Finding Winter Happiness

So I would much rather be here.... But I am here..... getting through a midwest winter and staying focused on doing things that make me HAPPY!
So I promised myself this winter I would find happiness and be HAPPY this winter no matter what. You all who know me have heard me say a thousand times how much I hate WINTER!!!!

So call me crazy but I put on a happy face along with what seemed like 10 layers of clothing and headed outside to have a fire. I poured some vino and turned on all the twinkle lights, lit some candles and even turned on this adorable palm tree( a gift from my sister) and got HAPPY!!! I have to say it is a lot of work to get all bundled up and it also takes a lot of determination to make yourself sit outside when it is only 22 degrees but you know what? We had a fabulous time.
I even painted this wine glass with chalk board paint so I could write happy little sayings to myself, this makes me happy.
I even talked my husband into sitting outside with me, he is such a good sport... I am always dragging him into some crazy idea including going to Lake Michigan to take pictures of the beach during a snow storm.
When we left the house to head up to the Beach it was snowing so hard we could not see anyone in front of us... probably not my best idea ever, I even said should we turn around? and you know what my husband said??? Nonsense we have 4 wheel drive we will be fine! Sometimes in life you just have to go for it and not look back.
As you can see lake Michigan was angry this day, check out the waves!!! they were huge,(this picture does not do justice for how big the waves were. I don't think I have ever seen the waves so big on the lake before. As we were walking down the trail to the beach you could here the lake roaring, you could just feel the raw power of the lake that day. The waves sounded like a freight train coming.Even though it was brutal out there it was invigorating, it really made me feel alive. The sound of the waves roaring and the wind beating on my skin reminded me that mother nature is always in charge! You just have to get out and breathe and enjoy what you are given each day.Mother nature did not give us sunshine this day but you know what? we still found beauty at the beach even in the depths of winter.
Molly had a blast on the beach, she was one happy dog playing on the beach, she likes to bite at the waves,so cute. I am so glad we didn't turn around and go back that day, we ALL had a wonderful day scouting around the beach. I found some nice big pieces of drift wood and even some sea glass, which mind you is hard to come by on Lake Michigan. So what are you doing to stay happy this winter? I know getting out and staying active is on my list this winter. I think camping is next on my agenda!I know call me crazy but yes we are going camping and we are going to hike some trails and be HAPPY doing it. I hope you find things to do this winter that make you happy. So get out there and embrace winter and find HAPPINESS while doing it.

~ Do one thing every day that makes you happy ~

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~

Photo Friday & Dinner Oceanside

Happy Friday everyone wooo hoooo, it's gonna be a hot one today in the midwest. Right now it looks we are going to get a little summer thunderstorm. Any who my fresh friday recipe is Shrimp tacos with corn and black bean slaw.


Shrimp Tacos With Corn & Black Bean Slaw


So my husband and I decided to go down to the local shrimper and purchase some fresh shrimp of the day. I have to say there is nothing better than fresh seafood !!!! So we got out our little grill and grilled the shrimp with a little olive oil, white wine and the secret ingredient Old Bay Seasoning. You can't live in the south without this little ingredient. So we grilled our shrimp and I made a corn and black bean slaw. I just bought a bag of pre cut cabbage with shredded carrots added a little vinegar, a little greek yogurt, a titch of olive oil, fresh cilantro, garlic, fresh lime juice and a little crushed red pepper. Yum-o . I then toasted the tortillas and that was it so completely simple and so DELICIOUS!!!!
And for a little side dish I went down to the local farmers market and bought some vine ripe tomatoes and drizzled a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar , fresh basil. I sliced up some watermelon and there you have it one fabulous dinner ocean side. It was a beautiful evening on the ocean, oh and of course it would not be dinner without a little white wine. Just perfect. After we finished dinner we took a few beach pics and just sat and listened to the ocean. I was in pure bliss. I am a very simple girl at heart. Just give me the ocean, a little vino, warm ocean breezes and of course my husband AKA best friend !!! What more could a girl ask for ????


Me and my flops enjoying the view..............

I hope you have a super weekend.My friend and I are off to one of our favorite beachy towns, hope the rain holds off !


"A meal without wine is called breakfast"

Thoughts of Spring !!!

Ok so I am so tired of boots I could scream!!! So as I am sitting here posting this it has started to snow like crazy again yuck yuck and more yuck. This is the time of year when I start taking inventory in my closet. I start pulling out all my spring clothes and shoes and start getting excited for cute spring things! What girl doesn't ??? So I came across these happy little sandals so I put them on and they made me smile , Daisies are so happy they just smiled right back at me. Thanks little daisies you just brightened my day , what else can you do on a snowy cold day but dream about spring and all the good things to come. I am trying to find one positive thing every day and be thankful for it, despite all the negatives in life you can always at least find one thing to be thankful for each day. So today I am thankful that I have an amazing husband who puts up with all my crazy ideas and is so supportive and encouraging in everything I do !

Thanks Honey for an awesome weekend out of town you are too good to me! that is just what I needed. Stay tuned I will be posting about the weekend trip next .... I'm off to go take inventory in my closet with positive thoughts of spring and good things!!!

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain

Winter in the Midwest BRRRR.....

So by now anyone that knows me knows how much I hate winter... So all you can do is just make the best of each and every day. So after some sweet talking I talked my husband into going to one of our favorite summertime places the stray dog but first we had to go down to the beach and take some pictures of the beach. It was a beautiful sunny day.Now I know these are not ideal conditions to go to the beach but.... it is really refreshing to go to the beach especially when you have beautiful blue skies which mind you are a rare thing in the midwest in the middle of January. It really was a beautiful day and sometimes the things that are a pain to do end up being so rewarding. It truly was a fabulous day to take photos at the beach the lighting was perfect, and the air was so crisp and clean. There is a peacefulness about the beach in the winter, no summer crowds no blaring radios just peaceful, clean and natural.

I think when you go to the beach in the middle of winter it makes you appreciate it even more in the summer. It really is amazing what a transformation the beach goes through every season. Maybe that is mother natures way of making you slow down and appreciate every day that we have and to really appreciate all the good things in our lives. Sometimes we have to wait for things and when we do we are truly rewarded for being patient. Trust me it is really hard to be patient for spring when it is only 15 degrees outside!
I love all the beach grasses they are doing their best to stay put in the harsh winter winds but somehow they do. Maybe we should take note from them,stay grounded and true to ourselves!
So as we head into monday and back to our daily grind try and find something to be appreciative off. Even the beach in the winter has something to offer us. You just have to be willing to bundle up and make the effort, and when you do you are so glad you did.

So today I am truly thankful that I had the chance to spend the day with my husband and that we are both healthy and able to get out and live life. That is my new motto just "live life" and enjoy every day and make every day count. So as you start your work week think about the things that really matter and try and not get caught up in the rat race of life. Our lives are so precious and they can be taken away at any time. Every day we have is a gift and you should honor it. I hope you have a fabulous week and remember there is always someone more wealthy than you, someone a little smarter , more physically fit than you and so on and on, so don't take life for granted be happy with what you have some people are not so fortunate. Live Life !

"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." Albert Camus

Live Life , Love Life

Sometimes life just doesn't go according to plan an that is OK. I think as I get older I am really learning what really is important. I realize that you may have a certain set of expectations for yourself and sometimes you have to live in the moment and not be tied to the things you think you have to do, its ok to go a little of course. Sometimes when we change our intended plans we end up appreciating certain things that we may take for granted on a daily basis. I had high hopes today to ride the trainer but instead I had some vino with my sister and spent quality time together and just truly appreciated the time I had with my sister. Life get's so crazy and we often just don't make the time to tell our friends and family how much we love and appreciate them. I often think to myself I could step of the curb and get hit by a car or a ceiling tile could fall on my head and that would be the end, so I believe you have to wake up every day and savor it, you may not get the opportunity to do all the things you dream about. You have to make your best effort every day to just appreciate and focus on the GOOD things you have and not the things you wish you had.

So stop procrastinating and just make things happen. Quit making excuses just follow your heart and if your heart says skip the workout and spend time with friends and family then do just that and don't beat yourself up. Love yourself enough to know that you are not perfect and life is not perfect. Life doesn't always go according to plan and as I always say sometimes the best things in life are the ones not planned. If you take the pressure of yourself you will never be disappointed. It's great to have life goals don't get me wrong but I think we get caught up in trying to be the perfect wife the perfect friend, just do what your heart says feels right and stop stressing about the things that really don't matter. when our number is up it won't really matter how much money we have , how successful we are, did we have the big house ,those are just THINGS and they really don't matter, its the memories we created and the time spent with friends and loved ones.

Make every day count and just be YOU...

Have a fabulous Tuesday !!!

" remember your yesterdays, dream your tomorrows and live your todays. "

Camping Brown County Thanksgiving Weekend

So this is how our camping weekend started out with this amazing sunrise. Now it is not very often you get to appreciate a beautiful sunrise. The sky looked like it was on fire. This was one of those moments that you just savored the experience completely. I took a deep breath and said to myself how lucky am I to be able to enjoy this.
Then we rolled into the little sleepy town of Nashville Indiana and walked around and looked at all the cute little shops that were all decked out for the holidays, I think that really got me in the Christmas spirit. We went back that same night to see the town a lit up with all the twinkle lights, they even had trolly all done up like a sleigh too cute!

So the hubby went off to ride 20 some odd miles of mountain bike trail within the park. I stayed back at the campsite and hung out with Molly and drank vino and made my self a little campfire , so perfect and so relaxing. I really needed to recharge my batteries. We headed out the next morning to do a little hiking and we were welcomed by this nice little lake, truly a beautiful day for a hike in the woods.
The sky was so clear and blue this day...

All in all we had a fabulous weekend camping, we squeezed every last drop put of this perfect weekend. You truly have to jump at every opportunity that comes your way and enjoy it to it's fullest. I say we did just that! Get out and enjoy every day even the not so pretty ones.