My reading in my yoga class on Saturday was about the importance of relationships and connection. I have been putting this into practice in my own life. This has been the summer of yes. Despite my love for teaching and interacting with others for my work, I am introverted and more often than not I find a reason to decline an invitation rather than accept it. But life is too short. And I don’t want work to be my life. And I love my friends. And I want to meet new people. And I want to grow, learn and make memories. So I’m saying yes. Thus the reason why I have been out and about so much over the last couple of months. It’s been pretty great.
So this weekend was definitely an example of living what I said above.
I went out for a friend’s birthday on Friday night. We met at Gallery Twenty-Two which is a hybrid bar-art gallery here in Charlotte.
The theme of the current show is Tacos v. Hot Dogs and it was totally ridiculous!!!
The evening ended with two slices of pizza at 1 a.m. I cannot even tell you the last time I stayed out that late but it was so insanely fun.
I ended up sleeping in on Saturday until 8:15 and then teaching my 9:30 a.m. hot vinyasa at Om Yoga. Class was great and put me in such a good mood. I just love teaching at Om so much and look forward to every weekend I get to spend with those yogis. I hit up the farmers market after and it was the best market of the year. Full of beautiful summer produce and an increasing amount of organic items.
I picked up organic tomatoes, organic okra, organic zucchini, organic eggplant, a red pepper, peaches, cucumbers, shishito peppers and chicken breasts from my favorite local guy (who owns Windy Hill Farm and has a garage CrossFit gym we always talk about. Lately I’ve been giving him advice on handstands. This is why I love the market!).
I also love the market for the amazing flowers I can get. This arrangement was only five dollars. Having fresh flowers in the house makes me so happy.
I spent my afternoon in the backbending workshop I blogged about yesterday. I didn’t get home until 6:45 and had dinner plans at 7:15 so it was a super quick shower/change/get ready. I enjoyed a lovely evening at Bistro La Bon complete with dessert and after dinner cocktails.
My Sunday was super relaxed. I slept until 8:15 again (heaven) and then taught yoga church. I was in major need of a grocery restock so I went to Whole Foods. I was horrified to find that they already had huge displays of pumpkin beer. IT IS NOT TIME FOR PUMPKIN YET. Settle down people! It’s still okra, tomatoes, peaches and all things summer season!
I had another birthday party this afternoon that I stopped by for a bit, took a Home Goods trip, wrote a story for Run Charlotte Run about dynamic stretching and then cooked dinner. It was a really nice weekend.
Are you ready for pumpkin?
First of all, I love your blog! I just make your chicken enchilada recipe and it was amazing. Second, I have been having a summer similar to yours…I am an introvert too and I have been saying “yes” to most opportunities….it is fun!! Glad you are enjoying yourself. Also, yes wayyyy too early for pumpkin.
Life IS too short not to enjoy every minute! I found this quote I love and I’ve been sharing with my students this week: “Happiness cannot be traveled to, earned, owned or worn. It is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” –Denis Waitly
As much as I don’t want summer to end I am ALWAYS ready for pumpkin. In fact it never leaves my life, I always have some around! And the Southern Tier Pumpkin Ale is my favorite 🙂
While I will eat pumpkin all year (I buy the canned all of the time) it is wayyyy too soon for the stores setting up there pumpkin everything displays. Totally rushing the seasons! Glad you had a nice weekend! It’s always fun to stay out later than normal and eat pizza after midnight. Love the memories I make when I do things a bit out of my norm.
Love your yes attitude! We are open to more experiences when we can shift our view and attitude. And no, no pumpkin! Ah! Way too early.
What an awesome weekend! Sometimes staying up a little later than usual can be fun. 🙂 Love that the tomatoes were told they’re beautiful daily. Lol!
Life is too short to say “no” to pumpkin! I’m a Fall girl, though, and spotting the Fall beers out this weekend made me SO happy, as did the weather yesterday. If Fall could last an extra month or two, I’d be thrilled. Glad you had a great weekend! I love that farmer’s market, but haven’t found that vendor! I’ll need to spend some extra time exploring next time I go.
I weirdly picked up 2 cans of pumpkin a couple of weeks ago, but haven’t been ready to use it yet. It’s too freaking HOT here in Texas. LOL!
I am the same way, I can find 100 reasons to decline a social invite.. definitely something I need to work on! I made your crockpot salsa chicken for the second time this weekend–SO good!
I agree – it’s way too soon for pumpkin! We gotta get through Labor Day before I can even consider thinking about it.
Hey there – just wanted to chime in and tell you how much I enjoy your blog! I love the yoga and exercise tutorials and the gorgeous pictures – and of course, your story. You are so full of life and thoughtfulness and you inspire me – seems like we are on the same page a lot of the time. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love that you were “horrified” with the premature pumpkin display!!! Hahah.. A few weeks ago here in PA we had some pretty cool nights and someone on my facebook feed had posted something about pumpkin spice something-or-other and I could scream! Please, I barely perfected my flip-flop tan and people want sweaters, boots, and pumpkin spice lattes! Stop rushing everything!!
Way too early for pumpkins. I hate the way all the stores rush the holidays and seasons at us. Each year it seems to come earlier and earlier leaving a real disconnect between the actual season outdoors and the seasons they’re selling indoors. Fashion is the same way–it’s almost impossible to find a bathing suit in August. And we wonder why we rush through life so!!!
I am getting so many pop up. Ads on this website I am thinking of quitting it! Am I the only one and how can I stop it?
hey karen – i’m working on it! thanks for the feedback.
Thank you for your reminder to say “yes”, Jen, and for sharing 🙂
YES! Yes! Yes!!! Love that quote – so true! I printed it out and put it on my inspiration board.
Looks like a great weekend!!!! NO I am not ready for pumpkin yet!!! I walked into Sam’s Club today and saw a Christmas tree and about fell over!