Good morning, everyone!
Can you believe August is almost over? Only a few more weeks until Fall begins! I have yet to grab anything pumpkin until the first day of fall. I’m soaking up the summer days, even though it’s so hot right now. At least the mornings are tolerable for walks and the evenings are tolerable for sitting outside with the dogs.
Ever since getting home from the honeymoon, I have been taking a lot of time to myself. 2021 was one of the most rollercoaster years with all of its ups and downs. I know the blogs haven’t been that exciting, and I have so much to catch up on, but I’m putting my mental health and family first. Instead of spending a lot of time behind a computer screen editing recipes or recaps, I’ve been reading, walking the dogs, organizing the house, and spending my time with family and friends. I will use the Fall for diving back into it, but I’ve so needed this little break to process all of the good and bad emotions of 2021. One of my favorite parts of the day is when Kyle and I sit outside with the dogs after dinner. Everything is just so peaceful. This is the part of summer I’m going to miss!
I have not missed one morning walk with Leo! We always get up around five to take Tux for a walk and let them play in the backyard, and after my coffee, I take Leo for a 3-4 mile walk just as the sun rises. It’s the most beautiful time of day, and the weather is still in the low 70’s!
I had a photoshoot to do early Monday morning after dropping Kyle’s mom off at the airport, but after that, I came home and had a banana and nut parfait!
On Tuesday, I headed to the Fish Market for lunch with my neighbor, and it’s tradition to always end our lunch with chocolates from the shop next door.
On Wednesday, I worked on baking my mom a lemon cake for her birthday! SHE LOVES LEMON, and I used another Sally’s Baking Addiction recipe because she’s the best.
I made bourbon salmon, coconut shrimp, brussels sprouts, salad, and roasted red potatoes for dinner!
The cake turned out so good! My mom and even my dad, who hates lemon, loved the cake. I have been obsessed with making cakes lately, and today I get to make a Frozen-themed one! We had the best night ever celebrating her birthday!
On Thursday morning, after my walk, I made a spinach, ginger, mango, banana, almond milk, and vanilla plant-based protein smoothie! 😋
On Friday night, Kyle and I headed to Lowes to pick up all the materials for our upstairs board and batten project. We have been putting off our upstairs for so long, but finally getting to it. We are adding a board and batten to this loft area which will be used for a hangout/movie room. We finally picked out a couch! We tried out so many samples, but my favorite has been the “Filmy Green” by Sherwin Williams! I think we will be going with that.
For dinner, we did Udi’s pizza, air-fried salmon, and salads!
On Sunday morning after my walk, I got ready and headed over to Caitlins with some gluten-free donuts for a girl’s brunch. It was so nice for all of us to catch up and to see Caitlin after her surgery! We ended our weekend with an evening show and Chopt salads for dinner! ♥️
I hope you all have the best week!
Questions for you!
- Do you ever need a break for your mental health?
- Have you purchased anything pumpkin yet?
- What is a tradition you look forward to each day?
Jennifer says
Yes and I’m so glad that you’re taking one for YOU!
No, but I don’t like pumpkin (don’t hate me lol). I’m more of an apple/apple cider girl!
Checking on my houseplants brings me joy lol
Taralynn says
Thank you, Jennifer!♥️
HA no hate at all! Honestly, I didn’t like pumpkin spice until later in life! Apple Cider is amazing, too!!!
Kristen says
I stopped reading your recaps for a bit but I recently got back into it & forgot how much I love them! I purchased a fall candle at Aldi last weekend but no pumpkin yet!
No traditions now but my fiancé & I recently bought our first home. (We currently in a small condo) we will finally have a yard for our lab mix 1 yr old dog & I can’t wait to have my morning coffee in the yard on fall mornings!!!!
Taralynn says
Hi, Kristen!
Glad to have you back ♥️ I didn’t know Aldi had candles! I better go check those out.
AMAZING! Congrats ♥️ That is so exciting!
Milena says
Hi Taralynn! I could identify so much with your today´s blog! I´ve been doing the same for the last few weeks – less social media and less stressing out about people I should meet or any other kind of commitments. I slowed down, spent much more time at home reading books or seeing only my closest friends and it feels good 🙂
I am excited for the new month to start!
Big hug <3
Taralynn says
Hi, Milena!
I love that we’re on the same page right now. It feels good to take a little break, especially before the busy seasons start! ♥️
Kelsey W. says
Hi Taralynn! There’s nothing wrong with taking some “me” time, it’s wonderful that you’re able to recognize when it’s time to step back and take a break 🙂 I feel like I’m approaching the same kind of crossroad in my life. It’s starting to appear that I may have endometriosis so I’m starting to re-evaluate A LOT of things in my life as this is really starting to take a toll on my physical and mental health.
As I sit here sipping an iced pumpkin coffee with almond milk from Dunkin… lol YES I have begun the pumpkin craze! What’s funny is that I had volunteers in my garden this year and they were pumpkins!! I let them grow and was able to pick the first one last week and it is now sitting on my porch. So I like to think since this pumpkin was ready for its debut, I am ready for all-things pumpkin lol!
My new daily tradition is sitting out in the chicken coop with my 3 new hens when I get home from work. It’s so funny watching them interact with each other while learning their unique personalities. The one has been laying a blue egg every day!
I hope you have a great week! Thank you for always being the light for me when I need it most. xoxo Kelsey
Taralynn says
Hi, Kelsey!
Oh I can relate to this so much, and I know how painful it can be. No matter what, make sure you find the doctor that takes the time to listen to you and help you find solutions. So many times I had doctors hardly listen and scoot me out the door as quickly as they could. ♥️
OH MY GOSH! I think it’s so cool you grew a pumpkin. I want to do that next year for sure!! I don’t know why pumpkins intimidate me lol
I’m still trying to convince Kyle to let me get a chicken coop 😆 it’s not working! I may need to come visit just so I can get my chicken fix!
♥️ stay strong and if you ever need someone to vent to about endo and all that, I’m here!
Ashton says
Love your recaps, and that lemon cake looks delicious! I totally understand taking me time for your mental health. I know for me working in healthcare through all of 2020 and into 2021 I hardly see people just because I need my own space and time to process everything. Speaking of pumpkin I got a pumpkin cold brew from Starbucks this morning and I heard all the pumpkin stuff is dropping at Trader Joes on the 7th!
Taralynn says
Hi, Ashton!
I hope you’re also taking care of yourself, especially after these past few years working in healthcare! What a crazy time.
OH MY GOSH! I’ll be going to Trader Joe’s for sure then!!!
Phoenix says
1. Yes! This month of September I am extremely stressed at work & also the 2 week trial for the person who held me captive & assaulted me & my daughter is going ahead… very traumatic & stressful time. Taking time out from non-essential life stuff has been crucial
2. It’s almost spring here in Aus… and I’m seeing it as a new beginning in my life after the poopy year so far!! I’ve been buying flowers to signify this
3. I start my day with exercise, a run, a walk, strength training something.. it clears my mind & makes me feel good & sets a positive tone at the beginning of my day
Taralynn says
Hi, Phoenix
I am so sorry to hear that you’re going through this. I will keep you in my prayers ♥️ I can’t imagine how scary this is for the both of you. Stay strong!
Please take care of yourself. Thinking of you! xo
Ashley says
I LOVE that you’re prioritizing your mental health – that will always pay off! And you know all of your loyal readers will still be super excited to read your posts any time, it’s more than okay to spend time doing things you love. 🙂 The lemon cake looks delicious and so happy your mom loved it! All of your food looks delicious. I have to try the air fried salmon soon!
Make Life Marvelous