whats up wednesday (july 2025 edition)

Happy Wednesday friends! I am excited to join in on the What's Up Wednesday posts again this month!

If you are like me then I truly am literally in shock that it is the end of July! It seems that these past two months of summer have literally flown by. Up in the north we are still in the height of summer season with August spreading happily before us, but growing up in the south and returning to school I always feel like summer is beginning to end. A mixed bag of feelings for sure. *smile*

Last night I was talking with my mom and we were saying we couldn't believe how fast these days are going. Please slow down cozy summer days, we are truly enjoying you! I am so excited about next month (it is going to be so incredibly special with some very incredible things that I can't wait to share more about), but I just want to grab onto each day and all of the precious moments! So as we finish July... here are just a few reflections

What We're Eating this Month...

So some of you know this, but I absolutely love cooking and being in the kitchen preparing nutrious meals for those I love. During the summer (being in the north) there are TONS of fresh veggies and berries and I literally eat them by the box full. I am not even kidding. Y'all know that salads and veggies are my absolute favorite foods... so when I was at one of my favorite farms last week the owner, Kristin, started talking about edible flowers. Y'all... the combination of goodness and beauty- it was delightful. I truly hope that she decides to have a class because as we stood there and talked and sampled the different flowers I was fascinated by all that I was learning!

I have also been adding a ton of Apple Cider Vinegar into my life and the middle of summer always seems like a perfect time to add this into life. I have been mixing up the veggies and adding splashes of apple cider vinegar and lime and it has been yummy. If you are looking for easy ways to add apple cider into your life you can find a post I wrote entitled, 17 Quick and easy ways to incorporate it into your life which you can read HERE.

What I'm Reminiscing About...

F114.

The Opportunity Cost of the Sun is in final edits and will be released in the upcoming months. I can't wait to take you into the stories of some people who changed my life forever.

What I'm Loving...

My morning walk/runs and all of the swimming.

Y'all I thrive in the outdoor adventures... and am trying to figure out how to replicate this when the weather turns cold in just a few months and it is to icy and freezing to be outside. I don't love going to the gym... and it is expensive to go to the mountains to ski all the time... if you have any suggestions please send them my way because this is already on my mind.

What I've Been Up To...

Creating, my graduate class, writing, edits, speaking, some academic proposals, and just a lot of behind the scenes personal things.

What I'm Dreading...

Honestly absolutely nothing.

What I'm Working on...

Right now everything to do with editing as I prepare to go to France to speak in two weeks. Oh my word- it is just amazing and slightly overwhelming that this will be happening in TWO WEEKS.

What I'm Thankful for...

Sacred behind the scenes moments of beauty in so many different ways.

What I'm Excited About...

The opportunity to head back to France... incredibly honored in so many different ways. I can't wait to take y'all along!

What I'm Watching/Reading...

Lots and lots of graduate books and history courses as I am honored to be an adjunct again this upcoming semester. In addition to that though... this book...

I am working my way through this one again. I have said this almost at nauseum but there has not been a book that has impacted my faith more over the last 5 years then this book. I need to do an entire blog post on why, but for now, my tender heart will just say it has been a lifeline in the dark over the last 6 years and continues to encourage me each and everyday (I read a tiny bit every day). You can find it HERE.

What I'm Listening To...