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Hey, pumpkin bread Mamas,

I am traveling to visit my in-laws and then my own parents this weekend. Neither pair live that far away from us, but getting out of the house, into the car, with all of our stuff, is remarkably difficult with a toddler. And I am not always great at planning. And I definitely need to declutter. And I wish I had planned a better road snack situation.

Instead, I spend the week repeatedly cleaning to no avail. I daydream about art supplies, and procrastinate with my phone, and end up folding every single piece of laundry we have ever worn on the morning we are leaving.

I usually write these newsletters early in the week, and pat myself on the back for being a proactive publishing professional, but this week, I am typing this just a few sleepy hours before this bad boy hits your inbox.

And it’s definitely not my best work. But perfection is the enemy of done. And I will choose done over my perfectionistic ego, every time.

I wasn’t always like this. When I was younger, I was terrified to release anything into the world that was imperfect. So I rarely did. But I was deeply frustrated at my inability to “put my work out there.”

Experience has taught me that most dreams are mine for the having, the price is simply a steady effort over a long period of time. Steady is not perfect. Steady is an unglamorous commitment. Steady is a quiet momentum that keeps our dreams alive.

Keep steady, Mama, don’t race, you’ll get there in perfect timing.

What’s happening in Bastrop County

For Mamas:

🔮 Sistaaaaaahs! It’s Hocus Pocus Movie Night at Smithville Brewing. Bring a blanket and sing along with the Sanderson Sisters under the stars. Hocus Pocus attire encouraged. Registration not required but you could get a free koozie if you do. Saturday. Free.

For the family:

🌭 The annual Halloweenie Roast at Buescher State Park is tonight! Crafts, games, trick-or-treating, grilled hot dogs and activities for the kids. Costumes encouraged. Get to know the Friends of Bastrop and Buescher State Parks and learn about opportunities to volunteer in our community. Tonight, 5:30 - 7:30pm. Free.

💃🏻 Learn the Samba Reggae rhythm on the drum, then learn the dance steps. Jam and dance together in community at the MoveIt Community Jam: Samba Reggae Drum and Dance Circle at the Bastrop Rec Center. Beginners and all levels welcomed. Drums provided. Friday, 6-7:30pm. Free.

🕰 Take a step back in time and learn the secrets of some of the oldest buildings in La Grange at the LaGrange Historic Walking Tour. I’ve heard the tour is super interesting, especially if you love history and/or architecture. Start at the Historic Casino Hall. Walk is approximately two hours long. Saturday, Free. Call (979)-968-3017 to reserve your spot.

🍁 Smithville Fall Festival and are happening this weekend. The Fall Festival is at the Rec Center and features live music, food and craft vendors, face painting, a petting zoo, games, and a cornhole tournament. Saturday, 11-4pm. Free.

🐔 Smithville’s poultry party Wingfest is happening at the same time on Main Street. Chicken beauty pageant, wing cook off, and chicken bingo. $25 to sample unlimited wings. Saturday, 11-4pm.

🔎 The Bastrop County Museum and Visitor Center has launched a fun, new mouse-themed Scavenger Hunt inside the museum for kids of all ages. Find 'Riskers the Mouse' in the Museum's coal mine and find out how mice played a historical part in keeping Bastrop County miners safe! $5 for adults. Kids, military and veterans are all free. 10am - 4pm daily except Sunday.

Handy guides made for you

The 2023 Toddlers Around Town Field Guide is out, and includes many recurring classes and events for littles under 4. Still updating it, but you can print it out or save it to your phone for easy reference.

The 2023 Pumpkin Patch Guide is still a winner, as all the patches are still poppin’.

Ya girl worked hard on ‘em; I hope you find them useful! Please share with a mama you like.

Thank you, as always, for reading.

With love,

Elise