As we head into the last weekend of summer, I find myself reflecting on these last 13 weeks.  Without a doubt 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone.  But through all the ups and downs, I find myself appreciating the lessons 2020 is teaching us all.  For me, I’ve learned to appreciate and embrace the present.  

I can’t remember a summer in my adult years where I have spent almost every waking moment outside.  Part of that has to do with trying to constantly keep a busy toddler entertained, but the other part of that has to do with taking advantage of these warm days full of sunshine.  The beginning of quarantine meant we spent A LOT of time indoors and with the uncertainty of the fall and winter upon us, I find myself holding tight to mother nature and all the warmth and beauty she brings us during this season.

September has always been my favorite month (it is my birthday month after all).  But this section of a poem perfectly illustrates my feelings about this month:

By all these lovely tokens, September days are here, With summer’s best of weather, and autumn’s best of cheer. – Helen Hunt Jackson 

I’ve said before that this month allows me to say goodbye to my favorite season but it also helps me to welcome a new one.  So, with this weekend being the last official weekend of summer, I’m ready to say ‘see you next year’, knowing full well that I appreciated the heck out of her this year.   

And without further ado, here are this week’s Solty Friday’s! 

> I’m in love with these blue and white DIY pumpkins! I bought some supplies to make these with L and we’ve slowly been surely making our way through a bundle of pumpkins this week. 

> I’m starting to look for indoor activities that are educational and engaging for L.  One activity that has really caught my eye are these super FUN letters from Lottie and Lizzie!  We are working on teaching L the alphabet, so what better way than with something as pretty as these?! 

> In case you missed it on my IG, L, my mom, and I went to our local flower farm to pick flowers this week.  The U-pick flowers was closed, BUT they already had the most impressive display of pumpkins and gourds, so we ended up stocking up on some goodies.  If you are local, the farm is called Garden View Flowers. 

> I bought L some rain boots this week from Target.  As much as I wanted to get her Hunter Boots, I wanted even more to get her purple rain boots. And what a parent homerun! She LOVES them and runs around wearing them yelling “PURPLE.”  Plus, they are a great price point.  So win for everyone!

> I’ve been wanting to bake these apple zucchini muffins for L – we are stuck in a rut of wanting to eat only cheese.  So I might try and whip these up this weekend. 

> And finally, Rob and I are shopping for a new front door this weekend!! I’ve been wanting a new front door since we moved into our house four years ago.  Our front entry/door has zero windows, which means there isn’t any natural light.  So, as part of our home renovations this summer, we are buying a new door with windows.  I think this is the style I want.  

And that’s it for this week.  Enjoy this last weekend of summer!! 

Slainte,
Shannon