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

 

Pumpkin Patch and Porch Pictures 2021!

All the traditions ~

All the cozy ~

All the fun ~

October.

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee

 

Good Monday morning, my friends! I hope your weekend was everything you hoped it would be and then some. Our weekend was filled with fall fun and then some. Saturday morning, I went to breakfast with Madison at our favorite coffee shop and had all things pumpkin spice. Then Saturday afternoon, we returned to Mass for the first time since the pandemic began, and I have to tell you it was a wonderful feeling to be in church again. Saturday evening, we had a cozy fall campfire complete with s'mores and Halloween brownies. Sunday, we went to the pumpkin patch, suffered through yet another Steeler loss, and enjoyed some broccoli cheese soup with fresh bread for dinner. Then we watched an old Halloween movie from the list of thirty-one we chose to watch this month. I will share that soon! We watched Frankenstein from 1931. It was really good! A true classic. 

Pumpkin Spice iced coffee, Pumpkin Spice scone, and a Pumpkin Spice sweater. From Loft, if you are wondering.

Switched out my purse for the month. I did leave it in the car during Mass, of course.

Love a fall fire in the backyard. Except for the smell of my hair until I wash it.

So glad we can visit with my Mom!

She is the best person I will ever know.

Have a fabulous October Monday, my friends!

Billie Jo

October Is Here

 

Hello! And Happy October! Yes, the most glorious month of the year for me has arrived. I simply love this month. I am often asked why that is. Why do I love October? Well, I love the feeling it brings. I love the clear, crisp mornings with that touch of coolness in the air that greets me when I take Mocha out. I love the sunny afternoons that aren't so hot. I love the cozy earlier evenings that bring us together indoors. I love seeing the green leaves slowly change to their vibrant red, gold, and yellow shades. And then, I love the blustery days that blow those same leaves through the air when their time is complete. I adore the smell of October. It is crispness mixed with the scent of crunchy leaves that takes me right back to my childhood, walking along 5th Street trick-or-treating on Halloween. I love the pumpkins and the music and anticipation. I also love the calmness of this month. September is a fun yet busy month for us. November begins the preparation for the holiday season. October rests between them. Thirty-one days of fun, rest, yummy treats, and spooky movies. Did I mention the snuggle times with a cup of pumpkin coffee in the afternoons?

Here is a sneak peek of our Halloween home this year! Flynn and I decorated yesterday afternoon and then made some yummy Halloween cookies to celebrate.

Again. October.

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends.

We are planning a campfire and heading to the pumpkin patch.

I am planning on making some soup in the crockpot too.

How about you?

What are your plans for this first October weekend?

Billie Jo

One Word Wednesday

 

Finally.

Monday Morning Coffee

Good morning! I am sipping my coffee as our beach vacation winds down, and we prepare to return to our cozy lake home just in time to prepare for the spooky month of October. I say every year that it is fun to go, but always nice to get home. The beach was good to us this year. It offered peace, calm, fun, rest, and memories of visits past. The beach is the place I am vividly reminded of my little ones that dug in the sand with Blue's Clues toys and jumped in the waves while clutching their Daddy's hand. Those same little ones were with us again, and although not so little anymore, they dug in the sand with those same precious beach toys with Flynn and also held her hand as they dove into the waves. As I sat in the sand watching the waves crash and roll out again as they have for years and years and years, I thought of the many trips we enjoyed with my parents along and how much I miss them being here with us. And how life continues to change while remaining very much the same.

Have a lovely day, my friends.

I will be back around to visit very soon!

Monday Morning Coffee

Good Monday morning, my friends! As in years and years past, I find myself at the beach this week of September. And as in years past, I am blessed to be joined with my entire family at different points of the week. I made my pumpkin spiced coffee and took it down to the beach this morning, and as always, found peace in the unchanging rhythm of the waves rolling into the shore and back out again. 

 

A first this year. We brought the pups! And so far, all is well! They adjusted to the new atmosphere and the new trek to go the bathroom. For the record, it is out the door, down the hall, into the elevator, out the door, across the parking lot, and into the grass. No problem.

Have a lovely Monday, my friends!

I will be tidying the condo, doing laundry, and reading while my people do beach things. Because that is who I am, and that makes me happy! I hope you find time to do something that makes you happy today!

Billie Jo

Tea Party, Puppy Pics, And More

Thank you all for the birthday wishes! It was indeed a lovely day. The day after my birthday, my girls surprised me with a luncheon at our favorite tea room! Madison, Peyton, Flynn, Kyrstin, and I enjoyed delicious food and beverages in the most quaint setting. I was so touched by their thoughtfulness.

My little Mocha is leash trained, meaning I take her out on a leash at all times. We live in an area with lots of wildlife, and I don't like to leave her on her own. Yesterday, Flynn and I were in the backyard while doing a sketch for her nature journal during her art lesson. Mocha was on my lap, and I set her down for a minute to grab some art supplies to carry inside. Mocha was uncertain of what to do at first, but when I told her to go ahead and run around, she tentatively started out, and they suddenly she realized she could run around and literally pranced around so happily! It was so cute. She kept looking back at me to be sure she was still ok, and when she was done, she ran to the steps and waited by the gate to go up to the deck. I was able to snap a few phone pictures while she was taking a break. 

I received some happy mail this week from a dear, have -yet-to-meet-in-person, fellow fall-loving blog friend who is beyond talented in every area I can think of! Leslie, who blogs HERE and also has a youtube channel HERE, created this fantastic magazine herself! I have been enjoying it with my soft autumn blanket and my pumpkin spice coffee! 

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends.

Any plans?

Billie Jo