Thoughts

Setting the Scene

/ jennced15 / 2 Comments

I am not sure what is going on in your next of the woods but things have certainly transitioned from summer to fall in a hurry. It has been fun watching the leaves change colors and litter the ground in color. The temperature has already been dropping and I find myself turning on the heat in the car while driving to work in the early morning hours. I feel the need to start cuddling up in blankets, wear sweaters and use more of the color in orange in everything I do.

Does anyone else feel like this? Does it make you sad for the loss of summer or excited for the change? I am a fence sitter when it comes to the last question. I really like summer but I really like fall as well. So to help the transition; here is a play list to help ease the process.

What songs do you think of when the outside world transitions?

  1. Earth, Wind & Fire: September
  2. Dashboard Confessional: Stolen
  3. Ed Sheeren: Autumn Leaves
  4. The White Stripes: We Are Going to be Friends
  5. Mazzy Star: Fade Into You

The Fall List

/ jennced15 / 4 Comments

I have shared with everyone a lot of the places that I love to visit during the fall. The list is mostly made up of places that I can clearly see the transition from summer into fall but there are other places that I love to visit at the start of fall for one big reason . . . kids are back in school and the crowds are less.

What places do you what to visit once the crowds die down?

  1. Disneyland or any theme park: Let’s be honest . . . it is a lot of fun to go with kids especially if it is their first time BUT, theme parks are fun for adults too and more so when you know you don’t have to worry about height restrictions, losing someone to the crowd, or having someone eat the churro you have been craving for a solid year or more. 
  2. Cannon Beach or any coastal town: The beach is at its peak during the summer. Hot temperatures helps regulate your body against the coolness of the water but don’t you just hate planning a day at the beach to have it dashed to pieces because you can’t find a parking spot, a place to lay your towel down, or even a place to bob in the waves without getting hit by someone’s surf board, boogie board, paddle board, etc.? If I have to wear a wet suit to avoid hypothermia, then so be it. 
  3. Hawaii or any island: I lived in Hawaii and I absolutely love it anytime of the year but I loved it the most when people went back to the mainland for the majority of the year. Paradise can feel an awful lot like Los Angeles when there are a ton of people. 
  4. The Grand Tetons/Yellowstone or any National park: This is sometimes hard to do when not the summer months because some parks close for season but if you can manage to find the small window of opportunity between Labor Day and  the season closing, you will love it! The significant drop of cars driving in the parks is reason alone to wait until summer has passed. The park rangers and all other staff providing services in the park are more “chill” and you feel like you are stepping into a wonderland (what a national park should be) instead of getting on a ride at a theme park. 
  5. Salt & Straw Ice Cream or any locally celebrated establishment: Got to love the internet but . . . ultimately that is how everyone learns about the unique things to do in a city they are visiting. Local establishments are great and the locals like them but not when we see a line longer than three blocks. I live for the off-season and the hours of day when even locals are busy with work and school to go and visit the places that I see on the internet as well. 

Upcoming Attractions

/ jennced15 / 4 Comments

In keeping with my transition into fall; I need to get on the calendar all of the fall activities that I want to accomplish around town this year. Here is a list of the top 5 things I want to attend this year. What do you have going on around your hometown?

  1. The Spirit of Halloweentown: I heard about this last year and of course it made the top of my list for this year.
  2. The Corn Maize on Sauvie Island: Got to keep up the tradition. 
  3. West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta: Yes please! This should be some great picture taking.  
  4. Wordstock: Totally intrigued and I just have to check it out 
  5. Art in the Pearl: I love seeing the creative abilities of others and what a better way to enjoy it then to have it at a festival with great conversation and food. 

The Transition

/ jennced15 / 1 Comment

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.