Life Lately: Settling In, Summer Adventures & Fresh Finds at Fit Foodie HQ
Can you believe it’s already June? This year has absolutely flown by at an incredible pace, and it feels like just yesterday we were ringing in the new year. I hope each of you had a truly spectacular Memorial Day Weekend! Mine was a perfect blend of celebration, significant life changes, and cherished family moments. I spent part of it embracing the vibrant energy at the River House, celebrating Linley’s birthday in style. The other part was dedicated to the monumental task of moving into a new apartment, which, despite its challenges, brought immense joy, especially when surrounded by my wonderful family.
A Fresh Start: New Home & Mark’s Minneapolis Move!
It’s official – I’ve completely settled into my new place, and I genuinely couldn’t be happier! A significant portion of this happiness, I must admit, stems from the sheer relief that the moving process is finally over and done with. If there’s one thing I thoroughly despise, it’s packing and relocating. It seems I’ve become the type of person who postpones packing until the absolute last possible second because the sight of disorganization and things “out of place” can trigger a surprising amount of anxiety for me. So, in true friendship fashion, I enlisted the incredible help of Linley and Cath the day before the big move. That’s precisely what friends are for, right – especially when you’re in a pinch?
Oh, I nearly forgot to share a crucial detail with you all! Just three days before moving day, I managed to injure my neck quite severely. My chiropractor confirmed it: I had actually sprained my neck. This happened from what I thought was a routine crack of my neck and back, something I do regularly. The result? For three agonizing days, I literally couldn’t move my neck or upper back without significant pain. This unexpected setback made the timing of the move incredibly challenging, and it truly underscored how essential Linley and Cath’s assistance was. Without their generous help, I would have been unable to lift a single box, turning an already stressful event into an impossible feat. I am endlessly grateful for their unwavering support during such a critical time.
Beyond the relief of unpacking, much of my current joy in this new apartment comes from the thrilling fact that Mark and I will finally be living in the same city, under the same roof! I moved in about a month ahead of him, and the anticipation of him joining me has been almost palpable. I can’t wait for the simple, everyday moments – like eating breakfast together every morning. It’s these small routines that truly make a house feel like a home. Currently, I’m still working diligently to make more space for him, which has involved a considerable amount of decluttering. You should have seen the massive load I took to Good Will just the other day – a testament to how much “stuff” one person can accumulate! Over the Memorial Day weekend, I did allow myself a little splurge, investing in a few new pieces of furniture for our shared home. It was the perfect timing, as many stores were having some of the best sales of the year! We managed to find some truly beautiful items from West Elm, including this elegant dining table, this functional and stylish desk, and this versatile buffet. These pieces are already making the space feel more cohesive and reflective of our combined style.
The quest for the perfect home isn’t quite over yet. I’m still actively on the lookout for a media console that’s large enough to comfortably accommodate a 60-inch TV – a surprisingly challenging item to find! Additionally, I’m searching for new, cozy lamps for the bedroom to create a warm ambiance, and a set of comfortable, stylish chairs to complete our dining table setup. These are the classic “adult probzzz,” as I like to call them – the seemingly endless details that go into transforming an apartment into a truly functional and aesthetically pleasing home. Currently, things are still a bit in disarray, with boxes lingering and decor elements awaiting their final placement. Let’s face it, there’s still “stuff everywhere!” I’ve shared a few sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram, but rest assured, the very second I get some truly fantastic, high-quality photos of the completed space, I will be absolutely thrilled to post them for you all to see and enjoy. Stay tuned for the full home tour!
Upcoming Adventures: Summer Travel Plans
Ah, ’tis truly the season for summer travel! As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, my wanderlust always kicks into high gear. I often tell myself that I’m not going to venture too far during the summer months, primarily because I absolutely adore the vibrant and beautiful Midwestern summers. And I’d say I’m doing a pretty good job of sticking to that goal, generally staying within a comfortable 300-mile radius for most of our trips. However, a few exciting exceptions and longer adventures are on the horizon, promising a summer filled with new experiences.
- Milwaukee, WI: Mark’s incredibly busy season at work is finally drawing to a close this coming Monday. So, to celebrate and enjoy our last moments before our new chapter begins, I’m going to spend the rest of the week at his current place in Milwaukee. This will be my LAST TIME at his ‘casa’ before he officially makes the big move to Minneapolis! It’s a bittersweet visit, filled with packing, anticipation, and making final memories in a city that has been his home for so long.
- Red Rocks, Colorado: This trip is a dream come true, years in the making! I was recently looking through a list of goals I meticulously wrote down for myself back in 2006, when I was just 16 years old. One of them, proudly written, was “Go to a Dispatch concert.” While I’ve always loved Dispatch, I must admit my affection for Guster runs even deeper. And guess what? They are playing TOGETHER at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and Mark and I are going! This is a monumental trip for both of us; neither of us has ever been to Red Rocks before, nor have we had the chance to see a Dispatch concert live. The excitement is truly off the charts! We’ve rented a charming Air BnB nestled in the mountains, promising a secluded and romantic getaway just for us. I literally cannot wait to experience the magic of Red Rocks and these two incredible bands under the stars.
- Lutsen, MN: For the 4th of July, my family is planning our annual trip up north to the beautiful Lutsen, Minnesota, situated right on the majestic shores of Lake Superior. This year, we’re planning an adventurous day exploring the serene Boundary Waters and embarking on parts of the scenic Superior Hiking Trail. We’re also holding out hope that Mark and I will have acquired our very own canoe by then. If so, it will be the perfect opportunity to put it to the real test on the pristine waters of northern Minnesota!
- Hermosa Beach, CA: My wonderful friend, Lindsey, finally managed to convince me that Mark and I absolutely need to go watch Tim play in one of his AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) tournaments this summer. After much deliberation, we chose… HERMOSA BEACH! There are so many reasons to be excited: 1. I absolutely adore Lindsey and her infectious energy. 2. I’m a huge fan of Tim and his incredible talent on the court. 3. I love Brody, their adorable son. And 4. I simply can’t get enough of California’s sunshine and laid-back vibes! We’re definitely planning to be there Thursday through Sunday in late July, but we might even extend our stay for a couple more days to truly soak it all in. If any of you have fantastic recommendations for places to stay, incredible dining spots, or must-do activities in Southern California, please don’t hesitate to hit me up! We’re eager to explore all the local gems.
Speaking of past travels and sunny destinations, it brings back fond memories to throw back to my unforgettable Euro trip last year. It’s always inspiring to look back at previous adventures as we plan new ones.
Summer at Fit Foodie Finds: A New Creative Rhythm
Summertime at Fit Foodie HQ is, without a doubt, the absolute best season of the year for our creative work. The days are wonderfully longer, which means we have a significant amount more natural light to play with during our photography sessions. This extended daylight allows us to be incredibly efficient, enabling us to shoot as many as four recipes in a single day, compared to the usual two during shorter daylight months. Both Lin and I vastly prefer this summer workflow because we can accomplish so much more in just three or four dedicated workdays, rather than needing a full five. We have a cherished “rule” here at Fit Foodie Finds: no working is allowed on Fridays (for the most part, of course!), and when in doubt, our default plan is always to head straight to the tranquil River House for some well-deserved relaxation and inspiration.
One of the primary reasons we’re able to consistently take Fridays off during the summer is a strategic decision regarding our content production. We intentionally pull back on the sheer volume of new content we release during these warmer months. Why? Because everyone, and I mean *everyone*, is outside enjoying the beautiful weather – or at least, they should be! We’ve observed over the years that our biggest engagement periods and peak traffic times are typically around New Year’s, when resolutions are in full swing, and during the “back to school” season, as routines are re-established. Therefore, summer becomes our designated time for a much-needed collective vacation. We firmly believe that everyone deserves some time off to recharge and enjoy life beyond work. After all, “play time” is truly what we live for, isn’t it? It’s crucial for mental well-being, sparking creativity, and preventing burnout. We know that September will be here before we know it, and with it, we’ll transition back to our full five-day-a-week content creation schedule, refreshed and brimming with new ideas.
Until then, you can expect to find us happily brewery hopping and thoroughly enjoying our precious Fridays off! Speaking of exploring local breweries, I recently had the pleasure of trying two new ones just last week: Dangerous Man Brewing Co. and Able Seedhouse + Brewery. And let me tell you, it was love at first sip for both! Heart, heart, heart – I’m absolutely smitten with the vibrant craft beer scene here in Minneapolis. Be on the lookout for an exciting new “Minnesota Series” feature on our blog, showcasing our favorite breweries across the state… because, yes, I’m officially *very* into beer now and eager to share my newfound passion with you all! From lagers to IPAs, and stouts to sours, there’s a whole world of flavor to explore, and I can’t wait to guide you through some of our top picks, discussing everything from their unique atmospheres to their standout brews and delicious food pairings.
OH – and get incredibly excited for these upcoming recipes, you guys! I truly want to post them all right now, but good things come to those who wait. We’ve been pouring our creativity into developing some truly delectable and seasonal dishes that I know you’re going to absolutely love. Expect vibrant flavors, fresh ingredients, and easy-to-follow instructions perfect for your summer cooking. We’re talking light salads, grilling favorites, refreshing desserts, and innovative healthy twists on classic comfort foods. Keep an eye out for these soon-to-be-released culinary masterpieces!
That is all the exciting news and updates I have for you in this installment of “Life Lately.” From new beginnings in our home life to thrilling travel plans and a refreshed creative flow at Fit Foodie Finds, this summer is shaping up to be one for the books. Thank you for joining me on this journey! CIAO for now, and stay tuned for more deliciousness and adventures.