Weekend Coffee Share.....Come Sit with Me

It's another week of Weekend Coffee Share. I always love everyone's posts. Are you like me and try to visit everyone? It doesn't always happen but I try. I have loved getting to know different bloggers and I figure if they take the time to write a post, I'll find the time to visit, even if it's a week later. I truly enjoy what you all share and I often learn so much. 

Check out all the other posts on Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer. I'm off to go visit some now. #weekendcoffeeshare.

If we were having coffee we'd probably talk about:

The weather: We had a few days of rain and cooler temps which was welcomed and needed. There are so many forest fires in Oregon and a few in Washington. Our temps are rising again into the 80's and 90's and look to stay that way for the next few weeks. When we were on our Canada trip, the temps back home were in the 100's. Yuck. 

What we're thinking about: I suppose I should have something deep and profound to say, but I'm running on lack of sleep and I can't really think of anything, at least anything deep, even though there are plenty of things going on that can definitely take up space in our minds. I have been thinking about making a to do list when we have a week off in a few weeks and decided to stay home and tackle some projects. 

What we're thankful for: Friendships that stand the test of time and the tests of time. We've had out of town friends visiting their family for a birthday and we are hosting them for two nights. It's been great catching up...though I sure am tired. 

Around the house: Not a whole lot exciting going on. We have been contemplating our thoughts for building a garage with an apartment above it, but we need to finish our porch first and tie up a few other loose ends. 

I've been picking blueberries like a mad woman to make sure I get plenty of bags to hold over til next season..I like to get 10-12 gallon size bags..I think I have 9 1/2 right now. 

We did finish the bathroom, (have I already told you that) just have to put the outlet covers back on. We also purchased new door handles for all the doors which we're working on installing. 

When we were on vacation in April, I came across a saying on a shirt that I LOVED! It said Mangia Bene. Ridi Spesso. Ama Molto. Then below those words was Eat Well. Laugh Often. Love Much. I knew this is what I had been looking for to put in my kitchen above my sink. However, I couldn't find a company that could do a sign at a reasonable price, plus did I really want a sign. Then last week, the thought came to me, that I could do vinyl words that stick to the wall....My daughter has a friend who does things with a Cricut machine and has made some wall words. She's going to give me a quote. I'm excited. 

I also organized my drawer of storage containers. I love these dividers. 

I also purchased this fruit basket during Prime Days. I like it. 

For the love of food: At the beginning of July, I did a 7 day reset with Arbonne, which was really good. It introduced me to intermittent fasting and really helped me reel in my snacking, becoming more aware of how much I do tend to snack..more like nibbling...it was good and I learned a lot about myself. I also felt much less bloated. 
As for meals, I made a few new dishes, but don't think I photographed anything. I made sloppy joes and served them over sweet potatoes which I really liked. I also did salmon, a fajita skillet, and this week we had friends over and did a baked potato bar with a myriad of toppings. I've also made homemade ice cream with the grandkids a few times. I'm also still busy making homemade Kombucha, and it's so fun trying new flavors. I've done strawberry watermelon, strawberry mango, peach mango, cherry lime, lemon ginger, apple pear, and several others. This week I also tried blueberry mint, using blueberries from my bushes. 

What we're reading or wanting to read: I am currently reading our next book club book called The Collected Regrets of Clover  by Mikki Brammer. It is really good. I started reading a Cozy Mystery (I think it's a cozy, I'm not actually sure)...called A Collection of Lies (Kate Hamilton #5) by Connie Berry. This is one that I got free awhile back for winning that giveaway...I won a kindle paper white and 30ish free mystery kindle books. There are the others I've mentioned several times that I haven't quite made it few. I won't repeat them. I have a pretty good list on my Amazon "reading" list, but I'm determined to whittle down the books I currently have both on Kindle and physical.

What we're watching or listening to: I've listened to some really good podcasts episodes and also a few audiobooks. I need to look for another audiobook to listen to, so if we were having coffee, I might ask if you had a suggestion. I think I'll go to the #WOYBS posts and see what others have read. I listened to The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer, so good, also Killing Jesus by Bill O'Reilly. 
I have watched some of the Olympics but not as much as I would like. 

Favorite quote: Last week our #sundaystills theme was "float"...I also chose to put some quotes with it in hopes of adding the post to #WQ but I don't think Marsha posted one..here was one I really liked! 

Favorite Photo(s):

A couple weekends ago we walked up our hill...it was a beautiful morning and we even had some light sprinkles and thunder....I chuckled at the sign above, saying out loud "oh, don't worry...there will be no speeding here". I was getting close to the top and boy was I tired. The view sure is pretty. 

I have had this peace lily for years and decided to try putting it outside since it was warm...see the flower? That is the first one it has gotten in a LONG time. I'm so excited. I'll probably have to bring it in during winter...but this gives me hope. 

And no post would be complete without a pic of the grands. We made homemade ice cream. 

Our walk last week took us to a nearby town's waterfront park...we spied this ship carrying wind turbine blades (or whatever they are called). 

Random or not so random things: We had a bat in our house Friday morning. Everyone was asleep...hubby was in the opposite side of the house, I was the only one in the room with the bat...I yelped, I slightly screamed, I even sent out a group text. Did anyone come and assist me? NO. THEY. DID. NOT (insert laughter and eye roll). I succeeded in getting the bat to fly out....by myself! I did some great duck (as in squat quickly to avoid it). I do not know how it got in. I'll see if I can post the quick video I took and posted on IG.

In other news, we got a cold plunge tub a few weeks ago...don't remember if I shared that either. We are really liking it. I try to use it every day, but that doesn't always happen. I have found that strangely I'm actually sleeping better at night. I'm able to do 53 degrees, and the longest I've stayed in is 10 minutes. Last weekend my hubby and I did 15 minutes in our sauna and then 3 or 5 minutes in the cold tub...I don't remember which is was. It will be a real challenge in the fall and winter when it's cold out. I might need to turn the heaters on that are on our porch. Haha!

I've been working on puzzles too. Finished two recently.

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin