And it’s October… which, if you live in Michigan, can be one of the prettiest months of the year!
It can also be very cold, wet, brown, and muddy. 😂
Mostly, it’s gorgeous though (as proven by the picture above — one of my favorite places to walk).
The middle of October also marks the end of our family’s “busy fall” — so there’s another thing to look forward to this month (only 2 more weeks!)
October is a perfect month to be outside, bake bread, and make soup (all of which I did yesterday).
It’s a great month to rest and reset (whatever this looks like for you) before the holiday season begins to compete for your time and energy.
And it’s a good month to declutter and get a bit more organized. 😊
October is one of my favorite months… I’m sharing many more favorites below!
Favorite Moment = My Baby is 8!
We celebrated Clara’s 8th birthday last week, and turning 8 is extra special for our kids because they get to have a party with all their same-gender classmates.
All the girls from Clara’s class enjoyed an afternoon playing in the bounce house at our church, doing facepaint (I purchased this kit and it was fantastic), laughing and giggling and eating yummy treats.
We also had a pizza dinner with grandparents, so Clara was thoroughly spoiled… and loved every minute of it!
Side Note: Clara had to fill out an “About Me” paper to celebrate her birthday at school, and she listed her “Favorite Place” as “my home”. 🥰
Another Side Note: I spent less than $100 on everything for Clara’s party (including little goodie bags for 13 girls). We did not have any structured games or activities planned (outside of me doing facepaint), but everyone had lots of fun and no one wanted to leave. In my experience, keeping kids’ birthday parties super simple with an open space to play and minimal expectations will always work in your favor.
Favorite Routine = Earlier Evenings
I’m likely in the minority on this one… but I love the darker evenings in the fall and winter because they make it so much easier to get to bed on time!
We live on the far West side of Eastern Standard Timezone, so in the summer, it’s still very light until after 10:00 pm (which makes playing outside seem necessary.)
This time of year, it’s completely dark by 8:00, and it will eventually be dark by 5:30 come December.
It’s my favorite (at least when it’s cold out).
I love turning our porch lights on, using all the little lamps in our various rooms, and allowing our natural circadian rhythms to gradually get us on an early bedtime routine.
Note: I’m often asked about exact times our kids go to bed… and as any family knows, there isn’t usually one time that works for every child every day of the week. But MOST of the time, this is what it looks like for our family:
- Clara (8) – 7:00 pm
- James (10) and Simon (11) – 8:00 pm
- Nora (13) – 9:00 pm
- Dave and me – 9:30 is our goal, but we usually read until 10
The kids may also read for a bit if they want. Clara and Simon usually go right to sleep, James reads for 15-20 minutes, and Nora reads for a long time (she’s always been our night owl). Dave and I get up at 5. The kids wake up around 6:15 on school mornings.
RELATED READING: Hushing The House (a routine to simplify home and life)
Past Favorite = Finish Dishwasher Cleaner
We got a new dishwasher last fall after our 14-year-old dishwasher died on us… and I’ve kept up with my quarterly dishwasher cleaning using my favorite (and super effective) Finish Dishwasher Deep Cleaner.
I’m always amazed at how it looks, smells, and performs like a new dishwasher again after running one cycle with the cleaner.
If the inside of your dishwasher is looking a little greasy or grimy, if your dishes aren’t getting as clean as they used to, or if things are starting to smell a bit, give the inside of your dishwasher a good cleaning.
For the record, I’ve tried many different brands over the years and will only use the Finish brand now.
RELATED READING: How to Clean The Inside of Your Dishwasher
Favorite Books = Other Little House Books
This summer, I shared that the Little House books are some of my favorite (I often re-read them over the summer months). After that post, a reader suggested the “other little house” books as something she thought I’d like (thanks, Lynn, you were right!)
They are a series of books that preface Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books, diving into the possible lifestyle of her mother (Caroline), her grandmother (Charlotte), and her great-grandmother (Martha).
They are not true stories, but are based on some true/factual information known about Laura’s ancestors.
The books are also written at an elementary school reading level (for kids), so they are quick and easy reads — perfect for a busier season when you don’t have the brain power to muster through more complicated books.
READ THE BOOKS: Little House Books in Chronological Order
Favorite Gadget = Flat Plugs
Have you ever been annoyed by a bulky plug that doesn’t fit nicely behind furniture or causes an appliance to stick out unnecessarily when plugged in?
Yes, me too! 🙋♀️
So, when one of my long-time readers recommended “Flat Plugs” to me as one of HER favorite things, I knew I would love them too, since we’ve always had very similar tastes and preferences (thanks, Jen!)
It’s been well over a year since she first shared these flat plugs with me, and we now own several.
I use this 3-prong flat plug behind the dresser in our bedroom. It allows me to plug in the fan, the clock, and the heater, all while pressing my dresser back close to the wall.
I use this 2-prong flat plug in a few different spots in our home (it’s super flat).
And I use this tiny extension cord behind our Keurig on the kitchen counter. It lets me push the Keurig all the way back while hiding its plug and our bulky cell phone chargers.
I didn’t realize something so small and inexpensive could be such a game-changer for our home… but it is!
RELATED READING: How I Hide Cord Clutter
Favorite Craft Item = Acrylic Paint Pens
My kids enjoy painting rocks, and these Acrylic Paint Pens with double-sided tips are perfect for that. They also work well for painting any type of clay, wood, canvas, or glass… and they are so easy to use.
The colors are bright and bold. They go on smoothly, and they last for a very long time.
More recently, I realized these paint pens are also great for creating bulletin boards at church and for painting pumpkins if you don’t want to carve them. 😉
A quick note before you go out and buy them for your kids and grandkids: these paint pens are NOT washable — which is why they work well for rocks, glass, etc. So they will stain clothing… but as long as you’re careful, they are not drippy or messy to use.
RELATED READING: 10 Non-Messy Toddler Craft Ideas
Favorite Recipe = Cheesy Chicken Ranch Wraps
I’ve made these delicious chicken ranch wraps several times over the last few months as we’ve had more than a handful of busy weeknights bouncing between church activities, volleyball matches, and football games.
They are super easy to make in advance and store in the fridge or the freezer until we’re ready to eat. Then we just reheat them in a cast-iron pan, set out our containers of already washed and cut-up fruits and veggies, and we have dinner in less than 10 minutes.
They are also great in school lunches — the kids eat them cold or heat them in their classroom microwaves for 30 seconds.
TRY THE RECIPE: Cheesy Chicken Ranch Wraps.
Favorite Quote
“Done is better than perfect.”
Not sure who needs to read this today… but if you have perfectionistic tendencies, just remember, “done is better than perfect!”
Favorite Archived Post
Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the stuff in your home and life? Would you like to declutter and gain a little extra breathing room?
If so, the concept of space budgets might be helpful for you… and October is a great time to tackle a few organizing projects!
Read the full posts here: Solve your Stuff Problem with a Space Budget.
That’s all for this month. 😆
If you’re interested, you may scroll through all my Favorite Things posts HERE!
David Oscar says
I love how this post captures the cozy and refreshing spirit of October! From baking bread and decluttering to celebrating Clara’s sweet birthday it’s such a heartwarming mix of family, home, and simple joy. The idea of earlier evenings as a time to reset really resonates, and those flat plugs are such a genius find! Also, “Done is better than perfect” is the reminder I needed this week thank you for that!
Your fall routines sound so peaceful and balanced what’s one small habit or ritual you’d recommend adding to make October feel even more restful and organized?
Andrea says
Thanks David,
Aside from getting to bed earlier (and maybe reading for 15-20 minutes in bed) I’d suggest creating a simple meal plan every week (for dinner or all 3 meals) so you always know what the plan is, always have the right ingredients in the house, and can enjoy dinner at the table every night. That’s always a very restful feeling for me (not hastily opting for fast food b/c you don’t have a plan)
Laura says
Did you read the abridged version of the other little house books that are sold on Amazon? Or were you able to find the unabridged version?
Andrea says
Hmmm… I don’t know. I thought they were all unabridged. I got them from our library, but they look the same as the ones on Amazon. Sorry, I don’t know as I’ve already returned them to the library (but I do think they were unabridged).
Nancy says
I’ve shared a Brand Store on Amazon with you. https://www.amazon.com/stores/YISHU/page/F972A3D9-E602-4FCA-8997-63FD3BDE945F?lp_asin=B09PDLBFKY&ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_sf_stores_J5JYAW5XB0X9DWZGTVYM&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto
This is my favorite extension thingie. I hope this long code is correct. Lots of things can be plugged including USB and C things. The plug is flat, the cord is weirdly flexible and easy to deal with. I have 3 in the house and one to travel with. And it’s so inexpensive I was scared to order it. I very frequently think of the quote: Perfection is the enemy of good.”
Andrea says
Love it — and yes, the link worked! This looks fantastic, and so many outlets! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Linda says
Your rolls look delicious. I tried to find the recipe on your blog. Maybe I didn’t go back far enough. I’m trying to make more bread these days at home. Thanks!
Andrea says
It’s my whole grain bread dough that I just make into rolls. I don’t have them on my site but it’s easy:
1 cup water
1/2 milk
2 T butter
2 T honey
1 T. yeast
4 cups flour
1 t. salt
Warm the milk, water, butter, and honey (120º) and then add to dry ingredients. Mix for 5 minutes then let rest for an hour (covered). Shape into rolls and let rest (covered) for another hour. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes.
Rhonda says
I’ve been wanting to make soup, but it’s been too hot here in Wisconsin this fall! We only had one “cool” week the first part of September. I can’t remember a year that we’ve had our air conditioning on so many days. Looking forward to more fall-like weather!
Thanks for the recs on the plugs. I always need one of those flat ones, and then don’t have one. I think I’ll stock up!
Andrea says
you will love the flat plugs… and I make soup even in the summer (I use the slow cooker). It’s such an easy, frugal meal that also works well as leftovers. I make it all year round!!
Jean C says
My favorite thing is my wonderful library – used by so many in my community, inclusive, friendly, well designed and accessible. I love that in the past year they now offer “things” (tools, small equipment, puzzles, games, craft activities, etc) for check out. This week I saw someone checking out a corn hole game set! I also love access to books in other Michigan libraries through MelCat.
My other favorite thing is my Vera Bradley black quilted diaper bag that I have used as a travel carry-on for many years. It looks like new, has multiple pockets, waterproof lining and is just the right size. It doesn’t even look like a diaper bag.
Andrea says
Yes, we also use our library weekly for so many things! And I also love the way I can request books from other libraries
Jen says
Yay! I am SO HAPPY you love the flat plugs! They are amazing! Happy birthday to Clara, too. I LOVE that she had such a fun party with friends and without spending a lot of money or renting some ridiculously expensive “event space”. Our four had parties at 5, 10 (sleepover because those were still allowed in the 90s!), sweet 16, and high school graduation. I am so thankful we started out that way and it stuck! Some of the kids’ parties today blow my mind. We recently hosted a party at our pool for a 10 year old from church. She was given $50 gift cards to Sephora, Ulta, etc! I don’t know how parents keep up. I’m sure Clara’s party was memorable and lovely!
Andrea says
yes, Clara also got some expensive gifts — I was shocked! We stayed well under $100, even with 13 nice party favors for the girls who came. It would have been almost $300 to do something at an off-site location, and then they’re just eating junky pizza and pop. She had fun, the girls had fun, everything is good!
Beth Nesseth says
Your blog Last month really challenged me to clean my closet… Took three large bags to the thrift store…
Andrea says
yay — so happy you got to unload some of your stuff!!
Thanks for sharing, Beth!