on trying to be here...

Remember that one time when I used to be here quite often? YEAH I know me neither! What can I say, life is crazy. I think I've said that in the past million posts but truly it is! Instead of writing out a whole bunch of random things I'll put my whole bunch of random things in a neat list, because it will make me feel better about myself. Here I go:

1. The count down for our move to the Pacific Northwest, Poulsbo Washington to be exact, has officially started. I can't believe it's finally here. Our move out there has been in the works for quite a while and before we even starting planning it was talked about years before that. I'm ecstatic to be back with my family and all my friends. We'll be there just in time for Christmas which makes this time of year even more merry for us. I'm happy to be receiving a little break once we get out into Seattle. I don't have any jobs lined up and since my hubby being as successful as he is, who is able to stick with his current job, I will be taking the rest of December off for some R & R. Even though I say rest, I know I won't be! I want to get in as much as I can with catching up with my family and friends, adventuring out around Poulsbo, starting up a running routine every morning, spending quality time with Sebastian and getting school set up for him, and enjoy Christmas like I should. Happy! 

2. I started filling out my FAFSA and hope to start Tony & Guy Hairdressing Academy in February! I've been waiting for this for the past seven years so you can imagine how I must being feeling. I have many hopes, dreams and goals that I want to accomplish in this life but this one was pretty high on my list so I can't wait to dive right in!

3. This is my last week at my sweet little coffee shop that I've been manager of for five years now. It's bittersweet. Actually all of it is bittersweet. I loved working here. I've got to know so many people and it's hard saying goodbye to all my regulars who I see on a daily basic. I know each and every one of their drinks and have them ready before they even hit the register. I've loved working with all the girls (past & present) and we've become a family. It's become such a big part of my life so it's going to be weird not being here anymore. I will forever be a Saxbys barista babe at heart!

4. I signed up for Goody Goody Gift Swap last week. I actually caught wind of it on Instagram when one of friends (I like to call her my friend when really we've never met but she "likes" and comments on my Instagram photos so that makes us friends! Right?) Becca @ Tumbleweedshc posted about it. I immediately got on the site to check it out and signed right up. I fell in love with the idea of meeting someone new and being able to gift them with something handmade. Just yesterday I found out my swap mate is from Italy! How cool is that! Save the site and do it next year with me! 

5. We're back to doing the Elf on the Shelf this year and it's just as fun as last year. I enjoy scheming and planning on what the elf, Jack, will do next. Sebastian get's a kick out of it. This morning he went right up to his classmates at the table and started telling them how Jack was fishing in the bathroom sink this morning! 
People always ask how Sebastian is taking the move and it's really easy to answer because I have a pretty awesome kid! Sebastian is super laid back and is so full of live that it really takes a lot to get him out of sorts. He is as excited as we are to be moving Seattle and is super excited that we are living with my dad, Papa for a little while. 

Lastly, a thought to end with: Why must we do all the things that society demands us to do? Sure, we all have to have jobs and make money because that's the way this world work but honestly, we can do all that and still love doing it! I see so many people that seem to have turned rotten at the core and aren't happy. There's really no excuse for it. I believe that we make our own destiny and we have the power to do what it is we need to do in this life for us to be happy. I wish more people would understand this concept instead of wallowing in self pity about how hard their lives are. And I hope to inspire people to do just that and I think I have, at least a few people in my life currently, which bring such a warm feeling to be able to say that! So get out there, be happy, do what you love and make this life epic! 

xoxo.

on the best pumpkin bread...

We are extreme pumpkin everything lovers. This season wouldn't be the same if I don't bake yummy pumpkin treats. Although I haven't created as much as I usually do during this time it's still the best when I do. Sebastian was the one that inspired this Wholewheat Pumpkin Bread after he begged me to make some yesterday morning. It's quick and easy too!

Ingredients: 
1 1/2 wholewheat flour
1 cup sugar 
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons pumpkin spice 
2 eggs 
1 (15oz) can pumpkin 
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease a loaf pan, set aside. 
2. Mix together all the dry ingredients. Flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and pumpkin spice. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl combine sugar, eggs, pumpkin, oil and vanilla. Mix everything together. 
4. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and stir until completely incorporated.
5. Pour into the loaf pan and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until tooth pick is clean. 
6. Let it cool and serve! 

Enjoy!

on a chickpea burger...

Since the beginning of September I've lost 20 lbs and since then I've thrived to watch everything I eat to keep it off. It's become more a lifestyle then a diet. I don't call myself vegetarian or vegan but I have switched to more of a plant based diet. The past two months I've been able to experiment and open my eyes to so many different things. I've become a lover of unique juices and smoothies and I've made it my mission to be creative in the kitchen in order to enjoy what I eat and know that I'm putting all but good stuff into my body. 

I made this amazing Chickpea Burger the other night that I put over arugula with a simple Cider Vinaigrette. So many flavors, lovely colors and so fulfilling. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 can chickpeas, drained

1/2 cup cilantro 

1 egg, lightly beaten 

1/2 red onion, chopped

salt and pepper

2 tbsp olive oil

Direction:

Add chickpeas, cilantro, egg, onion, salt and pepper into a food processor and pulse to combine but still chunky. I just hand mashed everything. 

Heat olive oil on until hot in a skillet and cookie patties until golden brown. Makes about 4 patties. 

Put these babies on wholewheat buns for the family to enjoy with lettuce and tomato. Or simply put it over mixed green with your chose of dressing. Yum!!

xoxo.

on who I am...

I am...

...missing my blog. I miss writing here and expressing here. Can you believe that just this past Friday was my FOUR YEAR blog birthday! But lately, life just hasn't allowed it as much as I wish. I've been spending my evenings going to the gym, writing bits and pieces in my book or just catching up on television shows. Either way I hope to get back to sharing. I have some great easy recipes to share and some fun smoothies to have you try.

...grateful for all of our family and friends who came out to my in laws to join in on our farewell party. It was nice to see so many people in one place. Good food, laughs and drinks of course all equal an epic evening! I even wore a special shirt that I bumped into at Marshals a few weeks ago that I just had to buy just to wear for the party. Leaving one coast for another. Bittersweet but in the end we love everyone for supporting us in our journey. 

...realizing that tomorrow marks my last month of working at Saxbys Coffee. It's surreal to think about. I've worked there for almost five years now and it's become part of me. I've met so many amazing people and I will forever miss my co-workers and especially all the people I see on a day to day basis. 

...learning that people come and people go. I feel like I gain a few new good people in my life and then grow apart from others. I've learned the last two weeks that even the people who are by rule suppose to be the closest to you can still grow apart from you with a blink of your eye. Sometimes you just have to let them go. Since Sebastian was born and my little family was created I've found myself fighting less and moving on more. We must always choose our battles and some of them are just not worth it. Life always goes on though.

...loving some of the new friends Bobby and I acquired at the wedding we went to a few weekends ago. We went to the wedding knowing that we really wouldn't know anyone other than the bride and groom. I wanted to make the most of it and ended up chatting with a couple at our table. It turns out the dude met the groom the same way Bobby met him and they hit it off and the chick he was with ended up being his fiancé which I became very friendly with. It was so fun! Next thing we know, we are inviting them to our farewell party and they are inviting us to their engagement party!! Love that sort of thing. 

...excited about my dear friend, Julee's second book available on Amazon. She is such an inspiration and I'm so proud of her for accomplishing something that means so much to her. I can't wait to get my hands on it, make a cup of hot chocolate, cuddle up on the couch and get lost in a Christmas adventure. Check out Sandra Claus by JingleBelle Jackson. Love you JULEE!

...addicted to the Witches of East End. Coolest. Show. 

...finding comfort in the little things. Snuggles with my little boy. The feeling I get when I see my husband looking at me with love in his eyes. Pandora speaking softly in my ears. A hot cup of tea. Freshly popped popcorn with a movie. Daydreaming of the future and what it holds. And all the people in my life who care about me and what I stand for, who constantly challenge me to be the best that I can be, who believe in me and for the people who appreciate me for me. Amen. 

xoxo.

on currently...

Happenings// Well, I'm still ALIVE! The past month was a little crazy. Busy, stressful and a lot of hard work. We packed up all our belongings and moved out of the place we have call home for over five years now. Both Bobby and I work full time so it was a little rough having to pack & move with such a full schedule but in the end we did it and I can't be happier to have it all done! Leaving our place in the wonderful neighborhood we were at was sad but to think of the new adventure we are about embark on washes any of those feelings away. 
As of right now, we are living with my in laws. The house is full, loud and sometimes chaotic but all three of us are just thankful for the time we get to spend with our Schuler family before we move. Since all of our things are packed up in boxes, it makes our move to Seattle a breeze. All we will have to do is pack the moving truck up and set sail. My dad was awesome and bought a one way ticket out here to help Bobby drive the truck back. So, he is set to fly in on December 10th and then together they will leave for their journey on the 11th. Then after that Sebastian and I will be flying back over to the Northwest on the 12th! It's going to be a crazy week but I just can't believe it's finally happening. Even though it will be sad leaving Philadelphia and the life that we've lived for the past 7 years it's also very exciting to start new and have the chance to be around my family and friends.

Reading// I just finished the book Red Hill by Jamie McGuire. It's another one of those zombie apocalypse books yet so so good! It's written the views of three different characters. One, a women who just sent her two daughters off to spend the weekend at their dads. All hell brakes lose and her precious daughters are no where to be found. Day after day she doesn't know whether they are alive or shuffling around out there somewhere. Two, a single average joe father with a five year old daughter just trying to survive in the world with danger lurking all around. Three, a college girl who luckily was on the way to her dad's house in the country with her sister and both their boyfriends. A house that could potential save or doom them all. In the end, all their fates intertwine. Sounds good huh? Also I find that I should totally start writing synopsis for books. 

Excited about// My dad and step-mom just bought a house in Poulsbo, Washington. As much as I am happy for my dad for being able to find a home that he loves in a place that seems like a perfect fit for them, I'm just excited about being able to share a home with them for a little while. Until we find a house that we would like to buy we get to live with my dad, step mom and my little sister. Sebastian is going to flip when he realizes that we have to ride the ferry whenever we have get back over to Seattle. He absolutely loves the ferry and I can't wait to be surround by the beautiful water. 

Watching// Wow! So many awesome shows. At first, I was extremely overwhelmed with them all and a bit behind due to the move but now that I am all caught up it's thrilling to see where all these season are going. The Originals has been great and I'm curious about how this first season is going to pan out. On the other hand, Vampire Diaries has proved to still be an epic show. I was nervous since it is on it's fifth season and I wasn't sure what new twist they could come up with but they have and I love them for it. American Horror Story is totally wicked and outstanding and then there's Walking Dead which I thought was going to be just that..DEAD. But another show that restored my faith. The Witches of East Wick has caught my attention and urge you if you haven't to tune in on Sundays. And let's not forget that Dracula starts this week coming up!! Happy happy :)

Loving// How great I've been feeling. After hard work and determination I've lost twenty pounds! It's crazy to say that I'm back down to the weight that I was at when I was eighteen. I would love to lose ten more pounds to be at the weight that I've only every dreamed about being at. Last week Bobby and I joined the gym that is right down the street from my in laws house which makes it very easy for me to make time to spend there. I've become a smoothie loving fool and it's amazing how great my body and soul feels. Not to mention how invigorating it is to accomplish such a big goal! 

Looking forward to// Bobby and I are attending a wedding next weekend. It's one of Bobby's friend who I've only met a handful of times but we are excited about being able to have a night out. The wedding is in New Jersey and so we will be staying in the hotel that the wedding reception is going to be held at. I'm looking forward to be able to dress up fancy and have a late night and fun time. Amen to being able to have excuse to buy a pretty dress and chic shoes. 

xoxo.

on seven years...

Today, seven years ago I met my husband. I flew from Seattle to Philadelphia and bumped into him at the airport for the first time. Love at first sight is a real thing! I experienced it back on that day and every since, our love has been stronger than ever. Many people doubted what we had and I know both of us had people in our lives at the time that didn't think we would last (both family & friends) but we proved everyone wrong. I'm a big believer in fate and I still to this day believe that the Universe brought Bobby and I together for a reason. We were put on this earth to be together so that we do great things. I love him to death and can't wait for another seven years! CHEERS to us :) 

xoxo.

on an asian ginger dressing...

I had to share this super simple Asian Ginger dressing that I've been obsessing over lately. I was first introduced to it via my mother in law and ever since I've been making it. I love it because it's light yet full of flavor! I enjoy drizzling it on a simple green salad or you can even dice up a whole cucumber and soak it in about 1/2 of this dressing to have as a side at the dinner table. The fun thing about this dressing is you can play around with how you make it. For example, I ended up putting more ginger into mine after I used the recipe below. I adore ginger and wanted that flavor to be more intense. You can go lighter on the vinegar and heavier on the honey if you like sweet dressings or vise versa if you like them a bit tangy. Try it out! Here's how I made mine...

Ingredients:

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup rice vinegar 

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons sesame oil

Combine all the ingredients into an air tight container and shake it to mix everything together. Store in the fridge. Dressing will separate so every time you take it out of the fridge give it a quick shake, shake!  

Enjoy.