Perhaps my favorite part about summer is the early morning and evening hours because the temperatures drop. More so I think it’s because those are when I have the sweetest summer memories. In the evening sitting in the backyard for no reason but to watch the fireflies. Waking up earlier than usual on a Saturday to fit in a walk with Ivan when the sun is peeking through the top of the trees.
I’ve been spending the mornings each weekend with a book in my hand chiseling away at my “to read” list. Here’s what I’ve read so far:
- Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick
- Zero to One by Peter Thiel
- Crushing It! by Gary Vaynercuk
- Contagious by Jonah Berger
- The Last Castle by Denise Kernan
- Grace Not Perfection by Emily Ley
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
- Elanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (need to finish)
Currently reading:
- Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
- Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon
I have a strong desire to read Anne of Green Gables this summer. It’s the perfect classic, summer read.
Speaking of reading, back in May one of my 2018 wedding couples, Hunter + Kelsey, were featured on the cover of bridebook magazine! See the magazine here and their full wedding here.
The other weekend we headed to the perfect summer spot on Lake Norman for dinner: Hello Sailor. I’ve been on a burger kick so that guy is all mine. I usually forego the bun and cheese, unless I’m really wanting the full effect.
The summer thunderstorms in Charlotte have already been intense this year. Two days past the first day of summer, a short and mighty storm hit my neighborhood. And I mean HIT.
Another (yes, ANOTHERRRRRR) tree fell in my yard from the storm. Thankfully, nothing or nobody was damaged. And I’m even more thankful I wasn’t home when it happened. God works in mysterious ways I tell you. It was 20 minutes before the storm hit that I decided I needed to go grocery shopping. I could see the storm through some of the windows of the store but didn’t see anything like what happened in my neighborhood. I think if I had been home, I would’ve barricaded myself in the bathroom and had nothing less than a panic attack.
Since the beginning of 2019, I’ve been trying to be more mindful of what I eat. I started the year with no dairy, turned to vegan, then vegan + gluten free, and ended up where I am now: gluten free and no cheese, milk, or butter products.
If anything, I try to avoid gluten as makes me feel blah. Most dairy is second in line that I avoid. Ice cream and cheese are not best friends of my body. Such a shame.
On July 4th, I tried to tweak my “famous” mac n cheese recipe to make it gluten free. (Yes, I ate cheese, milk, AND butter that day. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.) It actually turned out really good, surprisingly good with GF pasta.
How’s your summer going so far? Any good books I should add to my list?
