Ham and Swiss Zucchini Quiche

By this point, you can classify us as MIA on the blog this month, right?  We had some big things going on in our personal lives!  Lacy and her husband moved into a new apartment (a solid 6 miles away from us, but who's counting, right... *sob*).  And I've been busy with a month-long bake sale!  Boy, was that fun and also a mess.  I would have posted pictures and recipes on here, but I was too busy to even take pictures.  And also, none of the recipes were my originals, so it wouldn't have mattered anyway!

We can talk about how I had a pie shell in my freezer from a treacle tart mishap... I made a bea.u.ti.ful crust for the treacle tart, and then the filling was a disaster because transferring recipes from the metric system to the weirdo U.S. system is haaaard.  A package of frozen crusts was purchase from the store about 25 minutes before I had to leave to deliver the tart.  And the tart had to cook for about 20 minutes.  Nothing like cutting it down to the wire.  I like to pretend that never happened.

But if it had never happened, I'd never have made this quiche!  So, disguised blessings, right?  The salty ham is a treat with the sauteed onions.  And hooooh boy, I almost forgot how delicious Swiss cheese is!  You could probably go with all Swiss and no Cheddar, but don't skip the Swiss.  It's delightful.  (I mean, you can skip it, and this would still be good.  But keep it, because that's better.)  Oh, and also, zucchini because vegetables are important--don't worry, there's not much in there.

Husband and I needed a quick meal tonight.  And this is quick! Well... the prep work is quick.  To be fair, a baking time of 30-40 minutes is obviously not a 10 minute meal.  But if you consider that we got home from work, whipped this up, ate, and had time to goof around on the internet and watch some History channel before heading out the door two hours later for gym time, well... I'd still count that as a quick dinner!

Ham and Swiss Zucchini Quiche

Serves 4, or 8 as a side dish

1 unbaked pie shell
1/4 large yellow onion
1/4 Zucchini squash
1 slice thick cut deli Black Forest Ham
1-2 cloves Garlic
3 Eggs
3/4 c. Buttermilk
1/4 c. heavy Cream
a dash of Cayenne
a dash of Nutmeg
1/2 c. grated Swiss cheese
1/2 c. grated Cheddar cheese
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

Remove store-bought pie shell from plastic packaging (obviously) (or alternately, make your own; I like this recipe, but instead use half butter and half shortening.)  Set pie shell on cookie sheet (for easier handling). Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Slice onions into thin half moons.  Heat a skillet over medium heat.  Once hot, add a glug of olive oil, and add the onion.  Season with a bit of salt and pepper.  Slice zucchini into thin half moons while onions saute, about 2-3 minutes, then add zucchini slices.  Chop the ham into cubes and mince the garlic while the zucchini sautes, another 2-3 minutes, then add the ham and garlic.  Let all saute together on medium for 30 seconds to a minute, then turn heat down to low.

Crack eggs into a small mixing bowl.  Add buttermilk, cream, cayenne, and nutmeg, and whisk together well.  Add salt and pepper to your preference.  Pour the ham mixture into the eggs and stir.  Toss 2/3rds of the cheese into the egg mixture and mix in.  Pour the egg mixture into the pie shell.  Top the egg mixture with the remaining cheese.

Slide pie shell (on cookie sheet) into the oven.  Let bake until set and the cheese is golden brown on top, about 30-40 minutes.  If the pie crust edges begin to get too dark, cover with foil until inside is fully set.

Serve immediately as a meal on its own!  Or pair it with some roasted veggies for dinner, some fresh melon and berries for brunch, or, I don't know, a donut for breakfast?  Yes, a donut.  That sounds right.

Now go out and buy yourself an emergency pie crust!

Perfection

Let's all just take a moment to revel in the perfection of this beautiful, beautiful dress.

And now back to your regularly scheduled Thursday.

what i wish i was wearing - holiday edition

sometimes i like to pretend that people come to me with style advice. 

they don't...

but! if someone asked me if it was cool to dress up for the fourth of july i would respond with an emphatic yes. and not only that, this is what i would suggest that they wear. (see how helpful i am?)

holiday by lacy-walker featuring cashmere sweaters
anchors, stripes, and rolled up jean shorts. (jorts) it really doesn't get more patriotic than that. oh wait, keds! it DOES get more patriotic.

a little denim-on-denim action works for any occasion. throw in some kicky red shoes and you've got yourself a holiday outfit, mister.

holiday by lacy-walker featuring dot jeans

holiday by lacy-walker featuring a knee length pencil skirt
maybe you have somewhere fancy to go for the fourth of july? i don't know your life. but if you do, bust out this little number. you'll be golden. (or red, white, and blue. whichever)

holiday by lacy-walker featuring red and white prom dresses
in my mind, gingham is about as americana as it gets. grab a cardigan in case it gets a little cooler during the fireworks. and feel free to match your shoes to your belt. i'll support it.

holiday by lacy-walker featuring j crew
is there a lot going on here? yes. are you going to look super kick-ass while you eat your snocone? absolutely.

How do I even...? Layering

I don't know if you've noticed, but around this here internet space, Lacy is the fashion enthusiast, and I'm just often at a loss.

But I do know what I like.

And last night, I found this beautiful tank top at Target on clearance, and I had to have it.  This picture doesn't really do that embroidery justice.  Because it's ornate and lovely.

Here's the problem, though.  I knew, as I was purchasing it, that I'd get it home and have no idea how to style it. That whole pesky "being modest" thing means that my shoulders need to be covered.  And I just don't have any items in my closet that will do this tank justice.  After a little online Forever 21 shopping, I've found some options.

Maybe.  I don't actually know, because I can't do this whole styling and layering thing!  Help a sister out.

This cardigan is rather plain jane, and might be too warm because I can't do the summer heat.  Cannot do.  As little clothing and material as possible is a must.

I love the color and the light-weight material of this shirt.  But the tie-front thing might not fly if I'm just leaving the sheer shirt un-buttoned.

The shape and deep color of this button up is incredibly great.  Zipper sleeves?  I'm a fan.  But the color probably won't work with the very summer-y embroidery of the tank.

Chambray is everywhere, and I actually love the cropped length of this one to layer over a long-ish tank top.

I'm thinking with this semi-sheer white number, maybe I can layer it underneath the tank top for a kind of preppy collar under vest look?  Maybe?

Some input or links to your favorite ways of layering would be super helpful!

friday favorites - summer solstice style

happy summer solstice!! this is lacy. and can i say i'm actually a little sad that this is longest day of the year? it's just downhill from here (i sometimes get nostalgic for things that haven't happened yet). but we have a weekend full of fun plans with people we really like. so things are definitely going well.

here are my favorites for the week!

 can adults use this water swing set? because this adult wants to.

 so when i cut my hair i decided to trim some "swoopy" bangs. and i really like them, but i forgot how bangs don't do so well on second day hair. my solution has been to just pin them back on those days, and i think making some cute clips would make the situation even better.

i've been trying to knock some things off my birthday list. and these homemade poptarts are next on my list.

 a fancy grilled cheese party!! i just....love cheese.

 these simple posters of song lyrics and tv quotes makes me happy. also cheap decor aaaaalways makes me happy. (secondly, you should just check our her blog. she's funny and has a cute dog. also she swears some....just fyi)

brian and i are looking to purchase a grill. and this is one of the first things i want to make on it. (and this sriracha street corn. because i almost cried with how delicious it looks)

anyone else feeling kind of antisocial lately? just me? ok....

.............................

I'm so excited for this whole first day of summer thing!  I'm going to TRY to get some kind of color on this pale skin of mine (without going overboard and stoking that whole skin cancer monster that lurks over me).  Other Summer goals:  going swimming in both a lake and pool, watch fireworks at least three times, sing along to blaring Summer songs in the car with the windows down, go camping at least once.  I think these can be done and with much gusto, too.

Now on to the favorites!

I've watched this gif more times than I can count.  It's amazing! Not sure of the original source but I found it from the hilarious Frogman.

I'm making this ricotta, lemon, and mint pasta for dinner, along with a grilled chicken breast.  It feels very weather appropriate.

I got animal crackers a few days ago, and was kind of disappointed.  I think my memory of animal crackers is of the less sweet off-brand variety.  So I found this recipe, and I think I'll attempt a less sweet version soon.

I have a strange and unexplainable infatuation with wallpaper, and this Orla Kiely version is really making me happy right now.

Strawberries and mint are currently in my fridge, and I think they're yelling out to be made into this goooorgeous lemonade.  Ooh, or maybe popsicles?

And lastly, I've listened to this song more times than I can count this week.  (Wait, let me try... Probably at LEAST five times.  Maybe more like eight.)

Homemade Vanilla Extract (and how to store vanilla beans)

My mom would tell you with complete confidence that my favorite smell in the world is vanilla.

She'd probably be wrong, because my favorite smell has recently become lavender, I think.  Except that I don't pick favorites ever, because why have a favorite when you can have one of EVERYthing?  That's my policy and I stand by it.

However, vanilla is high up on the list of smells.  And tastes.

The first time I'd ever used homemade vanilla extract was as a young teen, when my best friend pulled a vodka bottle out of her (Mormon household) pantry, and I was like, ummmmm, we don't drink alcohol...  She convinced me it was okay, and I've been in love with it ever since.

The flavors are so much stronger, more developed, and more pure.  And it could not be a more simple process.

Grab yo'self some alcohol.  Both vodka and bourbon work.  I'm trying bourbon for the first time, so I'll let you know if I love it as much as I've loved by vodka vanilla.  Also, go ahead for the cheaper version of the alcohol.  You don't need the fancy stuff here.

Next, have some vanilla beans on hand.  I buy mine online, because I have yet to find a place locally that will sell them for less than an arm, a leg, and my first born, plus tax.  I've only purchased from this store, but I'm sure you'll find your favorite reputable place.

Firstly, dump out a tablespoon or two of alcohol from the bottle.  I forgot that step, and this happened:

Vodka alllll over the table.

Now get out your cutting board and a pointed tip knife (I went with a paring).  Perform surgery and slice right down the middle of that bean, the long way.  Cut that guy right open!  But DON'T scrape the seeds out.

Slide your slit open beans into the alcohol bottle.  For these smaller bottles, a little less than two cups of liquid maybe, I added four good, fat vanilla beans.  For my bigger bottle of vodka, you can see eight to ten beans in there.  The exact amount of beans to alcohol isn't as important as letting them steep together for an appropriate amount of time to get the vanilla essence all up in the alcohol's business.

Now that the vanilla beans and vodka are acquainted, screw the lid on tight, and give it a few good shakes.

This will loosen the seeds from their pods, and you can see them floating around!  Yum.

Now, just store your bottle(s) in a cool, dark place, and here's the hard part... wait about a month or two, at least.  For the first week or two, take you bottle out and give it a good shake each day.  After that, you can shake the bottle ever few days.

Husband says this makes me look like a closet alcoholic housewife, storing my booze deep in a cabinet.

 

Once the vanilla gives off a good strong vanilla-y smell, and has taken on a lot of deep color, it's ready to use!  You can see the difference in my vodka colors, pre- and post-vanilla beans.

And as a bonus feature:  here's a quick run down of how to properly store vanilla beans once they're out of their vacuum packed environment.  You'll need two ziploc bags, a mason jar, and a straw (not pictured).

Put your beans in one ziploc bag.  Seal all but the corner, and press out, then suck out, any extra air.  It's awesome, because you get to taste what vanilla air tastes like.

Next, slip this bag into the second bag, and repeat the push-out, suck-out air situation.  Seal it up tight.  Slip this bag-in-a-bag into the mason jar, and seal it tight!  And presto.  These will keep for at least a month or two (and I definitely know I kept some of mine for upwards of nine to ten months).

Happy Vanilla Making!

Dry Shampoo Reviews

about a month ago, something TERRIBLE happened. 

target stopped selling my favorite dry shampoo (not your mother's brand). after a few weeks of my nice husband accompanying me around town to find some, we finally located it at Ulta. 

during the interim i tried a few other kinds of dry shampoo, and here are my reviews! 

(i guess i could have just started washing my hair more? but that didn't seem like a viable option)

the next time I can't find the Not Your Mother's dry shampoo, I'll just pick up Batiste instead. it adds great texture, doesn't clog, and has a nice smell. and the best part is that it's tinted, so you don't have to worry about any white residue messing with your image.

 this got2b stuff was just ok. it worked sort-of on second day hair, bur didn't add much texture. also the sprayer is crazy powerful, so plan on your entire bathroom being coated with a white film. 

 i didn't want this to be good, because the price tag is fairly horrifying. i bought a tiny tiny sample and unfortunately it was pretty great. so if you're not cheap like me, definitely go for it! 

ugh, is all i can really say about this Tresemme dry shampoo. actually, i can say more. i did not care for this at all. it starts off really wet and just seemed to weigh my hair down. and make it kind of crunchy. maybe it works better for thick hair? but i really wasn't into it.

do you guys have any dry shampoo recommendations? let me know!