Hello, and welcome to another Monday morning recap blog. Every time I write one of these, I think about how quickly time flies by, and the baby will be here so soon. Women are not joking when they say the final weeks are the slowest and most uncomfortable. I will take this physical discomfort over the first-trimester sickness any day though. The crazy part is that even though I’m uncomfortable, my brain has me wanting to organize, clean, cook, garden, was, and constantly move. I’m having such a hard time sitting still. I’ll go work on some projects until I can’t go any longer, and then I can finally sit down in peace. I guess this is what they call “nesting.” I have a few plants to put into the ground today, but then I’m going to force myself to sit on the couch, work on some emails, and relax.
Each morning, I make a cup of coffee and try to sit out on the patio with the boys while they run around. I love getting the vitamin D, and with all of the flowers blooming and leaves changing, it boosts my mood. I’m sitting outside right now, and it’s supposed to be 80-degrees today! I love this weather.
While writing last week’s recap blog, I had avocado toast with eggs, bell pepper, tomato, and a side of fresh fruit. I’ve been obsessed with the pineapple and watermelon tubs from Publix. It’s always so ripe.
As I finished up my hospital bag packing, I decided to make a little DIY bag for the baby. I wanted to put their swaddles, outfits, and the things the hospital gives us in their bag. I thought it was so cute, and I had to add the puppy.
My hospital bag blog will be going live on Wednesday!
After my walk on Tuesday morning, I made some delicious oatmeal protein pancakes! The recipe is so simple. You throw all the ingredients into the blender and cook them up like regular pancakes! I added some blueberries to mine.
My flowers love the rainwater! I had a Greek salad for lunch on Tuesday. I cannot get enough of them! Here’s my recipe. I felt so bad for Tux on Tuesday afternoon. We had a mighty thunderstorm, and the tornado sirens were going off. Leo and I sat with him because he was shaking, but luckily, the weather eased up, and he was back to his happy self!
On Wednesday, I spent my morning spraying the aphids off my climbing roses and treating them with Neem Oil. I had no issues with aphids last year, but something has to attack the garden! Last year, it was the Japanese Beatles. The good thing is that the ladybugs are out in full force, and they’ve been helping me. Each morning, I spray them off with the hose and add a new neem oil coat. I’m hoping they haven’t ruined my roses! They’ve been looking so healthy along the fence line.
My mom and I had Tea Cay Deli for lunch. I had their Carolina on a wheat bagel with added bacon (instead of turkey) and cream cheese! I told Kyle this is the sandwich (plus turkey) I want after giving birth or coming home from the hospital 😆 I have one more corner of the house that needs flowers, so I picked up some petunias, lantana, and dahlias. I plan to put those into the ground this morning.
Leo always loving on Grandma!
For dinner, I made a cheddar and vegetable omelet. It was delicious!
I did a lot of baking on Thursday!
Remember the lemons I had been growing for the past two years? They finally turned yellow, and I finally picked them! I turned them into the most delicious lemon olive oil cake! It was so good that Kyle had me make another one this weekend because he couldn’t stop eating it.
For dinner, I had a shrimp greek salad! 😋
On Friday, I had my weekly date with my friend! We love trying out new coffee shops. We tried out Unwind Tea & Coffee in Pineville, and it was amazing! I had their basil and tomato avocado toast on multigrain bread, a lavender lemonade, oat milk matcha latte, and picked up some desserts to take home. Everything tasted fantastic! I cannot wait to go back. The peanut butter cookie was a 10/10.
For dinner, I had leftover salad and leftover avocado toast on top. We started watching The Dropout on Hulu, and it’s pretty good so far! We had plans to go to the Artisan Market on Saturday morning, but I was uncomfortable. I just wanted to stick around the house. I made some avocado toast and a smoothie for breakfast. My smoothie had a Dole fruit packet, Orgain vanilla plant protein powder, two dates, almond milk, and granola on top. I decided to make some yummy wraps to keep in the house for the weekend. I’ll have that recipe up on the blog tomorrow! I had a holiday closet and pantry I needed to clean out over the weekend. I picked up a ton of containers at Target and got to work. I wish I had done a before and after photo. I organized the containers by holiday, party supplies, and random things I had in there. It’s so much easier to navigate, and I love knowing where everything is at! This was just the start. I’ll get an updated, organized photo today! Wraps and fresh fruit for dinner! On Sunday morning, I finished up the pantry organization. It feels good to have all of my baking things put into containers and not lying on random shelves!
One thing I started drinking this past week is a “pregnancy tea.” It has pineapple juice, pineapples, lemon, water, a date, and raspberry leaf tea. I like it cold, so I let the tea brew out in the sun for about six hours and then pour it over ice. It’s pretty refreshing!
On Sunday afternoon, I made another lemon olive oil cake! I keep it in a container in the fridge, and we have it with the vegan Truwhip. I’m obsessed with that stuff! It tastes so good.
Leo waiting on his best friend next door to bring him treats. It’s the cutest thing in the world!
I woke up to my raspberry shortcake bush producing raspberries this morning! I may have to do what I did with the lemons and make an entire blog post with a recipe dedicated to them 😂
And one more thing before I go…if you follow me on Instagram, you saw what happened last night. After nine months of living with Tux, HE FINALLY worked up the courage to walk up the stairs last night. Kyle opened the bedroom door before falling asleep, and we couldn’t believe we were looking at Tux sitting there in the hallway. We were so so so proud of him. We made him a bed in our room for the night, and Kyle went downstairs to grab some hotdog treats to reward him. We are still in shock that he did it. He has been afraid of those stairs for so long! Even if we walk up the stairs, he runs away from them. He’s making so many incredible strides.
Questions for you!
- What should I make with my raspberries?
- Do you like organizing?
- Are you finally getting spring weather where you live?
Kristen C says
I’m so proud of Tux!!!!
You should make: raspberry sorbet!!!!
I’m not an organized person at all! But I realized I have no plans this weekend and was thinking of things I could do around the house. Maybe organize the fridge or scrub the grease build up on the cabinet above the stove….yuck but it needs it!!!
I’m in Chicago and the weather is still all over the place. 70 degrees tomorrow and 40 degrees this weekend ugh…
Taralynn says
Same here! 😊 He’s getting so brave!
Ohhh what a fun idea and so easy to do!
A fridge cleanout is always so rewarding in the end. I did it a few months ago and it’s crazy how many spills and crumbs are hiding on the shelves!
Natasha says
In Poland, we make raspberry syrup. You keep it in the jar and bottle and is great for colder days. You just mix it with hot water and drink like a tea. It also has a lot of antioxidants and is great if you are sick. I’ve been quietly following you for couple of years now and always enjoy reading hour blog. Is always so happy and refreshing. I wish you good luck with the arrival of your baby. Is going to be a big change for you and your husband but you going to love every second of it 🥰 We have 4 year old boy and he is our sunshine ☺️
Taralynn says
Oh wow! That sounds amazing.
We are so excited for the change and have been so ready for parenthood 😊 I cannot wait!
Kaylin says
Hey Taralynn! Love reading your weekly recaps. You are so right about time moving quickly. I have a 5 and 3-year-old and I feel like they were babies just yesterday. 😭
Taralynn says
Oh gosh! I know this time is going to fly by so I’ll be soaking it all in.
Madeline says
What should I make with my raspberries? Lemon raspberry bars 🤤
Do you like organizing? I don’t enjoy doing it but I LOVE the result of doing it.
Are you finally getting spring weather where you live? Yes! And I’m so happy 💙
Taralynn says
Ohhh that would be delicious!
Yay, so happy you’re getting the spring weather! Definitely boosts the mood!
Valerie says
Awww how sweet of Tux to finally go upstairs, he must really feel safe in your home -so glad you adopted him. 🙂 Looking forward to the homemade wrap recipe.
Taralynn says
He keeps going up and down the stairs on his own now. It just took him one time to get the courage and now he’s obsessed with the stairs 😆 He’s so fun and always unpredictability! xo xo
Chrissy says
These last few weeks of pregnancy are so hard but SO worth it! It’s a whole new world once your baby is here but I know you’re ready for it. I’ve been following your blog (I don’t do social media) for many years and I just love your lifestyle. Wishing you the best!
Taralynn says
Thank you, Chrissy! 💜
Lindsey says
Oh my gosh yes nesting can be intense! I was 9 months pregnant and past my due date and I had everything done, organized, and ready to go (because I’d been at it like a crazy person). The very last thing I needed were a couple replacement knobs for the baby’s dresser. I remember telling my mom THE BABY CAN’T COME UNTIL THE KNOBS ARE ON! It’s such a weird, intense feeling that everything has to be complete and perfect.
1. Raspberry crumble bars or raspberry chocolate mousse?
2. I LOVE organizing and being organized. My brain feels chaotic when my surroundings aren’t organized.
3. Our spring will come mid-May. It’s still very much winter in Alaska.
I love your blog so much. I’ve been reading it for so many years! Have a great week!
Taralynn says
Hi, Lindsey!
Hahaha, I feel that!! We won’t be using much of the nursery for the first months since the baby will be in our room, but I’m getting anxious about the roller shades not arriving yet! 😂
Ohhh I love the idea of making a mousse!
All you had to say was “Alaska” and I knew you’d be in cold temps still lol but I bet it’s so beautiful! I hope to visit Alaska one day!
Thanks for stopping by 😊
Shelby says
I’m sure it doesn’t feel like it for you, but I feel like your pregnancy has flown by! I can’t imagine how excited you and Kyle are, and I’m also do happy you advocate for adopting dogs. Tux has found the perfect home and I’m so glad you took him in!
Taralynn says
In a way, it has felt like that but then some days I feel like it’s been forever! 😆
Oh gosh we love that boy so much and he’s totally changed our lives!
Jordan P. says
1. Raspberries + cream! Just those two things!
2. I only like organizing when I’m in the mood for it – then there’s no stopping me.
3. Im in North Dakota and we are getting a spring blizzard of 24-36in of snow! 🙁
Yay Tux!!
Taralynn says
A blizzard?! ahhh no!! I’m sure it’ll be beautiful but hoping you get that spring weather soon!!!
Oh you and me both! Once I’m in organizing mode I can’t stop!
Kelly says
Speaking of baking…. I have to tell you that I made your sugar cookie bars a few months ago and your banana bread bars this week. OH MY GOSH SO GOOD!
My roommate told me the sugar cookie bars tasted like a Crumbl cookie (high praise!) I brought in the banana bread bars to work and people could not stop raving about them! Definitely keeping those recipes. I’m planning to try out the lemon olive oil cake for Easter, I can’t wait!
Taralynn says
AHHHH I love hearing that!!! What a great compliment 😊 Thank you for sharing!! & You’ll have to let me know what you think of the lemon cake!!