What's Up Wednesday: August 2026

 

It's been a really long time since I have participated in What's Up Wednesday and I know that my posting has been a little sparse lately. This has been a super challenging year and when the things get a little crazy, the words don't really flow for me. Today, I am back for What's Up Wednesday and linking up with Shay and Shaeffer. 

I am going to warn you that this post may be pretty real and raw at times. I try to keep things as real as possible on this site and so many of you comment how positive I stay most of the time, lately things are been hard. Some things I will share but I also need to keep a lot of things private right now.

Ok, closing my eyes, taking a big breath and jumping in. 

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Hello Monday May 25, 2026: Monthly Musings May 2026 Topics

 

Happy Memorial Day Besties. I hope you are having a Good long weekend while also taking time to remember those who have given so much for our country. Since we are at the last week of the month, I wanted to link up with Sarah and Holly for Hello Monday and share the May 2026 topics for Monthly Musings. 

The May topics will be a Summer 2026 Preview. On Thursday we will share all things summer and what your plans are for Summer 2026. This month has been a little challenging and I cannot wait to dive right into summer plans and see what the other writers who join this link-up party every month have on tap for their summers/

See you back here on Thursday!

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What 's Up Wednesday: August 2025

 

Wait, whoa whoa whoa. When did it get to be the end of August? I feel like it was just August 1st about five days ago. Since I need to face reality that it is the last Wednesday of the month and share August 2025 with you by linking up for What's Up Wednesday with Shay and Shaeffer.

What We're Eating This Week

Monday-Chicken and vegetable stir-fry with rice noodles

Tuesday-Running Daddy will be at a work training all day in West Virginia so I think we will just figure out dinner on our own

Wednesday-Probably steak tips with rice and salad

Thursday-Taco bowls with salad

Friday-Take-out of some kind

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Monthly Musings July 2025: How We Summer

 

Hey there Besties! Here we are at the very last day of July. I was walking through downtown Washington, DC this week to meet my niece, her husband and a friend for drinks and it literally felt like an oven walking the five blocks from my office. Even though it has been a crazy hot summer, Holly and I are getting together today and our topic for Monthly Musings is How We Summer. Beat the heat and join out link-up for all of the summer fun.

1. Favorite Thing About Summer 2025?

Honestly, my favorite thing about Summer 2025 was having Hockey Guy home for three full months. The vibe is just different in the house when he is home and the dog is happy. Running Daddy and I had a lot of fun during the school year, but I do cherish the three (four with the dog) being back together.

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Hello Monday-July 28, 2025: July 2025 Monthly Musings Topics

 

A new week is upon us and Thursday is Monthly Musings. I dropped into Hello Monday hosted by Sarah and Holly to share the topics for this month. For July, we are sharing How We Summer. We are covering  summer movies, schedules, books, trips and of the summer fun left during these last few weeks of the season.

Be sure to come by this link-up hosted by Holly and me on Thursday. I can't wait to talk summer 2025.

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Monthly Musings June 2025: Summer Vacation Guide

 

It's finally summer Besties! Whether you are hitting the beach, going overseas, relaxing on the lake or hiking in the mountains, Monthly Musings will get you ready for summer travel. This link-up party that Holly and I host brings together some of the most talented women on the internet to share their tips and fun experiences. Grab our sunscreen and get ready for the Monthly Musings Summer Vacation Guide.

1. Share Your Summer Trips for 2025

We are once again headed to Hilton Head and I am counting the weeks. We didn't go last summer due to all of the graduation festivities and getting ready for college. We did end up going for a few days after Christmas. I am so ready to be back on the island.

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Monthly Musings June 2025 Topics

 

Are you ready for a new week Besties? The last few weeks have been so crazy with work that I am really glad to be back in this space. I feel like I can finally exhale a bit and take the time to link-up with Holly and Sarah for Hello Monday. 

Today, I am sharing the topics for the June 2025 Monthly Musings coming up on Thursday. This is a link-up that Holly and I host on the last Thursday of every month. The June topics are focused on summer travel. I hope you will join me back here on Thursday for Monthly Musings. I hope to be back on Wednesday too for What's Up Wednesday.

See you later this week!

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Monthly Musings May 2025: Kicking Off Summer

 

It's Friday Eve Besties and it is also time for May Monthly Musings! For May, Holly and I are kicking off summer and we have a lovely group of talented writers that will be joining us too.

With Memorial Day marking the unofficial kick-off to summer, we re ready to share all of the summer plans and fun. We were so busy last summer getting ready for college drop-off that summer fun took a little bit of a backseat. Summer 2025...I am so ready for you!

1. What are you looking forward to most this summer?

While I loved the graduation season last year and the process of getting ready for college send-off, I am ready to have a real summer in 2025. Hoping that all of our friends are around and I also cannot wait to get back to Hilton Head.

I also need to return to the farmer's market on the weekend in Old Town or at least the farm stand that comes to our neighborhood. 

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Monthly Musings Topics May 2025: Kicking Off Summer

 

Hey there Besties, I hope you are having a relaxing long weekend. I am definitely enjoying a few moments to breathe before I get really busy with work again.

I am linking up with Holly and Sarah on Tuesday to share the topics for Month Musings. Holly and I are kicking off summer for Monthly Musings and joining the talented ladies who are part of our Thursday link-up to talk all things summer 2025! 

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Friday Favorites-January 3, 2025: Favorite Meal, New Fave Sweater, Gentle Cleanser, Southern Charm and New Podcast

 

Welcome to the first post of 2025! I took off from December 24th through January 1st and it is probably the most vacation time I have taken in many, many years. Re-entry is tough with some year-end numbers due and a new Congress being sworn in today but I do think the time off was totally worth it.  Today I am taking a moment to link up with Erika and Andrea and share the simple pleasures that brought me Joy this week. I am sharing my favorite meal of the year, my new favorite sweater, a gentle cleanser for winter, Southern Charm is back and a podcast we are really loving right now. Settle in for the first 

1. My Favorite Meal of the Year

We went to Hilton Head for a few days after Christmas and it was a very Good idea. We didn't get there this summer due to college orientation and all of the freshman year prep. We even brought our dog and he loved island life.

This also meant that was able to have my favorite meal of the year. You can keep your Thanksgiving feast, all I want is the gluten-free clam strips at Skull Creek Dockside. They are fresh, sweet and crunchy just as a clam strip should be. They use cornmeal for the breading and that is why they are gluten-free. I barely even touch the fries because all I need are the clams.

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What's Up Wednesday: August 2024

 

Wow August! What a month. So much happened this month and so much has changed in the Good Better Best household since August 1st. To recap the month, I am linking up with Shay and Shaeffer for What's Up Wednesday. Are you ready? Let's do this!

What We're Eating This Week

Monday-Egg Roll in a Bowl

Tuesday-Tacos, black beans, salad

Wednesday-Ranch chicken, noodles, salad

Thursday-Sausage, pepper pasta

Friday-Some type of take-out after his and hers acupuncture

What I'm Reminiscing About

With Hockey Guy leaving for college, I am reminiscing about all of the back-to-school years. Here he is on his first day of kindergarten.

I have also been thinking about this time last year when he was starting senior year and we had no idea what the year would hold for him. Where he is currently going to school wasn't even on the radar screen this time last year and it is looking like the perfect fit.

I have never been a "time slow down" person. I want him to move through his life exactly like he should. 

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Hello Monday-August 26, 2024: August Monthly Musings Topics

 

Wow Besties, we are at the last Monday of August. I am linking up with Holly and Sarah today for Hello Monday to share our topics for Monthly Musings coming up on Thursday. 

This week is basically the last unofficial week of summer. There is definitely a change in the air weather-wise this week. The humidity is lower, the days are warm, the evenings are cool and a few evenings have been so delightful that we have even slept with the window open a few nights.  With the change in the air and schools going back into session, Holly and I are focusing on Summer's End/Back to School for August Monthly Musings.

If you want to join us for Monthly Musings, grab our graphic above, link back to Holly and me and share your thoughts about Summer's End/Back to School. I love reading all of the posts of the talented group of writers who join us every month. 

I'll be back on Wednesday for What's Up Wednesday and then again on Thursday for Monthly Musings. See you then!

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Monthly Musings July 2024: Late Summer Fashion and Fun

 

Besties, we have a few weeks of summer remaining and I am ready to enjoy it. Are you? Today for Monthly Musings, Holly and I selected the topics of Late Summer Fashion and Fun for our July link-up. Please also take a moment to visit the sites of the other writers who are joining us this month. Embrace the last few weeks of longer days and join us for Monthly Musings. 

1. Summer travel--where have you been and what trips do you have coming up?

This summer looks a little different than previous summers due to Hockey Guy going off to college this year. We didn't take our traditional summer trip to Hilton Head but we are looking at heading there later in the year.

We made a trip to campus for orientation in July and then next month we head back to campus for the big move-in.  The three of us are looking to do something fun on the way down and Running Daddy and I will do something special on the way home. This does help soften the edge of not going on a "real" vacation this summer.

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Monthly Musings June 2024: Summer Travel and Traditions

 

Hey there Besties! I am starting this post with an apology. Do you see the graphic above? Yup, there are two questions marked #3. At this point, I am not going to fix it because it will cause even more confusion for the writers who link up with us. Therefore people can answer either question marked #3 or even both. 

This is what happens when I work on a graphic at 5:30 a.m. the morning we were hosting Hockey Guy's graduation party. Holly is a very patient co-host.

Now that my confessional is out of the way, let's talk about summer travel and traditions. If you also participated in Monthly Musings, link up with us and try to visit the other writers listed below.

1. Share Your Summer Plans

Our summer is going to look a little different this summer with Hockey Guy going to college later this summer. We are headed to orientation this weekend and then we will spend this summer getting everything ready for him to go to school.

We are also going to try to spend as much time as possible together and let him spend time with his friends.

While we typically go to Hilton Head every summer, we are looking to do that possibly in the fall when Hockey Guy has a break.

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Hello Monday-June 2024 Monthly Musings Topics

 

Good Monday morning! Popping in here real quick because we had Hockey Guy's graduation party yesterday. Linking up with Holly and Sarah  today for Hello Monday to share the topics for Thursday's Monthly Musings.

For June we will be sharing our Summer Travel and Traditions. Grag our graphic, link back to Holly and me and share all of your favorite summer traditions and travel tips.

I will see you back here on Thursday for Monthly Musings, or maybe even Wednesday for What's Up Wednesday if my week cooperates!

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Monthly Musings May 2024: Getting Ready for Summer/Memorial Day

 

Hey there Besties! This month has been a wonderful whirlwind and I have had to step away from the site for a bit, but I could not miss Monthly Musings! Today Holly and I are hosting our monthly link-up party and our focus for May is Getting Ready for Summer and Memorial Day. Who's ready to kick off summer? I know I am!

1. What are you looking forward to this summer?

This summer so much is going to be new for us with Hockey Guy going off to college in the fall. I am looking forward to the three of us spending as much time together this summer. I am also looking forward to his college orientation in July and also helping him pick out items for his dorm room.

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What's Up Wednesday-April 2024

 

Wow April what a month. You brought us my birthday, spring weather, a bit of travel and a whole lot of fun. April has been a Good month so far. Because it is the last Wednesday of April I am linking up with Shay and Shaeffer for What's Up Wednesday. This linkup is a little food, a little fashion, what I was watching and what I was wearing in April. Embrace this spring weather and join me for What's Up Wednesday April 2024.

What We Are Eating This Week

Monday-Greek meatballs, quinoa, roasted vegetables and garlic breadsticks for the boys

Tuesday-Tacos, black beans and salad

Wednesday-Baked chicken thighs, rice and veggies

Thursday-Shrimp scampi, noodles and salad

Friday-Some type of take-out

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What's Up Wednesday-August 2023

 

August has been a very eventful month. We had a dreamlike vacation, a bunch of work and back to school prep. Since it is the last Wednesday of August I am linking up with Shay and Shaeffer for their monthly link-up What's Up Wednesday. Take a moment to breathe and find out what we have been up to in August.

What We Are Eating This Week

This is the first week of classes and hockey is in full swing, so meal planning is key right now. I am definitely planning our meals around hockey nights. The Good news about practices being so late this year is that Hockey Guy will be home for dinner on hockey nights for now.

Monday-Raspberry balsamic chicken, rice and salad

Tuesday-Baked chicken tacos, black beans and salad

Wednesday- Grilled cheese with fruit

Thursday-Breakfast for dinner! Pancakes, bacon and berries

Friday-End of the week take out

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Monthly Musings June 2023:Summer Fun-Vacay Trips, and Adventures

 

Hey hey Besties! It is officially summer. I know that it doesn't always feel like summer these days, I am looking at you New England and the mid-Atlantic, and that some parts of the country feel like the surface of the sun, ahem Texas. For today's Monthly Musings Holly and I wanted everyone to share all of the fun that is summer regardless of the temperatures. This post has all of the summer travel, cocktails/mocktails, and places we love to visit as the schedule slows down and the days get a little longer. Grab your favorite beverage and join Holly, me, and all of the other talented writers who join us every month for Monthly Musings.

1. Favorite Vacation Destinations?

When Hockey Guy was little, we went to Bethany Beach, DE for a Good ten years. It's an easy drive for us and it was the perfect spot for little kids.

Six years ago we decided we were up for a longer drive and a little more of a true vacation. We started going to Sea Pines on Hilton Head Island and never looked back. At first Hockey Guy was resistant to going anywhere but Bethany, but once he put his feet in that warm South Carolina water and had shrimp right off the boat, he was hooked. I always tell him that the Low Country has seeped into his veins. More on that in the future.

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What's Up Wednesday June 2023

 

Oh June you have been mostly a lovely month. You have given us a strong finish to the school year, a wedding anniversary, two Good trips and lots of hard work for everyone. Since it is the last Wednesday of June I am linking up with Shay and Shaeffer for their monthly link-up What's Up Wednesday. This June post is going to be a little quick because this is a busy week but more on that in a bit.

What We're Eating This Week

We have some travel at the end of the week and I am finishing up a big work project so the dinner plans are a little fluid in the beginning of the week and then a lot of dining out in one of the Best food cities in the USA later in the week. Here's what I can tell you so far:

Monday I was super glad that I put some stew beef with broth and taco seasoning in the slow cooker before I left the house in the morning because I didn't expect to get home so late! I luckily had the meat cooking all day so that we could have easy tacos when I got home.

Tuesday will probably be burgers and dogs with sweet potato puffs along with cucumber, hearts of palm and chickpea salad. I am going to post this salad recipe in July...I promise!

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