the Weekender

Happy hellos from my little corner of Rogersville, where the house feels whole again and I’m already dreaming about the ’ber months.

Miscellany:

1. I’ve been seeing quite a few back-to-school pictures popping up on Facebook. Wowzer. It feels so early, yet it always seems like a sign that summer is winding down. I’m not complaining, though. I am so ready for the ’ber months.

So, tell me — what did you do this summer? I want to hear it all, from coffee on the back patio to lake days to beach vacations. My summer was pretty quiet, so I’d love to live vicariously through each of you!

2. Steve is home! Yes and amen. And guess what he brought back with him? Flakies! These delicious little store-bought treats are what inspired the Canadian Flakie Recipe I shared with you back in June. YUM!

3. Have I ever mentioned that I wear a nightguard (or splint)? I’ve had one for most of my married life (eighteen years), and honestly, it’s been a bit of a fiasco. Haha.

I started out with the softer guards, but my sweet Parker managed to chew up not one, but two of them. I’m chuckling just thinking about it.

Eventually, because my clenching and grinding became more intense, I had to move on to a harder splint. At some point, though, I stopped wearing it for a while, got a little grossed out by it, and ultimately tossed it.

Last fall, I knew it was time for a replacement. My dentist recommended trying one made with their 3D printer. It saved me a little money compared to the traditional option, but it still cost more than $400.

Fast forward about seven months, and I recently noticed a huge crack in the splint. So, this week I had a consult to figure out the next steps. Thankfully, they’re going to replace it at no cost.

I have found some great on-line options to keep in my back pocket: Remi and Pro Teeth Guard.

Who would’ve ever thought a night guard could provide this much entertainment, right? Ha!

4. Did you know puzzles are cool again? Eeeks! Apparently, pretty boutique puzzles are having a moment, with people leaving them out on tables as part of the whole “slow down and do something with your hands” movement.

So, tell me: Are you a puzzle person or absolutely not?

I’m definitely a puzzle person! Remember when I ordered this puzzle board to work from and keep all the pieces organized? I’m still loving it.

5. In case you missed it, I shared two new posts this week:

• Is Homeaglow Worth It?
• Summer Peach Cocktail

6. Fiber is having a moment. First everyone was obsessed with protein, and now “fibermaxxing” is trending. I can’t help but wonder if the popularity of GLP-1 medications has something to do with it.

Either way, I never thought I’d see the day when getting enough fiber became trendy. 😂

7. What’s something that used to be completely normal that feels luxurious now?

Fresh sheets?
A handwritten letter?
Dinner around the table?
An afternoon nap?
A phone call instead of a text?
Sitting on the porch doing absolutely nothing?

8. I tried a new recipe this week — Ground Turkey Skillet with Sweet Potatoes and Black Bean this past week. It was so good and each serving has 28 grams of protein. I’m trying to add more high protein meals into the mix.

Around the Web:

This DIY Indoor Drying Rack.

Ever thought to Embroider a Tennis Racket?

These New Home Necessities.

What to Always Buy at Thrift Stores.

I bought these Sage pillow cases for my living room.

The Best Way to Ripen an Avocado.

This Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad looks delicious.

For the Procrastinators. 🤣

These Fall Watercolor Stickers.
(great for envelope seals or calender embellishments)

These Baked Peaches are on my “to-make” list. 😋

One Last Hoorah:

I’ve always been a bit of a worry wart. My mind can take one little concern and somehow turn it into seventeen different scenarios before breakfast. Ha! But I’m trying to remind myself that worrying about tomorrow doesn’t change what’s coming—it only steals a little bit of today.

I also believe God has everything under control, even when I can’t see how things are going to work out. Sometimes it really is about letting go and letting God handle what I was never meant to carry in the first place.