T O D A Y

carnations for mother's day
little blue flowers found outside
iced peach tea whilst reading a new novel
mom potting plants in hanging baskets
water colours (my most favourite hobby)
wes copying me drinking out of a mason jar ;)
a different angle of the back deck
more flowers. I can't get enough of them (see the red hummingbird feeder peeping in the background? mom's favourite addition to the backyard :)


Much love, Vivi

Shelby

"There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate." ― Linda Grayson

As wonderful as chocolate is, Shelby is just as lovely with or without gifts of chocolate. ;) Shelby is clothed in compassion, the ability to bring goodness into all circumstances, a joy of boundless nature, and the most contagious smile. I am so blessed to call this lady my dear friend! I challenge you to tell someone today how much you appreciate them. How wonderful is it when someone does that for us? Life is too short to never share with others how much they are loved.  

Much love, Vivi  

the trees, how they whistle

I've missed this little blog of mine for far too long! Photos have been piling up on my camera with no blog posts being written. But! With exams behind me and my first year of University complete (WOOT!) I'm able to at last share these few frames! 

My friend Laurel came over for a spontaneous visit/photo shoot/laughter fest the other day. We took hold of the evening's golden light and the flourishing nature and snapped hundreds (almost hundreds... actually! haha ;) of photos. Life has been particularly delicious recently. Delicious food got me through exams, lots and lots of it... Strawberry salads, pumpkin loaves, dark chocolate, plentiful fresh fruit, oh baby! Mm mmm. 

In other news, the summer semester starts in just two short days. Is it strange that I'm excited to start my chemistry class? Two months of chem labs and learning all about molecules and reactions. The nerd in me cheers loudly and hollers out a woot woot! Let's see if I'm still this excited one month in.... ;) Until next time, friends, I hope you are basking in the beauty of spring time!

Much love, Vivi  

You've done it again, Spring

 I thought that Autumn was my favourite season once.

But Spring blossoms and herbs and sunshine and a break from clouds and rain?

Mmm. Yes.

Much love, Vivi

Vegan Chocolate Black Bean Cookies

These cookies are exceptional. They boast a full can of black beans and no refined sugar, flour, butter or eggs. These, my friends, are a gift from heaven. You can eat them for breakfast. Lunch. Second breakfast. Whatever your heart desires, because, as I like to put it, they are basically fancy vegetables. If one bean dessert isn't enough, you can find a delicious white bean cake here.

Ingredients:  

2 cups black beans

2 Tbs. coconut oil

1/2 cup maple syrup 

3 heaped Tbs. (the more the better) cocoa powder

1 1/2 cups oats

large handful dark chocolate chips/chunks

Rinse and drain the black beans. Use a food processor to blend beans with coconut oil, maple syrup, and cocoa powder. 

Transfer fully blended bean mix into a bowl and stir in oats and dark chocolate.

Mold into balls, place on baking tray, and press into a thin circle.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

That's all there is to it! Ridiculously easy and healthy black bean cookies.

Enjoy! 

february air

It's felt a lot more like December than February these past few days! We had a HUGE snow fall that cancelled classes today and gave me time to happily snap the beauty of a winter's day. I'm a cozy knits kind of girl, so any excuse to pile them on, and snow is a FABULOUS one, makes me happy. ;)

Howdy Light and Sunshine

As I type this, glorious rays of winter sunlight are streaming in through the windows. It's in the negatives outside, but it sure is stunning from inside. ;) Here are a few scenes from a sunshine and vegetable filled morning...