A Touch of Halloween

 

Flynn and I decorated for Halloween one day after school last week. By the time we were done, it was dark outside and cozy inside. We had dinner, watched a movie, and had some Halloween brownies I had made earlier in the day. Traditions are the best.

Happy Wednesday in October, my friends!

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee

 

Good morning, my friends! I have a brand new mug today! My awesome friend Leslie and I share a love for all things holiday, Halloween included! It came as a complete surprise on Friday afternoon. Leslie is so talented and creative, and shares so many things on her wonderful YouTube channel, The Cozy Yellow Cottage. Today looks to be a glorious October day here, sunny, not hot, with that distinct fall scent that I recognized the moment I stepped outside this morning. It isn't the fresh, damp scent of April, nor the scent of cut grass and hot asphalt in July. October smells earthy, you know? Like leaves and earth and memories of Trick-or-Treating in the dark.

Speaking of the dark, my walk this morning started out that way, but by the time I got to the dock, this is what I saw.

        

Peyton and Christopher are still exploring the national parks, and Peyton sent this stunning picture yesterday. 

She said that the fall colors reminded her of our Fall Fun Day, when we would go to the park close to our house for the day with my mom and dad. We went every October, took pizza and cupcakes, and made memories.

Well, I am off to make some breakfast, tidy the kitchen, and start preparing for school. Enjoy your day, my friends. Thank you for visiting!

Guilty as charged. 

Billie Jo

All The Things

Friday again, but this time it's a Friday in October, which automatically elevates it significantly. Here is a bit of our first few October days. First up, early morning walks, just as the world around me is waking up. 

Reading really good books and snuggling on the couch with the puppy...

More walks and a new visitor...

                                                                 

And a delicious, cozy dinner of chicken and dumplings to welcome this lovely month.

                                         

Thank you for stopping by, my friends! Have a wonderful weekend!

Billie Jo

Dear October,

Dear October, Welcome back, my friend. I am so happy you returned yet again with your crisp, cool days and your cozy, early evenings. Since we last met, I said goodbye, for now, to my beautiful momma. I was blessed to be holding her hand when she went to heaven on that bitterly cold January day. She knew of my love for autumn, especially the precious October days. I believe she will send a shower of colorful leaves to remind me of that, and to let me know she is here. Since she left, I have experienced times of immense sadness and despair as the spring rain fell, and moments of anguish and exhaustion during the sweltering, hot summer. 

I know that these next thirty-one days will be so good for my soul. Your cooler days bring cozy sweaters, steaming cups of pumpkin coffee, early darkness, and flickering candles. Leaves will turn to shades of red, gold, and purple, dance in the wind, and fall to the ground. We will feel the pull inward, spending more time together inside, reminding me of the many carefree and cozy evenings I shared in my childhood home with my family, the stone fireplace crackling as we sat around, playing games or watching TV after dinner. Through these October days, I will be reminded that life, like the year itself, is composed of seasons. We pass from one to the next, and although we long to stay in the one that makes us feel happy and safe, we have to move on. 

Years pass, time moves on, and we grow older. Yet, you dear October remain the same. You return each year, allowing me the chance to slow down, relax, reflect, and look ahead, all while you are there in the background, with cooler air, rustling leaves, pumpkin everything, and all the things that make me feel happy, safe, and cozy. So thank you for that. And welcome back. 

Billie Jo

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Monday Morning Coffee

 

Good morning, my friends! Happy Monday! And, while we are at it,

Yep. There is an official day designated for the celebration and consumption of the best-smelling, most delicious-tasting beverage of all, coffee. Thank you to Madion for pointing out this important fact to me. Have another cup and enjoy!

We were at the condo this past weekend, and had a great time. Nicolas, Madison, and Flynn attended a music festival at the inlet, and they had an absolutely fantastic time. The rain held off, and the bands were great. Their favorites were Green Day, Fall Out Boy, Train, and Vance Joy. They had a blast, as shown in the pictures below.

These two are my first and my last, and they couldn't have more fun together. If you have been around here for some time, you may remember when they looked like this.

As my mom used to say..." Life is but a dream!"

My middle two were visiting National Parks, Peyton, and working very hard, Rhett. Rhett stopped in over the weekend, and Peyton sent some beautiful pictures like this one of Mount Rainier.

(Courtesy of Christopher!)

Ascending to 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. An active volcano, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning five major rivers. Subalpine wildflower meadows ring the icy volcano while ancient forest cloaks Mount Rainier's lower slopes. Wildlife abounds in the park's ecosystems.

(I totally looked that up on the website, you know that, right???)

So, while the young people were at the music festival, visiting national parks, or working...Kyrstin, too, the older ones were sitting on the beach watching the waves.

It was so relaxing and calming. And funny, because when we were young and brought the kids to the beach for a week, I literally remember seeing "old" people like Steve and me sitting on the sand in their beach chairs watching the waves. I used to smile and say, "Well, Steve, there we are someday!" With four children, a teenager out in the water, two young ones playing with Sesame Street sand toys, and a baby in a stroller, that someday seemed far off. Now, here we are! And honestly, I wouldn't want it any other way.

Another benefit of being older? Rising with the sun while you are at the beach, and seeing this happen right before your eyes.

And having your daughter whip up a homemade chocolate cake to snack on throughout the weekend. Thanks, Madison!

Have a cozy Monday, my friends. I will be around to visit you this afternoon. And get that candy corn and those jack-o'-lanterns ready! October, the best month of the year, begins soon!

Billie Jo

Oh! I have another book for you to read! I loved this one!