July celebrations
“Every day is a reason to celebrate life’s beautiful moments.”
I chose CELEBRATE as my 2026 Word of the Year (WOTY). One way I’m putting that word into practice is to take note of the many things I have to celebrate…large and small…during the month and to share the highlights with you on the final Tuesday of each month.
July celebrations
As I began putting this post together, I realized I didn’t take a lot of photos this month. That doesn’t mean I wasn’t enjoying things, just that I wasn’t taking pictures. So if this post is shorter than some of my celebration posts, just know that it’s only a small sampling of July’s celebrations.
A new hobby: pickleball
I mentioned my new-found hobby in an earlier blog post, but I felt I needed to include discovering pickleball as one of the things I’m celebrating in July. It’s been a little too warm to play much recently, but autumn is not far away.
Another beautiful jigsaw puzzle
It’s no secret I love putting jigsaw puzzles together. It’s like meditation to me. I’m also celebrating the fact that some of my sisters also like puzzling, so we are able to exchange puzzles with each other. Recycling at its best!
Reading good books
In addition to puzzling, I love reading. This month I am celebrating two great books, Westerly, by Susan Donovan Bernhard, and Come Back to the World, by Catherine Ryan Hyde.
The Constantly Varied Gear (CVG) birthday sale
As I’ve mentioned before, I love CVG activewear. The only thing that could make a new pair of CVG shorts better is getting them on the CVG birthday sale. In case you are interested, these designs are called (from left to right) Knockout, Pages & Petals, and Shocked.
Related video
Fun with AI
For some reason, I decided to ask AI (Claude) to predict what I would look like in 20 years using one of my current photos. I think this result may be a little optimistic, but it was a fun little game nonetheless.
Mother Nature’s cloud art
It’s been a while since I’ve posted any cloud pics. Maybe that’s because the clouds have been few and far between this summer. Now it’s monsoon season, and we’ve had a number of afternoon thunderstorms and even more beautiful clouds.
Summer nail art
I just love these nails. Kylee knocked it out of the park again!
Pioneer Day and Pie & Beer Day
This month, the state of Utah, where I live, celebrated Pioneer Day. Pioneer Day marks the arrival of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. It honors the resilience of early settlers, Utah’s state heritage, and the broader pioneering spirit of all diverse groups who helped shape the region.
Many of us also like to celebrate a tongue-in-cheek alternative holiday of Pie & Beer Day. I prefer to combine the two for double the fun!
Your turn
That’s it for my July celebrations. Now it’s your turn.
- What did you celebrate in July?
- Do you like pie? What flavor is your favorite?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love hearing from you.
You had lots to celebrate, Christie! Those clouds are amazing! I am celebrating shopping with my grandson before they head back to school. I love pie, but I am a terrible pie baker. My favorite is a tie between coconut cream and Key Lime.
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Another thing we have in common, Marsha. I too love pie, but never try to make it, because the result is always disappointing. Coconut cream is one of my favorites as well.
I really loved all these pictures and what they represent. Other than Pickle ball , which I’ve never tried, I enjoy all of these same things. We must be sisters. And that AI generated picture of you when you’re older is lovely! ❤️
I think we may share a little DNA, Cindy. If it wasn’t blazing hot, we could play pickleball when you visit, but I think we might have to wait until fall.
Hi Christie – loved the jellyfish leggings, loved the nails, loved the food!, and I’m jealous of the jigsaw puzzle trading between you and your sisters. It was lovely looking through your sun soaked pictures while I sit in front of my heater looking out at my frosty morning. x
Thanks, Leanne. I am really enjoying that pretty jellyfish design. Makes working out a little more fun. I do love summer, but it’s a little too hot for my liking right now. Fall is starting to sound inviting. Have you had enough of the cool and looking forward to warmer weather where you’re at?
That is a beautiful puzzle! Your nails are just fabulous. We celebrated so much this month: Alec’s return from Greece, 4th of July, my birthday, a graduation (or 2), a birthday for one of the boys’ friends (I go to catch up with the other moms I only get to see once or a twice a year). It was a whole lot of fun and such a busy month.
Thank you Joanne. I do love these fun nails. Your July sounds marvelous. Here’s to an awesome August for us both!
What a fabulous July with lots of celebrations, Christie. The CVG activewear shorts and set look great. I love your cloud photos. Thank you for linking up with my Monthly Wrap-up.
Thanks Natalie. It really was a good month. Here’s to an equally awesome August!
So many wonderful celebrations filled your days! What a happy post to read 🙂 I *love your nails, love strawberry rhubarb (and lemon merengue) pie, and celebrated my 20th anniversary this month! Joy abounds!
I hope August is equally lovely for you and yours!
Thank you Melissa. Congratulations on 20 years of marriage!
Christie – Love, love, love the little bees and daisy nails! It’s amazing how quickly July went by. I think one of my favorites to celebrate were homegrown pineapples – I was donated 4 pineapple plants from someone who moved away (another post-hurricane move) and had neighbors all threatening to pick them before I got to them (we are not living there as the house is still half built), but I snagged them when they ripened! Small, but so sweet. Another celebration was having a group over to paddle one morning, from the half-built house backyard. I will be planning more events like that in the future for sure. Both joyful moments!
Thanks Pat. I’m really enjoying my nails. Homegrown pineapples sound delicious. I love a fresh pineapple, and you can’t get any fresher than that. I’m glad you are enjoying those joyful moments with friends now and not waiting for the house to be complete. Here’s to a enjoyable August!