It has been a whirlwind summer. Did anyone else feel like that? Time passes by quicker than I could have ever imagined. One minute I am prepping for my friend to come and stay with me for a couple of months and the next thing I know, I am putting her on a plane bound for her next adventure. After the airport, I found myself at the grocery store picking up a few items and when I walked in I was assaulted by Halloween greeting cards and candy. Is it really that time of year again? While I am a HUGE lover of all things fall and Halloween—I have to wonder how I missed the steps between 1 and 100.

The only thing I can compare it to is an accident I had a couple of years ago. I remember everyone asking me if I was alright and mentally I thought I was responding to their questions only to realize that I was in shock and it took a moment or two for my brain to fully process what was happening. That is how I feel about moving from summer into fall this year. I am going to need a moment to process . . .

As I process, I thought it best to write down the top 5 things I want to accomplish this fall before it escapes me and becomes winter. What are your plans as we transition the seasons?

1. Purge old clothes: For some reason, during the summer months, it is acceptable to get by with ratty t-shirts, shorts, shoes and everything else in between but we all know they are just going to sit at the bottom of drawer for the next 6 months and when we pull them out at the beginning of spring we will realize we don’t want to wear them, leave them in the drawer and go purchase new items to replace them. Break the cycle!
2. Deep clean the house: I know this is a typical spring thing to do but I like to do it twice a year (it makes it easier to accomplish). I get everywhere and clean out everything and somehow it makes the winter rest more enjoyable. Not to mention it readies my house for all of the holiday parties and visitors.
3. Party planning: For those that know me, parties are my thing. I love celebrating with the people I love and making people smile and the holidays present the perfect backdrop for parties. While I won’t have the time to plan my larger parties; I do hope to plan multiple smaller parties. I want to do a harvest party, Halloween party, and a thankful party (since I will be gone for Thanksgiving). Planning will now need to ensue.
4. New kitchen skills: I am looking forward to a season of warm soup and crusty bread. While I do have skill in the kitchen; I want to hone and get better. I have so many soups that I need to try making and I have actually never made crusty bread so I am looking forward to learning that new skill.
5. Gratitude reflection: Nearing the end of another year makes me want to take stock of all the blessings that are in my life. I want the people in my life to know how grateful I am for each and every one of them. I want to personally reflect on all the things that I own and are able to do and devise a process for the rest of the year and for the next that will adequately express my gratitude. I want a conscious thankful heart each time I walk in my door or jump in my car. I want to show love more readily and more often. In short, I just want to be a better person/steward to all the people/things that touch my life.