Hello everyone!! It’s FINALLY October. My favorite month of all. And it feels like fall here, y’know? I stepped out on the deck this morning, barefoot as always, and the wood under my feet was cold and the air was chilly. I checked the temperature, and was glad that I had coffee with me – it was a mere 49 degrees.

I see all these people talking about how they feel so much more alive in the fall, and I can relate. That is exactly how I feel, like I am fueled by cooler weather. Rusty colored leaves tumble through my soul, chill winds raise my spirits, and I thrive in this weather. The heat and humidity of the summer weigh me down, but in the fall I come alive again.

Away go my shorts and sandals, and out come my jeans and sweaters and boots, ready to walk down trails filled with trees blazing their colors before they go to sleep for the winter. Soups and stews and warming meals are making their way on to my meal plans, and I have told Billy it is time for him to wake his sourdough up, to begin baking our bread for the week. It is a time of transition and change, as we begin to settle down into a different rhythm. School has started and our days are spent reading and learning and creating, and before we eat every evening I clear the table of our day’s work, pencils and papers and books. Weekends are full of plans for pumpkins and apples and chestnuts; they are also full of plans for bonfires with family, cider, Halloween fun and this week, a vacation.

I also see so many autumn bucket lists online, and yes, there are things I want to do this fall too. But this year I am also trying to be mindful to not cram our every moment full of plans; I want us to enjoy the season, time with our family being together, because sometimes when you are spinning from one thing to the next, you forget to really enjoy what you are doing, to pay attention to that moment, truly pay attention to it. I have a list of things to do, but I am also trying to have an anti-bucket list as well.

Sunday, we declared the day to be a nothing day. We called a halt to running and doing and spent the day hanging out with each other, just slowly letting the day spin out while we read or painted or played, in the case of Wyatt. It was a rainy day, perfect do-nothing day. We ordered ramen from a local noodle house, which was delicious, and we finished up our ghost portraits. We finished up the night by watching Kiki’s Delivery service, which is part of Lisa from Boondock Ramblings and my Comfy Cozy Cinema. And it was a wonderful day. I want to make sure I save space for these type days this fall as well.

My favorite book has a quote about winter, that humans say they like winter but what they really like is being proof against it. And maybe there is some truth to that. I love fall and the weather and being out in it, but it is also so nice to be snug inside with my tea and a blanket and a book. And also, cookies and chocolate.

With that, I want to talk about our giveaway! Lisa from Boondock Ramblings and I are cohosting a small little comfy cozy care package giveaway, to go along with our favorite season (fall!), and our Comfy Cozy Cinema! We have some fun little goodies to be sent off to one winner, with more surprises to be added as well! We want to celebrate the season and this is just one way we would like to do that this year.

You can enter anytime between today and October 15th, and the winner will be announced on our blogs Thursday, October 17th. Please enter via Rafflecopter and it is only open to those 18 or older living in the US.

Right now I can only post the link – the code is not working for me! Please let me know if entering is still an issue!

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3614a4fa2/

And that is it from me today! I hope that whatever you do today you all do something that makes you smile!