Sunday, March 6, 2011

Warm-weather adventures.





As these last days of Winter slip by and the days starts to get warmer and warmer, I'm left dreaming of the adventures that Summer brings. There is something so sweet about these sunshine-filled days. Long, lazy hours creep by and light fills the sky until the fireflies come out to dance at night.

This is the first Summer that I have not made any real plans for the places we will go, and what we will see. I don't quite know what to expect, but I know that I am ready and waiting in anticipation to see how our first Summer as a family of 3 unfolds.

When we were two:





We spent a lot of time by the sea. I am mostly dreaming of this again. Feeling warm sand, hot, brown shoulders and all the sounds of my favorite place to be.



The sweet romance of a Summer sunset, with the sky burning every fiery shade possible.



I'm dreaming of weekend road trips to natural springs, to dip our toes in the freezing cold water that is as clear as glass.



Fresh, mountain air - crisp, and invigorating. Trails to be found, and time to be spent centering, and finding ourselves again.



I'm dreaming of fitting into a cute pair of jean shorts, again :) Bare feet, and the freedom that comes with not being layered in 10 different pieces of clothing.



And quiet, stolen moments. Where time stands still and we are just living in that second, undisturbed and free.


Outside of these adventures, I am mostly dreaming of a normal lazy, Oklahoma Summer. Outdoor music and arts festivals, tending to my garden, bare feet on bermuda grass, and mosquitoes the size of birds. Fresh fruit from my parents trees, the gorgeous midwest sunsets, and air so thick you can barely breathe. I live for these days, and as Spring draws in closer and closer, I want to slow down time to breathe in every second of these unforgettable days.


A few posts from this past Summer:


  • The First Day of Summer
  • 4th of July
  • Back From Market
  • Bringing the Outdoors In - Summer
  • Sometimes when you have a lot to say...
  • Grandma & Grandpa's House
  • Life Happens





    What are you looking forward to this Summer, friends?





    Photos from this post, from top to bottom:
    Destin, Florida - 2005
    Sulphur Springs, Oklahoma - 2007
    Rocky Mountains, Colorado - 2008
    Galveston, Texas - 2009
  • 48 comments:

    Kalei's Best Friend said...

    Absolutely wonderful!.

    {jaclyn} said...

    camping trips on the north shore, gardening, making the patio a living space and enjoying our first summer with our pooch. i made a list like this a couple weeks ago and summer is still so far off. snowstorm is on its way here. but the anticipation of summer is great.

    Kathleen said...

    camping on the central coast, warm summer nights with hooka on my patio, FRUIT FRUIT FRUIT, swimming with my little one, night concerts in the park, homemade ice cream, painting outside with my daughter, not washing my hair, longer days, impromptu beach trips, sleeping with only a sheet, summer dresses with no bra (TMI??)

    the anticipation is killing me.

    Elisa said...

    I love the outdoors,so this is a favorite post of mine. Your photo of the lake with the reflections of the trees is just amazing!!

    this will be our first summer in Colorado after living abroad for 18 months. I will be missing the daily walks to the beach and life on the slow lane. But I'm also looking forward to new adventures with our family of 3, discovering the Rockies, road trips to nearby states like Utah and Arizona.

    Hope you are nurturing yourself as you await the arrival of your little bundle of joy!

    ag. said...

    Oh summer sunsets, I cannot wait for you! Beautiful photos, they make me long for the summer months...

    Anonymous said...

    so beautiful. looks like an amazing summer.
    i'm looking forward to spending all day at the beach near my house, riding bikes to get ice cream, late night walks on the cliffs, and wearing only sandals and dresses.

    Il Mondo Capovolto said...

    Soo nice!!!I believe that you will live a new big adventure this summer, with your husband and the baby inside you :)

    siniann said...

    Wonderful pictures! I don't either have any plans, last summer went without holidays - except a short visit at home. My both wrist aching, I was forced to stay at home, R had surfing trip without me. bummer.

    I hope to swim in the sea, lie on the beach and enjoy the sun, get tanned and be happy :)

    Amy Cappelli said...

    Beautiful post. I am looking forward to seeing my baby's bare chunky legs and watching her scrunch sweet summer grass in her little toes as we play outside in the sunshine. She is ready to emerge from the cave running. This has felt like the longest winter.

    Anonymous said...

    Beautiful post... I love seeing all of those inspiring pictures of yours! For us, so far no plan but definitely a lot of "enjoying our new home" and slowing down into the craziness of life and work!

    Anonymous said...

    I missed Momentum last night which I was bummed about. But I'm looking forward to the jazz festival, Paseo arts festival, and Woofstock. I also can't wait for our apartment's pool to open back up. I love laying around out there. Not the most romantic place, but it feels like summer to me out there. :)

    Love the crab picture! I've never seen a crab that looks like that before!

    april said...

    AHH I know that white sand!! Destin is so dreamy!! The pic with the red polish and the white sand is dazzling!! looks like powdered sugar!!

    Unknown said...

    If my longing for warm weather was dormant, you would have awoken it with your pictures and dreams. I'm looking forward to lazy days of gardening in the backyard while my son plays on his play set and the baby rests on a blanket beside me. I'm looking foward to grilling dinner every evening, walking and biking everywhere possible, and leaving my windows open at night. Oh, summmer - I'm already welcoming you!

    Taylor said...

    I am so excited to feel sun on my face. And to wear shorts! it's funny how we get excited for layers in the fall and can't wait to get out of them come spring :)

    Anonymous said...

    these pictures are so beautiful! they make me crave the white sand!

    Emily Brisse said...

    Pre-baby you were taking photos of your feet, and in some of them, like the one above, you got a bit of your belly, too. Anticipation, maybe? Forward, always pointed forward, toward what is to come.

    Kristina said...

    To move home!!!!! Come on, June!!!! :P And these photos have me missing living in Washington, where beaches were just a short drive away and we'd sneak off just to put our own toes in the cool sand. Ah.

    Unknown said...

    Your words are always so encouraging to me. They bring life and adventure.

    Yellow Cat Studio said...

    I can't wait for summer. I'm looking forward to camping, hiking, swimming, and relaxing. I just hope that I have enough time for all of these things!

    Daniela B. said...

    I am looking forward summer too!!Here in Northern Italy in the Alps where I live, we are still covered in snow and the weather is freezing!I am so waiting for summer to come, to stard ride our bikes again, go to the riverside, have nice pic nics outside, get a little bit tanned, and of course hiking in our gorgeous mountains
    :-)
    many hugs from Italy,I absolutely adore your blog and linked it several times during the last weeks, I really loves your photos and family!!

    CHIBI PORSCHE said...

    What a beautiful collaboration of photos. This makes me so excited for warmer weather. These pictures inspire me to seek the beauty around me and take every opportunity that summer gives. Thanks for the beautiful post.
    xo,
    Ashton

    Gaby said...

    Well, I live in Australia so while you all are looking forward to summer, I can't wait for winter to arrive. I'm looking forward to sipping hot chocolate, wearing sweaters, going outside without sunblock and a hat, feeling a cool breeze rather than a hot one, sleeping under a duvet, making gingerbread cookies and oh the list could go on and on. xo

    p.s. I just wrote about my first weekend of yoga teacher training, it's here if you're interested:http://thislittleport.blogspot.com/2011/03/yoga-school-begins.html

    Anonymous said...

    Oh how I love your photos! That's what I'm looking forward to for your summer is your photos! To see what adventures you have to share :) Since I am going into winter - 7th day of Autumn today! :) - I am looking forward to hats, scarves, jackets, boots, and snuggly blankets on cold, crisp days! So excited! :)

    Stacey said...

    Aw... I thought I spotted those beautiful Destin beaches! I'm from Fort Walton.

    Lovely post. Warm wishes with your little one!

    katy {of} katy loves. said...

    You make me excited for Summer. As a Floridian, I never get to be excited for it. It's all. the. time. That's why I can't wait to live in Charlotte with four seasons. It may be hard when the winters get harsh, but they'll make really appreciate the spring and summer time, that's what I cannot wait for.

    Melanie said...

    I bet it will be your best summer ever. :)

    My boyfriend and I are moving to Canmore, Alberta (Canada) this Spring.. which means living in the ROCKY MOUNTAINS! We go every chance we get, and now we wont have to travel to get there. :) I'm excited for the memories that we'll make there.

    P.S. I must tell you that you are a wonderful photographer. You have a very great sense of composition and the colours you capture are wonderful eye-candy.

    a little black cloud in a dress said...

    yay for toes in the sand! I'm looking forward to our vacation this summer.. and gardening.. and doing some exploring around Texas.

    Ashley J. said...

    When I read your blog, I thirstily drink in e.v.e.r.y. w.o.r.d. You are such an amazing, refreshing person. I don't know you, and I will never met you, but if something were to ever happen to you I would bawl my eyes out for months.
    I am so envious of you. My husband would die of laughter if I asked him to go hikeing or camping with me. Or to even sit outside with me.
    I would give anything to re-connect with nature again. Many thanks for each and every one of your posts. Every picture, every paragraph helps me re-live my most beautiful memories.

    Valerie said...

    You take the most beautiful pictures!

    I can't wait to sit on our back porch as the sun sets, listening to the dreamy summer sounds, drinking a glass of wine, chiminea fired up, kids chasing fireflies....summer cannot get here fast enough for me.

    Johanna said...

    I'm getting impatient for summer adventures. We spend every weekend outside: camping, canoeing the Blue River, swimming in rock quarries, backyard cookouts, eating from food trucks, laying in the grass, farmers markets, festivals, camping, cabin trips, road trips! Hopefully a beach or two ... ::sigh::

    Julie said...

    Me too...I stepped into the yard last week I was greeted by a few little yellow flowers that were pushing their way to life. Ahh.. the sweetness of spring and warmth!

    Learning said...

    I am so looking forward to camping and enjoying nature. I want to feel that warm air blowing against me like a hair dryer. I miss the feeling of a gentle breeze. I got my patio furniture all ready do enjoy some some lovely spring nights. I also need my allergies to calm down first!

    Lovely pictures!

    - Angela

    Michelle said...

    We have had an oddly cold winter here in South GA. I'm ready for summer. My twin boys will be here by then and I can't wait :) I'm excited to see the world through their eyes. I so want to go to the beach and dip their toes in it. I'm hoping to do that this summer, but it might be next summer before we can truly do it :)

    You are going to make a great mom, I love reading your blog!

    Kelly @ turned UP to ELEVEN! said...

    First off.. I'm looking forward to sweet images this summer of your growing family!

    Second I'm so excited about kayak season again. Finally getting "Lemon" out of the shed to give her a good hosing off and plopping her in the creek!

    Third.. a beach trip is in the works for Mike and I. We are heading to the Eastern Shore in North Carolina where I spent most of my years growing up 4 weeks out of every summer!

    I can't wait... oh and grilled food! Fresh fruit, Farmers markets and everything summer has to offer.

    I could deal without the thick air though, but I'll try to be more rosey about it, like you :)

    Marfio said...

    Like Gaby, we're heading into autumn here in Australia but there are still plenty summer days left. I'm looking forward to getting into the ocean a few more times before it gets too cold to do so!

    Kristin said...

    Gorgeous, gorgeous pictures as always. You've inspired me and my husband to plant a vegetable garden this summer in our new house. You have actually been an inspiration all around for me in living well and happy, and I hope it's ok that I linked back to your blog in my first post! I wish you and your husband and soon-to-arrive baby all the best; you look like a lovely little family :)

    Here's a link to my blog if you're interested
    http://styleswithoutreservation.blogspot.com

    Notes from Holly St. said...

    such lovely dreams...and you have now got me daydreaming as well...

    Becka Robinson said...

    Your little bird is going to LOVE looking through all those photos of her parents young and in love.

    Meemo said...

    What wonderful memories. I am not looking forward to summer. It's hard to enjoy an Arizona summer. But right now, this time of year is just perfect.

    Can't wait to see what adventures are in store for your little family of 3 this summer.

    Unknown said...

    Great photos!

    Becca said...

    I just found your cute little blog! Congrats on meeting your sweet little girl soon! I bet you could swing a weekend roadtrip with a newborn...it's a good time since they sleep pretty much all day. You could stop/eat/stretch/feed her when she wakes up. I'd say do it when they sleep that much as opposed to later and they are aware of what's going on! My son is 1.5 and I'm not sure he would tolerate a very long car ride. You can really do alot with newborns if you wear them ( I have an Ergo and it's amazing) but a lot of people choose not to but I feel like it made my son more easygoing and adapatable!

    Oh I saw you have an Element...we have one too and it's been awesome with a baby. I love being able to get to the back seat so easily if he needs anything, it fits our stroller plus some in the back and it fits all the baby crap nicely (with a seat up) if you are travelling...the only thing I don't like (totally not a big deal) is that I constantly had bruises on my shins from leaning in to get him from his infant car seat.

    Shandell said...

    I am dreaming of all of these same things! I am jealous that you have a partner in crime to do all of this with. I am waiting for the day Nash has the time to do things with me again. damn engineering school. I need an outdoorsy friend or buddy to go on fun road trips with and hikes with in the meantime. My new dream is to go to the west coast. See venice beach in Cali. I have never been out west. This summer in Africa.. talking to people from all around the world made me realize what a bad american I am. I havent seen hardly any of our country! Most of the people from other countries that I met had seen more of the US than I had...
    When my Michael gets his hair cut, your Michael should rub some of his outdoorsy adventurousness off onto him haha

    Monique said...

    Lovely photos of Summer's past. I'm sure a family of three will be filled with so much joy and even more warmth. This Summer I'm looking forward to spending my weekends picnicking and go on adventures with my fiance, who I will call my husband come June.

    Leney said...

    absolutely gorgeous Aura! As always, loved your photos! :)

    Kristin said...

    Hi Aura,
    Thanks so much for commenting on my blog! It means a lot to me that you took the time to check it out when you get so many comments everyday.

    My sister-in-law just passed the Stylish Blogger Award to me, and now I'm passing it on to you. Apparently the way it works is you blog 7 interesting facts about yourself(if you have time, of course! I know you're busy.)

    Either way, I think your blog and you and your life are all stylish, so I'm bestowing the award on you whether or not you have a chance to do the list part of it. Take care!
    Kristin

    I couldn't paste the little icon in this comment, but it's on my post if you want to copy & paste it:
    http://styleswithoutreservation.blogspot.com/2011/03/stylish-blogger-award.html

    Kimberly said...

    Looking forward to my first trip to my parents' homeland in Viet Nam!

    Pearl said...

    I love every picture.
    Cant wait to go to Hawaii! This brings me back memories!


    Pearl

    astr!d said...

    girl, your husband is damn sexy with that messy beach hair!!!