AUTUMN GOODNESS

It's starting to finally feel like autumn and I am LOVING it! The temperatures are starting to fall, the days are getting shorter, and we're finally starting to get a little bit of rain here and there- much needed in California!

FROM PORCH TO TABLE // My Beautiful Lemon Tree

I finally worked up the courage to pick some lemons off my lemon tree. I'm such a newbie "gardener" so I'm always scared to cut my fruits because I don't know if new ones will ever come back! I love lemons and am always putting them on anything and everything- water, sauteed veggies, fish, sauces, dressings... this time around I think I'm going to try to make something sweet.

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I love how the winter sky looks this time of year. The clouds come to visit but the sun is popping through, and the light is always changing, always moving. Simple things like that just make me really happy.

LEAVES AND BRANCHES // Variations

I made a leaf wreath a few weekends ago that is drying in my kitchen at the moment. I was planning on spray painting it gold but might just leave it as is (no pun intended).  While I was making it, I just thought that each branch was so unique and beautiful.  

A FEW FAVORITE THINGS// Simple moments around our apartment

Life is good when you are able to enjoy the simple things! When you don't need to do anything, or be anything to be happy, and when your eyes are open to the beauty around you. Most often, my favorite days are "normal days" when nothing special is happening. I am thankful to God for breathing beauty into everyday life!

Some favorite everyday things:

1. Rediscovering an old skirt. I love it when that happens.

2. A flower on the side of the road. I love native flowers! Sometimes I can't believe that these beauties are growing in cracks in the road or on the sides of freeways!

3. My favorite breakfast lately: blueberries, yogurt and granola. I am actually slightly allergic to blueberries, but I started risking it lately, because they are so yummy and pretty!   It reminds me of a recent This American life podcast that opens with stories of people who still eat things they are allergic to!

4. My favorite scarf. a gift from my sweet friend Ruby as a good luck gift before taking my last exam! Taylor had to politely tell me to stop wearing it everyday, so now it's been hanging on our wall :)

MORNING STRAWBERRIES// Ready for Spring

The weather has been warming up a little bit, and I can't wait til spring.  By this time of year, I'm totally sick of being cold and missing the summer fruits that make the most deliciously simple snacks.  When I was little, summer was always unquestionably my favorite season- no school, swimming every afternoon, and getting to run around in shorts all day.  Now that I'm older, with the introduction of springtime allergies, and especially after experiencing my first blisteringly hot summer last year in the valley- I've tried to tell myself to appreciate the winter more.  However, by the time March hits, I'm pretty much over being appreciative and wishing that the sun would come out again!

THE FIRST DAY OF WINTER

In LA our "winters" are more like the autumns in other
parts of the country. My favorite part of this time of year, believe it or not
is my morning commute to work- driving past the changing colors of the trees,
snuggling up to the heater, and listening to a really great audio book.