Enjoying October
Universally accepted as the best month of the year, no?
Is there any better, more universally loved month than October? I think not. In fact, if I have any gripe at all, it’s how quickly it slips by. October arrives and suddenly I get why the pumpkins come out at Target in August. I generally advocate for everything in its time, but I can appreciate the urge to really stretch the good stuff. And boy does October qualify as good stuff.
Now that it’s truly Fall and the leaves are approaching peak (at least where I live!), it’s time to fully lean into everything good about this wonderful, fleeting month. Get those caramel apples and hot pumpkin spice lattes. Watch some spooky movies with the lights out. Bundle up and break out the hunter boots. It’s swift, but the good stuff always is, isn’t it?
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1. A slam-dunk read for staying in: I just finished The Land and its People, a collection of sharp, hilarious essays by David Sedaris. Nobody writes about siblings and parents like he does, and I cried laughing as I read “Cool Mom.” If you like it snarky and a little uncouth, you’ll like this one.
2. A very good playlist for low-key ambiance: cozy fall jazz inspired by It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. The looping graphics of the Peanuts gang is a lovely bonus.
3. Pumpkin Streusel Bread: do not sleep on this bangin’ recipe. I made a loaf on Sunday evening and it was gone by Tuesday morning. It’s insanely good!
4. Sneakers for all those walks we’re going on: these are such a good price and the burgundy colorway is perfect for fall.
5. An anti doom-scroll activity: grab a festive scene and get to work diamond painting it. I’m slowing chipping away at this one.
6. A podcast to enjoy while you’re diamond painting: for smart and saucy gals who have perhaps read The Other Boleyn Girl more than once, may I suggest Not Just the Tudors for a healthy dose of historical fact and salacious court gossip.
7. PSA: McDonalds annual Boo Buckets are set to return October 20th. This year’s theme is Disney villains.
8. Related: surviving off the serotonin. Nostalgia for the 80s babies and the 90s kids. And it hits!
9. Lowkey a cool mom: and here’s the evidence. Toss a ghost marshmallow in a mug of hot cocoa and there you are, cool mom.
10. Old Navy fall finds: I invite you to live in these fleece wide-leg pants as I do, paired with the platform slip-on clogs. We contain multitudes! We are cute and comfy!
11. Play around: with Any Human Ever, a cool website that tells the story of a random human. Fascinating!
12. Watch: A series with a seasonal slant and plenty of old seasons to binge. A few good options: Wednesday, Once Upon a Time, Only Murders in the Building, and for the 90s girls, Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
13. Related watch: Check out Who is Martin Mull on Netflix. I remember him fondly as Mr. Kraft and really enjoyed learning more about his life and career. It really spans!
14. Putter over a puzzle: Nothing slows down an entire afternoon like throwing on a movie and settling in with a puzzle for a few hours. It makes for a perfect five-minute break through the work week too. Pop a piece in place while waiting for the water to boil for coffee, or reheating leftovers for lunch. I’m puttering away at this New Yorker cover and looking forward to starting this Thanksgiving scene in a few weeks.
15. Speaking of luxurious afternoons: may I suggest diving into the illustrated versions of the Harry Potter novels? Personally I am enjoying a full reread of the series before the upcoming TV adaption drops in December (!!!), but my 10-year-old is dipping in for the first time. We’re reading together and really enjoying each illustrated page.
16. For laughs: The Best and Worst Fall Products I’ve Seen So Far, featuring pumpkin pie vodka and pumpkin spice scented garbage bags.
17. Trick or treat: You can pry these fall-coded treats out of my cold, dead hands. I will defend apple flavored goodies forever, especially caramel apple pops and olipop.
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What are you enjoying this month? Roll call in the comments!
PS -
My spooky season picks are here (and it’s a very good line-up!)