Spring Followup And Looking Ahead to Summer

Spring sprung, and moved on.  Summer is here at last!  Let's begin by revisiting the Spring To-Do list and seeing how things went as to marking items off .  Shall we? 

• Visit NC Arboretum to see all the Spring flowers in bloom
• Go to tailgate market to purchase some fresh Spring veggies
• Read outside
• Spend more time on back porch (in my defense - there was a porch painting project, which turned into a major porch overhaul project.  The porch is still in progress and hasn't exactly been accessible for sitting out and relaxing)
• Start an herb garden
• Clean windows - inside and out
• Hike!  It was our May "Date of the Month"!!
  
• Give my self a bright Spring-like pedicure  First it was Mother's Day pedis with my mom and the female offspring.  Then I gave myself a beautiful Tiffany blue pedi. 
  
• Dine outside  Between waterfall and mountain top picnics and sharing a meal while watching Shakespeare in the Park - the man of the house and I had this one covered.  :0)
  
• Eat my weight in jelly beans   Ok... in all honesty, I don't think I managed to eat my actual weight, but I made a very valiant attempt at it! 
• Walk outside more and on treadmill less I have enjoyed getting outside and walking the trail at the park with the Man of the House.  Nice change from the monotony of the treadmill.
• Buy sidewalk chalk. Make a mural (or write love notes to the Man of the House) on the driveway This was a fun way to spend some time with the grandbaby one afternoon!
• Color Easter eggs with the family
• Fill a vase with fresh flowers Three times! Once with some pretty spring flowers the grand baby brought me, once with beautiful Mother's day roses from the Man of the House, and once with some lovely wildflowers the male offspring picked for me!
• Go berry picking Fresh blueberries at my dad's house - YUM!
• Make a new wreath or other decoration for front door

Petty much a mixed bag.  A little over half the things I wanted to do were accomplished.  Seems like a win to me.  And there is still an entire glorious summer in front of me!  Heres what I would very much like to accomplish this summer.

• Finish up redecorating projects in office/guest room and the male offspring's room
•  Hike!
• Get rid of another 10 pounds
• Take part in my first 5k
• Make new decoration for front door
• Create the gallery wall in entry
• Pick wildflowers
• Make homemade ice cream
• Complete Adult Summer Reading program at library
• Finish sewing pillow covers for living room throw pillows
• Spend a day outside relaxing and reading

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

The Dwelling Tree: Let's Be Friends
Cornerstone Confessions: Titus 2 Tuesday
Rich Faith Rising: Unite!
Growing Home: Growing Homemakers

Getting Back

It's been over a week since we returned from vacation.  Nine days to be exact.

And in that 9 days I have managed to write exactly zero blog posts.

The week before vacation, I was a writing machine.  Completing some long neglected drafts.  Creating selections from all new ideas.  The words just seemed to flow from my fingertips.  I had enough posts written and scheduled that most days while I was away there was a fresh shiny new something for all of you to read.

However, now it seems as though all my creativity slipped away into the waters of Lake Murray.  Or perhaps baked away in the South Carolina sun. 

Since returning home, I haven't had the spark to sit down at the computer and put my thoughts into print.  Not a one.  I have picture, upon picture, upon picture from our week away which should be included in a write up or two about our get away. 

I'm starting to have a few tiny little fleeting moments of inspiration.  So, hopefully all of that will be changing soon. 

Vacation is over.  It's time to get back.  To everything.

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