fall decor

Hello and happy Monday!

Why oh why do the weekends go by so quickly?! This weekend, I feel like I need one more day to recover from the weekend.

Today I’m sharing this month’s edition of my Monthly Report.

Reading–

I just finished reading and listening to The Calamity Club, and I thought it was so good. When I started reading it, I was a bit overwhelmed by the length, but I got it read in two weeks. I had quite a few people tell me how great the audio book was, so I tried out Audible for the first time. I love that I could sync between the audio and my Kindle, so I was able to listen when I was in my car or on a walk, and then I could read on my Kindle otherwise. The two narrators for Meg and Birdie were great. I tried to listen to the chapters with Meg because her voice was just perfect. Even if I was reading, I could “hear” both voices thanks to the chapters I listened via audio.

Up next…I started reading Writers & Lovers. I had it saved as a TBR on my Goodreads, but I’m not sure who recommended it. I’m about 25% into it, and I’m not sure what I think just yet.

Enjoying –

Even though it was still so hot this weekend, I decided to decorate for fall. Hadley helped me haul the bin up from the basement, and I pulled out some of my favorite pieces. I don’t go overboard for fall, but I really did simplify this year. I’m enjoying the decor, and I think the temps might cooperate this week!

Prioritizing–

I’m definitely prioritizing my time at school in order to stay caught up. My students still have chromebooks, and I use Canvas to post daily agendas and some assignments, but I’ve moved back to mostly assignments on paper. So, whenever I have the chance, I’m grading. I still love my rolling podium, and if I need to be out in the hall, I can roll it out there and grade during hall duty. Also, with assignments on paper, that means I have to make more copies which is one of my least favorite things to do. Anyway, since I spend some of my planning making copies, I usually bring some papers to grade while while doing that task. I just find if I can utilize pockets of time, I can stay pretty caught up. Today, I have to post our six week progress grades which is hard to believe!

Obsessing –

Well, Saturday night was Homecoming, and I’m obsessing over the photos. I took a few of Hadley with her date as well as some with her friends, but one of the dads has a good camera, and I appreciated all the snapshots he got and shared.

I’m so thankful that Hadley has such a wonderful core group of friends.

This dress was stuck in Michigan for a while, and then was deemed lost…but thankfully another one was sent with a few days to spare. Hadley’s shoes are from Amazon, and Hadley gives them two thumbs up.

Too cool for me!

What a great group. They braved the heat for photos, had dinner out, went to the dance, and then hung out for a while afterwards.

One thing about dances these days is you have to factor in Tik Tok transitions into the schedule! Hadley went to a friend’s house at 3:00 to get ready, and then the guys came over around 5:00 followed by photos at 6:00 and dinner at 7:00. Hadley was excited because a Tik Tok the girls made is going viral on TT. Oh, to be a teen!

Recommending-

I’m recommending these little ruffle socks. I haven’t purchased socks in the longest time, but I ordered these, and they are great! I love the ruffle detail.

Teaching and Treating:

As I shared last week, I’m reading The Odyssey with my English 1 classes; we got to the Cyclops part at the end of the week which is always a favorite part.

I’m wrapping up the poetry unit this week with my Advanced classes, and we will start the short story unit after fall break.

I’m treating myself to an apple cider donut from Trader Joe’s. I don’t eat much for breakfast, but I treated myself to one for dessert last night. ‘Tis the season for apple cider and pumpkin things!

I hope you have a great Monday. Just five days stand between me and fall break! It’s going to be a busy week of school, but maybe that will make it fly by!

Hello!

With only a couple days left in the month, it’s time for one of my favorite posts.

I’m linking up with Holly and Patty for Monthly Musings.

This month’s topic is:

If there was ever a blog post made for me…this one is it!

1. How do you decorate for fall/Halloween?

Yes! I always decorate for fall. It’s my most favorite time of the year. Last week, I shared this post with a little fall home tour.

I used to put out a few Halloween touches that I would only have out in October, but I don’t really do that anymore.

2. Do you decorate inside? Outside? Both?

Both!

These outside porch photos are from last year. My current porch is almost complete 🙂

3. When do you do your fall decorating?

I usually wait until mid-September for the inside, and then a week later for the outside. I like to wait for the temps to cool off before putting pumpkins on the porch.

4. How do you pumpkin- decorate with pumpkins?

I’m the Oprah of pumpkins. Every space inside and out…”YOU get a pumpkin and YOU get a pumpkin!”

5. Do you add lights to your decorating?

Funny you should ask… 😉

I’ve shared about my favorite light up pumpkins from Michael’s, and they provide the perfect glow.

This year, I did add a string of lights to the mantle. They are battery operated with a remote. I just put them behind the fall garland for an extra glow.

6. Do you do anything special for Halloween dinner?

When the kids were little and we did more trick-or-treating, we’d always have friends over and have chili for dinner.

A couple of years ago when Andrea shared her “Spooky” Halloween dinner, I started making that one night for dinner close to Halloween.

It’s always fun, and I hope it’s a tradition we’ll continue even as the kids get older. It’s an easy dinner to make! I’ve also made “mummy” dogs as another option as well.

7. Favorite Halloween candy?

I’m pretty boring…I love a mini Snickers bar or a little pack of Nerds.

8. Full size or fun size candy bars?

We always buy fun size and a variety of chocolate and other candy. The kids love getting a full size bar when out trick-or-treating, of course.

9. Best fall decor tips?

A few years ago, I realized the quickest and easiest way for me to decorate is to just swap out key décor for fall décor. For example, I swap out my regular pillows and candles for seasonal ones.

Also, I take photos (or blog about) where I typically put items which makes decorating quicker year to year.

Then, last year I finally took some time to toss or donate seasonal décor that I hadn’t used for a few years. I narrowed it down to one tub for my fall decorations. (I can’t say the same about Christmas, but I will probably do that this year.) I store all my regular décor in a tub until it’s time to bring it out again in January.

10. Pumpkin spice—yes or no?

Yes…but I haven’t had a Pumpkin Spice latte in a few years. Instead I get some version of a less caloric one if I go to Starbucks. Now, as far as the spice, yes…I do love it! I put a dash of Nutmeg or Pumpkin Spice in my coffee (with a splash of creamer) every morning in the fall.

This was such a fun post to share. Fall décor is always my favorite.