Book Review: The Wedding Dress

by Marian Wells

From the cover:  Orphaned while still a young girl, Rebecca's only tangible heritage was a trunk which contained a wedding dress and a small black book.  A trip west in a wagon caravan, and then strong but gentle Andrew came into her life.  The honeymoon was everything Rebecca had ever hoped for.  She was totally unprepared for the stunning shock that awaited her.

My thoughts:  While the book is well written, I did not care for the story line.  Rebecca is deceived on so many levels by just about everyone in her life.  When she questions what she has been told, elders and loved ones are sharp and unkind.  The book is pretty heart breaking, but there is some redemption in the ending.  

What have you been reading?

;-)  -Marci

Crossvine

Bignonia capreolata (Crossvine) is one of my favorite native plants for attracting hummingbirds.

Here in the Central United States we see the incredible flush of blooms usually in April.  We love sitting outside watching the hummers buzz along the vine!  

This cute swing would be perfect in our back yard!  ;-) 

Crossvine continues to bloom throughout the growing season, but there won't be as many flowers at one time.  In our area, these tend to be semi evergreen.  Some leaves will drop and it may look a bit thin in the winter.



If you choose this plant for your garden, keep in mind it can grow up to 50 feet, so please give plenty of space.  We have ours growing along a fence and then over a gate.

Check out my Garden Page for more ideas!

;-)  -Marci

Let's Party! Tuesdays with a Twist #209

Our News This Week...  Last week, I promised a photo of my hanging baskets for the garden this year.  Take a look!  These are calibrachoa, one of my favorites, as hummingbirds love them!  ;-)  I have some great photos of a couple of other plants that are very popular in my habitat garden.  Those posts are coming soon!

These vibrant colors were inspired by this smaller basket of eye popping pink New Guinea Impatiens that was a birthday gift from my fabulous aunt.

It always makes me smile to be in or near a National Park  ;-)




Do you know I co-host a party on Mondays called You're the Star?  If you have time, I'd love for you to join that one, too!

And now for today's party!

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 never gets easier!  There are so many impressive bloggers visiting each week and they post about all kinds of interesting topics.  The diversity is just amazing.  Do you know this party welcomes Etsy shops and other Link Parties?   Here's a party about books!

What We're Reading Wednesday



from Stephanie at Wife Mommy Me !

     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.  All family friendly links are welcome including etsy shops and other link parties.  Share older posts as well as new ones.  *Pictures should be your own*

No limit on links!

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos (with proper link backs) in our features.

Let's party!

;-)  -Marci

Link Party Feature

Exciting news!  My post about music

Just Because...

is being featured today at 

Urban Naturale

What an honor!

;-)  -Marci

You're the Star {April} Blog Hop

WELCOME to the April "You're the Star" Blog Hop!  I'm so glad you are here!

Before we continue onto the Linky party I wanted to share from my blog:

A Running Plan for Beginners

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WELCOME to HOME feature week of the April "You're the STAR" blog hop!
Meet your HOME week Hosts

This week is HOME feature week
Swing by the Home Hosts' Blogs:

Bev @ Eclectic Red Barn
Heidi @ Heidi's Wanderings

This is a month long Linky party featuring YOU!

There will be 4 different features each week and 4 different feature categories.  Just to be clear - this is NOT a themed party - you may link up ANY family-friendly blog posts any day of each month. 
The "theme" occurs in our weekly features:
WEEK#4 HOME - recipes, home décor, antique/DIY &/or travel (this can include anything about your home - even history posts - all while remaining family friendly)




(All features were chosen from the March "You're the Star" blog hop)

Make Your Own Air Fresheners by Feathers in the Woods

Spring Mantel Inspiration by Debby Goes Shabby


 Easy S'mores Brownie Bites by This Autoimmune Life


Easter Slime by Curly Crafty Mom

If you've been featured then please grab a STAR button below:


<a href="http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/2016/09/new-youre-star-blog-hop-cohost-sign-up.html" target="_blank"><img alt="You're a STAR" src="http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o501/AngieOuelletteTower/Title%20Pages%20or%20Buttons/YourAstarFEATURED_zpso7ovwjyt.jpg" /></a>
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We are in need of more Cohosts (click HERE to view a list of our current hosts/cohosts).  For HOME feature week we  need 2 more Cohosts.
If you are interested in joining us as a Cohost then please click HERE & fill out the form.
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All Hosts/CoHosts will post this blog hop on every Monday of each week.
Please link up your family friendly blog posts below!

It wouldn't be a linky party with YOU!

(IMPORTANT NOTE: by linking up you understand that you might be featured next month and if so, we will use some of your photos from your post - rest assured - we will always link back to your lovely blog.  We might also share your fantastic posts on social media.  Also, you may link up as many family-friendly posts as you like & YES - other blog hops &/or giveaways are welcome {giveaways and blog hops will NOT be featured though}  Thank You & ENJOY! )  
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Tulips at Bellingrath Gardens

I hope you are having a lovely day! 

;-)  -Marci

Spadra Creek Nature Trail

It's not often I am in Clarksville, Arkansas so finding this trail was such a treat!

My job has me in that area every other week for a while, so I went searching for some places to run.



The one on Spadra Creek is just beautiful!

I began at the trail head near the University of the Ozarks campus

right next to this sign.

The main trail is paved and very well lit, but there are lots of little paths going off to the side and down to the water.

Isn't this a curious building?  Does anyone know its history?  I'd love to hear about it if you do!

It's hard to run when you keep stopping to take photographs!  ;-)




How pretty is this path thru the woods?

Dandelion puffs always make me smile!

A charming old iron bridge marks the other end of the trail.

Take a look at the views on either side.

Isn't it lovely?

There are glimpses of the creek throughout the route.

A few streets that have to be crossed to complete the 1.7 miles.

Honestly, that is a negative for me, but traffic stopped quickly and I never felt in danger.

How cute is this bicycle shop?

Spadra Creek Trail is a wonderful place to spend an evening!

Where have you been lately?

;-)  -Marci