Autumn Delights: Your Essential Guide to Seasonal Living, Cultivating & Engaging Content

A monthly list of delightful discoveries, smart purchases, captivating reads, compelling watches, and more to enrich your life.

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As September arrives, bringing with it the promise of cooler air and the vibrant tapestry of changing leaves, we find ourselves at a fascinating juncture. For many, this month signifies a shift in pace, a transition from the carefree days of summer to a more structured rhythm. While the world around us continues to evolve, we can always find solace and joy in the simple, beautiful things that define the autumn season.

Currently, my days are deeply immersed in the bountiful harvest. The kitchen is alive with the scents of fresh produce, particularly tomatoes. I’m actively engaged in making an abundance of addictive tomato chutney. Last year, I regrettably ran out much too soon, a predicament I’m determined to avoid this time around. There’s a profound satisfaction in preserving the flavors of summer to enjoy throughout the colder months – it’s a small but significant act of self-sufficiency that brings immense joy.

Beyond the garden, significant efforts are also underway on our farmhouse project. Progress on renovations, especially intricate tasks like tiling, often takes considerably longer than anticipated. It’s a journey filled with both challenges and small victories, and I’m learning to embrace the slower pace that true craftsmanship demands. For those interested in following our farmhouse transformation, I frequently share updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses on my Instagram stories and highlights.

This month’s “Good Things List” is a curated collection of seasonal activities, practical tips, compelling reads, and engaging watches that have brought a little extra joy and enrichment to my life. I encourage you to explore them and, as always, feel free to share your own “good things” in the comments below. Community insights are always cherished!

Seasonal Joys and Practical Discoveries

Savoring the Last Days of Summer

August, for me, was a delightful exercise in appreciating the simple wonders of life. Foremost among these was the glorious warm weather. I made it a point to spend time outdoors, often retreating to the garden patio with a good book. There, I could soak in the beauty of the strawberry sunflowers reaching towards the sky and observe the busy honey bees flitting among the white marigolds. These small moments of quiet contemplation amidst nature’s bounty are incredibly rejuvenating.

The garden also gifted us a remarkable harvest this month. We reaped an incredible amount of beans – more beans than I thought possible! Alongside them came a steady supply of zucchini, sweet carrots, crisp broccoli, and fiery hot peppers. Seeing the fruits of our labor, beautifully arranged and ready for the table, is one of the most rewarding aspects of gardening. Many of these vegetables found their way onto the grill, expertly coated in olive oil and our flavorful all-purpose spice rub, transforming them into delicious easy grilled vegetables. And the sheer joy of harvesting the first ripe tomatoes around the 20th of the month? That always calls for a happy garden dance!

It’s truly inspiring to reflect on how these simple, often overlooked, moments contribute to a fulfilling life. How did you embrace and enjoy the final full month of summer?

Preparing for Next Year: Planting Fall Garlic

As summer produce wanes, keen gardeners turn their attention to planting for the future. One of the most rewarding fall tasks is planting garlic. While it’s possible to plant garlic in the spring, especially in regions with very long growing seasons, the largest and most robust heads are typically achieved by planting in late summer or early fall. The key is to plant approximately 4-6 weeks before your region’s first anticipated frost date. This critical window allows the garlic cloves to develop a strong root system before the ground freezes, which is essential for vigorous growth come spring.

For us in the PNW valley, with an average first frost date around October 15th, the first couple of weeks of September are prime garlic planting time. This year, I noticed that bulbs were selling out quickly even before the official shipping season began in September, highlighting the importance of ordering early! If you’re considering growing your own garlic, don’t delay in securing your bulbs.

Here are some of my trusted online sources for high-quality garlic bulbs, though a local nursery can also be an excellent option:

• Territorial Seed: Known for a wide selection of robust varieties.
• Pinetree Garden Seeds: Offers unique and heritage options.
• Johnny’s Selected Seeds: While they can sell out fast, their informational pages, like this one for winter harvest recommendations, are incredibly valuable.
• Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds: A fantastic choice for unique and heirloom varieties.
• Nichol’s Garden Nursery: Another reliable source with a good reputation.

Can You Plant Garlic from the Grocery Store?

Many aspiring gardeners wonder if they can simply plant garlic purchased from the grocery store. The answer is yes, you absolutely can, and I’ve had good results doing so in the past. However, there are distinct advantages to purchasing certified seed garlic from garden nurseries or reputable online suppliers:

• Variety Selection: Nurseries offer a much wider array of garlic varieties, including hardneck types that are often difficult to find in grocery stores. Hardneck garlics are prized for their complex flavors and produce edible scapes.
• Health and Vigor: Seed garlic from nurseries is typically certified disease-free and grown specifically for planting stock. This often results in healthier, hardier plants that are better adapted to specific climates, leading to larger, more successful harvests in my experience.
• Climate Suitability: Nursery-supplied garlic is often selected for its suitability to various growing zones, ensuring a better chance of success in your particular garden environment.

Regardless of your source, preparing your soil with good organic matter and ensuring excellent drainage will set your garlic up for success. Plant individual cloves root-side down, about 2-3 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart, and look forward to a fantastic harvest next summer!

Boosting Eye Health with Goji Berries

A little over a year ago, I underwent a baseline eye exam due to a family history of macular degeneration. While my eyes were healthy, I inquired about over-the-counter eye vitamins. My optometrist advised against them for now but made a surprising recommendation: incorporate dried Goji Berries into my daily diet. Intrigued, I promptly went home and ordered some. Since then, I’ve found it incredibly easy to add about a tablespoon of these vibrant berries to my morning granola, making it a seamless addition to my routine.

My subsequent research into goji berries revealed just how impressive these small fruits truly are. Beyond their scientifically supported benefits for eye health, particularly due to their high content of antioxidants like zeaxanthin and lutein which protect the retina, goji berries offer a wide array of other health advantages (source):

• Immune System Support: Their potent antioxidant profile helps bolster the body’s natural defenses.
• Cancer Protection: Studies suggest potential anti-cancer properties, though more research is ongoing.
• Healthy Skin Promotion: Antioxidants also play a crucial role in maintaining skin health and combating signs of aging.
• Blood Sugar Stabilization: They can contribute to better blood sugar regulation, a benefit for overall metabolic health.
• Mood and Sleep Improvement: Some evidence points to their positive effects on reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, and enhancing sleep quality.
• Liver Damage Prevention: Goji berries have been traditionally used to support liver health and protect against damage.

These are indeed some remarkably powerful berries! Their ease of integration into a daily diet, combined with such extensive health benefits, makes them a truly valuable superfood. Do you already incorporate goji berries into your diet? I’d love to hear how you enjoy them.

You can easily find Dried Goji Berries here, and consider using Amazon’s Subscribe & Save option for additional savings and convenience.

Dollar Tree Online Ordering: A Game Changer for Budget Shopping

Have you ever found yourself at a dollar store, searching for multiple identical items for a project or gift idea, only to discover they only have a fraction of what you need? That frustrating scenario played out for me recently when I was trying to find a specific number of small baskets for a project. It felt like a wasted trip, and I nearly gave up.

Then, I stumbled upon a fantastic discovery: you can order from Dollar Tree online! This revelation has been an absolute game-changer. For a minimal handling fee of just $1.80, you can select exactly what you need, often in bulk quantities, and then conveniently pick up your order at your local store. This completely bypasses the hit-or-miss nature of in-store stock and saves an incredible amount of time and effort.

It’s perfect for crafting supplies, party favors, classroom needs, or indeed, those gift baskets. This online ordering and in-store pickup option transforms a potentially frustrating shopping trip into a streamlined, efficient experience. Who knew such convenience was available for budget shopping? It’s a prime example of how a simple hack can significantly improve our daily lives.

Engaging Content: Reads and Watches

August Reads: A Literary Journey

August was a rich month for reading, largely thanks to a family road trip to Yellowstone. Two of these books were audiobooks that we enjoyed together, making the long drives feel much shorter and more entertaining. Sharing a story as a family is a wonderful way to connect and create lasting memories.

Sleeping Giants by Sylvian Nuevel

My husband Brian and I listened to this sci-fi novel together, a tradition we enjoy on road trips. The premise is immediately captivating: a young girl falls into a hole and discovers a giant metal hand, hinting at something ancient and extraterrestrial. Years later, she’s part of a covert team tasked with locating and assembling other pieces of this mysterious alien robot scattered across the globe. The narrative structure is unique, told entirely through military dispatches, journal entries, and interviews with an enigmatic, nameless figure. While this format offers an interesting perspective and maintains a sense of mystery, both Brian and I found it challenging to form deep connections with the characters. Despite some surprising plot twists and an overall enjoyable experience, we weren’t compelled enough to continue with the subsequent books in the trilogy.

Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier

This classic was our family’s choice after seeing it topping lists of the best 20th-century novels. I had a vague recollection of the Hitchcock film adaptation, but the book itself was a fresh experience. It tells the story of a shy, orphaned young woman working as a companion to an unpleasant American socialite in Monte Carlo. She soon falls into a whirlwind, albeit somewhat unromantic, courtship with a wealthy English widower, Maxim de Winter, and becomes his second wife. Upon moving to his grand estate, Manderley, she quickly discovers that the presence of his deceased first wife, Rebecca, looms large over every aspect of their lives and home. The novel masterfully builds psychological tension, largely within the protagonist’s own mind, exacerbated by the formidable housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, who zealously preserves Rebecca’s memory. A striking detail is that the heroine’s name is never revealed, a clever narrative device that highlights how utterly overshadowed she is by the omnipresent memory of Rebecca. We all thoroughly enjoyed the gothic atmosphere and suspense, though we debated whether it truly deserved the “best of the 20th century” accolade. Re-watching the Hitchcock film afterwards, we concluded that it didn’t quite capture the novel’s depth and hasn’t aged as gracefully as the book.

Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse

Following the intense psychological drama of Rebecca, we craved something lighthearted and humorous for the remainder of our Yellowstone journey. Our daughter’s friend, new to P.G. Wodehouse’s comedic genius, provided the perfect excuse to revisit one of our favorites. If you’re unfamiliar with Wodehouse, Code of the Woosters is an excellent entry point, introducing readers to the quintessential English gentleman Bertie Wooster and his incomparably brilliant valet, Jeeves. The novel plunges Bertie into another delightfully convoluted escapade involving family eccentricities, romantic entanglements, and the ever-present threat of a formidable aunt. I first encountered this book in college and recall it being the first to genuinely make me laugh out loud. Rereading it to my children and watching the superb PBS adaptations with Hugh Laurie only cemented its timeless appeal. The wit, the charming absurdity, and the impeccable prose never get old. Listening to it as an audiobook was a particular treat, bringing the characters and their hilarious predicaments to life.

Conjure Women by Afia Atakora

This debut novel was a truly fascinating and deeply moving read, likely earning a spot on my “best of” list for the year. The narrative deftly weaves between two timelines: the tumultuous period before the Civil War and the challenging years immediately following it, set on a remote Southern plantation. It tells the compelling story of a powerful healing woman, her daughter who inherits her gifts, and the plantation owner’s daughter who forms an unlikely bond with the “conjure woman’s” offspring. While the book unflinchingly portrays the brutal realities of slavery, it doesn’t dwell solely on the horrors (unlike some other historical novels I’ve read, such as The Kitchen House). Instead, it provides a nuanced look at how enslaved people not only survived but adapted and built communities in the aftermath of the war, often due to their isolated location. Atakora’s writing is incredibly evocative, truly transporting the reader into their world with vivid descriptions and rich character development.

Romans 8-16 For You by Timothy Keller

This book was the second installment in a series designed to explore the book of Romans in the Bible. Timothy Keller is renowned for his ability to translate complex theological concepts into accessible, real-life applications. I deeply appreciate his grounded approach, which makes the ancient text relevant and applicable to the challenges and triumphs of our contemporary lives. His insights provide clarity and encouragement, offering a practical lens through which to understand and integrate biblical teachings into daily living.

Close Enough to Touch by Colleen Oakley

This novel presented such an interesting concept: a woman who develops a severe allergy to human touch as a child, leading her to become a recluse in her twenties. The story follows her journey as various circumstances compel her to confront and ultimately overcome her deep-seated fear. Along the way, she encounters a diverse cast of characters who become her friends and supporters. She also meets a man with whom she falls in love, and he gently encourages her to explore new therapies for her unique condition. The novel boasts interesting characters and generally believable plot points, drawing me in deeply as I became quite invested in their lives and eagerly anticipated the resolution. However, the ending was a significant disappointment. After years of no contact with the love interest, the story concludes with a rather ambiguous, non-ending. Endings can truly make or break a book for me, and I confess I’m not a fan of the “let the reader decide” approach. This particular conclusion genuinely bothered me for days afterward! Despite that one major caveat, it’s an otherwise engaging and heartwarming read, but consider yourself warned!

On Screen: Movies and Television

Beyond the pages of books, we also found time to enjoy a variety of engaging shows and films this past month.

Television Series

Endeavor Season 7, PBS. We have long been fans of the Endeavor series, appreciating its intricate mysteries, compelling character backstories, and the rich historical setting. Season 7 delivered on these fronts, even including a truly unexpected twist for Endeavor in episode two. However, it was, for us, our least favorite season overall. While the creative decision to incorporate an original opera into the storyline was unique, it ultimately felt a bit overwrought and detracted from the core narrative, particularly towards the season’s conclusion.

Umbrella Academy, Netflix. Our children have been enthusiastically watching this series, so we decided to check out the first episode. We found the concept intriguing, presenting a unique twist on superhero abilities akin to X-Men, but with a dysfunctional family dynamic at its heart. While the premiere was engaging, we haven’t yet committed to watching the entire series.

Movie Selections

Radioactive, Amazon. Having recently read “Radium Girls” and listened to an Audible Original about Marie Curie’s life, I was incredibly keen to see this new film starring Rosamund Pike as the iconic scientist. The movie was well-made and offered a compelling, if not entirely conventional, portrayal of Madam Curie’s groundbreaking work and personal struggles. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in science, history, or powerful biographical dramas.

Troop Zero, Amazon. We stumbled upon this film one evening when we were in the mood for something lighthearted and fun. It strongly reminded me of “Because of Winn-Dixie,” which I adored. The story centers around a quirky pre-teen girl who feels a bit lost after the loss of her mother, and how she finds friendship and a sense of belonging among a group of fellow misfits. It’s a genuinely heartwarming film, though there is one particular scene towards the end that felt somewhat off-putting – not violent or sexual, but just unexpectedly odd and out of place.

Project Power, Netflix. My daughter and I watched this action-packed film together. The premise is unique: a mysterious drug circulating on the streets grants users a temporary superpower for five minutes, but the power varies from person to person, ranging from incredible strength or invisibility to energy bursts or the ability to repel gunshots. As you might expect, this leads to a highly violent narrative. Jamie Foxx delivers a truly fantastic performance in this high-octane thriller.

The Aeronauts, Amazon. This movie was visually stunning, boasting breathtaking cinematography. While its storyline unfolded at a somewhat slower pace than what we’re typically used to, it managed to hold my interest throughout (my husband Brian, however, found it a different experience!). I later researched the film and discovered that the main male character, James Glaisher, was a real historical figure, a pioneering meteorologist who laid much of the groundwork for modern weather forecasting. The main female character was inspired by a real-life balloon pilot who tragically lost her husband during a flight similar to the one depicted. While some aspects of their story were adapted for dramatic effect (for instance, Glaisher actually broke the height record with a male pilot, not a female companion), I always appreciate historical movies or books that draw from real events, even with creative liberties. The blend of adventure, scientific pursuit, and human drama made it a memorable watch.

And that concludes another edition of the Good Things List!

If you’re curious to explore more of my monthly recommendations and discoveries, you can find all previous Good Things Lists here. I genuinely value your input – whether you’ve tried any of these recommendations or have your own wonderful finds to share. Please leave a comment below with your thoughts and suggestions!

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