Feeling Supported
It's funny how quickly life changes.
One week you're sipping wine in a vineyard with a 5:30 dinner reservation, and the next you're walking the dogs, wondering what's for dinner, and mentally preparing for a stressful workday.
That was me this week.
As much as I loved California, coming home reminded me how lucky I am to have people who make everyday life feel just as meaningful. Friends who show up. Family who checks in. A husband who's always in my corner. A business community that celebrates each other's wins.
This week wasn't about a big adventure. It was about appreciating the people waiting for me when I got home.
Home Again
Jeremy and I have learned that if we want to travel, we have to make it happen in a small window each year. Owning a business means our calendar revolves around busy seasons, so when that slower stretch finally arrives, we pack in as many adventures as we can.
As grateful as I am for those trips, I know myself—I thrive on routine. Coming home has become one of my favorite parts of traveling.
This week felt good in the simplest ways. Meal prep was back in the fridge. Morning workouts returned to normal. I unpacked, caught up on work, spent time in the pool, and settled back into the little habits that keep me clear-headed and feeling like myself.
I've realized travel doesn't make me appreciate home less—it actually makes me appreciate it more. Every trip reminds me that the life Jeremy and I are intentionally building here in Southwest Florida is exactly the one I want to come home to.
Showing Up for Eachother
One of the things I don't talk about enough is that Grazing Haus wouldn't look the way it does today without the people who believed in me during the hard seasons.
When I unexpectedly lost my commercial space, Sarah opened hers without hesitation. This week, we built forty boards together for the PACE Center for Girls Funky Fashion Show.
Two exhausting days, 40K steps, 25 lbs of salami, 50 bs of cheese, and a million laughs.
At the end of it, I drove home realizing how incredibly lucky I am to have people in my corner who simply say:
"We'll figure it out."
One day I should probably tell the whole story of how Sweet Real Bakery quietly helped save Grazing Haus. (Coming Soon)
What I'm Loving
I came across two things this week that I genuinely can't stop thinking about.
☕ The Only Way Coffee
Have you tried it yet?
One of our Grazing Haus customers told us we had to give it a shot, so Sarah and I made a coffee run... and now I completely understand the hype.
It's honestly one of the best cups of coffee I've had in Southwest Florida. It tastes like coffee—rich, balanced, and not drowned in sugary syrups or overly sweet milk. As someone who loves espresso, that's hard to find.
The fact that it's family-owned and built around a strong foundation of faith just makes me want to support them even more. If you're local, this one is absolutely worth the stop.
🌸 Flouwer Crackers
My GFI rep, Dan, knows me a little too well.
He walked into the kitchen this week with a box of Flouwer Crackers and said, "I think you'll like these."
He was right.
You can actually see every ingredient baked into each cracker—edible flowers, seeds, herbs—and they're just as beautiful as they are delicious. I usually say the cheese should be the star of the board, and honestly, I could take or leave most crackers...
These are the exception.
They've officially earned a spot on our Grazing Haus boards.
What I'm Eating
Salad Jars... Still.
Some recipes just earn a permanent spot in the rotation, and these salad jars have officially reached that status.
They're easy to prep, full of protein, and somehow never get old because I can swap the ingredients every week. My latest obsession is using Garlic Expressions as the dressing. It's simple, flavorful, and makes meal prep feel anything but boring.
This week's jars included:
- Artichoke hearts
- Peruvian pepper drops
- Banana peppers
- Fresh tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Hummus
- Protein pasta
- Turkey
- Crisp romaine
If you've never meal-prepped salads before, trust me—they're worth trying.
What I'm Drinking
Let's just say...coffee carried me through this week.
Between workshops, events, and catching up after travel, caffeine was definitely working overtime. But with Southwest Florida feeling like 102° every afternoon, staying hydrated has become just as important.
One of the sweetest surprises this week came from Kristin, the owner of North Fort Myers Florist, who gifted me flowers and introduced me to a brand I'd never heard of before: Coldest.
Naturally, I had to put it to the test.
I accidentally left it in my hot car while I ran errands all day, and when I came back, the water was still ice cold. I honestly couldn't believe it.
I love discovering local businesses through other local business owners. It's one of my favorite parts of this community, and this cup has officially earned a permanent spot in my car.
What I'm Planning
This weekend we're heading north for our very first scalloping trip with friends, and I'm ridiculously excited. For someone who grew up in Florida, it's hard to believe I've never been before. Here's hoping I come home with fresh scallops, all ten fingers, and a new skill to add to my Florida girl résumé.
I'm also keeping packing incredibly simple. My summer uniform has officially become linen shorts, easy tanks, comfortable sandals, and a baseball hat. The older I get, the less I want to overthink getting dressed. I'd rather have a handful of pieces I genuinely love than a suitcase full of "just in case" outfits. I'll link everything I'm packing if you're building your own summer capsule wardrobe.
Back at home, we're finally moving into our next house project: the media wall. We've also been refreshing our dining room with new curtains from a recent partnership with Quince, and I have to tell you...Jeremy officially admitted I was right.
I wish I would've recorded that moment.
The curtains completely softened the space, warmed up the room, and finally made everything feel finished. I can't wait to share the full reveal with you soon.
There's something exciting about having little things to look forward to. A weekend on the water with friends, a house project finally coming together, and another room starting to feel more like home. I can't wait to bring you along for all of it.