Currently (my) Life Lately | Savoring July: Neon Glows, Sweet Treats, & Simple Pleasures

Normally, I hold fast to my routine of taking a complete writing sabbatical during June and December to rest and recharge. But time somehow snuck up on me this summer—it wasn’t until the calendar flipped at the end of June that I looked back and realized I had completely written my way through the entire month! To make up for it, I decided to give myself the gift of a restful a break and SAVOR July… well, mostly. I couldn’t wrap up the month without dropping in for this special end-of-month check-in to savor these sweet moments with you all.

There’s a unique magic to July—a mix of slow summer afternoons, unexpected heat waves, and those tiny everyday moments that make you want to slow down and just be present. As the month winds down, I’ve been looking back at all the little things that brought a smile to my face over the past few weeks. Here’s a little slice of what I’ve been savoring this July!

Glowing Bright with Neon Creativity

I treated myself to a 2-pack of LED drawing boards from Amazon, complete with seven neon dry-erase markers, and I’m completely obsessed. There’s something so satisfying about watching bright, glowing colors light up against the clear glass. I’ve been using one to track my reading goals (70 books read so far this year!) and the other for monthly Scripture memory inspiration. It brings such a cheerful, warm glow to my stand!

A Sweet Treat Worth Savoring

Anyone who knows me knows I’m really not much of a chocolate fan. But after seeing those viral Dubai chocolate bars stocking the shelves at my local corner store, my curiosity got the best of me. I love pistachio, so I figured, why not give it a shot?

Well… it turns out I loved it! The rich filling and crispy texture were amazing. However, at $4.99 a bar, I don’t love the price quite as much. So while I’ve officially fallen in love with Dubai chocolate, I’ll be savoring them as a special treat to indulge in every once in a while.

Tiny Books, Big Joy: My DIY Book Nook

My cozy crafting kick continued with this adorable DIY book nook kit I snagged from Temu. The attention to detail blew me away—it came with a whole collection of tiny, miniature books that have real titles, complete with tiny ISBNs printed on the back! Stocking those little shelves was I think supposed to be cathartic, but it was a bit aggravating. And now it’s the perfect addition to my reading corner.

Weathering the Heat & Road Trips

July definitely made its presence felt weather-wise! We started out with some intense heat—screens showing a “feels like” temp of over 100°F—before transitioning into some much-needed rainy days toward the end of the month.

During the heat spike, my other BFF Rich and I took off on a “nothing in particular” day trip to Virginia. It was just as hot down there, but there’s nothing like good company, open roads, and a random summer adventure to make the temperature a little more bearable. We had the windows down on open highway, but closed them going slower through towns. LOL.

Unexpected Magic

One morning, I stepped out the door to take my dog out for her usual routine, expecting just another ordinary start to the day. Instead, I looked up and was greeted by the most brilliant, vibrant rainbow stretching across the morning sky. It caught me completely off guard, and I stopped dead in my tracks to truly savor the moment before it faded away.

A Little Humor

I also couldn’t resist picking up this t-shirt from Temu. It says, “First of all, I’m a delight” alongside a wildly dramatic, hissing opossum. Every single time I saw this shirt online, I laughed hysterically—I just had to get it. It’s officially my new favorite outfit for days when I want to bring a little extra humor to the world.

Ps: I really am a delight.

Summer Snow Flurries

To top off the month, I’ve been spending my evenings outside, savoring the quiet magic of the lightening bugs coming out at dusk. Watching them flicker against the darkening sky always reminds me of gentle snow flurries dancing in the air—and if you know me at all, you know how much I adore snow! It’s like winter’s quiet wonder wrapped up in a warm summer night.

📚Books Read To Date So Far This Year: 71

Where I’m At in Scripture To Date: Deuteronomy (ESV)

My journey through the Word continues to be a profound anchor for my days. I love to read through Scripture chronologically, which always helps me savor the grand timeline of God’s story in such a vivid way. To keep the text fresh and to allow myself to find new insights, I switch to a completely different translation or version each time I start over. Because I dive in daily, it usually takes me about 5 to 6 months to read from Genesis to Revelation. Right now, I am right in the middle of a new translation, slowly walking through the history and poetry, and savoring every single page as the timeline unfolds. It is a quiet daily habit that I truly savor, and it brings so much peace to my bedtime routine.

Final Thoughts

As July comes to a close, I’m reminded that life’s sweetest moments usually aren’t the grand, planned-out occasions. They’re found in the quiet glow of a cozy lamp, the surprise of a morning rainbow, a good laugh, or a glowing lightening bug in the backyard. Here’s to carrying that sense of wonder and gratitude right into August.

How have you been savoring your summer days lately?

I’m partying with these AMAZING Blog Hop | Link Up Party hostesses!