Purple Bags and Pumpkins

The kids went back to school this week  - which meant a new book bag for my daughter and new bag for me! One of my favorite things about back-to-school shopping has always been picking out a new bag.

I had to carry this one around the Coach Outlet Store for close to 40 minutes before I would commit, it's a little on the small side for me and I'm not usually a fan of the hobo style. It does have the requisite pockets on the inside for the cell phone and a large zippered pocket on the outside, so I can pretend I am somewhat organized.

But...the color is awesome and look how cute my voodoo princess looks hanging off the side!

If I'm being totally honest, I spotted this bag from the doorway and pretty much knew it would be mine, but I didn't want the hubby to think I was being hasty - especially since most bag choices take me hours to make, I had to put on a good show to warrant to 30 minute drive to the outlets and the 15 minutes wait on line outside the store!

Now that the new fall bag is filled and being used, I can turn my attention back to my fledgling pumpkin patch growing by leaps and bounds every day.

See my baby pumpkins!

Looks like I am really going need some good pumpkin recipes - after we carve up at least one for Halloween.

What's your favorite way to cook fresh pumpkin?

Bloom where you're planted!

I did not plant this pumpkin patch, but from a few seeds tossed in this spot last fall this vine is thriving on the side of my house.

An unexpected and welcome surprise.

Over the years the hubby and I have moved our family more than a few times - so many times in fact that most of my friends either use a pencil for us in their address book or have simply given us our own page under a little used letter, like X!

"Bloom Where You're Planted" is prominently stenciled across my bathroom walls, across from it a cross-stitched sunflower bearing the same motto. It's a quote I firmly believe in. Having made two (yes two) cross-country moves in 8 years, along with MANY moves before, after and in between, I know what it's like to be the new neighbor and my kids know what it's like to be the new kid in school. Thankfully, we also know how to bloom, no matter where we live.

If nothing else, I think my kids have learned to be resilient, they've learned to grow and thrive no matter what their address. And every morning when they get ready for their day, that quote is there to greet them and remind them of all that's possible - that blooming to your full potential is out there to grasp and you never know what's around the next corner.

Sometimes it takes a lot of work to blossom, and some of us are late bloomers in the game of life, but that doesn't matter!

So, everyday I go outside and water and tend my unexpected pumpkin patch and am reminded how awesome and spontaneous nature and life can be.

I'll keep you posted on it's progress!