Loose Ends * Avoid-the-Holiday-Craziness Edition


October is one of my favorite months.  You, too?

Flip flops vie with sweatshirts, but leggings are saving the day.  Russet leaves and warm mid-day sunshine compete with hurricane force rainstorms.  Fresh routines, the upcoming holidays, and much earlier sunsets remind us that the year is careening to a close.

Meanwhile, for sanity's sake, I'm doing everything I can to take life slow.  Be sure to read Erin Loechner's needed reminder below ...  we don't have to make our way through these upcoming weeks like we're ricocheting through crazytown.  We can, indeed, choose slow.

1 Essential Question to Ask Yourself Before the Holidays Descend has been one of your favorite posts over the years, making an appearance in 2014, 2015, 2016.  Well before the potential madness begins to descend, I hope you'll click on the link to read why.

And if you've suffered loss this year, be sure to click on the Surviving the Holidays Seminar link below.  Such good stuff for those of us who are figuring out how to navigate this season in the midst of sorrow.  Here's Why You Might Want to Serve S'Mores on Thanksgiving is our family's story on how we switched up our traditional Thanksgiving routine a few years back after the sudden losses of my dad and our grandson.

And if you're longing for some kind of Norman Rockwell scenario but you know it's just not gonna happen, please do sit with When You're Looking at a Bittersweet Christmas.  You, my dear friend, are not alone.

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Meanwhile?

I'm snacking on ... 


Lydia's Protein Bites
These are our 16 year old runner's go-to snack.  But the fact is most of the family is noshing on these babies more days than not.  I feel so healthy popping one in my mouth.  I wouldn't call them attractive, but they ARE filling and nutritious and yummy.

Combine & roll into 1" balls:
2 tablespoons honey

2/3 cup peanut butter

1 cup oats

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1/2 cup ground flax seeds.

Store in fridge.  Lydz says to DOUBLE recipe.  I couldn't agree more.


I'm sharing these superb links ...

GriefShare

Lesley @ Life in the Spacious Place

Erin Loechner

Kate Bowler

Preston Ni

Carey Nieuwhof


I'm wandering around outdoors ...

a rainbow of pumpkins



purple sea glass 



 aqua sea glass



weird trees


I'm anticipating this Christmas movie ...



I'm thinking I found my favorite book for 2019 ...



I can't stop singing this song ...



I'm trying to figure out what Thanksgiving should look like for the {gulp} 24 of us ...


Let's talk about your autumn discoveries, holiday survival hints, favorite snacks, outdoor joys ... and feel free to link up your best October post or end-of-the-month review!  
Bless you, bless your home, bless your people ~
Linda

 Nope, it's not too late to jump right 
into our Autumn Book Club!

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you'll find me at
Mary's