October’s Best: Embracing Fall with Cozy Scents, Smart Tech, Captivating Books, and Engaging Movies
A monthly list of good things to do, buy, read, watch, and more, helping you make the most of the season.
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Oh my goodness, does anyone else feel like October instantly signals the arrival of the holidays? It’s as if the moment the calendar flips to October, the festive season is just around the corner! But let’s press pause on that thought for a moment, shall we? For now, we’re simply reveling in the glorious transformation of nature: the vibrant spectacle of changing leaves, the crisp breeze that dances through our roads and yards, gently ushering them earthward. We’re embracing the increasing presence of soft, cloudy skies, the refreshing coolness in the air, and those magical moments when the sun peeks through, casting dramatic, almost surreal rays onto the landscape. Brian and I recently witnessed one such breathtaking sunbeam, slicing through the clouds to illuminate a distant hillside – it was so picture-perfect, we both remarked we’d laugh if we saw it in a painting because it simply didn’t look real! These subtle shifts truly make autumn an enchanting time of year.
Beyond enjoying these natural wonders, we’re also diligently working to prepare the exterior of our farmhouse fixer for the upcoming winter months. The current focus involves finding a new builder to commence work on the addition, for which we finally secured the permit (our current builder, regrettably, isn’t able to take on this phase). Part of the foundation permit also required us to tackle some significant landscaping. This involved renting a small backhoe and embarking on an archaeological-like dig, unearthing not just gigantic boulders but also an astonishing quantity of smaller rocks. It was quite an adventure, filled with unexpected challenges and discoveries! We’ll be delving into all the fascinating details of this process on an upcoming AOC Podcast episode, so be sure to subscribe and tune in to hear the full story!
This month’s curated list of “good things” is a delightful mix designed to help you savor the season. It includes an cherished early fall tradition that Brian and I eagerly anticipate each year, a new seasonal home scent that has completely captivated me, innovative ways I’m listening to audiobooks while tackling all that demanding landscaping work, a highly practical cookbook that would make an excellent gift for any home cook, and, of course, a roundup of the latest books I’ve devoured and movies I’ve watched. As always, I love hearing from you – don’t forget to share your own “good things” in the comments below!
Good Things: Enhancing Your Autumn Experience
One of our absolute favorite fall traditions, something Brian and I look forward to with genuine excitement, is attending an early-season football game at our alma mater, the University of Oregon. It’s often challenging to justify the expense of pricey Duck tickets, especially with our ongoing farmhouse renovation (cough *farmhouse budget* cough), but we’ve found a clever way to indulge. Opting for one of the first few games against non-conference teams offers a significantly more affordable route to experience the vibrant atmosphere. The weather at this time of year is usually absolutely perfect – crisp, sunny, and ideal for an outdoor sporting event. The energy from the fans is palpable and infectious, creating an electric buzz that truly kicks off the season for us in a fun and memorable way. Pun absolutely intended! Does football mark the beginning of fall for you too, or do you have another tradition that signals the start of this beautiful season?
Typically, I’m not one to chase after the newest “seasonal scent” trends. My focus tends to be more practical when it comes to home products. However, a recent trip to replenish my soap supply led me to discover the Mrs. Meyers “Apple Cider” scent available on Grove Co.. Intrigued, I ordered it, and since it was on sale, I decided to grab a matching candle as well. Oh my goodness, I am utterly smitten! This scent is absolutely divine – it’s warm, inviting, and perfectly captures the essence of autumn. I honestly find myself actively seeking out reasons to pump more soap than usual, just to enjoy another whiff. It truly feels like the quintessential aroma for the fall season, transforming my home into a cozy, apple-orchard-inspired haven. Who knew I could be so enthusiastic about a seasonal fragrance? While I noticed the candle has already sold out on Grove, it’s worth checking local stores that carry Mrs. Meyers products. Thankfully, there’s still an abundance of the hand soap, dish soap, and all-purpose spray available. And if you’re a new Grove customer, you can receive a $10 credit off a $20 order when you use this special link. They also offer a pumpkin scent, but for me, the apple cider reigns supreme!
Let’s talk about Apple’s AirPods. If you’re a regular listener of our podcast, you’ll know that this item recently made it into our “cool things” segment, and for good reason! You guys, I have to admit, I completely scoffed at these when they first launched almost two years ago. “$150 for a set of earbuds? Seriously?” I thought, dismissing them as an overpriced gadget. But then, I started noticing more and more people using them, and I began to hear about their clever features: the compact case that doubles as a charger (providing up to 9 hours of recharge time for the buds’ 3-hour battery life), and surprisingly, how securely they stayed in place, defying their appearance. When my birthday rolled around, bringing with it some Amazon gift cards and cash, I decided to take the plunge and ordered a pair. And I am absolutely in love! These things are genuinely amazing. The obvious benefit of being completely wireless is a huge plus, something you can get with any Bluetooth set. However, what truly sets AirPods apart is their intuitive “ear detection” feature – they *know* when you take them out of your ear and instantly pause your audio. It’s like magic! You can be immersed in a book, pull one out for a quick conversation, and it stops, then pop it back in, and it seamlessly resumes playing. They are also incredibly easy to pair with both my phone and computer, offer a comfortable fit, deliver fantastic sound quality, and have never once come loose, let alone fallen out, even during the most strenuous tasks. I’ve spent countless hours listening to audiobooks while hauling wheelbarrows full of wood chips, rocks, and dirt, so I can confidently vouch for their durability and comfort in active scenarios. The only minor drawback is the inability to adjust the volume directly on the buds themselves (you have to use your phone, or Siri, though it rarely works for me), but this hasn’t truly been an issue in my experience. I adore them so much that my daughter and I even bought a pair for Brian for his birthday, and he’s equally enamored! Are they worth the full price? Perhaps not for everyone, as they are a luxury item. But if you have some birthday money or are looking for a truly special, innovative tech splurge, I wholeheartedly recommend considering a set of AirPods!
I am consistently reaching for the Eat At Home Tonight Cookbook, a fantastic resource I received as part of the launch team back in August. I can honestly say, without exaggeration, that this is the most genuinely useful cookbook I’ve encountered in a long time. It’s not just filled with pretty pictures; it’s packed with practical, real-life solutions for busy weeknights. When I need to get dinner on the table quickly, I immediately turn to its dedicated section for 15-minute meals. If I’m craving the comforting ease of a slow cooker dish, there’s a whole section for that, too. And for those times I want to be efficient and prepare extra food, the “two meals from one” section is an absolute godsend, offering clever ways to double-duty ingredients and save time later. Reflecting on its incredible utility, I realized that this cookbook would make an exceptionally thoughtful and practical gift for the upcoming holidays. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to cook more at home but struggles with meal planning, needs fresh recipe inspiration, or simply desires a more organized approach to dinner. Now that the holiday season is drawing nearer, I wanted to highlight it again as an excellent item to cross off your gift list early! Click here to order it easily on Amazon and simplify someone’s (or your own!) meal routine. Have you already added this invaluable book to your kitchen, or perhaps tried some of its recipes?
September Reads: A Journey Through Classics and Compelling Biographies
I’m thrilled to report that I’ve reached 66 books read this year, which means I’ve already surpassed my initial goal of 50 – yay! For a moment, I wondered if I could possibly make it to 100, but with a steady average of 6-7 books a month and only three months left in the year, it seems unlikely. However, this success definitely means I’ll be upping my reading goal for next year! September turned out to be a wonderfully immersive month, heavily leaning into the world of classics and profound biographies. Here are the standout reads from the month:
Middlemarch, by George Eliot. This monumental novel was a first for me. In college English, we studied *Silas Marner* instead (and I can barely recall my thoughts on it, which perhaps says something!). *Middlemarch* is widely celebrated as Eliot’s masterpiece and consistently ranks high on lists of the greatest novels of all time, and for good reason. It is, to put it mildly, looooong. I embarked on this journey via audiobook, listening diligently while working outside, cleaning, and cooking, and it still took over 35 hours to complete! This novel offers an incredibly intricate and fascinating glimpse into the lives of early 19th-century families residing in a small, provincial town in the English countryside. Eliot masterfully intertwines the stories of several different couples, particularly focusing on their loves and marriages, and how societal pressures, rigid expectations, and pervasive gossip profoundly shaped – and at times, tragically ruined – their lives. The narrative also subtly explores the politics and social changes of the era, providing a rich tapestry of historical context. I found myself laughing aloud at the witty observations and gasping at the dramatic turns of fate. What’s truly remarkable is how brilliantly this book holds up more than 150 years after its publication. Having now experienced the novel, I’m eager to track down the old PBS series adaptation to see how it compares.
Jack: CS Lewis and His Times, by George Sayer. After immersing myself in many of C.S. Lewis’s profound books and essays on Christianity, my curiosity about the man behind the words grew immensely. This biography, *Jack*, came highly recommended by Lewis’s stepson, Douglas Gresham, lending significant weight to its authenticity and honesty. The author, George Sayer, was a personal friend of Jack’s (Lewis’s nickname), which means the book is infused with numerous firsthand experiences and intimate insights. Sayer also meticulously utilized the extensive collection of letters preserved within the Lewis family trust to meticulously reconstruct Lewis’s earlier years. Having previously listened to Lewis’s autobiography, *Surprised By Joy*, and being somewhat shocked by his stark descriptions of his boarding school years, I found Sayer’s biography shed a gentler light on this period, suggesting that Lewis might have exaggerated some of the harsher details. It also offers invaluable insights into his complex relationship with Mrs. Moore, clearly illustrating how she came to fill a crucial maternal role in his life. For anyone interested in the life and intellectual journey of C.S. Lewis, I wholeheartedly recommend this deeply researched and personal biography.
Cranford, by Elizabeth Gaskell. My profound admiration for Gaskell’s masterful novel, North and South, immediately led me to download *Cranford* through my library app, Hoopla. While *Cranford* proved to be a pleasant enough read, it never quite captivated me with the same intensity as *North and South*. In fact, there were moments when I found myself a tad bored, a sentiment I rarely experience with Gaskell’s other works. It’s a relatively short and focused book, centering on a small group of older, childless women living in the charming, yet insular, rural town of Cranford, England. Their lives are characterized by peculiar customs, social niceties, and a propensity for supposition and gossip that often leads to amusing misunderstandings. Thankfully, the narrative progresses to a nicely satisfying conclusion, and its brevity meant that any moments of boredom were short-lived. It’s a gentle, character-driven story that offers a quaint peek into Victorian provincial life, even if it doesn’t possess the dramatic sweep of her more renowned works.
Watching: Cinematic Escapes and Gripping Dramas
The movie we made sure to catch in the theater this month was Crazy Rich Asians. When I first saw the trailer, I was admittedly a little “ho-hum” about seeing it, thinking it might be a predictable rom-com. However, as positive reviews began to pour in and word-of-mouth spread, our interest was piqued. After finally seeing it, Brian, our daughter, and I all wholeheartedly agreed – it’s a truly fantastic and incredibly fun movie! Beyond the dazzling visuals and delightful humor, it also thoughtfully explores some surprisingly deep themes, delving into complex issues like class divisions, the influence of money, and the intricate dynamics of family expectations versus individual desires. The cultural nuances woven throughout the story were particularly engaging. I haven’t yet read the book it’s based on, and I know there are sequels to the novel – have you read them? Should I add them to my reading list?
Hinterland, Netflix. Brian and I have been slowly making our way through this compelling series over the past few months, savoring each episode. It’s a classic BBC-style crime procedural, but with a unique and atmospheric twist: it’s set against the strikingly beautiful, yet often bleak, landscapes of Wales. What makes this show particularly interesting is its bilingual production; it’s filmed simultaneously in both English and Welsh, with the English version airing for international audiences and the Welsh version for viewers in Wales. The series is undeniably moody, a quality largely dictated by its stunning, dramatic setting, which becomes almost a character in itself. We’ve been particularly drawn in by the depth and complexity of the main characters. The writers expertly withhold much of their backstories, gradually revealing layers of their pasts and personalities, which makes figuring out what exactly is “going on” with them – especially with the lead inspector, DCI Tom Mathias, brilliantly played by Richard Harrington – a significant and engaging part of the viewing experience. It’s a slow-burn mystery that rewards patient viewing.
Mudbound, Netflix. As a self-proclaimed “sucker” for historical stories, this Netflix original movie immediately caught my eye. Based on a critically acclaimed book, it looked incredibly interesting, and indeed, it is a very good film. However, I must preface this by saying it is also a profoundly hard and deeply sad movie. It confronts the brutal realities of racial prejudice in post-WWII America with unflinching honesty. A particular aspect that was new and incredibly impactful for me was the stark contrast depicted between the experiences of Black soldiers serving in WWII in Europe versus their return to segregation and intense racism in America – I truly hadn’t realized the extent of this disparity. This film is unequivocally for adult audiences, with some particularly difficult scenes, including a harrowing KKK sequence. Despite the painful subject matter, I believe it’s an incredibly important movie that offers a vital historical perspective. Crucially, it manages to conclude with powerful themes of redemption and eventual joy, leaving a lasting impression. If you’ve watched it, I would truly love to hear your thoughts and reflections in the comments!
That concludes another edition of the Good Things List! I hope you found some inspiration for embracing autumn, discovering new passions, or simply enhancing your daily routine. If you’re keen to explore more of what I’m enjoying, you can delve into all the previous Good Things Lists here. Your insights are invaluable to me, so please don’t hesitate to share your recommendations, or let me know if you’ve tried any of the items or media I’ve featured this month. Leave a comment below with your thoughts and discoveries – let’s keep the good things flowing!
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