end of summer

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It is the end of summer. We are looking forward to fall and yet still not sure about parting with the warm free-time that those summer days hold.. What will this new season bring? What challenges and joys will it illuminate with it fresh cool shift? Already I am aware of the light changing. Now I wake before the sun once again. Enjoying the stillness that comes right before the light makes it's colorful appearance in the sky. Yes, I do enjoy living in a place that has all four seasons. Each with its magic and beauty. As much as I do love Autumn, I still feel that I have one foot in Summer and not sure if I want to take it out just yet.  I am still loving the warmth and the easy of babies playing outside in just a diaper. 

this moment: friends

This is a special moment from the past week that I want to stop, savor and enjoy.  If you are so inspired, please leave a comment for me with your own special moment and check out other moments this morning at soulemama.  

our summer days

I do love the pace of summer. Mornings at the beach, afternoons at the pool, eating from the garden, lots of time with family and friends, and so much time having no plans at all. ahhh,.....summer.

let's make cookies

gluten-free black chokeberry teff muffins

• One of my new favorite wild edible plants is black chokeberrys. We have been walking by these dark berries for years. After tasting them a couple times, we decided they were a bit to astringent for our liking. But this year we decide to learn more about them and have found that not only they are a antioxidant rich super food, but when you cook them they are absolutely delicious. They are perfectly in season and really ripe right now, so we are going out each day and picking all we can.  They are also wonderful as a tea or added to smoothies.  I am freezing them, drying them and making muffins to freeze for later. These muffins were a hit with everyone in my house. 

Black Chokeberry Teff Muffins 

• 2 cups Teff Flour ( I soaked the whole teff, dehydrated it and then ground it myself)
• 2 t  Baking Soda
• 1 t Sea Salt
• 1 t Xanthan Gum
• 1 t Cinnamon
• 2/3  C Yogurt
• 2 T Ground Chia
• 2 Eggs
• 1 T Alcohol-free Vanilla extract
• 1 t Alcohol-free Almond Extract
• 20 drops Stevia
• 1/2 C coconut sugar 
• 1 C Fresh Black Chokeberrys 

Combine all ingredients in mixer then fold in chokeberries. Bake in mini muffin tins until golden brown.