Fall To-Do List

Well, well October. You snuck up on me. I'm super excited for all the Fall-ness, even if it does still feel like a sauna outside. I've already been doing some Fall things but there are some more things I would love to do. Here's my list: 

1. Watch all of the Fall movies in this post. 

2. Go to the fair. 

3. Go to a corn maze. 

4. Carve a pumpkin. 

5. Watch ALL the football. 

6. Make a new recipe using pumpkin and one using apples. 

7. Go on vacation in the mountains (cheating a little because this is already planned). 

8. Buy the plaid flannel shirt and booties from Target I have been pining for. 

9. Read a new mystery book. 

10. Take full advantage of the awesome weather by going on a run outside at least once a week.  

What's on your list of must-dos for Fall? 

Fall-licious...Again.

*I definitely just copied this post from my second post ever and added a few updates/improved the pictures. But in my defense I don't know that anyone was actually reading back then, so there you go. 

It just pretty much sums up Fall for me, I couldn't say it any better now than I did then, so I figured why reinvent the wheel, you know?*

So it's still about 99 degrees outside right now, but of course I'm thinking about my favorite season ever, FALL! Or Autumn, whichever you prefer.

I love absolutely everything about Fall. Not that we have much of a true Fall in Florida, but we can pretend, can't we? Besides, we do occasionally get some Fall color here! See, proof!

This is an actual tree here in Jax. 

Granted, it's from a few years ago and it was taken in December. Still, totally counts. 

A few of my favorite things about Fall:

1. "Cooler" weather- Yes, it does cool off in Florida somewhat. And after the sweltering heat of August, there is no better feeling than that first little bit of coolness in the air when you step outside! Of course, some years it takes longer than others to get here, but when it does arrive it is glorious!

2. Pumpkin everything- Pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cake, pumpkin butter...I once met someone who doesn't like Pumpkin. I don't get it.

3. FOOTBALL!!!- Specifically Florida Gators football, but really just football in general. I used to not really care about football, I would watch the Superbowl but that was about it. But then Adam and I started watching it together and I started understanding more about the game and I was hooked!

There's just something about it, the excitement, the team spirit, the athleticism, and the tradition. Our favorite is college ball, but we watch NFL too. Pretty much if football is on, I want to be watching it! We try to catch as many of the SEC games as we can, but we also enjoy watching teams from other conferences like Oklahoma State and Clemson.

4. The clothes- Even though I live in FL and we don't get very cold, I still LOVE all things cozy, like boots, sweaters, jackets, long sleeves...Sigh...

5. The Fair- We go with a group of friends every year to the cutest little country fair you ever did see. We look at all of the animals, watch the 4H competition, and admire all of the adorable displays set up by local elementary schools. Then we consume mass quantities of funnel cake, corn dogs, cotton candy, and BBQ and follow all that up with a ride that spins us in circles until we feel naseous. It. is. awesome.

6. The movies- I have a list of "fall" movies we have to watch every year- The Adventures of Ichabod Crane; Haunted Mansion (the cheesy but awesome Disney ride turned movie); It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown; Sleepy Hollow (I just have to close my eyes for the gross parts), and Mad Monster Party.

7. The food and drinks-Everything is just more cozy, including the food! Fall equals comfort food galore! Pies, cakes, all kinds of chili, chicken and dumplings, caramel corn, apple butter, apple cider, hot cocoa, ginger snaps, sweet potatoes, anything involving cinnamon...

I could go on and on, but those are the highlights! What's your favorite thing about Fall?

Why I Love Football

I am SO excited for football season! We don't have cable but we are seriously contemplating getting it in the next few weeks just because football is starting. Yes, we are that hooked.

1. The Camaraderie

There's nothing quite like the feeling of being united in your love for your team with other fans and cheering in unison (or crying in unison, depending on the outcome). Regardless of how the game and season goes, you know you will always stay loyal to your team. This has, of course, been severely tested for Gators and Jags fans in the last few years (Ok, more than just a few years for the Jags), but the true fans love their team no matter what. #InAllKindsOfWeather

2. The Quality Time

I didn't always care much about football, but I started to get more interested in it a few years ago because Adam liked it. Instead of just watching the occasional game and just glancing up at the score, I actually started to understand the game better, and from then on I was hooked. It's become something we watch together. So even though we each have our own separate hobbies, football is one we can enjoy together and it's so much fun!

3. The Food

Obviously, the food is a big part of the fun. Chips and Salsa, Seven Layer Dip, Guacamole, Burgers, Cheese Fries, Chili, Hot Wings. All super healthy, of course.

4. The Tradition

Football is steeped in tradition, and I love hearing all of the stories behind each team, how they started, what records they have maintained, their rituals before each game.

5. The Athleticism

It's truly amazing what these guys are capable of, and it's so exciting to watch them run, throw, catch, block, and tackle with such precision and grace.

6. The Strategy

I love watching the plays and trying to figure out what their strategy is, how they plan to get the ball where it needs to go, and when things don't go like they planned, how they are able to (hopefully!) think on their feet and adjust.

7. The Clothes

Of course I had to include all of the fun clothes you get to buy in support of your team! I have a ton of Gator and Jaguar gear, and yet every time I see a cute shirt or PJ pants or a hat in the store I feel like I NEED it, because can there ever be enough team love??

Do you love football?

Linking up with Erin over at Love, Fun and Football!

Weekend Recap + 2015 Goals: Where I'm At

Well what a wonderfully relaxing weekend I had! The weather here was perfect, a little taste of Spring to come, and I am SO over winter and SO ready for Spring and Summer! (Yes, I realize how ridiculous it is that I'm already tired of winter considering what our "winter" consists of in Florida)

Friday I wore my new cardigan to work, so of course I had to take a selfie:

IDK what that weird blueish area is on my cardigan in the picture, it wasn't really there! 

Friday night we went to dinner with friends at Carrabba's and then had a wild and crazy night at home watching shows on Amazon Prime.

It was super dark in there. And Adam likes to make crazy faces at me when I try to take pics of him. 

Saturday I spent most of the day at home cleaning and getting the house reset for the week. We had dinner with my Aunt and Uncle and I got to hear about plans for my cousin's wedding! So excited for him! My Aunt and I made plans to get together in the next few weeks so I can help with the planning for the rehearsal dinner. I love weddings! ::insert heart-eyed emojis::

Sunday I slept in and and watched my weekend show, Lark Rise to Candleford. I watch this one usually on Sunday mornings when Adam's out at the RC field. It's not really his kind of show.

Then I got an itch to craft and made a new wreath for the front door: 

After lunch I headed out to the grocery store to grab stuff for dinner (not smart on the day of the Super Bowl, it was crazy!) and had to stop by DD for my new fav, White Chocolate Raspberry Iced Coffee. 

I made some "Crack" Pretzels, per Adam's request: 

And Adam grilled burgers for dinner. 

Adam's double cheeseburger :: My cheeseburger :: They ain't pretty, but they were delicious! 

Then it was time for the game! I was disappointed that Seattle lost, and with that heartbreaking interception in the end zone, ouch! But it was a pretty good game. 

And now for a review of how I did in January on my 2015 goals:

1. Continue cultivating a healthy lifestyle of nutritious food, regular exercise, and good rest- Yeah, I did great with this for about half the month, and then I seriously lost my drive. Starting fresh today! I think it will help me to pick a more specific goal date instead of just in the next few months. So I would like to lose 10 pounds by April 1st. (April Fool's Day, HA!) That allows for a fairly slow pace of about 1 pound a week (I'm nothing if not realistic). 

2. Connect more with my family and friends OUTSIDE of social media- I feel like I did pretty well with this one! Adam and I had out first "day trip" of the year last weekend, we had dinner with friends on Friday and my Aunt and Uncle on Saturday, and I actually took a break from Facebook this month which definitely helped me focus on other things. 

3. Send more snail mail- I just barely got this one done, but I did it! I sent my first snail mail card on Saturday! Last day of January but it counts! 

4. Grow my blog- I did pretty well with this- worked on posting more blog related stuff to social media, got things going toward my new blog design, and worked on making connections with new bloggers. 

5. Read at least 50 new (or new to me) books this year- I was a reading machine this month! Some of these were re-reads because I was getting back into a series that I had started and never finished a while ago, but I completed 7 books and am about halfway through an 8th. 

How are you doing on your 2015 goals? Did you watch the Super Bowl? 

Friday Favs

This week has actually gone pretty quickly for me, but I'm still thrilled that it's Friday!

This weekend should be full of some good times, binge-watching of shows, eating of all the football food, watching of the football, mourning of the official end of football season... 

and of course sleep. 

Here's some favs from the week: 

Favorite Pins: 

Pinterest

Pinterest

Pinterest

Favorite Recipe: 

Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps

This is the perfect lunch, very filling and Fix friendly! It's delicious with chicken too!

Favorite Purchase:

I went to Target on my lunch break to do some Shopkick and get my iced coffee (I don't have a problem and I can quit anytime) and I saw that they had the skinny boyfriend jeans I had been eyeing in clearance in my size! The other Targets I had been to didn't have my size so I had given up finding them. I snatched them up as well as a long cardigan that I LOVE! It will be a perfect outfit for going into Spring! 

P.S. Target still has the 20% off of all clearance apparel and accessories on Cartwheel until 1/31, so grab some goodies while you can! 

Favorite Posts: 

This post on from Amanda of Notes From A Newlywed on "TV Shows I Miss" made me smile! So many good ones on her list! 

This story of how Laura of Alabama Graffiti got engaged and her ring was SO cute and fun to read! She says she got the idea from Kristyn at Chits and Giggles- I'm totally going to steal this post idea, LOVE IT. 

Finally this post from Lauren of Simply Free on 5 Ways to Grow Closer in Your Faith- such awesome and practical ideas! 

Favorite Funnies: 

I still get a little freaked out about multi-colored laundry sometimes...

But really, it's like take the picture already!!

And some Tuna of course!

Everyone have a fantabulous weekend!