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July is coming to an end and that means it’s time for a garden update. This is the month where the garden truly starts to come into its own. The plants are getting well established and if the conditions are right, might be flowering or starting to produce. One of the biggest struggles this month was the heat and lack of rain. Only in the last week of the month did we get any rain. Growing a garden that focuses heavily on cool-weather crops and then having steady heat in the summer does not mix well. So how is the garden holding up in theseRead More →

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In Japan, Natsu matsuri, or summer festivals, occurs in July and August. These festivals all have different traditions and origins. However, one thing they have in common is a selection of summer-inspired food.  For those of us who don’t live in Japan or are unable to visit during these festivals may feel like we are missing out. But there is a way to experience the traditional flavors of these festivals at home. The July 2021 Bokksu captured the flavors and textures of the Japanese summer festival and brings them right to your door. This is not my first time trying Bokksu. Back in 2020, IRead More →

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The seventh month of 2021 has arrived and with it, we are officially in the second half of the year. Time sure is flying and before we know it, winter and the end of the year will be here. I know it feels too early to think about that, but let’s be honest, it will be here before any of us are ready. But let’s focus back on the present month. As with every month, I do my best to set a number of goals to keep me busy. These goals help me work toward bigger life goals while also setting aside time for someRead More →

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With the arrival of July, it’s time to take a moment to look back at all the reading I did in June. Reading is my go-to hobby. I read when I’m bored, when I want to escape, to learn something, or just because. Like many readers, my TBR had gotten a bit out of control. But I made a vow to tackle it. And over the first year, I was able to reduce it quite a bit. After another year of focused reading, my TBR shrunk once again. Now it is becoming a more manageable size. As with every month, I like to share whatRead More →

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Gather your screws, nails, bolts, and nuts! It’s time for the July 2021 Use It Up Challenge. This month we are focusing on hardware. Many people will have some screws and nails around their house. Whether they were bought for a specific project or just in case, now is the perfect time to put them to good use. With the arrival of the summertime weather, it’s time to tackle those indoor and outdoor projects you may have been putting off. Whether it’s home improvement, a fun backyard project, or a hobby-related build, this is the time to use the hardware you have and get theseRead More →

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June ushers in the arrival of the gardening season. For those who live in the North, you know how short and generally cool our growing season can be. That’s why it’s so important to get things in the ground on time. Of course, no two growing seasons are the same. In fact, the month started with abnormally high temperatures. Then in the middle of the month, our nighttime temperatures dropped to near freezing – which is quite normal but felt extra cold after that early heatwave. Needless to say, this has been quite an interesting start to the garden season but I won’t let thatRead More →

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The sixth month of 2021 has arrived! the halfway point of the year is looming and yet we have so much left as well in order to work on ourselves and our goals. Setting goals has become a monthly task for me over the last few years. Setting a list of goals each month, ones that will help me work today’s bigger goals and those that help me have fun, truly make my months productive and better. Each month allows me to assess how well I did in the previous month and adjust my goals as needed. Before we get to my June 2021 goals,Read More →

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With the arrival of June, it’s time to take a moment to look back on the books I read during May. Reading is one of my favorite pastimes. It allows me to explore far-off worlds, learn something new and simply entertain myself for a few hours. Of course, this love of books can lead to an enormous TBR. However, with a lot of dedication over the last two years, I have managed to reduce my TBR by quite a lot. This May 2021 reading wrap-up goes over the books I read during the month and what I thought about them. Perhaps by sharing these books,Read More →

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Gather your outdoor solar lights, lawn chairs, and garden gnomes! It’s time for the June 2021 Use It Up Challenge. This month we are focusing on outdoor decor. Chances are you have some outdoor decor, and depending on the size of your yard and how often you use it, you may have quite a bit. But are you using all that you own or is most of it sitting in your shed collecting dust? Let’s take this month to focus on ensuring we are truly using these items and any that we are not, are sold or donated to ensure we aren’t holding onto clutter.Read More →

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The fifth month of 2021 has arrived. We are so close to being halfway through the year already. April seemed to come and go in the blink of an eye. Some months are like that, while others drag on for an eternity. Regardless of how fast or slow a month goes, it gives us the opportunity to work on various tasks and objectives. Every month, I take some time to reassess my goals, determine what is and isn’t working, and make adjustments for the current month. Before we get into my May 2021 goals, let’s take a moment to look back over my April goalsRead More →