Okay, September ends tomorrow, but I kind of feel like I could sleep until then, right now. How boring is it to say I’m tired? Very boring, but here we are. It’s been a hectic week and it’s not going to get less hectic for a few days, but my son gets back from his camping trip this afternoon and I am very excited to see what I assume will be a dehydrated, starving, smelly shell of his former self.

Have I mentioned that they had no potable water available? Oh, right. I have, several times.

Anyway, we have not had any emergency calls from the school so I assume everyone is fine. Please, no giardiasis.

Suzanne (HI SUZANNE) mentioned that September feels like a free-fall of a month; it just starts and then suddenly it ends. To be honest, most months feel like that now for me but September maybe more so. You guys, October is SATURDAY.

It feels very September-ish around here, in the very best way. For the most part, we have had glorious September weather: sunny afternoons, crisp mornings. Even in the warmest part of the day, I can feel the crisp in the air, and the mornings have been very frosty indeed. It makes getting dressed slightly challenging, but that is what layers are for.

The leaves are changing, the sky is blue, and MCINTOSH APPLES ARE BACK IN THE GROCERY STORE, GREATEST APPLE EVER! In the meantime, here are a few of my Favourite Things!

Nicole’s Favourite Things: The Wake Me Up When September Ends Edition

Drying Out

I love growing herbs but I don’t cook with fresh herbs as much as I could. Many years ago my husband surprised me with an Excalibur dehydrator, and let me tell you, fall is its time to shine. I have been drying all my herbs from the garden in it, and it makes me feel like a very high-tech Ma Ingalls. You know, if Ma Ingalls had access to herbs. I know that, technically, I could dry herbs by just hanging them upside down, but that would cut into the fun of using a gadget!

I’ve dried oregano, basil, chives, and parsley; the first two won’t last the whole year, but the latter two probably will.

A-Z: All the Zucchini

One of my students mentioned that she’d had trouble with her zucchini plants this year, and I knew exactly what she meant. I too have had trouble with tiny zucchinis suddenly rotting on the vine, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t had lots of delicious, perfect zucchinis as well. I probably have harvested 3-5 zucchinis a week for the past several weeks.

Mostly I’m grating them and freezing them in one-cup increments for my favourite chocolate zucchini bread and “zunana” muffin recipes, but I’ve also been adding them to stir-fries and salads. Speaking of the dehydrator, I might just make some zucchini chips as well.

Some of you might not know that between 2013 and 2017, I wrote a weekly food blog at YMC, which means I have a lot of recipes online. I have organized them all here, in my Soul, Food section, and there are a lot of zucchini recipes.

Long Cool Woman in a Long Cool Top

I am going to say this in the most value-neutral way that I can: over the past year and a half, my body and physical appearance has changed. Some of those changes are a result of incorporating strength training into my fitness regime, and some are a result of aging in general and perimenopause in particular. Specific to the latter, my waist has widened and my stomach is much softer and rounder than it was eighteen months ago.

All of which is to say I am really embracing the long top. I mean, I haven’t been a crop top girl since the 90s, but I am finding lately that my softer, rounder stomach and I really, really appreciate a longer top with a lot of coverage. My waistline is what it is, but I feel a bit cuter and more comfortable wearing a non-body-skimming top.

When I Curated My Closet a little while ago, I came across this gem that I literally forgot I had. I hadn’t worn it since the summer before the pandemic, which is three solid years ago.

I like it but it really is long-sleeve weather now, so I’m pairing the long tees with skinny jeans and pants, and I do like the ease of the look.

Shake Your Booties

Along with long-sleeve tops, it’s time to break out the boots and socks! It’s not cool enough for tall boots, so it’s all about the little booty. They are booty-licious.

I like these two little ankle boots; one pair is a bit taller than the other, but both are very comfortable. The boots in the first photo are actually Sorels; they aren’t warm like winter Sorels but they are totally waterproof. With all my boots, I prefer a side zip so I don’t have to spend five minutes lacing things up. They are great for walking, and cute TO BOOT.

My What A Guy, Gaston

I feel badly that I haven’t brought up Gaston, my kitchen gnome before now! Shame on me! Gaston came into my life at the same time as Salvadore, but he has not had nearly as much attention. Here he is, quietly bringing joy into my kitchen, never seeking the spotlight.

Isn’t he cute? I like to think of him as bringing good juju into the kitchen, and if the amount of food that my family eats in great appreciation is any indication, he is doing a great job.

I feel like I am well on my way to life as a Crazy Gnome Lady. A dedicated gnome garden is not far off.

Roasted Tomatoes and Focaccia

I do love eating roasted tomatoes and focaccia, but even more than that, I loved this piece by the incomparable Laura Bray (HI LAURA). I don’t know how she reads my actual soul, but she does. This is such a beautiful post about the beginnings of an empty nest, and reconnecting with your partner in a new way. It reminded me so much of a woman I knew back when my youngest was in kindergarten; this woman was his friend’s grandmother, and she was a vibrant and wonderful person who cared for her grandchildren before and after school. She spoke to me about marriage and keeping connected, because one day it will be just the two of you, and you’ll look across the table and say “Oh! Hello.” I have thought about that many times in the ensuing years.

Happy End of September, friends! Another month flying off the calendar. I hope you have enjoyed many of your own favourite things, and if you care to share, I’d love to hear about them! xo