Four Days of Family \\ Reunion

Last week my dad's side of the family met at a big house and had a four-day reunion. One family was missing- it would have been many times better with them! But I guess that's life. And it was still a fun time, being mostly all together and all staying in a big house! :) There were my grandparents, many aunts and uncles, loads of cousins, as well as a couple "cousins-in-law" if that's a thing (;P), and one of my cousins' two little girls. So, yea, lot's of people. *winks* I love having a big family. I can't imagine being one of those people with only two cousins!

 Anyhow, here's just a dump of things we did during those few days!

Riding up in my big brother's Cadillac for six hours. Stopping at a gas station and eating lunch at the edge of the parking lot. Then winding down all these country back roads to reach the "manor". :)

Watching the many volleyball games. I joined a few, but I don't think I was much of an asset. *sticks out tongue* But between many uncles, aunts, and cousins, volleyball was the big thing. ;) My grandparents even played sometimes! 

Sitting out by the fire at night, stars shining overhead, wearing sweatshirts (this deserves mention, people), just hanging out. The fire was probably one of my favorite things. :) Sometimes we roasted marshmallows and little smokies... I had a s'more once. *winks* I need a few more campfires before summer ends. Or in the fall. That'll work.  

Piling in vehicles and going for a beautiful hike. Big rock overhangs, a little tunnel, a lovely little waterfall... that was a fun time. :)

Photographing the kids doing an obstacle course, which included egg on a spoon race, eating doughnuts off a string (hung from the volleyball net *winks*), and finding gummy worms in whipped cream with their mouths. :) 

Making our marks on the chalkboard, hanging out on the couch with electronic devices... ;P

 And playing pool... or watching others play. ;)

Getting caught in the midst of a water balloon battle, where your cousin throws a balloon at someone and you get wet. xP 

Also water balloon volleyball (we just volleyed them, and didn't play a real game). And yes, there WAS a spider in one of the balloons! 

Taking a long trip to Walmart with the cousins, and getting Starbucks. Another day we went to a gas station that was closer and got snacks and such. 

All in all, it was blessed just being together! I wish I could see my cousins more often... maybe another reunion in a couple years? *winks*

WHAT SOUNDS THE MOST FUN? 

Random Photos \\ What Do You Like?

I have a few random, and mostly recent pictures to share today. Nothing too exciting, but I hope you enjoy it anyway. :)

What type of photos do you like best? Animals and wildlife, scenes from the countryside, flowers and little things from nature, food photos, people, architecture, random indoors pictures... ? I like pretty much all kinds, but people and nature may be my favorite. *winks*

By the way, did you see my new design???!!!! I love. <3 The black and white with a pop of peach theme... yes, my color scheme finally changed. But I didn't totally get rid of mint green. *sticks out tongue* That color must stay! I'm kinda in love with my "About Me" page right now too. ;P Black and white on the clean white page- it just looks so beautiful! *grins* OK, I'll stop now.

FAVORITE PICTURE? ANYTHING PHOTOGRAPHY-WISE YOU'D LIKE TO SEE ON HERE SOMETIME? BLOG IMPROVED OR NO?

Solar Eclipse 2017 \\ PHOTOS

The solar eclipse yesterday was a pretty cool experience! Before it had started I went for a ride with my dad and some siblings to check out what was going on in the area- people renting out parking spots, news people, and lots of campers. I checked the sun during the ride, using some eclipse glasses, and noticed that the moon had begun to move over the sun- just barely. *winks* We came back home and watched the rest from there. It was weird when it started getting noticeable. It was kinda like a dim, bright afternoon, if that makes sense.  When the moon got fully in front on the sun, it darkened just like that. It was pretty beautiful!

Then not too long later, the sun popped back out from behind the moon. It was fast, but it was neat. *smiles*

Campers and such, before the eclipse. *winks*

DID YOU SEE THE ECLIPSE? WHICH PICTURE IS YOUR FAVORITE?

Mirror Magic \\ Photos

I don't have anything brilliant for the Saturday post today... just a few fun pictures I took the other day, using a mirror. *smiles*

Taking a picture of my reflection. *winks*

We put our hummingbird feeder up recently, so now we get to watch the adorable little birds all the time. *hearts* I want to try photograph them sometime, so there may be a post on that someday... ;)

WHICH ONE DO YOU LIKE BEST?

August 2017 \\ Currently

Time for my August Currently post! :)


CURRENT HAPPENINGS\\

\\ Getting settled in our new house. It takes a while to get everything organized and put away. It's been great being moved in though! :)

\\ I have like, around one and a half hours of driving left to get! Night driving. It's taken me forever, and I still have things to practice before I'll dare attempt the test. *sigh*


CURRENTLY READING\\

Water Princess, Fire Prince by Kendra E. Ardnek

World travel, crazy lands, evil dragon... It's been pretty good! And cute... *sigh*

CURRENTLY LOOKING FORWARD TO\\

\\ My older brother coming out! :D

\\ Yes, I keep telling you this, but our family reunion! It's coming up!

\\ When I get a job and can buy "all" the cute shoes and dresses and everything I find at Goodwill. =D It's so much more fun when you have money, you know. *winks*


MOMENTS\\

\\ When you ask your little brother if he will buy you Chick-fil-A, and he says he will. *heart eyes* When we ask if he has money, he pauses with this funny look on his face, then runs to find his coins. What a cutie! <3

\\ When you walk into a store, and there's a bunch of... CHRISTMAS. TREES. WHAT. *gapes and gapes* IT. IS. STILL. SUMMER. PEOPLE. Why- why are there Christmas things out for sale right now???!! I'm just looking at my mom- "Why is there Christmas trees?!"


HOW'S LIFE? SEEN ANYTHING CRAZY RECENTLY?

Exiles Release Weekend Blitz + Review

Hey guys, today I'm being a part of the Weekend Release Blitz for author Jaye L. Knight's new release, Exiles! Be sure to read about it and enter the giveaway! 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Exiled after their defeat in Samara, the Resistance struggles to find allies in their quest to restore King Balen to his throne and put an end to the emperor’s tyranny. When the crete people refuse to lend their aid, Balen leads a group to Dorland to reason with them and win their support. However, enemies prove to be everywhere, and they find themselves in a fight to keep Dorland from becoming Daican’s latest conquest.

Back in Landale, the arrival of a new enemy forces Trask and Anne to tread more carefully than ever. Tensions are rising, and the enemy is determined to test Anne’s loyalty and root out the location of Trask and the Resistance once and for all. 

Feeling trapped within the walls of Valcré, Prince Daniel must contend with an ever-eroding relationship with his father. As their clashes escalate, the situation becomes potentially life threatening when his loyalty is called into question. His sister seems bent on branding him a traitor and actively seeking to condemn him to the fate of those put to death in their father’s new arena. Daniel is certain his father would never execute his only son and heir but, with other forces at work, it might not be that simple. 

One small misstep could prove fatal for all.

Available now on Amazon!

Add to Goodreads

Haven't discovered the world of Ilyon yet? The first three kindle books are on sale August 11th - 14th! You can find them on Amazon.

MY REVIEW

About a year after the defeat in Samara, a group of members from the Resistance heads out on a journey to gain aid against Daican from neighboring countries. However, their trip takes turns they had not expected, and they find themselves in a desperate situation... the outcome could cost them everything. 

Meanwhile, in Valcre`, Prince Daniel faces challenges as a new believer. But what will happen when life as he knows it is turned upside down?

The anticipated fourth book to the Ilyon Chronicles is here! :) While Exiles may be my least favorite of the series so far, it was, of course, good, and some long awaited and unexpected things happened! We get to explore interesting new places in Ilyon for the first time, watch relationships between characters grow, and be surprised by some of the things that happen! *winks* 

It was nice reading more of Prince Daniel. I know this is random, but I had some serious intuition about something to do with him... *grins* How did I think of it? Don't ask. Just read the book. ;P 

I liked getting to see Micheal more too! And then there's Timothy and Leetra. And Trask and Anne. <3 I might've felt Jace and Kyrin didn't have as much depth in this book as others... maybe they're just much stronger now, but I would like if they struggled more. I'm probably just mean. ;P

So yes, it was another good book! So now... when is book 5 coming??! =D

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jaye L. Knight is an award-winning author, homeschool graduate, and shameless tea addict with a passion for Christian fantasy. Armed with an active imagination and love for adventure, Jaye weaves stories of truth, faith, and courage with the message that even in the deepest darkness, God’s love shines as a light to offer hope. She has been penning stories since the age of eight and resides in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.

You can connect with Jaye on her website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Etsy.

GIVEAWAY!

Share in the excitement of the release and enter to win a themed giveaway pack! Prizes include an autographed copy of Exiles, a pewter dragon necklace by treasurecast, and a sword letter opener! (Giveaway is open to US residents only. Cannot be shipped internationally.)

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SCHEDULE

Thursday, August 10

·         Book Spotlight at A Pinch of Faith

Friday, August 11

·         Character Interview at Reality Reflected

·         Review at Tricia Mingerink

·         Book Spotlight at She Hearts Fiction

·         Review and Excerpt at Literary Cafe

·         Character Interview and Excerpt at A Day In The Life

·         Author Interview at The World of the Writer

·         Review at WritingAnyone

·         Review and Character Interview at Meagan Davenport

·         Review and Special Post at R535 Blog

·         Review at Leah’s Bookshelf

·         Author Interview and Excerpt at Liv K. Fisher

·         Review, Character Interview, and Excerpt at The Elven Padawan

·         Review and Author Interview at Books and Arrows

·         Review and Author Interview at The Artful Author

·         Review and Character Interview at Red Lettering

·         Review and Author Interview at PageTurners

·         Review and Author Interview at Sutori no Hana

·         Review and Character Interview at Bookends

Saturday, August 12

·         Review and Excerpt at Thriving Hope

·         Book Spotlight at Today, by Bryn

·         Review at Honey Rock Hills

·         Excerpt at Rachel Rossano's Words

·         Excerpt at Tell Tale Book Reviews

·         Excerpt at The Overactive Imagination

·         Review and Author Interview at One Word At A Time

·         Author Interview at Marrok Macintyre

·         Review and Author Interview at Sarah, Plain & Average

·         Review at A Camera and a Dreamer

·         Review and Excerpt at Writings, Ramblings, and Reflections

·         Character Spotlight at God's Peculiar Treasure Rae

·         Review and Author Interview at Sarah Allerding

·         Author Interview and Excerpt at Dreams and Dragons

·         Review and Character Interview at Resting Life

·         Review and Character Interview at The Music of a Story

·         Review and Character Interview at Ruffles and Grace

Sunday, August 13

·         Review at Woman at the Well

·         Review at Lakeside Publications

·         Review at Ember's Reviews

·         Review and Author Interview The Ink Lizard

·         Excerpt at Lianne Taimenlore

·         Book Spotlight at Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens

Monday, August 14

·         Review at Backing Books

Tuesday, August 15

·         Review at Morgan Elizabeth Huneke

Making Memories \\ Photo Dump from when Family Visited

Near the end of July my aunt, uncle, and cousins came to visit us. We used to live in the same state, and we have lots of childhood memories together. :) So I was excited that they were coming, and we had some fun times! 

They got here in the evening, and we didn't do much... besides walk down the road in the dark.

The next day us older ones went to town. We went to a cute local bakery first because me and my sister wanted to get job applications (we didn't get them back in in time though, unfortunately.) We had to run back to our vehicle in a downpour, so we got a bit wet. Makes it more exciting. ;P

Next we went to Chick-fil-A for lunch. Yes I took a picture of my food again. Same old, same old. *sticks out tongue*

Goodwill was our next stop. Where my sister, cousin, and I tried on giant heels. *grins* That was fun. 

Some were uglier than others. *cough* xD

Then we went to Walmart. Isn't that just a great place to hang out? More like a great place to play with stuff. ;P 

Isn't that cute? :D Oh, and in the camping stuff, we found a freeze dried ice cream bar. It was very odd! It was sealed in a plastic thing, not cold at all. We should have bought it. ;D

Last stop was Arby's for $1 milkshakes. I got mocha, I think.

We brought our cousins to one of our home-school teen things that evening. And that night I think we stayed up until midnight talking... about *cough* interesting things. ;P

In the morning we got ready and drove to see some historic battlefields and such from the Civil War.

Example of what the soldiers sleeping quarters were like.

We went to a graveyard where tons of U.S. Soldiers have been buried as well.

Then this little museum of sorts.

Walking out of the museum, there was this cool view. :) Then we went down a trail- it was probably another battle site. 

The next day was Sunday, and after church we all went to my aunt and uncle's house. My two aunt and uncles who live here are from my dad's side of the family, and my aunt and uncle who came to visit are from my mom's side... so it was fun to hang out with cousins from both sides, together. *winks* We did all kinds of stuff that day. We went to the small caves nearby, then swimming in the river after. That was really fun! Walking on the rocks in the shallow parts hurt my feet, but it was worth it. We swam to a cliff that they like to jump off, and climbed up. It took me awhile, but I jumped! It's fairly high. 

This is the view from the cliff. I took this picture another day we went, but I'll put it here. Isn't it pretty?

When we were done swimming we climbed up the bank on the other side and walked up to the road... picking some apples from apple trees on the way *winks* We walked back to the house then. Our next adventure of the day was walking to a bigger cave however many miles down the road. Actually, there was enough rip-sticks and skateboards for all of us except one. I'm not very good at either, so me and my cousin, two of the three girls, were usually way behind everyone else. Because we walked a lot. I did ride the rip-stick sometimes, mostly on the sloped areas. 

The others would be way ahead, then they'd stop, we'd catch up, and they'd be off again. Anyhow, we finally got to the cave and went down in it for awhile, then climbed back out and went to some junk piles. I was wearing flip-flops, which was not a good idea. They got a bunch on mud on them from climbing up from the cave, then I had to climb over junk and stuff. We went back to the road and went ALL the way back. Me and my cousin got a lot of exercise that day!
It got dark and we went swimming again. Walking down the road, towel around my shoulders, stars and moon shining in the sky... it almost felt perfect. :) We went to the cliff again, and I jumped in twice in the dark... weren't the greatest plunges, as I got water up my nose, and my ear hurt after jumping the last time. ;P Still glad I did it.

The next morning, I got up and I couldn't walk on my heel. Actually, sometimes it hurt when I put pressure on the front of my foot too. Apparently during our adventures the day before, I had punctured a little spot on my foot or something. So I kinda just limped around... tagging along with everyone else along fields, through a culvert under the highway, and all the way to an abandoned house. I can't say that was the most enjoyable for me, as it was also hot. ;P The abandoned house was kinda interesting though- well, I'm not actually sure if it was permanently abandoned. We maybe shouldn't have gone in there. ;P
Later that day as we were all hanging out in my room, I noticed that there was red going up some of my veins on my hurting foot. So yea, it got infected, and the infection was traveling up my vein. So I had to go to the doctor, and they gave me a tetanus shot and prescribed some antibiotics and things. I wasn't very excited about taking poison pills, but I did end up doing it. 
Me, three siblings, and two cousins went and stayed at our new house that night. We weren't in it at that time. So that was pretty fun. We went to the store first and bought some snacks. Then we all piled on the floor in my brothers' room and watched a movie before going to sleep. In the morning we ate frosted flakes and watched another movie. *winks* Actually, I ate frosted flakes and cheerios. 'Cause that's definitely important. ;P 

We left after that and went back to our rental house before setting off to visit my aunt and uncle's house again. My cousin drove this time instead of my older sister, so we were on our own! Yes, I'm kinda sheltered. *shakes head*

I stayed on the cliff while the others swam, because of my infected foot. Read a little of Exiles. If you haven't read it, don't read what I took a picture of up there. Spoilers, people. ;P

After that we did other things, including going to an Amish store to buy ice cream treats and such, and walking to a really big cave.
We left for home when it was dark.

They were leaving the next morning, so we talked down in my room for quite a while. Some trips and people's visits just aren't quite long enough. They need to last at least two weeks, right? *winks* But I'm so glad they came! We had some pretty fun times. :
Make sure you guys come visit again soon!! =D


DID I ADD WAY TOO MANY LITTLE DETAILS? PROBABLY. HAVE YOU GONE ON ANY SIMILAR ADVENTURES? FAVORITE PICTURE?