Continuing with the whole fall theme, today I'm going to share with you the list of books I want to read this coming fall/winter. Now--before you go and freak out that there is no possible way that I'm going to be able to read this many books in the next eight-ish months--

I. KNOW. 

But a girl has to have options when it comes to reading (and shoes).

If I feel like reading a novel, I have choices. If I want to read an advice/self-help book, I have options. If a need an easy read, I have a selection. If I need something thought provoking, I have alternatives. If I need...

...you get the idea.

Anyway, once I realized how much time this whole breast-feeding-thing takes, I decided it was time to make the most of it. Reading just seemed to be the logical solution. I have way too many books that have sat, untouched, on our bookshelves. I have the classic problem of buying a book with every intention of reading it, only to get 'too busy' and never get to it.

Yea, I guess there are worse things to deem a problem.

But, seriously, can you tell me how to get a hold of Book Hoarders Anonymous? 

Aaaand this post just continues to digress. Let's just get to the point. Here is my list:

A Light in the Window by Jan Karon

*7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

*Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs

The Sweet By and By by Sarah Evans

The Money Saving Mom's Budget by Crystal Paine

Beautiful Things Happen When a Women Trusts God by Sheila Walsh

Created to be his Help Meet by Debi Pearl

The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World by Debbie Williams

*My Life in France by Julia Child

*Harry Potter and the Socerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin

*books I have already read, but plan to read again.

There you have it! I'm sure this list will change--it always does! Nevertheless, I'm really looking forward to the cooler weather and snuggling up on the couch with little Daniel and a good book!

What is on your fall/winter reading list? 

Cocooning

Winter and fall have always been my favorite seasons. Looking back, I'm surprised that I didn't get married in the middle of either of them. Couldn't you picture a beautiful fall wedding complete with hayrides, pumpkin carving, and all sorts of fall activities?!?! I guess I just wasn't patient enough to wait until then :)

As you know, we have been getting our house ready for winter. In these here parts it is important to ready your house for lake effect snow and the months of cold weather that will soon blanket us all. Since our house has little insulation, single paned windows, and a very old boiler it is important for us to be as efficient about our energy use as possible. Think: good window coverings, door draft guards, and alternative sources of heat. 

Today we will be having an energy audit done. We are hoping that the age of our home and the condition that it's in, will qualify us for a grant of some sort. That would be awesome considering we still need to update at least ten windows, upgrade our boiler, and insulate. Not to mention all the other places that I'm sure "energy" isn't being used efficiently. I'm very curious to see what the auditor says.

In the meantime, I will be cocooning. Yes, cocooning. 

{source}

Last week I received my Garnet Hill magazine. This is the front cover. See in the bottom right corner?

Cocooning is the perfect word to describe what I do during the cold months. Yes. I realize that I'm crazy, but maybe there is someone out there who does the same. Can I get an amen? Someone, please?!

During the cold weather, I love to create a space that is warm, cozy, and comfortable. I drink lots of tea and coffee. Meals are often made in the crock pot or the oven. Our bed has lots of blankets on it and I love when it gets cold enough that I can pull out our big wool one. I'm always making soup and baking bread. I crochet a lot and drink lots of chai. Fall and winter are perfect. I love this time of year!

{source}

I'm always in socks, a scarf, and a hoodie these days. Jonathan loves to make fun of me, but I just absolutely love  it. If you know me, you know that I'm a perpetual-scarf-wearer. My neck gets cold ok? :)

{source}

I can't wait to go on a hayride, carve pumpkins, bake lots of goodies for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and ski. Oh skiing. We haven't been able to go, but once,  the past couple of years, so I'm really hoping that we will make it to the slopes more often this year. 

Lately all of my pins on Pinterest have revolved around new crocheting patterns, yummy warm-weather-recipes, and cozy clothing. It's all I can do to not splurge and buy a bunch of new sweaters, a fun pair high boots, and wool socks.

{source}

Cold weather in Western NY is a beautiful thing. I can't wait for the lake effect snow to roll through.

Are you feeling at all nostalgic about this time of the year? What are your favorite cold weather activities?