Gone Backpacking ...

I'm off into the woods... I have gone back packing in the back country of Isle Royale National Park.... here's a little peek of all the beautiful splendor that Isle Royale has to offer... beautiful rocky coast lines... and peaceful sunsets..
Aqua blue waters like the ocean... that is where I will be exploring... Can't wait to get out there and start taking photos! oh and those wild blueberries and thimble berries are a welcome treat when you have been hiking all day! Stay tuned I will have lots of pics to post!

Hope you have a super weekend
S~

Shabby Chic Cottage Rooms and A Simple Summer Salad

So we are getting close to starting our sun room makeover! I have been thinking a long time of how I want it to look... Bead board ceiling and bead board type lower walls and the drywall section will be a warm earthy gray. Not sure on the floors yet... I would love to do them turquoise but not always the best choice of color when you go to sell... I will however have turquoise painted wood floors in my next house!!! but until then I will go with something neutral. And of course I will be decorating it with beachy shabby chic things I love beachy shabby chic furniture, I especially love re doing an old piece of furniture myself and making it beachy chic! So before you see some of the super cute rooms I found check out this simple summer salad....Fresh garden tomatoes with mozzarella, pine nuts, artichokes, a little drizzle of e.v.o.o. (extra virgin olive oil if your not familiar) a splash of balsamic vinegar and some fresh torn basil . I am lucky enough to get fresh veggies all summer from my father in law, he has the most amazing vegetable garden and herb garden. I can't go over without him filling a bag up for me LUCKY ME!!! Is there anything better than a fresh garden tomato??? yum-o! Oh and of course don't forget your favorite summer white wine. Such a simple salad but so fresh and simple!
I love this white and blue room, looks so happy and inviting, I can just imagine all the sunlight pouring in.
oh and while searching for sunroom ideas I came across this bedroom and all I can say is that I L*O*V*E it so clean and fresh , and don't you just love the sea fans on the shelf?
oooh and I gotta find those starfish pillows, too cute ...
This is a happy little space too, so many ideas ... if you have any thoughts on my sun room makeover I would love to hear them... I am getting ready to leave for a backpack trip soon and as soon as we get back we are tearing out windows, it's gonna be a big job but I can't wait to see it when it's all done. Projects projects they are never ending but I love the feeling of accomplishment you feel when the projects are all done. Remember cottage beachy chic that is what I am after! Hope you had a good weekend . Did you do a fun little project recently ?
S~

{Enjoy all of summer's simple pleasures}

Summer Always On My Mind

So if you live in the midwest then you know summer is starting to wind down. Now I have to say we had a pretty awesome summer! The last few summers have been a bummer but not this year ! We have done all sorts of fun summer things... days on the beach... Antiqueing...vaca on the ocean... Several trips up at New Buffalo on the lake michigan shore... bike rides , Saugatuck , dinner at Tabor Hill Winery , wine tastings... I could go on and on.... I wish summer never had to end, but it is sadly coming to an end. I am a summer ocean girl through and through and one day I will be moving there.... My heart longs for the ocean and the salty sea air. The smell of fresh shrimp on the grill that was just caught fresh that day, sandy toes and dinner on the beach ,beach crusier rides on the beach and naps in the hammock. That is what I am talking about! That to me is LIVING!!!! that is where my heart is most HAPPY! I was born a midwest girl but a Southern Girl is who I AM!
So here a a few pics from our last weekend trip up to the beach.... the hubby and I at one of our favorite beachy bars The Stray Dog Bar and Grill.... I just love the roof top you get a great view of the lake and the passers by on their way to the beach. I love to people watch, Hee Hee
The bartender was so nice to take our picture.... Oh and there was a duet playing live music , they even played Jimmy Buffet .That really made my heart happy as can be , they even played my favorite Jimmy Buffet song by request Margaritaville! I L*O*V*E that song it always makes me feel like I am on vaca at a warm beachy place. I was so happy this night I didn't want it to end...

My girlies who love the beach as much as me..... isn't my friend in the middle adorable? she is expecting a baby girl this November, that is actaully why we went up to the beach that day. My friend sara asked me my other friend in the picture to take their family photos on the beach, I was so flattered that she asked me. I Love photography. It is so nice to have friends who encourage you no matter what it is you do. I have some amazingly talented friends who are so inspiring to be around, we are always bouncing ideas off of each other.
So here is a little sneak peak of some of the photos I took of the Nunley family.... I had a lot of fun taking their photos I have to say it was a really HOT day so as you can imagine for someone expecting a baby the photo shoot was a little tiring for her but she was a trooper !

This picture of them holding hands is one of my favorites... I had a lot of other photo ideas I wanted to do but everyone had enough picture taking in the heat, guess we will just have to do another photo shoot. Oooh maybe this fall on the beach while the sky is really blue . I hope you had a great summer, I sure have !

Just Be... A simple thought

Just a simple thought for today .... Just Be... and do one thing every day that makes you HAPPY !We are in control of our own happiness and our Dreams. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves to simply just Be....be here and be present and enjoy life's simple pleasures. Whether it is a simple stroll on the beach or just sitting quietly and collecting your thoughts, life is too short not to appreciate the simple things. We all need to recharge our minds and spirits and for me that means spending time in the back country for 9 days backpacking. When I am out there it really puts my life into perspective, you have lots of quiet time to evaluate your life and really find what is really important to you. I have found that we really can do with a lot less "things" in life, why do we get so attached to things??? I absolutely love nature and all the free "things" it gives me. I am really trying hard each day to live it to the fullest and be appreciative of the simple things.
So I leave you with this beautiful sunrise to ponder a thought... Now sit back and just Be...

I will be sure to tell you all about my backpack trip up to Isle Royale National Park. I am getting so excited , can't wait to share my adventure with you!

Oh and remember it's the free "things" in life that hold the most value.

Have a wonderful week!
S~

Sisters

Do you have a sister? and is she your best friend? My sister just moved away to South Carolina and let me tell you it was the hardest good bye I have ever had to do. I felt like someone cut off a limb. It seemed surreal, my heart was hurting and I just felt numb. We have lived in the same state our entire lives and only 5 min away from each other. Moving to South Carolina has been our dream for a very long time. We both said when we move it will be to South Carolina and we will live very near each other. All I can say is that she means the world to me and right now I just feel lost and I feel like a part of me is missing. We just joked the other day and said we share a brain. Even a friend of ours noticed that we finish each others sentences. I think we were supposed to be twins, our mom even named us very similar she is Carrie Ann and I am Sherry Ann. My mom even used to do our hair the same way and dress us in the same outfits! We do everything together... we vacation together, we sing together, we drink wine together, we truly are best friends! We have on several occasions been shopping together and we have both picked up the same exact item to show each other, too funny ! I know I will be moving to South Carolina within the next year and a half but until then I am going to miss my sister every day until the day we are back together again. We always tell everyone that we are a "package deal" if you get me you get my sister, we have even acquired the same friends. Having a sister is a very special bond if you have a sister than you know what I am talking about! So until I am with my sister again I will be relying on all my girlies to get me through this hard transition period. So as I sit here and post this I raise my glass of vino up to "SISTERS" they ROCK!!! I love you sister ~


Sisters are always there for you no matter when you need them. A sister never judges she just listens and comforts. A sister is kind and caring and forever thoughtful. A sister is there for you when you just need a hug, or a shoulder to cry on. A sister is encouraging and always lifts you up. That is my sister.