A monthly roundup of things worth seeing, buying, reading, and watching.
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I love September for many reasons — our anniversary, a birthday, and the abundance from the garden — but it’s always a little bittersweet after the warmth of summer. For the past two months I’ve been waking to beautiful sunrises over the hills, and that morning light has been a steady source of joy.
Fortunately, September in the Pacific Northwest often delivers mild, sunny days, so I’m raising a glass to more clear mornings and the slow shift toward cooler, more seasonal weather.
Good Things List
The Farmhouse in August
I snapped this photo of the farmhouse around mid-month — keeping it real with a few flowers that needed deadheading in the foreground. It’s been a year since we completed the exterior renovation, finished with a fresh paint job and a new roof last summer, and I still can’t get over how much better it looks.
Neighbors have noticed the change and been kind with their compliments; it feels good to see the house cared for, starting with the foundation work. Inside, there are still projects to finish, but I created a Farmhouse Renovation page to gather the before tours, progress updates, and before-and-after reveals in one place. I’ll keep adding to it as we finish other areas so it’s easy to follow the whole journey and maybe spark ideas for your own projects.
See the 1900 Farmhouse Renovation page for the full timeline and photos.
Great Affordable Dog Life Vest
We tried taking our small dog, Jynx, out in the kayak once and it was a disaster — she wouldn’t leave my lap. Determined to try again, I bought an affordable life vest and placed her in front of me, between my knees, so I could paddle comfortably.
It worked beautifully. She was still a bit nervous, but curious enough to look around while I paddled. Many dog life vests cost $20–$30, and since I wasn’t sure she’d adjust to kayaking, I opted for a lower-cost option that had a current discount. The vest surprised me: it’s sturdy, has a helpful handle for lifting, and is easy to put on with an over-the-head design plus a wide Velcro strap and two buckles.
She found it comfortable and moved around easily while wearing it. I’m so glad we have this now — she’s happier to come along instead of giving the “please don’t leave me” look when we head out the door.
Check out the dog life vest if you want an inexpensive, functional option for water adventures with your pup.
August Reads
The books I finished in August covered a wide range of styles: literary classics, historical romance, contemporary rom-coms, and memoir. Brief thoughts on each:
Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston — Finally reading this American classic was worth the wait. The language is lyrical and vivid as we follow Janie across decades and through three marriages. Hurston’s phrases linger: images of moonlight like “amber fluid drenching the earth” and Janie’s life pictured as “a great tree in leaf.” The story is sometimes difficult but ultimately shows Janie gaining confidence and hope. A classic for good reason.
A Modest Independence, Mimi Mathews — The second in a series I enjoyed, this book follows two characters traveling through 18th-century India as they solve a mystery and develop feelings for one another. The travel elements and historical details are engaging, and it wraps up as a satisfying romance — closed-door but emotionally resonant.
Mrs. Miniver, Jan Struthers — This collection of essays about an English middle-class family felt more slice-of-life than inspirational wartime morale booster. Originally newspaper pieces, the chapters document daily routines and domestic concerns more than dramatic wartime action. The later film added wartime scenes that give a different emphasis than the book’s material.
Nora Goes Off Script, Annabel Monaghan — A light, charming contemporary romance about a TV movie writer whose script draws a big cast to her rural home. The story has warmth, humor, and sweet moments — sunrises, coffee, and small-town interactions — plus believable characters and a peek behind the scenes of writing for screen.
I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet, Shauna Niequist — I expected the collection of life lessons I’ve appreciated from her previous work, but this felt more memoir-focused on family transitions and moving to New York. Some of the book centers on events tied to her family and church that felt consequential yet were only partly addressed, which may frustrate readers wanting more context or reflection.
Remedial Rocket Science, Susannah Nix — A contemporary romance that begins with a one-night stand and evolves into a workplace-second-chance story. It’s a breezy read with a strong, capable heroine who grows more comfortable when navigating relationships outside her professional life. Light, enjoyable, and part of a series of stand-alone stories.
Watching
August was low on screen time for us — we spent evenings outside reading or were away. The few things we did watch weren’t our favorites: Stranger Things 4, The Gray Man, and Uncharted all fell flat for us.
That’s it for this edition of the Good Things List!
If you’d like to explore more of what I’m enjoying, check out the other Good Things Lists. I’d love to hear what you think — have you tried any of these items or have recommendations of your own? Leave a comment with your thoughts.
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