Charlottesville

My trip to Charlottesville was such a whirlwind yet so incredibly worth every second of the travel to spend time with Christy.

You know you're heading out on a road trip when your boy scout for a dad stops by and puts jumper cables, a sleeping bag, water, and snacks in your 4-runner and sneaks a surprise in your pocket telling you to "buy yourself an ice-cream."  My sweet dad; there's no one like him.  I will be 50 and gray and he will still be looking out for his little girl.

I worked late into the evening the night before, made William and Wills a chicken-pot-pie for the weekend, and downloaded a few extra songs for the trip. "I mean everybody has to take a road trip, at least once in their lives. Just you and some music." ~Elizabethtown

Seven hours later...Charlottesville.

Christy and I took an amazing hot yoga class at a little loft studio called Opal Yoga. It was the most beautiful space I've ever seen.  In my dreams, this is what a yoga studio looks like...beautiful exposed brick, huge hanging fans, a soft green bead board ceiling, old wooden floors.  It was perfect.  I could have stayed there all day.

But...there were things to do and people to see.  I am a long-time reader of the healthy living blog KERF (Kath Eats Real Food.)  It's probably the first blog I ever started reading.  Kath, her husband Matt, and their son live in Charlottesville and own the Great Harvest Bakery.  Kath is a registered dietitian, a young mom, and a great writer.  I had to meet her.

Unfortunately, when we stopped by after yoga she wasn't there.  Since I was all the way from Georgia, Matt stepped in for a picture.  It was definitely one of my dorkier moments, but hey, I get excited about the little things.

Of course I left with an infamous Savannah Bar and the most amazing cup of coffee.

I took advantage of lots of sweet snuggles from Brady.

We had two relaxing nights cooking dinner, chatting over wine, and hanging out with Ken in Charlottesville and spent one night in DC for Christy's 30th birthday dinner at Carlyle.  10 of her girlfriends joined us!

I had the most amazing grilled salmon, dried dates, toasted pecans, and warm goat cheese salad, that I will definitely attempt to create at home!

Jordan graciously hosted us for birthday cake and cupcakes after dinner!

My last day.  We had to take a picture with our matching scarves.

I'm so thankful for this friendship and already looking forward to my next visit.

Wills and his bulldog from Christy, which he loves!

After a great weekend away, I was beyond excited to see these two!

I think they were pretty pumped to have me home, too.  Can you tell Wills spent the weekend with his dad...nice outfit. :)

Home Early

Is it Saturday night?  A holiday?  Does someone have a birthday?

Nah.  But when your husband comes home from work before dark, it's time to celebrate!

I am so thankful for William and how hard he works, but I'm even more thankful when he surprises me and leaves the office much earlier than usual.  I quickly ran upstairs, changed out of my yoga clothes, washed my face, put on a little lipstick, turned on some tunes, and poured us a glass of wine.

We made homemade pizzas for dinner...which is much more fun when there are three of you making them together.  Yes, Wills helped.

Loaded with veggies.

And bacon. :)

The pioneer woman's crust is super easy to put together.  You probably have all of the necessities in your pantry already.

Cheers to weeknight surprises!

Stop the Search

I’m re-reading one of my favorite books of all time. When I read this the first time, it spoke so deeply to my soul, resonating with my dream of travel, my love of good food, my curiosity in all things yoga, and a constant search to figure out who I was in this world. I ended up giving it out as Christmas gifts that year, hoping it would touch someone else the way it did me.

Reading it again, years later, it’s still speaks to me…in a much different way. I shared this excerpt with my yoga class this morning:

"I have searched frantically for contentment for so many years in so many ways, and all these acquisitions and accomplishments – they run you down in the end. Life, if you keep chasing it so hard, will drive you to death. Time – when pursued like a bandit – will behave like one; always remaining one county or one room ahead of you…at some point you have to stop because it won’t. You have to admit that you can’t catch it. That your not supposed to catch it. At some point…you gotta let go and sit still and allow contentment to come to you. Sit quietly for now and cease your relentless participation. Watch what happens. The birds do not crash dead out of the sky in mid-flight, after all. The trees did not wither and die, the rivers do not run red with blood. Life continues to go on. Even the Italian post office will keep limping along, doing it’s own thing without you – why are you so sure that your micromanage of every moment it this whole world is so essential? Why don’t you let it be?"

Sometimes I find myself searching, micromanaging, refusing to sit still, and all for what?  The contentment and happiness I could ever dream of, is right in front of me. I pray, every single day, that I won’t be too busy or too preoccupied to notice.

It's found in date nights with my husband. 

Oyster roasts with my family and friends.

The innocence and hilarity of my two-year old sweetheart.

Baking bread to share with new neighbors or friends who are always there. :)

Trying new recipes to feed my family as healthy as possible.

Nourishing my body.

The overwhelming beauty in these mossy trees.

And road trips.  To celebrate a 30th birthday with the very best of friends.  Charlottesville...here I come!  

Choose to be happy; choose to be love.  Create it in your home, in your work, in your self.  You may find you have so many beautiful reasons to stop searching for a grandiose moment of contentment.  It's in the little things.  And they are all right in front of you.  Waiting...to be noticed.  Dust that book off your night stand, kiss your husband, map out a road trip, stand in awe of God's creation, dance with your little one, call a girlfriend, indulge in a few veggies, and create happy.  Today is all we are promised.  Why wait?  

XOXO

Breakfast Pudding

Dear Pioneer Woman, You will always be my first love in the kitchen, my go-to when I'm in need of impressing my family and friends who, growing up, gave me only the task of grating the cheese, and my kindred spirit in romancing your rugged cowboy....but, sometimes, I'm in need of something a little lighter, a little more day-to-day, just when it's me - no cowboys in sight.  Giada is perfect for this.  I'll see you Friday night, Pioneer Woman.  Don't you worry.  Love, Eve

Giada's Chia Seed Pudding is amazing and another way to get in those little nutrient dense specks of goodness.

Here's what I used.  Since I knew my cowboys would turn their noses, I tweaked the recipe for one.

1/4 cup yogurt, 1/4 cup almond milk, 1/8 cup chia seeds, dash of vanilla, grade b maple syrup, and sea salt.

I mixed it all together and placed it in the refrigerator overnight.

Topped the next morning with strawberries and chopped walnuts.

Don't be fooled; it's not cookies and cream ice-cream.  But it's almost as good. :)

Wrapping up Lunch

Lunch has never been so easy.  Sissy and Tony get all the credit for this healthy, delicious idea.  Even better, it's two-year old and hubby approved.

Here's what this family is enjoying for lunch all week (with a few tweaks.)

Feta Dill Greek Yogurt dressing.

Loaded with spinach, grape tomatoes, avocado, hummus, and feta dill dressing.

Perfect for on the road, at the park, or after a yoga class.

What I'm Loving

It's a new year with space for new loves.  Here are a few on the top of my list.

Salad for Dinner. I've said it before, but this is, hands down, the best salad I've ever eaten.  I crave it.  Who craves salad?  Seriously, it is that good.  I am really proud of William and his nutrition goals for the new year.  He is starting his mornings off with Shakeology rather than a diet coke and highly processed granola bar, and at least a few times a week we are making salads for dinner.  This beauty is made with spring mix, smoked almonds, blue cheese crumbles, strawberries, and red onion.  The dressing is Brianna's all natural strawberry blush.

This dish towel was in my stocking.  Love it!

Loving on my niece.  Another reason I am thankful for my online job.  I get to snuggle sweet Maddi whenever I want.

Rain Boots.  With all of this wet weather we've been having, these boots are perfect!  Wills is obsessed with them and tries to wear them to bed.  Thanks, Uncle Tone and Aunt Sissy!

This afternoon snack. I've been topping a slice of Ezekiel bread with Sunflower seed butter, honey, coconut and chia seeds.  Plus a warm cup of coffee.

Gourmet Olive Oil.  Our new favorite shop in Beaufort is called Olive the Above.  These two olive oils happened to be wrapped under my Christmas tree with a tag that said, "To Mom, From Mom." :)  We have been cooking with them almost every night and can't get enough.  Veggies, Grilled Chicken, Salads, Popcorn, Pizza.  It takes it all to a new level.

Giada's New Cookbook.  William must have been listening when he heard me say I really wanted this cookbook.  I opened it on Christmas morning and have been referring to it since.  I love how personal and authentic it comes across as to what Giada eats to fuel her body and maintain her health in a world of food. You will see quite a few of her recipes popping up here, soon.

Philosophy Skin Care.  One of my New Year's resolutions is to make a serious commitment to taking better care of my skin.  This is the year I turn 30, and I want to be pro-active about delaying as much aging as I can.  I am absolutely thrilled with these two products that have quickly become my nightly routine.  I've been waking up with softer, clearer, refreshed skin since I started using them.

These two.  Always these two.  

Ringing in the New Year

I love New Year's.

I guess it's safe to say I love all holidays.  Something about traditions, family, and celebrations make me giddy.  But you know this already.

I love the fresh start, new goals, and reflection that come with a new year.

William, Wills and I had a quiet New Year's Eve together.  It was simple and perfect.

One of my New Year's Eve kisses.

We cooked a delicious sweet, slightly spicy salmon fillet, with garlic red potatoes and grilled asparagus.

We walked over to our neighbor's to watch the ball drop with them.  Happy New Year!

New Year's Day pork, collards and hoppin john.

Time to Relax

After the rush of the holidays, William and I escaped to Beaufort for a night.  It was just what we needed to relax, talk about our goals for the new year, and spend some quality time together.

We spent most of Saturday in downtown Beaufort, came home to a nice dinner, and read late into the evening.

The next day we slept in, made coffee, and enjoyed a quiet morning with only the sound of the rain on the roof.

Switched reading spots...:)

William can't sit still for too long, so we took a nice long walk later in the day.

Enjoyed these views.

And then headed home, rested and rejuvenated, to love on our little boy.