Book Club

I’m Not Behind—My Life Is Just Full

March 29, 2026 Lulu LeeLeave a comment

Lately, I’ve been feeling like I’m falling behind.

Not because I don’t have ideas—but because I have too many.

My garden is growing, my recipe book is coming together, and somewhere in the middle of all of that… my Tidewalker series is waiting for me. Book Two is still sitting in the early stages of editing, quietly asking for my attention.

And for a moment, I thought that meant I was failing.

That I wasn’t focused enough.
That I needed to “get it together.”
That I was somehow dropping the ball on something that matters to me.

But the truth is… I’m not behind.

My life is just full.

Full of things I prayed for.
Full of things I once only dreamed about having the courage to start.
Full of growth—both the kind you can see, and the kind you can’t.

I’m learning that not everything is meant to move forward at the same time.

Some seasons are for planting.
Some are for building.
Some are for resting.
And some are simply for living in what you’ve already created.

Right now, my hands are in the soil. I’m learning, experimenting, and finding joy in growing something tangible. My kitchen has become a space of creativity again, where I’m building recipes that tell a story of their own.

And my writing?

It’s still there.

Waiting. Breathing. Becoming.

I haven’t abandoned it—I’m just not forcing it.

Because I’m starting to understand that forcing growth doesn’t make it happen faster. It just makes it harder to enjoy.

The Tidewalker series deserves my full presence, my imagination, and my care. And when I return to it, I don’t want to feel rushed or disconnected—I want to feel ready.

So instead of criticizing myself for not doing everything at once, I’m choosing something different.

I’m choosing to honor the season I’m in.

To trust that everything I’m building is still moving forward—even if it’s not all happening at the same time.

To remind myself that progress doesn’t always look like productivity.

Sometimes, it looks like tending to what’s right in front of you.

Sometimes, it looks like pausing without quitting.

And sometimes… it looks like giving yourself permission to simply be.

If you’ve been feeling like you’re behind lately, I want you to hear this:

You’re not behind either.

Your life might just be full too.

Book Club

Book Club Reflections: Reading The Book of Enoch While Writing Book Two

March 9, 2026 Lulu LeeLeave a comment

Lately my reading has taken a different direction.

Instead of picking up a modern novel or memoir, I’ve been spending time with The Book of Enoch while editing the second book in my Tidewalkers series, When the Sea Remembers.

It’s been fascinating, challenging, and honestly… a little disorienting in the best way.

But I’ll also admit something:
I’ve been feeling a bit stuck creatively.

When Creativity Slows Down

Editing a story can sometimes feel harder than writing the first draft.

When I was originally writing When the Sea Remembers, the ideas flowed naturally. The characters felt alive, and the world of the tidewalkers seemed to unfold on its own.

But editing requires something different. It asks you to slow down, question your choices, tighten the story, and sometimes step back when the creative energy isn’t there.

Lately, I’ve been wondering if the winter weather is part of it. The days are shorter, the skies are gray, and the creative spark feels quieter than usual.

I’m learning that sometimes creativity doesn’t disappear — it simply pauses.

Reading Ancient Texts While Building a Fantasy World

Reading The Book of Enoch while editing my story has been surprisingly inspiring.

Ancient texts like this remind me how long humans have been telling stories about the unseen world, spiritual mysteries, and forces that shape human life.

Even though my Tidewalkers series is fictional, those themes — mystery, the unknown, and the connection between different worlds — echo through many ancient traditions.

It reminds me that storytelling has always been a way for people to explore what they cannot fully explain.

The Importance of Creative Patience

One thing I’m learning as a writer is that creativity has seasons.

Some seasons are fast and exciting, where ideas pour out effortlessly.

Other seasons are quieter. They ask for reflection, reading, research, and patience.

Right now, I think I’m in one of those quieter seasons.

And maybe that’s not a bad thing.

Sometimes stepping back, reading deeply, and letting ideas simmer is exactly what a story needs before it can move forward.

Trusting the Process

The Tidewalkers world is still very much alive in my mind. Ezra, Neri, and the world beneath the sea are waiting for their story to continue.

For now, I’m reading, reflecting, and slowly working through the edits.

Stories have their own rhythm. And I’m learning to respect that rhythm instead of forcing it.

If you’re a writer or creative person, you probably know this feeling well.

Sometimes the best thing we can do is keep showing up — even when the words come slowly.

A Season of Spiritual Curiosity

Reading The Book of Enoch has also stirred something deeper in me — a quiet curiosity about spirituality, ancient traditions, and how people throughout history have tried to understand the unseen world.

When I immigrated to the United States as a young girl, much of my understanding of faith and religion came through very specific teachings and structured interpretations. As I’ve grown older, I’ve become more interested in exploring spiritual texts with fresh eyes and asking my own questions.

Not necessarily to find definitive answers, but to understand the bigger picture of how humans across cultures and generations have tried to make sense of existence, morality, mystery, and purpose.

That curiosity often finds its way into my writing.

The Tidewalkers world, while fictional, explores similar ideas — the existence of parallel worlds, unseen forces, and the delicate balance between human life and the natural world. Stories have always been a way for people to wrestle with questions that don’t have simple explanations.

Reading ancient texts like The Book of Enoch reminds me that storytelling and spiritual exploration have always been closely connected.

Both invite us to imagine beyond what we can immediately see.

And maybe that’s part of why this season of slower creativity doesn’t feel entirely frustrating. It feels more like a period of reflection — a time to read deeply, think carefully, and allow new ideas to take shape beneath the surface.

Just like seeds waiting underground before they begin to grow.

A Quiet Glimpse of What’s Coming

As I continue editing When the Sea Remembers, the second book in the Tidewalkers series, I’m slowly rediscovering the depth of the world I began building in the first book. Ezra and Neri’s story is far from finished, and the tides that connect their two worlds are becoming more complicated than either of them expected. There are choices ahead that will test loyalty, courage, and the fragile balance between land and sea. For now, the story is still taking shape beneath the surface — but I can already feel that the next chapter of their journey will carry them into deeper waters.

Closing the Year with Intention: A Reflection on 2025 and What’s Coming in 2026

December 29, 2025 Lulu LeeLeave a comment

As the year comes to an end, I’ve been taking time to slow down, breathe, and look back at everything 2025 brought into my life — the growth, the challenges, the small joys, and the big victories. This year has been a season of showing up for myself in deeper, more intentional ways. It has been a year of rediscovering my voice, nurturing my creativity, strengthening my body, and creating traditions that reflect who I am becoming.

I entered this year wanting stability and connection — and I’m ending it feeling grounded, hopeful, and proud.

Here is a look back at the year through each of the four corners of this blog: health & fitness, reading, gardening, and recipes — the spaces where so much of my growth took root.

💪 Health & Fitness: A Year of Movement and Milestones

This year, I ran more races than I ever have before — and I pushed myself farther than I knew I could go. From the Turkey Trot I ran with my daughter to the Blue and Gray Half Marathon, each finish line taught me something new about my resilience, discipline, and joy.

I set personal records. I found strength in early mornings and in quiet miles. I learned to trust my body again. And perhaps most importantly, I found confidence — the kind that comes from showing up even when you’re tired, overwhelmed, or unsure.

Running became a reflection of my healing: slow, steady, and deeply personal.

📚 Book Club: Choosing Courage, Creativity, and Connection

My book of the month, Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes, could not have been more timely. Reading it reminded me to stretch, to take up space, and to lean into the opportunities that make me feel alive. Her voice pushed me to say “yes” to myself — yes to rest, yes to creativity, yes to courage.

And that energy followed me straight into my writing.

Book Two of my Tidewalker series began taking shape in new and exciting ways. I made progress on Ezra’s internal journey, deepened Grandmother Fatu’s backstory, and built the tension between the two worlds in ways that feel richer and more purposeful.

This was also the year I became more consistent with my blog — saying “yes” to sharing my voice, my journey, and my creativity with others.

🌱 Garden: Lessons from the Soil

My garden was one of my grounding spaces this year. From planting collards that ended up on our Thanksgiving table to experimenting with new vegetables and learning more about what my soil needs, gardening reminded me to slow down, stay patient, and trust the process.

Some plants thrived, some didn’t, and all of it taught me something.

Next year, I’m excited to bring the garden back to life in the spring — with new layouts, new crops, and a renewed appreciation for what grows when you nurture it with intention.

🍽️ Recipes: A Year of Flavor, Culture, and Tradition

Cooking has always been a form of connection for me — to my family, to my culture, and to my creativity. This year, I shared some of my favorite recipes, from sweet potato pie to sweet potato rolls (the only version my youngest gladly accepts!).

Food remains a place where tradition meets innovation in my home — a way to honor my Sierra Leonean roots while creating new memories with my children.

In 2026, I’m planning to share more dishes inspired by Mama Africa, more home-baked favorites, and possibly a cultural cooking series that highlights flavors from across the continent.

✨ Looking Ahead: What’s Coming in 2026

As I step into the new year, I’m carrying a deep sense of clarity about what I want — and what I’m ready to grow into.

Here’s a preview of what’s ahead:

📘 Book Two Release Timeline

I’ll be sharing more concrete updates early in the year, including sneak peeks, character insights, and details on when you can expect the next Tidewalker installment.

🌿 A New Garden Season

I’m already planning my spring planting: herbs, collards, vegetables, and maybe a few new experiments.

🍲 New Recipes + A Cultural Cooking Series

2026 will bring new flavors to the blog — including traditional dishes, West African favorites, and original recipes inspired by my roots.

📝 2026 Blog Themes

Next year, I’ll continue rotating through Health & Fitness, Book Club, Gardening, and Recipes — with a deeper commitment to consistency, reflection, and creativity.

❤️ Personal Goals

Above all, 2026 will be a year of:

emotional wellness
rest
travel
continued healing
and choosing courage, both quietly and boldly

Thank You for Being Here

Ending this year with gratitude feels right. Thank you for reading, for showing up, and for taking this journey with me. Whether you’re here for the recipes, the reflections, the stories, or the updates — I’m truly grateful.

Here’s to a year of growth behind us, and a year of intention ahead.

See you in 2026. 🌿✨

Book Club

📚 Book Club Chat: When the Sea Remembers 🌊❤️

August 18, 2025 Lulu LeeLeave a comment

Hi friends,

I’m so excited to share a little about Book Two in my three-part series — When the Sea Remembers. This story follows the intertwined destinies of Ezra, a Land walker, and Neri, a Sea walker. Their love was written in the stars, but the path ahead is anything but simple.

In Book One, fate brought them together. In Book Two, we see just how many forces will rise to pull them apart. Powerful beings — some ancient, some cunning — have their own reasons for keeping the land and sea divided. Ezra and Neri must decide how much they’re willing to risk. They also need to consider what they’re willing to lose to stay together.

This installment dives deeper into the spirit realm, the old ways, and the fragile balance between two worlds. It’s a story about love under pressure, and the cost of defying destiny.

I can’t wait to hear your thoughts once you meet these new challenges alongside Ezra and Neri. If you’ve read Book One, what do you hope happens for them in this next chapter? And what do you fear happen?

Your turn — let’s chat. 📖💬

Health & Fitness · Health & Fitness

Seasons of Growth: Running, Writing, and Tending to my heart.

July 11, 2025 Lulu LeeLeave a comment

On the Run: Training and Races

Running has become more than a routine — it’s been a return to discipline, breath, and strength. Over the past few months, I’ve trained consistently and challenged myself in new ways. I’ve completed a few races so far. The first was the Shamrock 5K in March. Then there the Race Towards Autism Acceptance 5K in April, Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon in May. The Father’s Legacy Inaugural 5K was held first. The most recent race was the Fallen Heroes 5 Miler on July 4th, 2025. Each race brought its own lessons — in perseverance, in honoring the moment, and in trusting my body’s quiet power.

Some mornings were hard. Some finishes were emotional. But every step has been worth it.

Right now, I’m deep in training for something big — my very first full marathon! I’ll be running the Richmond Marathon this October. I couldn’t be more excited. I am also a little nervous for the journey ahead. It’s a milestone I’ve dreamed about for years, and I’m ready to meet it head-on.

On the Page: Stories Taking Root

Writing has been both refuge and revelation. I recently completed my debut novel, Songs of the Eleven Suns. It is the first book in a trilogy that explores the delicate balance between land and sea. It delves into memory and myth, as well as love and legacy. It’s a story rooted in ancestry and longing — and one that’s been with me for a long time.

Working on this book stretched me in every way. I poured so much of myself into its pages. It was not just the craft of writing, but the emotional truth beneath the story. Seeing it finished felt like watching a dream step into the light.

Alongside that, I’ve been working on a deeply personal poetry chapbook titled Dark, Still Rising. It’s a collection centered on themes of defiance, self-love, childhood, ancestry, and healing. It is written as a lyrical tribute to dark brown skin, identity, and survival. These poems have helped me rediscover voice, power, and presence in the quietest corners of myself.

Now, I’m continuing the journey with Book Two of the trilogy. I am expanding the world, deepening the characters, and raising the stakes. It’s thrilling to return to a place I know so well and keep discovering new depths.

There’s more to come — and I can’t wait to bring you along as these stories continue to unfold.

Below are the links for the books…if you are interested!!

Songs of the Eleven Suns https://a.co/d/iALittq

Dark, Still Rising https://a.co/d/43TsNRY

Thank you for stopping by and for the support 🙂