julia kaye // girly girl

 

 

 

 

Thomas sent Julia this dress. It is a traditional South Korean outfit, and it is cute, no?

awww…

 

 

  

 

     This little girl is so much fun. She is completely girly, and has the cutest smile. She loves dolls, the color pink, bunny rabbits, vanilla ice cream, and dress-up. She giggles all the time, and is learning how to read and write. And she is managing to grow up way too fast.  She and Mary are tea party experts, and when it comes to play mobiles, they are complete enthusiasts. I believe that is basically all they play anymore.

     Sometimes when I see them playing together and having all that fun, it makes me wish that I had a sister my age. But then I remember all the fun I had with my older brothers, and I wouldn’t have it any other way for the world! J

 

Couldn’t you stay little forever, honey?

xo,

Becca

 

this is Maria...

 

This is Maria, and she is four days old. And I am in absolutely complete bliss. 

     My brother was finally able to send her off to me, and I am so happy with her. I haven’t told him yet that I named the camera. I have a feeling that he’s gonna laugh when I tell him that. 

Speaking of Thomas… he sent all of us girls these lovely roses. I have the sweetest brothers ever, yes?

James is so photogenic, and  I suppose that is why most of my photos lately are of him. J

I told him to smell the roses Dad broght mom this weekend. And this is what  I got from David. I took one look at the photo, and told him it was going on the blog. That's when he started freaking out and trying to convince me that it was not going on the blog. Apparently I was not convinced. :)

 She takes lovely photos, and I seriously finally feel ready to start attempting portraits. I took Julia out on a real photo shoot with a couple props and dressed her up pretty, and even curled her hair, and realized that it was just plain fun. I can’t wait until I can convince someone else to go out  for a photoshoot with me. J

 xo,
Becca

Luke Abraham // cute, yes?

This is Luke…

 

 

We’re gonna have trouble keeping the girls away from this one when he grows up.

 

I told him to make a funny face, and got an adorable one. :)

 

Photo-shoots are exhausting. lol

          This is Luke, my five-year-old cute brother. He’s fun, and cute, and so much fun to take out on a photo shoot! I do believe that he is the only one of my family that really enjoys getting their picture taken. J He was running around the woods posing himself yelling “Come take one over here” just about every thirty seconds, while I attempted to keep up with him.  He was sad to stop when I finally decided I was gonna keel over from lack of food, and probably could have gone on posing himself all day long.

          We constantly have to deal with problems between Caleb and Luke, “He hit me,” and “He ripped the book out of my hands” kind of stuff, in fact, I even had to do that while I was typing this post, but they have so much fun together too. You should hear the noise in the car as we travel anywhere. They are way back in the van, each yelling for mom’s attention every two minutes; I’m serious, and trying to outshout the other. It gets really chaotic. J

         

I just love this little guy, isn’t he cute?!

xo,

my musical journey

          Music is a  big part of my life. I've taken piano lessons for eight years, flute for two years, and voice for one summer. I've always been fascinated with the way instruments sound, and could sit for hours just listening to an orchestra or symphony. Music is so well loved becasue it is so diverse! There are thousands of 'different' styles, (in fact, every artist ou tthere has heir own praticular style.) so people have so many different options to choose from to fit their lifestles, belifes and tastes.

 

          Classical music is mostly what I play, along with other things occasionally, (to stretch my ability's. :), and I love being able to play music composed by Master Pianists from hundreds of years ago. There is something absolutely amazing about trying to play the songs the way they must have, and knowing, deep down in my heart, that most modern pianists must fail miserably at recreating the mood and feel the composer meant for a piece.

 

          But I'm getting WAY off the post I was intending to write! :) (Which happens quite frequently.)

 

          I was going to tell you about how I got to the level I'm at, musically. :)

 

          I began taking piano lessons when i was about 7 1/2. I was positive that I was gonna be amazing in about 2 weeks. lol Boy did I learn better! I've been playing for a little over eight years now, and I'm so far from amazing it's not even funny~!

          i guess everybody think they'll be great at something when their little, and then suddenly realize when they get a little older that they will probably not every be amazing at it. Or was that just me?! :)

 

          Anyway, I was a slow beginner. In fact, I was a beginner for probably close to 5 years... I really have no natural talent for music.

 

          My teacher had to become creative in ways to help me learn better, especially because I didn't really learn to read music until I had played for almost six years. (I know, that's bad!) My teacher, Mrs. H. finally started writing the note names beside the actual notes, so that I could see the name and the note together, learning to recognise them as I played. that way I wasn't held back to Mary had a little Lamb" type songs forever. My teacher reminds me often that I was her very hardest student every., :) I am so grateful that she stuck with me, and persevered, because otherwise I probably wouldn't be musical if she hadn't. She did, however decided not to take any other students after me, so I am her last student.3. (That  ought to tell you how hard I was. lol) She has become very close to y older brother Andrew (19) and I over the years. We were the only ones from my family to take lessons from her, and she has almost became an aunt to us.

 

          Piano will always be a huge part of my life. It's the way I vent pent up emotions, express myself when I am happy, and a way to worship God. I am very grateful to my parents for making me practice, and to Mrs. H. for her patience, encouragement, and creativity.

 

 

 

And I'll leave you with this video. ^ I thought it was adorable, and sweet, and the music is lovely too. :)

 

Love,

 

Almond Poppyseed Muffins

I think it is high time that I started sharing some recipes around here! Especially since cooking is something that I really enjoy.

     This recipe is one we make often. Muffins are a huge favorite around my house, because they are a perfect size snack for everyone, including the little ones, plus there are so many different delicious recipes to choose from, and they are so easy.

     And so, without further ado, I present,

Almond Poppy seed Muffins

 

 

The cast of characters: Honey, butter (or olive oil. That’s what I used.), eggs, milk, vanilla, almond extract, flour (which I cleverly forgot to include in this photo. Aren’t I just wonderful?!) baking powder, baking soda, salt, and poppy seeds.

Combine all wet ingredients:

1 ½ cup honey

1 cup melted butter (or equal amount of oil)

3 eggs

1 ¾ cup milk

2 tsp. vanilla

2 ½ tsp. Almond extract 

 

Mix these ^together, and then add dry ingredients:

4½ cups flour

2 Tbs. baking powder

1 ½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

¼ cup poppy seeds.

Pour the batter into greased muffin pans, (or use paper cups. It’s easier, people!)

Bake at: 350 degrees for 22-25 minuets

Makes about 1 ½-2 dozen muffins.

          Enjoy!
          These are simply delicious! My family’s always a little disappointed when they find we are out of poppy seeds, ‘cause they’re just not the same without them.

     You can replace the Almond extract with lemon if you prefer lemon favoring. We do that in a pinch (i.e. when we start making these muffins without checking to be sure that we have all the ingredients. :) but we defiantly prefer the almond.

 

Have a lovely saturday!

xo,

Becca

 

 

this is adorable -- and amazing!

Gotta watch this. I guarintee it will make you smile. These kiddos are so adorable, each with their huge guitar, and they have talent!!

 

~ Becca Anne

in which i cannot think of a title

         I love random posts. Where you just mention everything that you’ve thought of during the last few weeks, but didn’t take the time then to do a post.

          So that’s what this post is. Photos and words I really meant to say but never got around to.  Besides, it’s nice to have posts available occasionally, that don’t require tons of planning. It’s makes blogging just that much funner. (Funner. Apparently, according to Microsoft Word, that is not a word. But I’m a homeschooler, and homeschoolers make up words when they can’t find the perfect one. :)          

       First of all, I’d like to introduce a new blogger. One of my good friends just started a book review blog, (after debating about it for a while.) So take a few minutes to check out Hannah’s blog. J

 

This ^ is my life lately. tea and music; two of the very best things on earth.

 



Julia, and her sweet smile. See those teeth missing? I love toothless grins. :)

mom had to be somewhere during school time one day last week, so i brought all my essential schoolwork out into the dining room, in order to help all my siblings with theirs, and maybe do a little myself. I was amazed at how much I thought was essential!

 This is not a photo of the lawn, I promise. This is the field, between the horse pen and the lawn. Isn't it pretty?! Amazing how much green grass can excite this country girlie.

Just as the sun was setting a few nights ago. Everything was cloudy, except the strip on the western horizon. 

 

 

Mom and I found this video last week, during one of our late night youtube experiences. J I laughed hysterically the first time I watched it. So watch it and laugh, people. Gotta wonder what these guy's girls were thinking as they watched their husbands/boyfreinds preform.

And, I’m sure you noticed the new bog design. Isn’t it beautiful! Britt from, Encouragement for Everyday Struggles, designed it for me, and I am in love with it. I was considering having her do it, but just wasn’t sure about asking her, and I finally went to my mom and asked her what she thought about me contacting Britt. Mom’s response was “do it, your blog is SOO boring." :) Anyway, I did, and am so glad I did. Check out her blog and be blessed.

 

And, I have several posts coming up, so hopefully no more long invervels between posts for a little while. :)

 

Do me a favor and go eat some chocolate, 'kay. There's none in the house, and it's about to drive me crazy. So be sure to comment about how wonderful it is, and what kind it happens to be. :)

 

xo :)

Dear October

 

 

Dear October,

     You were lovely this year, and I’m gonna miss you. The highlight of your visit was definitely saving enough to buy my Rebel T2i, although it won’t arrive for a couple more weeks. The day night Thomas picked that up was so excited. I could have screamed, and I did run around the house like crazy absolutely in shock that it had really happened.  I love that Korean guy that sold it to “me” for a hundred bucks less than I could get it over here in the states. I could have given him a hug, and probably would have if I’d been there, so I guess it was a good thing I wasn’t, ‘cause that woulda creeped him out, and I wouldn’t want to do that!

     And you brought the rain with you. That made me happy. I love the rain, so anything that brings rain makes me happy. Thanks, October.

     Anyway, thanks for visiting, (not that you had a choice in the matter!)  and be sure to come again next year! Can’t wait to see you then.

Love,

The girl in the orange socks.

cute boy named Caleb

 

 

This is Caleb, and he’s three. He’s sweet, adorable, and oh so busy! He’s always making some craft or another, or leaving a trail of tiny pieces of paper all over the living room, left over from a paper cutting session. He smiles the cutest, he just can't help scrunching his face up all funny when I tell him to smile in front of a camera. I was out milking my goats a couple mornings ago, and felt the urge to take portraits, so I grabbed the nearest kid, (Caleb. :) and perched him on the fence. So I could get the sky in the photo, ya see… He was too short to get the sky in the photo any other way!! :)

     And then we got the classic “boy and dog look into the distance,” photo. That’s such a classic, and it happens almost every time I pose one of the kids with the dog. I think it’s cute!!  

       Haven’t I got the cutest siblings in the world?!

xo,

Becca Anne

Isn't he cute?!

This little guy is probably the cutest baby ever. Or, at least currently. :) I love babies, and I adore this one, so I’ll shut-up and just let you look at the photos. :)

 

Ohh, ok, so I just can’t shut-up for even a moment, but that’s beside the point!! Those are his initials, and we thought it was cute to put the foam letters on his back, and take a picture while he sat there splashing, blissfully unaware of what was going on around him.

 

Cute?!?

Aren’t his eyes absolutely, totally, completely, undeniably… amazing?

Those are his first teeth, he’s now proudly sports five!!

I’m holding him on my lap right now, and one second he’s sucking his thumb like every innocent child does, and the next second he’s decided to take on typing, and win an award for the youngest speed typist. 

  Cfdv yg kbb   bkrbbtbkx              ll moo

N]t y’/ bbhj8v7   56gofvii  uico cio c ugc u x ix xh mkn  fydbx………

…….he says hi… :)  (And yes, he did type that.)

Hope you’re having a wonderful day, lovies,

xo,

Becca Anne