RECIPE: a very merry creamy berry oatmeal

What have you been eating this season? I woke up craving a piece of fleeting autumn this week, and nothing pays a better tribute to our most bountiful season than plump berries and aromatic pumpkin spices. So this morning, only just a couple hours ago, I treated myself to fluffy pumpkin pie pancakes dusted with sugar and dripping with rich maple syrup. To balance out the indulgence, I had a healthy dollop of honey infused Greek yogurt and fresh papaya. Yum! I'm a quarter way through a book about how to live like the notoriously skinny yet satisfied French women, and it seems yogurt is the new it food. So to my delight, I discovered a recipe that called for some in my beloved Pretty Delicious cookbook. Can anyone say ultra creamy oatmeal and tangy raspberries with crunchy almonds and golden brown sugar? I can. And trust me, its so freaking simple to make and absolutely delicious, you could whip this up in minutes. Try it and let me know what you think!

BERRY CREAMY OATMEAL
makes about 2 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups organic quick oats
• 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup organic honey
• pinch of organic ground cinnamon
• pinch of organic nutmeg
• pinch of sea salt
• 1 cup organic blueberries, raspberries or strawberries
• 4 teaspoons organic brown sugar (optional)
• 1/2 cup organic toasted sliced almonds (optional)

METHOD:

1. Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat.
2. Add the oats, stir, and turn off heat. Once the oats are plump, about 4 minutes, stir in the yogurt, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3. Gently fold in the berries. If you're like me, go ahead and sprinkle each serving with one teaspoon of brown sugar and two tablespoons of almonds.
4. Voila! Breakfast is served.

SHOP: cotton candy kitchens

Okay you know that syndrome people have when its holiday season and you set out on a mile-long journey to shop for people on your list, and only people on your list, but somehow...somewhere...you end up shopping for yourself? What is the name of that syndrome? Because I have it. We are knee deep in Christmas time and all I can think about are all the slew of adorable gift guides that are plastered with my name all over it. And it hit me! Why not be clever and start buying gifts that will benefit me too! You see folks, I am back in Georgia. Yup, my dear Granny's house, as big as can be. And still my baking refuge. Her kitchen is my oasis. Two nights ago I baked a chocolate peanut butter cake and its already gobbled up. They love me here! But they would love me even more if I redecorated this primitive kitchen they have. I’m sure people with an online interior design degree would agree with me. There is no color, no life, and absolutely no organization. So with a little Scandinavian and French country inspiration (you know me) you can find that perfect little pretty something you adore, wrap it as a gift, give it to your loved one of choice, and then make use of it whenever you visit them. I know, I know. Why didn't you think of it right...

Clockwise from left to right: Mint Green Retro Fridge Freezer Retro Fridge Freezers, Cotton Candy Cupcakesrecipe from BecomingLola, Moth Origami Lampshadefrom Nellianna,Stelton vacuum jug from finnishdesignshop,Silicone Heart cupcake cases from Cakes,Cookies & Crafts, Pink Kitchen, Tutu’s tree photography print SweetEventide Pink Scales from Cooking, BluePrint Tea tin curioussofa, Bird coat hanger Monkey and squirrel