Hey, harvest Mamas,

I received a lot of great responses to my newsletter from last week and this line seemed to especially resonate:

“When you say no to obligations, you can say yes to priorities.”

So, let’s talk about priorities. The truth is you can only have one or two true priorities. Many other things may be important, but not everything can be on top. Really, only one thing can be on the very top.

When I don’t specify what my top priority is, I find myself busy and bogged down, juggling whatever random circumstances life is throwing at me. I’m reacting.

But I don’t want to be reactive, I want to be proactive.

So I steal a few minutes to consider and write down what my priorities are. I ask myself: What is most important to me this season, this week, this day? Do these priorities align with my deepest values?

(Writing is a very important part. Writing makes things stick in your brain and become reality. I don’t know how it works, but it does.)

A simple scribble in my journal becomes my flag in the sand. Instead of being tossed about, I’m planted in my truth. The winds of change rip but I stay steady. I know what is most important to me.

When I am resolved, everything else falls in line too.

What’s happening in Bastrop County

For Mamas:

✏️ Sip N Sketch at the Clever Tiger art gallery in Elgin. Free art supplies and drinkies. Get your sketch on! 5-8 pm. Free.

👻 Friday the 13th Tattoos at Ink’d Out Tattoos in Cedar Creek. They have the cutest dang fine line flash tatoos I’ve ever seen. $40 for one tattoo. There will probably be a line so get there early at 8 am.

💃🏻 Ladies Night Out at aerial arts studio Gravity District. Learn a little dance, have a snack, a chat, and some fun. $28.

For the family:

Let’s start with a few little fall hikes in the area:

🪶 8:30 am Friday - Bird City hosts their monthly LITTLE HIKE - Birdwatching walk. Learn from experienced birders on a small hike. This month’s takes place at Dorothy Skarnulis Trail in Bastrop. Free.

🦉 10:00 am Saturday - Predators of the Pines hike at Buescher State Park with a Texas Master Naturalist. Easy to moderate hike while learning who’s whoooo of the local bird world. $5 for adults and teens. 12 and under are free.

📚 10:30 am Tuesday - Since Books and a Blanket for preschoolers was rained out last week, it is rescheduled for this week! Librarian Jackie will read a few hand-curated stories and lead a song or activity to get the wiggles out in between. Conservationist Laurie will lead a short but sweet nature walk through the nature preserve along the Dragonfly trail in Tahitian Village. Free or small donation. Must register beforehand.

And of course, some other absolutely awesome stuff is going down, and I wish I could be in multiple places at once.

🐕‍🦺 Get your pet blessed at St. Francis Fest at Calvary Episcopal. (Saint Francis is the patron saint of animals, often depicted with birds perched on his arms….precious!) Watch the St. Francis Puppet Play, pet some pets at the petting zoo, enter your pet in the Pet Beauty Contest, join in an animal-themed sing-a-long, make some crafts and enjoy some food. So cute. Saturday 10 am. Free.

🌞 Watch the eclipse at Solar Day with Bastrop Public Library. The eclipse watch begins at 11:45 so get there with time to spare and enjoy some games and crafts. Saturday 11 am. Free.

👚 Bastrop Montessori Clothing Swap happens Saturday 11 am - 2pm. Bring gently used clothes, shoes and accessories to swap or donate.

🐴 Restoration Ranch Fall Festival and open house, let’s you explore their programs and learn about the healing power of horses. Saturday 5-8 pm. Free.

🍁 The Colony Fall Festival will have food, crafts, face painting, art, a kiddie train, balloon artist and cake walk. Looks like it will be a big one. Sunday 2-5 pm. Free.

Handy guides made for you

Yesterday I sent out The 2023 Toddlers Around Town Field Guide. I’ll update the guide as more suggestions have rolled in, but you can print it out or save to your phone for easy reference. Don’t tell me there ain’t nothin’ to do with your tiny tot!

And of course, The 2023 Pumpkin Patch Guide is still highly relevant, as all the patches are ongoing this lovely month of October.

Both were a TON of research, in service to all the mamas out there doing their best (that’s you, you are doing great). Please share these guides with a mom you know.

Thank you, as always, for reading. You are the wind beneath my wings.

With love,

Elise