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Hello friends,

The month of September was a busy one and I can’t believe it passed so quickly. I literally said to the husband the other day that there are literally NOT enough hours in the day to get everything done that I need to get done. Am I right?

I’m also trying to soak up every teensy bit of fall/autumn vibes possible despite the heat outside. How about you? Is it cooling off where you live?

As usual, I am linking up to share my monthly recap on the last Wednesday of the month. 🧡

If you’re new(er) to my blog site, this is what we recap every month:

What we're eating this week:

Well, I hate to admit it, but I can’t think of a single thing I cooked this month. Did I cook? I honestly do not remember. 🫣 This was an active month of events and an active month feeling suffocated by grief so I suspect I didn’t. I know I took leftovers out of the freezer and then they sat in the fridge too long and I ultimately threw them out. I hate when that happens because that was a meal I had made last month!

So, this week we will be eating out because husband is a social guy and loves to be out and about with his friends and networking, AND we are going to be traveling soon!! (See below.)

I did share a post on Monday with pumpkin recipes to try this fall. Click here if you missed it. These are a combined list of recipes I made in the past that contain various forms of pumpkin or butternut squash. YUM!

What I'm reminiscing about:

Oregon. I took a fall foliage-ish trip there in October 2016 with one of my besties and it is such a beautiful state! We literally planned the trip on a Wednesday and left that Friday - I needed to get out of town (my life) and praise the good Lord, she was available to jet out of town with me on a whim. Everything we saw was beautiful. The gorges and waterfalls, the apple orchards, the trees, the vineyards, the coast. We went on a brew tasting tour (because when in Rome?), a Halloween festival where we smashed pumpkins, a Saturday market, a pumpkin farm “patch”, a winery, and ate a lot of good food. We literally stopped anywhere and everywhere to take pictures in the leaves. It was a blast and good for the soul.

I would love to go back and also to explore the Washington (state) coast.

What I'm loving:

Our Falloween décor! Since I had to wait to decorate for fall after the windows were installed, I decided to go ahead and put out my Halloween stuff too. I normally wait until October 1st to do that, but being delayed and in this new house, and struggling with enthusiasm to decorate in general (grief), I decided I’d set it all out so I can figure out what works and what I may need to purchase. Husband actually wants me to buy new things for this house, especially for the outside so that we’ll be fun and festive for Trick-or-Treaters.

I’ve purchased the matching wreath and plan to hang it soon once our new front door is installed. I’m debating on using it on the outside of the door or on the inside of the door. The outside of the door is black so it may not show up well. The inside of the door is white. I currently have matching autumn wreaths on both sides of the door because we had double front doors at our previous house so I have two wreaths for everything until I purchased this one recently. What to do - what to do…

Grandin Road can be a bit pricey, but they have excellent quality for holiday decor. I usually wait until they have a great sale and free shipping. They do not always overlap a sale and free shipping and sometimes their sales exclude Halloween/Fall/Christmas, but they DO put the holiday items on sale as well. That’s when I pull the trigger. For instance - when I purchased the urn fillers (2) and the wreath I placed three separate orders so that I could get 30% off on each one and free shipping. That specific day it was 30% off one item and free shipping. So I worked the system. (Shame on me.)

You can shop their FALL DECOR here; their HALLOWEEN DECOR here, their CHRISTMAS DECOR here.

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Gothic Skull Garland // Gothic Skull Urn Filler // Gothic Skull Wreath // Gothic Skull Door Swag

If you have any interest in our formal sitting room decor, it is all listed here: CLICK HERE

Currently our leopard andirons are out of stock, but there are pheasant andirons and honestly, if I didn’t snag the leopard ones when I did I would have totally purchased the pheasant ones. 😍 I am digging animal everything. In fact, there have been numerous peacock lamps I drooled over for this room (or any room), but as it stands we have extra lamps in a closet in this new house that do not have a purpose. Also, our pink sofa is a custom one from Ethan Allen so I couldn’t include it in the link above, but it is here if you like it. The color is Romona Ballet Pink. It is a much softer pink in real life than it is on their website. It is PERFECT.

If you missed last two month’s “What’s Up Wednesday” - I commented about how I found the same candle sticks from Crate and Barrel on another site for half the price and the same goes for the acrylic risers at Ballard Designs that I found elsewhere for half the price. Stick with me…I just might save you some money in the end. 😉

What we've been up to:

This month has been a whirlwind of gatherings for Labor Day, birthdays, and a baby shower.
The last of our windows were installed. A three day project turned into five days. Then we had to have numerous people come back out to touch up the windowsills, paint the trim outside, and correct some pipes to some guest showers. Ahhhh, yes. Renovations are fun. BUT, I am in the works on deciding on window treatments, so that is exciting. #thisis40

What I'm dreading:

When I think of this, all I can think about is how fast October will likely fly by and then fall is essentially over. And while Christmas is my all-time favorite holiday, I don’t want everything to end so fast. Plus, this means I am being propelled into the reality that my dad will not be here this Christmas. We are approaching one year of his passing at the end of December and I am DREADING confronting all of the emotions that are already drowning me on most days. I cannot believe he isn’t here anymore and I miss him so terribly much my heart aches.

What I'm working on:

My health and fitness! I am aiming to run the half marathon in January, God willing. I am planning to sign up to fundraise for a charity.
My blog! I just passed my SEVEN year anniversary and while I have a lot to learn about this platform I use, what my purpose is in writing these days versus when I started this, and how to continue to grow my subscribers, I am enjoying having this outlet to share my thoughts. It also helps keep my mind occupied at times! I’m just trying not to put any pressure on myself and to just write what I want and when I want, without regard to a set posting schedule like I did in the past. Bear with me, y’all. Hot mess express over here.
Lastly, I’m working on window treatments. This is sort of the home stretch in theory** and I plan to take my time in deciding.

What I'm excited about:

I am still excited about FALL! We’ve had a few days of less humidity so that gives us hope.
I have two fall foliage trips coming up and I CANNOT WAIT to be in cooler climate and see the beauty of nature.

What I'm watching/reading:

Watching: I’m still watching Virgin River - as in I’m in the newest and last season and haven’t finished it. This past week+ has been busy. I’ve also been putting a “live” Autumn Jazz Cafe type of station on YouTube on our TV’s around the house. This helps drown out sound for the pups but also is aesthetically pleasing when I glance up at the screen.

I did also manage to “watch” or rather play a few movies this month while I was working on my computer. I feel pretty darn proud of it too because I hadn’t seen these three: When Harry Met Sally, Autumn in New York, and Moonstruck. 🧡

Reading:

I am still reading the book Imagine Heaven. I had to put it aside some nights - intentionally to decompress and watch Virgin River instead. Plus, I am intentionally taking my time reading this. Every chapter has examples and experiences and relates to scriptures and I want to soak it all in and ponder it, not plow through the book. Plus, I like to highlight things. ☺️ It is a MUST READ in my opinion.

Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You

By Burke, John

Buy on Amazon

I have read a few fiction books on the treadmill this month. I got lucky with my library app holds becoming available and it sort of rapid fired at me so I opted to read them while I could as they each had long hold times of 15+ weeks!

You’ll notice a theme - they’re all Emily Henry! I truly enjoy her wit and writing style. In July I happened upon her book Happy Place and couldn’t get enough. I have enjoyed each one so far. She really intertwines characters in each of the books’ stories and the stories are unique. I found myself laughing or smiling at her banter. Two thumbs up!

I read Book Lovers and People We Meet on Vacation over this past month and started Beach Read last week.

You can click this link or scroll to the top of the page and click on “Books” to view all of the self-help books I’ve read if you are considering a topic and want a suggestion.

What I'm listening to:

I am mostly listening to “Autumn Jazz Cafe” or “Autumn Lake Jazz” on YouTube these days.

I listened to this sermon about Waiting Seasons from Hope City the other day while I drove to Agape Farms and goodness did it hit my heart in many ways. I sent it to some friends and literally said TRUTH BOMBS. Things like, we may agree with God’s will for us, but we don’t always agree with His way and that elongates our period of waiting because He lets us try to do things OUR way until we realize we need to go back to Him and pray for His will and His way.

And that we as a society tend to feel entitled even if we don’t realize it, believing that we or someone else deserves this or that (good favor, a great husband, a well behaved child, a job promotion, a nicer car…anything). Yet, who are we to say we deserve anything? If God gave us what we actually deserved we may not even have as much because we all fall short in sin. And who are we to say that what we do have is not the best thing actually for us? Perhaps it is exactly what God wants us to have. I plan to listen to it again when I can take actual notes. SO GOOD.

What I'm wearing:

My day to day attire is always work out clothes between working out and sweating with the pups outside. But, when I get to wear real clothes I am aiming for anything fall related than also be worn in the heat. However, when you’re reading this I will be on a fall foliage trip and will get to wear my true fall clothes. HOORAY! Most will be the ones you’ve seen me posting to my LTK profile recently as I needed to acquire new clothes (most aren’t fitting well anymore).

I’ve gotten a smidge better about taking a photo of my outfit in real time as well as taking photos and videos of outfit ideas to post to my LTK profile.

Cashmere Duster (similar color) // Jeans (size down) // White Tank

Easy LTK link: https://liketk.it/4i3U9

Mock Neck Mini Dress: comes in black, brown, auburn (orange shown), and an ivory-ish color

This dress is simple, inexpensive, and great with many different shoe types. I have photos to post of the brown dress with knee high boots and I wore it with mules.

Easy LTK link: https://liketk.it/4iRo2

High Waisted Trousers (comes in an winter white) // Black Cropped Tank // Heeled Sandals

To be honest, I am crazy about these pants. I was hesitant because of the wider leg but once I put them on I was ecstatic. They’re flattering and utterly comfortable with their pull on style. I’m so glad I gave them a try. It’s love.

The exact dress wasn’t available when I created the link above, but it is shown in green. I linked up very similar dresses. You can also waitlist for the dress in pink by clicking here.

Easy LTK link: https://liketk.it/4iVTk

I wore this to dinner one night and it was a good way to add a fall vibe without getting overheated since it’s still in the 90’s here. I sized down on the jeans as I think I’m sort of in between sizes and they have a lot of stretch so they fit great.

Easy LTK link: https://liketk.it/4jqMk

Vegan Suede Moto Vest // Button Fly Jeans // Faux-Suede Ankle Boots

Same jeans, different day. I wore this to an appointment and felt dressed up in something so simple.

Easy LTK link: https://liketk.it/4jsNq

Capped Sleeve Sweater // Button Fly Jeans // Mules

I tried to channel my fall vibes with my “cherry merlot” (rust red) colored pants for lunch one day. I have raved about these pants all summer. I love them. Currently they’re only available in this color. I suspect they look best on us shorter ladies 5’5” and below.

Easy LTK link: https://liketk.it/4jmfA
Cherry Merlot pants // Tank // Wedges

I wore another rust colored outfit to a Farm Fest event with my black SKORT. Channeling fall as much as I can y’all. It was 98 degrees that day. HOT. I’ve had this tank for a few years but found one in a medium linked below.

Brown “Vagabond” tank // Black Skort // Mules