I have lost all sense of time and place.

Where are we? Like, August or something? In fact, almost mid-August. But, how?

We went on vacation to the beach near the end of July. It rained a lot, but that just forced us to dive into the sun when it was out, which was fun and a good life lesson. We had fun. We even got suntans. We drove a very long drive there and back, but on the way, we hung out with my uncle and then a cousin. That was really fun too.

Then we came home, but only to leave again, this time to D.C. for my niece's wedding (can anyone else NEVER spell niece right the first time? Do NOT give that one to me in a spelling bee). We spent the first half of the week being touristy and the second half trying to be good wedding helpers. It was crazy and busy and fun and stressful and also still fun. Then we went home again (another long drive). This is really just a story about long drives...

(Me and my sisters at the wedding. I'm in the middle)

And then my youngest child started school the next day--as in the day after we got back--and her car broke down on her way there. And my oldest daughter got trapped in Texas instead of making it to New Mexico where she was supposed to be. And well, it was a very Monday-ing Monday, but we made it through our first world problems. And now here we are on (*counts days on fingers*) Wednesday, yes, Wednesday.

How's your month been?

Have I written? A little actually. I finished my romcom (first draft; fun, but a mess; did I already tell you this? I can't remember. I've lost all sense of time and space, you see.). And I've been editing my mystery novel. I've been working on making ads for the books I have. I am the WORST marketer. Like, do NOT put me in charge of your PR team. But also, please buy my books. Because I'm a pretty decent writer. (How's that for an ad?)

Find all my books HERE!

And this month's recipe below:

Nut Snack Balls

Note: With your nut selection, the sky's the limit. Choose whatever you like, change the ratios (nobody is gonna make you do 2 cups of 2 types; you could do 2 cups of 4 types. Because you're an adult, darn it, and you can do what you want). I'll often toss in whatever random stale nuts I have in the cupboard.)

1 C nuts (I usually go almond)

1 C a different type of nuts (I usually go cashew)

1-2 T coconut oil

1-2 T honey (You can also skip the honey and add raisins or dates as a sweetener--probably 1/4-1/2 C)

1/2 C coconut (optional)

dash salt (optional)

chocolate chips (optional)

Combine nuts in food processor and process until crumbly.

Add the rest of the ingredients (except chocolate chips if you're using them) and process until the nuts are very thoroughly ground and start to clump up (this is pretty fine, but if you go too crazy or walk out of the room for ten minutes and forget about it, you WILL wind up with nut butter, so just watch that; unless you want nut butter of course. Because--again--you are an adult and can do what you want, darn it.)

Add chocolate chips at the very end.

Dump out and form into balls.

Note: Although this is a healthy food, it is not a diet food per se, so--you know--if you're middle aged like me, maybe don't eat them all. Unless you want to because... you're an adult and you can do what you want, darn it.

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