Halfway Through Already, Some Movie Ideas, And A Quick Recipe

We are halfway through October already. Halfway through the cozy, spooky, relaxing month leading up to the festive months of holidays. I've tried to be more mindful of the changes outside my front door so far. The gradual transition of leaves from bright to muted green to red, yellow, and gold before breaking off and falling to the ground. I've tried to breathe in that indescribable, crisp scent exclusive to this month whenever I take the pups out. Although, to be honest, it has been a bit too warm here for my taste. Temperatures in the upper 70's mean my sweaters and sweatshirts don't work quite as well. : )

If you haven't had time to savor all that October has to offer, don't worry! We still have some time left. Go for that ride to look at the changing leaves. Sit outside with your morning coffee. Light a scented candle after dinner and watch a Halloween movie with your people. Not sure what to watch? No worries. I keep an ongoing list on my phone for just that reason. Here are a few of my favorites.

Halloween Movies

Halloweentown

Halloweentown ll

Halloweentowntown High

Twitches

Twitches Too

It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Hotel Transylvania 

Psycho (1960)

The Wolf Man (1941)

Frankeinstein (1931)

Halloween (1978)

( The last ones are for when the kids are asleep.)

Nothing to see here. Just my daughter's dog Draper not creepily staring at me while Flynn and I watch Drake and Josh in bed.

I made an old but favorite meal last night. We call it Turkey Pie, because apparently you can make it with ground turkey, but I use ground beef now. Just brown a pound of meat, drain, and add 2 cups of your favorite salsa. Put in a pie pan greased and lined with your favorite pizza crust or a can of crescent roll dough like I did this time. Then bake at 450 degrees for 20 minutes. Top with some shredded cheddar cheese and bake until melted.  I actually double this and use a 13x9 glass pan.

Ok. That is all I have this morning. Have a fabulous October weekend, my friends. Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo

Ordinary Days And Thoughts

 

Ordinary days are my favorite. Sure, I love holidays and all the excitement that they bring. But I have always been happiest during those ordinary days in between. I find comfort in the security of consistency. The uneventful days full of mundane tasks like making coffee, unloading the dishwasher, making beds, folding laundry, taking the pups out, preparing dinner, wiping the countertops, dimming the lights, lighting a candle, and settling in give me joy.

I have always been this way. As a teenager, I loved school, my friends, and my activities. But I looked forward to Friday afternoons when I could come home to my house, knowing that I had all weekend to spend there with my family. I loved Friday nights with my two best friends, Jenn and Brent, watching movies. I loved my mom making spaghetti, or rigatoni, or chicken cacciatore on Sunday afternoons while my dad watched the Steeler games with a fire going in the tv room. 

That is me. Some people have called me weird and strange, even in my own extended family, but I am ok with that. I own who I am and am proud to be a homebody. Some people ski, golf, or bike. Some like to attend sporting events and tailgate or attend parties and picnics. I applaud them for doing what they enjoy. Me, though? I am happy being ordinary. Home. Reading, homeschooling, napping, and loving my family. 

Be you. My friends. Just be you.

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee

 

Good Monday morning! I hope you had a lovely weekend doing whatever makes you happy. We had a quiet weekend here, doing ordinary things, and that made me happy. Yesterday afternoon, we took what most likely will be the final boat ride of the season. As much as I love fall, and you know I do, I will miss summer a bit more now. Living on the lake has unearthed a love of summer I haven't known since I was a kid riding my bike around the block, swimming in another lake, catching fireflies, and playing Ghost in the Graveyard with our neighbor Ronnie. But, the seasons come and go, time passes, and we embrace the changes, all while knowing each will return again. Here are a few pictures from our boat ride yesterday afternoon.

Today brings homeschool, laundry, and dinner prep. Dinner will be pork loin, egg noodles, and some steamed broccoli. I might even make some Halloween funfetti cupcakes if I feel ambitious. Have a great Monday, my friends. Enjoy!

Billie Jo

Cozy October Days

I love this time of year. But you already knew that, right? I wish October were longer so I would have more time to sit on the porch with my morning coffee and watch the leaves fall from the colorful trees in the front yard. I wish I had more time to ride slowly through our neighborhood, admiring the shades of red, yellow, and orange on display around me. I wish I had more time to hold Mocha as we ride around the lake in the boat and marvel at the beauty of the trees around us. 

But maybe I don't need more time. Perhaps I need to make better use of the time October offers. I have the time. I have thirty-one days to enjoy this time I wait for all year. I simply need to remind myself to pause a bit and look around rather than rush to complete whatever it is I am doing. Yesterday, Flynn and I were at the kitchen table, reading about chemical weathering and how it differs from mechanical weathering when I looked up and saw the most beautiful sight. Colorful leaves were literally fluttering in the wind, as if dancing, before falling to the ground, their job complete. We stopped our science lesson and watched those leaves, and I reminded Flynn that we have but a few days each year to see such a sight. So I suppose I am trying to savor these cozy October days, after all. 

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends.

We have nothing planned!

How about you?

Billie Jo