Abundance in My Garden with Herbs & Chilis

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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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Homemade Gluten-Free Pasta on My Diverticulitis Journey

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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.

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Uprooted, Adjusting, and Now Learning to Heal

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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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California Vacation Coming to an End

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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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A Special Day by the Sea

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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.

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The MVA Chronicles

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✅ I’ve got my Maryland driver’s license
I’ve got my Maryland insurance… but it doesn’t start until August 20th, which means I can’t even make an MVA appointment until the 21st. One hoop at a time, right?

In the meantime, I figured I’d knock out the vehicle inspection. Easy. Or so I thought.

The inspection went just fine — until the guy pointed out a tiny rock chip in my windshield. One little nick from a road trip to Fort Bragg, California… in June of 2021. It’s been there for years with no issue, but in Maryland, that’s a fail.

So I drove straight to a local glass place. They charged me $97 to fill it — and honestly, it didn’t look like they did anything at all. No joke.

I took the receipt back to the inspector and showed him the “repair.” He squinted at it, then looked at me and said:

“They did a HORRIBLE job.”

😳

Then he smiled and said:

“But I’m not going to ding you for their mistake. You’re good. I’ll pass it.”

Welcome to small-town Maryland — where the rules are strict, the inspections are honest, and sometimes the guy behind the counter has enough heart to give you a break when it counts.

One more step closer to those Maryland plates. 🛻
One more day closer to not driving around with California plates like a lost tourist. 😅

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🍅🌶️ First Harvest of the Season

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There’s something so satisfying about stepping outside and picking food you’ve grown with your own hands. This week, I finally harvested my first veggies of the season, juicy red tomatoes and jalapeño peppers!

Watching those little green plants turn into something vibrant and full of life has been such a rewarding experience. The tomatoes are plump and sweet, perfect for slicing onto sandwiches or making a Caprese salad. And those jalapeños? Let’s just say I’ll be making some homemade salsa very soon — with a kick!

Gardening has become a quiet joy in my life. It reminds me to slow down, be patient, and take in the little wins. This first harvest may be small, but it’s just the beginning of what I hope will be a bountiful garden for years to come.

Have you picked anything from your garden yet? Share your favorite ways to use fresh tomatoes or peppers — I’m always up for new ideas!

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DoorDashing Through Maryland

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On Friday, I officially became a Dasher.

With no income coming in just yet and my savings starting to dwindle, I knew I needed to do something — anything — to bridge the gap while I wait to hear back about a position I applied for with the school district. So, I signed up with DoorDash and hit the road.

Over the past two days, I’ve driven from quiet North East, Maryland to the busier streets of Newark, Delaware — and everywhere in between. That’s over 200 miles of exploring neighborhoods, small communities, and lively towns I’d barely noticed before.

It’s been eye-opening in the best way. I’ve now seen more of this area in 48 hours than I did in the entire month prior. And through it all — from winding country roads to packed intersections — I’m reminded that movement, even small, keeps us going.

It’s not glamorous. It’s not easy. But it’s honest work. And for now, it’s helping.

One delivery at a time, I’m moving forward.

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Little by Little, We’re Getting Closer

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The kids and I arrived in Maryland on June 17, and honestly? The drive across the country was a complete blur. We left California on a Saturday and rolled into Maryland by Tuesday, 2700 miles in 4 days. Alex and I were driving 12+ hours some days. She and I were trading off after I started getting tired. Then all of us were sleeping in the car at Travel Rest Stops with it still running, just so we could leave the AC on, thanks to all the rain and humidity we hit in most states.

We were cramped in the car each night, tired, and trying to stay sane… with three kids, two cats, a dog, and a tortoise all packed in.

It was definitely an adventure — one I hope I never have to repeat in this lifetime.

But we made it.

Since getting here, we’ve been knocking out task after task. The boys got their Maryland IDs. Alex and I paid for our driver’s licenses, which should be arriving soon. Medical insurance has been switched over. Prescriptions transferred. The boys are officially registered for high school, and Alex is set for college.

I’m still working on getting the car registrations finished — and trying to fully change our mailing address from California to Maryland. It feels never-ending some days, but we’re doing it.

I’ve also applied for a few school district jobs, but so far, no calls for interviews. I’m doing my best to stay patient and positive. I came to Maryland without a job lined up — just faith, determination, and a whole lot of hope that something will come through soon.

Love, light, and prayers for a job.

Nevertheless, I’m proud of us. Even with a long list of “to-dos” still ahead, we’re here and that’s what matters.

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🚗 A Lesson in Waiting: When the Car Finally Came

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Alex’s car finally arrived! We hadn’t had it since June 11th, but on July 12th, it was loaded onto a transporter and it made the long journey all the way from California to Maryland.

After more than a week of waiting, calls, delays, and vague updates, the car is finally here. And I’m grateful. But I’d be lying if I said the whole experience didn’t test my patience in ways I wasn’t quite prepared for.

The car had made it to Philly a week ago. I knew that much. And then… it just sat. Four whole days of sitting. Not moving, not progressing, not being delivered. Every day I called, asked for an ETA, and got the same uncertain tone on the other end. “Soon.” “Maybe tomorrow.” But tomorrow kept shifting.

And here’s the thing: I may not have had official updates, but I had other ways of knowing where the car was. Let’s just say I had eyes on the situation, aka an AirTag. I didn’t say a word to the delivery company, of course since some things are better left unspoken. But that quiet knowing, that silent tracking, made the waiting somehow feel even longer.

Because I knew it wasn’t stuck in traffic. It wasn’t on the way. It was just sitting still. Close, but not quite home.

And that’s where the real lesson came in – Waiting isn’t always about time, it’s about surrender.
Letting go of control. Resisting the urge to push. Choosing calm even when every part of you wants to scream, “Just deliver the car already!”

It reminded me how uncomfortable patience can be. Not the light, fluffy kind where you say “it’ll happen when it happens”, but the gritty, frustrating kind where you know what’s supposed to be happening, and it still isn’t. Sometimes in life, delays aren’t just setbacks, they’re gentle redirections guiding us exactly where we need to be, even if we don’t see it right away.

But eventually, the wait ended. The car showed up. Alex has wheels, and I’ve got a story (and a little more restraint) under my belt.

Turns out, patience isn’t about sitting still, it’s about what we choose to do while we wait.

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