The Little Things No. 57

Dear friends,

The last Friday of October was Halloween. After work, I drove to town and walked around to admire all of the Halloween decorations and festivities as kids trick or treated through the village. It was pure 90s Halloween nostalgia for me. Matthew was away for the weekend and I love Halloween so I was a little sad to spend it alone. My family was going to have a Halloween party, but cancelled because so many cousins had a corn hole tournament. Walking through town instantly uplifted my mood. I stopped into At The Corner, a restaurant in town to pick up some food to bring home and a group of kids started screaming “Miss. Courtney! Mrs. Courtney! Mrs. Courtney!!!” I turned to find about twelve kids I knew from my job at the library. I work part-time as a local children’s librarian, and it has been so rewarding. It was cute that the kids stopped me to show me their costumes. Halloween truly is a magical time, especially in New England.

October is my busy season. I work part-time as a children’s librarian and part-time as a secretary at a law firm, so it’s a full-time commitment in two different towns with a commute between the two. I also own my own photography business, so October is a big rush for weddings, engagements and family sessions. When I’m not working or editing photos, I have been catching up on chores and chilling at home. We finally ordered curtains for the tea room, so many of my mornings before going to work are spent at the table with a cup of tea and a book.

This month I am so grateful for the little things. What I like about my monthly Little Things posts is that it shares not only a preview of my monthly life, but it is a lovely way to look back on the little moments in my camera role that were important enough for me to take the time to capture with my phone. It’s such a joy to look back on these recent happy moments. As a professional photographer, I know that my blogs and photos appear a bit polished, but these phone snaps are such a candid look into my days and I really like that.

Here is an ode to the little things. May your November be a cozy month.

 

Our dear Monet. He is the most stubborn cat I have ever met. We spent a good year trying to get him to not go on the table. One night Matthew lifted him off 43 times (we counted) and each time he jumped back up and got angrier and angrier until he growled and eventually wore us out. As you can see, he has trained us well:

The autumn 25 perfume from Ffern. I really like this month’s scent as it is also made with crab apples.

Our swing, which we will be taking down soon before winter comes.

Autumn in Essex:

I follow a lovely local creator on Instagram called the Milton Meadow. They have sheep, which I would love to have a few one day. I mentioned to Matthew how much I would love to meet them and ask questions about their sheep. Matthew sent her a message and next thing I knew we had a lovely invite to come over. I met Lettie’s sheep, Rosemary and Thyme and we went out for a nice dinner. It was lovely.

The pumpkin picking train ride we took our friends and their two children on:

When our friends visited for the weekend, we pulled out this train set for their kids to play with. Madeleine loves it so much that we have kept it out for her. She likes leaning against in, laying in front of it and watching the train around the track when we move it for her.

I have been a fan of Taylor Swift’s music since I was 15 (I’m the same age as Taylor). Matthew surprised me with the album and I treated myself to the cardigan. I don’t buy fan merch often, but I love these cardigans and this one is fun. I love the album. Father Figure has been on repeat all week.

I had a Halloween story time last Monday and dressed as a witch. On Wednesday and Thursday, I had our class visits from the elementary school, and I dressed as Miss. Rachel one day and wore a pumpkin sweater the next. That Thursday I hosted a trick or treat story time, and we took the kids trick or treating through the town hall and the library. Overall, I read to 129 kids and 33 adults last week!

Our roses are still blooming, even though nights are getting pretty cold.

A couple weeks ago I drove up to Lake Placid New York for a wedding photo shoot. We actually had perfect and warm autumn weather and I stayed in this cute cabin:

Martha is the queen of Halloween. I love this book with recipes, costumes and decorating ideas.

Instead of scrolling online I’ve been making more time to read. I loved this book for spooky season.

These Priscilla curtains from the Vermont Country store set up in the tea room. I need to attach the tie-backs properly and steam the wrinkles out, but it’s looking so good.

Harvested this kale from my garden just in time for the first big frost!

I froze some to use in soups this winter, made kale chips and gifted bunches of kale to those I know.

New England just does Halloween spookiness so well:

Our nephew, Bear, visited us from Georgia for the first time! We took him to local spots including Thorncrest Farm and I brought back a can of the chocolate covered candied ginger.

More Madeleine snuggles. She has been laying her head on my lap and it is the cutest thing.

I hope that you have a beautiful cozy season.