Back from Vacation

Vacations are good for the soul. I took last week off and feel so energized and renewed now!

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I stuck my feet in the sand and even a little toe in the water. I read books. I snuggled my own kids plus one. I joked with my dad and brother. I ate wayyy too many of my mama's chocolate chip cookies. I sang loudly and off-key. And I laughed until I snorted watching The Other Woman, which I viewed as a very funny girlfriend movie. 

Erin Southwell Photography

This is where I was last week. It's where I grew up and was my entire world for 18 years. I have now lived here longer than I lived there, and yet it is still home. And it's where I just happened to meet my soul mate whom I married three weeks ago. Isn't the photo above lovely? I don't know Erin except through her equally lovely blog;  however, her photos are available to purchase as fine art and would look lovely in any home with a coastal feel. 

Pearl Izumi

Now I am home and wearing my pearls. The running kind. I've been breaking them in by walking because you gotta walk before you run, right? Yesterday I rode my bike to our local farmer's market where I stocked up on vegetables and treated myself to some beautiful flowers. It was ugly--I was sweaty and wobbly and out of breath--but I did it.

I'm eating a lot more salads because I read this article (incidentally the doctor interviewed is my doctor, too, and I could totally hear his voice as I read it). I've been counting calories because "you can't manage what you don't measure." Incidentally, a little mayo has as many calories as an entire sandwich!!

Here's the simplest recipe ever for what I consider a tasty salad: mix together quartered cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, croutons, and enjoy! No dressing needed. 

Tomorrow I'll be back with something design-related. Until then, do you have any tips for healthy snacks?? Chex mix is one of my faves but is nutritionally not so good.