I’m so ready to be making fall foods but Mother Nature’s a running a bit behind on that front. I’m biding my time with this Vietnamese Beef and Rice Bowl.

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Hello, Sunday.

We’re getting a taste of fall this weekend before we jump back into summer temps and I’m loving it- and just sad that we’ll be seeing 80s again as well roll through the week  I just want to change over into my fall decor and light my vanilla-tobacco candles and I can’t get into that while trying not to sweat in summer temps. Hopefully we’ll get there soon enough.

Otherwise, I’m ready to get back to my regularly scheduled programming after the hoopla of the Olympics, DNC and the US Open.  My stack of books have piled up and I’ve been spending way too much time on the couch/on social than I know is good for me, but it’s been too hard to pull away (I mean have you been watching any of the tennis? World class!). Resolving to get out of door before I’m stuck inside for the long haul of winter and soaking up the Vit D that I know my body needs.

I hope you also give yourself the time and grace to give your body what it needs.

As for the week? Let’s get to it.

Dorito dye makes mice “invisible.” Um, what? Science is cool and all but should we be eating this? I do love, love me some Doritos though…

Olympians never cease to amaze but paralympians? That’s a whole other level of WOW.

While I’m still not sold on books on tape, over the past few years I’ve really gotten into podcasts to make the time go by on my daily hour-long stupid walk for my stupid mental health.  I just recently discovered this one thanks to my friend A, and I like it and think you may, too. Today, Explained. I also love Money with Katie– a never miss!

For the love of Caesar Salad. It’s so good, right and I definitely don’t make it enough. Looking for a good recipe? this one’s a keeper.

I’m the first one to hop on an international flight at a moment’s notice (weekend European jaunt, anyone?) but this list is convincing me it may be worth sticking around stateside once in a while.

Is Mary Poppins my favourite movie ever? Hmm. It’s tough but it’s definitely in the top 3. The complicated legacy of Mary Poppins through the eyes of Julie Andrews.

Fridgescaping? Get outta here, but here are some tricks and tips to organise your fridge like a chef. I may be implementing a few of these to avoid the build up of questionable items in the back of mine.

How do you feel about cruising? To be fair, I’ve only been on one but I feel like maybe they’re not for me. It’s a long time to be on a boat, but a lot of people like them. Could you live on one forever though? It’s a thing!

US Open support dogs? LOVE IT.

Related- why tennis is the world’s healthiest sport. Grab a racket and join me on the court!

Since baking season is upon us, I’m here to remind you of the ultimate brown sugar pound cake. MMM. I made it this weekend and it’s truly one of the best.

Have a great week!

Hello, Monday.

Well, we are solidly into the end of summer. My lovely town-that-happens-to-have-a-college-in-it has now been overrun with…well, college kids which means that at least for the next few weeks I’ll be avoiding Target and Trader Joe’s like they house the plague.  Football Saturdays that start next week make my weekend world a little smaller as I try to avoid certain areas and cooler temps in the morning mean that yesterday was likely our last lake day of the season.

So, silver linings with fall- let’s bring on the apples.

In other news, L popped over from DC for a never-long-enough but nice catch up on Saturday. Do you know we’ve known each other for 19 years?! We met in law school, where she claimed that one day “she thought she had made a friend” when we met in and sat next to each other in class one hour and then her heart sunk when I didn’t say hi to her the next class hour.  She still holds that slight over my head, but I claim that I was then (and am sometimes still now), aloof and I didn’t mean it obviously because here we are almost two decades later. Old friends are really some of the best friends.

As for the week, whether or not you follow politics- I read something on instagram that it’s been so nice the last few weeks with everyone seemingly united around the Olympics and then a lot of us around the DNC. I agree! The things we didn’t know we lost when streaming took over the world.

Here’s what else caught my eye:

If you happened to watch the DNC and thought “this playlist is LIT” during the roll call- here’s for your next road trip.

Wasn’t back to school shopping the best day of the year? I’d argue moreso than like, Christmas.  Anyway, here’s how to channel those good vibes even if you’re long past getting newly sharpened pencils this fall.

Can you believe those astronauts aren’t coming home until FEBRUARY?  Houston- what the hell?

Having trouble keeping things organised? I’m a big fan of the “tidy toss.” I have these in my closet for annoying things like bathing suits, shorts, socks and things I don’t use very often like hiking gear.

Sights of summer.

Eating plastic? Well, we kind of eat it anyway, but there may be a better way.

An interesting read: why are there two Dakotas? Carolinas? Virginias? Here you go.

I started playing tennis when I was approximately 4 years old and therefore scoring to me was just something I learned, like a language. However, it makes me giggle when people who are new to the game try and figure out the scoring. One friend exclaimed, “some scores aren’t even numbers!”  Ha! She’s not wrong.  If you’re just getting started or heading to a US Open watch party – this one’s for you. I mean, if we can understand the basics of football – we’ve got this.

Ya’ll ready for the Paralympics?

More Ted Lasso?! Say it is so!

If you’re like I am and already planning travel for 2025, here’s what we all need to know about those new European visas.

Back to school time needs back to school cookies. Can’t go wrong with classic PB or the best cowboys.

Have a great week!