autumn state of mind

 

I didn't intend to take a fall break from blogging, but I apparently just did. Oops! Fall is officially here now. The clouds have set in and there is a beautiful dusting of snow on the highest mountains in my watershed. Ben and I are discovering that the heating system in our vintage apartment basically consists of ancient space heaters inserted into the walls, and you have to fiddle with the circuit breakers to operate the ones downstairs. Ohhhh boy. Luckily I have a lot of fleece and a new thermos!

The past month wasn't the greatest for me, which is why I've been missing here. Nothing in particular happened, but I've been in a mini life rut and my energy has been mysteriously gone. I think a lot of that was due to the change of the seasons... I don't really deal well with transitions, although I always feel better on the other side. The warm, dry, sunny days of summer will be missed, but a large part of me is happier because of the cooler weather and darker days. I can relinquish the anxious desperation that comes with sunshine to GET OUTSIDE and see the world for the calmer satisfaction of relaxed, cozy "inside" things.

Last weekend my parents came out to visit, which also refocused my perspective on current life and grounded me a little bit. As the oldest of four, it is extremely rare to spend uninterrupted one-on-one time with them.  It was nice to explore the area, eat at nice restaurants, and start talking about the wedding that is happening in less than a year now !!!  For the first time, I am excited about wedding planning because concrete ideas are being set in motion and I don't feel so alone about the whole process. Thank you Mama and Papa :)

This is the first autumn that I've been out of school, and it marks a pretty big life transition into the "real world." Like I said, transitions aren't my favorite, but I don't think the changes will ever stop washing over us. And even though I long to feel settled and feel more financially secure I know I can't miss out on this time of growing up and seeing the country with no pets or kids attached. I am learning patience and trying to appreciate each day (sometimes successfully).

Well, that pretty much sums up life lately. 

Except for how working in the woods has sucked with the cold and rain, and has given me a nasty cold that is also draining my energy. Someday I will do a post on where I work, because it is pretty unique.

 I am excited for the weekend and lots of rest!

san francisco

Ben and I took a roadtrip down to San Francisco over Labor Day weekend (I know, I know, I am way behind in blogging, alas). This is one of the cities that I've always had on my mental list to visit, almost legendary in the way I pictured it, and so it was pretty surreal to just hop in my little car and drive there. 

Highlights included:

-delicious tacos in the Mission

- disturbingly dirt cheap Pashmina scarf shopping in Chinatown

-walking. so. much. walking. 12 miles one day...

-an epic pilgrimage to Mama's for brunch

-exploring Golden Gate Park

-eating ten pounds of noodles every night for dinner at hole in the wall Chinese restaurants

-hazy views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge

-parking and transportation adventures galore

-crashing at 9 pm every night with wine and House Hunters (we can't hang like we used to)

Despite the beautiful blue skies featured in a few of the pictures (taken during the 2 hour period where it was sunny), the cool mistiness was a nice change of pace from the bone dry 95* it has been in southern Oregon for the past month. At least according to Ben, Mr. "It's so refreshing!" As for me, I could not acclimate to the weather, which was kind of hilarious, and my hair expanded three times its normal volume. Give me my sunshine back!!! The perpetual island of fog was freaky. I think this city might be the most geographically AND culturally unique of any I've been to so far. One of those places where you feel like you're in an alternate universe or different country, much like Texas (but totally different than Texas).

Many many thanks to our amazing friend Lauren for housing and touring us!

carrot cake oatmeal

The temperature is supposed to be in the 100's here all through the weekend. Indian Summer whaaat! Even though I have an outdoor job, I eat oatmeal for breakfast year-round (addicted) and assuming that your September is feeling a little bit cooler than here, I'll share my latest recipe.

I am always looking for ways to sneak veggies into breakfast, because it makes me feel soooo healthy and virtuous for the rest of the day. I like sweet breakfasts over savory, so this is sometimes tricky (and usually involves green smoothies), but this oatmeal is pretty good too.

Carrot Cake Oatmeal

Serves 1

Approx. time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

-one carrot

-1 cup water

-sprinkle of salt

-1/2 cup old-fashioned oats (NOT instant)

-a pinch of spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, cloves

-mix-ins and toppings such as golden raisins, chopped/canned pineapple, coconut, hazelnuts, walnuts, etc.

Bring the water and a pinch of salt to a boil in a small pot. While the water is heating, grate/shred the carrot and add to the pot. When the water reaches a boil, stir in the oats, spices, and raisins (if adding). Let the oats cook for about 5 minutes, until all the water is absorbed. Add the rest of your fruit/nut mix-ins, top with milk (almond milk is good on oats), and eat with coffee.