This post is sponsored by Blue Apron.

My moods cycle through a consistent pattern throughout the year, beginning with a post-holiday funk in January, ending in a reflective grateful holiday fest at the end of the year and passing through all the feels in between. In September,  I crave the huddle–dinners around the table, family gatherings, cozy fall things and home, home, home. But last week, I was far from home, traveling for ten days straight, living out of a suitcase and eating whatever I could grab. The oasis in the distance was a family meal around my own table–ante up’d with candles and pumpkins and Nina Simone singing in the distance. But the last thing I wanted to do when I returned home was plan or shop for meals.

There’s an answer for that, one I know well.

Hello, beloved Blue Apron box that lands on my door step with everything inside to give me exactly what I want…a cozy night in my own home, cooking with Brett and a family meal around our table. The only thing that wasn’t in the box was the candles–and we had that under control. (Brett has learned my language–light the candles, dim the lights, play the music).

We’ve loved Blue Apron for a long time, but if you’re unfamiliar, here’s how it goes:

You choose a flexible meal plan (2-person, 4-person or the WW Freestyle plan) from Blue Apron and pick which chef-designed recipes you want to cook (16 to choose from each week). Blue Apron then delivers a refrigerated box to your door with all the fresh ingredients you need to make one of their delicious recipes.

There’s no commitment–you can skip or cancel the service at any time.

We made Pesto Chicken Pasta, a divine combination of roasted vegetables, lumaca rigata pasta, chicken, pesto and cheeses.

We love Blue Apron because it gets us cooking in the kitchen together–it’s an invitation for date night. And we love the creative recipes–combinations we would never think to make ourselves that often end up a repeated favorite.

And easy directions with pictures!

The finished dinner was delicious and just what I needed to restore the home vibe I was craving after all that travel.

Want to make it? You can find the recipe HERE.

The first 50 people to sign up will get $60 off over their first 3 weeks of Blue Apron! Click here. (Valid for first-time meal plan subscribers only. Cannot be combined with any other offer.)

Whether you’re an aspiring chef or brand new to cooking, Blue Apron will help you create delicious, chef-designed meals at home

Ever wish you could bottle up the experience of a crisp autumn afternoon, strolling through an apple orchard? Put the warmth of your mama’s kitchen when she’s making apple cinnamon crumb cake in a jar? Hit replay on the burst of endorphins you feel when you’re walking down a leaf-scattered sidewalk mid-October and you hear the distant sounds of a high school marching band practicing for the football game?

As all the Oxford Pennant banners in my home confirm…YES YOU CAN.

Make some Sweater Weather sugar scrub to keep in your shower, set out for guests to indulge in when they use your restroom, or give some away for a “just because” gift. They’re super easy to make (only three ingredients!). I made a printable label you can use–I just printed mine on cardstock paper and used a piece of clear packaging tape to secure it (also protects it from water). There are two sizes of labels on one sheet, so you can use for various jar sizes.

I dug through my cabinets to find jars I already had–wide mouth pint jars (Target sells them cheaper than Amazon) and a beautiful wood lid jar from Michael’s.

Here’s what you’ll need:

SWEATER WEATHER SUGAR SCRUB

1 ¼ sugar
½ cup coconut oil
7-10 drops of Autumn fragrance oils (yummy fall scents like pumpkin and apple cider!!)
Pint jars
Labels Printable(printed on regular paper or cardstock)

You can alter your sugar/coconut oil ratio based on how oily you like your scrubs.

Make sure you clean the outside of the jar so there’s no oil residue before you attach your label, or it won’t stick.

I made my dad use it for his hands this morning, and he was all “Ooooh! So soft!” You can use pretty washi tape to secure a tiny spoon on the side if you’re giving it away as a gift.

Not exactly a bouquet of sharpened pencils, but still delightfully fallish.