If you’re like me, you started off the gardening season with high hopes in the spring. You dutifully prepared your garden beds and planted your seeds, dreaming of the healthy plants and perfect vegetables you’ve seen on websites and in magazines. But by midsummer, the inevitable battles with Texas heat, drought, plant-munching insects, and various blights and diseases dampened your enthusiasm for gardening. And by Labor Day you were relieved to pull out the shaggy, overgrown, not-so-perfect-looking plants, hang up the gardening tools for winter, and plan for better things next year!

Although this desire to "call it a season" after fighting your way through summer's gardening challenges is certainly understandable, there's good reason to press on and plant a fall garden.

Summer break is here! And if you're not careful, you'll rip and run and do ALL the things for the kids, while at the same time neglecting your own self care. This list is just for YOU, to give you some ideas for resting, relaxing, and feeding your soul this season:

1. Get a mani/pedi at the local spa. 

2. Enjoy early morning coffee or tea on the porch.

3. Try a new restaurant.

4. Go dancing.

5. Take a nap on the sofa.

6. Start journaling. 

7. Color in an adult coloring book. 

8. Make homemade bread.

9. Treat yourself to your favorite cocktail / mocktail.

10. Go on a bike ride.

11. Pick up fresh flowers for your nightstand.

12. Enjoy a day at the spa - massage, facial, steamroom... the works!

13. Take a hike.

14. Watch a grown-up movie or binge watch your favorite Netflix show.

15. Sleep in.

16. Purchase a new sundress.

17. Get your hair colored / cut / profesionally styled at a salon.

18. Read a novel or self-help book.

19. Indulge in a new hobby.

20. Take a day trip with friends.