes, peeled and diced

1 cup shredded cheddar

1/2 cup sour cream

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, brown the bacon until crispy, stirring occasionally. Let drain on a paper towel and discard all but about 3 tbsp of bacon grease. Add onion and saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over and stir until combined, then saute for an additional minute. Stir in the chicken stock, then milk, potatoes, and bacon. Continue cooking until not quite boiling. Reduce heat to medium-lower, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until potatoes are soft, stirring frequently. Stir in cheese, sour cream, and salt and pepper, adjusting amounts to taste. If desired, individual servings may be topped with chives or additional bacon, cheese, and/or sour cream. 

Lemon Chicken Rice Soup (based on a recipe from KitchMe)

6 cups chicken broth

1 cube chicken bouillon

1/3 cup uncooked rice

1/3 cup peeled and diced or thinly sliced carrots

1/3 cup chopped celery

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

1 cup cubed cooked chicken

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp flour

3 eggs

3 tbsp lemon juice

salt

pepper

In a large saucepan, combine broth, bouillon, rice, carrots, celery, and onion and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes until rice and vegetables are tender. Stir in chicken and remove from heat. 

In a small saucepan, melt butter and gently whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually add 2 cups broth mixture and cook until slightly thickened, stirring constantly. In a small bowl, beat eggs until frothy. 

Gradually beat lemon juice and 2 cups thickened broth into main broth mixture. When the mixture has cooled somewhat, add the eggs very slowly, stirring constantly. Gently heat until not quite boiling. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 

Hers vs. His

The other day, I was chatting with a few other women about jeans shopping, and one woman mentioned that she always bought men's jeans because they were significantly cheaper. Naturally, that devolved into a discussion of how women's clothes are much more expensive than men's. In light of my recent blog comparing the same outfit purchased at several different stores, I thought it might be interesting to find an outfit that was reasonably comparable between men and women and compare the price when purchasing that outfit at three different stores: Kohls, JC Penney, and Nordstrom.

Let's start with a super-easy outfit: Levi jeans, a plain crewneck T-shirt (house brand, if available), a v-neck sweater, and white Adidas sneakers. I'll compare the men's and women's pieces side-by-side. The more expensive of the two pieces is bolded.

At Kohls, I chose these items:

  

Levis 414 women's relaxed fit jeans: $33
Levis 550 men's relaxed fit jeans: $60

  

Croft and Barrow Women's essential crewneck tee: $16
Men's Apt. 9 solid tee: $10

Sonoma Goods for Life women's woven v-neck sweater: $30
Croft and Barrow Men's classic fit 12gg v-neck sweater: $27

  

Adidas women's NEO Cloudfoam Xpression athletic shoes: $65
Adidas men's NEO Baseline sneakers: $60

Kohls Women's Grand Total: $144
****Kohls Men's Grand Total: $157****

At JC Penney, I found these pieces:

  

Levis 414 women's relaxed straight jeans: $37
Levis 550 men's relaxed fit jeans: $60

  

St. John's Bay women's fitted crewneck T-shirt: $8
Arizona men's basic crewneck T-shirt: $6

  

Worthington women's long-sleeve v-neck sweater: $30
St. John's Bay men's long-sleeve fine gauge sweater: $20

 

Adidas women's NEO Advantage sneakers: $55
Adidas men's NEO Advantage Clean VS athletic shoes: $55

JC Penney Women's Grand Total: $130
****JC Penney Men's Grand Total: $141****

At Nordstrom, this was what I found:

  

Levi women's vintage flare jeans: $98
Levi men's red tab 501 straight leg jeans: $47

  

BP women's high/low stretch knit tee: $19
James Perse men's crewneck jersey t-shirt: $30

 

Leith women's v-neck sweater: $59
Cutter & Buck men's "Broadview" cotton v-neck sweater: $78

 

Adidas women's Stan Smith sneaker: $75
Adidas men's Stan Smith sneaker: $85

****Nordstrom Women's Grand Total: $251****
Nordstrom Men's Grand Total: $240

So let's summarize: women's jeans were more expensive at Nordstrom (mainly because they don't even carry the more "basic" styles), but men's were significantly more at both Kohls and JC Penney. For the remaining items (tee, sweater, and sneakers), however, the men's version was less expensive at Kohls and JC Penney (the sneakers were the same price at JC Penney) but more expensive at Nordstrom. The women's outfit was cheaper overall at Kohls and JC Penney, but slightly more expensive at Nordstrom. But considering that there were four items purchased and the total ranged from $130 to $251, the price difference between the men's and women's outfit only ranged from $11-$13, at most 10% of the total price. I'd call that pretty insignificant, wouldn't you?

Let's try one more quick comparison, shall we? Let's look at the least and the most expensive men's and women's version of non-distressed Levi jeans and plain crewneck tees in each store.

At Kohls, the cheapest full-length Levi brand jeans are 505 straight jeans, priced at $33, and the most expensive are 535 super skinny jean leggings for $50. For men, the cheapest are 501 original fit jeans, for $18, and the most expensive are 508 regular taper fit jeans for $70. So men can get both cheaper and more expensive jeans.

At JC Penney, the cheapest women's Levis are 535 super skinny jeans for $22 and the most expensive are slimming skinny jeans for $55. For men, prices range from $35 for 511 slimline 8 jeans to 513 slim fits for $70. Women's jeans in general are cheaper here.

And at Nordstrom, women's jeans run from "Mile High" high rise skinny jeans for $90 to the vintage flare jeans listed above for $98. Men's jeans range from 513 slim straight leg jeans for $40 to 511 slim fit jeans for $148. Men's prices are a much wider range than women's here.

Moving onto the crewneck tees, at Kohls, a women's white crewneck tee ranged from $9 for Sonoma Goods for Life crewneck boyfriend tee to a tail coral glam Bridget crewneck tennis to for $63. For men, prices ranged from $7 for the excelled slim-fit raw edge tee to $30 for a New Balance Accelerate tee. Men's are slightly cheaper here.

At JC Penney. women's prices ranged from $6 for a Liz Claiborne short-sleeve fitted knit t-shirt to $18 for a Stylus short-sleeve pocket T-shirt, while men's ranged from $6 for an Arizona crewneck jersey t-shirt to a Dickies Dri-Release pocket tee for $34 (although it's on sale for buy one, get one 50% off, so the true price, assuming you buy 2, is only $26). So the low end is similar, but there are more pricy options for men (mainly because of high-performance athletic options).

And at Nordstrom, women's prices ranged from $12 for the Topshop pocket tee to $210 for the Helmut Lang cotton and cashmere tee. Men's ranged from $10 for the Topman slim-fit crewneck t-shirt to the Orlebar Brown "Glover" cotton and linen t-shirt for $110. Similar on the low end, but women have more high-end options here.

Again, I think the bottom line is that you can find a wide range of price options for both genders, but a careful shopper can find a good deal but checking out a variety of stores and finding the best price for the style you're looking for.

Happy shopping!