October weekending at home...♥

Hello Lovely Friends! Happy Monday morning!  

I have missed you! ♥

Well, it happened.  I turned the heat on for the first time this season.  We have arrived.  I tried to hold out as long as I could, but it was borderline frosty when I got out of bed this morning so here we are.  That sound of the furnace kicking on and that first blast of warm air through the vents brought me to life. Like a big hug! Next was coffee, I lit a candle, and my Monday began....so, hello....how are you today?! ♥

October is really October-ing now, isn't it? Leaves are falling and every neighbor on my street has a pumpkin, or mums, or something spooky in the yard. I can remember walking to school on chilly mornings like this when I was in jr. high school. I didn't drink coffee then.  I actually remember drinking diet Pepsi first thing in the morning before school! Can you imagine? That was my drink. It was the 80's :) 

I think about my childhood a lot and have so many de'ja vus, probably because I live in my childhood home and know this neighborhood like the back of my hand.  If my jr. high self only knew I would be waving goodbye to my son from the front door as he leaves for the day (with hot coffee, not Pepsi), she never would never believe it.  

Life is crazy sometimes ♥

But anyway...this past weekend I was embracing all the cozy fall things, because we are in it now, and I don't want it to slip by. 

I finally got around to clipping some of these hydrangeas to bring them inside.  

The muted colors are so pretty ♥ 

Hard to believe these are bright blue in the summertime. 

I think I prefer them this way ♥

I spent Saturday cleaning and "nesting" as my mother used to say ♥

I found this string of pumpkin lights and didn't know what to do with them, so I put them on this plant in the corner.  

...me and my tea were contemplating if they should stay or go...

...they stayed! ♥

I couldn't let the weekend go past without some seasonal baking.  Look at these spices.  

Only good things can come from this line up! ♥

...and it did ♥

The best fall cookie!  

And my kitchen smelled amazing! ♥

Soft Ginger Cookies! They are chewy and delicious.  I blogged the recipe some years ago and totally forgot about them.  How could I? I am going to make these again for Thanksgiving this year.  

They are so good! ♥

(click here for recipe - super easy too!) 

Ginger Cookies

I have realized I don't make cookies enough!  I'm going to start trying new cookie recipes every week. 

Stay tuned! ♥

Saturday supper was beef stew and homemade biscuits! ♥

I used Susan Branch's recipe for Best Biscuits out of her Heart of the Home cookbook.  

They were perfect! We are having the rest of them with chicken pot pie tonight ♥

**By the way did you read Susan's latest blog post about her Martha's Vineyard house being sold?  It's bittersweet indeed, but I'm so happy for her.  I'm more happy that she's going back to the island in December to experience another New England winter.  Those of us that live here know there's really nothing like it** 

I preordered her knew Christmas book and the latest news is that they are being shipped on November 1st. Yay! I cannot wait! A gift to myself and something to look forward.  My cozy reading spot is all ready for me to sit for hours and devour every page. 

 I'm 52 years old and still want to be Susan Branch when I grow up :)

My evening walks were very chilly this weekend.  Last night I actually pulled out my winter coat!  This is me coming home.  It's only about 7:30pm and look how dark it is! 

I finished this audiobook on my travels and let me tell you...it's completely unhinged!  

Loved it👌 

In a shocking contrast, the Hallmark channel has started its countdown to Christmas movies, so I've been watching too many of those already.  I had them on all weekend in the background while "nesting" about the house.  My mom and I used to watch all of them together.  Even when she was in the hospital we would put Hallmark on and make fun of how corny the movies were and we'd laugh about it. I miss her so much and every day I find new things that remind me of her. She'd be happy I'm still watching Hallmark and thinking of her.  Don't worry mom, I am ♥  

And with that I will love and leave you here for today.  I have lots to do so I better get to it.  Have a happy Monday, friends! I hope you all have a cozy day.  Have a hot beverage and a sweet treat and please take time for yourselves! 

Be back soon! Xx 

♥