Transform Your Home & Life: September’s Top Picks for DIY, Cleaning, and Inspiring Reads

Welcome to our monthly roundup of exceptional finds and personal triumphs – a curated list of good things to see, buy, read, watch, and more. Each selection is something that has genuinely enhanced our lives or spaces, and we’re excited to share these discoveries with you.

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Here we are, fully immersed in October, and it feels like just one small slide away from November and the festive holiday season, doesn’t it? While the anticipation of cozy evenings and celebrations is certainly growing, I’m not quite ready to fully embrace it just yet. There’s a tangible list of outdoor projects I’m determined to complete before the weather takes a complete turn towards the cold and wet.

This push is particularly strong because, without these crucial outdoor tasks being finished, we risk transforming our beautiful garden spaces into an unwelcome mud pit, as you’ll soon discover. That looming prospect of a muddy winter is incredibly motivating! September, despite its busy schedule, brought some truly wonderful developments into our lives, including no less than six captivating books that I’ve reviewed in detail below. As always, I eagerly await your own “good things” – please share any delightful discoveries or experiences in the comments section!

Home & Garden Improvements: Good Things Shaping Our Space

A Stylish Solution: New Blanket Ladder to Conceal an Electrical Panel

When we embarked on the significant project of extending the back of our beloved farmhouse, a necessary consequence was the relocation of our main electrical panel. Due to structural and budgetary constraints, the only feasible place to move it was inside the new master bedroom. What I hadn’t fully grasped during the planning phase was just how imposing and large the new panel would be. Initially, my thought was a simple one: I’d just hang a large painting or an elegant mirror to discreetly cover it.

However, once the panel was installed, it became clear that this wouldn’t be as straightforward as I’d hoped. Not only was the panel significantly too large for any piece of artwork or mirror that would genuinely complement the room’s aesthetic, but it also protruded from the wall by about an inch. Despite our best efforts and numerous inquiries, we couldn’t find a way to make it sit flush with the wall. This slight protrusion made any flat covering look awkward and unfinished.

This is where the inspiration for a DIY blanket ladder emerged as the perfect, elegant solution:

It’s almost comical to admit that it took us a year and a half to finally complete this project, but now that it’s done, I absolutely adore it. Finding a commercially available blanket ladder that was tall enough to adequately cover the entire panel proved to be a challenge. So, Brian skillfully crafted a custom ladder using 1×4 lumber, ensuring it reached the precise height required. My part involved sanding, staining, and applying a protective finish, giving it a warm, inviting look that perfectly suits our farmhouse style.

I’m genuinely so thrilled we chose this DIY route instead of a simple print. I believe it offers a much more unique and personalized touch to the room, instantly adding warmth and texture. Furthermore, the versatility of a blanket ladder is fantastic – I can easily change out the blankets draped over it to refresh the room’s look with the seasons or my mood. It’s a functional piece of decor that completely transforms an unsightly necessity into a beautiful focal point.

Fresh Concrete Pours: Transforming Our Garden and Walkways

One of the most satisfying advancements this September has been the completion of our concrete work in various outdoor areas, significantly improving both aesthetics and functionality. After the arduous task of removing the old, broken cement pad and retaining wall earlier in the summer, we were finally able to pour a new, much simpler sidewalk-retaining wall. This new structure creates a smooth, clear transition from our driveway down into the charming sunken garden area. This improvement is not just visual; it lays the groundwork for me to finally complete the rock wall beds in this area and lay the gravel for what will become our brand new fire pit space – a project I’ve been dreaming of for ages.

Another major highlight was the addition of a much-needed walkway and a set of sturdy stairs leading from our newly repositioned back door up to the main cement pad where we park our cars. For too long, this area was a chaotic expanse of dirt (you can see the problematic patch to the right in the photo). Every winter, it transformed into an unavoidable mud pit, making daily treks to the car a messy and often slippery ordeal. We’d have to dodge puddles and carefully navigate over black plastic sheeting, which was neither safe nor pleasant. This new concrete pathway has been a true game-changer, eliminating the daily struggle and making our home much more accessible and user-friendly, especially during the wetter months.

This particular project was arguably the most exciting part of our entire cement pouring process. It not only solves a practical problem but also finally brings a sense of cohesion and completion to the reconfigured back of our house. If you’re curious about the journey, you can see the full farmhouse renovation story here, which provides context for why these changes were so essential.

The final significant area to receive a fresh concrete slab was the front of our barn/shop. This space had previously been covered by a badly poured, uneven slab that lacked any finished edges, resulting in a perpetually weedy, untidy mess. The transformation is remarkable: the new slab looks incredibly cleaner, will function far better for all our barn-related activities, and provides a perfectly level surface that can more stably hold tables, making it ideal for outdoor entertaining and gatherings. This functional upgrade is just the beginning; I can hardly wait to paint the barn, add classic ‘X’ details to the doors, and generally make it look like the picture-perfect, cute barn I’ve always envisioned. That whole DIY domino effect is definitely in full swing in my mind, with one completed project fueling the inspiration for the next!

A Must-Have for Pet Owners: Grove Carpet & Upholstery Stain Remover

The other day, as I was reaching for this fantastic spray to tackle yet another pet-related mishap, I suddenly realized a major oversight: I’ve never properly raved about it here on the blog! And I absolutely should, because this product has truly earned a permanent spot in my cleaning arsenal, and I am consistently impressed with its performance.

If you’re a proud owner of a small dog, you’ll undoubtedly understand the challenge of keeping them off furniture. It’s an entirely different ballgame compared to trying to keep our larger dog, Samson, from claiming the couch. With our adorable Maltese mix, Jynx, we’ve pretty much given up the fight. As a result, she frequently leaves tell-tale footprints on our lighter-colored bedspread and couch covers. Whether it’s mud tracked in during the rainy winter months or just everyday dirt from her summer adventures, these marks were a constant battle.

Enter this exceptional non-toxic stain remover from Grove Collaborative. What makes it so remarkable is its consistent ability to lift these stains completely, every single time. And as an added bonus, it leaves behind a pleasant, fresh scent, a welcome departure from the harsh chemical odors of many other cleaners. My routine is simple and effective: I liberally soak the stained area with the spray, then gently dab it a bit with a clean rag. By the time I return after it’s had a chance to dry, the stain has almost always vanished without a trace.

So far, this powerhouse cleaner has proven its worth on a variety of challenging situations. It excels at removing those stubborn dirt and mud stains, and it has even tackled the occasional vomit incident with surprising ease (what is it about little dogs and their propensity for unexpected puke sessions?). When we were in the midst of potty training Jynx, it was an absolute lifesaver, effortlessly removing all traces of accidents from our carpet, preventing any lasting damage or odors. Its gentle yet powerful formula means I can trust it on both our upholstery and carpets without worry of discoloration or damage.

I cannot recommend this product highly enough for anyone, especially pet owners, looking for an effective, pleasant-smelling, and non-toxic solution for common household stains. It’s a true game-changer for maintaining a clean and fresh home, even with furry friends around.

You can learn more about the Grove Collaborative Carpet & Upholstery Stain Remover product page here and discover why it’s become such a staple in our home.

September Reads: Dive into Our Latest Book Reviews

September was a delightful month for diving into a diverse collection of books. Here’s a look at what Brian and I enjoyed, both individually and together, spanning various genres from fantasy to historical fiction and memoir.

Coraline, Neil Gaiman. Brian and I had the pleasure of listening to this audiobook during our drives throughout August. Neil Gaiman’s distinct storytelling and his captivating narration are always a treat, and Coraline was no exception. The narrative follows a young girl who discovers an eerie alternate reality of her own life behind a seemingly bricked-off door. This other world, while initially mirroring her own, is subtly “off” and progressively grows darker – as is characteristic of Gaiman’s style – yet it never truly becomes terrifying. The suspense lies in knowing Coraline will ultimately find a way out and save others, but the journey of *how* she accomplishes this and the curious entities she encounters along the way are brilliantly conceived. Gaiman’s ingenuity shines through in every page. It’s a clever and imaginative tale perfect for a shared listening experience.
(Note: While we adore much of Gaiman’s work, we did try listening to The Sandman, his classic graphic novel which has recently been adapted into a series, but found it too dark for our preferences. This goes to show that while his writing is always expertly crafted and ingenious, not every piece resonates with everyone. Our absolute favorite remains Neverwhere, followed closely by The Ocean At The End Of The Lane – both of which are phenomenal experiences, especially when enjoyed on audio with Gaiman’s incomparable narration.)

Rural Diaries, Hilarie Burton. This book turned out to be quite different from what I had anticipated when I purchased it during an Audible 2-for-1-credit sale. My expectation was a narrative focusing on the challenges and joys of starting a farm, similar to other homesteading memoirs I’ve read. Instead, this book is primarily a memoir recounting the experiences of some actors – whose names I didn’t recognize, prompting me to look them up about a quarter of the way through – who chose to leave the hustle of Hollywood. They relocated to a large property in upstate New York and documented their journey of transforming it into a working farm. The book also delves into the unique aspects of the small-town life they discovered and chronicles their venture into a new business acquired with another couple (Paul Rudd, whom I *did* know, was part of this). While it wasn’t the farm-building guide I expected, it offered an interesting glimpse into their celebrity-meets-country life. It was an okay read, with some charming moments but not entirely captivating for my specific interests.

How Sweet It Is, Dylan Newton. This novel was a truly fun, lighthearted romance that delivered exactly what I needed for a breezy escape. I will note that it was a bit more “open door” in its romantic descriptions than I typically prefer, but as it was an ebook, I could easily skim those sections! The story revolves around an event planner who specializes in weddings. She’s called in by a friend to assist with the book launch of a horror author – a genre far outside her usual expertise. This premise naturally leads to a plethora of hilarious scenes as she navigates the eccentricities of the horror world and the author himself. What I particularly appreciated was how the author managed to weave in heavier, more emotional issues alongside the humor, creating a narrative that felt balanced and authentic. It was a delightful blend of wit, charm, and genuine emotion.

The First Men in the Moon, HG Wells. This was another fascinating audiobook Brian and I enjoyed together during our car journeys. It’s one of those classic works of literature where you constantly have to remind yourself of the historical context – none of the incredible concepts HG Wells describes regarding moon travel existed when he wrote this! His vivid imagination conceived of astonishing things: the creation of “Cavorite,” a substance capable of defying gravity to propel a rocket-like spherical ship; detailed descriptions of what travel in zero gravity might feel like; and even a portrayal of landing on the moon (though he mistakenly thought one could breathe without assistance). Considering this was all conceptual at the time, his brilliance is truly astounding. The narrative further escalates with the discovery of an intelligent, insectoid civilization dwelling *beneath* the moon’s surface, leading to considerable drama and tension for the protagonists. While it had its slower moments, the sheer creativity and foresight embedded within the story make it an utterly amazing and thought-provoking read, especially when reflecting on humanity’s eventual lunar achievements.

Lessons in Chemistry, Bonnie Garmus. This book was ubiquitous on social media over the summer, so I promptly placed a hold on it at my local library and finally had the chance to read it in September. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect – perhaps a more lighthearted “chick-lit” romance, given its widespread popularity. However, it quickly became clear that this book was much more profound. It’s a powerful story about a brilliant and tenacious woman navigating the male-dominated scientific world in an era that largely failed to acknowledge or celebrate strong, intelligent women. There were certainly moments that were difficult to read, including triggers for assault and early death, which added a layer of realism to the struggles of the time. Yet, witnessing the lead character’s incredible resilience, her unwavering commitment to her work, and her gradual, often challenging, journey of opening up to people and forming connections, was profoundly inspiring. It’s a compelling narrative about perseverance, intellectual passion, and breaking societal barriers.

Leaving Everything Most Loved (Maisie Dobbs 10), Jacqueline Winspear. As a long-time fan of the Maisie Dobbs series, I was eager to delve into this tenth installment. While the central mystery involving the murder of two women from India in London was well-crafted and full of intriguing twists, this particular book wasn’t my favorite in the series. I found there to be a significant increase in Maisie’s internal monologues and introspection, particularly concerning her desire for solitary travel and her ongoing contemplation of marriage. While character development is important, the intense focus on her personal struggles, especially regarding her fiancé, felt somewhat unbalanced. I couldn’t help but feel that her fiancé was a saint for enduring her apparent selfishness – she often seemed to prioritize her own feelings and desires without much consideration for his perspectives or the emotional toll of being left in a state of prolonged uncertainty for years. To then find her perturbed when he expressed worry about her venturing into dangerous situations, almost getting killed, felt a little disingenuous. Despite this personal criticism, the mystery itself was engaging and offered a rich backdrop of historical detail.

Currently Watching: Our Latest Screen Time Discoveries

Only Murders In the Building season 2, Hulu. Brian and I have been following the second season of this charming mystery-comedy. While we both agree it hasn’t quite captured the unique magic and innovative spark of its brilliant first season, it remains an undeniably fun and enjoyable watch. The undeniable chemistry and comedic timing of Steve Martin and Martin Short together are a consistent highlight, carrying much of the show’s appeal. Their banter and rapport alone are worth tuning in for, making it a pleasant way to unwind and enjoy a lighthearted mystery.

And that wraps up another inspiring addition to our Good Things List!

If you’re eager to discover more of what we’re loving and finding valuable, you can explore all our past Good Things Lists here. We genuinely love hearing from our community, so please share your thoughts! Have you tried any of the products, read any of the books, or watched any of the shows we’ve mentioned? Or perhaps you have some fantastic recommendations of your own to share? Leave a comment below with your insights, discoveries, or anything else that’s made your life a little better recently. Your input is always appreciated!

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