First Day of Fall and Renewing Passports Just Got Easier
More pumpkin fun and bake offs.
Welcome, back Substack friends, and say hello to the first day of Fall!
FYI about the first day of Fall from USA TODAY: “The official first day of fall, otherwise known as the autumnal equinox, is this weekend in the Northern Hemisphere. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, it is one of only two days, the other being the vernal equinox, when the sun is directly above the Equator, essentially dividing night and day into equal portions.”
Time to bring out the Fall decorations!
If you’re a fan of The Great British Bake Off, rejoice, US friends, because a new season start this Friday on Netflix. From Eater: “Just in time for what promises to be a stressful few months of American political news, a new season of reigning comfort-watch The Great British Bake Off will hit Netflix later this month. The first episode of what it’s calling “Collection 12” will air on Friday, September 27, according to a press release from the streaming service.
As Netflix has been doing, new episodes of the show will become available in the United States three days after airing in the United Kingdom. The 10-episode season will continue weekly on Fridays until November 29, which means it’ll be ready for both alternative election-night viewing and Thanksgiving-weekend gatherings — what better way to defray family tension in the kitchen than by watching some wholesome baking instead of getting stressed out doing it? As usual, the cast promises the typical motley crew of home bakers, including a car mechanic, a menswear designer, a midwife, and a farm manager.”
More FYI you should know- Renewing your passport have gotten easier. Just visit Travel.State.Gov where US citizens can renew their passports online.
“Eligible U.S. citizens who want routine service can now renew their passports online. If you do not qualify to renew online, you may also renew by mail. Follow these steps to renew your passport online and track your status.”
You’re crying, I’m not because a “Loyal Dog Runs After Ambulance Carrying Owner, EMS Stops To Let Him In.” From Sunnyskyz:
“In a heartwarming display of devotion, a loyal dog in Colombia made headlines after chasing an ambulance to be with his ailing owner.
The incident occurred as the dog's owner fell ill and required urgent medical attention. As paramedics transported the man from Villa de Leyva to Tunja, the dog refused to be left behind.
Determined to stay with his beloved human, the dog managed to escape from the house and began running after the speeding ambulance. It wasn’t long before the EMS team noticed the persistent pup tailing the vehicle. Moved by the dog’s loyalty, they decided to stop the ambulance and let him inside.”
I’m still addicted to everything pumpkin, because of Fall, so why not try your hand at making homemade pumpkin coffee creamer from Sally’s Baking Recipes:
Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 cups (360ml) heavy cream, half-and-half, or whole milk*
2 heaping Tablespoons (about 35g) pumpkin puree
2 Tablespoons (30ml) pure maple syrup
1 and 1/2 teaspoons store-bought or homemade pumpkin pie spice*
2 cinnamon sticks
A day later, but Earth Wind and Fire’s September is the jam of all jams you can listen to all year round:
This week’s book recommendation is from 2017- All For You by Melody Grace.
Summer Bloom lives for adventure—and buttercream bourbon frosting. As a high-end pastry chef, she spends her days (and nights, and weekends) whipping up sweet treats, but when an unexpected detour leads her to the dilapidated bakery on Blackberry Lane, she decides to take a chance on her dreams and leave it all behind for a new life in Sweetbriar Cove. She has everything she needs for baking bliss—she just isn’t expecting her new landlord to melt her heart, as well as her chocolate truffles...
Grayson Reid knows better than to fall for his impulsive new tenant. He keeps his life quiet and drama-free, but there’s something about Summer he just can’t resist. He’s learned the hard way that a woman can turn your whole world upside down, but her kisses—and those croissants—are too tempting to ignore. He’s determined to keep the lid on their romance, but soon, their chemistry is heating up the kitchen—and he doesn’t want to play it safe any more.
Why you should read this book- A feel good delicious novel with a lovely heroine chef/baker, and a gruff, bearded British hero who owns a book store just because he wants to own a book store. This is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys small town contemporary romance. You also might have a craving for dessert as the heroine tries to open a bakery, even though the odds may be against her, which includes a Martha Stewart type mother who thinks of only herself and not her daughter, who wants to be a success, but not the spotlight. All For You is a sweet and sexy breezy type of romance that will keep you smiling until the last page. Summer is a joy, while Grayson is a bit too gruff, and at times selfish. But when he realizes he may lose the best thing in his life- Summer, he eventually comes around. He does a bit of a groveling, which will please readers, especially by the end.
Try to be the rainbow…
