I’m not going to lie, folks. September was somewhat of a meh month for me. Nothing bad or awful has happened. It just was — meh. Previously, I might have sunk into the meh for a long period, but I’m getting better at recognizing when it happens and pulling myself out, eventually. One way I do that is through gratitude and appreciating all the blessings in my life, so today I’m giving thanks for my favorite season: glorious Fall.
Dear Fall, Thank You for …
All the goodness you bring into my life every year.
Halloween Pet Costumes
I don’t dress up for Halloween myself, but I do make Max dress up. Why? Because it makes me laugh. And I am a mean Mama (Not true. I am a very indulgent Mama). I don’t have this year’s Halloween costume picked out yet, but here are a few highlights from previous years.
Clearly, MaxE loves dress-up. Or not.
Delicious Fall Food
I can’t wait to pour myself a mug of hot caramel apple cider. Or pumpkin spice latte (FYI – the leftovers make great pumpkin french toast). I believe if everyone just ate some apple crisp with salted caramel sauce or my apple galette with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream, the world would automatically get better.
It’s been hot in LA lately, but when it cools down, I’m making a big pot of beef barley soup and chicken gnocchi soup, both made conveniently in the crockpot too. Nothing beats coming home (or working from home) and enjoying a big, hearty bowl of soup. My pumpkin chickpea curry is quite divine too. And I don’t even like curry. 🙂
The Colorful Fall Foliage
It’s incredibly beautiful, but I don’t see much of it these days. Where I live, many of the trees don’t have leaves that change color, which is both a bummer and okay because I love the colors of Fall but hate the barrenness of Winter.
I took this picture this weekend. It won’t really change much. Ever.
The Return of Cooler Temperatures
LA is fairly temperate, depending on where you live. Since I live in a beach city, it typically stays cooler and can heat up dramatically the further inland you go. But even by the beach, August and September can still get pretty hot, especially when you’re a heat wimp. This year was decent until Summer decided to remind us how hot she can be last week. I get it. I get it. You’re a beast. Now go away and let the cooler temperatures roll in and stay here for the next 9 months or so.
This was last Wednesday. Today it is supposed to 70-something. I should stop complaining. Probably won’t.
Christmas Planning
This may strike some of you as weird but I start my Christmas planning early. And not Christmas shopping in July or even really saving your pennies for Christmas presents (although both are smart). But I plan what I’m going to make and eat for the holidays because my life revolves around food (and Max). I ponder what cookies and treats will I bake (caramels are a must!) to bring home or give to friends? I look for various recipes for all the holiday gatherings we host to go over with my Mom.
This is technically from last year. But still full of yummy holiday goodies!
A few years ago, I started making some DIY gifts, so I’m trying to figure those out now too. I’ve pinpointed two options and continue to pretend that it’s not tacky to have your parents help you build their Christmas gift. 🙂 I’m not super handy or crafty but like to think I am. My parents have kindly chosen to not disabuse me of that notion.
Fall Entertainment
Thus far, the TV shows that I am enjoying are This is Us and Speechless and recommend both. Westworld looks really good but I don’t have HBO. Most Fall movie fare leans towards Oscar bait, which really isn’t my jam. I am, however, interested in La La Land (and not just because of Ryan Gosling) and Lion. Book-wise, as of now, the only new release on my radar is from Allen Eskens.
I’m always open to recommendations — TV shows, movies and books — so share any you think I might like!
A Few Fall Things That Make Me Cranky
Cranky may be a bit harsh but these are the things that annoy me in the Fall.
- Daylight savings. Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?
- Election coverage. Need I say anymore?
- People who wear winter coats, scarves and gloves in LA when it is 70 degrees outside. Dude, no. I know what real cold is and that ain’t real cold.
- No more roadside strawberries stands until February. Boo-hoo.
- Snow and ice. Oh wait. I don’t deal with that any more. 😉
Sayanora Heat and Hello … More Sunshine.
Well, at least, I hope so. It will happen eventually. All-in-all, I’m hoping Fall will help put a little pep in my step and send the blahs away. I’m sure if I focus on the many things I love about Fall, they will no longer find me a hospitable host. After all, it is hard to stay down for too long when it’s a beautiful 70 degrees outside and I’m wearing shorts and flip-flops because I’m not a weather wimp. 😀
What are your favorite things about Fall? Or your least favorite thing about Fall?
Tanya
so it was about 22C yesterday and i saw a girl wearing a parka, uggs and a thick scarf. girlfriend needs to calm her tits – it wasn’t cold at all and just because it’s october, you dont need to dress like fall and then die of heat stroke!
I’m with you 100%, Kathy! It both makes me laugh and roll my eyes when I see someone overdressed. I know cold and 70 degrees IS NOT cold! LOL!
Bahahaha! I love Max’s costumes. I actually used to think pet costumes and clothes were dumb, but as soon as I had a dog, I did a huge 180 on that. In previous years, Luke’s worn a raptor costume, but I know he doesn’t like it and Toast won’t do well with a costume so for this year I had bandannas custom made with Flotsam and Jetsam (the eels) on them to go with my Ursula costume!
I visited my sister not too long ago in San Diego and the sky was a tiny bit grey and it almost rained and she kept saying, “I can’t believe you got the terrible weather” and I had to laugh because she’s already losing touch with what bad weather looked like here on the East coast. Apparently in San Diego it only rains at night and almost every day is sunny. It’s amazing.
I felt the same way, Jenn. I used to roll my eyes at all those pet Mamas who made their poor kitties and doggies wear clothes. Now, I totally do it and love it. My cats have never enjoyed it. Emeril learned that if he would sit still and let me take pictures I would take off the costume. Max has quite figured that out yet! I love the bandana idea – you’d better post some pictures!
Yeah, it’s sunny almost every day in California, although during May Gray and June Gloom, it may only be sunny in the afternoon. 🙂 We are very spoiled weather-wise.
I never understand why people get out their winter gear so early. Just a light jacket or fleece will work too. LOL
I already got the dog Halloween costumes!
Me too, Steph. When I lived in Minnesota, I held out as long as possible before I broke out the winter gear. I can’t wait to the pugs’ costumes!!
I see we both love fall tv and soup! I will have to try some of your soup recipes. Even though the weather doesn’t change THAT much I still love soup season!
I love soup but just cannot do it during the warm weather. My first year here I didn’t eat any soup because it never got cold, for at least me! LOL! I love soup season too. It’s so comforting. I just wish it would stay cool enough for it.
LOL i would wear a coat if it was 70 degrees! that’s cold to me. i love that you dress max up. my cats would kill me in my sleep, but i should try it. i really want to watch this is us. i’ve mentioned it a lot but i am obsessed with miss fisher’s murder mysteries right now (it’s on netflix) and i binged it all in a week (3 seasons) and started it again, i kid you not. i love it. i love that you plan for christmas early! i like to plan gifts, but that is it. i get excited because a lot of our clients and such send us food, so i get to eat a lot of candy and chocolate around the holidays haha
I have plenty of friends who do the same, Kristen. When one of my friends bought a new car, she was so excited because it had heated seats and I was like “really?”. You needed heated seats here? LOL! Well, I can’t claim that Max likes to dress-up but his Mama sure finds it hilarious! I was going to ask you about Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries because it sounds like a show I would love but I don’t have Netfix. GRRRRRR…. some day. I’m always all about the food and Thanksgiving and Christmas are big ones for me. If you lived nearby, I’d test out a ton of treats on you because I’m not really into sweets. I like savory better!
I would love to dress Bailey up in costumes but he would maul me. Seriously. He loves his mama but even he has his limits 😉
I’ve seen people in scarves too, and I’m like, ummmm, no. Chill out and relax. Scarf season will be here soon 🙂
LOL! I’ve been lucky because both Emeril and Max allowed me to dress them up, even though they never really liked it. But I just don’t care! It makes me laugh! Yes! Scarf season will get here, but it’s not now, people. Maybe, I won’t laugh at you in January. Who am I kidding? I’ll still make fun of them because it’s like -50 in Minnesota!
I enjoy caramel apple anything. I know this sounds bizarre, but there was this shaved ice/snow cone place that I used to go to in Texas. The had a bajillion flavors, but I got a caramel apple snow cone every single time.
Max and those costumes are hilarious and too cute!
I LOVE caramel apples. So yummy. I’ve never had it in a snow cone flavor but I’m sure it’s tasty! I need to figure out Max’s costume for this year. He’s in denial that Halloween is fast approaching. 🙂
“People who wear winter coats, scarves and gloves in LA when it is 70 degrees outside. Dude, no. I know what real cold is and that ain’t real cold.”. Funny. 🙂 I am SO looking forward to soup and stew season. And a little nervous about holiday calorie consumption. 🙂
I love soup/stew season. It’s just so comforting and satisfying. It’s still a bit warm here but I still make a batch of my favorite chili. And I’m worried about holiday calories too. I don’t always have the best willpower!