Two Birthday Revelations and A Question

My birthday was in April.  This one felt like a really big one.  I struggled with the reality I would no longer be in my 40's.  OUCH!  It hurt my feelings to be THAT age.  My pain management of choice was fitness.  Some work out goals were set.  Most were accomplished.  Here are some pix.  Then I'll tell you about my birthday revelations and ask you a question.

 

 

If you ever get the chance to participate in a Warrior Dash, DO IT!!

 

My buddy, Amy, and I joined a team from my gym.  Like our shirts say, we really did run, climb, crawl, slide AND

 

jump over fire!  How amazing is that?!  We jumped over fire!

 

 

I recently tried some new classes.  Aerial Yoga

and

 

Lyra.

I LOVE both!  The instructor is sweet and let me take my camera to class.

 



 

My crazy co-workers decided it would be cool to sign up for a Glow Run.  It's a 5k in the dark!  The race began at 8:00 pm and everyone wore glow sticks.  After the race, we all had tacos!  What's not to love?  ;-)

 

 

No birthday is complete until a new hiking trail is explored with my Handsome Husband!  ;-)  A sweet passerby snapped this shot for us.  We are a bit out of focus, but the waterfall looks gorgeous!

 

All this activity led to my Two Birthday Revelations.

 

1.  No matter what age I am, I will live my life as fully as I know how!

 

2.  There's just no telling what I might do when I turn 60!  ;-)

 

;-)  -Marci

 

 

 A Question for You

 

Switching gears a bit...  Would any of you be interested in a series of blog posts about my fitness routines and nutrition plans?  I don't consider myself an expert, but could certainly speak to what has (and hasn't) worked for me.  Will you please let me know your thoughts?

 

;-)  -Marci

Book Review: To the Tower Born

by Robin Maxwell

 

 

PHOTO SOURCE

 

Partial Synopsis from Good Reads:  Debated for more than five centuries, the disappearance of the young princes Edward and Richard from the Tower of London in 1483 has stirred the imaginations of numerous writers from Shakespeare to Josephine Tey and posited the question: Was Richard III the boys' murderer, or was he not? In a captivating novel rich in mystery, color, and historical lore, Robin Maxwell offers a new, controversial perspective on this tantalizing enigma.

The events are witnessed through the eyes of quick-witted Nell Caxton, only daughter of the first English printer, William Caxton, and Nell's dearest friend, "Bessie," daughter of the King of England, sister to the little princes, and founding ancestress of the Tudor dynasty.

 

My Thoughts:  This book is very well written and kept me entertained.  The bad guy proposed in this version of the story was quite a surprise.  Now I am incredibly curious as to what did happen to these boys.  There will definitely be more research done on this topic even though, it seems, no one really knows.  I love how Nell and Bessie remain friends throughout these difficult times.  Their relationship is the magic and power of this novel.  I think we all long for that BFF who is forever caring and loyal.

What have you been reading?

 

 ;-)  -Marci

Tuesdays with a Twist Link Party

Happy Tuesday!  Are you ready for a super fun Link Party Extravaganza?  You are in the right place!  We're your co-hosts.

 

Mary @ Back to the Basics

 Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Angie @ God's Growing Garden

Joyce @ Heavenly Bodies

 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being chosen.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

Choosing features is so very difficult!   I love seeing all the creative posts!  Thank you for joining the party!

My feature this week is Repurposed Cupboard Doors and Curb Shopping

 from Darlene at Let It Shine!  I love that term - Curb Shopping!  LOL! 

If you have been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features. 

And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci




 

Lilac Sugar Recipe and the Earth Day Blog Hop

Happy Earth Day!

 

 

 

When I received an invitation to join this wonderful party, I really wasn't sure what I would do.  My hobbies include sewing, crafting, arranging flowers, hiking, gardening, gourd decorating, photography... 

 

Lots of Earth Friendly activities!

 

Here is my recipe for

 

Lilac Sugar

 

 

 

 

1 part clean dry flowers

2 parts sugar

 

Prepping the flowers takes a bit of time, but your kitchen will smell glorious!  The blossoms need to be separated from their stems, removing any of the green bits.  To me the easiest way is to use kitchen scissors, patiently snipping down the bloom and dropping them gently into a colander.  Once I have enough, I flip them onto a clean towel.  The hard part is over now!  ;-)

 

In a clean jar, layer lilacs,

 

 

 

 

then sugar,
 

 

 

 more lilacs,

and more sugar!

 

Seal the jar and shake every once in a while.  Let rest overnight.  Store in the refrigerator.
 

 Lilac sugar is lovely for baking or in teas!

Earth Day Blog Hop

Are you ready to party?  I can't wait to see what you've been making!  Here's the hop!

;-)  -Marci

 

 

 



An InLinkz Link-up

The Future

 

"The doctor of the future will give no medicine, But will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease." -Thomas Edison

 

;-)  -Marci

Party Time! Tuesdays with a Twist

Happy Tuesday!  We're your co-hosts.

 

Mary @ Back to the Basics

 Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Angie @ God's Growing Garden

Joyce @ Heavenly Bodies

 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being chosen.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

Choosing features is so very difficult!   I love seeing all the creative posts!  Thank you for joining the party!

My feature this week is titled  When I was Homeless





 from Life Inside the House on the Rock.  You might want to grab some tissues! 

If you have been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features. 

And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci






Nature Photo Challenge {Robert}

On Facebook, I was nominated to do a Nature Photography Challenge by Mary Kalpos.  She is the master mind behind The Boondocks Blog.  The challenge was to post a nature photo, past or present, each day for 7 days and nominate a new friend each day to do the same.

 

It was so much fun, I'd like to share the ones I chose to post on Facebook!  If you would like to see mine, please click HERE!   I have permission from my buddies that participated with me, so I get to post their picture choices as well!  I hope you'll come back and see them, too!

These are Robert's photos!  If you get a chance, look for him on Facebook, Historoving with RH Fleming.  His photography is amazing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think they are all absolutely gorgeous!  What do you think?

;-)  -Marci

Crabapple Tree

 Layers of pink blossoms against my rock house.

 

 

 ;-)  -Marci

Tuesdays with a Twist LINKY PARTY

Happy Tuesday!  What fun things have you been creating?

Let's party!  We're your co-hosts.

 

Mary @ Back to the Basics

 Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Angie @ God's Growing Garden

Joyce @ Heavenly Bodies

 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being chosen.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

Choosing features is so very difficult!   I love seeing all the creative posts!  Thank you for joining the party!

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Teddy Bears?  Take a look at these!  The post is titled If You Go Down to the Woods Today





 from Ginx Craft!  They are absolutely adorable!  I love them! 

If you have been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features. 

And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci




 

Garden Guest: Cedar Waxwing 2016

The north side of our front yard is a certified  National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat.  Really!  We have a certificate!  You can do the same by providing food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise their young.  It is so much fun to see all of the critters that stop by for a visit.  I have a series of posts to show you our Garden Guests.

 

If you would like to see more, please take a look at my Gardening Page

 

 

These lovely birds are Cedar Waxwings.

 

We consider them our sweet Harbingers of Spring as they migrate for the Summer.

 

Cedar Waxwings stay only as long as there are treats for them on our Western Soapberry tree.

 

What's happening in your back yard?

 

;-)  -Marci

Nature Photo Challenge {Travis}

On Facebook, I was nominated to do a Nature Photography Challenge by Mary Kalpos.  She is the master mind behind The Boondocks Blog.  The challenge was to post a nature photo, past or present, each day for 7 days and nominate a new friend each day to do the same.

 

It was so much fun, I'd like to share the ones I chose to post on Facebook!  If you would like to see mine, please click HERE!   I have permission from my buddies that participated with me, so I get to post their picture choices as well!  I hope you'll come back and see them, too!

Click HERE for Mary's and THERE for Beverly's. Oh, and Maggie's are over HERE.  ;-)

These are Travis' photos!  You are in for a treat!

 

Which one is your favorite?

;-)  -Marci 

Trashy to Classy Crafty Party

If you are anywhere near NW Arkansas, you should check out Trashy to Classy!  These two gals have the cutest little travel trailer.  They load it with craft supplies like pallets and paints, along with ribbons and stain. Then they bring their crafty party to you!  How fun!

You do have to choose a craft and order it a week prior to the crafty party.

 

 

 

 

I recently spent an afternoon with my daughter and her friends just painting and chatting away.  We had such a great time! 

 

 

 

So busy, in fact, I failed to take many photos!  {very embarrassing for a blogger}  Here are a couple images I swiped from their page!

 

 

 

 

 

 

My mason jar is hanging on the front porch ready to welcome guests!

 

 

  

Home Sweet Tea Home  ;-)

Where have you been partying lately?
 

;-)  -Marci