What’s Blooming and July Goals

Another new month and another set of goals!

I took a quick walk around the block this morning while coffee brewed before I came in to make breakfast.

Banana custard oats topped with peanut flour (a little runny…oops) and some strawberry jam.

It sure feels like Friday, doesn’t it?  Work was really busy, though, and I think that is because other MTs are on vacation now!

Had a nice porch lunch today.  1-minute muffin and the reddest plum ever!  It looks like a beet, don’t you think?

And now for everyone’s favorite part of the week. Here is this week’s garden blooms:

The clematis is starting now.

It is a monster that grows up the porch.  It will reach the roof of the porch by the end of the summer.

This is a pot of Black-eyed Susans waiting to go to my mother’s garden.  I pulled most of mine as they got totally out of control last year.

Allysum that is in a pot with my geraniums.

My first marigolds of the season!  I did not have marigolds last year and thought I would give them a whirl again.

These are the french marigolds that aren’t so orange.

The liatris is almost there.  I love the plant and how cool it always looks.

And day lilies!  Lots and lots of day lilies:

These are over 4 feet tall! 😯

And the butterfly weed is opening  up.

Come and get it butterflies!

I enjoyed a latte today while Pixie snored next to me.

Along with some Kashi GoLean that I was snacking on.

All enjoyed while planning my new monthly projects!

  • Stretching – Since this was one of my yearly goals and I have been quite the slacker in this department, I am going to focus on it.  3 times a week I will make sure I dedicate to a good stretching session.
  • 400 miles on my bike – I rode 362 miles on the bike in June.  I know I can cross the 400 mile mark, especially with gearing up for our 100-mile ride.
  • No caffeine for a week. Seriously? WTH am I thinking?  I will give it a try.  It doesn’t seem to affect my sleep, but I will just make sure.  John said he may take a vacation that week. :mrgreen:   I don’t know what week that will be, but I might try to get it over with early.
  • Walking 3 times during the day – Thinking more about moving during the day since it is just too hard to try to do while I am working.  I am going to do a 10 minute around-the-block walk in the mid morning, at lunch, and mid afternoon. That will give me an extra 30 minutes of exercise a day outside of what I normally do. That shouldn’t affect my productivity too much.

I won’t mention weight loss because that is ongoing, but I will update at the end of the month.

I baked up some brown rice, even though pizza was a thought to have…  And served with with sauteed broccoli and chicken sausage.

I managed to snack on cashews while dinner was cooking, too.  I am having some snack issues the last couple of days.  Sigh.

Well, I am off for a ride tonight, as I am working towards 400 miles LOL!  Better get a move on.

Question:  Any plans for the holiday weekend?

16 thoughts on “What’s Blooming and July Goals

  1. kalli

    love your goals lori! my hubs and i are working on stretching more too and getting a more challenging after dinner walk in every night. hope you had a great bike ride and wow for almost reaching 400 miles!

  2. Kimberley

    I love the colour of the pale yellow marigold. What a great idea to walk around the block three times a day to get some extra walking in.

    I am doing nothing this weekend. The Boss is gone away until next Wednesday and I just staying home and doing nothing. I am having a friend over on Sunday for lunch, so I guess that is something.

    Happy riding!

  3. suzanne

    I must admit I’m a slacker for stretching. I really should do more.
    I love all your flowers 🙂
    I’m going to try your 1 minute muffin this weekend with coconut butter!

    1. Lori Post author

      It is very good with blueberry sauce and coconut butter – one of my favorite ways to eat it!

  4. debby

    Hmmm. You still eat oatmeal in the summertime. Is it cooler there in the morning, or do you just like it no matter what?

    I loved that butterfly weed. Does it come in other colors? I think I tried to grow some blue ones one time. They were from a garden that grew them specifically for Monarch butterflies. I like those pale marigolds too.

    I like your idea of just getting up and walking around the block to break the day up. That’s kind of what I would do at work if there was time.

    1. Lori Post author

      The butterfly weed is mostly shades of orange. The big regular milkweed has some blueish flowers on it and are really tall. This plant is much shorter and suitable for gardens.

      We do have cooler mornings because of the mountains. It’s nice. Overnight temps have been in the 50s this week, so warm breakfasts are still a go for a bit anyway.

  5. Fran

    You’re brave for taking a challenge of no coffee for a week.
    Coffee doesn’t give me sleeping problems so I’m never gonna give it up, love it way too much although I could drink less of it.

    I want to bet that you will even ride 500 miles this month on your bike. I dare to take the challenge with you.

    Have a great long weekend. Will be thinking of you on Monday when it’s my first day back at work after the vacation.

  6. Jody - Fit at 53

    I am on the move this morn but will come back later to read more thoroughly! Had to say that I love the blooms & Pixie – she has the life!!!! 🙂

    Hope your ride was great!

  7. SheFit

    WOW! I love all the flowers. That is one thing I miss out about not having a house. NO plans for the holiday weekend. I have to work at the hospital tonight and Monday… should be packed with people who end up doing stupid things, but lets hope for the opposite.

  8. cammy@tippytoediet

    I’m not sure blog world is ready for Decaffeinated Lori! LOL Certainly a worthwhile experiment, though.

    No big plans here–a family bbq and possibly a bike ride on the 4th. We’re in a heat wave, so I’ll have to see what the temps are like.

  9. Jody - Fit at 53

    OK – finally making it back after a “Jody is pooped from 4 of the crazy kids over” day & more than a hard core Jody workout! 😉 WOW! I respect moms!!!

    So, great goals & I can so attest to the stretching – as I have aged, boy, that is major important. We tighten up for sure & I used to be able to do front & back walkovers!!!

    WTF on coffee – what are you thinking Lori! I am NOT that brave! 😉 Good luck!

  10. MB

    Seriously? You? No coffee? I wouldn’t try going cold turkey, your head might explode from withdrawals.

    We’re up in VT for the long holiday weekend.

    Happy 4th!!

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