I had two favorite things about yesterday:

1. An afternoon walk.
2. And a family dinner.

When we cracked open an egg and noticed two yokes in the center, we made a wish for good luck. And then I went snap happy on a walk up the canyon and later was introduced to just about the funniest person alive. If I could have a new roommate, I'd probably pick Fredrick, The Protector of Faith.*

*(warning: this film is not g-rated).

last minute thought.

A lot of people have a lot to say about feminism. I think I like what G.K. Chesterson has to say about it too:

"It [feminism] is mixed up with a muddled idea that women are free when they serve their employers but slaves when they help their husbands."
-G.K. Chesterson

Chesterson is right on up there with C.S. Lewis and Elder Holland in my book.

a sticky sweet saturday afternoon.

I like extra sugar in my oatmeal for breakfast, at least on Saturday mornings. I like making plans last second, and catching up with people I care about for longer than expected. I like sleeping in and wearing my hair in curls that I did yesterday morning, and reading over old letters from my brown box in bed. I like my new library card that even came with a frog on it, and I like conversations with Mom and Dad. I like reruns of Modern Family (where has this show been all my life?!) and I like going to the store to make s'mores in a jar with old friends tonight.

I like Alfred Hitchcock movies and apple pie in the fall,
I like driving past the football stadium and hearing the crowds cheer,
and I like Saturday afternoons most of all.

taking it all in.

While sitting underneath blankets and scarves in our leather jackets, we tried to take all of autumn in. It was the first time in seven weeks I think I really let myself think about nothing at all, and I made only one mental note: I need to do this more often.

The drive through Sundance all the way up to Aspen Grove surely has to be one of the prettiest things I've seen in all my life. Especially when it came to the yellow leaves on the aspen trees; they were so bright it looked like gold, and we even had to listen to this Coldplay song twice because of it. Maybe even three times.

And then came our picnic: apple pie, cream soda, and honey butter with bread. Baguette bread, to be clear. I don't know where that idea even came from, (perhaps from our self-scheduled Saturday morning French lessons?) but I'm a baguette-bread-picnic-eater for life now.

And I know I said it last time, (and maybe even last year) but this fall is my favorite. I've lived through 21 of them before, but number 22 seems to be taking the cake. And to be honest, I don't even know why. This semester certainly has been the most difficult. The past few weeks have definitely had more ups and downs and disasters than I can count. But the weather makes me feel like its "my best day" nearly every day - and although I don't know why, I'll take it.

witches night out.

For whatever reason, the nickname "witches" have stuck with us over the years, which is why witches night out at Gardner Village gives us an excellent excuse to say things like:
"Break your bones break your back, make your skin black as black!"*

This year included the best soup you will ever find, free cookies & cream fudge, Britney Spears, too much traffic and orange striped tights. The night "put us through the ringer" as Kylie would say, considering all the events like policemen in short shorts and witches galore -- but it was a perfect fall activity, if I do say so myself.

As for other Halloween outings: This week we'll be going to see the silent film Phantom of the Opera at the Organ Loft with our kindred spirits who lately seem to make Monday mornings okay with traditional movie nights on Sunday.

And I gotta say it: I really like the fall, but I like it this year especially.

--

*Heaston Dahl may be the only person who will understand this.

your happiness will have no ends.

A few years ago, I remember reading a talk by President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and for me, it was one of those things you read once and remember for the rest of your life:

"My young friends, there is much happiness and joy to be found in this life. I can testify of that. I picture you with a companion whom you love and who loves you. I picture you at the marriage altar, entering into covenants that are sacred. I picture you in a home where love has its fulfillment, and I picture you with little children about you and see your love growing with them. I cannot frame this picture. I would not if I could, for it has no bounds. Your happiness will have no ends."

I've spent so much time "planning my own wedding" since I was six (just kidding, maybe like 12) and usually it included things like what flowers I wanted at the reception, or what "our wedding song" would be -- but I think so much of the little details go unnoticed anyway because you're so overwhelmingly happy and grateful for the feeling of love. And for family, too.

a monday.

This is one of those days that the pages of history teach us are best spent lying in bed.
-A Philadelphia Story

It was one of those days. At least I can say it's Tuesday in two hours.