I was always taught that September 21st is the official first day of fall. I don’t care if the US Government claims tomorrow is the first official day of fall. I celebrated today! Take that you high-90s weather. You try to ruin my fall spirit, but I won’t let you.

It all started this morning with a special pot ‘o gold. Or can ‘o orange. Whatever.

You better believe I incorporated pumpkin into my breakfast. Yay for the first batch of pumpkin oats of the season! My oats included 1/2 c oats, 2 heaping spoonfuls of pumpkin, 1 heaping spoonful of melted peanut butter, and a healthy dash of pumpkin pie spice.

Perhaps these were the key to my good mood today? Or the power behind my awesome spin class this morning? I just know pumpkin is a good, good way to start the day.

Pumpkin is also a good way to end the day. I already mentioned earlier that Tuesdays are Sister Night. Knowing that my sister shares the same adoration of pumpkin as I do, I had a plan.

To start the night off right with a particular pumpkin beverage. But first, we had dinner at Atlanta Bread Company. Because well, it’s attached to Starbucks. That’s reason enough for me. 😉

I had the half and half combo with chicken salad on wheat and the balsamic blue salad. I don’t think I can ever get sick of this combo. I don’t think I can ever get sick of pumpkin infused treats either.

The first pumpkin spiced latte of the season. I do wish it came in a pretty mug though. That would be more fun. And photogenic. Oh well. I’m a happy camper now. Now, I’m off to watch some Fall TV!!!!! 

• What made you smile today?
• Do you have siblings? Are you close? I have a sister (obviously) and a brother. My brother lives in AZ so we aren’t extremely close. I still love him though! My sister and I are one and the same person. And it actually makes me a little sad that M likely won’t have that sisterly bond.

Today is National Prayer for Peace Day. Take a moment to pray that all of those across the world may feel God’s peace in their lives.

Check out today’s 30 Days post! Only 10 more days left in the series, which amazes me.

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Shall I continue with my crazy busy Saturday now? I think yes! I like looking back on the weekend. It helps make Monday a little more bearable. Especially when you have numerous things to do, but no motivation to actually do them. I need a day of nothing. Yea. Like that will ever happen. 😉

So after spending a day among toddler lovebirds and birthday cake, we did something I have looked forward to since spring. A hike! I love visiting the many various mountains and trails in our area for family hikes. I hated that the heat this summer combined with pregnancy made it very difficult to get out for any. Even though the fall weather has recently taken a backseat to more summer temperatures, I was not willing to give up on our planned hike.

We visited Kennesaw Mountain for a short 3 mile trail hike. I loved every grueling, 90 degree temperature, steep and rocky uphill moment of that climb.

Hiking is one of my favorite fall activities! I can’t wait for more…which hopefully we will have the time to fit in with our steadily filling calendar.

After the hike, we picked up our friend’s wife who couldn’t go with us and headed out to dinner. After last week’s lesson, my only request was “not a chain”. Our friends picked out Elevation Chophouse, a restaurant situated on the hangar of a small, local airport.

We got to dine while watching planes taking off and landing. Extra perk? It entertained M better than her little backpack of books. Always a good thing.

For my dinner, I split the hummus plate with my friend and also ordered one of the jumbo all meat crab cakes with hot pepper jelly.

These were good! The hummus had the perfect creamy consistency with a slight lemony undertone. The veggies were on the pitiful side, but the black pepper lavash bread made up for them. The crab cake tasted better than some I’ve had at the beach. It truly was all meat. And I loved the kick from the pepper jelly.

The second half of Saturday was a huge success. Good food, good friends, a favorite activity? What more could I ask for.

• What was the best part of your weekend?
• What is your favorite fall activity? I love visiting the pumpkin patch, corn maze, Helen, and other places in the fall but overall hiking is #1. Well, it could be behind eating pumpkin inspired foods. 😀