October Recap
Highs: This month I spent a morning at a coffee shop journaling and a different afternoon at a park reading. These moments of stillness and presence were so sweet and needed. I also got to see my baby niece be dedicated to Jesus at church, and that was a very special moment - she is such a gift to our family!
Lows: Getting sick twice and the cold weather arriving are my lows this month. I feel like September was hotter than normal and now in October, we have jumped straight into winter. I definitely have the winter scaries, but I am going to work on fighting it!
On My Nightstand
Drawn Together by Juliana Smith - An enemies to friends to lovers, NYC, You’ve Got Mail story that is perfect if you are wanting another fall read to pick up before the season ends. I loved this! No spice!
Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross - An adult fantasy set in the same world as Divine Rivals and Ruthless Vows. It reminded me a little of Greek mythology because the world has different gods and goddess. I absolutely loved the romance storyline, the stakes, and the fantasy plot. 5 stars! There are two short, vague open door scenes (pages 419-420, 423).
You can read more about what I have been reading in my No Spice Books newsletter! I share an update each month of everything I have read, what I am currently reading, and what’s up next.
On My Screen
A Week Away - This is a show done by Angel Studios (the makers of The Chosen) - with a sort of Camp Rock vibe. It’s a musical show that follows teenagers spending the week at a Christian summer camp. The themes were deep but uplifting, and the music was honestly so good!
10 Things I Hate About You - I was craving a rom-com for the fall time, and this is a classic. I have also had the desire to watch How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (one of my favorites) and The Parent Trap lately. We will see if I get to those before Hallmark movie season starts!
Nobody Wants This - This Netflix show stars Seth Cohen from the O.C. (known in the real world as Adam Brody) who plays a Jewish rabbi. It can be a little raunchy at times, so keep that in my mind especially if you have younger ones around. However, the writing is so funny and the characters are also hilarious.
Gilmore Girls - I am not doing a full rewatch because, let’s be honest, I have seen it enough times. BUT, I am going back and watching a few classic fall episodes here and there which I have really enjoyed.
In My Ears
I have followed Sazan for years and am loving her new podcast! She is so encouraging and funny, and I love the theme of this podcast of bringing more fun into your life!
This song is based on one of my favorite verses, and you can’t go wrong with Bear Rinehart’s vocals!
Some trust in chariots and others in horses,
but we trust in the Lord our God.
Psalm 20:7
One Small Thing
My one small thing this month is to bring more fun and spontaneity into my life by treating every day like the weekend. Not in the sense that there’s not work to do or things to get done, but in the sense of life is too short to not fill it with things we love.
Get your favorite takeout on a Tuesday. Bake brownies on a Wednesday night (I did that this week!) Stay up a little later, or sleep in 15 minutes longer. Watch a movie on a Monday. Run errands after work so then you don’t have to on the weekend. Do that fun activity on Thursday instead of Saturday. Take a weekend trip even though it isn’t a three day weekend.
Do something you wouldn’t normally do on a weeknight - let it be the thing that little voice in the back of your head is telling you isn’t very adult-ish or practical of you. Do it anyway. Live more childlike.
Looking Ahead
I know some people will think it’s too early, but I am so excited to start getting into the Christmas spirit these next few weeks. I do love the fall time, but I think I am more of a Christmas girl. I am ready for cookie baking, Hallmark movie watching, gift shopping and wrapping, decorating, and embracing all the joy and fun that comes with this time of year. I also would love to do lots of the more “commercial” Christmasy things in November so that December I can lean more into stillness and Advent. I love both and would love to find balance this season.
Quote
Option C is the mindset I am working to choose every day!
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this newsletter, it would mean so much to me if you would share it with a friend!
Take care,
Caroline
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November 1st through New Year’s is one of my favorite times of the year as well. Such a special season! Hopefully you can use some momentum gained during the upcoming time to get you through the winter doldrums.
And I agree, it was also wonderful to see that baby girl dedicated to Jesus at church. She is such a gift to our family!