Short Cut

Today I finally did something I have been thinking about for months.  I took a deep breath, and jumped right in before I could think twice and talk myself out of it.  And now... the results are in.

Before:

     

After:

    

It ended up a little shorter than I had expected.  And it's a huge change, which I am still getting used to.  In a nice surprise, my hair was long enough that I was able to donate the length they cut off! 

Friday Pinterest Wannabe Fashionista: Week 5

In honor of the longest day of the year, this week I am copying an outfit off my Pinterest boards with items from my own closet which is perfect for those long, hangin' out, relaxing, fun summer kind of days.

The Inspiration:

Black & neutral

My Version:

Black flowy top, neutral shorts

Accessories

                 

What are you wearing this week?

What To Do This Summer

June 21 is here!  Summer has officially arrived people!!  Yippee!!

Many of us probably think summer and immediately think about tans, vacations, lazy summer days, and hot summer nights.  And yes - I think of the same things.  (well, not so much the tan.  I'm a burner.) 

However, I have also been thinking of some things I would like to do this summer.  Aside from day trips with the family, having a great vacation, and trying not to turn into a crispy lobster-colored version of myself.  And here it is... (true to my very nature as a list maker) my Summer 2013 To Do List.

• Learn to make Risotto
• Spend more evenings out on the back porch, reading or just relaxing
• Learn to make real pudding (not from a box)
• Use up stash of leftover yarn making baby hats. 
• Donate them to pregnancy support group in town
• Eat less meat and pasta
• Get to the gym more
• Put down the crochet hooks and knit something
• Try out more of the stuff on my Pinterest boards
• Go for a hike by myself

What Made Me Laugh

This week while satisfying my sweet tooth on some devil's food cookies, I saw this:

Why is my cookie so grumpy looking?

Perhaps because he realizes that his short chocolate life is about to be munched out?

Road Trip: Pink Beds (Part 4)

This week's day trip took the entire family hiking at the Pink Beds in Pisgah National Forest.

Despite being a little apprehensive at having wandered off our original trail, we were able to enjoy so much of the natural beauty around us. It made for a full, and tiring afternoon!

Sunlight filtering through the leaves

Mountain stream

A perfect resting spot...

With a great view

Finally heading home, after a long afternoon of exploring. This sign made me happy because this was photo #477 on my memory card - of forest service road #477.  (I'm a geek like that)

 

Road Trip: Pink Beds (Part3)

This week's day trip took the entire family hiking at the Pink Beds in Pisgah National Forest.

The day started seeming like a straight forward little hike along the Pink Beds Loop Trail.  Before it was over, we would learn two lessons:

1. not all who wander are lost - but sometimes they are
2. always always always bring the map with you

 You see... the Pink Beds Loop trail is simple enough.  You can walk the entire loop or you can cut across the middle on Barnett Branch Trail to make it a bit shorter.  That was our plan.  And with the trails marked and knowing our plan we didn't think we needed to bring the book of maps with us.

However... when you somehow start the trail where you thought you would be finishing the trail - this can cause you to turn onto Barnett Branch where it actually splits away from Pink Beds Loop.  Which in turn leads you up tothe Black Mountain Trail.  NOT where we expected to go.  And a more difficult hike. 

Fortunately the Black Mountain trail brings you to the Club Gap trail down to the Cradle of Forestry which is adjacent to the Pink Beds. So it all turned out good.

And we got to see some sights we would have otherwise never have come across.

A sea of ferns

Lots of little creatures.  Like frogs...

and snails!

Pausing for lunch

More cool, twisty trees

Beautiful views of the moutains

Road Trip: Pink Beds (Part 2)

This week's day trip took the entire family hiking at the Pink Beds in Pisgah National Forest.

We had a perfect day for hiking: sunny and warm.  And the journey started out with a nice, simple hike along the Pink Beds Loop trail.

Shady and cool along the forest trail

Born to hike!

A right angle bridge which incorporates a fallen log

There are lots of cool, twisty trees like this!

Huge ferns!  These almost came up to my shoulders!

Road Trip: Pink Beds (Part 1)

This week's day trip took the entire family hiking at the Pink Beds in Pisgah National Forest.

The Pink Beds area is beautiful!  (But, really... what isn't in the mountains of western North Carolina?)  If you enjoy hiking  - or just sight seeing/ picnicking - and find yourself in this part of the country - I highly recommend a visit!

Female off spring and grand baby - ready to start hiking!

crossing the creek

Mountain laurel blooms helped to give the "pink beds" their name

Man of the House and Male Offspring walking through a mountain laurel grove

Grand baby thought something smelled funny and wanted everyone to pinch noses and join him in saying "ewwwww"

Much of the area is a mountain bog

There are plenty of foot bridges and walkways to keep your feet dry

Seeing prints like these in the mud remind you this is a wilderness area! That thing was as big or bigger than my hand!

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