February 25, 2016
Unleash Your Inner Winter Child at Scenic Caves Nature Adventures
Winter is all about the magic of snow falling, new adventures and the quiet beauty and silence of being outdoors. As an adult, I have learned to dread the drives in the snow and icy conditions, the layers of clothing on my kids and getting the snowsuits on just to have to pull it all off again because someone forgot to use the bathroom. It can be easy to forget the pure and simple beauty of winter! It is important to reconnect with that love and to share it with your children. This past weekend, we headed out to the trails at Scenic Caves Nature Adventures Nordic Centre and reconnected with our inner child to regain those lost memories and to just unwind and have fun with our boys.
We visited the Scenic Caves Nature Adventures trails during the early fall and fell in love with the natural environment and history. There was just so much to do, see, learn and touch. We kept trying to picture the Nordic Centre but could not quite get the image in our head. What we experienced was far beyond expectations.
Scenic Caves Nature Adventures is literally transformed into a winter wonderland with the hills to one side and a breath-taking view of the lake on the other side (the lake was a beautiful blue on Sunday that just drew our attention to it). The main lodge was transformed into a chalet style building with comfy couches, fireplaces and tables to relax, warm up and enjoy a snack before heading back out. Families (and individuals) can participate in either snowshoeing or skiing. The Nordic Centre provides rental equipment, that you can purchase as part of a package with your admission.
We participated in both snow shoeing and cross-country skiing. My personal favourite was definitely the snowshoeing, mainly because my balance is awful and even more pronounced on skis! No matter how hard I tried, I kept overcompensating by leaning back, which of course led to my feet up in the air and me on my behind.
The snowshoe trails make up about ten kilometres of trails throughout the area and include a walk down to the Suspension Bridge. Walking across the bridge and the views it offers in winter is incredible (not to mention that much more nerve-wracking!). Our youngest was definitely the bravest and headed out across the bridge first. Along the way we took a lot of opportunities for snow ball fights, breaks on the side of the trails – which is quite peaceful to stop in the middle of the trails, sit down on the side and just embrace the quiet, the trees and the nature around you.
The cross-country ski trails are divided into easy to moderate to more advanced. We stuck to the easy peasy trails (the real name!) and our incredible instructor, Marianne led the way. If you are going to head out cross-country skiing and it has been a little while since your last time on skis, I highly recommend spending the extra time with an instructor. She taught us much more than just how to navigate the trails but the grip of the bottom of the skis, how to tilt your knees and ankles and not to mention how to just laugh and have fun. I honestly think our youngest kept falling so she would come over to pick him and talk to him! He laughed the whole hour and a half we were out on the trail (which we were so proud of him for completing!). I was so proud of how fearless they were and how quickly they picked up what she was teaching them. Nothing stopped them on those trails (except for maybe me falling every time I stopped paying attention to my legs and arms and how they were moving!).
Make sure you leave yourself at least three hours to truly appreciate the whole experience and to ensure you have enough time on the trails to take in the nature and sights. The Nordic Centre has two warm up centres for you to take a break in, grab a coffee and quick rest before heading back out. The main centre has an outdoor fire pit (I love the smell of logs burning!) which gave us a chance to recover, drink some water but keep warm too.
While you are out on the trails, keep your eyes open for little critters (we so badly wanted to spot a porcupine!) but we did find these little prints near the front lodge:
Make sure you follow Scenic Caves Nature Adventures on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date with trail openings and important information.
Disclosure: We received admission to Scenic Caves Natures Adventures to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 24, 2016
Because Family Time Matters #StreamTeam
Life is busy, trust me I know – between work, school, soccer, swimming and yoga, it can be hard to just take a minute to breath and unwind. But doing so is so important for not only your own mental health well being but for you families well being too. Taking the time to press pause on life, relax and unwind as a family unit builds stronger family bonds. We love our family time – we can choose one family activity and then spend time talking, listening and just living in the moment.
Our sacred family time is Saturday night. We love to stay in, just the four of us and unwind together. Staying in the comfort of our home, gives us the freedom to focus on each other without the background noise public places offers. Not to mention we can be as silly as we want to be – dance parties, fashion shows, baking and karaoke – yes please!
When all the active fun winds down and it is time to start thinking bed time, it is time to create our impromptu camp out in front of the television (sometimes we even let Grandpa join us – even if he falls asleep first – sorry Dad!!).
That is when we can find family hits on Netflix that the WHOLE family can enjoy. With the premiere of Fuller House coming up in two days (squeal!!), I can not wait to show my children this series and explain to them how this was a huge part of my own child and teen years. I loved Full House and to think of them as adults (although it brings home how much I have aged as my kids like to point out!) is mind blowing. The adventure picks up many years later with new Tanner additions, not to mention a Gibbler addition! After having a sneak peek at the first couple of episodes, it had me in tears, it had me laughing and most of all anticipating the next episodes.
Check out this trailer for Fuller House now:
And if you are a huge Full House fan like me, check out these other great family inspired titles: SuperMoms Like DJ Tanner, Steph Tanner Presents “How Rude” TV and Kimmy Gibbler and Other Pesky Friends – HAVE MERCY! 🙂 I have to admit, I can’t get all of my favourite Full House sayings out of my head and have been using them like crazy. This weekend will definitely be all about Fuller House.
What are your favourite family themed movies currently streaming on Netflix?
Disclosure: I am a Netflix #StreamTeam member and receive perks associated with this affiliation. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 24, 2016
Kissed by a Cowboy Book Review
In Kissed by a Cowboy Cassidy was looking for a home and a place to belong and not for a cowboy to steal her heart!
About Kissed by a Cowboy
Having lived through her parents’ endless string of “matrimonial bliss gone wrong,” Cassidy Starr knows when the odds are not in her favor. Divorced and humiliated, her faith on rocky ground, Cassidy is through with love. She has been bucked off that horse far too many times. Instead, she returns to Wishing Springs, Texas, and the rundown farm she has inherited from her great aunt Roxie. She’ll reopen the strawberry farm and a bed & breakfast and follow in her aunt’s footsteps, remaining forever-independent, happy and single.
Rancher Jarrod Monahan’s hands are full running the ranch, looking after his ailing grandfather, and chasing down a group of rustlers on the loose. He’s pushed his longing for a family to the bottom of his list of priorities. Besides, he was in love once but ran scared and lost his one shot at happiness. But suddenly, the biggest regret of his life has moved in next door with a wounded heart, determined to become a spinster and that is a challenge that Jarrod just can’t pass up.
Jarrod sets his mind to breaking down the walls around Cassidy’s stubborn heart. How can he show her that this cowboy’s kiss lasts forever?
My Thoughts
A great Western romance read with some twists along the way. We have our main character Cassidy who has been through so much through her marriage. She is hurt, betrayed and unable to trust and ready to start another relationship. She has darkened her heart to a chance of romance. A strong part of me can’t blame her, I can’t even begin to imagine the emotions she is going through. She is struggling to come to closure and does not want this to interfere with her future but it is hard not to let it. Her pain keeps surfacing to the top throughout the novel.
On the flip side we have Jarrod, a man who has known her whole life but who has also been scarred by family and life. He has come to terms with his past and wants to move forward but he needs to help show Cassidy the way. He needs to help build her trust and acceptance, which is not easy!
A wonderful tale of trust, honesty, love and acceptance with a Western spin! You will fall in love with the warm and funny characters and the honest story.
You can find more reviews on the Litfuse Blog Tour page. You can purchase a copy of the book here.
Rating: 4/5
About the Author
Debra Clopton is a multi-award winning novelist and has written more than 22 novels. Along with writing, Debra helps her husband teach the youth at their local Cowboy Church. Debra’s goal is to shine a light toward God while she entertains readers with her words.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 24, 2016
Voice of the Spirit
In Voice of the Spirit, can two people with different beliefs stay together?
About Voice of the Spirit
Tobias and Lauren have been together for four months since the end of Do You Want to Play. They’ve found rhythm in their relationship, but that rhythm comes to an abrupt stop when a body is found nailed to a cross inside Pious Church.
As they dig through possible suspects—from religious fanatics to resentful Satanists—they also find themselves reexamining their relationship, trying to figure out if two people with opposite beliefs can stay together. As time begins to run out for their kidnapped singer and the murders begin to pile up, they will have to find a way to resurrect what they had doubted and sacrifice what they had believed.
You can purchase a copy of Voice of the Spirit on Amazon.
About the Author
Charlotte Raine is a best selling suspense author. Charlotte gets inspiration for her writing from the scenic mountains around her home near Vail, Colorado.
When she is not writing you will find her after a long day of skiing at one of the many lodges in Vail. She will most likely be next to a warm fire, drinking a glass of wine and telling stories.
You can connect with her online, Twitter and Facebook.
The Giveaway
Charlotte is giving you the chance to win one of three signed copies of Teacher Beware. Enter via the Rafflecopter below.
February 22, 2016
Blue Ribbon Trail Ride Book Review
Book Four in this series, Blue Ribbon Trail Ride, find them raising funds to help support her autistic brother.
About Blue Ribbon Trail Ride
Thirteen-year old Kate and her friends came up with the perfect way to raise money for her autistic younger brother and others to attend summer camp, a horse scavenger hunt! As local businesses donate money and prizes, Kate keeps the entry fees in her mom’s antique jewelry box.
But when the box and the money disappear, Kate and her friends must unravel the clues, hold on to hope, and solve the mystery along the Blue Ribbon Trail Ride.
My Thoughts
An amazing series of novels for young adults. The novel is well written and thought out with characters that young adults (and even adults!) can relate to.
Kate is like many thirteen year old girls, who struggles with independence, her own wants and needs. She struggles at time with being patient especially with a younger brother who requires a high amount of care due to his autism. A lot of her parent’s time and money goes in to his care, and while she understands this as any normal child would she also struggles with sometimes having her needs put second. I love that Miralee shows this vulnerability and how Kate works through it and shows her understanding and love for her brother.
She comes up with creative solutions to solve her problems and uses her religious teachings to help guide her. In this particular story – first raising money through a scavenger hunt and then solving the mystery of the stolen box and money. I love how her faith is lightly woven into the novel to help guide and how easily young adults can relate this to their own lives.
This novel (and the whole series) will be a great addition to the young adults in your life personal library. They are well written and funny while teaching valuable moral and faith-based lessons.
You can find more reviews on the Blue Ribbon Trail Ride on the Litfuse Blog tour page. You can purchase a copy of the book here.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Miralee Ferrell is the award-winning author of more than a dozen novels. She and her husband live along the Columbia River Gorge in southern Washington State, where she enjoys riding the wooded trails and spending time with her grown children. In addition to horses and dogs, Miralee once owned two cougars
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book and the series in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.