Pumpkin Picking

There was no school on Friday, so we went on a trip to a pumpkin farm! The weather cooperated perfectly; it was an absolutely gorgeous day. The farm was small enough not to feel too commercial, but big enough so that it had a few activities. We were there for about an hour, but it felt like longer because of all the fun we had. It didn’t seem rushed, just complete.

I love the colors of fall. . .

We’re still processing over 100lbs of pumpkin!

~Sophia

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Hey there!

As we move into fall and winter, isn't it lovely to have delicious seasonal treats to enjoy? I adore Starbucks at this time of year. . .
I love pumpkins. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin muffins, jack-o lanterns, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin scented candles, pumpkin colored nail polish and my favorite: pumpkin bread! Playing around with my original recipe, I came up with a gluten-free version.

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Pumpkin Bread

3 eggs
3 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 30-ounce can pure pumpkin
1 cup oil
1 cup tapioca flour
1 cup potato flour
1 cup sweet rice flour
1 cup rice flour
1 cup teff or sorghum flour
2 1/2 t xanthan Gum
1 t cinnamon
1 t allspice
1 t cloves
1/2 t nutmeg
1 1/2 t salt
4 t gluten-free baking soda
2 cups chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour* two bread pans. Mix together eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil. Add the cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, salt and baking soda and stir in well. Add the flour and nuts, if desired. Bake for 1 hour (watch and test, it might take longer), then cool for at least 20 minutes before slicing.


>Insert trite parting phrase involving crunching leaves and brisk autumn air here<

~Sophia

My Dress Design

Hey, peeps!

This is my dress design for Shabby Apple dresses. Have you heard of Shabby Apple? They sell really cute (and mostly modest) dresses. Their design contest ends today (eek!) so I'm just in time to enter.

My dress is designed for spring, on the sunny days where you reluctantly bring your sweater, because you want it to be summertime. Lightweight, versatile, comfortable enough to spend all day in. Not too dressy, but can be dressed up.
I drew up this dress with these sort of days in mind, as my inspiration. The days that are full of light, and sun.

I think that this dress is best yellow, or any other pastel. I'd use a lightweight cotton knit blend, so that it would be a slip-on dress. I could also see it in light cornflower blue cotton, maybe with a zipper in the back. . .


So glad it's the weekend. . .What have you been up to lately?

~Sophia

The Language of Flowers

I'm about to watch "Return to Cranford", and I was remembering in the first Cranford how Jessie was so excited when Major Gordan gave her primroses. I just love the idea of flowers having meaning, so I looked up some more online. Here's a good website: The Language of Flowers.

I shall sew while I watch. . .

~Sophia

A song/dance

"I can't dance."
"But I can't go out there alone."

Waltz For the Moon- FFVIII


"I thought you couldn't dance."
"I said I didn't, I didn't say I couldn't."

So Close-Enchanted


~Sophia

Little Things

My life right now is pretty busy. I often feel really pressured and downtrodden. I'm so grateful for the little things that pick me up throughout my day and week. Not just for Thanksgiving; here's a list of the little things that I'm grateful for:

-Reading my bible every morning.
-An awesome brother who walks me to Spanish class every morning (and tutors me in calculus every evening)
-Psalms 90:12
-Family.
-The smell of the cold earth every morning.
-Three absolutely amazing friends to study and chat with.
-Weekends!
-A batch of Thai curry in the freezer in single serve containers.
-Country music.
-Church.
-Waltzing.

Among thousands of other things!

The whole time I typed this post, I've been debating whether or not to put add this song to the post, but I think it fits rather well. I just don't really like the music video. My current favorite song:



Hope y'all are doing well,

~Sophia

Talented violinist

Anyone who knows me knows that my dream instruments are the mandolin, the piano, the violin, the guitar, and the flute, in that order. I adore stringed instruments, and like woodwinds.

That being said, check this guy out:



I was talking to a friend yesterday about the difference it makes when you play your instrument with feeling. It makes music so much more powerful, and enjoyable.

~Sophia