‘Tis the last day of my very favorite month.
I would be super sad about it except…I’m only one day away from my second favorite month 😉 .
On this September 30th, I thought I’d share a fun little mix of 10 RANDOM THINGS…
Grab your pumpkin spice latte and settle in.
It’s just about October, y’all!
10 RANDOM THINGS ABOUT:
10 random Trader Joe’s finds :
1: PUMPKIN BRIOCHE TWIST
It’s just the absolute best time of year to visit Trader Joe’s. It is brimming with happiness. I pick up a loaf every time I visit in the fall. I am currently using it to make my PUMPKIN SAUSAGE BRIOCHE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE.
2: PUMPKIN PIE SPICE DONUT HOLES
Obviously, I put these in my cart.
3: BRIOCHE STYLE LIEGE WAFFLES
I wasn’t exactly sure what I would be getting with these, but they’re incredibly delicious! They totally can be heated up as a quick breakfast, but we are enjoying them after school or as a dessert.
4: SLICED APPLE CINNAMON SOURDOUGH BREAD
Is this new?! I hadn’t seen this in store, so I was certainly excited to try it. It’s excellent toasted with apple or pumpkin butter. It would be delicious in a breakfast casserole too (or as French toast!).
5: HONEY ROASTED MACADAMIA NUTS & CASHEWS
I pick these up often. They are crazy good.
6: SPICY HONEY SAUCE
I have shared this with you before too. I LOVE this on a charcuterie board. I always, always have a bottle of this honey on hand. Use it for my HOT HONEY GRILLED CHICKEN BOWLS. Yum.
7 & 8: SEASONAL HAND SOAPS
I couldn’t decide between the two scents, so I bought both. Surely we can’t have too much hand soap in our house?!
9: SPICY MANGO HABANERO GUACAMOLE
We make guacamole 3 or 4 times a week at our house, but I bought this to add to my lunches. Holy guacamole, it’s GOOD!
10: OVERNIGHT PUMPKIN OATS
Ashby and Kensington especially need super quick breakfast options since they get up so early each day. These overnight oats are always a hit, so of course, I bought the pumpkin version too.
10 random favorite fall trips:
Since I’m always thinking about traveling, here are 10 places I loved visiting in the FALL! I thought this would be easy to narrow down, BUT IT WAS NOT! There are so many places I love, but I’ll keep it to just ten of them. In no particular order…
1: NANTUCKET
Except, clearly this one is in particular order 😉 .
2: MUNICH, GERMANY
3: THE COTSWOLD’S
4: CHARLESTON, SC
5: WOODSTOCK, VT
6: HELSINKI, FINLAND
7: LONDON, ENGLAND
8: PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
9: NEWPORT, RI
10: FENWAY PARK…because if you’re playing in October, you are having a GREAT SEASON!
Tonight, we play the Yankees in the AL Wildcard. I am so so nervous!
10 of the random places we currently have Mix and Match Travel Agency clients traveling on this day:
1: AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS on board a Norwegian Cruise Line vessel sailing from London to Copenhagen with a variety of awesome stops along the way.
2: LONDON, ENGLAND
3: ROME, ITALY
4: DUBLIN, IRELAND
5: CANCUN, MEXICO
6: WALT DISNEY WORLD, they’re staying at the gorgeous Wilderness Lodge
7: PARIS, FRANCE
8: CASTAWAY CAY IN THE BAHAMAS on board a Disney Cruise Line vessel
9: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA on board a Royal Caribbean vessel
10: SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
10 favorite items you loved in September:
I always love to see what you love each month.
In reverse order, here were your Top 10 Favorite Things:
8: THE ABSOLUTE BEST TARGET PAJAMAS!
7: MY CORDUROY PANTS (they come in many other colors!)
5: MY JOGGERS (that look more like actual pants) are 30% off right now too!
3: MY FALL SNEAKERS come in other colors/patterns too!
NOBODY PANIC…BUT…
2: …they ADDED EVEN MORE COLORS TO MY FAVORITE DRESS! You guys, I bought two more. TWO? Yes. That’s how much I love this dress.
And once AGAIN…
1: MY VERY FAVORITE SPORTS BRA…because the liners are sewn in, y’all. Only $18!
10 random things about my childhood:
1: When I was born, my parents lived in an apartment in Irving, TX. When I was a few months old, they bought a house, and we lived there until I was three. At that time, they moved into the house where “I grew up”. I lived in that house until I went to college, and in December of my freshman year, they sold it and moved to their existing house. What’s weird about this to me is that in my heart/should you ask me, I would say “that’s where I’m from”. The honest truth though is that my parents have now lived in their current home even longer AND I’ve actually lived in McKinney longer than I lived in Irving. Do I need to change my “that’s where I’m from” answer? It just kind of dawned on me the other day that my childhood answer and the real answer are no longer the same. I wonder what my kids will answer when they’re 44 years old.
2: In my childhood, I had to endure the worst, most disgusting, unspeakable, awful conditions…I had to share a bathroom with Sean Lowe. I actually think he’s a pretty clean and tidy human being. I think he is just stubborn enough to make my bathroom life completely miserable because he was an ornery younger brother who knew it would get all over his type-A neat freak sister. Well played, Sean. Well played.
3: We were always dog people, but I also had a cat (Chloe) and a ferret (Louie).
4: I knew what kind of mood my mom was in by the music playing in my house when I got home from school. She had her “I’m at my desk working” music, her “I’m cleaning the house” music, her “it’s a holiday” music. I always knew.
5: We had a blue front door.
6: My brother and I went to high school together my junior and senior year (his freshman/sophomore), but we didn’t graduate from the same schools. He ended up transferring and graduating from Arlington Lamar High School about 30 minutes away. Sounds like another pair of siblings I know…
7: My four grandparents attended just about every single thing Sean and I did. Recitals, theater productions, sporting events, fundraisers…they were always there. They had a significant influence over us.
8: My first car was a red two door Saturn. I had it for seven years…I even drove it to and from Detroit that first year we were married.
9: All of my childhood/teenage besties lived in my neighborhood. There was a whole gang of us that went to school kindergarten through 12th grade together (a mix of boys and girls).
10: My street backed up to a cemetery.
And that’s a little look at 10 RANDOM THINGS.
Alrighty, I have EASY FOOTBALL WATCHING SNACKS for you today too! Pop over HERE and check that out before you go.
And I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, but I will be sharing this month’s book review in a few days because…I need to finish up my last book. So far, I really like it, so I want to make sure it’s included. My September Book Review will be here shortly.
Have the best best Tuesday! I’ll see you in OCTOBER! xx
Elspeth Mizner says
So many fun things!! Happy September!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Natasha says
A few (not quite 10) random responses to your post:
1) As a Blue Jays fan, this may be the only time I say this but “GO RED SOX!!!” We really want you to beat the Yankees because we want them knocked out early!!! (Also, clearly the AL East is the BEST division in baseball!!!)
2) My parents are currently on a river cruise in Eastern Europe and I am so envious! I’ve never been to Europe in the fall and would LOVE to go.
3) My kids are also growing up with a cemetery in their neighbourhood. They walk through it every day to get to high school. We walk through it to get to the neighbourhood grocery store. It’s just a very regular part of life. It is the oldest cemetery in our city with graves going back to the 1700s but there are still people buried there today.
4) I still feel like I’m from the place where I grew up, even though I’ve lived in my current location longer. But I’ll ALWAYS be from Saskatchewan. That’s where I started.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU for sharing! I want those Blue Jays knocked out early. You guys have been KILLING IT this season. Wow!
Jami Romano says
I was wondering about the book review lol! I thought maybe I missed it! Great round up of randoms ◡̈
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
I love your facts about your childhood!!! My grandparents also attended every even I had! I’ll never forget playing softball and my Gran always had her team shirt on that read Sarah’s Gran on the back. She also “paid” me money after each game for playing good ha!!! She also decided that when I was in the 5th grade, I needed to stop biting my nails so she started taking me to her weekly manicure appointment where the lady would also paint little pictures on my nails. I was the only 5th grader getting weekly manicures haha!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Nicole says
I’m late to the game, but have you read the Housemaid series? Also, what color dresses did you get?! Love!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I have not read those. They’re scary, right? Okay, I have the dress in black (I have two in black), a bright red, a navy and white stripped and then I just bought it in navy and the darker red. LOVE!
Nicole says
Yes!! But a movie is coming out soon, I’m hooked!!
Sheaffer says
Have we ever talked about our teenage cars? I had a red two door Eagle Talon, which was similar to a Saturn or Eclipse. That car had a CRAZY BIG blind spot. Looking back, it was a total death trap! Was the Saturn like that too with the big blind spot?
Carrie Martens says
This afternoon (2:08 to be exact-such an odd time) we play the Padres for the NL wildcard. I’m super excited as we get home field advantage but I am also nervous as my Cubs can be unpredictable. My favorite AL team is the Red Sox so I’ll be rooting for you too! Happy October baseball 😊🎃
Kelly Sites says
I’m still besties with my 5 friends since 7th grade. We all went through school together, cheerleading in high school, college, and married life-kids, etc. We get together once a year for a 5 day bestie trip. We live all over the USA but have a text thread and talk daily on that, and we do a quarterly zoom to catch up. You have to be intentional for sure, but I am so thankful for these friends. We have all been married for over 30 years, and love Jesus and we pray for each other all the time. They are some of the best parts of my life. Can’t wait for your end of month book review. I’ve had a great month of books after a bit of a summer reading slump. Happy Tuesday!
Christina says
Do you have a list somewhere of all of the wellness books you have read?I have read Outlive and I am interested in the other ones you have recommended, but I am having a difficult time finding them in your post. Thanks for keeping us healthy!
Mix and Match Mama says
No but that is an EXCELLENT idea! I will get one together ASAP!!
Beth Harms says
“…because if you’re playing in October, you are having a GREAT SEASON!”
YESSSSS!!!!
Go Sox—I can hardly wait!!!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
AMEN!!!
MelanieL says
This is so fun!! Love the 10 fall trips, 10 places clients are today and those childhood facts! My first car was a two door red Chevy Cavalier but the first car I purchased for myself was a red 2 door Saturn!! I sold it when I was too pregnant to get out of it, haha, but let’s face it we also needed to upgrade to 4 doors! 🙂
Michelle Paradice says
Go Sox!!
Michelle says
Did I miss September Book Reviews? I’m almost finished with Buckeye and need something to tied me over until the next Book Club book. 😉
Mix and Match Mama says
You didn’t, but you missed the second to last line in this post 😉 . I am finishing my last September book today. I’m sorry for the delay!
Michelle says
LOL, I sure did miss that! Sorry about that! I can’t wait! Thank you! 😉
stacy says
Your Trader Joe’s list made me want to head over there today!
Kathryn W says
You should add Blackberry Farm to your fall travel bucket list! The most perfect place to spend a late October weekend:)
Mix and Match Mama says
And I LOVE blackberries!
lee ann vicary says
Random Things – I’m 66 I was born in Florida (Orange Memorial Hospital – in Orlando) and that’s where I’m from. I moved to Arkansas at 18 but I will always be from Florida and love the beach the best. I’m the oldest of the cousins on my mom’s side and babysat several of them over the years. I hadn’t seen some of them in YEARS and the first comment was “your so short”. They still had a perception of how much taller I was than them from when they were little and they kept growing and I did not. I moved so often I have no friends that I had all through school and since I moved to AR from FL my long time friendships have started here. My first car was a Vega – it would not have been my choice but it made the drive to AR and when I was 18 and I kept it for several years until a hail storm took it out. I have one daughter and one granddaughter that both came into this world at a weight of 8lbs 1oz. I still work full time and stay busy but I am definitely finding time to spend as much time as possible with my granddaughter.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you, thank you for sharing!! I love this so much!
Allison says
“We had a blue front door”. I don’t know why but I laughed out lout at that, so random LOL!
Mix and Match Mama says
you’re welcome 😉 ha!
K.K. says
I loved that fact as well! We currently have a navy blue front door, because the house was so many neutrals that I thought it needed a pop of color. I love my blue door. Love that you had one too, Shay!
Arika says
We spent the first part of last week in the Caribbean (thanks, Hannah!) but detoured home through Chicago so we could catch the Cubs’ last series and watch them clench home filed advantage in the wild card. It was a great way to extend our vacation. Good luck to your Red Sox too!
Mix and Match Mama says
What a FUN combo trip! Thank YOU for allowing us to be a part of your vacation. We are grateful! xx
Carrie Martens says
What a great game to catch! Nothing like baseball at Wrigley Field, especially that game💙
Andrea says
The pumpkin pie spice donut holes are SO good! After I ate the first one, I realized I had wasted my time looking for the best expiration date on the boxes because I could literally eat them all in one sitting.
Danielle Strickland says
Where you’re from and where you’ve lived longest are such different things. I’m “from” where I lived until I left for college – it shaped me in those deep down ways (good/bad/indifferent). But that will always be where I’m from, regardless of the math throughout my lifetime.
Annie says
These are some of my favorite posts of yours to read!
Erika Slaughter says
HOW in the world is it the last day of September?! I’m trying to enjoy these ‘ber months!
Kristy Moore says
This was such a fun post! Love reading all the random fun things happening in the Shull household! I love September too as it’s the ideal time to see the changing larch trees up here in Alberta! If I could attach a picture of hiking out to them last week I would love to share!
Kristin S says
I LOVE that your grandparents were at so many of your childhood things. What a gift!
And, that SLICED APPLE CINNAMON SOURDOUGH BREAD. Yes, it’s new. On the TJ’s podcast, they shared how challenging it was to source a bread where the apples didn’t squish when slices. If you scan the barcode, it’s actually made by HEB! It’s truly delicious. I like to toast it and then add some unexpected cheddar and toast again.
shawnna Griffin says
hey girl- Love the list! My first car was also a Saturn- A 1992 teal twin cam and I had it for 6 years. Have a blessed day Shay
Kristen says
Let’s go Sox!! I just got tickets for the next series if they beat the Yankees so let’s pray!!!!
Amy Azza says
Kristen, I also got tix for the next series.. womp wah. Do you know how we get our money back as they did not advance?
ANDREW SHULL says
I’m not nervous about tonight at all. Yankees win in 2 games.
Yvonne says
Oh my, thanks for the laugh! I hope you get dinner tonight!😉 I love October baseball!
Amy Azza says
Andrew, did you enjoy the 10-1 thrashing last night? Red Sox have a putrid offense and too many injuries at the end of the season. Blue Jays will crush them !
Christy says
I’m not a Red Sox or Yankee fan, so my unbiased opinion is that I really don’t think you need to be nervous about tonight!
Kristy says
October baseball, the best. How will y’all watch the Yankees vs Red Sox series? In the same room, some of you on the outside porch? Some of you in the upstairs? Just curious. I think this is one of the funniest, more fun house divided combos. As for baseball, I didn’t grow up a fan, we lived in Connecticut for a few years and were told we needed to pick a team. We picked Red Sox. And then we moved to Houston for 15 years. This October, I’m all about the Red Sox!
Mix and Match Mama says
We typically do not watch these match ups together…today will be no exception 😉 .
Krista S. Steenbergen says
That pumpkin sausage casserole is sooo good! All of my grown children took some home with them and couldn’t stop raving about it!
Lauren says
You need to add the mountains of NC to your fall travel bucket list!
Jamie S. says
October baseball just hits different. As a lifelong Mariners fan, I typically have to choose a ‘new’ team to root for every post season. But not this year!!! Finally dethroned those pesky Astros. Good luck, I hope to see you in the ALCS 😉
Christina Wooley says
First let me say that I love reading your blog. You have a beautiful family. Thank you for sharing. I have one question, in all of your travels have you went to Germany to where the concentration camps, etc were. That is such an interesting topic to me
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes, we have been to concentration camps four different times on our travels. Those experiences have been, without a doubt, the most impactful of all my journeys.
Holly C says
Love, love the Apple Cider soap from TJ… I will have to look for the Pumpkin Spice!!!
Sandi T. says
Living just an hour south of Boston, I think you all know who we’re cheering on tonight! Booo Yankees! Dinner tonight will be Fenway Park themed for the fam! ⚾️🌭🥨
Debra Lowe says
Love this post, especially the part about your growing up – made me think about my growing up and was a nice walk down memory lane for me.
Meagan says
I really wanna visit Martha’s Vineyard. Is there more to do for kids there vs Nantucket ?
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s a complicated question. I have a post comparing the two: https://mixandmatchmama.com/2021/08/marthas-vineyard-nantucket/
Meagan says
Thank you so much that is really helpful 🙂
Betty Ripley says
Celebrating with you the Red Sox win tonight! Yay Sox! Keep up the wins!
Noah says
I was thinking of you and cheering when the Red Sox beat the Yankees today! (Although I’m a dodgers fan)
Lyndsey says
Aww this was a fun read! I am so waiting for the day you do a sit down with your parents! The people have so many questions hahaha. (How did they raise Jesus loving kids?!) They just seem to have so much wisdom. Also, curious why Sean decided to transfer high schools? Was is similar to Smith’s reasoning? Happy October!
Mix and Match Mama says
It was! He was ready for a change and my parents were too, so they switched and my parents ended up moving to another Dallas suburb.
Melissa Hill says
I loved this post and have a completely random question. I bought the eye patches and love them, but where does the smaller patch go? I’ve studied your pic and don’t see it and can’t figure it out! Inquiring minds (at least mine) need to know! 😆
Mix and Match Mama says
I do two things with them: I share with Mades (because her face is small, so they fit her perfectly) and/or I use two under each eye. It really stretches the jar when you use those extra pieces too.
Bren says
I am from two small towns in Iowa – my parents divorced and I lived half of my birth-18 years in one location, then the other. I have now lived in our hometown that I moved to with my now husband for 33 years…and I still find myself saying “I’m originally from (insert those two tiny towns)”. If I had to submit an official guess, I would say your kids will say McKinney and will be thinking of the home you live in right now. There’s just something about where we spent the majority of our childhood years it seems!
SS says
Shay,
Look how much your kiddos grew…OMGosh!!!!
All my family lived in a row as a kid…so we always had cousins to play with!!!
When hubby and I were first married (almost 30 yrs ago) we were watching world series, I think, we had a wacky storm come through and knocked out the power before the game was over. We had bought this radio/tv (like 3x3inches) black and white battery operated machine. We hurried and found it and sat on the edge of the couch watching this tiny tv!!! FYI… the schools were closed the next day because we had like 3 inches of like wet snow and power lines were down every where!!!
Kirsten says
My mom and I moved to Kansas City after my parents got divorced. We moved from Baltimore. I never say I am “from” Baltimore. Although I do say I was born in DC (because it’s cool and not many other people I’ve ever met can say that!). And the house I “grew up in” is the house we moved to when I was 13.
Courtney says
Ya know, I never really reflected on my answer to “where are you from” until reading this. I was born in Tennessee, lived in Nyack, NY from 2-10 and then we moved slightly north to another town from 10 until college. After college (also in NY), I moved to Charlotte, NC and have been here for just over 14 years. If you were to ask me where I’m from or where I grew up, I’d say Nyack. My childhood answer and the real answer are also no longer the same. Maybe we always fall on the formative years since those tend to hold our first memories – from a place of nostalgia that feels so distance from the here and now? Definitely something to ponder!