Hot chocolate with 2 marshmallows, crackers and cheese, a comfortable couch, and a good novel on a Friday afternoon. This has to be one of the best combinations on the planet. Nothing to prep for Saturday and a chance to escape into another world with a steaming drink and a filling belly. The most delicious comfort-- something I used to do all the time when I came off the bus growing up. Mom would have the popcorn popped, the tea made, and I would read my favorite book on the big green leather couch.

I haven't actually gone back to that routine in years, but now I am back on high school schedule, which finds me home at 4:00, with one beautiful hour to myself to make a snack, and snuggle up with my favorite book. It just can't be beat.

This morning James and I woke up at 7:00, and went for an hour hike through the Bruce Trail. This is my favorite time of day. It's fresh, and quiet, and chilly, and beautiful. Fall is here, the leaves are turning, the river's are chilling, and swimming this morning was an option (we found and followed this river which brought us to a fantastic waterfall) but the shallow pools only accepted me up to my thighs, and I couldn't bring myself to go under. Would have been worth it though.

We made it back on time for our traditional pancake breakfast with the whole house, which is such a great part of the weekend. We live with some truly wonderful people, and coffee/orange juice and blueberry pancakes are a great way to start the day.

I am trying to get a hold of my brother so that I can go to apple fest today. Besides tea/popcorn and book, fall apples are my next favorite thing. It really doesn't take much to make me happy in the fall. I can't wait to get my apple crisp on :)

Overall, life is great.