Happy October, friends! Though the pandemic has canceled several of our fall favorites, we’re still feeling the cozy vibes over here. Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, apple cider scones, new soup recipes, hiking through colorful leaves, crisp afternoons playing outside with neighborhood friends, and this weekend – a bit of decorating inside and out! My tiny sidekick is pumped :)

On my calendar this month:
— Decorating for fall, including making ghosts with June per her request
— The fifth (fifth!) anniversary gathering of Articles Club
— Our family fall trip to the mountains

What I’m loving right now:
— John and I recently watched the first two seasons of Cobra Kai, and I have complicated feelings about it. The first 8 episodes of season 1 were THOROUGHLY enjoyable and refreshing – surprisingly, the characters kept making the right decisions. Things took a turn from there, though, and for some reason I took it very personally, ha! In honor of Johnny and Mr. LaRusso, we’ve been listening to this playlist and it is deliciously 80’s – great for cleaning or bopping around the house.
— My parents-in-law gave me this Gathre tablecloth in the Stars print recently, and I am in love. Made from leather, they are not inexpensive, but the ease of clean-up after meals is amazing with little kids. Maybe a good thing to put on a Christmas list or to scout on Black Friday!
— This set of 20 linen hair bows is a steal of a deal. We’ve been having fun adding them to the ends of June’s braids!

As a reminder, you can find allll the things I’ve loved over the last few years neatly organized right here!

What I read in September:
— Adopted for Life | I’m not sure what I was expecting, but this book wasn’t it. I enjoyed the Biblical depth he offered for the underpinnings of adoption, but I think I was hoping for something more practical.
— 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You | I have read many books on our digital lives at this point, and so far this one is middle of the pack. Similar to Adopted for Life, he’s less focused on the practical and more on the big picture… and I guess I like the nitty gritty :) The “change” that has stuck with me the most, though, has really stuck with me: “we ignore our flesh and blood.” I think about it every time I’m tempted to pick up my phone while driving.

Revisiting my September goals:
Film Sheptember, Volume 2
Read a marriage book in honor of our anniversary (didn’t get to this, but I think I’m going to choose How to Fall in Love with Anyone on the recommendation of reader Sarah!)
Complete our upstairs bathroom renovation (“complete” was a little ambitious, but we definitely made progress! Walls painted, mirror down, new bathmats and shower curtain installed!)
Complete four more Advent ornaments (tree, candy cane, heart, and present!)
Ride 50 miles on our stationary bike or out in the wild (48!! So close!)
Add plants to the master bathroom
Begin family “by-laws” in a Google Doc
Adjust the styling of EFM’s H1 headers so I can use them! (sent an email to my web folks, so this is underway!)
Send a care package to a former babysitter who’s a college freshman

October goals:
— Design our family Christmas newsletter and order Christmas cards
— Edit Sheptember, Volume 2
— Complete four more Advent ornaments
— Ride 50 miles
— Wallpaper the upstairs bathroom
— Switch out lighting in the upstairs bathroom
— Finalize family mission statement
— Finish garage reboot, including hanging our bikes

Also fun to note: 2021 PowerSheets launch this month! Even in a really unusual year, I’m so grateful for the progress I’ve made on the goals I share here each month – things that really matter to me – and my PowerSheets are a big part of that. If you’re ready for a fresh start next year, I hope you’ll take a peek at the collection on October 14th!

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