Weekend Dispatch

Last weekend was the perfect blend of busy and downtime. It all started on Friday with dinner at Half Moon Point, which is quickly becoming our go-to Friday night dinner spot. We always end up running into someone we know and catching up over a cocktail...can't complain about that! On Saturday, I found myself alone for the first Saturday in I don't know how long. So, I took a long walk at the Brick Reservoir and listened to episode after episode of podcasts. Definitely wasn't mad about that.

Here's what I'm up to for the rest of this week and into the weekend:

Over the weekend I got caught up in watching Stay Here on Netflix. Stay Here follows designer Genevieve Gorder and real estate expert Peter Lorimer as they help property owners turn their homes into moneymaking rentals that are real showstoppers. I first episode I watched was the Malibu Beach House episode. I was floored by how different and inviting it looked, and the show has really opened my eyes to staying in a private home rather than a hotel.

Here we go, guys, it's almost Halloween season, and it's all about the pumpkins. This weekend is the Pumpkin Festival at Happy Day Farm in Manalapan, New Jersey from 10 am to 5 pm, both Saturday and Sunday. The farm opens for pumpkin picking 7 days a week on October 1st. Festival admission is $14.00 for adults and chilren (under 2 is free).

FESTIVAL ADMISSION INCLUDES: Live Entertainment, 15-Acre Pumpkin Patch, 10-Acre John Deere Corn Maze, Pirate Ship, Pumpkin Guess Who, Tractor Rides, Timmy Town Zoo, Pig Races, Hay Mazes, Pumpkin Bowling, Corn Tunnel, Corn Box, Rubber Duck Racing, Horse Bouncers, Corn Hole, Tire Mountain, Pedal Carts, Bean Bag Toss, Tetherball, Spider Web, Bridge Observation, Horse Swings and so much more!

AVAILABLE FOR AN ADDITIONAL FEE: Pony Rides, Pumpkin and Corn Blasters, Jumping Pillow, Pumpkin Decorating, Bag of Feed At The Zoo FOOD CONCESSIONS ON SITE: Pizza * Cheese Steaks * Fries * Hamburgers * Hot Dogs * Chicken Tenders * Gyros * Zeppoles * Fried Oreos * Apple Fritters * Funnel Cakes & More!

If you're not into carving pumpkins or the giant mess it makes, try your hand at decorating a pumpkin. I'm going to be making a melted crayon pumpkin this year (I've got years' worth of crayons floating around my house). These are super cute. You can purchase a white pumpkin or you can spray paint one to create a base for the melted crayons. I think it would be fun to choose a color theme too.

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Not to end on a low note here, but...Mental illness is a serious epidemic in this country. There is a stigma attached to it that pushes those who suffer from it to deny the illness. It's not a priority of well being in our healthcare system, but very much should be. When I stumbled upon this article recently, I was sucked in immediately. It is so well-written and heartfelt. It's also a good reminder that what we see of someone on the outside isn't always what's brewing on the inside. If you know someone who is suffering, please share the article and have a read for yourself.

So, tell me. What do you have planned this weekend?