a day at the pumpkin patch

Today was a gracious day. I'm not really sure what that means exactly, but I know how it feels. And it feels lovely.

Pumpkins, hot cider, corn dogs, PB&Js, live music, hayrides. Autumn, you are easily the most gracious season of them all. You entirely delight me.

This post is part of a 31-day series on gracious living. You can find the other posts here.

naptime chatting

I thought I'd kick off my morning by writing a little, a chat if you will. It's technically naptime for the babe, but he's chatting it up in his room too. So.

My motivation is hovering around a three out of ten, and I have some dusting to get to. Chop, chop, Charlotte! I mean, seriously though, I have season premieres to get to this week. And my Ray Bradbury book to start. I have my priorities, and while keeping house tops my responsible priorities, The Mindy Project tops my selfish ones.

What are your selfish priorities this week?

Before you log off to go be either responsible or lazy (I'm still on the fence on that one), check out Bonnie's blog for a giveaway I'm participating in. I'm giving away a copy of one of my favorite books, and others are giving away boat loads of gift cards. So seriously, check it out, because you could basically win the lottery on this one.

I haven't heard any baby babble in a few minutes, so maybe I can dust with some TV on in the background and then whip up a cup of cocoa. That sounds like a decent responsible-lazy compromise, right?

lunch date

Welcome readers from The Life of Bon! I'm so happy that you're here. For my own small following of readers, I'm glad you're here too. Obviously. And if you haven't read Bonnie's blog, you should check it out. It's one of those blogs that I diligently read. How about we have a low-key lunch to get to know each other better? I can whip up some leftover pesto grilled cheese from last night. Have you ever had pesto with your grilled cheese? If not, come over now.

I'll also heat you up some tomato soup. I found my favorite recipe from these ladies. I thought that pesto grilled cheese and creamy tomato soup were perfect for our overcast Oregon weather yesterday. Is it feeling like fall where you are?

How was your summer? Did you meet any cute boys? If things with that boy didn't work out, then he's stupid for not realizing how rad you are. But it's okay to be sad sometimes. Never think that being sad is lame. It's human, and being human isn't such a bad thing at all.

I'm excited for fall fashions. I will confess, however, that I'm not even sure exactly what those fashions are. What I really mean is that I'm excited for some fall sewing. I'm in the middle of sewing a dress with lots and lots of pleats.

What have you been reading lately? I'm close to finishing The Handmaid's Tale, and I'm finding it fascinating and disturbing and thoughtful. After I finish this book, I'll be 75-percent of the way to my yearly goal. Do you make annual reading goals?

Now that we're officially homeowners, we have a list of some home improvement projects to tackle. Josh and one of our friends mounted the TV a few weeks ago, and now I'm itching to put up some shelves on either side. Have I told you that we have a 60-inch TV? It's obscene.

I can't believe it's taken us this long to talk about TV premiers. Next week is going to be awesome when it comes to Hulu. I'll have new episodes queuing up fast, people. I used to be ashamed of how much I love TV, but I'm not so much anymore. Some people hike to relax. I like to watch television.

I accidentally put a virus on our computer, and I feel like a total idiot because of it. I guess it was an honest mistake, but who likes to admit to their tech-y husband that, "Um, hon, so I may have downloaded a virus onto the computer. That might have happened. You should probably check that out. You know, just in case." Have you made any silly mistakes recently that you're loathe to admit? Don't worry, I won't tell.

We're about out of time, but let me send you with some pumpkin bread. I whipped some up a couple of weeks ago and put the loaves in the freezer so I don't eat them all for breakfast. So please, take a loaf with you and rid me of the temptation. Thanks. And let's get together soon. I mean it.

some PNW blasphemy

PNW stands for Pacific Northwest if you were wondering. And I have something to say that will likely throw its residents for a loop: I'm over summer. Over it. I know. Summer doesn't usually hit Oregon until somewhere around July, so why not just soak up what I can when I can? Because I don't really like summer all that much. I know.

I like fireworks and barbecues as much as the next person, but when it comes down to it I prefer boots to flip flops and sweaters to swimsuits. I don't know if I've ever regretted summer's end. Every year I've welcomed autumn with open arms saying, "Oh, fall! Where have you been all this time? Let's go grab some cocoa and pie and catch up."

Today the high is 97 degrees. 97 degrees. In September. I've been kind of bratty about it, actually. Scorching temperatures have no business lingering past August. I'm not saying that I'm ready for the endless days of rain yet, but I am ready for some crisp breezes and pumpkin bread. Give me some sunny 60-degree days when I can go for a walk and delight in the yellow and red and orange leaves. Let me put on a cardigan and some jeans without sentencing myself to a heat stroke. Is that so much to ask?

This year summer is turning into that house guest who's overstayed her welcome. Would you just get out of here already? I know, I know. This issue is polarizing. I'll have readers who live in hot and humid places who are currently scoffing at this entire post, and readers who think I'm straight up sacrilege for even thinking such things. But there it is. Summer, we need a break. Your turn for 2013 is complete. Make some room for fall. But, really.

over a cup of cocoa

It's overcast and rainy today. I love it. It's the kind of weather that begs for sweaters and soup. If you were to stop by this morning, I'd offer you a seat on the couch and ask if you wanted some cocoa.

I'd tell you how ready I am for rain again, how I've been so excited to bust out my sweaters and rain boots.

I'd mention our plans to spend the day at the coast tomorrow to celebrate our anniversary, which is Monday.

I might tell you about how having a baby has actually made grocery shopping easier for me. Because shopping with a babe is so much more cumbersome and involved, I plan ahead now and go grocery shopping only once a week instead of several times.

If asked, I'd tell you all about Asher's many perfections, a litany that would surely be interrupted several times by Asher's coos. Actually you probably wouldn't have to ask me about him; I'd gush unprompted.

I'd admit that I don't like my stretchmarks, even though I know they're a marker of something beautiful and divine.

I'd tell you about how vulnerable motherhood has made me. My heart has never been in this place before, and it's exhilarating and terrifying--truly sublime.

I'd confess that when Asher sleeps, I go and check on him several times. Really, though, I just like to look at him.

I'd ask you about your plans for the holidays, what traditions you're looking forward to, and how your family is doing.

I'd offer to let you hold Asher, but only if you wanted to. I've never been that person who loves to hold every single baby. If you're like me, I take no offense. It's a-okay.

I'd ask if you've read any good books lately. Or bad books. I'd ask what you thought about them and why.

I'd ask you what your favorite iPhone apps are, because I am finally joining the smart-phone club.

I'd thank you for stopping by and say, "We should do this again soon!" I'm often content to hole myself up and hibernate (regardless of the season), and embarrassingly I give myself a pat on the back whenever I initiate socializing.

After you left I'd rinse out the empty cocoa mugs and put them in the dishwasher. I might turn on a TV show, read my book, or write.

What would you talk about over a cup of cocoa?

about that time

We had our friend Ian over for dinner and a game of Dominion, and he offered to bring dessert.

This isn't Ian. This is Josh. Obviously.

He reminded us that it's about that time, the time for Tim-Tam Slams.

This is Ian. He's Tim-Tam Slamming.

We agreed.

Obviously.

{Tim-Tam Slams}

Tim-Tams, a cookie often found at Target

hot chocolate

Take a Tim-Tam and take small bites out of opposite corners. Dip one corner into the hot chocolate and suck. As soon as you taste the hot chocolate, put the whole cookie into your mouth before it completely dissolves. There shouldn't be the slightest crunch. Allow the sugar rush to wash over you in chocolately, warm goodness. Repeat.

Oh, November, it's good to have you back. We'll have many more Tim-Tam Slam sessions, I can assure you.

halloween

Homemade chili
Cornbread
Caramel apple dip
Fun friends
Holiday t-shirts
Modern Family Halloween episode
Chocolate cream pie
A punctuated pumpkin
And one that's more carved than it is pumpkin

Happy Halloween!

the Oregon experience

When Rachelle came to visit I wanted to give her a thorough Oregon experience, even though my Oregon experience is still relatively new. We started off with a day in Portland, a day that included the Thai Peacock, Powell's, and Cupcake Jones.

One night we went to Deschutes Brewery for dinner, and another night we hit up Nicholas's.

One day when I had to work, Rachelle and Karen went to the outlets, and I was oh so jealous.

Then we went to the coast, and seriously, I couldn't have dreamed of better weather. First we stopped at the Tillamook Cheese Factory (which was a first visit for me too).

We took the self-guided tour, posed in the cow heads, and ate the best grilled cheese sandwiches we'd ever had along with the best milkshakes we'd ever had.

Are you surprised that I had to document the punctuation errors on Tillamook signage?

Then we made our way to Rockaway Beach, and parked at this cute Catholic church. The beach was right there just waiting for us.

The skies were clear, the breeze cool but not cold, the air briny and crisp.

In attempting a far-off ocean picture, a sneaky wave caught me off guard.

The ocean wasn't so far off then. In fact, the ocean was in my pant legs.

After walking around for a bit, we settled down on our blanket and beach chairs. I read, Rachelle people-watched, and we both napped at some point. The wind started getting colder, and we were glad we brought warm clothes.

At one point the fire department, the police, the Coast Guard, and the sheriff all came to the beach in response to a lost surfer. We saw rescue boats out on the water, men scanning the horizon with binoculars, and guys in ATVs cruising down the beach. Thankfully they found the surfer, and I'm not entirely sure what the full story was, but it was exciting nonetheless.

We filled our non-adventure time with The Sing-Off, crepes, rockclimbing, and shopping. I'm so glad that Rachelle could come out to visit, and we had such a great time.

I love indulging in Oregon. And I love doing it with one of my best friends. I hope you had a full Oregon experience, Rachelle!

Anyone else up for the full Oregon experience? Though, please give me some recovery time before taking me up on that offer. I'm exhausted.

I'm back!

Oh, readers, I feel like it's been forever. The past two weeks have had me in a whirlwind of happenings, leaving me in a current state of exhaustion and home-messiness, not to mention the 700 unread blog posts in my Google Reader (can you see that some blog-reading simplification is needed here?).

I have so much to tell you. I want to tell you about Rachelle's week-long visit, the perfect weather for a day-trip to the coast, Cupcake Jones, my part-time bookstore job, the beautiful autumn we've been having, my first truly aesthetically pleasing cake, Dracula being the perfect October book, and our first wedding anniversary.

For now I'll satiate your reader thirst (because I know you've been compulsively checking for a new post on this blog--right? Right?) with this month's 12-on-12. The pictures really were taken on the 12th; I honestly just didn't have time for putting the grid together and blogging it until today.

01. A clean stovetop and kitchen
02. An organized magazine basket
03. Cute flower panels hung above the laundry closet (I've had those plaques for almost a year and hadn't hung them up till now)
04. Some freelance writing research
05. A trimmed pattern for a fall dress
06. The cute wall-art I bought at Homegoods using Shoppers' Math
07. The fall dress pattern all cut out, ready to be sewn
08. Changing leaves by Costco
09. Work--does anyone else find the Twilight-esque covers for works of classic literature a little off-putting? I mean, we talking Jane Austen here. Come on.
10. A mint truffle with some Dracula in the airport waiting area
11. The inside of my trunk (this deserves its own blog post entirely and involves a resourceful Nancy-Drew-like break-in into my car while wearing a skirt)
12. I thought I had 12 photos at this point in the evening and didn't--obviously.

I've had a fun few weeks, but honestly, I can't wait to find normalcy again. Tomorrow my priority plans involve cleaning the bathroom and folding laundry, and I'm positively giddy about it.

spooky to-do list

To-do before Halloween:

:: read Dracula with Miranda (remember my scary book from last year?)
:: go to a corn maze and maybe even a haunted house
:: carve a pumpkin
:: watch Wait Until Dark, Sixth Sense, What Lies Beneath, The Others, and maybe even The Ring
:: attend the ward Halloween party

{via} on Pinterest (obviously)

I am very excited for the spooking that's going to be going on here at the Wilsons'.

hello, September!

Part of me can't believe the summer months are over, and the other part of me is oh so ready for fall. I've felt nostalgia pull at my heartstrings a bit this week knowing that all my siblings are back in school, because I love back-to-school season. But just because I'm not in school anymore doesn't mean that I have to completely miss out on back-to-school-ness.

And what better way to celebrate back-to-school season than by swooning over these mugs (yes, the mugs) that Josh gave me for my birthday (with accompanying plates!).

Seriously, could there be a better way to brush up on usage and grammar?? 

Happy back-to-school week(s), everyone! I hope that you can enjoy it, even if you're like me and don't go to school anymore.

perfect Friday

If you combine a thoroughly successful hour and a half of errand running with metallic spray paint and a jewelry hanger thing

with pumpkin bread

with more metallic spray paint and pumpkins

 with You've Got Mail playing in the background

with macaroni and Diet Pepsi for lunch with a  brisk autumn day, red patent-leather clogs, and a Friday, you get one incredible, perfect, October day.

see this??

See that?? {Insert sound and smell of gently falling rain.} The leaves sliding from green to yellow?? You know what that means??

Autumn.

Beautiful, blustery, colorful, cozy autumn. Sweaters, cocoa, rain, pumpkins, {tasteful} Halloween decorations, pumpkin and apple pies. Plus I have a wedding(!!!). (Though I was disappointed when we changed the date, I've always secretly wanted to be an autumn bride.)

All I can say is, "Welcome, friend." I love autumn. I really do.

And yes, that is the view from my back 4x4 porch.