greensgrow holiday

Throughout the holiday season I spent a lot of time at Greensgrow photographing for Instagram and the farm's blog. It was a beautiful collage of all things celebratory. Vendors filled the greenhouse with gifts, trees lined the farm, ornaments, trim, and warming bites were everywhere. Here's a little look back at Greensgrow through the holidays. And...I'm sorry I must...do follow along for more on Instagram @Greensgrow!

vegan savory squash bread

Note: This post was previously published here as a part of my freelance work.

This week’s recipe is the lesser-known cousin of pumpkin bread: squash bread. Using the basic principles listed below, you can prepare it sweet or savory, but with the holidays, I thought we’d try the latter. Throw in some cranberries, onions, rosemary, and quinoa, and it becomes a great addition for holiday feasts. So that everyone in your circle and have a chance at enjoying it, I thought I'd make it vegan. If you’d rather skip the vegan route, you can forgo the flax and almond milk mixture, and swap in two eggs. Your host, whether vegan or not, will be thrilled when you show up on their door step with this seasonal number.

Ingredients:

¼ cup tricolor quinoa

¼ cup filtered water

2 Tbsp ground flax seeds

¼ cup plain, unsweetened almond milk

¼ cup plus 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided

1 medium onion, diced

2 sprigs rosemary

1 tsp sea salt, divided

1½ cups whole-wheat flour

1 Tbsp baking powder

¼ tsp baking soda

1 cup mashed butternut squash

¾ cup water

2 tsp unpasteurized apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup raw cranberries

Directions:

1. Place the quinoa a small pot with water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer for 15 minutes or until all water is evaporated. Remove from heat and let cool.

2. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 9” pie dish with baking sheet or grease with coconut oil.

3. Whisk flax and soy milk in a medium bowl and set aside.

4. Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes or until golden brown. Add one sprig of rosemary, picking leaves off the stem, and removing the stem. Reduce heat and continue cooking for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

5. Mix flour, baking powder and baking soda into a medium bowl. 

6. Add squahs, water, vinegar, and salt to the flax-soy milk mixture and whisk until smooth. Add remaining ¼ cup olive oil, whisk again and add flour mixture. Use a rubber spatula to stir mixture gently until almost combined, then fold in 1/4 cup cooked quinoa, onions, and cranberries.

7. Pour batter into pie dish, decorate with a sprig of rosemary and a sprinkle with remaining quinoa. 

8. Bake 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

9, Remove from oven and let cool or eat warm.  

object

Shortly after getting settled in this house, we turned one wall of our bedroom into a giant bookshelf. It has become a place for me to keep some of my most treasured belongings. Yes, the books we've read - and want to read - but also the many independent magazines I've collected over the years as well as hats, jewelry, candles, and more. It's a wall of material things.

While I really don't consider myself a materialistic person, I will admit to being a collector. Does that sound like a contradiction? At the core it is. But what I have gathered and placed on those shelves are so much more than material objects.

These beautiful independent magazines, laden with captivating imagery and words that challenge my perspective, are eyes into other people's worlds that fill me with knowledge and inspiration. This bag, it was a birthday gift from my brother who hand-picked the leather and had it made especially for me. They are objects floating in a cloud of sentiments. 

So, give me a moment. I would like to challenge the definition of materialism. For me, materialistic is not someone who places value in material objects; rather, materialistic is someone who places value in meaningless objects. A diamond given to you by someone you love has emotional worth. A diamond you had to have to impress your friends, that's emptiness.

What I'm saying is that it's ok to feel emotion towards a physical object so long as you understand why. So long as that reason is meaningful to you. Everyone has the freedom to be obsessed with what is truly beautiful, but we must also remember that beauty is different for each and every one of us. We all have our own definition. And we all have our right to love something without being labeled as materialistic.

-- 

Bag: Custom-made by Rita Sutormina

Magazine: The Collective Quarterly

megan + phil are getting married!

Numie Abbot is shooting engagement photos everyone. I never thought that I would be interested in the genre, but having done two engagement shoots & one wedding now, I've come to find that I really enjoy it. There is something so vulnerable about two people openly showing their love, and you, behind the lens capturing it. The bravery that the models have to feel. They have to let you in on their most intimate moments that normally only occur alone at home or out and about when they are one-on-one. The chance to capture it is an honor. Love really is the most beautiful thing on this earth.

That being said, my friend Megan is getting married to the sweetest dude, Phil. I'm so excited for these two lovebirds. I hope that they are happy forever and ever, and that their relationship continues to be strong,  supportive, and full of humor.

--

PS. If you're getting married and in search of engagement photos, come to me! I shoot cheap. ;)

weekly scenes: a winter hike

Our first snowfall happened over Thanksgiving this year. We went home, hoping it would come. Crossing our fingers and holding out for its magical presence to start sprinkling down. Sure enough, rise and shine Wednesday morning, and there it was -- flurrying in the skies and making its presence known. All day it snowed, and bit by bit the landscape was blanketed. Come Thursday, we strapped our hiking boots on and went out to enjoy it. Off to Highland Forest with three dogs, Adam, and my brother. We hiked the expansive trails for about three hours. Working up a sweat with the uphill climbs, and losing our breath from the utter beauty that surrounded us. There is something about a snowy landscape that makes your heart drop. It's a quiet presence. The snow brings peace and sheer awe in one fell swoop. 

Upon arriving home, we warmed up in front of the fire and set some cider to brew with cinnamon and clove. It was truly one of those days. You know, the ones where you feel like everything is just perfect.

november free people work

I've been a busy, busy bee, and well, it's been pretty silent on this here blog. In case you're not a Free People BLDG 25 regular, here is a little recap of my content in November. It's been a great month of inspiration, and playing around with photography. 

Hope you enjoy!

DIY Woven Pillow

A pillowcase woven with yarn and roving to add some living room flavor.

The Spirit Your Mini Bar Is Missing

Mouthwatering holiday cocktails with Art In The Age spirits.

Go Deskside With Our Graphic Design Team

A look into the creative work lives of Free People's graphic designers.

3 Lessons In Forgiveness

A personal story of forgiveness and what I learned from the experience.

diy nature-inspired gift wrap

Note: This post was previously published here as a part of my freelance work.

Years fly by. We talk about them as if they last forever, but in reality they are mere dots on a timeline. Thank goodness for holidays that mark a point in the year, for without them, we might not take a moment to stop and realize where we are. 

Where are we? First and foremost, we’re surrounded by people who support us each and everyday. Friends and family who allow us to stretch beyond ourselves to achieve something better, who support our dreams, and who are there when we need a shoulder to cry on. 

That is why I love this time of year. It’s a time to say thank you. Thank you for being my support and thank you for loving me. 

When you go to package up that gift of thanks, let it reflect all the love and gratitude that you truly feel. Pick something special that shows thoughtfulness, make something with your own two hands, and don’t forget about the presentation of the package. Go a little extra mile with the gift wrap and make that gift scream I love you. 

Here are three gift wrap ideas to get you started, each inspired by my favorite, Mother Nature.

Gift 1

Materials

Small Pine Cone

Gold Acrylic Paint

White Wrapping Paper

Paint Brush

Water Cup + Water

Paint Dish

Gorilla Glue

Tape

Directions

1. Paint your pine cone gold by adding acrylic paint to the tips of each little “leaf.” Let dry.

2. Wrap your gift in white paper.

3. Glue pine cone to the center of the package.

Gift 2

Materials

1/2 Lemon

Brown Kraft Wrapping Paper

Red Acrylic Paint

Paint Brush

Water Cup + Water

Paint Dish

Ribbon of choice

Tape

Directions

1. For this one, you essentially create a stamp out of the lemon. Paint it with the red paint and test it a few times on a scrap piece of paper until you realize the sweet spot of how much paint and how much pressure you need to apply. 

2. Once you have it down, tape the piece of wrapping paper to your surface and stamp alternating rows. Let dry.

3. Wrap your gift. Finish with ribbon.

Gift 3

Materials

Roving

White Wrapping Paper

Feather

Tape

Directions

1. Wrap your gift first with paper.

2. Wrap roving around the gift to cover approximately 1/3. Secure both ends of the roving with clear tape on the back of your gift.

3. Finish off by sliding a feather into the roving.