10 Things That I’m Loving Right Now

Fall. It refuels me. It’s like I’ve been road-trippin’ it, and with all the weather-worn effects of having been someplace good and miles of pavement touched by the humming of the wheels, a trunk full of souvenirs and lingering scents of places I love still in the cabin, that red light’s been a blinking now for a few miles. It’s time to fill the tank. That part of me that likes to turn my feelings into words, that likes to weave them into some sort of tapestry while making sense of them has been running on an obnoxious red E.

Oh but Fall. The chill in the air brings out a side of me, kind of a spring-cleaning vibe but without the spring. As much as I love picking our way through thicks of Johnny Apple trees with my knit-clad clan and navigating twisty roads lined with the rich reds and oranges of a Michigan autumn, I crave the comfort of home, the simplicity of routine and earlier nightfalls, the re-organizing of our normal, the clearing out of clutter. And though my creativity isn’t something that can be sorted and sifted, it seems that when I make space in my home for the beauty of the new season, a leave room in my mind for creativity to flow.

So today, as the sorting and sifting has been commenced, a run off of ten things that we’ve been loving lately will be left in this space here… in no particular order, because sometimes the simplicity of dropping all the road trip stuff right at the front door… and sorting that later… is beautiful.

Our Favorite Summer Place in Fall
The beach sings a completely different tune come the end of September, and it’s hum draws us in for a quick visit to frolic these familiar waters, only this time wearing a little more than our summer worthy swimsuits.

Succumbing To His Sister’s Adornment
I guess all younger siblings are submitted to some kind of torture. For my little boy… it’s being dressed up at the hand of his overly excited sister. This was after Aliyah ran into my room declaring, “Mommy, look at what I did to Brayden!”

Yes, internet, this is my son.

Fall Color
It moves me… and I can feel the tank filling.

Dancing On The Beach
And by dancing on the beach, I mean my little’s spritely body moving and twirling in the sunlight when asked to show off her ballet moves.

The Fair
And the enjoyment of a walk through the magic of the fair with friends, good food, excited littles and crisp air. Learning to take risks and what it means to be doing nothing and something all at the same time.

The Return of Cozy, Nubby Knits
If I could love one thing about Fall, it would be knits… gorgeous, soft, nubby little knits for my little ‘cubby’ cheeks to live in.

Yes, filling up indeed. And we’re sipping up every last little droplet of September from our cups, as October is getting ready to pour us a fresh new cup. I look forward to digging in a little deeper to our cozy, happy place.

My Little Willow and Our Big Willow
Oh my little Tarzania, how I love you. And thanks, Gerri, for that sweet name.

My Little Willow and Our Willow from tabitha blue on Vimeo.

Her Enthusiasm
I never tire of hearing her ask to help, pour, mix and stir. When I need a little creative boost, baking is something that brings me back to that place and awakens my senses. Add to that a little helper that gets so excited about EVERYTHING. We need to add butter…YAY BUTTER! Time to roll the dough… OHHHHH, CAN I ROLL?! It’s how I want to live EVERY SINGLE DAY.

The Way They Love
They love with all the windows of their heart open. They teach me how to love, and more than that every day, and I love their little open hearts and souls.

And for the record, Brayden has been giving hugs.  As in, I’ll hug him and he’ll stretch his chubby little arms around my neck and squeeze.  It’s the most adorable thing. Ever.

They refuel me in every way. And as we begin to dip our toes into October, we’re dusting off the boxes marked “Fall” and bringing out the pumpkin things, the orange things, the spicy things, the oh-so-very-Autumn things. Perhaps soon there will be pie. And homemade bread. Just maybe another pot of chili.

But one thing is for certain, the little things, the fall things, the family things… we’ll be loving those.

Oh, and tomorrow’s Friday, and that’s always a good thing. Celebrate life and the things you love this weekend. There is so much!