Fall is coming to an close and I think we're finally entering the end of Pumpkin Everything Season--to me, Christmas and New Year's Eve feel more like chocolate and caramel things. But I didn't want to let it go without one more festive pumpkin recipe! And when Lavazza sent me some coffee to try out and challenged me to create a complimentary recipe, I knew these little pumpkin custards would be just perfect.

After we went apple picking the other weekend, we had a bunch of apples in our kitchen. Imagine that. I spent a few days slicing one up and dipping it in almond butter, but I really felt like we couldn't go through fall without a dish that at least somewhat resembled/tasted like an apple pie. So I made this Paleo Apple Pie-ish Crumble. That's the scientific term for it.

It was beautiful this weekend. Stubborn leaves finally changed color, and long walks were taken outside around Normandale Lake. It was sunny every day, Rob picked out his wedding ring, and we had a great lunch at one of our favorite places. We folded laundry on Saturday night and then went out to a concert at ten followed by omelets at midnight.

On Sunday morning we slept in and addressed the last of our save-the-dates. We talked about our rehearsal dinner menu and I made Paleo crepes for brunch. It was cozy and uneventful enough to be one of those weekends where you feel comfortable and settled in.

We've mostly established a routine here, but sometimes it still doesn't actually feel real. I said, "Sometimes I forget that we live here" as we talked about ice skating sometime this winter, which is rapidly approaching. It's been unusual spending autumn away from Virginia this year. This season I love so much feels different here. I'm grateful for it all the same.

I don't remember when November became my favorite month--it must have been one of my undergrad days at Longwood. When you start something in August (be it school or moving to a new city), it takes until about now for you to really hit your stride, I think. The days get a little shorter, but your home feels a lot cozier, and the weather starts doing that thing where you almost feel like it's winter, but are still enjoying fall.

I guess being someone who feels so ambivalent about transitions, it only makes sense that this time of year is my favorite. I may not always care for uncertainty and change, but I do like dreary skies, morning fog, and chilly afternoons.

November begins the year's homestretch--we have two more months to make 2013 everything we wanted it to be. And if we just want to bake and drink tea and read instead, then that's just fine, too.

Happy November, friends, and happy weekend.

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I can't remember the last time I went apple picking in the fall. It's something I always want to do and never get around to, so this year, when we're together in Minnesota without many plans, we decided to go. It was a chilly Saturday morning and we stopped by our new favorite coffee shop for some almond milk lattes to to before driving about thirty minutes east to Afton Apple Orchard in Hastings, Minnesota.

It was kind of dreary and cold out, but we listened to my autumn playlist on the way and by the time we got there I was practically giddy with excitement. If all the cute, bundled up kids and the hayride out to the orchards weren't charming enough, the petting zoo stationed by the apple cider press really sealed the deal.

I had the best time. Good coffee, beautiful autumn weather, a romantic stroll through an apple orchard, and a couple of llamas. I don't ask for much, but I managed to get it all in one morning.

September came and went and not even one What I Wore post! I got some really cute ModCloth dresses for my birthday and wore them all over Virginia when we were on vacation, but I guess I just wasn't really in a blogging mood and didn't take any photos. I might be able to work a few in before winter comes, but for now it feels like autumn here and the sundresses have mostly made their way to the back of my closet.

It was rainy and cold last Sunday, and putting on jeans and boots was awesome. Until now, I don't think I've ever had a poncho. I also don't think I've ever loved a sweater as much as this new poncho. Here's to cozy fall weekends.