Grey Mornings

Today is not a pretty fall day, per say. It is grey and dreary outside, the wind is blowing, and it definitely looks like rain is imminent. But is also perfectly crisp and lovely and so very fall-like that I can't help but love the outside world this morning.

Harris was off last night for the first time in about 2 weeks. Since he didn't come home at 5am and take Lucy outside and then feed her at 6 (you know because he made himself stay up until about 2am and then go to bed as to not completely get off his schedule), I was on duty for Lucy's 6am wake up and feeding time this morning. Our lives are so weird. Fortunately because of the aforementioned grey ugliness, Lucy actually slept until about 6:45 before she began worming her way from under the covers and giving pitiful little whimpers. Usually I am a total grouch if she tries to wake me up one minute before 7am (I much prefer being woken up at 7:30, mind you), but I slept so absolutely wonderfully last night (a combination of the hubby being home and melatonin, I am sure), that I grabbed the little pup and snuggled her close, and then promptly got out of bed to feed her, and go on our morning walk.

It looked chilly outside, so I grabbed a North Face out of the hall closet (oh, North Face, how happy am I that it is time for you again with all of your cuddly warmth), and Lucy and I set out to see what the world felt like this morning. I was pleasantly surprised that it was definitely chilly enough for a North Face this morning (I am known to think any and all jackets are needed when in fact they are not), and the wind was blowing a pretty good bit. I was ready for a good mile long walk with the pup, stopping to inspect all trees, spots of grass, and, of course, bits of trash along the way. Unfortunately, Lucy was not having it this morning. She is very temperamental when it comes to the weather - she hates rain, she apparently hates wind as well (mind you, she did just have her last "summer cut" yesterday, so she was probably cold - I should have grabbed her sweater, darn), and she is very sure of what she wants to do on any given day. Our lives just get weirder, I swear. So, we set off for our walk. She sniffed and was coaxed into walking for about 1/2 a block or so, did her business, and promptly started trotting home. A girl who knows what she wants. I can dig it. I made it home to a dark house, that I am still keeping dark in order to really enjoy the full benefits of this ugly, but glorious fall morning, made a cup of caramel hot chocolate, and am wrapped up with a blanket and a sleeping pup as I write this.

A glorious morning, indeed.

Hello, October!

This last week and a half has been quiet around here, I know, and I am sorry for not being much in the way of a real blogger as of late (okay, most of the time). I don't have my typical excuse of "I was traveling" to fall back on because I have gloriously been home the majority of the past couple weeks. Rather, I have just been quiet. I finally took the time to put together a collection of wedding photos for our friends and family to be able to look at, and hopefully enjoy (yeah, I know over 6 months after the fact. I am sooo on top of things, let me tell you). I have also been making a game called "How Much Money Can I Save This Month If I Plan All Our Meals In Advance". I have my first shopping trip tomorrow, so we shall see. This is mostly inspired by all the pins I see where people are spending like $200 a month on their food (I don't think that is possible, so someone I know prove me wrong), or cooking lots of freezer meals (my BFF does this, and I always aspire to be as cool as she is, so I am totes jumping on this bandwagon). Harris has been working ungodly amounts of hours again, so I will be happy when Monday morning rolls around and I get to have my hubs home for two evenings in a row. Plus, my sisters are coming up next week/weekend for their Fall Break, and we could not be more excited! Their one request has been pumpkin everything, so I have a few tricks up my sleeves - maybe I will get to share a few delights on here afterwards. Although, this Indian Summer nonsense is driving me crazy. I want October, not more 83 degree days, please and thank you. Is a need for blankets and a hot chocolate and changing leaves really too much to ask for?

Autumn really is my favorite time of year. It's funny the simple things that change with age. A decade ago, I was all for summertime. I lived for the smell of salt air, sand between my toes, and a deep and lasting tan. As I have gotten older, I still love summer...mostly. But it is uncomfortably hot and humid, and I don't feel refreshed or energized by the heat. Conversely, the older I get, the more I love the crisp morning air in the fall. I love watching the leaves change colors and feeling like I could just wander for miles and miles lost in my own thoughts enjoying the pleasant air and smells. Oh the smells of fall. The pumpkins and the spices. The smell of firewood burning with its crackly sounds and smokiness. I love it all so much! So, please, weather gods, if you will, give a girl a break and get back into the swing of fall-ness.

Happy Friday to all, and Happy Birthday to my dear Nana!

Where Has the Time Gone

Okay, so for the sake of being redundant, I know I said the same thing last month, but holy wow! How in the world is it September?! You remember being a kid, and feeling like time virtually stood still? And remember how our parents would tell us that time went by faster the older you got? Yeah, I never believed my Mom either, but good freaking grief they weren't lying! On a related note, isn't it funny how many things our parents didn't lie to us about? Like, huh, maybe brussels sprouts really are edible (also, how did I go the majority of my life not knowing there was a silent "s" in that word? Probably because I didn't start eating them til about a year ago).

As always, the month of August, particularly the latter part, was fraught with travel and work for the Ligon clan. Unfortunately, aforementioned travel was not of the fun and leisurely kind, but, we made it through, and are happily chugging along in September. I spent a week in Texas followed by a week in the Northeast (NYC, Jersey, Rhode Island, and Boston to be exact) followed by a week in Chicago (I say Chicago very loosely because I only saw the actual city of Chicago from a distance whilst driving around all the suburbs. Sounds cool, but it really wasn't so much, and I am just so glad to be home this week! While gone, Harris as always worked a ton of hours and was on Lucy duty, which is totally a full-time job in and of itself sometimes. I swear this dog is a little person, and a very demanding one at that.

Since getting home last Thursday evening, I have been on full-on wife mode! I got to have several dates with the hubby this weekend, have cleaned and scrubbed the house, gone grocerying and Targeting, and enjoyed the last drops of summer (although, I would much prefer my last drops of summer in the 80s versus 90s, but beggars can't be choosers, right?). I cannot believe it is almost fall! I do love fall, though. The smells and the colors and the crisp morning air! I really hope we get a decent fall this year - you know the kind that lasts longer than a hot minute. I would like to postpone old man Winter as long as possible, but bring on the 50-60 degrees, I say!

Well, this little post has just turned into quite the ramble - bless you all for taking a meandering walk through my brain with me this morning. Happy Monday that is really a Tuesday! I love short weeks!