Ten on Ten

I'm so proud of myself! wink, wink I remembered 10 on 10 this month before it was halfway over. Which is what I usually do. So then I go visit Mer's blog who hosts 10 on 10 and find she has quit doing it! Like in January! But never one to follow the crowd, I decided I would just do my own anyway. Like I always do. I really do follow a different drumbeat in my head.

So here's my 10 on 10 for October which just happens to be the 10th month of the year.

Ten Things I Love About Fall

1) The Colors: Red, orange, yellow, green, brown. And all the shades represented in each of those colors are magical. Twenty some odd years ago my husband and I were able to go back to Virginia and North Carolina in October. I remember the trees, specifically the sugar maples, were so vibrant, so alive with color. Ever since then I just can't get enough of fall colors, esp in nature.

2) Pumpkin anything: We're talking food here peeps! Not decorations. Love me some pumpkin pie, of course. And also, pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, dried pumpkin seeds, pumpkin desserts, and pumpkin custards. Right now there are so many pumpkin delicacies on Pinterest that I want to try.

3) Hot spiced cider:  mmmm .... mmmmm!  I like a good espresso, a great cup of hot chocolate and an ice cold lemonade, but there's just something that just says Fall like Spiced Cider.

4) Sweaters:  Cardigans and pullovers just smack of Fall, don't they?  After just wearing sleeveless shirts and tanks all summer its nice to pull on a sweater.

5) Nature walks: I much prefer to walk and hike in cooler weather than in the heat of the summer. I don't enjoy sweating much, so a hike on a cool weekend is just perfect in my book.

6) Football: Go Boise Broncos!!!! Need I say more? Well, yes, I guess I should.

7) Cracklin Fires in the Woodstove:  Last week, the hubster brought in wood and kindling and built our first fire in the woodstove.  There's just something about the warmth and the flickerin flames in the morning when I crawl out of bed.

8) Fall Decorations: Pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks, hay bales, pitchforks and old barns. All of these say FALL to me and I love it!

9) Cozy evenings at home:  Which include #7 a great fire, #6 football, #4 sweaters,  #3 hot cider and/or #2 pumpkin  yummies.

10) Thanksgiving: My very favorite holiday after Christmas. What's not to love when you get great food, great family and friends, fellowship, football and a chance to be grateful and thankful for all the blessings in your life?


So how 'bout you?  What do you love about Fall?  And do you have a list of 10 on the 10th?
Til next time ....

10 on the 10th

10 Things I'm Looking Forward to Once School Starts Back Up and We Are Moved Into A Place of Our Own:

(How's that for a long title???)

1. Getting back to an exercise/workout routine
This summer has not been conducive to exercising since the #1 son is with me all-day-long. I'm getting soft (or softer). I look forward to finding a class or a dvd or just walking on a trail. Something to get this body moving again.

2. Writing for several hours a day on my novel I've started.
I have had an idea for a novel for several years and finally got around to starting it this past spring. Since I don't have alot of alone time to myself this summer instead of writing, I've been reading and researching. But I'm anxious to get back to writing.

3. Taking a Writing Class.
I found a creative writing class at a nearby community college and will be enrolling in it. I'm excited to meet others who are interested in writing and maybe connecting with a few.

4. Nesting
Being in temporary furnished housing has its place, but I'm really itching to get my own stuff out of storage and start making a home for the 3 of us. We found a possible rental, and are hoping to move sometime in Sept. Not soon enough for me of course!

5. Baking Bread and Other Home-y Stuff
I'm itching to get my bread maker out, find my popcorn popper, unload my crockpots and more. I miss making pizza from scratch, baking goodies for my boys, and putting something in the crockpot at 9 in the morning and letting the machine do all the work. Soon, yes soon!

6. Just having some down time.
I love my son, but I am an introvert. Being around someone else all day drains me and I'm looking forward to some alone time.

7. Getting Back to a Regular Devotion Time
I have been slack this summer with my devotions and am committed to starting up again. And looking forward to it.

8. Exploring Portland Oregon
I have several places I want to check out this fall by myself. I know, I'm weird, but I really do prefer to shop alone. Ikea is high on the list, as well as a huge fabric store I've heard was here. Some thrift stores, the whole foods market and trader joe's.

9. Going back to the Beach
Maybe for a weekend when its stormy. Love the beach when its blustery and grey.

10. Seeing How Much Snow They Get Here in the Gorge
I hear that the hills on both sides of the gorge will be full of snow all winter long, but I'm curious to see if for myself. The locals tell me that they don't get much in the towns tho. Mostly rain. We'll soon see!

This 10 on the 10th was brought to you courtesy of Mer, a wonderful mom blogger. Go check her out and see what 10 she's writing about today.