This post may be a bit like the weather I’ve been experiencing over here lately–a whirlwind. There has been consistent snow for the past two weeks and there is more to come! Not only has it been snowing constantly but it’s also been super windy. But I haven’t let the weather stop me from adventuring and atleast there’s been plenty of sun to help keep my mood up. Sophia recently asked what we appreciate from nature. Well, the sun is something I wholeheartedly love. It brings up my spirits and I can’t help but feel better on sunny days.
Starting off a sunny day with some chocolate!
I decided to try out another one of the chocolate bars the folks at Newman’s Own Organics sent me. I had only tried their dark chocolates and I wanted to change it up a bit with some milkiness. Deliciously creamy and made me feel like a kid again. Oftentimes milk chocolates get overwhelmed with all the other ingredients, but I like how you can still taste the chocolate in this bar. I feel like milk chocolate is often forgotten about nowadays. But I think dark, milk, and white chocolates all deserve a little love.
And this is how Matilda started out her snow day.
She dug it!
And came back 10 minutes later to see if there was more.
Leftover chickpeas in coconut milk over rice & roasted butternut squash tossed in coconut oil + cinnamon
Then went on an adventure to visit a friend of ours!
I'll admit the snow sure is beautiful though.
Soul sistas!
Back of the Virginia Center for Architecture
Snacks were had--I found the Coconut Macadamia flavor!
I'd like to think this was a delicious snowball. Soft, chewy, and cocoNUTTY.
Our beautiful friend in her barista zone! She made us yummy Cinnamon Dolce Lattes "with love."
I hadn't had an English muffin in ages!
I spread Sunland’s caramel peanut butter on one slice and the other had butter and the berry jam Holly sent me awhile ago. I also had a bowl of yogurt + a minneola, pomegranate arils, and granola.
Sauteed mushrooms + salsa verde + manchego + Italian bread
Umm YUM!
All together now!
Letfover AMAZING ziti and roasted butternut squash
And my dad came to stop by since he's in town on business.
How sweet
After some hang out time with my dad I went over to a friend’s house. I got to try a most delicious vegetable lasagna recipe she made up + garlic bread (ON HOMEMADE BREAD)! Afterwards we headed to one of the bars around here that reminds me of a tavern.
A supreme peanut butter oatmeal cookie made by one of her roommates, the expert baker!
CranBran Vitatop + coconut oil, Kashi GoLean Crunch, bruleed banana slices, Sunland's caramel peanut butter over Greek yogurt.
Met up with my dad at a new cafe for some afternoon bites.
I loved the openness and natural lighting.
He ordered the carrot + ginger soup.
He let me try some of it with the bread they served it with (SO delicious). I also got a white chocolate chip and cranberry scone + soy cappuccino
The place is called Urban Farmhouse Market & Cafe and it’s really neat because you can even go grocery shopping in there. They sell things like organic milk, cake mixes, eggs, quinoa pasta, and granola made by a local Richmonder. We definitely plan on going back for lunch! It also seemed like a really nice place to study and have a nice change of environment.
Snapped a picture before another meet-up!
Look who I got to hang out with!!!
I met up with Brittany at a local cellar for some wine and chocolate sampling. I haven’t seen her in ages and she’s just as radiant even in the winter! We both brought our dogs, but Matilda was being a brat to adorable little Olive, and Isaac had to bring her back home. I hope they get along next time they meet!
Wine!
Crazy Matilda
Yummy chocolate samples, and they even opened up a bar for us chocolate lovers to try.
Look at these two dolls!!!
She also gave me the most delicious Coconut Macaroons she made (recipe from Raw Food/Real World).
Friday turned out to be an up and down and up day. I got really upset at one point but before totally giving into it I knew I had to do something to help me calm down. I have worked so hard to not succumb to things that in the end are not good for me. I reached out, communicated my feelings, and ended up rising above the stress. I did what I knew would be best for me. So glad I wasn’t incredibly stubborn and didn’t give in. Now I plan on going out with some friends and dancing my worries away! Do any of you find it hard to let things go out of stubbornness?
This weekend there’s going to be tons of love in the air. Who knows what’s in store!!! Either way, I hope you all enjoy it whether you’re single or taken!
stubbornness runs in my family haha. lately i’ve been learning how to let go and my life and is transforming because of it. isn’t it so amazing when we are conscious enough to stop before we make the wrong move? i’m so glad you got through your struggle and are doing well again
have so much fun and a lovely weekend/valentine’s day!
im so glad you are doing well! you are beautiful! you even look beautiful in the COLD, snow! haha. ugh i am stubborn and prideful sometimes-its so sinful and its our human nature to ALWAYS want to be right..ive been (figuratively) slapped in the face a few times for that and i need it!!
i have cranbran vitatops in the freezer-may have to try one for the FIRST time!
love you!
I am majorly stubborn. It’s a problem.
I remember once being asked, “Would you rather be right or be happy?” and as sad and ashamed as I am to say it, I couldn’t answer. But your experience serves as a perfect example of how letting go can lead to a better outcome… Definitely going to keep that in mind in the future. Hope you have fun dancing the night away! Have you heard the fairytale of the Twelve Dancing Princesses? For some reason you remind me a little bit of it, and just fairy tales in general!
Rachael*
Your flower necklace is beautiful! Where is it from?
I have had a couple, “up-down” days this week as well. Unfortunately, there were some times when I gave into dealing with it not the way that I should have. But I agree with you, reaching out to others is the best option. They can offer perspective into your situation, that you yourself can’t have, especially when you feel so consumed by whatever problem you are facing.
Way to work through it, girly! It looks like you’ve had quite the yummy/fun time with your friends and family. Hope it continues through the weekend!
Hi sweetie, wouldnt i love to have a barista friend at starbucks, would make it so much more fun to go there and maybe score a “free sample” kind of drink…haha!
the pb cookie your friend made..yum
all the food you made, to die for!
i hope you have a happy vday and that your plans pan out, and that something ends up happening really fun and awesome for you
xoxo
Great times and delicious eats! Well…by looking at the pictures, I expext them to be delicious;)
That carrot ginger soup your dad ordered looks so good! Carrot-ginger is my favorite salad dressing, so this is a soup for me;)
Have a great weekend girl! xxx Julia (Taste of Living)
Your blog just lifts my spirits and inspires me some days Katharina! I LOVE the look of your Banana-Raisin Pumpkin Seed Butter Muffins from the last post. Just need to get hold of some pumpkin seed butter and I’m a go!
Love-love-loving your flower necklace too. My best friend has one similar and every time I see yours it reminds me of her – two beautiful souls with the same taste in rocking jewelry!
Hello my love. So glad you enjoyed your week. What fun times with dad. Such a cute man!
And the wine and chocolate sesh sounds fantastic. Brandi is adorable and you too make the perfect pair.
I am so sorry to hear you had a bad moment on Friday but on the up side, it sounds like you worked it out brilliantly. If you ever need a little pick me up love, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. You know I am here for you always!
<3 you!
I love Matilda! That picture where she’s sitting on your dad’s lap and staring up at him is so precious. Hard to believe that she has it in her to be a brat, but then again, all of us females tend to have it in us. =P
I’m usually pretty stubborn but I’m working on that. Some days is worse than others.
Caramel peanut butter sounds incredible! Your food always looks so delicious and artfully photographed- also love your sense of fashion- very stylish and unique!
hey katharina! ah i love this whole post so much. im especially loving the cookies your friend made for you
you have some pretty cool friends! one working at starbucks even? oh i am prettty jealous. matilda is so cute. she seems like an angel though! i can relate- my dog can be crrrrrraaazy. is coconut oil good? i havent ever tried it but i heard the benefits are really amazing. have a wonderful valentines day xoxo soph
chickpeas + coconut rice sounds amazing and simple too….
so fun to have your dad in town!
you’re amazing! evverything in this post looks so good. love the greek yogurt with cranbran/pb/etc. that caramel flavor pb sounds lovelly! and that meet up looks fun too
love that you brought the cuuute doggies. yess i def have a hard time sometimes out of stubborness- plus ed totally plays tricks on me sometimes.. so dumb!! good job for not succumbing to that 
xoxo
shelley
http://findinghappinessandhealth.wordpress.com
Great eats as always! We’re getting more snow too… I’m getting sick of the cold, but there is something about snow I like.
I’m one of the most foolishly stubborn person on earth. I definitely know what you mean…I get stubborn trying to stick to a particular thought or emotion, and have a hard time letting it go and admitting I was wrong.
I love the sun, too. I missed it for a few days when it was raining like crazy in LA.
I lovee your fashion sense! I am really stubborn but am trying to work on it, day by day. Being married has helped with that somewhat. I love your pup, she is just the cutest!
ich liebe die bilder von deiem papa und mathilda katharina!! so so cute. they were they both look at each other
love it! let him know!
the snow looks so fabulous. my mum just called me from germany and said it snowed again today so hopefully it will snow when i land on friday! they i can take some snow photos for you too
meine aller suesseste freundin ich bewundere dein talent jeden tag. i really wonder why no has discovered you yet there in america!?! if you weren’t so far i would literally spend all my pocket money on coming to visit you and escape with you to a carribean island.
have a wonderful valentine’s day!
xx
I’m so happy we didn’t get much snow. This weekend has turned out to be quite enjoyable. I hope you and Matilda had a great one.
I find I’m stubborn and impatient – two things I need to work on.
PS- Thanks for birthday wishes!! Isaac and I stopped by The Urban Farmhouse for a little dessert after dinner tonight. It was cute, but quite disappointing- the staff didn’t greet us the entire time we stood near the counter and all they had for dessert were cookies. :/
happy valentines day (albeit a day late!) my love! i LOVE that you got to catch up with brittany – what a fabulous, gorgeous pair you make!
i am loving your furry hat + balls. that is a winning combination, haha!
how did you like the jam? i had not tried that flavor before, so i am curious. love you lady – have a great week!