Lately

Man! It has been a week, hasn’t it?

Yes! Hence why I’m getting a new post out to you a little later in the week than usual.

You know what I love to say when this time of year is just bonkers crazy? Tis the season. 

Because it’s true. October – December is always just…nuts.

• For food bloggers, Q4 is a super important time of year – because, um…everyone is looking for recipes for everything.
• For my family, we have my brother’s birthday, my birthday, and my dad’s birthday…on top of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• And for me personally, I have a ton of end-of-year work stuff, presents to buy, and just a ton of “life” to do.

But I just say, “tis the season.” Why? Because even though this time of year is always hella crazy, it’s still the most wonderful time of the year, right?

There’s nothing better than this time of the year. If you’re lucky enough to have beautiful orange-red-and-yellow trees outside, take a break from the crazy and go walk and admire them colors. If the trees don’t change colors for you, go walk and get a fun fall-flavored drink somewhere. The crazy will be there for you when you get back.

This time of year only comes one time a year. Make it count! Which is what I’ve been trying to do.

So I figured it was time for another “lately” life catch-up post. Grab a coffee or tea (I’m sippin’ on some rooibos atm), and let’s get into it:

going: Man, I feel like the energizer bunny right now. I feel my weekends have just been full of go-go-going.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s been a lot of fun. It’s just been super busy.

But! We had a chance to go enjoy the beautiful Pennsylvania fall a few times. We went to Ohiopyle and Falling Water (a Frank Lloyd Wright house) a few weeks ago, and it was one of my favorite days ever.

We went with some friends, and it was just gorgeous. Ohiopyle might just be one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been in the fall!

It also wasn’t nearly cool enough to wear this hat, but I did because I love it and because it’s warm and cozy and cute.

doing: I got out of my comfort zone last weekend and attended a writing conference here in Pittsburgh! I met a lot of really fascinating, inspiring writers, and I learned a lot too.

My friend and fellow blogger, Lindsey, hosted the event (along with her business partners Amanda and Teresa at One Idea Press), and I had a really great time.

You can sign up for times to pitch book proposals and ideas to editors and agents too. I did, but I mostly used the time to brainstorm with an editor, which was incredibly helpful.

Also been recipe testing a soup that I’m really excited about! If you have any Thanksgiving recipe requests, drop them in the comments!

I’m weirdly into the idea of a stuffing soft pretzel. Too strange?

drinking: So much coffee. Still very much into it, and still very much loving it! (here’s my “how to get into coffee as a beginner” post if you’re interested in learning more!)

I also found this kombucha at Trader Joe’s the other day and omg. It’s fall in kombucha form, and I’m so digging it.

Also also drinking a ton of the easiest drink ever: Apple Cider Tea. My fave is cold, but it’s great both ways!

Also also also: it’s MAD ELF season! Tröegs is a local-ish brewery, and they have this crazy holiday beer called Mad Elf. If you find it, try it. It’s a treat.

eating: I went to Kaya (one of my fave Pittsburgh restaurants) over the weekend! Their Caribbean Rainbow Salad is nuts (I have a copycat recipe here!), and it’s what I order 99.9% of the time. They also have really good tacos and paella!

I’ve also been eating chocolate oatmeal every single morning. Oats + cocoa + some kind of sweetener, and a wee pinch of salt. My favorite thing to do is to put a big ol’ glob of peanut butter at the bottom of my bowl that’s like a little melty “surprise!” when I’m done. That melty blob makes me so happy in the mornings.

What else. Oh man! So DeLallo – the pasta / sauce / Italian goods brand – is local to Pittsburgh! Did you know that? I’ve been working on a few recipes for their blog, and they had a blogger retreat with some of the bloggers they’ve worked with throughout the year. It was a ton of fun and full of just so much food. Like omg.

We made this giant charcuterie board…er, table…and it was crazy. My faves were the olives and dried fruit! And the grilled bread. Always grilled bread.

I love DeLallo because it’s the brand that I literally grew up with. I was born about an hour from their headquarters, so I remember eating DeLallo everything as a kid. Not much has changed in my adult life! I still love them and the market. Italian food ftw!

snuggling: With all the cozy blankets (because, fall) and my parents’ new floofer, Siena!

She is a SNUGGLER. Wow. The day they brought her home, she slept on my lap for an hour and a half.

And she’s just super photogenic:

working (like, out): Still on my ClassPass high! I recently completed 100 classes through ClassPass, and its been great. Barre, circuits, yoga, conditioning, pilates…I switch it up each week so I never get bored, and I’m still loving it!

Also trying to sneak in some yoga at home, but my homegirl always seems to have other plans…

Bonus points if you can find the little paw prints in the yoga mat!

working (like, job): MAN. Work has been crazy (in the best way possible) recently.

I’ve mentioned this a few times, but I work for a membership site for food bloggers called Food Blogger Pro, and it’s the best job I’ve ever ever had. This is the team:

(+ a few peeps who aren’t pictured here: Ann, Eman, and our new babe mascot, Solvi)

I’ve felt like I’ve been in such an awesome groove with work lately, and it’s been great. A lot of that I owe to the team (and my boss, Bjork, who is consistently one of the most helpful and encouraging people I’ve ever met).

Part of the reason why work has been so crazy recently is because we’re starting an open enrollment period (the last one of the year), so it’s all kinds of busy. If you’ve ever wanted to start your own food blog (or maybe you’re looking for ways to grow and monetize your blog), check it out!

reading: Haven’t been reading too much unfortunately! But I did just order a ton of new books for the holiday season.

I’m sloooowly working my way through Neverwhere (affiliate link) by Neil Gaiman. It’s super odd, and it got kinda slow, but I’m still enjoying the story.

Maya is too.

I also kind of gave up on The Handmaid’s Tale. I couldn’t get into a groove with the writing style!

watching: Oh man. Fall TV is crazy. I hate that I’m into it so much, but here I am.

I am loving A Million Little Things. Because of James Roday. Psych is still one of my favorite shows ever, and I just think he is absolutely killing it in a serious-ish role!

Also loving The Good Place and Seinfeld reruns.

spending: Lots of time with friends lately! I went through a big ol’ season in my life where I didn’t really prioritize my friends.

Luckily, however, that has changed! And I have Gretchen (@gretchruns) and Dan to thank for that! Also Selma (the pup who is clearly loving this picture) because she is everything.

loving: Fall weather, long scarves, quiet mornings, candles, sleeping in, hiking, baked goods, laughing with Mark, hanging with Maya, my homemade heating pad, oversized sweatshirts, pasta, avocado kale caesar salads, cat shoes, hot showers, writing, being, and you.

New yum comin’ atcha next week! Love you guys.