Good morning sunshines!
You all have to be my sunshine because we STILL HAVE NO SUN!
I hope this is just some weird weather fluke and not a sign of Charlottesville’s character. I’ve been here many times and there has always been blue skies. Hoping for a fluke..
Also, still no strong internet signal. I tried changing the wireless channel. No luck. Matt’s computer is fine. Mine is spotty. Spotty. is. not. good. enough.
Here’s some breakfast cheer!!
Ying. Yang.
Opera Girl sent me some of her famous Double Coconut Granola.
It’s as good as they say! Very much like Honey Bunches of Oats. Love all the coconut essence.
- Whipped banana oat base with milk, water, half banana, salt, chia seeds
- Ying of double coconut granola
- Yang of crunchy buckwheat granola
- Biscoff residue
Just a wee bit on the bottom – but perfect enough for some amazing flavor! Yes, this is still my first jar and it was darn good. Going to hold of on another one though, cause I have lots of other good eats in stock.
Ingredients for those who requested: it’s pretty much Biscoff cookies ground up with canola oil and sugar
Iced Starbucks Vanilla Fusion
Have a day!
{ 93 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s cloudy here in Charlotte, too, so you aren’t missing any sunshine
Will you be posting a bakery update soon? I hope things are working out for yall!
I probably won’t be posting updates until we find a new location and get closer to opening. We’re starting from scratch.
Kath, keep an eye on Craigslist. We’ve noticed several business’s lately that have posting things for sale on craigslist just a few days before they announce they are going out of business. Might be a way to get an in on a good location before anyone else knows.
I hope the sun shines for you today! I did not get to go on my morning walk with my husband do to thunder storms this morning. That is no way to wake up…that’s for sure! Oh well, we will make it up on Saturday! Your breakfast looks delicious! Have a great day Kath!
Don’t worry Kath; it’s been cloudy and gloomy in Charlotte for days. It’s so depressing! I bet you’re sad your Biscoff spread is gone
Clouds in Atlanta for almost three days straight, too!
I’ll try and tell MD to share the sunshine with VA
They need to place nice! Jeez!
On the bright side, that breakfast looks so damn tasty!
I must try this biscoff spread but I haven’t seen it anywhere. I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled!
Wow- I meant “play nice”…not “place nice”…woops!
Seriously – that spread sounds dangerously delicious!! I hope the sun finds it’s way through the clouds!
Yep, cloudy here in Hillsborough. Dad is pleased though as it makes his walking easier.
the sun motivates me…I need it!
I’m sure the sun will shine again soon! On the bright side though, cloudy days make for great running weather
Is it weird that I’m a little jealous of the hills you talk about in C-ville?? Hill workouts are killer but ya feel so awesome after!
http://therunnerscookie.wordpress.com/2010/07/29/hills-hurt-so-good/
I made coconut granola (ad-libbing from a basic granola recipe) for the first time a few days ago, after eating some AMAZING granola with coconut and lots of toasted nuts at a conference last week (an awesome health and active communities conference
). I’ll have to try this actual recipe on my next round, though I’ll add some kind of nuts or seeds to mine. I’m working on finishing a couple of old bags of sweetened coconut flakes, so I’ll just cut back the honey in the recipe a bit. Thanks for sharing!
when i first moved to l.a. i was shocked that there was this thing called “june gloom” – basically in the summer it is cloudy all morning and then becomes sunny in the afternoon. turns out it’s perfect for hiking in the a.m.!
Spreadable cookies. Awesome.
There might not be sunshine, but that coffee would brighten my day. Hope the clouds get their act together and move out.
That biscoff spread is crazy!! I love those cookies, so I’m sure I’d love it!
Sorry about the spotty internet– so frustrating
Until I started taking Chinese I always thought it was “ying yang” too but it’s actually YIN yang. Here’s a little tidbit from wikipedia if you’re interested:
Yin is characterized as slow, soft, yielding, diffuse, cold, wet, or tranquil; and is associated with water, earth, the moon, femininity and nighttime. Yang, by contrast, is fast, hard, solid, focused, hot, dry, or aggressive; and is associated with fire, sky, the sun, masculinity and daytime.
Good luck with your internet troubles!
Oops!! Should I change my title!?
Oats eaten out of an almost empty jar of nut butter is the best. I ate my overnight oats out of an almost
finished jar of peanut butter!! Definitely made up for the lack of sunshine here!
Started raining this morning and it won’t stop until the week-end. We can’t be too mad at Maam Nature, since we had an amazing summer so far
Cloudy in new york as well. The sun keeps battling and allows for some intermittent rays. Just like my internet keeps battling with me as well. Every afternoon between 2 and 5 it gets really spotty!
I realized this morning as I was eating that I can definitely credit KERF for making me eat large, healthy breakfasts. My mom doesn’t understand how I can eat oatmeal ALL. THE. TIME. when I used to loathe it.
It’s been super cloudy here too. Grawr.
Glad you like the granola, Kath!
That granola looks great! It is storming here. I hate waking up to that!
I hope you see the sun sometime today!
What a great breakfast — your OIAJ is genius!
We went through a phase in June like that – no sun. It is so depressing!
Hope the sun comes out soon!
Yum Coconut granola!! I hope sun makes an appearance.
no sun here either
darn southern cali…..
gosh that biscoff spread looks like heaven!
It’s blah out here in Michigan today too
C-ville weather is usually pretty good this time of year – definitely a fluke. At least you aren’t here in Northern CA where I am. For the past two weeks its been cloudy, cold (low 70′s as the HIGH), and murky. Yuck. I’m about ready to throw my hands up and say “bring on fall”.
cloudy here, too. at least you don’t have the suffocating humidity
aww i hope the sun shines for you soon! its rubbish here in Scotland too, no surprise there eh!
My favorite way to eat Overnight Oats is in a jar! I think you need less nut butter with cold oats compared to hot oats, so it works out perfectly:)
I finally tried your beloved Biscoff spread and loved it! You have good taste!
I think everywhere is having weird weather this year. Here in San Diego, it is usually about 90 this time of year but it hasn’t been hitting more than 75. Apparently we had our coldest July in over 100 years!
Same in Santa Monica.
I think it’s just a strange weather pattern this summer…..we’re having some cool days over in California as well. Feels like summer hasn’t visited us yet…and I don’t think it’s gonna. Have a great day!
Cloudy days zap my energy too. My boyfriend is a wierdo and likes cloudy days so he doesn’t feel guily for staying inside
Even though I’m in California, it’s been pretty gloomy and cold. Especially in the mornings.
It just doesn’t feel like summer.
i can’t wait til winter with hot coffee and hot oats every day! it’s so good…hope you get some sunshine soon!
Spotty Internet signal is the worst – so frustrating! Hope the sun comes out for you today – it looks like it may be peaking around the corner where I am, but not sure yet!
A cloudy summer was what happened in Toronto in 2009. In the Summer of 2010, we’re getting so much sunshine, so much heat, and sadly, so much humidity. I’m attempting my best to send some your way!
I second this! 2009 summer was the pits in TO!!
It would be awesome if it was made with butter. “What do you get when you purée butter, sugar, and cookies? SPREADABLE COOKIES!”
Wei Wei
I would love nothing more than for the sun to disappear over here. It’s been beating down so relentlessly. You should thank your lucky stars!
The grass is always greener. But I do love the sun.
As someone in the area whose career is in agriculture we are welcoming this weather ‘Fluke’.
The real ‘Fluke’ is the summer we are currently having.
It has been over 90 degrees and sunny almost every day for the past 2 months several times reaching 100 degrees.
We are in a drought in one of the hottest summers on record which is resulting in failed crops statewide. The pastures are drying up and farmers are having to feed hay to livestock in the summer (when usually they are grass fed) with little chance of a substantial second cutting of hay, which combined with having to feed in the summer, could lead to hay shortages. And for you, all of this translates into higher costs for local food. We haven’t had a four day cloudy period in 2 months and I (along with everyone else who has had to work outside this summer) have welcomed this cool cloudy period.
My comment is not meant to be rude but as a health blogger who so often comments on the availability and costs of local, sustainable food, you should be more aware of how the weather affects more important things than your mood. I think you will be singing a different tune tomorrow when it should be back to sun and 98 degrees.
All of this being said, I wish you luck in settling in Charlottesville. The area is abundant with fresh local food options and wonderful restaurants.
Well if you put it that way, the sun can stay away a bit more. I don’t like periods of hot sun OR periods of clouds. Wish the sky would just ebb in and out of sunshine like the tides. Then both me and the plants would be happier.
I understand your POV, but as Kath, it must be annoying as hell when people do this. Tht’s all I’m sayin’.
Why should a comment like this be “annoying as hell”? It’s offering up another side of a situation, and actually quite informative to their local area. It’s not even a matter of the commenter being critical; it’s just explaining the weather from an alternative point of view, and one that should be welcomed by a food blogger who has displayed interest in the earth and sustainability.
I just think obvious things like this don’t need to be said to her. I doubt Kath doesn’t realize that rain is good for local food crops.
Very interesting and informative post! Thank you for this perspective!
I had no idea there was a biscoff spread. For some reason, whenever you mentioned it I always thought you were talking about the cookies! That sounds AMAZING!
Hey Kath! It’s been cloudy here for a few days too…the sun will return again soon! Today I discovered a Great Harvest near my house…I had NO idea there was a location nearby! I was thrilled and bought a loaf of Burly Bread, granola, and a trek bar. Can’t wait to taste them. I also sampled Chocolate Brownie Bread. I wanted to pick up some burger buns but they don’t keep them in stock. the guy said if I called ahead a few days from when I needed them that he could make some. boooo. anyway Matt can offer some tips to make my own off of what he made the other day??
Just request them – they will be worth the wait! There is nothing like Great Harvest wheat
It’s cloudy right now where I live, too
We need some sunshine!!
I’ve never tried oats in a jar but people rave about it every time I see it on a blog. I think I need to put my severely depleted jar of almond butter to good use tomorrow morning
Holy Cow! That Biscoff Spread looks AMAZING! I love the cookies and am so excited to learn about this!
I have never heard of this stuff before. Interesting! And that coffee looks greattttt.
your breakfast looks amazing! I’m at the tail end of some horrible stomach virus and your breakfast looks delicious, hopefully in a day or two I’ll be able to copy it! I have a nearly empty peanut butter jar sitting in the fridge calling my name
Well I agree that gloomy days are no fun when all you’re in the mood for is some sunshine
so boo to that comment above! Sendin some florida sunshine your way! Can’t wait to meet you at HLS 
It definitely is just a fluke, Kath! Charlottesville is really all sun, all the time!
It’s been pretty cloudy in Northern VA, too. Although, the sun is peaking through a bit today. It’s a tad gloomy, but it sure did cool things off, which isn’t such a bad thing. I hope you find some sunshine soon.
Sheesh Kath, how dare you make comments about such touchy topics as the weather on YOUR blog! :-p On another note, I must find the Biscoff spread…
Agreed!!!! How dare she discuss the weather and her moods! How dare she be so flippant!
Lol, and it always is accentuated with a *don’t mean to be rude…
Tone does not translate into text, so it does come off as rude/angry!
I’m kinda jealous of your cloudy weather! Ever since I moved to LA, I’ve almost been TOO spoiled by sunshine and warm weather– I miss rain and the change in seasons!! What I wouldn’t give for a cloudy day and a warm cup of coffee!
I get the worst internet signal at my parents’ house (which is where I’m living for the summer) and my internet is always cutting out. I feel your frustration!!
Lol, at first glance I was like, “How can you eat a whole jar of that?!” Oh, residue. Just kidding, haha! Looks yummy!
Yeah it’s been cloudy and gloomy in Lynchburg, too. This is definitely a change from the last month or so, it’s been crazy hot and sunny in our area. Nicer weather to run in, though.
I need to get that biscoff spread! Where do you find it?
That biscoff spread looks so decadent and delicious. I’d imagine it would make for a particularly special OIAJ.
The weather is pretty consistently sunny here in California, but I remember last summer while living in New York, the entire month of June was rainy, overcast, and dismal…it can wear down the spirit for sure.
I’m on vacation and we haven’t had sun either! Such a bummer.
I’d say Biscoff is a suitable replacement for sunshine – temporarily, at least! : ) On another note, I recently discovered that there is a Great Harvest near my work – and I am in LOVE with the bread! Bread rules!
Maria
The ingredients in the Biscoff are totally not what I was expecting! Still really want to try it.
I’ll have to start looking harder.
Did you try using the cable to see if you still get spotty connection? If not, then either your wireless card is faulty or you may have some virus on your computer. Do a virus scan. Just a thought.
I can’t use a cable because the modem is upstairs and my giant computer is all set up downstairs.
I find it really hard to believe my card would go bad the same day we switch internet providers..
Will look into virus, but I swear this is just signal interference. Switching channels helped…for a while
Do you have a cordless phone in the house that could be interfering?
No
The only other thing I can think of is maybe you have a neighbor that is close who has a router or cordless phone or baby monitor. I don’t know what else would interfere.
One more thing I thought of. Try moving your computer to the other side of the room. Maybe whatever is interfering won’t over there. Can’t hurt to try it.
Oh man, Kath. After hearing you rave about the Biscoff spread, I just HAD to get some when we were in San Francisco a few weeks ago. We were right by an actual Biscoff storefront! So I ran in and grabbed a jar and lugged the (heavy!) thing home, and…wow. AMAZING. That stuff is so darn good. I love smearing it on bananas, particularly.
*sigh* Now I might have to go eat a Biscoff banana…
Kath,
I have nothing to offer on the tech front as sadly, I am not too saavy in that area. But switching channels seemed like a good idea. I would call your provider and maybe see if they can switch out your card/try another one since you just got there?
Wanted to tell you that I made pumpkin oats today in your honor, AND my Nuttzo arrived and it is simply fabulous.
Yay.
Also, I’m not really in shape for it yet, but am considering doing the Oct. 10k in Cville! First one for me in 10 years . . . .;) Might need some KERF pointers.
Keep me up to date on the 10K! I’ll do it too, most likely
I definitely will! (Now I gotta get a game plan together to train a bit first.)
It would be super fun to complete one, and to meet you, too.
Have the best time at your conferences!
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for sunshine for you… Sometimes that makes it easier to get an internet connection.
August is VA’s wettest month of the year! Im afraid many cloudy days lie ahead but the rain makes everything so green and the temp much cooler!
Biscoff has a spread? So dangerous. We’re having similar cloudy days out here in Seattle. Hope the sun breaks through for both of us ASAP!
Rain, rain everywhere it seems. Montreal is gloomy today, too.
A thought on Biscoff – ground up cookie spread? Brilliant. Right up there with chocolate covered potato chips in terms of simple culinary and craving genius!
I LOVE that you said a “wee” bit! i thought that was a purely scottish slang term! I am greatly amused..
fingers crossed (still!!) that the weather perks up a little bit at least xx
In a biscoff jar, that must have been perfection.
No city is going to be blue and sunny every single day! I think you’ll find Charlottesville is pretty nice the majority of the (Spring/Fall/Summer) time, though
This is totally a fluke! It’s been so sunny and hot all summer and the last week it’s been a cloud party. I don’t know what gives, but at least we are getting a little break from 100 degree temps!