The August 2024 Guide

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Kaleb Wyse wearing gray shirt standing in front of an orange to yellow background smiling.

August is an exciting month. Even though I’m now 37 and not returning to school, I always feel the new beginning of this month. As I notice the sun setting earlier, I can sense that the long summer days are over, and the garden is beginning to show its fall color. Since the rain has been steady this summer, I don’t have the usual August gloom of seeing the garden struggle with dry conditions. Instead, it’s flourishing and lush. This proves what I always say: each year in the garden is different and keeps us on our toes. But it makes us come back for more gardening, as every year has the potential to be the best yet.

August is also such a transitional month. I’m not saying we need to force fall, but whether we’re ready or not, the season begins to move, and it’s best to prepare for it. I’m starting to think ahead both in the house and in the yard. I want to do some final preserving with the vegetable harvest, as well as some light decor changes to feel the season indoors.

Each of our climates is different, but I hope this letter finds you excited for the season ahead and enjoying the season at hand as we sit and catch up!

Let’s Talk About the Home

We’re switching things up this month, and instead of chatting about the garden, we’re talking about the indoors!

I added just a few minor fall-like touches to the house. When I was in the basement recently, I saw my dried bittersweet from last year and could not resist bringing it up into the kitchen. I placed it in a large antique brown demijohn, and I love the simple fall feeling that it adds to the space.

Kitchen countertop with large amber vessel with sprig of bittersweet in front of window.

Pine cabinet in living room with large glass vessels on top one with sprig of bittersweet.

I was also shopping the other weekend and found a simple wreath from Target (no longer available). Sitting against my range hood, it adds a subtle hit of yellow color that makes you think of autumn. You may notice the wreath and the bittersweet stealing the scene in some of my new videos.

Hood above range in kitchen with yellow fall-themed wreath hanging.

Yellow wreath hanging on a hood with cutting board and wire cooling rack behind.

I also picked a handful of miniature pumpkins from my pumpkin patch. Caspertia is my favorite mini white, and Jill-Be-Little is the best mini orange pumpkin. I placed them in a large wooden bowl on the coffee table. These small touches, along with a few other items like a fall-themed table runner and some scented candles, make a meaningful impact on seasonal decor.

It’s the simple things, right?!

Coffee table with large wooden bowl filled with mini pumpkins with books, plant, and candle also on coffee table.

Let’s Talk About My Recent Getaway

My sister Kelsey and I have birthdays three days apart. Growing up, we always had joint birthday parties and often shared a cake. Since high school, we haven’t been in the same state on our birthdays.

Since my sister celebrated a milestone birthday, Mom and I flew to Virginia to spend a few days together, just the three of us. Kelsey is a realtor in the Shenandoah Valley, so we enjoyed her home for a couple of days, and then we went to Charlottesville for a few days as well. We stayed at Boar’s Head Resort and enjoyed coffee shops, bakeries, and excellent restaurants. Maybe next time we won’t wait so long to do this!

Kaleb Wyse standing in front of restaurant on a trip with his mom and sister.

Kaleb Wyse wearing sunglasses standing in a group hug with his mom and sister while on a trip.

Let’s Talk About Food

During the spring, summer, and some of the fall, the garden dictates what I eat and what I preserve. Mom and I are just about to can stuffed pickled peppers. It’s a yearly tradition we carry on from Grandma Conrad, Mom’s mom, who was a master at pickling and passed down her recipe to us. The process is time-consuming, but it’s a labor of love. The peppers are a delicious addition to a relish tray and make a tasty snack.

This month, I added jars of hot peppers, hot pepper mustard, salsa, green beans, and tomato juice to my basement pantry shelves. We can a lot of tomato juice, which surprises some people, but home-canned juice is thick and rich. I use it in all my chili and vegetable soups.

In case you missed any of the recipes that I debuted this past month, you can find them all here:

And if you’re hosting a Labor Day party this weekend, these recipes will have you covered:

French potato salad – for those who want a dairy-free option
Slow cooker BBQ baked beans
Italian tortellini pasta salad
Family favorite potato salad
Sweet barbecue baby back ribs
The best grilled burgers
Easy macaroni salad

Let’s Talk About Kip

Black French named Kip standing in front of an orange to yellow background looking upwards.

Since I started this newsletter, I’ve always included an update on Kip. The newsletter began in January 2022, eight months after Kip was paralyzed and later diagnosed with Meningomyelitis. This is one of the first updates in which no news is good news. And that’s because Kip is fantastic! He’ll always receive his monthly chemotherapy to suppress his immune system, but other than always being worried that something could flare up, he’s enjoying life, especially running around the yard. His progress has been remarkable, and I’m so grateful for your support and love. I feel incredibly fortunate that so many of you are cheering him on with me!

Kaleb crouching in grass with black French bulldog named Kip licking his face.

Close up of black French bulldog named Kip with sad look on his face.

You’ll hear from me again in about a week, as I have a big announcement that will hit your inbox soon! Stay tuned for that, and until then, I hope you have a great start to the month of September!