In a recent candid post shared two Fridays ago, I ventured beyond my usual home decor inspirations and DIY project tutorials to offer a more personal glimpse into my life. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with many of you expressing how much you enjoyed the more conversational style and encouraging me to share such insights more frequently.
I genuinely enjoy reading personal accounts from fellow bloggers, finding a deeper connection and understanding of the individuals behind the creative work. It sparked the thought: “Why not extend that same connection to my own readers?” Sharing these snippets of my daily life allows us to connect on a more human level, fostering a vibrant community beyond just decor and projects.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into some of the latest happenings and reflections from my world.
An Evening of Enchantment: Seeing Riverdance Live
Tuesday night brought a truly memorable experience as Ed and I attended the spectacular Riverdance show at the University of South Carolina’s Koger Center in Columbia. Despite having heard so much about it over the years, we had never witnessed the magic live, and it certainly lived up to its legendary reputation! The sheer energy and precision of the performers were breathtaking. Their incredible stamina and the elegant power in their movements left me in awe – truly, I envied their sculpted legs and impeccable posture! It was a performance that filled the entire auditorium with an infectious vibrancy.
As avid fans of live theater, we are proud Broadway in Columbia season ticket holders, typically enjoying about six captivating productions each year. These evenings have become a cherished tradition for us, transforming into delightful date nights. Our routine often involves a relaxed dinner at a local favorite restaurant before a pleasant stroll to the Koger Center, allowing us to soak in the vibrant atmosphere of downtown Columbia. Each show offers a unique opportunity to escape, be entertained, and create lasting memories together.
It’s fascinating how inspiration can strike in the most unexpected places. Many of you often inquire about the source of my decorating ideas and how I continuously find fresh concepts for my home. This particular evening offered a perfect illustration.
During the show’s intermission, as I waited in line for the Ladies’ Room, my eyes were drawn to a captivating piece of modern art displayed on the wall. The vibrant blend of colors and dynamic composition immediately resonated with me. It wasn’t just a painting; it was a spark for a future DIY project. I instantly envisioned recreating a similar aesthetic on a canvas I already own, perhaps incorporating a fresh color palette inspired by this very piece. This serves as a prime example of how everyday observations can translate into unique home decor ideas.
The convenience of modern technology, specifically the camera on our cell phones, has become an indispensable tool for documenting these moments of inspiration. A quick snap allows me to capture and categorize these visual gems. Later, when I’m ready to embark on a new creative endeavor or need a nudge for a decorating challenge, I can easily reference these photos. They act as a personal mood board, reminding me of textures, colors, and compositions that have caught my eye, making the process of turning inspiration into reality much smoother and more enjoyable.
Embracing a New Role: Becoming a Foster Pet Grandmom
I’m thrilled to share some heartwarming news: my daughter, Mandy, has officially become a foster pet caregiver! This new adventure introduced us to the adorable Lolly, a sweet two-year-old Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix who has quickly stolen our hearts with her affectionate nature and love for cuddles. It’s been a joy watching Mandy embrace this compassionate role.
Lolly, along with her two siblings, found herself at a local shelter near Mandy’s home just a couple of weeks ago. While her siblings were fortunate enough to find their forever homes almost immediately, Lolly faces a unique challenge: a problem with one of her hind legs. This means she requires surgery and will not be available for adoption until she has fully recovered. Mandy, with her big heart, happily stepped forward to offer Lolly a loving temporary home until her surgery, which is anticipated within the next month or two.
This decision came at a meaningful time for Mandy, who had recently lost her beloved older cat. The quiet void in her home and heart prompted her to explore ways to bring companionship back into her life. Upon learning about the pet fostering program, she didn’t hesitate to sign up, recognizing it as a wonderful opportunity to provide care to an animal in need without the immediate pressure of a lifelong commitment. Fostering offers a unique way to make a significant difference in an animal’s life while also allowing the caregiver to experience the joys of pet companionship.
For those unfamiliar with pet fostering programs, they offer an invaluable service to animal shelters and communities. Essentially, you provide a temporary home and care for a cat or dog, typically until they are adopted or recover from a medical procedure. This arrangement allows animals to decompress from the stressful shelter environment, receive individualized attention, and develop social skills, making them more adoptable. The beauty of fostering lies in its flexibility; it’s a temporary commitment that offers immense rewards, with the added option to “foster fail” – meaning, if you fall head over heels for your foster pet, you can choose to adopt them permanently. It’s a win-win situation, saving lives and bringing joy to foster families.
A Glimpse Into My Plant-Based Lifestyle: What I Eat in a Day
One of the most frequently asked questions I receive pertains to my daily eating habits, particularly since adopting a whole food plant-based (WFPB) diet. When I first embarked on this journey in March 2020, I spent considerable time researching recipes and experimenting in the kitchen. Over the past few years, however, it has seamlessly transitioned from a new endeavor to an ingrained habit and a cherished way of life. My approach to food is now wonderfully simple, focusing predominantly on unprocessed ingredients. I continue to practice intermittent fasting, maintaining a 16-hour fasting window and enjoying my meals between 12 noon and 8 PM daily.
A core principle guiding every meal I prepare is the “50/50 plate” rule. This involves dedicating half of my plate to nutrient-dense, non-starchy vegetables, such as leafy greens, broccoli, or bell peppers, and allocating the other half to a wholesome starch. My preferred starches include hearty potatoes, various types of rice, or an array of beans like black beans, kidney beans, or lentils. This balance ensures I receive a wide spectrum of essential nutrients, feel satiated, and maintain consistent energy levels throughout the day.
For my midday meal, lunch typically consists of either a vibrant, nutrient-packed salad brimming with fresh greens and an assortment of colorful vegetables, or my absolute favorite: a chickpea salad collard wrap, often accompanied by a comforting bowl of homemade soup. Snacks throughout the day are kept light and healthy, usually comprising fresh fruit—berries are a particular favorite—or a generous serving of air-popped popcorn, prepared without any added oil or salt. This simple snacking approach helps curb cravings and provides natural energy.
Dinner, for most evenings, centers around an Asian sweet potato or a Hannah yam, which I seek out for their delightful white interior, distinct from the more common orange varieties. These are paired with a generous portion of green vegetables, such as roasted Brussels sprouts or sautéed kale, often cooked in a savory vegetable broth with aromatic onions and mushrooms. A few nights a week, I also enjoy a hearty bean stew, packed with a variety of vegetables and spices. To streamline meal preparation, I frequently batch cook these components, freezing portions for quick and easy access. This strategy means I simply need to retrieve a pre-made meal from the freezer and warm it up, making healthy eating effortlessly convenient even on busy weeknights.
For a sweet finish to my day, dessert is always a wholesome and naturally delicious option. I typically opt for a plain banana, a creamy banana whip created with my trusty Yonanas Frozen Fruit soft serve maker, or a refreshing frozen fruit pop. My fruit pops are simply made by freezing canned, no-sugar or syrup-added crushed pineapple in a popsicle mold. If none of these are readily available, I enjoy whatever seasonal fruit is at its peak—like a juicy slice of watermelon during the summer months. Hydration is also a key focus; I drink black tea or peppermint tea throughout the day and ensure I consume approximately a gallon of water daily to keep my body functioning optimally.
Navigating dining out on a plant-based diet requires a bit of foresight and planning, but it’s entirely manageable. I’ve become accustomed to bringing my own plant-based salad dressing when ordering a salad, ensuring I have a compliant and flavorful option. My go-to choices typically include a baked potato paired with steamed vegetables. If a dedicated vegan entree is available on the menu, I’m always eager to try it. To complement my meal, I usually opt for seltzer water with a refreshing squeeze of lime, and on special occasions, I might indulge in a glass of red wine. It’s all about finding balance and enjoying the experience.
Should you have any specific questions about my plant-based diet, intermittent fasting, or tips for healthy eating, please don’t hesitate to share them in the comments section below. I’m always happy to discuss and provide more details!
My Journey with Autoimmune Disease: Navigating Vitiligo and Wellness
This week, I picked up a fascinating book from the library, “Goodbye Autoimmunity,” eager to explore any new insights or strategies for managing my Vitiligo. After delving into its pages, I was pleasantly surprised and reassured to discover that I already implement nearly all the recommended practices for reversing autoimmune conditions. There were, however, two key areas where I realized I could enhance my routine.
The first involves significantly increasing my daily intake of greens, specifically by incorporating a large green smoothie into my morning ritual. Blending nine cups of fresh greens into a delicious and easy-to-consume smoothie proved to be a simple and effective addition, a habit I immediately adopted. The second, and perhaps more challenging, area is actively finding and implementing new ways to lower my overall stress level. While the nutritional aspect was a straightforward change, managing stress is a continuous and more intricate process.
Regarding the crucial aspect of stress reduction, I am actively focusing on finding effective strategies to mitigate its impact. My dermatologist believes that stress has been a primary trigger for the Vitiligo that began to appear about four years ago. The depigmentation manifests on both sides of my face, my arms, hands, and one knee. While I consistently strive to lower daily stressors and manage internal worries, I find this endeavor to be considerably more complex than simply adding more greens to my diet. It’s a holistic battle that requires patience and consistent effort, involving mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and consciously adjusting my response to daily challenges.
On a positive note, my dermatologist suspects that the Vitiligo may no longer be actively spreading, which is a great relief. It’s been quite some time since any new depigmented sections of skin have appeared. This provides immense hope that the condition is in remission. My current focus is on encouraging re-pigmentation of the existing white patches through a consistently healthy diet and a deliberately simple, gentle skincare routine. I am cautiously optimistic that these efforts are yielding results, albeit slowly. The initial signs of progress are visible as new brown dots, forming borders around the white patches, appear darker and more defined. Over time, these tiny dots gradually expand and merge, a phenomenon colloquially known as “chocolate chipping.”
While this re-pigmentation process is a welcome sign, “chocolate chipping” can admittedly look quite peculiar during its transitional phase. And believe me when I say, I definitely notice the numerous stares from people when I’m out and about. It’s a visible change, and human curiosity is natural. My approach is always to simply offer a smile and continue on my way. I’ve learned to embrace this process as part of my healing journey. It’s worth noting that after a day spent in the sun, the contrast between my pigmented and non-pigmented skin becomes significantly more pronounced. This observation strongly reinforces my diligent use of ample sunscreen and the constant companion of a wide-brimmed hat, essential tools for protecting my skin and managing the appearance of my Vitiligo.
Recently, a new treatment cream for Vitiligo received approval, offering a potential medical intervention. However, it comes with a prominent black box warning, indicating significant potential side effects, and carries an astonishing price tag of $2000 per tube, which my insurance unfortunately does not cover. Given the severe warnings and the prohibitive cost, I’ve decided against pursuing this option. My commitment remains firmly rooted in natural, holistic approaches to managing my health and skin.
My dermatologist has consistently advised a minimalist approach to skincare: focusing on simple products devoid of lighteners, brighteners, retinol, Tretinoin, and similar ingredients. These compounds are designed to lighten skin, which is precisely the opposite of my goal for re-pigmentation. I’ve found great comfort and effectiveness in using CeraVe cleanser and lotion, which are gentle and effective. However, I am always on the lookout for other lightweight moisturizers and serums that explicitly state they are free from any lightening or brightening chemicals. This search has proven surprisingly challenging, as even some CeraVe products contain these ingredients. If any of you have recommendations for such specialized skincare products, I would be incredibly grateful if you could share your insights in the comments section!
Fulfilling a Lifelong Wish: The Joy of Pretty Nails
For as long as I can remember, stretching back to my teenage years, I’ve harbored a quiet desire for beautiful, perfectly manicured nails. I vividly recall my 12th-grade English teacher, Mrs. Sleazer, whose hands were simply exquisite—graceful, with long, elegantly pale pink polished nails. I admit, my attention would often drift from her lessons to admire her hands, a testament to their captivating beauty. Decades later, a serendipitous encounter at a restaurant brought her back into my life.
Initially, I wasn’t entirely certain it was her, but then I spotted those unforgettable hands, and instantly, I knew. Mustering my courage, I approached her table and introduced myself as a former student from 1977. I confessed that what I remembered most vividly about her class, and indeed her, were those stunning nails. She was utterly astonished that I even remembered her, let alone such a specific detail. I assured her that her nails, in my mind, were truly unforgettable and had always been a silent aspiration of mine—to possess such perfectly pretty nails.
Even after that inspiring encounter, I’m still not entirely sure why I didn’t immediately head to a nail salon and fulfill that long-held dream. I’ve attempted to grow my natural nails countless times; they do grow, but invariably, one or two would break, preventing me from ever achieving a full set of ten uniformly long nails simultaneously. It was a recurring frustration.
But now, at the age of 63, I decided it was finally time to make that dream a reality. I took the plunge and got a full set of acrylic nails, opting for a natural “American” style finished with a clear gel polish. And I am absolutely delighted with the result! The satisfaction of finally having the nails I’ve always wanted is immense. I’ve since returned for my second visit, having had them filled, and the experience remains just as gratifying.
Naturally, the DIYer in me couldn’t resist. This week, I found myself deep into YouTube tutorials, determined to learn how to do acrylic nails myself. Given my proficiency with a paintbrush and my comfort using a Dremel tool with various sanding bits – skills honed through years of DIY home projects – I’m confident I can master the technique. Not only will this allow me to maintain the beautiful fingernails I’ve always dreamed of, but it will also result in significant savings over time. It’s an exciting new skill to acquire!
A Creative Undertaking: My Latest Decorating Project
And finally, let’s talk about a project that’s currently occupying my creative energies. The two exquisite wood panel sections you see in the photo above are the salvaged sides of an antique wooden file cabinet. My neighbor was preparing to discard it, but upon inspection, I realized that while the cabinet itself was beyond practical repair, its side panels were remarkably intact and possessed a beautiful, timeless quality all their own. I instantly recognized their potential for a unique repurposing project.
Driven by my passion for giving old items new life, I asked Ed if he could carefully dismantle the cabinet and salvage the elegant side panels for me. He obliged, and now these panels are undergoing a creative transformation into something entirely new and functional for our home. The project is taking a little longer than initially anticipated, primarily because I need the expertise of my neighbor, who has a well-equipped wood shop, to precisely cut each panel to my specifications. This collaboration ensures the accuracy and quality needed for the final piece.
In addition to this exciting repurposing endeavor, I’m also dedicating some attention to a small makeover for these charming tables. They’re ready for a fresh new look, and I’m eager to infuse them with renewed character. Be sure to stay tuned for upcoming posts where I’ll unveil the full transformation and share all the details of how I give them their new lease on life!
That concludes this edition of my personal updates. I genuinely enjoy these more conversational posts and look forward to connecting with you in this way more often. Your engagement and encouragement mean the world to me, and it’s a pleasure to share these various facets of my life with you.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend filled with joy and inspiration. Enjoy!