{Enjoying Nature}

This past weekend we went camping with friends of ours and it was fabulous!! Ok...the weather was rather crummy but we all made the best of it!! We hiked and hiked and just simply enjoyed being in the fresh air with no computers, cell phones, televisions or radios!!! I can't even describe how much I love nature and spending time outdoors...it is the one thing that can totally relax me!!! Let me just say this weekend was greatly needed!!! Turkey Run State Park is just beautiful!!
I will have to say that my photos are not that great because it was really challenging to take a good picture in such dark areas and with NO sunlight..but hey I did my best!!!
Even L.C. did great!! She did a great job hiking some super tough trails!! In fact, there are a few that you walk on a really tight ledge with no guard rails and she did it like a champ!! I think she might have been really worn out.... she hasn't moved off the bed since we came home!!!


I just love camping and love that people that camp!! There was a man there that had a super high powered telescope and he brought it to our campsight and showed us the moons of Jupiter!! I mean..how cool is that!! We also got to see a star that was {burning?} off gases in every imaginable color!! During this weekend, Turkey Run had a whole thing going on for Halloween and there was a contest for the most decorated site, trick-or-treaters, nightime hayrides and a pumpkin carving contest!! Let's just say we'll all be back next year!!!

Hope you were able to do something relaxing this weekend.........

{what to wear: simpledaisy style}

I am certainly not a girl who is into trends...however I do try my best to be stylish!! I know purple is the "in" color this season and so I am giving it a whirl!! It is a little challenging for me because aqua blue is my very favorite color and so most of closet is either white, black or aqua blue!! But here goes....

I love, love, love bargains and tend not too pay too much for my clothes!! I don't really think you have to!! I found this super cute sweater and shoes at Forever 21!! Ok...just expect to get some looks when you go in there, especially if you are nowhere near 21!! I just ignore the looks and get to business!!
Now there you have it...throw in some super cute simpledaisy earrings, a pair of jeans and you have yourself a reasonably priced "on trend" but not too trendy outfit!!!

{Having my nephew stay the night}

We don't have children of our own at this point in our lives....so I love it when I get the opportunity to have my 6 year old nephew stay the night!!! Now, I am a special education teacher by day so I am quite knowledgeble about the things kids like to do!! But boy oh boy did we really burn through all the things I had planned for us to do!!!

First, we started outside with marble painting {something I do with my kids at school} and a fire...he loved this..in fact I think it was by far his favorite thing to do...

Next, we decided it was too cold outside. Soooo we moved inside and started a fire in the fireplace!! Ahhh much warmer....

After this...we start on painting his pumpkin...I get out all the supplies and he is happy as can be...for a minute!!!
After this...we make our smores in the fireplace!!! I make the hot chocolate because you have to have hot chocolate with smores, right???? HeeHee! At this point I start thinking surely he must be getting tired.... {oh..that's our friends daughter Audrey making smores too} But nope...we have one more thing left to do....make jewelry!! Now I didn't plan this...Audrey brought her jewelry making kit over and well....you know the rest...

OK finally bedtime!! I dance around for joy.....But the story doesn't end...nope he stays the night and wakes up bright eyed and bushy tailed early in the morning....

I get up..have coffee for a moment!!! Feed him donuts and more hot chocolate {I feel sorry for my brother when he picks him up} then I throw a hat on him and we head outside..We decide to feed the birds and so I open the bird seed container and yikes there is a mouse in there...we both scream and my husband comes running...he gets the mouse and we set him free!! I am sure he'll be back!!

After this we decide to get the bird book and binoculars to see what birds come to the feeders and we did get some black-capped chickadees, so that was fun!! But we had to keep running back and forth from the front yard feeder to the back yard feeder....
Oh and yes that is twinkle lights by my bird feeder...I love, love, love twinkle lights and would cover the earth with them if I could!!!


Lastly...not a pretty sight at all.. but the reality of Aunt Heather first thing in the morning after a very busy evening!!!! Bags under my eyes and all!!! Wow...I really do give it to all you moms out there who do this day in a day out!!! Kudos to you......
Maybe someday i'll take that plunge..but until then i'll keep on having a great time being an aunt!!!

{80's party: simpledaisy style}

I love, love, love hosting parties at my home!! I love dinner parties, tailgates, and theme parties!! I have had welcoming spring dinner parties where I had tons and tons of fresh lilacs as my decoration. I have had super decked out Christmas parties and lots of tailgates!! This last party/tailgate topped them all!!! It was an 80's theme party/ tailgate!! {We...ok really my husband...is into Notre Dame and we like to tailgate} I had sooo much fun that I could barely stand myself!! I think on several occasions I almost peed my pants in all out laughter!!!

Ok...well..in case you don't know that's me on the right with Michelle, one of my super good, if not best friends!!! She totally nailed the 80's and had a great time at the party!!

A couple of my friends at the beginning of the party!! Yep..that's my husband {on the right}trying his best to be Richard Simmon's...if you would have seen him late into the night you might have thought he really was!! HeeHee!!!

I can't say it enough that it is sooo nice to have such wonderful friends!! it really makes life super fun!!

Hey we even had Bret Michaels!! How fun!!! Oh and he played guitar for us!!

Ok...last one..now I know you really can't tell by the photo....but the best part of decorating was that I had actually vintage 80's rocker posters!! You see.. back in the day I was an 80's rocker and in fact had my bedroom walls plastered with the posters when I lived at home!! When I moved out I never gave a thought about all of the posters I figured my parents just threw them away...WELL on my 30th birthday {which, by the way, was only a few years ago} my step dad wrapped them all up and gave them to me as my present!! I think that was definitely one of the coolest, most meaningful presents I have ever received!! I hung them up ALL over my house...along with other 80's paraphernalia!!!

Totally awesome........

{random thoughts}

dazeychic

capturecapemay

{A Perfect Evening}

My friend and I have been enjoying Tuesday evenings together!! We make dinner, pour some wine and talk about our hopes and dreams in front of warm fire....

Last night we really topped ourselves...She made pumpkin soup from scratch and the most fabulous bruschetta topped with goat cheese, walnuts and honey..we finished dinner with a bit of dark chocolate and more wine!! I just can't think of anything more relaxing or perfect......

dark chocolate, wine, bruschetta and pumpkin soup...

What a perfect evening!! Don't you just love friends!!!

"How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then to rest afterward." ~Spanish Proverb

{friday nights: simpledaisy style}

So...I would be lying if I said I stay in every Friday night!! I don't....my husband and I are out and about kind of people!! We like to mingle with our friends over some cocktails on most Friday nights!!

However once the weather starts to take a turn for the worse I like to get cozy with my husband, my dog and a great glass of wine by the fire!!!

Seriously why does the dog get the pillow, the blanket and the spot right next to the fire???

I guess because we really love her!!!

Have a great day!!!!