What We’re Actually Eating This Summer: Lemon Blueberry Pancakes
These lemon blueberry pancakes are our favorite slow summer morning breakfast. Made with Kodiak Cakes, fresh lemon zest, and blueberries — and cooked in ghee for crispy edges — they’re simple, protein-packed, and always a hit with the whole family.
Kodiak cake pancake batter with lemon zest and fresh blueberrie folded in
Most summer mornings at our house aren’t slow.
They start early. There are shoes to find. Lunchboxes to pack. Some days, it’s frozen waffles and a half-hearted banana.
But when the rhythm loosens — on the weekends, or when we’ve just decided we’re all tired — we pull out the pancake mix.
And not just any mix. Kodiak Cakes, milk + egg version, for extra protein.
Add a handful of fresh blueberries, a good dose of lemon zest, and suddenly… it feels like summer again.
Why These Pancakes Are on Repeat
They’re easy, for one.
The mix does most of the work — you just follow the box.
But it’s the lemon zest and fresh blueberries that make them feel a little special. Like, “hey, I tried” — even when I didn’t try that hard.
They’re also one of the only things my five-year-old, my husband, and I all agree on. We make them together. We eat them outside if the weather’s nice. We stack them high and drizzle just enough syrup to make it weekend-worthy.
And I have a secret weapon:
✨ Ghee or clarified butter in the pan.
It gives the pancakes those crispy, golden edges that feel just a little elevated.
(Not necessary. But so worth it.)
There’s No Recipe — Just a Rhythm
If you need measurements, I’ll include a printable version below. But really, it’s:
Kodiak Cakes (milk + egg option)
A handful of blueberries (fresh, not frozen)
A little lemon zest (I use a microplane)
Cook in ghee for crispy edges
Serve warm with butter, syrup, or whatever feels like love that morning
✨ Want the Printable Version?
I made a simple printable version you can save or stick on the fridge for slow mornings.
👉 Click here to grab the printable.
(If it’s not live yet, check back in a few days — or follow along on Instagram @wildandrootedliving to get notified when it’s posted.)
Up Next in the Series…
This is the first post in my summer food series — the easy meals we’re actually eating these days.
Next up? Our go-to weeknight dinner: pesto pasta + Caprese salad.
It’s light, fresh, and done in 30 minutes — and yes, my five-year-old calls it “butterfly pasta.”
PIN IT FOR LATER
A soft summer morning. A stack of pancakes. A breakfast that buys you ten extra minutes around the table.
A delicious stack of lemon blueberry pancakes drizzled ini maple syrup
Lemon Blueberry Kodiak Pancakes (Printable Recipe)
This printable recipe for lemon blueberry pancakes is made with Kodiak Cakes, fresh blueberries, and lemon zest. It’s our favorite protein-packed summer breakfast — quick, easy, and always a hit with kids and adults alike.
Kodiak Cake Pancakes with lemon zest and fresh blueberries piled high with a maple syrup drizzle
Looking for the printable version of our favorite lemon blueberry pancakes?
This easy, protein-packed breakfast starts with Kodiak Cakes mix and gets a boost of summer flavor from fresh blueberries and lemon zest. I also use ghee or clarified butter to get those extra crispy edges we love.
✨ Get the Recipe:
👉 Click here to download the printable PDF.
These pancakes are part of our What We’re Actually Eating This Summer series — a collection of simple, soulful meals we actually make on busy weekdays and slow weekends.
Want the full story behind this breakfast — including the crispy-edge trick, why my five-year-old loves them, and how we make them feel like a Saturday even on a Tuesday?
👉 Read the full blog post here.
🛒 Ingredients at a Glance:
Kodiak Cakes pancake mix (milk + egg version)
Fresh blueberries
Lemon zest
Ghee or clarified butter
Butter, syrup, or your favorite toppings
Summer’s Soft Goodbye
There’s a quiet kind of beauty at the end of summer — soft storms, slow mornings, and the way light starts to change. In this post, I’m sharing how I styled our front porch and garden beds to reflect that feeling: with a magnolia wreath, faux-and-real plant pairings, a cozy candle in the window, and a few simple touches that whisper “welcome” to the season ahead.
Layered textures, slow storms, and a front yard that’s saying farewell to summer
Realistic magnolia leaf wreath
There’s a certain kind of goodbye that doesn’t announce itself.
It lingers—like the last golden hour, the steam from a coffee cup, or the way a summer storm rolls in slow and sweet.
That’s how our front yard feels right now.
We’re not to fall yet, but the light is starting to shift. The air has a different hum. And I’ve been leaning into that quiet in-between with a few simple touches outside our front door that feel rooted, relaxed, and ready for what’s next.
Here’s a peek at what’s setting the tone:
1. A Magnolia Leaf Wreath that Feels Like Home
Magnolias have always said “Southern welcome” to me. This season, I found a magnolia leaf wreath that looks rich and lifelike without being too bold. The leaves have just enough variation in tone to feel dimensional up close, and it holds up beautifully on hot days and through passing storms.
I love how it brings subtle movement and warmth to the front door — a gentle nod to what’s been blooming, and what’s still to come.
2. Faux Window Box Plants (That Don’t Look Faux)
My secret to great looking window boxes in the dead of summer
I used to swear off faux plants outdoors — but hear me out. When done well, they can be a game-changer for curb appeal, especially in those tricky spots where the hose won’t reach or the light’s inconsistent.
Here’s my formula for getting faux window boxes right:
Keep your distance: If they’re far from the road or sidewalk, you instantly get a little visual grace.
Mix your textures: Think beyond boxwood! I layer in different shades and varieties of faux green amongst the pink and white flowers. The thrillers, fillers, and spillers rule can also apply here, just like with real plants. Varying the heights and shapes keeps it lush.
Surround them with real greenery: Ground them (literally) with live plants in the beds below. My new limelight hydrangeas add real movement and seasonal charm nearby — the blend makes everything look intentional and full.
🌿 Shop my exact window box picks here →
3. The Layered Front Door Mat Look
Layered front door look
You know I love a layered moment. At the door, I kept things neutral — a large, natural woven base mat topped with a simple cream look with tassles. It adds texture without competing with the wreath or the soft green tones and color of the window boxes.
This combo is part of my Front Porch Edit →
Ranger Station tomato candle
4. That Tomato Leaf Candle in the Window
If summer had a scent? It might be my tomato leaf candle — bright, earthy, and unexpectedly nostalgic. I’ve been keeping it lit in the front window lately, just above the flower bed view. It makes even an afternoon rainstorm feel like a little ritual. I’m bummed I couldn’t find the Ranger Station brand I love (local to Nashville!), but you can find some of their products on Amazon. I did find a tomato candle in beautiful red glass that I’ve added to my favorites list…
🍅 See it in my Summer Home Scents list →
5. Summer Storms + Soft Light
Maybe my favorite part of this whole front yard refresh? The summer storm footage I caught the other day. The limelights bobbing in the wind. The wreath gently shifting on the door. The smell of rain, the sound of quiet.
You can feel the season stretching out… not quite done, not quite gone. It’s a mood. Check it out here.
PIN IT FOR LATER
A neutral summer porch with subtle Southern charm and soft-season transitions 🌿
Pin this summer front door look with stained glass windows and realistic magnolia leaf wreath!
Nesting Into Fall: A Meaningful Baby Gift That Grows With Them
As the days get cozier, I’ve been leaning into what I call nesting into fall—slowing down, softening up the house, and giving more intentionally. This simple baby gift idea has become one of our family’s favorites, and now it’s our go-to for welcoming new little ones. Thoughtful, timeless, and wrapped with heart.
Whimsical and classic gift wrap - perfect for a baby gift
There’s something about the early days of fall — the golden light, the quiet shift indoors — that makes me want to slow down and give more intentionally. I call it nesting into fall — cozying up the house, tending to small rituals, and leaning into thoughtful moments of care.
Recently, we wrapped a gift for friends who just had a baby, and it turned into one of my favorite “slow gifting” moments yet.
When our son was born, someone gave us a personalized bedtime storybook from I See Me! with his name woven into the story. At the time, it was sweet. Now that he’s five? It’s one of our most treasured books. He lights up every time he hears his name on the page, and it’s even helped him learn to recognize, read, and write it.
So when our friends welcomed their baby, we knew exactly what to send: their own I See Me! book, personalized just for their little one.
This kind of gift becomes a ritual — something that’s not just opened once, but read over and over again.
Whether you're headed to a baby shower or dropping something on a doorstep, this is one of those gifts that truly grows with them.
🎁 How I Wrapped It
I love a gift that feels like part of the experience — not just what’s inside, but how it’s presented. For this one, I kept it simple and sweet, but added a few easy touches that make it feel extra special.
We wrapped it in alpaca-themed kraft paper — soft and whimsical — and tied it with a neutral silk ribbon with polka dots in a simple bow. The whole thing felt classic, cozy, and just right for this season of life.
Here’s how I wrapped the personalized See Me! book:
I used the alpaca-print kraft paper for a playful, neutral base.
I wrapped a soft cream colored silk ribbon with gold polka dots around the gift, folding it into a clean bow.
Then I trimmed the ribbon ends on a diagonal cut (this makes a huge difference!) to give it that polished, professionally wrapped look.
I even snapped a few action shots as I went — scroll down for a closer peek at the folding and trimming process!
It doesn’t take much to make a present feel extra loved — just a few intentional touches, folded with care.
Use soft, neutral ribbon that’s easy to tie.
Fold your ribbon in half length-wise, then cut on the diagonal to make the perfect, polished ends to your bow!
Viola! Perfectly cut ribbon ends.
Shop This Gift
Whether you're celebrating a new arrival or looking for a baby shower gift with heart, here’s everything I used (and loved) to create this cozy, personalized present:
Exact Gift Combo – Shop on Amazon
This includes the actual items we used — perfect if you want to recreate the look one-to-one:
The personalized I See Me! storybook
Alpaca-print kraft wrapping paper
Neutral silk ribbon with polka dots
I See Me! Customizable Children’s Book
Whimsical and neutral gift wrapping for baby gift
Inspired Baby Gift Edit – Shop on LTK
Want to build your own version with a similar feel? I pulled together a fall-toned edit featuring:
Cozy-neutral gift wrap options
Soft, timeless baby gifts
Thoughtful extras for slow gifting
👉 Shop the Baby Gift Edit on LTK
No matter which route you take, this gift is one that truly grows more meaningful with every bedtime read.
PIN IT FOR LATER
A heart-melting baby gift that grows more meaningful with every bedtime read.
Pin this adorable baby bedtime book for a gift idea!
A Slow Sunday Ritual: Coffee, Cobbler & Calling Mom
There’s something sacred about a slow Sunday. The kind where the sunlight filters through the curtains just right, coffee brews in the French press, and you finally have time to call your mom back. This morning’s ritual? A quiet kitchen, barefoot steps, and the sweet, familiar comfort of baking peach cobbler from scratch — because rest doesn’t always mean doing nothing. Sometimes, it looks like remembering where you come from and stirring love into something warm.
Some Sundays call for a reset.
Not a productivity sprint. Not a fresh start with big intentions.
Just… a quiet morning. A warm cup of coffee. A scribbled to-do list with call Mom right at the top. A little sunlight stretching across the dining room table.
That’s the kind of Sunday I love the most.
It’s the kind where the French press does its thing while I water the plants. Where I flip through old recipe books until I land on something that smells like comfort.
This week? It was peach cobbler. The kind you don’t have to fuss over — just juicy fruit, a little sugar, some butter, and a delicious crust that comes together in one bowl.
It baked while I talked to my mom on the phone. We didn’t solve anything big. We just caught up. I could hear my dad in the background asking questions; trying to be in the conversation by way of my mom. They were spending the weekend at their mountain home getaway in the Carolinas. I asked if they had seen a return of their “neighbors” (aka a mama bear and her two cubs).
Coffee in a summery orange grove mug with a family recipe book
A vintage water spayer spritzing a snake plant in a white pot
Steaming coffee being poured from a french press into a summery mug
Carolina peach cobbler summer dessert fresh out of the oven
That’s what makes these simple slow activities a ritual — not because it’s always the same, but because it matters in the same way every time. They ground me. They warm the house. They remind me what’s enough.
If you’re looking for a little comfort today, here’s the cobbler recipe I always go back to. I adapted it from my dad’s original recipe: Simple, Southern, and full of soul.
👉 Peach Cobbler Recipe — click here.