Rain or Shine

I must give props where props are due. My husband is often asked to critique my layouts, which is brave, indeed. I know I ask, but that can be a slippery slope for a husband caught unawares. Luckily, Michael set ground rules for offering his, constructive, critism. Yesterday, I asked him a few times what he thought. His observations were very helpful. He also helped me use the smudge tool to get the reflections in the water the way I wanted. Just add this to the list of reasons he is "The Best Wife I Ever Had"!


<sub>My daughter, Rachel, playing in the huge puddles after a brief rainstorm at Niagara Falls.


Brand new kit by Dawn Inskip "WEATHER STATION" available in the following stores Friday, April 18th.

Also her Type Cast Alpha, and Midnight Clear alpha,

NDISB http://www.ndisb.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=58

Treasures to Scrap http://digistore.treasurestoscrap.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=20

ScrapScandiStyle http://shop.scrapscandistyle.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=43

also: Kate Hadfield: Skinny and Tall alpha,
with Tiff Brady: Wordy Bits Basics, Vacation Wordy Bits,</sub>

::::::::::::::::::Book Club:::::::::::

I was invited by my friend, Kim, to join the book club with some ladies in our ward. We discussed the book Austenland by Shannon Hale. This was my first meeting and I was told this was considered very light reading from some of their past works. I, thoroughly, enjoyed this book and we had a lively discussion with prompts prepared, by Kim, on slips of paper. There were 12 of us and everyone got a chance to comment. There was a range of liked a lot to didn't like and it was fun to hear everyones' take on the book. At one point I got a moment to defend Mr. Darcy's character. That was fun...do you think Jane Austen we be smiling? They are a great bunch and I look forward to our next book and meeting!

:::::::::::::::::Introduction to Lawn Mowing:::::::

Grandpa Jim picked Aaron up, yesterday, to take him to mow the lawn of one of our friends. She plans to pay Aaron sometimes and other times he will use the lawn mowing as service hours for Scouts. Grandpa Jim showed him how the mower worked and how to be safe, then how to make even rows. Michael showed up to pick Aaron up and gave him pointers, as needed. Aaron did a great job from Grandpa's report. Unfortunately, the cold he has is kicking his, proverbial, rear end and he felt yucky when he got home and he skipped bowling league today. He asked to get a reading assignment so he could lay down. He is upstairs reading a kid's version of Julius Ceasar. Since we have watched the BBC version he should follow the play without a problem. I hope he gets well soon. He has to take the CRCT, starting Monday.

:::::::::::::::::Looking Forward To::::::

"Alice in Wonderland" this weekend put on by the local high school. Rachel and I are going with her Girl Scout troop. Fun girls, so I'm looking forward to the performance.

Take care!

Promised Fluff And Stuff...

:::::::::::::::A Walk In The Park:::::::::::

At lunch today I walked from the house to park, and back. It was a bracing walk due to the cold temperatures. Fortunately, my toes were happy to be in their new big square box.

After the walk I drove to Eve's preschool and had to wait out in the hall for just a few minutes because the girls were having dress rehearsal for their upcoming ballet recital. All the girls were excited to wear their costumes and all shrieked when we, the parents, walked in, to not look up at the front where Ms. Brooke had their costumes. Such excited little girls!

::::::::::::::::::::::Dawn Inskip C.T. Layouts::::::::::



My oldest DS, Aaron, with a Blue Morpho on his shoulder. He was thrilled!

Credits:
Font: DJB NICOLE by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick

Dawn Inskips: Colour My World kit coming to NDISB,
TTS, and SSS on Friday!
Typecast Alpha
Font: Ck Cursive

NDISB
http://www.ndisb.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=58&zenid=6f749e8e3eef36755bd930bff3df535c
TTS
http://digistore.treasurestoscrap.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=20
SSS
http://shop.scrapscandistyle.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=43

My family and I having fun petting stingrays and small sharks at the Tennessee Aquarium.



:::::::::::::::::::::::::Suspence and Sensibility


This book by Carrie Bebris is her second in the series of mystery stories using the well-known characters from Jane Austen's works. The main characters are Elizabeth Bennett Darcy and Fitzwilliam Darcy the beloved couple from Pride and Prejudice. Bebris writes in wonderful Austenian style, so as you read you are comfortable with the characters and the atmosphere she creates...or continues in this series. This book is like Nick and Nora Charles meet The Picture of Dorian Gray. The creepy Sir Frances Dashwood is introduced to the reader immediately, then comes into play later in the book. We also get to "witness" the budding romance between Kitty Bennett and Harry Dashwood.
I liked this book a bit more than the first. The supernatural underpinnings of the books are expected, now, and Bebris explains the historical background to the stories she weaves in the this much beloved couples' life. This was an engaging read and I enjoyed it. If you want Austen with a twist of the supernatural give this book a try.

Later, gators!

Elinor Dashwood...

I got this quiz from Sandra's blog.

You scored as Elinor Dashwood. As Marianne's older sister, Elinor lives at the other end of the emotional spectrum. She rarely reveals her intense feelings and is more concerned with being honest and loyal than having what she deserves. Even though her intentions are pure, she sets herself up for loss by constantly placing other people before her own needs. Overall, Elinor is gentle and rational but is just as capable of radical emotions (despite her withholding them) as her sister. Elinor Dashwood 75% Emma Woodhouse 69% Elizabeth Bennet 69% Jane Bennet 63% Marianne Dashwood 63% Charlotte Lucas 41% Lady Catherine 41% Which Jane Austen Character are You? (For Females) Long Quiz!!! created with QuizFarm.com