Tag: fall

Rest

Rest–a very underrated activity.  When was the last time you took a nap?

Nap facts:

  • Naps 20-30 minutes in duration are the most beneficial
  • Napping can help lower your blood pressure
  • Napping can later help you to fall asleep and stay asleep
  • Napping can help you be more alert and less stressed

Meditation helps with being more:

  • Mindful
  • Focused
  • Present
  • Aware

Looking Ahead:

I am uncertain whether Black Friday is still relevant today. There are several times a year that deals are available from all the big box retailers. Most of our shopping is done long before November, and this year and last we’ve purchased most gifts from local small businesses. I know not everyone can do this, but when you can, it really is a special moment created for both you and for the small business owner.

Shopping days until Christmas: 35

My husband and I are doing things differently this year. We decided to create gifts by looking for things like fall/winter photography sessions or a professional photo for our Christmas card or a ticket to a local museum or opera next year. The holidays for us this year are going to be very intentional; they will also include whatever we can do for our community at this time and lots of time together at home creating lasting memories. That said, every year we look forward to Small Business Saturday. Until next time,

Wishing you and yours a happy holiday season! 🎄🎅🏻☃️🎀

fall

xoxo

Fall Bucket List

Things I can do now before the falls colors/activities start:

  • find some great apple cider recipes
  • stock up on marshmallows for cocoa
  • buy fall/ winter cozy reads–also there are some Hallmark Christmas Countdown movies on the Hallmark channel that I should watch! I need to watch them now because I won’t have time come Christmas.
  • watch the sunset
  • join a book club

Things to do when the leaves start changing:

  • visit a farm
  • visit an apple orchard
  • go on a hayride
  • go on a horseback ride
  • pick out a pumpkin in a pumpkin patch
  • go hiking
  • bake pumpkin bread
  • watch a fall movie
  • visit a corn maze
  • catch a college football game–bring thermoses of hot cocoa and apple cider
  • make chili
  • window shop
  • go antiquing

Potato Leek Gratin

Photo by Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times

Here’s something delicious to consider for a fall side. Recipe by Melissa Clark who I LOVE.

Some of the best dishes that I’ve cooked lately come from either her Dinner in French: My Recipes By Way of France or Dinner in One: Exceptional One Pan Meals cookbooks. Melissa Clark is one of my favorite cooks–she’s also on YT if you’d rather watch her cook fabulous food.

If you like Ina Garten as much as I do, you might want to order her memoir Be Ready When The Luck Happens. I asked for her book for my birthday and was so excited to get it. Ina gave me the inspiration to go from  career gal /throw something together for dinner, to career gal /roast a chicken and steam some asparagus. Her “how easy is that” attitude charmed me to no end. I’m really enjoying her memoir as much of her personal life has been kept personal for most of her professional life. 

I won’t be trying this recipe until mid-November. I’ll be sure to stop back and update how it turned out. Right now I’m busy with fall birthdays and adding in a new recipe isn’t on my agenda. So, something to look forward to in November. 🍂

I hope you are all well,

xoxo

Fall & Winter Stock Up

Fall and winter preparation and stock up time is here. Below, I’ve put together a pantry essentials list, reminders for fall, emergency stock up lists, and fall home prep. Also, an update about our move. I hope you are all well.

Pantry Essentials –pantry essentials pdf list by Kim

Also:

  • remember the books you’ve set aside & magazines
  • last years seed catalogs until the new ones arrive
  • fall & winter prep lists
  • cozy socks
  • soft warm sweaters
  • good quality tea
  • soup and casserole recipes

 This year we’ve decided to do Christmas differently as far as gifts go. I believe we are going to go with more intentional, possibly handmade, custom made/designed or sentimental gifts that may be bought or made or have someone make. But as far as gift lists, or wants, or commercialism–nope that’s out for our household this year. I’m still working all the details out but I will share them here as I come up with them.

Update on our move–it’s complicated. Rent prices are still at an all-time high in this area for 100 miles in any direction. As of right now we are in a holding pattern, waiting really, for my husband to have his surgery, for the economy to straighten out, and hoping the direction/location to move to permanently will become clear to us.

Fall Prep–   from This Old Home

Stockpile for an emergency – how to stock up for an emergency

 

Until next time–xoxox, be safe and be well!!