Fall Traditions.

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…”and seeing that it was a soft October night, curled once about the house, and fell asleep” – T.S.Eliot. 

I don’t know what it is about autumn or especially October that makes me feel good, happy and inspired. It is a new season and everything feels so good. New important friendships were formed while some old ones ended which made me see many things differently. I still have this feeling of “new” as I explore this town and country and start so many new chapters. 

I picked up Petit Joel from Preschool last Friday and what did I see in his tiny hand? A small pumpkin that all the children received after they learned about Thanksgiving, Halloween and Pumpkin picking. Last year, he experienced Halloween for the first time. He wore a devil-costume in bright shiny red and thought that he is a beautiful butterfly because of the wings. Whatever works, I reckon. This year he wants to be his favorite character Ryder from Paw Patrol. Halloween was never that big in Germany when I grew up. Decorating the house and all things spooky while wandering the streets trick-or-treating was just not popular. However, here it seems magical. Seeing everything through Petit Joel’s eyes is fantastic, so I am excited to enjoy these traditions with him. And somehow learn together as we go along. 

This is also the season for cozy nights with hot chocolate and warm blankets which Petit Joel and I celebrate most nights. Upon waking up this morning we did not feel well. Coughing, sneezing and mostly headache but we nevertheless decided to go to the pumpkin patch at Miller’s Farm. Fresh air is never a bad thing so we dressed almost properly and drove to Manotick, Ontario. 

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It was Petit Joel’s and my first time at a pumpkin patch and we both loved the very family-oriented Pumpkin Festival they organized. The hayride, pumpkin picking, the farmers market and all the local products at Millers’ Farm are just great and made me happy. Since I live here, I mostly try to buy local, organic products and to find a place with a plethora of choices is a good thing. Thank you, Andrea! Petit Joel walked around with eyes wide open for most of the time. Especially, when he ate the peanut butter cookies. I love apples and when I asked a farmer which apples they could recommend he grabbed without hesitation in one basked, handed me an apple and said: “This one! Take a bite!”  My new favorite apple: Ambrosia! They are grown here in Canada and so delicious. Even my picky-eater son tried and LOVES them. 

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So, what is happiness? Is it just a “subjective-well-being”? Or If I am satisfied by what I have achieved in life and where I stand these days? Is it about meaning and purpose in life? Is it to be my best positive self? My true self? I don’t focus on material wealth and practice minimalism whenever possible which makes me happy. Food for thought on a Sunday evening. Having spent the day with great people I love makes me smile, laugh and happy. Eating pho makes me happy too. And books. But looking into my son’s eyes and how happy he was with his pumpkins is pretty much the best thing in the world. [And pho!]

Some more photos from our day. Enjoy! The color-play started in Canada! Breathtaking! 

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