Thursday, September 1, 2022

(Hopefully Not) The Last Sip of Summer


Well, here we are again!

Another month has arrived, and with it we have another opportunity to (virtually) gather. We could even have a (virtual) coffee talk. Just imagine all the things we could chat about over coffee (or any drink of one's choosing).

I don't know about you, but September has me hanging on to every last minute of Summer that I can. The daytime temps are still mostly summer-like, but the autumn "chill-in-the-air" is starting to make an appearance in the mornings. That's not a bad thing...but to this summer-loving gal, it's always a "reality bites" time of seasonal change when Summer starts slipping away. 

That being said, shall we gather for a chat session? What ya say? Are you game?

Allow me to go first...

If we were gathered, I'd first tell you about my new hot beverage of choice. You probably know that I don't do coffee. In all honesty, I've given it more than a fair chance, and the taste still does not agree with me (no matter how much cream, sugar, or any extra "fluff" I may add). I've been a long-time chai latte fan, but in recent months I've ventured down a different path. Ever since Covid hit the scene, finding my favorite chai latte K-cups has not been easy. One of my local grocery store chains has its own store-brand version, which has long been my favorite. It's been hit-or-miss with it being in stock these past 2+ years, though. This summer, on a whim, I tried the Hazelnut Cappuccino version (also store brand), and ooh-la-la! SCORE! Even though these hazelnut K-cups aren't always in-stock, either, I'm ecstatic to have another hot beverage option. Yes, one less first world problem to deal with.


Next, if we were gathered, I'd share a little bit of my sunrise sadness. I know, I know, this is another first world problem as well. A huge perk of being an early-riser is seeing the sunrise, almost every morning (while I'm running, walking or biking) before I start my pre-work routine. Sigh. This week, there was only the slightest hint of the impending sunrise as I was finishing my #5at5 run. Alas, all is not lost because I can still catch the sunrise on my weekend endeavors. I also plan to pay more attention to the sunsets now, which are every bit as beautiful, if I'm out for an evening walk or ride. It is what it is.

If we were gathered, I'd tell you more about my weekly bike rides out to the lake at Rock Creek State Park, west of town. This bike path is crazy hilly, and it seems like there's usually a wicked headwind to fight out of the southeast or southwest. This weekly ride, usually with Amy or Barb (and sometimes both), is one of those endeavors I both look forward to and dread at the same time. My Garmin shows it has over 1,000 feet of elevation (going both out and back). Depending on the wind (the direction and intensity), there's not always much opportunity for downhill coasting. But, the beauty of the lake (at the turn-around) makes it worthwhile and the feeling of accomplishment is euphoric. So, we keep on doing it. This week was our 17th consecutive ride for the season.


Another thing I'd mention, if we were gathered, would be the success of my first batch of salsa for 2022. Holy YUM, this turned out great! Our raised garden has four or five tomato plants (it's such a jungle, I can't tell anymore, LOL), and the tomatoes are going crazy. I'd been stockpiling the goods (about 30 tomatoes and numerous jalapenos and green peppers), and finally got around to slicing and dicing everything up last weekend. I grocery-fess that I did have to add a couple extra store-bought bell peppers and an onion, but everything else was from my garden. 


Finally, if we were gathered, I'd tell you how my August played out. Even with a tiny Covid bump in the road, mid-month, my stats aren't too far off from where they normally would be. The running miles came in a little short, but oh well. I'm not getting paid to run high miles, nor is it a priority. Walking is just something I do most days, on my own and on my work breaks. And the biking? It's no secret how much I love being on the road with a (gentle) breeze on my face. My legs appreciate the extra resistance training (on the hills) as well as the recovery aspect when I'm not in the running shoes.


Anyways, I guess that's it for me. I've chatted long enough, so I'll let someone else have the floor.

Your turn!

What would you share with the crowd, if we were gathered? Have you also noticed an obvious change in daylight? Much later sunrises and much earlier sunsets? Any veggies harvested from your garden? How did your August go...any brag-worthy stats or achievements?

 Since it's the first weekend of the month, I'm linking this with Deborah and Coco for the Ultimate Coffee Date.


I'm also linking this with MichelleReneeDarleneJenn and Zenaida for the Fit Five Friday Link-up.


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23 comments:

  1. We're in the middle of a heat wave (110s) so it definitely does nottt feel like fall is coming yet, haha. One of these days...

    I was doing really well on waking up early for about a month and then (sadly) fell out of the habit + it's been so hard to get back into it again! :( Will still continue trying though!

    That salsa looks amazing!

    Yay for biking! I've been saying I'll get back into doing it forever but recently signed up for a ride with my brother and one of our friends, so now I definitely have to!

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    1. The early mornings aren't everyone's favorite, but I'm glad they work well for me. Enjoy the ride!!

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  2. I have many different teas that I love! Since I hate the taste of coffee (even the smell) I don't share the coffee maker with my husband. I just brew the tea myself -- it's actually something I was going to talk about for the last few months but I've had other things to share.

    Making stuff from your own garden is the best! The bottoms fell out of our raised beds this year, and my husband fixed them, but I gardenfess I was too busy to plant anything. My husband wasn't pleased that his work was for naught, but I didn't ask him to fixe them!

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    1. Our garden is small (maybe 3ft X 15ft), but the weeds are crazy. It's a lot of work just keeping that small space cleared out, let alone keeping up with the veggies once they start ripening.

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  3. Our tomatoes have had such a great summer! The squirrels and Cocoa have helped themselves to a few, but we definitely have plenty to share. It's such a treat to have fresh tomatoes.

    I'm still feeling the effects of Covid--not sure how i'm going to train for my upcoming trail half!

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    1. Our tomatoes seemed to be late, but just in the past 10 days or so they're everywhere.

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  4. The salsa looks yummy! I haven't had a decent tomato crop in years. It is sad to see the sunlight getting later...sigh.

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    1. These tomatoes are really good! We have mostly romas, and one plant of "beef steak." The peppers are doing alright, but not as plentiful as the tomatoes have been.

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  5. Our hot, dry summer really helped the tomatoes along this year! Your salsa looks wonderful. It's so much better when the veggies are fresh! That lake view is worth the arduous ride! Yes I've definitely noticed the shortening days, also the sunset from our deck is moving toward the South. At the summer solstice it's far North.

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    1. I noticed the earlier sunsets just this week also. I went out for a ride around 7:30, and already the sun was "below" the tree line and the temps felt much cooler as a result.

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  6. hazelnut is yummy too, Summer tomatoes are the best and that salsa looks very dip worthy indeed. It is definitely a lot darker in the mornings now and for me harder to get up early! That lake does look like a nice destination. Great job on those bike miles!

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    1. I have tried hazelnut coffee (in my quest to "like" coffee), but that didn't do it for me. This cappuccino, though is awesome!

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  7. Your salsa looks amazing! Just give me a spoon! I’d also be tempted to puree it into gazpacho - yum!

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  8. Oh YUM- salsa with your garden tomatoes! That looks amazing.
    Yep, I'm starting my runs in the dark but it's usually light by the time I finish. I haven't witnessed any amazing sunrises yet but I'm sure I will. You would like Florida in September- it's hot, hot hot here with no end in sight!
    I think my husband would say he's ridden 235 miles on his bike to work since I crashed the car. He would be exaggerating, but that's what it probably feels like to him. SIGH!

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  9. You know how much I love fall, but the shrinking daylight is a bit of a bummer.

    I love a good homemade salsa and yours looks so good!!

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  10. The deer ate my tomatoes but I have a nice friend and I am loving tomatoes from her garden.

    My biking miles are still 0.

    I do love chai tea latte. But I have been drinking Starbucks with flavored creamers. I have my own Keurig. My hubby does his own thing.

    Very sad that it is dark in the am and even more sad that the sunsets so early!!!!!

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    1. It's even more sad on a cloudy morning, because there's not even a hint of the sunrise when it's supposed to be happening ;-(

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  11. Oh, that salsa looks good! Love all your adventures!

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  12. We're having a country-wide shortage of tomatoes at the moment! My dad called me yesterday in excitement to tell me he had spotted some at a very obscure market and would bring some over! So your garden produce has me very jealous!

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  13. Just realised my comment came as Anon! It's me :-) "We're having a country-wide shortage of tomatoes at the moment! My dad called me yesterday in excitement to tell me he had spotted some at a very obscure market and would bring some over! So your garden produce has me very jealous!"

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