Sweet Nori

 This week we lost our sweet kitty, Nori. 

Dan and I adopted Nori 14 years ago when she was only a few weeks old. Nori had been with us through three houses, two countries, two kids, and so many wonderful memories. Anyone who met her loved her. At times she was more of a dog than a cat. She'd run up to anyone and immediately start showing affection. When she was little she even played fetch!

She was a fantastic cuddler and would make sure you knew she was happy by her extremely loud purrs. The flip side of Nori's friendliness is that she really wanted to be around us all the time. If we were upstairs, she would meow very loudly until we came and gave her pets. If we were asleep on the couch or in the guest room, she would climb on our faces and nuzzle us until we woke up and pet her. 

Nori was my number one co-worker. True, she could be disruptive by sitting on my laptop, walking across the screen during video calls, and knocking my pens off the desk, but at least she looked cute while doing it. 

Nori put up with a lot and was so gentle with the kids. Zahara loved Nori with a passion. She took care of her, feeding her, petting her, and making her toys. Asher showed his love a little differently. He roughhoused with her but also would tell her how much he loved her. Catching those sweet moments is something I will cherish.

Nori, thank you for being exactly what we needed. Our family will miss you terribly.

Morning Glory Muffins

Popping in quickly to tell you about my favorite healthy-ish snack: morning glory muffins. I've been making these for years and can't wait to share them with you. They're so easy and so delicious! 

Over the years I've made a lot of adjustments to the original recipe to get it to be a bit healthier, but still tasty. This is my favorite version. Asher loves them too! Give them a try and let me know what you think!

Morning Glory Muffins

Original recipe from here

Makes 18 muffins

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole-wheat flour
• 3/4 cups brown sugar 
• 2 teaspoons baking soda 
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 2 cups shredded carrots 
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
• 1 apple - peeled, cored and shredded
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup apple sauce
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two muffin tins. This recipe makes 12 large muffins and around 12 mini-muffins.
• In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in the carrot, raisins (if using), nuts, coconut, and apple.
• In a separate bowl, beat together eggs, apple sauce, and vanilla. Stir egg mixture into the carrot/flour mixture, just until moistened. 
• Scoop batter into prepared muffin cups.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

A Quick Trip Across the Pond

Late last year I had an incredible opportunity to attend a leadership training at my company's headquarters in London. It was a very intense boot camp where I learned a ton and slept very little. As a reward to myself, I decide to add a couple of days to my trip and make a quick hop to Harrogate. It was exactly what I needed!

I was in London from Monday through early Friday morning, but didn't leave the hotel once my training started on Tuesday. I made do with what little time I had in the city by visiting the British Museum. I hadn't been here in years, but it's as incredible as I remembered. I downloaded an audio tour from Rick Steves and it was perfect.

I took an early train to Harrogate on Friday and was in town in time for lunch. My friend Vicky met me at the station and we went to...Betty's of course!

I love Betty's any time of year, but around the holidays it is especially charming. The window displays alone are worth the trip.

Friday night I was able to see Lena, Vicky and Kristiina to celebrate Beth's birthday! We went to a new (to me, at least) Japanese restaurant and had a blast.The food was really good and the company was even better. I love that whenever I come back to Harrogate, it's as if no time has passed at all. These women are definitely friends for life.

I only had one full day in town, but I made sure to see the rest of my crew. Kristiina and I got to hang out with Jose and her family in her gorgeous house. I loved playing with the kids and chilling with a cup of tea.

We had a great lunch with Becky at the Old Bell Tavern, but I only got a picture of my fish and chips and not my friend. Nevertheless, it was amazing seeing her, as always. It was especially fun celebrating some good news together. Also, she just started a blog that is really good, and very professional! I don't know where she has the time or energy, but go check it out!

I managed to squeeze one more visit to Betty's in with Lena, Steve, Beth, and her kids! It was such a treat to get this extra time with them. Steve is one of my favorite people and I was glad to be able to see him on such a short trip. I can't wait until they come and visit me in the States...right, Lena?! 

Then, despite the fact that neither of us had our kids with us, Kristiina and I decided to have a girl's night and watch Frozen II. It was an excellent decision. I really loved the movie, and it was made even more special because I saw the first Frozen with Kristiina and our tiny babies when I lived in Harrogate. Crazy how much has changed.

It was the shortest, but sweetest trip. I'm so grateful to all my yoga mummies--especially Kristiina who played an excellent host. I hope to see you all again soon! 

Click here to see some more of my visits to Betty's.

Apple Picking

It's fall!! I couldn't be more excited. I love this time of year, especially in Washington, DC. The humidity finally breaks and we can enjoy the glorious weather. It's time to break out the sweaters, fall boots, and pumpkin spice everything!

One of my favorite fall traditions is apple picking. This year we went to a new place, Waters Orchard, with our friend Dani and her daughter. This was a no-frills orchard; no hay rides, pumpkin patches, face painting, or apple cider donuts. But, the trees were full of delicious apples that were ready for the taking. It was perfect.

We picked a total of around 20 pounds (a bushel). I'm making apple butter with some of my lot as we speak. I can't wait to spread it on toast or put it in my morning oatmeal.

After apple picking, we all went for ice cream at Bruster's. My pumpkin pie flavor was my favorite, but the death by chocolate was a big hit too.

What a fun day! Do you have any fall traditions that you love? Can't wait for pumpkin picking and carving soon, too!

What We Were Up To This Summer

Is anyone else surprised that it is October? I mean, seriously. How did that happen?

This summer felt like it rushed past. I know everyone says that, but truly it's hard to remember what happened between June and September. I know we spent a lot of time at the pool, and we hosted a ton of people, and we ate lots of ice cream. I probably worked, cooked, and changed a million diapers. There were probably tantrums, and giggle-fests, and staying-up late, and s'mores. Yes, there were definitely s'mores. Though I struggle to remember the details, I'm left with a good feeling from our first summer in our new house. It was a very good summer.

Here are some highlights:

Visitors
We hosted sixteen people over the course of five weekends. It was busy, but so much fun to see all of our friends. I'd do it again in a heartbeat (and plan to next year!).

My Dad

Cousin Madison

 

My high school friend Lee and his family

A Harrogate Reunion (12 adults, 6 kids under 5)

Mom and dad

Pool
Basically, this is how we spent our summer. People told us when we were looking at this community that the pool was amazing. I get why now. It's a beach access so the kids can wander in by themselves. Most of the pool is shallow, and it's huge. I wish there were more shade, but overall, I see us spending a lot of summers here.

Birthdays
In our house, summers mean birthdays. All four of us have a birthday within five weeks of each other. Dan, Zahara, me, then Asher. And that's not even counting both of my parents who are also summer birthdays. It's always fun (for me, at least) to count down the next celebration.

Florida We escaped the DC heat and traded it for the Florida heat. We had a really nice time visiting my in-laws, and even got to do something new--visit the Everglades! It was SO HUMID, and eventually started pouring, but we had fun seeing (and holding!) the crocodiles

School
At the end of summer, we celebrated two big milestones. Zahara started kindergarten and Asher started preschool! They've only been in school a couple of weeks, but so far so good! Zahara loves being a big kid with a locker and everything. And, for the first time, the kids are in the same building. Z checks on Asher occasionally which just makes my heart happy.

I have tons more pictures, but I think I'll leave it here. What a great summer it was!