What's Inside My October Folder

Eeeek! It's October! I love October...the leaves, the treats, the crisp weather, the football, and of course...Halloween!.. So let's take a peek at my October folder...

And here is what's inside...

The first thing inside is the October poem. It is actually more of a quote,  but I just love it. It is my very favorite.

October is nature’s funeral month.  Nature glories in death more than in life.  The month of departure
is more beautiful than the month of coming – October than May.  Every green thing loves to
die in bright colors.”-   Henry Ward Beecher  

The next thing inside is my list of things to do this month.

October

1. Porch furniture away
2. Put hose away
3. Clean furnace filter
4. Switch coat closets out
5. Cut down shrubs
6. Finalize Halloween costumes
7. Decorate inside
8. Decorate outside-Pumpkin Patch
9. Madison and Flynn birthday supplies
10. Madison and Flynn birthday shopping
11. Look for Christmas clothes and pajamas
12. Fall Fun Day at park

I also have a newspaper article I clipped years ago with some good information about preparing for winter in this part of the world. ; ) If you would like to read it yourself, it was written by Sara Noel as part of her Frugal Living series.

And then I have my special October recipes tucked inside. The Candy Corn Pizza and Spiderweb Munch are traditional favorites here.

So that is what is inside my October folder. Happy planning friends!  

Beach Vacation 2013

We traveled several hours south last week to one of our favorite vacation spots...Ocean City, Maryland. We have been going there for several years now...ever since Madison was a baby. Sitting on the beach, staring at that vast, beautiful ocean always brings me peace. I had a bit of a hard time this year that first day, because I missed my sweet parents. We always brought them with us, and they loved it so. The beach holds so many wonderful memories, and I hold them dear to my heart. My mother's health issues prevented her from coming, but she stayed at our house, spent some time with our puppy Kirby and sat on the porch and enjoyed the leaves, so I felt better about that. And I did phone my dad one afternoon, and he sounded so good, it made my heart happy. It was a good day, and I was able to actually talk to my dad, without that heartless Dementia standing in the way. : )


We had a wonderful, laid back, quiet family week together. Spending time at the beach in September is amazing...an empty beach, perfect temperatures, and no crowds at restaurants! We stayed in a BEAUTIFUL condo right on the beach. Another plus to vacationing at the beach in September...way lower rates! We stayed at a gorgeous place, and paid less than half the summer rates. : )

Below are way too many pictures of our trip... Just in case you have some extra time on your hands. ; )

Hello, Beach! How we've missed you...

 

 

First view of the condo is always exciting...

 

 

I loved the beautiful kitchen where I cooked absolutely nothing. : )

 

 

And the living room was cozy and bright.

 

 

Choosing bedrooms is always a treat...

 

 

this little lady ended up here, with her bestie Peyton.

 

 

And my bathroom passed my OCD inspection as well. : )

 

 

First official beach picture...finally here!

 

 

The weather was beautiful all week...and these three spent a lot of time doing this...

 

 

while this little lady spent hours doing this. : )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes it got a little windy...

 

 

but these two didn't seem to mind.

 

 

After a bit, this little one wanted to put on some "sunscream" and "catch a wave."

 

 

After a few days, she was ready to go...

 

 

and she loved it...

 

 

and wanted to make sure we all saw. : )

 

 

I remembered you all too!

 

 

I found this on my phone...my little Flynn wanted to post a picture of her snack.

 

 

She worked up quite an appetite swimming in her new princess floatie Madison bought her.

 

 

One of my favorite pictures...

 

 

and this one of the message that my sweet hubby made for me...

 

 

and this one too. : )

 

 

We had these a few too many times. But since we live nowhere near one, it was a special treat.

 

 

We got dressed up and went out to eat...here we are at my favorite place. Even though we are at the beach and had all kinds of yummy seafood, pasta will always be my fave. : )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a great meal at this place...BJ'S on the Water...

 

 

We spent evenings on the beach...

 

 

and walking on the Boardwalk.  Steve and I were walking behind our four precious kids, and I got a little teary. Surprise, right? But I swear it was yesterday we pushed our little one year old Madison on that very same boardwalk...Time passes quickly, but provides many blessings. : )

 

 

Ocean City 2013 was wonderful...

 

 

so until we meet again...thanks for the memories.

 

 

 

 

 

Weekend Plans...Abbreviated Edition

Well, that week flew right by. I'm writing this on my iPad as our vacation comes to a close.  Friday night will find us enjoying our last night at the beach. This translates to final walks in the sand, goodbyes to the beautiful ocean, and strategic packing to get everything to fit back into the van. Add to that sentimental and tired kids, and I'm sure a few tears will fall...

Saturday we will get up and start our trip home early. The ride home is never as exciting, but truth be told, I am always happy to be home sweet home. Depending on what time we get home, we may attend Mass. If not, we will go Sunday morning.

Sunday finds us back in the real world. Madison has her last day of work for the season at Dairy Queen, and Steve and Rhett have a soccer game. Peyton, Flynn, and I will stay home and get started on laundry and such. I plan on working on a vacation post too. : )

Sorry no pictures...they are coming soon! But I do hope your weekend is happy and autumn-ish, whatever your plans may be!

Fall In Our House 2013

Fall is here! And that means we are spending a bit more time inside. I love making our home feel more cozy this time of year. Adding a few touches here and there does the trick. Here a some pictures of fall in our house. I would love to see some of yours!

The table in the mudroom is decked out with a few small pumpkins, and greets visitors with the warm scent of Harvest Welcome.

The kitchen table has a few small touches too...

like this cute ceramic pumpkin

and our ever popular candy dish filled with autumn wrapped goodies!

A couple little touches hang on the kitchen walls...

and this one hangs right over my desk.

The sideboard has some decorations I have had forever, and the brand new leaves the girls made in school.

The fall mantle is simple but warm,

and this cute little pillow adds a sweet touch nearby.

We decorated the holiday tree with autumn ornaments...

acorns, and pumpkins, and colorful leaves.

The hearth room is cozy with the late afternoon sun shining in.

Adding just a few touches to the bookshelf makes all the difference.

The kitchen sink even gets an autumn addition.

And our very favorite candle burns brightly in our home every autumn evening.

Happy fall, friends!