Because I just really love cowboys

They'll never understand why their princess falls for some camouflage britches and a southern boy drawl...

... I on the other hand can totally relate.

Pet Peeve

So I must admit I have a very big pet peeve, the " post date text". For those of you who don't know what this is, let me explain. Back in the day when there were no cell phones or texting or any of that jazz, the date ended when the boy would walk to the girl to the doorstep, and they would exchange pleasantries and such. But nowadays there is another step...after the doorstep scene. The current expectation of the girl is that if she is interested in a second date she should text the boy right after he drops her off. ( In all honesty I'm not really sure what she is suppose to say.)
To me this seems simply ridiculous. Here's why:
You were literally just with them. You could have said whatever you texted  to them in person. So unless you forgot to tell them something really important like " I put a chimpanzee in your trunk so you should probably take him out and feed him before he gets angry and does some damage." than it's completely unnecessary! Which is why I never send them.
Right now you're probably getting a bit skeptical and thinking " Really Steph? Never? I don't believe it." Well... you would be right. I have sent a post date text. Once. Only once, and that was because I had in fact locked a hungry chimp in his trunk. Ok I didn't really. ( But that would have been hilarious.) I sent it because I didn't get a chance to thank him properly, because due to an odd chain of events... there was a lack of doorstep scene. If there had been a doorstep scene I wouldn't have, because I would have had my chance to say thanks. Since I didn't I had to just that once so that I didn't seem like and ungrateful date.
So there you have it. That is why I will not succumb to the post text mainstream train. Call me a hipster if you must but I won't succumb!

If you left one of these guys in his trunk I completely endorse the  post date text. Otherwise, say it  in person!

Cowboys

Let's talk about cowboys for a minute. I think everyone will agree that cowboys are extremely attractive.WHY?
Let's talk about some of the reasons that cowboys are so very wonderful . The tilted hat and the jingling spurs. The calloused hands. (let me tell ya, I love a set of  big rough hands)
Perhaps it's the fact that their profession involves taming beasts, and then riding off in the sunset. (preferably with me in tow.) They also have the ability to lasso whatever they want. ( including me) Also, plaid, button up, preferably pearl snap shirts look so dang good. And don't even get me started talking about the ability to survive in the wild. It's soooo attractive. I can't even handle it.
 Also, frequently when daydreaming about cowboys I imagine them sitting next to a campfire (romantic? yes.) Strumming their guitar and singing the tune of a gentle country love song in their deep voice while you rest your head on their muscular (from lifting bales of hay) shoulder. Ahhhh! I'm almost crying right now because that sounds so wonderful. If you aren't, just listen to this. See? Now you're crying too. Don't feel bad about the crying. Singing cowboys almost always have that effect on me.
Sorry, I got a bit carried away there.(sorry to make you cry)  Needless to say, I really love cowboys. That is why I am moving to Wyoming to wrangle myself a cowboy husband.

Bears are Cute.

While pondering the very question that spawned this blog I realized that although the goal of this project is to compare men to mountains, there are some similarities between our two subjects of discussion.
You don't believe me eh? Well listen to my logic and I think you will come to agree with me.
Sometimes mountains are scary because bears are hiding in them. Sometimes men are scary because they have bear like qualities. Some examples could include growling, hibernating, lumbering around, and growing massive amounts of hair. The hair might be the scariest of all the qualities. If you need proof, look at men during "no shave November". It's scary. Therefore men and mountains can both be scary.

Even though grizzly bears could tear me apart I still think they're cute. (perhaps this is another similarity between men and bears.)

Swoon

As I sit and ponder on the great things of this life, I often think about men and how they make me swoon. There are just certain things about those who possess a Y chromosome that make me want to go weak at the knees and fall into a pair of loving (and preferably strong) arms.

Ladies of the world, you cannot deny that suit coats and sweat shirts are incredibly attractive. No, not together--don't be silly. I have paired the two because they are attractive for the same reason. Something about a man wearing one of the aforementioned items of clothing ignites this desire to lay my head on his shoulder--preferably while he wraps his arm around me and whispers sweet nothings into my ear.

While we are on the topic of clothing, I may as well throw out that the rolling of dress shirt sleeves and the wearing of glasses are definitely a plus in most situations.

I adore a good smile. The kind that spreads all the way up into the eyes, nay, the kind that envelops the entire face. Take, for example, Dennis Quaid.

Photo Credit

I am also partial to the chefs of the world. I am a firm believer of the idea that a man who learns how to cook is really just learning how to open the door to love.

Speaking of opening doors, a man who is respectful and chivalrous is sure to put himself in good standing as far as my affections are concerned. I can't help it, something warm and fuzzy flutters in my soul when a man takes care of me--even if it is something so simple as offering his seat or catching me when I stumble.

Men and children. Oh, my heart just skipped a beat. Actually, my heart just skipped a beat with every point that proceeded this (except, maybe not the chef one--my heart only skipped half a beat there), so maybe my heart just skipped two beats? Two whole beats--in a row! This is getting to be very dangerous business, what with the swooning and the heartbeat skipping and the weakening knees. It's a mighty good thing that any man that puts me into this kind of peril will also be there to care for me through it all--somehow the tradeoff is worth it. Just the same, I do so adore it when men are darling with the little ones.

Determination plus responsibility. Add in self-confidence, but slight hesitation. A little nerdiness and an understanding of the world around him. Recognition that he needs to take the initiative, but not do everything. 90-10. Now this is a good combination.

Well, these are my deep ponderings on the world, and my dreams about someday being in love. It is likely that I will return and add to this list of things that make me swoon, but for now, this will have to suffice.

Hike #2

Well, due to Dania and her marathon running self we counted the Provo River Trail as a hike. And since we are both fatties it counts. Caleb joined us, and although we questioned how manly he was a few times throughout the journey he proved to us through his adorableness with Benny that he deserves some serious man points.

*Disclaimer: We don't actually keep track of points, it's just a phrase. But if we did Caleb would have lots.

**Notice: The following pictures and comments are provided, not by Stephanie, but by me, Dania. I guess you could call me OCD, but I like things to look just so. And Steph, well, she doesn't really give a hoot. To each her own, I suppose.

We are fully aware of the awkward nature of this photo. We're also over it.

Bridal Veil Falls. Disregard the random woman's head. 

This was our little "off roading" excursion. We were feeling rebellious.

We had an after party, during which Steph and I thoroughly enjoyed some good old T-Swift and ice cream cone microphones. Caleb just ate his ice cream and watched us. And really, can you blame him?

Pretty much, hike #2 was a success. We'll probably keep this up all summer.

Men... Unfortunately Fictional.

This is Ned. He is a fictional pie maker. I wish he wasn't fictional. Or better yet, I wish I was a fictional character who my fictional man was in love with and then we could live a happy fictional life together! That sounds just about right.

This is Gilbert Blythe. I also wish he wasn't fictional because he is adorable. If you don't understand go watch Anne of Green Gables. Right now! But for the record I would want Anne to stay fictional because then my chances with him would be better.