Gardening

Garden Update: Ready to Grow, Learning to Wait

February 3, 2026 Lulu LeeLeave a comment

Right now, my garden feels like it’s holding its breath — and so am I.

I have my seeds.

I have my starter pods.

I even have the garden layout mapped out and ready to go.

And yet… I’m pausing.

As excited as I am to start my seeds, I’m being intentional about when I begin. Living in a climate where late frosts are still a possibility, I’ve learned that starting too early can undo weeks of careful planning. Losing seedlings to an unexpected cold snap is frustrating — and avoidable — if you’re willing to wait.

This season, I’m choosing patience

Why I’m Waiting to Start My Seeds

Seed starting is one of the most exciting parts of gardening. It’s where hope takes shape. But timing matters just as much as enthusiasm.

Right now, my hesitation comes down to one thing: our last frost date.

Even with grow lights and starter pods ready, planting too soon can mean:

weak seedlings that outgrow their containers stressed plants when it’s time to transplant or worse — losing them entirely to cold temperatures

I’ve learned that starting seeds at the right time is just as important as starting them at all.

What I’m Doing Instead (And Why It Still Counts as Progress)

Even though seeds aren’t in the soil yet, the work hasn’t stopped.

Here’s what I have been doing:

Reviewing my garden diagram and spacing plans Organizing seeds by indoor vs. direct-sow crops Prepping starter pods and trays Refreshing my memory on frost dates for my zone Making a short list of which plants truly benefit from early starts

This stage of gardening — the quiet planning — sets the tone for the entire season.

Trusting the Process

Gardening has taught me that rushing doesn’t lead to better results. The soil warms when it’s ready. The seeds sprout when conditions are right. And sometimes, the most responsible thing a gardener can do is wait.

I’m excited. I’m prepared. And when the timing is right, I’ll be ready to move quickly and confidently.

For now, I’m honoring the pause.

What’s Coming Next

Once we’re closer to our last frost date, I’ll be:

starting select seeds indoors hardening off seedlings slowly preparing beds for transplanting and sharing updates on what’s thriving

This season already feels promising — and it hasn’t even started yet.

Sometimes growth begins long before anything breaks the surface.

Fall in Bloom | Gardening, Growth & Gratitude by Lulu Lee

October 20, 2025 Lulu LeeLeave a comment

🍂 Fall in Bloom: The Progress and Peace I’ve Found in My Autumn Garden

🌱 Nurturing Growth in the Fall

This season, my garden is teaching me about patience, purpose, and quiet hope.
After a long summer, stepping outside to see new life pushing through the soil feels like a gentle reward — a reminder that growth doesn’t stop just because the seasons change.

My fall garden is thriving with collard greens, steak tomatoes, carrots, russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, basil, cucumbers, beets, cabbage, and bell peppers. Each plant, in its own way, reflects where I am in life right now — steady, persistent, and learning to flourish through transition.

If you’re curious about what I’m using, you can find the same ones here:

🍅 Seeing Progress, Feeling Peace

Some beds are overflowing, while others are still finding their rhythm. My tomatoes have begun to climb again, pushing through the last warm days of fall, while the sweet potato vines spread like soft green blankets over the soil.

I’m grateful for every small sign of progress — every new leaf, every bit of green pushing through the dirt. These moments remind me that growth isn’t always loud or immediate. Sometimes, it’s simply about showing up, watering consistently, and letting time do its work.

🌸 The Beauty Beyond the Harvest

Beyond the vegetables, my flowers have been putting on their own quiet show — bursts of color that make me stop and smile, even on busy days.

These blooms remind me to look beyond productivity and yield — to appreciate the peace that comes from simply being outside, hands in the soil, surrounded by the hum of life.

🌿 Gratitude for the Process

Out here, I feel still. I can hear my thoughts soften. The garden gives me space to reflect on my days — the challenges, the growth, and the gratitude that anchors me.

Even when I’m pulling weeds or pruning back overgrown vines, I feel thankful — thankful for the quiet moments, the lessons in patience, and the sense of peace that only nature can offer.

Every bed, every leaf, every bit of soil carries a small prayer of hope — that what I nurture now will one day feed me and my family, not just in body but in spirit.

💭 Reflection Prompt for Readers

Take a moment this week to step outside — even if it’s just your porch, a park, or your own small garden.
What’s one thing in nature that reminds you to slow down, feel grateful, or keep growing?

Share your reflections in the comments — I’d love to hear what brings you peace this season. 🌸

Health & Fitness

Born to Run? Maybe Not. But I Chose To.

May 3, 2025 Lulu LeeLeave a comment

Running never came naturally to me. I wasn’t the fastest or the strongest. From the moment I stepped onto that dusty field in Sierra Leone as a kid, I felt inspired. I knew I wanted to run. What started as a way to follow in my siblings’ footsteps became a personal journey. It has taken me across continents and through setbacks. It has led me toward a deeper understanding of who I am.

Some people are born with a natural talent for certain things. Others have to work hard to excel at whatever they choose to pursue.

I fall into the latter group. Running has always been a part of my life, but it’s something I’ve had to work at consistently. My earliest memory of running goes back to grade school in Sierra Leone.

I believe I was in second grade. Back then, we had a huge event called Field Day. It was more than just a school event. It brought together the entire town. It felt almost like a mini Olympics. Students were divided into four teams, each represented by a different color. We trained for various track and field events leading up to the big day.

This is a great race to raise funds for Veterans.

I was on the same team as my older brother and sister. I was thrilled to compete alongside them. I was clearly one of the slowest kids on the team, but that didn’t dampen my excitement.

I don’t remember which team won that year. I do remember falling in love with the feeling of pushing myself. My brother and sister were standout runners, and I wanted to be just like them.

From that point on, I became my brother’s shadow. He was my hero. I watched him train with his friends and thought, I can do that too—if I put in the work.

Over the years, running became more than a hobby—it became a passion. Not sprinting or track events, though. My love is long-distance, cross-country running. I was never fast, and I’m still not, but that’s okay. What matters most to me is endurance and connection.

Long-distance running helps me feel connected—to nature, to myself, and to my limits. It challenges me in ways nothing else has.

I moved to the United States in 1993. By 1996, I had joined my high school’s cross-country team. In college, I pushed to help form a cross-country program. Later, my love for running helped me thrive during my time in the military.

I’ve had my fair share of physical setbacks. These include injuries, a surgery to repair torn tendons and ligaments, and bursitis in my hip. I’ve also had plenty of physical therapy. None of it has taken away my love for running. I continue to work at it because running is a part of who I am. I always feel most alive during and after a run.

Are you just as obsessed with running? If so, when did you get hooked—and what keeps you going?

Thanks for stopping by!