goodbye summer.

Summer came and went like a thief in the night.

Right?

Maybe not. Atleast not here. It's a warm one today. Maybe too warm.

I know I've said it before, but I'm going to say it again. It's so hard to get into the spirit of fall when it's still over 85 degrees outside, and I'm wearing short sleeves and shorts every day of my life. Especially when I get into my car after it has sat too long in the parking lot, and I can't breathe. But...I'll deal with it for now...

I like the thought of fall. The smell of cinnamon wafting through the house, warm drinks, bright colors, pumpkin pie. Coziness.

Last night we ushered in the fall season with turkey, stuffing, broccoli, and sweet potatoes. If nothing says 'fall meal' quite like that, then I don't know what does.

What's your favorite thing about fall?

mix-up.

I know it's turned into fall, and you're all enjoying your nice, cool weather. But we are still sweating it out down here in good 'ole Florida. We think we can feel fall in the air when the humidity level has gone down a little bit and the temperature is 89 degrees.

We are also still enjoying the refreshing fruits of the summer time. The last peaches, watermelon, good and juicy tomatoes. Yum yum. We are also enjoying tastes of the fall here and there, too. Apples, pumpkin bread, soup (we're crazy).

What are your favorite foods of the summer and fall?

After having a wonderful and relaxing weekend, I'm finding it really hard to muster up the motivation to want to be atleast a little excited about heading back to school tomorrow. This weekend really filled my heart up and rejuvenated me in amazing ways.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go out into our community with Aftershock, the dance team I'm a part of from my church, and we performed for the Operation Christmas Child kick-off for the Treasure Coast. For those you who know me really well know how big of a roll dancing has played in my life. It was amazing to get to dance a few different sets yesterday for a good cause, but most importantly, in the name of Jesus. A lot of people came out and joined us - we even got to teach some kids a short little routine and had them perform it. It was wonderful!

Last night I chatted with my friend Emily for three hours on skype. Our chattering got the best of us, and before we knew it it was 11:00. It was so amazing to hear about what amazing things God is doing in her life, showing her, and how she is blessing people. My friends are so special to me, and I'm grateful that I was able to be filled up by them this weekend.

Today I went to church, came home, cleaned, and relaxed a bit more. I got to spend a little bit of time with my family, and a lot of time by myself. Tonight I'm sitting here writing this blog with my windows open, and a nice breeze blowing through my blinds. This weekend was really just what I needed to re-energize and get ready to face another crazy week of college. I'm so grateful for it.

Happy first day of October, everyone!

The day welcomed us Floridians with a nice break from the terrible humidity. It was so wonderful to wake up this morning and see that my Mom had the door to our back porch opened. That is always a welcoming sign for what's to come. It was just such a beautiful day today. I wanted to spend as much of it as possible outside. It was a great day to rejuvenate and re-energize me from the chaos that my days have been for the past few months.

For example:
I slept in until 9:30 this morning.
Cleaned my house.
Did my laundry and hung it up on the line (because our dryer is still broken).
Listened to the birds sing.
If I knew how to whistle, I probably would have whistled while I worked.

Really, it was just a wonderful day to appreciate the simple things in life. The things that I don't get to stop and enjoy through out the week while I'm rushing from class to class, or locked up in my room for hours doing homework. I'm praising God for today and the beauty that he supplied me with. I'm grateful for the lower humidity and the beautiful sounds of the birds chirping. It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood, indeed.

On my agenda for today:

1. Concert planning.
2. Straightening up my house.
3. Washing my dog.
4. Clean my room.
5. Job interview at Justice.
6. Maybe fit in some leisurely reading.
7. Concert planning.
8. Enjoy a great evening with my church family at our 2nd annual fall festival!

Have a wonderful day! I hope you get to enjoy some great fall festivities this weekend!

tuesday thoughts.

After starting my four-day-a-week class at the college, I have had a lot less time to enjoy great and wonderful thing. Especially things that inspire me, or that I enjoy greatly. Not only that, but i've had a lot going on with that secret of mine, trying to straighten out the last details before I do any revealing. Don't worry, though, you'll find out probably this week sometime. It's fun having a secret. It's even better when the extreme excitement has worn off and you finally get to sleep at night. Beautiful sleep all the way through the night. For instance, I got 11 hours last night. Can't even remember the last time I did that.

I'm seriously feeling bummed out about our weather patterns here in good old Florida. I walked outside this morning and wanted to die. For real. Humidity sucks the fun out of everything. It's almost November and we have only had one cool/cold front. This better not be one of those abnormally warm "winters". I'd be super bummed. The cooler weather keeps me going and brings my soul to life. I just can't deal with not having a winter.

My college class is going well. It consists of mostly math, because that's what needs to be worked on the most. I'm realizing that my problem here is that my brain just needs to be refreshed. For the most part I know what i'm doing, but there are little things here and there that I have forgotten in order for me to get the correct answer for a problem. Once the teacher shows me what i've done wrong, I immediately figure it out and dominate the lessons. It's much easier after having learned this stuff once in my life before.

Ah, well, just my Tuesday Thoughts, I guess. Have a beautiful day!

missing something.

As promised, a list of things I always miss during fall.

1. The changing of leaves. I have ever only have seen the change of leaves once in my life. I was a little girl. I got a little hint of it back in September when I went to New Jersey, but everything was still green for the most part.

2. Apple picking. No apple trees here.

3. Various fall festivals. Things are just done so differently here. Spend a fall in Florida. You'll notice it immediately. I think i'm really a displaced northerner. Ahh, well...

Also! Update: I wore my sweater today and got tons of compliments on it. It was a hit. I'll have to do it again soon. The scarf was no good. I hope to wear it for our next cold front. Also go to spend some time in front of our fire in the backyard last night. This weather is just too perfect. This is when I come alive.

fabulous fall.

it's here! it's here! i have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this cool/cold front all week long. it is in the 70's right outside my window.

i know, i know. all my northern friends are probably laughing at me because that's probably something like their summer. what can I say? i'm just a floridian who gets excited at just the tiniest hint of something that resembles cooler weather. today marks the first day of weather that is finally below 90 degrees since summer. today marks the first day of fall in my books.

i have never lived anywhere else in my life, but i do know that when weather like this comes around, the neighborhood springs to life. you see people walking all around the place, enjoying the fresh air they have so desperately been missing since the start of summer. this is our time!

and! the food in my house suddenly changes. we put the burgers and barbeque away and bring out the pork chops and pumpkin pies and PUMPKIN BREAD! that's right! we are making pumpkin bread today. we had pumpkin pie a couple weeks ago, but i can officially get excited about these things. all because it says 73 on my termometer. yes yes yes! things are looking up!

also! i said a few days ago i would post about things i miss during the fall because i never get to experience them. well, i forgot about it until yesterday. just didn't want to put a damper on my fall party i'm having here. so that will be tomorrow!

hope you are having a fabulous fall day, friends!

looking forward to...

I bought a scarf almost like this with the sweater below. Still have yet to wear it. I may choke myself if I decided to wear it with the weather like it is now. Humidity + scarf on neck = death.



I bought this sweater in gray a month ago before I went to New Jersey thinking it would be nice and cool, but I never got to wear it. We're still sweating it out in the 90's here in South Florida. So this is definitely at the top of the list.



I've already had a cup of hot cocoa but it didn't turn out too amazing. I'm waiting for when I can curl up on my couch and drink a cup of this with the crisp air outside. I'm afraid i'll have to wait until about December for this, though!

Tomorrow: A list of things I will dearly miss this year, once again...

What are some things you are enjoying now, or looking forward too with the holidays upon us?