Happy Tuesday!
I talk about this every year. It’s the dog days of summer, and I’m feeling it. Every single August, I get myself into a rut. I feel unrested, I feel unmotivated, and I start feeling so blah. It’s like clockwork every year. All I’ve wanted to do is hang out with the dogs, bake, go on walks, and stay off the internet. This is why I haven’t been posting. Every time I get on my computer, I find something else to do. My new 1969 film camera arrived in the mail this morning, but I told myself I am NOT ALLOWED to play with it until I get this recap up. I also have some recipes to share, some travel blogs to catch up on, and some pre-fall gardening posts. I know I’ll find motivation here soon! Does anyone else feel the same way during the dog days of summer?
One thing I’ve been doing a lot of lately is baking! I’ve become obsessed with Sally’s Baking Addiction blog. Every time I make one of her recipes, they come fantastic. I decided to use up some apples I had in the house and made apple crumble cake. I also made the leftover batter into cupcakes. It was seriously delicious! I brought some over to the neighbors to enjoy as well.
I’ve been trying my best this year to keep the flowers alive. We had a super mild winter last year, which made bug season awful! The Japanese beetles and aphids have made their way through the entire neighborhood. I’m hoping we have a freezing winter and that my flowers come back stronger next year! It’s been work keeping them alive and blooming this summer. Now, my zinnias have been incredible! I’ll be writing a blog about them and talking about which seeds to plant for next year.
Another reason I haven’t been writing a lot because all I want to do is hang out with Tux and Leo! It’s just so hard not to go out and play, walk them, or sit and pet him. He’s officially lifting his leg now when you reach for his belly, and it melts my heart. If you haven’t seen the video of him wagging his tail and putting his hands on Kyle yet, please head to my Tux highlight on my Instagram! You’ll be in tears! It’s the sweetest thing. He’s settling into his new home better than we could have hoped for.
Remember a few months back when I planted sunflower seeds? Well, they’re blooming! I was really proud of my very first sunflower. Noo=w that I know I can grow them successfully, I’ll be planting rows of them behind my house next year. This year was definitely a trial and error for planting.
We’ve been keeping our routine with Tux by walking him in the mornings. He’s starting to get used to all the noises around us, and he LOVES the trails. If we are on the main sidewalk, he’ll pull us near the trail. 
Now that it’s “fake fall” season and the weather drops to around 65-degrees in the mornings, I like to sit outside and read while the dogs play. I finished B.A. Paris’s book “The Therapist” last week, and it was amazing. I absolutely loved the twist at the end! I wait impatiently for her books to be released.
The past few days, all we’ve been eating is salmon or tilapia in the air fryer! It’s so good and easy to make. I have the recipe on my TikTok and my Instagram Reels.
And yes, that’s Tux sitting in the living room!!
Last weekend, I spent the morning organizing my closet and getting rid of more items! Back when I lived in the townhome, I had THREE closets filled with my stuff. Now, this is all that I own. Life is less stressful this way. Putting laundry away is so much easier now. If I want something new, I have to get rid of something I have.
Tilapia and roasted veggies in the air fryer! 😋
Tux has been SO PLAYFUL in the mornings! He makes these crying sounds, gets in his pounce pose, and runs around like a crazy dog! We love it! 
This post is just filled with happy Tux moments! He’s our whole world right now. 
Photos from Tux’s very first hike! He did so well.
He’s more confident on the trail than on sidewalks. I think he likes how quiet it is. He was brave and jumped up on the rocks by the water, and he looked so mesmerized. I have a feeling this was his first time seeing a big body of water. Showing him the world has been the best part. 
On Saturday evening, I took some engagement photos for a friend! I rode my bike out in the spot earlier in the day to check out the lighting/surrounding.
I’m glad I finally got the tires fixed on my bike because it’s been so fun to ride lately. I try to go early morning when it’s cooler outside. 
If you live in the Charlotte area, add Tega Cay Deli to your list! Kyle and I love this spot, and I can’t believe it took us so long to try it out. We got the Carolina sandwich with bacon on a wheat bagel. We also picked up their chicken salad and Italian pasta salad. We’ve already been back twice!
The weekend was full of hikes! We try to go really early in the morning, so it’s not too hot for them. Leo has been such a good brother showing Tux the ropes! If Tux seems afraid of something, we usually have Leo do it in front of him to show him that it’s safe. He was hesitant about the wood bridges until he saw Leo trot across them.
I’m back to my protein oat kick! I go back and forth between protein oats and yogurt parfaits. 
Kyle and I tried out MADO Paris in Rock Hill last Sunday for our coffee spot. We’ve been trying to go to a new place each week. We had the oat milk latte, and it was so good! They had amazing French desserts in there too. 
Last Sunday, I made chicken parm with cavatelli! I breaded the chicken with Italian bread crumbs, baked it, and topped it with tomato sauce, parmesan, basil, and garlic. I love easy 25-minute meals.
Some of you were shocked by this when I shared it on Instagram. I had Dairy Queen for the first time on Sunday! I had a mini Oreo and Butterfinger blizzard! IT WAS AMAZING!!! We had one growing up, but we never went there. I was always a McDonald’s McFlurry girl. Now, I get the hype! 
We stopped so I could see the horses on the way home. I’m so obsessed with these guys! 
Our furniture we ordered back in January FINALLY arrived! I LOVE IT.
Last Friday, I finished my book and ended the evening making some apple pie pastries with streusel on top.
A neighbor was looking for someone who could make a Cinderella cake for their daughter’s birthday party. Does anyone remember when I started blogging in 2010? I was obsessed with baking, and I still love it. I actually wanted that to be my career before blogging took off. I decided to break out my old baking tools, and I made this Cinderalla cake on Saturday morning! I kind of loveeeee how it turned out, and it was so fun to be back in my element! Kyle’s birthday is this weekend, so I’m going to make him a peanut butter drip cake. Stay tuned!
Look at Tux go!!!
Downtown Fort Mill now shuts down the streets during the weekends so that vendors and shops can bring their business to the main street! We loved walking around on Saturday afternoon. We had Chickpeasy on Wheels (my favorite) and some peanut butter gelato to end the perfect day! 
Waffle cone with peanut butter and cookies n cream geltao! 😋
The weather was amazing last week! Leo had so many two a day walks. It was in the low 70s during the evenings, so after dinner I took him for a few miles. 
On Sunday we did a fun little painting project! We decided to go with Illusive green for an accent wall. I’ll show more photos soon! 
It’s so cozy and warm! 
My boys! 
We ended the weekend with a donut and peach latte from Rock Hill Coffee Co. I love that we have different food trucks and vendors stop by the neighborhood! ♥️
I hope you all have an amazing weekend! I plan to find my motivation to get regular on this blog soon. ♥️ It’s just a different season for me!
Questions for you!
- Do you ever go through ruts?
- How’s the weather where you live?
- What is one thing you’ve been trying to make time for on the weekends?
1. Glad to see you’re back on the protein oats kick. It took me so long to try your oatmeal “hack” for added protein because it honestly didn’t sound appetizing but I’ve now been hooked on it for over a year!
2. Tux’s pictures and progress stories are so heartwarming! I love that you’ve taken him in and I love that you’re sharing the message behind dog breading and those cruel practices. So many people simply don’t know how those cute little puppies come to be made.
3. I love your blog and have been reading along for over a decade 🙂 The ads and pop-ups on the page have become really distracting. I know this is a big revenue source for you, but anything you can do to trim down the ad and filler space and allow more space for pictures and blog content would be much appreciated!
xo
Hi, Brittany!
They’re so good! 😋 and filling.
We are just so so so so in love with TUX!!!
I will chat with my ad company about that. ♥️
1. I do get stuck in ruts! I’m in one right now in fact and feel I have had more since COVID started.
2. I’m in Ontario Canada and it is going to be 42 degrees Celsius (107F) today. It’s been like this most of the summer and we’ve had a lot of wild fires, so it’s super hot and the air quality is low. Makes walking our dog so difficult!
3. Trying to make time to clean! I used to be the queen of clean but since bringing our dog home 5 months ago there’s been so little time for a really deep clean.
Question for you! What type of collar is Tux wearing? It has a chain and a regular collar it looks like. Looks like exactly what I’ve been wanting, but have no idea what it’s called!
Hi, Lauren!
Yeah, it’s definitely tough! Hopefully, things let up soon. That weather is hot!!!
I will link the collar! It’s great because they donate a collar every time you purchase one.
https://amzn.to/3lTMxeT
I just love all the photos of your sweet boys! Tux looks so happy.
Oh yes, I can relate to feeling in a rut. While this summer has been flying by, our weather has been so hot compared to normal. We have had heat advisories so many times. Yesterday it felt like 106 and then we get nasty storms later in the day due to the high humidity.
We always make time to hang out on the weekends…whether that’s a gym session, long walks, grocery shopping together, going to a movie or just hanging out at home – the weekends are OUR time to catch up and relax!! I always look forward to them.
Hope Kyle has a great birthday….my daughter turns 15 today! Those LEOS are something else. 🙂
Hi, Pamela!
Thank you 😊
gosh, 106!!! so hot!! Hopefully, you get some cooler weather soon.
HAHA tell me about it!!!! Literally, everyone in my family seems to be a LEO! Even LEO! 🐾
Happy birthday to your daughter!
I can’t believe my 2 favorite women bloggers are in the same spot. I love Sally 🙂 every recipe is right on and same with you! Her cookbooks are awesome too – I make tons from her Sally’s Cookie Addiction every holiday. Makes me happy!!
1) sometimes I’m always in a rut but it’s been career lately. Digging out of that now – light is ahead!!!
2) it’s hot as heck in PA! AC for me
3) We try to walk our pup more and watch a good movie here & there. Watched Empty Man last weekend – pretty creepy 🙂
Hi, Amy!
Seriously they are so good. I bought her cookbooks on Amazon!
I’m so happy there is light ahead! Keep focussing on that.
ohhh i’ll have to check that out!
Hi Taralynn!
I definitely go through ruts. For me it is usually during February and March. Although, the weather where we live as been around 100 degrees and soooo humid that I can’t help but thinking life would be so much easier without this heat! (haha!). I am in Nebraska and I’m so ready for fall. My dogs will enjoy the better walking weather too.
I have to say that you have inspired me! On the weekends I try to get my dogs walked in the morning while it is still cool and then make myself a cup of coffee and read for a little while when we get home. It’s so easy for me to just jump into chore mode on the weekend, but taking it easy first thing in the morning is such a nice change! Thanks for the inspo!!!
Take care!
-Amanda
Hi, Amanda!
I agree! 😊 The weather is so hot for the dogs! We have to get up so early for walks. I’m excited for 70’s weather!
I am so happy you’re taking that time for yourself on the weekends! It just sets the tone for the day!
xo xo xo
Taralynn, your front garden flowers look stunning! They’re so colorful and give me whimsical summer vibes – great job! Your new furniture also looks superb. I’m excited to see the paint project reveal.
I just moved to Cape Cod, and so on the weekends I’m making time to walk around my new neighborhood and go for a swim with my partner in the ocean!
Thank you!!!!!! ♥️ OMG you moved to Cape Cod??? ahhhh my dream.
1. Oh I am so in a rut! Usually I keep myself busy through the day especially during my daughters naps but the past two weeks I’ve literally just sat on the couch and watched tv! And at night instead of doing laundry and preparing for the next day I continue watching tv! Doesn’t help that outerbanks is completely addicting.. but I need to break this. Trying to this week but so far not much progress..
2. It is so hot here. I think today is 98 with 3629363682 percent humidity. So ready for fall and cooler temps!
3. On the weekends I’ve been trying to get out of the house on my own while my husband watches our daughter. I’m a stay at home mom so time to myself is basically non existent!
Anyways happy to read your recap and am so happy to see tux doing well. Have a great rest of the week! 🙂
So this would be a bad time for me to give you some new addicting show recommendations? lol But for real i can relate! ugh.
I’m glad you’re taking some time for yourself!!! xo
Every Sunday we have family night dinner and I cannot wait to bake that apple crumble cake and bring it! It looks so delicious!!
I definitely find myself in ruts…especially around that time of the month. I appreciate how authentic and honest you are on your blog! You always inspire me.
I hope you enjoy your day!!
Hi, Anastasia
OMG It was so so so so good!!!! You’re going to love that recipe.
♥️ thank you for those kind words!
I feel ya, heat index is 108 here and this humidity makes me so tired and unmotivated! So ready for fall weather and all the fall things! That apple crumb dessert looks amazing and perfect for fall ! And can’t wait to see the pb drip cake !! Always enjoy your recaps!! 🙂
Gosh that is so hot!!
Hey Girl! Can I just say how happy I am about how great Tux is doing! You & Kyle are doing so great with him, and his progress is amazing! I love the video of him and Kyle playing and how well both he and Leo do on there walks!
I am definitely in a rutt this summer… I CAN’T WAIT for it to be fall, I am a true fall lover and EVERYTHING PUMPKIN & APPLES! I just want to bake, because my job has been so stressful with Covid being back on the rise.
I’m lucky that living by the beach it hasn’t been too hot, but its been a bit more humid then I am used too.
I have been trying to make time to take my pup on walks and or the dog park on my days off, I want her too get more socialized.
Hi, Ashton!
Thank you 😊 He is just doing things better and better each day!!! Last night, he slept on his back for the first time 😭
Sorry work has been stressful! 😭 hoping things get easier and fall comes faster!!!
Hi Taralynn!
1. I definitely do get into ruts! My main spot for ruts is food! I love cooking and experimenting but every few months I feel like I fall into the same 4 meals over and over again.
2. I’m in Idaho (Boise area) and it is hot here! Normally our triple digit heat only lasts about 2 weeks but currently we are on our 6 or 7th week of them! 😔 We are definitely ready for some fall weather! Hopefully this weekend it starts to cool down 🤞
3. For the weekends we have been trying to spend more family time together. My husband and I have been taking my 1.5 year old son to play tennis and he LOVES it. He really just acts as our ball boy but it entertains him. 😜
Also I would love to see how you did your capsule wardrobe! It’s something that I’ve really been wanting to do but I just have no idea where to start. Hopefully it’ll be one of your posts soon. Have a good weekend!
Hi, Shawnee!
Ohhhh I am SO A FOOD RUT person but I think it can make grocery shopping/meals easier! I try to stick to the “Rut” food during the weekday and do something new on the weekends.
OHHH my gosh that is so hot! hope you get some good weather soon.
Ahhh yay!! I miss tennis so much 😭 I need to get out there!
1. Yes, I definitely go through ruts! I have a 4 year old and I’m constantly trying to find motivation to clean and declutter but I haven’t felt like doing anything!
2. The weather is hot and humid! I live in Texas so I’m ready for some cooler weather!
3. I have been wanting to redecorate my house so I’ve been trying to make the time to clean, declutter and redecorate! I love seeing your posts about your house because we have the same type of decorating style and it gives me inspiration!
Sally’s Baking Addiction has a great recipe for carrot cake that I made for Easter! Everyone raved over it!
Can you do a blog over gardening? I would love some tips on how to keep my plants healthy looking and how to maintain them. Your flowers always look so beautiful!
Just ride that rut out! ♥️
We love doing projects for decorating around the house. I feel like we’re always changing it up!
Ohhhh I will try that out!! I love love love carrot cake!!
Aw thank you!!
Love the recaps! It’s honestly so refreshing to see how you are really relaxing into life with all of the changes (positive and challenging this year). Thanks for continuing to bring us along when you are feeling led!
Your new furniture looks so great! We are in the market for a new couch ourselves in the next couple of months. Would you mind linking yours? It looks so comfortable yet stylish.
Thank you, Erin! ♥️
Here is the link to the couches we bought!
They really are so comfortable!!
I don’t see a link! I love your coffee table. Would you mind sharing where you bought it? Thanks!
Arhaus!
I go through a period of the doldrums in late summer too. Sorry that you do as well, but it helped to know that I am not alone! I just found your blog and I love it. The photos are gorgeous and the recipes look amazing.
The weather is great here in Michigan after storms dropped over 6″ of rain in this area. Its cooler and the humidity is better too. Loving it!
Thank you, Kathy ♥️
So happy the weather is getting cooler in Michigan! I lived near Detroit for a year and LOVED the Fall!
Tega cay deli bagels are the best!! The Greek Grill beside the deli is amazing too!! We just bought a house in Tega Cay a few weeks and loveeee this area!
HE BEST!!!!
That Cinderella cake is amazing!!! You are a wonderful baker-I’ve been a follower since the begining and remember you making cake balls for different events.
Putting my wish out there- I’d love to see a Disney Princess Cake Series!
Thank you, Kristen!!
Lol that would be so fun…MAYBE……..I have a frozen cake coming up soon 😉