happy end of summer

This being the first and last summer that I really had nothing to do (with the exception of the few hours a week I spend at my "job" as a no-longer-almost-full-time nanny) I've had a lot of time to think and relax, which has been nothing short of absolutely glorious. I've had a tough time the last few years for no particular reason, and this has been my healing summer. I've come to a decision about what I want to be when I grow up- which I assure you I in no way chain to what I do or will do for a job or school.
And with all the time I would have taken worrying about what I'm going to do when I graduate in May, I've totally rediscovered my old hobbies. I've become nothing short of obsessed with becoming a storyteller or writer or story-collector (and whatever all those titles imply) and have been reading/watching/listening to stories as often as I get the chance. For one thing, I have rediscovered my love for the story of Camelot. And I've been writing so many story outlines, I'm surprised my head hasn't begun spinning.

I leave for Ireland in one week today, and sure enough, there is that little nagging at the bottom of my gut that I get when traveling. I know it will be amazing and exciting, and probably somewhat terrifying and ridiculous (what isn't when you travel with me?) but I'm also thinking of what I'll be missing terribly. Yes yes, I should say my family, but in truth what I will miss most is the feeling of fall. I love autumn colors, I love the wetness of the leaves, and the textures of the fall. I adore pumpkin, and Halloween is my favorite! The fall is my time for myself, when I go for a drive down random roads, when I go hiking or running along the beautiful NJ farms, and when I do most of my crafts. My family isn't really into doing the work of Christmas trees (or Christmas for that matter) so the 2 ft. tree we buy is always my own, and I love listening to old-fashioned Christmas songs while decorating. I'll also miss making cookies with my grandparents in the 150 year old German cookie iron I inherited this year. But most of all, the biggest thing I will miss is the smell of NJ in the fall. It sounds absurd, but I love the smell of the leaves, the mud, the gasoline-powered leaf blowers, the smell of wool clothing pulled out of closets, the smell of soap (no idea why, but I'm convinced it's stronger in the fall) pumpkin, my own baking, and definitely the smell of rain!

Oh well, long post. I'm very excited to find all the things I will miss terribly about Ireland, but I'm always curious that I don't really trust that what I miss will be the same next year. It always is, but boy am I loving being able to think about all my favorite things. I need to find an oven in Dublin, so I can practice my pie-making. Probably won't post much here in the fall, but my Ireland travel blog will be up and regularly used. Please visit me, and read and feel free to comment! I love followers!