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!
Monica T Good says
Gracious Andrea!
All the kids have grown, of course. But Nora!!! Holy Moley! Where did that time go!? Also, I have to say this, you look positively beautiful! You’ve grown into that wise woman and confidence stage. I think you’re more beautiful today than ever! Ask your hubby if I’m right.
Around here, my husband always refers to September as the beginning of “biscuit season.” He looks forward to it every year. Meals get bulkier, heavier and definitely the kitchen is more fragrant. And of course, biscuits.
I hope the kids have a fantastic school year. The one thing that I always loved about “back to school” was the smell of the new loose leaf paper and crayons. Nothing, nothing is quite like it. My kiddos are grown and gone, the grands are ranging from kindergarten to seventh grade. Now we pack back packs full of school supplies for our Compassion International kids. I still get excited for a new school year and supplies.
I’m adding your latest read to my list.
Andrea says
haha — Dave will always agree with that (he’s not stupid!)
School supplies and biscuits are the best! And yes, all those fall smells (in and out of the home).
Hope you enjoy Hattie Big Sky!
Kirsten says
Wondering if you have a link for your nose stud ? It looks cute and fun… love your haircut as well…
Andrea says
thanks Kristen. Here’s the link — very tiny!
Meghan says
I have had a home/ entertained as an adult for 25 years, and I just bought mini tongs a few years ago. Life changing! They are so essential to entertaining, I can’t believe I went so long without them! Readers, take Andrea’s advice and get 2-3 pairs asap!
Andrea says
haha — yes, the mini tongs for the win! I have 3 pairs and use them constantly!
mary in maryland says
You might like Michele Huneven’s book “The Search”. It follows a committee’s search for a new minister. As someone who has served on such a committee, I found it quite telling.
Andrea says
I’ll look into that book. Dave and I have each been on a search committee — not fun!
Beth says
Not sure what happened Andrea, but I did not receive your blog post in my inbox today. I will resubscribe I guess.
Andrea says
Ok, shoot me an email and I can look into it: andrea@andreadekker.com
Thanks!
Pam says
We are in the market for a new minivan, and I’ve never heard of vented seats! We currently drive a 2005 minivan so it doesn’t have many perks. 🙂 What make/model do you have? Definitely going to add vented seats to our wishlist.
Andrea says
2022 Chrystler Pacifica — they used to be the Town and Country, but changed to the Pacifica. It’s my favorite type of minivan b/c they have the patented stow ‘n go seats which fold down into the floor. I love it!
Debbie says
I like how you curled your hair for you new cut.
I wish we liked tomato soup, but our favorite is probably coconut curry soup with lentils, chickpeas, and veggies. Sometimes added tofu for more protein.
I noticed on the van picture that the driver seat has a gash. My car also has it, and wonder if you have a fix to keep the cut on the leather from getting bigger.
Andrea says
Thanks Debbie! The coconut curry soup sounds good! We can each have our favorites.
So… the van picture was actually our last van b/c I couldn’t find the picture I wanted of our current van and Dave was driving it when I was writing the post 🙂 Our new van does not have a gash, and the leather is MUCH softer… so I think they might have changed something in the process to prevent the gashes. I think it was from drying out in the sun — but I’m not sure.
Erin H says
Do you have a favorite bean variety? I’ve been underwhelmed with whatever version I have gotten. I was planning on starting Hattie Big Sky this month with my preteen. Love to see high praise for it!
Andrea says
You’ll like the book (hopefully your teen will too!)
As for beans, I’m not that fancy of a gardener so I haven’t really paid attention to the type we are growing. I like green better than yellow, I know that 🙂
Alice Cagle says
Thanks for all your tips. I love your new haircut, it really looks good on you. I love fall the most also, just the colors and the feeling of it. Happy fall
Andrea says
Thanks Alice — enjoy the fall!
Diana says
I checked to see if my library has “Hattie Big Sky” (they do) and saw there is a Hattie #2. Have you read that one?
Andrea says
no! I need to check that out. Thank you for letting me know!
Sherrie Corbett says
Hi – The second Hattie book is titled “Hattie Ever After”. I ordered it from my library and am waiting for it to come in.
Ann says
I hear you on the green bean dilemma!
Aldi sells a bag of frozen fancy beans that are pretty close to cooked fresh beans if you follow the cooking instructions. So when you have a hankering for beans out of season, try those!
Andrea says
Yes, I’ve purchased those frozen beans in the past… definitely not as good as fresh, but not terrible!