Clean Closet & Open Windows

I got a sudden and powerful NEED to tidy my closet and get it ready for the next season.

I pretty much wear mostly the same things in different ways through all of our desert seasons

(HOT, less hot, and slightly chilly), but it's nice to re-arrange things sometimes.

Also, I try to wear all my things regularly, and if I notice that I'm not wearing something,

I hang it in a different part of the closet.

After a while, things build up and I take them to the consignment store.

I took a bunch of stuff there yesterday.

Looks all pretty now!

During a Target trip, I happened upon this lovely starry top

with a ruffle that has a lace trim!  

LOVE it.

I'm wearing it right now.

blouse: Target
skirt: Dani's Choice (Amazon)

Here's another outfit I wore recently - with another top from Target!

Target is really pushing all my buttons in a good way this fall.

I LOVE all the ruffles!  And the colors are really really good.

This is a sweater with a v-shaped ruffle, as you can see.

It's very soft and light, perfect for Arizona winters.

sweater: Target
skirt: Max Studio (Amazon)

On Sunday, I wore this:

bell-sleeve sweater: Tommy Hilfiger (Macy's)
skirt: Dani's Choice (Amazon)

Greg and I have been watching the second season of "Stranger Things"

in the evenings, and the cats know what's coming when we turn on the TV . . . 

they get situated on the couch to wait for us.

Here's one of my other favorite ways to relax:

sit on the couch with all the windows open, reading a book

with a cat or two and watching the beautiful leaves wave on the elm trees

in the backyard.

What a nice view!

The cats of course have been endearing, as always!

Claude gave me a HUGE yawn the other morning as they were waking up.

She looks terrifyingly fierce, doesn't she? 

The boys (Allistair & Stephen) enjoy looking out the front

window in my office while I'm working.

Look at Allistair's little paw pushing Stephen out of his way.

Sweet sleepy face:

Open windows are always nice!

The other day while I was in the shower, the boys thoughtfully unmade the bed for me.

(My guess is Allistair was chilly and wanted covers over him.

Both of them like to be under a tent made of a blanket when it's even slightly breezy or cold.

They are certainly Arizona desert kitties.

I made a couple of good meals lately.

This one was a vegan sushi bowl.

On the bottom is brown rice mixed with some vinegar and nori (dried, crunched-up seaweed)

to make it slightly salty and tasty.  On top I put sweet potato, avocado, shredded carrots, shredded cabbage, pineapple chunks, and sliced water chestnuts.

Yum!

I found this recipe here.

I recently also made this recipe for the first time and will definitely be making it again!

It's mushroom bourguinon and it was delicious.

Find the recipe here.

I had it on top of vegan mashed potatoes

with a big salad and hibiscus tea.

It's one of my favorite meals now!

It reminded me of the meal I always used to request for my birthday meal when I lived with my family of origin: saucy steak dinner.

It's the sauce that makes the dish, as far as I'm concerned, and this had flavor.

The mushrooms gave it a nice hearty texture.

Now I'm getting really hungry - good thing it's dinner time!

Enjoy your evening!