This past week, I decided to embrace fall. Despite the warm humid air that continues to greet me when I step outside, I bought pumpkins for my home. I have learned the hard way that if I wait until I am ready for pumpkins (i.e., when the snap of cold air whips through my hair), all the good pumpkins are gone. So I bought pumpkins while sweating.
My favorite pumpkins are the pink Cinderella pumpkins and the creamy white ones. They are fall without being brash. The feature I appreciate most in a pumpkin is a good stem. Bonus points if there is a curly piece of vine still hanging on for extra flair. I found three spectacularly beautiful pumpkins at Central Market, and they are bringing a very seasonal vibe to our home.
Virtual learning continues for my children, although our school district did announce this week that we are going back in person on October 5th. Praise be.
My daughter Norah (pictured above) plays trumpet in the middle school band. Their class has a daily live zoom call where they are playing their instruments for their teacher. Since Norah is doing school here at Hurley House while I work, I told her she would have to do her trumpet class outside. She set up a table and a chair in the alley behind our store, which also happens to be the exit route for our drive through window. Our guests receive a little serenade on their way out, and the whole scene continues to crack me up.
Meanwhile, my fifth grader, who is equal parts sporty and glam, has started wearing fake nails to virtual school. I guess this is a perk of not having to go to school?
I bought a new work bag that I absolutely love. It is the Canvas Transport Tote from Madewell, and it is exceeding all my expectations. I am a stickler about work bags. I need them to be big enough to easily hold my laptop and a few file folders, plus my wallet, phone, pencil bag, and cosmetic case. I need the straps to comfortably fit over my shoulder without falling off, I need internal pockets for my keys and phone, and I need it to be neutral enough for everyday while still being classy. This one fits the bill.
One of my favorite features of this bag is the way the base of it is wide and allows for ample space, but then it tapers slightly up at the top. This keeps it from gaping open or falling over. It is super cute, sturdy, and my new sidekick at work.
In our front yard we have huge flowering sage bushes. Several times a year they come into bloom, and when they do, if you look very closely, you will discover hundreds of bees having a heck of time getting their fill of sage nectar. Timm loves to stand and watch the bees. He makes our kids join him and appreciate nature at work. It really is a site to behold, both the gorgeous blooms and the buzzing busy bees.
Elizabeth is days away from having her baby, and we made a prediction chart at work guessing the gender and the date. I am so excited for this baby I can hardly stand it. Elizabeth has been with me every day at work for the past four years, and while I do not know what I will do without her while she is on maternity leave, I am so wonderfully excited for her and Austin. My money is on a baby girl born September 26.
Have a lovely weekend!
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