Last Friday, after visiting the Elkton bur oak, we spent some time in Shenandoah National Park.
This is early spring on The Big Meadow.
Silas, who is walking these days more than he’s crawling, took his first steps on the meadow.
We hope to return in late May to see the baby deer that should be arriving soon.
I have been planning to give away a copy of Style, Sex, and Substance
If you are interested in winning, just mention so in your comment on this post and I will randomly choose a winner on Monday.
I was merely pretending to read in my photo. On the other hand, If you will notice Jonny’s bowed head in this photo: He later confessed that while I was taking photos of the kids he was sneaking a peek inside the book. Were I the betting type, I’d bet he was reading from chapter four. If you want to know what chapter four is about, I guess you’ll have to read the book.
I did not ask Beatrix to pose, but did turn to find her holding my book just so from her seat in the grass. I am guessing that she was “reading” chapter five, “Single and Seeking God’s Plan.”
After our fun on Big Meadow we decided to torture ourselves with a downhill hike to see Rose River Falls.
The falls were beautiful and worth the torture of the uphill hike back. Jonny carried Beatrix on his back, and I carried Silas on mine. But at some point, I started thinking that I might just have to spend the night in the woods. Jonny offered to carry Silas in his arms in addition to the B-Rose on his back claiming that it was good training for the Tough Mudder. I took him up on his offer, but still barely made it back to the car.
Silas insisted on getting down and walking a bit himself.
On our way out of the park we saw lots of does. I branded them all “Mama Deer” and hung out the passenger window with my camera speaking to them in my sing- songy- talk- to- animals- love- language. I was convinced that all of them looked pregnant and thanked them in advance for the sweet little spotted babies that we will hopefully see next month.
The last wild animal we spotted, (after stopping in the middle of Skyline Drive so Jonny could gobble gobble at a male turkey for a few minutes) was this raccoon. I had never actually seen one in a tree in the wild before. I am more accustomed to seeing raccoons shoveling cat food into their mouths as fast as they can while maintaining eye contact with me through the window.
Don’t forget to mention Style, Sex and Substance in your comment, if you would like to be entered in the giveaway!
The winner is Misty:
“Hi Ginny,
We drove from Charlottesville south through the Blue Ridge Parkway for our Easter vacation and saw some similar sights. It was so refreshing to be in the mountains and just experiencing nature firsthand. I cannot believe how grown up Silas looks in that photo – wasn’t he just born?!
Also – I would really enjoy the book as well. Thanks for offering it on your site.”
Yes, yes, yes, I would love to be entered to win the Style, Sex and Substance! Fingers crossed!
Oh I would love to win a copy of Style, Sex and Substance. Thanks for the giveaway. Love your pictures as always.
I would love to win a copy of Style, Sex and Substance. Ahem. I’ll bet that’s the most that word has been used in your comment section – ever. 🙂
I know!!! (as long as it’s only written as part of the book title… otherwise I would be squirming)
Have I ever commented before? I think maybe not. I love your blog (it is one of only 2 I regularly visit now that I don’t work from a computer and have a lunch break… yay stay-at-home!). And I love give aways. I could totally go for Style, Sex & Substance. Thank you so much for your beautiful pictures and charming family. FWIW, my littlest is 2 months younger than Silas, and I’m following him for her milestones, rather than what-to-expect like I did with my son.
I am interested in Style, Sex, and Substance! I mean, with a title like that… and I want all 3 of those things! 🙂
So, we live in SWVA so we’re also not so far from Shenandoah. My husband has been to Big Meadow, but the kids and I have not. So now I know that late May is the time to go!
Count me in on Style, Sex and Substance! I’d love to read it!
Mia
Style, Sex, and Substance is my moms group’s summer reading pick. I have already ordered my copy, but I would love to have an extra for a mom who can’t afford to buy one. Thanks!
LOVE the pic of the raccoon! Big Meadows and Shenandoah N.P. were some of my absolute favorite places to visit when I grew up in VA! I get my little dose of VA when I read your blog. Thanks for that! Can’t wait to see the sweet, spotted babies, especially through the medium of your photography!
~M.
I would love to win the book!! I have been meaning to get it for myself! You do not look dorky at all!
Your pic of with the book in the meadow beamed of Austen-ness. If I win a copy I will take a pic with it in front of the glacier down the street 🙂 looovveee your blog
This is my first visit to your blog and I am thrilled to enter a giveaway for that book! Your pictures make me want to jump in the car today and head out in the wild.
I have heard so many good things about that book! Thanks for the chance to win!
Not being Catholic, (but loving so many sweet Catholics that I’ve ‘met’ in the blog-world!) I would feel awfully silly purchasing this book, but gosh, I do so want to read it! pick me; pick me 😉
I don’t ususally choose to read books that are trending, such as Style, Sex and Substance, but it has peaked my curiousity and I heard it is a quick read 🙂
Style, Sex and Substance is very likely to be the summer read for my women’s bible study group. It’s sitting in my Amazon cart, but maybe I’ll win a copy! The preview pages on Amazon made me laugh out loud!
Lovely pics of your family. Always enjoy lurking here. Would love to win a copy of the book everyone is talking about.
Ohh to be so close to nature! Gotta love it. The book thing was adorable and if the title is any indicator ,I’m sure my hubby will read chapter 4 as well!! Thanks for sharing your life.
What an amzing waterfall! Oh my. What a blessing to be able to hike there, to be able to spend time with your family in such a place 🙂 Marvelous.
I would love the chance to win a copy of this book, thanks so much.
Beautiful photos! I love to win the book. Hoping.
Beautiful pictures! Would love to win a copy of Style, Sex and Substance.
Please add me too to your competition. Thanks.
Thanks for introducing the book and well, I like to takt the chance to just win it!
Your National Park pictures are beautiful, what a fun day out there!
fav photos: b reading, s walking and you (it’s always fun to see you). and that meadow, ooh i love that meadow. please leave my name out of the giveaway, thank you for offering it though!
Ginny,
Some women from my parish are having a book club night with this book; I’d love to be entered in the giveaway! I’m a convert, and having a difficult time in my faith right now. Your ‘oddball Catholic-ness’ has been a blessing and a comfort to me in my recent struggles. Thank you!
Megan
Surely it would be nice to read ;D
This looks like an interesting read… Trying to teach my children it isn’t all about sex, nor all about style… But much more about substance and how the others fit into that… Wonder what this persons perspective… Wonder if they have it at the library? If I don’t win, I will have to check!
‘Style, Sex and Substance’ is on my wish list. I would love to win this book as we don’t have the extra to get it!
thank you for the chance
Blessings
Karen
and I don’t think you were ‘dorky’, and I, too, am an oddball Catholic!
Dear Ginny,
I love your outdoor adventures. How far do you have to travel to got o these places?
How long was that hike? You are so lucky to have Jonny able to come with you during the week for these adventures
As another odd ball Catholic I would love to win a copy of Style, Sex and Substance
Have a blessed weekend
Gae
Lots of comments! Oh well, it’s worth a shot. Just in case, I don’t win, I’ll put this on my GoodReads list, on your recommendation.
Would love to win a copy of this book! You are not crazy, by the way, and the pictures you took are spectacular.
I’d love to win Style, Sex, and Substance! And thank you for another beautiful post!
I added Style, Sex, and Substance to my Wish List the last time you blogged about it so would love to win your generous giveaway. I loved your photos and humor today, thank you.
I think B-Rose is reading the introduction and is contemplating the passage about Jennifer Fulwiler’s diamond earrings!!
I already have a copy of Style, Sex and Substance, and my husband has already confessed to reading some, although he hasn’t mentioned which chapters he has been looking at 🙂
If I win I would like to send it to my sister-in-law, is that OK?
I added this to my list of books to read:)
I’ve noticed the “kidpack” in a bunch of your pictures. It’s one that actually looks
comfortable and can hold both a baby and a toddler. I usually carry mine until walking in a homemade sling but am in need of a decent backpack style. Did you make it? I refuse to buy one (they are insanely expensive and don’t usually come with a ‘wear-it-for-a-while-to-see-if-you-like-it-then-return-it’ policy). I would also love to win a copy of Style, Sex and Substance.
I’ve been hoping to win this for a while on several different websites… I think it may be time to cough up the money and just buy a copy!
Beautiful pictures. Hopefully we can get up to skyline drive soon. I know my kids would love it. It’s funny when you live close to something, it seems like you never get there.
I would love to win a copy of Style, Sex and Substance.