If I could sum up this month’s joy + tell in one word… it would be surprising! This was a month of uncertainty and the unknown with me hitting the road once again for my joy-urney tales, and as such, it was a mystery how this month was going to shape up.

What brought me the most joy this month was simply being surprised by little (and big!) things. The Green Mountains of Vermont. Rediscovering a favorite old Disney tune. The announcement of one of my favorite shows coming back.

October was a surprise… in all the best ways.

Here’s its joy+tell.

1.) “I Call on the Green Mountain State”

You know how there are certain places you go to in the world and think… “Is this place really real? Or am I just dreaming? Is nature this much of an artist?”

Vermont is one of those places for me. Switzerland is another.

When I first crossed Vermont’s boundaries a little over three years ago, I was amazed. Its sheer beauty. Its charm. Its history. This state may be one of the smallest, but what it lacks in land, it makes up for in appearance.

The first time I visited the Green Mountain state, I fell head over heels for it so much that I wanted to research all I could about it. I watched an old history episode on it from when I was a kid. I ordered a book on Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys. I watched an Aerial America episode on it. I listened to Trevor Hall’s “Green Mountain State”. Anything Vermont, I was drawn to it.

It’s a state that sure is something special… and not nearly talked about enough. So, I was so excited to have the chance to spend a few days there this month!

2.) The Fairytale, Part 10

If you’ve been following these posts, then you know… one of my favorite shows out there is Escape to the Chateau. Last spring, their final season premiered in the US, and I was quite sad about it.

Well, those tears have dried, and turned into grins… because the Strawbridge family announced they are back for series 10!!!

This show reminds me the power of trusting in the uncertain, daring to dream big, and being appreciative in the whole process of the unfolding. I’m so excited to be back with Dick+Angel and crew again soon!

3.) A New Podcast Listen

I’ve been on the same podcast train for years. I pretty much listen to one consistently, The Lively Show, and occasionally I’ll pop onto others to hear what they have to say. But, I rarely follow one regularly. One where I get excited about new episodes and look forward to the walks when I get to listen.

With all that said, I have found a new podcast that I am diving into! Bella Lively’s The Lively Show will always be #1 for me, but I am really enjoying Marianna Hewitt’s Life with Marianna podcast.

Perhaps a large of why is because I relate a lot to her. She’s a child of the midwest, is in her thirties, not married, no kids, and travels a great deal. Sounds really familiar to me!

I really enjoy her take on things, her insights and her feminine approach to living as the co-founder of her dream business.

Here’s an episode I throughly enjoyed.

4.) A Favorite Disney Song…Reimagined

As a child of the 90s, I grew up with some prime Disney movies.

I mean… it was like hit after hit after hit—what a time to be kid!

One of the most under appreciated and under talked about songs in the Disney world, in my humble opinion, is “Zero to Hero” from Hercules.

This song is incredible. Lyrics, pace, tune… a true showstopper!

This month the YouTube algorithm suggested to me this Broadway music video of the song, and it reminded me of just how much I adore this song.

My only note with it is, much like they suggest in the YouTube comments, bump the video speed up to 1.1-1.2x.

Soon, you’ll be swaying and clapping along!

5.) Calming Autumn Vibes

A few years ago, when my uncle was visiting for Thanksgiving, he mentioned how one of his favorite parts of his new TV is being able to put a yule log movie on.

Growing up, I was never a fan of the yule log. Why put a yule log on when you can just build a fire in the fireplace? Why stare at the TV when there’s not a movie or series to watch?

Well, I can officially chalk that up to being a “younger and didn’t know better” moment because I get it now.

Yes, a fire in the fireplace is lovely, but sometimes you don’t have access to one. Sometimes you don’t feel like making one. And having that feeling of cozy fire is just lovely.

While the yule log tends to be more festive season in nature, I recently discovered YouTube has these wonderful videos that depict an ethereal autumn scene with the most relaxing music, and (yes) even with fires crackling in the background.

I like to have this one in the background if I am working on something or even just as something to have on in the evenings when I’m starting to wind down a bit.

Here’s the link to one of my favorite ones.

That’s a wrap for Joy+Tell this month! I’d love to know, what brought you joy this month?

Photo by René Porter on Unsplash