My friend Katie Q and her husband are relocating from Pennsylvania to California.  When she first shared the news with me, she explained they would be moving out separately due to work conflicts.  When she said she would be driving her car across the country she threw in “Do you want to come?”  It took me about 30 seconds to respond with a resounding YES!

I love my life.

It has not been easy all of the time, but I have been fortunate in so many ways.  It is far from a “perfect” story, but it is all mine… good and bad choices… and I am happy to be living it.  I am happy for my curiosity and my willingness to try new things.

It has been a hot, humid, intermittently rainy week.  Thunderstorms have danced around the homestead.  Any outside activity results in clothes being wet and clingy with even minimal movement.  The garden likes it, and friends have reported they have happy gardens too.

What to do on a sticky summer day?

The garden has been doing well in the hot summer weather.  When the rain has missed us, we have kept up with evening or early morning watering with the hose.  Fortunately, we have a good water supply. 

The zucchini and summer squash have been particularly impressive.  I have learned that we do not need many plants to get a good harvest.  This year, I only put in three of each plant.  They have spread out to almost four feet across and almost three feet high.  They are producing some beautiful veggies!

After slug-day this week, I decided I needed to be more forgiving with myself, and go with the flow.  I also had a burning desire to bake something.  It is funny how my mood can affect how and what I think about food.

Disclaimer:  This is NOT about health food! 

The summer weather has made for interesting times for garden maintenance.  I am grateful for the past few days as the rains eliminated the chore of watering in the evenings.

The garden had a slow start this year.  After Hubby got the tilling done, including mixing in the fertilizers, I got to planting.  Our garden consists of tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, cucumbers, green beans, zucchini and yellow squash, and a horseradish patch which will finally be ready for harvest this fall.  I put in just a few cauliflower plants as an experiment as I have never grown it before.

Since starting the journey as a personal trainer, and now nutritional coach, I get asked many questions.  The most frequent one is “I want to lose weight… what should I eat?” I ask myself that question all of the time.

It is not easy for me to stick to healthy eating 100% of the time.  Over the past few weeks there have been many summer picnics full of great food.  I am quick to sample everything… maybe more than once!  The most important step for me…

Hit the “reset” button.

I love “Do It Yourself” (DIY) projects.

This past weekend, my oldest niece, Katie, came to stay overnight at the homestead.  She loves to stay here and we love to have her.  One of her favorite things to do is create via craft projects.  I watched her and remembered my own childhood.

I am a creature of habit.  I like my routines.  They give me a sense of security.  Like anyone, I like variety as well.  Stir it up a bit.  However, returning to my routines gives me a sense of comfort… like being home.

I find myself getting into a routine with food.

I have the same breakfast and lunch nearly every day. 

This weekend, one of my nieces celebrates her 6th birthday.  Tradition in our family is that Mum prepares a dinner of choice.  My job is to provide a sweet treat.  The usual request is for white cake.  My niece has requested a white cake.  Specifically, she requested “kitty cat cake”.

Oh boy.