Lemon-Lime Leather Finds

My garage sale/thrift store finds have been pretty slim as of late, but I did manage to stumble upon some good leather accessories in summer colours at a local thrift shop...

 I saw this beautiful sandal peeking out among a shelf full of brown and black shoes.  I snatched it up ecstatically and threw it on my foot, but it was a size too large ;-(  Too bad!  But as I was putting it back on the shelf I noticed that it was a German brand (Ara), was the softest leather and was totally unworn.  I couldn't leave it behind and thought of my sister whose feet are one size larger than my own. I'll give them to her (or my other sister whose feet are a half size and falls between the two).  I looked all around the shelves for it mate and finally had to enlist one of the volunteers to help me.  She had to retrieve it from the back solemnly telling me that they were special stock and would cost more than the regular shoes.  "How much?" I asked with trepidation.  "5 dollars". No problemo, especially since they are still available online for $140! Lets have another look, including the unworn sole...

 I also picked up two leather belts for $1 each.  These are for me...

 I love this mustard colour, but can't wear it near my face, so the belt will be a nice addition to my wardrobe. I have one dress to wear this '80s inspired olive-green belt with but with some experimentation I should be able to wear it with other clothing.  When I got home I showed it to Hus exclaiming "look at this awesome '80s belt!"  He replied "'Awesome' isn't the word I'd use for it."  He'll love it once he sees a put-together look!  Or more like he won't even notice it when I wear it!

Last of the Rhubarb

Yikes!  This week I had to harvest the last of the rhubarb and realized that I had last blogged in May when I used the first of it! Over the summer, I made a few non blog-worthy crisps and a friend also took some.  Since there were only a few crisp stalks left, I made a batch of muffins...

Action shot of stirring in the chopped rhubarb

The finished product

 And used this recipe from the Kitchn to make rhubarb syrup to mix with water or club soda...

Bubbling away

The precious syrup

My mom will probably laugh when she reads this.  She always made and preserved a syrup like this out of rhubarb or saskatoon berries.  I hated it.  I wanted to have store-bought juice right out of the fridge like my friends had - orange or apple or grape, not such uninspiring flavours like rhubarb!  I also hated that when I wanted juice I had to retrieve it from the cold cellar, find a jug, and mix it with water and sugar.  Can I admit that I was a jerk?  I guess most kids take what they have for granted.  Now, as an adult I appreciate all that my parents did for us and how much effort it took.  And I want to recreate those healthful homemade flavours that made my childhood so happy and healthy. Bring on the rhubarb! 
I have a little chopped rhubarb left to put in the freezer.  I like to use frozen rhubarb in upside down cakes during the winter.


I'd also like to say hi to my new followers (who signed up during my blogging hiatus).  I'll try to post more often.