September Monthly Recap

September is in the books. I’m glad sessions are picking up, but I was happy with a slower start to the month. I was able to work on a few more creative, crafty projects. Today, October is bringing the cooler fall temperatures, and the trees are already starting to turn colors. This is my busiest photography month so be on the lookout for session sneak peeks and highlights. I will also be working on holiday crafting offerings. Last year, I did another batch of elves. This year, I may focus on holiday-themed canvas banners. More details to come later.

Creative Business Activities

Read. Watch. Listen. Learn.

Read

I am using Goodreads to track my reading, rate books and write some reviews. 117% of my GOAL! I was slightly worried that my reading motivation would dip after hitting my reading goal, but I finished 6 books in the month of September with a mix of physical books, an ebook and audiobooks.

Books Completed in September: 6 books

• Austenland – Shannon Hale
  • Huxley Public Library Book Club: September

• Bloom for Yourself – April Green
  • Poetry and prose for your journey of self love. I loved this book. I resonate with the idea of growth and blooming. Lovely read. I’m sure I’ll pick it up over and over again.

• The Unexpected Spy – Tracy Walder
  • Interesting memoir about a young female in the CIA and FBI.

• People We Meet on Vacation – Emily Henry
  • Fictional romance. I didn’t love this book as much as Henry’s other novel, Beach Read. But it was still enjoyable and the final chapter made me tear up.

• North of Normal – Cea Sunrise Person
  • Memoir about a girl who grows up in the Canadian bush in a teepee. It was a very unconventional upbringing and interesting to see her journey to where she is now.

• Local Woman Missing
  • Fictional mystery about a couple women and little girl who go missing from the same neighborhood.

YTD Total: 48 of 41 books

Watch

• Bachelor in Paradise
  • I tried to start watching it, but I couldn’t commit to 2 episodes a week and I don’t love all the changing couples and additions to the group. So I gave it up after week 3.

Listen

I listen to a lot of podcasts, audiobooks, and music. Here are the highlights from the past month.

• SiriusXM | The Blend & Pop2K
• Audiobook | Local Woman Missing
• star-crossed | Kacey Musgraves’ album – My favorite songs are “justified” and “breadwinner”

Learn

I love learning new things and am making space for more future learnings.

• Made my own salsa (by myself!). I have not helped can salsa in a very long time. But it was easier than I thought it was going to be. AND it was actually pretty delicious.

Learned how to defrost the upright freezer. Because I put the salsa tomatoes in the freezer and didn’t get the door sealed completely, I had the pleasure of completely defrosting the freezer. It was a process, but it is not frost free and we didn’t lose any of the food in there (minus ice cream drumsticks that were a little melted).

First ever cartilage piercings. I decided to get curated cartilage piercings in my right ear helix. There are 3 total piercings grouped together with beautiful jewelry. I have not pierced my ears since college in 2012 (almost 10 years!). It was something I wanted to do just for me and I smile every time I see them.

• Mommy + Lexi Session. I have dreamed of a session like this for me and Lexi. I spent a lot of time (and returned a lot of dresses) planning the details. It was so much fun to be on the other side of the camera. Lexi, of course, was the star of the show.

What are you looking forward to in the fall season?

Let me know in the comments.