Spring in New York

May 13, 2016 in NYC, Nature Things

Spring in New York is when we fall in love with the city again. The longer days, the colorful blooms everywhere, peonies and lilacs sold in bunches along the sidewalk flower markets. There is a renewed sense of hope that exists in the air and everyone seems to breathe an outward sigh of relief at the thought of no longer having to wear so many layers everyday. We begin to all feel human again, and after we get home from long days at work and commuting we don't have to hole ourselves up in our apartments, but can instead take evening walks around the neighborhood and the local park.

And although we've had quite a bit of rain this spring, there have still been enough sunny days throughout to make most people happy. Those who wished winter lasted longer enjoy the rainy cold days, and those of us who long for summer days welcome the sunshine and 70s.

There have been a bunch of cool things on the internet this week, and I wanted to share some cool links that inspire/entertain me:

Seriously this is so cool. Has anyone else tried drone photography?

All of Christina Greve's stuff, but this post contained pretty photos too.

Cook Republic's matcha coconut and chia pudding.

It's almost time for the Bachelorette!

Hint of Vanilla's strawberry rhubarb doughnuts!

Food 52's milk toast has me intrigued!?

I really want these Free People overalls in black.

Probably making Posie's biscuits very very soon.

Pastry Affair's pretty chocolate hazelnut rolls!

SO SAD about last night's loss but happy they at least aren't sure on retirement?!? maybe?

Cliff Jumping at the Catskills

August 17, 2015 in DSLR, Travel, Nature Things

I finally figured out how to add videos!!!!!! Yesterday we drove up to the edge of the Catskills to Fawn's Leap, to do some swimming and a little bit of cliff jumping before summer ends. The jump was 24 ft high, and the one Kyle jumped off was even higher (videos of both of us jumping are below!). Note: these videos do not do it justice at all. It's way higher than it looks when you are actually up there looking down! What was even more fun was that there were a bunch of dudes all standing around too afraid to jump, and I waltzed right up and jumped off before them (three times to be exact!), heh heh. We used to do this in Texas back home at the many rivers there, so it was a lot of fun to feel that adrenaline rush again. Plus, I love swimming in natural pools! We listened to an old mixed tape I made for Kyle in high school on the drive up, and towards the end of the drive Kyle looked at me and said, "This feels just like old times." <3

Did you do anything fun this weekend? If so I want to hear about it!

Day Trip to Minnewaska State Park

July 28, 2015 in DSLR, Nature Things, Travel

The other weekend we drove an hour and a half to Minnewaska State Park, which was so packed we had to circle the park twice to find parking. When we did find parking, it was like stepping into Narnia. I always forget how pretty upstate New York is--it's absolutely stunning during summertime. We followed a trail and stumbled upon the most enchanting waterfall swimming hole--completely missing the "no swimming" sign. There were a lot of swimmers in the water, well, at least a lot of undecided swimmers, who danced around the edge, hesitatingly poking a toe in the icy water every now and then. We were so hot from our walk we jumped in right away. Kyle of course kept checking various areas of the water to see how deep it was so he could jump off the waterfall. (It wasn't that deep, thank goodness.)

After we walked around the park a little more, we came back and a park ranger was there, telling everyone to get out of the non-swimming hole. The dejected look on everyone's faces proved just how hot it was and how disappointed they were to not cool off. We were also bummed but happy we had been able to swim before the ranger came!

The whole time It kept reminding me of swimming in rivers in the Texas hill country growing up. I'm disappointed in myself for not pursuing nature more since moving here, especially since it felt like I spent a lot of my childhood outside swimming or building forts. I absolutely love NYC, but the longer I'm here the more I notice how impatient I've become, and how quickly I become bored when surrounded only by nature. In a city where they have the best of the best in everything (except Tex Mex), it's easy to always have the highest expectations in every situation, and quickly distance yourself if the pace isn't fast enough, or the wow factor doesn't impress you. Pretty self-absorbed we New Yorkers are, I know, but only those who live here I think can really understand it.