Another fantastic summer is “in the books” for the Dekker family — and for many of your families, too, I assume.
We had a relaxing break with lots of low-key fun at home, and now we’re gearing up for a busier 6-week stretch of school, football, volleyball, and church programming.
Then we’ll enjoy a short “lull” again before the holiday season hits.
I enjoy the ebb and flow of busy and not-as-busy seasons — especially when I know the busy is coming, and also when it will pass.
As we embark on my favorite season (Fall!) I’m excited to share a few more of my favorite things with you.
Favorite Moments = Free Garden Veggies
We haven’t had our own vegetable garden for the last 2 years… but thanks to a little agreement with retired friends from church, we’ve been getting garden-fresh veggies all season.
They bring us trays/bags/boxes of already-picked veggies from their gigantic garden, and we give them a meal or a few baked goods in return (yes, we’re getting the better end of this deal!)
We plan to have our own vegetable garden again eventually… but for our current season, this is a fantastic arrangement.
Favorite Routine = Back to School
Last month, I shared that Dave and I had been diligently waking up on time almost every day throughout the summer. This, not surprisingly, made the transition to early school mornings fairly painless for us.
Our kids definitely slept in as late as we’d let them all summer, so their transition was not as seamless… but after a few days, their bodies adjusted.
As much as I love the “lazy” days of summer, I do really appreciate being back in a routine again and having a bit more structure to our days. It boosts productivity, it gives us all so much to talk about when we’re together again, and it makes the weekends feel that much more restful.
RELATED READING: 6 Strategies to Take Your Weekends Back
Past Favorite = Hair Straightening Brush
It’s been a couple of years since I first shared about the “magical” hair straightening brush I gave Nora for her birthday… and yes, we still LOVE it!
Not only is it the only way to straighten Nora’s long, thick, coarse, frizzy hair, but it also works to quickly smooth out any kinks in Clara’s much shorter, silky hair.
And, now that my hair is longer, I’ve benefited from the amazingness of our ionic hair straightening brush, too.
Never in my life has my hair been THIS straight!
Usually, I run through it with the straightening brush, then use a curling wand to put a little body in it.
Favorite Accessory = Themed Earrings
Thanks to a huge earring collection at our local thrift store (I sanitize them) and a few fun gifts from friends, I have a pretty good collection of themed earrings. Everything from sports to holidays to silly “just because” earrings.
I recently broke out my football earrings for the boys’ scrimmages last weekend — I’ll be wearing them regularly throughout the next 6 weeks.
Simon asked if they were real diamonds!
Note: My everyday earrings are medium-size gold hoops, along with the specks of diamonds Dave gave me for my 20th birthday. 🥰
Favorite Toiletry = Butter On Gums Toothbrushes
This is a funny one — but I recently switched our entire family to the GuruNanda Butter On Gums toothbrushes after my dentist switched me over back in January.
Bonus points that they offer a 6-pack with 6 different colors!
My dentist explained that these brushes are SUPER soft, so I wouldn’t have to worry as much about brushing too hard (something I’m prone to do).
After making the switch, I was immediately hooked… I’m not sure why it took me 8 months to switch the rest of my family over?? But they are all hooked now, too!
According to the kids, it feels like you’re brushing your teeth with a pillow (in a good way). 😉
Favorite Media = Mama Bear Appologetics
I listen to a few favorite podcasts each week, but if Mama Bear Appologetics publishes new content, it always bumps up to the top of my listening list.
This week, they shared a new episode: The Lie of Best-Selfism (a.k.a. How to Destroy Your Faith and Family in One Step).
It has so many good nuggets to think about… if you’d like to multitask while washing dishes, folding laundry, or taking the dog for a walk, I recommend listening!
Favorite Book = You Bet Your Stretchmarks
One of my favorite online personalities is Abbie Helberstadt from M Is For Mama.
She’s a mother of 10 (yes, TEN children) and a fantastic writer whose 3rd book just launched on September 2.
Her first 2 books were absolutely fantastic, and I preordered her 3rd book — which is just as much of a delight to read.
Also, isn’t the name so fun: You Bet Your Stretchmarks: Finding Beauty and Worth in the Ways Motherhood Marks our Bodies and Souls.
It reads almost like a devotional with action steps, questions to consider, and prayers at the end of every chapter.
Plus, each chapter includes content from older women with a long-term perspective.
This book will leave you encouraged every time you pick it up. It would be a fantastic baby shower gift, Christmas gift, Mother’s Day gift, or just-because gift.
Get the Book: You Bet Your Stretchmarks
Favorite Recipe = PB Chocolate Chip Cookies
These delicious Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookies have been one of our favorite cookies for almost 14 years now, thanks to my former neighbor who shared them with me after Nora was born.
They are super easy to freeze, and the best after-school snack (especially when I make them with freshly ground whole grain flour).
I made a double batch of cookie dough balls before school started, and we’re almost out already.
TRY THE RECIPE: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Favorite Quote
“What can you do to create a more peaceful home and world? Go home and love your family.” – Mother Teresa
I shared this quote a few years ago when I wrote 7 Everyday Ways to Cultivate a More Peaceful Home and World. And truthfully, I think of it almost daily.
So many of the world’s issues (even really big issues) come back to broken homes and difficult relationships.
When my kids were really little, I told them that I could make everything better for them (and I could!) I know it’s a bit naive to think moms can make everything better for their children and families, but deep down, I do believe there’s truth to the statement.
In the spheres of our homes and families, we’re more powerful than you think, ladies! 😉
Favorite Archived Post: Weekly Reset
With every change of season, I find myself tweaking my “weekly reset” a bit… but never throwing in the towel on this essential piece of our home life.
A Few Benefits of A Weekly Reset:
- Our home is cleaned and maintained regularly.
- The laundry is done from start to finish each week.
- The fridge and pantry are routinely restocked with food and snacks.
- Our meals are planned (and I know I have the ingredients).
- We don’t need to clean or run errands on the weekends.
And there are other benefits you might not see at first glance:
- Relief from my mental load — I have a set time to “do all the things”.
- Structure and routine for tasks that are so easy to “push off until later”.
- Boundaries — I do as much as I can in a few hours, and then I’m done.
- Guilt-free time to catch up on podcasts and audiobooks while I’m cleaning!
If it weren’t for our weekly reset, I honestly don’t think I’d be able to stay on top of housework. If you’re struggling with when to fit housework into your weekly schedule, try a Weekly Reset for a few weeks and see if it helps!
Read the full posts here: Revolutionize Your Home and Life with a Weekly Reset.
That’s all for this month.
If you’re interested, you may scroll through all my Favorite Things posts HERE!
Kim says
I always look forward to your “favorite things”. I’m taking your suggestion for the books by Abbie. Thank you
Andrea says
Thanks Kim — You will enjoy that book and be blessed by it!
JJ says
The peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are enjoyed at our house! ♡ I put the toothbrushes in the cart! I have so many of your favorites and appreciate your posts so much. I recently bought the muffin pan you use through your link. I have used it 3 times and plan to replace my other pans with the USA pans you use! My recent hyperfixation has been on sourdough. So of course I went through your posts.
I have thoroughly enjoyed a book by Alli Worthington recently: Fierce Faith. It really helped me process some things.
Do your earrings come with the plastic things on the back to ensure they don’t fall off? I lost one at church while teaching the kids . I found it. But apparently they help me.
Andrea says
Hey there — so glad you are loving the PB cookies!! And yes, the toothbrushes are great!
As for the earrings, I purchased a pack of tiny silicon stoppers at Khol’s a while back and use those on all my earrings (even ones that come with backs, I exchange them for the silicone ones). I love how small and weightless the clear ones are, and basically invisible.
I think I read Alli’s book a few years ago (unless it’s a new one!) I’ll have to look it up at the library.
Enjoy September!
Kristen says
I just listened to that episode of Mama Bear Apologetics on your recommendation. Thank you! It was so good!
Andrea says
Oh good, glad you liked it!
Jessica says
I just wanted to say thank you for all of your tips and sharing how you do life. I’ve been reading your blog/posts since Nora was little. I have adhd and my home usually feels chaotic to me, so it’s so refreshing to get a glimpse into how to do things a better way. I can incorporate a few things here and there that help me so much. You have definitely helped me get Thanksgiving under control and on the table!
Andrea says
Thanks so much for sharing this, Jessica! I’m thrilled to have a small part in helping your home run more smoothly!
Kathy says
Just curious….we haven’t heard anything about the out building this summer. Did the remodel take place? I enjoy reading your post each week.
Andrea says
we aren’t doing the remodel until fall. We did all the preliminary work this spring, then we just enjoyed the pool/outbuilding/yard all summer.
We’ll probably start in mid-October. 🙂
Diana says
FYI- the author’s name is spelled incorrectly in the post. I copied and pasted the name to my library website to see if they had any of her books. It didn’t come up with any hits, so I double-checked the name and saw it was spelled wrong 🙂
Andrea says
Ok Thanks — I’ll change it!