Back at it.

Happy fall, friends!

Okay, fine. I know it's not officially fall. But the kids are back to school, my commute is back to being annoyingly long, and the pumpkin spice latte is back at Starbucks.

It's fall. At least in my head. And I would suggest you get on board with that or find yourself another blog to read because it's about to get all boot shopping and tv watching and comfort food eating up in here.

1. So, Tuesday was the first day of school in Minnesota and many other places. I know this because everyone on Facebook posted adorable pictures of their children with backpacks and cute little "first day of" signs. Everyone, that is, but me. Because it never once crossed my mind that it might be Calvin's first day of preschool. Even though he moved into a new class in a new building with a new teacher. For preschool.

I don't know if I'm sadder that I missed taking a picture of Calvin on his first day or that I missed out on cute sign making. Probably the latter. Especially since he needs a bath and has been sporting some seriously bad hair for the last week.

Will someone please send me an email or something next year so I don't forget to bathe/photograph him on his first day of pre-k?

Much appreciated.

2.  In August, I told Nate I was going to do another September cooking challenge on the blog. Now that we're seven days into September, I think it's pretty clear that won't be happening. We'll shoot for October instead. Until then, here's something I made recently that was super easy and quite good.

Baked Chicken Fajitas
Courtesy of Six Sisters Stuff via Pinterest
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:
1 pound of chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
1 4 oz can diced green chilies
1 medium onion, sliced
1 large green pepper, seeded and sliced
2 T vegetable oil
2 t chili powder
2 t cumin
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t dried oregano
1/4 t salt

Serve with:
Flour tortillas
Shredded cheese
Sour cream
Lettuce
Avocado

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together chicken, tomatoes, chilies, green peppers and onions and spread into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Combine the oil and spices in a small bowl, drizzle over the chicken and veggies, and toss to coat. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

3. I am on the prowl for cognac boots. I think I mentioned this earlier. This falls into the stuff-I-want-but-can't-stand-to-shop-for category. Very few things fall into that category. Very few. Because I love to shop. I even love a good shopping challenge. But boots. Ugh. There are too many factors to consider: color, height, circumference, width, style, heel. I want something I can wear casually with jeans but still dress up with skirts and tights. I want something I can walk in while holding 50lbs of children. I want something that's close to my knee but not over it. I want real leather. I don't want to pay a zillion dollars.

I'm never going to find them, am I?

4. Well, if I can't have perfect boots, I guess I'll have to settle for perfect flats. Like these metallic Tory Burch ones I've always wanted that only cost $195.

Hahahaha.

5. Have I mentioned my addiction to Downton Abbey? I am hopelessly obsessed with that show. Like, going through withdrawal obsessed. Luckily, the season three trailer came out this week. It's not enough to keep me satisfied, not even close, but I'll take what I can get.

Please listen to me. If someone suggested you watch Downton Abbey and your response was "Ew. A PBS Masterpiece Theatre period drama? Not a chance" then you need to shut your mouth and get yourself to the nearest streaming video service. While you're there, just go ahead and block out the next 15 hours of your life. You'll thank me later.

6. I am working on my fall must-haves clothing list. So far it includes the aforementioned boots. I know I need more than that, seeing as I spent last fall/winter in maternity clothes and most of what I wore the year before is now probably out of style or ill-fitting. Postpartum dressing really is the pits. Because even if you lose all the baby weight, nothing fits like it did and you pretty much have to start over or get real creative with your styling. Sad to say, styling is not my strong suit. Or even my mediocre suit. I so wish I could be one of those girls with perfectly tousled hair and a casually draped scarf that looks amazing over the most basic but well-fitting tshirt and jeans, but mostly I am just awkward and frizzy and wearing Gap jeans that stretched out five seconds after I put them on.

7. Seriously, what is the deal with Gap jeans? They used to be my go-to, now they are my run-from. This blog post is kind of hilarious and awful and while I don't really like any of the jeans she's hocking on the positive side (not a fan of pocket adornment myself, I'm a 33-year-old mother and marketing professional after all, not a teenager looking to score some beer and a new lower back tat), I can't argue with the fact that those Gap jeans are frump city. If you have recommendations for non-mom jeans with a 34 or 35 inch inseam that are appropriate for the workplace and won't break the bank or stretch out beyond recognition within minutes, by all means — send them my way. I'm getting desperate.

8. My kid wants to be Super Why for Halloween. My mother-in-law has kindly agreed to make the cape, but I'm at a loss on where to find a solid green outfit and blue mini shorts. I'm thinking it might be easier to find a pair of blue track pants and a blue t-shirt and accent with a green mask and cape. He probably won't even notice. Although he's remarkably observant at the most inopportune times, like when I mutter "what is your DEAL?" to a frustrating driver or someone says "stupid" within an 800-mile radius.

And yes, I realize there is a Super Why costume available for purchase, but I am one of those snobby moms who prefers homemade costumes. And by homemade I mean purchased at several different locations instead of in a single bag.

Snobby AND efficient.

9. There is nothing in the new fall lineup that interests me besides The Mindy Project. And maybe Nashville, since I looove Connie Britton (it's all the Friday Night Lights we've been watching. She's so good.). How disappointing. Although I guess that will help with our who-gets-to-watch-what-now-that-we're-both-home conundrum.

10. I have a long-awaited movie date with Christian Bale tonight. Sigh of happiness.

Don't worry, Nate will be there, too. Probably wishing he wasn't after two hours of me saying "Wow. He's so hot. Isn't he hot? Wow."