A Springtime Walk

An early spring walk in the woods to look for wildflowers is almost as fun as walking on the beach looking for seashells. Both have been lifelong favorite adventures.

We’ve enjoyed temperatures in the seventies today, so it was a delight not to wear a coat. However, when I go for a walk, I always wear a hat to keep my hair out of my face and protection from the sun.

My long sleeve cotton tee is here. The navy vest is here. The white jeans are here. Similar leather sneakers are here. My no-show athletic socks are here. A similar hat is here, and similar sunglasses are here. I’m not wearing makeup, but I am sporting a red lip. The color is Girls’ Night here. The sunscreen is here.

The sun is shining, and the trees are putting on a show. I often see the plants below at the garden center.

Walking in these woods, I often see songbirds, woodpeckers, wild turkeys, deer, or chipmunks. Today I saw a little garter snake looking for a patch of sunshine.

I walked at Winged Deer Park, which includes a boat launch ramp along the shores of Boone Lake.

Congratulations to Clarice Skanes! You are the winner of the beautiful pearl earrings and the silk scarf.

Use the code SAS10 For $10 off any one item at Beauty in Stone Jewelry. The earrings are here, and they come with gold or silver wires.

I used my Sony Alpha a5100 camera timer and a tripod to take these photos. Shopping links on this website may allow me to earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I am a Director for Beautycounter (visit here). I will also earn a small commission from your purchase on that site.

35 Comments
  1. Isn’t it great that the water is coming back! Beautiful park too! My friend of over 40 years lives in the house right behind you. Staying with them 14 years ago is what made us fall in love and move here to Easy Tennessee!
    Congratulations to Clarice Skanes!

  2. We have spent the last few days roaming around Asheville SC and Smokey mountains. I have really enjoyed all the spring wild flowers we have seen. Spring has definitely sprung in your area of the country. It is absolutely beautiful here. I always enjoy your photos of nature in this region.

  3. Hola Susan, cómo estás?
    Caminar en primavera seguro es maravilloso !! Caminar en cualquier época del año, lo es; y si es en un lugar al aire libre, todavía más. Me encantaría hacerlo, pero la situación del Covid 19 es muy grave donde vivo y por ello solo camino dentro de mi apartamento !!! Es un verdadero reto de paciencia y humildad.
    Un abrazo, Susan. Te ves bellísima con ropa blanca.

  4. I do hope the socks come back in stock soon. Mid and high cut both sold-out. Funny this was part of your blog today as I recently reached out to friends on social media asking for sock recommendations. Excited to try a brand that stays in place.

  5. I was delighted to see your picture with the hat, in white and navy vest !
    Beautiful pictures of plants and flowers and the small snake !

  6. Hi Susan, the link to the sunscreen takes us to the pearl earrings.

    The scenery on your walk is gorgeous @

  7. Congratulations, Clarice.
    Susan, I really like this blue & white combo on you. It doesn’t look too summery. Here where I live in Canada, one wears full winter gear, without boots, one day & a light spring jacket the next day. I always wear a hat for the same reasons as you.
    We’re in a stay at home lockdown, but luckily can still go for walks in our neighbourhood. There is extensive woodland behind our house, so we have the absolute pleasure of seeing early spring dog tooth violets, purple violets and purple trilliums sprouting up among fallen timber. Thank you for your lovely photos. If I’m lucky, will get my first Covid vaccine next week if the supplies don’t run out because clinics are closing for this reason.

  8. Looking beautiful! So wonderful that the pandemic doesn’t affect the joy of being outdoors and living in Nature.
    Our property consists 107 acres of woods, meadows and a small lake, in the mountains of northeastern Washington state.
    So, we have lots of large wildlife to see (deer, moose, coyotes, bear, cougar and the occasional wolf) in addition to the smaller critters! Every day has something to see.
    We, too, have garter snakes, as well as racers & gopher snakes (regularly see 5′-6′ snakes). We love our snakes!
    Our property is currently home to three redtail hawk nests & a bald eagle nest and seeing the fledglings each year is a joy..
    We wear light colored pants when we go into walking during tick season. Makes them easier to see if they get on clothing.
    Enjoy the natural world, it starts right outside your door!

  9. You look stunning as always! So glad you enjoyed such a beautiful day, I would like to know if you use any type of SPF on your lips or does your lipstick contain sunblock? Appreciate your advice so much, thank you!

  10. Even on a walk in the woods you are put together! Blue and white is so fresh looking. Congratulations to Clarice. I’m sure she’ll treasure those lovely wins.
    I live close to a large regional park with trails and a lake. I walk about 5 miles through it nearly every day. It certainly lifts my mood to get out and enjoy the outdoors. I live in Oregon so much of my walking is in the rain. Needless to say I have good rain gear! Take care and continue to enjoy life.

  11. Hello Susan,
    I’m curious as to how you prevent hat hair. Whenever I wear a hat, I end up with a creaser. Any suggestions?

    By the way, you live in a beautiful part of the country. I live in the desert southwest, very dry and brown.

    1. In this case, I was exercising, so I showered and washed my hair as soon as I returned home. When I wear a hat during the day and then go out in the evening, I wash and restyle my hair.

  12. So nice to see you out in the sunshine. I haven’t seen anything from you in a couple of months and was hoping you were not unwell again. You look lovely, enjoy.

  13. My sisters and I are coming to Nashville next week. We live in Florida but were born in Nashville. I watched your capsule wardrobe video to prepare for packing. Thank you Susan. I really enjoy your blog.

  14. Your photographs are just excellent. Such rich detail. I feel I’m right there with you on this gorgeous walk.

  15. Please feature dress ideas for weddings this Spring and summer. There are many planned since COVID restrictions have been lifted.,
    Love your website!

  16. Hi Susan,
    Your face looks amazing! Quick question, how long have you used Beautycounter products and what’s the one thing that you have notice in your skin? I’m looking for a different product to use on my skin and one that’s as close to natural as you can get.
    Thanks for your time.
    Kind Regards
    Gayle

    1. I’ve been using Beautycounter since July 2017. My skin is considerably less dry and flakey than it was previously. I have fewer breakouts, and the pores are less obvious. My skin is sensitive to many ingredients, but I’ve never reacted to any of the products. Even some natural ingredients cause me to have reactions, so I’m thrilled with the safer products offered by Beautycounter.

  17. Hi Susan,
    Love your Spring walk, taking in nature is just the best.
    Sending you a joyful day,
    Katherine

  18. Thank you for that lovely walk, it is so uplifting to see nature awakening! Here in Alberta we are enjoying warmer temps but a few of our trees are only just starting to open their buds. No flowers yet! I love your hat, I am definitely inspired to start wearing them while outdoors this year! Straw hats and bags are so timeless and fun! Cheers!

  19. This is a great blog. I loved seeing the flowers in their natural habitat. Also, is the directorship for Beauty Counter new for you as I’ve never heard you mention it. Have you considered writing a book about your life? You could even mix Mr. Mickey’s life story. One chapter for you, one for him, etc. I would love to hear more about how you got to where you are now. You have to be a strong, self-made woman, and I’m sure I’m not the only one that would like to read about it.

    1. Thank you for the comment and suggestion, Myra. I have been using and selling Beautycounter since 2017. (I tried it and loved it so much, I signed on to be a consultant.) You are correct; it was a tremendous amount of hard work and sacrifices (sometimes working three jobs at once) that allows me to live the life I do now.

  20. Pretty walk! The weather is improving steadily here in NJ. Today it’s in the 80’s! Yikes! Your walking outfit is just perfect.
    Did you say what size the vest is that you’re wearing. I’m always hesitating between and 1 and a 2 at Chico’s with items like this. I don’t like a vest that’s oversized on my frame. Also, the white shirt only has a one star rating. You must like it. Would you rate it higher?
    Thanks Susan. I enjoy your posts!

    1. I would rate the vest much higher. I have it in black and also navy in size 1. I’ve had them for a couple of years, and I wear them in sporty looks all year round. They are the perfect warm layer to wear under a jacket or coat. I throw them in the wash, and they come out looking great. Hang them on a dress hanger and a rail to dry. (Dryers are so bad for our clothes!)

  21. What a great nature walk, they are the best. Your outfit is perfect for such a nice adventure. I am recovering from covid and eager to get my full strength back. Hubby is day 13 in the hospital and thankfully not on a vent, but oxygen. He is improving too. We will be so glad when he is home and getting his full strength back as well. Can’t wait to go on our nature trails and walks down by the water. We have a lovely view of Canada right across our awesome blue water of St. Clair River which opens up into Lake Huron. Enjoy Susan and thanks for such great posts!

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