{Between the Pages: "Saving CeeCee Honeycutt"}

The novel that pulls at your heart strings.  Beth Hoffman's Saving CeeCee Honeycutt tells the tale of a preteen whose life is riddled with the torture of a mentally ill mother and an absent father.  When it seems her world has fallen apart around her, she is saved by the love of women far away from her modest Midwest home.

Beth Hoffman has penned a beautifully uplifting story of hope in Saving CeeCee Honeycutt.  A delightful summer read, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt is the perfectly constructed tale of a little girl in the 1960s who is all but lost in the world by the mistakes of her parents.  But by the grace of a great-aunt in Georgia, CeeCee leaves the only home she has even known in Ohio.  In doing show she has opened a door of opportunity, stepping into the lives of women who show CeeCee her true potential, her boundaries, and an endless bounty of love.

I enjoyed every page of this novel.  It was easy to get into, easy to follow, eloquently written, and left me with the wonderment of the adventures that lie ahead for this seemingly lost young lady.

I recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a story of hope, the power of love and friendship, or a light-hearted, inspiring read.

Ten on Tuesday

1. I've met a lot of people, but never met an umpire for professional baseball.  I've also never met an air marshal.  Maybe neither are allowed to discuss their professions with lay people.  Maybe I just need to get out more.

2. Do me a favor, don't buy the girls balloons.  Balloons that are already inflated are mildly acceptable.  The others just create a circus of latex chaos.

3. If I had three wishes one of them would be for snow.

4. Minnesota mosquitoes are usually witty & excellent swatting evaders.  Not this year.  It seems the heat is even slowing these guys down.

5. The two years I spent isolated & alone with the girls in our house in Florida I wondered if we were ever going to be out in the real world enjoying ourselves.  This summer we're making up for lost time.

6. I like roasted hot dogs on the fire.

7. I had one beer last night at the Twins game. I'm not usually a fan of consuming a malted beverage in such sweltering conditions, but it really helped to dull the pain.  This morning I needed two Tylenol to combat the effects of last night's drinking spree.  I'm getting so old!

8. Why is it that I can only find Canadian Bacon Party Pizzas in Minnesota?  And why is it that they are about a third of their original size?!

9. I really thought Abby had the crossword puzzle thing down.  To each her own, I guess.  Any guesses on which word Abby found?

10. People thought we were strange when we dipped bacon in chocolate.  I have to admit, I never would have thought of it myself, but it was oddly delicious.  Yesterday I saw a recipe for a peanut butter cookie with chocolate & bacon.  I'm not sure I'd be so tempted to try it if they weren't raving about it on Twin Cities Live: {http://twincitieslive.com/article/stories/s2203500.shtml?cat=10931}.  Good luck with your entry at the Minnesota State Fair this year, Alice!

The Cabin

My favorite place on the entire planet.  It's always my favorite part of summer.  The place where we go to rest, relax, play & fill our souls.  I'm so grateful that I am blessed enough to share it with my lovelies.

 {Abby Splashes in the Lake}

 {Lauren Steps In}

{Lizzie Guards the Steps}

{Room For a View}

{Lovely Strawberry-Picking}

{Lauren Fishing with a Loon}

{Minnesota's State Bird}

{Papa & Lauren's Perch}

{An Eagle Fishing Down the Shore}

{Papa & Lauren....

Lauren's First Ride in Great Grandpa's Boat}

{Abby's First Ride in Great Grandpa's Boat}

 {Papa & His Girls Fishing off the Dock}

Flashback Friday

It's pretty much a right of passage at one point in time to be weighed by the fish scale.

June 3, 2007

 {Papa Puts Tiny in the Sack}

 

{Great Grandpa Guesses Her Weight}

{The Verdict: 20½ lbs.}

{Time to Unwrap His Birthday Present}

Grandpa, the cabin isn't the same without you.

Thank You Thursday

1. I'm thankful for summer vacation, and for the memories we're blessed to make.

2. I'm thankful for the people in our lives that teach the girls about some of the best parts of life.  You know who you are.


3. I'm thankful to be back in Minnesota.  This will always be where my heart is.  There really is no place like home.

4. I'm thankful for the strength to go to the cabin on my own.  I hate being here alone, but I guess just being here outweighs the fear.

5. I'm thankful my parents & Shawn are coming up to the tonight.  The girls & I are looking forward to the fishing & the company!

Gone Fishing

Ten on Tuesday

1. Minnesota, your state shut-down sucks. You leave me no choice. I will be fishing, with or without a license.  Do you suppose a tackle box full of old licenses is enough to prove good intention?

2. I need a vacation after that vacation.... Time to head up north to the cabin.

3. Okay, so I don't need a vacation.  But we're heading up north for the weekend anyways.  Why not go up a few days earlier and jump in the lake?!

4. I've decided I need to start training for next summer's trip to the water park.  If you only knew how much strength repeated trips up the mountain require.

5. I loved my time in Washington; all of it!  With that said, I cried Sunday morning as I drove down 35 back to Owatonna.  I don't think I could ever love being anywhere as much as I love being in Minnesota.

6. Why is it that the nails on my ring fingers grow faster than the rest?!

7. Confession Alert: I'm taking my time finishing my current read. I'm determined to finish Wicked this summer; I am not looking forward to it.

8. Reason No. Two Minnesota's State Shut-Down Sucks: I promised to take the girls to walk across the Mississippi while we were up north this summer. Come on St. Paul; I'm sure I'm not the only one annoyed!

9. Fireflies hide under shingles in the rain.

10. My new favorite thing: Burt's Bees Outdoor Bug Bite Relief {http://www.burtsbees.com/natural-products/all-products/bug-bite-relief.html}. Lauren's skin thanks you, Burt!