I'm Springing Back

Have you ever gone into hiding? Not the kind where you dye your hair, move across country, and change your identity. Not the kind where you want to escape from the world and all those who are in it by cloistering yourself at home with all the shutters closed. But the kind where you just stumble into it and realize that you may need to focus on yourself, your own home and family. Again, you just need to refocus.

As I mentioned in my last post, there is nothing wrong. No one is sick. No one is sad. We are all healthy, busy, and doing everything we were before. I was just in a winter rut and felt like I had absolutely nothing that was blog worthy. (And I'm not even sure I do now either!) But what I do know is that I have missed all of you!

And what I also do know is that I am so ready for spring. I am craving it. I am coveting it. I NEED it! The Aiken Triple Crown begins tomorrow with the Trials. (Steeplechase is next Saturday.) Tomorrow's highs are supposed to be in the mid 80s, and I relish the idea of strolling through the grass with a drink in my hand and a big hat perched upon my head.

The dogwoods are just beginning to bloom, and I feel the azaleas ready to burst forth any day now.

And Spring Break is just around the corner. It couldn't come any sooner! That means a week at the beach house, sand between my toes, and my Kindle chock full o' "beach lit".


Bless you spring! You couldn't have come at a better time. I think you've given me that burst I needed... to spring back!

Handsome in Pastels

So I'm sitting on the sofa flipping through the Vineyard Vines Spring catalog. Great stuff, by the way. I REALLY want this. (Looks better in the catalog than on the web.)


Just looking at all the pretties in Palm Beach, I wish spring would hurry up and get here. Aren't you so ready? Anyway, I come across these great men's shorts. Love them! I think they would look so great on Mike. He gets such an amazing tan in the summer. Yum! And how many pastel Lacostes does he have that would go perfectly with these bad boys? (It's ridiculous, I swear.)


Not five minutes later, Mike comes in the door, bag in hand from our local men's clothier. "Look what I just picked up!"


Oh, how I love this man..

Tuesday's Kitchen Inspirations

 

So this watercolor isn't really in my kitchen, but I can see it in the great room from my kitchen sink!  And it does so inspire me and make me smile as it reminds me of that wonderful Saturday we get to experience every March.  Some of you may have already seen it from yesterday's guest blog Mind Your Manners' Monday: People with Disabilities at Entertaining House.  And I read so many sweet comments on it.  Thank you for being so receptive!  And thank you, my dear friend Jessica, for your support!

We love the Aiken Steeplechase in late March.  The weather is always so lovely with a gentle breeze and the azaleas beginning to bloom... I'm getting spring fever right now, just sitting on my front porch in a rocking chair, laptop in my my lap. Steeplechase is the perfect time to get out the Lilly skirts and Jack Rogers sandals.  Mike always wears a pair of loud (AKA obnoxiously preppy) pants... or shorts if the weather is warm enough.  One year, it was Lilly's pink and green giraffes.  Here, we have a classic and subdued (LOL) patchwork.

The boys love the races and have so much fun running around passing the hat for the bets on the horses.  I don't think we are contributing to the delinquency of our sons!

I love the beautiful tables and flower arrangements the women prepare.  The silver (or Mariposa) trays full of chicken salad sandwiches and fresh strawberries.  (You know I will blog about it later!)

And Mike... he just loves a good bourbon and coke!

Sun-body Loves Me! (... and my manners!)

Yesterday, I was inspired by my cute friends 

Bethany and Sara

and used a gift certificate for a pedicure 

to get these tootsies ready for SPRING!!!  

How wonderful... 

How relaxing... 

How come I don't do this more often?  

And it made me realize that...

Sun-body Loves Me

by OPI

OH... and it's definitely a Golden Day!  Entertaining House asked me to write for Mind Your Manners Monday, and I invite you to visit her blog (Monday the 8th).  I think hope you will be inspired!