appreciating: the fall colors. Cheesy as it is, I have really been trying to pause and soak it in each time I see a particularly gorgeous tree - it has made me realize how tense I am all the time right now, and it's such a good way to take a grounding deep breath. I'm writing this before Election Day (one of the huge sources of stress of course), and so I'm also appreciating this chance to focus on some current happenings in life that also are calming or fun - and to gather with some online friends too.
ordering: books on top of books! I have a great list of pre-orders that will make their way to me at the appointed times and are a great source of positive anticipation, and I let myself order a BOTM box again this month, after reading down my other stacks a bit - so I'm looking forward to getting into Memorial and Queenie soon. Also, H reads like crazy, and books feels like something it's very fine to spoil your kid with... so I have been ordering the Wingfeather Saga series and Clubhouse Mysteries books too, and I'm starting in on ordering books to gift to friends and family at Christmas as well, because obviously books make the best gifts.
perfecting: my at-home Americano-making technique. Current favorite results come from making 2oz espresso with Starbucks blonde roast from the espresso side of our coffee machine, poured into 1-1/4 cups of hot water.
planning: for a holiday season that's going to look very different, rather than planning a Thanksgiving tablescape like I usually would be. News that the biggest Covid spread in our community (which is at its highest rates ever and getting scary) is being fueled by small/family gatherings re-iterates the fact that we literally need to be home for the holidays. Thanksgiving will perhaps be replaced by a nice, masked family hike; for Christmas, I'm thinking of some simple things we can do at home that will be special touches, like putting up the tree earlier than usual (twinkle lights are a balm for the soul!), and getting all three of us a fun advent calendar: Lego Harry Potter for Hendrik, Haribo candy for Peter, and Olive & June nail polishes/tools for me. Giving up some of the big family gatherings will be hard, but it's looking necessary, particularly as we bring in a risk factor with a school kid and his potential exposures.
Now I'd love to hear what you're currently up to - link up your post below, and mark your calendar for the December edition, always my favorite of the year, and I think it will be nice to hang on to that tradition in the 2020 madness, even if holidays are different this year. So on Wednesday the 2nd I'll be taking currently baking, decorating, gifting, hoping, and sending.
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