ahhh....the shore

Today I had a work training in Neptune (which is down the shore for non-NJ savvy friends) and when my co-workers and I went out for pizza I realized that we were literally blocks from the ocean.  "Let's get our stuff to go and eat it on the boardwalk" I said.  Hooray!  We were all excited...the beach in November...awesome!  It was a beautiful day, too, with slightly warmer than usual weather.

A beautiful fall day!

The 3 of us sat on a bench and ate our lunch while watching the ocean.  We were in the middle of discussing how restorative the ocean is.  I mean, on a very primal level the ocean just makes me feel like all will be alright with my world.

And then.  Oh yes...and then.  One seagull flew over us and landed in the sand in front of us.  I say, "Watch out for the seagull.  He'll try to steal our food."  And within what seemed like seconds, there were many seagulls circling over us and pretending to dive bomb.  We started walking to the gazebo a little ways away.  We turn around and the seagulls were following us.  By this time we were laughing so hard that we could barely talk, let alone walk upright.  If I had been able to I would have tried to record them.


We made it to the cover of the gazebo and finished eating our lunch.  As we were all looking out toward the ocean we realized that laughing hard like we did was just as restorative as looking out at the ocean.  And though I would love to be near the ocean every day, on most days, a good, hard laugh with friends is there for the taking.

Finally under cover!

apple picking

I apologize that I did not get to write as much as I wanted this weekend.  It became very busy!  But it was good busy.  Instead of writing a lot, I will leave you with a few pictures from today.

Michael, Lilly & Fiona  

I just love this of Fiona!

It's hard to pick apples while holding onto a flower!

Michael & Lilly, the original bffs

crisp, autumn evenings

And just like *that* (with a snap of my fingers) autumn weather has appeared.  Now I know enough about the weather in this area, considering I have lived here all my life, to know that it does not mean it is here to stay.  It is only September, after all.  But oh, how lovely it is!  This morning was muggy and so close, if you know what I mean.  It was like pea soup.  This afternoon some storms rolled in and then mostly out again.  And the cool weather rode on its coattails.  This evening was jeans and sweatshirt weather, but I still wore my flip flops.  It makes me think of apple picking, walks in the South Mountain reservation, pumpkin spice lattes and yummy butternut squash and apple soup.

What fall foods are your favorites?  Recipes welcome!!!  As soon as I can find the soup one I will post it because it is so amazing and perfect for cool evenings!

p.s.  I have some exciting blog news this weekend....keep on the look out!  I will give you a big hint:  I am hosting my first giveaway!!!

The leaves they are a-changing...

Lilly and I walked to the playground today and along the way I saw some leaves that have started changing colors.  It is always a bittersweet feeling for me to see those first red leaves.  I love autumn and the cooler weather.  I hate the sun setting earlier and the impending freezing weather.  But for now, I will be joyful when I see those ruby red leaves hidden among the emerald green leaves, like jewels sparkling in the sunshine against the blue sky.