Summer is rapidly coming to a close. The evenings feel quieter, shadows are getting longer, and my yearning for sweaters has reappeared. The change of seasons stirs something inside me and I can't help but feel the chapters of my life change with them. 

This is particularly true this year as I embark on a new journey in my career. After four and a half years with Urban Outfitters, Inc. I have decided it is time for me to find myself elsewhere for awhile. Instead of rushing into this "elsewhere" however, I'm giving myself a moment to pause, reflect, and evaluate what's next. For someone who is often described as a workaholic, this is a gigantic leap for me and one I do not take without hesitation. 

It's terrifying to think I'm walking away from a hard fought career in digital marketing and into the unknown. What if I can't find a job when I try to re-enter the workforce, extending my three month sabbatical to six months or a year? What if no one understands this need for a break and holds it against me in interviews? What if...I won't bore you with the endless self-doubt. All of this to say, I'm not naive in the risk I've taken, but I've taken it nonetheless.

The reason? I've been working so hard I've forgotten what it was I was passionate about to begin with. My creativity has shriveled to almost nonexistent and I'm just not fun anymore. I got so busy making a living, I've actually forgotten how to live. It wasn't enough to simply say these things, attempting to make strides towards them, I had to stop completely in my tracks and reroute.

I'm also excited though. I'm looking forward to reconnecting with my center, spending time with Ryan in the mornings, and examining what is most important to me. I'm eternally grateful I have a husband to support me in this endeavor, and savings to alleviate some of the stress of leaving immediately vs. holding out for whatever the next position will be. My one goal in all of this is to find the girl who used to laugh uncontrollably and hold onto her for dear life.

Goodbye summer.  - b.

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Once upon a time we lived in a place where farmland was plentiful and the sun seemed to always shine. Organic produce seemed to grow everywhere- It was the land of milk & honey. Ok, that's an exaggeration, but we did live in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia where finding locally grown produce was a lot easier than in Philly. It's sad to think that what comes naturally to people of one region could be seen as a granola-loving hipster ideal to another. 

Now that we live in the (big bad) city it seems the only place to get really good organic vegetables is Whole Foods. No offense to the holier-than-thou natural foods chain, but that sucks! So this summer we decided to try a CSA share with a pick-up within easy walking distance of our house. We love you Greensgrow! 

Also know as Community Supported Agriculture, the idea is that you pay for a season's worth of produce up front so that the farmers producing your food can cover the expensive start-up costs of the season. It helps them stay profitable throughout the year and gives you access to organic produce that's grown within an hour-or-so of your house.

Here's a sampling of dishes we've prepared from our share:

The downside is you typically have to pay for the entire CSA share up front- ouch. We did a half-share this year, which means we pick-up every other week, but we're looking forward to upping to a full-share next year! Once the produce starts flowing in the dent in your bank account starts to feel less painful, not to mention our grocery bills are almost non-existent. 

A sample summer share:

1. 4x Tomatoes
2. 4x Mini Eggplant
3. 4x Ears of Corn
4. Large bunch of Kale
5. Large bunch of Celery
6. 3 lbs. purple potatoes
7. 6 Cubanelle Peppers

What do you think- Would you ever consider buying into a CSA share? I'd love to hear your thoughts- follow me on Instagram (@bekuhb) and start the conversation. - b.

In just a few short weeks we'll be hitting the road, bound for Maine! I'm so excited to escape from the heat of the city for awhile and spend some much needed time relaxing and enjoy the last dog days of summer. Our first stop will be Mt. Washington, New Hampshire before heading to the furthest reaches of Acadia National Park. A whole week of camping, hiking, swimming and lobster rolls await us.

Ryan and I made the decision a few years back to alternate our trips abroad with trips at home- There's just so much to see right here in America! After a lot of discussion we both decided a trip through New England sounded too good to resist- in high school I dreamt of becoming an art teacher and living in a hamlet along the coast.

This season has taken its toll on our nerves and stress levels so we're doing everything we can to maximize relaxation and minimize productivity during the trip; setting some pretty strict guidelines for ourselves:

• No cellphones out on the campsite
• We're using an actual map (!) to navigate our way north
• No iPhone pictures or digital photography- all film all day
• No blogs, just books

It may sound a little loco in today's digital age but we want to be 100% present with each other (and Nellie) for the entire trip. I'm hopeful it will renew our spirits and help reconnect us to nature. Vacation unplugged- sounds like a reality tv show on Discovery or something. - b.