Back in June, I planted basil, not realizing just how well it would thrive over the summer here in Maryland. Between the warm days and all the summer rain we get, my basil practically took off on its own. Before long, I had a lush, green supply ready for harvesting. There’s something special about stepping outside, picking fresh herbs, and bringing them straight into the kitchen.
This week, I decided to put that abundance of basil to good use by making a classic Pesto alla Genovese. It’s fresh, vibrant, and simple to make, with ingredients that blend together beautifully. Perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or even as a dip.
Summer has officially come to a close, and with the kids now back in school, I can finally take a moment to reflect on what a whirlwind the past month has been.
In August, we packed our bags, grabbed the dog (who happens to be my wonderful service animal), and flew 2,700 miles across the country to California.
It was a special trip filled with family, friends, and memories that I know we’ll hold onto for years to come.
From there, I rented a car and headed south with the kids for a few days in Southern California. We stayed with our Aunt and spent time visiting Grandma, who turned an incredible 101 years old that weekend. Celebrating such a milestone with her was truly unforgettable.
Of course, no trip to SoCal is complete without a beach day, so we made a quick day trip to Malibu. We ended up at Will Rogers State Beach, sitting on the sand with soft serve ice cream cups from the snack shack in hand — the kind of simple moment that makes a trip special. Along the way, we also witnessed some of the aftermath left behind by the Palisades Fire, a sobering reminder of how quickly nature can change a landscape.
Before wrapping up our trip, Aunt Sherie treated the kids and me to a delicious brunch at Leo & Lilly’s in Woodland Hills. It was such a tasty treat and a wonderful way to spend time together before we had to head back home.
Now that we’re back, all the suitcases are unpacked, and we’re adjusting to a brand-new school year here in Maryland. My daughter just started college two weeks ago, and yesterday my boys had their first day of 9th and 11th grade. The biggest change? They’re all in new schools since our move to Maryland back in June. It’s been an exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) transition, but I couldn’t be prouder of how they’re diving into this new chapter.
Summer already feels like it’s slipping into memory, but I’m grateful for the family, the travel, and the moments that made this one so full.
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Last night, my daughter wasn’t feeling her best. Her throat was sore, and she just looked miserable. Instead of reaching for over-the-counter remedies right away, I turned to one of my favorite books, Forgotten Home Apothecary, and found a soothing herbal gargle recipe.
It’s simple, natural, and uses ingredients most of us already have in our kitchen. The combination of salt, honey, lemon, and herbs not only tastes fresh but also has antibacterial and soothing properties that can help calm a scratchy throat.
I gave the recipe a personal twist by using peppermint oil drops instead of fresh peppermint leaves and adding local honey from Milburn’s Farm Market, a sweet way to support local and add extra benefits.
I absolutely love eggs benedict, it’s my all-time favorite breakfast dish, and the BLT Benedict at First Watch in the Grove Shopping Center did not disappoint! Two perfectly poached cage-free eggs on gluten-free toast, topped with bacon, vine-ripened tomato, avocado, and lemon-dressed arugula, all finished with creamy hollandaise. It was rich, fresh, and so satisfying.
I really appreciated that they offered it on gluten-free bread without sacrificing flavor or quality. The side of lemon-dressed organic mixed greens made the whole meal feel light and balanced.
The wait staff was awesome and went above and beyond to make sure everything was prepared safely for my gluten allergy. I really appreciated the extra care, and it made the whole experience even better.
If you’re a fan of eggs benedict (or just looking for a great breakfast spot), I highly recommend checking out First Watch in Newark, Delaware.
First Watch 145 Grove Lane Newark, DE 19711 Website
Our visit to Cecil County Animal Services was, admittedly, absolutely chaotic. The shelter was buzzing with people, all eager to visit or adopt, especially since in August, they were waiving the adoption fees for cats and kittens due to the abundance of fur babies in need of homes.
But through the sea of excitement, we found two kittens whom we later named Nugget and Jagger. My kids and I instantly fell in love with them while at the shelter. The staff were amazing, guiding us patiently through the process and offering tips for bringing our new kittens home safely. They clearly care deeply about each animal and want to make sure every adoption is a successful, happy one.
Thanks to Cecil County Animal Services, Nugget and Jagger now have a loving fur-ever home, and our family couldn’t be happier. If you’re considering adopting a pet, this shelter is definitely worth a visit, you’ll leave with a full heart.
Cecil County Animal Services 3280 Augustine Herman Highway, Chesapeake City, MD 21915
When I planted my garden, my goal was food—but I was methodical about what plants I brought home. I wanted herbs I could cook with, but I also chose ones that could help keep mosquitos and ticks away. That’s why I started with mint, lavender, citronella, lemongrass, and rosemary. Over time, the garden turned into more than just practical; it’s become this little haven of flavor and color right outside my door.
The rosemary is strong and fragrant. I love running my fingers through it just for the scent. Oregano is spilling everywhere, always ready for sauces or soups. Basil has been a favorite, too, with soft green leaves that go perfectly in just about anything. And then there’s the mint. I never quite know what to do with all of it. Other than mint ice cream—which sounds amazing, but I’d have to figure out how to extract the oils first, it just keeps spreading and taking over its corner of the yard.
I’ve been clipping bunches of the herbs and hanging them in my dining room window. They catch the light during the day, filling the room with their scent as they dry. It makes the whole space feel alive, and I love knowing I’ll have jars of homegrown herbs to reach for even after the season ends.
The chilis are another story. I love a little heat to my entrées. So I have habanero, cayenne, and red jalapeños growing, each one fiery in its own way. The funny thing is, I can’t eat spicy foods right now because of diverticulitis. So while they’re growing beautifully, I mostly admire their color, dry some, and am thinking of giving some away. I know one day I’ll be able to enjoy them again, but for now, they’re more for drying and jarring up at the moment.
What I love most is that even without the heat from the chilis, my meals still have plenty of flavor. A little rosemary on roasted veggies, basil with fresh tomatoes, oregano in a simple pasta, it’s enough. The garden has been teaching me that abundance isn’t just about having a lot, it’s about appreciating what you can use in the moment, and being patient with what you can’t.
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Living with diverticulitis this past week has definitely made me rethink the foods I eat. I’ve had to cut out a lot of things I used to enjoy, and at first it felt like all the good stuff was gone, especially pasta. I’m gluten intolerant and also need to stay away from corn now, which makes finding store bought pasta that actually works for me pretty difficult.
The other day, I decided to try making my own noodles at home. I used a simple mix of rice flour, tapioca starch, and a little psyllium husk for binding. The dough came together quickly, but I had to play with the water a bit until it felt right. In the end, it took about ½ cup of water to get the texture I wanted.
I rolled the dough out by hand, cut it into strips, and honestly, I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. But when I cooked the noodles and served them up with sauce, my kids and I were surprised — we actually loved them. The texture was light, and they held together so much better than I expected.
For me, this was more than just about pasta. It was a reminder that even with diverticulitis and food allergies, I don’t have to give up comfort foods completely. Sometimes it just takes a little creativity and a willingness to try something new.
And I’ll say this — there’s something really satisfying about sitting down to a bowl of pasta you made yourself, especially when it’s something your whole family can enjoy together.
I feel like my whole life’s been flipped upside down lately. I packed up everything and moved 2,700 miles away from the place I called home for the last 27 years, all because I wanted a better future for me and the kids. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I didn’t expect the small things to get to me the way they have.
Take the water, for example. Not only does it taste off, but I don’t like all the stuff in it — the chemicals, the fluoride, the PFAS. It just doesn’t sit right with me. So I started filtering the water in the kitchen and even went as far as buying distilled water jugs for the bathrooms so we could brush our teeth with something cleaner. I even bought filters for the shower heads. It might sound over the top, but honestly, it gives me peace of mind.
Even with all that, I probably drink less water than I should. And now I’m realizing how much that might have been catching up with me. Yesterday I ended up in the ER for seven hours. They ran everything — bloodwork, urine sample, CT scan — and finally told me what was going on: diverticulitis.
So here I am on a three-day broth diet, on top of 10 days of antibiotics, and after that, I’ll have to completely change the way I eat. No corn. No popcorn. A whole list of things I’ll have to avoid forever. Which feels overwhelming, because I was already so limited with food. I’m gluten intolerant, allergic to chicken, and my body just rejects a bunch of other things. Now it feels like I’ve got to become a full-on food cop with myself just to stay healthy.
It’s exhausting. I already gave up so much by moving, and now my body is asking me to give up even more. But at the same time, I don’t really have a choice. If I want to be here for my kids and actually thrive in this new chapter, I have to figure out how to work with it.
I never imagined my “fresh start” would look like this — standing in my kitchen sipping broth, keeping mental tabs on everything I can’t eat, popping antibiotics, while giant jugs of distilled water sit in the bathroom. But here I am. And honestly? All I can do is take it day by day, and try to see it as part of the journey I was meant to be on.
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Having brunch with Aunt Sherie and the kids at Leo & Lily in Woodland Hills, CA.Beautiful day at Seacliff Beach in Aptos, CA.At Will Rogers State Beach in Malibu, CA
Our California vacation is coming to a close here shortly. We started off in Aptos, spending a few days relaxing at the beach and celebrating my brother’s 50th birthday. The ocean was calm and peaceful, and it gave us a chance to just slow down and enjoy some family time.
From there, I rented a car and we made the drive down to Los Angeles to see Grandma, who is turning 101 years old on Sunday. We stayed with our Aunt while we were there, which made it feel even more like family time.
Then today was the big drive up to my dad’s house in San Jose. What should have been a 5.5 hour drive turned into a long, tiring 7.5 hours instead. And of course, after all that driving, I still had to cook dinner for eight people because family still needs to eat.
Now it’s almost time to head back to Maryland, get the kids ready for school, and settle back into daily life. It’s been a full trip—long drives, family meals, celebrations, and plenty of memories to take home with us.
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If this post resonated with you or made you feel a little less alone on your own path, you’re always welcome to support my writing with a cup of coffee. Your kindness helps me keep sharing real stories and new chapters, one step at a time: 👉 coff.ee/smalltownmichele
This past Monday, I had the joy of celebrating my brother’s 50th birthday at the beach. The salty air, the sound of the waves, and the endless horizon always have a way of quieting my mind and filling my heart with peace.
The beach has always been my happy place, where the world feels a little softer and time seems to slow down. No matter what’s going on in life, there’s something about the rhythm of the ocean that reminds me to breathe deeply and let go.
As we laughed, shared stories, and marked such a special milestone for my brother, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. Blessed that I was able to be there. Blessed for family. Blessed for another day by the water.
Some moments are meant to be tucked away in our hearts forever, and this was one of them.
☕ Support the Journey
If this post resonated with you or made you feel a little less alone on your own path, you’re always welcome to support my writing with a cup of coffee. Your kindness helps me keep sharing real stories and new chapters, one step at a time: 👉 coff.ee/smalltownmichele
Small Town Living in Maryland 