Happy Wednesday! I am joining two linkups today. Since it’s the first Wednesday of the month, I am linking up with Jennifer to share five things I am currently doing. Each month we share five different things and I think it’s a fun way to think about what’s going on.

I am loving…

My haircut! I usually get my hair cut once a year. I cut it pretty short and let it grow until I can’t stand it any longer. I’ve been taking Nutrafol for a while and am finding that my hair feels healthier, my shedding is a little less, and my hair is growing so fast. I got it cut in the beginning of January and it already needed a cut. That’s only nine months. I always have Bobbie do a blowout when she cuts it and I try to make it last at least another day or two.

I am looking forward to…

Next weekend! My sister and her husband are having a convalidation ceremony, my neice is being baptized, and we are having a big old party! Annie and Zach got married in the spring of 2020 but didn’t have the big wedding reception they had planned because it was 2020. So they are having it this month. I am excited to be together with family and celebrate the three of them!

I am wearing…

Layers, layers, layers. The weather has been a little cool but humid. My school has at least ten different temperature zones. I am not ready to stop wearing my summer clothes. So layers are the winner. I’ve been wearing cardigans, long sleeves tees, quarter zips, and pullovers with short sleeves or tank tops underneath to be ready for anything. I have been wearing my sneakers a lot too because my feet feel so much better when I wear them!

I am reading…

Four books right now! That is way more than I like to read at one time, but I have a book on my kindle, a hardback book for school, an audiobook with Luke, and an audiobook on my own right now. I have a nonfiction book I’d like to start reading, but I am not sure I can manage it right now.

I am cooking…

Chili! Sunday was so dreary and Monday was not any better, so I decided to make chili on Sunday afternoon. We didn’t eat it until Monday, but it was a great way to warm up and feel cozy on a chilly, rainy afternoon and evening. My chili is so easy and I change it up a bit every time, but there is always ground meat (usually chicken), corn, black beans, and tomatoes. I usually use taco seasoning on the meat and shake some other spices on to the tomato/corn/bean mixture. I also made Trader Joe’s gluten free cornbread. It’s delicious!

We are having protein pancakes and bacon for dinner one night this week. I like breakfast for dinner, but my boys eat eggs most mornings so I don’t want to make eggs for dinner. I always add fruit to breakfast for dinner instead of veggies.

I am also joining Joyce for the Wednesday Hodgepodge questions. They are always a fun mix of ideas.

1-Hey, it’s October…what’s one fun thing on your October calendar? I know I mentioned it above, but we are going to Atlanta to celebrate my sister’s family. That will be fun! In preparation for the celebration, I am getting a pedicure on Monday and that is always fun! The kids have their first swim meet of the season in October and I always think those are fun!

2-Thursday is National Poetry Day (first Thursday in October)…do you like to read poetry? If so, what’s a favorite poem, or whose poetry do you especially enjoy?  I don’t read a lot of poetry but I do enjoy children’s poems. Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky always make kids laugh. I enjoy reading novels in verse with my students. There are some really good ones out there! I don’t know if its my favorite poem, but the one I recite the most is from Now We Are Six by A. A. Milne. My mom gave this book to Jack, Luke, my sister, and me on our sixth birthdays. I gave the book to my neices and nephew on their sixth birthday. Any time a student turns six, I recite it to them and we laugh that of course they won’t be six forever and ever.

3-Tell us about something you’ve seen recently that could be described as ‘poetry in motion’.  The first thing that comes to mind are watching the rain run down our windows and driveway. We’ve certainly seen a lot of that!

4-What’s one song on your autumn playlist? Do you have an autumn playlist? If not, pretend you do. If yes, then feel free to share more than one. I don’t have an autumn playlist. I usually keep playing my regular music which keeps the beachy summer feelings going strong. I did recently start a playlist called You’ve Got This and as I hear songs that are movitvating I add them to it. So far I have Keep Your Head Up by Andy Grammer and Good as Hell by Lizzo.

5-Share a quote that inspires you this time of year especially. “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers” from Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables.

Lately, “Not always sunny, but always in a sunny state of mind” from Lilly Pulitzer is just about the only thing keeping me sane with 10+ straight days of rain. I am hoping that it doesn’t rain today!

I also repeat “Summer is a state of mind” from Lilly Pulitzer to myself all year long. Summer Sarah is calm, relaxed, and having a great time. When things get really busy in the fall, winter, and spring, I remind myself that I can a few minutes in my summer state of mind can always help!

I’ve shared this one the past few weeks because I am finding it to be very true. Our weeks are packed and school is keeping me pretty busy. Spending my Sundays wisely is always a good plan.

I like this quote of resilience. Even on my hardest days, it reminds me to keep going.

On Instagram, I follow The Storyteller Co. and Stacie Swift for timely inspiration and affirmations. They always seem to hit at the right moment when I am mindlessly scrolling.

6-Insert your own random thought here. As much as I do not love chilly fall weather, I am looking forward to the meals that come with that weather. Making and eating chili this week was a nice change from the grilled meats and tacos that we’ve been eating for months. I am ready for roasts, baking things in the oven, and soups. It will be lovely to have some different meals in our rotation.

What are you currently doing? Anything exciting coming up in October? What is a quote that inspires you? The weather app says that the sun should be shining today and the rest of the week. I am so ready for the sun to come out and stay for a few days. Have a great day full of sunshine and books!