So far Charlottesville doesn’t feel any colder than North Carolina. Yet the temperatures say it should! I think because it’s in a nice valley hidden by the mountains that it feels warmer than it is. Or perhaps it’s just the warmness in my heart
Speaking of warmth, I suggested overnight oats last night but in the voice of a toddler Matt said “I want hot oats!” Humph! So I bubbled up a nice batch for him.
The Mix
For ME
- 1/4 cup oat bran
- 1/4 cup oats
- Milk, water, salt, vanilla, cinnamon
- 1/4 cup pumpkin, stirred in at end
- 2 tbsp cooked wheatberries, stirred in at end
- Pumpkin butter
- Sunflower butter
- Ambrosial Trail Mix-Like granola
Something’s missing!!
Matt and I have plans to WALK downtown (~2.5 miles) for exercise and work in a coffee shop this morning. Thus, no coffee, just tea. Boring, bland tea. I wish I liked it more!
Happy Cyber Shopping to you!
{ 68 comments… read them below or add one }
I feel exactly the same way about tea.
And, I agree with Matt. Tis the season for HOT oats, Kath!
Happy Cyber Monday to you too! I’ve already snapped up a few deals. Whiddling my Christmas shopping down!
Laura
I was never a fan of tea… until I lived in England for a couple of years. Now I have a “cuppa” at least 3x a day!
~
Love your giant mix-up breakfasts. I am new to the bulk department at Whole Foods but have been eyeing the oats and granola, so I think next weekend I’ll have to indulge
Also, I just got some fresh organic cranberries at the market. What would YOU do with them?
Make cranberry sauce OR cranberry crockpot chicken – I think I have both on my Recipes page!
I just can’t get into tea either! You’re right – it’s so bland and I feel like I’m just drinking hot water…blech.
Give me coffee any day!
Enjoy your walk!
I feel the same way about tea! I really want to like it but it always seems weak. It helps a little to make it on the stove top using milk instead of water (or 1/2 milk 1/2 water) but it still just doesn’t have the mega flavor/body that I want.
It is a shame though, because I do have a habit of BUYING tea, and I do have a nice little collection from my sister.
I’m not a fan of tea either. I just tastes like dirty water!
you’re working in a coffee shop? hopefully not starbucks. i worked there for about 2 weeks and hated it. of course, all i wanted to do is talk and drink coffee and they wanted me to actually work. go figure.
Working = doing work on my computer!
Packing up shop over here as well and heading to our local coffee shop. I love working in the local cafe so long as I don’t get too caffeinated and too distracted! Enjoy!
I love tea! But you’re right…coffee is way better! Especially in the mornings. It gives you a kick in the butt that tea can’t
I’m really really really trying to like my tea more these days… mainly the herbal ones and green ones because of the health benefits, but it’s hard! Brekkie looks lovely. Have a good walk and enjoy your brew!
I love tea! Do you ever add a splash of milk to your tea? I can’t believe how many Americans drink their tea black! If you add a bit of milk to your coffee, you should add some to your tea as well!
I usually do but forgot. Probably why it was so bland.
I love tea but never first thing in the morning with my breakfast. I always want coffee then.
what kinds of tea are all you people drinking?!!? also, kath, at least with black teas and some herbal teas…a splash of milk really helps!
it’s supposed to be in the 20′s today here too…brrrrr!
I want to like tea, too, but I just. can’t. Boring…bland…blech.
Sounds like a lovely day!
Have a great day Kath!
It’s freezing here too! Brrrr.
I find myself wanting something hot in the mornings now too. I think it’s more of a mental thing than a temperature thing. I can still eat cold breakfast too though.
Have you tried all different kinds of tea?? There are so many good ones! Chai with a little almond milk? Green with a little citrus? YUM!
I’m not a huge tea person, but I stock up on Candy Cane Lane from Celestial Seasonings this time of year. SO good.
I think I would want hot oats on such a cold morning also.
like the pic with christmas tree in the background,..it suddenly makes everything look so warm nd comfy isnt it,..;-)
I can’t get over how warming and cozy your picture looks with the Christmas tree in it. Definitely a nice addition to the breakfast atmosphere. Hope whatever coffee shop you go to has some Christmas tunes on in the background
I had to scrape ice off my windows this morning – I was not a happy camper. It is definitely getting cold out there.
Enjoy your work at the coffee shop – hopefully you will get a lot done.
I have converted many to LOVE tea. Many Americans to not prepare it properly, which often gives it that dishwater taste. Plopping a bag in microwaved water will taste like swill. Try Barry’s Gold Blend tea (from Ireland.) Always heat the cup/pot prior to steeping. Always pour the newly boiled fresh water over the tea (never microwave the water.) Cover the cup, or cozy the pot, while steeping 3-5 minutes to maintain temperature. Tea can get bitter if the water cools quickly during steeping. This will be very brisk tea so a spot of milk (not cream/half-and-half) is traditional. Enjoy. Or stop by next time you are in my town, and I will make you the best cup you have ever had.
Loooove the last photo!! I seriously need that ceramic bowl!
The weather in Colorado is kind of strange in the winter too. Unless it’s snowing, which isn’t that often surprisingly, there is not a cloud in the sky all winter long. The sun is always shining, making it feel so much warmer than it is. When it’s like 35 + sunny that is like vest weather here…so strange, but I love it 
I’ve never indulged in Cyber Monday (is it a new thing this year?) but I’m looking forward to curling up in front of the computer to do some shopping!
I used to not be a huge fan of tea, but I’ve been drinking a cup nightly with apple cider vinegar and local raw honey for my allergies, and I’ve actually really grown to love it!
Christin,
Is the apple cider vinegar helping with your allergies? I am currently getting my butt kicked by allergies (why at this time of year?!?!) and am open to trying anything! I already do local honey… but I’ve heard that ACV can help…? I just don’t know if I could stomach it in tea or water…
~
I typically feel that way about tea, but have recently discovered jasmin green tea. And I make it really strong.
Love the tree! I want one, but don’t see the point when its just me. Bah humbug. LOL!
I like hot tea!
Now in north Italy in the morning there are – 4 °C ( I think 25 °F) It’s very very very cold!
I love your cup, you have an amazing collection… Have a good day =)
Whew dang, 21*?? That’s a bit chilly.
There’s only one tea I can stand, and that’s Cinnamon Apple Spice by Celestial Seasonings. The spices are so strong, I think it should be classified as something other than tea! Aside from that, I can’t stand tea. It tastes like bland-flavored hot water!
Jealous of your weather. I really want snow! That’s not going to happen when the high for tomorrow is 58!
I’m absaloutely in love with that first photo!
It reminds me of all the things I love about this time of year….beautiful!
love,
cathy b. @ brightbakes
oats look wonderful! beautiful pictures as always.
Mmm, a nice hot breakfast on a cold day! Perfect! It’s nice and warm here in Texas (64 degrees before 11!) I don’t miss the cold!
Try Trader Joe’s peppermint green tea! Any of the seasonal teas by Celestial Seasonings are good too
I love that ceramic bowl. I am in search for some new Foodie-ware. Any ideas?
The first picture looks really cool with your tree in the background.
Why don’t you make overnight oats and heat up half the batch for him in the morning? That way you can have them cold, him hot.
I don’t think the yogurt would have heated that well, but I was mostly just joking and happy to have hot oats
Whine whine whine – although I would have whined too. It’s too cold out for overnight oats! I was freezingv this morning!
21 degrees? It’s colder there than in NYC!! And I’m the opposite with tea and coffee- I loooove tea, but coffee’s just alright
Hope you have a good day!
Brrrrrrrr it’s about 32 degrees here, too, this morning! Cold oats = fail.
I agree with Matt – it’s a hot oats day! I had hot steel cut oats, mmm
I’m NOT a fan of tea! I want to like it, I really do, I just can’t!
And I have to say, it’s the PERFECT weather for hot oats!
Im working from a coffee shop now! Its does wonders for my productivity!
I am the exact opposite. I want to love coffee… I really do, but hate the taste. Tea on the other hand I am ALL about. I always thought that was from growing up in Texas and surviving solely on iced tea as a child.
You forgot to mention banana!
I have no idea what 21 degrees feels like but I can imagine it’s not that comfortable……( However I’ve always wondered what “season changes” were like and I’ve always been a bit envious.
aloha!
Anyway, I love pumpkin in my oats too. Actually I like pumpkin in just about everything and use it all year long and not only in the fall
oh I love that bowl you served breakfast in!! Gorgeous!
I’m more of a fan of coffee too. I’m curious. Does the location of Cville allow it to be a bit cooler in the summer than surrounding areas? Love the pic of your tree.
Yogi teas are really good, too. I love the Tahitian Vanilla Hazelnut. And it’s caffeine-free!
All of the interesting flavors by Celestial Seasonings have soy in the ingredients and I am allergic!
I don’t get why tea would need soy added to it…?
Soy in tea!? That’s annoying.
Love pumpkin oats!
What a great idea to add pumpkin to oatmeal!
You should get some fun varieties of tea – there are so many out there I’m sure one would be calling your name in the morning
I like tea, but I have to have my cuppa Joe in the mornings! Tea just will not do!
Tea is never boring at my house! I have an assortment of tea tins to choose from morning and night (reg/decaf). My current favorite is Kiwi Pear Decaf Green Tea (from The Republic of Tea) – most wonderful and flavorful! This morning I had an awesome cup of Masala Chai (loose leaf) by Rishi (organic). *love*
I bought lemon butter the other day because it was the only thing I could think of that’s comparable to your pumpkin butter. Suffice to say it’s not the same… but it actually works quite well in oatmeal
Oooh I love tea! Gotta have it sweet, though. Oh boy, I want some pumpkin butter asap!
I love tea! It has to be a good strongly brewed black tea, though – Irish or English breakfast, Earl Grey, Tazo Awake, chai, etc. – and with a good 1/4 c of milk or vanilla soy milk.
I’m a once-a-week-only caffeine girl, though, so just don’t do a lot of coffee – except for our moka pot (stovetop espresso maker) on the weekends!
You might like Indian cardamon tea with milk………