Trying for a Season of Joy

I have long since said that I hate spring/summer. I include the two together because every spring I have ever known has been a unified season (aka summer). Just last week, my sister got onto me and began describing spring as one of the most welcoming and endearing of seasons. I am not quite sure where she has known such a spring, as I have only ever known spring as muggy, HOT, and full of storms. Funnily enough though, she seems to have foreseen something as for the last 2 weeks we actually have had some of the most beautiful weather (almost fall like). Because this is not the usual experience however, and because I do not want to waste another season full of excuses for why I lack adventure and enthusiasm, I have decided to proactively find the joy in absolutely every season this year. Hear that, Spring? I am talking to you.

1.My first tool in this venture is this beautiful cookbook that my parents gifted me for my last birthday. Isn't it gorgeous?!?! The recipes are ever so adventurous, while also being light and equally beautiful. One complaint I always have during our hot weather is that my mind goes blank on what to cook. Who wants to suffer the summer heat indoors or out, and then have to come in and cook a hot meal. Yuck! On the other hand, if I am going to put forth extra effort with a new meal, if it looks this pretty and sounds this delicious, it may just be completely worth. (New recipes)

Much prettier in person. Click picture for link!

2. If I am going to experiment with new meals, well, I just may need a new spring/summer table cloth. Maybe some fancier meals at the dinner table will encourage me on the hottest of days to keep up my efforts in an already hot kitchen. Pioneer Woman seems to have been one step ahead of me here. I located this beauty just the other day during my outing with Little Bit. 

3. Enjoy the outdoors more. Hot is hot and in Louisiana there is nowhere that is not. I am going to have to learn to deal. Our home is too nice, and our yard needs too much love to simply stay in the a/c for half the year. Plus, Little Bit thrives outdoors and he would likely live outside if we provided that option. Though that is not about to happen, we really do want to make our yard more enjoyable. One child in the house makes our house seem smaller. The thought of adding more in the future alerts me to the fact that we need a bigger play area for our family. What better time to start putting all of our plans into action than now. I need to post more pictures, but if you have been watching my Instagram feed then you have already seen some of the fun changes we have been making.

4. Find better clothes for the heat. Y'all, I LOVE boots, jeans, bulky sweaters, leggings, and long sleeved button-ups. Oh, and let's not forget a cute coat. None of these are acceptable for spring and summer however. I recently went through my clothes and began clearing the collection. I have made so many efforts to find my "style" over the years and my hot weather wardrobe is just one mad mess. I cleaned out the bulk though and am trying to embrace my new style. Funnily enough, so far I do not resent my "mommy" clothes. I feel like I have a better mental checklist that potential clothing items have to meet. It weeds out a lot of bad buys (or has so far at least). I am pretty conservative when it comes to my clothing. I won't even venture into patterns half of the time. That said, a little bit of color and patterns here and there is just too much to resist these days. If I have to be in the sweltering heat, I want to love my clothes.

5. After such a crazy season, I could so easily fall into a season of rest. Submitting to the heat and hiding from the sunshine are character traits that I have practiced heavily for the majority of my life. Like I said, it is often too hot for me to dream up any real adventure or creativity in any aspect of my life. That isn't fair though- not to me, and not to Justin and Little Bit. When I don't get to do XYZ, I get cranky. When I get cranky, it falls to those around me to be more cheerful or join in the misery. Who wants that?!?!? No, no, that won't do anymore. While I am all over decorating our home, there is so much more I want to try. As a teenager, I dreamed of the day that I would be able to host beautiful dinners, bake fresh breads, and mix new drinks (ex. flavored teas, fresh lemonade, etc.). I am here though. I am right where I need to be to try all of these new things. If I want to venture into gardening, we have the yard and the time to try our hand at it. If I want to grow herbs and try to incorporate them into our meals, I need to do it. If I want to diy cleaners and better manage our home's finances, I can actually do that. No excuses. No more waiting. There is nothing stopping us. Now is the time to venture out and try all of these things. I have every opportunity. Spring might just be the best season to start trying my hand at these new skills that will benefit my home and my family. 

Small indoor project we finished this weekend!

While in some ways all of these plans can make me sound very busy, I really want be. I want to appreciate the season I am in to the very fullest. I don't want to lose anymore time & become so lost in future plans (fall, birthday party, big boy room, etc.) that I miss out on the opportunities I have everyday. I want to give Reagan the fun memories that I had when I was little, along with some new memories I come up with all on my own. I want to enjoy rainy days, and soak up sunshine at home. I want to take it up a notch in the kitchen, and find more reason to smile. I want to be grateful and find the joy God is giving me in the every day- especially when it isn't easy. 

Look how cute!!!

Anyone else finding warmer weather is a hindrance? Anyone have any fun plans or advice?