Good gracious. This fall has been beautiful. We have been spoiled with so many beautiful fall days recently.  However the cold has definitely started to creep in (I’ve already seen snowflakes…just once thankfully!).

But while the sun is out still I’ve been trying to soak it up as much as possible with lots of fall hikes and time outside.  Here are a couple of pictures from our trip to Northern Michigan and from trails and the beach in Southwest Michigan.

I’m trying to focus on the positives that come with cooler temps. It is really easy to start getting down about winter coming. In case anyone else is feeling the same way, maybe this will help you to look at some of the good things that cool weather can bring. Here are some of the things I’ve been enjoying lately…

1. Candles – I am much more in the habit of lighting candles at home in the cooler months. It just makes the house feel so much cozier. For my birthday, Derek gave me a few candles from the Kalamazoo Candle Company.  Their fall scents are amazing!  I’ve been enjoying Crisp Autumn Day, Pumpkin Patch, and Baked Cinnamon.  Bonus you can buy these candles online and support a great local business!

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2. This might be something only I do but every fall I go through the process of bringing potted plants that I have been growing outside inside.  I already have a bit of houseplant obsession so what’s a few more.  I just can’t stand to see a plant that could possibly live indoors freeze to death outside.  Sometimes they don’t make it but a lot of time they do.  If I have success and then next spring I’ll move it back outdoors.  This year I brought in three (oh, wait – actually four) ferns, a scented geranium, quite a few herb plants (these are the hardest to keep going…but I’m going to try!), a couple different succulent/cactus like plants, and our hibiscus tree.  The hibiscus and the some of the ferns are actually a few years old.  Once I brought the hibiscus in and gave it a good trimming it started blooming like crazy.  It may look a bit like a jungle in our house but I love it.

 
3. Once the time changed and the nights are long, it’s nice to curl up on the couch and watch a good show.  Lately I’ve been hooked on How to Get Away with Murder.  The first season is on Netflix and I’d recommend making some time for some binge watching.  It is the perfect amount of suspense for me…I’m not a fan of extremely violent or stressful TV.  This show does involve murder (obviously) but I’m not having to shield my eyes every five minutes.   Season 2 is on ABC or it’s also available on .

4.  Last year right about this time, I shared my Cold Weather Essentials if you also want to check those out!

Stay warm, happy and healthy!

Happy Friday Everyone!  It is a beautiful day and looks like it is going to be a beautiful weekend.  I can’t believe June is half way over – I need to start checking things off my summer bucket list.  Beach days, picnics, and berry picking all need to happen soon!

Friday is a day where I sometimes share some of my favorite things. Here are some things I’ve been enjoying lately:

1. Favorite Song – ‘Wild Child’ by Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter

I love this duo and this song.  I’ve been a Grace Potter fan for awhile and Kenny just keeps churning out the hits. How old is he anyways? Does he ever age?  Seems like he is the same as he was 20 years ago.

2. Favorite App – Ibotta

I love a deal and while I’ve never been big on couponing, I am digging this app.  It is a cash back app so basically you buy certain products, take a pic of your receipt and get cash back.  Some of the items are brand specific but some are things I buy anyways like bananas or any brand yogurt.  If you have a smart phone and like this kind of thing, check it out!

3. Favorite Gardening Project- Trellis Garden

My talented husband built this trellis garden this year.  It has been really fun watching the progress that the vines make everyday.  We planted squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, and zucchini in hopes that they will grow up the trellis.  We have been patiently training them everyday.  We also transplanted a clematis and morning glory from another garden and they are growing like crazy.  The clematis already has a bloom!  I’ll have to do a full garden update soon.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!  Happy Father’s Day to all those wonderful Dad’s out there!

Be Healthy, Be Happy!