September is a great month. The weather is still warm. The farmer’s market is overflowing with fresh, seasonal produce. And it’s back to school which, for me, signals a fresh start and a return to structure, which I always crave after summer’s carefree days. But September is also the start of a really busy season. From school and activity commitments to the approaching holidays, time seems to accelerate between now and the end of the year. So to help you enjoy your life in September, I’ve put together a list of all the things I love to do this time of year and hopefully they will help you make the most of this month, too. Let’s dig in.
- Get organized
- Cook with seasonal produce
- Go apple picking
- Decorate the house for fall
- Make a yummy cocktail
- Pick up fall/holiday magazines
- Bake a fall treat
- Invite friends for dinner
- Update your TBR list
Get organized
Back to school means back to all the things. So before the never-ending emails, reminders, and schedules become overwhelming, take a minute to get organized. I use an academic year planner so that it starts fresh at the start of the new school year. Then, I sit down and add all the important dates from the school calendar, dance schedules and performances, volunteering, and other activities as well as any board meetings, doctor’s appointments, birthdays, etc. Getting all the important dates on the calendar early helps me to plan better as new activities and invitations come up.
September is also a good time to stock up on pantry staples and freezer meals so that you’re not scrambling when it comes time to make dinner. Make a list of your favorite quick and easy meals and make sure to keep ingredients on hand so you always have something healthy to make for dinner. I always have frozen chicken fingers on hand as well as salad veggies. On busy nights, I can easily pop the chicken fingers in the air fryer and whip up a kale salad in just a few minutes. I also make a rough meal plan on Sunday so that I have an idea what I’m making each night. My daughter packs her lunch every day but doesn’t really eat sandwiches, so it’s helpful to plan ahead so I have I leftovers available the next day,
Cook with seasonal produce
This might just be my favorite thing to do in September because there is an abundance of seasonal fruits and veggies at our CSA farm and local farmer’s market. From peaches, apples, and Asian pears to kale, summer and winter squash, tomatoes, and corn, my bags are filled to the top each and every week. With so many fresh options, it’s a great time to try some new recipes. A few of my personal favorites include:
Barefoot Contessa’s Cream of Tomato Soup
The Best Kale Salad You’ll Ever Eat
Real Food Dietician’s Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili
Go apple picking
Find an orchard. Grab some friends. Pick some apples. It’s that simple. And if you’re motivated, make an apple pie or apple crisp when you get home so your whole house smells like fall. It’s the perfect, family-friendly activity to help you enjoy your life in September.
Decorate the house for fall
Fall decorations make my house feel cozy. And as the days grow shorter and cooler, I love feeling cozy. One of my favorite September traditions is to pull out my fall decor, turn on football (preferably Penn State), and redecorate my home. I try to pick up a few new items each year. We have a few great home decor stores near me, and I can’t wait to see what they have in stock for this year. Target and HomeGoods are also great spots for pillows, seasonal plates, mugs, and serving dishes, and table linens. September is also a great time to snag holiday decorations before they sell out. I know it feels really early to be thinking about Christmas, but picking up items as you see them is the best way to ensure you don’t miss out. In my house, Nutcracker-themed items are always popular, but they sell out fast.
Make a yummy cocktail
Fall cocktails are my favorite! I love mixing up a delicious drink and enjoying it on our deck overlooking the trees as they begin to change color. Half Baked Harvest is my go-to blog for seasonal cocktails. In September, I start to transition to cocktails that use apple cider, apple butter, figs, and cinnamon. A few of my favorites include:
Smoky Harvest Apple Cider Margarita
The Golden Snitch (Timmy’s personal favorite!)
Pick up fall/holiday magazines
I love curling up with a magazine and browsing through the fashion, home decor, and recipes. Southern Living is my favorite, but I also enjoy Magnolia, Food & Wine, Good Housekeeping, and Food Network. This time of year, many magazines also release special holiday editions focused on Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas – or all of the above! I used to love Martha Stewart Magazine’s holiday editions and still have copies that I pull out every year. Southern Living also releases a special holiday issue. As we get further into fall, I always look forward to The Australian Women’s Weekly holiday edition as well, even though their holidays are filled with sunshine, swimming pools, and barbecues!
Bake a fall treat
I love cinnamon. And fall baking almost always involves cinnamon. Whether you are using up the last of your summer squash in zuchinni bread, baking a warm apple pie or crisp, or whipping up some pumpkin bread, September is a great time to get back to baking. While I don’t get to it every week, I do try to bake a sweet treat for my family to enjoy every couple of weeks. And if I’m really organized, I’ll make a special dessert for Sunday night dinner.
Invite friends over for dinner
September is a great time to entertain. It’s warm enough that you can be outside, and if the temperature drops when the sun goes down, it’s the perfect weather for a fire pit. We keep it casual by inviting friends over for a barbecue or to watch football. I’m also intrigued by the idea of starting a supper club and feel like September would be the perfect month to kick it off.
Update your TBR list
So many people read more in the summer, which is why September is a great time to update your TBR list! Ask your friends and fellow bookworms what they read over the past few months and add them to your list of books to read. I read A TON of books this summer, but a few I would suggest include:
September is such a fun month. I hope this post gave you a few ideas to help you enjoy your life in September. What do you do to enjoy our life in September? Leave a comment to share your ideas, too!