I’ve finally succumbed to Autumn on this the first of October.  I spent the better half of the afternoon hopping from craft store to craft store (because I work on the reward system best: an hour’s worth of work = $45 spent on various Pinterest ideas).  I really didn’t purchase too much except fall flowers to fill a vase (“voz” as the cashier so expertly spoke) and a few yards of lace trim for bridal packets.  But once I came home, I dug to the back of the office closet pulling out our box of changing seasons.

We’ve collected different decor over the years, but some of my favorites are those with meaning.  The three pumpkins my Grandma purchased for an early birthday present, the red, rustic jug and pumpkin-wired centerpiece purchased from our yearly trip to Indiana for the Covered Bridge Festival, and now mason jars covered in twine from our perfect anniversary session two weeks ago.

I love how homes can develop history or rather how we create a history within them.   I’ve made conscious efforts to make sure each piece of our home an essential additive to our story.  We have spent one year of seasons together, experiencing the excitement and marking firsts.  But I think I’m even more eager to live these second set of seasons, Adam and I creating traditions of our own and collecting items for our house of dreams.  I’m excited to mold our story and create sub-plots and develop each others as characters in the book of our lives and marriage.

Fall, I am ready.

* Wednesday night, I spent almost an hour and a half sprawled on the floor of the inspirational aisle of Barnes & Noble, reading excerpts from various books until I one to peak my thirsty mind.  I’ve read Donald Miller’s other books, and I know he’s not everyone’s fancy, but I pulled out A Million Miles in a Thousand Years (row two, picture two) and immediately envisioned my pen hitting the paper, my fingertips dog-earring on my favorite pages.  His honest thoughts consumed me for days, and I finished it soon after purchasing.  I’m still processing all the underlines, but his words inspired to enrich my story.
* When my Grandpa first passed away, I spent almost the entire summer living with my Grandma.  While the tragedy of his death was difficult (and even unfathomable to see from her perspective), it gave me opportunity to learn and love my Grandma in a way where words fail me.  It’s been two years, and I don’t get to see her nearly as often and I’d like, every now and then we spend an afternoon drinking tea and recounting tales of her girlhood and even making special fall treats for someone special (row two, picture three).  My brother doesn’t call her “Angel” for kicks & giggles.  I feel blessed just being near her.
* Our first weekend without a wedding in near sight.  After the initial shock of having absolutely no idea what to do, we soon discovered a used-book sale and frequented a favorite cafe downtown (row three, picture one-three).  We window shopped and actually shopped.  We held hands and noticed the purple mums and audibly noted the warm sun-beams on our faces.  We laughed and loved.
*  While not nearly as deep and sentimental as previous notable pictures, I just would like to say how fabulous our clients are when they share our favorite chinese restaurant (row four, picture four) AND are willing to dine and converse after a gorgeous engagement saying.  We kinda like them.  Just sayin’.

*(Instagram is a free app for iPhones (and now Androids!) that features various filters that are easy-to-use and make posting to Twitter, Facebook, and my blog (with the help of a personally-made Photoshop template), easy-peasy! You can follow me @brennigan)

It’s almost midnight, and a week from now (and probably at this time) we’ll be packing our suitcases and recyclable bags full of food and camping supplies for our favorite trip of the year.  The trip encompassing all that is Fall for us.  But until then, keep your eyes peeled for a newborn blog and if you’re lucky…a wedding blog too!

Happy Monday, Internet!