(I plan to do a “Currently…” post every other Tuesday. You should join me! Find the origins of the idea HERE.)
Loving
Bath & Body Works yummy “gourmand” inspired candles — Pumpkin Coconut and Buttercream Icing are next on my to-buy list. Also loving The Smithsonian’s National Zoo, which we visited last weekend. It’s free, and it’s full of beautiful, unique animals, like pandas. So cute! Additionally, Dunkin’ Donuts Old Fashioned Donut ground coffee — my favorite. Finally, homemade lentil soup. My recipe’s in my head, but it’s similar to the one I linked. I add crumbled Italian sausage, though, because my husband believes all meals should involve meat.
Reading
I recently finished Love Fortunes and Other Disasters by Kimberly Karalius, which was just as cute as its cover. In the spirit of Halloween, I’m currently reading a YA horror, Daughters Unto Devils by debut author Amy Lukavics, which is atmospheric and creepy and spectacular so far.
Watching
I finished Gilmore Girls! Spoilers ahead… I’m so relieved by how things wrapped up between Luke and Lorelai — they are so obviously meant to be! Even though they were left sort of open ended (as in, they didn’t marry or move in together or start a family), as far as I’m concerned, they’ve gotten their happily ever after. I’m not so content with how things ended between Rory and Logan, though, especially considering they were together for three years. Logan definitely had his faults, but he totally grew on me and was my favorite of Rory’s boys. Even though I understand why she didn’t accept his proposal, the whole “Goodbye, Rory,” followed by Logan just walking away felt… abrupt.
ETA – GILMORE GIRLS SERIES REVIVAL COMING TO NETFLIX!
Now I’m watching Parks and Recreation, and it’s totally cracking me up. I’ve got such a crush on Chris Pratt!
Listening To
Little Big Town’s Girl Crush. I’ve been obsessing over it since the beginning of the summer and I’m still amazed by the awesomeness of its lyrics.
Thinking About
Our weekend trip to the pumpkin patch. We visited Cox Farms, an enormous farm in Northern Virginia, and had a blast even though it was freezing. (Okay, it was, like, fifty degrees, but my fingertips were numb and the wind chill was practically glacial.) We walked a corn maze, went on a hayride, ate apple cider donuts, petted baby cows, flew down slides, and picked out some very cute pumpkins. Highly recommend if you live in the area. 🎃🍂
Anticipating
Halloween! Aside from carving our pumpkins, we’re ready. My daughter changed her mind about dressing up as a black cat; now she’s going as a movie star. We picked out a fancy dress and a feather boa and some super star sunglasses — all adorable. She’s so excited to trick-or-treat!
Wishing
For warmer weather. *womp womp* I know I sound like a broken record, but I just don’t get fall. It’s so cold and windy, and my yard is a mess of leaves, and — call me crazy — but I think Pumpkin Spice Lattes are gross. Give me iced tea and afternoons by the pool any day!
Making Me Happy
The flattering, humbling, and entirely inspiring comments I’ve been getting about my manuscript Kissing Max Holden over at Swoon Reads. I’m awed (but not at all surprised) by how supportive you all have been. Seriously. THANK YOU. If you missed my original post about Kissing Max Holden, you can find it HERE. You can find the story in its entirety (and read for free!) HERE. 
What’s currently making YOU happy?
katyupperman.com 
Aw, but autumn has so many beautiful colours! ❤ I'm not a lover of the pumpkin spice either. Tea all the way ^_^
Daughters Unto Devils looks really good. Thanks for sharing. I need to go find that book asap.
Have a great week!
I concede — autumn does have beautiful colors. Before all the leaves fall off the trees, anyway. 😉 Hope you’re able to get ahold of Daughters Unto Devils. It’s so good so far! Have a great week, Cole!
I’m obsessed with “Girl Crush!” I’m so happy it came out on top of its country radio drama of the spring/early summer…I hear it on the radio all the time now!
And I couldn’t function for a few minutes last night when the Gilmore news hit the internet! I’m trying not to let myself get too excited until it’s a definite thing…and I’m failing miserably! Maybe now we can wipe out most of season 7 and get the real ending Amy Sherman-Palladino wanted for the characters!
Have a great week, Katy!
I found out about the Gilmore Girls revival while watching my daughter’s gymnastics class yesterday and it was all I could do to stay in my seat and keep from whooping. So excited! Hope you have a fantastic week, Kaitlin!
Logan just walking away made me SO angry. I agree with Rory’s choice, but him just shrugging it off instead of making it work, or hell, at least trying to make it work…GRRRR.
I wasn’t so mad about Logan’s reaction. I understood Rory’s decision (though the whole “she’s so young!” thing was kind of silly — I got married at 22), but I understood Logan’s reaction too. I just wanted them to at least say a little more to each other. Three years of ups and downs, then… nothing. Of course, Logan’s my favorite of Rory’s boys, so I have a hard time getting angry with him. 🙂
I love fall, but you’re so right about pumpkin spice lattes. Jaime always says they taste like melted crayons or lipstick, which is pretty much spot on. Pumpkin chai tea for me instead–good hot or iced.
Your thoughts on how Gilmore Girls ended are pretty much the same as mine. Mostly, I just wanted Luke & Lorelai together. I wasn’t a huge fan of Logan, but I found that story line abrupt too. Call me old fashioned, but I kind of wanted Rory to end up with someone. It’ll be interesting to see what they do with the reboot.
So glad you’re getting lots of encouraging comments over at Swoon! All well-deserved! 🙂
Yum — I love chai! And yeah, Jaime is right. Those PSLs have such a weird flavor. They’re, like… soapy? I don’t know. Ick.
And nope, not calling you old fashioned because I wanted Rory to end up with someone too. The show was all about relationships, and her just peacing out on that media bus felt off. Clearly they should’ve hired us as writers. 😉 Can’t wait to see what they do with the revival!
I love fall – the chill in the air, the beautiful colors, the lack of sweating…pumpkin flavored stuff I’m not entirely keen on, though. Maybe if it was just pie, that’d be okay, but things like marshmallows? Yuck!
While you’re living in Virginia, make sure you check out the Skyline Drive – it’s gorgeous, esp in fall or spring!
The lack of sweating — ha! We’ve actually done Skyline Drive, but in early September, so the leaves hadn’t changed yet. Planning to head back in the next few weeks. Got any other awesome fall recs for me?
Not necessarily fall recs, but if you’re going to be in that part of the state, check out some of the other cool stuff, like Skyline Caverns (Front Royal) or Luray Caverns (Luray). There’s Shenandoah Caverns, too, but it’s farther down the valley. Also, because it’s so corny and fun, it can’t be missed, look up Dinosaur Land in Stephens City. There’s a drive-in theater nearby, too, although it usually closes for the season in early November. The State Arboretum is nearby (10 miles or so away). I’m starting to sound like a tour guide 🙂
I’m with Jennifer—lack of sweating is one of my favorite fall things! Haha… So excited for Gilmore Girls to come back, and I have to agree with you that the ending was a bit disappointing, re: Rory and Logan. I’ve always been a Jess fan, but I did feel like we were left hanging a bit. I read somewhere a long time ago that Amy S-P always wanted Rory to get with Jess, so I wonder if he’ll make a comeback in this new version!! 🙂