Garden Notes: The August Harvest
This letter feels a little different from my other essays here — more like a peek into the everyday. See, life feels more robust and verdant when we share it.
So each month, I’ll be gathering the small things that have been rooting me, blooming in my world, and reminding me to savor the in-between. Think of it as a little care package from my garden to yours — books, recipes, rituals, and tiny joys from this season of life.
🌱 Rooting — Grounding myself in rituals + rhythms
Turns out everyone was right… Waking up early (6am for me) and getting movement first thing in the morning makes all the difference.
I’ve been walking with my mom just about every morning (mainly to avoid the molasses heat). We stumble out of bed, eyes barely open, and head outside for our morning walk. We chat, we say hello to the neighborhood cats (Bergamont is my favorite), and I know my body thanks me for it.
By the time I get home, I am ready to start my morning routine. I’ve spent August focusing on finding a cozy and aligned routine. It consists of sipping coffee, watering my garden, and reading. If my life is a garden, my morning routine is the roots, and strong, healthy roots are essential for anchoring a plant. My morning routine anchors my day.
Speaking of that first anchor, I’ve been building my days with habits and rituals. I love structure and routines, but I also want freedom! This is what my current calendar looks like (yes, a little over the top), but I love seeing it. It helps me support my creativity while still leaving space for flexibility.
This Google schedule habit was born out of my agency days, when every minute had to be tracked and labeled to prove we were “profitable” — yuck. But I guess it stuck. Now, instead of billable hours, my days are marked by habits and rituals that ground me and remind me to seek presence.
So yes, I am getting to stretch a creative muscle, but I also have downtime each day for a cup of tea and a book in the afternoon. It's a loose schedule, but it keeps me rooted in presence and play.
🌸 Blooming — Creative sparks, new ideas, and little obsessions
If you peek at the calendar, you’ll see a habit titled, “What I did today…” I’ve started writing what I’ve accomplished each day, and this has helped me combat that nasty little voice that says, ‘You didn’t do anything… You should have done more.’ Each day, I write down highlights of what I did — from the simple (took a walk, had a nap) to the bigger (filmed my first YouTube video) — to help silence that little monster
And what else is blooming? My YouTube channel. Since 2016, I’ve carried this deep desire to create YouTube videos. I’ve started and stopped more times than I can count. They say the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the next best time is right now.
I’m teaching myself new editing skills, getting more comfortable on camera, and learning about the art of good storytelling… more to come💙
🍯 Gathering — Books, treasures, and things I’m keeping close
I have about 25+ Substack articles saved to read later. It’s becoming a little overwhelming, but my gosh — you beautiful people are amazing. The writing is so deep, it makes me yearn.
One post I stumbled across in a late-night scroll really stuck with me: It’s Okay If Someone Else Wrote About It – Write About It Anyway.
“Your idea isn’t yours, but your experience of it is. And if you don’t write it, share it, create it — someone who needs to hear it exactly the way you’d tell it will never find it.”
A not-so-gentle reminder we all need. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve scrolled and seen someone say or do the exact thing I wanted to do. But then I remember: my experience is unique, and someone out there may need to hear it in the exact way only I can articulate it. If it sparks thought, causes a pause, or simply holds someone for a moment — that’s reason enough to keep going.
And while I’ve been gathering words and ideas, I’ve also been gathering little treasures I can hold. I’ve slowly started collecting coffee mugs in my travels — nothing fancy, just ones that remind me of where I’ve been. My morning coffee tastes different depending on which mug I choose. Each one holds a story: a bookstore in Maine, a tiny café in Montreal, a pottery studio in Alberta. My shelves are starting to feel like their own kind of travel journal — a little stuffed, but full of memory. Reaching for one slows me down; it turns coffee (or afternoon tea) into a ritual and reminds me to savor the moment.
🥗 Savoring — Recipes, meals, and seasonal flavors
With the heat finally easing, my tomatoes ripened, and we could make homemade pasta sauce. I think tomatoes are one of my favorite vegetables (or is it a fruit?) to grow. I find the smaller varieties easier, but nothing beats a big heirloom or beefsteak sliced thick for a sandwich. Gosh, I just really love a good sandwich.
In our home, we’ve decided that Sunday mornings are for sourdough cinnamon rolls. I love how the house smells—like a cozy bakery, but with the added bonus of not having to wear a bra. They’re a bit of a labor of love, but that’s part of what makes them special. There’s nothing better than pulling them warm from the oven and gathering around the table to enjoy with loved ones.
Here’s the recipe I’ve been using: Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
💆♀️ Tending — Wellness, beauty, and caring for myself
This month, tending has looked like being gentler with my skin. I’ve carried acne into adulthood, and for so long, I treated it like something to fight. Lately, I’ve been shifting my mindset — less “fixing” and more “caring.”
I’m learning what works (Differin + lots of moisture), what doesn’t, and how to meet my skin with more kindness. Even something as simple as washing my face at night has become a quiet practice in mindfulness: no distractions, just time to slow down, breathe, and be gentle with myself.
It feels like tending my skin is teaching me patience, compassion, and presence in the smallest of ways.
Here’s my current favorite face wash: CerVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
✈️ Wandering — Places, travels, and small adventures
Technically, it was late July (close enough to August), but I slipped away to Montreal for a weekend with my brother, and it inspired me to put together a travel guide. It’s cozy and slow—markets, mountaintops, courtyard cafés, and scenic city walks. A mix of thoughtful tips, local gems, and reflections from the in-between.
For the most part, though, August has been about rooting at home. In September, I’ll be heading back to Rockport, Massachusetts, to celebrate my mom and her cancer recovery. Rockport is a postcard-perfect coastal town, and I can’t wait to have grilled blueberry muffins for breakfast at the Red Skiff. You’ll find me in the local shops or at the beach with a book.
Speaking of books, I need to get a shout-out to my local library. I can’t believe getting a library card took me this long. It’s been amazing to check out books in new genres, DVDs, cookbooks, even gardening guides—whatever my heart desires. And it’s all FREE. Consider this my rooftop declaration: I’ll love the library until my last breath.
And that’s what I’ve been harvesting this month. I hope something here meets you where you are — whether in a walk, a recipe, or simply a reminder to be gentle with yourself.
Until next time, may your own garden — literal or metaphorical — offer you the same.
-R 🌿
