learning to love winter

To a southern girl such as myself, "winter" has always meant temperatures that hover in the 50's, with an occasional bout of sleet every few years that knocks out the power and closes things down for a few days. Since moving to Florida, "winter" means 80 degree days, and panic ensues if the temperature drops to 30. So traveling the country during this time of year has been a totally new experience. I went back to Utah last week and had a blast in the snow. I think I'm falling in love with winter!

{View from the top of the K-120 ski jump at the Olympic training park in Park City}

{Opening night of Sundance Film Festival}

{Bliss on a stick in Park City}

{Sundance posters}

What's your favorite thing about winter?

A Belle in the West

I've been jetting all over the country in an attempt to determine where I'll be moving this summer. It's been quite an experience as I'm getting to explore cities and states I've never visited before. Although I'm a Southern girl through and through, I must confess I've become quite enamored by the West. I absolutely fell in love with Utah's crisp cool air and breathtaking scenery.

{Stunning view of the Rockies}

{I couldn't figure out what this odd little contraption was doing in my rental...so I texted a pic of it to hubby and he informed me that it was for scraping snow and ice off my windshield...what?! I'm definitely not in the South anymore!}

{The ultimate comfort food...after discovering a sweet little 50's style diner, I knew I could definitely live in this town for a year}

{Maybe the best part of my trip...this was the diner's idea of a "chocolate shake"...mmmm}

I also had the opportunity to explore the Sundance Resort and drive up into the snowy mountains, but didn't get to take any good pics because it was getting dark. I never realized that Utah was so amazing, and even if I don't end up moving there, I'm so glad I had the opportunity to spend a few days there.

What part of the country are you eager to explore?

Happy New Year!!

{image credit: Bill Watterson}

2010 was one of the busiest, most stressful, years of my life thus far...hence my absence from the blogging world for the majority of the year. The year seemed to fly by in the blink of an eye. I am a bit overwhelmed by 2011 being that I will be traveling across the country the entire month of January and won't find out where I'll be living the rest of the year until late February. It will be a year of great change as I start a new chapter of my life, one in which I'm no longer a student and can finally bear the title "doctor." I'll be moving across the country and starting a new adventure. There is so much uncertainty that lies ahead for this year, so I'm going to spare myself of any lofty resolutions. Instead, I'm just going to set a few simple goals:

1. Ensure that God remains the top priority in my life by actively studying His Word.

2. Find joy in the simple things, like the perfect cup of coffee or kisses from my precious pomeranian.

3. Make a conscious effort to wear bright lipstick more often because, let's face it, there's just something about pretty lipstick that can bring a girl much bliss.

4. Buy less, make more.

5. Actively seek God's Will in my life and be a light in this world for Him.

6. Try not to neglect my blog :)

Wishing you all a very happy new year...I hope that 2011 is the best year yet for all of us.

xoxo