Giving Thanks

It's that time of year again where everyone begins to think about all the things they are thankful for, and I myself do this as well! So it got me to thinking, why don't we stay thankful all year long? Why is it so hard for us to acknowledge all the things we are thankful for year round? Why do we have to reserve gratefulness for one weekend (or two for those who celebrate Canadian and American Thanksgiving)? It seems as though this is a question that is asked every year... and every year we vow to change our ways...

Rant over!

I wanted to share with everyone some of the things I am the most grateful for this year. So of them may be slightly trivial, but some of them are a little bit more deep rooted. However, I think it is a healthy balance of small and large things that make life worth living and make you a well rounded person!

1. A closet full of fall clothing! I am a very candid autumn lover, and I will talk about all my appropriate clothing to pretty much anyone who will listen! I can finally break out the leggings, the oversized sweaters, the scarves, mittens, hates, and autumn dresses! It makes me happier then I can explain to anyone! Mustard yellows, burgundy, grey, and brown (Ohhhhh the brown boots!) My love affair for fall will never dwindle, I promise you all that!

2. A solid support system. The last year has been one of the hardest of my life, but the amazing group of friends that I have did not leave my side for one minute. They waited as I went through the motions and they waited to be the shoulder to cry when I needed it, and they were there to share in my angriest of moments. Most importantly, they were there to celebrate, laugh, and joke with me when I was ready again. I couldn't ask for a more amazing group of people, and I love them all!

3. Those moments where you have small breakthroughs with people. When you are able to break through to a new and different part of your relationship then you have never experienced before. Those moments where you realize that you will be friends with this person and they will remain an important part of your life for years and years to come.

4. Ryan Gosling... I have no words.

5. Avocados! I eat one everyday and there is no shame in that!

6. The moment in an amazing book that you finally figure out what is happening, and it all makes sense.

7. Finishing a painting, sitting back and realizing that you created this. Right down to the minute details you made this, and you love it!

8. Waking up just a couple of minutes before your alarm goes off but you still feel utterly refreshed so you are able to just lay in your warm bed and enjoy the gift of time you have... even if it is just a few short moments.

9. Corbin! He's just so lovely. Most handsome kitten on the block!

10. My newfound enlightenment in regards to what I want and what I need in a relationship! I have finally figured out what is important to me and I will no longer back down and just let things be. I've come to the realization that I am actually a girl, I have feelings and while sometimes they do tend to be a little irrational they are still my feelings and they are likely very warranted. I have learned to accept that I need to be chased, need to be told that I am beautiful, and need to feel that I am wanted. I no longer try to convince myself that I don't need that, that I am better then that, and that intelligent secure women do not need that kind of reinforcement in their lives. Fact of the matter is, every girl likes that feeling! Every girl deserve to hear that she is beautiful, she deserves flowers, she deserves some guy looking through her eyes and into her heart, she deserves someone who embraces her whole world when he holds her hand. I am still strong, independent, intelligent and awesome... I just want to be treated a little bit like a lady!

While I really could go on and talk about countless other things that I am thankful for, I should let it be for now!

Please, share with me what you are the most thankful for! Also, have a safe and amazing Thanksgiving weekend (remember, it isn't ALL about the size of the turkey).

Be well.

Acorn Squash Soup

At the beginning of the week I decided that I needed to roast a squash, and when I say needed I really mean that! At the moment I cut it, seasoned it, and put it in the oven I really truly felt that I needed to be doing it! Believe me guys, this happens more often then you would think!

The problem was, that I was not sure what I would do with my finished product! So I packaged it up, and threw it in the fridge until I knew what I wanted to create with it. 

Throughout the week the weather became amazing, and by amazing I mean that fall officially hit! I was foggy in the morning, we had a couple days of rain and the temperature is slowly dropping. As much as I love this weather it was leaving me craving food that would warm me to my bones! Obviously pumpkin everything was the most logical thing to do, but I needed to branch out (and use up that tasty squash that I had sitting in the fridge). So, on a particularly chilly night when I was off work late, starving, and oh so cold I felt like it was time to whip this squash into some amazing heart warming soup.

For this soup I used a medium sized acorn squash, since it was what I had in my fridge, but I am certain you would be able to use butternut or even pumpkin! Whatever is plentiful in your home at any given moment in time. 

First off, I sliced up and the squashed and removed all the seeds. Then I drizzled some olive oil, and sprinkled on some Italian Style seasoning and a bit of pepper then baked them in the over for about 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Keep checking on them, and when they are fork tender and it looks like you could separate the skin from flesh they are done!!

From this point on, this is what you will need:

- the squash you have roasted

- a small onion, chopped

- couple stalks of celery chopped

- three cloves of garlic, crushed

- 2 tbsp of olive oil

- 1 can of coconut milk

- 2 cups of vegetable broth

- 1 1/2 cups of frozen peas

- crushed red pepper, to taste
- sriacha, to taste

Whatcha you should do now:

1. Get your lovely boyfriend to peel the skins off the squash and put all of the flesh into a blender while you chop the vegetables and sauté the garlic, onion and olive oil together, on medium heat until tender. Turn element to low.

2. Add the can of coconut milk to the frying pan and gently heat through. Then add the coconut milk mixture to the blender and blend until the squash is a smoothish consistency.

3. Put it all back into the frying pan, add the spices, and the vegetable broth until your desired consistency is reached. Add in frozen peas and heat till warmed through again!

That should be all! Be prepared to enjoy some amazing and delicious soup! (Jonathan really seemed to enjoy it, so I can assume it was good!)