Hello October ♥

Hello Beautiful October and Happy Friday! ♥

As I type this post I'm listing to a playlist on YouTube titled "Halloween 1945 Nostalgic Vintage Music Playlist for Autum Vibes".  It's so cozy and perfect and I'm linking it HERE for you so you can listen too!  The vintage Halloween images are just as wonderful as the music and it makes me really wish Halloween was still like that.  

Maybe somewhere it is...:) 

Speaking of Autumn vibes, they have arrived! I can feel the shift in the air and I'm loving it.  

This morning was 50 degrees, which is the coldest it's been in a while.  I felt it when I stepped out of the house to run to the post office at 8:15am. I had to grab a fleece and zip it up over my PJ's. 

 Funny thing about me is, my level of standard of what's "acceptable" to look like in public has drastically changed since I turned 50.  If it's a quick errand, and it's early morning...anything goes.  

But anyway...back to what's important :) 

Last weekend we went apple picking (a Fall tradition with friends) so my house is now full of apples galore!  Since it's been cold and gloomy today (and I say that with nothing but love and happiness in my heart) I decided it's comfort food night so we're having breakfast dinner...something I do often this time of year. I'll make Susan Branch's German Pancake and add apples and cinnamon to it. It's one of my favorite comfort recipes. 

I did a video and blog post with the recipe a while back.  Here's the link.  It's super easy if you feel like comfort food tonight!  

We had a beautiful day to pick apples! We went to an orchard that I'd never been to before.  We usually go to a little farm.  This was a much bigger place and what was shocking to me was we had to purchase tickets and get wristbands, theme park style.  Because of that, the experience lost some of its charm for me.  I guess I just prefer the smaller places.  It was still lovely, don't get me wrong.  It's just amazing to me how things change.  

Me and John, my friend Julie, and her two boys Sean and Michael.  John's known them since kindergarten. We've been doing this every fall for years and years! ♥

I tried a corn maze for the first (and last) time.  I won't tell you how long it took me to get out of this thing! Its the stuff horror movies are made of.  

Regardless of that trauma, I got what I went for.  The mother load! ♥

My Dad's birthday is Sunday and I've promised him an apple pie.  I also want to make apple sauce. 

I remember once in the Fall a few years ago I was visiting my friend BJ and her daughter Madison had made homemade applesauce in a crockpot.  We had gone for a walk on a chilly afternoon in her neighborhood and we when got home we had a bowl of Madison's homemade applesauce.  It was like Autumn in a bowl!  It was delicious and made me so happy.  That's such a nice little memory for me and ever since I make applesauce every October (her recipe of course!).  

Side note: that same weekend BJ made us pumpkin spice lattes in the crockpot and that's when I knew we'd be friends for life ♥

Meanwhile, we're settling into October very nicely.  I'm still on leaf watch.  No major color changes yet, but it's coming.  The birds, squirrels, and chipmunks have been very busy.  They are getting ready.  

As for me, I've gone into nesting mode.  I decided I want to take up some kind of sewing or needlepoint so I'm off to Michaels or Hobby Lobby find a project. My mother always sewed and did craft projects on cold dark nights while drinking tea. I love the idea doing something with myself besides doom scrolling on my phone. Something I've been doing too much of lately.  I would rather make something and be creative while listening to an audiobook.  

Doesn't that sound cozy? ♥  

I can never resist a supermarket bouquet of autumn flowers!  These were calling my name, so I brought them home today.  The colors are everything right now ♥  

Soup has officially been added into the meal rotation again. 

 I LOVE having soup for lunch this time of year.  I like to make a big batch on Sundays and then we have it all week long.  

Minestrone is my favorite! 

Have you tried this tea yet?  

It reminds of those cinnamon candies we had as kids, except better.  

It's been my afternoon treat lately, with a cookie or piece of dark chocolate. 

Yum ♥

...And speaking of my Dad, many of you ask for him which I appreciate so much.  I realized I haven't shared that many photos of him lately.  I took this picture yesterday when we came home from an appointment. He's feeling and looking very well these days.  On Sunday he'll be 86 and yes, he still has all his hair! 

This weekend Rob has promised me a coffee date, which I am very much looking forward to.  Sunday we are taking my Dad out to dinner and sometime in between I plan on doing some housework, reading my book, and hopefully going for a nice walk.  Is it too soon to start watching Hallmark Christmas movies? Well, not for me but I think I'll watch some Fall themed ones first.  Nothing too heavy, and the cornier the better. Oh heck, maybe I'll just have a Meg Ryan fest : )  

Have a great October weekend my friends.  We only get 4 of them so lets enjoy them! ♥

Byeeee! ♥

xoox 

I went apple picking ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

I hope you all had a nice weekend!  It was beautiful here on Saturday.  It was the FALL day I have been waiting for. It was a long week and I was hoping for a nice sunny day because we had plans to go apple picking.  I couldn't wait to get outside in the fresh air and experience autumn.  I talk a lot about it and look at pretty pictures, but it's never real to me until I actually go out and feel it. 

 Well, I finally felt it : ) 

Before I tell you about that I have to show my new sweatshirt....  

I picked this up at Kohls over the summer when it was a thousand degrees out and cold weather felt like it would never get here.  It's been tucked safely in my drawer since July until this weekend when she made her debut.  I love it and have a feeling people will be sick of seeing it because I'll be living in it.  

It says "Stay Cozy"... don't mind if I do ♥

Anyway, back to Saturday....

It was lovely and so many apples!!!! 

I was in apple heaven! : ) 

My friend Julie and I filled our bags while John and Julie's 2 boys, Sean and Michael, helped.  This has been an annual tradition for us since John and Sean were in first grade.  We look forward to it every year.  I used to have to pick John up to reach the high ones...now he gets them for me!  

It really was a perfect sunny day, which made it even better.  In past years we've gone when it's still warm (and sometimes humid) and it's just not the same.  Luck was on our side this time.  

I love being outside with the smell of apples in the air and the beautiful foliage as a backdrop.

It's why I love fall.  

My head goes to all the pies and desserts I'll make with these ♥

After our bags were full, we headed over to the farm stand.  I managed to grab some mums and a pumpkin to take home too.  I really wanted apple cider donuts, but the line was too long. It was crazy!

 Now I'll be on a mission to find them elsewhere : ) 

My loot! ♥

Before we left that morning I had put a pot roast in the crock pot.  I was so glad I did because I didn't have to worry about cooking dinner when we got home.  It was all done! 

Honestly, aren't crockpots the best?! I've had mine for 26 years and it's still going strong! 

I could literally smell my dinner bubbling away from outside.  How nice that was because I was pretty tired when I got home.  

On Sunday I made Susan Branch's cranberry apple crisp.  It's my favorite apple crisp recipe.  The only change I made was I used honey crisp apples instead of granny smith because that's what I picked.  Crisps are the best because you can eat them hot or cold.....for dessert or breakfast! 

No judgement here :)

This one even looks good before you bake it...♥

Even better after...so yummy!!!  I've been picking on this non stop. 

It's starting to get darker earlier now and we've put our heat on for the first time already.  

The coziness is setting in and I can feel myself going into nesting mode.

I really love this time of year ♥ 

Have a wonderful week everyone! ♥

I'm going to try to start to post here daily!  Yup, you heard it right.  I might only be a quick little thought or snapshot of something I find pretty or interesting that day, but I'm going to see if I can do it.  Fingers crossed! See you tomorrow...xo 

Cozy Autumn Tag ♥

Good morning friends and happy Monday! 

I hope you all enjoyed a lovely weekend.  We went apple picking on Saturday.  It was so much fun.  The experience has changed a bit now that John is older. Since we still go the same place I can't help but picture him as a little one running around through the apple trees making me laugh and getting so excited to see the animals. Such great memories! What makes me happy now is that he still loves it and looks forward to it as part of our Autumn traditions every year (yay!).  I hope that never never changes ♥

Anyway, we had the most perfect weather!  I came home with a loot of apples. On Sunday, while Rob watched football, I made a beef stew dinner with homemade bread. For dessert  I made Susan Branch's apple cranberry crisp (which was divine!).   It was a comfort meal for sure. We are full on FALL now and it's a beautiful thing : )  

My friend Carrie at Northwoods Scrapbook posted this autumn tag last week and I thought I would join in on the fun. I love reading everyone's responses! 

As if we needed any further Autumn inspiration, but here goes....♥

1.  What is your favorite thing about fall?

The cooler weather! After a long hot summer, the cooler crisp days and nights are so refreshing. I love putting my summer clothes away and bringing out my warm sweaters and cozy pajamas. 

2.  Do you get fall colors where you live?

Yes! Where I live in Massachusetts we usually get stunning foliage! Unfortunately it doesn't last long.  After the leaves fall, out come the rakes! 

3.  Favorite fall scent?  (wax melts, candles, anything)

Yankee Candle Spiced Pumpkin candle is my very favorite~ 

 

4.  Favorite fall food or drink?

There's so many! But I have to go with pumpkin spiced coffee!  So good! 

5.  Football . . . yay or nay?

Funny thing about football, I like it, but I don't necessarily watch the games.  Rob watches every Sunday while I putter around the kitchen and make football food, like chili or wings, or a soup.  I like the feeling of an autumn day, with football on the TV, and everyone home watching the game. Does that count? 

 

6.  Do you rake, jump in, or burn piles of leaves?

Rake. Or some members of my family rake.  I may or may not participate.  My main job is to make the hot chocolate for afterwards : ) 

 

7.  Haunted house or corn maze?

Haunted house.  But not too scary.  Medium scary is all I can handle. 

 

8.  Have you ever gone on a hayride?

Nope.  

9.  Cider or hot chocolate?

I love both.  There is nothing like a hot apple cider (with a cinnamon stick) on an chilly October afternoon.  But once November comes, it's gotta be hot chocolate for me! 

 

10. Carve a pumpkin or eat pumpkin pie?

We do both! One to carve and one to eat! 

11. Do you dress up for Halloween?

No. I haven't dressed up for Halloween in long time.  I love to see other peoples costumes though.

 

12. Candy corn . . . yay or nay?

Definitely YAY! I don't understand all the candy corn hate.  I love it! 

 

13. Favorite Halloween season movie?

It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown! 

14. Scariest movie?

I get scared pretty easily. I recently saw A Quiet Place and that really freaked me out! 

 

15. Halloween or Thanksgiving?

Both but if I have to choose I'll say Thanksgiving because of the food.  It's my favorite meal of the year.  

16. Do you watch the Macy's parade?

Yes, every year!  

17. Apple pie or pumpkin pie?

Apple! But pumpkin is a close second.  They are both delicious! 

 

18. White or dark meat?

I'm a white meal gal!

 

19. Jellied or real cranberry sauce?

Again, both!  I like a little of each.

20. Will you host or travel for Thanksgiving?

We will travel. I've never hosted Thanksgiving before but I hope to one day! 

(where did the time go??)

♥

Feel free to copy and paste these questions on your blog if you want to participate with the tag!

Have a great day friends! Stay cozy!! xoxo

October Weekend ♥

Hello Friends!  

It wouldn't be Autumn without our annual trip to the apple orchard. 

This year it was an overcast day, but that did not matter one bit.  

The air was chilly, which made the cider and apple donuts taste that much better.  

This truly is what fall weekends are made of 🍎

 

Even teenage boys love traditions...yay! 

And apples! 

Now what to make with these??? 

I see pies, crisps, and caramel treats on sticks in our very near future! 

Happy October weekend friends! 

xx

Apple picking 2016...not much has changed...:)