Our March Book Club pick was Once a Queen by Sarah Arthur. . Once a Queen is a fairytale fantasy that weaves real life family dynamics with magic portals , secret gatherings and magic woven tapestries. You meet 14 year Evie as she travels to England to meet a grandmother she has never met before who lives in a beautiful estate that has an intriguing staff. The staff is one we would all want if we were as privileged. . It starts off slow but then quickly starts to wrap you into the story as it unfolds. As the characters unfold , and the story is weaved ,and you get glimpses of the white stag, you can’t help but to start to step into the magic of the story . Definate Narnia vibes throughout that awakened my childlike faith in reading this. . Our bookclub enjoyed reading this and several of us are adding the other books to our list!
Ronto Roasters is one of our favorite places to grab a quick dinner or lunch when we are in Galaxy’s Edge @disneyland . Here you can find pita wraps filled with spicy grilled sausage and roasted pork that are delicious .
⭐️ Keto option.. ditch the pita bread .
➡️ Fun fact: A droid named 8D-J8 does the cooking here, turning alien meats on a rotating spit that roast under a recycled podracing engine.
You can also pick up the Paddy Frog Sipper at around $17 which includes a drink.What in the world is a patty frog? You know those things Jabba the Hut eats ? Yep thats them!
This sipper was a blessing on our last trip because it entertained our little for hours..and that is priceless! . Mobile Ordering is Available .. another win!
Salish lodge is one of our new favs! Oohh this hotel made us feel like VIPs !We can’t wait to return.
The rooms are beautiful,spacious, clean and offered a beautiful view over the falls. We loved the decor and the coziness of the room. My favorite moments were having coffee snuggled up in the fur blanket on the couch in the mornings.
A few special perks that come with your stay : Complimentary welcome seasonal drink at checkin before 6 six different types of pillows to chose from to improve your rest and relaxation. Terrycloth robes Daily newspaper Morning coffee and afternoon tea in the lobby Trail mix station to fuel up with snacks Copper kettle and pour-over coffee service in room
We also added the Club 268 package which included several upgrades including the Spa.The spa services were exceptional ! We enjoyed the pools and the sauna. Fresh lemon water was available and the relaxation room was the perfect ending. The eucalyptus shower spray is one of our new favs from the spa so we had to pick up a bottle of it to bring home. . The food at the Lodge is impressive. We loved how they knew it was our Anniversary and set up the table with rose petals. Such an amazing surprise! Everything was perfectly cooked and delicious. . After dinner we hiked down to the falls and it was wonderful. The views are breathtaking! You can do the short hike to the overlook or go to the lower falls which is a little bit of a climb to get back up but it’s super short and worth it. . There are so many more hikes in this area if you’re feeling adventurous. We did Poo Poo Point on the day of checkout and were able to see the paragliders which was a cool experience. Some other hikes in the area are : Mailbox Peak Mt.Si Little Si Twin Falls Rattlesnake Ridge . If you’re looking for a peaceful escape with incredible views ,lots of nearby trails to hike and amazing food, Salish Lodge & Spa is the perfect place for your next getaway.
A few weeks ago we were able to attend the Bantam Cup event @whitepass. It was such a fun day and we loved all the excitement on the slopes. We saw so many that were dressed up as chickens and all sorts of characters that it added to the fun of the day.
Winter Castle podium White pass Snow Castle Bantam Cup
One of our favorites was the life size Winter Castle from the Winter Carnival weekend . The Castle crew, artists and sculptors all did an amazing job on the art and sculptures creating a circus theme. It also made the perfect back drop to the awards podium plus it was fun for the littles to explore.
Snow Castle Tigger and Eeyore on the slopes
Have you ever seen a life size Snow castle? Check out our reel below of the castle ⬇️
“Frankie don’t like slimy fish, cause fishes are all so dumb And Frankie don’t like little humans, humans are so dumb Frankie don’t even like trolls, cause trolls are also dumb But Frankie’s mouth’s the only one that says the word of dumb” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Thomas Dambo
Frankie Feetsplinters,one of the Thomas Dambo’s Northwest Trolls, lives at the National Nordic Museum in Ballard.He is one of the six trolls that the Danish artist has made from recycled materials and has installed around the Northwest . Frankie is the youngest and most irresponsible of all the Trolls in Way of the Bird King.You see him stepping on a wood bench which is part of the art. . He is also one of the few Trolls which has come out of the forest to an urban environment.Look for the birdhouses . They are a clue that you are in the right area . . Pro tip- plan to go on the first Thursday …Admission to the Nordic Museum is free ⭐️
We had the opportunity to stay at one of the Mt. Rainier Huts and jumped on it! We really had no idea on what to expect since it was our first time ever doing something like this but it was a great first time experience for our family and we can’t wait to go again!
The Hut was a welcome sight after the hike in with all our gear. Cabin on top of the mountain.. what’s not to love ! The Hut was clean and fully stocked and even had extra gear in case it was needed like poles or snowshoes. We were greeted with a banner of multi flags that reminded us of Everest basecamp , which we loved! It was a well appointed hut with a mudroom to leave your gear in like snowshoes, boots , poles and shoes . There was a kitchen , several tables to eat at or play games and a few couches by the fire. There was running water and electricity by solar . Upstairs hosted several sets of bunkbeds and some individual beds (twin) for sleeping.
The fully stocked kitchen Fireplace View from the outhousePlaying a game
The stats for this trail are ⬇️
📍 CopperCreek Hut viaRainier Vista Trail
🧭 Ashford, Wa
🥾 10.9 miles RT ( we came in at 8 )
🏔️ 1692 ft elevation gain ( we gained 800)
⭐️ Stats based on AllTrails and Apple
The road was open for us so this changes the stats. If the road is closed then it would come in closer to AllTrails.
Coffee after the hike up
Watching the sun set was amazing! So beautiful!
The next morning , we headed out to explore some more . Look at this view we found!
We hiked to the Tenth Mountain viewpoint and it came in at 3 miles rt . We were able to just use our microspikes but we did post hole some. Overall we hiked about 11 miles and a 1000 elevation including the hut rt .
You do have to make reservations to stay. You can do that here ⬇️
Here is some more info from Mount Tahoma Trails Association has on their website.
Copper Creek is located in the North District and is only open during the winter. The maximum capacity of the hut is 14 people. Copper Creek Hut is located within the Mt. Rainier Gateway Forest, a wildlife preserve, so please leave your dog at home. Dogs are not allowed in the North District.
How far is it to Copper Creek?
The trek to Copper Creek Hut is:
3.2 miles with 800’ of elevation gain from the upper sno-park.
4.3 miles with 1,070’ of elevation gain from the middle sno-park (least frequently used).
5.4 miles with 1,570’ of elevation gain from the lower sno-park.
Cleaning supplies – dish soap, hand soap, Clorox, etc.
Toilet paper, paper towels
Water Filter System: Rain water is collected in the summer. In the winter, water comes from snow melt. There is a water filter system to provide clean drinking water.
Other Items: Some other amenities you will find:
Books/MagazinesRestrooms: An outhouse are located outside of the hut.
A Fifth of the Story was our February Bookclub pick .It is a CIA thriller that tackles current social ideology and terriosm on the home front. I really loved how the author intertwined how it can affect more then one side of the battle and how our enemies are often not who we think they are .
Brock, one of the main characters, sees the bonds of brotherhood, friendships and loyalty tested .He quickly realizes the war he has fought is now on his home front. The book is filled with action and our whole book club agreed this could be made for tv .
It is a debut novel by Katherine Hutchison-Hayes that was nominated and a finalist in the First Novel category of the 2024 Christy Awards.
A huge thank you to the author for doing a zoom with our bookclub ❤️This was such an amazing gift and gave us a behind the scenes glimpse into the writing as well as the characters. Katherine was so authentic and real in our conversation of how the characters of the book came to be that it gave the whole story an incredible amount of depth that weaved it all together in a beautiful testimony of grace, perseverance and love.
1. Character Dynamics: How does Brock O’Reilly’s relationship with Andrew Pang and Matthew Shuggs evolve throughout the novel? What key events influence these changes?
2. Themes of Betrayal: The revelation of Matthew Shuggs’ true allegiance is pivotal. Were there subtle hints leading up to this twist? How did this betrayal impact your perception of the story?
3. Moral Dilemmas: Brock faces numerous ethical challenges in his quest to uncover the mole. How do his decisions reflect the broader moral questions posed by the novel?
4. Role of Patti Pang: Patti Pang’s strained marriage with Andrew adds depth to the narrative. How does their relationship influence the story’s progression and the decisions of the main characters?
5. Leadership and Trust: Dr. Harper, as the CIA Director, plays a crucial role in the unfolding events. How does her leadership style affect the team’s dynamics and the story’s outcome?
6. Race Against Time: The novel’s pacing intensifies as Brock races to identify the intelligence breach. How does the author build suspense, and what techniques are used to convey the urgency of Brock’s mission?
7. Exploration of Extremism: Matthew Shuggs’ involvement in a white supremacy organization introduces complex themes. How does the novel address the issue of extremism, and what commentary does it offer on such ideologies?
8. Setting as a Character: The various locations in the novel, from CIA headquarters to clandestine meeting spots, play significant roles. How do these settings enhance the story’s atmosphere and tension?
9. Title Significance: Reflect on the title, A Fifth of the Story. In what ways does it encapsulate the novel’s central themes or plot twists?
10. Personal Reflections: Considering the novel’s exploration of trust, loyalty, and deception, how did it resonate with your own experiences or beliefs? Were there moments that challenged your perspectives? These questions aim to foster a deep and engaging discussion about the intricate layers of A Fifth of the Story.
Bonus questions: Food plays a vital role in A Fifth of the Story. What were your favorite meals? Which ones would you want to get a recipe for to try for yourself?
Here’s another great Valentines Book to add to your collection ❤️ . The Mystery of the Love List is such a cute story with beautifully illustrated pages. Pippa’s class makes a love list, a list of all the things they love ,that take up room in their hearts. Pippa finds a list that one of her classmates made, that has her name written down, with all of her favorite things! She has a secret admirer, but who? See if she solves the mystery of the love list and finds a new friend❤️
We are always looking for good books to read for the different seasons and holidays . It’s so hard to find unique ones and so when we found this , I knew I needed to share! . This is such a cute book! Beautifully illustrated and such a cute story of love ❤️. We will be adding this to our personal collection of Valentine books.
