Fair week, gigantic sunflowers, a fresh haircut, and all things back-to-school are a few of my favorite things… I’m sharing lots more below!
For our very school-centric family, September essentially feels like the start of another new year (just without all the January cold and snow).
It’s one of my favorite times of the year — not only because I love school so much, but also because Michigan weather is nearly perfect this time of year, the flowers are still blooming, the garden produce is plentiful, and I start to feel more ambitious again after a somewhat “lazy” summer.
We sleep with the windows open most nights (even if the AC is on during the day), it’s dark by 9 pm (which I personally love), and all those fall comfort foods make it back into my meal plan!
Fall is my favorite… and I’m sharing lots more favorites below!
Favorite Moment = First Day of School
I can’t share a post about September without sharing the first day of school!
As a school-loving girl (and now a school-loving mom), it’s one of my favorite times of the year… and also bittersweet.
I love the happy chaos of everyone being home all summer, and I love the structure of getting everyone on the bus and plowing through my to-do list.
I suppose summers wouldn’t be as sweet if we couldn’t anticipate them… and back-to-school wouldn’t be as exciting if we never got an extended break.
For those of you who’ve been reading for many years, here’s a walk down memory lane — Nora’s first day of Kindergarten (8.5 months pregnant with Clara), and high school! 🥰
Favorite Luxury = Vented Minivan Seats
Many years ago, we bought our first vehicle with heated leather seats—it was amazing!
However, every summer, I lamented that air-conditioned seats were not a thing… at least not yet.
Well, 3 years ago, we bought another minivan with vented seats, and they are just as amazing as I expected!
No more back sweat. 👍🏻
RELATED READING: Practical Tips for Neat and Clean Vehicles (with kids)
Seasonal Favorite = Garden-Fresh Green Beans
Simon planted a vegetable garden this year. It’s small, it’s not pretty, but he had fun… and I got delicious garden-fresh green beans out of the arrangement!
Green beans are my all-time favorite summer vegetable — but store-bought beans just don’t do justice to the deliciousness of freshly picked beans from your own backyard.
Home-canned or frozen green beans really aren’t options for our family either (we’ve tried them and they just aren’t worth the time or effort), so I’m washing and snipping and enjoying every one of the beans Simon picks… and then I’ll wait in anticipation until next summer’s harvest!
RELATED READING: Our ridiculously silly way to reduce garden weeds.
Past Favorite = Tiny Tongs
When Nora was a toddler, I transformed an old TV cabinet into a fun play kitchen for her.
All our kids (and cousins and neighbors) enjoyed this play kitchen for many years… and one of their favorite things to play with was the set of tiny tongs I found at a thrift store.
One day, I realized I could actually use some tiny tongs in my own kitchen… and the rest is history!
I use my various tiny tongs for so many things (often multiple times per day). They are the perfect size for reaching into pickle jars, grabbing just a few veggies or berries, and they are an easy size to use, store, or bring along to other functions.
My tiny tongs are a well-loved kitchen gadget I would definitely miss.
Favorite Accessory = Goodr Sunglasses
I’ve had friends tell me about their favorite Goodr sunglasses for years and years… but I’ve never actually purchased new sunglasses for myself because our local thrift store sells them for $1.
However, I recently broke my thrift store sunglasses at the same time as a sunglasses sale at Dicks, and I had a 20% off coupon.
So I bought these cute Goodr Sunglasses… and I love them!
They are flexible, so I don’t need to worry about breaking them (at least it will be difficult to break them). They are super lightweight and comfortable on my face. The nose pads don’t get caught in my hair. And they look cute!
Apparently my friends all knew what they were talking about. 😉
Favorite Book = Hattie Big Sky
If you’re looking for a good novel that’s loosely based on true events from early 1900s life on the Montana Prairie, Hattie Big Sky is the book for you!
It’s a young adult book, so it’s a quicker, easier read… and it’s so good.
The main character + overall plot are based on the author’s great-grandmother, Hattie, who was orphaned as a young child, hopped around from family to family growing up, and moved out to the Montana prairie at only 16 years old, when she inherited a bachelor uncle’s homestead claim.
She had to learn how to live in the middle of nowhere, how to survive in winter, how to farm, how to clear land, how to cook, and care for herself.
Very entertaining — I highly recommend!
READ THE BOOK: Hattie Big Sky
Favorite Media = The Sandlot + Apologetics
Growing up, I loved the movie The Sandlot… and we finally got around to watching it with our kids for movie night this past spring (they loved it too).
So, I knew I had to listen in when I saw one of the Mama Bear Apologetics’ recent podcasts was focused on The Sandlot (you can also watch the show on YouTube).
They had an interesting take on things, and it was fun to reconsider this movie with an Apologetics lens — it almost makes me want to rewatch it soon!
Favorite Home Good = Root Veggie Bin
Many years ago, I snagged this root vegetable storage cabinet on Facebook Marketplace ($10)!
I’ve moved it around the house a few times, but for the last several years, it has lived in our kitchen, where I actually use it for extra root vegetable storage.
I keep potatoes, sweet potatoes, and onions (sometimes also squash) in this cabinet, and I just love how it looks and functions in our kitchen.
If you’re interested, you can buy similar cabinets on Etsy — or you can make your own using these plans!
RELATED READING: Our Favorite Roasted Root Veggies
Favorite Recipe = Tomato Soup
I make soup all year round, but with fall weather on the horizon, I add it into our recipe rotation a bit more often.
Tomato soup is one of our family’s favorites (I believe all 4 kids actually like it), and this time of year, I can make it with fresh-from-the-garden roasted tomatoes.
Canned tomatoes work just as well, though — and it comes together in roughly 30 minutes or less.
I usually make grilled cheese sandwiches on our griddle while the soup simmers… and everyone is happy with this quick and easy meal.
TRY THE RECIPE: 30-Minute Homemade Tomato Soup.
Favorite Short Story = The Strike at Putney
I’ve heard/read this short story dozens of times, and it always makes me smile.
If you’ve grown up in a semi-conservative church culture, “The Strike at Putney” by Lucy Maud Montgomery will make you smile too.
Favorite Archived Post:
Many years ago, I wrote a post about using 20-minute timers to boost productivity throughout the day. This is something I’ve personally done for years and years (sometimes even with my kids), and I’m always amazed at how much I accomplish in such a short time.
It sounds simple (because it is)… and it’s easy too!
Read the full post here: The Productive Power of a 20-Minute Timer
That’s all for this month. 😆
If you’re interested, you may scroll through all my Favorite Things posts HERE!
Leave a Comment