Bits & Pieces #7
Letting go and flying high, chili for the chilly, and burgundy dreams
Happy Friday! I’m a couple of hours weeks behind here, but such is life, with its distractions-a-plenty…
First, a big welcome to our new subscribers! Of the zillion notifications I receive daily (speaking of distractions), new subscriber emails are my favorite! Thanks so much for being here and joining this growing community of awesome, thoughtful, midlife women (and a few men too!) who are choosing to age out loud and on their own terms.
It’s time for another Friday Bits and Pieces, a light (and we could all use a little light these days), monthly-ish peek at some of the little bits and pieces of my life. Here I share things that power me from day to day; what I’m making, wearing, reading, listening to, etc. The stuff that enhances my life, makes it easier, lights me up, or otherwise makes me feel good; stuff I hope will do the same for you.
Sometimes I’ll toss a mini essay into the mix; today, some thoughts inspired by a camera roll scroll and a couple of shots that reminded me how exhilarating and expanding it can be when we leave our respective comfort zones and face fear head on.
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Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway
It’s not often you get the opportunity to literally fly out of your comfort zone, but that’s exactly what happened years back when I accepted an invitation spend some time with my goddaughter at a trapeze school in NYC. My first instinct was to say “NO” to the experience; joining the circus was not in my career pivot plans, and I am not what you would call an adrenaline junkie. I prefer to take my thrills on solid ground, thank you very much.
But I loved the idea of making some special memories with Scarlett, and that, coupled with the Eleanor Roosevelt quote “Do one thing every day that scares you” that was affixed magnetically to the pen holder on my desk propelled me forward (pun intended). Also, it did look pretty cool when Carrie did it on SATC at this very school.
As I climbed the ladder to the platform, I still wasn’t sure I could do it. Shame is a terrible, destructive waste of emotional energy, but this time, it probably served me well, as it kept me from climbing back down! I listened to the instructions, inched myself to the edge of the platform, and as directed, leaned forward so far that I felt like I was going to fall before I even got started. Sure, there was a net, and I was wearing a harness, but still, I was terrified.
I had watched the young kids who went before me fly off the platform with a fearlessness that I envied but also found incredibly inspiring. I gripped the bar tightly, managed to get out of my head, and I did it. I let go, an almost instantaneously, fear transmuted into exhilaration as I swung high above the city.
When I look back at these photos, I’m reminded what I am capable of- what we are all capable of- when we allow ourselves to push past fear. These days, when facing something that scares me I’ve taken to asking myself “what’s the worst thing that can happen?” And what I’ve come to realize is that missing out on the experiences, the expansion and empowerment, the added dimensions- that’s become scarier than the scary thing itself. Still, I need this reminder once in a while.
Do you have to fly through the air to let go of the things that hold you back? Definitely not, but it sure is a breathtaking way to feel the fear and do it anyway.
*Fun fact, the book Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway was written by my dear friend Marcia’s sister, the late Susan Jeffers. She was an incredibly wise and insightful woman whom I had the pleasure to meet, and her book is a resonant and relevant today as when it was first published in 1987
Currently Making: Beanless Chili for when it’s Chilly!
As soon as it starts to get cold out, I crave chili. It’s one of my favorite fall/winter comfort foods, and it’s so easy to make. I love it, and I love beans, but they don’t necessarily love me back. So years ago I started experimenting with other add-ins, and settled on bell peppers, which lend a bit of sweetness and a lot of great nutrition (tons of Vitamin C, antioxidants and carotenoids). I tend to cook by zen, and often don’t measure, instead tasting as I go. But one Christmas we gave my sister-in-law the gift of the chili that she loved, including all the spices and a special pot to make it, and scrambled to put together a proper recipe for her to follow. I can still remember cooking, measuring and figuring it out with my stepson, which makes this one of my most special, sentimental recipes. It’s evolved a bit since and I continue to experiment, but it always satisfies! And I still say taste it once it’s all together- you can always add more chili powder if you want a bigger kick, or more smoked paprika to make it, well, more smoky! I always end up throwing more salt in in the end, but I’m a salty girl… Let me know if you try it!
Ingredients:
1 lb lean ground beef or turkey
1 diced medium sweet onion
1 large chopped organic yellow or orange bell pepper
1 can diced fire roasted tomatoes (14.5 oz)
1 small can tomato sauce (8 oz) (the leftover jar sauce in fridge works too!)
¾ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
1 pinch crushed chili peppers
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon chili powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
2 tsp cumin
½ lime (juiced)
Pinch of sugar (optional)
EVOO (I like Graza Sizzle for cooking)
Optional Toppings- sour cream, shredded cheese, green onion, etc.
Directions:
Over medium heat, coat bottom of pan with a thin layer of EVOO (approx 2-3 tablespoons); dice the onion and pepper, and sauté about 5 minutes until tender. Add meat, breaking up with spatula as it cooks through (drain off excess fat if using ground beef). Once cooked, add the fire roasted tomatoes and tomato sauce and incorporate. Then add the remaining ingredients, mixing well. Let it all simmer for about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust for salt/spice (you can add more chili powder or a splash of hot sauce if you want more heat). Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Mood Board: Burgundy
Every once in a while a trend comes along that I can fully get behind, and while I don’t always wear a ton of color, I adore burgundy and am loving its fall resurgence. It’s a color that symbolizes intensity, sophistication, and individuality, and it looks pretty damn great on everyone. I mostly shopped my closet to play with some looks in an effort to pull me out my sweats (and robe) rut.
I'm always happier when I'm reading, so I couldn't resist this tee from Sezanne paired with my old Emersons and new socks and sandals from Madewell.
More burgundy goodness- Tkees and Berry Naughty by Essi pedi, a vintage clutch I found last year at Mrs. Mandolin in Miami, and a Century 21 score with these Alexendre Birman Myra booties which are no longer available, but these look great if you are in the market.
Oh, and a shameless plug for my little Etsy shop and the necklace I’m wearing in all of these shots (and every day), which looks fab with burgundy and every other color!
I’m grateful to each and every one of you who take the time to read, like and/or comment- your presence and engagement here means the world to me. There’s so much news and noise coming at us from all directions, and I hope that a note like today’s offers a bit of inspiration and happy escapism. Thank you for being here, and have a wonderful weekend! I’ll be cozy on my couch tonight with the hubs toggling back and forth between Bad Sisters and Somebody Somewhere…
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Dina xx
The burgundy loveliness. Whoooooo especially the socks + sandal situation 😍🤎🩷
Adore the burgundy! And I need to start the new season of Bad Sisters before any spoilers come my way...