Apple cranberry raisin pie

It felt great to get back in the kitchen yesterday after a few days away at Blissdom, the social media conference held last weekend in Mississauga, Ontario. I’ve been feeling a bit out of sorts since I returned, kicking myself for not introducing myself to more people (‘tho I’m so happy I met the ones I did — I’m looking at you, Aneta, Helene, Renee, Jessica, Cathy, Catherine, Jo-Anne and Rachel) and wondering where I fit in.

Fall is for…

I love Fall. I’ve mentioned this, yes? I love the cooler days, the cozy layers, the crisp crunch of a new apple and a cute pair of ankle boots. It’s my favourite season, and (for me) the one that seems to fly by too fast.  I want more Sunday mornings at the farmers’ market, more walks in the leaves and more time to curl up with a blanket and a book. Here’s how I want to make the most of Fall.

Eating / Apples, squash and pumpkin everything.

Drinking / Tea and hot chocolate.

Practicing / How to write without over-thinking too much.

Mastering / Hmmm…. nothing really, but I would like to train myself to stop snacking after dinner (but Twitter parties make me so hungry!).

Learning / More about SEO (I really have to get on it!).

Trying / To get the the gym every other day.

Playing / With my kiddos after school (now that they’re no longer at daycare, I’ve got them from 3:30 on).

Finishing / My Christmas shopping (yeah I’m one of those).

Reading / A Beautiful Mess Happy Homemade Home and a couple of books I didn’t get to over the summer.

Remembering / To be easier on myself.

Wearing / Cozy layers.

Cooking / Applesauce, soups and stews in the slow cooker.

Working / On more DIYs for So Fawned (including some fun Halloween themed ones!) and my blog’s Crafts and Style & Decor sections.

Traveling / To Blissdom ’14 (I hear Mississauga is beautiful this time of year) and maybe to Montreal to visit an old friend.

Wanting / To meet some of my favourite bloggers at Blissdom and be inspired!

I’m terrible for setting my expectations way too high, so I’m trying to be a little more reasonable for Fall. Here’s how I did with my Summer list:

Eating / Strawberries we picked ourselves. Check.

Drinking / More of these strawberry watermelon daiquiris. Ditto.

Practicing / How to write without over-thinking too much. Still working on it.

Mastering / Video Games on the ukulele. I didn’t pick up the ukelele. Not even once.

Learning / How to improve SEO. Zero progress here either.

Trying / To make jam. Tried and succeeded!

Playing / With my camera. Yep.

Finishing / A bunch of projects around the house. Starting them too. Didn’t finish (or start!) any of the projects I’ve been meaning to get to, ‘tho I did do six DIYs for So Fawned: puzzle piece drawer pulls, personalized pillows, wooden spoon dolls, a ring toss game, a back-to-school chalkboard sign, and puzzle piece hooks.

Reading / Picture Perfect Social Media and A Beautiful Mess Happy Homemade Home. Happy Handmade Home just came in the mail, so I’m just starting it now.

Remembering / Naps are good. Oh yes they are.

Wearing / The heck out of this Joe Fresh skirt. And my gold flip flops. Yep.

Cooking / More recipes from How to Feed a Family. No, but I am planning to make the authors’ squash soup.

Working / On being less hard on myself. Still working on it.

Traveling / Nowhere especially. But the kids would love to go back to Mont Tremblant. No Tremblant trip (the kids would still love to go!); stayed close to home.

Wanting / To make lots of happy memories with my kiddos. And this Kate Spade planner from Chapters. I die! Yes, we had lots of fun times. And my mom bought me the planner!

How will you make the most of Fall?