Today’s tidbit: “Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.” ― William Cullen Bryant

Back in November I shared my last blog post from my trip to WA (check it out). I took a little break from blogging but am excited to share a fall post with highlights from September, October & November + Thanksgiving. Working on travel plans for 2015 but while I’m home in the USA I’ve been focusing on being here… enjoying the moment and appreciating now.

Sneak peek image:

Be sure to click below to read more and check out more pictures. Enjoy!

 

{new recipes} I don’t cook/bake very often but I’ve been trying to get more into it this year. Used the fall as an opportunity to make some new recipes, especially for breakfast, full of fresh pumpkin and apples (plus lots of cinnamon + nutmeg). Who else was busy in the kitchen?

Amazing new find (from Perth) and delicious gluten-free vegetarian recipes. Check out My Darling Lemon Thyme. Link for recipe I made: pumpkin + quinoa

Apple cinnamon gluten-free waffles + fresh apple cider.

Pumpkin gluten-free muffins.

Pumpkin gluten-free pancakes topped with roasted pumpkin (with lots of cinnamon + nutmeg).

Tapas night out at La Tasca with festive fall martinis.

 

{exploring} I always enjoy wandering down side streets during the fall and winter, looking at the decorations. Last year I posted on a little fall shoot I did (check it out). Below are a few favorites I took in October.

 

{colorful leaves} Whether it was a rainy day or crisp fall morning covered in crunchy fallen leaves, I loved walking along this path every day with Sammy. Each leaf is different and there is so much color and beauty if you just look. Don’t you agree?

Collected these during a walk. Stunning.

Relishing the last of fall. By early November almost all the leaves had fallen, leaving a crunchy trail behind.

 

{pumpkin patch} It had been years since I went to a pumpkin patch but was determined to go this year. Ended up exploring Montpelier Farms in Upper Marlboro, MD in October, which was a good find (thanks for coming with me Holly). I love that they grow their own pumpkins, some you could still see growing on the vine. From the corn maze and rows of pumpkins to the farm animals and activities, it made for a fun day where I felt like a kid again. I love picking out pumpkins in the fall and christmas trees in the winter!

 

{Thanksgiving + New York} Normally I go to upstate NY for Christmas but this year I decided to go for Thanksgiving. Both my mom and grandma were having surgery so I spent 8 days there. My sister, Allie was in Colorado and my brother, David was in Maryland so all three of us were scattered this year, which was strange but I’m glad I was able to be with some family in NY and help out.

I did a Thanksgiving post last year that really shares struggle + being thankful (check it out).

White Christmas… Oh wait, no white Thanksgiving this year! It was a winter wonderland in Albany, NY. First snow if the year and it was beautiful. Cody, my moms dog, loves the snow and had fun playing while I took pictures along walks.

And that wraps up fall. What is your favorite season? Mine is summer but each season has something to offer.

Before you know it December will be done and the new year will be here! Time to wrap up 2014 with a bang.