press pause

Its a little odd, I know, but sometimes when I am all sweaty and gross from exercise or yard work, I feel a million times cleaner when I use Kris's body wash.  It is crisp and clean and although mine is clean smelling as well, there's something about using a different scent that is refreshing.  So, here I sit with hair still wet from the shower and the smell of clean surrounding me and I am thinking that soon, I will have to wrap myself in ten blankies to keep warm.  I love fall.  I love long sleeves and boots. I love the coziness and the rituals and the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg. I love that everything looks so pretty. and hiking is a given.  I do not like that it means winter is right around the corner.

September offers us a taste of fall with some flashbacks of the warm summer weather. This past Saturday, as Kris was sleeping and G and I went to the farm, I couldn't escape the draw of the mountains.  The ridge was calling me asking me to just stop and enjoy what it had to offer and as beautiful as it was, how could I resist? Instead of lunch, Giada and I returned home after pick-up to get Kris, a bag of snacks and a big blanket.  We headed right down the road to our favorite local winery once again and had a picnic. 

 picnic time

 

We weren't the only ones with that idea.  All of the tables and chairs that are usually scattered on the deck and on the lawn were being used and there was a line inside to buy a bottle of wine.  As Kris waited his turn, Giada and I set up camp in a shaded area of the lawn with views of the ridge, vines and tasting room. 

We had wine, of course as well as some cheese, crackers, hummus, olives and grapes.  We nibbled and drank and nibbled some more as we relaxed and just enjoyed spending uninterrupted time together.

I think back on this summer and I have so many amazing memories. For as many things as we did, I still feel like we could have or should have done more.  I have a list of things in my head that I want to do and I wonder; even if I had all the time in the world, would I ever get to them all?

We ran races, drove on race tracks, visited with dear friends, welcomed family from foreign land, rode bikes, spent entire days fishing, went to Mets games, saw live music, went to parties, had playdates, learned to swim,  got to Vermont before the flooding, watched butterflies, held worms, said good bye to wonderful neighbors and formed closer bonds with others.......and it was all wonderful. 
Every bit.

she still loves this tree and insists on taking her picture with it

So, fall is just about here and apple picking, pie making, warm apple cider spiked with Captain Morgan's and pumpkin carving are all knocking at the door. I will let them in soon but I think I need at least one more day to wear a sundress and just sit outside with me eyes closed and soak up some of that summer goodness to get me through until spring.