Thursday Things #121
It's Anne Shirley's season—cue the songs and soup and soy candles.
Every other Thursday, I share a handful of good things I'm loving, reading, watching, listening to or just discovered. AKA the random good stuff we’d talk about over coffee or text if we had one another’s phone number. I'm glad you're here!
Hey friends, before regularly scheduled Thursday programming, most importantly—If you were in the path of Hurricane Helene and need help, food or supplies, please let me know! I lived in South Florida until college and have experienced my fair share of hurricanes, riding some out and evacuating for others, but the impact of Helene is truly astounding. I am thinking of and praying for you, and would love to help if possible.
It’s officially October, the glorious month of Anne Shirley, and I can count on one hand the number of weeks remaining until the best time of the year: Sweater Season.
I’m not a fan of the darkness that is 4:45pm in November, thank you Mr. Daylight Savings, but I’ll take cozy over a possible (ahem, likely) (please see: I am either a ghost or a lobster, there is no in between) sunburn every time. You?
Time for the good things—
If you want to cozy up with a good book this fall…
:) I have a few suggestions:
Forever-on-repeat soup…
I know, I know… this is, what, the fourth time now? I guess it’s a safe bet that you’ll receive this link at some point every single October but I just really, really love this chicken enchilada soup you guys. I always keep the ingredients on hand, know the measurements for the spices by heart, and can make dinner in 5-10 minutes then have leftovers all week. It’s a win.
P.s. I go with 4oz instead of the 8oz. of cream cheese the recipe calls for, and it’s delicious, but you do you.
A song behind “A Promise For…”
Every once in a while, authors thank a musician or band in the Acknowledgements of their book, sharing the songs playing in the background as they wrote the manuscript.
Side note: Apparently some people skip the Acknowledgements…?! It’s a never-ever-miss portion for me. As in, I haven’t finished the book until I’ve read those pages. I love them so. It’s like a behind-the-scenes personal glimpse into the author’s people, the community that helped bring the book to fruition, and often shows their personality in more casual writing.
The soundtrack chosen always interests me, so I thought I’d share this one with you. If we’re similar in this way, I bet you’ll immediately see and appreciate the connection. I didn’t really choose it, per se, but it definitely fits.
I wrote most of A Promise for When the Waves Just Keep on Coming in silence, but a line from Peace Be Still came to mind around 60%… I didn’t want to accidentally write a lyric into the post as if it’s my own, so I waited until I had about 85% down, then played it on a loop while formatting the last few things and adding a transition or two.
The not-fall fall candle…
Scents are so personal and specific, but I’m throwing this suggestion out there if you’d like a non-pumpkin, not-leafy fall candle. I’ve purchased ten or so candles from the Sweet Water line1 (the actual Fall and Christmas ones are great too, but almost always out of stock due to popularity), but listen, don’t sleep on the Calm + Comfort scent2.
I had it on the warmer when my brother came to visit last weekend. FWIW, he liked it too, but I think he was mostly intrigued and impressed by the candle warmer itself. You guys, I know I said a lot of words about it in May, but can I have four more sentences of your time? The candle, according to the website, has a burn time of 40+ hours. It has now been under the warmer for 52 hours and looks like… this.
My entire apartment smells like Calm + Comfort but it has never been lit and is practically brand new 52 hours later. FIVE STARS.
(There are tons of other designs on Amazon and they all likely work about the same, so take your pick! This is the one I have—not an affiliate link.)
A fall lock screen for you…
Because ‘tis the season.
To download:
Hold down on the image above until there’s an option to “save photo.” If you have an iPhone, go to Settings → Wallpaper → Choose a New Wallpaper → All Photos. Select the image and then shrink it (think: the opposite of zooming in). This will allow the full image to show.
Have a good rest of your Thursday, friend. 💛
IMO, several of the candles in jars (with the metal top) are too floral and sweet for me... but the wooden top ones have all been stellar. Do with that what you will LOL.
This is an affiliate link. :) It doesn’t increase the price in any way, but does send a few pennies my way if you click through and purchase something on the site.