Merry Christmas!
How was your Christmas, everybody?

This is a little taste of mine ...




















On Christmas morning we had breakfast and opened presents.

To name a few, I received an awesome hat, a pair of pajamas covered in rain boots, a cup, a book, and picture frames. As for what I gave: to my brother I gave Lego (always a winner!), and to my sister I gave the second season of the popular TV series MacGyver. I gave my dad a gift card for his favourite coffee place, a container of peanuts and chocolate, and a headlamp. I gave my mom chocolate, lip balm, a pot, and a waffle iron.

The wind was howling outside, really loud. And also quite hard, because we lost all power for quite a while.

Our dog was so scared he came upstairs, which he is not allowed to do. But considering the special occasion, we let him stay. :) We brought our bunnies up too, and set them on a chair.

While we were handicapped from using lights and the like, we played board games and did all sorts of things that people do when they don't have electricity. :)

At around two, my family headed to my grandparent's house.

I played violin and my brother played guitar for our family for probably fifteen/twenty minutes.

We opened presents. My grandpa made me a journal!! And my aunt and uncle gave me a lot of chocolate and a recipe box. And a lemon bath bomb. My room smells like a big bath bomb right now.

Aren't these little chocolates yummy?

Almond roca is amazing.

And the cookies were just ... really really good. :)

Afterwards we played Cranium, a game full of laughs and memories as we tried to draw with our eyes closed, act things out, and sculpt with clay.

And, of course, you can't forget the Reason for the Season!! Our pastor preached a thought-provoking sermon on Christmas Eve.

So, did you have an awesome Christmas too?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I'm in a very Christmas-y mood. 

Yesterday my family and I set up a tree. 

Our really, really old tree.

Our thirteen year old tree.

The years haven't been kind to it.

 

But we would never get rid of it. This tree has too many memories.

'Tis fondly referred to as the "Charlie Brown Tree."

Also, in case you didn't already notice, I added snow to my blog. It falls from the top of the page.

I can't wait to start Christmas baking.

Have any of you guys started yet? Have you decorated?

PS. Hopefully my next post will be me wearing another outfit. :)

Okay, this made me laugh my head off...

Before I start the post: Thank you for all the kind comments on my last blog post, girls! Would you like it if I did another post with me wearing an outfit?

Now for the main part of the post. I think this will be funniest for people who have an inkling for writing.

I was literally laughing my head off. And trust me, I never laugh out loud when I'm reading.


These are some similes that you must never use when writing....

"John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met."

"She grew on him like she was a colony of E. coli and he was room-temperature Canadian beef."

"Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever."

"McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup."

"He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at asolar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it."

"The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn’t."

"She walked into my office like a centipede with 98 missing legs."

"Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph."

"The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots when you fry them in hot grease."

"It hurt the way your tongue hurts after you accidentally staple it to the wall."

If you did not find those funny ... then ... I don't know. Something is obviously wrong.

Does anyone here have any special plans for New Years or Christmas? 


Bye for now!!!!

My New Dress...

This is a dress that I have to wear for my orchestra's performances in a couple weeks. Isn't it so beautiful?

My Bucket List

I have decided to be very (not) original and make a list of all the things I would like to do during my life. People are calling them "Bucket Lists," or as another friend of mine put it, a "Buckets of Dreams."

1. Travel to Ireland.

2. Climb the Eiffel Tower.

3. Go to Kansas.

4. Go to Prince Edward Island and watch Anne of Green Gables during my stay.

5. Get married and raise a family.

6. Traditionally publish one of my novels.

7. Get my doctors degree in music.

8. Meet an online friend of mine.

9. Read through the entire Bible.

10. Own a grand piano.

11. Meet a famous author (Jill Williamson would be nice :)

12. Play my violin or piano before thousands of people.

13. Own a horse.

14. See a circus.

15. Be a brides maid in a wedding.

16. Grow my hair to my waist.

17. See a Great White Shark.

18. See an Orca in its natural habitat (caged Orcas are just not the same).

19. Get a really, really, really, really nice camera!

20. Photograph a wedding.

21. Learn to french braid.

22. Own a blue car.

23. Own a professionally done watercolour drawing of an Orca.

How about you?

Wow...

I cannot believe how quickly the days have flown by since my last post.

November and December are busy days for me. I have spent my time writing, reading, doing school, and preparing for the Christmas season, in which I have several violin concerts scheduled. However, I only make money off one of them.

Music has kept me quite busy. I am excited to say that I began grade eight piano only a couple weeks ago. I also had my first paying violin concert last month!

The two songs that you see in this video are my favourite grade eights songs. Both very expressive and loud. :P




Okay, this made me laugh out loud. Take a look!

I've got to go! But before I do, I've got to ask... What have you busied yourself with this past while?

Today we celebrate Remembrance Day.

How thankful I am to live in a free country!

In Flanders field the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders Fields.

~ Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

Movie Review: Ella Enchanted

At birth, every child in Frell is given a gift by the well-meaning but yet misguided fairy, Lucinda.

In Ella's case, the gift is more of a curse. Obedience. She must obey ever command given to her - whether she wants to or not.

If people found out, they would no doubt misuse it. Only Ella's mother and sister know. Not even her father is told of it. And then, at her mother's death bed, Ella is commanded to tell no one of her curse. And of course, she cannot disobey.

Not long after Ella loses her mother, her father remarries, to the rich Dame Olga, who brings with her, her daughters, the boy-crazy Hattie and Olive.

But actually, they have their eyes set on one boy in particular. Prince Char.

Hattie is the president of Prince Char's fan club. All the girls in it are quite crazy for him, so you can imagine why Prince Char prefers the company of the strong-willed, opinionated Ella... Except one problem. She can't stand him.

When Hattie and Olive discover that Ella is cursed into doing everything they say and begin to ask unreasonable tasks of her, Ella decides it is time to take action.

She must find Lucinda and ask her to take the gift back.

So off she goes. Her only companion being a talking book full of maps.

That is, until she runs into the cheeky elf, Slannen.

After a long, painful journey, Ella's goal remains unaccomplished. Lucinda refused to take back the gift she forced upon her! And now Ella needs help more than ever, because she was commanded to thrust a knife into the back of the man she loves, right at the moment she should be saying, "I do!"

She must overcome Lucinda's magic to save the lives of those she loves.

My thoughts:

I love this movie! The story line is very clever and Anne Hathaway was perfect for the part of Ella.

The clothing was kind of revealing. I really didn't like that.

There is a really awkward part where Ella is told to sing a song, then to dance with it, and then dance with more spirit.... yeah. I felt a little uncomfortable during that part.

I guess what mostly bothered me about this movie was the clothing. Aside from that, it was great! An odd mix of modern and fairytale, but still I fell in love with it from the very beginning.

Guest Post for Sophie's Blog

So, Sophie from {La Creativite De La Fille} asked me to a guest post on her blog. Here it is, Sophie! :) (I am so sorry I took this much time to write it.)

Hello everyone! When Sophie asked me to guest post on her blog, I was really excited! Just to let you know, I'm not too good at this whole guest post thing, but I'll do my best. :)

This is me.

The horse's name is Pride, but he isn't mine. He's my friend's friend's horse. :)

I'm a cook, a musician, a writer, a read, and a lover of life and God.

I am attempting to write a novel (my second one!!!)....

...when I grow up I'm going to be a musician...

...I am majorly picky about spelling and grammar...

 

...I love, love, love my camera...

...and I love to bake.

Here is one of my favourite recipes, for Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes! 

Sorry about the pictures. I'm not much of a photographer. 

Here. I'll just get all the pictures over with first, and then you can scroll to the bottom for the recipe.

So, basically what you do, is make chocolate chip cookie dough into balls and freeze it overnight.
Here are mine.

Then you make cupcake batter, and stick the frozen balls into the batter.
Like so...

 Now bake them. Mmm....

Iced and sprinkled with chocolate chips....

The finished product. Doesn't that cookie dough in the middle look scrumptious?

For the cookie dough:
2 sticks softened butter (one stick is 1/4 of a cup)
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
4 tbsp milk
1 tbsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup mini chocolate chips

For the cupcakes:
3 sticks softened butter
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
4 large eggs
2 2/3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract

For the frosting:
3 sticks softened butter
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

To make the cookie dough, combine the butter and sugars in a mixing bowl and cream on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 mins. Beat in milk and vanilla until incorporated and smooth. Beat in the flour and salt until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. Using a 1.5 tbsp scoop, shape the dough into balls or tubes. Freeze on a parchment lined baking sheet overnight.

To make the cupcakes, preheat the oven to 350° F. Line two cupcake pans with paper liners (24 total). In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and brown sugar. Beat together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir together to blend. Add the dry ingredients to the mixer bowl on low speed, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing each addition just until incorporated. Blend in the vanilla.

Using a 3 tbsp scoop, fill the prepared cupcake liners 2/3 full with the cupcake batter. Place a frozen cookie dough ball on the top center of each cupcake.

Bake at 350 for 16-18 mins.

To make the frosting, combine the butter and brown sugar in a mixing bowl and cream on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the powdered sugar until smooth. Beat in the salt, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.

Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips!

Makes 24 cupcakes.

*   *   *

Thanks again, Sophie! :-)

ThThank

Photo Contest Entry

This is my entry for Emily from The Nerve of Verve's nature photo contest. 

Thanks for hosting this, Emily!

Photo Contest Entry

 I am entering the following photo in a photo challenge that Abby, over at Follow God - Every Day is hosting.

These pictures are just extra for your enjoyment. :)

49 questions

Hello girls! I found this tag over on an awesome blog called "The Nerve of Verve" and decided to do it!

1. High heels or boots? Boots. I've never actually tried high-heels, except at a store once! And they didn't fit. :P

2. What time did you get up this morning? Just before 8 o'clock in the morning.



3. What was the last movie you saw at the theater? Cars2

4. What is your maiden name? I'm single.



5. What is your favorite T.V. Show? "The Waltons."
6. What do you usually have for breakfast? Cereal.


7. What is your middle name? *crosses arms defiantly* I'm not going to say. :)

8. What food do you dislike? Macaroni and cheese.




9. What is your favorite CD at the moment? *blushes* The soundtrack for one of my favourite movies. :P
10. What characteristic do you despise? When people show-off. I know that I'm a bit of a show-off myself (at least, I think I am), so I can't imagine how much I must annoy people, but still...



11. Favorite clothing? Jean skirts.
12. Anywhere in the world on vacation? I really like where I live right now, but I've always wanted to visit Prince Edward Island, because that is where Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables lived.








13. Are you an organized person? I plan things way ahead of time, but my room is not organized.
14. Where would you retire to? I never really thought about it........



15. What was your most recent memorable birthday? 'Twould be hard to decide.
16. What are you going to do when you finish this? Do more school.




17. Furthest place you have ever been to? I'm not going to say.
18. Person you wish you could meet? Bethany Hamilton.



19. When is your birthday? I'm afraid that that is confidential.
20. Are you a morning person or a night person? Both!




21. What is your shoe size? 9 or 10. Yes, I have big feet.
22. Do you own any animals? Yes! A dog and two bunnies.




23. Any news you'd like to share? Umm.... not really.
24. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? I didn't really know. Around age eight, though, I began to realize what I wanted to be - a musician!




25. What is your favorite flower? All of them!
26. What day on the calendar are you looking forward to? December 1st. I don't know why. I just love December. Snow, baking, friends, and something else that I can't disclose because it might hint at where I live. :P



27. If you were a crayon, what would you be? Light blue.
28. How is the weather right now? Cold, but sunny. Though it was raining, earlier.



29. Last person you spoke to on the phone? A friend.
30. Favorite drink? Root beer.




31. Favorite Restaurant? Don't know.
32. Hair color? Brownish-blond.



33. What was your favorite toy as a child? Playing with my brother's lego!
34. Spring, summer, fall, or winter? Winter.
35. Chocolate or vanilla? It's hard to say....
36. Coffee or tea? Coffee!!!!!!!!!!!

37. Wish you were still young? I am still young.... aren't I?
38. Do you want to get married? Yes!

39. When was the last time you cried? I don't know. Fairly recently, I think.
40. What is under you bed? Things that shouldn't be. :)

41. What did you do last night? Had a friend over and went crazy and watched Tangled.
42. What are you afraid of? Pain.
43. Salty or sweet? Sweet!
44. Best quality you have? I can't really answer that. I could ask someone else to, though...

45. How many years at your current job? Five. *long sigh*
46. Favorite day of the week? Wednesday!

47. Favorite movie? Any classic, and Tangled.

48. Have you ever had a crush on anyone? No.
49. Do you like finding all this stuff out about your friends? Yes!

Cascade by: Lisa T. Bergren

Read my review of book one in The River of Time Series, Waterfall.

What if you not only fell back through time... but fell in love, too?

Cascade is the second tale in The River of Time Series. In this book, we continue the story of the Betarrini sisters, Gabi and Lia, and their escapades in fourteenth-century Italy. Except this time, they've got their mom with them.

Gabi's heart is continually drawn towards Marcello Forelli, but many things are keeping them apart. For example, she is from the twenty-first century, and he the fourteenth. Gabi can not leave her family, and she can not ask them to go back and live in the past. But Lia, Gabi's fifteen year-old sister, seems to have discovered feelings towards Luca, as well.

War is raging on in Italy, and all three of the Betarrini women are right in the middle of it. But there are also good things coming out of this. Gabi and Lia are feeling a connection with their mom - something they haven't had for a long time, courage, and the realization that good things often mean sacrifice.

After much pondering, the Betarrini women decide to travel in time to the moment just before their dad dies and save him. But is it really possible to go into the past and change your future? And will Gabi and Lia fulfill their heart's desires and marry the men they love?



My thoughts:

I quite enjoyed this book! I am curious, though, how the last book in the series is going to finish. Because it would be a little weird if Gabi and Lia stayed in the fourteenth-century and married Marcello and Luca when they're really two twenty-first century American teenagers.

One thing I definitely did not like about this book, though, is that despite the fact it carries the title, "Christian book," it did not really have any mention of God in it. Sure He is brought up once or twice, but it is not enough to satisfy me. Some people would probably say I'm just picky.

I love how Gabi is so independent, but Lia always kind of annoyed me. I know she is supposed to be sweet, but I don't find her to be so.

And, like I said in my Waterfall review, I absolutely l♥ve the cover art!

Objectional Content:

Language: None that I remember.

Romance/Sexual Content: Marcello and Gabi kiss several times. Marcello proposes to Gabi. Lia begins to fall for Luca.

Violence: Some sword fights, and some painful wounds.

Drugs/Alcohol: Nothing that I can recall, except for maybe some wine at a feast.