Questions I Ask Myself When I'm In a Slump & The J. Crew Maxi

How is your week going, lovelies?  I'm hard charging the week with optimism, sprinkles of determination and faith that whatever I can't control is in good Hands! I was discouraged this weekend about the blog, my abilities and life in general. Tis sad, but perhaps necessary as a little dip into solemnity pushes me to reassess. I believe it can a good thing because like all humans, my priorities get out of alignment. My motivation is drawn from the wrong source, which leads to insecurity and I begin to look around at what others are doing, instead of working on my own God-given purposes.

Pink Pants & 4 Wheelers for Valentine's Day

I ventured out into our frozen world once more with plans for a few pictures and to see what the hubby was up to out there.

Today's outfit makes me think of the coming spring. Very appropriate don't you think?

Now on to where that hubby is! The distinct sound of a certain type of motor approaches.

See. Here he comes now...

Turns out he was adding to the ATV traffic in our "country" neighborhood. He and both our big boys were joy riding up and down the streets.

"You want to try?", he asks. Hmmm. It's been several years since I hopped on one of these.

"I don't think I even remember how to work that thing."

"C'mon. I'll show you."

"Oh, alright."

There was a warning from the authorities to all joy riders. "Stay out of the neighbors yard, or you'll be arrested."


 So being mindful of neighboring yards I gingerly gave the gas a squeeze.  Here it goes...

I started out slow and couldn't even get the gear to change, but as I figured it out my confidence grew. And so did my delight in the experience.

I forgot how exhilarating this could be...Time to hit the road. :)

And now it's this guy's turn. He would drive it by himself if he could reach the brake and if we'd let him. He's been riding on one of these since he was a wee one. (Don't worry! Slow and steady of course.)

I hope you are having a great week and a beautiful winter. It's Valentine's Day and though the roads are clearing, I might just ask hubby to take me joy riding again to celebrate. I've had enough chocolates during our snow-cation!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Outfit Breakdown:

Teal Zip-up: Old Navy (santa)
Pink Pants: JCrew (last year 19.99)
Scarf: Handcrafted by my SIL
Boots: Target (hand-me-downs)

Berets & Little Bundles

Progress on our sunroom continues. Today's background features installation. Three cheers for added warmth in the winter and keeping cooler in the summer! Goofing off in the privacy of this enclosed room has been entirely too much fun. With tripod in hand I escape to the one room in our home that is now full of natural light. As much as I look forward to completion I will miss, what is for our family, a wide open space.  However, the anticipation of being able to host a few extra guests far outweighs the value of blog play.  :)

On this day there was little time to play with tripods and poses. The boys and I had big plans to meet my new niece born just 2 hours south of us. As I was packing I found this knit beret and decided to go for it. While exciting the bedroom I was serenaded with "Raspberry Beret" by my very funny husband and my eldest son asked if I was going to be in a Shakespeare play. Um, I wish the hat was raspberry and Shakespeare didn't wear a hat like this. Help me - I live in a house a boys!

Cold Outside + Bad Hair Day = (Just Black) Beret

Dancing to Prince...Without My Beret

Outfit Breakdown:

Knit Beret: Handcrafted by...I can't seem to remember

Sweater: Limited

Jeans: Gap 

Sherpa Booties: GAP (last year)

Scarf: Express (old)

Jacket: GAP (old)

Purse: OLD - back when GAP used to do leather. :)

Meeting Lexi

Of course I could not close without introducing this sweet bundle...

Lexi Raye

I cannot wait to get back down for another visit. :)

Chrissy