Self-Portraits and Thoughts

I took some time on Monday to enjoy the beautiful day and work on some portraits. No models available, so I went for some self-portraits. I had a lot of fun out and about playing with some ideas and smiling for hours. Got me thinking about  various things and being spontaneous. Enjoy the photos and my little thoughts throughout this post.

When life gives you an opportunity, you go for it.

When you hit some rough patches, you roll up your sleeves and work hard.

Grab on!

When you don't know what else to say, just stick your tongue out.

Don't be afraid to let your sassy side show from time to time.

Relax and enjoy some of those quiet moments.

Be mysterious and surprise your loved ones from time to time. My parents knew I was thinking about coming home on Saturday, but then at noon on Friday I decided to head home early and surprise them that night. Pretty fun!

When you notice it's 11:11, you make a wish. Why not?

Go lay in the pile of leaves.

When there's a beautiful day and trails at your feet, slide into your running attire and go trail running! Even if that means 2.5 miles up and down some hills, through some leaves, sliding on your butt at times, and trampling through a little mud. :)

Or when you got a friend to go with, take a walk around town on the nice evening.

Let your hair blow in the wind after changing back into your dress in your  car after your run.

Give the thumbs up because life is good.

Give 'em that face when they know you're a little irritated, but you can't help but laugh too.

Make yourself comfortable.

Take time to visit places you enjoy.

Spread your wings...

And fly!

Be curious and don't be afraid to reach out.

 A smile is one of the best gifts we can give.

Rock your style.

Change reality a bit using a little imagination. I felt some creative juices a flowing Sunday night, which was one thing that led me out that door on an adventure for Monday.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Spontaneous Excursion

Saturday turned out to be a much more eventful day than I would have originally guessed. The plan was to ride with the Danners to Auburn Saturday morning for the girls' basketball games - one at 11am and one at 2pm. I ended up having to go to work at 7am. I lucked out and was able to leave at 1pm to make it to Auburn in plenty of time before the 2pm game. Karena has been helping coach one of her younger sister's teams, and I was really hoping to make it to their final game as I had only been to one other this season.

While I was at work, I noticed how nice it looked outside. I was thinking that since I was already heading southeast and would now have my vehicle with me, perhaps I would continue further southeast from Auburn after the game for a little visit to Indian Cave State Park. One of these nice days in February, and it is one place my family and I talk about some great memories from camping years ago. 

When I asked Karena if she wanted to go with me, she immediately agreed. Her family has gone camping there, too. It turned out splendidly that she came with me. Don't get me wrong, I'll take any day just walking around in the woods, enjoying it, and maybe doing a little reading. However, all these memories may not have sparked so much had I not been there with this best friend of mine. I also would not have taken quite so many fun and silly pictures all by me lonesome, savvy? 

We had a fun afternoon reminiscing, talking about life, being silly, and making memories at Indian Cave State Park. Here come quite a few of the photos we took throughout the day. I will only be leaving a small caption with each, but I hope you can see some of the fun we were having together in so many ways. :-)

Is it spring yet?!

Check out that old-fashioned wooden fence. Hmmm.

Posing in the hallow, where I once rode on the Haunted Hallow Hayrack Ride as a kid.

I love nature.

Wooooooooooooo!

Now isn't that cute?

Tree roots!

Had to stop at the lookout.

Just gazing.

Smiling at the scenery.

Cheeeeeeeese.

Greased Lightning, anyone?

Poor attempt at being Lewis and Clark.

I fail. hahaha

Go stick your head through that grill.

Thank goodness for self-timers.

Circles and smiles. :-)

Karena spotted some beautiful light when we were playing on the picnic table.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Nice colors down by the river.

The rabbit face I remember seeing in the cave area as a kid.

Indian Cave!

Bahaha

Just a couple of dweebs we be.

Posing on the boardwalk.

Down by the river.

Eeeeeek!

Beautiful sky over the fields as we were heading out.

We stopped at a small cafe for dinner on our way back to Syracuse.

Mmmmm homemade colewslaw!

Great food at a great price and a great little spot - the perfect end to our adventurous afternoon.