Fall 2025 Bucket List

Happy Monday and First Day of Fall! It's the most wonderful time of the year! I'm so excited that fall is officially here. This morning, I bought a pumpkin spice latte to start the day and also celebrate fall's arrival. I also played a couple of fall and Halloween-themed songs. 

We're on fall break right now, so I'm excited about our plans. I plan to go to the fair, watch a couple of spooky movies, and start a new series or two. I'm looking forward to slowly decorating our home for fall and Halloween. Today, I even switched out the rest of my "everyday" mugs for my fall and Halloween mugs on my mug tree.

In honor of the first day of fall and keeping up with one of my favorite fall seasonal traditions, it's time to share my fall bucket list. Of course, I've kept my usual fall favorites and traditions on the list, but there are a few new things I've added. I can't wait to start crossing things off my list, and I'm looking forward to documenting this fall. 

• Read 10 books
• Read 5 spooky books by October 31
• Watch a new-to-me scary movie
• Go to the fair
• Try 4 new recipes
• Make apple cider banana bread donuts
• Declutter the boys' room
• Document fall
• Work in my sketchbook/journal
• Make caramel apple nachos
• Make s'mores
• Go to the farmer's market
• Work on 2 crafty projects
• Make a fall simmer pot
• Finish watching Season 2 of With Love, Meghan
• Publish a photo essay
• Drink apple cider
• Go to a new-to-me shop/boutique
• Go for a walk on the Silver Comet Trail
• Make a recipe in the crockpot
• Visit a pumpkin patch
• Buy Halloween costumes
• Carve a pumpkin
• Roast pumpkin seeds
• Participate in at least one Exhale blog hop
• Go to a new-to-me restaurant
• Go for more evening walks
• Participate in a Fall or Spooky Book Challenge

What is on your Fall bucket list?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Diana Light on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! Today I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up.

1. I picked up so many fall-themed books at my library and can't wait to dig in. I can't wait to read some stories to Raphael. I also put a hold on Nora Ephron's I Remember Nothing and can't wait to read it.

2. Where is the path? By Lisa Olivera. It was interesting reading her list of things that center her. I think #8 on her list is something I'd like to try, especially going to bed early and the "no phone" rule.

3. A song on repeat: Flow With Me by The Connected Mind

4. Book Blessings 

5. We've been going for an early evening walk at the Village Green. We always stop by the pond and watch the turtles, ducks, and fish. Raphael has been wanting to play with his frisbee a lot, so we've been taking it with us on our walks. 

6. Current favorite read: A Pack of Honey by Veronica Samek

7. Inspired by this, this, and also this.

8. We decluttered the boys' room, and oh my goodness, there was so much stuff! We filled up so many boxes to donate and a couple of bags with things to throw away. I even found a book that we've been looking for a while, which needed to be returned. And when I say a while, I mean I looked for this book for well over a month.

9. Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cranberry Juice is forever my favorite seasonal drink. Honestly, I don't know if this is carried in stores year-round, but I usually only drink this during fall and winter.

10. It's Fall Break! I'm so excited to have the week off and go on a few adventures with my family.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Just Five Things

1. Only one more day before Fall Break and a few more days before the official start of autumn! I'm eager to enjoy all the fall activities with my family. I foresee lots of fall-themed movies, shows, and books in my near future. I also plan to bake a lot and try a few new recipes. I'm also looking forward to some early morning and evening walks. It's going to be glorious, and I can't wait.

2. Oh my goodness! How adorable are these Autumn Leaf Album Covers from Color Cast Designs! I might just buy one and make a Fall album this year. Also, I have my eye on these Bat Album Covers. It's perfect for an October Daily album. I do have a lot of Fall and Halloween kits, so these album covers would work well with them.

3. I'm currently reading an arc of Twisted Tales to Tell in the Night, and it's been fun reading spooky stories. I'm reading at least one story a night. This anthology is perfect for fans of the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series (such a classic!).

4. "You must have a room or a certain hour or so a day, where you don't know what was in the newspapers that morning, you don't know who your friends are, you don't know what you owe anybody, you don't know what anybody owes you. This is a place where you can simply experience and bring forth what you are and what you might be. This is the place of creative incubation. At first, you may find that nothing happens there. But if you have a sacred place and use it, something eventually will happen."

-Joseph Campbell

*Thanks to Austin Kleon for sharing this quote in his book and on his Instagram page.*

5. I'm still trying to decide what I want to dress up as for Halloween. I plan on taking a trip to a Halloween shop during our Fall break, and I'm so excited! Have you decided what your costume will be? 

What have you been up to?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Stephanie Klepacki on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Friday! Today I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up.

1. I've been making plans for October, specifically Halloween, and it's been fun coming up with ideas to celebrate one of my favorite months (and of course, my favorite holiday).

2. One afternoon, Raphael and I went to the grocery store and were delighted to see the massive display of pumpkins. We might go back this weekend to buy one and roast some pumpkin seeds.

3. Ali Edwards' Halloween releases. The Halloween 2025 Kit and Halloween 2025 6x8 Stamp Set are on my wishlist. 

4. These words by Olivia de Recat

5. On repeat: Loser by Tame Impala

6. Toadstool Thumbprint Cookies. This looks like it would be fun to make.

7. This was an interesting read.

8. I finally got to start watching the second season of With Love, Megan. So far, I'm enjoying this season. 

9. I loved reading Brittany's Fall Composition Book. I added a few books to my TBR List and also added a few records/albums I plan to listen to. 

10. It's the weekend, and we are going to celebrate John's birthday. I'm so excited.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Saturday! Today I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up.

1. The 'ber months are here! I'm so excited that it's finally September! I'm so excited for the official start of fall. I love that we've been getting days of "false fall". The cooler temps in the mornings have been glorious. 

2. On my wishlist: Mini Dutch Oven, or this one from Williams Sonoma, or this one from Bed, Bath & Beyond.

3. GoNanas' Fall seasonal mixes are back, and they even have a donut kit! I plan on buying the Apple Cider Donut Banana Bread Mix and the Frosted Pumpkin Loaf Mix.

4. A song on repeat: The Drowning by Elsa & Emilie

5. A Brief Guide for Navigating Toomuchery by Brad Montague

6. We bought Halloween decorations, and I'm so excited to set them all up. However, I plan to set up my dining room table centerpiece for fall soon.

7. We went to the Taste of Smyrna and enjoyed walking around for a bit. I was a little disappointed that there were no fried Oreos or funnel cake stands/vendors, but there were lots of other great vendors. 

8. I finished reading The White Card: A Play by Claudia Rankine, and it was an interesting read. I may have to reread it.

9. 100% agree with this educator. Learning absolutely should start at home. Parents are their child's first teachers.

10. It's the weekend, and I'm so excited to catch up on a few shows, eat a few new-to-me snacks, and start a new book.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Atlanta Mom Blog

Happy Wednesday! I'm over at Atlanta Mom with a new post. I'm sharing a list of upcoming family-friendly movies. Feel free to check out my post and tell me what you think. You can check out my previous posts here.

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

September Goals

Happy Monday and Happy Labor Day! Can you believe it's September already? We're in the 'ber months! Also, how cool that the first day of September is on a Monday! 

August came in like a whirlwind, flew by, and is now gone. August was the month for getting back to our usual routine. The boys are back in school, and I'm back at work. We already attended a few school events. Summer is still here, so we've been trying to make the most of the remaining weeks of the season. We went to the farmer's market almost every week and are still enjoying summer fruits and treats. I was definitely more conscious of the snacks I've been buying and have been trying to get healthier snacks. 

The hints of fall were in full force in August. Many stores have already set up their fall and Halloween displays. The pumpkin spice latte is officially back, and I had one in August. I was trying to wait until today to drink one, but I just couldn't resist. After a rough last week of August, I decided to treat myself to a PSL. It was glorious. I've been researching a variety of fall recipes to try and fall events I'd like us to attend.

This month, I'm looking forward to trying some new recipes, attending the first couple of fall events, catching up on some shows, and reading a few cozy books. I'm hoping September is a slower month filled with all the cozy vibes. I'm looking forward to celebrating John's birthday and spending time with my family. 

I'm looking forward to fall break and the official start of the fall season. I'm feeling so hopeful and excited for September. 

Before I start rambling about the fall season, let's get to the real point of this post: sharing my goals for the month and having a quick recap of my goals from August.

Recap of August Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library: I read Feeding Little Ones by Megan McNamee. Raphael and I also read I Am Human: A Book of Empathy by Susan Verde and The Wild Robot on the Island by Peter Brown. I'm still working through a few more books I borrowed from the library.

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley: I read A Suit or a Suitcase: Poems by Maggie Smith, The Guerilla Art Guide by Keri Smith, How About Now by Kate Baer, and Just One Gift by Linda Sue Park. 

• Work on one previous blog hop prompt from Exhale: I did not do this at all. I actually forgot about this goal. I'm hoping that since it's a new month, I'll feel inspired to work on the September prompt and maybe a few previous prompts.

• Try 1 new recipe: August was such a hectic month, so I stuck with our go-to favorite meals throughout the month. Random note: I've been meal prepping and so far, it's going well. 

• Work in my sketchbook/journal: Ugh. I kept looking at my supplies and just couldn't decide where to begin. I have no idea why I keep getting stuck at this point, but I'm hoping to finally work on my sketchbook or journal. I have so many ideas, but the moment I decide to work in my journal, I end up second-guessing which one to use. 

• Make at least 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout: I completely forgot about this as well. However, I just received my kits from Ali Edwards, so I just need to order some photos. 

• Start getting back to meal planning: I've been working on this, and it's been going well. I especially love that I've been prepping my breakfast in the mornings since I would sometimes skip breakfast. Lately, I've been really into overnight oats, and it's been the best thing ever. I love that I can just grab my overnight oats and head to work. 

September Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library

• Read 1 book I received from NetGalley

• Participate in Exhale's September blog hop

• Work in my sketchbook/journal

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout

• Try 1 new recipe

What are your goals for September? How did you do in August?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Content Pixie on Unsplash