"We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul,
a hope that enters into the inner peace behind the curtain."
Hebrews 6:19
P.S. I am taking orders if anyone would like one of these.... $30 for an 11"x14"
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Friday, February 14, 2014
Love is a Pretty Great Thing
For most of my life, Valentine's Day has just been another day in my life. And in many ways, it still is. The most exciting thing that happened this year is that my mom bought me chocolate and a mug, and fixed my coffee just the way I like it (and really, who needs more than that?!). I usually try to just ignore the commercialism that surrounds the holiday. But leave it to my baby sister to remind me in the simplest way possible that love is always worth celebrating, whether you're in a romantic relationship or not.
"I know Valentine's Day is generally just 'singles awareness day' for us (at least it has been for years) but this is still a special day. Because I love you. And let's be real... whether romantic or not, love is a pretty great thing. Happy Valentine's Day... You are dearly loved!"
Nothing fancy. No crazy deep moment. But profound nonetheless. So happy Valentine's Day y'all.... Choose love <3
"I know Valentine's Day is generally just 'singles awareness day' for us (at least it has been for years) but this is still a special day. Because I love you. And let's be real... whether romantic or not, love is a pretty great thing. Happy Valentine's Day... You are dearly loved!"
Nothing fancy. No crazy deep moment. But profound nonetheless. So happy Valentine's Day y'all.... Choose love <3
Thursday, February 6, 2014
13 Books to Read this Spring
Finally finished my fall reading list (I know, I know, it's February), so I figured it's high time to start a new list! This one is just as random as before... a nice mix of classical literature and fantasy and fairy tales and even a memoir thrown in there just for kicks and giggles.
This list is a bit deceiving, since lots of the "books" are actually series, and therefore have more than one book. I think the total amount of books I'm planning to read here is actually 38. Not to scare you off, or anything.
In no particular order:
Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling
This is a re-read for me, but I found a few at a used book store a few weeks ago, in pretty great condition. So of course I couldn't resist buying them, and then I started reading them again and now I can't stop. If you like the world of wizards and magic... this is where it's at.
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Also a re-read. Ever since stumbling upon the Lizzie Bennett diaries and watching the BBC Pride & Prejudice with Sara (speaking of which, Sara, it's time to watch that again....), I've been meaning to re-read the book. There's something about the language of the novel that I love. Almost makes me wish I had been born in another time, another place.
The One I Left Behind by Jennifer McMahon
Found this book on a list that I stumbled across on Pinterest. Don't remember which list or what the theme was or anything, but I remember thinking that it looked interesting. I'm always up for a good murder mystery. Serial killers are a fascinating psychological study.
Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close
This one was on a list of "books for young women to read in their 20s" and since that applies to me, I thought I'd check it out. It certainly seemed one of the more interesting ones. The first thing Amazon says about it: "Isabelle, Mary and Lauren feel like everyone they know is getting married." Sooo, yup.
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
First of all, the author has a really cool name. So obviously it must be worth reading. Secondly, this is one of those series that everyone I know read in like 5th grade, but for some reason I always thought I wouldn't be allowed to read them. Not sure why, because I look at them now, and think, "There's no way they can be that bad." So I'm going to find out.
Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers
Mary Poppins has always been one of my favorite movies, but I've never read the books. With all the hype about Mary Poppins (the Fulton just did the musical, and 'Saving Mr. Banks' might still be in theaters, I'm not really sure), I figured it was definitely time to sit down and read the books, to see how they differed from the movie and the musical. I still haven't seen 'Saving Mr. Banks.' I need to get on that.
The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by Martin Sixsmith
This is the book that 'Philomena' is based on, and it's a NY Times best-seller, so I'm going to give it a shot. Non-fiction isn't necessarily my thing, but I can enjoy and appreciate a memoir. Maybe because it tells more like a story. This one is about a woman's 50-year search for her son.
Little Women by Louise May Alcott
I think I first read the Great Illustrated Classics version of this book when I was in elementary school, but I'm not sure I ever read the unabridged version. But I love the story of the March sisters. In some ways, they remind me of my sisters and me. They had so many fun adventures, I somehow wish I could have been a part of them.
Maze Runner by James Dashner
I heard this is being made into a movie. I think I found it in a list somewhere before it was supposed to be made into a movie. Which means I'm not really jumping on the bandwagon, right? In all seriousness, though, it seems right up my alley: a dystopian society, the main character dropped in with no memory of his former life, a giant maze with creatures that are trying to kill all the kids.... sounds awesome.
Princess Bride by William Goldman
I muddled through this book once a long time ago, but don't really remember what I thought about it. Since it's my favorite movie, I'm determined to love the book. And really, there is something in this for everyone: pirates, sword fighting, true love, adventure, and comedy.
Once Upon a Curse
This is a collection of short stories that I found in one of those websites that let's you put in an author/title and find similar books that might interest you. Although, I'm not entirely certain this particular book is what the results were referring to, but when I looked it up, it piqued my interest, so here it is. I'm always up for a good fairy-tale-with-a-darker-twist.
Faraway Tree Stories by Enid Blyton
HERE'S THE THING. I have been looking for this book since I was about eight years old. I have this memory of reading this book at my neighbor's house, and thinking it was the best book ever. Then they moved away, and I guess the book got lost somehow, because they never seemed to know what book I was talking about when I'd ask them. But I always remembered being absolutely in love with the book because it was about an enchanted forest and exciting adventures in a tree house type thing. I can't believe I stumbled across this. I'm so excited.
Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton
I think it was Star who first introduced me to HONY on Facebook, and I quickly fell in love with his photographs. They're so real and he manages to connect so beautifully to the people and their stories. I want to move to NYC just so I can be a part of it.
This list is a bit deceiving, since lots of the "books" are actually series, and therefore have more than one book. I think the total amount of books I'm planning to read here is actually 38. Not to scare you off, or anything.
In no particular order:
Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling
This is a re-read for me, but I found a few at a used book store a few weeks ago, in pretty great condition. So of course I couldn't resist buying them, and then I started reading them again and now I can't stop. If you like the world of wizards and magic... this is where it's at.
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Also a re-read. Ever since stumbling upon the Lizzie Bennett diaries and watching the BBC Pride & Prejudice with Sara (speaking of which, Sara, it's time to watch that again....), I've been meaning to re-read the book. There's something about the language of the novel that I love. Almost makes me wish I had been born in another time, another place.
The One I Left Behind by Jennifer McMahon
Found this book on a list that I stumbled across on Pinterest. Don't remember which list or what the theme was or anything, but I remember thinking that it looked interesting. I'm always up for a good murder mystery. Serial killers are a fascinating psychological study.
Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close
This one was on a list of "books for young women to read in their 20s" and since that applies to me, I thought I'd check it out. It certainly seemed one of the more interesting ones. The first thing Amazon says about it: "Isabelle, Mary and Lauren feel like everyone they know is getting married." Sooo, yup.
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
First of all, the author has a really cool name. So obviously it must be worth reading. Secondly, this is one of those series that everyone I know read in like 5th grade, but for some reason I always thought I wouldn't be allowed to read them. Not sure why, because I look at them now, and think, "There's no way they can be that bad." So I'm going to find out.
Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers
Mary Poppins has always been one of my favorite movies, but I've never read the books. With all the hype about Mary Poppins (the Fulton just did the musical, and 'Saving Mr. Banks' might still be in theaters, I'm not really sure), I figured it was definitely time to sit down and read the books, to see how they differed from the movie and the musical. I still haven't seen 'Saving Mr. Banks.' I need to get on that.
The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by Martin Sixsmith
This is the book that 'Philomena' is based on, and it's a NY Times best-seller, so I'm going to give it a shot. Non-fiction isn't necessarily my thing, but I can enjoy and appreciate a memoir. Maybe because it tells more like a story. This one is about a woman's 50-year search for her son.
Little Women by Louise May Alcott
I think I first read the Great Illustrated Classics version of this book when I was in elementary school, but I'm not sure I ever read the unabridged version. But I love the story of the March sisters. In some ways, they remind me of my sisters and me. They had so many fun adventures, I somehow wish I could have been a part of them.
Maze Runner by James Dashner
I heard this is being made into a movie. I think I found it in a list somewhere before it was supposed to be made into a movie. Which means I'm not really jumping on the bandwagon, right? In all seriousness, though, it seems right up my alley: a dystopian society, the main character dropped in with no memory of his former life, a giant maze with creatures that are trying to kill all the kids.... sounds awesome.
Princess Bride by William Goldman
I muddled through this book once a long time ago, but don't really remember what I thought about it. Since it's my favorite movie, I'm determined to love the book. And really, there is something in this for everyone: pirates, sword fighting, true love, adventure, and comedy.
Once Upon a Curse
This is a collection of short stories that I found in one of those websites that let's you put in an author/title and find similar books that might interest you. Although, I'm not entirely certain this particular book is what the results were referring to, but when I looked it up, it piqued my interest, so here it is. I'm always up for a good fairy-tale-with-a-darker-twist.
Faraway Tree Stories by Enid Blyton
HERE'S THE THING. I have been looking for this book since I was about eight years old. I have this memory of reading this book at my neighbor's house, and thinking it was the best book ever. Then they moved away, and I guess the book got lost somehow, because they never seemed to know what book I was talking about when I'd ask them. But I always remembered being absolutely in love with the book because it was about an enchanted forest and exciting adventures in a tree house type thing. I can't believe I stumbled across this. I'm so excited.
Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton
I think it was Star who first introduced me to HONY on Facebook, and I quickly fell in love with his photographs. They're so real and he manages to connect so beautifully to the people and their stories. I want to move to NYC just so I can be a part of it.
Monday, February 3, 2014
8 Things I Will Actually do on this Snow Day
This morning my friend Star blogged a list of 10 things to do in the snow that don't include technology, a guest post written by our friend Elizabeth. The list included awesome things like write something, play in the snow, practice an instrument, or play a board game. I really appreciate this list, because I always have the best intentions when it comes to maximizing my snow days, really I do. I'm always like, I'm going to get up at a decent time and GET STUFF DONE.
But somehow there is always a reality that my day is not spent doing any of those things.
Therefore, I present my list of what I will actually do this millionth snow day of 2014.
1. Try to work from home. I'm currently in the middle of creating a show to premiere at Cherry Crest this summer, something farm-related and fun for kids that we can use year after year (as opposed to specifically dealing with the maze theme, which changes every year). I came up with this idea to do a mystery, where something gets stolen from the barn, and the farm animals have to solve the mystery, and figure out the clues.... it sounded SO GOOD in my head.
2. Watch New Girl. Ashley got me hooked. So thanks for that.
3. Stare wistfully out the window while the snow falls steadily, mocking me. The snowflakes are probably singing a joyful chorus... "We can't stop, and we won't stop."
4. Indulge Christy by standing on the porch to take a picture in the snow. Take note of my enthusiasm. The picture does not do my face justice. I was making an awful grimace. At least, it felt that way. On my face.
5. Browse Facebook. A lot. As much as I'm trying to stay off it.
6. Obsessively refresh the Submissions Only website. Their reformatted website launched this morning, apparently, which I discovered when I clicked on it at 7:30 this morning, in hopes that they had announced when season 3 would air. No dice. But since they redid the website, that means a big announcement must be coming soon, right? RIGHT?!
7. Wear sweatpants and my bunny slippers all day. Because why not??
Partway through writing this post, I helped my dad scrape off our cars, and in the process, he informed me that this is perfect snowman-making snow. My whole outlook on the day changed. The result:
Needless to say, I'm tired of the snow, really I am. But it's not a bad day at all. And regardless of whether you do awesome things from Elizabeth's list, or the lazy-person things from my list, enjoy the day that we've been given!
But somehow there is always a reality that my day is not spent doing any of those things.
Therefore, I present my list of what I will actually do this millionth snow day of 2014.
1. Try to work from home. I'm currently in the middle of creating a show to premiere at Cherry Crest this summer, something farm-related and fun for kids that we can use year after year (as opposed to specifically dealing with the maze theme, which changes every year). I came up with this idea to do a mystery, where something gets stolen from the barn, and the farm animals have to solve the mystery, and figure out the clues.... it sounded SO GOOD in my head.
2. Watch New Girl. Ashley got me hooked. So thanks for that.
3. Stare wistfully out the window while the snow falls steadily, mocking me. The snowflakes are probably singing a joyful chorus... "We can't stop, and we won't stop."
4. Indulge Christy by standing on the porch to take a picture in the snow. Take note of my enthusiasm. The picture does not do my face justice. I was making an awful grimace. At least, it felt that way. On my face.
5. Browse Facebook. A lot. As much as I'm trying to stay off it.
6. Obsessively refresh the Submissions Only website. Their reformatted website launched this morning, apparently, which I discovered when I clicked on it at 7:30 this morning, in hopes that they had announced when season 3 would air. No dice. But since they redid the website, that means a big announcement must be coming soon, right? RIGHT?!
7. Wear sweatpants and my bunny slippers all day. Because why not??
Partway through writing this post, I helped my dad scrape off our cars, and in the process, he informed me that this is perfect snowman-making snow. My whole outlook on the day changed. The result:
8. Build Eva, the Mysterious Alien Snow-woman
Needless to say, I'm tired of the snow, really I am. But it's not a bad day at all. And regardless of whether you do awesome things from Elizabeth's list, or the lazy-person things from my list, enjoy the day that we've been given!
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