Hershey Weekend/Family Reunion

Over all our weekend was a delight! Not without frustrations and trials and a few disappointments but over all wonderful.

Our adventure started around noon on Friday.  Our girls and their partners headed out in Mikayla's car, Rhett and I followed shortly in his truck.  Ryan and Nicole were headed down after Ryan got out of work in the afternoon.  

We had not recieved check in instructions for our AirBnB- so Rhett messaged our host. We had about a 4 hour drive ahead of us.

A short while later the host called us stating there was an issue, but she had a solution. Not to worry we had a place to stay.  Um, Okay? Apparently there had been a fire and the house deemed a total loss May 1. All future reservations for that house "were supposed to have been canceled". It wasn't. Solution- they just happened to own another house in a nearby town- a little more "secluded" and "nicer" and "bigger"- which by some miracle- just happened to be available this weekend. (Which never happens Karen informed us).  We hung up feeling a little flabbergasted.  I texted the kids to let them know our accomodations were changing and to stand by for the address.

An hour later we still had not recieved the address which was suppoed to be texted right away. We called again- call went straight to voicemail and we began to feel genuinly concerned. 😅 Karen did return our call a few minutes later and sent the address. We arrived without further troubles. 

We set about settling in. Hannah and I made pesto tortelini bake, garlic bread and salad for dinner.  Rhett and Dylan made a quick wlamart run. I conversed with my sister about them joining us as they were currently at our parents AirBnB a few miles away. Sadly we had to scrap our sister coffee date plans since we were now in another town and though we could have driven to the Book Bar, it seemed like our window was too small now to make it happen. So we let it go. (I felt very disappointed about this!)

Our house had a theater room and a game room.

I felt the kitchen was pretty poorly equiped. After dinner I was looking for a pot to make some mac and cheese for Evan (he rejected my tortellini pretty vehemently). I found these two tiny pans and just about died laughing- tacos were on the menu...how was I going to make tacos for ten with these tiny pans!? (We did find a slightly larger skillet too so it worked out).

Saturday was our Hershey Park day! We all met up at a gas station for my cousin to divvy out parking passes and tickets. Then we headed to the park for a looooong day of rides and oddles of walking.

Our kids also did the "create your own candy bar" exprience at Chocolate World.

Sunday we had a picnic at a local park. Everyone had a blast on the playground and we found a Little Free Library too.

Mom(in middle) with two of her siblings

We went to mini golf with my cousin and her family and then our for ice cream.

Back "home" we had some walking tacos, Rhett did a mini fireworks show, some watched The Princess Bride in the theater room and we played games until bedtime.

Monday it was time to pack up and go home. On our way we detoured to check out the house we were supposed to have stayed in. It seemed oddly intact- a house a couple doors down was definately burned out- so we're not sure of the story there.  But the area was very tight and congested, no drivways for parking and we ended up being closer to Mom and Dad, so maybe it all worked out for the best in the end. (Except for the bookstore/coffee date sadness ).

We all arrived home safely.  Happy to be reunited with our Pups.  They were over joyed to have us back home!

I can't believe it is May. Honestly I am feeling a little overwhelmed by all the things this season is bringing us.  I'm trying to trust the God has a plan and that somehow everything will all work out. 

My Jesus Calling for this morning...

I spent a lot of time cleaning on Saturday and cleaned out this old basket I used to keep my devotional books in and put the books, journal and Bible I am using now in and moved to the living room where I often have my quiet time these days.  This made me happy.

As did getting back on track with my reading plan.

I really wish I was curled up with this guy right now.

Saturday when I got home from getting groceries, I took the cold stuff downstairs to the basement freezer. In the meantime Bruno found the box of dog biscuits in the bag and managed to open it!

Have a good day friends. 💙

UH NOPE

Turning in my resignation. 😂  We had an adventurous day at the office this morning.

Our company owner and boss is based in Buffalo.  This morning he just happened to be here to get in on the fun. He had been outside and was walking back through the office, and goes whoa what is that?!

I turned to look expecting one of the weird cricket/spidery looking bugs we have frequently.

And what I saw was this...

For reference- this is how close my desk is to that closet...

My brother in law also happens to work with me and quickly snapped into action, trying to contain it before it slithered under or behind something.

At one point he accidently flung it towards me which prompted me to literally hop on top of my desk. Don't get down! He warned as the snake landed under my desk.

He did manage to get a hold of it and with the help of another (male) co-worker removed it from the premises.

It did appear to be some type of rattle snake.

Fifteen or so minutes later her mister came looking for her. Poking his head out from the same closet. The guys quickly dispatched him as well.  No pics of that guy, as I left my phone on my desk when I went to alert the guys out back that there was a 2nd snake.  

Thank God all the guys were here this morning! 😰  Rich is my hero today for sure. Even though he did nearly throw the 1st snake at me :P

I spent the rest of the day paranoid, peeking over my shoulder to be sure no other "friends" were coming out of the closet.

April Books

24 Tempest at Annabel's Lighthouse by Jaime Jo Wright    4/2    (print/own)★★★★

I preordered this book and when I got the shipping notification, I determined to set aside whatever I was reading and start it that very day. I was delighted to find it delivered when I returned home on a Friday evening. I had no idea what to expect but it did not disappoint. I was a little concerned at the beginning with the main character and her story arc but trusted Jaime Jo and the story process. I also listened to a podcast in which she addressed the very concerns I was having so that made me feel better even before I saw how it all played out.

25 Delighting in Jesus by Asheritah Ciuciu    4/5    (print/own)

I really enjoyed this book; I read it slowly over the past couple months. Nothing groundbreaking I'd say but lots of practical advice on how to find more delight in your relationship with God/Jesus. 💖

Jesus wants to spend time with you.  He wants to linger over a meal together.  To listen to you share about your day. To offer His insights into your struggles.  To deepen your acquaintance with each other day after blessed day.

What if we learned to reflect on our day and ponder:  "Where have I seen God's fingerprints today?"

26 26 Below by Kimberly Woodhouse    4/7    (ebook/hoopla)★★★

52 Book Club: 14. Climate Fiction

I read this for the F&F book club and also because it fit the Climate Fiction (more loosely than I would have liked). I liked the story ok, I read it fairly quickly. I guess maybe the ending felt underwhelming to me. Perhaps because it was left a little open ended as it is the beginning of the series but I don't know if I care enough to continue on with the series... We'll see if my thoughts change after the book club author talk at the end of the month.

27 Shadow of the Storm by Connilyn Cossette    4/10    (audio/hoopla)★★★★

Moody: An audiobook 

 

The second book in the series I enjoyed just as much or more than the first one. I was quite excited to learn that Shira was the main character in this book. This book begins when the Golden Calf idol was made while the Israelites were in the wilderness.  I really enjoyed Shira's story as she discovered the purpose God had created her for. 

There will always be storms, Shira. There will be loss in your life, sometimes devastating loss. But if you let the wind and the rain overcome you, then you will never fulfill the purpose for which you were born, the reason Yahweh gave you breath and brought you to this time, to this place. There will be times when there is nothing you can do but survive, to place one foot after the other into the driving rain.

28 The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon    4/11    (print/own)★★★★★

52 Bookclub 9. Genre 4: Set In Winter

I have had this book on my shelf nearly since it was published, I bought the hard cover (something I almost never do) because I was so anxious to read it. Then it sat on my shelf for well over a year. I'm sad I waited so long because I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

A mystery set in 1789, told from the POV of the town midwife. A body is discovered frozen into the ice of the river. Trigger warning this story also deals with sexual assault.

I loved seeing the marriage relationship between our main character and her husband. It warmed my heart to see a solid marriage portrayed.

We are in the twilight years of a long love affair, and it has recently occurred to me that a day will come when one of us buries the other. But, I remind myself, that is the happy ending to a story like ours. It is a vow made and kept. Till death do us part. It is the only acceptable outcome to a long and happy marriage, and I am determined not to fear that day, whenever it arrives. I am equally determined to soak up all the days between.

Memory is a wicked thing that warps and twists. But paper and ink receive the truth without emotion, and they read it back without partiality. That, I believe, is why so few women are taught to read and write. God only knows what they would do with the power of pen and ink at their disposal.

I finish my dinner and sip my whiskey, marveling as I watch my children. This is a new, bittersweet milestone of motherhood. They have gotten bigger, as have their problems. But they have also grown wiser, and that is a miracle because wisdom is not a thing you can acquire for your children.

29 The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza    4/14    (kindle/library)★★★

52 Bookclub 49. Set In A Country With An Active Volcano

Honestly this is one of the strangest books I have read, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. It definitely kept me turning the pages. Sara going through a divorce and losing her restaurant heads to Sicily on an all-expense paid trip to check out a plot of land she inherited from her great aunt. Upon arrival she kept running into people who know of her aunt and who seemingly were bending over backward to help her. I couldn't figure out why everyone was all up in her business but then again maybe people in Sicily are like that- I don't know. It was a twisty ride, and I kept expecting her to be murdered at every turn.

There is also an alternate timeline told from the POV of Sara's great-great-grandmother when she lived in the village as a young woman.  I think I enjoyed her story line better

It is more a way of life, a spirit, a story we pass down, a way of reminding ourselves that the only way for a woman to survive in this world is to help other women.

30 Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep    4/15    (print/own)

Well Read Coll. 4. Book with an in-person Book Club

My church book club pick for this month. A fun mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed. Ami is an Egyptologist and sets about authenticating and valuing a lot of Egyptian artifacts for a wealthy investor. But are the artifacts cursed? *cue mysterious music* I loved Ami's character and the banter between her and Edmund.

Our book club had a great discussion as well.

31 Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarrows    4/21    (kindle/own)★★★★

 

52 Bookclub 18. A Character Who Can Fly

Reread. Still loved it. 

32 Grandma Ruth Doesn't Go to Funerals by Sharon J. Mondragón    4/23    (ebook/hoopla)★★★

I feel sad I didn't love this book as much as I had hoped. Her first book The unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady is one of my all time favs.  This one just didn't hit the same way. It was funny and warm, slow quiet read in my opinion.

Sara is 24, still living at home with her parents and grandmother in their quaint, close knit, small town.  Her Grandma Ruth is bedridden and Sara is her grandmother's proxy going to funerals etc on her behalf.

33 The Catch by Amy Lea    4/30    (print/own)★★★★

Mikayla gave me this book for my birthday, she said she picked it because the author's name was "Amy" and the cover reminded her of me and her dad 😂

It was a fun read and I very much enjoyed it. Fake dating trope. Fairly open door in a few spots. I heard it billed as While You Were Sleeping meets The Proposal. Two of my fav rom coms.

I realized belatedly that its the third in a series but did fine as a stand alone. I may or may not go back and read the others.

Total: 10     2025:  33

Kindle/Ebook: 4     Print:  5    Audio: 1

Library: 4  Owned: 6   Kindle Unlimited: 0

Favorite: The Frozen River

Challenges:

Things I am looking forward to in May! 

• The MMD Summer reading guide is just around the corner. I can not wait the Live unboxing, I ordered a print copy of the guide and some MMD summer merch- stand by ;)
• A sister coffee date in Hershey! We are going to Hershey, PA for Memorial Day for a kind of family reunion- The Book Bar is a 7 minute walk from our Airbnb! So hopefully Laura and my girls will make the trek to check it out on Friday night *cue confetti*
• The latest Timeless series book comes out May 20 (already pre-ordered months ago!)
• Hopefully some lovely backyard hammock reading

Happy reading Friends! What was your favorite April read or what's something bookish you are looking forward to in May.