Tag Archive | autumn

Hello October 🎃

Some days it’s really hard to fight the urge to count calories. Even tho I’ve made a conscious decision to sway away from that, focus on moving my body daily and eating what makes me feel good! I think it’s going to take a long time to break the habit of counting calories and judging food in the “healthy/un healthy” category’s.

I had to fight through the urge over breakfast to look up all the reasons why that 1/2 avocado was “too Much” or “unhealthy”. I reminded myself that I enjoy avocado and it keeps me full for a long time!

I think unlearning old habits is often harder then forming new habits!

Thankful Thursday Week 41/52

Oct8

Yesterday was the most stunning Fall day!

We started out our day with a long walk around a wildlife/bird sanctuary and capped off our day with a trip to the beach for ice cream!

I’m thankful that Jacob got some quality time with his grandparents/family on the island this week and that he got to enjoy being outside in the autumn sunshine!

Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in our to do lists but it’s also important to just hit pause and take a week to just breathe.

Thankful Thursday Week 39/52

Sep24

September is my favourite! Fall is my true seasonal love. The air gets a little crisp, the pumpkins start to appear everywhere and things just slow down. The leaves show us how spectacular change can be!! I know that most people feel spring is the season of renewal but I honestly feel Fall is a season of renewal as well. Fall is a stark reminder that nothing new can blossom without allowing ourselves to slow down, embrace the change and allow ourselves to be rejuvenated.

I’m so thankful for all fall offers! The colors, the slow down, quiet nights, cozy weekends, Thanksgiving, halloween and pumpkins!!

This week Jacob harvested the last of the pumpkins from the garden with grandpa and it was honestly a little bitter sweet. I honestly think this will be my parents last Fall in that house and it just hurts my heart a little. So I was so grateful to watch Jacob and him harvest those beautiful pumpkins we all lovingly tended to all summer. 🎃

Tuesday Turnaround

Oct9

Happy Belated Thanksgiving Canadian friends!

I hope everyone got to take a few minutes this past weekend to give thanks for the things in their life! I was lucky enough to get two turkey dinners. One with Kevin’s Family and one with my sister in laws family. Both were delicious and I definitely feel like I should probably eat a big salad for dinner tonight!

I’m extremely Thankful for many things but the last couple days I feel foggy. I need to get my head clear. I’m not sure how to do that or what I need but I definitely feel I need some quiet “me time”. Jacob is currently going through a phase that is testing my whole being.

This photo was taken after he had his first real MAJOR public meltdown! He lost it at the pumpkin patch on Saturday and in hindsight I should of seen it coming because he had a full and exciting few days prior to Saturday. Yesterday morning he was incredibly upset when it was time for me to go to work. When I arrive home he instantly turned into a head strong little tyrant and it didn’t stop until he fell asleep on the couch at bedtime! Parenting is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It’s exhausting and demanding. I love him ferociously but sometimes I have to remind myself that he’s just a child and no matter how strong my emotions are dealing with all this his are just as strong and he doesn’t yet have the tools to deal with these big emotions.

So my goal for today is to turn it all around. I definitely need to get my head together and just breathe. Let’s hope Jacob can get on bored.

Pumpkin Spice Cookies With Maple Frosting

Sep13

It’s almost the middle of September! Pumpkin season is in full swing!!! I decided today was a good day for some Fall inspired baking! These cookies are pillowy soft and delicious but the maple frosting is the show stopper!

Ingredients 1 cup canned pumpkin

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup oil

1 egg

1/2 tablespoon instant coffee

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp pumpkin spice liquid flavouring (optional)

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Method

Combine pumpkin, egg, oil, sugar, vanilla, and, instant coffee, liquid pumpkin flavouring in medium bowl.

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and pumpkin spice in another bowl.

Stir wet ingredients together and use a fork or whisk to combine dry ingredients.

Combine wet and dry ingredients, stiring just to combine.

Drop by spoonfuls onto lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 13 minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to fully cool before frosting.

To make the maple cream frosting simply combine the following ingredients.

1 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup light cream cheese

1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon vanilla coffee creamer

1 teaspoon maple extract

I used my immersion hand blender outside on the patio but if you don’t have a sleeping baby just toss them in a mixer!

Frost cookies and enjoy!

Note: This is the liquid pumpkin spice flavouring I used. It’s available at baking stores, online and micheals crafts.

My Quiet Friday

Aug28

I’ve decided to get back to sharing more of my life on the blog as well as the recipes and reviews.

I think sharing more about my eating, exercises, and life in general helps keep me more accountable. Plus who doesn’t want to see more of this little charmers face?!?

Today was a quiet day. I cancelled plans with a friend and just embraced the rain and being at home. I got lucky this morning and once again was blessed with a beautiful double yolked farm egg for breakfast.

I long to own my own farm with my own chickens!

This evening I took some “Me time” to make a beautiful Fall center piece for our coffee table. I was inspired by the ones I saw yesterday at Homesense.

While I liked the above store version I felt I could make one myself! My brother helped me build the Wooden box out of reclaimed wood. I love how it turned it!

My other productive activities today consisted of cleaning, vacuuming, and baking a Zucchini chocolate chip loaf.

I love this time of year. Fall is well in it’s way and I long for cozy blankets, candles, cuddles and tea. I adore the fall decor, seasonal scents and the pumpkins everywhere!!

I look forward to sharing my Fall season with you!

Fort Langley Cranberry Festival

Oct13

Every year Fort Langley plays host to the annual Cranberry Festival. Yesterday was that time of year again and Kevin and I decided to check it out with some family and friends.

I’ve been to and volunteered at this event many times over the years. It gets a little bigger every year. This year I notice the local cranberry theme was weak and the whole event had a very farmers market feel about it. None the less I enjoyed my day with family and friends.

Fort Langley is a beautiful little village that lays along side the Fraser river with a rich history that affects not only British Columbia but the whole country of Canada! Fort Langley is the location where, a century and a half ago, Hudson’s Bay Company established it’s fur trading post! The post grew to trade with the First Nations of the West Coast. The trading post grew, evolved, and influenced history in many ways, eventually leading to the creation of the colony of British Columbia. A little history lesson for you! You can visit the Fort itself and learn all about our country’s rich heritage, Or you can spend the day browsing the many unique shops the Village has to offer! The area boosts a number of amazing wineries, restaurants, and parks. The Fort to Fort trail is a gorgeous walk!

Back to the Cranberry festival! We saw many interesting offerings from local artists, bakers, crafters, florists, etc.

Emma tried her hand at Sugaring off.. A Canadian tradition of pouring hot maple syrup on fresh snow and rolling it on a stick to form a yummy treat!

We decided to take on the issue of lunch by visiting some of the food trucks and sharing a bucket of donuts. We aren’t proud of it, but it happened 😉

Other then the food we saw some giant pumpkins, a giant beaver and just enjoyed browsing and our afternoon together. We walked away with a few purchases and some fun memories! If you’re ever in the area I highly suggested checking out Fort Langley as it is a beautiful little village!

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and enjoys their time with family and friends.

Thankful Thursday ~ October 3

Oct3

Hope everyone had a great Thursday! Mine was productively busy.

My friend Angie has been doing “Thankful Thursday” posts now for a few weeks and thought I’d jump on board! You can check out her Thankful post Here!! PS she’s kinda awesome!!

So tonight after I got home from the gym I spent some time thinking about all the things I’m thankful and let me tell you the list is vast and varied! So I’ve picked a few random ones to share with you!

1) I am thankful for Emma. She is turning into such a little grown up! This week we have been having tea together and trying all the different David’s teas we picked up on our shopping trip last Sunday. Our favorite is currently Birthday cake.

2) I am thankful to live in a country and have coverage through Kev’s work that offers me access to medical and dental. Today I put on my big girl pants and went to my dentist appointment without any stress or fear! I met Matt my new hygienist and he’s great, I’m very comfortable with him.

3) I am thankful for having a husband who takes me to do simple things I’m sure he could live without. Today he took me to get my toe nails painted, my eye brows waxed, to subway for lunch, and we wandered around Value Village! It is nice to have company on my little adventures!

4) I am thankful for having the ability to have a well stocked fridge and pantry! I am often insanely indecisive about food and having many options is nice.

5) I am thankful for the smells and sights of autumn! The leaves are so gorgeous and the sunshine today was amazing!! The air has a fresh crisp scent and I love the cozy feeling this time of year brings!!

I could keep going but it’s time for some Muffin snuggles!!!

What are you Thankful for today friends?

Life With The McGavins

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