springy

it is finally feeling like spring. on my nice long walk today i saw so many little flowers poking out of the ground and lots of little frolicking creatures out and about. the grass is getting greener and the days are getting warmer. i love the spring and all the new possibilities it brings. 

i have been thinking about gardening and what things i want to plant this year. we didn't really do anything last year in the yard, i had just moved in and it wasn't on the top of the list of things to do. but this year, i would like to plant some things. i am thinking definitely some lilacs and tomatoes. anything else will just be a nice bonus. we need to add some stepping stones outside and maybe some solar lights for the front path, but nothing else major. i look forward to going to the plant store and picking out some nice things to go in the yard. :) 

i have been really into smoothies. they are SO good and practically zero calories the way i make them. just a little ice, a little water and lots of fruit! strawberries, bananas, raspberries and blueberries are my favorites right now! if i add nothing else it is zero calories, when i toss in a scoop of chocolate protein powder it adds 100 calories or so. i just made a strawberry smoothie with protein powder and it tasted like a chocolate covered strawberry. SO delicious!

the picture above was from my garden in Round Lake, IL a few years back. i love it because, until i brought up the image on my computer i didn't even notice the little bug on the flower petal, bonus!

xo

mandy

the big chill and starting again...

well today it the coldest it has been in several days...like put your coat back on it is cold outside kind of day. but looking forward it seems the temps will rise again later this week so that is always a good sign that spring hasn't abandoned all hope of happening! i love when the weather starts to warm up and the flowers start to bloom. everything gets green and fresh again. it is very inspiring to renew.

and speaking of fresh and renewing....

i am going to begin April as a clean slate. i am going to start my healthy eating plan (which is really just to say that i am going to watch my portion control and snacking), finally get more walking done (warmer weather means NO EXCUSES!), go down and workout with Jeff (no complaining-just do it), and generally just feel better about me. it has been the season of cover it all up long enough, now is the season of making it all look great before the season of take it all off! :) so i am siting here gearing up to take my walk in this very cold weather knowing that if i bundle up i won't even notice, and in a few days the weather will have warmed again to that i can be out there in my capris and soon my shorts. yay! 

for your viewing pleasure-me! almost ready for my walk. 

xo

mandy