Awesome in September

Holy crap, you guys, September was hard. Like killer, brutal, down for the count, totally freaking out, on the verge of tears hard. Between extra responsibilities at work, a crazy schedule, online blogging workshops, and a heart-wrenching family emergency all wrapped up in this incessant heat and humidity that seems to have no end, I can decidedly say that the most awesome thing about September is that it’s over. And good riddance. Surely we managed to have some fun, though. Let’s take a look.

We did manage to get up to some weekend shenanigans enjoying an impromptu trip to the zoo, drinking Pimm’s by the pool at a fancy hotel we sorta snuck in to, and grabbing breakfast at Duke’s to cap off Geoff’s birthday weekend. I love escaping for a few hours with friends and indulging in some great food and drinks. It’s basically the best thing ever.

We’re deep into Falling Skies now, and that show is plot twist on top of plot twist on top of plot twist. There are only two more discs available, then I have to wait. I hate waiting.

I’ve been reading Go by John Clellon Holmes. It’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with it. But it’s not great either. I keep setting it aside to read other things, which is just making it drag on and on. I’ve found I much prefer Beat poetry to prose. Ginsberg and Ferlinghetti were really the only Beat poets that did anything for me. But I’m neurotic and can’t quit a book, so I guess I’ll make it to the end one of these days. How do you feel about the Beat generation?

The internet has been exploding with Fall foods, and I’m dying to make them, but I’m so hot I want to cry. If you’re in a place with reasonable temperatures and air conditioning, you should definitely be making these Bacon Blue Cheese Burgers with Jalapeno Jam. They’re on The Sugar Hit, but the recipe comes from one of my all-time favorite bloggers, Jessica Merchant, and her new book Seriously Delish, which I’m dying to get my hands on.

Every morning since I read this post, I’ve wished I could wake up and eat these cornbread waffles topped with chili and a fried egg from I am a food blog. Ridiculous.

And if someone doesn’t put this sea salt buttercream chocolate cupcake of heavenly awesomeness from Lady and Pups into my face soon, I may just have to quit life. Come on!

Oh, and I guess I made a few things this month myself. You especially liked Sweet Potato Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie for a new twist on Meatless Monday.

Completely Caramel Cupcakes were popular with my husband, with my coworkers and with readers. What’s not to love? It’s once, twice, three times a caramel cupcake. 

And because it’s officially fall, we’re all allowed to worship pumpkin desserts and no one can stop us. You loved this Pumpkin Cake the most, and so do I.

October already has a much better projection. I’m starting to feel like I can handle whatever my job and my life may throw at me, but I’m hoping it doesn’t get tested. Here’s to tough times survived, and challenges yet to come. Mahalo for being so awesome.