the Weekender

Throwback to our Fall Front Porch from 2016

There’s something about the first few days of October that just feels good. The season feels a little more official, the house feels a little cozier, and I’m ready to soak it all in.

Let’s do a little catching up, shall we?

Miscellany:

1. A Little Fall Finally Made Its Way Inside

I finally pulled out a little fall decor this week, and honestly, it feels so good. Nothing fancy or over-the-top — just a few simple touches here and there to make the house feel a little warmer and cozier.

Now if Mother Nature would just get the memo. Ha! I’m more than ready for those cooler temperatures to come in and actually stay. There’s something about fall decor that feels a little silly when it’s still warm outside, but I decided I wasn’t waiting any longer. The pumpkins are out, the cozy touches are happening, and I am officially embracing fall whether the weather cooperates or not.

2. The Movie That Made Me Bawl My Eyes Out

I saw The Heart of the Beast with Brad Pitt this past week, and whew. What a movie.

It was incredibly good, but there was also an overwhelming amount of sadness. By the end, I was absolutely bawling and saying, “Why do they make stupid movies like this?” 😂 You know the kind — you’re emotionally wrecked and slightly mad about it, but at the same time you know it was a really good movie.

The setting was gorgeous and rugged, and the whole thing had that remote Alaskan wilderness feel to it. Beautiful, intense, sad… and apparently determined to make me cry.

3. These Little Felt Ghosts Make Me So Happy

If you missed it, I shared a new craft this week — these adorable little felt ghosts.

They’re simple, inexpensive, and just the right amount of cute for Halloween. I especially love projects like this because they don’t require a ton of supplies or hours and hours of work. You can make a few, tuck them into your fall or Halloween decor, and call it a day.

Sometimes the easiest projects are the ones that make me the happiest.

4. What I Read This Week: November 9

I finished November 9 by Colleen Hoover this week, and I really enjoyed it.

I’ll admit, when it first started and the main characters were only 18, I was a little skeptical. I wondered if I was going to connect with the story, but that hesitation disappeared pretty quickly.

It was such a good storyline and a very quick read. Books like this always leave me thinking about how incredibly creative writers are. Seriously — where do they come up with these stories? The twists, connections, and little details that eventually come together just amaze me.

This one definitely kept me turning the pages.

5. Steve Tried His Hand at Newfoundland Fish and Chips

You may remember that Steve is a Newfoundlander, and according to him, Newfoundland has some of the best fish and chips around.

When he came home from his trip to Battle Harbour with his family earlier this summer, he apparently decided we needed to bring a little Newfoundland fish-and-chips experience to Missouri. So he bought a propane deep fryer and planned to try his hand at frying cod and homemade fries.

Last weekend, we finally did it.

You guys — it was so good.

We’ve already talked about having a little fish fry sometime, but then there’s the small matter of buying enough cod for everyone. Good grief, cod is not cheap! Steve jokingly suggested we invite everyone over and tell them to bring their own fish.

Honestly, he may be onto something. 😂

Either way, I have a feeling that fryer is going to get plenty of use.

6. Have You Heard of Comfort Stacking?

I recently came across the idea of comfort stacking, and I immediately thought, “Okay, this makes perfect sense.”

The idea is basically that instead of relying on one little thing to make yourself feel cozy or relaxed, you layer several comforting things together. Think comfy pajamas, your favorite blanket, a candle burning, a warm drink, a good book or show, and maybe your dog curled up beside you.

One cozy thing is nice. Five cozy things at the same time? Even better.

And I realized I’ve probably been comfort stacking for years without knowing there was a name for it. Ha!

I actually love the concept, though. Especially as we head into fall and winter, I’m all for intentionally creating little pockets of comfort at home. Life can feel noisy and stressful enough. If fuzzy socks, a candle, a cup of coffee, and a good book make the evening a little sweeter, I say stack away.

7. Apparently I Love “90s Mom Decor”

Another thing that made me smile recently was seeing people talk about 90s mom decor coming back around.

And apparently…I’m here for it.

Think warm woods, baskets, quilts, floral patterns, lamps instead of overhead lighting, framed family photos, cozy kitchens, little collections, and homes that actually look like people live in them.

Maybe it’s nostalgia, maybe I’m just getting older, or maybe we’ve finally reached the point where everything from the ’90s is cycling back around — but I love the idea of homes feeling warm, comfortable, collected, and personal again.

Not everything has to be perfectly styled, perfectly neutral, or look like it came straight out of a showroom.

Give me a lamp glowing in the corner, family pictures on the table, something handmade on a shelf, and a cozy throw tossed over the couch.

If that makes me a 90s mom decorator, I’ll happily take it.

Around the Web:

Decorating for the season based on what you love!

I’m obsessed with this faux mum!

These DIY Hydrangea Painted Pumpkins.

How to make an Easy Fall Wreath.

This 3-Step Mini Wheat Sheaf.

This Easy Fall Centerpiece.

Beautiful Harvest Table Decor.

This Retro Halloween Postcard Printable.

These Coasters are scattered all throughout my house.

This Non-Slip Bamboo and Ceramic Paper Towel Holder — I got for my laundry room!

This One-Bowl Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Fudge Frosting.

This Apple Sheet Cake.

One Last Hoorah:

And just like that, it’s October. How?! 🍂

I’m officially giving myself permission to lean all the way into the season now. Pumpkins? Yes. Candles? Absolutely. Cozy drinks, sweaters, comfort food, and anything cinnamon? Bring it on.

There’s just something about October, isn’t there? The colors get warmer, the evenings feel cozier, and everything seems to invite us to slow down just a little bit.

So here’s to crisp mornings, glowing candles, good books, cozy corners, and making room for the simple things that make home feel extra special.

Now I just need the weather to cooperate. Missouri, this is your cue. 😂

Happy October, sweet friends. 🤎