Life is Good & Camera Advice

Despite receiving some less than stellar news from the doctor yesterday and the Nat’s losing to the Cardinals last night [they were sooo closeee], life is good!

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Life is good because…  The cool weather has rolled in and slipper socks have made their first appearance!

Life is good because…  I had a satisfyingly sweet bedtime treat last night, cocoa cottage cheese + peanut butter puffs + banana chocolate chip VitaTop.  It reminded me of a banana split [if only I had some strawberries]!

Life is good because…  Surprise wedding gifts continue to appear on our doorstep!  Ryan and I are so grateful and thankful to our family and friends who continue to send us wedding gifts.  It’s always fun to come home to a package on the doorstep!

Life is good because…  Charlie has proven to us that he can stay out of his “room” [aka the kitchen]  and roam throughout the apartment while we’re gone without shredding the curtains or having any accidents!

Life is good because…  I made a batch of pumpkin pancakes yesterday and they turned out pretty tasty…

But this morning I played around with the ratios of dry to wet ingredients and successfully made a batch of pumpkin pie pancakes!  They were light, fluffy, and had a moist center that reminded me of a slice of pie, yum!

Life is good because…  Fall flowers are beautiful, look at those colors!

Trader Joe’s always has the best selection of seasonal flowers- daisies, lilies, mums, tulips…  Have you seen the pumpkin tree bunches?!

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Life is good because…  Ryan and I are going apple picking [for the first time *ever*] this afternoon with a couple of friends!  A field full of fresh fruit and a house full of freshly baked goods, it’s sure to be a beautiful and tasty adventure!

Life is good because…  Tonight Ryan and I are planning to have a homemade date night.  Pumpkin pasta + pumpkin peanut butter cups + my two pumpkins = a good night!

Life is good with a lot of pumpkin it in 😉

XOXO,

Allison

P.S.  Help!  I’m interested in purchasing a point-and-shoot camera…  I love the convenience of my iPhone and the quality of my DSLR camera but I’d like to have the best of both worlds- a compact, reliable camera that I could toss into my bag when I’m out for an adventure.  I’ve been perusing around Amazon.com and have received some suggestions from friends, I’m leaning towards a Panasonic or Sony…  Any advice?!

Question:  See above!

Question:  Where do you grocery shop?  Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods are my favorites but I also go to our local grocery store for some general items and make a monthly Costco trip…  I’ve been hearing a lot about Wegmans lately and thinking I should make my way out that-a-way soon!

Instant Art: Healthy Eats & Tasty Treats

The theme of my eats over the past few months has been quick and easy.   I’ve given breakfasts a little more attention because I’ve been at home and had more time- lunches are eaten at work and after a long day, cooking dinner < relaxing.  But that’s not to say my eats haven’t been tasty…  Sometimes the most satisfying meals are the simplest!

Thankfully, since things have calmed down over the past few weeks, I’ve gotten back into the kitchen.  I’ve had fun baking on the weekends [Beginner Banana Bread and Pumpkin Raisin Muffins *recipe will be posted soon*] and putting our crock pot to use for easy weeknight meals [Cuban Chicken Chili]…  Ryan and I are both looking forward to more home cooking and less heat-and-eat style meals 🙂

XOXO,

Allison

P.S.  Yesterday’s #liveleaneatgreen October Photo A Day Challenge was to leave an Operation Beautiful note somewhere.  I dropped off my note at Whole Foods but since it was the lunch hour, all the aisles were hustling and busting.  I didn’t want to be “that girl” holding everyone up taking pictures so I jumped at the first change I got, I was in the frozen foods aisle…  I felt like a big dork and any passerby probably thought I was taking pictures of Stonyfield fro-yo [which is one of my favorites, yum] but I loved the thought of someone finding my note!  We all have those days when we could use a little pick me up…  I totally plan to leave more notes!

“No one can ever take from you…the assurance that you are enough, that you are the joy the world needs.” ~Samantha Page

Question:  What’s been one of your favorite foods or combo lately? 

Question:  Have you heard of Operation Beautiful?  Have you ever left a note?  Or ever found a note?!

Wordless Wednesday 5.9.12

May’s Memorable Moments [to date]: Spending time with my friends, bachelorette surprise beach weekend, receiving a job offer, and planning many fun social events for the rest of May and into June!

Question:  What’s your favorite clothing store?

Question:  The weather forecast is predicting a BEA-UUU-TIFUL weekend, what should I do?!