oct '24 favorites
Small things that made my October just a little bit better.
exploring
Taping off a grid and then painting is not a new concept but it was one that I had never tried before. I’ll admit my first attempt was a debacle but ultimately I found the process very freeing and the end result satisfying. You can watch the process here.
reading
I just finished reading A Hope More Powerful Than The Sea by Melissa Fleming which details the true story of a Syrian refugee fleeing her country. Despite her arduous journey, the underpinning narrative is one of grit, determination, and perseverance of the human spirit. This was a book club favorite of Medical Teams International a humanitarian aid organization that we have supported for years. As an alternative to reading the book listen to this Ted Talk.
If a book is well written, I always find it too short.
—Jane Austen
inspiring
Say what you want about the kindness in the world. This gives me hope that we do still care about each other. Read here.
baking
This Apple Crisp has fall written all over it. Hints of orange and lemon whisper sweetly and although the recipe calls for specific apples I use whatever type I have on hand. I don’t mean to be redundant every month but this too is a family favorite. Delightful with or without vanilla ice cream.
Tact is the art of making a point without making an enemy.
—Isaac Newton
following
YouTube: Orla Stevens is inspiring as she embraces and captures nature abstractly in her art.
Pinterest: Renee Mueller has boards as beautifully curated as her artistic style.
Instagram: Holly McLaughlin’s art reminds me to stay loose, work abstractly, and engage with colors that I love.
enjoying
Pumpkin patches are 100% more fun with kids (grandkids in this case). I suppose it should go without saying but it is a good reminder that creating memories, exploring new places, and sparking curiosity are worth every bit of time and effort.
Speaking of pumpkins, did you know there was a better way to carve them?
Often we imagine that we will work hard, arrive at a distant goal, and then be happy. This is a delusion. Happiness is the result of a life lived with purpose. Happiness is not an objective. It is the movement of life itself.
—Ethan Hawke
growing
Our pumpkin patch produced one lone pumpkin this year. Adorable as it is we clearly need to up our game. And by that, I mean not planting willy-nilly but maybe reading this first.
watching
Do you know that moment when you watch the final episode of a series knowing you have a 2-year wait for the next season? That is me. As my family will tell you I don’t watch a lot of TV and often need to be persuaded by, “Just watch one episode and see what you think”. I try to be a team player. We recently finished watching Rings of Power (epic), Only Murders in the Building (well, one episode left), and Resident Alien (quirky & funny). What are we supposed to watch now as we enter the four darkest months of the year? Lost in a sea of the unknown I’ll take any recommendations you might offer.
Every exit is an entry somewhere else.
—Tom Stoppard
I’m curious, what’s on your list of favorites?
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