Pumpkin Pie Spice and Everything Nice Autumn

Pumpkin field in the Puyallup River valley with Mount Rainier in the distance

It's pumpkin pie spice everything season. I'm not a big fan of pumpkin pie, but that special combination of spices--yum! And I do love a pumpkin pie spice latte, but after reading an article about what goes into the typical Starbucks variety I decided to figure out a way to make my own, healthier version. For my occasional 'cup of joe' I normally go decaf or half caff and make it in my French press. I didn't have to look far, I found this recipe for Pumpkin Spice Latte(vegan, gluten free) and used my favorite, coconut milk. It even has real pumpkin in it! My pumpkin cozy, coaster makes a fun container for it.

Jack of Lantern Mason Jar cozy coaster by CageFreeFibers

I'm not sure if autumn is my favorite season, or if I even have a favorite season, but I know when it is autumn I love it. Especially now as the colors get more and more brilliant and the sky stays blue and the temps are in the 70's. 

Fall Art Printable by TheHoneyBeePaperie

Today my daughter and I went to the local pumpkin patch and corn maze. Two hours and 5 miles after we started we found every checkpoint in the maze.  What line did we hear most from folks we passed in the maze? "Are you lost?" And, yes, I was just following the daughter whose inner GPS is more fine tuned than my own. 

Corn maze fun at Spooner Farms

Then we picked out some pumpkins and gourds for decorating. I'm so grateful for times like these when I'm left completely exhausted and just glad I have feet to carry me on.

Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins

This has been a busy, spectacular autumn here. My garden had a bumper crop of tomatoes. My brother taught me how to dehydrate the tomatoes and that is now my favorite way to put them up. Last night we ate our first ever Brussels sprouts from the garden pan seared with apples (I used honey crisp because it's what I had and it was great). 

I know our rainy season is just around the corner and I'm okay with that. God has blessed us with beauty in every season and every place here on this planet.

One last set of pumpkin beauties.

Halloween Pumpkin Earrings by InspiredTheory

What is your favorite thing about autumn?

Autumn Typography Quote Art by IslaysTerrace

Happy autumn to you!

Linda <><

post apocalyptic skills

Just got back from a run. 3.5 miles. Let me be  more specific. When I say run I mean jog and when I say jog, it's a very slow jog. But it's more than I could do 10, 20, even 30 years ago. As I ran I listened to my playlist and considered other things I never could have dreamed I would be doing.

First of all, I was listening to a mix of hundreds of songs on my phone. I usually don't do that because I feel like I need all of my senses to keep from falling over. I've never been very graceful, but it's amazing how the music distracts, energizes and in general improves any workout. New Shoes by Paolo Nutini got me going and an old favorite, Your Smiling Face by James Taylor, got me up the biggest hill with a smile on my face. The list includes two other new workout favorites: Shake by Mercy Me and Overcomer by Mandisa. What are your favorites?

My new running shoes

On that same phone I tracked my miles run, speed and calories burned! I couldn't have come up with all this in my wildest dreams. Had it been a bit sunnier I could have snapped a pic of Mt. Rainier and shared it with the world instantly.  Like I did  with this picture I instagramed on a recent run with my daughter in Bellingham.

Misty morning run Klipsun Trail

Before the run I used my 'read the Bible in a year schedule' app for today's reading and even read the Bible selection there. I am in awe!

I can't tell you how many times that smart little thing has set on the kitchen counter with a recipe I found on Pinterest to guide me through another meal prep. I even use it to Skype with the next door neighbors and family that lives on the opposite end of the country! And then I do much of my etsy business with it.

This is all fun and games, but I continue to keep my post apocalyptic skills honed even though I don't intend to be here to use them. I crochet, knit, hand sew and garden to name a few. 

Mason jar cozies

It's just all so mind-boggling when I think of my dad. Just one generation ago and what I call post apocalyptic skills were his reality. Born in a sod house on the Oregon Trail he lived without electricity or running water. Both of my grandmothers found time for great scratch cooking and amazing quilts and fine tatted lace.

So, yes, I love all of my convenience devices, especially the phone that is rarely used for a phone call, but do they really save time or enhance the quality of life?

Snow hiking at Mount Baker

I'm not so sure. May your week be blessed with simple pleasures.

Linda <><

Mason Jar Gold-- Recipe Edition #2

It is better to eat a little where there is love

than to eat a lot where there is hate.

Proverbs 15:17

I was desperate for something hot to drink and I really, really wanted something richer than tea. I gave up coffee a year and a half ago. I still love the smell and have an occasional cup with friends, but I don't want to make a habit of it. Then, as if by magic, this recipe shows up on my pinterest! The recipe, or tutorial,  is Two Minute Hot Chocolate By the Mug. I had all the ingredients I needed in the house! It is so basic you can make all kinds of variations. The following is how I tweaked it.

Gotta Have Something Warm

and Chocolaty Fast

Hot Chocolate

1 cup milk (I used a mix of coconut, the carton type, & almond milk)
2 tablespoons chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli 60% bittersweet
        dark chocolate chips)
1 teaspoon honey (or other sweetener) optional
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cardamon 
1/8 teaspoon ground chili or cayenne 

Pour milk in a Mason jar large enough to leave space for the other ingredients with a little space for shaking. Heat milk for a minute or two in the microwave. Add remaining ingredients. Put lid on jar and shake! Drink and enjoy, or add marshmallows or whipped cream. Any spices are optional, this mix makes a nice Mexican chocolate. There are obvious liqueurs that would be heavenly additions.

I like using the jar so you can shake it and get a bit of froth, but you can stir it until the chocolate chips melt in a mug. A Mason jar cozy is perfect for this to keep the drink warm and hands safe.

I made these for neighbors and fellow Seahawks fans. They fit bottles and the narrow Mason jars.

On a side note, I am slowly conquering the monster photo bins! I've reduced and organized most of them. There are still some albums I need to get to. I would love to do some books with Shutterfly or something. I'll have to think on that. 

This one might explain why I'm a fan of Wes Anderson movies. I know it's black and white, but I still see the gold couch and rich browns, reds and greens of the drapes. Well, I still have those drapes and they are still in pretty good shape.

That's me, 1971

Have a blessed, warm and colorful week!

Linda <><

When the Sun Comes Out to Play

Autumn on my street

Puget Sound was socked in with fog all week. I'm not complaining, I think the fog magnifies the already vivid fall colors! And for the most part it's business as usual. Great for photography, a moisture treatment tops off my run, no real excuses to stay in. It does get a bit dreary though.

I've been working on a big custom order; thirty-one personalized Mason jar cozies. One of the things I love about crochet is that I can take it anywhere. 

Mason jar cozy fun

I also have a set of CD's accompanying my current Bible study. Did I mention I have a driver I adore? So yesterday we took a quick trip east to find some sunshine. It was really less than an hour away. What a joy it was to emerge from the fog into the warmth and beauty of Mount Rainier.

"I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from?" Psalm 121:1

After listening to Louie Giglio speak on the Creation story we were immersed in the glory of God's creation.

Tipsoo Lake

While surrounded by this beauty the question was posed: will I be the biggest part of my own small story, or a small part of His story? 

Crag Field

As I am blessed to soak in this sun I choose to be part of His big story. When I'm stumped at just what that means to me I recall Proverbs 3:5-6:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
 and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,

    and he shall direct your paths."

Jim and I at the end of a glorious day (Mount Rainier in the background)

Once again I am inspired to find my own small place in God's big story.

Linda <><

Cool Stuff

The first week of each month I intend to share some of my favorite finds here. Since my last blog was about Mason jars this week I am showing you some of my prized accessories for Mason jars.

Because we juice I use my jars a lot for drinking. When I discovered the cuppow it was love at first sight! These neat lid attachments make your Mason jar into a sipper cup perfect for big and little kids. I use it for water, juice, smoothies, tea, and, once upon a time, for coffee. It works for hot or cold and a straw can be inserted.

This brings me to the next cool thing. We use straws so much that I wanted something reusable. The Endurance Stainless drink straw and Endurance Stainless spoon straw work great for my family.

My husband takes his lunch every day and the plastic salad bowls kept falling apart, so I pack his salad or veggies in a Mason jar and add this nifty BNTO lunchbox adapter with dressing or dip. I have also found that the cups from my egg poacher fit perfectly for a smaller cup on top.

Lastly, here are my own Mason jar cozies! I use them on all of my Mason jars. They work as a coaster and a cozy, for hot and cold and I think they're pretty darn cute!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/157116259/snowman-with-scarf-and-top-hat-mason-jar?ref=shop_home_active

https://www.etsy.com/listing/150536252/flower-mason-jar-cozy-coaster-coral-and?ref=shop_home_active

I love combining all of these items as a gift and filling the jar with trail mix or homemade cocoa mix or candy! Do you have any creative accessories for Mason jars? How do you use them for gifting?

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

James 1:17

~~All of the items mentioned above are things I use. I am not compensated in any way.~~

Mason Jar Gold -- Recipe Edition #1

Mom's Rhubarb Preserves
circa 2003

The basement walls were lined with Mason jars filled with pickles, peaches, preserves and tomatoes. Mom was a teacher and spent the summers gardening, freezing and canning. We would never go hungry. Though not wealthy we were rich in love, faith and, of course, food. 

Mason jars are practical, but I also have a deep sentimental attachment to these glass jars, the rubber ring and the metal band. When I left home for college and eventually marriage Mom lavished me with her canned goods with one stipulation. The empty jars were to be returned. Mason jars were gold to Mom. 

I think Mason jars are gold, too. But if I give you one please keep it! Just promise me you'll use it. The uses are infinite. In my house we use them as drinking glasses, leftover storage, salad makers, button holders and on and on. Here's one of my new favorites.

The other day I found this recipe for Coconut Chia Seed Pudding and put my own spin on it. My chocolate loving family adores this:

CHOCOLATE CHIA SEED PUDDING

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1-2 tbsp sweetener (I like honey or maple syrup)
• 1/2 cup chia seeds
• 3 tbsp cacao powder or cocoa powder
• 2 tsp maca powder(optional)
• assorted additions: fresh raspberries, dried fruit, nuts, dark chocolate chips, cacao nibs, hemp hearts...

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Combine the milks and sweetener in a jar and put the lid on and shake the jar. 
2. Add the chia seeds, cacao powder, and maca powder and shake again.
3. Refrigerate overnight (at least 6 hours).This is when the magic happens; it turns into a tapioca-like pudding.
4. Serve in a bowl with chosen additions and enjoy!

Can you say chocolate for breakfast?

Do you have favorite mason jar recipes? What unique use do you have for mason jars?