I’ve been taking a lot of photos here lately of everything and anything. At night, when we watch TV, I’ve been practicing different ways to edit photos. I decided instead of keeping them to myself, I’d share. I’m sharing what we’re doing currently at the bottom of this post + linking up with Anne in Residence.
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ARRANGING | play dates. I feel like we do something Monday through Friday out of the house. It keeps Evie happy and it makes my day a lot easier too. We go to the mall play area, library time, we’ve started doing a weekly potluck at friend’s houses, and share events in the area to meet up with people. I realized the other day that for the first time in over a month, we had a day with no plans! I had a cold, she was teething, and we went for a walk, but that was it. Honestly, the day at home made me realize again how grateful I am for friends and things to do!
LOVING | all of the things basic people do in the fall (me included). When we lived in Georgia, we had a tradition of going to an apple orchard, eating bbq, and then going to the drive in. We haven’t made a tradition here yet, but I loved taking Evie to the pumpkin patch with her baby friends. While at the pumpkin patch, we ended up: eating apple cider doughnuts, riding a wagon, meeting a lot of different animals, and just seeing all of her friends and her enjoy experiencing everything for the first time!
This has to be mentioned too, but someone at church spent several months planning a scavenger hunt with over 50 people. She did it anonymously, we all had team colors, and it did take us through some spooky and abandoned areas around here. It is one of the most intricate things I’ve ever been invited to, and after she announced who she was, a few of us asked if we could help her plan next time so we could do it again!
EMBRACING | exercise again. I did a great job exercising for the first few months after having Evie, but then when her naps became consistent that kind of went away. A friend and I have been going to do classes in the evening. It is helping me loosen up again, feel good, and endorphins are always great. I love my walks with baby, but I really enjoy exercise classes. Out of all of the classes I’ve tried at the gym now, barbell strength, pilates fusion, and zumba are my favorites!
PURCHASING | a new camera lens! My friends were talking about how much photography sessions are around here + how little of photos they actually receive. I showed them photos I’ve taken in the past and told them I feel like I’m a decent amateur and said I’d be happy to give them a better deal. I’ve been wanting a new camera lens and some flat lay vinyls for recipe photos (new house, new lighting!) and four photo sessions will cover those! I’ve been surprised, but I’ve been more excited about this prospect than I thought I would be. When I’ve done photo sessions in the past, I’ve always had a really hectic schedule like being in grad school or working full time teaching. I’m actually really excited about this.
SHARING | lots of books I’ve been listening to on instagram. I’m posting the list soon, but I’ve listened to 20 really awesome audio books in the last 3 months. Our library has a really great audio book selection, plus I still have my old library account from Georgia (please don’t expire soon!). I end up listening to popular reads because they do end up being pretty good even if they don’t always click with me, some child classics, and niche books that I really love (give me all of the memoirs right now!).
This fall has felt pretty magical. I have a lot to be grateful for. We’re surrounded by friends, we have a great church community, and it is honestly just lovely here.