Fall you are my favorite

We have fully embraced the season around these parts.  Everything about Fall makes my heart happy.  The coziness, the shift in the light, the pumpkin everything that graces store shelves.  All of it, I LOVE it.  The first day of Fall was the most beautiful day here in San Diego.   It was in the low 70's with a slight cool breeze.  The quintessential SoCal weather.   The husband and I decided to head up to one of our local mountain towns to pick apples, and buy some local cider they brew up there. 

It helps to have a husband who is 6'5" to pick the good ones at the top.  The apples were perfectly ripe, organic, and so sweet.  You could smell them in the air.  

I love this guy so much, like it is ridiculous.  

Our haul for the day.  Fourteen pounds of apples, my favorite cider, and some ornamental corn for decorating.  We also picked up some honey from our favorite honey shack.  It was the perfect day.  I wish every Sunday could be like this.  Not only was it a beautiful day, but the boy and I had some really deep conversations that left me feeling even more connected to him. He has such a beautiful heart, it is truly an honor to walk through this life with him by my side.  It was a recharge day on all levels.  

This is on our drive to the apple orchard.  Right at the bottom of this hill is my favorite rock/crystal shop too.  I love going there, and I picked up some new beauties.

Fluorite, black tourmaline, and I am always a sucker for a beautiful piece of citrine.  I have big plans for that citrine piece.  I hope what I have pictured in my mind turns out how I imagine.  We shall see...

I also did some decorating around the house.  I usually put up a ton of Halloween decorations, but for some reason it just didn't feel right this year.  I really just feel like being surrounded by Autumn fully, and really want to soak it in this year.  I have been feeling especially so close to the earth lately, and really just want a lot of earthy, warm elements to surround us. I want to marinate in it.

Fourteen pounds of apples, means homemade applesauce.   I made a TON of it, and have been loving every bite.  So good warm and cold.  I may have had it on top of ice cream and on top of pumpkin bread.  So good.  

My favorite recipe is so easy.  I use a crockpot to even make it easier.

~12-14 apples cored, semi-peeled, and diced

~1 cup water

~juice of 1 lemon

~2 vanilla beans scraped

~2 tbls. of sweetener of your choice (I use coconut sugar)

~2 tbls. pumpkin pie spice

Mix all ingredients, cook on low for 5 hours.  Mash to your liking.  Can or keep in fridge for up to two weeks. 

Leaves everywhere, because why the hell not?  

I won this Shanna Murray decal about a year ago from a blog giveaway.  I had completely forgot about it, until we were cleaning some closets out.  The husband hung it up, and I love it so much.  Really all her decals are pretty damn awesome.  

Trader Joe's has the damn pumpkin jackpot again this year.  I mean they really have pumpkin everything, everywhere.  Lucky for me my choices are pretty limited being GF, otherwise I probably would have bought everything in sight.  These pumpkin macaroons are so good.  Just the right amount of sweetness, and that perfect macaroon texture.  I love that you keep them in the freezer and just defrost the amount you want to snack on.   TJ's is killing it with their Fall flowers this year too.  I love that all their bunches are only $3-5 too.  The ones above were only 4 bucks, and I love them.  It is a little luxurious treat that I buy myself every week.  Because we could all definitely use some more self care. 

Speaking of pumpkin, I made this pumpkin spice syrup from Ally of Aquarian Soul Designs blog.  So, so good and I have been making tea lattes with it every morning.  

                                         

         

I also ordered some Autumn tea from the magical Lindsay of Danmala Teas.  I ordered The Great Pumpkin Pie and Sleepy Hollow and they are both so delicious.  Perfect for these cooler months.  As always her beautiful packaging and little touches make it even more special.  How beautiful is that tea gem?  Also, the cutest little sugar skull too.  

Also this beauty arrived this week, on the perfect day.  I was having an uber hard, super shitty day.  I may have even locked myself in the bathroom to cry a couple times.  Ugh.  Amulet magazine is gorgeous, and filled with earth based, seasonal living tips, stories, rituals, and the most beautiful layout. It is truly a work of art, and I love reading through each issue.  I usually only order the digital copy, but I splurged on the Autumn issue and ordered it in print.  Worth every penny.

I hope you all are easing into the beauty of this season, and having a wonderful start to Autumn. xo

Recharge

My little blog is starting to feel neglected, but to be honest I really haven't had much to say.  I am drained, to my core really. Work is exhausting, more than usual because Summer is my busiest time.  I love my job about 90% of the time, but lately it is seriously kicking my ass.  Caring for kids, and then mixing special needs kids into it, can literally bring me to tears some days.  I love them all dearly, but it is definitely time for a break for this lady. Life outside work is starting to feel like it is getting back into a normal routine somewhat, but I am just so tired.  Burnt out.  The good news is tomorrow is my last day of work and then I have 10 days of vacation.  We are heading up to Oregon for a few days to visit some of our friends that live up there.  Then just rest and recharge for the remaining days.  I have been looking forward to having a break for so long, I am so excited it is finally here.  Time for a recharge on ALL levels.

This past Sunday we kicked off our little recharge with a picnic by the lake with friends.

The weather was beautiful, perfect really.  Warm with a nice breeze.   This lake is actually in the same place where we hike.  The trails are in the surrounding foothills around it.  I love that this place is a five minute drive from our house.

  Isn't that paisley tablecloth awesome? My mom found it while searching through some of her old boxes in storage.  She used to have it hanging on her wall before I was born.  I am seriously in love with it.

We all chipped in and rented a motorboat for the day.  It was super fun to take it out.  Well, that was until our motor stopped working and my brother and husband had to try to use the oars.  Lets just say I almost peed from laughing so hard.  The two of them trying to paddle together = pure frickin comedy.  The motor started working again, thank goodness!

Such an abundance of yummy food, it was so nice to just sit and catch up with everyone without having to rush to be somewhere.  Also, if you ever see that Joia soda anywhere you shop, you need to pick it up.  It is like a all natural party in your mouth, trust me.  

The littles definitely had a good time too.  We are so blessed to be surrounded by so many awesome kids.  Seriously, they are the best.  We love them all so much.  

Juli even got to come for a few hours.  It was so good to have her with us all, and to see her out and about.   There is still a long road of healing ahead, but she is able to walk around with a cane.  I count my blessings everyday she is still here.  

It was a wonderful day indeed.  Wherever you are I hope you are having a good week.  And if I don't say it enough, thank you for taking the time to visit this little space of mine.  I appreciate each one of you so much. xo

Love soaked weekend

This past weekend was a good one.   We threw a big BBQ this past Sunday at our house to celebrate some birthdays of loved ones in both our families.  We are so blessed that our families get along so well, and truly love each other.  It has been a wonderful thing to watch a strong friendship grow between my mom and my husbands mom.  

The day was wonderful.  So much yummy food, even yummier company, and the weather was gorgeous.  High 70's with a nice cool breeze.  We couldn't have asked for a better day.  

The most beautiful weather.

The nephew close to watermelon overload

That is my mom jumping in there with my nieces

My hubs is such a good uncle, he is going to make the best dad someday.

A early evening stop at the ice cream truck. 

A perfect end to a great day, watching the moonrise through our bedroom window.

Truly a love soaked, happy day.  Even though we were both exhausted that night.  Yesterday we spent the day lounging at home in our PJ's all day, which we never get to do.  It felt so good to be lazy and just relax.   I also was so proud of myself, because I told myself I wasn't going to log into Facebook all weekend, and I stuck to that.  Three days, and I didn't even miss it.  Not once.  When I logged in this morning I had 153 notifications.  Ugh. 

I hope you all had a beautiful weekend as well.  Tomorrow I will be back with a how to post on how to make your own elderberry-honey syrup. 

The best kind of weekend

This past weekend was one of those ones that leaves you with a smile on your face, and feeling very grateful for so many things.  It was a full one, but it was all so wonderful and full of adventure and beauty.  It all kicked off Friday night with one of my best girls birthday celebrations.  We gathered at her new place for some birthday fun.   It has got to be a good sign when this is the sunset that kicks off your weekend:

For her birthday Juli had arranged for one of her friends to do henna for all of us girls.  Let me tell you I LOVE me some henna, and her friend was so talented.  So many beautiful designs, and she did them all freehand.  

Aren't they beautiful?  Below is the end result, all of us together.  It was a great night of good food, music, and laughter.  

Happy birthday to my soul sister!  I hope your 33rd year is filled with all the love and happiness in the world, I cannot think of anyone who is more deserving. 

Later in the weekend, my husband and I decided last minute to head up the mountains to explore.  Juli decided to join us too.  We intended to go to Julian and walk around a bit, but then we saw the turnoff to go to Palomar Mountain, and in about two seconds we decided to go for it.  Also, Juli had never been even though she grew up here in San Diego!  It was on her birthday list of 34 things to do before she turns 34 so we checked that one off for her, and even on her actual birthday. 

    

We headed up the mountain and with about 15 minutes to spare before they closed we got to go into Palomar Observatory.   Palomar Observatory is an active research facility operated by the California Institute of Technology, and it houses the famous 200 inch Hale Telescope.  It is a pretty amazing place. We got to go inside and had time to walk around the grounds.

Pretty little pollinator outside the Observatory.

We then headed into Palomar State Park and wandered around on a few trails before it got dark.  I am glad we ended up there on such a beautiful day.  The weather was so nice, (hello tank tops and sandals!). 

Doane Pond with lady luna in the background. 

We were lucky enough to be graced by these beauties.  

Us with the birthday girl.

Dear San Diego, I love you big time.

It was the perfect end to a beautiful weekend.  I even managed to finish getting the garden planted on Saturday (thanks Juli for your help)  We now have tomatoes, kale, two kinds of squash, corn, and beans planted.  

You know, it is weekends like this that leave my heart feeling so full, and it definitely left me feeling refreshed even though there wasn't much rest that went on.   I hope you all had a beautiful weekend, let's rock the crap out of the rest of this week!!

Flower power

This year one of my goals was to discover and visit places in San Diego that either I have never been to or haven't visited since I was very young.  I take for granted what a special place this city is, and I don't want to to do that anymore.  I want to take full advantage of the gifts Southern California offers.  This weekend a group of us decided to visit the Carlsbad Flower Fields.  I have not been there since I was a teenager, and I am so happy we went.   In the words of the Flower Fields:

For over sixty years, Mother Nature has transformed the rolling hills of North San Diego County into one of the most spectacular and coordinated displays of natural color and beauty anywhere in the world. The nearly fifty acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers that make up The Flower Fields^® at Carlsbad Ranch, in Carlsbad, California, are in bloom for approximately six to eight weeks each year - from early March through early May - literally bringing the famous fields back to life. This annual burst of color, which has become part of the area's local heritage, is also one of nature's official ways of announcing the arrival of spring here in Southern California.

Or in my own words, straight up MAGICAL.  

Let me tell you that these pictures do not do this place justice.  The fields are the most vibrant colors and full of so much beauty.  We went on this awesome tractor ride around the whole sixty acres, it was an fantastic tour with lots of history shared. 

I have a soft spot for ranunculus flowers, and to see this many in every shade imaginable was truly awe inspiring.  

Yellow will always hold the number one spot for me though.  This truly went on for as far as the eye could see.  It took all my strength to not jump right and there and go for a frolic.

The sweetest little fairy garden, complete with the story behind fairies and where to find them.

The hubs with me and our nephew.  Seriously are we not the luckiest auntie and uncle ever?  The cute factor alone is enough to melt my heart, not to mention he is such a sweet little boy with such a beautiful spirit. 

If you are ever in the San Diego area and are looking for something unique and fun to do, I could not recommend this place enough.  It was such a fun day spent with so many people we love.  I could not ask for anything more. 

Easter beauty

Easter was so wonderful this year, well it really is every year but this one was exceptionally beautiful.   We woke up bright and early and decided to start our morning with a hike at a nearby trail, with some of our good friends who we don't get to see as much as we wish we could.

  

We even ran into the Easter bunny!

It was such an awesome way to kick off the day, and so nice to spend some time with nature.   Being outside and in nature has always been my favorite form of worship.  I feel most like myself when I am outdoors and soaking in all mother nature has to offer us. It makes me not only feel connected more to myself, but to all living things.  

Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect.

Chief Seattle, 1854

  After our hike, we headed up to our families house about 45 minutes from where we live.   They live in a beautiful part of San Diego County, and I love visiting there.  It is out in the middle of nowhere and it is so peaceful and quiet.  

Not a bad view to wake up to everyday.

The cutest niece and nephew ever.  The brother is pretty handsome too.

Wild Poppies growing on their property.

The egg hunt is on!

The husband making new friends.

It was a beautiful afternoon spent with the people we hold most dear, just how a holiday should be. I hope you all had a happy Easter.  Also, happy April to you all!  I cannot believe a new month is already upon us.