I unabashedly love everything about autumn. As I write this my window is open all the way and a crisp breeze is blowing into the room... It smells like everything wonderful. Like:

pumpkin cookies

leaf piles

a crackling fire

warm boots

handpicked apples

scarves & jackets

hot chocolate

pumpkins

apple & cherry pies

flushed cheeks

hot soup

acorns

yellow & orange

dark rainy days

cranberries

wooly socks

fall scented candles

plaid

blankets

caramel apples

I could go on forever...

1. hat, 2. glasses, 3. scarf, 4. boots, 5. socks, 6. shirt, 7. pants

Today's beautiful crisp day makes me think of nothing but boots, scarves and woolen socks.

Autumn is that you?

We got a very pleasant surprise this weekend when we headed out to the farmer's market and learned that they were actually having one of their two fall festivals! And seriously what is better than a surprise fall festival?! We had our fill of corn dogs, tacos, and donuts and I bought enough vegetables to last us through the winter. We also managed to snag a bag full of books and an adorable little hat for the wee one. Other than that we napped (with the windows open! Finally!) and I made Gwyneth Paltrow's pancakes that are always worth the effort. 

We have promise of cooler temperatures for this week and I am thrilled about it! I am so over 90 degree days, bugs, humidity and air conditioning. Maybe if we wish for it hard enough autumn will be here sooner rather than later...

The past few days have been tough emotionally. I feel like I've been walking around with a heavy heart. But as always there are moments of joy and hope. And this past weekend we had a belated birthday to celebrate (my cousin's) and a long promised trip to the Newseum to make happen. I've been to the Newseum many times (probably my favorite museum in DC) but I always find something new. It was during this visit that we finally took the time to watch the video they put together featuring all the Pulitzer Prize winning photographs. And I'm so glad we did because I was reminded yet again that therein lies the magic of life - even in the darkest moments we can find flashes of light and beauty. Sometimes it's simple human kindness, sometimes it's holding someone's hand and sometimes it's as elementary as good food shared with good people. 

I came across this quote recently and found that it rang so true, especially now:

“If you know you have to wait anyway, why not make a decision to enjoy your life while you’re waiting? Why not be happy while God is in the process of changing things? After all, there’s nothing we can really do to make it happen any faster. We might as well relax and enjoy our lives, knowing that at the appointed time God is going to bring his plan to pass.” ― Joel Osteen

I've definitely found in my life that the quickest route to achieving peace is surrendering control...