the in between.

You know that place between Fall and Winter? The place where Fall is giving us her last few breaths, and Winter is lightly tapping at the door, her impatience growing with each tap? That's how today feels. It's that transition period, where Fall is still clinging on as hard as she can, and Winter will soon give up her tapping and eventually pound that door down with full force. And I can feel it. I went for a run this morning, crunching through piles of leaves that were just waiting to be covered in snow. They're brown and dead now, their purpose gone. The sky was dark, trying to decide between rain or snow, the air had a bit more chill to it. And it left me feeling like it's transition time.

So with that, we say goodbye to Fall. For me it has been a season of improvement. I've made changes, and have some changes in the works. And while I'm not ready for the freezing cold, I'm ready for winter. I'm excited for all the family time I'll get in the next couple of months, and to move forward with some big projects. 

So thank your, Fall. Here are a few photos of my favorite things from this season.

And of course, the best line to describe the season that exists, ever.

   

november.

Hello from my 64 ounce Coke, which is where my day is at right now. How are you? You can't see it, but there was a big ol' sugar cookie on my lap that I ate in about 2 and a half bites.

It's only Tuesday and I'm just about ready to get into bed and take a nap straight until Saturday. You know those days where you're going, going, going, and have to stop to remember to breathe? That's how my last three days have been. Being busy suits me, but it's always nice to have a break. And in just a few days I'll be on my way back home to California for the week. Just me, my mom, my dad {lovingly referred to as "The Captain," for those of you who watch HIMYM}, and the cat. A week of San Francisco, Apple Hill, the Galleria Mall, and 70 degrees. My impatient nerves can't wait.

Until then, here are a few things that are getting me through that awkward, sad transition from Fall to Winter:

1. Saturday was THE PERFECT DAY. 65 degrees, yellow, and crunchy. The kind of day that you know is so perfect that you have to hang on for as long as you possibly can because it'll be over all too fast. It felt like the last day of Fall here, I just knew it. So we spent the day at a park, with a pizza and our short sleeves. And I soaked in every last bit.

And on Sunday we woke up to snow, because well, that's how my life works.

2.  Plaid. I'm not quite sure how, but this and this found their way into my closet. What is it about plaid that just says Christmas/hunter/hot chocolate/Brawny man/Fall/Winter/snow/90s grunge all in one? Those are my favorite things.

3. Essie's After School Boy Blazer nail polish. Sometimes when you wear nail polish that looks black but is secretly navy blue, you just feel a little bit BA. And as a girl, I reserve the right to be happy because of a nail polish color.

4. This personality quiz. I'm a sucker for these suckers.  Once you get your results, check this out. I'm an ISFJ and a Neville Longbottom, what are you? At first I didn't know how I felt about being a Neville, but he's still a Gryffindor and he grows up to be a total hottie and a hero, so...that sure sounds good to me!

5. Scandal. My Netflix binge watching has taken a turn from comedies to dramas, and I'm very happy with this one. Once you get past the fact that the President is also the voice of Tarzan, it's fantastic. And makes me realize that I never want to work in politics. The fast-paced dialogue will hook you, I promise. And if you need a laugh from Olivia Pope, here's one.

6. And lastly, Christmas music. I'll be honest with you, I am not a Christmas purist. Christmas doesn't start the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas starts the second you find frost on your car window, or in the case of those of us from warmer climates, the minute it drops below 70 degrees. So for me, last Sunday was the official opening of the Christmas season. I will be happy to recommend some great songs from my playlist, and check out Dave Barnes' new Christmas album while you're at it.

And with that, my rambling is done. The problem with being busy is that there is no time to say the things that are rattling inside your head. So that's what this blog is for.

let's go to the mall and happy halloween.

Happy Halloween from Robin Sparkles and this amazing sunset! I'm off to go eat candy corn.

a cabin in the woods.

This weekend I spent time with some great friends at a cabin in the woods of Utah. When I say cabin, I mean cabin in every bare sense of the word. No electricity, no running water, no Wifi {NO WIFI}. And I'll be honest, shutting yourself off from the outside world for a little while is the best kind of therapy. It's a little too easy to get glued to your phone or computer these days, am I right?

How can you beat that view? There's something about camping or cabining. Living in QUIET. Being able to hear yourself think, you know? I think we all need that every once in a while. 

 I can't get over it. Nature. It's pretty neat.

Also, guns are fun {when used properly, of course}. And my aim, which isn't fantastic just yet, is better than I thought. Girl power.

And getting shot in the hind quarters with a BB gun hurts more than you might think it would.

We went for a little nature walk, played Apples to Apples and card games, and lived in our onesie pajamas. Best purchase of my life, those Batman onesie PJs.

Why is it that when you're at a cabin, food just tastes so much better? Right? Pancakes are fluffier, hot chocolate is sweeter, roasted marshmallows get that perfect golden-y crispness you just can't get by heating them over your stove. Cabin food forever!

A weekend at a cabin is the best, is what it is. Thanks for a great trip, Hansens! 

taking stock.

With summer giving its final farewell earlier this week, I thought it would be a good idea to check in with myself, to see how I'm doing. I found this list a few days ago from Sydney, and you know how I feel about a good list.

making: peace with the fact that I have to say goodbye to shorts and flip flops
cooking: pumpkin chocolate chip bread and New York style cheesecake
drinking: dirty diet Cokes and Starbucks salted caramel hot chocolate {these represent my internal struggle with the changing seasons pretty darn well}
reading: Harry Potter and Little Women...again
wanting: to take a roadtrip back home. To just get in my car and drive, solo
looking: at the leaves around these parts as they change each day
playing: John Mayer's "Paradise Valley" on repeat. It's the perfect album for transitioning from summer to fall {just listen to this one if you don't believe me}
wasting: too much time worrying
sewing: buttons back onto fall coats
wishing: that my car was completely paid off
enjoying: late night chats with friends. The best conversations always happen after midnight, right?
waiting: for my next big adventure
liking: season 4 of Downton Abbey {I'll send you the link if you want it...}
wondering: what I'll do on my day off this weekend
loving: training for Ragnar and that feeling of accomplishment that comes from each run
hoping: that someday I'll be able be better at expressing my feelings. Because I suck at it
marveling: at how sometimes people can disappoint you
needing: a great big hug every once in a while
smelling: the Heritage Pumpkin candle I just bought at Target. Holy smokes
wearing: this and thinking it's the best $20 I've ever spent. I'm calling it my Sergeant Pepper jacket
following: my feet — not quite sure where they're going, but knowing they haven't let me down yet
noticing: my sense of humor turn more and more into that of my dad's
knowing: that things always work out just how they are supposed to
thinking: that it's time to wash my poor little car
bookmarking: fall boots
opening: a package from my mom. They always make me feel like I'm that much closer to home
giggling: at this {over and over and over again}
feeling: content with everything