Summer Fun - Favorite Things to Do

Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge hosted by Long and Short Reviews.

Today's topic: Favorite Things to do in the Summer

My favorite things to do in the summer always involve my children. While I have three active Scouts, we typically have a summer filled with camping, hiking, fishing, swimming and all sorts of outdoor activities. The school where my kids attend also offers summer programs. There are trips to the local vocational school where they attend workshops and learn new skills. And every year, I enroll my kids in swimming lessons. I love watching them glow with pride at the new abilities they learn as they advance through the levels. I call them my little fish, although my daughter argues that she's a mermaid.

Our amusement park of choice is Knoebels Grove. With free admission and free parking, you can't really go wrong here. Pay only for the rides you want to go on or buy an all day pass. Set in a beautiful shady grove, it provides a much needed respite from the summer sun and heat. There's rides for all ages. I've been going here since I was a kid. My favorite is still the Haunted House!

I've become an expert at searching the local community websites for free or low cost activities. With four kids, prices always add up. Lucky for us, there are many fun things to do.

There's a movie theater that offers $1 days. There are low cost craft activities at some of the local stores. With enough searching, I found free tours at nearby museums. There are also some battlefields that are close, such as Gettysburg, where the kids and I can walk and learn about history. I'm also quite knowledgeable about the local ghost activity which is fun to talk about with the kids. When they're older, I'd love to take them on some ghost tours!

I also love attending Native American Pow-wows. There are always a few scheduled nearby. Some are free, some are a low admission. Then we spend the day watching the dancers, listening to the music, talking to the people and admiring their crafts and other items. There's usually some games. Throwing a tomahawk is fun! I'm a natural. And then there's the dancing. My kids and I often dance within the circle with the other dancers. My favorite part of the event!






Do you know what my kid's favorite activity is in the summer? The one thing they ask for again and again?

A picnic.

That's it.

I took them on a picnic a couple of years ago in a park near a covered bridge not far from my home. It was an impromptu event. We were in the area doing some shopping and we were hungry. Instead of sitting in a crowded restaurant, we grabbed some food through the drive-thru and settled on a picnic bench in a peaceful park with huge trees and a river flowing beneath the old covered bridge. It was a tranquil, lovely summer day.

And my kids continue to mention it every summer.

So, a simple picnic is a must. We've done this lots of times now. Usually, it's at a park with a walking path of sorts, so we'll eat our food on a bench or a table if there's one or we'll grab a blanket from the car and settle on the grass. After we're done eating, we talk a walk and enjoy nature.

I always look forward to summer because the kids are home from school. We don't have all the homework or tests to study for. Everyone can relax and just enjoy life.

Happy Reading!

~Tricia

Check out the other Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge!

I write sensual paranormal and historical romances. Interested in learning more about my stories? Sign-up for my newsletter where you'll learn about my new book releases, updates on my works-in-progress, writing tips, book reviews, contests, and other fun book-related info!

You can Follow me on ...

BookBub | Amazon | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest 

Bite Me, I'm a Vampire - Win a Kindle Fire #Giveaway #VampireRomance

Vampires Never Die

Vampire Romance is hot once again and there are tons of books to fulfill that lustful craving readers have for those undead bad boys.

You can check out the wonderful selection of titles at Always Write Club as well as enter for a chance to win a Kindle Fire!

The Witch and the Vampire

Melora Merriweather is searching for a fellow witch to protect her from a scheming uncle with plans of marriage. When her carriage overturns on her journey, she is rescued by a mysterious man whom she learns is the very person she seeks. But, he's not the witch she thought he was... 

Sebastian Collins should have left for London days ago. Now, a snowstorm has trapped him with a woman who has come seeking protection, a woman who intrigues him like no other. And with each passing hour, his hunger for her grows...hunger for her kiss, her caress, and her blood.

A sigh escaped her lips as she traced one finger along his cold white cheek, marveling at the tiny shocks that trembled through her hands at the contact. 

“I’m afraid,” he muttered, turning back to look at her. “I will kill you.”  

She shook her head. “You won’t. I trust you.” 

“I do not.” 

She leaned down to place her lips on his, thrilling at the feel of his cold lips against hers. “I won’t let you,” she told him, smiling into his mouth. “I’m a witch, you know. I can stop you if I have to.” 

When she tilted her head back, she saw the understanding brighten his blue eyes. Trust and hope flared in his eyes, and she was amazed at how innocent he looked as he slowly sat up, curling her into his embrace. He seemed like a young boy, unsure but willing to allow her to lead him into the dark unknown. 

“I do not know if I’ll have the strength to stop. Are you certain you can stop me before…?” He asked, unwilling to complete the thought. He leaned over her, nuzzling her cheek, taking deep gulping breaths, inhaling her scent. His hands trembled as he held her. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight against her. 

“Yes,” she breathed, tilting her head to the side, allowing him easier access to the vein pulsing in her neck. 

He paused only a moment more, and then kissed her throat. His tenderness warmed her. The gentleness in his touch awed her. He suffered so much. He had hungered for so long, and yet he found the strength to gently ease his bloodlust upon her. With another tender kiss, she felt the piercing of his teeth puncturing her skin. 

Happy Reading!

Tricia Schneider write sensual paranormal and historical romances to help you escape when you need a break from real life. Interested in learning more about her books? Sign-up for her newsletter where you'll learn about her new book releases, updates on works-in-progress, writing tips, book reviews, contests, and other fun book-related info!

BookBub | Amazon | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest 

What's on Your Summer Reading List? Splash Into Summer #Giveaway #Bloghop

Summer is a wonderful time to relax, get a little sunshine and catch up on that massive TBR pile that you've collected over the years. And if you're not taking a book to the beach, then take a vacation even while you're at home. Books are great escapes for those who can't make it to Disney World this year.

That'll be me.

I'll share a few of the great escapes I'm planning on taking this summer. In return, I'd love if you share what's on your summer reading list. I'm always looking for another can't-put-down story!

My Summer Destinations

My Guilty Pleasures

My Escape to Another Time

My Paranormal Passion

My NonFiction Addiction

I'm giving away a $10.00 Amazon Gift Card to help support one lucky winner in need of a few more books to add to their summer reading list.

And be sure to check out the other blogs on this blog hop for more great prizes!

Thank you to BookHounds for hosting this event!

Good luck!

Happy Reading!

Tricia Schneider write sensual paranormal and historical romances to help you escape when you need a break from real life. Interested in learning more about her books? Sign-up for her newsletter where you'll learn about her new book releases, updates on works-in-progress, writing tips, book reviews, contests, and other fun book-related info! 

Pre-Order Fire & Ice

a Rafflecopter giveaway