Silver Lake Flat Reservoir & beyond

Have I mentioned I love American Fork Canyon? It's a dreeaaaam! We drove up farther this time, to Silver Lake Reservoir and hiked around there. While I've never actually been to the Alps, I think this hike could give 'em a run for their money! Can't wait to go back.

This was a great hike to remind us that we can have fun with a baby in the outdoors. Bridger was so good! He was having a great time. We took breaks and let him stretch his legs. And it didn't make it less fun at all. (I personally love using Bridger as an excuse to take a breather and eat some snacks! ;)

 I mean, really. Look at this place.

Spring in our yard

I love spring.
I am learning to appreciate Utah winters..but they ain't got nothing on spring.
Blooms everywhere.
Everything is just so green!
Savoring it now in preparation for the parched brown views of summer...

And these beans are all dead now :( My seed starters totally failed. But we bought plants and the garden is looking great!

Dear Spring

Dear Spring, 

It was good to see you these past few weeks.

We enjoyed the campfire you provided last weekend. 

We love your earthy smells and blue skies.

Hope you come back soon! And hopefully you'll bring your friend Summer along!

xo, 

lacey

A house and a garden

and little feet running wild through the yard. And a river running through the backyard. That's all I want.

I found this image on Pinterest via Joy Kim's ideal settings board and after a little research, I found the original (here). (It seems to be a listing on a website for a company that rents out properties for photography shoots in Great Britan).

Isn't it breathtaking? The rest of the home is pretty lovely as well. The interior is a little too rustic for my taste though. I would probably modernize at least the kitchen and update the furniture.

With all my dreaming and planning, I have decided the house is not quite as important as the location. I want room for our kids to run. I want room to create. Room to plant and grow. Room to live!

More of my home dreams here, here and here.

I found my inspiration

I completely attribute my recent abundance of posts on the lovely weather. Here is the proof:

We took a bike ride on Sunday afternoon down to the duck ponds and the gardens on the south end of campus. We weren't alone to say the least. Everyone was taking advantage of the lovely afternoon. The gardens aren't quite as green as they will be in the summer, but they were so many cherry blossoms blooming! 

 And my very favorite tree in the whole world, the Japanese Magnolia. I'll take three in my front yard, thank you.

Once again, Happy Spring! 

Saturday

On Saturday, we went sailing for a bit. The wind wasn't really cooperating, so it was a little boring! But I had fun taking some photos...

Better luck next time Harriette!

Spring!

According to my calendar, today is the first day of SPRING! Now it may be a little chilly here in Utah County, but the forecast does promise a few 60 degree+ days at the end of the week. (As much as I claimed I was going to love winter this year, I still bear it grudgingly). This is a cause for celebration! Too bad I am writing a paper and studying for a final this week! BUT we are going to see the midnight showing of the Hunger Games and possibly sailing on Friday.  I won't hold my breath for a little color brought back to my skin, but you might just see this preggo lady in (unbuttoned) shorts this weekend.

Photo from Ontario's spring when we visited last June.

Tree Flowers

Check out this tree! There are a whole lot of them below the bell tower on campus. Flowers growing straight out of the limb! So beautiful! We were continually amazed by some new landscaping on the south part of campus, but more about that later. Anyone know what kind of tree this is? Maybe a cousin to Japenese cherry blossoms? Or is this a cherry blossom? I really need a botany lesson.

Fresh Flowers and a Recycled Vase

Lately, nothing makes me happier than fresh flowers. I plucked these from some overgrown bushes in front of our apartment. (Hope that's legal...)

Don't they just make you feel happy?

Side-note: The vase was a strawberry syrup bottle before I cleaned it out to be used as a vase. I love recycling!

Fresh Flowers

!!!

I can't wait til the Provo Farmer's Market! It starts June 4 and every Saturday following. I want some fresh flowers! (Not purchased at Smith's Grocery!) In the meantime, I will drool over these peonies in Paris.

P.S. What do you think of the new header? I made it on Picnick!

I found the sunshine!

It's been cold and even snowy this week in the valley and I am sick of it. My birthday is in two weeks and I decided if it snows on my birthday I will fly home that day, no questions. But today the sun is finally out. I shed my coat and enjoyed the sunshine on my walk to work!

Link Love

(Image)

We bought some seeds yesterday for oregano, parsley and a lively diverse group of flowers.
Can't wait to plant them!

Finals are over, so that means I spent a good deal of time at work today on Free Rice.

Finding a new blog is often dangerous for me...dishes pile up and papers go unwritten until I have pried myself from the beautiful pages.

Such a fun Easter craft/game. Maybe we will make it a new tradition!

Do you ever get your best ideas in the shower?

Free (and not ugly) wedding invitations!

Homemade fruit roll-ups (strawberry leather)! Genius!

How women see color vs. how men see color.

Have a lovely weekend!

Finals-Schminals

The view from me and Nate's picnic spot on campus last week.


Looking forward to being done with finals and basking in the summer heat...if it will stop raining.
Only four more days!

Sunny Day

I took this on my walk to school this morning.
Because it was so warm. (50 degrees!) I took my time and enjoyed the sunshine.

And tomorrow, when it's snowing, I'll look back to this photo and have hope in a future spring.