Just Add Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust: October 2023

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Halloween ~ thankful for the memories!

(2010)

I was at school today dressed as a 'baker'. (my last name) and I had to use all the tricks I could think of to help those nine year olds through this day. Boy was I glad when the bell rang at 3:20. I watched them race outta our classroom asking me what kind of candy was my favorite because they wanted to save me some! There were so many parents in the pick up area today for kids that are usually on the bus. Excitement! I could feel it.

Somehow when I watched them leave and race home to start their evenings I remember what I was doing at that exact time on Halloween. I too was at my girls school, scooping them up and driving 30 minutes to my parents house because it just wasn't Halloween without trick or treating there first!

Then I would race those girls home to a dinner that was keeping warm in the crockpot "Trick or Treaters Taco Soup". Every single year.

Scott would be home by then and we would eat as fast as we could, get those wiggly girls in their costumes and out the door we'd go!

It was always such a fun day and night but boy was I tired when it was over and they were bathed and tucked into bed. I'd think, "I did it!"

And I never thought it would end.

I'm not sad today (well, maybe just a little). Wishing they were eight and four is a waste of time. They are twenty and sixteen. And that is magical too; just in a different way. My heart swells with love for my growing girls and their dreams and goals.

But it sure was fun all of those little Halloween years. I am so thankful for all of the memories.

Today Anna sent us pictures and videos of how her college had special food, desserts, and fun. She dressed up for her orchestra party and had fun carving a pumpkin.

Abigail wore an adorable Halloween sweat shirt today and loved it too.

Even though I was with nine year olds all day I'm not nearly as exhausted as I used to be helping my girls dress up as a peacock, a rainbow, an owl and so much more! Those days are in the book and in the memories of my heart.

I'm so glad for holidays.

Monday, October 30, 2023

A Junior Year Dorm Room

I just typed that title: a junior year dorm room and I think H O W can it be her junior year of college?

Oh but it is and she's changed and grown in more ways than I can type in this post here (maybe I'll save that post for another time) but for now... a few pictures of her dorm this year.

I think it's kind of fun to have pictures like these to look back on. I know I have a few from my college years and I always liked seeing what I had on my desk or what was hanging on my walls.

This semester Anna doesn't have a roommate which makes for a really cozy room and L O T S of rooooom! It also happens to be a little bit of a bigger room. I think because it's on the end. Lots of extra light too with windows on two sides.

Here's a little peek inside:

All cozy for fall. She always decorates the top of her frig. She used the extra bed as a couch with a quilt we already had. It's the perfect spot to chill out, snack, watch something. She really likes to do homework at her desk and then use the 'couch' for taking a break.

Love plants in dorm rooms -- it really brings a bit of life in those walls.

We went up for Family Weekend and I brought some Halloween cookies and a little gift for her to open on Halloween.

A tea kettle on her desk and lots of tea to choose from for cozy nights.

I tried to take pictures of all of the little details she had up that make her room cozy.

Just like home!

Saturday, October 28, 2023

Autumn

This time of year is just so spectacular in New England. I am constantly taking pictures in my mind...

🧡as I drive to my school each morning

🧡on the way home (oh there is a farm I pass with a huge red barn, white fence, and the most stunning tress that line the road)

🧡over the mountain

🧡here and there

But my favorite place has always been and will always be our huge maple tree in our backyard. I love this tree oh so much.

It turns late in the season, much later than other trees -- waiting for all the glory. And it is just beginning to change. I love the light and shadows this time of year that are impossible to capture on a camera, although I will always try.

I am so grateful that God made this tree, and pumpkins, and dark skies, and autumn.

I sure hope you're having a lovely fall and finding beauty wherever you are. If you do stop by, please leave a quick comment, it would make my day.

🧡Tara

Another post you might like:

Something Beautiful; Golden Glow

Monday, October 16, 2023

Our Annual Trip to Our Favorite Pumpkin Patch

Well we did it!!! The forecast for Saturday was rain, rain, rain. So we moved our pumpkin day to Sunday -- even though it was the day Anna's fall break ended and we needed to drive her back up to her college.

It felt so good to do this tradition. We love this sweet pumpkin patch. We love the location. We love the farmer. We love the cozy feels it has. We love that it's not 'big'. We love absolutely everything about it. And it's just not fall without it.

I'm so grateful that my daughters, now 20 and 16 still love it.

So here are a few pictures of our happy pumpkin patch day!