Iceland and the Continued Hunt for the Northern Lights

I have a long-standing, long-distance love affair with the Aurora Borealis. Sadly, it seems the feeling isn’t mutual. I am the pursuer in this one-sided relationship. Fortunately, I have a husband who appreciates my dreams and wants to see them come true. In fact, we even chose our honeymoon destination on the slim chance we might catch a glimpse of her. Spoiler alert: we didn’t. But the trip was still magical.

Being the thoughtful man he is, my husband planned a trip to Iceland in December, a time when the Northern Lights were predicted to be particularly active. With high hopes and warm coats, we ventured north. But, as with all things Mother Nature, she had her own plans. Our time in Iceland brought not a single snowflake, let alone the lights.

Still, the trip was nothing short of fantastic. We got to experience the unique magic of Nordic Christmas traditions, local sites steeped in history, and indulged in  Icelandic cuisine. We explored the icy beauty of an ice cave and stood in awe before real, flowing lava. It was an adventure filled with so many amazing experiences, even without the Aurora, and we only saw the the tip of iceberg (haha...see what I did there)...

While the Northern Lights remain on my bucket list, this journey reminded me of something important: sometimes, the pursuit itself is the reward. The memories we made and the places we saw on this trip were more than enough. So, I will keep chasing Aurora! 

Back With A New Name, New Address and New Directions!

Photo from: Divas Can Cook

Welcome all ones of you that may still pop by here to see if I have posted anything!  Though since I have changed my domain name, you ones may have been lost...oh, my.  Nothing like starting from scratch?

Obviously, I have not posted in a very.long.time.  I had mentioned in previous posts that I had lost direction and motivation for the blog and writing in general. It has taken some time to start figuring it out. Be warned it is still a work in progress.  I *think* I have determined my direction(s) and part of it is embracing the season I am in and incorporating the things I love into the blog the way I did when I started blogging back in 2005. (YEP.....2005!)  I started blogging as a way of journaling what, at the time, was a busy life with words and photos and I think it is time to start again...just with my new 2.0 life.

My challenge has been to some degree that I no longer fit into the "Mommy or Wife" blog world and my crafting and decorating is sparse, but I still love my South and all it offers, from fashion and our special kind of Belle Beauty, to extraordinary sights and travel, beautiful homes (even if mine is a wreck!) shopping and lest we not forget our Southern Food (notice Biscuits is right there at the top!)  My family and fur babies are still very important to me but I only have one baby still in the nest and he turns 18 in 2 months....yes, you do hear a slight Mama Meltdown in the background.  I plan to figure out how to incorporate the new dynamics of family life into my blog since we are all in a different season and it is harder than when I had them all under my roof.  By the way, my beautiful and talented daughter, who is now married and blossoming into a wonderful woman still is active and blogging at Starting out Southern.

I invite you to join me in my new online journaling adventure and lets get to know one another, both new and old!  Happy Saturday and drop me a line or two if you happen to stop by to help keep my creative juices flowing.

Well, I have been to Vegas...

I did make that trip to Las Vegas for work a couple of weeks ago and haven't had a chance to write about it because I have been working, working, working!  My week in Vegas was truly a work week and by the time I was home I was completely, totally pooped! Then Monday came and the whirlwind which appears to be my new normal started.  Oh, and did I mention I have gone back to school as well?

I was curious if I would like Las Vegas at all, since I really never had any desire to go to the city, but I did have a good time. I learned so much workwise and met more great people than you can ever imagine.  Of course, I took pictures so you can see my favorite parts of Las Vegas....

I stayed at and  my company's event was at the MGM Grand Hotel, which is like a small city in itself.  It was beautiful and was filled with tons of shops, restaurants, entertainment and, of course, gambling! Due to it being a work function I think I saw day light once that week!  

 

 Even though I didn't get to spend much time outside, I got to see lots of pretty lights at night....

 

But by far, my favorite thing was so very unVegas!  It was a handmade soap shop that had me drooling.  Yes...drooling!  I had to go in it, every chance I got just to smell, look and be amazed...

It was just too much!!!  And of course, I did spend a little time doing some late night retail therapy!

Yes, the jacket came straight home to South Carolina along with a few other goodies!

 







My biggest surprise about Vegas was how small it truly is.  There are a lot of suburbs, but the actual "Vegas" you always see on TV and the movies seems so much bigger on the screen than it is in real life (I guess that is a Hollywood trick?)  I was expecting this monsterous city full of skyscrapers and crazy traffic.  Either way, I can finally say "Vegas, been there, done that."

Ready to Travel



Brunette or blonde, we had it covered!

I promise my life has not been all gloom and doom as the last post probably made it seem.  This spring has had a lot of new and fun adventures and I have gained more new friends in the last few months than probably the last 3 decades combined.  The kind of friends that have your back or a trash can waiting when you need to throw up…you know the kind. 

One new thing is that I have fallen in love with traveling.  I don’t know why I didn’t ever get to do it before when I was married (well I do know, because I was home rearing children!)  but I am determined to see the world even if it is on my thin dime.  In April I took a cruise with a group of girlfriends, technically (in pure 13 year old boy fashion) we named our trip the IHT 1^st Annual Tour (on Instagram you can #IHTTOUR for a glimpse of our time)…which by the way was fabulous!!!  And no, I won’t be telling you what #IHT means. We traveled to Nassau and while laying on that white sand beach I just decided to relocate there and any family that cared to join me would be welcomed…eh, that did not work but it was a life changing idea.

Do you know that was the 1^st time in my life I have done anything just for me?  Weird, huh?  I mean it was totally about and for me and it was wonderful.  I was able to clear my head, make some decisions and have lots of other fun that shall not be named, but there is video and probably some photos and lots of dancing so we shall hope they never see the light of day.  We #IHT girls are already planning a fall trip to the mountains, although with the hilly terrain and the copious amount of adult beverages ingested it might be dangerous.

When this trip first came up I was really hesitant but my best wing-girl kept pushing and I am so glad she did because I got to show off my new red bathing suit and that in itself was worth the whole trip.  And, I for sure have a new favorite color….the blue of the Caribbean waters.  It is really quite funny because that has been the color I have been introducing in my house little by little long before the trip. It is mesmerizing.  If you have ever the chance to sit on a balcony in the middle of the ocean and watch the full moon do not pass up the opportunity in any way, shape, or form.  It is a life changer.

I am so in love with the color of the water, I want everything that color!

 

 

I am back....

So, I can't believe it has been almost 2 months since I last posted!  Is anyone still here??? Anyone?

I thought I was just taking a quick break from blogging to get my boys in school but it turned out to be a bit longer!  Actually, I have radically trimmed my online social media time as I was convicted that the time I spent online was robbing me and my family from wonderful IRL experiences.  I have trimmed my Facebook time, my blog time, my email time and even the dreaded, but much addictive, Twitter time!  Yes, I have even managed to limit my Pinterest time!!!  It has been a good thing and I feel so much more productive.  At one point in time, when I was writing for publications, I could justify the online time (you know research, inspiration...blah, blah, blah) but since at this time I am not trying to write...yes, dear reader (are there any of you left?), you will have to wait a bit longer on that Great Southern Novel (do you hear the snickering?).... I feel that my time is better served in more moderate doses online.

What have I been doing as late???  Do you mean in between the never ending loads of laundry, living in the car as kids get ferried here and there and the continual DIY projects???  Well...

In late August there were some pretty big changes that came to the Southern Somedays household, starting with my youngest son starting 5th grade, my older son starting 10th grade and my daughter entering her senior year of college.  If those stats aren't enough to freak a Mom out, I don't know what is....I just can't be this old...I am not old enough to have kids this old.  Where did my babies go?  And why is this almost 6 foot young man claiming to be MY son???  Oh...swan!  With school comes football for both boys (although my older son being a Varsity player was at football all summer as well), my younger son is also immersed in a local theatre workshop, not to mention all the church activities that come along with the school year! 

We also saw some big changes on the work front with DH.  He has taken a job that now keeps him on the road during the week and that has been a major change for us.  I have to say I was pretty spoiled with having him home pretty much every night, but the new job has been tons of fun for DH.  It is in a much different industry than he has been in previously and I think he has really enjoyed the challenges so far.  When my kiddos were little DH traveled almost 100% of the time and it was hard....did I mention it was HARD?  But, so far, this has been much different and I am sure it is because I don't have any little ones to manage all by myself.

Hopefully, I can figure out just the right balance between online and IRL and get back to blogging!  I think I have missed it!

 

WanderLust

Do you ever catch it?  I think my DH and I have a tiny bit of it in our genes.  We often laugh and say we both must have a gypsy gene somewhere.  That might explain why we have moved so often...I don't know.  Anyway, today - as I sit, trapped in the Volvo dealership waiting room  as I patiently wait for DH's car repair - I find myself thinking about some of the places I would love to visit one day.  Here are where my thoughts often go when wanderlust hits...

 Scotland, anywhere, anytime...I am ready.

 Luxembourg, DH  has spent time here and he loved it. 

After hearing about it and seeing pictures I just want to see for myself.

Lyons, France...have always wanted to go. 

I imagine I fell in love with France during my very 1st French class in college.

Who wouldn't want to spend time in the Italian countryside after Under a Tuscan Sky?

Greece....though, I suppose the Greek festival this weekend will be about as close as I get for a while.

 For my "off the beaten path" wander lust I have been intrigued by Reunion Island for a few years:  Introducing Reunion Island

A bit closer to home and I find myself thinking about.... 

 Prince Edward Island to seek my own Anne of Green Gables experience.

How could I not want to see the Grand Canyon in all its glory?

I have a sweet friend who has visited Mackinac Island many times.

Her stories and photos have made this one of those dreaming places for me.

So, when wanderlust attacks, where does it take your mind/body?

Romantic Getaway at Harbor House Inn

This man , who - by the way, is the most handsome, sweet and romantic husband a girl could ask for, surprised me last Friday night with a special time away (without children).  He arranged for us to spend the night here:

Harbor House Inn

We were welcomed on the front steps of the Inn by the wonderful and hospitable Innkeeper, Meg Tarbox.  She gave us a tour of the Inn, showed us all the wonderful touches to make our stay complete and then our room, which contained everything necessary to make us feel pampered and relaxed. Our escape from reality came complete with drinks, a basket of crackers, freshly baked cookies, sweets, and her fabulous, homemade Shrimp Dip AND was followed the next morning by an amazing, southern gourmet breakfast.  The Inn, and especially our room and bath, were so lovely we almost didn't want to leave to explore the local scenery.

The view from our room was just mesmerizing...

This is the view from the back porch of the Inn, complete with generous porch swing...

My sweet dear husband has known that the last few weeks (months) have been a little hard on me, and he thought some time away would help to get me back on level ground and give us time to reconnect and just be ourselves.  As anyone with children knows, it can be hard to find this kind of time together.  It was wonderful.  I love this man so much, and feel very blessed to have him in my life.  Knowing he knew what I needed, more than I did, means more than words can say.

We also fell in love with the little town where the Inn was located.  Georgetown, SC is truly a diamond in the South Carolina crown.  There are so many gorgeous homes (that are still lovely, cared-for private homes!) that I could spend days just taking photos and exploring the streets, soaking in all the history and beauty of this town. It is the 3rd oldest town in SC and lies on the Winyah Bay, and is still a working seaport.  The downtown is full of vibrant and unique shops and eateries, of which I can't wait to go back and explore more fully!  Also, there are several intriguing museums to keep you busy.  DH and I spent a leisurely evening strolling the boardwalk and enjoying the atmosphere which was relaxed and genteel with just the right dose of fun.  We had a great dinner at an inexpensive cafe that had rooftop/water front dining called the Buzz's Roost (the fried pickles were to die for!).  It was delicious and we enjoyed getting to sit and watch the coming and goings of the boats under the stars.  Georgetown stole our hearts and we will definitely be going back again.

To see my complete album of photos from Georgetown and our stay at Harbor House please click here:

Weekend at Harbor House and Georgetown

Welcome back to the routine.

This week finds me trying to settle back into the normal routine after a wonderful, relaxing week of Spring Break. We split our Spring Break time between Myrtle Beach, SC (at the request of the children) and Isle of Palms/Charleston, SC (at the request of the Mommy)! DH took the entire week off and spent it with us and that was just wonderful. It is rare that he will take that kind of time off and I loved, loved, loved having him footloose and fancy free. So, after a week of eating, shopping, sunning, and napping reality has set back in. I am not real fond of that.