What I am Looking Forward to in September

Can you believe the end of August is here? The summer seemed extra short this year--probably because I had to teach an 8-week class in the first half. I didn't feel like summer started (not talking heat) until July 1. But maybe I should be grateful; fall is the best season of the year IMO. So, it's time to start celebrating fall! Here are some of the things I am looking forward to in September:

1. Cooler nights

The days do not get much cooler in AZ in September, but by mid-month I can usually open some windows at night and enjoy a cool-ish breeze. After being cooped up in stale AC for five months, this always feels great.

2. Pumpkin recipes

I love to use pumpkin to cook. It's healthy and tasty! First up on my baking list is paleo pumpkin muffins.

3. Poldark!!!

If you liked Downton Abbey, you would likely enjoy the BBC Masterpiece series Poldark too. I loved season one and now season two starts on September 24. Can't wait!!

4. ANWA's Writer's Conference

This will be my fourth time attending ANWA's writer's conference. This year it is on Sept. 15-17 in Tempe. I love attending because it stretches me and I learn so much. I'm still working on my costume for the protagonist ball, though. Leave me comment with a suggestion (any character from a book you think would make a good costume). Last year I went as Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

5. Labor Day

Not that I have any plans or anything (too busy to think ahead). Just that a day off sounds nice. And a shorter work week is even better!

6. Project Runway

Season 15 of Project Runway starts mid-month and I will look forward to the new episodes. I miss Michael Kors (Zac Posen isn't as good IMO), but I enjoy the challenges and end products. This article discusses some of the new contestants.

7. New Melanie Jacobson Book

I am always looking for something good to read, and Melanie's books never disappoint. Here's the blurb from the back of the book for her newest, Southern Charmed:

"Lila Mae Guidry is a Southern girl through and through. As a fourth-generation Latter-day Saint in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she’s proud of her heritage as both a Southerner and a Saint—and she doesn’t take kindly to people who disparage either. Ten years ago, Max Archer was just that kind of jerk. As the mission president’s son, Max spent his entire three years mocking the South . . . and teenage Lila. After Max’s family moved away, Lila forgot about her sworn enemy. Almost.

"When a new job brings a grown-up Max back to Baton Rouge, Lila is less than thrilled with his reappearance, especially since everyone seems intent on throwing her together with this old adversary. Yet fight as she may, Lila soon realizes resistance is futile—their connection is undeniable. Max embodies everything she wants in a man—except perhaps the most important thing—her life is rooted in the city she loves, but his dreams are bigger than Baton Rouge. With such mismatched visions of the future, Max and Lila are faced with a life-altering decision: jeopardize their aspirations or risk losing love."

Well,  that's all the craziness I have had in my mind running around in between all the lectures and lesson plans I have been prepping. I hope your August was great and September is even better. What are you looking forward to?