Early Days of Fall

Last Friday, I was able to enjoy fall at its finest. The weather was in the 70s with cool breeze, the foliage was in full force, and the smell of fires from the night before still lingered in the air. 

I was in heaven.

I wandered around my town soaking in all the fall glory.

{Yellow leaves around the barn at my house}

 {Pumpkin cream cheese at my local coffee house. To.Die.For.}

 {Scarecrows on the town common}

 

 {A glass of vino on a beautiful autumn afternoon}

The wonderful thing is that autumn has not even peaked in my neck of New England yet! 

Keep it coming, Mother Nature.

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

P.S. Be sure to check out Sunday Social with Ashley and Neely!

OK...Thursday...

The weather this week has been so dreary! All I want to do is sit in my sweat pants, drinking tea, and read a good book (or five). I might just do that tomorrow :)
Linking up with Amber and Neely as always on Thursday!  

It's OK...

...To order a whole chocolate banana crepe with chocolate ice cream for yourself when four people could have easily shared.

...that you still take the wrong turns despite having navigation turned on. Sometimes two roads are very close together and the blue line that tells you where to go covers up both of them until it's too late. It's not your fault you went 10 miles out of the way.

...that on your way home, all you can think about is that bottle of cote du rhone that's waiting for you.

...to be sick of political Facebook/Twitter posts full of ignorance and hate from BOTH sides of the aisle. I seriously can't wait until the election is over.

...that your reaction to the unexpected "Baby It's Cold Outside" playing on your Michael Buble Pandora station was pure excitement. It's October, which means it's almost November, which means Christmas music is right around the corner.

...that you're so close to being asleep, you don't even know if you can finish this post...

Am I Crazy?!

Michelle at The Vintage Apple is hosting a super fun link up for crazies like me today! What things make you crazy?!

1. I can't handle it if people cut their fingernails anywhere but in the bathroom over a trashcan. Nope. Can't do it. I have to leave the area immediately. I've run into people cutting their nails on the train, in the airport, and even in the office. I can hear nail clippers from a mile away, and I have to run in the other direction. Nails go flying, people. I don't want your clippings landing in my latte.

2. If anyone drives my car, they cannot move the back of my seat. It is in a very special, perfect position that is not easily found again. Also, it bugs the hell out of me if the passenger seat back is at a significantly different angle than my seat. A lot of my friends and family put the seats back like they're ridin' dirty - not happening in my car.

3. I need noise to fall asleep. Just at first, though. It can be TV, music, a fan making white noise - anything. It is almost impossible for me to fall asleep in complete silence unless I'm exhausted. But, I can't stand it if I wake up in the middle of the night and it's still on. That completely wakes me up, then I turn it off and I'm back to my original problem of not being able to fall asleep to silence. It's a vicious circle.

4. I can't be in my room when my bed isn't made. I will only go in there to get things I absolutely need and then I will run far, far away. It makes me feel so disorganized and messy when it's all rumpled up! Life is chaotic enough without a messy boudoir. 

5. I park my car in no-man's land. I am so anal about dings and scratches on it that I try to find a spot with minimal risk of people's doors banging into it. Ironically, the only ding on it is from the ONE time that I had to make an emergency stop at the J.Crew outlet and there was no where to park except next to someone. As I was getting out of the car, the wind blew my door into the mirror on the car next to me. It still causes me heartache every time I get in my car and see the dime-sized dent.

As I read back, I realize I have a severe case of OCD regarding my car. What things make you crazy? 

Last Scenes of Summer

{Last hydrangea of the year from our garden on Cape Cod}

It might come as a shock to you after my professions of love for all things autumn, that I'm sad to see the summer go each year. I spent part of all day yesterday packing away my white pants, summer dresses and sandals that are too summery to make the transition to fall. It feels like just yesterday I was putting away my chunky sweaters and faux fur. Now they are back in my closet, waiting for the lingering warmth of summer to fade away.

It's hard to believe there are only three short months left in this year. For me, the past nine months have been marked with remarkable change. Positive change (with a few bumps along the road) that has made me happier and more fulfilled than I've been in a long time. For that, I'm forever grateful.

I know that my life is on the right path, and I thank God for that each day.

As we enter into the final months of the year, I could not be more excited to see what's in store. The prospect of even more exciting adventures to be had, new friends to make, and venturing into the unknown is truly wonderful.

Cheers to you, summer. You treated me well.

{Sesuit Harbor at sunset}

Friday's Letters

{Middle of Nowhere, Montana}

Dear travel bug: I hope to satisfy you soon. I'm sorry I torture you with hours of stalking researching travel blogs and websites. Maybe a little weekend getaway to NYC or Philly will satiate you a little?

Dear Chipotle: I wish your burrito bowls were not so addicting. Honestly, I could eat one every day for the rest of my life and be happy.

Dear rain and traffic: You made for a very long drive this evening. One good thing about driving a stick is that I feel like my legs get a little bit of a work out during Friday rush hour.

Dear future house/condo: I know you're out there somewhere. I'm just taking my time and waiting until I have that feeling. You know, when you know something/someone is the "one." I am also applying this theory to the dating world.

Dear hair: I'm sorry I never embraced your wild and frizzy wave before 6 months ago. My new favorite thing is not spending 45 minutes attempting to tame you each morning.

Dear new {and old} followers: Thanks so much for your always sweet comments! I love reading them! Thanks for joining me :)

It's OK...

It's OK...

{Via}

...to be tucked into bed by 7:30 at night during the week. It's not your fault you need 9384349 hours of sleep each night.

...that your room looks like your closet (plus the guest room closet, plus the clothes in the makeshift closet in your basement) erupted for days on end. Summer to fall transitions are not easy. Not easy at all.

...to look forward to a weekend of nothing by organizing (read: cleaning up the clothes bomb), dusting, vacuuming, and OSU football.

...to put yourself out there and do things outside of your comfort zone. It always almost turns out to be a good idea and great experience.

...that breakfast this week has been a few handfuls of candy corn pumpkins.


Thanks, Neely and Amber for hosting such a fun linkup!

Ghost Town

Since Halloween has taken over Target and grocery stores, I figured I'd share my recent visit to a real life ghost town. While in Montana last month, my mother and I ventured through the wilderness to visit Garnet. Situated up in the mountains outside of Missoula, it is settled in a picturesque clearing that makes for a fun little day trip. The view driving up to the town itself is worth the drive!

{How cute is my Mom?}