Natalie's Notebook- September Recap

Pie, coffee, and a shoe ban

Hi there, and welcome! This monthly newsletter contains things I want to recommend, interesting articles, recipes, and fun finds. Get cozy and settle in for a bit, and let’s get caught up 🙂

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September Chit Chat

October is here, and it’s time to reflect on all that happened in September. This past month flew by in a blur between our amazing vacation to Italy (I can’t wait to share more about this!) and contracting not-so-amazing Covid. Anyway, it’s back to regular life here at La Colina de Paz (the name of our property ❤️), where the days are getting shorter, and I’m still waiting for autumn weather. It’s currently 85˚ here, so no boots and sweater-wearing just yet. I have loads of links to share today, but first, a few highlights of September:

• Attending a gorgeous wedding in Italy

• Time spent with my BFF, who was visiting from Ireland

• Dinner with old friends at a local steakhouse

• Having Emily (my youngest) home for a weekend

• Watching my daughter-in-law state her Military Oath of Enlistment

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Cison di Valmarino, Italy

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Everyday Loves

1. My Kindle

   I received mine as a birthday gift four years ago, and it’s still going strong. The Kindle is so handy when traveling, and the battery lasts for ages. Also, I often carry it in my purse when I know I will be waiting for an appointment somewhere.

2. Allbirds

   These are the most comfortable sneakers! I began wearing this brand in 2017 and bought a new pair for my trip. We averaged about 6 miles of walking a day while in Italy, and between great socks and these shoes, my feet never hurt. I’ve owned several Allbirds styles since 2017, so if you are curious about a particular pair, ask me 🙂.

3. Coffee

   I mentioned in July’s newsletter that I began drinking cold brew, and I always grind my beans. I purchase most of my whole beans from Mariposa Coffee Company and Ritual Coffee Roasters.

4. Cooling Oil

   While on my Italy vacation, I kept this little bottle of roll-on oil in my purse. I used it on the back of my neck when I was hot and rolled it on my wrists when I wanted to smell something pleasant and fresh. I am very sensitive to fragrances, and the light citrusy mint smell was just right. It’s now something I will always take with me when I travel.

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   Noteworthy Links

• Autumn is here, and this article offers some excellent suggestions for enjoying the season: 12 Ways to Embrace & Enjoy Slow Living in Autumn.

• As the weather turns cooler, we wear more shoes and sandals less. Have you ever considered making your home “shoe-free?” This article gives a compelling reason why. We began this practice five years ago and have a sign on our door to let people know. We also keep a basket of fuzzy socks to offer our guests who don’t prefer to go barefoot.

• I’m a big to-do list maker, but this time management system can sometimes backfire on me, especially when I add too much to the list! I’ve been contemplating this article for a while now and appreciate the tips offered: Be a Schedule Builder, Not a To-Do List Maker.

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Photo credit: Half Baked Harvest, Cup of Jo, Pinch of Yum

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From the Kitchen

• I made this delicious pie while my BFF was here, which didn’t last long 😂. To save time (and hassle!) I used Trader Joe’s GF frozen pie crust.

• I love a meal with a short ingredient list, and while I haven’t made this recipe yet, I plan to very soon- Five-Ingredient Dinner: Chicken-Apple Sausages with Onions and Cabbage.

• This Ginger Peanut Chicken with Coconut Rice dish was so yummy! I substituted cashews for the peanuts.

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What were your September highlights? Please share 🙂 By the way, if you’re uncomfortable posting a public comment here on Substack, you can always reply to the email (if you’re a subscriber), and your note will land right back in my inbox.

With love, Natalie xx

“Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” Mary Oliver

P.S. Did you catch my latest essay, “Art is Not What You See?”