September 2021: Month in Review
September closes out the third quarter of the year, and the Wheel turned again on Mabon. Here are the highlights from the past month.
September Excursion: Tour through Irving House
Now that we have both our vaccinations and things are opening up a bit, we have been making an effort to finally explore more of our new city of New Westminster (on unceded Qayqayt and Coast Salish territories). Our first local tourist stop was Irving House, which you can book timed entry tours for free (they accept donations at the end).Totally worth a visit, the house is beautifully preserved and lovingly tended. Highlights include an amazing Victoria hair wreath and hearing music from an old old Edison phonograph (though I believe it has a different name). It is on par with Craigdorrach Castle in Victoria and way, way better than Casa Loma in Toronto.
There are so many thoughtful details and our tour guides were very well informed. There was a remarkable amount of furniture from the original family and house, truly incredible.
Most-Liked Chore: Decorating for Autumn
In our past life in the basement suite, I always wanted to decorate for autumn with pumpkins and gourds and the like, but with our windows and general layout of the house there was mostly no point. Another thing that prevented us was the mice, which we often had and as such didn't want to leave food (even decorative food) out for the mice to possibly get. So this year, for the first time in a decade we got some mini pumpkins and decorative gourds to put on the mantle (mantle!), etc and though it's not the most artful display, its just nice and seasonal to have.
Least-Liked Chore: Obscure drop off times
I try to stick with a one-in, one-out policy when it comes to shopping. If I buy something new, I donate or otherwise give away another item of clothing.
Lately I've been trying to donate to the social enterprises of charities and non-profits that I support. Unfortunately due to COVID and just generally the nature of these shops, their drop off times for donation tend to be quite inconvenient, so I'm often corralling my spouse to drive us around to some obscure location at like, 10:00 AM on a Tuesday for a slated drop off/donation time. While I find it tedious I of course won't give up if its for a cause I believe in -- worth it if a little annoying.
September Recipes:
PREP-AHEAD SPINACH & ARTICHOKE-STUFFED SHELLS
Stuffed pasta shells are surprisingly easy to make, honestly. Here's a recipe from Canadian Living to try (is a good vegetarian entree to serve guests!)
QUICK & EASY VEGETABLE FRITTATA
Throw in some herbs like fresh basil and chives! I just served mine with fries, a nice lite supper.
SPAGHETTI WITH BRUSSELS SPROUTS
Seems odd but was also surprisingly quick and tasty! Remember, hazelnuts might be labeled as 'filberts' at your grocery store.
September Quote
And walk Margaret did, in spite of the weather. She was so happy out of doors, at her father's side, that she almost danced; and with the soft violence of the west wind behind her, as she crossed some heath, she seemed to be borne onwards, as lightly and easily as the fallen leaf that was wafted along by the autumn breeze.
- from North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
