We’re back for Joy+Tell this month!

I— quite truthfully—felt like September was a mixture of highs and lows. Summer days and autumn nights, happiness and inspiration sprinkled with some deep, inward reflection. It was a month, much like it presents to us each year, that teetered the line of two seasons.

Here is my Joy+Tell for September.

#1: Happily Ever After

Back in my May Joy+Tell post, I wrote about how one of my new favorite shows to watch was HGTV’s Castle Impossible. I tuned in with such awe each episode in watching this young couple working to transform their inherited chateau into something that honored the old while also bringing it forward into the new.

With no news of a second season yet, I wondered when I would be able to hear more about this beautiful place.

Well, enter the 21st century and social media because I found out they have a YouTube channel! Video after video post continues to take us behind the scenes of their renovation and is accompanied by some truly stunning background music.

I’m so glad to have the chance to continue following the journey.

#2: Emma Watson Returns

As a kid who grew up amongst the Harry Potter movies and books coming out (I mean…truly what a time to be alive!), my love for Harry Potter runs deep into my bones.

The characters are sacred to me, and my favorite is Hermione.

Her wits, smarts and love of reading are pretty much what saved the whole wizard world—sorry Harry!

After not seeing much of Emma Watson for years, it was so refreshing to see her pop up in my YouTube feed again, this time in an interview with Jay Shetty for his podcast, On Purpose.

It’s a long episode (clocking in at over 2.5 hours), so I’m still working my way through it. However, honestly, it is such a refreshing take on fame and protecting one’s well-being.

Here’s the full episode if you are interested.

#3: Ready, Set, Bake!

This month kicked off the newest and latest season of The Great British Baking Show, and—three weeks in— I already feel so connected to each contestant.

They all seem exceptionally creative this season, which is so fun to watch.

What makes this show is how it so comforting—like someone handing you a cup of tea and a biscuit! How appropriate!

#4: Fifteen Years Later… A Grand Finale

When the show Downton Abbey first started, my mom would close herself into our den…doors closed. If you even tried to go talk to her during an episode, she would simply put her hand up towards you, as if silently saying, “Not now.”

It took me a couple of seasons to come around, but when I fell for Downton Abbey… I understood her sentiment.

A couple of weekends ago (“What is a weekend?”, the best TV quote ever), I finally got to go see the last chapter with some family friends. And boy, oh, boy did they just tie it all up with a bow.

#5: A Book Club for the Seasons

I am truly blessed in my friendships. These people have some of the most amazing souls…and I cannot express my appreciation that I get to call them, “friend.”

Many of my friendships are long-distance as the result of just life, and if you have ever had a long-distance friendship, you know it takes work to maintain it.

A couple of years ago, two of my close friends and I decided to start a seasonal book club together.

At the start of each new year, we all pick what season we want. Then, when our season comes around… we send the other two people a book for that time of the year.

Think wintertime cozy books, spring romances and summer beach-y reads.

This past week, I received the book from my friend representing autumn—and it reminded me once again how much I love this little tradition we have.

I foresee it continuing for many years.

If you are pondering doing something similar with your friends next year, here’s the post-holidays wintertime book I sent out this past year.

That’s a wrap for Joy + Tell this month! I’d love to know, what brought you joy this month?

Photo Credit:  Anna on Unsplash