Photo Diary: Fall Vibes

With temps dropping outside, my roommates and I are seeing how long we can go without cranking up the heat. Current status: blankets on blankets.

The sweaters are unpacked, placed, and ready to go!

This is this photo's second appearance on the blog, but it's a favorite of mine. Photo creds go to my girl, Michelle on this one. This is from a very well spent day at the apple orchard and pumpkin patch.

A delicious butternut squash and sweet potato soup that I will be posting the recipe for soon!

(photo credit: Pitt Alumni Association)

Also, I cannot say more about how beautiful this campus is in the fall! I love walking through the leaves on the sidewalk and seeing the Cathedral poking out behind the colorful trees. 

<3 Ashley

Are you enjoying the autumn? What is your favorite part of the season?

November is...

Image

...long hikes through fallen leaves

...a tall mug of hot apple cider

...a cozy cable knit sweater

...evenings baking with roommates

...large family meals
...breaking out your holiday best
...buying decorations

...impromptu coffee shop stops

...early nights in bed

...early mornings to attack the day

<3 Ashley

What is November to you? 

Photo Diary: Embracing the Fall

Delicious Pumpkin Spice Sugar donut!

I'm writing to you from the couch in my living room today...notice how I am not frantically getting ready for class. It's Fall Break (aka...a three day weekend!) Instead I am lounging in our actually kind cold house, wrapped in a fleece, sipping on coffee, and enjoying a plate of pumpkin pancakes--recipe coming later this week!

This past weekend has been a blessed on, which I spent with friends and family. On Saturday, one of my friends and I took a half hour drive to Wexford, PA to spend the day at Soergel's Orchard. Let me tell you it was the BEST day to be there. Perfect weather + Amish donuts + all of the apples, pumpkin and cider a girl could dream for = a very contented Ashley. I got to show off my very impressive apple and pumpkin picking skills and we even took some cute snaps throughout the day.

One thing that we were sure not to leave without was our own bottles of the orchard's apple wine--sampled that night...it was very crisp!

Sunday I spent the (very cold) day with my dad at the Steelers v. Cardinals game. Thank the Lord we won that game despite a very depressing start. I don't know how this city would be consoled otherwise. Haha!

With the weekend fun winding down, today will be spent doing all the work that I should have maybe started earlier. This will be done a lot easier now that I am in the early stages of a cold and refuse to leave this house! >.<

<3 Ashley

What did you do this weekend? Have you fully embraced the season?

Take A Walk

Image

The high today is 72 degrees. Can I get a 'hallelujah'? I am hoping that this means that summer heat is slipping away to make room for crisp fall air--the first day of autumn is this Wednesday after all! We are about 10 degrees from my willingness to buy a PSL as well. I cannot bring myself to do it when there is too much warmth on the breeze.

This gradual drop in temperature gets me even more excited because that means my evening runs/walks will be even more comfortable. I went last night, which was the first really cool evening, and it was amazing. I took the long way just so I could stay out in it longer! Taking frequent fall walks is something that I highly suggest to everyone because, not only is the scenery of this transitional season so beautiful, but this is also the last bit of comfort outdoors before the winter hits us again.

Most of my walks are taken in the evenings out of habit from the summer--the later you go the cooler it is. With my schedule I usually get out around 5 or 6 pm depending on when my last class is or when I get out of work. I love getting out and removing myself from all of my work and honestly from other people--introvert alert!

<3 Ashley

'Tis the season for cool strolls! Do you like to get out in the crisp air?

Thanksgiving Style: Packing Light

As you read this I am either preparing for my bus ride home or am well on my way. Every year I get more and more anxious to go home and see my family and enjoy the holidays. Pittsburgh is great, but it's nice to get a break from the busy, busy, busy and change to a quieter setting. I will admit that though I am itching to make this trip, I have left the packing until the very last minute...procrastination at its finest. 

At this point I have got packing for the holidays down to a science--I take the bus home and they only allow one suitcase. Since I'm only home for a short period, I try to stick to only packing the basics. I make sure to look ahead at the weather forecast for the days that I am home and go from there. This year it's going to be straight up cold--snow tomorrow, of course! I've got several sweaters stacked in a corner of my bag, jeans and black leggings occupy another corner and one pair of boots and a pair of clogs in another. Then of course I take into account what I am wearing for travel; I've got flats, leggings and a button down handy (and I could honestly wear that again!) Of course, you also have to take into account your Black Friday haul!

<3 Ashley

Are you heading home for the holiday? What's in your suitcase?

When The Weather Outside is Frightful

Images from: 1 || 2 || 3 || 4

16. This is the number I saw when I looked at my weather app this morning. That had a snowflake next to it. It was a bitterly cold day; luckily this was one of those day when my boss needed me to run across campus to pick something up and bring back. I think I'm starting to get the feeling back in my legs.

Since I have gotten home, I have grabbed a blanket, turned up the thermostat, made hot chocolate, turned on the Christmas music, and scanned Pinterest for images to warm me up. Here are just a few of the images that have me dreaming of a cozy and warm atmosphere. Socks, blankets and a crackling fireplace are absolutely quintessential. I hope I have helped to warm you up as well!

<3 Ashley

Is it absolutely freezing where you are? What warms you up?

What I Made: Pumpkin Chipotle Soup

Oh yes...yes I did!

Look Ma, I can cook! If you follow me on Instagram, you saw that last night as snowflakes were falling from the sky, I was bundled up in flannel pants, a long gray sweater, Christmas lights on, cuddling up to a bowl of soup. I soup was an idea had got from Taylor over at her blog Anticipation (which I read religiously!) One mention of pumpkin chipotle soup had me scouring the world wide web for the perfect recipe.

I found several recipes and ended up just using a bit from each to make my soup--read: I bought what I could at IGA and worked with it. It was so easy to whip up and I have plenty of leftovers to look forward to.

Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion
- 1 clove of garlic (I used minced and just threw in what I thought I would like)
- 1 tbsp chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (found in the Mexican aisle)
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp cayenne
- 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
- 2 (14 oz) cans vegetable broth
- 1/2 c. heavy whipping cream
Garnish
- cilantro
- dollop of sour cream

Step by Step:
- Saute chopped onion and garlic in olive oil for about 3-4 minute until translucent.
- Add chopped chipotle pepper and spices. Cook about 2 minutes (stir it up so it doesn't stick to the pot!)
- Pour in broth and pumpkin puree. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Pour mixture into blender and blend until smooth--use an immersion blender if you have one.
- Return soup to the stove, add whipping cream and simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Dish out when ready and garnish as you will!

Enjoy!

<3 Ashley

Sound good? Do you have any wonderful fall recipes to share?

Dear Weather, Can You Not?

^This is where I would like to be^

If you live in or around the Pittsburgh area (or in a similar city with respect to erratic forecasts) you know that the weather is probably one of the most frustrating things ever. As my alarm went off this morning I rolled over and went to my weather app to get some kind of budding idea of what I could wear today. I found myself staring at the number "37" and a snowflake icon reserved for later in the day. Was it not 70 degrees two days ago?!

I scrolled through the rest of the week and it seems we have officially taken the plunge into Pittsburgh winter. Here's how the weather works this time of year. Autumn starts but it's still pretty warm and doesn't really feel as fall-ish as you want. Then it feels like fall for two week and then BAM it's 30 degrees and you hate your life and can't wait to go home for Thanksgiving (I say this as a college student!)

When I chose the University of Pittsburgh it is easy to say I was not choosing it for the weather here! There is the running joke that in Pittsburgh you can experience all four seasons in one day--that's how some days feel to be completely honest. So now that I am officially in the throws of 30 degree weather and am at the mercy of the constant fear of sudden snowfall, I suppose it's time to start the posts about sweaters, hot chocolate, cozy boots (that are NOT UGGS!) and all sorts of warm comfort. Look out for those!

<3 Ashley

So...how's the weather?