Chickens? Yes, chickens.

There will be no wedding talk today. Nope. Not going to have it. Today, I am focusing on school work and thinking about chickens. Yes, chickens.

Since my farm internship three years ago, I knew my life would not be complete if it did not involve chickens and other farm animals as a part of it.

Now, we are nowhere near ready to bring my dream to life, but I still get lost in day dreams about my feathered friends.

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I long for a rooster too, for they are such majestic birds and a certain fella named Tecumseh will always live on in a certain crease of my heart, but if we stay in the city limits we will make do with a beautiful brood of hens, of which the city allows four per home.

So, while today I must focus on subjects such as Spanish and Literature, a part of my mind will be out throwing chicken scratch and rubbing feathered throats all the while.

Love and Dreams,

Sara

Flashback to Puppyhood

Today, while a sixty-plus pound Jasper tramples across my feet and flops around the house, I find myself looking back at his baby photos and feeling like an old lady talking about how time goes by so quickly.

But seriously, seems like just yesterday...

He used to fit inside a pocket folder, and now he can fill a love-seat. How did that happen?

Missing Puppy Breathe,

Sara

Wrapping up the Semester

Fall break has officially ended, and the semester is back in full force, bringing plenty of work along with it.

It is hard for me to believe that there are only two weeks of classes remaining before finals are completed and my final research paper is turned in.

While I should be happy, and I am, the end of this semester also brings a little sadness with it in knowing these books and these subjects will be coming to a close, in an academic environment at least. Then, only one more semester to go for this degree.

While there is a little sadness, mostly I am happy and proud.

While I have not always put my very best self forward this semester, on most days she has been there and been committed.

Even when I was feeling sick or overwhelmed I still showed up and did the work, and I think that says a lot about how far I have come and how much I have grown from the person I used to be.

In just a couple of weeks, once everything is turned in and these books are sold back, I will celebrate.

Just me, a stack of personal reading, my notepad and pen, and a cup of coffee at my favorite spot.

No expectations, no pressure, and no deadlines.

I look forward to that.

Love and Endings,

Sara

Relaxing Regardless of Responsibilities

 Weekends are made for cuddly beginnings...

...and sweet endings.

Don't you think?

Love and Relaxation,

Sara

Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake

Thanksgiving is over and I know everyone is moving on to the next thing, but I am still trying to soak up the last bits of fall while I still can, so this pie is more than welcome in my home and belly.

I had a hankering for a pumpkin treat, but you see, I cannot stand traditional pumpkin pie and am a picky pie eater in general, but cheesecake + pumpkin is something I can stand behind.

Recipe (from chooseveg.com):


-12 oz. firm silken tofu, pureed
-8 oz. nondairy cream cheese (I used Tofutti)
-1 cup canned pumpkin
-1 cup granulated sugar
-3 Tbsp. flour
-1/2 tsp. ground ginger
-1/2 tsp. nutmeg
-1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
-1/8 tsp. salt
-1/4 tsp. baking soda
-1 prepared graham cracker crust

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Puree all the ingredients except the pie crust in a food processor and pour into the graham cracker crust. Bake at 350°F for 50 minutes. Allow to cool for 30 minutes, then cover with plastic wrap or the top of the pie container.

This pie comes together quickly, is super delicious, and tastes just as good the next day.

I am happy to have finally found a pie I can enjoy and will definitely be making it again.


Did you have a go-to pie recipe?


Love and Goodies,
Sara

Super Self Love

An important part of living a life of Super Self Love is taking criticisms, as well as praise, lightly.

Really, for me, taking praise lightly is even harder than the criticism side of things.

I grew up longing for someone to take pride in my accomplishment and give me assurance that I was really good at something, anything.

Though I was not aware of it at the time, this longing for praise was a big part of my life and has influenced me in some rather large ways.

I have a really hard time believing praise when I receive it, but it also rocks me to the center of my core.

In other ways, I am like a needy child who grabs onto this praise and tucks it away, letting it influence my life in a bigger way than it should.

Okay, so what is the problem with all this?

Why should I not let praise, or criticism, swallow me up in its arms?

It is not like I should not embrace praise or criticism at all, it is that they have their place.

They should be notches in my mind, acknowledgments of my achievements, and of other things which could use a little work, but they should not shake me in such an extreme way.

This all sounds kind of jumbled, and I am sure it is, but this is something I must continue to work on.

I must stay true to my passions, take others criticisms and praises with a grain of salt, and continue on this big beautiful journey called life.

Do you struggle with this?

Does anybody even know what I mean?

Super Self Love,

Sara

Happy Thanksgiving - Via Leroy

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day.

 Whether you are spending it with family, with friends, or eating Thai food in your underwear, I hope it's a good one!

Love and Thanks,

Sara

Wedding Wednesday: Change-Up

Whew. Things are changing folks.

We no longer have a wedding day set, a location, or anything else.

We are starting over and working together to re-think how we want our wedding day to be, what is important to us, and to make a plan of how we will make it happen.

I suggested to Eric that we each make a list of what is really important to each of us with regards to our wedding. Mine looks a little something like this:

-My Mom, Siblings & Their Families, and close friends are there

-The ceremony is out in nature, preferably near water

-We have a cake

-Someone else makes the yummy vegan foods and serves them

-We have time for plenty of pictures and plenty of time to breathe and enjoy the day and the real meaning

That was pretty much the just of my list.

As you can see, there is not spot for DJ or dancing or everyone we've ever met having to be there.

Now, we weren't exactly going for that before, but with the way we were going, we would have had those things, even though they aren't important to us.

What really matters is that we are there, together, enjoying the moment with those we are closest to.

We both feel so much better and so relieved with these changes.

We need more time, we need more clarity, we need to stay true to us.

Many of the things I've shared on Wedding Wednesdays will still be a part of our day, and I'm looking forward to making decorations and planning details.

We may push the wedding back a year, we could do it sooner, maybe we'll be married on the moon. Well, not really, but what I'm saying is right now we dont' know and we like it that way.

We're going to plan this day together and every step of the way make sure we are doing what works for US.

I'm looking forward to being excited rather than overwhelmed.

This is a very good thing.

Love and Marriage,

Sara

Christmas Meme

I saw this Christmas Meme over on irocksowhat last week and decided to join in. My sick mind needed some easy answers and a little fun.

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? 

Hot chocolate. I've never even tried egg nog or vegan nog either.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? 

We wrap stuff around here, but I haven't had a visit from Santa in many years. 

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?

 I always do color, but like the simplicity of white too. I feel like it's more classy though, and I tend to go more with the fun and funky instead.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? 

I have before, but don't think I have any in the holiday box. Maybe we'll get some this year.

5. When do you put your decorations up?

After Thanksgiving. I love fall, so I want to keep my gourds, pumpkins, and leaves up and around as long as possible. Fall will always trump Christmas in my World.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? 

Green Bean Casserole - vegan style. Mmm.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? 

I liked when we were really young and lived in our first house, we would go to my now step-grandmas house and pack in like sardines to celebrate on Christmas Eve. It was always a nice time.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

 I don't remember. I've always been one to question, but we grew up without much money so us kids were maybe convinced longer than others. Even when we thought Santa wasn't real, we weren't quite sure because we couldn't believe our family could afford things like new radios or bikes.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

 Not anymore. When we were little, like #7, we would open extended family gifts on Christmas Eve.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? 

We have a fake one with lights built in and we decorate it with each of our own old ornaments, and the new ones we've acquired together, along with some old decorations of my Grandmas.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? 

This year I'm looking forward to it, but am usually pretty meh about it. Snow is great for sledding and snow-shoeing and all sorts of fun things, but if I have work/school/driving to do, not so much a fan.

12. Can you ice skate? 

Probably? Can I do it well? Probably not. I think I've only been once or twice years ago.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

 I like gifts! Last year E gave me a kitchen aid mixer, and that was pretty awesome!

Heartfelt and handmade is always much appreciated too!

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?

 Spending time with my family and having extra time with Eric on his extra days off.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? 

I don't have one really. I like a good piece of chocolate cake, a gooey brownie, or a couple of awesome chocolate chip cookies.

Ohhh! My sister and mom make these gooey butter cake cookies that are really good too.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

I don't have one right now. Things have been changing for my family, so I think it's time that E and I make some of our own. I think that's something to look forward to!

17. What tops your tree?

 A homemade star made from foam-core and a toilet paper tube.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? 

I love and hate both. I think giving gifts out of love is wonderful, but I dislike that gift giving can cause so much stress when connected with Christmas. 

19. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum?

 Chocolate mint ones are pretty good.

20. Favorite Christmas show? 

Show? I don't know, but I love the movie Elf. I think it's the all-time best Christmas movie.

21. Saddest Christmas Song? 

There's some shoes for my mom song or something? That's a heart-warming but sad-ish one.

22. What is your favorite Christmas song?

 I don't really have one. Ummmmm...Frosty The Snowman is fun.

Let me know if you do this too, leave a link in the comments if you do!

Love and Holidays,

Sara

10 Etsy Items I Would Love to See Under the Holiday Tree

Of course, there are hundreds of items on etsy which I would not mind having as my own, but here are 10 select items which make me smile and that would only make a small dent in the good ol' bank account:

 Mint Green Nose Eyeglass Holder from ArtAkimbo

 Forest Animal Raccoon Necklace from SpotLightJewelry

 Embroidered Fabric Cuff Bracelet from PonderandStitch

 Leafy Cat Screen-print from Linotte

Honeycomb Natural History Necklace from thelittlechickadee

It's Hard to Be a Person Print from laurageorge

Autumn Harvest Bunting Necklace from ThePolkadotMagpie

Plush Fox Pillow from Gingiber

Forest Animal Deer Trinket Box by fruitflypie

Personalized Kissing Lovebirds Necklace by DelicacyJ

Is your holiday wish-list full of handmade goodies?

So Much Goodness,

Sara

5 Thoughts on Being Sick

1. Yawning really sucks when your throat is having an ache-fest. Stretching that sucker out is not comfortable.

2. Big bowls of soy ice cream to sooth that throat are wonderful.

3. Sharing a home with four furry critters makes for plenty of snuggle buddies for nap-times.

4. Having things to do and having a hard time getting them done kind of blows. Does my body not know that I am trying to be amazing and this sick business is not helping with that?

5. On the other hand, being able to guiltlessly lounge around watching movies and crappy tv is not the worst thing.

So many wishes that this crazy sickness will say adios sooner rather than later.

Any tips?

Down With the Sickness,

Sara

Film: Take Shelter

Today I took my fella to a surprise date.

You see, he always takes extra interest in storm and bomb shelters, so when I heard about this film from a friend, I had to get us to the theatre to see it.

The film is called Take Shelter and focuses on a man and his sudden interest in fixing up their tornado shelter while also adding in the angles of mental illness and small town living.

I would not say this film made my top 10 list, but it was not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon with my guy.

Plus, it was at the fancy pants boutique mall at a small Landmark Theatre which serves things like lattes, gelato, biscotti, vegan cookies, and cocktails at their concession stands.

Drinking a soy latte while watching a film in a theatre? 

Yes please.

Have you seen this? Do you think you will?

Love and Shelters,

Sara

Super Self Love

One important aspect of Super Self Love is doing what is best for yourself even when you do not feel like doing it.


I am not the best example of this positive behavior, in fact, it is something I need to work on quite a bit, but when I go ahead and challenge myself to do something, even when I would rather be reading a book or lounging with the pooches, I can say that I am almost always glad I did.


Example: My friend and I signed up for a six week pre-paid yoga instruction. We go once a week for 90 minutes to be tortured by an older man with a bit of a unique personality. We only just finished week three, but other than week one, every time we have went, we have both dreaded it a bit and wished to be doing something else. We have struggled to get ourselves to walk through the studio doors, but when walking out, we have always felt so much better and been so glad that we sucked it up and went.


My yoga example is a bit of a larger thing, and we always know we will go since our sessions have already been paid for, but there are other times in everyday life when this attitude of challenging ourselves and doing the things we do not really feel like doing can be put into practice.


I am quite the homebody by nature, but I also crave social interaction and conversation. Often times when I am invited out to do something I want to find a reason to stay in. In the last year or so I have started to make more of an effort and started saying "yes" more to invites.
Do I have a blast every single time? No, sometimes I am even disappointed.
Am I almost always glad I went ahead and went? Yes, almost always, and the times that are less than amazing are learning experiences in their own right.


So this week I challenge myself, and you if you would like, to continue to say "yes" more and to challenge myself to put myself out into the world and to see what happens, while also trying to be positive about the whole ordeal.


What do you think? Are you pretty good about this or could it use a little work?


Super Self Love,
Sara

Focusing Energy Where it Counts

I've been having a kind of rough time.

You see, I have dreams. I have hopes. I have visions of the life I want to live.

At the same time, something is holding me back. That something is myself.

I'm now at a place of re-evaluating my life, re-evaluating where I want it to go and what I want it to look like.

This is challenging.

There are tears and self-doubt and countless other emotional reactions and thoughts mixing together in my head.

I've always cut myself short. 

I've never let myself really commit to anything.

I want to start, but I am afraid.

I think fear is a healthy thing and challenge helps us to continue to grow, but this practice is new to me.

Rather than running away, I want to try.

I want to see what I'm really capable of and prove to myself that I can be more than I am.

I'm not quite sure what my path will look like or what obstacles I will face along the way, but I know I want to face them.

I also know this is going to rock my life. I know that I need to focus my energy in new directions and retract it from others.

This isn't going to be easy. It will actually be quite hard, but I'm ready to see for myself.

Love and Challenges,

Sara

Wedding Wednesday

If you've stopped by here more than once than you probably already know we have three dogs. If you didn't know, we have three dogs, three very odd, but wonderful, dogs.

We'd love to include our dogs in the wedding in some way, and I've been looking at some photos for inspiration:

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Realistically, we could probably only have one or two. I think the stress would be too much on little Leroy, but Jasper would be a champ. Lilly May could also be awesome as a ring bearer with my nephew if she had a little training.

Ideally I'd love to have all of our furry kiddos there, but hopefully we can at least have Jasper participate in some way, and with a big fat bow tie to add a little fancy to his furry neck.

Have you ever been to or had a wedding involving dogs, how did it go?

Are we crazy?

Love and Weddings,

Sara

Insta-Thoughts

Just here to share some instagram inspired thoughts (aka insta-thoughts...I'm so not clever) for the week:

I finally did a quick decorating job on our pumpkins. Love bug love and critter love are constants in this house.

I've also been hanging out with Jasper boy a ton. He's been such a snuggle bug lately and quite a mama's boy. Although, don't be fooled, when E's around he tends to stick to his side.

Studying, lots, and thinking more about the GRE for more future studying times. Am I crazy? Yes.

Foods in the tum. I've been bad about the gluten free bit, but E's been mostly doing well and feeling better for it, and that's what really matters. I do plan on getting back on board though.

Last week my family hung out, ate, and drank lots of strange wine. Lots of niece and nephew hugs were soaked up.

My critters were all cute, as usual. I love all four of these little goobers so much.

And last of all, there's me. I've been going a bit crazy with school work, planning for next semester, and generally questioning all things as usual, but I don't think I would have it any other way, so mostly all is well.

Love and Snapshots,

Sara