focusing on positive happy thoughts!

As time goes by and the older I get, I realize that I'm my own worst enemy. I am my biggest critic, the one who is always the most disappointed in my behavior, so on and so forth. This year was off to a great start, this summer was quite alright...but this fall... It has been a downward spiraling disaster!

I saw a pin on pinterest last week that said something along the lines of "if everyone threw their problems into a pile and you saw everyone else's, you'd gladly take yours back". I don't think I would. They're petty, annoying and worst of all, created by yours truly! Maybe that is what makes everything so unbearable, there is no one to blame for my problems but myself.

Thus, the need to take a break, turn the brain off (haha, yeah right) and focus on positive happy thoughts. I have been having a nice couple of days despite the BS. See, happy thoughts!

Let me share!

This morning I had a pumpkin latte made with this recipe. It was good and made more than the two servings promised. Just watch out for the pumpkin and spice sludge at the bottom of the mug - mega gross! 

I drank my pumpkin latte with these pumpkin spice cupcakes. A must since I had opened up a a can of pumpkin and needed to use the rest up! Yeah, by the way, this could be the breakfast of champions. Much preferred even to baked oatmeal. 

I found both of these recipes on pinterest! 

This is where I am sitting and typing at the moment. My painting needs to be hung, but it is perfect for this space. And I never thought I would like this old country style table so much with the old bench. Shoot why did I not take a picture with the bench in it?! 

Ah yes, sunflowers. I have them here next to me on the table and on the counter in front of the window. How nice. I do love fresh flowers. The garden was far nicer to us this year than we deserved. Honestly, picking weeds in the rain is not on anyone's agenda --> overgrown mess of a garden. Oh well.

My husband loves sunflower seeds so he was excited to try salting and roasting our own. Neither of us has ever tried doing it before, but I suppose there are plenty of easy recipes on the world wide web. I'll let you know how it goes...

Also from the garden: fall hydrangeas.

We spent some time at our favorite thrift shop that is run by the Finnish Red Cross. It seems they were having a 50% off home textiles and dishes sale and I didn't notice the signs until my total at the register was much less than expected! I was tempted to go back and pick up more stuff but I was feeling frugal (yes, even in a thrift store) and I wasn't in the mood despite the known and documented benefits of retail therapy. 

My mom however did go back and pick up this crocheted pillow we thought was cute. Original price 2 euros, sale price 1 euro. !!!!

My dear mom also bought me these adorable heart dishes. I love them sooo much. Retro ♥. They also cost only 1 euro!

I spent a total 2.75e on this fabric I couldn't walk away from AND the two dish towels that I could never use as dish towels. Lol! 

I love the print and colors but I have NO CLUE what to do with this fabric! Maybe save it for a future baby room? It's 125x195 cm - ideas anyone?

Ridiculously pretty!

Looking at these pictures, I am kicking myself for not going back and doing some more shopping! Argh, I only spent 2.75e??!?!? What was I thinking!!!! 

I was a good wife on Thursday and made dinner for the hubby who had a long day at school (8 am to 6 pm!) However, it surprised me that he was surprised to have dinner waiting for him -- and dessert in the oven! He must have forgotten that he married a domestic goddess. (hahaha). 

I forgot to take a picture before we dug in (and took seconds). But it was soooo good! 

Ham cubes, (frozen bag of) diced potatoes, (1/2 frozen bag of) leeks and some cream. Salt and pepper. Oven 200C till its all crispy on top. --> easiest dinner ever!

And our dessert, pah-lease! Apple crisp made according to this recipe (thanks pinterest), but since I didn't have 6 cups of apples, I used the 2 apples we did have and added 2 pears to it. Apple AND pear crisp! It was even better than the dinner! This recipe was super easy, too. I recommend it especially since it would probably go nicely with any fruit crisp and the ingredients are always around! 

Unfortunately though, it was missing some vanilla ice cream, wink wink.

I suppose I should bring this post to a close with the picture I have been promising of the crocheted pillow cover backs.

I still need to do a row or two of red border for the purple Godmother pillow and then sew or crochet them together. And the citrus meringue creamsicle pillow (what I call it in my head) just needs to be sewn/crocheted together. Wow, finito. 

I should probably get off to doing that. And this place needs a vacuum! The downside of a larger apartment is definitely the fact that there is more floor space to vacuum and more corners for the tufts of pet hair to accumulate! 

Thanks for reading, I even feel better after getting share the not s***ty parts of my life! 

Isn't blogging amazing?