I’m experiencing something new–like what the young people call FOMO (how many years did I just age myself with that sentence?)–when it comes to certain things. Namely the mountains, and the fall, and the fleeting, all too fleeting, peak foliage. I don’t typically feel this, but since fall only shows itself once a year, and peak foliage is a few days ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ sort of event, it has me scrambling to take it in lest it be gone till the next year. One of these times, I’m just going to rent an Airbnb in the middle of it all, for the whole month of October, and that’ll be that. No missing even a moment.
boston for a birthday.
Steve had a birthday about a week ago, and was perfectly content to spend it doing outside yard work like cleaning the garage (possibly his favorite activity; he acts like ‘ho hum, I’ve got to clean the garage again‘ when the time rolls ’round, but given how often the time rolls ’round, I’m certain that he very much enjoys the activity), mowing the lawn, and generally “batting down the hatches” as one does when fall hits in New England and there are certain things that just need to be done before it just gets too cold to do them otherwise. Though, as someone who feels a bit like birthdays need to look a bit different than other days, I pressured him to make a decision on what to do.
a quick makeup routine + a skin game changer.
My makeup routine hasn’t changed a whole lot, but I have officially switched everything over to clean products from Beautycounter. For a long time, I had some Anastasia brow duo that was lingering, and some Glossier highlighter left (and no, I haven’t actually thrown it all away!), but now I do have clean alternatives for every item from mascara to blush to eyebrow pencil and I really like it that way. I’ve mentioned this before but it’s worth repeating that there’s no way I would’ve been sold on these products unless they worked as well as the things I was using. They do (with one small exception; more below)!
apple picking 2018.
our annual apple picking trip. one of those things i’ve got to check off the list to feel like the season is complete. we went on a sunday, unusual for us as we’ve always had such a more flexible schedule with parker doing half days last year and steve often having a day or two to work from home. but now we’re limited to the weekends, like the rest of the world (ho hum), so it was really crowded. even with a pats game on, it didn’t keep the crowds away!
taking stock / 23.
Making: haven’t done this yet, but plan on making Gwyneth’s zucchini leek soup from her It’s All Easy cookbook. Anyone made it? I love a good pureed soup.
Drinking: tea, water, wine, coffee, repeat. My answer for this one is always a little lackluster. I guess I need to spice up my beverage life.
Reading: Please don’t unfollow me because I’m about to mention Tribe AGAIN. But I genuinely feel like it should be required reading for all humans and until I have each and every single one of you tell me you’re currently reading it, I will continue preaching about it till the cows come home. I did start Little Fires Everywhere but never got anywhere with it because I was reading two other books at the same time that were grabbing me more! Plus, it was on a waitlist at the library and I felt like a jerk keeping it any longer.
Wanting: bear with me for this one… I want (and have been wanting–for like 10 years now!) a black boot that I’m not sure actually exists. If it did, it’s probably vintage and impossible to track down. But something like this, in that it’s sort of slouchy, beat up looking, not overly embellished (i.e. I find the Freebird ones too embellished, the Bedstu ones not worn in looking enough… can you tell I’ve tried a lot?). I tried those AS98 ones on already but they just didn’t fit the bill. I’m afraid what I am looking for is like an old Frye made the way they used to be made, and it maybe doesn’t exist anymore. I’ve even looked when we’re abroad. So basically, I need to start my own boot company. Does this shoe exist?!?
Watching: Sharp Objects and it is bizarre
Listening: this song; it’s just so good. Steve is a big Phil Keaggy fan.
Wishing: for lots of warm(ish) fall days, fall color, fall vibes, fall, fall, faaaaallllll.
Enjoying: reading chapter books in bed with the boys. Anders falls asleep on me as I’m reading to Parker, and it’s just so cozy and sweet and perfect at the end of a long day going a bunch of different directions.
Loving: our bed situation; we’ve coslept forever, but at times (like when Anders was a baby) had one kid with Steve, one with me, sometimes slept together, when traveling there’s always bed sharing, etc. etc. etc. such that we just said about a month ago, let’s just do this. I suspected for awhile that if we pushed our queen up against one wall, we’d be able to fit a twin in juuuuust right between the queen and the other wall (it’s the smallest bedroom in the house, and is like 8 feet wide!). I was right! and psyched. It just fits, so it’s wall to wall bed and we’re now officially doing the family bed and loooooving it. (p.s.–old post on cosleeping!)
Hoping: that I really make the practice of meditation a priority. Listening to more podcasts about it every day, and am certain that it is 100% a great idea for one million reason. This was a recent favorite.
Needing: nothing really; just a lot of hugs and kisses from my kids… oh, and a catboy costume for Halloween… Anders’ request.
Feeling: content
Wearing: ooh, this top. I ordered it awhile ago (it takes some time to be made and shipped) and it’s warm enough today to wear it. It will be a forever piece. It’s on in the picture above!
let’s go glamping.
i would wholeheartedly suggest, for the campers and non-campers alike, to visit a huttopia nearest you. i’ll admit, i am a firm believer in the art of camping, and my love for it runs deep. but let’s say you’re not a camper. well, putting myself in your shoes, yours being a non-camper, i think you’d like it too. electricity, check. a clean bathroom with a toilet that flushes, check. blankets and a real bed, check. an airstream with hot food and coffee at the ready, check. what else are you looking for? a pool and nighttime summer activities? they’ve got that too. check, check.
a list for fall.
The easiest way to allow the seasons in, I find, is to capitalize on what you love about each one. Things specific to that time of year! Things that make it stand out. Things you want to do before it’s gone. Make a list. Cross things off. This is especially important for me to do for any season, besides summer. Summer’s list could be five and a half pages long. Here’s a vague idea of what’s on my mind this fall.
Notes for the Road
The weekend is here! I want a nap. And to see Crazy Rich Asians. Have you seen it? What are you doing this weekend? Do you have any favorite fall foods right now? Please share in the comments! I’m in a bit of a recipe rut.
Some weekend reading…
athens, greece!
So geez, we’ve been home from Greece for a few weeks now and I’m just now putzing around to blogging Athens. What’s that they always said about your kids being in school, growing older, and life somehow getting busier than when they’re babies underfoot? Well, those sage dooms-dayers were right. But here we are… Athens! As I sat here choosing the pictures and loading them into Lightroom, I’m also realizing that I just didn’t take enough photos. What? Why? You know what though, the very thing bugging me right now was also kind of great while there. Sometimes I like taking some time off from lugging that big camera around and feeling the need to document. It is what it is.
reading to kids: early chapter books, resources, and more.
When I posted this picture sharing a few of the chapter books we’ve enjoyed for the young reader, I got so many amazing responses from you. You guys give such good advice. I’m going to do my best to round up what our favorites are, what your favorites are, and a few of the resources I’ve enjoyed for sourcing more sage advice on the topic of reading with your children. Onward!