Good morning, and happy Monday!
It’s currently 10:00 am, and I just got back from a four-mile walk with Leo. Kyle and I have been waking up at 5:30 every morning to walk Tux, but I want to make sure Leo still gets his long morning walks. Tux has been doing amazing on morning walks, and we’ve been adding more distance each time. He has to get into shape before we take him on the longer walks with Leo. I’ll feel safer taking him when it cools down a bit. The great thing is that Tux is running to the leash in the morning. We don’t have to pick him up anymore to go outside, and he’s excited about walking as a family. We still have to work hard and be patient about earning his trust, but you can tell we’re going to get there soon!
By the time we got back this morning, the temps were already at 85-degrees, and I had to take a cold shower before hopping on the couch to do the recap. I love summer, but I always feel like August is miserable when doing anything outside. Not only is it hot, but the humidity is unbearable. I may try to sneak to the pool later this evening, but for now, I’m content staying inside with the house at a comfortable 68-degrees.
After my morning walk with Leo, I made a yogurt parfait with homemade granola, fresh fruit, and peanut butter. I bounce back and forth between protein oats and yogurt parfaits. I spent most of Monday working on the computer catching up on emails, writing a few blogs, and getting sidetracked.
Later in the day, I went grocery shopping and then got the guest room ready for Meighan! I was so excited to see her because it had been since Christmas. My brother actually moved back to D.C. this past weekend, so I’ll get to see her more often when I visit him. D.C. is my favorite!!
Meighan was the first person other than the vet/groomer to meet Tux! He did so well. He actually left his bed and went up to her, which was incredible! We are slowly introducing him to things in the world, but we will probably do that more towards his first month here. He’s still settling in, and his constant routine has been such a help.
I know Meighan is a huge fan of salmon, so it was another excuse to make my favorite air-friend salmon recipe! I have the recipe on my TikTok and also have it on my Instagram reels. It’s the best way to make salmon at home, in my opinion!
We had a relaxing day on Tuesday! It finally stopped raining, so we did a trail walk, grabbed coffee at Starbucks, and headed to the pool for the afternoon! I packed some fresh fruit, sparkling water, and vegetables with hummus.
For dinner, we did my favorite sushi spot, Akahana! They have such a delicious menu, and the BOGO sushi rolls never disappoint.
We took Tux to the vet for a second check-up on Wednesday morning. His ears are looking better, and we put him on a new medicine to help with everything that’s left of the infection. We also got a new mousse to put on his coat to help with his skin infection. He gained 1.5 pounds (yay!) and is doing better each day. We will take him back in a month to get his skin checked and do another round of deworming to be extra safe.
That afternoon, the end tables we ordered back in January finally came in! We’re still waiting on the matching coffee table but hoping it comes next week. I really like how they look! I wanted something easy to keep clean and something modern and minimal.
Wednesday afternoon, Meighan and I went for a trail walk in the neighborhood. It was actually so nice out, so we took advantage of the weather. We also headed back to the pool for a few hours to cool down.
We headed to Knowledge Perk for coffee later in the afternoon. I ordered an iced americano with oat milk. We walked around the Mercantile next door for a bit and then headed back to the house to relax before going out to dinner with our friends.
I got Meighan hooked on one of my favorite books, The Invention of Wings! Speaking of Books, my order should be in today! Hello, August book club 😃
We all met up at The Fish Market in Baxter Village. It’s one of my favorite spots! It looks like a big white cottage with a white picket fence, and it has a ton of outdoor seating. This was the first time seeing each other since December. We were excited about celebrating everything going on in each other’s lives.
The food is ALWAYS good.
We started with the fried green tomatoes and the stuffed oysters.
I ordered my favorite, the Market Green Salad with blackened salmon! It comes with mixed greens, goat cheese, berries, pickled red onions, spiced pecans, and a white balsamic vinaigrette. It’s so good and fresh!
We ended dinner with the flourless s’mores brownie to celebrate Caitlin’s birthday. It was one of the best desserts I’ve had! We all headed over to Grapevine to sit down and chat more after dinner!
I was up bright and early for a walk with Tux and Leo! I love ending our walks with coffee on the porch when it’s still a bit cooler outside. The sun rises in the backyard, and it’s so pretty to watch it shine through the trees. I feel so relaxed after taking some time outside before starting the day.
I headed to the airport later in the morning to drop off Meighan. I was sad to see her go, but I know I’ll be able to see her very soon with upcoming trips to D.C.
He’s the cutest little sleeper ever!
I spent the rest of the day working on my travel guide to Scottsdale. I am SO CLOSE to finishing! I got sidetracked when the photographer sent over our rehearsal dinner photos. Also, she texted me this morning to let me know that our photos are in for the wedding, but it’s killing me not to look! I know I can’t until my work is done, or my day will be over! 😆
But the Scottsdale guide with OFFICIALLY is up on Wednesday! It’s ready to go.
On Thursday night, I made cod in the air fryer. I make it the same way I make my salmon. It’s so tasty, and I need to start eating it more often! We get our fish at Whole Foods or Earth Fare, but only when it’s wild-caught. On Friday night, I made air-fried buffalo cauliflower wings from Birdseye! I was SHOCKED at how restaurant-style these tasted! I’m adding these to my regular grocery list. I put habanero ranch on top, and it was amazing!
I headed out to do a sunset shoot later that evening! I know I mention photography now and then on here, but I’ve been really diving into it as a side thing lately. I love getting creative without it being for the blog or my social media.
On Saturday morning, Kyle and I headed to Z Bakery in Fort Mill for brunch. I had wanted to try this spot out for a while but never got around to it. Now that I’ve tried it out, I will be back more often! It’s an adorable spot tucked back into the downtown. They have the cutest outdoor seating in the back, and the menu is huge! I loved the coffee, and the prices are so affordable.
Kyle ordered a grilled chicken cranberry salad, and I ordered a sausage and egg breakfast croissant. I wanted something decadent, and I knew he’d help me eat it. I also ordered a berry yogurt parfait. The blueberry cream cheese puff was one of the best-tasting desserts! 😋 The food and experience were amazing, and I highly recommend trying it out if you’re local!
After working on the yard and catching up on house stuff, I made some salmon and veggies for dinner! I’m on that salmon kick right now, and there is no stopping me.
Kyle and I have wanted to try more local spots on the weekends, so we chose to try out Olive’s Mud Puddle. I’m kicking myself because I have walked past this place many times and had no idea it was a coffee shop. Please don’t make the mistake I did! Go in there and get yourself a cup of coffee, or sign up for a pottery class. I had an oat milk cappuccino, and it was phenomenal! One of the best local cups of coffee I’ve had. I can’t wait to visit there in the fall for some pumpkin spice. I also ordered a zucchini spice muffin, and it was also delicious. It has me in the mood to make my own this week.
After our coffee trip, we headed to the pool to relax before the afternoon crowd arrived. We usually only stay about an hour before getting bored. I’ve been hooked on this lemon tea Spindrift sparkling water! 😋 I don’t know what it is, but I cannot do the pool without something fizzy to drink. For dinner, yep, you guessed it! We had salmon again. I promise I’ll change it up this week 😆 I made a vegetable medley for the side with a tossed salad. Now, it’s time to look through my wedding photos! AHHH, excited for the wedding blogs coming up.
Questions for you!
- What is your favorite poolside treat?
- Do you visit local coffee shops frequently?
- What is one dinner you’ve been hooked on?
Jennifer says
Ahh! So glad she could come visit. Feels SO GOOD to be able to travel and see everyone again!!
I need to try that salmon ASAP. I love salmon and the air fryer seems so easy!
Yay book club!!! Can’t wait to join in again in a couple months when school is done!
Taralynn says
Definitely ♥️
OHHH the salmon is my weakness right now!! 😋
Taylor C says
Hi Taralynn! Fellow Charlottean here. Where did you get the half and half spindrift?? I am obsessed with the regular lemon ones.
Taralynn says
Harris Teeter! 🙂
Peggy says
My favorite poolside treat is an orange push-up…very retro.
Yes! I love a good local coffee shop!..I just had the best coffee outside of Seattle that I have ever had on our vacation trip to Orange Beach. Delicious!
We have been grilling our dinners a lot lately, South Louisiana is hot right now, but to tell you the truth by 5 o’clock I like to be outside grilling…it gives me a break from air conditioning constantly blowing on me!
So glad your recap posts are back, It adds a little something special to my Mondays!
Taralynn says
Ohhh love how you roll!
I need to know the name of this coffee shop just in case I’m ever out there!
😊 thanks for stopping by to comment! Always makes recaps more fun!
And there is NOTHING better than grilled food! 😋
Harriet says
Oh the photos of tux and Leo are so cute. Love your updates on his progress. It’s always great when friends come to stay! I was meant to be heading to a wedding in Australia with my friends to see our other friend get married, and we just got another 8weeks travel ban so we will miss it’s so gutting.
La Croix & fresh fruit are always a must by the pool or beach for me. We are pretty lucky to live in a town with lots of amazing coffee shops, we usually pick a different one each weekend for a catch up with friends. Fresh snapper in a light GF crumb with a citrus salad has been on repeat at our place it’s so good. Hope you have a great week!
Taralynn says
Thanks, Harriet! ♥️
Gosh, hopefully, you guys can get back to traveling and seeing each other soon!
Oh my that sounds so good!!! I haven’t had snapper in a long time. It’s so hard to find here!
Valerie says
Your homemade cauliflower wings look absolutely delicious Taralynn. Do you have a recipe for those on the blog? Love the photos of the dogs. 🙂
Poolside I usually like Iced tea. I made homemade Vietnamese summer rolls last night and liked them so much I’m going to make them again, their just so fresh and healthy!!
Taralynn says
Hi, Valerie! They’re not homemade, but actually the Birdseye brand! I just put them in my air fryer and added habanero ranch from tessemaes!
ohhhh that sounds amazing !
Ashton says
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS POST! Thank you for keeping us updated on TUX, and super excited for more DC Trips I always loved those posts, it’s so nice to have people to visit in other cities. I love a good fizzy treat by the pool with some fresh cut fruit like watermelon, pineapple and grapes. I need to make some salmon but I have been hooked on making my own low carb fried rice using frozen riced cauliflower and adding shrimp! I’ve also been making my own spicy crab rollups. Can’t wait to read more recipes & recaps!
Sami says
Hey you look like @samanthaswanson1 on TikTok! 😊