Another day of dropping Rob off at his conference and then back to the hotel to get ready before heading out. This day I ventured to Pittsford, one of my favorite places! I love the Eerie Canal.

Exploring Pittsford & Fairport Along the Erie Canal
I spent the morning wandering through Pittsford, starting with a peaceful walk along the Erie Canal. The water was calm, the path quiet, and it set the tone for a really lovely day of exploring small towns and their little treasures. Albeit, it was hotter than I’d like.

From there I went Fairport, to a beautifully curated thrift store called Sweet Charity. I found matching placemats and napkins, a pair of earrings, and even a Vera Bradley purse. Everything felt thoughtfully chosen, the kind of place where you can tell someone really cares about what goes on the shelves.

From there, I headed over to downtown Fairport to check out Main Street Mercantile, another charming spot in Fairport. I had hoped to find an Erie Canal shirt, but they all said Fairport under the Erie Canal, so I passed. Still, the town itself was adorable with colorful storefronts, canal views, and that cozy small‑town energy that makes you want to linger.

A Quick Detour to East Rochester
Next up was A Second Thought in East Rochester. The shop had some interesting pieces, but nothing I felt compelled to bring home. What was fascinating, though, was learning about the building itself. A historic Piano Works complex. Sadly, I didn’t snap a photo of this place.

Built in 1905, it became the world’s largest piano factory and later produced airplane parts during WWII. The factory kept making high‑quality pianos until 1985, and afterward the space was transformed into the Piano Works Mall with shops, offices, and restaurants. The AMPICO smokestack still stands tall as a landmark. Recently, the property even drew an $8.7M auction bid, though it didn’t meet the seller’s reserve. It’s one of those places where you can feel the history in the walls.

After that, I went back to the hotel for a snack and rest before meeting Rob over at RIT to go with the conference group for our evening outing.

Evening at Innovative Field
We rode a limo bus over to Innovative Field for the Rochester Red Wings Triple‑A game. Our suite was out in the outfield with food and drinks.

Good conversations, ball park food, and some AAA baseball, until the weather decided to change. A heavy rain rolled in, and the game was eventually postponed. We loaded back onto the bus and headed to the hotel, soggy but still in good spirits. Another fun day in Rochester, NY!

More pics from this day>>>here

The post Exploring Pittsford & Fairport Along the Erie Canal appeared first on A Camera & A Cookbook.

On the Blog This Month

I’ve been powering through writing and editing our New England trip recaps. While the posts are now starting to go live, they’re scheduled to publish through the end of October, so most of my blogging time has been focused on getting those ready. Here’s all my posts for September:
2026:Week 35
Sentence a Day – August 2026
For King + Country Hometown Weekend 2026
2026:Week 36
Monthly Recap – 8.2026
2026:Week 37
2026:Week 38
Auburn to Rochester: The Start of Our New England Adventure
Exploring Rochester NY: High Falls, Ontario Beach, and RIT
2026:Week 39

Most-read post published this month: Auburn to Rochester: The Start of Our New England Adventure

Most-read post overall in September: Why Rolling Toomer’s Corner is Special

My favorite post: Exploring Rochester NY: High Falls, Ontario Beach, and RIT

Post that surprised me:
For King + Country Hometown Weekend 2026 was the post surprised me because it ended up being much harder to put together and write than I expected. Pulling everything together and organizing the memories took more time than I anticipated, but I was really happy with how it turned out in the end.

Monthly Highlights

Highlight #1: The birth of our 2nd granddaughter, who I’m calling AD! I will post about this once Caitlyn makes it F@cebook official.

Highlight #2 Spending quality time with LA (our older granddaughter), including sleepovers, playtime, and making special memories together throughout the month.

Highlight #3 Making great progress on our New England travel series and sharing the first adventures from Rochester, New York.

Things I Never Blogged About

A funny moment LA’s love of cottage cheese

A random adventure Taking LA to the park. So much fun to see life through her eyes and get to experience new things.

A TV Show recommendation Last Seen on Apple TV is a new show that we just started. Its mystery thriller about a former police detective whose daughter vanished years ago. Now while working as an emergency dispatcher, he receives a call from a teenage girl he believes may be his missing daughter, he becomes determined to uncover the truth and find out what really happened
a rel=”nofollow” href=”https://tv.apple.com/us/show/last-seen/umc.cmc.4pbw9c936a4pigdvsg23u2bsa” title=”Last Seen on Apple TV”>

Something that went wrong Last Friday, I had a blow out on Shug Jordan Parkway, when I was going 50+ miles and hour. Thank goodness it was my back tire and Rob doesn’t work too far from where it happened so he could come help!

A small victory
Managing fibromyalgia one day at a time. Some days, just getting up, going to work, and taking care of myself is a win, and this month I chose to celebrate those victories too.

An interesting conversation I had an interesting conversation with one of my student supervisors. She was sharing a challenge she had been having with another student worker, and it led to a thoughtful discussion about communication, expectations, and working with different personalities. I appreciated hearing her perspective and seeing how she was trying to navigate the situation professionally. It was a good reminder that leadership skills are often learned through real life experiences.

A photo that captures the month
I mean…Big sis getting to see lil’ sis for the first time.

What I Learned

I learned that I don’t need to carry the responsibility for keeping every family relationship running smoothly as much as I would like to have a close-knit family. Relationships work best when the effort goes both ways.

Favorite Memory

Besides the memories that came with the birth of our 2nd granddaughter, just the memories we made with LA during the couple days she stayed with us while her parents were in the hospital.

Other Random Stuff

LA moved to a different daycare. I don’t think I shared about this. This is her 2nd time to move. 1st time was to get closer to home. This time is because the level of care wasn’t up to par. She seems much happier now!

By the Numbers

Blog posts published: 10
Podcasts listened to: 20
Days Rob and I had to share a car: 6
Photos taken: ~407
Birthdays Celebrated: 3 (Caitlyn, Mine, my 2nd granddaughter’s actual birthday)
Football games attended: 1

Looking Ahead

Goal #1: Finish getting home office organized and get everything off the floor.

Goal #2: Take AD’s newborn pics.

Goal #3: Getting back to eating healthier and walking.

Questions for YOU

What was the best part of September for you?
What’s something you’re looking forward to in October?

Look back at last month.

Archive

LAST September’s Monthly Post!

The post Monthly Recap – 9.2026 appeared first on A Camera & A Cookbook.

My template:
-Thankful for:
-Sum up today in 1 sentence/Or one memorable thing from today:
Number of Steps:

Tuesday/9.1.2026
– Easy fixes to big issues
– Made chicken and cheese enchiladas for dinner
5,988

Wednesday/9.2.2026
– A good hair day
– Good hair day, which is rare and so exciting! LA is switching daycares soon. Prayers for a better situation there!
5,780

Thursday/9.3.2026
– The fact that LA loves being at LyLy and Pop’s house.
– LA loved her new fan I put in my car. So hard with rear facing car seat and my car doesn’t have many vents in the back.
10,075

Friday/9.4.2026
– BP looking better after new meds
– BP recheck at dr. Birthday celebration prep for Caitlyn. Beyond the Wok take out and celebration with Caitlyn, etc.
8,526

Saturday/9.5.2026
– A win for Auburn!
– Breakfast at Waffle House. Getting a few things down around the house. Watched the ballgame.
4,011

Sunday/9.6.2026
– A lovely meal made my brother/mother in law
– Hot tub/ church/lunch in Beauregard with the in laws/home to try to get rid of migraine
3,093

Monday/9.7.2026
– Time with family and experiencing 1sts for LA
– Went to Floral Park with the fam including Randy and Pam. Otherwise a pretty lazy day
– 8,757

Tuesday/9.8.2026
– Getting dental work done and able to chew on both sides!
– Work. Dentist. Back to work.
6,579

Wednesday/9.9.2026
– Making it through another day
– I was the only staff member until a little after 9am which I wasn’t expecting but it was all good!
6,499

Thursday/9.10.2026
– Opportunities we have live in a college town
– Had another great afternoon with little one. So fun seeing life so new through her eyes. Seeing CeCe Winans at the GPAC.
6,167

Friday/9.11.2026
– A great morning of training for 2 more new hires
– Training this morning. Taco Bell and running errands during lunch. Went up to the lake with Rob and his mom and step dad after dinner at Poplar Dogs.
6,643

Saturday/9.12.2026
– Time with Drew
– Just hung and took a nap before getting ready for Drew to pick me up for the game. Nick rode with us as well. Before the game there was a delay and it was going to be a late night, so Drew and I went home. Auburn had a big win over Southern Miss.
6,825

Sunday/9.13.2026
– A day of staying home when not feeling great.
– Skipped SS/Church because I had a head cold and just not feeling great. Rob’s mom and step dad and Rob’s brother came over for for lunch, which was just sandwiches and chips.
2,697

Monday/9.14.2026
– Quiet nights alone
– Just so tired today. Rough fibromyalgia day
5,260

Tuesday/9.15.2026
– Seeing friends you haven’t seen in a while and catching up.
– Nap at lunch and then chips and gauc for lunch. Publix to pick up wings for potluck. Potluck for dinner.
4,819

Wednesday/9.16.2026
– Friends that are nearby that come into town for dinner
– Enjoyed a delicious air fryer lunch at home and ended the day with a fantastic dinner at Olivine with Rob, Jeff, and Melanie, complete with great food, beautiful views.
5,314

Thursday/9.17.2026
– That LA is happier at the new daycare and that her parents were able to move her.
– Got my LA girl at her new daycare. She was in such a good mood, so happy. Rob came home early hang out with her. Drew and Caitlyn came to pick her up and little while after that we went to MK’s for dinner and then to the movies for our free Angel movie: Runner, which was not quite as good as the build up. Its been advertised so much!
5,777

Friday/9.18.2026
– Living in a college town and all the excitement it brings.
– Getting to see fly over practice before a home game on Friday afternoons is so cool! Got LA girl as she spent the night with us.
5,838

Saturday/9.19.2026
– Pulling myself through and going to the game
– Game with Rob, Nick and Drew, and Alex were near us. AU lost.
7,185

Sunday/9.20.2026
– Getting to see people we haven’t seen in a long while
– Sunday School/ Church/Lunch at Sam’s Eatery/Funeral for a friend (Molly)/Nice afternoon getting stuff done around the house, food prep, etc.
4,515

Monday/9.21.2026
– Evening of productivity
– Lunch with Rob at Jersey Mikes. Ran to Goodwill for bedding for LA at our house. Finished watching a show and I’m so mad I even gave it the time of day.
5,147

Tuesday/9.22.2026
– Rain
– Had plans to go to some thrift stores, but it was monsooning so went home
5,813

Wednesday/9.23.2026
– A Wednesday lunch with no plans
– Rob had choir practice after work. I’m working on my home office.
6,045

Thursday/9.24.2026
– Cooler temps
– Picked up my girl after work and we have kind of settled into a new routine. Cheese crackers in her chair as we watch Raya & Louise on YouTube. Rob home and we went for a walk. We let her ride in her stroller until we got to flat sidewalk and she walked for a while. She loved it!
7,734

Friday/9.25.2026
– That blowout didn’t put me in a more serious situation!
– Ordered Panera. They gave me the wrong sandwich. At lunch blew a tire on Shug Jordan Pwy. Picked up Rob after work. Saw the football team leaving town.
6,434

Saturday/9.26.2026
– A Saturday at home
– Got up to make breakfast for Rob and then he had to go to the stadium to work. I cleaned out the fridge. Watched the game. Rob was home for that. We gave our tickets to his Mom and step dad.
6,208

Sunday/9.27.2026
– LA running up to me for me to pick her up at her house
– Church. Lunch in Beauregard with in-laws. Visit with Rob’s dad after that. Went to Newk’s and picked up dinner for Drew and his family and brought it to them. Rob and I went to Larado’s after that and then home to watch episode of “Last Seen.”
3,336

The end of the month…I’ll up date that later.

Want to read more Sentence of the Day posts>>>Sentence a Day

The post Sentence a Day – September 2026 appeared first on A Camera & A Cookbook.

My 2nd full day in Rochester started by dropping Rob off for his conference, I went back to the hotel for breakfast and spent a little time deciding how I wanted to spend the day. It felt good to ease into the morning before heading out to explore.

Mount Hope Cemetery
Mount Hope Cemetery was first on my list for the day. I have always loved exploring old cemeteries, and this one was interesting getting to see well‑known historical figures burial sites. Didn’t know what to expect! panning nearly 200 acres, it has winding roads that weave through rolling hills, wooded areas, and dramatic changes in elevation, creating a surprisingly vast and picturesque landscape. I eventually found the grave sites of Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony. I used the cemetery’s online map, but honestly Google Maps would have served me better. After about an hour of wandering and stopping here and there, the need to find a bathroom finally won out!

I saw this ground hog several times.

Susan B. Anthony House & Park
After a quick pit stop for the bathroom, I did a quick drive‑by of the Susan B. Anthony House and grabbed a photo from my car. It was closed that day, which I was fine with me. I’m not typically excited to spend $20 on that kind of thing.

Located just down the street is the Susan B. Anthony Square Park, which features a bronze statue of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass seated together over tea, celebrating two of Rochester’s most influential historical figures.

This was a mural that I could see from the square that was eye-catching.

Warner Castle & Sunken Garden
Only six minutes away, Warner Castle and its Sunken Garden made for a quick but lovely stop. Stone architecture, lush greenery, and a couple of photos before moving on. I had been there before>>>Day 2 in 2016

Trader Joe’s — Monroe Ave
By this point I was hungry, so Trader Joe’s became the next logical stop. If you know me, you know I love Trader Joe’s. Since we don’t have one back home, I usually work a visit into my travel plans so I can pick up some of my favorite things.

My go tos every time!

New items to try

Afternoon Reset
From there I went back to the hotel to eat some of my Trader Joe’s snacks. I took a nap, then later went to Goodwill Finger Lakes, which ended up being pretty ‘meh.’ That was just a quick stop before trying to find parking in downtown.

I parked in front of this church. Street parking. Much cheaper than parking decks in the area. I met up with Rob and some folks from his conference for dinner.

Dinosaur BBQ Dinner
Dinner was at Dinosaur BBQ, where I had wings, deviled eggs, a quarter rack of ribs, cucumber‑tomato salad, Harlem potato salad, and cornbread. The food was fine. Nothing dramatic, just a solid end to a day full of wandering, detouring, and listening to my body more than my itinerary. Great conversations with conference members.

The day never felt rushed or overly planned. It was a mix of history, small discoveries, familiar comforts, and a few moments that reminded me to slow down and pay attention to what I needed. It was the kind of day that leaves you feeling steady and satisfied, even without anything big or dramatic happening.

See more pics from our day>>>Day 2

The post Discovering Rochester: History, Gardens, and BBQ appeared first on A Camera & A Cookbook.

+ We got a day of pretty hard rain. This is that afternoon when I had hoped to run to Goodwill, but it was raining too hard to run errands

+ That day I had to get gas.

+ The Auburn University cheerleaders came to LA’s school. This is the mic-man, Ben, holding her. Pretty cool full circle moment. At the end of Drew and Caitlyn’s wedding on the send out there were several Auburn University Marching Band trombones that came to play “War Eagle” as they ran out.Ben at the time was in the AUMB, but is now the mic-man for the cheerleaders and he ended up being the one to pick up LA.

+ We gave our football tickets for the Auburn vs Vandy game to Rob’s mom and step dad. They had a blast! This is the picture they took of Indy flying over.

+ Taking LA on a walk. She loved getting to actually walk.

+ I had a tire blow on Friday as I drove back to work on Shug Jordan, which is a very busy rode in Auburn. So I’m not sharing a car with Rob for a bit. When I went to pick Rob up from work, I saw the team leaving in these charter buses.

The post 2026:Week 39 appeared first on A Camera & A Cookbook.

Our first full day in Rochester began by going to Ridge Donuts, a place known for its Cannolli donuts and apple fritters. Rob picked the two specials to share, the Canolli and the Apple fritter, along with a glazed donut. I chose a chocolate topped donut and a chocolate cake donut dipped in honey and glaze. It felt like the perfect way to start the day. I will say people on YouTube raved about the donuts here being the best donuts in Rochester. Rob and I had a different opinion that they were ‘fine’ nothing to write home about.

After breakfast, we made our way to Charlotte Pier at Ontario Beach and walked the boardwalk along Lake Ontario. The wind came off the water in sharp, chilly bursts that made me shiver. The light was still beautiful, but the air had that brisk edge that makes you tuck your hands into your sleeves and I was so glad to have grabbed my cardigan before heading out. I thought it was funny to see families stretched out on the beach and playing like it was a gorgeous summer day. They looked bound and determined to have a beach day no matter what the weather decided to do.

I also found it amusing that they put a capacity for bathers on the rules sign.

Chasing Waterfalls in Rochester

Next on our list was to see some of the falls in the downtown Rochester area. Not even sure how we missed these the first time we were here!

Lower Falls is the tallest waterfall on the Genesee River at about one hundred ten feet, tucked deep inside the Genesee River Gorge in northern Rochester. You can see it best from the Driving Park Avenue Bridge, but we chose to walk down the trail in Maplewood Park because it felt much safer. The falls sit near old mill foundations from the early industrial days of the city, and the mix of history, cliffs and rushing water gives the whole area a dramatic feel even on a quick visit.

From there we continued on to High Falls. We were there on a Sunday late morning and had no problem finding a free place to park right near the falls.

Below is the old water wheel at High Falls which is part of the old Brown’s Race historic district, where the Genesee River once powered Rochester’s early flour mills and factories. The hydro wheel sits beside the stone raceway that carried water through the gorge, and the surrounding brick and mill foundations give the whole area a strong industrial character. It is a place where the mix of rushing water, old machinery and ivy covered walls makes the history feel very present even on a short visit.

This is the walkway from our rental car to the bridge overlooking the falls and that’s where that old wheel was located down at the corner.

I love when a city blends nature and history in this way and even cooler it’s becoming a state park!

Exploring the RIT Campus

We spent part of the afternoon driving around Rochester Institute of Technology RIT to find the locations for the conference.

Then, lunch was at Mecate Mexican. Rob ordered street tacos and I ordered Birria nachos. The iced tea surprised me with how good it was.

After lunch we drove around campus a little more before heading to the SHED (Student Hall for Exploration and Development), which is such a cool building. Photos don’t do it justice!

An Evening Meet ‘N Greet

While Rob met with colleagues to prepare for the conference and the opening event, I took the keys and went back to the hotel. I took a nap and changed clothes before heading back for the Meet ‘N Greet.

The opening event was relaxed and friendly. There were finger foods and easy conversations. I chatted with Pat, Jeff, Marcus and several others.

To read posts from this trip click>>>New England Trip 2026

More pics from this day: Day 1 New England Trip

The post Exploring Rochester NY: High Falls, Ontario Beach, and RIT appeared first on A Camera & A Cookbook.

Today I’m sharing the first of many posts about our New England and Canada adventures. We were absolutely ready to get away, even with Rob diving straight into conference duties in Rochester for the first part of the week. Here’s how our Saturday went, the day we were leaving.

Rob and I started the morning in the hot tub, one last time before being gone for 2 weeks. Our Granddaughter, LA had spent the night with us and was still asleep. As I was getting dressed, I heard Drew come in. I got LA up, changed her diaper, and brought her downstairs. Drew and Rob were outside talking for a bit before they came in, and Drew hung out with us for a while.

Eventually, Rob reminded us that we had a few things to take care of before heading to the airport, so Drew and LA headed out. Rob and I did a few things around the house, ran a couple errands, and left for the airport.

Everything went smoothly. We had lunch at P.F. Changs before the flight. I have got to remember to quit getting the Kung Pao Chicken. As I looked at the menu, I kept remembering that something I had gotten there was fried and I didn’t want to get that again. So, I specifically asked the waitress if it was fried/breaded and she said no. So when she brought it out, I was disappointed to see it was very much breaded and fried! And pretty spicy, which I don’t mind, but as I ate it, it got hotter and hotter.

The flight itself was easy, but our luggage took forever to come out. Thankfully the rental car counter was right across from the carousel, so we handled that while we waited.

We checked into the hotel, made a trip to Wegman’s (the best grocery store ever!) and then had dinner near our hotel at Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse. It turned out to be a fun choice.

Rob ordered the Delmonico Steak, which was a 24 OZ Certified Angus Beef, Center Cut Rib-eye Steak from Midwestern Grain Fed Heavy Aged Beef, seasoned and perfectly seared. Served with Penne Marinara. *The Delmonico is a more flavorful steak because it contains fat. I got the Chicken Sinatra (Chicken Breasts on sautéed Greens with Hot Peppers, Mushrooms, Prosciutto, Provolone, Marsala Sauce & Garlic Mashed Potatoes). We shared the appetizer Italian Long Hot Peppers, which was stuffed with Ricotta, Sausage, Red Pepper, Romano & Gorgonzola Cheese finished with Toasted Italian Breadcrumbs & Balsamic Glaze.

The walls were covered in caricatures, and after we ate I wandered around taking pictures of them. They played Sinatra and similar classics, and there was an entire wall of Sinatra memorabilia. It felt like stepping into a nostalgic scrapbook.

After that it was back to the hotel and straight to bed. A full day, but a good one. The perfect warm up for the adventure ahead.

To read posts from this trip click>>>New England Trip 2026

All the pics from this day>>>Day 0

The post Auburn to Rochester: The Start of Our New England Adventure appeared first on A Camera & A Cookbook.

+ Rob and I had dinner at Olivine which is a fairly new upscale restaurant on top of the AC Marriott in downtown Auburn. Great food and service and beautiful atmosphere and views. Feel like you’re in some big downtown somewhere.

+ LA girl spent the night with us Friday night. So much fun!

+ I came up with the best airfryer meal with marinated chicken and veggies. Delish!

+ Its mid-September! Why is it 95 degrees still?!?!?!

+ The Auburn football production is so good! Too bad our team isn’t…

The post 2026:Week 38 appeared first on A Camera & A Cookbook.

+ On Labor Day, we went with Drew and Caitlyn and LA to the park

+ LA loved ‘helping’ Pop check the hot tub

+ CeCe Winans performed at the GPAC. So good!

+ We’ve had my Dad’s old truck that we used to drive to haul stuff and Rob would drive it just to get it out until life got busy and we let it sit too long. We finally decided it was nothing but an eye sore, so we had someone come pick up.

+ At the 1st home game with Drew, until the lightening delay and then we baled

The post 2026:Week 37 appeared first on A Camera & A Cookbook.

On the Blog This Month

2026:Week 31
Sentence a Day – July 2026
2026:Week 32
Wednesday Hodgepodge 8.19.2026
2026:Week 33
Monthly Digest – 7.2026
2026:Week 34
Travel Services People Forget to Arrange Until the Last Minute

Most-read post published this month: Wednesday Hodgepodge 8.19.2026
Most-read post overall in August: “A Little Cutie Pie is on the Way!” Baby Shower
My favorite post: 2026:Week 34 because it captured a nice mix of everyday moments, photos, and memories that I love preserving through blogging.
Post that surprised me: Southern Candied Green Beans continues to be one of my top performing posts. I really should start posting recipes again!

Monthly Highlights

Highlight #1:
One of the biggest highlights of August was the opportunity to enjoy two unforgettable musical experiences. From hearing Barry Manilow perform his classic songs live to spending a special weekend in Tennessee with For King + Country, including a concert, devotion, listening session, and worship service, the month was filled with music, inspiration, and lasting memories.

Highlight #2
Another highlight was standing in church and realizing that God had lifted a burden I had been carrying for a while. Feelings of resentment that once felt so heavy were gone, and for the first time since Pastor Jimmy’s been there, I was able to fully enjoy worship again. It wasn’t a dramatic moment, but a quiet reminder of God’s healing, faithfulness, and the freedom that comes from letting Him work in His timing.

Highlight #3
Enjoying meaningful time with LA girl, whether through daycare pickups, photos, or one-on-one afternoons together.

Things I Never Blogged About
A funny moment A couple months ago we started getting Kayleigh, those Whimzees Dog Treats. I started throwing it down the stairs from the kitchen and then that kind of morphed into us hiding them for her and she loves it. It gives her something to do and adds a little adventure into her boring life.

A random adventure Our drive home from Tennessee wasn’t exactly random, but it definitely felt out of the ordinary. To avoid traffic, we skipped the interstate and took the scenic route home while listening to unreleased For King + Country music along the way. Sometimes the journey ends up being just as memorable as the destination.

A TV show recommendation If you have Netflix, the new Little House on the Prairie is great! I didn’t particularly love the original series because I found it depressing and while this one still has similar themes, I found it much more enjoyable.

Something that went wrong What should have been a simple drive across town turned into a battle with terrible traffic on the way to Caitlyn’s sprinkle. Luckily, I was only a couple minutes late and they weren’t even seated yet, so all was good!

A small victory Making it through a month that included family drama, health concerns, storms, and busy schedules while still finding something to be thankful for every single day.

An interesting conversation During a Sunday afternoon visit, Caitlyn shared some of the challenges she’s been facing within her family. It led to a meaningful conversation about love, responsibility, and boundaries. I appreciated her openness and was reminded how important it is to have people who will listen without judgment.

A photo that captures the month If I had to choose one photo to represent August, it would be this one of LA girl. Her expressive personality shines through in her classic “all done” gesture, complete with rosy cheeks and a grin that’s impossible not to love. It’s a simple everyday moment, but those are often the ones that become the sweetest memories.

What I Learned

One thing August reminded me is that everything is in God’s timing. What may seem like a setback or disappointment today can eventually lead to something better than we imagined. The challenge is having the patience to trust the process and the awareness to recognize God at work along the way. Sometimes we don’t understand the reason for something until months or even years later, but looking back, we can often see His plan woven through it all.

Favorite Memory

Spending Hometown Weekend with For King + Country is for sure a favorite memory! While the concert was incredible, what made the weekend truly special was getting to know the guys on a more personal level through the devotion, listening session, and worship service. It was a meaningful experience that left me encouraged, inspired, and grateful.

By the Numbers

Blog posts published: 8
Podcasts listened to: 12
Miles traveled: ~1,138 miles
Photos taken: ~964
New restaurants tried: 4
Cups of tea consumed: ~35

From one of the new restaurants we tried, Hattie B’s in Downtown Auburn

Looking Ahead

Goal #1: Have all photos edited and all blog posts completed from our New England trip by November.
Goal #2: Get my home office cleaned up.
Goal #3: Read a book from start to finish.

Questions for YOU

If you could sum up your month in one word, what would it be?
What was the highlight of your month?

The post Monthly Recap – 8.2026 appeared first on A Camera & A Cookbook.