Update: October 12th, 2014 + Currently Digging Post

Hello loves! Hope you all are enjoying this delicious fall weather. Now that it's almost the middle of October, the leaves are turning darker colors every day. My family is planning to go to apple picking today and pumpkin picking sooner than later. I like to call October, " Pumpkin Appreciation Month", a title I developed last year, while in the heyday of my obsession with everything related to this tasty vegetable:) Now, it's tradition to make pumpkin pastries and purchase a spice latte at some point in the month this time of year. I'm getting closer to the early end of it though, because I want to do a sugar cleanse before the onset of the holidays, the 1st of November. Which, as we all know is temptation city, with all the pies, cookies, and unhealthy food surrounding us at the table:)
"Pumpkin Scones"

• 4¼ cup flour
• ¾ cup sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tbsp baking powder
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ¾ tsp nutmeg
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ¾ cup butter, cold, cut in cubes
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 eggs
For the Vanilla Glaze:
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp heavy cream
For the Cinnamon Glaze:
• 1½ cup powdered sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp allspice
• 2-3 Tbsp heavy cream

Learn More From a BBQ Expert.

Instructions

1. In small bowl, mix the pumpkin, heavy cream and egg with a whisk. Set aside.
2. In mixer, using paddle attachment, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and spices. Add in cold butter cubes and mix until crumbly. Slowly add in pumpkin mixture and mix until thoroughly combined.
3. Divide dough in half, and form the dough into a 12x5 inch rectangle. If it’s too sticky, using hands, mix in enough flour so it is easier to shape.
4. Cut dough into triangles by making three vertical cuts (you should now have 3 rectangles. Cut each of the rectangles by making an X, I use a pizza cutter. Then make ONE horizontal cut across the center. You should have 18 triangles.
5. Place each triangle onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a 425 degree oven for about 13-15 minutes. Repeat with other half of dough.
6. Cool on rack. Make sugar glaze by whisking the sugar with heavy cream. Using a brush, paint the tops of each scone with the glaze.
7. To make the cinnamon glaze, whisk all the ingredients together until smooth. Pour into a ziploc bag and cut the corner. Drizzle the glaze over all the scones. Allow to dry (about 15 minutes). Eat and enjoy!
8. (adapted from The Shoebox Kitchen)

Pumpkin Oatmeal: go to my other blog- Baking In The Natural.blogspot.com for this recipe:)

It's so simple, nourishing and divine! 

In other news, I wanted to share some verses that I've found to be encouraging lately.

Right now, I'm reading through 1st and 2nd Corinthians, which I"m really enjoying and getting a lot out of. 

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

( I  like to think of this verse as God's promise to help me to resist temptation and depend on him for support)

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our inner strength in the Lord is growing every day. These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won't last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God's richest blessing upon us forever and ever! So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us. But we look foreword to the joys in heaven which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever."
2 Corinthians 4:16,17,18

But we Christians have no veil over our faces; we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him."
2 Corinthians 3:18

Comparison is the death of identity. To want someone else's life is telling God His plan isn't perfect. Embrace your struggles, love your story, it's literally the only one of its kind. ‪

This isn't actually a verse, just a quote from a singer from a band I like who puts encouraging things on his twitter, on a regular basis:) I really liked it, because I often struggle with comparing myself to other people, who I see as better, more intelligent, or good- looking. Too often I forget that every person is unique and beautiful in their own way!

And... lastly. here's what I'm currently digging in music, movies, books, food, and drink:)

I want to give a shout-out to Kelli Taylor, from the blog, " She Learns As She Goes.", for giving me the idea of this kind of blog post. Basically it means sharing what you are "into" at the moment. Some of you may know her from Messy Mondays, the Christian youtube channel that posts funny videos each week that discuss Christianity, dating, and the internet in a humorous, yet thought- provoking way. Kelli is the wife of Josh Taylor, the writer of these videos, whose brother Jordan is the main actor. She's really sweet,funny,  a great writer, and loves reading, healthy eating, and music like me:)

Check it out here!  http://www.shelearnsasshegoes.net

Currently In Music: 

Books: Melissa Gilbert: Prairie Tale

I've actually already read this before, but it's so good I'm reading it again:) It's the autobiography of actress Melissa Gilbert, who stared in the 1970s tv. show "Little House On The Prairie". Personally, I love this show and have grown up watching it since age 6. She is a wonderful actress and writer, I found after reading it. She kept me wrapped up in her intriguing, complex story, over the course of only 4 days. And it's a long book, but as Anne Shirley says, " So thrilling I couldn't put it down!Funny, sad, and interesting- four adjectives I would probably say best describe it.

Movies: One Direction: This Is Us documentary 

I finally got around to watching this and enjoyed it immensely, the other night with my brothers. It's informative, entertaining, and quite frankly hilarious! So glad the library had it for free! 

Eating: Everything Pumpkin! 

I tried pumpkin scones this year, as mentioned earlier, and loved them!! I would eat pumpkin things any time of the year, as some of you well know, but I have a legitimate excuse in October!

I'm also loving this incredible, healthy casserole for dinner on Friday- it pretty much changed my life!

Creamy sauce overtop chicken, broccoli, and quinoa- it was just soo good!

• 2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup milk (I used 2%)
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• ½ cup flour
• 2 cups water, divided
• 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
• ¼ cup cooked, crumbled bacon (optional... sort of)
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 teaspoons seasoning (like Emeril's Essence or any basic blend you like)
• ¼ cup shredded Gruyere cheese (any kind will work)
• 3 cups fresh broccoli florets

Make the Perfect Breakfast Burrito Panini

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Sauce: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and generously grease a 9x13 baking dish (seriously, be generous because it really really sticks to the sides). Bring the chicken broth and ½ cup milk to a low boil in a saucepan. Whisk the other ½ cup milk with the poultry seasoning and flour; add the mixture to the boiling liquid and whisk until a smooth creamy sauce forms.
2. Assembly: In a large bowl, mix the sauce from step one, one cup water, quinoa, and bacon and stir to combine. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips and lay the chicken breasts strips over the top of the quinoa mixture. Sprinkle with the seasoning. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
3. Broccoli: While the casserole is in the oven, place the broccoli in boiling water for 1 minute until it turns bright green and then run under cold water. Set aside.
4. Bake: Remove the casserole from the oven, check the mixture by stirring it around in the pan, and if needed, bake for an additional 10-15 minutes to get the right consistency. When the quinoa and chicken are cooked and the sauce is thickened, add the broccoli and a little bit of water (up to one cup) until the consistency is creamy and smooth and you can stir it up easily in the pan. Top with the cheese and bake for 5 minutes, or just long enough to melt the cheese.

I'd like to attribute this lovely recipe to Pinterest, where I'm constantly finding and trying new recipes that I wasn't even trying to look up- it's so neat! 

Well, I've had a really nice weekend. I was allowed to stay home from the 1st two football games tomorrow and made the scones and cleaned- a lot was accomplished! Then, I went over to the field( my grandparents picked me up) and filmed my brother's game. Today I'm looking forward to seeing a 1d: Where We Are concert film with my mom and maybe getting a pumpkin spice latte- I'm super excited! It's a good way to compensate for the tragic fact that they won't be touring anywhere near Ohio,anytime soon. I'm being dramatic, of course!

Hope you guys have a great rest of your weekend!