Do you ever have those moments where you find a quote online and you think “holy crap, it’s almost like who ever wrote that can see straight into my soul”?
That’s what happened to me when I found this heavenly little blurb by Peggy Toney Horton.
I don’t want to seem cliche, but for me it feels like while everything begins to die in September, I finally come to life.
I know what you’re thinking, “come to life? In what sense were you NOT alive?”.
The 3 endless months of hot dry weather assassinated my soul, okay?
As the weather cools off, the leaves turn orange, and the clouds finally roll in – I settle into my absolute favorite half of the year: fall & winter.
I simply do not belong in 80 degree weather. I hate being hot, I don’t enjoy sweating, and I hate the fact that I can’t achieve a comfortable temperature by removing layers in the summer, like I can in the fall by adding them. You can only get SO naked, you know? Yeah, you know. You know exactly what I’m talking about.
What I don’t want happening this fall is for me to spend 3 months gawking at the orange leaves from the mundane comfort of home, and not getting out to truly enjoy them.
So I’m making PLANS; if Montana ever stops being on fire… that is.
My September plans will definitely seep into October and November, seeing as the state of Montana isn’t expected to have it’s wildfires under control for quite some time. So for the sake of the entire North West, you all better be praying to the weather god for rain – or whatever you do. (;
Here’s what I’ve got going on…
Farmers Markets:
I’m mostly interested in the the Kalispell Farmer’s Market. It’s close by, easy to access, and there aren’t a million people there. I look forward to a few brisk Saturday mornings, latte in hand, enjoying the plethora of autumn’s harvest: sunflowers, fresh corn, apples and pumpkins. I intend to get out and enjoy one of Whitefish’s Farmers Markets too. (they’re just a little more hectic).
Sweet Pickins Pumpkin Patch:
Now, apparently this place has been around for a long time. I don’t remember ever going to it, AND it seems fairly aimed at families with kids.. But Paul and I are DEFINITELY going. We usually just buy pumpkins the day before Halloween which is great, but how much more enjoyable would it be to go to a pumpkin patch and pick your own, all while getting to enjoy a fricken Autumn Wonderland. I mean, LOOK at this place! Little slice of autumn heaven.
Much more sitting at Colter Coffee:
This is one of my favorite past times. I used to come to Colter Coffee after school to “do homework” all the time. (I really just sat around with books in front of me, sipping coffee or chai). The vibe inside Colter is really what people are after though. There isn’t anything else like it (IMO), especially not in Kalispell. Now, if you were to head over to say, Portland or Seattle, there would be something similar on every street corner. But we just have one, which makes it that much more special. Colter Coffee definitely has the hygge factor that I’m constantly seeking out. (Side note: We’ll go over hygge in the near future, promise. Just google it for now.)
(Extra side note: I’m not a Starbucks hang out kind of gal, so don’t even SUGGEST that their atmosphere beats out Colter, don’t you dare).
Lots of reading, hopefully outdoors:
I thoroughly enjoy the idea of laying in a wooded thicket, sipping on hot tea, bundled up in a cable knit throw – reading the afternoon away.. That’s not super realistic though, so I’ll settle for a ton of reading, anywhere, anytime. I have a ton of books on my current lineup, three of which I’ve already started.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – Queen J.K. Rowling
You Are a Badass – Jen Sincero
The Little Book of Hygge – Meik Wiking
You Are a Badass at Making Money – Jane Sincero
And a few others, I wont bore you.
A few fall hikes at GNP:
If the poor park makes it through this damn fire season, I’d love to make it up there for at least a few hikes. It absolutely kills me that it’s on fire. Just one more reason to believe that summer’s the worst. Drought, 80+ degrees every day, & thousands of people crowding our beautiful Glacier National Park = not my idea of a good time. I like to go to the park in the spring and fall. Plus, those mountains are just way prettier when they’re snow capped.
So that’s what I have going on for September. Along with the obvious: lot’s of working, sleeping, coffee and studying.
What am I missing? What do you guys do in September?
a cup of lo 
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