Happy Halloween! ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

I hope you all had a Happy Halloween!

 It's hard to believe it's come and gone already and here we are in NOVEMBER. Wow.  I snapped this picture on my back porch Halloween morning. I was having coffee and I just couldn't believe how pretty the trees looked.  

Honestly, my phone doesn't do the colors justice ♥

Funny how this same thing happens every year and every year I run out here with my camera taking the same photos like it's something new.  

Clearly, it's not. It's just so pretty and I'm in awe of nature time and time again.  

We were blessed with an absolutely beautiful day on Halloween.  I can remember trick or treating in the freezing cold and John being mad at me for making him wear a coat over his costume.  Not this year.  The kids lucked out. It was in the high 60's, which we'll take any time for Halloween.  And it was Saturday night.  

Perfect! ♥

In the morning I carved our pumpkins (while my family watched me:), roasted the seeds, and got my candy station ready.  I was prepared for droves and droves of kids. We always get tons around here.  I had two big bags of candy and told everyone if we run out early, I'm shutting the light off.  

Well, turns out that wasn't an issue because I hardly made a dent into one bag.  We had probably 10 kids, that's it.  I couldn't believe it.  Where was everyone?? 

Have truck or treats killed old fashioned door to door trick or treating?? 

My neighbors and I had a good laugh in the middle of the street (in the darkness) about how dead it was.  We all have so much candy left over!  Really unheard of for my neighborhood. 

John had gone out for the evening with friends and texted me this picture that made me smile! :)

He was Buzz Lightyear for many years (I'm thinking at least 3 in a row!) when he was little so Buzz holds a special place in my heart (and he knows it! :) 

So anyway, I tried snacking on the pumpkin seeds in an effort to keep my hands out of the candy bowl. It worked for a little while, but once hour 3 went by and no one came - I dove into the milk duds.  It was all downhill from there.  It's over. 

Now there's no stopping me from now to New Years and I'm perfectly OK with that ♥

On November 1st I spent the day planning.  My mind was racing.  OH MY GOSH it's actually November.  Thanksgiving is this month!  I made my menus, printed recipes, and started a Christmas shopping list. I don't always feel that motivated, so I have to act on it when it happens! LOL 

It's been unseasonably warm this week too.  Today was 72 degrees!  Tomorrow we might reach 76!  I actually have my sliding door open at the moment because it's colder in the house than it is outside and I'm trying to get some warm air in here.  I think by the weekend this party will be over and things will go back to normal, but for now it's a week without turning the heat on (in November, CRAZY!)  and that's a reason to celebrate.  

We also turned the clocks back on Halloween night.  Sunset is between 4:30 and 5. Personally I don't mind it.  Candles and lamps go on a bit earlier and so do my pj's.  

It's cozy season after all, right?? 

Today is Tuesday and its election day.  We got up and out this morning and voted! 

It's John's first year voting.  He was excited about it! ♥

 

Fun fact - the place my precinct votes is actually my old elementary school.  I love voting day so I can come back here. I spent grades kindergarten to 6th grade here.  This is the cafeteria/gym. 

 Crazy that little me ate sloppy joes and played dodge ball in here in 1983 and now here I am with my 19-year-old son voting in 2026.  It's so strange but really cool at the same time.  

 Anywhoo...

I hope this first week of November is off to a great start for you. I hope you are enjoying lots of Halloween candy like I am (seriously, let's get rid of it because holiday baking is starting!) and if you find yourself here 🠋....

...then welcome! Please join me.  

It's a whirlwind time, but I'm ready for it ♥

Xx 

It's Halloween week! ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Halloween week! 👻

It's hard to believe we are at the end of October, but here we are.  It came and went so fast and I intend to enjoy all things spooky this week.  I'm feeling that holiday vibe sneaking up on me and come Sunday there is no holding me back!  HOWEVER, we aren't there yet, so let's soak up the last week of October and celebrate how absolutely beautiful she is ♥

Our trees are in their full glory now! ♥

This weekend we had full sunshine and milder temperatures which was glorious. It's going to be like that all week and Halloween night is predicted to be in the high 60's - no rain!  If this were 10 years ago (even 5 years ago, really) John would be jumping for joy because that would mean he wouldn't have to wear a jacket over his costume.  Halloween was serious business around here. We would trick or treat for literally hours, and then go back to his friends house whose mom would do an amazing spread on her front porch of hot chocolate, coffee for the grown ups, cupcakes, and snacks.  

We did that for years. It was so fun! ♥

John still sees the friends on Halloween, but parents are no longer needed.  

Rightly so, but I still miss those days :) 

Anyway, we had a very relaxing weekend.  Rob and I went out for breakfast, went on a few walks, and I made us hot apple cider for the first time this season.  

It was yummy! ♥

I made John a cup too and remined him not to eat the cinnamon stick. It's just for flavor, not to eat.  The first time I made cider for Rob (probably 25 years ago) he ate the cinnamon stick!  I was shocked when I collected his cup and it was gone.  He said he ate it because he thought he was supposed to and didn't want to hurt my feelings! 

That must have been awful...but very funny to think of him actually chomping on a cinnamon stick. 

I've never let him live it down :) 

I spent some time in our back room reading on Sunday.  It was quite cozy (there is no TV in this room) and as you can see, I've turned on my Christmas village lights.  

Saturday night we will turn the clocks back.  Sunset is at 4:30 and this village will be glowing.  I'm thinking about adding a string of lights across the border. What do you think? 

This is what I think about while sipping tea and sitting in this spot.  

Remember....no TV in here ♥

Did you see the moon Saturday night?  

I snapped this pick during my after-dinner walk.  

The moon was lighting my way ♥

The sky was so beautiful that night.  Are you a moon person like I am? 

I have a busy week ahead, full of work deadlines, doctor's appointments, and lots of laundry, and chores that I conveniently forgot to do over the weekend.  It always catches up with me!

I did manage to meal plan, which is a huge weight off my shoulders going into the week.  I have all my groceries, so I won't have to be running out this week because I'm short an ingredient. I love that! 

Menu is as follows:

Monday - American chop suey, garlic bread

Tuesday- meatloaf with mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans 

Wednesday- chicken and mushrooms over rice, mixed veggies 

Thursday - pork cutlets with roasted potatoes, spinach, apple sauce

Friday - baked chicken, stuffing, corn 

It's not set in stone but having a loose plan of what I'm cooking and having the ingredients ready is so helpful.  However, if Rob comes home and says "let do takeout" then this plan goes right out the window! That's real!

I also finally got my Halloween candy.  I spent $60 at Walmart on two bags of candy that I hope will be enough.  We always have lots of trick or treaters, but when my bowl is empty, my light goes off.  When did candy get so expensive??!! I will not be opening those bags until Saturday. I put them out of my sight just to be sure!  

Have a lovely Monday, friends! ♥

I will you a week full of spooky movies, hot cider, and sweet treats.  I'm craving caramel corn and I think that will be our late-night snack tonight.  Want to join me? (recipe here) 

Byeeeee! 

Xx 

 

Happy Halloween! ♥

Happy Halloween, Friends! ♥

 

Today happens to be a cold blustery and gloomy day, which is very fitting for Halloween.  It actually feels like Halloween today. It's in the air.  

John and I treated ourselves to a McDonalds breakfast this morning (because it's been a week and we really needed it : ).  It was soooo good! ♥  

This afternoon we'll carve our pumpkin and I'll cook up the seeds.  Something I do every year!  He's off to a friends house tonight but I'll be home with Rob and my Dad giving out candy to the trick or treaters.  We have a lot of kids in our neighborhood so I'm sure it will be busy.  I made a big pot of soup last night that we'll have for dinner tonight with some crusty bread I got from the bakery.  I really wanted to make mummy dogs like I used to but since John isn't even going to be here I don't feel they will be appreciated...lol 

Right now he's in the other room watching Texas Chainsaw Massacre and I just can't bear it.

Times have changed : ) 

 

♥

♥

♥

After all the kids are gone I'm looking forward to settling in for the night in the most cozy way.  Watch a movie and get a good nights sleep. 

 Because....tomorrow....it begins...

Have a happy Halloween, my friends! I'm wishing you all the milk duds and snickers bars you can bear! 

Have a great weekend!

It's also daylight savings weekend so don't forget to set your clocks back tomorrow night too.  

Cozy season is here. No turning back now! 🎄

Happy Halloween and weekend plans ♥

Hello Friends! ♥

I hope you all had a Happy Halloween! John had a fun night with friends while Rob, my Dad, and myself were home giving out candy.  I made a quick pizza for dinner and we took turns going to the door.  The weather here is unseasonably warm right now so I expected more kids. 

We got a good amount, but not as many as past years.  This only means I have a lot of candy left over.

This is both good and bad : ) 

Another Halloween celebration with great friends.  The same ones he's been with since elementary school. 

And just like that it's November.  Here we go....♥

We have a busy weekend ahead.  Tomorrow, we have a tree company coming to take down some trees in our backyard that are dancing dangerously close to the roof. It will be good to get it done and something we won't have to worry about anyone (I'm saying novenas every time there's a storm!).  It's going to be loud and hopefully my neighbors won't be too mad. I'll be so glad when it's over. 

John is working at the theater this weekend, but we do have time to squeeze in a coffee date for 3 tomorrow morning before the tree guy comes and he goes to work. Some families like to go out to dinner, we go out for coffee and pastries.  It's just what we do.  We have our best talks in coffee shops.  I'm not even kidding ♥

I really love the first few weeks of November.  It's still Fall but the excitement of Christmas is coming.  We get the best of both worlds.  I'll start making Christmas lists and mentally planning for the festive season, but I'm not ready to give up my pumpkin spice just yet.  I've waited so long for it.  Where I am we are in peak foliage too.  The leaves are so bright!  And they are falling!  Rob and John will be out raking in a few weeks.  All the stores around me are starting to look Christmassy and I like seeing that. 

I've been thinking a lot about my mom this week.  This will be the first holiday season of my life that she won't be here to celebrate with me.  Last year she was in the hospital, but she was still here. Not this year. No planning meals together or talking about who's getting what gift this year.  We won't shop together or wrap together or anything like that.  That makes me very sad.  However, I know she's still with me.  I feel her presence every day and that brings me comfort.  I know she'll be with us this Christmas.  She wouldn't miss it.  I'll try to make it as special as I can and carry on her traditions.  I am excited to put up her tree and bring out her decorations.  I think she would like that too.  

On Sunday I'm devoting a little time to give my plants some love.  I have a bunch that need to be watered, deadheaded, and one in particular that needs to be repotted.  I've been so busy lately I've neglected them!  Do you ever forget about your plants and then catch one in the corner of your eye one day and it looks like it's been in a dessert for a month?  Hello, that's me! I'd show you a picture but I'm too embarrassed. 

Well friends, I'm off to watch the Martha Stewart documentary on Netflix. Have you watched it?  I've always been team Martha!  I miss her old shows!  I used to love the craft segments.  Would I like to be her best friend? Probably not.  But I'd go to her house for lemon cake and I'm sure it would divine. 

I hope you all have a cozy weekend! See you Monday! ♥

xoxoxo

Halloween this or that 👻

 

Hello Friends!  

Since tomorrow is Halloween, I thought it would be fun to do a quick Halloween this or that.

Please leave me your answers down below so I can see how you like to celebrate your Halloween! 

 Trick-or-treating or handing out candy?

Trick-or-treating! It's where all the fun is!  Sadly, our trick or treating days are over. Now I'm the candy-giver-outer, which is dangerous because I have to stay awfully close to the candy bowl! 

Scary movie night or costume party?

Scary movie night for sure! That's my kind of Halloween party...but not too scary of course : ) 

Gory makeup or cute spooky makeup?

Oh, I don't like gory at all. 

Candy apples or caramel apples? 

Caramel! Even better if dipped in chocolate! 

Drink apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte? 

Duh?!  Just kidding! I love hot cider too! But if given the choice I will choose a PSL! 

Scary costumes or pop-culture costumes?

I think the fun costumes are so much better than the scary ones.  There is nothing more terrifying than a scary clown.  No. Just no. 

Haunted house or corn maze?

Corn mazes can be just as scary as haunted houses.  They remind me of those creepy fun house mazes that are all mirrors.  Every turn looks the same and you can't escape. I would rather a haunted house (especially if it's the one in Disney...which isn't scary at all! : )

Bobbin for apples or carving pumpkins?

We carve pumpkins every year! I've never bobbed for apples.  Come to think of it, I don't think I've known anyone who's ever bobbed for apples.  Have you? I just know it from the Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin movie (which I watched last night!). I mean, who's dunking their head in a bucket of water to get an apple?  

Would you rather be a vampire or a werewolf?

Well, I've seen Twilight so naturally I'd rather be a vampire! 

Happy Halloween eve, friends! What are your plans for tomorrow? 

xx 

Update ♥

 

Hello Friends! Happy Halloween and Happy November 1st ♥

September and October looked a lot different to me this year and in some ways are a blur.  I apologize for my absence here these last few weeks.  My poor mother, who is literally the strongest person I know, has really been struggling.  Since I last posted she has been in and out of the hospital twice battling a bad infection that has attacked her immune system.  She is currently in the hospital again and we are awaiting test results on how to treat it.  The last time she came home and was able to get home care.  I am praying we can go that route again.  Its been an emotional roller coast ride and I know I have to be strong for my family, especially my Dad.  I just want her to get well and be comfortable and happy at home. If you are the praying kind, I ask that you keep my mom (and Dad) in your prayers.  They are the best people I know who have given so much to their family. I pray for strength every day to know what to do and how to do it.  I understand this is a natural course of life.  It's just really hard when you are going through it.  

One day last week John and I went for a walk around the neighborhood.  I needed to get out of the house for a few minutes and get some fresh air.  To my surprise I looked up to see that fall had finally arrived.  I'd been so preoccupied I almost missed it.  We walked in the crunchy leaves and I smelled the crispness in the air and someone must have had a fire burning because I smelled that too.  It was really lovely and just what I needed in that moment.  

Last night was Halloween.  John carved his pumpkin and I cooked the seeds (which I've been snacking on all day).  He went to a friends house last night with some buddies to hang out and play video games.  He had a great time and I'm SO glad!  We are trying our best to say positive as well as keep normalcy and traditions.  Our neighborhood was full of trick or treaters.  For the first time in forever I put a bowl of candy outside with a "help yourself" sign.  My Dad was at the hospital with my mom and since I live upstairs I didn't want to be running up and down every time someone was at the door.  I could hear all the chatter and laughter from the the little ones outside which made me smile.  Needless to say at 8:00 when all was quiet I went out to retrieve the bowl and it was completely empty.  

It was a BIG bowl too : ) 

I hope we have a little bit of fall left to enjoy before the snow comes.  I'm hearing my corner of the world is in for a lot this year.  My mind is already drifting to the holidays now.  Food and shopping and all the things. I'm going to do my best to make it as special as I possibly can.  Because I'm grateful. Family and friends are everything to me.  And that includes all of you.  

Sending you virtual hugs ♥ 

Stay cozy my friends! I'll be back soon! 

xoxox 

Catching up on a Monday ♥

Hello Friends.  Good Monday Morning! ♥

I'm having an extra cup of coffee this morning as I type this because I've been up since 4:20 am.  Thank you daylight savings.  It always takes me a few weeks to get used to the time change.  Funny how we gain and extra hour of sleep but I'm still tired?!  

We are coming off a very lovely weekend.  I took this photo out the window of our public library on Saturday afternoon.  This is what November looks like right now.  Gray skies, muted oranges and browns, and Saturday library runs.  I love it.  The beginning of November is always nice and quiet. It's the calm before the holiday storm.  

So since I was here last, Halloween has come and gone.  

It's only been a week but feels like a month! : ) 

We had a fun holiday, although Halloween is a lot different now that John is older.  For the first time ever he didn't trick or treat or  dress up. He did have a fun night though, hanging out at a friends house, eating candy, and telling funny stories!  

He's spent every Halloween since kindergarten with these guys! 

He's a picture from a Halloween dance they tried to recreate.  His friend Jonathan (far right) still has the same Mario costume!!  

I started my day with coffee and a pumpkin donut.  Of course I did. 

Just me and my plants ♥

After school, before heading out for the evening we carved our pumpkin.  I do the dirty work and scrape out the inside and he carves the face.  

This years design was questionable. 

So while John as having fun at his party I had tea with my friend Julie.  It was lovely.  She always brings out her pretty china cups when I come for tea.  We had cake too.  

And so another Halloween in the books!  On to the next holiday ♥

After our library run on Saturday morning we made a coffee stop and did some shopping.  I laughed as I entered Kohls to see a gigantic Christmas display over a table selling Halloween décor at 70% off!  The store was bustling with shoppers too.  Apparently there's a "BEFORE" Black Friday sale going on.  Is this a thing now?  It keeps getting earlier and earlier! We could feel the Christmas/holiday energy in the store which would have been nice if it wasn't 75 degrees and humid out!  It's been unseasonably warm here the last few days and it's killing my spirit. Hopefully it won't last too much longer.  

On Sunday John had a band concert.  The first one this year.  

This boy loves his music and I'm so proud of him. 

 He's been taking drum lessons since the third grade and has been in the school band playing drums since fifth grade. 

During Covid he taught himself guitar and piano (from YouTube tutorials and the garage band app on his phone).  Lately he's been saying he wants to learn the trumpet.  He's definitely got an ear from music.  Not sure where it came from?? 

The show was amazing.  All the kids were spectacular!  John doesn't play sports. Music has always been his passion.   I'm thankful our school system has a great music program ♥

Here's John with his cousin Anthony who is also in the band.  He plays saxophone!  

And now you're all caught up!  ♥

I'll be working the rest of the day and trying to stay awake.  I'm excited because I have a big Amazon order to place today as well, for Christmas gifts and this year I'm treating myself to a TEA advent calendar.  I've always wanted one and I saw the perfect one on Amazon the other day.  I have to remember to order it so it will be here by Dec 1st.  Do you do an advent calendar for yourself?  I am very excited. 

Have a wonderful Monday, friends! ♥

Stay cozy! I'm off to get another cup of coffee....zzzzzzzz