Month #4 on Keto

Today is my 4^th month on the Keto Diet and I have lost…

40 lbs!

Honestly, I can’t believe it myself. What I cannot believe is that not only does the diet works, is life-changing.

Life-changing because eating clean is a new way of eating all together. Everything has changed. Not just the food I eat, but if I want to have something I used to like, it doesn’t even taste good anymore.

I had one of my favorite hamburgers and the bread and its consistency, that I always ate, tasted processed.

Once upon a time I loved all kinds of meat, I don’t crave it, and if I do, it’s in a small portion otherwise it feels too heavy to eat.

When you think diet, I believe most think, reduction in food. That isn’t the case at all. Keto is your food choices. Because it isn’t sugary and starchy, rather proteins and healthy fats, you just don’t get as hungry. I would have never believed it had I not gone through this.

Here’s the thing, I eat the most delicious food and the incredible desserts that are totally guilt-free. If there is something non Keto-friendly I want to eat, I eat it. It just isn’t my every day food.

In less than two weeks, I turn 50 years old and I feel fabulous!!

"yOu'Re mY bEsT fRiEnD!"

It was at my 4th of July pool party when Sofia saw a pretty pink floating donut in my pool and got excited. At 2 years old, everything is hers and she asked if I had gotten that for her, and I said I did. 

For the 1st time completely unprompted, she said, "tHaNk yOu gRaMmY! yOu'Re mY bEsT fRiEnD!!" 

I've only told her I love her and she is my best friend since she was born! 

Fresh Mint Sun Tea

It's scorching HOT outside, traffic is busy in 4th of July preparation, and people are crazy in general, which makes the perfect trifecta for unnecessary drama. As if the news and social media isn't already filled with it.

Turn it off. Unplug.

Rule #822, if you must go to a store, go in early and get out before the general population wakes up. Traffic isn't crazy, you won't stand in a line to get into a store, and people don't already have attitudes from the heat.

I will stay in my pretty piece of the world and host pool parties. I love, love, love having a pool! It's become quite the gathering place and my wrap around deck with umbrella tables are spacious to host guests.

The pool is used every day and everyone is loving the saltwater. Hosting pool parties, relaxing and floating with a drink & a good book, or too cool off, I'm blessed my home came with the pool.

Tea is brewing with fresh mint leaves I picked from my plant to brew in the sun. Something so simple like sun tea poured over ice in a pretty glass on a hot summer day sounds pretty perfect.

My home is surrounded by friendly neighbors. Outside everyone chats and visits. Sue across the street from me, has become a good friend. It's nice to have someone say, "I'm at the store, do you need anything?" Or, when she called last night because she found Rebel ice cream, which is temporarily not being shipped to local stores, so we loaded up! #Ketofriendly

We are both on Keto and we're taking turns making different dishes, desserts, and sharing them. Between the two of us, we've come up with twice as many fabulous recipes and are always sharing new things. Nothing like a knock at the door and a plate full of yummy Keto brownies, zucchini pizza, or the "I found some new drinks and bought you some!"

While the world is chaotic, create an oasis for your family and friends.

Have a safe 4th of July and God bless America!

Blueberry Bushes

I was outside talking to one of my neighbors when he mentioned my blueberry bushes. 

Blueberry bushes?

I had no idea these were blueberry bushes and was super happy to learn this! Walking over to check it out, the one is over 6' tall and both bushes are filled with berries. He shared I need a special net so the birds don't eat them. Thanks to Amazon Prime, my net arrived and the bushes are covered just as the berries are starting to turn blue.

He shared the history about my home, the families name, a rich family, that owned much of the town where I live that built my home. Sharing all the fruit trees this property used to have. 

My property continues to bloom and blossom. My Clematis has it's first purple flower, the Iris's are about to bloom again, and the hydrangea on the side of my home opened with blue flowers. I wondered what color they would be. It all looks so pretty. 

I'm super excited about the blueberries and cannot wait to pick them. 

Fierce Independence

She may be 2 years old, loves dates and playing princess, but this one is fiercely independent and will struggle to frustration doing everything on her own with commands of, "I do it myself!" 

I smile in pride. 

If you laugh at her, in all her cuteness glory, she will run to the battle line and handle laughing at her head on, as well. In a blink. 

My sweet grand daughter, YOU are pure joy! Always be true to yourself and own your independence. Your strength is a gift and it will serve you well. 

This grandmomma will forever be on the sidelines cheering you on. 

Rookie of the Year

It was a baseball themed 1st birthday party and we celebrated my favorite Rookie of the Year, Rowan.

With a baseball smash cake and all his birthday gifts, trucks, and his dinosaur pillow from Aunt Brooke that hands-down was his favorite gift as he rolled all over the floor with it, his special day was all about him. 

Rowan & Sofia's bedroom at my house is a bit feminine. I've had a few more years of buying pretty things for Sofia. So, I bought him this cute baseball mitt chair and his name in baseball letters for the wall, for a boyish touch in the bedroom.

Happy 1st birthday celebration, sweet boy!

Linen Curtains and Cool Breezes

The best part of a lazy Sunday afternoon when it is 78 degrees and sunny out, is knowing the sun is hot on your skin if you want it to be, yet indoors with the windows open with a cool breeze, it's cool with the hum of a fan moving the air to perfection.

I'm exhausted, it's been a busy week and a busy weekend. I am happy to just be at home, where my flowers are beautiful, my yard mowed and perfect, and my pool is officially open for swimming tomorrow! 

There are so many choices and things I can be doing right now, yet peace is saying, I just want to be still, relax and refresh today. 

I am so in love with my new linen curtains. An airy veil of privacy without being clanky, heavy and dark, compliments the soft and romantic shabby chic look both inside my home and outside in my yard.

Pretty pink flowers bursting in my ground cover and my roses opened in pale pink, hot pink and reds, as my dark purple Iris's are losing their bloom. It's another day in my yard in floral surprise. 

Happy, happy 1st birthday wishes to my sweet grandson, Rowan. 

Being a mom to daughter's, he is my first experience with a little boy, and what a joy he is! Happy, passive, snugly and sweet, he is definitely a momma's boy, and loves to be held, laugh, and beelines to climb my stairs. 

His 1st year went by so fast. 

Yesterday was my nephew, Nathan's, graduation party, he is off to OSU in August. 

As time goes by so quickly, June is a wonderful month of summer just beginning. I'm moved, I'm settled, and summer is here. My heart is grateful and full, and I'm officially, spoken into the universe, really ready for the first time in years to starting dating again.