Too Many Books

I've been binge reading this year.  After last year when I didn't meet my yearly reading goal of 80 books (I only read 49) I got off to a good start in 2014.  Where I was stalled before, I suddenly rediscovered my love of reading.

Somehow, I've devoured 100 books in the past six months.  Certainly the harsh winter was helpful.  So many books, so little time!  Needless to say, I've been making a lot of trips to the library.

The librarian even talked me into joining an adult summer reading program.  She asked me twice.  I felt kind of embarrassed (5 books over the summer? I'll save it for the folks who need the motivation more than me!  I felt like it would be selfish to join.) so I kindly turned her down.  Finally, the third time, she knuckled down on me.  She wore through my defenses.  I finally agreed, and dutifully read my 5 books and turned in my reviews.  This put my name in the hat for a Barnes and Noble gift card, but hopefully someone who really worked hard to read their 5 books will win. 

Now that I hit 100 books, I'm taking a little reading break.  I think that maybe I read too many books. 

How about you, readers?  Are you reading anything besides blogs lately?

Wrought Iron

This picture was taken at the duck pond when we went a couple of weeks ago.

We have been staying busy.  Last week the boys did VBS and had a great time.  I have started teaching my class.  Plus I still have my other job.  It's good to be teaching again. 

Yesterday I turned a year older.  Next year I'll hit the next decade. 

I learned a new word this week, while reading a book called The Expats (which was excellent, if you like spy thrillers).  The word?  Vomitoria.  Yeah.  You know I had to google that.  Furthermore - I think it'll be a word that I get a chance to use next time I'm at a ballgame or something. 

Have a great weekend, readers!

Linked with Good Fences at Run A Round Ranch. 

The Duck Pond

Last year we had a trip to the duck pond on our summer bucket list, but never had the time to go.  So this year, we made that a priority for our first week of summer vacation.

 We brought some popcorn and bread for the ducks.  And geese.

 There were so many to see, and it was a beautiful day.

 Lots of babies to around.

How a duck eats a big bread crust:

 

The hole of doom.  Which ate a shoe from each of the twins.  See the shoe in there?  Many tears over the hole of doom!

Flying duck.

Run, geese, run!

Pierce, a little subdued, since breaking his arm.

He seems to be doing alright though.
Readers, do you have anyplace to feed the ducks where you live?

Berry Pickers

A few weeks ago we went to pick strawberries.  They were late this year, because of the extended winter.

 Reid was a champion berry picker.  Cort was close behind, very intent on finding the perfect berries.

 

Then there was Pierce.  Who picked seven berries.  That's right, seven in his bucket.  But see the slight bulge in his belly? 

In the end, we got enough to make jam.  And this year?  My strawberry jam set perfectly!

Readers, what is your favorite flavor of jam?

NuNaturals Giveaway - 4 Winners, Plus Energy Balls Recipe

Disclaimer:  I received products from NuNaturals for review purposes.  All the opinions in this post are my own. 

I've worked with NuNaturals before, and I love using their sweeteners made from Stevia.  They have a wonderful assortment (lemon, vanilla, orange, etc.) and this time I got to try a new one - cherry vanilla.  It tastes amazing in the ice water I take with me to work - I just add a few drops before I leave (and is also a fun, calorie-free way to sweeten iced tea).

NuNaturals has a new product out that is a cocoa syrup.  I decided to use it to make some Energy Balls, which the whole family enjoys as a light dessert.  It's also a great way to sneak dates or figs into your children!

Ingredients:
1 cup quick cooking oats
8 dried dates
1/2 cup peanut butter (or almond butter)
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. cocoa powder
3/4 tbsp. NuStevia cocoa syrup
1 1/2 tbsp. water

Place all ingredients in food processor and process until well-blended.  Form into 1 inch balls (if mixture is too dry, add water by the teaspoon until you reach the proper consistency).  Store in refrigerator.  Yield:  20

NuNaturals is offering 4 lucky winners a generous prize pack:  1 bottle of vanilla NuStevia liquids, a 50 packet box NuStevia powder packets, a bottle of the new cocoa syrup, and a bottle of the new simple syrup - a $52.00 value.  Plus, there will be one bonus product!  This giveaway is open worldwide (no P.O. boxes).  To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter below.  Good luck!
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Green Valley Book Fair

Every year we love to take a trip to the Green Valley book fair.  It only runs during certain times of the year.  The day school got out for Pierce, we took a drive up there with my mom, who was kind enough to give each of the boys a little spending money.  But even better?  She supervised them, so I could shop!

 I stocked up on lots of educational books for the boys to use this summer.  We do a little school work every day.  I don't want their minds to go completely to waste.  After a couple of hours (it is a HUGE book fair - think warehouse), we were starving.  We went to Wright's Dairy-Rite, which has been a dining staple in Staunton for many years.

The tables sport their old menus - a different year at each booth.  Wish burgers still ran 55 cents....

Pierce got to do the honors of placing our order by the phone at our table.  He was so excited to get to use it.  He did a great job.  And later, when my mom needed some cole slaw?  We just picked up the phone and told them.  Very convenient!

The strawberry milkshake I had?  Fantastic!  We were all so stuffed at the end of our meal that we could barely make the drive home.  Cort said, "That was the best day ever!'.  Indeed, it was a nice start to summer.

Competition

My husband enrolled the boys in a free kids' bike racing series this spring.  I missed the first two races because of work.  But I got to see the last one.  Reid placed in the first two races (2nd and 3rd) but Cort did not.  Cort was very jealous.  After the first race, he tried to talk Reid into riding slower, so that he could win instead.  When he didn't, Cort was mad that Reid didn't let him win.  Cort really wanted a medal.

When the race started, there were 15 kids total in the twins' age group.  Reid had the lead from the start.  Here he is coming around the curve before the final stretch.

 But then, something crazy happened.  Cort started pushing harder.  Then he jumped off his bike and started running and pushing the bike (the finish is on an uphill).  And he started catching up.  Reid had no idea Cort was behind him.  The determination on Cort's face was captivating.  All the parents stopped to watch the twins battle it out, and there was a stunned silence as the two of them went neck to neck for the finish.  I was so shocked that I forgot to take pictures. 

In the end, Reid won by about a foot.  But Cort was thrilled.  After he crossed the finish line, he said, "I get a medal this time, right?!". 

 

Cort got a second place medal, and Reid got first place.  In addition, Reid was the overall winner for the entire series, and Cort was the second place overall winner.  Next year, the twins will be in the next age group up, and the competition is a little more stiff there.  It'll be interesting to see how they fare.

 

Here is Pierce in his race, which was longer and wrapped through some trails.  Pierce didn't place in any of his races, but you can see from his face what joy he gets just from the experience.  He is such a happy biker.  

Afterwards, there were hot dogs and chips for all the kids, to celebrate.  We are looking forward to next year's series!