Spring Garden Plans: Preparing the Soil & Setting Intentions

January 12, 2026January 12, 2026 Lulu LeeLeave a comment

Garden Updates | Spring Garden Series – Part 1

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After the quiet of winter, I’ve started easing back into the garden—not by planting right away, but by preparing the space where everything will grow.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been clearing out my garden beds, removing old growth, and giving the soil some much-needed care. I added compost to replenish nutrients and laid down hay to protect the beds, retain moisture, and allow the soil to rest while the weather finishes deciding what it wants to do.

This stage of gardening is slower and quieter, but it’s one of my favorites. It reminds me that growth doesn’t begin when seeds go into the ground—it begins with preparation.

Starting Seeds Indoors

With the outdoor beds resting, my next step is starting seeds indoors this coming weekend. Seed starting always feels hopeful to me. It’s a way to stay connected to the garden while honoring the last frost date and the natural rhythm of the season.

I keep things simple—seed trays, soil, light, and patience. These early starts will be ready to transition outside once spring settles in.

Garden Layout & Planting Intentions

I’ve also been sketching out my garden layout to help me think through spacing, companion planting, and how different plants support one another. This doesn’t have to be perfect—just intentional.

Here’s the plant list inspired by my current layout plan:

Spring Garden Plant List

Vegetables and Fruits

Tomatoes
Peppers (bell & other varieties)
Cucumbers (with trellis support)
Zucchini
Potatoes
Okra
Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Melons
Strawberries
Lettuce
Kale
Cabbage

Herbs

Basil
Dill
Parsley
Oregano
Sage
Garlic (already established / overwintered)

Flowers & Pollinators

Zinnias
Nasturtiums (woven throughout beds)
Calendula
Chamomile
Coneflower
Echinacea

These choices support pollinators, improve soil health, and encourage a balanced garden ecosystem—not just productivity.

Why I Plan Before I Plant

Mapping things out helps me stay flexible while still being intentional. It allows me to think about airflow, sunlight, harvest timing, and how my garden functions as a whole rather than a collection of individual plants.

For now, the beds are resting under compost and hay, and the seeds are getting ready to wake up indoors. Spring will come when it’s ready—and so will the garden.

Spring Garden Series

This post is Part 1 of my spring garden series. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing:

Seed starting progress
Bed planting updates
Companion planting wins (and lessons learned)
Early harvests and seasonal adjustments

Join the Conversation

If you’re planning your spring garden, I’d love to hear about it.
What are you growing this year—or what are you thinking about trying for the first time?

Feel free to share in the comments or follow along as the season unfolds.

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. 🌿✨

Recipes

Holiday Sweet Potato Rolls: A Family Favorite (Even for the Picky Eaters!)

December 22, 2025 Lulu LeeLeave a comment

A Short Story From My Holiday Kitchen

The days leading up to Thanksgiving always feel like a quiet dance in my kitchen — not rushed, not frantic, just intentional. Over the years, I’ve learned to start preparing certain parts of our holiday meal days in advance. Not because I love being ahead of schedule (though it helps!), but because life has required it.

I’ve worked through many major holidays, sometimes only catching a few hours at home before heading back out again. And because of that, I had to learn how to create a holiday rhythm that made room for both my responsibilities and my children. A rhythm that allowed them to experience the joy of the season without feeling the absence of my schedule.

So I plan. I chop, mix, and prep early. I build flavors slowly. I tuck things away in the fridge and freezer like little promises to myself. I do it so that when the holiday arrives, I’m not drowning in tasks — I’m emotionally present, grounded, and able to enjoy those pockets of time with my kids, whether I’m home all day or just long enough to share a meal and laugh together.

And somewhere in the middle of all that preparation, these sweet potato rolls were born.

They came from a simple desire:
to help my youngest see the beauty and versatility of sweet potatoes — and to make sure they never felt like they were missing out on a food their siblings enjoyed.

They also became a symbol of my kind of holiday magic: finding small ways to stretch time, stretch love, and stretch tradition so my family gets to feel whole even on the days I’m balancing a lot.

These rolls have earned their place on our Thanksgiving table — soft, warm, and welcoming to even the pickiest eater in the house.

Every family has that one ingredient someone just can’t get behind — and in my house, that ingredient has always been sweet potatoes. My youngest has never been a fan, no matter how I bake them, mash them, roast them, or season them.

So over the years, I’ve made it my quiet mission to find ways to introduce sweet potatoes that highlight how versatile (and delicious!) they really are. I’ve tried plenty of versions, but only one has earned a full stamp of approval:

✨ Sweet Potato Rolls. ✨

Soft, slightly sweet, beautifully golden, and perfect for soaking up gravy or eating warm right off the pan — these rolls made their way onto our Thanksgiving table this year, and they did not disappoint. In fact, this is the only sweet potato recipe my youngest happily eats, which makes it even more special.

Whether you’re preparing for a holiday dinner or simply want a cozy roll recipe for the winter season, these sweet potato rolls are warm, comforting, and surprisingly easy to make.

Ingredients

For the dough

1 cup pureed sweet potato
1 cup (240 ml) room-temperature yogurt
4 tbsp (57 g) unsalted butter, melted
2 whole eggs, lightly beaten
2 tbsp raw cane sugar
2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) instant yeast
1 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
4 3/4 cups flour

For baking

1/2 stick melted butter

Instructions

Make the Dough

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the yogurt, melted butter, eggs, cane sugar, yeast, and sweet potato.
Add the salt and 2 cups of flour, stirring for about 1 minute.
Switch to medium-low speed and gradually mix in the remaining flour. Knead until a dough forms.
Increase to medium-high speed and continue kneading for about 5 minutes, until the dough becomes soft, smooth, and slightly tacky.
- If it’s too sticky, add flour a little at a time until manageable.
Lightly spray a clean bowl with cooking spray. Place the dough inside, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Shape & Bake the Rolls

Prepare a baking pan by spraying with cooking spray. Divide the dough into equal pieces and shape each into a smooth ball.
Brush each roll with melted butter. Cover lightly with a kitchen towel and let rise for another 30 minutes, or until puffy.
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Bake the rolls for 15 to 20 minutes, or until beautifully golden brown.
Serve warm. Store leftovers in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag.

A Small Sweet Victory

What makes this recipe so meaningful isn’t just the flavor or the softness of the rolls — it’s the fact that they brought sweet potatoes back into our Thanksgiving meal in a way that made everyone happy, even my pickiest eater.

Sometimes the best recipes are the ones that quietly solve a family dilemma and create a new tradition at the same time.

Gardening · Gardening

🌿 Garden Update: Collard Greens Growing Strong & A Sweet Potato Harvest Worth Celebrating

November 24, 2025 Lulu Lee3 Comments

There’s something deeply healing about watching food grow with your own hands. This month, my garden has been a quiet reminder that even when life feels heavy or uncertain, growth is still happening—sometimes slowly, sometimes quietly, but always with purpose.

My collard greens are coming along beautifully this season. Their leaves are thick, vibrant, and full of life, and every time I walk outside to check on them, I feel that familiar sense of grounding. There’s nothing like seeing your greens respond to the care you’ve given them—sunlight, watering, patience, and a little love. Collards have always reminded me of family, tradition, and resilience, so watching them thrive feels like a gift I didn’t know I needed.

I also harvested my sweet potatoes, and let me tell you—they did not disappoint. Pulling them from the soil felt like uncovering treasure. There’s something magical about it… one moment it’s just soft earth, and the next you’re holding nourishment that you planted months ago. My sweet potatoes grew in all different shapes and sizes, but each one felt like a little victory.

This week, I’m planning to put them to good use in my kitchen.
I’ll be making a sweet-potato pie and some sweet-potato rolls for my family—recipes that bring warmth into the house and make everyone drift toward the kitchen to see what’s baking. Cooking with ingredients from my own garden always feels special. It’s more than just food; it’s love, work, and intention all coming together on a plate.

As I look at what’s growing now and what’s being harvested, I’m reminded that the garden is a reflection of the season I’m in: nurturing, patient, hopeful. Things take time to root. They take time to bloom. And when they finally do, the reward is deeper than the harvest—it’s the reminder that growth is still happening in me, too.

I can’t wait to share more next month, but for now, I’m grateful for greens, sweet potatoes, and the simple joy of feeding the people I love.

And if you’re curious about what I’m making with my harvest, stay tuned — next Monday’s post will feature the sweet-potato pie and rolls I’m baking for my family.

Gardening · Gardening

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. 🌸

Gardening · Gardening

🌱 Starting My Fall Garden: Carrots, Greens & More

September 15, 2025 Lulu LeeLeave a comment

There’s something special about the shift from summer to fall. The air cools, the days get shorter, and the garden takes on a new rhythm. Today, I kicked off my fall planting season. I couldn’t be more excited to see how it all turns out.

My Fall Crops

I used three garden beds to start my fall crops this year. Here’s what went into the soil today:

🥕 Carrots – A classic root crop that loves cooler weather.
🍅 Steak Tomatoes – Big, juicy, and full of flavor—hoping for a late harvest.
🥬 Beets – Earthy and nutrient-packed.
🌿 Collard Greens – A Southern staple that thrives in the fall.
🥬 Cabbage – Perfect for soups, slaws, and fermenting.
🥔 Potatoes – Always satisfying to dig up at harvest time.
🌶️ Bell Peppers – A pop of color and flavor for meals.
🌱 Spinach – Quick-growing and versatile in the kitchen.

✨ Why Fall Gardening Excites Me

Fall is one of my favorite times to garden. The pests slow down, the heat isn’t so intense, and the harvests are hearty and grounding. Starting fresh beds always feels like a clean slate, full of potential.

This year, I’m especially excited about the greens—collards and spinach—and the challenge of getting good potatoes before the ground freezes.

💡 Tips I’m Following

Rotate crops so the soil stays healthy.
Keep mulch handy to protect against early frosts.
Water consistently—fall rains help, but don’t always come on time.
Be patient: cooler weather crops can take a little longer.

My raised beds

🌟 Final Thoughts

Every season brings new challenges and rewards. I can’t wait to see how these beds grow over the coming weeks. Gardening keeps me grounded, connected, and always learning.

👉 Have you started your fall garden yet? What are you planting this season?

Gardening

Expanding My Garden & Looking for Advice 🌱

August 13, 2025 Lulu LeeLeave a comment

Hi everyone!

Gardening is more than a hobby for me—it’s my way of staying connected to nature and my roots. I grew up in Sierra Leone, West Africa, where my grandfather had an incredible garden. During school vacations, we’d help him grow about 90% of the food we ate. He lived into his mid-90s and even baked his own bread! Since moving to the States, I’ve noticed my body doesn’t process food the same way it used to. I’m trying to reset by growing clean, chemical-free food for my family and myself.

Making the Most of My Space
I don’t have a big yard. I’m maximizing the use of the space I have. Recently, I added two more raised beds. This helps me get closer to my goal of growing most of our food. My next big project is building a privacy fence—not just for looks, but also to protect the garden. Hiring a contractor isn’t in the budget, so I’m doing it myself. I’ve already bought 10 fence panels and have been slowly collecting the rest of the materials. YouTube tutorials have been my best friend during this process!

What’s Growing Now
This year, I started with:

Broccoli, kale, and spinach (spinach didn’t make it 😔)
Cherry tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, and jalapeño peppers
Okra, white potatoes, sweet potatoes
Cabbage, onions, and cantaloupe
Sweet corn alongside an apple tree
Goji berry tree & Elderberry tree
Bush beans & strawberries (the strawberries didn’t survive either)

From this, I’ve harvested potatoes, cherry tomatoes, okra, sweet potato leaves, sweet corn, and cantaloupes.

On my deck, I keep herbs for easy access while cooking. I have sage, basil, and oregano. I also have a small trial run of lettuce and green beans.

Future Planting Goals
I’m hoping to add soybeans, bell peppers, garlic, beets, watermelons, and leeks. I also want to plant radish, squash, cucumbers, peanuts, and more corn. Furthermore, I plan to grow strawberries, plums, cherries, and more apple trees.

Challenges I’m Facing
The biggest headache? Stray cats. They keep using parts of my garden as a litter box, which completely ruined my spinach this year. This is one of the main reasons I’m pushing to get the fence installed. If anyone has safe, cat-deterring ideas, I’d love to hear them!

Looking for Your Advice
I’d really appreciate tips on:

How to safely keep cats out of my garden.
How to organize my space better to maximize yield.

I’ll post some pictures of my current layout soon. The new raised beds will not be included. This way you can see what I’m working with. Any ideas or suggestions are welcome—thank you in advance! 🌿

Recent harvest

Hybrid Rose

Okra plant…so pretty

Hibiscus

Cherry tomatoes

Cantaloupes

Gardening · Gardening

Lessons from My First Year of Gardening: Successes and Mistakes

April 29, 2025April 29, 2025 Lulu Lee3 Comments

Last year was the first time I truly committed to designing and creating a small garden. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. All I knew was that I wanted to grow fruits and vegetables my family and I would enjoy. I spent a lot of time at local stores. I hunted for gardening tools, supplies, and starter plants that were on sale. Looking back, not trying to grow everything from seed was a smart decision. It made the whole process much more manageable.

Here are some pictures from my garden last year. I plan to share more photos and lessons I’ve learned. I’ll also share how I’m working to avoid repeating some of the mistakes I made. If you have any tips to simplify the issues I’ve shared, please feel free to pass them along!

This was the first tomato plant in my garden. It produced so many tomatoes. I managed to make pasta sauce. I shared some with my neighbors. I used the rest in plenty of stews and salads. One lesson I learned the hard way was the importance of checking the weather before planting. I’m in a Zone 7 gardening area. I didn’t realize that until I joined a Facebook group. This group helped me understand when to start my seedlings and when to transfer them outdoors.

The apple tree I germinated and transplanted is still growing and thriving. I’m hoping to get some fruit from it in the next year or so. The idea for this tree came after enjoying a delicious apple one day. I saved most of the seeds and then researched ways to germinate them. As an experiment, I prepared just one seed, and I’m so grateful it worked. Now, I have a few more seeds in the process of germination.

It was my first time trying my hand at landscaping, and it turned out better than I expected. I do wish I had used weed barrier fabric—that was a rookie mistake I won’t be repeating this year. I’m still working on removing the rocks from this part of the garden. I’ve realized they are not the best choice. This year, I plan to try red mulch and see if that helps the plants thrive.

These were my green bell peppers and habanero peppers, and they yielded much more than I anticipated. I even dehydrated some of the habaneros for later use—and I still have some left! I bought these peppers from a local store. I only had to prepare the garden bed and then transplant them. I made sure they got plenty of water, sunshine, and fertilizer. Still, I’m still figuring out the right fertilizers for my garden. I tried using egg shells and kitchen scraps, which worked well. This year, I plan to start composting to guarantee my fruits, vegetables, and plants get enough nutrients.

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you do come back! I have a lot more to share. Leave tips if you feel incline to do so.

-Lulu