happy tuesday

We stayed around the house for most of the long weekend - I don’t think I changed out of my running shorts (I never even went running) and old t-shirt for three days. Bear had writing/work to get finished and I got into a weird mood that consisted of me wanting to deep clean and organize everything.
Since the weather has gotten warmer we spend most of our waking hours outside. We got a BBQ this past week and I planted flowers in pots on our deck. We spent Sunday evening sitting outside under the white twinkle lights that hang around our deck. It was a romantic evening. Sometimes romance can come when you least expect it, we weren't making out under the dark sky- even though that would have been fun too- we were just enjoying each other’s presence and having conversations about gun control (how romantic huh), raising kids, if we are a good judge of character, and why we love hanging out with each other. 

Together we have been reading Love Does by Bob Goff. It’s funny and creatively written and although Bear doesn’t love every story that he writes about, it has given Bear and I topics to discuss and think about with our own life. One of my favorite quotes so far from the book is “We get to decide each time whether we will lean in toward what is unfolding and say yes or back away.”  There are so many times in my life that I want to back away – run away for that matter, and sometimes I do. More recently, I have been trying to embrace what is in front of me, good or bad, and feel blessed that I have the decision to say YES.

Let’s enjoy this week. Take some time to plant some flowers, have some romance, and say YES to something unfolding in your life!


have a happy tuesday, and a happy week for that matter. 

(photo source) 

fresh squeezed limeade

        

• Ingredients 
• 1 1/2 cup lime juice (about 6 Persian limes)
• 3/4 cup  granulated sugar
• 3 cups water
• Several sprigs of fresh mint

Juice all your limes. This is a little time consuming. 

In a small saucepan bring 1 cup of the water to a boil, slowly add the sugar. 

Once the sugar is dissolved, remove from heat and let cool. 

Mix the sugar water, the rest of your water, and the lime juice together. 

Taste it for the sweet/sour balance. If it's too sweet, add a little more water.

Serve chilled with mint leaves. 

Enjoy! 

the great outdoors

we took a birthday camping trip with the Brooks many weeks ago. i apologize for feeling lazy about uploading these photographs until now. the trip was wonderful, beside the fact that Bear got sick the first night and we ended up making the trek home every night to sleep in an actual bed. we were still able to enjoy the outdoors (and family) by relaxing by the river, fishing, eating yummy food, and celebrating my sister-in-laws birthday. do you see the hammock picture? that is where the campsite was. isn't it beautiful?

a weekend in the woods

I hope everyone enjoyed the long relaxing weekend. We sure did! Last minute, Bear and I decided that we needed to take advantage of the long weekend and beautiful weather. We packed up the car with camping gear and headed up Mirror Lake highway. No destination planned out… we rolled down the windows, let the breeze blow through our hair and sang as loud as we could to the music playing on the stereo. It was wonderful. We found the perfect spot nestled in between trees and right near the Provo River. Bear fished, I read a book, we hiked, and Shento loved splashing around in the water and chasing squirrels. Those poor squirrels had to deal with life and death experiences with Mr. Shento being around.  Our spot was very peaceful, and being in nature away from everyday life was refreshing. 

Both Bear and I think that living in the woods next to a river would be lovely. We even have this great big plan of one day buying a piece of land, with of course a river on it, and building a tiny house. I would love to be surrounded by nature all the time. My only request would be to have a real bed. Sleeping on the ground in sleeping bags is only fun for a couple of nights. I sure do hope that our dream comes true one day!! But for now, I am off to go cuddle with my hubby and watch a little tennis.  Goodnight my lovelies.

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because everyone loves a camp fire

Great Company and Beautiful Views

As we started the drive back to New Jersey we stopped at Ridgway, Colorado to visit Bear's Aunt and Uncle, Vicci and Charlie. We got a wonderful surprise when we found out that his Aunt Caroline was going to be there also. We had such a great time and enjoyed ever minute with all of them. I can't express to you how beautiful the views that surround them are.  They look out to the San Juan skyway and over the little town of Ridgway. We went for a jeep ride through the old mining country and off roadin up and over big rocks and near some steep cliffs to get to our hiking path. Vicci, myself, and shento all sat in the back of the jeep, we took off the windows and let the breeze blow us away. It was so much fun. And although I got a little nervous about the steep drop offs, I knew we were in good hands with Charlie being the expert jeep driver. Our hike was stunning.  We got to see a couple old mining houses that have fallen down, beautiful streams running throughout and a crystal clear lake. Once we made it to the lake (our stopping point) we explored awhile and then sat down and relaxed. Bear tried to fly fish, however we were so high up that we were sure there was no fish living in the lake.  We ate lunch at 12,000 feet and enjoyed the spectacular views. We then headed back into the jeep for some more off roadin. We had such a memorable time. After our jeepin and hiking adventure we headed back to their house to enjoy the evening with Caroline and her friend Barbara.  Vicci made a wonderful dinner and we enjoyed the evening chatting and laughing with everyone.  Bear and I both were so grateful to be able to spend time with all of them. We miss all of them very much. Thank you for making us feel so at home and so welcome.  P.S Charlie, I had to put at least one picture up of you, and the once I chose happen to be such a good one that it was hard to resist. :)