From hot sunset walks to shirking to-do lists, sidewalk chalk on the soles of our shoes, and sun on my back. A few things that have been happening in our world ..
lately
Photo Credit: Instagram – @sucreshop
(This post may contain affiliate links)
Making – Mexican sweet corn tacos .. this Mediterranean Chickpea Salad .. and raw + vegan Chunky Monkey ice cream
Listening – To Malcolm Gladwell's Revisionist History podcast. A few of my favorite episodes? The Road to Damascus .. A Good Walk, Spoiled .. The King of Tears
Looking – For my wedding ring(!) I lost it water-walking in the lazy river this week
Missing – Little Z. Grief .. I've learned is a terribly strange thing. You think you're fine, and most days you are. Until one afternoon you find yourself in the middle of the garden. A song comes on that reminds you of the last road trip you took together. Pretty soon you find yourself sitting in the dirt crying. Asking God to please give him an ear scratch and tell him
how much you love him
Adding – Vital Proteins to my smoothies. Powdered collagen has health benefits ranging from stronger hair and nails to a better-balanced gut. Maybe it’s all in my head, but I feel better all-around when I incorporate some into my days
Photo Credit: Meaningfuleats.com
Snacking on – Coconut Flour Peanut Butter Muffins. The batter is blended in the food processor, so there’s only one bowl to clean .. not to mention they’re naturally sweetened with bananas and maple syrup. They're so nice to have on hand for quick and easy, feel-good snacks
Reading – Beneath a Scarlet Sky ( Stories from WW2 are some of my favorites )
Motivated – By a few really cool apps
Lose it! (Set a weight loss goal and the app will calculate a daily calorie budget for you to get there. You can also track your food with its huge database)
Motivation ( Motivating, wise words from everyone from Albert Einstein to Gandhi pop up on your phone throughout the day)
Map My Walk (Track and map every walk)
Excited – For my husband's birthday. It's been fun planning a bit of a getaway
Held Hostage – Vegetables(!)
We share a garden with two other friends/neighbors. One couple whose parents own the land, another who plans and plants, and me who's in charge of the weeding. This week, I laid the last piece of straw from the hay bale (1000 pounds). Word came that someone was terribly out of sorts
“But my zucchinis, they were just getting big, and what about the tomato plants I've been nursing along? The parsnip seeds are going to need to be watered. Oh no, can't it be worked out?”
Alas, there's always the farmers market
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Practicing (and re-practicing) – Kindness
From the time we're little, we're taught to be kind (yet sensible). How to help others, but still be smart. Don’t be a doormat .. or let yourself be taken advantage of. If you go out on a limb, you just might fall right out of the tree
— —
This year there'd been rumblings of discontent about the garden. Words muttered under their breath. A tension that hung in the air
I'd simply kept my head down and gone about my work. The hot afternoons spent in sunshiny solitude lost in thought and listening to podcasts. Muddy shoes, sunscreen, and a hoe were always in my trunk
— —
We are taught that kindness requires a certain reaction and that our efforts will be rewarded. Cause and effect. If this, then that.
We're taught that kindness is a game with an agreed-upon set of rules. A grateful reaction deserves additional kindness, anything less is an unworthy recipient of our generosity
— —
This week, someone I was really looking forward to seeing came to town. As the days passed by, I waited to hear, “Can we still get together?”
“Leaving in the morning; so very sorry.”
The sting of being an afterthought, how familiar it all feels by now. You fight back a tear as your husband walks in the door
“I'll give you a call; we'll catch up.”
You realize the call will never come
Photo Credit – Flowermeaning.com
We're taught that offering kindness is a delicate waltz. Don’t do anything to offend. Don’t hurt anyone's pride. Save face. Be nonchalant. Always keep your cool. Never let them see you cry
We're taught that it must be rationed somehow on the deserving parties. We are taught that it must be strategic, well thought out and very much controlled
— —
“Maybe someone will bring you a few of your vegetables?”
“No,” I say. “It's really ok. My only wish is for everyone to simply get along.”
— —
We're taught that kindness is braking for bunnies, smiling at a stranger, holding a door for someone who's elderly. Random acts. Small, unassuming, protected, and sensible
What we've been taught is wrong
There is nothing sensible about kindness.
— —
Kindness is not offering to make gardens beautiful for everyone to enjoy.
Kindness is not offering to make things nice for someone else when there's little regard for how they've made you feel
Kindness is instead, offering ourselves
We've forgotten this, but our children (and grandchildren) know. My grandson was always offering me his favorite things. His innocent way of saying, “I see you. I love you.”
— —
That's the thing about kindness. It's really a gift of connection and a generous offering of ourselves. We can choose to do it daily, in measures both small and large. We can give a lighter load to someone else .. we can give “next times” and grace
We can give a little, or we can give a lot.
We can be cautious in the name of protection, in the name of being smart. Or we can offer the whole of ourselves, again and again, and again ..
in the name of love
Featured Photo Credit: Instagram – @emilyblincoe
108 Comments
These are great photos! Luckily it has been a cool summer so far here in Seattle!
I really love the idea of practicing kindness. When my girls were young, that never occurred to me. But now I understand how important it is … to foster that mentality early in a child’s life. My daughter does it with my grandsons and it warms my heart every time I see it in action.
The muffins look so tasty, and sorry to hear about your ring, I hope you find it x
I have been following you on Instagram so far and this is the first time I clicked on your blog and I realized I should visit more often 🙂 I LOVE this post as it’s a bit different from your yummy food postings on Insta – it gives more insight in your personality 🙂
That Mediterranean Chickpea Salad looks delicious! I’m going to make it too since I have some feta cheese in the fridge. I hope you find your wedding ring!
Your photos could have been taken in my countryside neighborhood. It has been to horrible hot here the past two weeks. Anything cool would be a special treat right now.
This is such a fun post! I think I may grab some ideas for my own blog if you don’t mind. I love your photo choices, they are so simple and yet so stylish!
The weather here is horribly hot and humid. I could definitely use a little coolness this weekend. Practicing kindness definitely is essential. Practice what you preach, right?
Those muffins look so yummy! I have been trying to find some new breakfast recipes so I’ll add these to my list.
Also, I hope you find your wedding ring soon!!
That peanut butter muffins look so tasty! I love the ice cream too, perfect for summer like these days! More, I agree with you on kindness. It really counts and shows what kind of person you are.
These are such great pics. Kindness should be found everywhere in everyone. Sometimes a little deed of kindness will do great part to other people.
I really need some of these. Popsicle, cupcakes and kindness sounds amazing.
All those delicious treats! I can’t resist it, going to get one soon.
Kids are the greatest reminders on how kind we should be! My nephew offered to give me his favorite fidget spinner today. So sweet!
I absolutely love the way the entire post is written. Kindness doesn’t come easy in India especially during summers. But I am definitely going to practice kindness as it should be part of your daily life.
Someone was just telling me about vital proteins . One thing my father always taught us was to be kind and expect nothing in return. If we all practices kindness, the world will be a better place.
Love the way you write! Makes you want to read more and more and more..
The pictures are beautiful, will definitely try some of the recipes 🙂
Flowers, cupcakes! gosh.. it’s my favorite combination of gift! someday, I will start to bake my own cupcakes flavors, someday, I will start to plant my own flowering ornamental plants.. but for now I’ll just read your blogs to inspire myself. thank you for sharing! 🙂
I joined a good friend’s campaign to spread kindness. She calls is The Kindness Revolution. We share stories of random acts of kindness and how it affected us, in the hope that the recipients of these random acts would reach out and spread kindness to others too. Our stories, when published online, may help inspire others to practice kindness.
Lovivng the pictures on this post!! Especially the popsickles and the rainbow of ice cream scoops! Just gorgeous!
That Revolutionist History podcast sounds interesting. My husband is a huge history buff, so I am sure he would love that.
Firstly, the pictures are cute! But above all, it’s your wonderful stories, like the melancholy notes. Happy but little sorrow inside, can i call that is the pretty sadness? Thank you so much! I will try to have a happy (cool) weekend!
I love those ice cream scoops!… and the Mexican Sweet Corn Tacos!
So hot here that ice cream has been a main stay along with ice pops. Everyone has their own favorites of course.
I love the idea of practicing kindness. It’s something my husband and I have tried to instill in our kids since they were small. We need more of this in our world.
I suddenly remember one passage from a movie because of your article.. “All we need is a little courage and kindness..” – By the way, I love those pictures! From Ice drops.. to muffins to flowers. Good Job!
Those muffins looks da bomb dot com! I need to start adding protein to my baked goods–would definitely keep me feeling full longer so I end up eating less between meals!
Sounds like it’s really been a thought provoking time. I am so sorry to hear you lost your wedding ring. I remember when I lost mine and I was scrounging around for weeks trying to find out where it was. And I can certainly understand missing your lost pet. Hope the plans for your husbands birthday go well. As for the kindness, I think it’s such an essential thing to remember right now. Far too many people have lost the art of being kind to others.
That motivation app sounds like something that I need to download – I can use a bit of a kick now and then to get back on track. And the Coconut Flour Peanut Butter Muffins sound AMAZING. I’m totally giving that recipe a try this week. Hope you find your ring!
Oh no I so hope you find your wedding ring, what a place to have dropped it! I’m always worried of dropping such items, but I guess you just have to get on and hope!
oh I absolutely love those pictures especially the one with the hay roll. I saw tons of these in New Zealand farms! and yeah, the muffins look absolutely delicious.
OOOH! Those Mexican Sweet Corn Tacos seem right up my alley. I am all about the south western flavors
I believe we must be kind but there will always be a limit, don’t let people take advantage. Also, I hope any issue on the garden will be resolved. Just enjoy life even if it’s hard sometimes 🙂
I hope you have fun on your getaway with the hubby and that he has the best birthday ever! Enjoy!
I love those ice cream scoops! What a cool thing they would be to collect and search for in second-hand shops!
Happy, cool weekend to you! I wonder what it would be like having to share a garden with someone (neighbors).
Such a lovely post and very delicious pics! Love your thoughts and quotes on kindness <3 And awww, hope you find your wedding ring or get a new one. My heart skipped a beat when I read that. It was my worst fear on our honeymoon that I would "drown" it in the Pacific Ocean.
xox Nadia
Sorry to hear about the loss of your wedding ring that must have been really tough but I am pleased that you still enjoyed your time in solitude. Podcasts are something that I have been meaning to get into, as I have a feeling that they might help me unwind!
Those muffins look fantastic! I’m sorry to hear you lost your ring but I bet the next one will be memorable as well. It looks as if you have been plenty busy and what a great attitude.
What a lovely and inspiring post, I love the sound of your muffins.
I really hope you find your ring!! Not fun!! This time of the year is very busy for us too. SO much going on. My husbands birthday is coming up quickly too. We are having a little BBQ for his party. I cannot wait to enjoy some time with friends!
I can’t believe you lost your ring in the lazy river!! That’s horrible. I’ve been having similar thoughts about grief lately. The strangest things can set me off. Then once the flood gates are opened, sometimes there’s no stopping the tears! I love that you’re focusing on kindness. It’s a great way to channel emotions positively!
Summer lovin! Popsicle and road trip? AYE. And kindness is always in season! 😉
I choose to do kindness daily and this is also what I’ve been teaching my kids. You must be very excited planning the getaway. I hope you find your ring.
Sounds like you have had a lot going on, whether you are busy or not, happy or contemplating or grieving. Sorry to hear that you lost your ring! Summer is such a busy time, or maybe it is the variety of things going on that keeps us so busy (if that makes sense).
Happy birthday to your husband!
The garden… you’re so lucky to share. I just don’t have a green thumb but would love to share a garden with someone who I can learn from!
Your stories and reflections are always a treat to read!
Thank you for this very personal and honest post, I enjoyed reading it. I’m so sorry for the loss of your your beloved Z… I just recently found your blog so this is the first I’ve read of him. I have a 14 year old ginger cat I’ve had since he was five weeks old and he’s my best friend, I can’t even imagine the trauma of losing him. I know it will come. I was also sorry to read about your wedding ring. I hope you find it soon… please let us know if you do 🙂
Reading this got me from hungry, to sad, to happy and motivated. I am so happy to come across your beautiful blog! Hope you found your ring. Also, I know what you are going through with Little Z. I also lost my dear labrador and even after 3 years my mind still replays some sweet memories. Dogs are so extraordinary 🙂
Hi!
I really enjoyed reading this. The photos are bright and engaging and I like the layout of your text. It’s unique and jazzes things up a bit. I also appreciate the concept of “kindness being an offering of ourselves” and a choice that you make daily in the name of love. It is unconditional and in a sense laying down our lives/selves and serving others in the best way we can regardless of whether they reciprocate. We are just giving the best of ourselves, Thanks for sharing! 🙂
The weather has been pretty hot and humid around here. I hope you find your wedding ring very soon. I love all your pictures here.
Yes for that Mexican sweet corn taco and thank you for including the link. I am saving it now
I know the feeling of disappointment when you really want to see someone and never got to do it. On a positive note, happy birthday to your husband.
What an awesome post I love the Ice cream scoop and I need to make a cupcakes like this for my son
Such a beautiful post and nice words about kindness <3 The pictures are also well chosen!
Happy Birthday to your husband!
It can be really easy to let our own shortcomings in life frustrate us to the point of taking it out on others. Sometimes we use our problems as a pass to be unkind, it is something I am working on.
This is so thought provoking. I’ve been in many situations where I feel like I’ve given too much only to be shot down. This “Don’t be a doormat .. or let yourself be taken advantage of. If you go out on a limb .. you just might fall right out of the tree” actually makes me feel it through and through. I’ve been there, but the thing is … I’ve always felt like I can’t treat everyone the same. Just because one person has been unkind to me, doesn’t mean I’m going to treat the next with anything less. I have to start over with every individual. I absolutely LOVE this post. There’s so much to think about and it all resonates in me. I’m gonna have to read this again. Lovely and thank you for putting this together. Way to start my morning!
Those recipes sure look amazing. Love those ice cream scoops too! I really need to give some of the recipes you have posted a try.
Kindness is essential in life. What goes around comes around. Btw, I have never tried peanut butter muffins. It sounds delicious so I will be looking out for them at the grocery stores next time we go shopping.
the world isn’t kind…there are just kind people or acts of kindness spread too thinly…i do agree with some parts i guess i just ensure i am because its my nature and if i can encourage it then i do so. as for the muffins – can we have coconut ones only minus the peanuts :p
I love this post, such an interesting read 🙂 I went ahead and downloaded the Motivation app, thank you for that <3 And I'm so sorry about your pup Z and your wedding ring! Lastly, so very grateful for the gentle reminder on practicing Kindness* Your words are inspiring!
It is super hard losing a pet. I know that I would be devastated if something happened to my Yorkie. He is my little Buddy that hangs out with me all the time and snuggles with me when I have a bad day.
All of it looks sooooo so good! These icecream? To die for! Tose muffins? Heaven on earth!
Kindness is so important, that’s for sure. I always try to show kindness. I’m sorry for the loss of your pet. I know it’s tough.
“Its nice to be nice” and ” treat others like you’d like to be treated yourself” these were all words of advice on kindness and wisdom that I grew up hearing from my mothers lips as a child. Kindness is an art form. You give a little…….you give a lot…….you get taken advantage of ……….sometimes……..
Life has a strange way of sorting our differences out usually through time. As for the gardeners……..well let them sort themselves out …..and if they are still bringing grief at the end of the summer……….well maybe its time to take some…….Time Out! Take care xxxK
Lovely post
Thank-you my friend. xx
I am so sorry about your wedding ring. My grandmother lost hers in the garden right after she got married. She never found it and it bugs her to this day. I hope you can find yours.
You have a lot going on, it all screams summer. Always keep your cool, that is something I’ve been telling myself since my crazy weekend.
First these photos are so beautiful and those popsicles look so yummy!
I add vital proteins to my food and smoothies too. It is great stuff!
We should always be kind to everyone for we will never know we might be needing some help too. Kindness are done and much appreciated in such simple ways. Ohh, and I hope that you will still find your wedding ring. Send my regards to your hubby and may you have a cool and memorable birthday getaway!
This was a very moving post. I believe that kindness is something you give of your self. It should be because you want to show it, not to make someone else happy. I also feel for you for the sadness you experienced. I hope you feel better, and that your getaway makes both of you very happy.
Those Coconut Flour Peanut Butter Muffins sound delicious! And Happy Birthday in advance to your husband. Hope you all have a great time. And yes, practice kindness…always!
Happy Birthday to your husband! I loved the idea of sharing a garden and you have shared your work as farming is very difficult for single family to care of. I am looking forward the pictures of your ripe produce that is juicy Zucchini.
Love this post and the food looks so great! Kindness is totally something that should be practiced at all times. We never know what someone else is going through and kindness is the least we can all do for eachother!
Happy birthday in advance to your husband, and I will take some of those muffins please! 😛
“Kindness is instead .. offering ourselves” I definitely agree on this note. What you give is what you will receive. So being kind to others is always an option.
The muffins look so tasty, and sorry to hear about your ring, I hope you find it x
The muffins look so tasty, and sorry to hear about your ring
muffins is good XD
Kindness is one of the best things people can give the world. It’s rewarding in itself, and if you believe in karma, it’s always going to come back around 🙂
This is a very insightful post! Makes me inspired to do something similar as it is a great way to get to know anyone better too. I love the bit about kindness too! I personally believe in the power of a smile as well. It can have great effects on any person and.l can turn around their day!
I have never heard of Vital Proteins. I drink smoothies all the time and need to give this a try.
Thanks for sharing! I have a great book suggestion for you. “The Meaning of the Second World War” by Mandel. It gives a whole new perspective, I think you would like it!
I want summer to last as long as possible. I know some people dont like the heat but i rather be hot than cold. I also want to try the mexican sweet corn recipe.
Those muffins look so good. Also I’m loving the photo of the ice cream scoops… I don’t know why, but I really dig it! So Summery and cute.
You know, I really felt the disappointment in your words about your friends. It happens to me as well and I know so well how bitter it gets… I go home once or twice a year and I ask my friends to meet up… and they are busy. Or I invite them to visit me in my new country and there is something that comes up every time… so bitter…. and disappointing.. . Anyway, I wish for a warm weekend, it’s been raining and the temperatures have been low for too long here in the UK.
It’s so hot here, I could only dream of a cool weekend. It is my oldest’s birthday though!
When it comes to kindness, I like to give a lot. I’m not always as kind as I can be though, so I’ve been focusing on it extra lately.
Thanks for the reminder I have totally been forgetting to add my collagen powder to anything lately and I definitely should! 🙂
I very much love your reflection on the term ‘kindness’. A lot of plain truth spoken in such a lovely way. Love what you do on this blog.
Kindness is sure important! True thing,. I do hope you find your wedding ring soon, sorry to hear you lost it. And those coconut flower peanut butter muffins sound/look delicious.
Your words brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for being kind and good despite the slights and disregard shown by others. It is an excellent reminder that kindness doesn’t cost anything, and we benefit from it more than anyone else.
Never thought of kindness in the perspective of offering ones self. This post has made me see that and I would love to incorporate that more in our family life. Thanks for this insight. Your pictures are pretty. Happy birthday to your hubby.
This is the first time that I heard about Vital proteins and It really sounds Interesting for me, Glad that you share this
This was an interesting read, I love the peak into your mind. I am so sorry about your puppy and your ring. I have had similar struggles with friends, I guess I thought I was closer to them than they are to me. It hurts. I hope everyone worked out their vegetable garden feelings!
After reading out the entire piece I certainly think that it is going to be a very cool weekend! it was fun reading this! Thanks for sharing! Cheers!
Those muffins look like exactly what I need. I love that they are made of coconut flour! And sorry about your ring!
Kindness is so important, and teaching it to kids early is equally important. I love how you not only expressed that you are practicing kindness, but also the things that happen that can deter you from being kind as we all feel those emotions.
So sorry about your ring and your dog. Clicking through the link and he sure was a cute puppy!
Lost your ring? Gosh, can just imagine. you sure have a very interesting life. (and by the way your pictures are really amazing!)
I really love the idea of practicing kindness 🙂 Loving the pics too. Those muffins look so good!
Oh those muffins looks so delish! Perfect for my childrens breakfast. Hope you will find your ring.
Oh my goodness! I hope you find your wedding ring!
Why haven’t I made popsicles yet this summer?! Your muffins also look delicious!
Making Mexican Corn Tacos and Chunky Monkey Ice Cream sounds like a good meal! I’m working on a shopping list now, so I may have to make those tacos soon!
I love all of your photos. Those ice cream scoops are awesome, makes me want to start collecting them. Love the nature scenes too.
Sorry to hear about your wedding ring! I hope you find it soon! Your popsicles and muffins look divine and make me hungry now!
This photography grabbed me from the first set of popsicles. I wanted to taste each flavor. I love the vintage looking ice cream scoopers. That would make a great poster.
This post is such an interesting to read! The muffins looks so healthy and yummy. It’s good for breakfast. They are made with coconut oil. Love that! Hope you will find your ring!
This was so interesting to read! I love the bit kindness too! I wanted to taste each flavor. I hope you find your ring asap. I love the pics too.
Oh no you lost your wedding ring! I hope you find it :). I love the idea of practicing kindness. I think it’s something that everyone should consider!