You’re So Vain….

You probably think this post is about you, Don’t you? Don’t you? Every time I sit down at  my new bedroom vanity I received for my 40th birthday last December, this oldie but goodie song by Carly Simon manages to pop in my head.

Like I manage to do with just about everything I find myself analyzing why this happens. Is it possible that after 40 years I’ve suddenly become vain or is it because I like to associate music to almost everything in my life or maybe the vanity has aided me in finally finding the confidence in my own beauty?

I have always wanted my own vanity since being a little girl and now I wish I would have invested in one sooner in life. Something about sitting in front of a vanity with the mirror and lights getting myself ready empowers my self-confidence.

Vanity table (Ikea) = $120.00
Lights (Ikea)= 19.99 each- $39.98
Mirror(Lowes)$35.00
Chair and cover $20.00

Boost in my self-confidence = PRICELESS

1950’s Sweet Corn Relish & My Morning Coffee.

If you open the fridge in our house you will most likely see it stocked full of condiments, more so than food itself. My husband has a humongous obsession liking for condiments on just about everything he can put in his mouth. Now you may think this is a good thing because who doesn’t like a bit of variety with their food,but having to shuffle through the fridge and remove 10 things carefully trying not to knock anything else over in the process  just to get to my milk for my coffee becomes overall challenging.

Admittingly, I have muttered to myself “All I want is my !@## milk “ a few times in the wee early mornings as I attempt the daily obstacle course inside my fridge to the milk. Common sense would say well move the milk to the front of the fridge. Tried that, but yet somehow mysteriously or better known as “It wasn’t me”  it always ends up at the back of the fridge.

This has resulted in my attempt to eliminate some of the condiments in my fridge with canning so I can store them in little mason jars on pantry shelf and take as needed. Although canning is not as convenient these days as grabbing something at the grocery store, it is healthier, tastier and in this case allows me to have my first cup of coffee in the morning stress free.  I’m pretty confident in the 1950’s having a cup of coffee was a lot more simple!

One of the canning recipes I have made is a delicious Sweet Corn Relish which my family absolutely loves it, especially with pork chops. The recipe used I found at Karen Solomon’s website here . She has a lot of great recipes on there so make sure to stop by and have a look!

1950’s SWEET CORN RELISH

 

What you’ll need:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 3/4 cups diced red bell pepper (3 or 4 peppers)
1 tablespoon kosher salt
4 cups fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels
1 3/4 cups diced red onion (1 very large onion)
1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

Directions:

Heat the oil in a larger preserving pot, over medium heat. Add the peppers and salt and saute for about 12 minutes or until caramelized. You will begin to see the peppers get soft and take on a brownish coloring. Add the corn, and cook for about 3-4 minutes longer until the corn is heated throughout. Turn the heat off and add the onion to the pan. Stir well and keep covered.

For the preserving liquid, combine the vinegar, sugar, and turmeric over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally until all the sugar has dissolved.

Pack your corn mixture into your jars until it reaches about ¾ inch of head space. Cover with preserving liquid until it reaches ¼ inch head space, making sure your corn is covered completely. Process in a hot water bath canner for 15 minutes, remove and let cool undisturbed for 12 hours before storing.

Notes:

If you decide not to can this recipe, you can fridge it for up to 6 months

Makes approx 6 half pint jars

Laundry is the only thing that should be separated by color.

Both my boys love coloring and doing anything arts and crafts related. Cayden one of my twin boys, in particular is what I as his mother would consider an exceptional little artist. One day last summer they were both outside playing while I made them lunch . As I went outside to call them in to eat I noticed this drawn outside with each color of chalk corresponding laying on top of it.

It instantly stopped me in my tracks as I was amazed not only at the creativeness, but to me it had a meaning.: Nothing should be separated by color (except laundry, or in this case his artistic drawing). Daily I try to instill the values in my children that we are all equal, that just because someone may look different, live a different lifestyle or have different views doesn’t mean they are not the same as us.

I would like to think in this day and age that this is no longer an issue with our society, that as a world we have acceptance and passion for each other. Sadly on a daily basis I am reminded that this is not the case, but I will not give up hope for a better world full of acceptance for our children as I watch them grow and will continue to instill the value that as humans we are all equal.

This picture posted above I put the quote on it as his picture inspired that meaning to me. Plans are to have this printed and put up in our laundry room once we are done renovating. Not only as a reminder of the meaning of the quote but as well a reminder of how our young children without even knowing they are can inspire us.