October in Chicago is such a magical time. My joy tank is so full right now! I have basically been walking around the city totally in awe of how much I love everything. I even got caught in the rain yesterday and just thought how beautiful the whole city looked! Below is a list of things that are giving me all of the joy right now:
- “This is Us” is back! Getting way too emotional involved in a beautiful TV show is truly one of life’s greatest pleasures. “This is Us” is just the best show on television right now. I have not loved a cast this much since Parenthood. (RIP Parenthood. You will forever go down in history as the most beautiful TV show of all time.) Can we also talk about how somehow a NBC prime time drama is also really good marriage counseling? The show portrays such a beautiful, honest picture of marriage led by the man of all men, Jack Pearson. I basically died sobbing all of the tears during Season 2’s season premiere episode where Rebecca knocks on Jack’s door the second time, to tell him that they are going to deal with his alcoholism together. GAH. Isn’t that just the most beautiful?! I could not even handle it. What a beautiful picture of commitment in the face of very real life struggles. Also Mandy Moore is just the most beautiful. I have loved her forever. She portrays Rebecca with the perfect amount of sassy and sweet. Mandy Moore and I would be the best of friends in real life. I just know it.
- Re-watching “Gilmore Girls” and old “Friends” episodes. “Gilmore Girls” is the perfect show to re-watch in the fall. Stars Hollow embodies all things quaint and cozy. I have been letting very old “Gilmore Girls” episodes play in the background of my apartment while cooking and having them on just feels like I wrapped my apartment in a cozy fall blanket. We are also watching “Friends” because Matt never.watched.Friends! Such blasphemy! Did he even live in the US in the early 2000’s ?! It seems unlikely. I watched every single episode of “Friends” with my entire family like 15 years ago. I totally forgot about all of the hilarity. It has been so much fun to pop popcorn and re-watch the episodes with Matt.
- Fall sunsets. Something extremely beautiful must take place in the atmosphere during the fall because Chicago’s fall sunsets are just the best of the best. The sky feels crisper, the clouds more pronounced, the colors more ethereal. Weather, please just stay like this forever.
- Yoga. Going to a great yoga class is basically like giving your body the most amazing massage. The other night I went to the Hot Power Flow class at Studio Three and let me tell you every ache and pain in my runner’s knees completely disappeared. I practically floated out of there. Matt and I also love taking the Holy Yoga Restorative class at Greatly Gracious led by Sarah Wheeler. Just the sound of Sarah’s voice takes me to my happy place. She is such an incredibly gifted teacher and is probably an angel sent from God to help all of overworked Chicago relax. Greatly Gracious has the most wonderful holy yoga classes where they play Christian worship music and read scripture over you. Sarah’s holy yoga classes are basically heaven. When we were in Italy, I missed her classes so much! This is one of my most favorite self-care practices.
- Sweet Green’s Curry Cauliflower salad. Lawd have mercy! Just thinking about it makes my mouth water! This salad is back and it.is.everything. It even rivals Beatrix’s Straight A salad. I know, I know, that is impossible you think, but let me tell you I basically inhaled it because curry cauliflower + arugula + a little hot sauce! GAH. That is a winning combination friends. Throw a little avocado in there and all the other salads do not stand a chance. Spend $10 on this beauty because she is worth every penny and just so good for you!
- This Spotify Playlist. You guys I made the best.playlist.ever. I know this is a very bold statement. But let me tell you this is it. It took me 28 years but I finally did it. I made the most wonderful dinner party playlist. Everything within it just works. I do not know how I did it but I should probably retire from making playlists because I have now peaked and I can only go down from here. Matt is totally sick of it and told me we can never play it again. A prophet is never appreciated in her own home!
- Reading “Of Mess and Moxie”. Jen Hatmaker’s newest book is just pure fun. I literally laughed my way through the entire book. I loved every second of it. She is a spitfire and we are so lucky to get the chance to peak into her world and read her words. I died with laughter at all of the “How To” chapters. Read it and I promise your joy will increase exponentialy.
