lost

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It's been a little quiet around here. I wish I could say it's because I have been so busy with fun and inspiring activities...but I can't.

If I'm being honest with you guys, it's because I have been feeling a little low lately. It may have something to do with it being dark at 5pm, the carb binge I have been on/lack of exercise, or the fact that my heater isn't working and I can constantly see my own breath inside my house. Those things may be contributing, but bottom line is that I have been feeling a little (or a lot) lost.

I have just been having such a hard time motivating myself lately. On my days off, I have found myself spending a large majority of the day in pajamas. Which feels great at first, but around 4 it starts to get dark and I realize I have totally wasted the day. Because of this unmotivated attitude, this blog has been ignored. I used to feel guilty after not posting for a few days...but I haven't recently, and I hate it.

After graduating college in the spring, I have been struggling to find a new direction to take. I enjoyed studying psychology, but now I'm wondering what to do with my degree. I always saw myself as a somewhat creative person, and I'm a little scared to start a career behind a desk. I know it's time for me to grow up, use my degree and get going...but ahhhhh.

Anyway, if you've read this thanks. I think I just need a change of some kind (probably in the job area...) but I'm scared because there are a lot of things I love about my life, that I don't want to change. Taking a new job possibly means leaving Bellingham, which I'm not quite ready to do. Almost, but not quite. And I definitely don't want to move without Tommy.

Bottom line is thanks for hanging in there with me, blogging friends.

sister style

Coat: Nordstrom

Sweater: Thrifted

Jeans: Nordstrom

Shoes: Tom's

Earrings: Forever 21

Purse: Macy's

Amber wore this cute and comfy outfit for our day of antiquing. It is officially rain season in Washington (September through, oh...about June) so a coat with a hood is a must! Speaking of, why is it so hard to find a cute coat with a hood? It drives me crazy. 

Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread

"This is the best cornbread I've ever had." - Tommy (aka: the boyfriend)

Regardless of what you make, when you get that kind of reaction you know it's a winner. I made this cornbread a few weeks ago to go along with some chili, and I have to admit, it was probably the best cornbread I have ever had as well. It's a little spicy, a little cheesy, and a whole lotta yum. 

I used this Martha Stewart recipe as my base, but tweaked it slightly. I didn't have any buttermilk on hand, so I used sour cream. I also used more jalapenos, corn kernels and cheese. Go big or go home, as my dad would say. 

Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more, room temperature, for pan
• 1 1/2 cups yellow or white cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon fine salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup milk
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar
• 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
• 1/2 cup chopped drained pickled jalapenos

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. In a large bowl, stir together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. In a medium bowl, whisk together melted butter, sour cream, milk, and eggs. Add sour cream mixture to flour mixture and stir just until combined (do not overmix). Stir grated cheddar, corn kernels, and jalapenos into batter. Transfer batter to pan and smooth top. 
2. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack, 15 minutes, before serving.

treasure hunting

Yesterday I got to spend some time antiquing with my sister Amber in downtown Snohomish. I frequently visit the antique stores in Bellingham, so it was fun to shop stores I haven't been to in a while. I love looking for treasures! Even though we didn't find what I was looking for, (chairs for my kitchen table) it was still a super fun day.