One thing I’ve noticed more and more over the years about the tail end of every Summer is how the scenery and the landscapes begin to change in gradual, subtle ways. The sun starts to set just a little bit earlier each night, hydrangeas begin to make way for sunflowers, and there are now big, bright orange pumpkins popping up in the farming fields that are visible from the road on my way to work in the mornings. Fall is upon us, and while I’m not upset about it by any means – I also want to hold onto Summer, especially this Summer, for as long as possible!
Last week, Troy and I headed up to Vermont for the afternoon to bring our friend Sean some lunch and check in on how his cabin building process has been going – and he’s already come so far since the last time I visited at the very end June! The cabin now has walls, a roof that’s nearly complete, and a loft that’s in progress, and hearing Sean talk about his plans for solar panels and a wood stove among many other upgrades has been so inspiring to witness. I’m so, so proud of him!
After lunch and touring the changes to his plot of land, we all headed down to the brook that runs parallel to his property for a quick swim before Troy and I headed back into town since we still had a couple of errands to run before it got dark out.
That same week, and during a particularly beautiful afternoon after I’d finished work for the day and wanted to stretch my legs, Troy and I traveled to the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls to check out their end-of-the-season blooms. That’s when I first spotted the beginnings of the annual “Sunflower Takeover” along the bridge, which made me pretty giddy. While the rest of the bridge was still absolutely beautiful as always, buzzing with color and bees – the sunflowers, tall and huge – really stole the show.
On Wednesday, it was back up to Rye, New Hampshire for my monthly beachside Book Club meeting at Kooks! I feel so appreciative for many things about this experience over the Summer because it’s not only reignited my love of reading, especially novels I wouldn’t have known existed otherwise, and has introduced me to such lovely people in the New Hampshire area – but also because Troy has gotten in on the fun, too. He’s been listening to the audio book versions of each month’s selection and has been so engaged in discussing them with me once we’re both finished.
For August, we’d read the novel “June Baby”, and I was so excited to attend since it’s author – Shannon Garvey – a local and now a bestseller, would be in attendance to lead our meeting!
Shannon was lovely, engaging, funny, and a great sport – especially since an unexpected rain storm came through the area halfway through our meeting and soaked all of us. She stayed put, laughing, posing for photos, and signing her book, and I’m really excited to check out her second novel when it’s completed.
I think we have our final meeting set for September before Kooks shutters for the Fall – and I’m just waiting to see what book gets selected to close things out for 2026!
Finally, this past weekend saw me making a quick stop at Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, Massachusetts during their annual Sunflower Festival to snap some photos, grab some peach coffee cake, and pick some blooms to surprise my mom with when I went to go see her later on in the day on Saturday.
It was here that I noticed even more pumpkins growing in the field right next to where the sunflowers were fully bloomed and had to pause and accept that Fall is most certainly on it’s way whether I’m ready for it or not!
Speaking of – the Pumpkin Spice Latte returns as of today at places like Dunkin, although I’m really trying to hold off on getting one until at least September 1st. It’s a true test of my willpower!
Later on this week, I’ll be sharing what I think is my last Summer-inspired dessert recipe for the year before I start easing back into game day snacks and more cozy dishes as we begin the transition into September – but it’s a good one, I promise!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 