make: lists

Are you a list writer? I'm totally guilty of loving lists. I won't deny the claim that lists can be overwhelming, as long as those who make such a claim won't deny that checking something off a list can be so satisfying. I'm one of the people who adds already accomplished tasks to lists just for the satisfaction of checking them off. I know there are others out there. Perhaps you're the crossing out type? I make grocery lists. And work out lists. And goal lists. And cleaning lists. I have to add "put laundry away" to a list to avoid the laziness of leaving clean clothes in a laundry basket. That's not to say I won't spontaneously accomplish something or tend to a task straight away. But lists are like my diaries. I think it's part of a need to make a record of what I'm doing. Or want to do. It's a mechanism for turning plans into reality. On a grander scale (as in grander than putting laundry away), it's a mechanism for turning dreams into reality. And like I wrote about a couple weeks ago, I'm going to stop being afraid of making big plans. Lists are the little steps to getting to the dreamed of future.

To-do list notepad by Knock Knock.

and do: go for a walk

I started this blog as a commitment to make or do something everyday. And for many days that do was going for a walk. But I hadn't been walking much lately. Besides walking to and from the bus stop. Which involves stairs and a steep hill, I'll have you know. But that walk up the hill at the end of the work day isn't what I would call mind-clearing. The mind is more likely going at a rapid clip of, "Ugh. Why do I insist on carrying this piece of luggage I call a purse. Surely I don't need to bring this full water bottle everyday. I don't even remember to drink out it. That's why it's still full. And I who am I kidding, half the time I don't pull out my book on the bus. I really should leave it at home." So, I've stopped taking afternoon walks. But this past Saturday was a beautiful day and my Seattle guilt (the guilt that insists all sunny days be taken advantage of) drove me out for a walk. It was great. I remembered why I love walking. I experienced the mind-clearing and the creativity-sparking magic of walking. I remembered why going for a walk always counts as a do for the day.

Image via here.

make: pumpkin bread

Do you have a favorite you always reach for when confronted with a pastry case? A croissant perhaps? Maybe doughnuts call your name? If I'm picking up an accompaniment to my morning coffee, I almost always go for a scone. I will even admit here that I kinda like the super dense and sometimes a little dryness of coffee shop scones. I know. It's breakfast pastry blasphemy to not favor the light, flakiness of a croissant.

So, why is the picture of pumpkin bread up above? Because it's officially fall and it's officially totally appropriate to bake pumpkin bread. (And because I have never made a satisfying scone. Hence, I buy them at the coffee shop.) Most mornings, I am an oatmeal kind of girl. I do believe in a good filling breakfast. So, this pumpkin bread is whole wheat, low sugar and totally yummy. Begging for a warm cup of coffee enjoyed wearing a chunky sweater, boots and wool socks. Welcome back fall. I've missed you.

PS -- I followed this recipe for the most part, with the exception of olive oil instead of coconut oil and for flour I used this ratio: 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour, 1/4 almond flour, 1/4 coconut flour. I didn't use millet, but I threw in a couple of tablespoons of uncooked steel cut oats. Also, I must note that I thought the step of adding the baking soda to hot water first seemed fussy, but I think it definitely made a difference in the rise of the bread.

pinning for friday #6

Easy. Minimal. Chic. That's my attitude towards dressing and cooking this week. P.S. -- never tried a fried egg over pasta? Stop. Go to the kitchen. Do it now. All you need for deliciousness is pasta, an egg, salt, and parmesan. If you're not hungry now, have it this weekend. Enjoy it and everything else this Saturday and Sunday brings. And if you want to follow my pins throughout the week, you can find me wishing and daydreaming over here.

Images 1, 2, 3, 4

and do: get dressed #5

With the changing of the seasons comes the changing of the clothes. A month ago I was dreaming of chicly dressing down a fancy pencil skirt with a casual t-shirt. Today, I'm looking to stay a bit warmer. So I'm loving all the ladies rocking fancy skirts with the most comfy casual of all closet items -- the sweatshirt. It's inspiration to carry me through till legs must be covered too.

Image via

and do: go to a museum #3

A primary disadvantage, as I see it, with not having the means to teleport is missing museum exhibitions in cities far away. Really, I just want to pop in and pop out. There is so much to see. And when it comes to art, a computer screen just doesn't cut it. For this edition of go to a museum, I'm daydreaming of visiting the upcoming exhibition "A Queen Within" opening October 19 at the World Chess Hall of Fame (yes, really) in St. Louis. From the exhibition website:

Produced by an international team of thought-leaders, curators, fashion insiders, and chess players, the exhibition focuses on the how storytelling as well as the various archetypes of the queen have captured the imagination of innovative fashion designers.

Image: Charlie Le Mindu, SS2010 via World Chess Hall of Fame 

make: lemon yogurt cake

Lemon yogurt cake is my favorite cake. All you need is a bowl and fork...and the ingredients, which is a short list as well: yogurt, a lemon, flour, baking powder, eggs, olive oil. It's simple, easy and delicious every time. I follow this recipe, but with olive oil instead of canola and I usually bake it in a loaf pan. But, this time around it's also a birthday cake. So to make it a little more special, I baked it in a round pan and made a glaze out of confectioner's sugar and lemon juice to top it off. The lemon and yogurt make it tangy. The three eggs make it rich. And the olive oil, well, it takes the cake.