Happy Wednesday!
I was up at 5:30 this morning to swim some laps at the pool. I love that our neighborhood pool has lap swim from 6 am to 8 am. I enjoy the walk down there, and it’s a great way to get a workout before the heat. I’m not used to getting up at 5 am and jumping straight into a workout. I like to lay in bed, drink coffee, and wake up slowly. I’m feeling the drowsiness this afternoon, but hoping to get used to it eventually. I won’t be swimming tomorrow, but I’m going to try to wake up at 5:30 for a morning walk. My walks have been something I look forward to lately. I’m fitting in 5 miles a day, sometimes with kyle or a neighbor, but it’s also fun to go alone and listen to podcasts. So far, this summer has been a relaxing one. Last year it was all about finding a house and feeling unsettled, but there’s something so calming in this season of my life.
I hope the first half of your week is going well. Let’s get the recap blog started! ♥️
All we’ve been doing is spending time out on the patio. At my old place, I was hardly a patio person. Now, it’s fun to have lunch while the dogs run around like crazy animals. We finally have it set up back there with a table, fans, and the bug service made a difference. I just love it. Even when it’s sweltering, the sun doesn’t hit the patio, so it’s breezy and shaded.
A lunch I’ve loved lately is gluten-free pita pockets (b.good brand) with turkey, lettuce, mustard, bell peppers, red onion, and a greek salad on the side. 😋
It was rainy and gross outside on Tuesday. I spent the day recording a “clean with me video” and then headed out to neighbors for wine on the patio! It was 60-degrees that evening, and I couldn’t believe I was in sweat pants and wearing gloves in the middle of June!
The cold front didn’t last long because the next day, I was outside again burning up.
I treated myself to a cinnamon raisin french-toast breakfast with coconut yogurt mixed with protein powder and topped with granola and raspberries.
We headed to our next-door neighbor’s house for a dinner night, and I made homemade cinnamon sugar chips with cream cheese frosting. This is a dessert my mom would make every fourth of July. She’d pack it up, and we’d head to watch fireworks. I’m going to do a video on this tomorrow! So look out for that. They are SOOOOO good and easy to make.
My next-door neighbor is a crockpot queen. We had burrito bowls, and they WERE SOOOOOOOOOOOO STINKIN’ good. She’s going to give me the recipe for this one.
I have been making an effort to have morning juice after my morning miles. I love ginger and carrot, so it’s a real treat for me!
This juice had celery, pineapple, apples, lemon, lime, cucumber, nectarines, ginger, grapefruit, and apple cider vinegar.
my juicer
Still on our salmon in the air-fryer kick!
My favorite place to be right now!
I sat outside on Friday night and just watched the sunset while listening to music.
Saturday morning breakfast: cheerios, coconut, raspberries, and almond milk!
We spent all day at the winery! (read about that trip here)
My parents came over on Saturday night, and we had pizza and hung out on the patio. They ended up staying over so we could all go on a morning walk and have breakfast together for Father’s Day.
After our family walks, I made juices for everyone!
This one had grapefruit, apples, nectarines, gingers, celery, watermelon, carrots, lime, lemon, cayenne, and apple cider vinegar.
my juicer
😋
Later on Sunday, Kyle and I walked down to the pool for the afternoon. The day was beautiful ♥️
We decided to skip out on making dinner and headed to the Improper Pig in downtown Fort Mill. I had their California cobb salad with grilled salmon, and it was delicious. Their sweet potato fries stole the show!
On Monday, I started my day with a juice!
It had papaya, apple cider vinegar, ginger, cayenne, lemon, carrots, lime, watermelon, and cucumber. 😋 I waited too long and ended up having to do my 4-miles in the heat. I felt so good after it was done, but chugged water for the next few hours to rehydrate! Our neighborhood is so hilly. 😮
What better way to cool off than the pool?
I had some bananas turning brown, so I made some banana oat muffins with peanut butter and chocolate chips!
I mixed 4 cups of oats, three large bananas (mashed) tsp of vanilla, pinch sea salt, 1/3 cup peanut butter, pinch cinnamon, chocolate chips, and 1 tsp baking powder. I baked for 14-minutes at 350, and they turned out delicious. I keep them in the fridge and grab them when I need a tasty snack.
We ended the evening watching Jumanji and having dinner out on the patio.
I made Cappello’s spaghetti with crockpot chicken! I seasoned it with olive oil, vegan cheese, everything but the bagel, garlic powder, onion salt, oregano, and black pepper! 😋
I hope you all have a fantastic day! I have the neighbors over for dinner tonight, and I’m making my favorite recipe, pad thai! 😋
Questions for you!
- How is the start of your summer going?
- Do you have any morning goals?
- Do you have a favorite juice combo I should try? (please no beets 😂)
hillary may says
1. Great! I’ve been ridding my bike a ton in the great weather we’ve been having.
2. Morning goal on weekends; reading my book. What book are you reading by the pool Taralynn?
3. Three carrots, 1/2 a small pineapple, one orange and three handfuls of spinach or kale..serve over ice. Enjoy!!
Taralynn McNitt says
The book is called The Sundown Motel 😃 amazing so far!!!
Hillary says
3. Two oranges, three large carrots, two cups of fresh pineapple, 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric, a small piece of ginger, 5-7 mint leaves, Serve over ice.
Taralynn McNitt says
Love the idea of adding mint!
Anita says
My summer has started off with a bang. It’s been so busy, bbq after bbq, finally getting to see family has been a nice treat. My frenchies are not liking the hot weather though, so the cool air is a nice change today.
Definitely no morning goals, not a morning person and I never will be one 😂😂😂. My day goals change daily of different things I need to do, excited for the school year to be over so I finally get to relax, who knew teaching online would be more tiring than a classroom full of kids. Definitely will miss my students.
I prefer smoothies over juices because they keep me full with all the fibre from the fruit. I like to add in a cup of almond milk, chocolate protein powder, peaches strawberries, blueberries, banana, Granny Smith apple and a whole bunch of spinach. It makes enough to share.
Your patio is looking beautiful by the way!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Anita!
Aww sweet frenchies!! My dogs don’t love the heat either.
I’m sure it’s tough!! Hopefully, it will go back to normal soon.
Sounds like a tasty smoothie!
& THANK YOU!!!
Emily says
My summer is going pretty well! I’ve been on a bunch of hiking adventures the past couple months and have been running 3 miles every day this spring/summer. 🙂 My morning goals pretty much consist of waking up in time to make a smoothie and breakfast, do dishes, and take care of my kitties before I have to sit down to work. 😂
The best smoothie combo I’ve tried so far is a mix of dandelion greens, water, a frozen banana, and a mango! It’s so refreshing and delicious and free of added sugars! 😀
Your posts are so fun to read, as usual! And your house/neighborhood look awesome! I’m so happy for you!! 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
Sounds like an amazing start to the summer!
ohhhhh that does sound good!!!! ♥️
& thank you for the kind words!!!
Tammy Fezza says
Hi Taralynn, I have been following you for a while. Love all your post and blog. Tammy
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you, Tammy!! 💜
Katie says
Thank you for being a light and outlet during this heavy time. Your cleaning video is great!
Taralynn McNitt says
💜 than you, katie!
KB says
Hey there!
I was wondering if you had a post or would consider sharing a post on your photography and editing methods? I am so drawn to your images and was very curious as to what you do to edit them for social media and blog posts. Do you use any presets? Your feed is just so colorful!
Thank you!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, KB!
Thank you! ♥️ for my photos, I use lightroom. I increase brightness, saturation, lower the greens, lower highlights, increase sharpness, shadows, and add a bit of grain! 💜
Harriet says
Oh how I wish it was summer right now, we’re in the middle of winter, with possibly snow all weekend🥶
My morning goal is to walk Austin 5km each morning, which is going well considering the freezing weather. My favourite juice is: strawberries, pineapple, apple and oranges it’s so good. Great recap, enjoy the warm weather and have a great week!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Harriet!
It’s crazy to think you’re in winter right now! I hope you cuddle up with some tea and enjoy that snow! I bet your pup will love it.
Emma says
I can’t remember the exact juice combo but it was something like watermelon/pineapple/mint. I had it last year at a restaurant and it was great!
We also love hanging out outside, but we’ve been spending more time out front, versus the backyard because of mosquitos. I get bit so much 😹 Do y’all have that problem or have a good solution? We don’t have tons of standing water to remove but summers are so rainy in Ohio so it can get wet fast.
Taralynn McNitt says
That sounds delicious!!
We have bad mosquitos since we’re on the river, but we hired a service to spray! The huge citronella candles a Walmart are great an I have them all over my deck!
Emily says
I’ve started walking 2 miles before work (still working from home) every morning and it’s been great! Such a wonderful way to start the day. Plus, since I start work super early (6:30AM), I definitely beat the heat every day! We’ve also been enjoying our patio time and have found that putting marigolds in our hanging baskets have helped with the bugs immensely!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Emily!
That’s the perfect way to start the day 😊
I will have to add some marigolds to our pots! 💜
Ashton Jury says
Summer has been a bit gloomy here in SoCal. I love getting up early and enjoying my coffee while just going over emails, or looking at recipe inspiration on Pinteret. My goal is starting to do more walking in the morning while its cool. Juice recommendations from me is lots of greens, pineapple and I love adding matcha to it. Also not sure if you have a Nekter in the south but there pink foaming smoothie is another fav! I hope you’ll share more recipes I love them!
Taralynn McNitt says
Sometimes a nice morning walk can take away that gloom ♥️ We do have a Nekter here but still haven’t tried it out! I’ll have to try that smoothie!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Summer’s been great so far! Loving the weather, though it’s ridiculously humid here in Hong Kong! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Hope you’re staying cool!
Jenny says
So excited to see your recaps back in full force this wk! They inspire me to walk more, eat healthier, and savor the beautiful (but usually simple) pleasures in everyday life. Thanks Taralynn!
We kicked off summer with a local hike (kinda like your wine outing- it was in our state and we had it on a list of stuff to do but we are eagerly attacking some fun local day trips this summer following covid). We are hoping to do more local restaurants and hikes in lieu of our usual annual spring vacation redirecting some of the trip funds back to replenish savings account after buying our new place last winter and some of it to these local outings. Cannot wait to do more this summer!
In the morning this summer I have been trying to drink a full glass of water with lemon juice before dehydrating with my coffee. I also spend a few minutes in bed before I rise thinking about my day and what needs to be done and what I’m looking forward to so that I look forward to getting out of bed instead of complaining. Also when I’m not working I try to get outside and walk before the heat and humidity are rough and because it mentally puts me in the right frame of mind to have exercised and showered early in the day.
As for smoothies I am not the right person to ask. BUT I would suggest you keep finding time to add some of these tasty little recipes you’ve been cooking up to your site (especially as we learn to fuss with this pesky air fryer) and everything looks really good so I’m eager to recreate some of them here.
Hope you have a fantastic summer!
Taralynn McNitt says
Feels good to be back blogging!
The perfect way to kick off summer 😊
Mad says
Hi! Love your posts 🙂
What brand of air fryer do you have? Thanks!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks 😊 It’s DASH!
Mason says
Your patio is gorgeous! Will you film an exterior tour?
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you!! & YES!! 😃
Elisa says
Your juice making is goals!!!
Taralynn McNitt says
THANKS GIRL
Debbie says
Can you share how to make the cinnammon and sugar chips?
Taralynn McNitt says
Yup! Filmed the video/recipe over the weekend!
Katie B. says
Not really related to your post at all however, do you have any recommendations on running shorts for humid summer weather? I live in the midwest and try to run early before the day gets unbearable but the humidity makes my shorts stick!
Taralynn McNitt says
I absolutely love the New Balance brand running shorts. Also, look into “body glide” to help with the stick!
Jessie says
How do you make your air fryer salmon?
Taralynn McNitt says
I add some EBTB seasoning on top, honey, lime juice, avocado oil and cook it about 8 minutes at 410.
Jessie says
Thank you