Romancing October

In the first week of September, I shared a list of all the things that I wanted to do to savor September.  In reading back over it, I can say honestly, I didn't touch on only two items.  I think that is a pretty awesome thing!  This was one area where I really expected to face more of a challenge, since it wasn't work/finance related and yet it went along very well. 

I'm going to renew that commitment and dream of ways to enjoy October.  Won't you join me?

The two things I didn't do in September: I never started a movie or tv series on my own, though I did watch a single documentary on Beatrix Potter that Patricia Rutledge narrated and appeared in.  Patricia by the way, was the lovely Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet).

I thought this movie sounded good, October Sky.  

I'm going to try to watch one movie or documentary each week.  I'll shoot for a smaller goal this month, lol.

I didn't find any new apples in market just yet, but I'll look for some.  An Oregon Cottage said they do an annual apple tasting with a lovely homemade caramel sauce.  I thought that sounded like something fun to do, don't you?  

I'd like to take a trip to the Washington, Georgia area and see if we can find some of this year's North Georgia apple crop.

I'd like to make Fried Apple Pies. Whether or not I make a trip for fresh apples, I can do this.  Granny used her homemade biscuit dough rolled thin, and cooked fresh or dried apples.  I used to make these and bake them instead of frying.  They are both good.  But again, it's nostalgia I'm going for.  She fried them in butter.  They were delicious.  I won't do a big batch.  I'll make just enough for one for everyone and that will be perfect.

Drive up to the foothills to see fall color.  I suspect it will be a little more towards the end of the month for that.  Usually, our deepest colors come after frost in November, but every now and then we get to see color prior to that.

Also later in the month:  I've promised Caleb we'll get a BIG pumpkin and carve it.  I'll probably not put it on the porch but have it here in the house on the table and we'll put a battery powered light in it so he can have the joy of seeing it lit up.  

I want to make up Halloween treat bags for all six of the children.  I'd like to include non-edible things, but I'll have to see what I can find that's inexpensive.  And then I think it would also be fun to include some candy from mine and John's childhood, something from their parents' childhood and something that is their personal favorite.  

Look out for flowering kale and snapdragons at the garden centers.  Plant them for winter color.  In the past they have done so beautifully here even in frosty weather.

I want to do a fall manicure.  There's one online that I've seen a lot with a golden yellow color, russet, brown, an olive green and some orange color.  Can't find the image just now, but I think they are so pretty.  I have all but the golden yellow color.  Something like this:

I have all of these colors but not the golden color.  This isn't the exact one I had in mind, but it's similar.  There are other possibilities, too.  Look them up on Pinterest under Fall inspired manicures.

I found this one that might work.  Amazon Affiliate Associate Link:

This one might work...I've got it ordered.

Set up a month of outfits if I can.  I don't have that many clothes, but if I put the shared bottom with the multiples of tops and the necklace or scarf that can go with it that particular outfit, I can set up close to a month's worth, I think.   I'll have fun trying anyway, especially since I'm going to pretend it's really going to turn autumnal and I can wear my sweaters, lol.

The peach sheds near us often start to sell pecans and butter pecan ice cream this time of year.  I'll try to convince John to go but if he backs out on me, I'll see if I can't do this with Mama one day.

I've made up my mind: from this month forward I'm going to try and keep something fresh in the house in each season.  Right now, we have pumpkins and winter squashes meant for eating, tucked into the old wooden dough board.  I'll see if the big pine tree has dropped pinecones which I could add in.  And in the weeks ahead I'll have sprays of persimmon or pyracantha in the blue and white jars or colorful leaves, etc.  I'm not against buying these things either if I can't find them in the wild.  I just want to have something pretty on display in each month of the year.

I know it's not really cold yet...but I'd love to find some pretty throws to go on my chairs.  Not the thin little fleece type ones be had for $2 at Dollar General, but lush knits or velvety ones.  I know they will cost a pretty penny.  Don't care.  I can buy one this year and another next year...

I want to find some pretty bowls to go with my dinner set.  I know what I'd like to have.  I'll look around on Ebay and see if I can't find some that are affordable.

Read.  I know some of Emilie Loring books are set in the autumn, Diary of An Edwardian Lady is set up by month, again some of Glady's Taber's books, Frugal Luxuries...and I'm just willing to bet I can find a Grace Livingston Hill that is set in autumn.  I only have about 50 to choose from!

I'm going to make up my own little blend for my evening cup of decaf coffee.   I have plenty of spices and I am pretty sure I can come up with something lovely that will give me the aroma and taste I want for an autumn cuppa.

And since the evenings are getting cooler, I'm going to try to slip out to watch the sunset while I have that evening cup and count the blessings from my day while I'm there.  

Make autumn leaf shaped sugar cookies. I think I need to replace my sugar sprinkles but this has become something I so enjoy doing.

And that's my list for this month.