September Life Updates: A Month of Culinary Adventures, Career Milestones, and Exciting New Beginnings

Welcome back to another edition of our “Out of the Kitchen” series, where we pull back the curtain on our daily lives and share what we’ve been up to beyond the recipes and projects. September was a whirlwind of activity, marked by delicious culinary discoveries, significant career breakthroughs, heartwarming pet antics, and momentous life decisions that are setting the stage for an incredibly exciting future. Join us as we recount the memorable moments that shaped our month!

This September truly marked a delightful culinary turning point for me. For virtually my entire life, I’ve never considered myself a fan of fruity desserts. However, that all changed with the crisp, sweet aroma of autumn apples. I dove headfirst into the world of apple-infused treats, and to my absolute surprise, I fell completely in love! The star of my newfound passion was this incredible crock pot apple crisp you see pictured above. It was nothing short of divine – tender apples, a perfectly spiced topping, all cooked to perfection with minimal effort. Of course, no apple crisp experience is complete without a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, turning each spoonful into a warm, comforting symphony of flavors. This simple discovery has truly broadened my dessert horizons and brought a new appreciation for seasonal fruits.

Beyond the kitchen, September was also a pivotal month for Ryan. The second photo captures just a glimpse of the many weekends we spent meticulously shopping for “business” clothes. With his Ph.D. defense looming in March, September was dedicated to a flurry of intensive job interviews. It was a period filled with anticipation, preparation, and a fair share of nervous excitement. We knew this was the culmination of years of hard work, and the stakes felt high. I’m thrilled to share some incredibly good news: Ryan secured a fantastic job! We’ll delve into the exciting details about this new chapter and what it means for our future later in this post, but for now, know that the relief and joy were immense. This achievement is a testament to his dedication and brilliance.

Furry Friends and Everyday Home Life

Ah, cat snuggles – they truly are the best, aren’t they? Our feline companion, Salsa, continues to be a creature of fascinating habits and unpredictable affections. While I can’t exactly claim he’s a cuddly lap cat during the day (he’s more likely to offer a playful nip than a purring embrace), his nighttime routine is a completely different story. It seems he reserves his most affectionate moments for when I’m trying to catch some precious sleep. He’ll often settle onto my chest, sometimes even right on my face, purring contentedly and making it incredibly difficult to move without disturbing his regal slumber. It’s a testament to the unique bond we share, even if it comes with a side of sleep deprivation! The second photo, however, captures one of those rare and precious daytime moments. When Salsa does decide to grace us with his cuddles during the waking hours, it’s an opportunity too perfect to miss for a quick photo op. These fleeting instances remind us just how much we adore our quirky furball, despite his selective snuggliness.

Working full-time from home as a blogger comes with its unique set of challenges and temptations. One particularly persistent temptation is the lure of a midday nap. Recognizing this, Ryan, in his infinite wisdom, devised a brilliant, albeit humorous, strategy to keep me from succumbing to the comfort of our bed during the day. His solution? To put literally everything on the bed, rendering it an impenetrable fortress of clothes, books, and various household items. I must admit, it’s actually quite effective! It serves as a visual reminder to stay productive and embrace the boundaries between work and rest. The second photo shifts our focus to another aspect of our bustling home life: our perpetually busy kitchen. I challenge you to spot any free space on our counters or atop the cupboards – because I certainly can’t! Our kitchen is a hub of activity, a testament to countless cooking experiments, baking projects, and everyday living. While some might see clutter, we see a vibrant, well-used space filled with the stories of our culinary adventures and daily routines. It’s a lived-in look that we wouldn’t trade for anything.

Autumnal Flavors and Unconventional Treats

My culinary journey in September wasn’t just about discovering apple crisp; it also involved a dedicated quest to perfect the ultimate fall cookie. After no less than six batches, I finally nailed the recipe for these incredible caramel apple snickerdoodles! The process was a labor of love, requiring tweaks to the spice blend, apple ratio, and caramel swirl, but the result was absolutely worth every effort. These cookies are beyond delicious – soft, chewy, bursting with cinnamon-sugar and hints of apple, and a delightful ribbon of caramel running through them. They are truly the perfect autumnal twist on a classic cookie, embodying all the cozy flavors of the season. In another interesting culinary experiment, the second photo captures our first encounter with “snow cream.” I’m still not entirely sure how to classify this unique dessert, but I can wholeheartedly say it’s utterly delicious! Lighter and less rich than traditional ice cream, it offers a refreshing sweetness that was a surprising and welcome treat. It’s always fun to step outside the familiar and try something new, especially when the outcome is this delightful.

Unexpected Finds and DIY Triumphs

Even during practical shopping trips, there’s always room for a little fun and self-expression! While we were focused on finding Ryan professional business attire, I stumbled upon the most perfect bow tie imaginable – a vibrant accessory that perfectly matches my beloved donut sunglasses! It was one of those serendipitous finds that just brings a smile to your face, proving that even mundane tasks can hold delightful surprises. It’s a little detail that adds a dash of personality to our otherwise busy lives. The second photo highlights a different kind of personal triumph. While Ryan was away for a week of crucial job interviews, I found myself channeling my inner plumber. Our bathroom sink decided to stage a dramatic protest, refusing to drain. Instead of calling for professional help, I decided to tackle the problem head-on. Armed with determination and a few online tutorials, I successfully fixed the stubborn clog! In the process, I even picked up some fascinating plumber lingo… which, I must confess, I have now completely forgotten. Nevertheless, the satisfaction of a successful DIY repair, and the temporary feeling of being a home improvement hero, was incredibly rewarding.

Let me preface this by saying, unequivocally, that we are not golfers – not by a long shot! However, one Saturday afternoon, we decided to step completely out of our comfort zone and head to the driving range. The initial moments were, as expected, a bit of a comedic spectacle. We probably looked like we had absolutely no idea what we were doing, mostly me, attempting various awkward swings and sending balls in every direction but forward. Ryan, surprisingly, showed some natural aptitude and was actually pretty good! Despite our novice status and my laughable attempts, it turned out to be genuinely fun. There’s something liberating about trying a new activity without the pressure of perfection, simply enjoying the moment and the shared experience. We definitely contributed our fair share of divots to the grass, leaving a humorous mark of our first foray into golf, and departed with smiles and a good laugh.

Returning to our home environment, the first photo offers another candid glimpse into our kitchen – specifically, about half of it – mid-photo session. And once again, I must ask: do you spot any empty counter space? Our kitchen, as mentioned earlier, is a continuously bustling hub, filled with ingredients, gadgets, and the remnants of various projects. It’s a space that truly reflects a home being lived in, loved, and actively used for cooking, baking, and creating. It might not always be magazine-ready, but it’s a vibrant heart of our home. In delightful contrast, the second photo captures one of life’s simplest pleasures: sleeping cats. Seriously, there is nothing cuter or more peaceful than a cat completely lost in slumber. Their relaxed postures, soft breathing, and the sheer innocence they exude when sleeping are incredibly endearing. It’s a reminder to slow down, appreciate the quiet moments, and find joy in the tranquil presence of our beloved pets amidst the everyday hustle.

As September transitioned into October, we started embracing the festive spirit of Halloween! The first photo shows us hard at work on these adorable and incredibly fun Frankenstein pretzel treats. They are wonderfully simple to make, requiring just waffle pretzels, colored candy melts, some brown sprinkles, and of course, those irresistible candy eyeballs that bring them to life. These treats are perfect for adding a touch of playful spookiness to any Halloween celebration, and we had a blast creating them. The second photo takes us on a quick, yet intriguing, trip to Michigan. Here I am, posing in front of what might seem like an ordinary building, but it is, in fact, Santa’s Training Center! This isn’t a joke; it’s a genuine place where aspiring Santas from all corners of the globe come to hone their craft, learning the nuances of becoming truly authentic and heartwarming Santas. It was a wonderfully unique and unexpected stop, brimming with festive magic and a sense of childlike wonder. Little did we know, this trip was just the beginning of a much larger connection we would soon form with the state of Michigan.

Opening Up: A New Chapter in Michigan

Now for the truly big news, the reason behind our recent trip to Michigan and the culmination of many of the subtle hints peppered throughout this post: we are incredibly excited to announce that we will be moving to Michigan this spring! This momentous decision comes as Ryan officially accepted a fantastic job offer at a large chemical company. Our move will take place shortly after his Ph.D. defense in March. While pursuing a doctorate, the ultimate goal is always to secure a fulfilling position in your chosen field, but it’s still surreal how swiftly this chapter has unfolded. The time flew by, Ryan received offers incredibly quickly, and our decision came together in what felt like a blink of an eye. We are filled with immense pride for Ryan’s accomplishment and profound excitement for this new professional journey.

Life truly has a way of surprising you, and God works in ways that often defy our expectations. If you had asked me a year ago, or even just three months ago, where I envisioned us moving, my answer would have undoubtedly revolved around a vibrant big city, preferably an area known for its mild winters and minimal snow. Yet, here we are, doing the exact opposite! We are preparing to relocate to a charming small town in Michigan. It’s a complete departure from my previous preferences, but I can genuinely feel God softening my heart towards His plan. What once felt like an unexpected detour now fills me with a growing sense of excitement and anticipation. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes the most beautiful paths are the ones we didn’t initially foresee.

Adding another layer of exhilarating change to this new chapter, we are also actively looking at buying our very first house! Cue the excitement, the nervous anticipation, and all the butterflies that come with such a monumental decision. Becoming potential first-time homeowners is a whole new ball game in itself, requiring countless hours of research, budgeting, and envisioning our future. However, navigating the process of finding and purchasing a house in a completely different state – sight unseen, for the most part, save for virtual tours and quick trips – feels like playing completely outside the ball park fence. It’s challenging, thrilling, and undeniably a massive undertaking, but we are embracing every step of this incredible adventure with open hearts and minds.

Last month, in our August “Out of the Kitchen” post, I wrote about how significant change often brings with it a wave of anxiety. I am fully aware that the coming eight months will undoubtedly present their share of challenges and what might feel like valleys as we transition. However, at this very moment, I can honestly say that the overwhelming sense of excitement for our future in Michigan is far stronger than any underlying fear. Preparing myself to leave a place that felt so foreign when we first moved here five years ago, and which has now truly become “home,” is a complex emotional process. Illinois has been a season of immense growth, learning, and love for us. The Lord has consistently provided for us here, nurturing our dreams and supporting our journey. And with that unwavering faith, I trust wholeheartedly that He will continue to provide for us, guide us, and bless us as we embark on this thrilling new chapter in Michigan.

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For more behind-the-scenes glimpses into our lives, be sure to explore our previous “Out of the Kitchen” posts.