Friends, hi!
You know I love a list. Generally, I reserve my self-indulgent, fun lists to the summer months but I just… I need a little extra this year. The Summer Bucket List has been going strong since 2015 (can you believe) and the amount of joy I get from crossing off these lists over the years? It’s so much that I’ve decided to let those good times roll into fall.
I don’t know what kind of summer you’ve had, but if your summer was anything like mine… it hasn’t been the absolute best. It’s fine. Not every summer is a banger. I just feel like, I accidentally wished this summer away. And whatdoyaknow – summer really did fly by without me really holding onto its little joys.
I probably didn’t eat enough ice cream. That could have been the first problem.
This fall calls for a Summer Bucket-style List. I churn and burn through work from now until the end of the year, but I’m hoping this season’s list will remind me to enjoy the days as they pass. Also, let me just reward myself with Pumpkin Spice.
Here’s this week’s Sunday offering, friends. A little autumn inspiration to make these next few months feel as special as they are.
• My parents are in Houston (this very weekend, yay!) and I’m taking them to Space Center Houston. Literally “Houston we have a problem”! I need to find a way for us to watch Apollo 13 (yes, the 1995 drama staring Tom Hanks), before we hit up Mission Control. I might be more excited than my parents. If you don’t hear from me after this week, I’ve gone to space. Check the moon.
• Make an Italian feast using Dan Pelosi’s new cookbook Let’s Eat! There’s a recipe for Dan’s grandfather’s gigantic meatballs that set this whole intention in place. And I’ll make red sauce. And I’ll make garlic bread. Y’all better come hungry. Am I Italian now? (Book Larder)
• Ride a horse – really every chance I get.
• I decided that I’ll wear thigh high boots with tights this fall. The glory of getting older is that we get bolder. With my boldness I choose boots and tights and cute, very short sweater dresses. I also need to find the right dark-ish lipstick. Please advise. (DSW)
• Go to the State Fair of Texas to take a picture of Big Tex and eat absolutely everything.
• I googled where I can see fall foliage close to home. Texas, come through! On the list: Take a motorcycle ride through the Piney Forest between Palestine and Athens TX to see orange and yellow leaves. We love a spectacle!
• Make at least one of Dad’s Sweet Potato Pie for Thanksgiving and another Sweet Potato Pie to eat cold for breakfast the week after thanksgiving.
• Order a coffee drink with Pumpkin Cream Foam because the way that I watch people order Starbucks on TikTok is unhinged and I really just need to know what the fuss is about.
• Watch You’ve Got Mail because Amy and Abby say it’s the official start to fall.
Now, In things I’ve read and scrolled this week:
• Scroll through this late summer meditation To Fall In Love With The World.
• Jason Diamond on That 1980’s Bowling Alley Smell because some scents are only a memory.
• I’m fancy; we’re fancy: Pistachios Are Quiet Luxury.
• Please watch our friend Karlee make a quilt with her grandmother and let it warm your heart.
• This fall’s firstread is from Toby’s Summer Reading List: The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store.
Will you put together a fall list? Do you need this as much as I do?
Happy Sunday!
I think you’re so great.
xo Joy
27 Responses
I may be a little late to comment, but regarding our Great State Fair that starts today…a few pointers:
1. Wait until the weather cools off, we are supposed to have a front on Thursday-ish of nest week, so go after when it’s cool-ish.
2. Go during the week, not on the weekend.
3. Try to get there when it opens so you can park inside the gates.
4. The buildings that are on the fair grounds are original and are Art Deco..(she’s an old gal) but very photogenic (sp?)!
5. Fletcher’s Corny Dogs are a must, and so is the cold beer to go with it!
6.Have a blast, it only comes once a year so see and do everything!
Regards,
Christy
Side hustle – make your bucket list backgrounds editable/printable for us who just love to look at them. ????? Didn’t do a summer bucket list but definitely doing a fall one since fall is THE BEST. Xoxo
I feel like you just knew that Side Hustle is my middle name. :)
Joy, let me just say you have the nicest handwriting!
That’s very kind, Christine! xo
At the Fair: Fried Nutterbutters > Fried Oreos. I said what I said.
I am picking up what you’re putting down, Erica THANK YOU.
Joy, please don’t forget NOLA. RED SAUCE????? RED GRAVY!!!
Always………..
You’re not wrong, Wendy. Please forgive.
Ooh, the thigh high boots with long sweaters.. I could sign up for! Especially living in Canada..
Fall is my favourite season of all here: layers, hot beverages (not necessarily pumpkin flavoured but definitely foamy), sitting on the balcony cozied up with a book and the foliage!!! I love it all.
I have another film favourite I watch every October – Practical Magic.
Sending you all cozy vibes from up north! :)
The boots and sweater should absolutely be your fall uniform! And you’re so right about Practical Magic! Adding it to the list!
You’ve Got Mail is one of my all-time fave movies. Warm, cozy and comforting. I think you’ll love it!
That movie is so dang cozy!
I made pistachio lemon bars today. Deeeeelish.
Wait I feel like I need to know more! I’m imagining traditional lemon bars made with a pistachio nut crust?
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store is a fantastic novel! Enjoy every word!
Favorite fall foliage spot in Texas and some great backcountry camping – Lost Maples SNA. It’s over 4 hours from Houston but worth it!
This lipstick in Tempting!
https://www.mineralfusion.com/products/vegan-mineral-lipstick?variant=31821420757074
Pretty, Jenny! Thank you!
Okay, I relate to everything here, but especially visiting NASA and the call for dark lipstick. I think an easy way to get an Apollo 13 viewing in is that it’s one of those feel good movies. There’s a disaster but everyone saddles up and gets it done. There’s learning from mistakes and innovation on the spot and lots of hugging. Also, my best friend and I live at least one state apart but our October goal is to get witchy dark lipstick because of reasons. I’m considering either Sin or Diva by MAC but I’ve dipped my toe in more casually with Vamps Who Brunch Slip Shine from Fenty. It’s more like balm than lipstick but very comfortable and super pretty. I consider it a bridge between summer and autumn.
Maggie THANK YOU for coming here with everything I needed. My parents and I did, in fact, watch Apollo 13 and the way I very nearly cried was… just silly. Also I looked up at the moon last night and thought, for the first time in a long time, GOSH – we really went all the way up there. We decided to and we did. The human spirit is really something. Also, math?
And thank you for your lipstick recs. I’m off to open me some more internet tabs about it rn. Thank you bigtime!
I, too, will be going to the State Fair! It is such a “Texas thing!”
My summer seemed to fly by right before my very eyes…so I love the idea of a Fall Fun List! ??
As always, a huge fan of LIBS ?
Thank you, Dawn! We just need a little something extra this year, don’t we? See you at the State Fair. If you see me with a giant turkey leg in my mouth, no you didn’t.
My favorite dark fall lipstick is Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink in shade 160 “Mover”. It is such a stunning rich plum.
https://www.target.com/p/maybelline-superstay-matte-ink-liquid-lipstick-mover-0-17-fl-oz/-/A-76466212?ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012510706&CPNG=PLA_Beauty%2BPersonal+Care%2BShopping%7CBeauty_Ecomm_Beauty&adgroup=Online+Test&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=m&location=9010619&targetid=aud-824336953885%3Apla-2175346181990&ds_rl=1246978&gbraid=0AAAAAD-5dfZiXu4lfIGKk8XC5kL9LREUi&gclid=Cj0KCQjwx5qoBhDyARIsAPbMagDZlWg9siHptQKeBuqLzS0fZfV_fM1rOjZOOrI-RPuHQD_3hKoiZeMaAvXEEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
YES to your Dad’s Sweet Potato Pie. It has replaced pumpkin pie in my life.
Re: dark lipstick — with your coloring, I think you need to lean into the darker shades of puce:
https://i.pinimg.com/236x/f8/f9/bd/f8f9bd7fbb809ff0d414d8e651837359–puce.jpg
My parents live in palestine….I never quite got the fall foliage vibe there. I am from east Texas- Tyler to be exact. There are beautiful and peaceful two lane country roads that would wonderful to visit on a motorcycle.
My fave dark lipstick is Rumba by Ilia. https://iliabeauty.com/products/rumba