Happy Halloween, everyone!
Do you have any fun plans for today?
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Will you hand out candy to trick-or-treaters, attend a Halloween party, or enjoy a cozy night at home?
Whatever you’re up to, I hope you have a wonderful time!
Can you believe it’s time to say goodbye to October?
This month has been filled with family visits, special celebrations, and a little Halloween fun!
And we can’t wait to share it all with you.
Plus, we’ve got plenty of inspiration to help you create a warm, welcoming home for Thanksgiving.
So grab your favorite fall drink, get cozy, and let’s catch up!
WHAT WE DID BEHIND THE SCENES IN October
A Trip to Kentucky, Celebrations, and Fall Foliage
October started with a road trip to Kentucky!
One of my best friends’ sons got married, so we headed north for the wedding reception and some much-needed family time.
It was wonderful to celebrate such a special occasion and catch up with my bestie and many other friends!
Here’s a picture of the two of us!
Next, we headed to western Kentucky to visit Rich’s side of the family.
We enjoyed spending time with his mom, sister, brother-in-law, and their kids and grandkids.
The little ones are growing up so fast!
Next, we visited my dad and our oldest son, who lives with him.
It’s hard to believe, but our oldest turned 30 this month!
We were happy to be there to celebrate his milestone birthday.
Unfortunately, we didn’t take any pictures while we were there.
We were so busy trying to fit everything in that we completely forgot to take photos!
On the way home, we decided to slow things down, split the drive into two days, and take the scenic route through the Smoky Mountains.
One thing I miss about living in Kentucky is experiencing fall and watching the leaves change color.
The leaves in the Smoky Mountains were just beginning to turn, but I was thrilled to get even a little glimpse of autumn!
There’s just something special about driving along a road with hints of fall color in the trees and leaves gently falling around you.
We continued our journey along Georgia’s backroads, avoiding Atlanta’s traffic and congestion.
It made for a much more peaceful and relaxing trip home!
Jock Lindsey’s Halloween Hangar Bar
I have to admit, with everything that’s been going on lately, I’ve had a hard time getting excited about Halloween this year.
So, I decided we needed a little Halloween fun to help get us in the spirit of the season, and I knew just the place to go!
Halloween Fun
Rich is a huge Indiana Jones fan, and we’ve wanted to visit Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar at Disney Springs for quite some time.
The bar is themed after Jock Lindsey, the pilot from Raiders of the Lost Ark, and is filled with aviation memorabilia and nods to the film.
However, since we’re not big drinkers, we usually choose a restaurant over a bar.
But when we discovered they go all out for Halloween with festive vintage decorations and themed food, we decided it was finally time to give it a try!
And we’re so glad we did!
The atmosphere was a lot of fun, and we were especially impressed by how well they accommodated our family’s food allergies.
I don’t drink beer anymore because of my gluten sensitivity, but I do enjoy a hard cider occasionally.
My favorite flavors are pear and peach, which aren’t always easy to find.
So imagine how excited I was to discover they had pear cider on the menu!
Such a delicious treat!
Halloween-Themed Food
Griffin joined us, and we started by sharing the Candelabra Eggs, which were deviled eggs topped with crispy fried chicken, a sweet-and-tart pepper sauce, and Aji Amarillo custard.
They prepared them gluten- and dairy-free, and they were so tasty!
The sauce had just the right amount of flavor without being too spicy, and the presentation was amazing!
I ordered the Midnight Mayhem Popcorn Chicken, featuring crispy chicken, candied bacon, spiced walnuts, seasoned popcorn, and hot honey sauce.
They made it gluten- and dairy-free and left off the walnuts because of Griffin’s tree nut allergy.
I especially loved the flavorful popcorn and yummy bacon!
Did you notice that the hot honey sauce came in a syringe so you could squirt it over your food?
How fun is that?
I was a little worried the sauce would be too spicy, but it gave the chicken just the perfect kick!
Rich went with the Alien Invader Sliders, featuring Nashville hot fried chicken, provolone cheese, on cheddar-chive biscuits, with pickles for tongues, and olives for eyes.
He loved them and said they had just enough heat without being overwhelming.
We sat outside and enjoyed the festive atmosphere, then snapped some pictures of the Halloween decorations on our way out.
We thoroughly enjoyed the Halloween overlay, but now we can’t wait to return after the decorations are gone to experience the original Indiana Jones theming we’ve wanted to see for so long!
Cruise on the Disney Fantasy
We ended October with a little Disney magic at sea!
We set sail aboard the beautiful Disney Fantasy for a five-night Halloween-on-the-High-Seas cruise, and what a wonderful getaway it was!
The ship was gorgeous, with festive Halloween decorations throughout, including an amazing pumpkin tree in the Grand Hall!
Our itinerary included stops at Disney Castaway Cay, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, and Nassau, Bahamas.
We spent time enjoying both Disney islands, and I can’t get over how beautiful the white sandy beaches and crystal-clear blue-green water are!
Since we’d visited Nassau before, we decided to stay on the ship that day.
It was the perfect opportunity to give my foot a break and relax by the adults-only pool.
There was plenty to keep us entertained onboard, too!
We enjoyed Broadway-style shows, movies, adults-only lounges, and some absolutely incredible food!
But what really made the cruise special was the amazing crew.
From our dinner servers to our room attendant, everyone we encountered was so friendly, helpful, and attentive.
They truly went above and beyond to make our vacation memorable!
It was such a wonderful getaway, and we’re so thankful we got to make more special memories together!
A Little Update on My Foot
I wish I could say my foot is completely back to normal, but unfortunately, I’ve hit another bump in the road!
The good news is that my fracture is healing, and I’ve been slowly transitioning from my walking boot to tennis shoes.
Unfortunately, I started experiencing pain along the bottom of my foot and up the back of my heel, so I went back to my foot-and-ankle specialist.
It turns out I’ve developed plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis from being immobile for two months.
My doctor said this can happen to some people after an injury like mine and gave me some physical therapy exercises to do at home.
I have to admit, I was pretty discouraged when he told me it could take another three months before I’m walking normally again.
After being sidelined for so long, I was really hoping to be further along by now.
But I’m thankful the fracture is healing, and I’ll keep doing my exercises and taking things one day at a time.
Hopefully, I’ll be back to all my usual activities sooner rather than later!
WHAT WE DID ON THE BLOG IN October
Decor
Halloween Mantel Decor With Handmade Budget-Friendly Ideas – Who says you need to spend a fortune to create a festive Halloween mantel? See how we combined favorite DIY projects from years past with a couple of new creations and budget-friendly finds to give our mantel a fresh look without breaking the bank!
DIY
DIY Black Cat: A Dollar Tree Halloween Decor Upcycle – You won’t believe how we transformed an inexpensive Dollar Tree tinsel cat into stylish Halloween decor! With black macrame cord, fluffy yarn, and a velvet bow, this little kitty got a whole new look. See the before-and-after transformation and learn how to make one for your home!
DIY Ghost Garland: Get a Pottery Barn Look for Less – Love the look of Pottery Barn Halloween decorations but not the price tag? See how we made an adorable ghost garland using cheesecloth, foam balls, yarn, and a few supplies we already had on hand! It’s a fun, budget-friendly way to add a little spooky charm to your Halloween decor. Publication link to be added later.
INSPIRATION FROM AROUND THE WEB
- A Beautiful Thanksgiving Table – See how to combine gorgeous autumn foliage, cozy candlelight, and even a twinkling tree to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. What a fabulous way to make Thanksgiving feel extra special!
- 13 Delicious Fall Soup Recipes – Is there anything better than a warm bowl of homemade soup on a chilly fall day? Here is a delicious collection of comforting soup recipes, perfect for cozy family dinners all season long!
- How to Transition Your Fall Decor to Thanksgiving – Don’t pack away those pumpkins and autumn leaves just yet! Here are wonderful ideas for transforming your existing fall decorations into beautiful Thanksgiving displays with just a few festive touches.
- DIY Pumpkin Flower Arrangement – Looking for a beautiful Thanksgiving table centerpiece? Here’s a clever way to turn an ordinary pumpkin into a gorgeous floral arrangement using hydrangeas and floral foam. The best part? No carving required, so your pumpkin stays intact!
- 10 Sanity-Saving Thanksgiving Tips and Tricks – Hosting a holiday dinner this year? Food Network shares 10 clever tips to help make preparing the big feast a little easier! From saving valuable refrigerator space to keeping side dishes warm, these handy ideas can help take some of the stress out of holiday cooking.
FAVORITE SEASONAL FINDS
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to add a few cozy autumn touches to your home!
I found some beautiful seasonal decor at Target that would be lovely for decorating your home or creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for holiday guests.
Take a peek at these favorite finds and see if something catches your eye!
Click the blue links below the photo to learn more about each product.
Metal Leaf Garland | Plaid Throw Blanket | Small Woven Pumpkin
4pk Kitchen Towels | Plaid Tablecloth | White Ceramic Turkey
20″ Fall Wreath | Embroidered Leaf Runner | Pheasant Card Holders
Pumpkin Napkin Set | Glass Fall Pumpkin | Large Woven Lit Turkey
HOME ORGANIZATION WEEKLY TASK
November is here, and that means the holiday season is officially underway!
In November and December, we put our regular home organization tasks on hold and focus on holiday prep instead.
The goal is to stay organized, reduce stress, and make more time to enjoy the special moments with family and friends!
- Week 45- Plan for Thanksgiving. It’s time to start planning your Thanksgiving celebration! Decide on your menu, make your guest list, and take inventory of your serving dishes, table linens, and holiday decorations. A little planning now will help everything run more smoothly on the big day.
- Week 46- Shop for Thanksgiving. With your menu planned, make your shopping lists! Purchase nonperishable ingredients, check your pantry for staples, and gather anything you’ll need for cooking, serving, or decorating. Shopping ahead helps you avoid last-minute grocery store trips!
- Week 47- Prepare for and enjoy Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is almost here! Finish your grocery shopping, prepare dishes ahead of time, set the table, and get your home ready for guests. Most importantly, remember to slow down, count your blessings, and enjoy celebrating with the people you love!
- Week 48- Christmas shopping. Now it’s time to focus on Christmas! Make your gift list, set a budget, and start checking off those purchases. Don’t forget to shop for wrapping supplies, stocking stuffers, and any special items you’ll need for holiday gatherings. Getting a head start now will make December feel a little less hectic!
POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE FROM OUR ARCHIVES
Decor
Thanksgiving Dining Room Decor – Want to create a warm and welcoming space for your Thanksgiving celebration? See how we combined rich autumn colors, thrifted treasures, and handmade decorations to transform our dining room for the holiday. From the festive table setting to the cozy mantel and decorated china cabinet, there’s plenty of inspiration to help you create a beautiful look on a budget!
DIY
How to Create an Elegant Fall Garland – Looking for a beautiful way to decorate your home for Thanksgiving? Learn how to create an elegant fall garland that brings warmth and seasonal charm to any space. It’s a lovely way to make a statement without spending a fortune on holiday decorations!
Organize
Organize a Guest Bath with 11 Ultimate Essentials – Expecting overnight guests for the holidays? Make them feel right at home by stocking your guest bathroom with everything they might need! Discover 11 thoughtful essentials to create a welcoming, comfortable space for family and friends.
Closing Thoughts
As we say goodbye to October, I hope you have a fun and safe Halloween filled with plenty of treats!
In November, we’ll turn our attention to Thanksgiving, all the wonderful things it offers, and start getting ready for Christmas!
Whether you’re decorating your home, preparing to welcome family and friends, or simply enjoying the beauty of fall, I hope you’ll take time to appreciate the little moments that make this season so special.
Thank you for spending a little time with us this month!
We’re so grateful you’re part of our community, and we wish you a wonderful November filled with love, laughter, and plenty of reasons to be thankful!
Blessings, Donna and Rich
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**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)
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