Today we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we are so lucky to enjoy day in and day out. We truly are the land of the free because of the brave. Thank you to the men and women who gave their lives for our country. Bless the families who have lost loved ones and those who continue to serve and protect. Thank you.
Memorial Day Weekend
Good morning, my friends. I hope you’re doing well today and, if you have the day off, I hope you’re able to relax, reflect and enjoy some time outside.
Neither Ryan nor I have the day off today, but we did manage to take full advantage of our two day weekend and spent as much time as possible on the lake.
The weather was fabulous – no rain and perfectly sunny – and we had a blast soaking up the sun and playing in the water.
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Lake Norman as busy as it was this weekend. Tons of people were out on the water and it was so much fun to see kids tubing and playing around on jet skis while we relaxed on the deck of our boat.
Sadie stuck to her usual boat routine of chasing shadows and geese and swimming with us whenever we jumped into the water to float around and cool off.
While out on the water yesterday, I started reading The Husband’s Secret which quickly captured my attention.
So far it seems like the perfect summertime read – easy and entertaining!
After our afternoon of boating, we made our way home to shower before it was time to head out to a cook out at Kevin and Chandra’s place.
We were tasked with contributing a salad to the party and I threw together a summery mix of fresh greens with diced apples, strawberries, candied walnuts and my sweet and spicy roasted almonds.
We arrived around 4 p.m. and I proceeded to eat enough cheese and crackers to completely ruin my appetite for dinner… But somehow I magically managed to fill and clear my plate once the food was ready.
Our group of eight dug into steak, pasta salad, grilled corn, hot dogs, fresh fruit and salad. It was a delicious spread and we had a great time catching up with friends and celebrating Kevin’s 30th birthday!
Question of the Morning
- Share one highlight from your weekend below!
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Do you have any bathing suit advice for pregnant people? Just the thought of wearing one while pregnant is terrifying
Hi Brooke!! Right now I’ve just been wearing my pre-pregnancy bikinis because I’m just on the boat with Ryan and don’t really care too much about how I’m looking when we’re just casually hanging out. I will be hanging out at a public pool next weekend and I’m not sure what I’ll do yet… I think I’ll probably just stick to wearing a bathing suit that makes me feel comfortable which, right now, seems to be the same swimsuits I’ve always worn. I don’t mind showing a pregnant belly in a bikini at all, so I think that makes things a little easier since I haven’t really shopped around at all to try to accommodate a growing stomach. I am, however, a BIG fan of loose, flowy cover ups which help me feel a little more secure!
Girls! ROCK THE BIKINI AND SHOW OFF YOUR BUMP!!!! Pregnant bellies are beautiful!! I loved loved loved wearing a bikini while pregnant – even 8 months pregnant!
I totally agree!!! Although I’ve never been pregnant, I think pregnancy is absolutely beautiful and I don’t think women should be ashamed to show their bellies. Don’t waste your money on a new bathing suit! Save it for a spa day or something for your little one when he or she arrives. 🙂
I just got back from a trip to Mexico and rocked my belly bump in a bikini during the entire trip! I thought I was going to feel insecure, but once I was out there, I felt more confident and proud than I would pre-pregnancy. I say rock the bikini and show off that beautiful belly bump! 🙂
highlight: lounging by the pool in the beautiful sunshine!!
Sounds fabulous!
Happy Memorial Day, Julie! Unfortunately, I was working all weekend but a highlight was getting to spend time with my fiance yesterday evening and we continued one of the LAMEST traditions. We’ve watched all of the Taken films, and rented Taken 3. We knew it would be AWFUL but out of respect to Liam Neeson, we watched it while munching on popcorn. Seems like this weekend was filled with late evening movies, but I also rented Whiplash (on iTunes for $1!) and thought it was BRILLIANT. I was literally biting my nails the entire time because of the anxiety and tension. Some of the best acting I’ve seen in a long time! 🙂
Have a great day!
Highlight is trying out a new farm-to-table restaurant last night, it was delightful!
I always demolish the bread basket and then am not hungry for me meal, the struggle is so real, I totally understand ;).
Have an amazing Monday!
We went out on our boat yesterday and are heading out soon today, too! I just read your above comment about rocking a bikini. I’ve been doing the same, and yesterday was the first time it was in front of anyone else. I am not 100% confident because my bump still isn’t a total “hey I’m pregnant bump” but it works. As I get larger I may opt to find something else but who knows! If they still fit and feel comfortable, then maybe I’ll wear them all summer 🙂
The weather in Austin has been crazy! We had a tornado watch sweep through on Saturday night. So after that my highlight was just being out and about the other day! But it’s been a fairly quiet week other than the big storm!
What a fun weekend! That salad sounds yummy!
Didn’t know that …. Lake Norman, created between 1959 and 1964 as part of the construction of the Cowans Ford Dam by Duke Energy, is the largest manmade body of fresh water located in North Carolina.
(love wikipedia!)
My book club read The Husband’s Secret and unanimously loved it! Her book Big Little Lies is also great! What Alice Forgot was also very good and comical!
Looks like you had an amazing weekend – the highlight to mine: taking my boyfriend’s 1 year old niece to the zoo for the first time!
Highlight of my weekend was yesterday when we took a long walk along the river and then had dinner with a gorgeous view. The weather was absolutely amazing yesterday! Your day on the boat looks so nice!
Your salad sounds so good! I may have to try to make something similar. My weekend was pretty low-key, but my family and I did go out for ice cream, and it was pretty delicious. 🙂 I love summer ice cream trips!
Sounds like you guys had a fun and laid back weekend. Here in Canada our May long weekend was last weekend in honor of Victoria Day.
Definitely spending time with friends! The weather in Texas has been just crazy so I’m envious of that lake time! What dressing do you use on that salad. I love that combo but can never get the dressing just right! Not too fruity not to balsamic! 🙂
I watched a lot of You Tube dancing and singing videos. It was great because the weather yesterday was super lame.
We took our 6-week old and dog on their first boat ride! They both loved it! Tip for you: get an infant life vest now. They have to be wearing them on the boat or you can get a ticket!
The highlight of my weekend was definitely bungee jumping! My husband and I were at King’s Island, we saw the opportunity, and then we did it! It was crazy and so, so much fun!
Hi Julie,
I would love to know if….. I have decided to return to juicing or alternate between juicing, and making smoothies. My juicer is older, and I do not know the make or model as it was a gift, but I am torn between the Breville, Kuving, and Hurom products. I want a slow masticating juice, and I will most likely only juice enough for that particular time of day, or just the day itself. What do you have, and what would you recommend? My favorite a la carte CSA company went out of business, and merged with a different company that is much inferior in quality produce than this woman’s original company offered. Plus you are only able to pick up at a shared location, and you have no idea what you will receive when. I found Fresh Direct to offer similar local items, have you ever used them, and if so do you think they have quality produce? Many thanks!! Feel Good 😉 Kindly with peace, another Julie
Hey Julie–
I was wondering if you’ve been using any special kind of sunscreen or bug spray when you’ve been in the great outdoors since expecting. I’m doing some research online and getting mixed reviews/can’t seem to pinpoint some good brands!
Thanks so much!
PS, you are looking so gorg!
if you loved “me before you” you should definitely read the two books she wrote before that one. “The last letter from your lover” was even better I thought!
Thanks for the recommendation!
I spent Sunday night celebrating a former co-workers birthday. Got to catch up with old friends over good drinks.
My family has a Memorial Weekend tradition of back woods camping on a private lake in Northern Michigan. The lake and the property around it is all ours for a few days, and it’s one of the most beautiful and fun places to go off the grid every year! We take our kayaks and row boats and fish, have bon fires and play flashlight tag! This year we took my step-daughter’s pup (Mya) who quickly became a fisher-dog! She would sit in the row boat and watch my hubbs cast out EVERY time, and would be SO excited to lick the fish he caught. They spent HOURS on the lake, and it was so much fun to watch her!
Looks like such a fun time out there on the lake! I know this is random, but what does Sadie do when she has to go potty? HAHA
I have been dying to start reading The Husband’s Secret! I’m glad to hear that it is THAT good! I am a Kindergarten teacher and the end of the year is so busy with packing up my room & getting ready for the summer. But, as soon as I have some free time, I will definitely be reading that!! 🙂