Here is my exciting news: I joined many other writers and moved my blog to Substack. You can still find me here at everydaynatalie.com, but from now on,  my email list has moved to Substack. You may not be familiar with Substack. It's a newsletter platform where subscribers receive updates from authors of their choice. Why did I move? I already subscribe to many writers on Substack, and I love the format. Substack has a beautiful community feel and encourages people to share other writers' posts on the platform. Besides reading posts, there is an option to leave comments and for writers to post what Substack calls "notes." Substack is free and recognizes the role of a writer in a positive ... View Post

She came to us in April of 2006. After years of saying no to pets, my husband and I finally relented, and Lily Rose, a Shih Tzu, entered our lives. She was a mere eight weeks old and an adorable bundle of fluff. Though she loved all the family members, this dog selected me as her favorite person. Lily followed me all over the house, outdoors, and even wanted to sit by the tub when I took a bath. She was my constant companion for nearly two decades. I was the center of Lily’s life; my husband, children, and mom were slightly outside the circle. This dog trusted me implicitly and loved me unconditionally. She enjoyed curling up on the sofa next to me, resting at my feet while I worked at my desk, and usually parked herself near my chair at the dining table, hoping for some scraps. This ... View Post

Whew, July sped by. August is here, and it’s time to reflect on all that last month held. We’ve had such beautiful weather ☀️. Summers here on the central coast are typically moderate, and the nights can get chilly, so these warm temps make me happy 🙂. We’ve enjoyed dinner al fresco, and I’ve read several books while lounging on the patio. A doe and her fawn are grazing near the house, and rabbits are hopping around here again. There were so many things I enjoyed in July. Here is a handful of them: We celebrated my son’s 30th birthday (how can he be 30? He was just a little guy yesterday.) We saw stand-up comedian Gabriel Iglesias, AKA “Fluffy,” who has made us laugh for years.My best friend from high school and I enjoyed fabulous lunch together and talked for hours.I made a yummy ... View Post

Summertime is my favorite, and I cannot believe it's halfway over. There is so much to love about this season: the sunshine, popsicles, warm weather, easy-going days, vacationing, dining on the patio, the scent of sunscreen, flip-flops, fresh fruits and vegetables, extended daylight, and so on. I am excited about the summer movie releases, beach days, travel, and other activities. I thought it would be fun to share what is in my reading stack, what shows I'm watching, and some summer favorites. I love a sneak peek into what others are doing, and I think sharing about our seasons gives us pause to reflect on what's meaningful. Life rushes by, and noticing what brings us joy is important. Summer Reading Stack A good mix of beach reads, non-fiction, and fiction are listed ... View Post

Go forth into the busy world and love it. Interest yourself in its life, mingle kindly with its joys and sorrows. Ralph Waldo Emerson I have been absent in this place and the simplest explanation is...life. It has been busy, so I took a break from writing. Now, I am back! I want to share some of last year's events with you. Like every year, 2022 was full of joy and sorrow.January started with a bang. After a long weekend in San Francisco, my husband, Tony, went to work on Monday morning to discover he lost his job. He had been with the company for 30 years, so it was quite a surprise! A new CEO was hired, and he eliminated the former direct staff, including my husband. We saw it as a blessing once we got over the initial shock. Tony decided to take time off to rest, work on ... View Post