I love this time of year. The leaves are changing. Apples are cheap. The weather has its ups and downs, but when it’s just right there is nothing nicer than a walk in the woods. Here are some other September favourites that might inspire you.
Read
My favourite reads this month were The River (I loved this novel but it almost made me bawl) and Tender at the Bone (a food memoir).
Here are some of the best picture books we’ve borrowed from the library recently: Hike by Pete Oswald, Smashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman (Ralph’s favourite!), Prairie Days by Patricia MacLachlan, The Hidden Rainbow by Christie Matheson, Dozens of Doughnuts by Carrie Finison, Stellaluna by Janell Cannon, and Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett (my favourite).
I also recommend Princess Cora and the Crocodile for readers who have passed the Frog and Toad stage (or for reading aloud).
Do
There were some definite highlights this month. For my birthday Andrew invited my parents to surprise me with a visit. They also ended up surprised when their car broke down on the way! Thankfully they still made it and we got some extra time to visit when they had to stay overnight before finding a rental car to get home. I think the food was worth it (see below)!
Owen Sound began a series of free outdoor concerts, Music at the Market, Wednesday-Friday 12pm-2pm, which will continue until November 6. We’ve made it to five performances so far and enjoyed picnicking outside while listening to the music (on a cool day we packed hot chocolate and took in some fiddling and step dancing).
We just began our fifth week of school and I’m happy with how it is progressing.
Eat
For my birthday Andrew made fried chicken, buttermilk biscuits and gravy, salted caramel waffles, fruit salad, and fancy drinks. I was impressed! Even before he brought out the bittersweet chocolate tart.
Some friends gave us beans, cucumbers, zucchini, and a pumpkin from their garden. It’s great to have generous friends, especially when you don’t have your own vegetable garden. (In case you’re wondering, we made a pumpkin tart with gingersnap crust from this cookbook.)
If you haven’t tried the Flashfood app, you should check it out. You can see what items are discounted (usually 50% off) at your local grocery store, pay with the app, and go pick them up at customer service. We’ve bought hummus, meat, cheese, yogurt, and meal kits this way.
Meditate
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
– Colossian 3:12-15