Hair Clips

thanks to The Bright Life, Katie Browning {inspired} me to make my own hair clips.  they were so easy and simple to make... and one |accessory| can add so much to your look.  Also they make such great gifts!

 

sweet [treat]

when have you ever been able to make cookie dough and not eat it before actually baking it?  NEVER!  [no one] can actually say they do not lick the bowl clean, sneak a small spoonful, or grab a couple (or 10) chocolate chips.  It's not possible.  And to make them even more delicious, dip them in melted chocolate and stick into the freezer for an indulgent treat.

Kitchen Experiment

i have wanted to make granola bars for a long time but have been looking for a healthy, easy, good recipe.  there are millions out there but none ever sound good (or they are extremely unhealthy).  i decided i would experiment with a variety of recipes and pick what i wanted to put in it.  i knew the basics of granola and than added what i wanted.  they turned out so tasty!

Ingredients

2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal

1 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup pumpkin seeds

1/2 cup toasted wheat germ

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/2 cup dried fruit, chopped

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a baking, the smaller the thicker the granola bars will be (you decide the size and thickness you prefer).


Toss the oatmeal, almonds, and pumpkin seeds together on a sheet pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. 


Pour the oatmeal, almond, and pumpkin seed mixture to a large mixing bowl and stir in the wheat germ. Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F.


While the mixture is still warm, stir in the honey, maple syrup, vanilla and salt until the mixture is well coated, then the dried fruit. Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish and press (silicon spatula work great for this) until the mixture is packed as tightly as possible.


Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool for 2 to 3 hours before cutting into squares.  You can store them in a airtight container, fridge, or freezer.  

happy birthday {MOM}

It's my mom's birthday today.  No one in this world deserves a better day than her.  My mom is the number one person in my life, her unconditional love, compassion, and comfort gets me through each and every hard ship.  I love her more than actions can show and words can tell.

She is the most supportive person in my life and I look forward to all the many years to come that we get to continue growing together and building a stronger bond.

family trip

Our trip to the beach was so much fun.  Spending time with my family is always guaranteed to be fun and special.  My aunt and uncle were generous enough to allow us to stay at their place at Cannon Beach and joined us as well!  We enjoyed one another's company, played games, and cheered on the Ducks and Beavers!!!

beach

I am headed to the coast today with my family.  It's my mom's birthday weekend.  My siblings and I took my mom to the beach last year for her birthday and it made her day... so we decided to continue the 1-year tradition and do it again.  It should be a great time for conversation, food, games, and rest.

Spending time with my family is so enjoyable and as I get older I cherish those moments more and more.

Friendship

last night i got to spend time with a good friend.  we had so much to talk about it.  when the evening concluded i realized how much i cherish those relationships and so thankful to have good family and friends in my life.    

good luck

today i have an interview.... wish me luck!

[handmade] bookmarks

so easy. so simple. so cute.

stores: I LOVE

i love shopping..... the options are endless.

MondayMorning

There isn't a better way to start your week... and even your day with a morning run. Running the one of my favorite (if not my favorite) activity.  I do not look at running as something {I HAVE} to do, but more as something {I WANT} to do. The fresh air, competition, determination, and finish is indescribable.  The emotions and feelings I feel during and for running keep me going everyday.

Fall: things I like

i am excited for fall.  i like the change in seasons.... especially style.

 

 

 

A {teacher}

"A teacher takes a seed of promise, tends it with encouragement, and watches as it grows.... knowing that one day it will be the fruit that feeds the world."

While (I) was substituting today I came across this quote...  it really made me think about the {impact} I have on the students I connect with each day.  While I was growing up I never went a day without dreaming of being a teacher, even when I was real young {I always dreamt} of having my own classroom.  The one thing I thought about every time I envisioned my future as an educator was the impact I could make on a individual.  This quote makes me appreciate my field of interest even more.  Knowing that I can take a seed, water it with encouragement, and than watch it bloom into a beautiful flower helps me get through each day.  Teachers often times work in a demanding and often times exhausting atmosphere,,,, most educators forget that and remember the seed that has been planted.  


Being a teacher is always more [rewarding] than discouraging.  I enjoy everyday of it.... it is exciting to challenge each student differently and watch each individual become success.  They are all individuals, each {seed} needs to be tended to differently, and each {seed} will grow and bloom at a pace which creates individuality.  

FALL

Summer will soon conclude and fall will approach.  Along with fall approaching, the day's get shorter, the weather changes, warm clothes come out, and people sprint from place to place to avoid getting wet.

Fall is a great time of year though... warm soups, rain boots, and beautiful fall leaves.

 

YUM

Coming up with something new to eat is always easy for me.... I love the creativity in the kitchen.  I had some random items that needed to be used... tortillas, cheese, and avocado.  I figured this called for mexican food.  However, mexican food can often times be heavy and filling, and I prefer fresh and light.  I came up with these quesadillas and created a delicious meal from what I could find in the kitchen.  It may be my new favorite meal!    

Black Bean and Sauteed Vegetable Quesadilla 

Black Beans

Sauteed Broccoli, Grape Tomatoes, Eggplant, and Red Onion (with cilantro, cumin, and oregano)

Mozzarella Cheese

2 Tortillas

Homemade Guacamole, Salsa, and Sour Cream

books: I LOVE