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. 

I don't know where I can trust my heart, but you were my rock never my stepping stone

A Silent Film
{Harbour Lights}

I heard this on the radio the other day and fell in love.
I adore the sound of the lead's voice, & the rhythm of the melody.
The cutesy, romantic music video doesn't hurt, either.

This moment

It's the end of a lovely 3-day weekend and while the thought of going back to work tomorrow is a bit depressing I can't complain.  You know why?  Because I'm sitting on the couch with Tony stretched out next to me, The Words playing on the tv, and both dogs are snoozing away on their respective beds.

 

At this moment, I have everything I need. 

 

This is my happy place.

"hold on and take a breath, I'll be here every step"

It is ok.

via

A good friend of mine is having a rough day.  In fact, she's been having a rough several months and all of the emotion is finally coming to a head; she's done.  She's hit that wall and she's just plain done.  But, I think what's hurting her the most today is her negative attitude.  It's not like her: she's a positive person with a what doesn't kill you makes you stronger mantra, but she can't seem to get there today.  She's feeling beat down and can't seem to rise above it today. 

And you know what? 

It is ok. 

It is absolutely ok to feel your emotions with your whole being, even when it isn't pretty. 

It's ok to have an off day. 

In fact, I'd say it's healthy.  

It's healthy to work through your feelings, to not internalize everything because, in my opinion, that will break a person's spirit.  

Those bad days, the mornings when you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, the days when you're just not equipped to handle one more thing: it is ok.   

Love Actually

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Can we please talk about how much I love the movie Love Actually?  Our love affair in pretty intense!  Somehow, I managed to merge the last 9 years into just a few short ones and didn't realize that I was still in college when this movie came out.  I remember being dying to see it, and finally going with my Mom (in a packed theater, I might add), but I swear it was just a few years ago.  Obviously not. 

Anyway, I love all of the separate love stories and the way they're all connected, even in the smallest way. I also love that not each one is happy.  The viewer remembers the happiest stories, but there is a sense of reality in the movie; there are bumps in relationships and they aren't always stronger in the end .

I would have to say that my favorite story is that of Liam Neeson's character and his stepson.  Oh, but I adore Liam Neeson and I could just eat that kid up!  His agony over his first love and how I'm convinced it saves his step-father from dwelling on his wife's death is wonderfully done.  It warms my heart.  I do have to mention that it doesn't hurt that I have a bit of a crush on Liam Neeson.

 

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A close second woud be Colin Firth's love story.  As with Liam Neeson, I'm biased due my crush on Colin Firth when he played Mr. Darcy, but even with that aside, I think it's hard to deny the romance of his vignette.  Falling in love despite a language barrier and hopping on a plane to profess your love is pretty ballsy!  The story is sweet, and speaks to holiday magic, which those of us who are romantics at heart find to be irrestible.

 

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And, I cannot forget to mention Hugh Grant's dance scene...it's fantastic!  Love Actually is the ultimate holiday movie in my mind...truly one of my favorites.pinterest.com