Showing posts with label autumn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label autumn. Show all posts

9.06.2014

September, you're sweet.


Life lately has been a whirlwind of constant motion. I know you all know how it is, but sometimes I don’t know how you manage to do it, and seemingly so sanely. I’ve been married for over two months; I have a little family now. My little family consists of the most handsome dark-eyed man, and the cutest, feathered-headed mut. We live in an old brick apartment near downtown Springfield. We carry on daily routines that keep our lives spinning in circles that move forward… but sometimes those circular routines seem to be spinning in place and not really moving anywhere. Nate and I both work part-time jobs at a Natural Food Market in Springfield. I go to school three days out of the week and we shoot weddings most weekends during this time of the year. I find time for homework and dinner during the week and he finds times for editing photos, photoshoots, and watching the occasional episode or two of Breaking Bad on Netflix. We take care of our pup and occasionally meet our parents out for breakfast or head to their homes for cookouts on weekends. This, in a nutshell, is our customary patter.
Occasionally, we plan trips… occasionally we realize that we are overdue for a refresher and we need to throw some spontaneity into our tiring routine, but most of the time we stay consistent and true to our mediocre lives. We’re young and we’re building our careers. We are in a stalling stage of development and formulation.
Sometimes, though, don’t you want to just drop everything and run? I can tell you, that’s how we feel a lot of the time! We are a couple of restless spirits.

After two months of settling in, I have sort of gotten back into the swing of things! We’ve bought some furniture; made many home-cooked meals, done lots of laundry, and vacuumed lots of dog hairs… and now I think (I hope) I can invest some more of my time transforming my blog space into a new home as well! I look forward to growing with you all and continuing to share bits and pieces of my ever-changing, but seemingly always constant life.

This morning was the first day it's felt like Autumn. It's September sixth and when I woke up, I rolled over in my bed and saw the rain hitting the window panes of our back room through our bedroom window. Wrapped up in my favorite crocheted throw from my grandmother, I rolled over and nuzzled my head into the sheets. It wasn't long before my belly grumbled and I was thinking about what form breakfast might come in today. 

After slowly tearing myself out of bed to comb my hair, I leashed Margaux up to take her outside… Pleased to discover it was about sixty degrees and drizzling. It was sweater weather, so I pulled on my softest one and laced up my duck boots to grab breakfast with my sweet husband and our friends at Gailey's Breakfast Cafe down the street. 

After ordering eggs- over easy, sausage links, sweet browns, and a cup of fruit, I felt satisfied with where my Saturday morning was beginning. Holding a warm dark mug of brew in my hand and admiring  the greens in the window of the Cafe, I looked out at the shiny, wet streets of downtown; I felt good about where I was. The moment was well worth marinating in and being thankful for. 

I’m glad to be back, documenting my favorite things about life. Even though it is hectic and stressful often times, I relish moments when I can set down with a cup of hot Rooibos Chai and a few dried figs and just write about simple things that bring me joy. 

Please be doing well friends, I think of you frequently. 

With Warm Regards,


11.04.2013

Adoring Autumn + Apple Cider Oatmeal Recipe


Hat/ Target, Sweater/Target, Shirt/Poler Stuff, Jeans/Levis, Socks/Target, Shoes/Target


Autumn has had me completely swept off of my feet this past month. This years' leaves have been the most vibrant I can remember. We were fortunate to get a lot of rain recently in Missouri and that must have been what contributed to the intensity and variation of the colors that painted the trees and streets. I found my self taking videos of walking down the streets on Halloween; as I walked under the different trees, the groups of leaves that had fallen would alternate color schemes, each so vibrant and enthralling. I couldn't quit thinking about how beautiful it was... I couldn't help to be extremely thankful for the beauty the Lord has surrounded me with.
Halloween was enchanting this season. It was the first one where I actually ventured through the streets solely observing. I started at the beginning of  Pickwick street, which is a street in town that has a certain unavoidable charm to it.  I grabbed a cup of home made cider from the natural and locally grown foods store on the corner and began my walk to my friends' house at the end of the street. I loved watching the kids going door to door to collect their candy that would last them for the entire year. The costumes ranged vastly, from terrifying mummy's to adorable cupcakes, they scurried through the streets with an irreplaceable and unique excitement. I reminisced my past, and walked carrying a very nostalgic, but content emotion. I remember what it was like for me as a kid on Halloween, but I am now enjoying the feeling Halloween brings as an adult. Still fun and exciting, but different. 
I hope you all had a lovely holiday, whether you were seeking thrill, trick-or-treating yourself, dressing your littles up, or enjoying being cooped up. Now we gear up for another, more significant holiday. I'm very happy to spend more time with my family this season and constantly remind myself that thankfulness isn't something that comes around once a year, but we set aside this day to enjoy our blessings in unity and love.


I made some delicious Apple Cider Oatmeal this morning, I hope that you will be able to set aside a quiet morning this week and enjoy being thankful with a bowl of warm and spicy oats in your hand and a cup of coffee in the other. 



Bring 1 cup of cider and 1 cup of water to a boil.
Throw in 2 cups of rolled oats & cook for 5 minutes.
Stir in 1/4 cup of raisins and 1/2-1 cup of home made apple sauce.
Garnish with apple slices, cinnamon, and pecans. 

Serves two.

Vegan, Dairy free, and delicious.

Truly // Sarah

9.26.2013

Recipe | Autumn Granola Bars



R E C I P E

1 1/2 c rolled oats, toasted (toast at 350 degrees until slightly brown,  ~12 minutes)
1 c roasted sunflower seeds
1 c roasted almonds, chopped
1 c pumpkin seeds, toasted (toast at 350 degrees until slightly brown, ~ 5-7 minutes)
3 cups of crunchy brown rice puff cereal (rice crispies are fine, or any similar alternative)
1 c of dried apples (cut or torn into smaller pieces)
1 c of dried cranberries
1 c of fresh almond butter
1 c of honey (local is better!)
1 tsp of sea salt
2 tsp of cinnamon

1. When all the items are sufficiently toasted, toss them with the brown rice crispies, apple pieces, and cranberries in a large bowl.

2. In a small saucepan, heat the almond butter and honey just to get melty, not cooked. (this is your glue ; if it boils or even comes close it gets hard and yucky) Stir in the salt and cinnamon, then pour over the oat/nut mixture and stir. You want to get everything incorporated and glued together with out crushing the tender crispies.

3. Turn into a 9x13 baking dish lined with parchment paper and press the mixture evenly and firmly. Again, trying not to crush the crispies too much. Cover the tray(s) with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours. Cut into 2 inch squares. Should make 30 2-inch bars.

Enjoy and Happy Autumn! 

Truly // Sarah