Family, Favorite Things, Life, What I Kept

what i kept – september 2024

Kari

i began writing this monthly post unintentionally in may 2022, motivated by an unexpected and deeply personal loss. your engagement with these posts means so much to me. i wasn’t sure i would continue after that summer, but now, it has become a cherished part of my monthly routine.

thank you for reading along each month.

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anna made the best banana bread earlier this month. she loves to cook and bake, and it fills my heart with joy to see her passionate about it.
ella does, too. it’s interesting how, as i find my love for baking and cooking waning, my children are discovering their passion for it. i love this natural passing of the torch.
chipmunk watching

something beautiful happened this month: two friends sent me different rosemerry wahtola trommer poems on grief. it meant so much that they thought of me and shared something they knew would resonate. i love you both—thank you for your kindness. feel free to share these poems if they speak to you or someone you love.

our yard was a mess this summer—grief, six weeks of covid, and the unbearable heat kept us inside. but i finally got out and started digging into the flower beds to prep for fall.

ella and her friend painted our fence this summer, and i couldn’t help but laugh when i finally pulled away the mint.

side note – WHY DID I EVER PLANT MINT?!

my brother was in town this month, and we went to one of our family’s favorite restaurants—the same place we’d been just weeks before my dad died—and were seated at the same table. it wasn’t until after we were seated that i noticed a nearby pillow reading, “enjoy the little things.”

my grandmother bought this chest of drawers at a farm estate sale before my mom was even born, and i love having it in our kitchen.
anna and grandkitttyyyy ❤️
@thefunnymomma

Who remembers this from when I did I got my skeleton daughter ready for Halloween last year?! Well Bonita is defrosting as we speak for her 2024 debut and y’all are not ready😂😂😂 Stay tuned… 👻💀🎃 #halloween #spookyseason #diyhalloween

♬ original sound – Katryce

my dad wanted zinnias in the garden to enjoy during his treatment, but he never got to see them. mom tried planting some, but they didn’t take. then, unexpectedly, one appeared in late summer—right next to the garden post suz sent mom after dad passed. mom called it a zinnia from heaven, and i truly believe she’s right.

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taco lunch date with mom
roger’s back

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56 thoughts on “what i kept – september 2024”

  1. WHY DID I EVER PLANT MINT?! When you figure out the answer to this, please let me know. Feel the same way.

    I didn’t know about how the colors in the leaves were there all along and how cool is that? Magical even.

    I have an antique chest of drawers similar to yours, it has the leaf handles but a wooden top. Yours is in much better shape than mine. Did you refinish it?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I will! It might be years from now, but I’ll keep you posted. 🤣

      I didn’t know this either! I just found out this month, and it completely changes how I see the trees and their leaves. 🍂

      I love it! And no, I didn’t do anything to it—this is exactly how it was. My mom had it in her home for years, but it had been sitting in the basement for the past six because they didn’t have space in their current house. After my dad passed, I was down there looking for pictures and asked my mom if I could have it someday. She told me I could take it now, and I couldn’t be happier.🖤

      Liked by 1 person

  4. The magic zinnia!

    I have only ever planted mint in pots because it’s so crazy invasive!

    All of this is so beautiful, Kari. I love every little bit of joy and also grief in here. That bonfire poem is so gorgeous. It’s so truthful too.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. I have my mint in a contained space next to the driveway and stones. But, yeah……..

    That banana bread looks amazing! Are there chocolate chips in it, because that’s the best?? Also, is that a chocolate chip pancake?? so good! Another question: is that you in the white nightgown and hat in the childhood picture? So sweet!

    I love your kitchen chest. It’s in amazing condition. I have my grandparents’ dresser in my dining room. I use it as a ‘sideboard.’ What a lovely garden post that Suz sent to your mom and what a fabulous zinnia that grew there! I love that for you guys.

    We had a bread machine back when my kids were young and I loved using it. It was a gift from my in-laws. When it broke, I never replaced it because it took up so much space, but boy, do we miss using it for pizza dough and other homemade goodies.

    My Dad passed away in October (as did my maternal grandmother) and I always associate the month with death (probably because everything outside is dying). Thinking of you while you grieve. It’s a process, for sure. XO

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Note to self: contain my mint. I’ll add that to my 55 for 55 post.

      Those were chocolate chips in both the bread and the pancake! We love our chocolate around here. 🤣

      That’s me in the nightgown, holding my brother’s hand.

      It’s in such amazing condition!

      I had a bread maker when the kids were little, and I used it all the time. When it broke, I replaced it, but the new one wasn’t great, so I never got another new one. But, I’ve been eating more whole foods and trying to cut down on ingredients, so I decided I wanted to start making my own bread again. This breadmaker is even bigger…sigh. Every OTHER loaf is turning out good, so it’s definitely a work in progress. But I made pizza the other night with the homemade dough, and let me tell you, it’s worth the counter space.

      I completely understand. I’m really sorry to hear that both your dad and grandma passed away in October. It’s usually such a fun fall month. I’m not sure how I’ll feel in April either, but I’ll take it as it comes. You’re right—it’s definitely a process. 😘

      Like

  7. Kari, that first photo of the spider web on the window is PHENOMENAL! I love how you captured the beams of sunlight, which look as though they are emanating from the web!

    And I LOVE that quote you tied into the photo!

    Besides pumpkin bread, banana bread in my second favorite bread. OMG, it looks so delicious! I can even smell it through the photo. LOL!

    The vintage photograph of you is beyond adorable! Love your hat!

    That chest of drawers is stunning! Love the handles! And I also love your collection of essential oils. I have a collection too!

    Thanks so much for sharing what you kept, my friend! Happy Monday to you. And have a fantabulous week! X

    P.S. The expression on grandkitty’s face is priceless!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. ISN’T IT?? I’m terrible at window pictures, but I was SO excited when I took that shot! That spider has been with us for months—I even snapped a picture of her web when it was snowing! ❤️

      I usually lay out my posts chronologically, but I found that quote at the end of the month and knew I had to tuck it in under the spider web picture. So I may have cheated a little!

      It was SO good! I love sweet breads.

      I think I was pretending to be Cher! I absolutely loved her in the 70s.

      Isn’t it beautiful? I love it so much, just like my oils, which I use daily. I’m so happy you have them too!

      Happy first week of October, my friend! Our season is finally here! AND… I have the windows open and a sweater on! 😘❤️

      Grandkittttyyy is so funny! He looks very upset, but he was definitely happy that day—she’s one of his favorite humans!

      Like

  9. Such a beautiful post full of so much deep feeling and wisdom. I’ve read about how invasive mint can be… me? I managed to kill mine. I have no idea how, but I now purchase it from the grocery store as needed.

    Seeing Rodger reminded me that I need to get his SoCal cousin out of storage.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aww, thank you so much, Janis!

      I’m cracking up at you killing your mint! I don’t exactly want mine to die, just to slow its roll a bit. 😂

      Oh yay! I love that Roger has family—and in California, no less! ❤️

      Like

  10. I learned about mint the hard way. Sounds like we all do? In our previous house, Cane planted both mint and the kind of bamboo that really can’t be eradicated. I often wonder how much the new owners curse us. Your September feels like mine has been:  a mix of gratitude, grief, contemplation, wistfulness. A little miracle or two because you kinda need them right now. Some pops of joy. Is the girl in the hat you, or your Ella? Because it really looks like her, but the photo looks too old. I love the Just Be Here With Me piece. And Roger! Hoping all the beautiful colors will be revealed for you in the coming month.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Why did none of us Google mint?? 🤣🤣 I also love that you can plant bamboo where you live. I wish I could plant bamboo too—SEE, THIS IS HOW I GOT IN TROUBLE WITH MINT!

      I love that we’re having similar Septembers. Overall, it was good—the best month since April and so much better than last September.

      That girl in the hat is actually me! But I love that she looks like Ella to you. She and I look so much alike sometimes. I also see Anna when she was little in that picture, and I even catch glimpses of my mom.

      I’m hoping for the same, friend. I wish that for everyone. 😘🍂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Isn’t DNA a trip? :-) And time, and how we are so many different people within the span of a life? I’m looking at that photo of little you and thinking about how your mom must have felt, when it was taken, so many of the things you must have felt when your girls were that age, and how we both are and aren’t all the versions of ourselves we’ve ever been. (I probably need to get out of my head more!) So glad to hear that September is the best month since April, and really hoping this fall is going to be so much better for you than it was last year. Good God, it has to be, right?

        Liked by 1 person

      2. It’s such a trip! I love how you managed to get out of your head—I wish I could do more of that. I’m still in a fog from COVID, migraines, and grief, which has been one of the hardest parts of this year. My brain feels totally fried.

        It has to be. It will be. I’m putting that request out to the universe. ❤️🌈

        Like

  11. I look forward to these posts, Kari. As usual, you have gathered up (or kept, per the title) many beautiful words and images. The zinnia story is incredible! I liked the song; it’s quite soothing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Steve. This means a lot to me.

      It really is incredible. I’ll be sharing a few more amazing flower stories next week—September turned out to be a good month.

      I love that song too! It just came out last week; I’m a big fan of the artist, Leif Vollebekk. Not sure if you’ve heard of him—he’s a folk musician from Canada. I discovered him during lockdown in 2020, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Three of my favorite songs, besides this one, are Transatlantic Flight, Long Blue Light, and Hot Tears. Hope you enjoy them!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. My mom says the same thing about planting mint! LOL…. but good news is that having mint near the house helps keeps unwanted critters away like ants and rodents.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. I love that your daughters have found joy in baking – and you get to enjoy the results! As always, you kept so many beautiful things this month. And hello to Roger!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The results are the best part! ❤️

      He says hello back! I wish I could add pictures to my comments—right now, Roger is sitting on a chair across from me, and Biscuits is laying on the floor thanks to him. I’ll share a picture in my Instagram story!🤣

      Liked by 1 person

  17. That song – it’s beautiful. I’m listening to it while I type my comment. Lovely. The poem/passage in the Shaped by Life page is really moving. I like that message. Isn’t Suz the most thoughtful? What a great gift. I love that the zinnia grew right there. The childhood pic of you and your brother is super sweet (I assume that’s who that is). The photos of baked goods look delicious. We can’t let Mini bake unless we want to risk the house going up in flames.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That song is so lovely. It just came out last week, and the lyrics hold a special meaning for us.

      Suz is truly the best. I’m so glad we live in a world where there’s a Suz.

      Yes, that’s my brother and me! I think we were pretending to be Sonny and Cher. 🤣

      Like

  19. I have never been a baker, sad to say, but a family friend was kind enough to teach my daughter how to bake, so the baking drought stopped with me. I am very much enjoying toasted teacakes and various loafs at the moment. I think it’s a seasonal thing, and I’m leaning in it :D

    Your comment about mint made me laugh. It is such a bully, but Himself’s comment about my gardening prowess (or lack of) is that I can even kill mint!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love that a family friend taught your daughter how to bake! Baking was never really my thing—I’ve always preferred cooking, though I can’t say I ever truly loved it. But it’s been such a joy to watch my daughters find their own love for it.

      IT IS SUCH A BULLY. Gah. At least it smells good. 🤣

      Liked by 1 person

  20. I remember I planted two flavors of mint before; regular and spearmint. (Weird huh?) it did grow crazy and I never did a damn thing with the mint, so why did I plant it in the first place. This will be an unsolved mystery.

    I had a giggle at the partially painted fence. Oh, I love that your daughters are into baking and cooking; this is a beautiful and creative phase in their lives. I too loathe cooking and baking anymore; I only do it so we don’t starve.

    ROGER!

    I love the Zinnia from heaven. 🥰 Those signs just keep on coming. XO

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Turns out, this is actually chocolate mint—who knew that was even a thing? No wonder I was drawn to it. And it smells amazing!

      I totally get what you’re saying about cooking and baking. These days, it’s more of a necessity for me too.

      ROGER!

      It’s wild how those signs keep popping up daily. Believe it or not, Mom and I spotted another one just today❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  21. One more comment from me on this post, on a point of how life intersects here on the blogosphere… and things we get to keep.

    MyGenXerLife, whom we both follow, responded to my comment on his recent post of an R.E.M. song, “Find the River.” In his reply, he shared for readers a link to my post of the same song, from back on December 28, 2023: http://songoftheday.ca/2023/12/28/find-the-river/

    I re-read the comments on my post and your comment from that day took my breath away, knowing what life has brought, taken away, and brought again. 🙏🏼

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I knew that sharing it and the comments from that time might be upsetting, but since you brought us all the way along on the journey with your dad, I thought it was fitting to point out.

        Yes, this community is awesome. Glad to be part of it. 🙏🏼

        Liked by 1 person

  22. Anna’s banana bread looks amazing!

    Love that poem, The Altar of Friendship. And the one about meeting your father in a field as a child…wow. My father was a difficult person. He had a horrible childhood. This poem made me feel compassion for him. He passed away almost 26 years ago.

    That chest you have in your kitchen is STUNNING! What a treasure. Is that wooden bowl on top filled with bottles of essential oil?

    Your grandkitty is sooo cute!!

    The zinnia unexpectedly popping up in that exact spot…what a gift.
    Roger is back!

    xoxo

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It was absolutely delicious! I warmed it up with a bit of butter, and it tasted just like cake.

      I really admire how you can feel compassion for him. My dad also had a difficult childhood, and he opened up about it more after his cancer diagnosis.

      Isn’t that chest stunning? I find myself admiring it every day—I’m so glad it’s here.

      I love grandkittyyy! He’s just the best.

      That zinnia is enormous, and there are even more now!!

      I need to take more pictures of Roger. He’s hanging out in the kitchen right now. 🤣

      Like

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