Thomas Jefferson, Book love & The Magic

“I cannot live without books…”
– Thomas Jefferson

One of our many “Adventures” took us to Thomas Jefferson’s estate, Monticello, in Charlottesville, Virginia. 

A lawyer, architect, writer, farmer, scientist, author of the Declaration of Independence, third President of the United States, founder of the University of Virginia… he was quite the accomplished gentleman of the times – April 2, 1743 – July 4, 1826.

An intriguing, amazing, having “history come alive” journey, not just for your children or grandchildren in our case, but for people of all ages.  

Known for many quotes, directly from their website – Monticello.org… There’s an entire searchable collection of his quotes available for ones reference as well as on the premises of Monticello where you can enjoy delving into the brilliance of this man through his own words.  

While we were there, I came across one particular quote that resonated with me. That little gem can be found on my desk in my home office.  And…, yes…, it is surrounded by a plethora of books of many subjects, sizes & shapes!  🥰

You may find a “few” collections not only in my office but throughout our home.  Our book collection includes… the classics, books on education, children’s books, art books, novels, cookbooks (yes, I do enjoy reading them!), biographies, religion & spirituality… to name a few.  

But, I digress… I wanted to share a book someone recommended to me recently: “The Magic” by Rhonda Byrne. If you don’t know who Rhonda Byrne is, click here for Google results or look her up on Wikipedia. She’s  known as the author of the New Thought books — The Secret [as well as the film], The Power, The Magic, The Hero…)

Her book, “The Magic,” shares with the reader, the power of gratitude, giving thanks, appreciating & counting ones blessings.  It is a 28 day journey in unearthing & acknowledging the joy in ones life.

The book is an easy read that leads you to reflect on your life & to appreciate each & every day that you experience! If you know my “story,” you know that my my family & I have come to understand this “power” for many years now.  We certainly have learned – to “count our blessings” each and every day.  

So… Does one of my favorite quotes resonate with you too?  

If it does… pick up a copy of “The Magic” on Amazon here. Let us know in the comments section below what book(s) you are currently reading that you may want to share with us!  We would be grateful for, give thanks, appreciate & count our blessings to hear your suggestions! 😉❤️

• Top two photos from Monticello.org

Adventure Days ~ Camden Aquarium – Part 1 – Camden, New Jersey

ADVENTURE DAY!!! Went to the CAMDEN AQUARIUM in New Jersey recently! Soooo cool! The Penguins…. outside… Check out that penguin over there Pa! This is so neat! And, Inside….. they are funny! It’s so cool to watch them swim! Then we entered…. the Stingray Beach Club area at the Camden Aquarium, New Jersey — It’s a Touch Exhibit!!  I can actually “touch” a stingray! And… Here’s Pa telling me the right way to “touch” a big stingray!  Wow! Check out the Stingrays Pa! Look at the size of that one Gamma! And…. Gamma! Look at the size of them!  Pa told me we can go to places and actually swim with them!  Like in the Grand Cayman Islands (where Pa and Gamma went), Hawaii, Florida…. I’m going to have to do some research on that!  That would be a trip filled with Adventure Days for sure! There was an area where there were smaller ones…. so neat! So cool to be able touch all of these animals! This Adventure Day to Camden Aquarium, New Jersey is — To be continued… As we venture on to the Sharks! Joyful Journeying with Jackson!  🙂 Make Life an Adventure! Start Enjoying Life Today!

Adventure Days: January and the Beach Cape May, NJ

January Adventure to The Beach!

A chilly Sunday in January and…. We went to the Beach!  One of our favorite places…. Cape May, New Jersey!

We started our day on Jackson Street…

And then we headed straight to the ocean to walk on the beach!  Gamma calls it “our beach” in the winter because there are fewer people there to share it with and not so crowded.  Good Idea Gamma!

As we walked, I collected all kinds of treasures… shells, stones…. and Pa was explaining all kinds of things to me…. like the patterns in the sand from the wind.  It was a little windy and chilly, but I didn’t want my coat to restrict my fun!

I love the beach and the ocean!  Just look at how neat it is!

And the waves….  

They are just the best fun!

I love looking at the videos of my waiting for them to come at me…. and then I run from them.  And… I do it over and over and over again!   Hahahaha!

It’s just hard to leave the ocean once I’m there!

Here we are eating — at The Ugly Mug Restaurant!  My standard… “Grilled Cheese…. Please!”  🙂

(Oh… walking & running in the cold, Atlantic Ocean… I did get a little chilly…  got a new sweatshirt!)

New sweatshirt, treasures from the beach and shopping, sand in my jeans… I would say… “it was a pretty good Adventure Day today!”

And… I wanted Pa to get a sweatshirt just like mine!  If you look close… there are “sharks” on them!  It’s really Cool!

Fun Times!  Fun Adventure!

Till next time…..

Make Life an Adventure! Start Enjoying Life Today!

Burnt Rabbit Fur and St. Patrick’s Cathedral ~ Adventure Days Part 4

As I told you before…
We had an amazing time in New York City for our Adventure Days!

I’ve got some more pictures to share: 😉

Jackson with is giant FAO Schwarz bag outside of the Apple Store!

Riding the escalator at Trump Plaza! Jackson loves escalators!

What to eat? What to eat? So many yummy choices at Trump!

Jackson’s favorite was the carrot cake of course! LOL!

Yum!

Looking for fish in the Trump fountain! “No fish Gamma!”

The top of the Trump Plaza Christmas Tree! (2nd Floor)

More beautiful New York City decorations!

We saw Waverly Place!!! I was so excited! Wizards of Waverly Place is one of my Favs!!!

Jackson thought this was the best artwork at the New Museum! Watch the dogs carefully! It wasn’t easy getting the video at night, but it is really cool! I wonder how many people actually notice these beautiful dogs!

If you know the story of Eloise at the Plaza by Kay Thompson (I used to teach Pre-K remember) then you definitely want to visit The Plaza Hotel! It was filled with Eloise things and even an entire Eloise store! Loved it! The pic of the Eloise books will take you to the Barnes and Noble site if you would like to check out more about Eloise.

Jackson and the Eloise at the Plaza sign!

I saved the best for last! One of my absolute favorite things from our Adventure Days in New York City was visiting The Plaza Hotel and seeing….SANTA!!!

Santa wasn’t too busy, so he actually called Jackson over to him so they could talk! I loved it and Jackson was just thrilled! He felt so special to have Santa say he wanted to talk with him personally! Wow! Then Santa put us right in front of a group of 5 older girls so he could get his picture with Jackson 1st…the girls thought it was adorable and were very understanding! It’s so nice to be in a world with such wonderful people!

Santa!!!!

I think someone was a little pooped after 2 wonderful days in New York City!

He was so excited to tell everyone about his Adventure Days in New York City! He told lots of people about Santa and also his Burnt Rabbit Fur story too! (Don’t know the story? Check it out here!) That may be one he remembers for the rest of his life! LOL!

If you’re planning on visiting New York City this Christmas…then definitely check out our posts about Our Adventure Days in New York City!

Burnt Rabbit Fur and St. Patrick’s Cathedral – Adventure Days

Burnt Rabbit Fur and St. Patrick’s Cathedral ~ Adventure Days Part 2

Burnt Rabbit Fur and St. Patrick’s Cathedral ~ Adventure Days Part 3 ~ More Pics

I love having these Adventure Days with Jackson! I am so thankful to have the ability to work from home so that I can do these things with my son!

Burnt Rabbit Fur and St. Patrick’s Cathedral ~ Adventure Days Part 3 ~ More Pics

So many pictures to share! 😉

We had such a wonderful time in New York City and Mom is quite the photographer! LOL!

She just keeps snapping away! I’m thankful for all of the pictures to share with you!

Christmas in New York City is just beautiful! Jackson was sooo excited and loved every minute of it!

We made it to FAO Schwarz! Jackson and I were both excited! 😉

Someone offered to take a picture of all of us! Yay! Mom, Jackson, the FAO Schwarz soldiers and Me too!

These guys were the best! Such happy guys to be standing outside the most popular toy store in NYC to take pictures with practically everyone that walks through those doors! They were such a delight! So glad Mom could be in the picture with us too! Thank you random stranger! 😉

We spent hours in FAO Schwarz! How could you not?!?!

Jackson “Traveling the World” with Paul Frank!

Jackson chilling out with the golden bear. 🙂

The videographer (hee hee Mom) got a little spinny with the camera…Sorry but cute! I really have to find Big so I can show Jackson the movie! He will be amazed to see Zoltar and what happened when someone wished to be big! Wait til he sees the big piano that he got to play on too! We’re off to the library to borrow that movie soon! Big Piano pictures and video coming up…

But…
First we stopped in the FAO Schweetz section of the store! Loved it!!!! We actually got chocolate covered gummy bears and had fun picking and choosing schweetz to take home with us! 😉

Jackson kept wanting Gamma to take the picture when I wasn’t looking…so he could pose! LOL!

Jackson and the very heavy real Gummy Bear! No, we did not get one of these…it would’ve lasted forever!

He’s such a HAM! Posing by the clock! Listening to the FAO song!

Big Piano time!

I think he was a little nervous at first…but quickly realized how much fun he could have on there! He went back for a couple more turns! 😉

Phew…I’m a little pooped! But that was fun!

Lego Area!

We were now entering Lego Land in FAO Schwarz!

Cool Characters…Jackson loves Star Wars!

One of the Soldiers!

Of Course Batman!

The beautiful Statue of Liberty!

Special Kudos to all those that spend numerous hours putting together these amazing Lego sculptures! That is probably fun! Could you imagine missing pieces?!

And did we leave the best Toy Store in NYC with a nice big bag?

Of course we did! LOL! More pictures to come…

I need to get to bed! It’s too much fun blogging! I love it!

If you’re planning on visiting New York City this Christmas…then definitely check out our posts about Our Adventure Days in New York City!

Burnt Rabbit Fur and St. Patrick’s Cathedral – Adventure Days

Burnt Rabbit Fur and St. Patrick’s Cathedral ~ Adventure Days Part 2

I love having these Adventure Days with Jackson!