It's always the little things isn't it?

via

+ it's nonfat lattes...in the morning and as a post-workout treat.

+ it's an evening spent with girlfriends, sipping on micobrews, talking about boys and about how this one, yea, this one feels like The One, and how it's not scary to say that to girlfriends over a beer.

+ it's printing out recipes in preparation for a snowy Saturday spent in the kitchen.

+ it's lunch dates with my Mom.

+ it's the mountains, always the mountains.

+ it's tv series marathons on Netflix.

+ it's longer days and the ability to go for after-work walks again.

+ it's the smell of rain in the air, and how it can transport me back to my final morning in Sydney...nostalgia in the Spring.

Scenes from a weekend

 

 

 

What was forecasted to be the snowpocalypse of 2013, turned out to be a single day of big, wet snowflakes that left the roads wet and the grass lightly dusted in white.  Quite the let down as blizzards go, if I do say so myself.  Luckily the weekend wasn't wasted.  There was bacon and eggs, dogs chasing each other in the snow, gorgeous sunsets, a mother-daughter shopping extravaganza, dinner with friends, and snow covered rockies set against a blue Colorado sky.  

International Women's Day

via Matchbook Magazine on Pinterest



"Women, like men, should try to do the impossible."

{Amelia Earhart}

Happy International Women's Day!

I am so blessed to be surrounded by strong women, from my mother to my coworkers, and to my friends.  These women have traits I admire, and compose themselves with such class; they know how to laugh at themselves and have a good time.  And in learning from them, in being with them, and in loving them, I am able to view myself how they do, and to strive to live up to the image.

Celebrate the women in your life today. 

And celebrate yourself!  

In the Kitchen: Homemade Granola

Granola is one of those foods that you can pretty much always find in my pantry.  I like having it on hand to turn my morning yogurt into a legit breakfast, or to throw onto my oatmeal in the winter.  I also find a quick handful of granola hits the spot when I'm craving something sweet (it's the dried fruit and brown sugar that make this work, I'm sure).  Basically, I'm a big fan of granola.

Until a few months ago, I had always stocked up on granola at Sprouts; in fact, it never occurred to me to bake my own until I saw this recipe for Skinny Pumpkin Granola from Skinnytaste.com and decided to give it a try.  It was so easy, so yummy, and quite pretty looking.  The only problem: I can only handle so much pumpkin.  So, once I'd had my pumpkin fix, I set this recipe aside and went back to my old habits...silly me.

A couple of weekends ago, I had a craving for granola while down at Tony's and found his pantry to be sadly lacking.  But, inspiration struck when I realized all of the ingredients for homemade granola were in there.  So, I pulled out the pumpkin granola recipe, divulged it of all pumpkin flavors, and tweaked it to a more basic granola recipe.  I mixed all of the ingredients together, thre that baby in the oven, and 35 minutes later I pulled out the most delectable smelling granola.  

  

(Erin's) Basic Granola

2 1/2 - 3 cups rolled oats

1/4 cup uncooked quinoa

1 cup chopped nuts*

1 cup dried fruit*

1/4 - 1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 - 1/2 cup honey or pure maple syrup

1 Tbsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon (+/- to taste)

pinch of salt

Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees and line baking pan with parchment paper.

Combine oats and quinoa; bake for 10 minutes.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine nuts, dried fruit, coconut, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.  Give it a stir, and then add honey.  Once combined, add toasted oats and quinoa.  Mix until oats and quinoa are well incorporated with other ingredients. 

Spread evenly onto parchment-lined pan and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until golden brown.  Allow to cool before removing from pan, but keep in mind the granola will crisp up a bit as it cools.

Enjoy!

*can use any combination of nuts and fruit.  I tend to use whatever is on hand, but my current favorite is half sliced almonds, half chopped walnuts, and pomegranate flavored craisins.