It’s been a couple of months since my last official Gratitude post, but here are some things that made me feel extra grateful in the last while. Fall is my favorite time of year and after a difficult Summer, I’m ready for a fresh start and good things to look forward to:

Lessons learned; dealing with two big losses this summer taught me a lot about myself, who I want to be and what I want to prioritize. In some ways I feel like a completely different person than I was three months ago. We have been a lot more go with the flow as of late and I’ve been really trying to not overschedule myself. I’m learning that being run off my feet with plans and commitments seems to suck the joy out of life. Living moment to moment is what feels good now.

I just started Aqua Zumba a couple of weeks ago with a friend and it’s been a blast. I love having a class to look forward to each week.

I cut down my rhubarb right before it got cold and I got so much! I’m so proud of it and can’t wait to make a rhubarb crisp.

Cake making! I had two birthdays to bake for this week.

One Saturday morning recently my Main Taste Tester and I decided we wanted to have a hot dog for brunch and set out to find a hot dog sale. It was kind of a cloudy, drizzly morning but it didn’t take long before we saw one being set up and we ended up being the first in line. While we stood on the sidewalk together in the rain, eating our “brunch”, I felt pretty darn grateful. Sometimes, it’s the simplest things in life that make a fond memory.

Baby snuggles with our friend’s six month old. He is so freaking adorable and spending time with him and his parents always puts me in a good mood.

The craziest Quinoa Veggie Burger at Rock Creek.

I’ve been writing a LOT, like multiple times a day, every day. I’ve taken out some books with creative writing exercises and have been looking into writing workshops. Having to write about more serious topics, like my Grandpa and Manny felt really healing for me. I got such positive feedback about those posts that I felt inspired to do more. I used to journal constantly when I was younger but somewhere along the way I got out of the habit. Writing regularly again feels like catching up with an old friend.

Glow Bowling.

We took a last minute trip to Manitoba to help stain my sister Tia’s deck. A group of us painted all day in the sunshine with music blaring and we had so much late summer fun doing it.

These frogs hung around my sisters front door each night while we were visiting Manitoba. I love frogs; they reminded me of catching a million when I was little.

My Main Taste Tester makes me a travel mug with tea each morning before I wake up on weekday mornings. It’s always a treat to have my tea ready to go when I leave.

A chick flick date with my sisters.

Flowers for no reason.

Extra dates with my Main Taste Tester. We have really had to lean on each other lately during the hard stuff and I have been so thankful to have him in my life.

Baking. I missed using my oven and loved making cookies again. I can’t wait to make cozy meals like chili and casseroles.

An impromptu board game and drinks evening with friends. I find that the most fun is had when things don’t go according to plan.

I’m grateful for you! Your support and taking the time to read my words means everything to me.