Well, folks, it’s official: I’ve reached that time of year where I simultaneously want to hibernate and decorate everything in sight. This week was a mix of cozy blankets, half-empty Halloween candy bags (don’t ask), and a few attempts at being productive. Let’s just say ‘attempts’ is the key word there. Grab your coffee or your candy stash, and let’s catch up on the chaos that was this week!

I don’t know about where you are but it has been much colder here at night which has me wanting to go full bear mode and hunker down for the winter. I’ve got this internal struggle where part of me wants to accomplish every task I’ve put off for months, while the other part of me is already in pajamas by 3 p.m., sipping hot cocoa, and pretending that deadlines don’t exist. Spoiler: the pajama side is winning.

Oh, and let’s talk about the Halloween candy situation. I bought the “good” candy this year, but the problem is, I bought it too early. Every time I sit down to work, I hear those mini chocolate bars calling my name from the kitchen. At this point, there’s a solid chance the trick-or-treaters are going to end up with fruit snacks or granola bars, because let’s be honest, the candy supply has taken a hit. Although we only get two trick-or-treaters each year and I give them a full unopened bag each. I buy the candy and put it in the freezer thinking I will save some money and we will have candy for months. We don’t!

To top it off, I decided that since I wasn’t cranking out work at my usual pace, I’d channel my creative energy into decorating for fall. Because nothing says “I’m totally on top of things” like rearranging your entire living room to make room for just the right spot for a pumpkin centerpiece. Three hours, a pile of throw pillows, and two broken candles later, I’m happy to report that the place looks autumnal—if by autumnal you mean a chaotic mix of half-done projects and a floor covered in decorative leaf confetti.

But honestly, despite the mayhem, there’s something about this time of year that feels cozy and a little bit magical. Sure, my to-do list is as long as ever, and the whole ‘getting back to work’ thing is a slow process, but I’m choosing to embrace the small victories. Like the fact that I did actually write something this week, even if it was just a grocery list. And hey, the house smells like cinnamon, so I’m counting that as a win too.

So here I am, slowly getting back into the swing of things, while balancing the urge to dive into a pile of blankets and watch holiday movies on repeat. How was your week? Did you also spend more time reorganizing your fall decor than tackling your actual tasks? Let’s commiserate—there’s plenty of candy left (for now).

Over at Shady Pines this week, Mom decided she wanted to get into the Halloween spirit by carving a pumpkin. Sounds normal, right? Well, she forgot to buy the pumpkin, so she tried to carve a butternut squash instead. Meanwhile, Uncle R—who was in charge of ‘supervising’—thought it was a good idea to use the electric turkey carver on it. Long story short, the squash exploded, and we now have orange shrapnel in places I didn’t know food could reach.

The other day I bent down to pick something up and heard a sound. At first, I thought it was a creaky floorboard. Nope, just my knees making unique sounds. Apparently, at 48, you get your own personal soundtrack—creaks, pops, and groans, all courtesy of your joints. Move over, symphony orchestras, I’ve got this.

I started meal planning to help me in the grocery store a little more. We shop monthly and well lets be honest sometimes I don’t buy enough of something or I buy too much of something else. So, I thought I would share what our dinner plans are for next week and see what you think.

1. Monday: Creamy Pumpkin Risotto, Arugula Salad with Parmesan and Lemon Vinaigrette, Crusty Bread
2. Tuesday: Meatless Fettuccine Alfredo, Garlic Bread, Broccoli Salad
3. Wednesday: Roasted Chicken Thighs with Rosemary and Garlic, Sautéed Kale, Roasted Sweet Potatoes
4. Thursday: Baked Lemon Garlic Cod, Brown Rice, Roasted Cauliflower
5. Friday: Beef Chili with Kidney Beans, Cornbread, Coleslaw
6. Saturday: Homemade Margherita Pizza, Caprese Salad
7. Sunday (Family-Style Dinner): Braised Short Ribs, Creamed Spinach, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce

I thought I take the time to share three things that you can do or read for a little self care, a moment of peace and quiet or more.

• Read a chapter from a book you love.
• Practice gratitude journaling.
• Brew a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy it on your porch or a quiet spot.

Did you know I write more than one blog? Well I do and here are a few highlights from Storied Conversation. Please note that clicking any of the links below will take you away from Rita Reviews. I just wanted to let you know but please click away and give these blogs some love as well. You never know what you may find.

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