Rebecca VanDeMark's Blog, page 7

suggestions for paris in august

Happy Tuesday friends! I hope that you are having a wonderful week so far! As I shared yesterday I am so excited to be returning to France next month! You can read more about this exciting adventure  HERE !
I will be spending a few days in Paris and while most of it will be spent at the conference I will have short free time to explore on my own. I haven't been to Paris since I was in college so if you have any tips or suggestions that I should see I would welcome ideas (and of course gluten free suggestions are always welcome *smiles*)!
Thank you so much for your thoughts and ideas! Please feel free to leave your tips in the comments for others to read or email me directly! Over the years this community has been a storehouse and wealth of wisdom and so I truly appreciate your ideas!
Happy Tuesday friends!

speaking at the international conference on social studies, humanities, and education in paris, france

Happy Monday friends! I am so excited to share that I will be presenting at the ICSHE (International Conference on Social Studies, Humanities, and Education) conference held in Paris, France next month. 
I was so honored to have my abstract chosen. The intersection of social media and the affect that this has on the teaching of History and Government is a subject that many of you know I am very passionate about. 
Thank you so much for all of your excitement about this! I look forward to brining you along on this adventure! 
 

friday favorites- july 18

  Happy Friday friends!! I hope that you have had a lovely and wonderful week! I am so grateful to spend time with each of you in this sweet space every single day. This week has been delightful and I am still just resting in so much gratitude for so many things!! 
One of those things continues to be our amazing cruise with Viking River Cruises. I have started to share here on the blog, but if you haven't already been  following along on instagram  for so many beautiful reels and pictures to bring a smile to your face (you can connect  HERE ). 
Here are the posts from this past week:
Rhone River Cruise with Viking River Cruises...Panoramic Tour of Lyon  (IG Reel) Panoramic Tour of Lyon (Blog Post)
Personal Thoughts... Full Circle Moments 
From the Etsy Store... Back to School Journals 
Thursday Health Thoughts...*new things coming next time*
From the Caravan Sonnet Shoppe...Caravan Sonnet Shoppe 
I hope that you have a wonderful Friday friends! Thank you for making this such an incredible space to come to and connect with every single day. I am so blessed!!
Happy Friday friends!

5 cosmetic procedures you can now do yourself at home

 Pexels. CCO Licensed.
Many cosmetic procedures like Botox and dermaplaning still require going to a clinic - and for good reason: it wouldn’t be safe to attempt them yourself without training. However, thanks to modern technological advances, some other cosmetic procedures can now be safely and affordably carried out yourself at home. Here are a few examples of cosmetic procedures that you may not have realized you can do at home.
Teeth whiteningA bright white smile is something that many of us desire, and an at-home teeth whitening kit can help you achieve this without a trip to the dentist. These kits typically include whitening gel (in the form of a tube, strips or a pen) and an LED device that can be used to activate the whitening action within the gel. Compared to the agents used by dentists, these gels contain much less hydrogen peroxide, so it may take quite a lot of use to see results, plus it’s important that you follow directions carefully. Nonetheless, it’s much cheaper than an in-clinic teeth whitening procedure. 
Teeth straightening Dental aligners have transformed orthodontic treatment. No longer do you have to get metal braces fitted to straighten your teeth - it’s now possible to do it with clear braces, which are invisible and can be removed when you eat. They consist of a plastic retainer that is molded to fit your teeth while gently pushing them into shape. You can see an orthodontist to get these fitted, however there are also companies that are able to offer remote consultations. 
Microneedling Microneedling is a cosmetic treatment that involves pricking the skin with tiny needles to stimulate collagen and get rid of wrinkles, scars and stretch marks. And, yes - you can do it at home! You can buy kits containing microneedling pens and roller devices that can include different cartridges and depths. Just make sure to buy a kit designed for your skin type to prevent infection and carefully follow aftercare instructions.
Hair removalGot hair in unwanted places? There are a few different ways that you can remove hair at home yourself instead of visiting a salon. At-home waxing kits have been around for a long time and allow you to quickly remove large amounts of hair. Then there are handheld IPL devices - which are pretty much a DIY alternative to laser hair removal that instead uses intense pulsed light to weaken follicles. Both methods can be more effective if you see a professional, but at-home methods can still work if you do them right. 
Chemical peels Chemical peels can be used to remove the outer layer of skin to remove all kinds of blemishes. They have become very popular in recent years, and you no longer have to see a professional to get one done. Chemical peel kits can be used at home and are a cheaper solution that can be just as successful. Before using one of these kits, it’s recommended that you do a skin patch test and read the instructions carefully to avoid adverse effects.
*contributed post*

panoramic tour of lyon excursion / my viking story / rhone river cruise

I posted a reel on our sixth excursion on our Rhone River Cruise- a panoramic tour of Lyon, France! You can watch, comment, and like it  HERE ! 
Our sixth excursion on our Rhône River Cruise with @vikingcruises was a panoramic tour of Lyon. We started with a drive to the Basilica of Notre Dame, at the top of Fourviere Hill, where we saw sweeping views of the city below. We then spent time inside the church before driving through the town. After this we did a walking tour along the cobblestone streets of Vieux Lyon and went inside some hidden passageways that had been created for busy merchants during the Medieval days.

Let me know if you have any questions!
My Viking Story | Caravan Sonnet | Lyon, France

july sale at the caravan sonnet shoppe

  Happy July Sale sale at Teachers Pay Teachers friends! I am excited to share that the entire  Caravan Sonnet Shoppe  is 20% off all products today, July 14th through Wednesday, July 16th! 
Click  HERE  to go directly to the shop! 
Celebrate the rest and relaxation of Summer and purchase ready-to-use items that you can have all set to go for next year so you can fully enjoy your break! Elevate your teaching resources, engage your students, and bring a burst of creativity to your classroom, all while saving big! Hurry, the sale only lasts today and tomorrow! 
Click  HERE  to go directly to the shop and enjoy the fantastic deals and make your teaching journey even more incredible!
Happy Monday friends! I hope you had a fabulous weekend! 

full circle moments

7 years ago today, on July 7th, 2018, my precious daddy with shaking hands snapped this blurry picture of me “running” as he wept. It may have only been approx. 20 feet but for my dad who had fought so hard for my life it was a priceless moment and beyond that a miracle.

It was amazing to think that 5 years prior to this picture/moment he needed to help carry me out of my bed in order for me to leave it, push a wheelchair at points in the health journey, and help me for a couple of years when I was to weak to walk down the hallway of our home to get to the bathroom, and then help me learn to walk again.

I am so thankful that my dad got to see those huge beginning steps of healing before he died...I remember breathing so hard when this picture was taken I could hardly catch my breath after 20 feet. Without missing a beat, he grabbed me in one of his huge hugs and said confidently “one day you’ll make it to the point walking/running”...I laughed (it’s a mile away and I spent the next couple of days in bed recuperating from my “run”) but he was serious and said he would be cheering me on...and this weekend… 7 years later and 9 years after getting Courtney the Portney , for extreme and more intensive treatment (then I have often talked about) I completed a now daily 3-4 mile walk/run as I train for a 1/2 marathon and afterwards went for a hike among many other fun activities and adventures with no recuperation…only gratitude. After my run on Saturday a neighbor grabbed me for a hug with tears and said, “I remember you barely able to take a step… your dad would be so happy.”

I have fallen in love with learning to run again and all I can think is “thank you, thank you, thank you”.

For a girl who was told by some of the most well known medical doctors and hospitals in the world that I would never walk again let alone run or dance again, I want to say there is always hope.

Don’t let anyone ever tell you something can’t be done. It may take WAY longer than you could imagine (it was a more than a decade long battle for me) but don’t ever lose hope.
Miracles happen every single day...I am living proof and I know my precious daddy is cheering me on with a huge smile.

vienne evening walking tour reel // my viking story // vienne, france

I posted a reel on our fifth excursion on our Rhone River Cruise- an evening walk in Vienne, France! You can watch, comment, and like it  HERE ! 
Our fifth excursion on our Rhône River Cruise with @vikingcruises was an evening walk in Vienne, France. One of the famous attractions is the Temple d’Auguste et de Livie. It is believed that this beautiful ruin in the center of town inspired Thomas Jefferson so much that he insisted on visiting in 1787 when he was America’s minister to France. Vienne still holds a plaque in honor of Jefferson in town This and so many other places were beautiful to see on this tour and having this walking tour in the evening added a depth that made it truly unique.
Let me know if you have any questions!
My Viking Story | Caravan Sonnet | Vienne, France

maine lobster now review 2025

 Wild-Caught Lobster Shipped from Maine to Your Kitchen Table
Cooking at home has shifted in recent years. More people are choosing to prepare meals from scratch, explore new ingredients, and recreate restaurant-quality food in their kitchens. Whether it’s for health, convenience, or creativity, home cooking is becoming more intentional.
This rise in interest has also changed how we shop. Online grocery services, specialty boxes, and direct-from-source food delivery are all gaining popularity. It’s no longer just about what’s available at the local store.
In this review, we’re looking at one company offering a new way to enjoy seafood at home, from sourcing to preparation and everything in between.
What Does Maine Lobster Now Offer? At its core, the company is all about live lobster. But their whole range is broad and built for versatility. You can order live lobsters, lobster tails, claw meat, crab legs, scallops, shrimp, and even full meals.
They also offer kits like lobster roll boxes, chowders, and sides you’d expect at a coastal restaurant. Everything is portioned, prepped, and labelled clearly. That takes out a lot of the guesswork when cooking at home.
It’s the kind of setup that works for a quiet date night, a celebration dinner, or a food gift that makes an impression.
A Different Kind of Seafood Shopping The quality control is obvious from the unboxing. Orders arrive with minimal packaging waste and often include sustainable materials, such as seaweed. Each product is vacuum-sealed and chilled. There’s no strong smell or thawing mess, just clean cuts and organised portions.
Unlike mass-market seafood, you know where this came from. Maine Lobster Now is based in Portland and works closely with local fishermen. That’s not a detail - it’s a promise. It keeps the business rooted in Maine and helps support jobs in the fishing industry year-round.
You also get access to things you won’t find in stores, like jumbo lobster tails or handmade bisques. It’s seafood that tastes like it was meant to be eaten fresh, not frozen months ago and shipped halfway across the world.
Why This Works for Home Cooks One of the reasons Maine Lobster Now works so well is that it brings fine-dining quality to a home kitchen. If you’re learning to enjoy home cooking more, it’s a great way to raise your confidence. As this guide to how to enjoy cooking at home explains, good ingredients often make the biggest difference.
Even if you’re not used to working with lobster, the clear instructions and clean packaging make it easy to start. No need for special tools or complicated prep. Just follow the steps and enjoy the process.
This is part of what makes the brand so popular with families and food lovers. It makes a special meal accessible without being overwhelming.
Highlights and Positives The freshness of the seafood stands out immediately. You can taste the difference in the quality, especially when you know it’s wild-caught off the coast of Maine. Shipping is fast and reliable, with most deliveries arriving the next day in cold-safe packaging. 
The service works well for a wide range of needs - from solo meals and date nights to larger gatherings and thoughtful gifts. Their menu extends well beyond lobster, giving you access to scallops, shrimp, chowders, and sides. 
Clear prep instructions and excellent packaging make the process smooth from start to finish. The use of sustainable materials adds to the overall thoughtful presentation.
Smaller Considerations Prices are higher than what you’d pay at the average grocery store, but the quality makes up for it. You’re paying for freshness, fast delivery, and trusted sourcing. 
Like any delivery service, it relies on shipping carriers, which can be a factor during holidays or extreme weather. 
Certain products are seasonal, so not everything is always available, especially live items, during storms. That said, their product selection is still generous throughout the year.
Why It Makes a Great Gift Seafood may not be the first thing that you consider when it comes to different ideas, however, that’s exactly one of the reasons it stands out. Having a delivery from Maine Lobster Now isn’t just sending someone a meal. You are giving them the gift of an experience. 
Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or holiday celebration, it’s something that is thoughtful and personal.
It’s not just something you grab last-minute. It shows effort and a real thought into something that they will enjoy. 
For people who love food or enjoy cooking, it’ll likely stand out as a welcome change from flowers or gift cards. 
And for those who are hard to shop for, this is a smart, memorable alternative. It’s a gift that makes people pause, enjoy the moment, and share it with someone else.
Supporting Local and Sustainable Seafood One thing that sets Maine Lobster Now apart is its commitment to local sourcing. 
They don’t rely on mass-produced or farmed seafood. This means that every time you order from them, you are helping to support independent fishermen right along the coast. 
This has a huge impact when it comes to preserving jobs, maintaining the fishing traditions, and also supporting coastal communities. 
They also have a nig focus on sustainability. When it is in season, they use natural packing like seaweed rather than relying on plastic fillers. Many of their materials are recyclable or biodegradable, reducing the overall environmental footprint. It’s a small detail, but it shows care in every part of the process.
For anyone who values where their food comes from, this makes a difference. 
Conclusion Maine Lobster Now is an easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys good food and wants a more connected, thoughtful way to cook at home. It’s not trying to be fancy or exclusive. It’s just delivering high-quality seafood the way it should be - fresh, local, and easy to prepare.
Whether you’re new to seafood or a lifelong lobster fan, this is one of the most dependable ways to bring a taste of the coast into your kitchen. Great for home cooks, great for gifts, and even better for anyone trying to make food at home feel a little more special.
*contributed post*

tournon steam engine tour reel // my viking story // tournon, france

 I posted a reel on our fourth excursion on our Rhone River Cruise- a steam engine tour in Tournon, France! You can watch, comment, and like it  HERE ! 
Our fourth excursion on our Rhône River Cruise with Viking River Cruises was a steam engine ride in Tournon, France. After a short bus ride to the train station we boarded the Train Dee Gorges, a meter-gauge steam train. The region that we saw is inaccessible by road and it was a beautiful experience seeing the Doux River and fresh beauty.
Let me know if you have any questions!
My Viking Story | Caravan Sonnet | Tournon, France