At the Pumpkin Patch

I think I wear this sweater and skirt combination to the pumpkin patch every year. The pleated brown skirt may change, but the look is generally the same. Except for one year when it was just too dang hot to even think about putting a sweater on my body. Is it silly? Yeah! That's why I love it! If not to the pumpkin patch, where else can and should you wear a jack-o-lantern fairisle sweater? 

I had someone comment on on a post asking why females (le sigh) always wear the same things to do activities. Except it was with terrible grammar and was obviously just meant to tear someone down. This person was blocked, but it had me thinking about the "I'm not like other girls" thing. You know what, I'm exactly, like other girls. Of course I'm still me. I'm weird and whimsical and wacky. I enjoy things other people don't. I don't enjoy things other people do. None of us are the same. But yeah. I want to go to a pumpkin patch with my girlfriends wearing a silly outfit that I've worn every year before to take cute photos and videos. 

It stems from some other insecurity, I know. And it's feels easier to bring down someone that, on the outside, appears "basic". But why? Who cares? 

I try to not let comments like this bother me (and, truly, they don't), but I recently read a Substack that felt very on the nose. In "Bring Back Private Hating", the author mentioned the people who can't stop at "this isn't for me." So, okay, you may not wear a jack-o-lantern sweater or a fall sweater and pleated skirt to the pumpkin patch and that is an affront to your sense of self. Now, this was a man commenting, so I do think the purpose of the comment was something different, but maybe not. They couldn't imagine a world where people receive joy from doing that and so it made them upset. That's fine. But keep it to yourself, yeah? 

A Sunny Day at the Orchard

Our annual pilgrimage to McCordsville, IN for, let's face it, applesauce. Tuttle Orchards has been my go-to orchard for years and it's really amazing to share with the people I love. My friend, Erica, and I have been doing this for a few years now and it never gets old! 

This year was a little different, though. They tore down/moved their apple trees! As some of the trees have gotten older, they've produced less fruit and they're starting fresh with some newer trees. While it was a bit disappointing to see trees that were not as bushy, I can definitely see the difference in the number of apples produced. Give it at least 5 years, and they'll be back to their original glory! This did not slow us down in the slightest. There were plenty of Golden Delicious to be picked. 

We always go at the end of September (usually the first day or weekend of the pumpkins!) and it's always a bit warm. While I usually prefer a cloudy day for these activities, it was so beautiful seeing the sky so blue. 

I, of course, wore my trusty new Hunter boots. I had to get rid of the last pair I had because I had worn them well into the ground. I thrifted these on Poshmark for well below half the price of a new pair! I had always wanted the olive green color and I'm excited to report that they're as lovely as I dreamed. I know people feel some kind of way about thrifted shoes, but I don't think there is anything weird about it unless they are well and truly worn. You can absolutely tell when shoes are unwearable. 

Another beautiful day at the orchard. Applesauce acquired. Cider relished. And too many apples brought home. 

Season of the Witch

The witch is back. 

And she has a secret. This Selkie dress? It will no longer zip in the back. I am absolutely devastated. It is my favorite Selkie dress. I mean, florals and Van Gogh's 'Skeleton with a Cigarette'? It's perfection. If I hadn't just told you this, you would have never known because the corset is doing all the work of keeping that hidden. In the short term, this is my fix. In the long term, I'm thinking about adding a corset backing. Then, no matter what size I am, I'll be able to wear my favorites. 

Bodies change and that's supposed to happen. I do not believe in keeping clothing that no longer fits (physically or emotionally). I'll make an exception for a $300+ dress. I am so emotionally attached to my Selkie dresses. I will absolutely find a way to make them work even though most of them no longer zip. Don't keep things in your closet unless you're willing to do the work to make them fit into your life and on your body. If you can't make the expense of altering work right away (like me currently), find someway to change it up. I can't believe I never thought to add a corset top to my Selkie dresses until I saw it on someone else. A cropped sweater vest could work as well for something that doesn't zip. If the sleeves aren't as problematic, even a jacket or a regular sweater. There are so many options in hiding something that isn't quite right. 

Mansfield Covered Bridge Festival

Another Mansfield Covered Bridge Festival in the books! I was really looking forward to this year because I wasn't able to go last year. Trips and other autumn things just got in the way. The Parke County Covered Bridge Festivals run for about a week, so, yes, there's a lot of opportunity to go, but also not. 

Once again, I was here for the food. I had loaded fries, a lemon shake up (honestly have to stop getting these, I just suck up seeds), a s'more, chicken noodles and mashed potatoes, and pumpkin ice cream. A bit disappointed we didn't have time for a funnel cake, but there's always next year! 

I didn't purchase many items this year. I am trying to be more picky when it comes to things like this (and thrifting) and it's working! Things just weren't lighting up for me as much. I found a cute pair of vintage stockings for Christmas, what appears to be a homemade wall hanging from a coaster (neat idea honestly), a vintage Disney record of Halloween sounds, and some chocolate fudge. I was thrilled to see a lot more thrift/vintage/antique type finds instead of the Amazon warehouse things. There were many lamps I wanted to bring home, but they were just a bit out of range in what I was willing to spend. 

While it's always my grandma and I who go, there are some visitors who join us. This year, my partner joined us and it was so much fun sharing this with him. Not sure he'll continue going each year like me! It's definitely not for everyone, but always happy to share in the experience, especially with my loved ones. 

We only visit the Mansfield Covered Bridge Festival and I'm keen to start exploring the others in the area. While I expect the items to be similar, I think exploring the different bridges and areas would be a lot of fun. I would just need to prepare myself to spend an entire day exploring. And realize that maybe I won't get through all of each in a single day. Impossible, really. I should also think about going two days instead of one. It's a long-ish drive (about an hour and a half) and splitting it between opening and closing weekend could be fun. Something to think about.