little things lately

breakfast

After  last weeks posts, and all my looking for real life joy each day....it's kind of hard to stop. 

Once I started noticing all the little joys around me, they seem to pop up all over the place. 

The tiniest things bring butterflies fluttering to my chest and a smile to my face. 

Little Things Lately:

-early out at school! two extra days of weekend to play with my Littles.
-an afternoon fall run. cool air. crunchy leaves evvvvverywhere.
-pushing my body. The last few months my runs have been fairly comfortable--just out for some miles and pretty scenery. But today I pushed. Lungs burning, heart bursting, legs on fire and begging to stop. So I pushed harder. Sometimes it takes a little discomfort for us to realize how awesome our bodies are, and how hard they are willing to work for us if we just push them a little.
-being back on my mat. I hadn't been to yoga in two weeks, and yesterday it felt so good to be back. Stretching and twisting my body, putting my muscles to work.
-discovering a tiny pumpkin patch, and meeting the nicest old man who sold us our pumpkins. His name was Wayne, and we were having such a great time talking about gardening and animals and Montana, that I didn't snap a single photo.....oh well. Talking to Wayne was better.
-after dinner. Listening to The Civil Wars as loud as we can, all of us helping clear and wash and put away.
-Thinking ahead. Making double or triple batches of waffles and pancakes so when we are dragging in the mornings (most days) I can have breakfast ready in no time.

-fuzzy hats, soft jackets, flannel, mittens, boots, a whistling kettle, a woodsmoke breeze, actually SEEING the leaf fall, bright yellow leaves against the darkest stormy sky, rain.

Whole Wheat Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Waffles

double or triple this recipe and freeze the waffles for a quick breakfast!

1/4 c coconut oil, melted

1 cup pumpkin puree 

2 eggs 

1 1/4 c milk 

1 tsp vanilla 

2 cups whole wheat flour (or whole wheat pastry flour)

1/4 c ground flax seed 

1/4 c wheat germ 

1/3 c old fashioned oats 

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

1 tsp baking powder 

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon 

1/2 cup chocolate chips

 Mix coconut oil,  pumpkin, eggs, milk, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients, and stir until everything is incorporated. Mix in chocolate chips-batter will be thick. Ladle into preheated and oiled waffle iron, cook until golden brown. Serve with warm maple syrup.

enjoy!

What little things make you smile lately?

tag your little moments on instagram with #reallifejoy