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.”
I love your pictures!! You are a great photograph and your kids are so cute! That book: Style, Sex and Substance interests me, as a christian too!!
I completely get that oddball feeling – and most of my friends are Catholic! Style, Sex and Substance looks fantastic and thank you for the give away!
style, sex and substance sounds good to me! i am always looking to you for Catholic inspiration!!
Oh yes please!
I just love my Catholicness! And YOURS! I need to learn more about this book “Style, Sex and Substance!”
I keep waiting for the local library to get it so that I can read “Style, Sex, and Substance.” Thank you for the chance to win a copy (and for the lovely modeling on the meadow that made me smile.)
I’d love to read the book, só please consider me, unless international shipping isn’t an option! Thanks!
Woud love to win a copy of Style, Sex and Substance! Love your photos and the story of your families life!!!
I’ve seen a few blogs talking about this book, and I’m certainly interested. Was waiting for it to come into our library system, but winning it would be all kinds of awesome.
Hi Ginny,
I would love to win a copy of sex, substance and style –
your pictures are beautiful.
The book title alone makes me want to win this give away and read it.
I would love to win a copy of Style, Sex, and Substance. It’s on my reading list!
I continue to hope that some of your “Catholicness” rubs off on my “Catholicness” I am in training: ) I would love to win a copy of the book! Thanks for the opportunity!
I would like to win Style, Sex and Substance. Is it possible to send it so far like Hungary, Europe? We also have racoons on our terrace sometimes and four girls going to catholic school and kindergarten. Your photos are wonderfull!
Noemi
I would loe to read Style, Sex, and Substance. You have really piqued my interest. Also, these pictures of Virginia are making me very excited to move back this summer. Can’t wait to go chasing down the remarkable trees of Virginia!
I am curious about chapter 4? and 5 ….and the whole book!
Love the deer pick and that little babe walking!
Even though I’m not Catholic, I think Style, Sex and Substance sounds like a great book….I am an Orthodox Christian and I went to Catholic school for a few years, so I know that our Creed is very similar and the basic beliefs are the same, even though I love our older traditions better. ♥
Well, with everything you’ve told us about the book, I must say that I would like to have a copy of “Sex, Style and Substance”. I must say, that for a mother of 3, it takes a lot of Substance to have some Sex with Style!!!! :)))
If you’re a Catholic oddball, please count me in that club! This is my first “real” comment (other than the one on your About page), and I’d love a copy of Style, Sex, and Substance!
BTW, we are definitely moving to your area soon and I’d love to pick your brain about local stuff, parishes, house buying, etc., if you’re willing. :o) Blessings to your beautiful fam.
Even cuter than one racoon looking from a tree is 3 baby racoons looking from a tree. The sweetness of that image when I was in high school still makes me smile when I hear of racoons. I’d love a chance to win Style, Sex and Substance!
This makes my fourth give away attempt to win a copy of Style, Sex, and Substance. I really want to read it!!
I would love to win a copy of Style Sex and Substance. I need some Catholic inspiration!
What great pictures! It looks like such fun and I love the picture of Beatrix with the book. I would love to win a copy of this book, it is on my wishlist right now.
sign me up for a chance at the book giveaway 🙂
Even though I am not a catholic mama, I would love to win a copy of Style Sex and Substance. It sounds like a fun and insightful read, no matter what religious background you come from!
I would like to win a copy of “Style Sex and Substance” I, too, need more encouragement at being a Catholic oddball (love it, by the way)
So awesome Johnny is participating in the Tough Mudder. I’ve been so anxious to get back to running … due with number 6 here in six weeks.
what beautiful pictures! makes me feel like packing our kids and dog up for a walk in the woods nearby but will have to wait just a little longer for a broken foot to heal. 🙁
in the meantime, i’d sure love to read the style, sex and substance book!
Oh what fun! Silas is adorable. Your pictures are lovely, what an amazing spot.
Such lovely pictures! And I’d love to be entered to win “Style Sex and Substance”.
I would love to win a copy of Style, Sex, and Substance.
Looks like another fun adventure! Myself, being another Catholic “oddball” here, I would also love to win a copy of Style, Sex and Substance. Thanks for the chance, and thanks for all of your great posts! My husband, Aaron and I, check in often. Your life so seems to mirror our life here in Wisconsin, on our little farm with our six kids (and one on the way!).
I would love to win Style Sex and Substance. I could always use a new book.
I’m curious about the book, although too cheap to actually buy it. I’m thinking that since I’m almost 50, I’m a little too old for the style and sex part and I have plenty of substantial experience. My 21yo daughter may enjoy it though. Your photos make me miss VA (although I only lived there a year).
I’ve been hoping to read this book and would love to enter the giveaway! Thanks for hosting it. 🙂
I’d love to read that there book!
I love the look on Silas’ face when he walks! Adorable!
I would love a chance to win the book, thank you.
I would love to read this book!
Honestly, I’m not sure what this book is really about, as my library didn’t have it last time I checked and I haven’t been to a bookstore lately, but I think I can figure it out based on the title. I think it’d make a good summer read/book discussion for my bible study, since we typically take the summer off and only meet to socialize a few times. Funny thing is, we once did a book study where Ch. 4 discussed sex and we now use it as code. Hmm, wondering if the topic of this Ch. 4 might be the same thing…
Great title! Style, Sex and Substance is on my book wish list. Thanks for hosting a giveaway. Beautiful photos as usual. Will have to see about going out to Shendoah National Park. Perhaps sometime this summer after my body has time to adjust from having baby number 5.
beautiful pictures! and would love to read this book =)
What a lovely going out. I will like to read Style, Sex and Substance, so please cont me in and thank you.
We live in Pittsburgh and your beautiful photos have inspired us to travel to the park. Would love to sneak some quiet moments to read Style, Sex and Substance if I’m lucky enough to win!
I am praying some more “Catholicness” will come my way in the form of “Style, Sex and Substance”! Thanks! Oh, and keep the dorkiness coming!! Dorks Unite!
Danica 😉
I keep hearing so many great things about sex, style, & substance. I would love to win a copy.
i love these pictures… and silas walking is so yummy:) would LOVE to win a copy of style sex and substance!
I would love to win a copy of Style, Sex, and Substance. Then I can stop pestering the local librarians. The raccoon comment cracked me up. All of the raccoons I see are leisurely clearing out my bird feeders unperturbed by my wildly barking dog.
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.
I just wanted to say that I love the photos of your family adventure! God bless!
I homeschooled my daughters (back when it was “bad” to homeschool your children and child protective services were invading our homes……) till they went off to college. They are grown women now and I love supporting and encouraging homeschooling families! You rock!
I also LOVE your one of your daughter’s name – Beatrix!
Oh! I will adore to get a copy of Style, Sex and Substance! And what beautiful photos!
Eliane
Oh I would love a chance to win a copy of Style, Sex and Substance. I NEED more ‘Catholicness’ inspiration :p Thanks for the chance!
And woo hoo Silas!! My Lucian is still crawling away wit no interest in walking yet.