Jim Edgar Panther Creek WIngshooting Clinic 2016

Jim Edgar Panther Creek Wingshooting Clinic 2016

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) working with a variety of volunteers, partners, sponsors and organizations offer wingshooting clinics at different sites throughout Illinois.  This past weekend there was a Youth/Women's Clinic at Jim Edgar Panther Creek.

2016 Jim Edgar Panther Creek Wingshooting Clinic 

Bill Filed in Illinois to Include Blaze Pink Clothing during Hunting Season (HB 4337)

Bill Filed in Illinois to Include Blaze Pink Clothing during Hunting Season

Pink is the new orange.

In May of 2015 the hunting world was informed that legislators in Wisconsin introduced a new policy regarding blazed orange requirements.  You see, Wisconsin was the first state to be recognized and have a vote for blaze pink as a legal substitute for blaze orange. While this neighboring bill is sitting in  the Wisconsin State Senate, Illinois will take up this policy measure.

Jerry Costello Jr, Chairman of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee introduced HB 4337.  This bill allows blaze pink to be used along with blaze orange.

Bringing the Outdoors In // Decor for our First Home

Our First Home. Those words still seem surreal to us. Even being moved in for a month now, we look at each other and it still doesn't feel real.  The reason it may seem so surreal to us is because of the ups and downs along the road to get to this point. I mean we had a plan and we stuck to it, even if that meant sticking it out in the apartment for 2 more years! 

Now that it has been a month since move in we really need to spruce it up with home decor! I mean, make it feel more like a home rather than a hotel :) 

We both have a passion for the outdoors; the colors of nature, the natural beauty  it gives us and we want that to come across when people walk into our home. 

But how do we bring our love for nature inside while making it look classy and sophisticated?

One of the major ways is through color and I am trying to examine different color palettes to determine what would work best.  But, I love taking photos and this image of a barn kept standing out in my mind.  I decided that I would use this as my color palette for the living room/kitchen.  We have an open concept area so I wanted to have the colors incorporated into the kitchen from the living room. 

These pillows are so soft. 

Espresso Brown Sofa 

As you can see from the photo, there are many different shades of blues, greens, browns and then a grayish color to the barn.  So we decided on a teal, a deep brown, emerald green and a light gray. The walls are already painted a light gray which I like.  

The other day I was at the antique store in town and I spotted these vases.  They don't look it in the photos, but they have some blue tint to them and go great with the pillows.  They are the emerald green color that I was looking for with the classy touch. Best part, they were $5!!  Can't Beat That!!! 

Love the details on this because it has the nature touch to it. 

Something simple can also be something that pulls someone's attention into a room. 

I may not have it all together right now, but believe me it's coming along.  It's feeling more like a home everyday.  It's the little things that you do everyday to make your place feel more like you that make it worth your while.  And it doesn't have to break your bank either. 

What little things have you added to your house lately to spruce things up? 


Stay tuned for more on how my living room/kitchen gets transformed. 

Remember to Enjoy the Outdoors and Keep it Classy ;) 

Heather 

Day 27: Thankful for Memories

Day 27: Thankful for Memories

As I enjoy my day visiting family... I sit back and think back on past days before Thanksgiving. Oh the memories...

Some moments that we have in life don't even seem that significant until years later when you recount that moment and it becomes your memory!

Day 26: Thankful for a peaceful day

Day 26: Thankful for a peaceful day

Today was peaceful. I got a lot of things done before the rush of the Holiday and traveled to visit family!!

Thankful that I was able to sit back, reflect, relax and destress!! 

How do you destress? 

Heather

Day 25: Thankful for who I am

Sometimes, I feel like people don't get me.

I am an easy going person. I don't talk unless I have something to say, not because I don't care but because I'd rather listen. I am a great listener. I'm an introvert. I have a good heart. When I sit and stare it's because I'm deep in thought, not because I don't care. I'm a dreamer.  I don't like confrontation. I'm a peacekeeper. I put 110% into everything. I'm hardworking. I have inspirations. I'm a photographer.  I love being in the outdoors. I'm a hunter. I sometimes like to do absolutely nothing because it's relaxing. I'm easy going.  I'm in love with my dog & am petrified of cats. I LOVE coffee. I love living in our small town. I'm community oriented. 

I am a simple girl with simple things, living a simple life and I love it!! 

I am thankful for who I am! 

Heather 

Day 28: Thankful for FAMILY

As you sit around the table today be appreciative for the ones that are in front of you. Too many times we forget about the ones closest too us. Family!

Although I am away from my family on the east coast this holiday. I hope they know I think about them often. Life can get in the way sometimes and before we know it another year is past! I am thankful for the family that made me who I am. They helped raise me, teach me, inspire me and encourage me. Thankful for letting me go where life took me without hesitation. They always have the door open when I return home! 

Today I am also thankful for my Illinois Family!!  Michael's family is one of a kind. They have accepted me as their own and I have no words for what they have given me. Thankful for their support, encouragement and love. 

Family is something you don't pick! There are times in your life when you are angry or upset with someone in your family, but deep down there is still love. You can't just throw out family like trash! 

So today, as you sit around the table be thankful for the food in front of you and the family around you! 

All you need is Family! Be thankful for them! 

Heather 

Day 29: Thankful I am not fighting the Black Friday crowds

Today I am thankful I am not fighting the Black Friday crowds!

People are getting even crazier when it comes to getting the right gifts for people. 

I used to go out to Black Fridays, but for me Christmas is becoming more and more materialistic and it's losing the true meaning. 

I boycotted Black Friday this year and I am thankful I was able to spend more time sleeping in, more time with family and more time enjoying the holidays. 

Everyone needs to stop and enjoy what the holidays are about instead of spending all their hard earned money on materialistic items. Life isn't about what you have or what you wear it's about how you hold yourself and treat other people! 

Enjoy the rest of the weekend :) 

Heather 

Day 30: Thankful for November.

Well November is over but that doesn't mean we don't have to stop being thankful!

This month while writing I grew more thankful for who I am, what I have and the people around me. 

Your life is a reflection of who you are. 

"Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing."

Abraham Lincoln

So, tomorrow when it becomes December don't let life get in the way of you being you! Stand up for yourself, be who you want to be, be thankful, love, appreciate, and be merry! 

I have enjoyed writing these posts. Stay tuned for the 25 days of Outdoorsmen and women stocking stuffer ideas!!  

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors & Keep it Classy!! 

Heather 

Day 24: Thankful for the change of seasons

I love the fall and winter. I am thankful that I live somewhere that has a changing climate.

Thankful that on days like today, I can bundle up in a sweater, scarf and mittens and go outside and enjoy the fresh crisp air. 

The air smells so much cleaner and more fresh in the colder months. And I love breathing in the smell of nature.

I know *snow* is hated by some people, but I am thankful that nature is ever changing. Don't get me wrong, I don't want snow so bad I get snowed in, or do I?? Hot chocolate, snuggled on the couch with my dog and a blanket. Sounds good to me! 

How do you enjoy the seasons? 

Heather 

Day 23: Thankful for unexpected phone calls

This afternoon as I was running errands my phone rang. It was someone I hadn't talked to in awhile and I had been trying to reach.

It made my day, even for that little conversation we had! 

Life gets in the way too many times. Reach out to someone you haven't talked to in awhile whether it be family, friend or neighbor. 

Heather 

Day 22: Thankful that my Christmas Cactus is still alive

If you know me you know that I am not a plant person.  Every plant that I touch usually dies within a short period of time.  It is not like I don't try either, I just don't have a green thumb like some people. 

But this Christmas Cactus and I are doing just fine.  He has been hanging out on the window sill, budding like crazy and just growing away!!  

As I was washing the dishes tonight I looked over and was thinking about all the things I was thankful for today and this little guy caught my eye.  I am thankful that I haven't killed it yet! 

Hopefully it will stay alive one more week, hey, maybe even longer. 

Are you a plant person? Do you have a green thumb? 

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors and Keep it *Classy*

Heather 

Day 21: Thankful for Photography

Today I am thankful for Photography. Photographs capture a moment in time.  These moments may not seem like significant moments in our lives now, but they will show others where we have been, what we have been through and who we have loved. You may not realize it, but photographs will outlive us.  They will be forever available for our future family members, to laugh at the memories, scope out the resemblance and pass on the traditions. 

The memories we have are brought to life with the photographs from births, birthdays, weddings and ceremonies.  They are available so that you can document the purchase of your first house, engagements, first puppies and so much more.  

Photos show people the places you've been, people you have met, triumphs you have overcome.  They are the puzzle pieces to our story that we can share with other people. They fit together to make you who you are, the memories that got you to this point. 

I am thankful that I have the ability to take photos, to express to the world the many adventures we encounter and how we enjoy our lives. 

How do you document life's journey?

Tell me about it below. 

Heather 

Day 20: Thankful for always learning

So, we have lived in our house for about 3 months now and for some reason we couldn't figure out where this light switch went too!!

Today after work Michael was in the hall and must have accidentally hit it and the livingroom light turned on.  We must have two switches for the light in the livingroom, which is good!! 

We never could figure out what this turned on and lord knows why, maybe we were always looking in the opposite direction of the livingroom. Who knows... It was quite a show when we trying to figure it out and eventually just gave up! 

Needless to say it was a very exciting moment in our household. It's the little things I tell ya. Always learning new things about our house. 

So today I'm thankful that we found what this lightswitch turns on. 

Enjoy your night. :) 

Heather 

Day 19: Thankful for the stars in the sky tonight

It's nice when you look up at night you are able to see a starry sky. I love looking up at the stars. 

It is a nice ending to a day, no matter how bad my day is, I always feel a sense of calm looking up at the starry night sky. 

So, go take a look at the night sky and relax a little bit. 

Heather 

Day 18: Thankful for registering my car on time this year!

You all know that time of year when your car needs to be re-registered.  For me, that time is November. Usually, like most people I wait until the very last second to go to the DMV, pay the money and get my sticker.

Thankfully this year, I was ready to go.  Money in hand, change of address information and all and made it to the DMV today... let me tell you, I was feeling accomplished!!

It is the little things, ladies and gentlemen.  We wanted to get it out of the way, basically so that we wouldn't forget.  Next week is Thanksgiving and we will be traveling for the week, and then I am going to start getting into Christmas mode and I won't be thinking about registering 'Lil Jeep'.

So, remember to register your car if you are due to renew your sticker in November. No one wants to get pulled over for invalid registration, right!

Have a great rest of your night.

Heather
Capitol OutdoorsWoman

Day 17: Thankful to be able to give thanks

Today started like any given Sunday, but as I sit here watching the news reports come in from the devastation in our surrounding towns it was anything but.

The storms that came through Illinois today, leveling neighborhoods, damaging houses and uprooting trees came through our town. Thankfully it had not gained its strength and power and we only received minor damage. 

Each day that goes by I am thankful for different things, today I am thankful that I have the opportunity to be thankful tonight. 

We go through life sometimes, not thinking, not caring, not blinking an eye at the things that happen all around us. 

During this holiday season: let's all do better to make it what it's supposed to be about. Because life is too short and the unpredictable can happen when you least expect it. 

I know I need to do better to think more about life, family, friends and giving to others. 

My thoughts and prayers to those affected by the storms in Illinois. 

Heather 

Day 16: Thankful for our espresso machine

Sometimes I want to throw it out the window because it doesn't want to work, but today I am thankful that it decided to brew!

I am thankful for the yummy espresso that I needed after hunting to get me through the rest of my Saturday. 

There is this wall that I hit on the way home from hunting where I just want to crawl into bed and take what would be the best nap ever, but I push through. Usually it's my BFF 'coffee' that gets me through however, today I needed a little bit more of a boost. 

I love these little espresso cups too. They are so cute and sophisticated looking :) 

Well,  I need to get back to enjoying my company :) 

Have a great night. 

Heather 

Day 15: Thankful for our neighbor

We are thankful for our neighbor who cut down the tree limbs that we're hanging down on our wires!

The area is much cleaner and limb free now. Ready for winter's snowfall. 

Thanks for being a good neighbor! 

Heather 

Capitol OutdoorsWoman 

Day 14: Thankful for my other half

Today I am thankful for my other half.  He is my rock, my constant and my one true love.  He has broke down my barriers and I have been able to let my true self shine. 

I am thankful for the person he has helped me become.  

Thankful for the obstacles we have overcome,

Thankful for each new day of laughs

And thankful that each night I can fall asleep next to my best friend. 

I have learned so many things from him, each new day is a new adventure for us.  We love experiencing new things and have found a new sense of ourselves within each other. Together We are Strong!  

He has shown me that life is too short.

Love what you have, Live your life to the fullest and Laugh A lot!

Remember to enjoy the Outdoors & Keep it *Classy* 

Heather