currently: autumnal edition

Most important thing I'm currently doing as autumn is in full swing: voting! And fervently hoping that others will do the same to protect women's rights, LGBTQ rights, healthcare rights, democracy rights... But aside from that, here are a few other things currently going on this season::

 

adjusting: to the daylight savings time change - oof. Last year Freddie was still pretty tiny and not on a solid schedule, but not so this year... Also, it's so hard to get used to it being so dark so early (and earlier by the day!). At least I already loaded fresh batteries into my automatic timer flameless candles, so the cozy glow comes on in the living room as soon as dusk hits.  

raking: nothing, any more, as all of the trees in our yard are now pretty empty of leaves. That always makes me feel a bit bleak, because they're going to look barren for MONTHS, so let's just enjoy this photo of my yard looking gorgeous for fall a month ago. At least we've still been getting tons of mild days to enjoy being outdoors, even if it's a bit grayer as we turn toward winter...

stocking: the pantry with stocks! Peter's been making butternut squash soup lately, and I'm pulling out the chili recipes. This sweet potato + turkey chili was a hit here with all of us, and great components for Freddie to feed himself (I added a can of black beans and omitted the chili peppers, since that's how our pantry and tastes go). He loved it - and then the next night he threw all of it on the floor, individual piece by piece. Okay, so we're entering the finicky toddler eating stage, are we?!

researching: a stroller cover so that we can keep walking outdoors (speaking of turning toward winter). On the frosty mornings we've had so far, Freddie has proven he has zero interest in hats or mittens, and he tends to kick off blankets too. So that he can have it all ways (strong desire to go outside with strong desire not to be bundled up), I think a fleecy stroller sleeping bag type thing is going to be the answer. I loved the infant carseat cover we had last year from 7AM Enfant, so I bet their stroller muff would be great, but need to make sure it's as "universal" a fit as advertised - and also research some similar options because  even if we'll get a ton of use out of it, thanks to our downtown's snow-free sidewalks all winter long, that price is feeling steep!

watching: Indian Matchmaking on Netflix. Okay, this doesn't really have anything to do with fall per se, except that it's getting darker and colder out, and that had me primed to start a new show for the first time in FOREVER. I am so hooked on this one - fascinating to see how matching couples works in the modern era, and in the US (with those of Indian heritage) vs. in India, in terms of the individuals' reactions and their families' involvement. Also I think the next Netflix show should be a cross-over between Queer Eye an Indian Matchmaking... I'd definitely watch that.