More S'Mores Please!

I was so happy to see the picture on the front page of the Life & Style section of The State because I LOVE S'MORES! Unfortunately, summertime is waaaay to hot where I live to even think about having a fire. So this time of year is perfect for s'mores.


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The article is really cute and has some great recipes for mixin' up your s'mores. Go check it out!

Pumpkin Recipe 2

To be honest, I felt a little hippie-esque when I was baking up some granola on Monday. I was blogging about my TOMS and making granola and steel cut oats at the same time. But I don't want to deny that small, hippie part of myself :) The granola tastes pretty darn great!

I used a recipe from Homemade by Holman and adjusted it just a little bit.

Pumpkin Cranberry Granola

2 1/2 cups old fashion rolled oats
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup golden raisins
3/4 cup dried cranberries (I used a prepackaged mix of cranberries and raisins because it was a lot cheaper)
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 T canola or vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with a Silpat or parchment paper. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well until the wet ingredients are evenly incorporated. Spread out mix onto a baking sheet, try to get it into an even layer but don't worry too much about clumps at this point. Bake about 30 minutes, stir and spread mixture in an even layer again. Continue baking about 30 minutes more. Let cool completely and store in an airtight container.


SO DELICIOUS! It makes so much granola- I am a little overwhelmed by it, but a good overwhelmed!


I also made a big batch of steel cut oats from this recipe from Two Peas and Their Pod. It has a different texture than I was expected, but its really good! I added some brown sugar because I'm trying to reduce my sugar intake but I can't go cold-turkey!


I got to try one more of my pumpkin recipes and this one is definitely a keeper!

TOMS is AMAZING

Toms JUST gave out their 1 millionth pair of shoes this month. It was so cute- they went back to Argentina where it all started!


This company is freakin' amazing :) I'm so proud to own 2 pairs of my own TOMS and keep contemplating a 3rd!

One Millionth Pair Drop pictures are available here!

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Or maybe these....

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Or maybe just some plain ones to draw on myself

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Feeling Yellow

I felt like dressing in autumn yellow for church this morning :) I love fall colors!

All Local Farmers' Market

I had the distinct pleasure of waking up late and walking over to the All Local Farmer's Market. I feel so blessed to have a farmers' market that focuses on the producers, because other farmers' markets allow resale products. Not quite the same... And I found out that there is a new business there- a local independent coffee roaster! I didn't bring enough money for the coffee this week, but I will be getting some soon!

Fresh Garlic! I've never seen it like this before.... so neat!

I picked up some radishes and fresh tarragon, as well as one of these adorable produce bags! It's made of unbleached cotton and the cute little design is hand embroidered! It was only $5 and just so cute! I had such a difficult time deciding between a peach, pear, apple and the eggplant I ended up with! She had so many different designs to choose from. I highly recommend buying one next week (at City Roots where the farmers' market will be because of the football game) if you live anywhere near Columbia!

I am trying to find a way to use the radish greens, so if you have any suggestions, please let me know!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Chai Love

Now that the temperature has been below the mid-90s, I can finally start planning for more warm drinks! As much as I love chai tea, there is no way I can let myself enjoy it only one way! Here is my little chai recipe round up that spreads the chai love to other parts of my diet other than sweet drinks. I hope you enjoy!

Vanilla Chai Sable Cookies with Cinnamon Cream

Chai Pancakes with Black Tea Poached Plums (Sarah tried these and said they were amazing!)

Homemade Chai Masala (mix)- I think this would be a great mass Christmas present

Chai Infused Quinoa Flakes

Chai Snickerdoodles 

Pumpkin Chai Pie

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the intense flavors that are present in Chai (or masala chai) because it is just so interesting. I love the spiciness of the drink and the fact that it is traditionally made with equal parts sugar and milk with the tea and spices. I hope you enjoy and will make some chai for yourself!

Sunday Brunch (a little late)

Sorry I am posting this a little late, but for our church's women's brunch on Sunday, I was able to try a new recipe that I've had bookmarked.

I made Cinnamon Quick Bread from this recipe and it was a little dry (I think I overbaked it a little because the top didn't ever crisp up) but it was great with jelly!

I may just forgo the "crumb" topping next time in favor of a little powdered sugar glaze.

Do you have any great brunch recipes to share? I love cooking for breakfast and brunch because there are so many options that are overlooked (like sweet things!) I can't wait to get more recipes knocked off of my to-do list like this one! More to come.