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.

Shabby To Cottage Chic

So my husband recently took out some garage windows and I decided to do a little craft project. All I did was clean them up and sand them down , that's it. Then I just attached some fun beachy pics and wired a hanger on the back. So simple and I love how it turned out! I just love giving something old new life. So next time you are thinking about getting rid of something consider recycling it into a fun craft project. I think it looks kind of cottagey, looks weathered and worn .
And the turquoise star was something I found at this awesome antique place called Green Oak Antiques . I just painted my favorite color Turquoise. Think it looks cute hanging in the flower garden. The Black eyed susans are in full bloom and are as happy as can be!

So go take a peek around your house and see what you can recycle into something new. I bet you will be surprised at what you find. Hope you have a good rest of the week. It's gonna be a hot one here today in the midwest 90 degrees. I love S*U*M*M*E*R bring on the sunshine! Have a happy day today !!!


S~

Photo Friday

TGIF!!! I have to say we have had a pretty nice summer here in the midwest. It's been one of the nicest summers I can remember in a very long time, lots of thunderstorms but we do need a little rain every now and then. So I L*O*V*E the ocean and dream of it daily so I came across this happy little starfish while looking through my vaca pics. And how cute are these little guys they were still alive when I found them which is kind of rare. You usually find these little guys already expired and washed up on the beach. These starfish were actually found at low tide clustered in the oyster beds.Too cute !!!
So it is going to be another hot day here and that makes me HAPPY!
I hope you do something fun and creative this weekend. I am off with some great friends of ours to stay on the boat this weekend. I am so excited to sleep on the boat. I have never slept on a boat but somehow I think it will be calm and soothing. I just love being on the water. I think we are going to have fantastic weather to be up at the beach this weekend!I will check back with you later and tell you all about our weekend at the BEACH.

CIAO ~
But before I go here is a little recipe I found in the July issue of Southern Living Magazine.

In Season : BLUEBERRIES

Blueberry Salsa

You can't get a much simpler summer salsa....

Toss together 2 cups chopped fresh blueberries
1 cup whole blueberries
1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice
3 tbs chopped cilantro
1/4 cup minced red onion
1 seeded and minced jalapeno
1/3 cup diced red peppers
pinch of sea salt

Chill and serve with blue corn chips or toasted pita chips

Enjoy Summer's bounty.

"Soak up the sun, and have some fun, Summer really is the happiest season"

2010 25 mile late ride Chicago

This is what 10,000 people on bikes looks like on the streets of Chicago! So we did the 25 mile late ride last night and it ROCKED! I did it last year but this year was such a better experience. We were in the first wave of people so we got to go first right behind the v.i.p. people. It was a beautiful summer night for a ride through the city. It is kind of crazy because you ride right along with traffic so you have to be on your toes. We went through all kinds of neighborhoods including Greek town, and let me tell you that is where it's at. A lot of the bars are open to the outside. It's really a neat way to see the city and a great way to find new places to eat and drink. Lots of really cool places to be discovered.
Riding through the city at night has a way of making you feel alive. The city has it's own vibe and a lot of great energy even at 2 am!!!! I was really surprised at all the people out at that hour who use the bike/running path along lakeshore Dr. The last part of the ride takes you along about 10 miles of the lakeshore bike/running path, very cool lots of sailboats in the harbor for the night. there are even a few cool little places to stop and have a cocktail along the path. All in all we had a fabulous night. I am surprised I have the energy I have today after being up all night, the adrenaline must still be running through my veins! I hope you got to get out this weekend and do something active. I really enjoying riding my bike and feeling the wind through my hair , riding gives you lots of time to think... So no matter how much you ride your bike just get out and do it and ENJOY every minute of it!!! My next big ride will be the 75 mile apple cider ride this fall, I have lots of long rides to get in wish me luck!
S~
"Ride to live, Live to ride"

Photo Friday

Happy Friday everyone!!! yippee I am so ready for the weekend, looks like it is going to be a gorgeous night tonight. Looking forward to date night with the hubby... It's been a long week and I am ready for some yummy vino! So I have been wanting to make stuffed portabella mushrooms and finally got around to it the other night. This is so easy it is ridiculous!



portabella mushroom with pesto & goat cheese

clean the gills from one large mushroom drizzle a little e.v.o.o on the bottom of the mushroom , fill the inside with pesto, artichokes, sun dried tomatoes,goat cheese, pine nuts and top with fresh chopped basil. this was AWESOME!!!! bake the mushroom at 375 for about 30 min or until goat cheese starts to melt.

Pour yourself a little summer white wine and enjoy~

Doesn't Mr. Seagull look happy as can be ???? I know I have said it a million times but I L.O.V.E the ocean I wish I was there now...

I hope you have a super weekend I am off for cocktails on the Urban Patio with my hubby !!!

"You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces- just good food from fresh ingredients" Julia Child