An October Goodbye and Some Fall Favorites

October. I always get excited for this month because it starts to look like fall (even if it’s mostly inside with silk leaves) and smell and taste like fall even if it doesn’t quite FEEL like fall. I dig out my scarves, fall-colored clothing, cozy pj’s, pumpkin candles, etc only to realize that most of the month is still 85 degrees! However, at night we get a slight crispness in the air to whisper that Fall is indeed on the way.

When I was a kid, I remember loving this time of year leading up to Christmas. My mom would create such a warm festive atmosphere with her tummy warming meals, yummy baked goods, and festive home decor. As an adult, I find myself craving that warm, inviting, and cozy environment and trying to figure out ways to recreate the same Fall feels. This October has proved to be a bit rough with a goodbye to my dog Bruiser and looking to fall favorites to pick me back up.

LOSING BRUISER

Bruiser Malone was my Brindle Boston Terrier and fur buddy for 12 years. My ex and I got him when he was just 8 weeks old. We had researched puppies for months and decided we wanted a Boston and since we knew we didn’t want to go to a pet store, and there are rarely Bostons to rescue, we researched reputable breeders. When I came across the picture below I knew I had found our puppy. Bruiser came from Missouri on a plane flight and we picked him up from the airport. In a cute little kennel tied with a red, white, and blue ribbon were cozy toys from his home and a wiggly little pup full of hope and excitement.

The Bruiser Life

Fast forward 5 years, my ex and I separated, and Bruiser and I started a new chapter on our own. First with my parents and then moving into my own place. He helped to keep me company, decorate for Christmas and make my new condo a cozy home.

However, when I decided to go back to school while also having a full-time job, I realized that it was extremely unfair to keep Bruiser home alone. So back he went to my parents, where he went on constant walks, field trips to the beach and parks, swam, got constant hugs, massages, and eventually got a new friend named Otis.

Making that Decision

Bruiser’s health began to decline in this last year and especially in the last few months. I prayed that God would take him to heaven so that I wouldn’t have to make that decision that every pet owner dreads. But, Bruiser is a determined guy and lived to make everyone smile so he continued to push through. I began to research about dogs and how to know when to take next steps and I was surprised to discover he was suffering more than I knew. After yet another vet visit, I knew what we had to do. What I didn’t know was that there are vets that can come to your home and make it a peaceful comfortable experience. Bruiser was such an amazing soul and I knew I didn’t want his last moments to be in an unfamiliar place, with fluorescent lights, and smells of other animals and fear.

I cried all week leading up to the day where he would leave us and continued to pray that he would go on his own. But I realized maybe I needed to tell him it was ok to go and for me to be the strong one. He’s been there through so many chapters in my life, so constant, and so positive. Maybe it was my turn to help him into his next chapter.  My heart broke the day I said goodbye to him. I believe a piece of it is just gone forever. Not sure what was harder, saying goodbye to the first dog I ever picked out, named, trained, and took care of, or seeing my mom’s heart break as she held him in his last moments.

Healing

Weeks later, I’m still surprised at how I will think of Bruiser and my heart will hurt but I know he is without pain now and back to obsessing over soccer balls, watermelon, and off frolicking with other pups that have passed on. Maybe a few cats..I don’t know how he ever felt about them. 🙂

I did not write this post to make everyone sad, so I will now lighten the mood! I just wanted to be honest and open about what happened and give comfort to anyone who may have gone through similar situations. So much of what is on social media, websites, and blogs is about tackling life and doing it all and attempting to be…well …perfect. And that’s not reality. Please write me if you want the name of the amazing vet who not only had a calming demeanor but seemed to know just the right things to say at exactly the right moments.

GOING BACK TO DANCE AND FALL FAVORITES

This month I went back to taking a jazz class from a teacher I took from back in college. I needed to do something to help me through losing Bruiser and one of my goals for 2019 was to take a dance class.  It’s amazing the joy dance still brings me! I couldn’t really walk the next day, but it made me so happy. What are you doing that brings you true joy? This time of year, truly brings me joy so I wanted to share a few of my favorite fall things!

Fall Favorites

13 Fall Movies

Ok, I am definitely a movie lover and when this time of year starts, I break out my favorite movies. These are movies  that take me back to childhood or just get me in the seasonal mood! Here are a few of my go-to’s and some little known facts about a few that may just make you want to go watch them! I will preface this list by admitting I am a wimp ok? I do NOT like scary, gory, movies but will tolerate a few thrillers every now and then. These are in no particular order:

What Lies Beneath

Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer. Need I say more? It’s a supernatural thriller with some jumpy parts but really well done.

FUN FACTS: Director Robert Zemeckis shot this movie in a Hitchcockian style which I think is why I love it. The heroine is even blonde, just like a lot of Hitchcock films. During the end scene, a face appears in the snow before fading to black (ok, now I have to go watch this because I never saw that!

Hocus Pocus

While I realize that this Disney movie is quite cheesy there is something about it that always puts me in the Fall/Halloween mood. Plus, I think that Bette, Sarah-Jessica, and Kathy all seemed to have such a fun time! (Yea, we are totally on a first-name basis.)

FUN FACTS: To pitch the story to Disney, writers had execs enter a dark room with props like vacuums and broomsticks hanging around and scattered 15 pounds of candy corn throughout the room to invoke Halloween nostalgia! Real moths fly out of Billy’s mouth in the movie! Ew.

You’ve Got Mail

I love this movie because of the overall feeling of it and it’s Fall and Winter in NY! Plus, they talk about the smell of newly sharpened pencils in September!  Oh, and the fact Tom Hanks is in it and that it’s a Nora Ephron film doesn’t hurt.

Beetlejuice

This movie not only reminds me of being a kid but I’m also obsessed with the theme song. It’s perfect for driving to work on my 1-2 hour commutes during Fall! I don’t think I need to really sell this one because I’m pretty sure many enjoy it, “Day-O!”

FUN FACTS: Sammy Davis Jr. was the first choice to play Beetlejuice. It won an Oscar for Best Makeup. Oh, and Anjelica Huston was almost Delia Deetz.The movie was nearly called “Scared Sheetless”, this cracked me up!

Ghostbusters

I’m not even going to say why this film needs to be on everyone’s list. Let’s just go to the fun facts shall we?

FUN FACTS: Sigourney Weaver did a wordless audition that involved her turning into one of the dogs and writhing on a couch. No wonder she got the part! One of the scenes in which Slimer flies around a chandelier, is really a peanut spray painted green!

Warm Bodies

Ok, if you haven’t seen this movie, drop everything and go watch. Not a huge fan of zombies myself (couldn’t get through Walking Dead without being a little grossed out or laughing at the random zombies slinking across scenes) this movie is a cute zombie love story if you will. Love the message.

The Addams Family

While I think this movie is great and the cast is awesome, I mostly love it because of Anjelica Huston.

FUN FACTS: Cher and Kim Basinger wanted to play Morticia but the director only ever wanted Anjelica. Many think Tim Burton was involved with this film but he wasn’t. However, Christina Ricci was told by her mom to channel Winona Ryder in Beetlejuice for her audition.

Sleepless in Seattle

This movie has held a special place in my heart since junior high. I watch it every year around Fall time. The music is great and romantic and I just love the overall feel of the movie and it references another great movie within, An Affair to Remember.

FUN FACTS: Nora Ephron’s first major directorial job. Julia Roberts turned down the lead and Tom Hanks admits he was a cranky actor at that time in his life.

Edward Scissorhands

I have no specific reasons why I like this film except that I love most of Tim Burton/Danny Elfman films. Their overall themes and haunting originality enthrall me. And most Burton films could be on this list right?

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Of course! When this movie came out I thought it was genius. It married my two favorite holidays and then…it became a Disneyland ride! The music was catchy and the film was unlike anything out at the time.

FUN FACTS: Ok, maybe this isn’t so fun. This movie is 26 years old. Dang! Danny Elfman voiced musical numbers AND dialogue but Chris Sarandon ended up being used for the main dialogue. This caused Elfman to refuse to do Burton’s next film. Jack Skellington has a cameo in James and the Giant Peach. Tim Burton did NOT direct the film.

The Worst Witch

I apologize ahead of time for the fact that this film may be hard to find at a reasonable price. It came out in the 80s and was an HBO film. Tim Curry is in it along with a very young Fairuza Balk. It is everything that reminds me what it was like to be 6/7 around Halloween time.

Fantastic Mr. Fox

I found myself watching this movie by accident one day and was surprised by how entertained I was and how I laughed out loud at the humor! It’s one of those films that makes you think it’s for kids but it may be more appreciated by grown-ups. The colors and stop motion are amazing!

It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

Another childhood favorite! Not much else to say!

RECIPES I’M LOVING

Pumpkin Spice Latte

So tired of the overly sweet and fake stuff out there at retailers I will not name. I tried this recipe for an at home Pumpkin Spice Latte this last weekend and danced with glee! My boyfriend was highly entertained and impressed by the taste as well. It’s a dream come true and SO easy.

Pumpkin Spice and Zucchini Oatmeal

Funny story. I looked for a recipe for Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal and realized that this is how I’m preparing my oatmeal year round!  But I add the Zucchini! Prepare oatmeal as you normally would but before microwaving or cooking, sprinkle in some cinnamon, pumpkin spice, a tablespoon or so of maple syrup, some walnuts and a handful of raw shredded zucchini. I promise you will not taste the zucchini and it gets a veggie in first thing in the morning!

Vegetable Chicken Soup

This Mexican Vegtable Soup is everything I crave on a crisp fall evening. I add some rotisserie chicken and cut the veggies a little chunkier than specified. Dahlish!

PRODUCTS I’M LOVING

I’m always trying new products and LOVE to share them with family and friends (just ask them!) and I don’t talk about a product unless I have personally tried it and love it. And while many of the links I may feature are Amazon and I am an Amazon Affiliate, all other links and recipes I am not getting paid to advertise for. Just a small disclaimer.

Every Fall I try products to help me get in the Fall mood and what better way to start your day than with a Pumpkin Spice shower gel. Now, I know Pumpkin Spice is everywhere and sometimes honestly the smell is just annoying, but Ulta’s Pumpkin Spice shower gel is yummy and amazing without smelling obnoxious.

During my day whether it be because of the cold air or the Santa Ana winds my lips get chapped. I started using Burt’s Bees lip balm in Wild Cherry. I’m not usually a cherry lover but something about this reminds me of being a kid.

After a tough day it’s nice to come home and light a candle to create some coziness. My favorite this season is no longer any pumpkin scent but Bath and Body Works’ Cider Lane candle.

Lastly, I have a weekly cleaning regimen and while no one really LOVES cleaning (ok, maybe some of you out there get joy out of it) doing it with products like Mrs. Meyer’s Apple Cider products are smile-inducing. Yes, you will smile as you wash your dishes and clean your counters. Beware though I DO NOT recommend their Pumpkin Spice!

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE FALL THINGS?

I would love to hear about products, movies, and what makes you get in the fall mood! Please comment below to share your ideas or even just to let me know if you tried anything above! I’m off to go try a new recipe for Pumpkin Muffins and will include that in a later post if I think they are worth writing home about”. Look forward to hearing from you! 🙂

UPDATE: Pumpkin Spice Muffins (Grain Free!) were a hit! Amazing and kid approved! 😉