Looking Forward to Warmer Weather

The first day of spring is in 2 days and we area gearing up for yet another snow storm in New York. Not cool, Mother Nature, not cool at all. Although I went out this afternoon to pick up on a few staples should we lose power and parked my car strategically in case we end up with ice, my mind has already moved on to better places. Like tropical drinks poolside. Here are the top five things I'm looking forward to once the weather actually warms up.

 1. THE DRIVE-IN MOVIES - I am oh so very lucky to have grown up near an awesome Drive-In movie theater. Apparently, there are not many that exist, but I must live in a 1950s pocket, because I live within easy driving distance to at least 3. The Malta Drive-In Theater is my favorite because they have the best food. And by best I mean most delicious, horrible for you snacks. Like deep fried Oreos, cheese fries, and mini pizzas. Oh, and it's all super cheap. Oh, AND it's $8 for a double feature, plus they have 2 screens, so you get 4 movie options. Jealous, right? You should be.

Raspberry Berry Cocktail :: Basil Lemonade :: Strawberry Basil Margaritas

 2. POOLSIDE DRINKS - I think this is pretty self explanatory. All I need is a warm pool, a ridiculous floaty thing, and an adult beverage. I like to joke around and say that I "summer in Clifton Park" since my parents have a fantastic pool that I make daily trips to. My drink of choice in the past  has been soda and Chambord, but at this exact moment I'm in the mood for a margarita. Or maybe one of these delicious looking beverages.

Source

3. CAMPING - I should modify this to say "car camping," but I have pretty high expectations this year. Perhaps we'll actually go real camping, but most likely not because Tony's not a very outdoorsy kind of guy. My family has been going  Memorial Weekend camping at Lake George since I was a kid, but this year Tony and I will both be graduating that weekend, so that's not going to be happening. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to some good times in the woods, which generally equates to drinking in the woods, over eating, swimming in a freezing lake, attempting to get a tan, getting mildly lost on a trail, and eventually playing Cards Against Humanity.

Source Unknown

 4. PICNICS IN THE PARK - I'm a big fan of picnics in the park. Usually I throw whatever I have into a picnic basket (yes, a real one) and head out. Typically this includes some fruit, cheese, preserves, bread, wine, and sandwiches or meats - in other words, foods that area easy to eat and clean up. I like to picnic at Congress Park in Saratoga because there's a nice little stream and it's nice to watch the every walk their dogs and play. It's also nice that there is a Ben & Jerry's next to the park for post picnic ice cream. Oh, and remember to bring a blanket, the grass can be itchy and scratchy!

Source that I am pretty sure is not the real source

5. RUNNING OUTSIDE - I know this one is kind of silly, but I am super excited for it to get warm enough to work out and run outside. I mean, gyms are kind of gross. Full of sick, sweating, germy people. Of course, seeing as I do hot yoga, this is a slightly ridiculous statement for me to make, but I feel like the yoga studio is definitely more sanitary than the gym. Not to mention sick people don't usually show up to work out in a room that's 105 degrees, coughing and sneezing all over you. And treadmills? Don't even get me started. First of all, you can only run for an hour at a time. Even if you can reset the treadmill, you have to stop and start the whole thing over, which takes a few minutes. Plus, it's just boring as hell, not to mention it's more convenient to just walk outside your house and go on a run rather than driving to a gym. So, yes, I am very excited for it to warm up and stop snowing so I can run outdoors (and in shorts)!

Here are a few other things that I'm looking forward to -

s'mores * bonfires * hiking * tanning * reading outdoors * hammocks * nature walks * naps in the sun * easy access to inexpensive fruit! * grilling * eating al fresco * the ice cream man * hun cal froyo! * copious amounts of ice tea * star gazing * road trips * bike rides * Fourth of July