GratiTuesday - The Great Outdoors

We live several hours from anyone in my family, and schedules make it difficult to talk as often as I'd like.

That's why it's especially fun when we're able to visit.  This weekend, my sister came down to visit Duke Gardens with us.

We wandered all over the Garden, hitting up our favorite spots and finding a few new ones.  The wildlife was out in full force that day, so we all took our cameras along and tried to get some good shots.  My sister is an especially good photographer, and these don't compare to hers, but here are a few of the animals we saw.

I'm still surprised that we saw this little guy!

This cardinal continued to eat despite our observation.

My Big Helper was particularly interested in the squirrels, and there were many!  This one climbed all over the tree while we watched.

I like to watch the ducks land and take off in the pond.  They never seem to do so the same way twice, and their speed and grace are amazing.

While it was an incredibly hot and sticky day, the animals were gorgeous.  There's something so peaceful about being outside in God's creation, especially when surrounded by so many interesting creatures.  

Having my sister there, too, was definitely the icing on the cake.  

For more GratiTuesday, visit Heavenly Homemakers.

"The Quarryman's Bride" by Tracie Peterson

Emmalyne Knox and Tavin MacLachlan were destined to be together . . . until the tragic deaths of Emmalyne's youngest sisters. Family tradition mandates that the youngest daughter should remain single to care for her parents in their old age, and now that daughter is Emmalyne. Her father unyielding, Emmalyne surrenders to her duty, heartbroken. Tavin leaves town, equally devastated.

Years later, Emmalyne's family moves, and she and Tavin meet again. Their feelings for each other are as strong as ever, but their painful past and Emmalyne's father still stand between them. Soon both families are in the midst of the growing conflict rising between the workers at the granite quarry that Tavin's father owns and operates. When a series of near-fatal accidents occur, Tavin must figure out who is behind the attacks before someone gets killed.

Bound by obligation, yet yearning for a future together, can Emmalyne and Tavin dare to dream that God could heal a decade-long wound and change the hearts of those who would stand in the way of true love?

The Quarryman's Bride is a fascinating tale of love lost and faithful choices.  I must admit, I found it hard to identify with Emmalyne's choice but loved her faithfulness and spirit.  That alone kept me turning page after page, hoping to find that Emmalyne's choice was rewarded in some way.  I'm not sure that I could have remained so positive or cheerful if so many things had been taken away from me, and yet that was Emmalyne's charm.

While Emmalyne had a tough choice to make in the beginning, it didn't get any easier later, when her family returned to the quarry.  This time she purposely chose the hard road and tried to follow God's wishes, not her own, and that upped the fascination factor for me.  

I really enjoyed The Quarryman's Bride.  It's a great story, full of faith, emotion, and taking up one's cross - something that many of us don't do enough.  With side plots of union troubles relating to the quarry and the stereotypes relating to the mentally ill, this book is not lacking action or intrigue, either.  It's not just a great beach read - it's a great anytime read.

To read other reviews in this blog hop, click here; or, click here to purchase your copy now.

Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over eighty novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling Heirs of Montana, and Alaskan Quest series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. 

Visit Tracie's Web site at www.traciepeterson.com

I received a free copy of this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

Menu Plan Monday - June 24, 2013

We had a busy and fun weekend here, but now we're (mostly) slowing down as we head into this week.  We're looking forward to some time with friends but mostly lots of time at home to read together, catch up on projects (me), and work on newly created ones (the kids - think embroidered pillowcases, Matchbox roads, and rabbit trousseaus).  

Here's the plan so far. I think it's definitely a work-in-progress this week.

Breakfast:
- Cinnamon rolls, peaches

- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal, bananas

- Apple Pie Enchiladas
- scrambled eggs, fruit

- Cinnamon Almond Granola, fruit

Dinner:
- leftovers - barbecued chicken, green beans, "Best Ever" Cheesy Grilled Potatoes, watermelon, salad
- BzzJono dinner from Kroger - fried chicken, chips, carrots, watermelon
- taco salad, fruit
- Cheesesteak-Stuffed Peppers, fries, salad

- Pizza, Grilled Jalapeno Poppers, carrot sticks, fruit
- grilled steak fajitas, Mexican rice, salad
- leftovers

I'm hoping to replenish my granola ingredients and make some more granola bars, as well as bake up something yummy.  The kids are asking to make cookies.

What's on your meal plan this week?

For more Menu Plan Monday, visit OrgJunkie.

The Hershey Gardens

While we were in Pennsylvania a few months ago, we had to make a trip to Hershey.  When I was little we went there every year, and I have great memories of being there with my family and friends.

This time we received a recommendation to visit the Hershey Gardens, and since we had never been and had just finished studying botany, we decided it sounded like a neat place to go.

It turned out to be the perfect time for my first visit.

The entrance brings you here, near this fountain, which is set just above the formal rose garden.  Since it was the very beginning of May, no roses were blooming yet, but we didn't mind.

The tulips were in full bloom!  Tulips are my very favorite flowers and have been ever since seeing the many kinds of tulips blooming beside my great-grandmother's fence.  She always scolded my great-grandfather when he ran over them with his lawn tractor, and I loved watching them smile and laugh about it.  

We learned from a brochure that there are 42,000 tulip bulbs planted in the garden.  It was gorgeous!

The kids were as excited about the animals they saw as they were about the plants.  My Big Helper spotted a mourning dove and was determined to get as close as possible.  She spent a long time sitting here on the edge of the path as the bird inched closer ...

while My Little Man found a comfy spot to wait!

One thing that was unique to us was the Children's Garden.  This area was very well done - with a Native American garden area, a literature-inspired area, an alphabet herb garden, and interactive exhibits.  My Little Man particularly liked this sundial.

My Big Helper was excited to see this machine that would let her look out over the town of Hershey.  Unfortunately, it wasn't working on this day - but the view was spectacular, anyway.

We had a great day at the Hershey Gardens.  We definitely want to go back when next we're in the area!

What's your favorite park or garden to visit?

The BECW (or, The Bacon Egg Cheddar Waffle)

You hit snooze a few too many times.  Now you're rushing to get breakfast and out the door while stepping on Legos and trying to avoid the dog's tail, which seems to be everywhere you try to put your foot.

Familiar?  

Well, in my house it might be more like packing lunches, figuring out breakfast, braiding hair, grabbing printables and trying to get kids dressed who would rather be reading - and then finding missing shoes on your way out the door.

Either way, mornings can be hectic, but I've found a make-ahead breakfast that doesn't have to be.

Think egg sandwich meets a waffle.  It's sweet.  It's savory.  It's whole grains and proteins, and if you add some spinach or tomatoes, it'll even have veggies.

Yum.

Here's how to make your own Bacon Egg Cheddar Waffle.

Ingredients & Directions:

• 3 1/2  c. white wheat flour
• 4 eggs
• 3 c. sour milk
• 4 T. butter, melted
• 2 t. baking soda
• 1 t. salt

Whisk above ingredients together.  Begin making your waffles ...

• 1 lb. of bacon, fried/baked/crispy  :-)
• 8 eggs + milk for mixing
• 1/2 c. cheddar
• butter for pan prep

Now ...

1. Whisk your eggs and milk together.  In a warm pan, prepare the eggs omelet-style. I like to use a pan that's about the same size as my waffle will be, so I sometimes cook the eggs in batches for easier assembly later.
2. Add the cheese to the eggs when they're almost cooked.
3. Cook the waffles to your desired crispness.
4. Slide one omelet between two waffles and top with several strips of bacon.
5. Slice along the divider lines in your waffle (In my waffle maker, each waffle is divided into four sections, so each complete waffle sandwich divides into four smaller pieces for me).
6. Serve immediately, or wrap with waxed paper and place into a zip-seal bag.  Freeze for later use.

What's your favorite to-go breakfast?

Inspired Wednesday - Refresh Your Resources

A few months ago a friend told me about a used curriculum sale in a nearby city. She said that, in addition to curriculum, there would be an abundance of books - just good books - and that I might want to go.

I put it on my calendar with the goal of having next year's units outline before the sale so that I could look for the appropriate resources.

I didn't get there.  While I have a few concrete plans, I'm far behind where I want to be in my plans.

I did make it to the sale, however, and it was a wonderful experience! 

Not only were people selling curriculum for prices far below what I've heard (FIAR for $5, anyone?  TT for $20?) but there were quality books to go along with all of it.  

I saw Christian novels for kids.  I saw nonfiction history and science books.  I saw mystery books, cookbooks, and how-to books.  I found American Girl books for twenty-five cents each and a whole box full of Encyclopedia Brown that someone had marked 'free.'  I even found the math book I wanted to use for My Little Man for only $5!

It was a wonderful morning.

After nearly two hours of digging through boxes of books, I left with two big tote bags overflowing with books of all kinds - and two boxes of plaster of paris stacked on top of that.  I'm not sure what we'll use that for exactly yet, but I know it will come in handy.

We spent some time 'out' in the big urban sprawl for Father's Day after that, and the kids were as good as gold.

Why? 

They had their noses buried in book after book every minute we were in the car, eagerly reading about the Sioux and Josefina and all sorts of other things.

They're excited to get started for next school year, and although I don't have all of my plans in place, I'm excited again, too.  I love the resources that are available and how a 'new' book can inspire all sorts of ideas.

It's going to be a great year.

Some other great places to find inexpensive books are:

• yard sales
• thrift stores
• library sales
• public school sales
• public school employees -they often know when used books are being discarded!

Where do you go for your school resources?  Have you started collecting them?

Last week Nancy at There Is Grace shared a review of the recent animated movie Epic.  I love that this movie demonstrates strong moral character, especially doing what's right even when it's had.  We need more of those kinds of movies! To find out more, visit There Is Grace - Nancy, please visit our Inspired Wednesday page and take the "I was featured on Washed Up Inspired Wednesdays' button back with you.  

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If you have a post about an encouraging activity, project, or trip that you've taken, please link up below and add a link back to this post.  Either way, please read on to find out more about a fun activity that we enjoy here in our nest, and be sure to hop over to Where He Leads, We Follow to check out Stephanie's  Inspiring Wednesday post, too. 

See The Light June Special

*This post contains my affiliate links for See The Light, which means that your clicking on these links helps to support this blog.  I work as an affiliate for this company because I love their products and enjoy sharing quality work with others.  :-)

See the Light, the awesome Christian art company that I reviewed recently, has specials every month.  This month's special is for Shipwrecked, based on Acts 27's account of Paul's courageous journey.  It includes a Bible and art lesson for only $12.50 (down from $14.99) and includes free shipping.  When purchasing, just use the code JUNE.  You can also download free copywork printables from their site - this month only!