This Woman Changed Me

There are people in this world who have a sudden and lasting affect on you. A picture of this woman struck me the other day on Pinterest. I followed it to her blog, Girl With Curves, and was instantly mesmerized by Tanesha Awasthi's charm, confidence, style, and beauty. 

As some of you know from previous posts, I used to have a very different figure. Sometimes I even shopped in the children's section because I was so thin! I have gained weight over the past few years, and having a child has of course changed my body as well. Recently I realized I was falling deeper and deeper into a slump. I wore yoga pants and sweatshirts nearly every day. All of my pretty clothes don't fit me anymore. But I kept thinking, "I'll buy new things once I've lost a little weight."

When I saw Girl With Curves it felt like a light bulb going off in my head. Why did I think I had to lose weight to dress nicely? Where did I get the notion that my style and beauty should be put on hold until I drop a few pounds? 

In magazines, and also on Pinterest, you see so many thin women modeling clothing, and I think the image gets ingrained in your mind: sexy, flattering clothing look good on skinny figures. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a trim woman wearing an outfit, and my reaction was, "Sure it looks great on her...look at her body. I could never pull that off with this figure!" 

Tanesha states that her biggest motivation for publishing her blog is to help curvaceous women understand that there is no piece of clothing that is taboo for them. Find pieces that are flattering and wear them with confidence. 

I haven't worn sleeveless dresses or shirts in years, not since my arms grew softer and rounder and didn't have those chiseled shoulders and biceps that so many Hollywood actresses sport these days anymore. Well, I headed to the mall and bought myself three sleeveless dresses yesterday! I always thought that, with my short, curvy legs, I couldn't pull of skinny jeans. Well, next time I go to the mall, I will be trying some on until I find a pair that fits me, and I promise myself to wear them with pride!

The funny thing is, after browsing the Girl With Curves gallery again and again over the past few days for motivation and inspiration, I saw a picture of a skinny model and she actually looked pretty strange to me. No feminine curves. Why had I always believed that this was the ideal?

The whole way I look at myself, and my body, has undergone a huge change, and I have Tanesha to thank for that.

xoxoxo

Twinkling Moments

A few weeks ago, there was a very special email waiting for me in my flikr mailbox. It was from a woman in India named Niru. She wrote that she has been reading this blog for a long time now, and finally wanted to get in touch and introduce herself, because she felt we have so much in common. A lovely line of correspondence followed, and she also led me to her gorgeous blog, which features photographs of her bright, serene home, as well as Indian architecture and people. She shares quotes which touch her and moments from her charmed life. I'd like to invite you to visit my new friend Niru's precious corner of the blog world! Here, at Twinkling Moments. 

xoxo

Some Favorite Things In January

Make your own tags and ornaments with homemade salt dough, alphabet stamps, and paint.

Recipe here.

The breathtakingly beautiful Swedish home of a blogger named Julia. All of her text is in Swedish, but you actually don't need to understand anything...the photos speak for themselves.

The pictures of her home, garden, and family, just fill me with inspiration and happiness.

Visit her blog, Julias Vita Drommar, here.

These DIY tea bags for Valentine's Day gifts. So simple and sweet!

Find the instructions here.

This handmade canvas backpack. Just think of all the things you could fit in here for hikes in the wilderness! Camera, snacks, thermos....Available here.

This newspaper snippet. Hehehe. Originally posted here.

This book! My mom sent it to me and it's great. It also has a very easy format for someone who has to dip in and out as time (i.e. baby) allows. You can find it for yourself or some new parents you know here.

This woman's pantry makeover, which you can see here.  Our pantry is in absolute chaos right now and I really hope Ramon will help me organize it this weekend. This woman's pantry is a great inspiration.

This quote from the amazing singer Adele.

In this month of New Year's resolutions, I can relate to her words.

Life isn't about being skinny.

At least it shouldn't be!

Here's to all the women who, despite so much pressure from all around (even other women!), don't lose sight of all of the great things about them and about their lives that are so much more important than fitting into a certain size of jeans.

xoxoxo

The Pursuit Of Happiness Includes Brownies

"Remember to make time for the pursuit of happiness, one of your most important human rights!"
-Susan Branch

It's an overcast day, perfect for baking brownies and watching leaves fly past the kitchen window.

I no longer have that overwhelming feeling of impatience about Rafael's arrival. The closer I get to his due date, the more I feel rested and assured that yes, he will come, and no, I won't be pregnant forever. So I'm pursuing happiness today, like Susan Branch suggested, and that involves licking brownie batter from a wooden spoon.

I discovered this recipe over at the beautiful blog Honey & Jam; it promised gooey, chewy, rich brownies that were easy to make and didn't require bar chocolate. The result is delicious and everything Hannah promised.

Gooey Cocoa Brownies

courtesy of hannah from honey and jam

Makes 16 larger or 25 smaller brownies

10 tablespoons unsalted butter


1 1/4 cups sugar


3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-process)


1/4 teaspoon salt


1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract


2 large eggs, cold


1/2 cup all-purpose flour


2/3 cup walnut or pecan pieces (optional)

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 325°F. 

Line the bottom and sides of an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or foil, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides. Combine the butter, sugar, cocoa, and salt in a medium heatproof bowl and microwave for 1:30 minutes (since I don't own a microwave, Hannah suggested I melt the mixture in a bowl over boiling water).

Remove and stir until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth. Set aside briefly until the mixture is only warm, not hot. It looks fairly gritty at this point, but don’t fret — it smoothes out once the eggs and flour are added. Stir in the vanilla with a wooden spoon. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each one. When the batter looks thick, shiny, and well blended, add the flour and stir until you cannot see it any longer, then beat vigorously for 40 strokes with the wooden spoon or a rubber spatula. Stir in the nuts, if using. 

Spread evenly in the lined pan. Bake until a toothpick plunged into the center emerges slightly moist with batter, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely on a rack. Lift up the ends of the parchment or foil liner, and transfer the brownies to a cutting board.

Cut into 16 or 25 squares.

I've been pretty good about eating healthily and staying active throughout pregnancy; up until now I resisted the many times I've longed to bake batches of cookies or tins of pies. But now, nearing the end, I can feel this need to pamper myself, to take it easy, and to thoroughly enjoy these last days of pregnancy. 

I am including the picture below, taken this morning while waiting for the brownies to cool, to remind myself later of the incredible size my belly expanded to...and the incredible things my body is capable of. I know some day I'll look at this photo in disbelief!

No wonder my back hurts....

Favorite Things in September

chewy molasses chocolate chip cookies; my absolute favorite cookies :: joy the baker

an enchanting look into life on a farm in vermont  through my new favorite blog :: La Porte Rouge

this illustration :: penelope dullaghan

hand knit lambswool baby blanket; i want to snuggle up with rafael under this :: rocket and bear

watching the leaves change in our neighborhood

hearty dishes like dumplings with mushroom sauce :: design*sponge

handmade pumpkin cheesecake lip balm; smells lovely and keeps my lips soft :: long winter farm

this outfit; wonder how my post-pregnancy body will be!

determined to start a vintage brown transferware collection; it makes freshly baked gingerbread even more delicious :: a country farmhouse

long walks in the woods looking for mushrooms and acorns with my family

smokey topaz earrings made with vintage german glass; i just love these :: le petit ruban

decorating the home for the season :: herz-allerliebst

the new experience of motherhood; my most favorite september thing of all :: sarah field photography

Yesterday I was told by two different people that I shouldn't be taking my morning walks in the woods alone anymore. They convinced me with the scenario of my water breaking and being trapped waiting to be rescued, since you aren't supposed to walk once your water breaks; the danger of the cord wrapping around the baby's neck when he slips down is too big. 

So from now on, I'll be taking walks around town with the dogs. Maybe it's a good thing....maybe I'll be forced to take more creative pictures and share more of village life with you all. 

I loved reading all your guesses on the arrival date of our little boy. I wrote them all down and am so curious to see if any of you are right! (Was very happy that you all guessed him coming earlier rather than later.)

Hope you enjoyed my September favorites!

It's such an exciting time....

My Kitchen (and me) Are Being Featured on Cheeseslave Today!

Cheeseslave is a fantastic blog about REAL FOOD. Real food means what it says...real butter, raw milk, organic meats and produce, traditional cooking....food that nourishes. Nothing that says 'light' and nothing that has been processed to resemble something 'like' real food. Eating the way your healthy, robust, cancer-free, heart-disease-free ancestors did. As most of you must know by now, that's the way we've been eating since reading Sally Fallon's book Nourishing Traditions.

Ann Marie from Cheeseslave likes to share the kitchens of fellow real food enthusiasts once in a while, and I'm so happy she has chosen mine to be featured today!

Hop on over HERE to have a look if you're curious! I hope you will not only enjoy having a peek at my kitchen, but that you will stick around and browse the awesome recipes and fascinating information that fills Ann Marie's blog.

Meanwhile, Back At The Ranch

Jessie, thank you so much for finding me. Because it helped me find you! Your photographs of life on your family ranch in North Dakota are breathtaking, and your open, honest words are refreshing. I could lose hours following you bareback down grassy trails under that huge North Dakota sky.
It amazes me how blogs are capable of connecting two girls who are so far apart geographically, but so close in terms of heart and soul.


So happy we connected, kindred spirit!


Visit Jessie HERE.


xoxo country girl




all photos copyright of Jessie Veeder Scofield

Lately....

This is what my life looks like lately. Isn't it a beautiful chaotic cuddly mess?

Boston grows every day, and the friendship between he and Kiki gets stronger. I hear them rough-housing in the other room while I type and my heart sighs with content.


There is alot of pee and poo, alot of dog hair and alot of vaccuuming up dog hair...trips to the vet, planning for the new apartment, visits from friends, a shower here and there to wash off bits of grass and puppy kisses, grocery shopping and cooking dinner, changing bedding, baking oatmeal cream pies, taking cautious walks watching out for big dogs and anything little pups might want to swallow, making cake bunting for Halloween and Christmas, hurrying to the post office to send off orders, trying to give equal attention to both dogs, and worrying that Boston will never stop using our home as a toilet.


Did I mention vaccuuming up dog hair? There's alot of that. Alot.


So many great things, stressful things, fun things, annoying things. Life!


I hope you are all doing well....enjoying the beauty and the chaos called 'living.'


Sending you all so much love....


xoxo country girl


P.s. Hop over to Lana Lou's lovely blog where she has featured my current Wish List!
I wonder what's on yours?