September 22

One more reason its great not to be working: I can actually help friends out. I spent the day cleaning and moving stuff into my friends, the Barnts', new home. I'm excited for them, and it was cool to share in the fun of putting a new home together.

It's finally, at moments, starting to feel like Fall. I love this time of year. From October to Dec 24th I'm nearly always in a good mood--especially if it's a crisp blustery day. Can't wait to break out my sweaters and scarves and Christmas music. Mom and I are planning to go all out making decorations for the house (newly remodeled, inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement). We've already bought the ingredients for a Fall wreath*. I normally don't do the silk-plant thing, but after last year's wreath of leaves from our lawn barely survived Thanksgiving, I'm thinking I'd like the work to pay off for a few years rather than a few days. Hopefully we'll also make little chocolate turkeys for Thanksgiving.** We used to do it when I was little and I'd like to revive the tradition.

*It'll kind of look like this but with less berries and more leaves, and some sunflowers thrown in.

**this linked recipe gives an idea of what they're like, but ours have a candy corn head (no neck) and a chocolate-star tail instead of almond. Ours are way cuter.