Oh America the Beautiful

Virginia is too pretty for words. 

Honestly. 

I know I raved about Virginia in the Fall, 

but Spring is plenty rave worthy too. 

If you ever have the chance to visit Virginia in either season, 

but preferably both, take that chance. 

And let me know and I will also supply you with a hearty list 

of all the best eats. I promise, I won't let you down.  

These purple trees are my favorite. Although this isn't the best picture, they line the roads in many areas through April. And every time I pass by I ooh and aah over that pretty purple. 

Virginia back roads give me some serious anxiety, but you can't beat the views.

It's hard to believe we have now lived in VA for a year, packing the bare minimum for what we planned to be just a summer in VA, while the bulk of our belongings collect dust in storage back home. We never expected to still be here. But it's been a fun year, jam packed with plenty of exploring and adventures. I look forward to see whatever lies ahead of us.

Happy Friday

I hate when I take time to blog and the memories already start to get foggy! It doesn't help that I am currently sick (ugh) but, oh well. Last week was lots of fun with my Davey. We don't know how long we will be in VA (how many times have I said that?) so we are trying to make the most of it. Last week we went to tons of random places, just got in the car and drove. Found some fun way out of the way places. Here are some of our adventures;

On Wednesday we ran to the mall since I had ordered some things and needed to make some returns and exchanges. After that we decided to just go out and defog. If you don't have the Fog of World app and love going on drives, are a gamer and/ or feel like blowing $4.99, download that app. 

After a little defogging Dave suggested we go to Harper's Ferry which someone at work had recommended to him. It was adorable! It had lots of cool buildings along an awesome cobblestone road. We got there at 6 pm, an hour after all the shops had closed, bummers! But it was still so cute, we will certainly be going back once it warms up a bit and during business hours.  

The remains of what used to be a factory in Harper's Ferry.

Can you spot all the deer?

And the oh so pretty drive home. Narrow winding back roads give me so much anxiety, 

but they sure are pretty! 

The next day we went to a few places, first Natural Chimneys 

Next, Sherando Lake. It was pretty cold there, still had lots of snow, but was really pretty, clear water with sandy "beaches". Can't wait to go swimming and camping there once it warms up!

For dinner we went to Hardee's. I LOVE that place. 

Seriously, so yummy. Such a shame we don't have one close to us! 

The Hardee's we went to was in some Podunk little town and was totally empty. 

The employees were just waiting around for someone to show up. But still, yummy.

We were two hours from home, so it was a bit of a drive. I started craving some ice cream, so Dave looked up local ice cream shops. We stopped at this one in Warrenton. 

Despite the cold weather they were so busy!

 I just got a Snicker's shake. Dave got a funnel cake sundae. The small size. 

 As we were walking away, an older gentleman asked, "What is that??" 

And Dave was like, "The small funnel cake sundae. But I think I just ordered diabetes."

Despite the size, and I'm sure the horrific calorie count it was pretty amazing. 

I didn't eat my shake till later, I stuck it in the freezer and ate it like 2 hours later. 

Along with whip cream, ice cream and chocolate, the funnel cake was topped with amazing wet nuts. 

If you haven't been lucky enough to try wet nuts, they are just walnuts in a yummy syrup, 

popular here in the south. I plan to try making some homemade ones here soon. 

I'm pretty excited about it.

Happy Monday! 

Let's Play Catch Up - Christmas

Sorry friends, it's been awhile. 

How is your 2014 going so far?

Here is a little blog post on all the awesome things I got for Christmas! 

I really feel so spoiled! 

Don't hate me.

My mom is always so awesome and getting a few girly things for us; lip balms, lotion, fragrances - 

She also got me these darling pearl cluster earrings. I love them!

And this darling arrow ring that I am obsessed with! 

As well as these adorable sandals that I had on my wish list! 

Now I just need some warm weather so I can wear them!

Perfect for a stroll on the beach!

And this cute blue cardigan and glittery gold scarf. 

I hunted down and bought myself this deer sweatshirt 

And my mom bought me this sweatshirt that I had my heart set on. Both from the men's section at Target...

Dave got me this sweet little crown ear cuff. It is so sweet, tiny and dainty!

And this sweet dream catcher necklace

And my parents really spoiled me with a Kitchen Aid mixer! Lucky me!

Here is a video of Dad modeling his new PJ bottoms that I picked out. With foxes on them...

I hope everyone had a lovely Holidays!

2013 Resolutions - In Review

It's come to be that time of year - reviewing all of my resolutions for this year. Some things I feel like I failed at, but some I am happy did actually work out! This year has not panned out how I thought it would, but it's been fun! Stay tuned for a re-cap post of all the best times from this year! 

2013 Resolutions

"Relax --- I am seriously the biggest stress case known to man. I don't sleep well, I often have head aches and have began to think my frequent being nauseous may be a form of a panic attack."

Yes and no. I think I have honestly let go of a lot of stress I was feeling last year and at the beginning of the year. And I think a huge part of that was quitting my previous job, thank heavens! I feel much happier. 

But there is one thing I need to be better about - procrastinating. I am really bad about dealing with things in a timely manner which causes me lots of anxiety.  Mainly in regards to taking care of normal adult chores - my current hurtle - renewing the registration on my car. It causes me so much anxiety to just think about it that I literally break down. I don't know why, and it drives me nuts. UGH. So here's to being more on top of taking care of my adult duties, like an adult. 

"Reset (everything) --- As I wanted to last year, I don't feel I really accomplished it, I want a lot of change. I think we are getting more of a direction of knowing what to do with ourselves (finally) which helps."

Haha -  We certainly experienced a lot of change! I still feel we are not really sure of our direction - and moving to VA was certainly unexpected. But again, I really think we are getting closer to a new scary/exciting direction.... We'll see what this next year has in store for us! 

"Run (get out) --- This has a few resolutions warped up in one. Run, as in work out. And I want to get out on hikes, go geocaching, all the things I know Dave loves but that we don't really do.

We have been much healthier in how we eat. We eat much cleaner, a lot more veggies and fruit and all that good stuff. I feel like I have learned a lot about what's healthy for me, and I've been better at being less picky! There are still things we both want to work on but I am happy with our changes and growth so far this year. 

"Create --- I want to write more. I would like to have at least one book ready to e-publish by the summer."

Ha, fail! Totally have not done that. I have written SOME, but I have been having a really awful time getting the inspiration flowing. But I have recently come to realize that when I was more creative I was reading much more, usually 3 books at a time! I have not been reading at all, so time to start reading new books and re-reading old favorites to help spark some creativity, hopefully. 

Become a flight attendant. I want an new job, but that would be a sweet one to get.

I became a substitute teacher! For like a brief month before moving to VA. But it was such a treat. I loved every minute of it. Especially the one time a third grader drew an absolutely darling picture of me, and another told me "Everyone says you look like Snow White". Be still my heart! I also started subbing in my own High School for my own old Photography teacher. It. Was. Awesome. I will be going back to do that again! 

Visit a tropical beach.

Kinda

Close enough.

Start making my own clothes.

Nope. Still want to.

Read more (currently reading the Great Gatsby for the first time)

Finished Gatsby, but other then that, nope.


Get to bed earlier
Get up earlier

Bahahaha

Eat more raw (mainly fruit and veggies)

Yes! Yay!

Happy Monday! 

Maryland Ren Fest

If you ever happen to be close to DC August-October go out of your way to go to the Maryland Ren Fest. You will thank me! My family has gone for a few years now, I think this was their third year going, and luckily Dave and I got to tag along.

Here is a little background on the event, taken from their website;

The Maryland Renaissance Festival has become the region's premier outdoor event and the second largest Renaissance Festival in the country. Since the Festival's first season as a ramshackle village in 1977, the event has matured into a large theme show with more than 1,300 participants and 280,000 guests per season.

25 Acre English Village with 85 acres of free parking, 140 craft and specialty shops, 42 food and beverage emporiums, games, attractions, displays, 11 stages of ever changing entertainment with shows repeated throughout the day, 3,000 seat jousting arena and visited by the Royal Court of King Henry VIII

The area where it takes place in is huge, wooded and gorgeous! Even though it was a little rainy and muddy the fall leaves there were so pretty, plus I will never complain about cool weather.

If you get there just as it opens, which we did, you get to see the King and Queen arrive. They put on a little show and then let everyone into the gates.

The place is adorable! Once you pass through the gates you really do feel like you have stepped into a little medieval village.

Saw this adorable little one when we first walked in. 

Just customers, just like us, but I was dying over his hood and boots. Too dang cute!

He then jumped around in puddles.

We walked through a few shops and then got to most of the food shops. I think this is what Dave was looking forward to the most, a smoked turkey leg! So so incredibly tasty. He bought one straight away! 

Jess enjoying cheesecake on a stick. Yummy stuff.

Crazy pretty, right?

Dave in his kilt! 

Loved this ladies crown of feathers. 

Love the design of this orange dress. Maybe I will give a shot at making it myself!

Need. 

Cool leather crowns.

And lovely flower crowns.

Loved this girl! What a fun job! She was so adorable!

Waiting for the Jousting to begin!

Live Jousting! Even in the rain!

The necklace Dave had made. I love my Bear!

Dad is obsessed with this artist. Really unique work! People never fail to amaze me! 

Leash child! As Ayla would say, Save the Leash Children!

The show the Squire on the Wire was my fave! Don't miss him if you go!

If you could ring the bell at the very top you won $30. 

This guy looked like a serious climber, but no luck!

The girls got henna tattoos. I want to get a kit and start doing them at home!

Loved the Henna "tent". Looked so pretty and cozy!

Some awesome glass art and jewelry.

And I bought this necklace. So pretty, love it!

Holy sugar! The croissant sundae we bought. 

 The ear cuff Christina got.

And the ear cuff I got. Totally need to shop for more now!

 All in all, it was a super fun day and I am so glad we got the chance to go! I am excited to explore other Ren Fest's on the West coast and hopefully one day get to go in fancy get-ups of our own!