Sunday, October 17, 2010

October Things I Love

October brings two whole weeks of Fall Break, which means lots and lots of excitement with the monkeys.
Plus a few real monkeys that we got to check out at the Nashville Zoo. (Did you like that little segway? Nice, right?) I am also pondering exactly why it is that I continue taking pictures of the animals at the zoo. Why? What exactly am I planning on doing with all of the pictures? I don't even like nature.

Now here is a pictures of something I do understand. Pure bliss. I have been to Starbucks three times this week. I actually got an email from Starbucks announcing that the Pumpkin Spice Lattes were back. I don't know if I should be excited about this or mortified that I needed a notification. Jury is still out.

Breuklyn got her ears pierced when Carolyn was here, approximately 6-ish weeks ago. Breuklyn has been spending a lot of time deciding just what earrings she will be trying out once she is allowed to remove the original ones. A girl who is obsessed with earrings is definitely a kindred spirit. Plus, I love that a promised trip to Claire's will result in a clean room and a neatly made bed.

We have been to two pumpkin patches and amassed a total of 12 pumpkins that are hanging out with the mums on the front porch. A trip to the pumpkin patch is absolutely one of my favorite things about October. Brad just wants to know what I am going to do with all of the pumpkins.

Maddux is obsessed with word searches lately. He will sneak into his room with his word search book and stay happily entertained for hours. It is glorious. Plus, it reminds me of Nan. She absolutely loved word searches. Whenever she would complete one, she would write a little note at the top of the page. She would include the date, what the weather was like that day and a little note about her day. She might write, "65 degrees today, making vegetable soup for dinner." When I told Maddux this, he decided that he would include what he was wearing along with the date. "Tuesday. Batman pajamas." Nan would be proud.

October brings cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. I found a Madeleine Pan at a yard sale for 50 cents and just knew that my first attempt would be Martha Stewart's Orange-Cardamom Madeleines. They were absolutely perfect with a cup of tea.

October brings lots of fun to our house. I wanted to take a picture of Paizlee's turquoise leggings, but I got distracted by her (as she calls it) "ballet hair." We have been just loving the weather, the glorious 2 weeks free of commitments and the smell of cinnamon. Life is good at our house. How about yours?

9 comments:

Michelle said...

Hey girlie!! Boy is Breuklyn growing up!! She doesn't look like the same girl anymore!!! :( Too fast they grow!!!! Maddux is so cute! I love Miss P's ballet hair!! :D You and your cardamom...because of you, I had to go out and buy that spice! What fun you have been having!! I bet your house smells so good!!! You know.. I was wondering that same question...why do I take so many pics of the animals at the zoo. We visit the two zoos near me a gazillion times during the year. I have more pics of lions and tigers than I know what to do with!! LOL I am glad you are enjoying your fall break!!!

Juliana Michaels 17turtles said...

Hi Estee! Looks like you and your family are off to a good start enjoying this gorgeous fall! I definitely think you should be excited about the SB notification regarding the Pumpkin Spice yumminess!!!!

And loads of HUGS to you and your family! I am so very sorry to hear about your loss!

Unknown said...

Your madelines look soooo good! Though how could that be a surprise? Also not a surprise, SB sending you a notification. They like loyal customers like that.

October does rock, exactly as you explained.

Amanda Sevall said...

Your cute kiddos are getting so big!! Seriously though -- so glad to see you back!! And I must say I love pumpkin spice lattes... but the Caramel Brulee lattes? MMMMMMM. So bad when the barista remembers to tell me that they will be back soon. Should I be scared that she remembered my obsession last year?! ;) LOL

Michelle said...

Hey.. Happy November!!! Are you getting ready for Cookie Baking 2010??? I bet you are getting your freezer loaded up with all kinds of cookie dough for you and your sis to bake up!!! Hoping your month is off to a great start!!! Hugs!

Michelle said...

Happy Thanksgiving, Estee from my family to yours!!

Michelle said...

Merry Christmas, Estee, from my family to yours!!! Hugs!

Carmen O. said...

Been missing your posts...not that I've been very good at blogging or much else. Too much change for me too, losing Tim was just the start. Love seeing photos of your kiddos, they sure are getting big! Your Madelines look delish...One of these days I'll have to give them a try. Hopefully 2011 is a much better year. Looking forward to having my own place again. Wishing you and your family a VERY Merry Christmas!

Vi said...

Hi! I just stumbled upon this blog and your pictures are amazing!