It's Springtime!
Not that we had much of a winter here in Los Angeles. I'm saying this more in solidarity with all of you East Coast/Midwesterners who have been snowed under for months. But it has been particularly springlike around here lately - mild, warm weather, a bit of much-needed rain, flowers galore. And so I'd like to share a few springtime things I've been thinking about...
Wisteria
I'm not thinking about wisteria because I have any wisteria growing at my house, but because I DON'T have any wisteria growing at my house. When I was a little girl, we had a massive wisteria just outside the back door, and every year on my March birthday, it would explode in fragrant, purple blossoms. I always thought that the wisteria vine was blooming just for me (and I must admit that my mother contributed to this belief). And the smell? Heavenly. If I close my eyes I can smell it right now. Aaaaaah! I want a wisteria!
Havaianas Flip Flops
It's flip flop season! I love my Havaianas. Yes, I know. You're wondering why I'm encouraging you all to buy a $20 pair of flip flops when you can get them at Old Navy for $2.50. Well I will tell you why. They are the best damned flip flops in the world. Seriously. They are totally worth the extra $17.50. They are comfortable and look good and they last FOREVAH! And I'm telling you, I know my flip flops. I live in them. Really, I wear them most of the year. Don't judge, I have big feet and hate shoes. This winter, I changed over to Uggs (the winter version of the flip flop), but my tootsies are veeeeery happy to be back in their flips!
Jergens BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream
They sent me a sample of this in my most recent Birchbox, and I'm crazy for it! Birchbox items are usually more "high-end" products, but every now and then, they'll stick in a "mass market" product that they really like. This stuff is SO good. It's really moisturizing, and has a little bit of "coverage" that actually smooths out your skin tone. Perfect for when we start shedding our winter clothes and showing a little skin!
Spaghetti with Sardines, Fennel, and Capers
Weirdly, fennel is one of Jimmy's favorite foods. He eats it all the time. If you're not familiar with it, it's sort of like licorice-flavored celery. But when you cook it, it takes on a mellow, mildly sweet flavor. We love it. This recipe is a traditional Sicilian concoction (that's Jimmy's people!), and often served during Lent for the fish-on-Friday's thing. This is really delicious. Don't be afraid of the sardines, the lemon cuts the fishy taste, and the capers give a nice salty crunch.
Spaghetti with Sardines, Fennel, and Capers
Serves 2
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 large fennel bulb, trimmed and thinly sliced
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup white wine
1 can sardines packed in oil, drained
2 tbsp. capers
2 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
Juice and grated zest from 1 lemon
1/2 lb. spaghetti
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbsp. chives, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
While the water heats up, make the sauce. Add oil to large skillet over medium heat. Add fennel, red pepper flakes, and about 1/4 tsp. salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes, until the fennel is completely tender and caramelized around the edges. Pour in the wine and cook for another minute. Push the fennel to one side of the skillet, then add the sardines, capers, garlic, and lemon juice to the empty side of the skillet. Let them sizzle for a minute, then remove the skillet from the heat.
When the water is boiling, drop in the pasta, and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of cooking water. Add the pasta and a splash of cooking water to the skillet. Stir in the chopped herbs and lemon zest. Serve.
Give it a try!
Pigeons
A pigeon has taken up residence in our chimney. I'm guessing that she's building a nest and planning on starting her family up there. During the day I can hear her, cooing and scratching. It's completely fascinating - the sounds echo down the chimney and are amplified, so I hear her all the time. Part of me thinks I should find this slightly distressing, but another part welcomes this new little inhabitant to our house. I hope I hear little peeping baby pigeons soon.
New TV Series
THREE new shows debuted last week - Resurrection, Crisis, and Believe. And guess what? They're all good. Really. And I don't like most things. I was completely surprised.
Resurrection and Crisis in particular have really good casts, and all three got me hooked. With most shows, I'll watch the pilot, yawn, and never watch again. But I've started DVRing all three of these. I recommend tracking down the first episodes on demand, and catching up!
So that's my Spring so far. What's happening in your Springtime?
Check out our other Spring spinners. It's not too late to add your Springtime post to the Linky below! And check back on Monday for next week's Spin Cycle topic!
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Enjoy the nice weather you are having. I am rather jealous!
Posted by: This Busy Life | 03/21/2014 at 09:25 AM
I am determined to have a beautiful garden this year! Remember the willow tree we had to cut down? I hope I can plant a butterfly garden in its place, and actually take care of it this summer. (So far, I am not known for my gardening, but my mom was. I want her green thumb!)
Posted by: Ginny Marie | 03/21/2014 at 11:58 AM
I've seen the promos for Resurrection and it looks good. Unfortunately I'm so behind on my other shows I don't think I should start a new one. Maybe I'll be caught up by the time it hits reruns!!
Posted by: Rabia @TheLiebers | 03/21/2014 at 01:07 PM
I have a longing for Spring. I will have to content myself with pictures and the occasional warm day until it comes here to stay.
Posted by: VandyJ | 03/21/2014 at 02:59 PM
When I think of sping I think lilacs. Spending 7 years in the southwest/east (depending on who you talk to) I missed lilacs. I'm so happy to have moved up north again, for a lot of reasons and the lilacs are one of them. We have three in our yard.
Posted by: Michele | 03/21/2014 at 05:00 PM
As I was reading the recipe I kept thinking, not a Texas recipe. But it probably fits in with 'keep Austin weird'! Gene is all into Resurrection, too! Our fence in Missouri was covered with wisteria. I keep wondering if it will bloom this year.
Posted by: Janice | 03/21/2014 at 08:30 PM
Usually by now I see my spring flowers start to come up but I think it's been too cold for that yet. I can't wait until the warmer weather!
Posted by: Kristina Walters @ Kris On Fitness | 03/22/2014 at 07:58 AM
I have given up TV for Lent so I'll have to catch up on those new shows after Easter! They do look good.
Posted by: Angelina Costenaro | 03/23/2014 at 07:14 PM