autumn is my favorite

Autumn is my favorite. 

I could list all the reasons, but you could find those anywhere on Pinterest and Facebook. 

Sometimes I wish that no one else loved fall as much as I do so that nothing I say about it sounds cliche, but then I realize that there's a reason everyone loves fall. It's okay to enjoy something that others enjoy just as much if not more than I do. There's a reason those things are loved, things like tea, The Book Thief, vintage clothing, and teal. You don't have to like those things, but if you do, own it. Don't stay away from something you enjoy just because everyone else likes it. Swimming against the stream is important and it has it's place, but sometimes I need to remember to just love what I love and nevermind if everyone else loves it, too.

Autumn is my favorite.

weekly wrap-up // save the last dance for me

reading // the story girl by lucy maud montgomery // the scarlet letter //

crafting // t-shirt yarn // looped scarf // mossy hat // knotted headband //

listening // journey to the sky // save the last dance for me //

enjoyable blog posts // saturday morning tea // 3 tips to journaling // write a letter // to myself and maybe humanity //

enjoying // popcorn // field trips // long skirts // handknit scarves // downton abbey season 2 {i really cannot wait until january...} // leaves // tea //

Octobers

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"I'm so glad to live in a world where there are Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn't it?"

Anne of Green Gables

Fall is swiftly approaching. I am excited for many things, but also dreading a few. Once autumn fully arrives, I will embrace it as I did the sweet summertime. Routine, fall leaves, warm clothing, apples, baking, boots. So many things, so few months. It is a good thing that there are Octobers, is it not?

Thankfulness

Thanksgiving 

is quickly approaching. 

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I love Thanksgiving. I enjoy spending time with family that I don't get to see a lot, playing games, watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade, and, of course, eating delicious food. But I also love how this holiday makes us stop and think. Sometimes I tend to rush ahead into Christmas and gift making, but when I slow down, I realize how much I love Thanksgiving. It makes me ask myself:

What Am I Thankful For?

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Sometimes I forget to just stop and be thankful. It is not something that we should do once a year. Rather, it should be an attitude. We should be looking for things to be thankful for every day instead of on one special day. I will admit that I do not do this all the time. I know that I should, but I often forget. That is why I enjoy challenges that remind me to stop and be thankful. Samantha over at Simple Delights is hosting a Thankfulness Challenge {she is also hosting a giveaway}. The goal is to post what you are thankful for every day or a longer post once a week. For right now, I am going to be doing once a week, but who knows?

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Now, on to what I am thankful for {beware, some of these are rather random :) }

- youth group discussions -

- purple skirts -

- outings with family -

- friends to laugh with -

- inspiring Christmas gift ideas -

- Christmas music -

- warm socks -

- libraries -

- knitting -

- music -

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What are YOU Thankful for?

Look Up

A few days ago, my sister, Abbie, and I were driving to orchestra rehearsal. The radio was on. I sat in the passenger seat, staring straight ahead at the long, gray road.

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Suddenly, I looked up. I saw that we were driving through a tunnel of lovely autumn trees. The vivid colors stood out against the gray dullness of the road.

The rest of the ride I spent looking up at the farmhouses, fields, and trees along the road. I would have missed a lot of beautiful sights had I simply watched the road the whole way.

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Life is like that sometimes. I tend to only pay attention to what is right before me and how whatever is going on will affect me. I forget to look up.

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When I do look up, I wonder how I could have ever forgotten what it feels like to be spending time with God and how He helps me see and dwell on more than just the present.

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There are many beautiful things to be seen if one only looks up instead of straight ahead.

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I want to challenge you to remember to look up - today, tomorrow, and forever.

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Have you looked up today?

Fall Fashion Day 3 and some giveaways

I was gone and unable to link up to Fall Fashion Day 2 in time. However, I can still link up to Day 3. :)

Here is my outfit:

(please pardon the mess in the background. these were taken in my sister's room.)

What I am wearing:

Sweater: Old Navy

Blue t-shirt: Kohl's

Skirt: Goodwill

Shoes: hand-me-down

I thought that this was the perfect fall skirt. I love wearing it. :)

Now for the giveaways. The first is over at:

These are the prizes:

Aren't these headbands just sweet? They would make the perfect fall outfit accessory.

The second giveaway is over at Grace's Garden Walk as a part of the Walk Through the Orchard event. The prizes are:

This lovely painting

and this gorgeous ring.

Thirdly, there is a giveaway over at Giveaways of Blessing. The prize is the winner's choice of set/colors of bobby pins!

{this set is my favorite}

Lastly, there is a giveaway over at A Little Etsy Love. The winner will receive a pillow cover of their choice. My personal favorite is this pillow cover:

Go on over and enter!

Oh, and I won last week's Sparkling Saturday Photo Contest. I was super excited. :)

How was your weekend?

Autumn Delights

Autumn

By Emily Dickinson

The morns are meeker than they were,

The nuts are getting brown;

The berry's cheek is plumper,

The rose is out of town.

The maple wears a gayer scarf,

The field a scarlet gown.

Lest I shall be old-fashioned,

I'll put a trinket on.

I love autumn. It is my favorite season. Why?

~Leaves - I love living in New England because the leaves turn such vibrant, bright colors.~

~Cooler weather - the temperature drops, sweaters are taken out of closets, scarves looped around necks, hats are pulled over heads, fingerless gloves begin their journey from knitting needles to hands...ahh.~

~Hot chocolate - I love hot cocoa. It is soo warm and cozy on cold days. I have some favorite mugs that I like to use, including a Holly Hobbie mug.~

~Fall decorations - driving is such a pleasure because it gives one an opportunity to see everyone's autumn decorations. Pumpkins sitting on steps...scarecrows set on poles...wreaths hanging on doors...need I say more?~

I am linking this post up to:

Why do you love autumn?