It’s hard to believe that October has come and gone…the colors of fall are fading, the weather is changing, and the novelty of pumpkin and apples are almost (but not quite!) ready to start wearing off.

Here are some of the month’s favorites:

SONG – Once again, so many to choose from. This was definitely one! We sang it at church one week and it’s been ringing in my heart ever since.

READ – I didn’t get much reading done this month, sadly, besides a few chapters in this one.

TRIP – We spent a few days in Franklin, Tennessee and had fun exploring and restaurant-ing.

PURCHASE – A pretty ivory cable knit sweater that I’ve been looking for for like ever.

DISCOVERY – Mochacino nail polish by essie! New favorite color for the fall.

DRINK – A cute little sweet potato latte from a little cafe in the south. It was different and yum and served with caramelized marshmallows on top!

MEMORY – Having prayer together in the middle of a busy coffee shop with a couple-friend (hashtag not ashamed).

RECIPE – I made these a few weeks ago and they are delish! Eat them on their own or crumble on top of yogurt or salads.

NIGHT OUT – Dinner with a dear friend in my favorite city at my favorite restaurant and coming away feeling inspired and encouraged (she always does that to me!).

CHALLENGE – “Strive for excellence, not perfection.” {H. Brown}

What about you: what your favorites from October?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Lately I’ve actually been enjoying the colder weather we’ve finally been hit with. My collection of scarves can finally be put to use (does anyone else have like a million scarves and find yourself only wearing about two of them consistently? this troubles me and makes me feel really American…) and the cozy tea-and-reading weather just gets me.

Lately I’ve been having really random dreams. Last night I dreamed I was driving to Africa in a semi-truck but ended the trip once I got to the coast and realized I would have to sail the seas in order to get across…a few nights ago I dreamed that it was my wedding day and my unfortunate wedding coordinator (who was also the sound guy sitting beside the controls cleaning her boots) didn’t play the right processional song for me to walk down on, so of course I just naturally ran across the parking lot to my car to get my iPod so the right song was available while my dad told the audience it would just be a few moments till the bride came down because of technical difficulties. I know that dreams can have meanings and some people have those kinds. But fairly positive these are just random stories that my mind tells itself when I’m sleeping.

Lately I’ve been thinking about dreams (not ^ those ^ kind of dreams), and how dreams are so good for the soul. Dreams are a part of God’s heart in me, and dreams inspire hope and creativity. Hope and creativity are a vital part of being fully alive so therefore dreams equal good. Now obviously I’m talking about the right kind of dreams here (that European vacation or unlimited shopping spree doesn’t count).

Lately I’ve been in a cooking funk. I feel like I make pretty much the same things every week (stir-fry, fajitas, burrito bowls, chicken and veg). It’s time to break out of the box. Any ideas? I think this looks pretty yummy and warming for these chilly nights.

Lately I just want to find some good new music. Something inspirational, sorta indie-ish, a little funky but not too avant garde. Is there a band out there with a Rend Collective plus Sixpence None the Richer plus Bethel blend? Is that even possible?!?

Lately I just want to put apples on everything. Even more than I want to put pumpkin on everything! I have a half bushel of Honeycrisp (best apple in the entire world. if you’ve never had a Honeycrisp apple, then you’ve never truly had an apple) in my pantry and trust me, between more apple butter, sauteed apples for pancakes or oatmeal, apple muffins, and fresh apples with peanut butter, they will all get used up in no time.

Lately I realized that I love traveling and seeing new places, but even more than that, I just love to come home to my home sweet home. I realized that there are a lot of pretty places out there but Finger Lakes, New York is just pretty stinkin’ gorgeous.

Lately I’ve discovered that I love being married to Ben more and more. I thought I loved being married six months ago, but it just gets better. (and please don’t tell me to just enjoy it while it lasts…please don’t ever tell any young married person that…please inspire hope, not impending doom)

Lately I’ve become so excited for Christmas coming up…yes, I’m one of those kinds! Love love love Christmas.

Cheers + a happy evening to you and yours!

What about you: what have you been learning/realizing/dreaming lately?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!