You know the whole thing about remembering that social media is, for the most part, a highlight reel? I had to put that into practice a few times over the course of the long July 4th weekend as I did things like reorganize the pantry, curl up on the couch with cramps and hang out by the YMCA pool. It was kind of a boring-ish July 4th to tell the truth. I was a little envious of all the parties, beach trips and lake days that I saw on Instagram but I also reminded myself that I just got home from vacation and appreciated how nice it was just to slooooowww down. Perspective is everything! 🙂
I’m sure after that intro you’re on the edge of your seat to see my long weekend photos. Haha. Here they are in all their reality. (I am sparing you pictures of pantry organization.)
Friday night looked like dinner under a blanket on the couch while watching The Good Wife. I was having the worst cramps. Tanner brought home take out from the restaurant.
I was feeling a little better on Saturday morning so I made a trip to the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market. The market is always SO good this time of year!
Heirloom tomatoes make my heart sing.
The first of this season’s peaches. They are delicious and I have a ton of them. Can’t wait to get creative. There will definitely be some savory uses of the peaches coming up.
Our local ALDI’s are currently undergoing major remodels. The one I visit most just re-opened so I had to stop in and check it out on my way home from the farmers market. It was amazing and deserves a post of its own! I can’t believe the transformation and how much ALDI is growing and changing to meet customer demand.
Back at home I unpacked my market and ALDI finds.
And then taught yoga and had lunch at Namastay after. Beet burger on a salad, per usual.
Saturday afternoon was all about baking and organizing. I baked carrot zucchini muffins using this recipe and zucchini, coconut, chocolate chip bread using a recipe that is coming soon! The bread was so good and is already gone! I froze the muffins to have on hand for easy breakfasts.
Tanner asked if I wanted to go out on Saturday night and I said no. I asked if he would go and pick up a pizza while I showered. And he slowly repeated, “you want a pizza? Okay. Yes, I will do that.” We split a white pizza from Hawthorne’s with a pesto swirl, sundried tomatoes, artichokes and mushrooms. We watched the movie Hidden Figures and loved it.
Sunday started with scrambled eggs, a carrot zucchini muffin and fresh fruit.
I ran 4.5 miles (running has been incredibly humid here over the last couple of weeks) and then quickly showered for a yoga date with Dorie.
She picked me up and we went to Yoga One to take our friend Rian’s very popular 11:30 a.m. class. It was sweaty and wonderful. I had a green smoothie when I arrived back home. It was the only thing I wanted after two hours of non-stop sweating.
I taught yoga and then took the girls on a long walk. Sullie spent most of her Sunday lounging, especially after the walk! It was hot!
On Sunday night Tanner and I went to see Wonder Woman. The theatre went to had leather recliners. You have to purchase your tickets and choose your seats ahead of time. I have to admit that the seats were super comfortable but I was like, “do they clean these things thoroughly and regularly?” Verdict on the movie…I liked it but I think it could have been about 20-30 minutes shorter. It dragged a bit in the middle. I loved the story and the lead actress.
We’ll skip Monday because it was all about Sullie’s birthday! 🙂 You can read that recap here.
I kicked of July 4th with two slices of zucchini, coconut and chocolate chip bread and fresh fruit before going to teach the 9:30 a.m. at the studio. Class was packed and holiday classes always have such good vibes. I made them chant and sing. I’m sure they loved me for that.
Back at home I wanted to knock out my own workout. I ran 5.5 extremely sweaty miles. Between teaching hot class and the run (84 degrees and 63% humidity), I spent the rest of the afternoon chugging water.
Although sweating more was the last thing I wanted to do, I felt like it wasn’t July 4th without a pool trip so I packed a lunch (tomato and avocado sandwich) and headed to the Y for a few hours to sit by the pool.
I am almost done with this book. So good and I definitely recommend. I have been on such a reading kick lately that I stopped by Barnes & Noble on the way home from the pool and picked up two more books.
Tanner came home that evening with steaks. We took the girls for a walk and then prepped dinner. He grilled the steaks while I made corn on the cob, roasted potatoes with herbs and a tomato, cucumber, mint, basil and balsamic salad.
In lieu of fireworks we ate some chocolate and watched more of The Good Wife. It was bedtime at 10 p.m.
The end.
Was your July 4th festive or low-key?
What’s your favorite summer farmers market thing to buy?
Summer running…love it or leave it?
Hope you’re feeling better! That sounds like the perfect 4th for me. We ended up skipping the huge firework production in DC and walking down to the river where we could see over ten firework shows in the distance. It was quiet, but still celebratory 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your week!
We had a low key weekend, too. A workout at Burn Boot camp in the morning for me, a sweaty run for my husband, a pool trip in the morning after those workouts with the kiddos, then a small cookout at home wth friends. It was actually nice to be quiet for a change!
Yoga note: I love Rian’s classes and have taken them at both Yoga One and Y2. He is awesome! Not to say I haven’t enjoyed the other Y2 instructors I’ve had of course – just have had more classes with him and appreciate his chill vibe. Hope you had fun!
Sounds absolutely lovely, sans the cramps, of course! I hope you are feeling better. Also, Zoey’s face on the picture with the smoothie is so cute. And wow, Sullie has really white teeth, especially at her age. I’m not American, so we don’t celebrate July 4th as a public holiday, however, that is our wedding anniversary! We always joke that it is our Independence Day 😀 So we had a lovely dinner of Mexican coleslaw and pulled pork sliders with raspberry brownies for dessert, and a swim in a hot tub under the stars afterwards. It was wonderful.
Total summer reader here. Your book cover mentioned Kristen Hannah’s The Nightengale. I highly recommend this book. It really is one of the best books I have ever read. I finished it in a weekend because it was that good! I would also recommend her book Winter Garden. I am going to have to check out Lilac Girls. Thanks for the recommendation.
i also think the nightengale was fantastic !
I live in Houston so summer running is not my favorite. Can’t wait for that zucchini bread recipe!
Summer running is the best! Love earlier daylight times which get me motived for cooler morning runs. …any chance you could get your hand on that beet burger recipe from Namastay? Looks delish everything you post it 🙂
My husband and I have an extremely low-key long weekend–just the way we like it. Nice walks in the sun, some bike rides, and time to do things around the house too.
Thanks for the book recommendation, I’ll have to look that one up.
I can’t get over how incredible that salmon looks! My 4th was pretty chill. An early family BBQ dinner followed by a watching a movie and enjoying some delicious cake I made. In terms of summer running, I can definitely relate to struggling with the humidity. It’s like a freaking sauna out haha!
xxMeah
Loved Lilac Girls!
Have you read any of Jenifer Ruff’s ( local Charlotte author): Everett, Rothaker, etc.? Excellent writer!
She reminds me so much of you! Exercise, nutrition, dog lover, lifestyle, etc.!!
WE totally had a low=key 4t of July and to be honest, I was ind of bummed all day! I was hoping for it to be this exciting day off. I had a vision for what it was going to be, and it turned into errands, the gym, and hanging by the pool. I totally felt the same as you. However, I realized that I had too high of expectations because of social media (ugh), and days like that remind me that 20 years ago, no one knew what everyone else was doing on holidays, so that expectation wasn’t there. Social media is such a blessing and a curse. I’m glad you are feeling better. Your weekend looked perfect to me (besides the cramps haha). 🙂
I had a busy 4th weekend with work and painting. i did get to go to my moms pool and eat hot dogs which feels like july 4th somehow ? and we saw some fireworks from the road in front of our house it was cool that they were so close to us. i LOVED hidden figures as well. i will never complain about my walk to the bathroom here at work again !
My favorite book store in Charlotte is Park Road Books! They are so knowledgeable! The Women in the Castle is also an amazing read!
Love that store too! It’s in my old neighborhood!