Perfect Saturday Morning

I'm enjoying reading about the next royal wedding while enjoying a fabulous cuppa joe and awaiting a beautiful berry and nut pancake.  Then, it's off to direct a beautiful wedding this evening!  It's a great day!!  Happy Saturday! :)

Perfect Saturday Morning

I'm enjoying reading about the next royal wedding while enjoying a fabulous cuppa joe and awaiting a beautiful berry and nut pancake.  Then, it's off to direct a beautiful wedding this evening!  It's a great day!!  Happy Saturday! :)

My "Literary" Weekend

Last weekend I found myself with some extra time between errands and thought I would indulge in a little Barnes and Noble time. I love to poke around in the sale bins and was so giddy when I found these two fun finds!

I have to admit that the Real Houswives series on Bravo is a little bit of a guilty pleasure for me, so when I saw this book in the sale bin, I had to take a closer look.  Then, I saw that it told all about the behind-the-scenes development of the different series and told about the casting of each housewife, and I knew it needed to come home with me. 
Mommywood was also in the sale area and I have been wanting to read it ever since I finished SToritelling, Tori Spelling's first book.  I had looked for it at the library, but it always seemed to be checked out, so a good deal seemed to be the perfect opportunity for purchase!  After my great deals at B&N, I headed to the ultimate great deal, the library!!  I found these two:

I've started reading The Friday Night Knitting Club and love it!  Of course any story set in Manhattan is extra intriguing to me! :)

And with all this triple digit heat we have been experiencing, an ice cold drink is essential.  Enter Bahama Bucks' Caribbean Cola.  The perfect and yummy way to cool off!

I also spent some time learning more about my camera.  I thought this brightness was  a fun setting.  My biggest discovery of the weekend was that I can take video with my camera!  I was a little thrilled about that find, so who knows, a vlog may be in my future!!  Hope you have a fantastic weekend! :)

My "Literary" Weekend

Last weekend I found myself with some extra time between errands and thought I would indulge in a little Barnes and Noble time. I love to poke around in the sale bins and was so giddy when I found these two fun finds!

I have to admit that the Real Houswives series on Bravo is a little bit of a guilty pleasure for me, so when I saw this book in the sale bin, I had to take a closer look.  Then, I saw that it told all about the behind-the-scenes development of the different series and told about the casting of each housewife, and I knew it needed to come home with me. 
Mommywood was also in the sale area and I have been wanting to read it ever since I finished SToritelling, Tori Spelling's first book.  I had looked for it at the library, but it always seemed to be checked out, so a good deal seemed to be the perfect opportunity for purchase!  After my great deals at B&N, I headed to the ultimate great deal, the library!!  I found these two:

I've started reading The Friday Night Knitting Club and love it!  Of course any story set in Manhattan is extra intriguing to me! :)

And with all this triple digit heat we have been experiencing, an ice cold drink is essential.  Enter Bahama Bucks' Caribbean Cola.  The perfect and yummy way to cool off!

I also spent some time learning more about my camera.  I thought this brightness was  a fun setting.  My biggest discovery of the weekend was that I can take video with my camera!  I was a little thrilled about that find, so who knows, a vlog may be in my future!!  Hope you have a fantastic weekend! :)

The Lord's Prayer

Our first morning in Jerusalem dawned bright and beautiful!

But before we headed out for our day of adventure, breakfast beckoned.  I forgot to mention earlier that we entered Jerusalem on Friday evening, so we were told breakfast the next morning would be a cold breakfast due to Shabbat.  We enjoyed tasty pastries and the most phenomenal cereal pictured above.  These little cereal puffs were filled with chocolate!!  So delish!  How I wish I could find them in the States. :)  I'm feeling a grocery store trip in my future!  Okay, y'all know I get a little sidetracked by the food!  Now, for our first stop of the day...

We walked near the Mount of Olives to enter the traditional site where Jesus taught his disciples the Lord's Prayer.

A stunningly beautiful church has been built on the site.

In the courtyard were different renderings of the prayer in a wide variety of languages.

So, now I'll let you in on a little secret...I frequently was confused on the trip about where the traditional places really were.  Eventually I would figure it out (usually after asking a few questions), but this photo was taken of what I thought was the place traditionally cited where Jesus said the Lord's prayer.  I thought it was strange that it was out in the open...

Not to worry...this is the place!  It makes more sense that it is well protected and set apart! :)

Here is an image of some of the prayers in different languages.

A beautiful walkway surrounded the courtyard.

I loved the architecture!

Stunning

One of our professors discussing the Lord's Prayer with the Latin version in the background.

Beautiful arches

In English!

I just loved the design elements, especially with the beautiful blue sky peaking through.

Next, we headed to the Mount of Olives!

The Lord's Prayer

Our first morning in Jerusalem dawned bright and beautiful!

But before we headed out for our day of adventure, breakfast beckoned.  I forgot to mention earlier that we entered Jerusalem on Friday evening, so we were told breakfast the next morning would be a cold breakfast due to Shabbat.  We enjoyed tasty pastries and the most phenomenal cereal pictured above.  These little cereal puffs were filled with chocolate!!  So delish!  How I wish I could find them in the States. :)  I'm feeling a grocery store trip in my future!  Okay, y'all know I get a little sidetracked by the food!  Now, for our first stop of the day...

We walked near the Mount of Olives to enter the traditional site where Jesus taught his disciples the Lord's Prayer.

A stunningly beautiful church has been built on the site.

In the courtyard were different renderings of the prayer in a wide variety of languages.

So, now I'll let you in on a little secret...I frequently was confused on the trip about where the traditional places really were.  Eventually I would figure it out (usually after asking a few questions), but this photo was taken of what I thought was the place traditionally cited where Jesus said the Lord's prayer.  I thought it was strange that it was out in the open...

Not to worry...this is the place!  It makes more sense that it is well protected and set apart! :)

Here is an image of some of the prayers in different languages.

A beautiful walkway surrounded the courtyard.

I loved the architecture!

Stunning

One of our professors discussing the Lord's Prayer with the Latin version in the background.

Beautiful arches

In English!

I just loved the design elements, especially with the beautiful blue sky peaking through.

Next, we headed to the Mount of Olives!

A Little Sparkle

Sometimes a fun accessory can give me a little extra boost for the day, so when I saw these fun stack rings at H & M in Chicago, I just couldn't resist!!  Happy Wednesday!  

A Little Sparkle

Sometimes a fun accessory can give me a little extra boost for the day, so when I saw these fun stack rings at H & M in Chicago, I just couldn't resist!!  Happy Wednesday!  

Going to Jerusalem!

So, after our trip to Masada, we were ready for lunch, so Dan arranged for us to grab a quick sandwich at a fun place!

I don't know if you have ever used AHAVA skincare treatments, but they are created from the salt of the Dead Sea.  I remember when an adorable boutique in my hometown carried the line and we always knew some AHAVA bath products would be the perfect treat for my mom.  I remember her telling me they were made in Israel, so it was surreal to be at the factory, which was right across the street from the Dead Sea!  I may or may not have left with some souvenirs from the gift shop! ;)

These sculptures were in the lobby.  They are made from the Dead Sea salt!

After lunch, we changed into our swimsuits and jumped in!

Well, maybe it was more of a slow, gradual process to getting in the sea, but once we were in, it was fabulous -- you really do float!!

Here is a photo of the beach.  Word of caution: whenever you go to the Dead Sea make sure to pack some water shoes -- those rocks are kinda poky to walk on!

Said rocks.  Don't they look sharp?!

The Dead Sea was so relaxing.  We met some fellow Americans as we floated along and one plays for the WNBA and was a former Volunteer under Pat Summit!!  Small world.

The water does really have amazing properties and so does the mud on the surrounding beach.

The view doesn't hurt the experience either!

After our time in the Sea, we spent a few minutes in the warm sulfur springs nearby. 

It was a wonderful spa experience and I could have stayed all day, but Jerusalem beckoned!

Onward!

After we loaded the bus, we drove for a while before we came across this sign.  Again, I was overwhelmed by the reality of where I really was!

We were Going to Jerusalem!!!

Now, a little inside scoop on the phrase "Going to Jerusalem".  When I was little, my dad and brother and I would play this boardgame that had belonged to my great grandmother called "Going to Jerusalem".  It was so neat because the little pieces you moved around the board were apostles and you would stop at all these different sights along the way, reading biblical passages as your apostle moved along the path.  I can't wait to play again now that I have actually visited some of the locales!

Image found here.

Then, as we journeyed down the road, our bus came to a stop, so that we could experience a fun surprise -- camel rides!!! :)  I was hoping we would be able to do this!

Amy

Jesse and August

Isn't he cute?!

Then, it was my turn!

Listening to instructions. 

Oh my goodness!  When the camel stands up, you feel like you are leaning forward much further than you are! 

We made it all the way up!

Riding off into the sunset.

Then, I decided I would pretend like I was in a circus and give a big wave! :)

So much fun!

The camel kneeling down was also a surprise -- I thought I was almost going to fall off!

What an amazing experience!!

After our fun camel rides, we loaded back on the bus and drove to Jerusalem.

God gave us the gift of a beautiful sunset to enjoy on our way.

We also passed a bedouin village as we journeyed closer to the city.

And soon we were on the outskirts of Jerusalem.

The sky was painted the most beautiful colors. 

I couldn't stop taking pictures.

Finally, we arrived to begin the next part of our adventure!