Autumn

It took Texas a little while longer than the rest of the country, but guys, autumn has arrived, settled in, and even has its own toothbrush by the sink. I love it. Cold evenings, nights and mornings, with crisp days. Tea and/or coffee every other day. Jackets and scarves and tights and boots. Blankets and cuddles. Fall is all good things.

“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.”  George Eliot

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Keep on, Fall

I love the Christmas holiday season and I love winter, but around this time of year when I feel fall slipping away the day after Halloween, I get a little resentful and conflicted. Why the rush? Especially in Texas, it's still just starting to feel like fall, and I don't think I can stretch my imagination enough to believe it's time for snowflakes and candy canes. And this year, I haven't even carved a pumpkin yet or roasted the seeds, so that's going to have to happen. Anyway, just enjoying fall while it's here. Winter will come in due time.

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Baylor Pumpkins

I came up with the idea to add some fall decoration to the School of Social Work tailgate the ladies of the student association and I planned; so yesterday I picked up a few pie pumpkins from HEB, got some painting supplies from Michael's, and painted these bad boys late into the night. I have to say, I am super impressed with myself on this. They turned out really well! And it was actually very calming and enjoyable working on them; even the animals were very chill. Maybe I should paint squash more often. Sic 'em!

At the Honey Farm

This "fall break" weekend was pretty nice. I had a lot of work to do, catching up on my IRB proposal for my research project (now that I finally have a set research topic!) and planning for teaching a class this week, but I always try to work in one fun event or outing each weekend (in social work we call that "self care"). Saturday the Walker Honey Farm was having their annual fall market, so a couple friends and I went to check it out. It wasn't as good as last year; there were less vendors, the weather was a bit too warm, and the overall atmosphere wasn't as fun and friendly (maybe just because Abigail wasn't there). But, I did pick up some pumpkins and some jalapeno jellies from the same vendor as last year! 

- Sarah

Fall Favorites

A few purchases to welcome in my favorite season...

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Fall Semester Shopping

Just a few things I've bought and/or had my eye on for this fall...

1. I gave in and got this tote from Madewell. I had a giftcard, so I don't feel so bad. I think it will be perfect for hauling books and everything to school. I love that it's simple and classic. (Madewell)

2. I bought this dress a couple months ago (seen on Dearest Lou) and have been saving it. I'm not sure for what, but I love it, and I think it's great for fall. (Wallis)

3. I love me some dotted Toms... (Toms)

4. These are simple and cute, and would be great for internship. (Sole Society)

5. I had a shirt like this from J.Crew though in grey, but it got stolen in San Antonio, so I snatched another up on sale. (J. Crew)

6. This is a great fall color, and I like the lace detailing. (J. Crew)

- From the desk of Mrs. M

Long Live Fall

OK, I accept that the day after Halloween all the stores switch the displays of skeletons and pumpkins over to reindeer and wreaths, crank up the holiday tunes and bust out the red cups, and I'm not entirely opposed to it, but my thought is- if we all really love fall, shouldn't we try to enjoy it even longer, while it lasts? Sure our carved Halloween pumpkins are rotting away on the front porch and it would be so easy to switch out the pumpkin spice scented candles on our table with a warm sugar cookie or a snowflake covered pine. But I don't want to rush this season off to make room for even more unrealistic expectations of catching a bit of seasonally appropriate weather in central Texas.  I'm going to give fall a while to really set in, and once my candles burn down along with my will to resist the red and green (oh, I already feel it. and the red Starbucks holiday cup in my garbage can betrays my resolve), I'll know it's time to embrace the holidays. 

On a largely but not entirely unrelated note, Kyle and I drove out the honey farm to claim my prize- a honey nut butter sample pack! We also picked up a few little pumpkins (there it is), a bottle of wine, and a big hunk of beeswax. I sampled one of the butters; I'm not really sure in what manner one is supposed to eat it, but it was pretty good on a slice of bark bread (what Kyle calls my wheat/oat/bark bread).

- From the desk of Mrs. M