Leaves & chunky knits

In the Summer time, what started out as a coffee date turned into an impromptu photo shoot. My dear friend Shelby and I ended up taking photos for hours! We had such a blast. I've always thought that spontaneous photo shoots are the best kind... :) You can see some of our photos in this post.  With Shelby leaving for a missions trip in almost a week, (for a whole month! you will be missed!) the autumn leaves and vibrant colors called our names one last time and cried out for another shoot. :)  We promised each other in the Summer that autumn wouldn't pass us by with out taking hold of the opportunity for a few snaps with good lighting. And how could we resist?

Let the season sing

Excuse me as I bombard you with images of Autumn.

 

But don't say you don't love me for it... ;)

 

Much love, Vivi

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

This is my second autumn as a full on supporter of the pumpkin craze that comes along with fall. I love how this perfectly unassuming vegetable can be carved into fun designs, painted for decorations, or cooked up into a savory meal. Most of all, I love the sweet treats that this vegetable can produce! These pumpkin scones have been an all time hit wherever they've been, so I thought I would try out this tantalizing recipe for pumpkin cupcakes! (These cupcakes deserve big words like tantalizing :)

Happy Baking!

Much love, Vivi

Around these parts...

lots and lots of lovely rain

the first thirty minutes after school spent journaling & tea drinking & chocolate eating. (chocolates curtesy of one FANtabulous brother)

admiring leaves dripping with beads of rain

wearing my favourite scarf on a crisp autumn day

Inky working it in front of the camera

a slice of pumpkin pie to nourish the soul

a typography print I designed for my room

The weekend so far has been a blur. I've worked fourteen hours over two days and all I can remember is DONUTS DONUTS. I love my little part-time job. I never knew how much I would enjoy working with people and food! Although I enjoy my job, at times it seems to be teetering towards too much. The ratio between work and play lately seems to be 2:0. It's days like these when I'm reminded of this verse,

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light." Matthew 11: 28-30 

God has given us rest, and we don't have to be stressed or overwhelmed in anything. The more I think about that the more peace fills my heart. God takes our burdens. We don't have to live with them anymore! Life isn't about dealing with our own burdens, it's about giving them to God, and receiving the peace that He promises us. To me, that's more than encouraging. It's rejuvenating!

Much love, Vivi 

Thankful

I love this time of year. Thanksgiving food, families getting together, leaves of vibrant colors cascading to the ground. October is a month filled with beauty, and I love how Thanksgiving here in Canada falls right in the middle of it. I had two turkey dinners this past weekend, as well as too much pumpkin pie and these little guys. Something about pumpkin is far too irresistible... :)

In honor of Thanksgiving, here's a little list of what I'm thankful for... 

pumpkin pie

cuddly sweaters

the flavors and aromas of tea 

deep belly laughter

witnessing sunrises, sunsets

prayer

quality conversations

youth groups with powerful speakers & music

my brother's homemade pumpkin spice lattes

the ability to capture moments through photographs

braids

the grace of God everyday

British TV shows

the giggling faces of chubby-cheeked babies

The Sisterhood of the Travelling pants

Dad's morning blueberry smoothies

Stevie Wonder

poetry

true encouragement

photo shoots with friends 

thick papered sketchbooks 

the calm of early early mornings

Jane Austen 

What are you thankful for? I'd love to hear!  

Much love, Vivi

 

Carrot Zucchini muffins

Fall flavors have come at last. Can I hear a haaaaaalleluiah!? These little muffins are an easy and yummy way to start off some autumn baking this season, and aren't these silicon liners from Ikea adorable? They have the ability to transform any baking creation into one that screams with creativity. Happy baking, and enjoy the aroma that fills your home as they bake!

Much love, Vivi

Pumpkin scones

Ever since I found this recipe last fall, I've been hooked on everything pumpkin. Something about that round orange vegetable is just irresistible... ;) If you want a delicious treat to fill your home with the sweet aroma of autumn, then these pumpkin scones are for you. They are soft and cake-like in texture, and cookie-like in size. In other words, absolutely perfect.

Much love, Vivi


p.s. get ready for the autumn baking posts to start flooding the blog... :)