Crow Lake

Crow Lake by Mary Lawson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It’s been a very long time since I read a book that I could not put down. One that, against my better judgment, I stayed up way too late reading and then read all day between doing the “have to’s’” always thinking about the book while doing them, anxious to get back to reading. That was this book. It is masterfully and beautifully written. It is all about family relationships. The author skillfully employs the use of flashback, revealing the story little by little, coming to the powerful conclusion. I don’t rate many books with five stars, but I think this one is deserving of those stars.



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The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I have a new character to add to my list of favorites. Eleven- year-old Flavia is brilliant, mischievous, and has a delightful English accent, depicted perfectly in the audio version I listened to. Flavia is always a step ahead of the inspector in solving the murder mystery and is just a little too smart for her own good as she ends up in a very scary, nail-biting conclusion, saved only at the last minute. I just put the second Flavia book on hold at my library so I’ll be enjoying more mysterious adventures- Flavia-style. A fun read.



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Betsy-Tacy

Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I’ve long said that one of my favorite books is “Ramona Quimby- age 8.” This series reminds me of the Ramona series- not a lot of plot or action, but all about characters and feelings and day to day life. I think most children like to hear how other children live and compare their lives with their own. I enjoyed reading of children living in a time when they could roam free and be safe and just be children. It would be a great read-aloud for your children. It might even hook them on reading!



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The Hundred-Foot Journey

The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I’m a foodie and a traveler, so this book was my cup of tea. I enjoyed reading it and still can’t believe it’s not the author’s own personal experience as everything is described as if he were there and the scenes so detailed and imaginative. It reads like an autobiography, though there are some scenes that required third person omniscience.
I also enjoyed the movie, though the two are different. The movie does not follow the book exactly in plot or characterization- at least not how I imagined the characters, and the ending is very different. I did enjoy seeing the scenes come to life in the movie, but for the most part, I enjoyed the book more. . . except maybe the ending. The movie has a nicer ending, I think- much more satisfying. This book was a delectable feast!




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Atlas V Launch- We Were There!!

I tried to video this launch, but my camera would just go for a few seconds, then quit. So when I got home, I found several videos of it on youtube.  This is what we heard and saw.  It was a true thrill of our lifetime to be there and see this!

Disneyworld 2015 Part 2

Wednesday: Beach Day

Quote of the Day: From Jacob  "Grandma, if YOU wear a swimsuit, you need to wear a top and a bottom, but I only have to wear a bottom. Because I'm a boy."

Quote of the Day 2:  From Jacob as we were packing my Vera Bradley bag for a beach bag,"Oh, that's a beautiful purse."

I know there are a lot of pictures of this cute baby girl.  She is just so cute, I can't resist posting them.  She looks SO much like her mama did when she was a baby.  

This was probably Audrey's favorite day of the vacation as she was FREE to roam!

Thursday: Epcot Center

Jacob was SO excited to meet Mickey that it was hard to get him to quit bouncing long enough to take a picture.  You can see someone is holding him down in each of these pictures- including Mickey himself in the next one!

While Jared took the three oldest children on more rides in the afternoon, Kristen, Ken, Audrey, and I toured the world at the Epcot Center.  We "snacked" our way around the world.  Best food:  Norway pastries, especially the School Bread, and sandwiches- especially the Norwegian Club!

And Moroccan vegetable plate.   Yummy!!!

What a fun afternoon the four of us had together.  It was truly a highlight of the trip for us.  Kristen is SO fun to be with and to try new foods with!

It was getting close to time to meet Jared and kids for dinner when we saw Mary Poppins.  Kristen texted them.  They were clear across the park ON a ride.  They got off the ride and RAN to meet Mary Poppins while Kristen held their place in line.  They got there amazingly fast.  It was worth it!!!

One of Addie's favorite games and phrases, "Where did she go?"

Krsten and Jared treated us to dinner at a Mexican Restaurant in Mexico- La Hacienda.  It was delicious. Kristen had the Tilapia.

I had the shrimp tacos

Ken had a delicious chicken dish

Jacob fell asleep before the big fireworks show.  He was all tuckered out from lots of Disneying.

We watched the fireworks show from the restaurant.  

Little Addie was in the funniest mood.  She really laid  a big kiss on her mama.

Silly little girl

Friday:  Day Off

On Friday, the Mackrorys went back to Magic Kingdom, but Ken and I took a day off to rest.  Ken went birding at Lake Louise state park and I rested and swam and read at the resort.  We went out to dinner at Carrabba's that evening. 

Saturday: Hollywood Studios

Saturday, we went to Hollywood studios.  It was crowded and cold and windy, but we still had a good day.  Hollywood studios has so many wonderful shows.  

 We all love test tracks, but the lines were long.

This was one of my favorite shows: Frozen Sing-a-long.  

On a huge screen, they had scenes from the movie . . . 

And in front of the screen two amazingly talented narrators told the story and actors from the movie participated as well.  It's hard to describe, but it was so well done.  Then, they played the songs and invited everyone to sing along.  The whole audience really belted the songs.

I was disappointed you can't see it in this picture, but at the end snow fell on the audience.  The whole thing was so cool.

Another favorite show was the Car stunt show.  It is absolutely amazing.

Lightning is the "secret weapon"  Quote of the day from Nathan:  "Lightening is not a great secret weapon.  Everyone knows about him.  He is not a secret."

The show ends with this red car coming out of the building and flying through the fire:

Pretty grand finale!! (I was really proud of the timing of this picture)

The Beauty and the Beast show is fabulous.

Tower of Terror

Rockin' Rollercoaster

Sunday: Church, Mackrory's pack to leave

We went back to church on Sunday and Kristen and I fell asleep again.  I always struggle to stay awake at church when we're on vacation.  In Sunday school, the many visitors introduced themselves.  I was so surprised when Brian's aunt and uncle from Salt Lake stood and introduced themselves.  They were also on vacation.  I recognized them from the wedding and several family gatherings we've been to since with them.

Us with the Fraziers.  We texted this picture to Michelle and Brian- Guess who we went to church in Florida with today?

There were Sandhill Cranes wating right in front of our condo door when we got home from church.  

After church, we made dinner, and then spent a wonderful afternoon.  The boys and Addie all went on a nature stroll and were gone for several hours.  The girls (Kristen, Grandma and Brielle) stayed home and played games and visited and packed up the Mackrorys to leave in the morning.  It was such a nice afternoon and so fun to have some one on one time with Brielle.  Quote of the day was from Brielle as she was getting ready for bed and as we said goodbye, "I'm going to miss you, Grandma.  I really love you."  Heck, that's the quote of the week! It's so good to be together and so hard to part.

Monday and Tuesday

The Mackrorys left at 3:30 in the morning to catch their plane home. 

I went to Florida with a bad cold, and it really wasn't a lot better by Monday, so I stayed in that day and rested (I didn't even get dressed until late afternoon!)  I read and watched movies and did the laundry.   Ken went birding and we both went swimming when he got home.  That evening, we ate at Joe's Crab Shack.

We shared this dessert.

Wednesday: Back to Epcot

Epcot World is so beautiful.  Each area is as if you are in another country of the world.  

This is the circa vision show of France.  It was just gorgeous photography. We watched this movie both days we went to Epcot. We also watched the Canada, America, and China show.  All were very good,.

Acrobat performers in China.

Ceiling of Temple in China

Dessert in Norway- School Bread: So yummy!

It was such a fun trip, but it's good to be home!!  Thank you, Mackrorys!!