September at Urban Home Blog

Here are some of our plans for the transitional month of September at Urban Home Blog.

• Go through baking pantry to be sure pantry goods and bakeware are up to date for fall baking.
• Attend Los Angeles County Fair. My favorite: the domestic arts pavilion. John's: the livestock pens. Check with the state beemaster regarding update on bee health and safety. Have annual fairground ice cream cone from the onsite creamery.
• Teach papercrafting classes in Studio City and Glendale.
• Write / send September birthday / anniversary cards and gifts.
• Play tennis twice a week.
• Make first carbonnade or boeuf bourguignon of the season.
• Make and can apple pie filling in anticipation of holiday gift-giving. Invite neighbors over for apple pie and coffee.
• Change closets from spring/summer to fall/winter. Set aside mending, dry cleaning, and jewelry repair. Donate usable goods, including bedding.
• Wash and disinfect bed pillows, pillow covers, comforters, and quilts.
• Disinfect and flip mattress.
• Celebrate Mabon by stringing grapevine garlands and serving cedar-planked salmon with a special bottle of wine. Make offering of first pour of wine to laurel tree, and say prayer of thanks to plants and animals.
• Make wine- and restaurant memory pages.
• Send notes/emails to friends and colleagues in Central Coast wine country in celebration of harvest.
• Assess wine inventory and reserve futures of promising releases.
• Start watching markets for pumpkin groceries.
• Start watching box- and craft stores for fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving craft supplies and decor.

Reading List: Principles of Home Decoration, Candace Wheeler (thanks to Chocophile George for the present); The Sea is My Brother, Jack Kerouac; Murder by Mocha, Cleo Coyle.

September, 2013: Setting up the Pantry
September, 2012: Decorating, Harvest Home, Canning, Cooking for One
September, 2011: Decorating, Labor Day, Canning, Roasting
September, 2010: Decorating, Herbs and Spices, Baking, Weeknight Dinner
September, 2009: Decorating, Weeknight Dinner