Nine Favorite Things.

{a September favorite: fresh figs}

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post!

Happy Labor day weekend everyone! I hope you are all soaking up these last few weeks of summer! Come September twenty-second it’s going to be all things fall here on HBH. And yes, I am just a little too excited. It is still summer though, so I hope you’re spending the weekend in the sun…maybe laying by the pool, at the beach, out on a boat, or just hanging with friends…possibly with a cocktail in hand.

This previous week has been full of so many highs and lows, it was insane. I’ll spare you all the details of the lows, by saying just this…

One: building is not fun. I know, I know, I said this the last time we built (I also said I’d never build again), but I’m saying it again. OKAY…it will actually be amazing when this project is completely finished and beautiful, but right now it is zero fun. I know it will be so worth it though.

Two: building a new site design is also not that fun. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to create something new and fresh for you guys, but there is a lot of moving parts, and it’s just plain hard. Again, the end result will be worth it, but right now it’s a bit of a struggle.

There have been a few other lows, but I am going to just pretend they did not happen and focus on all the positives of the week, which definitely outweigh the lows! Thrilled by the response on this blog post for the upcoming HBH retreat. If you have yet to check out this post, please do so now. The giveaway is open until September 8th.

We’ve also been working hard on upcoming fall content and I am so excited for everything planned. If you guys have anything you want to see, please let me know…planning has begun!! There are multiple other highs that I can’t mention right now. All good things that have me feeling extra happy and grateful.

We have an exciting week coming up on the blog. I’ll be taking Monday off but will be back on Tuesday with a huge Half Baked Harvest cookbook announcement that you won’t want to miss. Hope you all have the BEST labor day (check out some of my favorite recipes below) and I will see you Tuesday!

1. How to help Hurricane Harvey Victims: Like the rest of the world I am so saddened to see the horrific scenes and devastation that hurricane Harvey has left the state of Texas in, but especially Houston. All week long I’ve been researching ways to help, and here are some of the best charities I’ve come across.

Samaritan’s Purse sending Five Disaster Relief Units to Texas.

Austin Pets Alive is caring for the animals of Harvey.

Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund will accept tax-deductible flood relief donations for victims affected by the recent floods.

Save the Children emergency responders are working around the clock to provide family friendly supplies and services to Hurricane Harvey survivors.

The Salvation Army is providing food and water to residents.

Hurricane Harvey Relief Pen is donating 100% of profits to relief funds.

{photo found on pinterest)

2. 5 of my Favorite Staub Pots for Fall Cooking: 

essential french oven…I need this pumpkin version…so cute

pumpkin cocotte…I have this in both orange and black…love.

braiser…one of my favorite every-day pots (I have the 4 qt).

universal deluxe pan…love this pan for cozy Bolognese sauces.

skillet…I use this literally every single day (I have both the 10″ and 12″)

3. A few Links I am Loving: 

the most instagrammed hotel in Morocco…need to go here.

Jessica Alba’s take on motherhood…”to me, it’s not about being perfect, but it’s about doing your best”. LOVE that quote.

get the look of Faith Hill and Tim McGraw’s Bahama home…can I please just go there?

Moroccan carrot ribbon salad with orange tahini dressing…YUM.

11 animal milks that don’t come from cows…goat milk for the win.

30 delicious things to eat in September via Buzzfeed Food…probably need to make them all.

the best places to see fall leaves around NYC…I want to go to them all.

what foodies make when low on groceries…see what I had to say!

4. What I Ordered from Williams Sonoma Fall Preview (20% off + free shipping through Monday):

orange silicone spatulas…love these.

vintage Halloween plates…had to get them for Asher. so cute!

this skull old-fashioned glass…for my Halloween cocktail post.

Halloween tumblers…again for more cocktails.

cute skull ice-cube mold…because I am having a moment with Halloween and cocktails.

5. New videos:

Sweet Corn Garlic Butter Brie Pasta…the simplest of summer pastas.

Hash Brown Egg Nest…the perfect hand-held on the go breakfast or Sunday brunch item.

Bonfire Brownies…from the Half Baked Harvest Cookbook!

6. A few places the HBH Cookbook has been featured this week:

HuffPost Taste – 10 Must-Have Cookbooks For Fall

Epicurious – The 32 Best Cookbooks to Buy This Season

Amazon’s Best Books of the Month for September

7. Labor Day is Tomorrow, here are 6 Labor Day Recipes: 

Gingered Peach Bourbon Thyme Smash…favorite drink of summer.

Opened Faced Tomato and Goat Cheese Sandwich with Hot Bacon Vinaigrette…the BEST

Jalapeño Cheddar Guacamole Turkey Burgers with Crispy Onions…burgers are an obvious must.

Stone Fruit, Tomato, and Burrata Panzanella Salad…the perfect picnic side.

Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad…summer salads = fruit salads.

Raspberry Ginger Stone Fruit Galette…perfection

8. September Bucket List: 

1. go apple picking with my family and make homemade apple cider.
2. make the salted treacle butter apple pie from the HBH Cookbook (and celebrate the books release on the 12th)
3. girls birthday night
4. splurge on my favorite fall candles
5. plant mums outside my door
6. update my closet for autumn
7. host an autumn harvest dinner (all planned…)
8. make these apple fritters and enjoy with this pumpkin spice latte
9. take a hike and photograph the fall leaves
10. buy pumpkins!

{September apples}

9. This Week’s Dinners: 

Monday: See #7 for Labor day menu!

Tuesday: Salted Honey Apple and Gouda Toast

Wednesday: Late Summer Vegetable Bolognese with Creamy Polenta

Thursday (Game Day!)): Sheet Pan Poblano Chicken Fajitas

Friday: Pepper and Cherry Tomato White Pizza

Check out all the past Favorites posts here.