5:20 am and beyond

Posted: February 8, 2023 | Author: | Filed under: Body Type, Clothing, Home and Garden | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Arrive at work – wearing this:

The North Face Downtown 550 fill parka
Loro Piana 100% Cashmere Fair Isle Sweater
Portolano Black Cashmere mittens
Brunello Cucinelli wide-rib hat BG $355
Foehn Down Pants Black
Eddie Bauer Women’s K-6 Boots

Midday – strip to this:

Carve Design Beacon Swimsuit
Speedo Silicone Swim Cap
Speedo Hydrospex Classic Swim Goggles

Head home to cook this:

Lasagna-Soup-550x799

one pot lasagna soup recipe

  • 1 lb extra-lean ground beef
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp each salt & pepper
  • 1 (650mL) jar marinara sauce
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 10 uncooked lasagna noodles broken into approx. 1-2 inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish

Stovetop instructions

  • Sauté ground beef in a large pot over med-high heat until browned, about 5 minutes. Add onions and garlic, sautéing another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
  • Add remaining ingredients except for cheeses and fresh herbs, stirring to combine then bringing to a boil. Place lid on pot and simmer for 20 minutes until pasta is cooked through.
  • Serve soup in large bowls, sprinkling mozzarella cheese overtop and topping with a dollop of ricotta. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired, then serve and enjoy!

Slow cooker instructions

  • Brown the beef, onions and garlic in a large skillet over med-high heat for 5 minutes. Add to slow cooker, along with remaining ingredients except cheese. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours. Top with cheeses, then serve and enjoy!

Instant Pot instructions

  • Brown the beef, onions and garlic using the sauté feature for 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients, except for cheeses, pushing the pasta underneath the liquid. Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes, then do a quick release. Top bowls with cheeses, then serve and enjoy!

The more you know: dublé

Posted: November 13, 2022 | Author: | Filed under: Accessories, Home and Garden | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

dublé

A spoon rest (also known as a dublé) is a piece of kitchenware that serves as a place to lay spoons and other cooking utensils, to prevent cooking fluids from getting onto countertops, as well as keeping the spoon from touching any contaminants that might be on the counter.

Perhaps a simple gift for Thanksgiving or the Holidays? (click on the photos for brand and prices)

Something of Use: Stasher Stand Up

Posted: July 1, 2022 | Author: | Filed under: Home and Garden | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment


Stasher is a revolutionary food storage alternative to plastic bags and containers. Made of 100% pure platinum food-grade silicone, Stasher offers all the ease and convenience of plastic bags, but without the negative consequences. Features the innovative air-tight, pinch-press seal to keep food fresh and no leaks, ideal storage for food, Travel, school and more. Stasher Contains no petroleum, no PVC and no latex, so it’s good for people and the planet. Dishwasher, microwave and freezer-safe, Stasher is ideal for busy on-the-go lifestyles. What will you stash in your Stasher.

dievca found that her Stasher Stand Up was perfect for traveling. Clear for the Airport lines, studier than a ziplock, easy to seal and easy to wash. It comes in multiple colors incase you travel with Family and costs $21.99.

Beyond travel you can store, freeze, microwave, boil food in the bag then wash it in the dishwasher.

Something of (multiple) use!

Grateful and Thankful

Posted: November 25, 2021 | Author: | Filed under: Entertainment, Home and Garden | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Food Porn

Some New Yorkers do a Joyful Chicken for Thanksgiving.

dievca goes for the Big Bird in Bondage.

thanksgiving-food-porn-literally-1479752895

Whatever meal you share today –
dievca wishes you a very
HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
she is thankful for you!

Photos: top - unknown, botton Lazy Mom via VICE

So Hot, You’re Cool – a recipe

Posted: July 25, 2020 | Author: | Filed under: Entertainment, Home and Garden | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

 

It’s called the TRPV1 receptor. So when you eat or drink something hot, these receptors get that heat signal, and that tells the nerve to let the brain know what’s going on. When the brain gets the message “It’s hot in here,” it turns on the mechanism we have to cool ourselves off: sweating.

dievca has exchanged recipes with friends and family during the COVID-19 quarantine and this is a recipe she tried and enjoyed: Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Warning – dievca didn’t have any Cajun Spice mix so she made the offering from the same blog (recipe below)
It’s got a serious kick.

And her cooling system works efficiently. Hello, sweaty upper lip!
Maybe this is something for Temperature Play?!?!?

 

Photo: dievca Cajun Shrimp Pasta

CAJUN SHRIMP PASTA

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 429 kcal
Author: Krissy Allori – recipe found on the Self Proclaimed Foodie Blog

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 8 ounces penne pasta
  • 1 pound raw shrimp deveined, cleaned, tail removed
  • 2 tablespoons cajun seasoning *see note below
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Add salt to a pot of water and bring to a boil. Cook pasta to al dente doneness. Before draining, scoop out at least 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Drain pasta and set aside.
  • While the pasta is cooking, cook the shrimp and sauce. Combine shrimp with cajun seasoning and olive oil in a bowl. Toss to combine.
  • Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and melt. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook until golden brown on each side, turning only once. You may have to cook shrimp in two batches to allow enough room. Once done cooking, transfer cooked shrimp to a clean plate and reduce heat to medium-low.
  • Add heavy cream to pan and scrape bottoms to release any food that is stuck to the bottom. Allow the cream to bubble. Reduce heat to low and stir in parmesan cheese to melt. Add cooked pasta and shrimp and stir to coat. If the sauce needs to be thinned, add pasta water, one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is achieved.

Photo: dievca Cajun Spices 06/2020

Cajun Spices (if needed)

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 2 teaspoons onion salt
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Combine all spices in a small bowl. Use as a dry rub on poultry, beef, shrimp, etc. You can also add to sauces and soups. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

Makes 1/4 cup
Equal portions of onion powder and kosher salt can be used in place of onion salt

The Silver Lining

Posted: April 15, 2020 | Author: | Filed under: Discussion, Entertainment | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

of Staying Home.

You can play YOUR own music at almost any moment.


Your personal productivity increases with limited distractions.

The alarm doesn’t ring at 4 am.

You get a chance to work on unused skills.

You can attend dance or workout classes at any time.


You hear or connect to people you haven’t seen or heard from in years.


You have a chance to just “be”.

Cold Weather Comfort in the City

Posted: January 21, 2020 | Author: | Filed under: Home and Garden, Neighborhood Anecdotes (NYC), submissive | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sometimes you walk the City in complete wonder. Viewing the Empire State building on a clear Sunday morning after a messy weather Saturday night. (Zoom on the photo, its lovely)

Then you head to a grocery store for items to make a Ham Bone and Potato Soup using the Christmas Hambone.

The recipe turns out to be a keeper.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 ham bone, with visible meat
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 4 cups water
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon celery seeds or 1 stalk celery, chopped
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 5 medium red potatoes, cut in 1-inch cubes
  • 1⁄2 cup butter
  • 1⁄2 cup flour
  • 1-pint half-and-half 

DIRECTIONS

  • Place the first 6 ingredients in a Dutch Oven, bring to a boil over medium heat, and simmer for 30 minutes or until meat easily comes off the bone with a fork. Shred ham from the bone, discard any fat, return meat to the pot. Add diced potatoes, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender.
  • While potatoes are cooking, in a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat being careful not to brown. Add flour, stirring constantly until incorporated well. Bring heat to medium/high and gradually stir in the Half n Half until creamy, thick and bubbly, stirring constantly, being careful not to scorch. Once it thickly coats the spoon, remove from heat.
  • When the potatoes are tender, stir the sauce mixture into the potato pot over medium heat, stirring constantly. Let simmer until soup reaches the desired consistency. You can add milk to adjust.
  • There has been no salt added to this point. Add salt, pepper, garlic, herbs or seasonings to your taste.
  • dievca added a finely chopped garlic clove and a chicken bouillon cube at the beginning. 3 chopped carrots and cauliflower pieces were added with the potatoes.

Recipe from Food.com – Shelley Lee is the author

 

Spice it up! (Something of Use)

Posted: January 10, 2020 | Author: | Filed under: Accessories, Home and Garden | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

NYC living is small – even with a lot of money.  There just isn’t enough space to sprawl.

You end up dreading gifts from people who live with a garage. They may give you items for your Home. They don’t realize you are constantly looking for ways to reduce the size of your item use footprint.

Back in the day (when she had a garage) dievca owned an Old Thompson Spice Caddy :

Olde Thomspon Spice Caddy 20 spices. After 25 years – still available on Amazon! (click photo)

dievca came to NYC with this spice rack channeling the laboratory look:

It still took up space on a countertop.

When Fab.com was going gangbusters with unique items, dievca found this spice rack with magnets to attach to her refrigerator.  It offers more spices and takes up the least amount of space in her small NYC kitchen. Plus it’s cool to look at and the magnets are amazingly strong.

Gneiss Spice System:

The smaller jar set and larger jar set are both available at Amazon ($130 and $220 respectively) dievca has the smaller sized set – remember, she is NOT a chef… click HERE to purchase the smaller sized set.

If you were wondering what happened to Fab.com (an eCommerce explosion which had a blowout) — The site is now a Health and Lifestyle hub selling items to assist you in your wellness quest. There is a link above. 

“No man is a failure who has friends.”

Posted: December 25, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Home and Garden, Relationships | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

dievca is worried about this happening at Christmas dinner:

But she has fantastic friends, so dinner should be more elegant:
It doesn’t matter as long as everyone feels welcome and enjoys themselves.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
from dievca’s home to yours
XO🎄

Quote from 'It's a Wonderful Life'

Finding a way – Thanksgiving

Posted: November 28, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Entertainment, Home and Garden | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Marilyn Monroe Thanksgiving Pin-Up

ConEd turned off the gas in dievca’s building – something about a connection to the building needing to be replaced. That makes cooking for a Friendsgiving tricky.

Then a friend reminded dievca that she has an InstaPot and another friend lent her portable electric hob from when her building had a gas leak. dievca is good to go! Maybe~

Wish dievca luck as she is wishing you a very ‘Happy Thanksgiving’. XO
(ps: she’s traveling to her parents on Friday)

Hey Good Lookin’! What’s Cookin’?

Posted: September 8, 2018 | Author: | Filed under: Discussion, Entertainment, Home and Garden | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Paul Ciernia Pin-Up Cooking

dievca is not a cook, she bakes…
she WILL be cooking today because 5 friends are coming for dinner.

They are a “Meat and Potato” crowd, so she is keeping it simple:

  • Fresh Vegetables with Dip, Cheese Plate and Chardonnay for Appetizers on the rooftop
  • Baked Pork Chops (bone in), Green Beans, Rice and Norman Cidre for the Main Course
  • Lemon Meringue Pie and Pinot Grigio or Coffee/Tea for Dessert


Wish her luck, but dievca does have a secondary strategy: Distraction via Clothing

And Plan C: Pizza and Beer