Good writing

always makes me want to write.

I'm currently reading A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway and it's wonderful.

Here's how it happened - I was scrolling on Tumblr, saw a quote from the book, was instantly moved and shared it with Joe, bought the book on my Nook the next day.

It took one sentence for me to be convinced the book was going to be great.

The only other writers who inspire me to write, as in write literature, are Jane Austen and Cormac McCarthy.

So now I am all dreamy and wistful and imagining myself as a successful, emotive writer. It might also be because A Moveable Feast is about writers in Paris in the 20s.

New goal - read more Hemingway.

Renewed goal - Become a great writer.

Bread

A bread recipe that didn't fail!!!

I adapted the Pumpkin Oat Bread recipe from Naturally Ella today. And oh my, delicious.

Instead of wheat flour, I used gluten free oat flour. I also swapped the pumpkin puree with sweet potato puree, because that's what I had on hand. I did not have any nut oils so I just used olive oil, which seemed to turn out alright. If When I make this again, I'll try coconut oil. I also only used 1/2 cup of maple syrup instead of 3/4 cup, because I like to limit my intake of sugar and I thought it might be a little sweet already from the sweet potato.

This was a super easy bread to make. Really, fool proof. And it turned out beautifully. I cut the bread up and ate the end pieces, then I put it in the freezer. I want to save some for Joe when he comes next weekend.

This is a great bread, very healthy. It's primarily oats, oat flour, walnuts, and sweet potato - so fiber, fiber and more fiber, with a splash of healthy oils. Perf.

Can't wait to share it with Joe and make it again!

Tell me how...

one goes about Fall alone.

As in, how does one do things in Fall alone?

Let's try pumpkin carving. So you go buy a pumpkin from the grocery store - not even a farm, because you're definitely not going to a farm alone - and you bring it home, set it on your table. You couldn't even start lopping the top off before you have a panic attack about how lonely and pathetic your life is.

Go jump in leaves. Rake up a pile of leaves. Look around to see who's watching you. Coast clear? Run and jump in those suckers. For approximately 5 seconds before you get bored. If you last any longer, your neighbor is definitely not gonna think you're a complete wacko. Not.

Snuggling. By yourself? That's a little awkward I think... ahem.

Walk through the woods to admire the leaves. Hold your own hand when it gets cold. Sit pensively on a log, like filler footage on the Bachelor. Get bored.

Eat pie alone. I guarantee you won't feel like a pathetic fat ass. While you're at it, eat two or three pieces - emotional eating at its finest!

Roast marshmallows. See eat pie alone.

Go to a haunted house, corn maze or hay ride. Yeah, when's the last time you peed your pants?

Trick or Treat alone. As an adult. In a creepy costume. Good luck convincing the police of your innocent motives.

Point is, Fall should be shared. To be cozy with someone, rub cold noses, warm each other's hands, steal flannels, have quiet conversations in the warm sun on a cool day, share a carefully prepared meal, laugh together while creating or playing, it's the only way to truly have a beautiful fall. I can't wait.

2011

all by myself

I have this whole weekend to myself. What to do?

I kind of love and hate weekends like these. On the one hand, I tend to get a lot of chores done that I put off. On the other, I find it hard to relax or go out and do something fun, enjoy the weather. I miss Joe.

I think I will do my best to abstain from getting on the internet at all this weekend. That's certainly no way to spend free time. On my to-do list -
~ Pick up and vacuum my apartment and put everything where it's supposed to be. This includes laundry. Ugh.
~ Get sweaty outside, somehow.
~ Shoot my gun and buy mace.
~ Begin working on Joe's flannel & chambray shirts and my plaid shirt. Eek!
~ Take some photographs.
~ Cook delicious, healthy meals.
~ Do something horsey? Dunno if I'll have time.

(Get this, I've had the same two cheeses in my fridge for a whole week. Unbelievable! Normally I eat cheese in a matter of hours days.)

Alright. That's it. Signing off to go eat the most boring lunch on Planet Earth. Be back some time next week maybe.

Peace.

Favorites from a store I lust after

I don't remember how I came across Scotch & Soda, but I loved it right away. The textures, the shapes, the photos, all seemed to meshed with my personal style, especially the one in my head.


So here are some of my favorite pieces for fall for men and women, or Joe and I. Someone, buy them for me! I can't afford em!

V-Neck Cardigan   Granddad w/ Placket   Granddad w/ Lining   Black Jacket   Army Jacket   Denim   Sweats 

Knit Sleeve Body Warmer   Trench Coat   Sailor Wool Shirt Jacket   Zip Through Print Cardigan   Shirt w/ Corduroy Elbow Patches   Hand Knit Zip Cardigan   Rough Cotton Twill Shirt   Heavy Weight Sweat Pants   Bowie Slim Fit Chino   Ralston 5 Pocket Slim Fit Jeans 

For some reason, I found it harder to narrow down my favorites in the menswear. Maybe I'm really just picky about my personal style. And, to be honest, I don't think these prices are terribly outrageous. I mean, it's a lot more than I can spend right now, but someday when I have a bit more money, I'd be willing to spend it on this quality clothing.

Ok, go shop! And be sure to look at the boys' and girls' collections, I dare you not go "awww."

Getting Impatient

As September brings the most beautiful and refreshing weather imaginable, I can't help but feel stifled by my life. My 15 minutes away from my desk on this perfectly clear and cool day is nothing but a reminder of how much I can't wait to move onto something else. I'm craving a change of pace, the chance to explore my own mind and my creativity, and the chance to have a real relationship with Joe. Living between weekends isn't doing it for me. Sunday afternoons get sadder and sadder and more frustrating. Why did I chose this?

Weekdays spent at a computer and weeknights spent rushing from one thing to another leaves me no room to enjoy my days. This weather, this atmosphere, this peace doesn't exist in my office. Life and love do not either. The need to make a change is getting noticeably stronger, overwhelmingly strong sometimes, but I'm paralyzed.

I don't know how or when to make a change and I don't know what the change even is.

Awkward and Awesome

Taking a cue from Sydney over at the Daybook, I'm gonna do my own little awkward & awesome post.

We'll start with the awkward, and close with the awesome.

The Awkward
~ Biking to work everyday. In the men's bathroom (it's the only one open downstairs right now!) I strip down and wipe sweat off before putting my work clothes on. I put a little powder on, attempt to make my hair look decent, and then desperately try not to sweat as I go to my office and field my boss's questions of hi, how are you?
~ Being an alumni in the university gym. Seriously, freshman girls, that much giggling is inappropriate. And no, young men, it is not ok to hit on me by telling me to improve my form.
~ Dealing with the consequences of eating delicious food I never eat over the weekend. Then dealing with the consequences of a multi-day green smoothie detox. At work...
~ Making poor clothing choices after a long weekend of indulgences. That dress was not flattering.
~ Sleeping in someone else's bed with unclean sheets and blankets. Gag!
~ Always going to the same coffee shop to get the same trail mix. I recognize all the baristas, I know they recognize me. Yes, yes I do have an addiction to trail mix and a propensity to eat emotionally. My job is depressing, ok?
~ Mouse turds on my futon. Really?!

The Awesome
~ Seeing almost all my family members and a couple friends in a four day trip from Louisville to Troy to Muncie to Chicago to Oconomowoc to Mosinee and back.
~ Biking between bars. I never knew such a joy could be had when bars were involved.
~ Bonfire + family + gluten free s'mores.
~ My grandma's gluten free chocolate chip banana muffins. Why I need a detox. omg.
~ Making something special for a family member.
~ Having a boyfriend with a like mind, the patience of a saint, and talking about our future together.
~ Trader Joe's.
~ A playful cat that ambushes my legs in the morning and evening.
~ Awaiting an order of fabric.
~ A new water bottle.
~ Settling on tattoo ideas.

Peace, folks.