There’s a certain magic in Vermont this time of year. The mornings carry just enough crispness to remind us that summer is slipping away, but the afternoons are still kissed with sunshine. When I walk down our back roads, coffee warming my hands, I hear the leaves crunching underfoot and watch them dance across the path in front of me. The trees are beginning their quiet transformation, and there’s nothing quite like that golden light streaming through their branches.

For us Moms, the back-to-school season is both a relief and a rush. No more leisurely coffee on the deck at 7am! Lunches packed, and we’re rolling out of the garage at 7:30am. The house is quieter, but the to-do list is longer. There’s always that mix of pride, a touch of nostalgia, and yes—the practical thought of “what’s for dinner?” swirling in our minds.  I’m often grabbing a Barefoot Contessa cookbook and opening to see what dinner should consist of that evening.  

In the shop, this season means something else entirely—it’s the unofficial starting line for the holidays. While most people are still holding onto summer, in retail, we’re already thinking about twinkling lights, stocking shelves, and making sure the store feels warm and welcoming for the busiest time of the year. The pace quickens, and the air hums with anticipation. It’s a beautiful kind of chaos, the kind that reminds me why I love what I do. Corduroy, plaid scarves, and the coziest candles - I can’t get enough.

And then, there’s the pups. Life is anything but quiet these days. Rosy, our sweet 5-year-old yellow lab, has the patience of a saint. She’s the big sister, always steady, always loyal. Ruger, on the other hand—well, he’s only 5 months old, and you can imagine what that means. Shoes mysteriously disappear, the sound of paws racing across the floor echoes constantly, and Rosy gives me that look that says, “Mom, really?” But when I watch them tumble together in the yard, tails wagging, my heart is full.

So here we are, standing at the edge of fall, coffee in hand, the sun still shining but the calendar filling fast. It’s a season of balance—between slowing down to soak in the beauty around us, yet speeding up to prepare for everything ahead. 

And…..I wouldn’t have it any other way.