Hooray for summer!! Welcome July and another new month! It’s already off to a fun and summery start. We celebrated the Fourth last night with several friends. Had the (obligatory) hot dog bar, pasta salads, deviled eggs (yum), and even banana pudding. Sigh. I must admit, the two things I do miss since eating keto are (homemade) macaroni and cheese. And banana pudding. Especially banana pudding. One of my favorites. But, I definitely did not go home hungry.
The fireworks were great and a lot of fun…but, my oh my, they were so incredibly loud!! Not sure why they have to include the dynamite blast ones when the pretty ones are the ones everyone oohs and aahs over! But, I digress. The weather was picture perfect and July is off to a fine summer start. With this month’s “Currently” post starting with the “enjoying”….well, I will jump right in. Lately, I am
enjoying – blogging. Not completely sure what the difference has been of late but I am enjoying writing/creating and – especially – connecting with many interesting and wonderful blog friends. I enjoy reading and visiting blogs as much (if not more) as I do writing my own posts. One thing that I think (no, I know) has made a difference is planning my posts ahead of time and scheduling my posts as well. For so long, I would think, write, edit, and rethink every post just as I planned to post it. That created so much pressure. For a planner and organizer like myself, I am amazed that I ever kept up a blog that way.
Enough about blogging – although I really am enjoying the friends – I am also enjoying summer (pretty sure I’ve mentioned that before), all the outdoor activities (so many fun outdoor concerts) that we missed the past few summers, and I am even enjoying reading. I found a series by Ellie Alexander – the Bakeshop Mysteries – that I really am enjoying. Easy reading cozy mysteries. I like the characters, the setting, and the first-person writing style. With a murder a month in one small town, it rather reminds me of Midsommer Murders (which was always a favorite of ours)!
having – to somewhat rethink keto. I’m still following it but not totally loving it. It has definitely become a rut. I settled into five or six (maybe just three or four) things that I know fit the plan and I have them over and over. Every time I try to “get creative” or try a new recipe, it seems to derail me. Totally not sure why but I am craving a bit of variety. Sadly, it seems so many of the YT creators (or authors) passionate and informative about keto are…well, no longer even following it. Why? The ones who do seem to be “in it for the long haul” seem to be doing so because they are making money (often, lots of money) talking about keto. Me? I plan to eat this way “for the long haul” but I need more than three dinner options and eggs for breakfast. So.many. eggs!!
hoping – that time will go by quickly (43 days exactly) before Jordan comes back from Alaska. Of course, hoping (praying rather) that all goes smoothly as he wraps things up there and for his flights. Traveling right now is just plain stressful. This momma’s heart will be happy to have all my favorite people in the same time zone!!
picking – paint colors. I know, I know. A broken record. Actually, we haven’t thought about it too terribly much lately. It was starting to be “not fun” anymore. But, just to keep me busy, I’m also picking out a new shower curtain and some new bathroom decor for a bit of a refresh in the guest bath……and my office is not far behind. I spend a lot of time in here…and it needs a refresh:) I love picking out anything decor related!!
using – the app, Fetch. Have you heard of it? You scan your receipts and earn points (or some such) that you can accrue and then trade in for gift cards. As in, free money to shop on Amazon:) I used this app a while ago and thought it was tedious and stopped for a few reasons. However, my daughter is all about it…..and just bought a new $179 vacuum. For free. By scanning receipts. Yep, I totally fell for it. So I am back at it….and we will see how long it lasts.
Let me know what you have been up to lately…or currently! The rest of the links can be found here. By the way, I spent hours (or very close to it) trying to figure out why I have two different size fonts here. I changed them individually. I changed them as a full page. I changed them back. I tried and tried. Does that mess with anyone else?? Ugh. Since changing my layout…the font style has been a continual challenge. Usually, I can make it all the same. Usually.
I loved the “enjoying blogging”. What a great one and I wish I’d thought to say that. I feel the exact same! It’ll be one year in August that I’ve started planning my blog out daily and posting almost five days a week for the 52 weeks in the year. I’ve taken a day or a few here and there because of being out of town or sick, but it has definitely kept me consistent and the friends I’ve made are the icing on the cake. I’m also like you in that I enjoy reading others blogs more than posting on my own. Priceless! Isn’t it funny how God can bring friends together through something like a blogging community?
I cannot imagine how thrilled you will be to have your people in the same time zone again! Aren’t you glad you got to go visit last year while he was there?
Hoping you’re having a great week, my friend.
Five days a week…every week. Jen, I will say that is impressive. Just this year, I increased from two posts a week to three (and the new Monday post is a quick hello and short post) and that has been enough for me. I love to talk – but what could I possibly say five days a week. HA – that is a rhetorical question if there ever was one!!:) Sorry for the slow response – but always glad when you stop by!!
Isn’t it ironic that you wrote about blogging (love blog posts that reference blogging!) and you had trouble with your blog post? That is weird about the fonts. I’ve had issues that I can not figure out for the life of me and it’s frustrating but at the end of the day (or the end of the post(!)), no one who reads cares about those things. But I know the feeling of wanting your work on your blog post to look right. I am super impressed with your keto perseverance. I think you mentioned before that you eat a vegetarian diet? That makes your keto journey all the more impressive. I can’t imagine eating low carb without eating meat. I cycle in and out (mostly out) of low carb eating. It is a great way to lose a few pounds and a part of me enjoys the challenge/ willpower to make changes to my diet but, man, keto is a tough one. You have stuck with it for so long- truly impressive! I’m glad you had a great 4th and have something wonderful to look forward to with your son coming back to live closer to you.
Ah yes, the irony. Love the blogging….but then there is the frustration!! Too funny. Vegetarian keto is unique – with its own set of challenges. So glad you stopped by – and I apologize for the delay in responding and getting around to your blog!!
I definitely need to keep up with writing and scheduling ahead of time. It helps with the stress and makes it more fun, as you said.
-Lauren
Definitely helps to keep it fun – which is the point, right?? Glad you stopped by, Lauren!