Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Welcome to September, one of my very favorite months of the year! I am pretty sure I said this last week, but this is MY time. I love, love, love autumn and all that the next four months have in store. It’s always a little hectic, but something about the golden autumn days are just so special, so cozy, and truly the best. Could I be any cheesier? Probably, but point is that we are entering into the best time of year and I could not be happier about it.

I am a little nervous about everything already on the calendar for this fall, but also so excited. With a big holiday photoshoot this coming Saturday, my older brother’s wedding on the following Saturday – September 14th (still working on those wedding cakes…still stressing about those wedding cakes), the release of HBH Super Simple on October 29th, and holiday craziness, I already know it’s going to be a busy (exciting) time. Like I’ve said before, I’m trying to get organized and prepared. The goal…get organized…then even though things will be hectic, I can still enjoy everything too!

What are you all looking forward to most this September? I am dying to find a place to go apple picking. It’s a must-do activity for me this September.

In other news, we celebrated Asher’s 11th birthday on Friday with a simple chocolate cake (which is her favorite). I still cannot believe how fast time has flown. It feels like just yesterday that I was 15 and Asher was a newborn little baby. I want so badly to go back to those days. She is growing up way too fast and already a mini teenager. We’ll be celebrating her birthday with the whole family next week before wedding festivities kick in…lots of celebrating around here in the next couple weeks!

Coming up this week on HBH, I’ll be sharing a cozy new bread recipe that’s ideal for Sunday night dinners. A healthy mushroom dish that’s mouth-watering (and also great for Sunday night). I’ll be kicking off football season with the perfect game day recipe. And lastly, I’ll be continuing on with the game day theme, but sharing something sweet and chocolatey. Very excited about it all.

Finally, if you’re trying to catch up on blog posts from the week, please sign up for our daily newsletters. They’ll help you to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here on Half Baked Harvest. And of course, if you’re meal planning today, don’t forget to check out my menu below (it’s #9 on the favorite’s list).

Hope you all have a lovely Sunday and enjoy another round of favorites! We’ll be skipping tomorrow’s post for Labor Day, so see you all Tuesday!

1. Inspiring Me This Week on Pinterest…Moody, Vintage Vibes. 

(photos via pinterest)

Question: what inspired you this week?

2. The Most Popular Recipe of August. 

Most popular: souper creamy lemon butter cheesy zucchini orzo

It’s funny, more times than not it’s the recipes that I end up making last minute, unsure if anyone will actually like, that end up being the most popular. I shared this recipe, certain it would be a complete flop, but yet you guys LOVE this orzo. More than I ever thought possible. I created this with two things on my mind at the time, my mom and back to school. My mom used to make “souper” rice, aka soupy rice, and we loved it. This is my twist, it’s souper rice, but minus the rice and plus orzo. It. Is. SO. GOOD. So good in fact that it’s quickly becoming the most popular recipe in the last few months. It’s quick, easy, and DELICIOUS. Make this one soon!

Runner-up: better than takeout Thai drunken noodles

Wow, you all really seem to love a good better than take-out style recipe! This makes me so happy! These noodles are what I call “highly addictive”. Every bite is filled with saucy noodles, delicious vegetables, and hints of sweet basil. Beyond good and much healthier than something you might find at your favorite Thai place. Major bonus? They’re made mostly in one pan and without the use of your oven.

Question: what should my next “better than takeout” recipe be?

Also have to mention: weeknight 30 minute coconut curry chicken meatballs

Always a bit shocked when I share a meatball recipe and you all love it so much. Don’t get me wrong I love this recipe too, BUT I despise the word meatball. We really need to think of something that sounds a bit more appealing…don’t you think? ANYWAY, these meatballs are a delicious mix of cozy and healthy, and a great way to use up those garden bell peppers and fresh basil. Best part…all you need for this recipe are pantry ingredients and 30 minutes!

3. Favorites from the Arhaus Labor Day Sale…

4. Questions of the Week: 

q: How do you get over the fear of messing up recipes? Especially if cooking for family?
a: I have never had this fear. Cooking has always been something I have never been afraid to mess up. You have to have fun with it, you have to try new things, and not take it too seriously. It’s just food, if it doesn’t turn out, make some pasta (with cheese) and all will be ok. You’ll never know if you love a recipe until you try it, so just like anything else in life, you can’t let the fear of failing stop you. You’ll never learn/grow!!

q: How much time do you spend cooking?
a: I’m in the kitchen a lot. If I’m not traveling, I’m usually in the kitchen at least 5, usually 6, days a week. I’m testing and photographing new recipes OR filming videos! Then it’s computer work at night!!

q: Do you use your goats for milking?
a: We do! And it’s what we drink, cook, and bake with (unless I’m using a nut milk for a specific recipe)

q: Where is your cast iron skillet from? The one you posted with the peach cobbler?
a: This is a vintage store find, but I found a similar one on Williams-Sonoma.

q: What is your biggest cooking fail or your worst meal that everyone hated?
a: I tried to make an Italian bread soup once and my brother Brendan said it was just bad. Not good. Oily and gross. I agreed, but I think it could have been good…I just really messed something up. There was also that time last fall when I was making caramel and legitimately almost burnt my hair off. Still cringe when I think about it.

5. Newest Videos: 

Spicy Pesto and Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Involtini..this is what you should be making with all that zucchini.

Blueberry Basque Cheesecake…also known as the cheesecake that embraces imperfection. It’s the BEST.

(30 minute) Better Than Takeout Thai Drunken Noodles…with double the sauce and all the late summer vegetables.

6. Currently Loving and Wanting…

loving…my new Sonic Care toothbrush. I hesitated for years to get this (for very stupid reasons), but it’s a game-changer.

wanting…this vintage rug so badly. it’s price tag hefty, but it’s also so pretty.

loving…my Sunday Riley C.E.O Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric. great for my skin and feels amazing.

wanting…these boots for fall, but will probably settle for these instead, as they’re bit more affordable and practical.

loving…this Sunday Riley cleansing balm. this leaves my skin feeling moisturized, squeaky clean, and super soft.

wanting…these beautiful Nordic Ware cake pan and this mini bundt pan…ok and this too.

loving…this giant candle so much. head’s up, it is BIG, but it will last you all fall.

wanting…this dress. I think it would be so pretty with boots. and yes, I have expensive taste. yikes.

7. A Few Links I Am Loving…

the new Way I use My calendar to stay organized at life…taking notes.

a minimal skincare routine…that you can actually follow.

8 fall fashion staples that aren’t going out of style…I love a chunky knit.

a perfectly dreamy weekend in Toronto…if you happen to be visiting.

the “power couple” nutrients you should eat together every day…if you need a nutrition boost for fall.

a cauliflower, pomegranate, and pistachio salad…that sounds and looks so good.

inside Liv Tyler’s dreamy West Village townhouse…so cute and cozy.

the only fall handbag trends worth spending your money on…because I love a good handbag.

cookbook club 101: what it is and how to start your own.

this pan makes the most beautiful loaf cakes, ever…and I really need it.

5 places to travel this fall…New York, for me, please.

inside the leather shop at Colorado Springs’s Ranchlands…must visit this shop soon.

a design lovers guide to Florence…what a pretty city.

fall at Magnolia market…is picture-perfect.

5 healthy cocktails and mocktails to say goodbye to summer…these are so creative.