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Style, Sex, and Substance in Shenandoah National Park (and a giveaway)

Big Meadow April 20 2012

Last Friday, after visiting the Elkton bur oak, we spent some time in Shenandoah National Park.

Big Meadow April 20 2012

This is early spring on The Big Meadow.

Big Meadow April 20 2012

Silas, who is walking these days more than he’s crawling, took his first steps on the meadow.

Big Meadow April 20 2012

We hope to return in late May to see the baby deer that should be arriving soon.

Big Meadow April 20 2012

I have been planning to give away a copy of Style, Sex, and Substance here ever since I read it a couple of weeks ago.  My Catholicness (that is a Beatrix term–she adds -ness to words) makes me a bit of an oddball sometimes.  This book reminded me that I am far from being alone, while also challenging me to be the best Catholic oddball I can be.  I had the book in the van with us on Friday, and was struck with the idea to get a photo of it on Big Meadow.  This was possibly a dorky move on my part, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.  Dorky or not, I am excited that Hallie Lord, editor, and contributor to the book, offered to give one of my readers a signed copy.  If you are interested in winning, just mention so in your comment on this post and I will randomly choose a winner on Monday.

Big Meadow April 2012

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.

Big Meadow April 20 2012

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.”

overlook near Fisher's Gap?

After our fun on Big Meadow we decided to torture ourselves with a downhill hike to see Rose River Falls.

Rose River Falls

Rose River FallsThe 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 on Rose River Falls trail

Silas insisted on getting down and walking a bit himself.

Doe on Skyline Drive

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.

raccoon in a tree on Skyline Drive

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.”

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Filed Under: The places we go, Virginia · Tagged With: Big Meadows · 138 Comments

Ginny

I believe that when you slow down and savor the small things, you don’t have to wish for a different life; you can discover beauty in the life you already have. {Find out more here...}

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Open Roads Mama - Amber says

    April 29, 2012 at 9:18 pm

    Yes, yes, yes, I would love to be entered to win the Style, Sex and Substance! Fingers crossed!

    Reply
  2. Betsy M says

    April 29, 2012 at 9:05 pm

    Oh I would love to win a copy of Style, Sex and Substance. Thanks for the giveaway. Love your pictures as always.

    Reply
  3. Holly says

    April 29, 2012 at 5:06 pm

    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. 🙂

    Reply
    • Ginny says

      April 29, 2012 at 7:38 pm

      I know!!! (as long as it’s only written as part of the book title… otherwise I would be squirming)

      Reply
  4. Tricia says

    April 27, 2012 at 9:57 pm

    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.

    Reply
  5. EG says

    April 27, 2012 at 9:47 pm

    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!

    Reply
  6. Mountain Girl says

    April 27, 2012 at 9:37 pm

    Count me in on Style, Sex and Substance! I’d love to read it!
    Mia

    Reply
  7. Deanna says

    April 27, 2012 at 9:22 pm

    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!

    Reply
  8. Melissa says

    April 27, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    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.

    Reply
  9. Sarah says

    April 27, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    I would love to win the book!! I have been meaning to get it for myself! You do not look dorky at all!

    Reply
  10. Stephanie says

    April 27, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    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

    Reply
  11. Lori says

    April 27, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    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.

    Reply
  12. Ashley says

    April 27, 2012 at 12:28 pm

    I have heard so many good things about that book! Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply
  13. Tracy says

    April 27, 2012 at 12:05 pm

    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 😉

    Reply
  14. Jennie D says

    April 27, 2012 at 10:45 am

    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 🙂

    Reply
  15. Anne Marie says

    April 27, 2012 at 9:48 am

    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!

    Reply
  16. Mary says

    April 27, 2012 at 9:48 am

    Lovely pics of your family. Always enjoy lurking here. Would love to win a copy of the book everyone is talking about.

    Reply
  17. Liz says

    April 27, 2012 at 9:12 am

    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.

    Reply
  18. Ellie says

    April 27, 2012 at 9:05 am

    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.

    Reply
  19. Carol says

    April 27, 2012 at 8:36 am

    Beautiful photos! I love to win the book. Hoping.

    Reply
  20. Amy says

    April 27, 2012 at 7:29 am

    Beautiful pictures! Would love to win a copy of Style, Sex and Substance.

    Reply
  21. Sylvia says

    April 27, 2012 at 6:32 am

    Please add me too to your competition. Thanks.

    Reply
  22. Fräulein Rucksack says

    April 27, 2012 at 4:38 am

    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!

    Reply
  23. lori says

    April 27, 2012 at 3:39 am

    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!

    Reply
  24. Megan says

    April 27, 2012 at 2:32 am

    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

    Reply
  25. Ines says

    April 27, 2012 at 1:50 am

    Surely it would be nice to read ;D

    Reply
  26. Michelle says

    April 27, 2012 at 12:31 am

    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!

    Reply
  27. Karen says

    April 26, 2012 at 11:37 pm

    ‘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!

    Reply
  28. Gae says

    April 26, 2012 at 11:28 pm

    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

    Reply
  29. Sara says

    April 26, 2012 at 11:28 pm

    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.

    Reply
  30. Suzette says

    April 26, 2012 at 11:17 pm

    Would love to win a copy of this book! You are not crazy, by the way, and the pictures you took are spectacular.

    Reply
  31. Michele says

    April 26, 2012 at 11:01 pm

    I’d love to win Style, Sex, and Substance! And thank you for another beautiful post!

    Reply
  32. Kerri says

    April 26, 2012 at 10:34 pm

    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.

    Reply
  33. shwell says

    April 26, 2012 at 10:30 pm

    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?

    Reply
  34. Jada Sharp says

    April 26, 2012 at 10:09 pm

    I added this to my list of books to read:)

    Reply
  35. Theresa says

    April 26, 2012 at 10:04 pm

    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.

    Reply
  36. Lisa says

    April 26, 2012 at 9:53 pm

    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!

    Reply
  37. Monique says

    April 26, 2012 at 9:40 pm

    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.

    Reply
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Hello! My name is Ginny. I believe that when you slow down and savor the small things, you don’t have to wish for a different life; you can discover beauty in the life you already have. {Find out more here…}

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