Productive Aging, A Fresh Recipe and Small Garden Ideas

ByCindy Hattersley Hours Posted on Hours Updated on
Comments 20 Comments

Happy Sunday everyone! We had a great week with Summer and Jenna here for a few days and then a fun packed two days in Santa Barbara with them. I will to do a post on that but I will do that next week! For today let’s join Mary Ann and Annie and chat about Productive Aging, A Fresh Recipe and Small Garden Ideas!

Bobby Flay’s Grilled Fish Tacos

It has been in the 90’s for days here. Last night we had our neighbors over for Bobby Flay’s grilled fish tacos.

Bobby Flay's Grilled Fish Tacos
photo via Food Network

We used mahi mahi. They are super simple and great for a hot evening.

10 Hobbies that Improve Brain Health

From Martha Stewart 10 Hobbies that improve brain health in older adults. A few are surprises. Should we all take up juggling?

Small Garden Ideas

I am constantly asked for ideas for small gardens. I have mentioned Paul Begay’s book, Small Garden Design before. It really is the best available in my opinion. I purchased it when we designed our small town garden for our fixer upper. You can read about that in my posts Designing a Small Town Garden here, and Before and After Backyard Transformation here.

Town Garden Cindy Hattersley Design
cindy hattersley's fountain area in Salinas

Here are some other helpful articles if you are downsizing or already have! This time of year is a great time to make plans for next year and pick up any furniture or accessories for your garden because most items are on sale now.

Garden Design Small Garden Ideas

The Spruce 51 Beautiful Small Garden Ideas

House Beautiful 66 Small Space Gardens.

Forbes Best Weight Loss Programs for 2025

I am trying to drop a few pounds but have never had much success with “programs” other than weight watchers. Here is a list of Forbes best weight loss programs of 2025. Have any of you had any success with them?

Sales of Note

DSW 25% OFF NEARLY EVERYTHING

Loafers are big this year and this great looking loafer from Cole Haan comes in wide if you have bunion issues like me!! I like this one too, but unfortunately it does not come in a wide. This great looking Cole Haan sneaker also comes in a wide. My favorite New Balance sneak is also on sale.

NORDSTROM RACK

These Splendid x @Cellajaneblog Up to 65% Off-casual separates are really nice, and great for travel.

All Saints up to 60% off, including this great lambskin moto jacket, this crossbody bag. and this denim shirtdress.

Lots of great Paige Denim jeans, and Frame denim here.

FARM RIO

70% off All Sale-This is a good one especially if you are looking for a wedding guest dress!! This dress is still available in all sizes, as is this one. I have been coveting this dress for a long time, it is $70!!

I feel like we were on outfit overload this week, so I skipped the outfit of the week. I shared this denim dress from Chicos that could be worn now or later on Instagram this week.

Chicos Now and Later Outfit of the Week

You can find all of my outfits of the week that you may have missed here. You can also peruse my entire shop on ShopMy here.

That’s is from my desk. Thank you for reading Productive Aging, A Fresh Recipe and Small Garden Ideas. Now let’s pop over and visit Mary Ann and Annie and see what they are up to.

classic casual home

most lovely things

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20 Comments

  1. Weight Watchers also works for me. I like their common sense approach as well as learning so much about nutrition and healthy eating. I’m a lifetime member and continue to attend meetings which helps me stay on track. There’s no one diet plan that works for everyone. It’s important to find what fits your lifestyle and food preferences.

    1. Hi Kathleen

      I think I have been a member of weight watchers for a lifetime as well. I have never attended meetings but find the online program keeps me on track as well.

  2. Timed eating has worked for us to lose a few pounds. Breakfast at 10am, lunch 2pm, dinner 6pm. No snacks or dessert. Happily???!!!, we very gradually lost our taste for wine and now only drink water or tea with meals. Bonus too is much improved hydrated skin.

  3. Timed eating has worked for us to lose a few pounds. Breakfast at 10am, lunch 2pm, dinner 6pm. No snacks or dessert. Happily???!!!, we very gradually lost our taste for wine and now only drink water or tea with meals. Bonus too is much improved hydrated skin.

    1. Hi Angela

      I am really not a breakfast person unless I eat very little the night before. I am not a snacker or dessert person. Once the evening meal is over, I don’t eat after that. If only I could drink one glass of wine in the evening…but the second one is so nice!! If I can eat lunch at 11:00 and 5 I can be successful. It just doesn’t always suit my lifestyle, darn it! We live in a very social wine influenced area…and I love it!

  4. The small garden pictures are inspiring! I need the water feature and, clearly I need to move things around and to the center. Time to make a plan. Thank you.

    I’m a fan of WW’s approach, but the meetings are critical. When I (drastically) reduced carbs for a number of borderline health issues, I used My Fitness Pal to track macros. But I’ve been looking at the app My Net Diary that Karlie Cool mentioned in these comments. It looks less clunky. I think I will try it.

    1. Hi Susan

      I am going to check out the app too! I am going to invest in an apple watch! Thank you so much for sharing!

  5. Love your garden and must try the Fish tacos. What are the little flowers hanging over your potted roses?

    1. Hi Sandra

      It is lantana. They love the heat but do suffer in late summer. They would do beautifully in LA. If I lived where you do…I would plant one of the beautiful new colors of bougainvilla in pots. They require nothing but a little trim!

  6. Cindy, I’m with you on losing weight. A happy friend filled life is fattening😀.
    I recently lost the dreaded extra pounds with the app MyNetDiary. Hope this helps.

    2. Hi Karlie

      You said it so well!! I just met Wren for lunch yesterday and we discussed that very problem! And who wants to give that up! I am checking our your app my friend! Thanks for the tips!

  7. I went down a Frame rabbit hole at Nordstrom Rack. I readily pay for the full price denim but paused on the tops. I have three sweaters on the way! I had no idea about Nordstrom Rack. Thanks!

  8. Cindy! You do have the best garden ideas, no matter the size! Love the two looks from Chico’s! Transition from summer to fall with a long-sleeved tee and the suede bag! Beautiful! Can’t wait to hear more about your trip to SB with Jenna and Summer!
    xx

  9. Hi Cindy,
    Thank you for the lovely post I just love hearing your garden advice and tips. Losing weight is always such a chore for me and takes forever, especially now in my sixties. But I do like using weights and having a daily class with a at home plan I follow, called Caroline’s Circuits. (I don’t do the Friday class as its HIT and I have a hip replacement) That and walking and not eating before 1pm and finishing eating at 6pm helps too.
    I have a FITBIT to track miles.

  11. Cindy! Love your links to small garden successes. I’m going to need these resources. You did an amazing transformation with your downtown place. It felt as if it had evolved over time, which is, of course, what you’re so good at. I’ve never had success with weight loss programs. What’s helped me is not eating after 4-5pm which isn’t easy or practical for most people, and a lot of walking. I’m getting back on the wagon because the pounds creep up faster these days. Sigh.That denim dress is great …flattering silhouette and works in all seasons. Cheers! xo

  12. You have such a good eye for gardens, Cindy. I’m going to our garden center as soon as it cools off a bit…which does not look like any time soon here. Thanks for the great sale info.

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