l i f e // november

    

I kind of feel like this season of life should be officially renamed from "engaged" to "Wedding Planning!"I'm always working on it, and  have to consciously make an effort to not talk about it constantly. Its honestly astonishing how many thousands of details and decisions there are to be made. I have lists everywhere which is helping,  but we have to decide everything from shiny tulle or matte tulle, to his wedding band, to what kind of dessert we'll be serving.There are so many things we don't have figured out yet, like honeymoon plans, and what time we're having the wedding... (On a side note, I did my passport application today... even though we don't know where we're going yet. And I was happy the photograph didn't turn out as awful as I've heard most do. ;) 

    I am so excited to get to marry my best friend, (92 days!) and I cannot wait until our wedding day. But lately I've been thinking so much about after the wedding and honeymoon are over. The weeks and months after we say "I do" and real life begins. People keep asking me if I'm nervous to get married. And I'm not nervous at all about marrying Scott. I am completely at peace with the decision to get married, and I'm beyond excited to be his wife and spend forever with him. 
     The only part that makes me nervous at this point is learning to run a household by myself, (obviously with him, but I mean without my mom overseeing things.) and everything that entails. Having to decide what to do for meals every.single.day! Finding a balance between working, and keeping the house together. But I keep hearing that it'll be fine, we'll figure out how to make everything work, and things will settle down into a routine. My sister-in-law and a couple friends have been a huge help with it comes to questions about all that. :)

     Its so strange to think about the fact that in three months I won't be living with my family. I won't be doing any of my normal routine, nannying for my cute kiddos, running siblings around, or the endless laundry. The people I nanny for are starting to look for a new Nanny.  Last month I visited my best friend, Hannah, for a long weekend, and it felt so odd, because its one of the last times we'll hang out just being girly like that. 

anyhow, what has been happening in your life lately? 

xx

its a girl thing // cranberry

this i need to do this afternoon:

* finish scoring the kiddo's math pages

* fold and put away the mountain of clothing that is currently covering my bed. 

* laundry

* play with my puppy.

places I'd rather be today:

* the beach. always the beach.

* Paris

* Italy

* Goldendale

simple things i love at the moment:

* lemonade

*captain crunch cereal

*morning coffee, afternoon coffee, after dinner coffee

* the sound of the rain outside my window

*listening to Lydia pretend to talk on the phone

* ice cream

* watching my siblings watch a movie

These are a few of my favorite things // 07

+ reading books with Lydia
+ being busy
+ late night ice cream
+ funny conversations with James {4}
+ solving problems
+ deep cleaning
+ strawberry acacia refreshers from starbucks
+ warm weather with blue skies!!
+ thousands of daisies on our property
+ sunsets
+ the Psalms
+ dancing
+ old movies (Cary Grant, Gregory Peck and Audry Hepburn.)
+ P.G. Wodehouse
+ playing old piano pieces
+ picking up my flute again (and remembering why I stopped playing. Hyperventilating isn't very fun. :)

these are a few of my favorite things// 06

+ quiet

+ getting things done

+ having awesome little brothers who are more than willing than to remove the flock? herd? pod? of lady bugs that have decided to infest my bedroom.

+ Happy daffodils  (they're my favorite flower. ;)

+ good conversations with good friends

+ it's almost spring, which means we might start seeing the sun! (!!!!!)

+ electricity and hot water. (our power was out last night, which always make me thankful for lamps and showers. ;)

+ coffee dates

+ Happy books, like "Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good," by Jan Karon and "My Life in France" by Julia Child.

+ "The Lord's loving kindness indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I have hope in Him." Lamentations 3:22-24

+ Ice cream!

+ Cuddling with Lydia when she's still sleepy and teaching her to give hugs.

+ "Greater is He living in me than he who is in the world." (Paraphrase of 1 John 4:4)

+ "Never miss a good chance to shut up." Will Rogers

+ Roots Run Deep by Jadon Lavik 

+ baby bunnies. (so far my sister has had a couple doe's have babies in the past few weeks, and they are pretty darn cute.)

+ watching master and commander with my little brother a couple days ago. (It's cool that he's old enough to really hang out with, but also, he's turning 18 this year!??)

+ the wind outside. (so it knocked the electricity out for a while, but I love it anyway. Makes me think of Goldendale.)

+ having fun with my sister while shopping. (she's a good one to take with you when you're not supposed to buy any more clothes. ;)

+ working on some piano pieces again. it's been far too long, but it's cool that my fingers and mind still remember how to take sheets of music and make music happen.

life // a list

I've been thinking about the sea a lot lately. I never did get to go last year...

Listening:

lots of Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra and Chris Rice

 
Drinking:

Coffee. Lots of coffee. And Harney & Sons Paris tea with a dollop of half and half and a spoonful of sugar. 

Missing:

my little horse and riding through the meadow. 

Watching:

lots of musicals... Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, The South Pacific, etc.

Loving:

baby giggles from Lydia

Hoping:

to make a trip back to Goldendale to be ridiculous and spontaneous with my lovely bestie. 

Wishing:

that time would stand still and speed forward at the same time. I want to enjoy every moment, but the ancitipation for things to come is overwhelming sometimes.

Reading: 

just friends, a lost pearle, Colossions

 

these are a few of my favorite things // 05

 

+ seeing people I miss
+ emails that make me happy ;)
+ misty days
+ verses that stand out and convict during devotions
+ listening to Christmas music
+ free birthday drinks from Starbucks
+ rainfall on the roof as I drift off to sleep
+  buying several of my favorite movies with gift cards. ;) (North and South,  Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, and The Young Victoria.
+ Frisians  (They're so beautiful. Someday I think I would like a black or gray gelding.)
+  new books to read, and rereading old favorites
+ possibly getting to see my bestie this tomorrow! (!!!!!)
+ Coffee
+  Christmas Caroling with people from Church
+ making faces at the littles in the row in front of us in church and seeing their faces light up with smiles
+ mama bought me two huge boxes of my favorite tea for my birthday. She's awesome.
+ reading, in comfy pajama's!  after a very long, very overly-social day. :)
+ London Fog's (I've been drinking them a lot lately and they're soo good!)
+ Driving in the rain (It's oddly satisfying sometimes. :)
+ New coffee mugs (An adorable christmasy owl one from my little brother, and a huge, fun one from my oldest brother.)
+ It's almost Christmas. ;)

these are a few of my favorite things // 04

 

a shot from the hike we did Saturday

+ warm fires crackling in the evenings

+ being able to see the stars

+ phone conversations that leave me very happy :)

+ buying adorable boots

+ tea (haney and sons paris tea is probably my favoritest tea ever, introduced to me by my Grandmother.)

+ watching the world change from summer to fall

+ The Story of My Life by Helen Keller (Anne Sullivan was an inspiring, amazing, self-sacrificing woman, btw!)

+ the book of Psalms

+ journaling my thoughts and prayers (it makes such a difference in my life when I can take the time to sort out my thoughts in writing!)

+ unexpected blessings  from the Lord

+ this quote that I found the other day that made me smile

+ praying (it blows my mind that I can talk directly to the Star-Breathing Creator of the Universe and Savior of the Entire World, and know without a shadow of a doubt that He hears and answers me every single prayer and every single day. It's pretty awesome!!)

+ getting to spend time with the girls from my church. I have a pretty fabulous church family!!! :)

+ falling asleep listening to the sound of heavy rainfall

+ candles and christmas lights in my bedroom. (the bedrooms in this house have the worst lighting ever, but I put a strand of christmas lights up and it's so pretty and improves the lighting drastically!)

+ "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you." Psalm56:3

+ canning apple sauce and seeing the jars add up on the shelf.

+lots of strong, strong coffee (honestly, I've been so tired lately. I don't think I could function at all without coffee.) 

+ today is officially the beginning of fall!

fall // a list

things i am excited about this fall:

+ lots of tea and coffee (it's not like i didn't drink those in the summer, but being able to drink them without dying of overheating would be cool. :)

+ sweaters, scarves, and boots

+ pies

+ stunning leaves and colors

+ falling asleep to the sound of rain

+ fires crackling in the stove in the evenings

+ my girls bible study at church starting again

+ listening to Christmas music (it's my favorite, okay! Yes I do start listening to it full time in October, and yes, I am listening to Michael Buble's christmas album as I type...)

+ Pan (Fairy tales are my favorite, too, and I am pretty excited to go see this one with my favorite sister in law!)

+ road tripping to the beach with my bestie

+ getting to know new friends better

+ family camp with my church starting tomorrow.

+ reading many books and lots of the Bible

what are some things you're excited about now that it's September?

these are a few of my favorite things // 3

this child is absolutely one of my favorites!! ;)

1. feeling complete peace
2. bright red heels (somehow wearing red shoes makes everything 50% more exciting)
3. adorable little brothers
4. tart lemonade
5. amazing devo's in the morning
6. blackberry pie
7. baby goats that eat pears out of your hands and then lick the juice off your fingers
8. getting to spend time with both my big brothers at once
9. it's almost September, which means sweaters, hot drinks and beautiful leaves!
10. Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest)
11. cleaning all the junk off my desk so that I can actually use it again.
12. psalms 34
13. conquering fears!
14. watermelon and cantaloupe from my Grandpa's garden
15. quiet
16. fresh canned peaches lined up on the shelf.
17. long conversations
18. books that make you really think
19. christmas is in exactly 121 days, but we can "officially" start listening to Christmas music in only 66 days.
20. feeling comfortable around people
21. smiles and giggles from Lydia
22. vanilla ice cream
23. lighting candles (totally improves my mood!)
24.  Earl Grey Tea
25. burts bees lip balm
26. audrey hepburn (she's just so adorable!)
27. psalms 94:19
28. phantom of the opera (I just read the book, and it was wonderful!)
29. reading late into the night
30. looking forward to seeing good friends this weekend! (and climbing Mt. St. Helens on Tuesday!!)

source This drawing has been really striking my fancy lately. I think it's all kinds of adorable!!

What have been some of your favorite things lately.

Ten Places Abroad I Would Love To Visit // A List

source

1. London, England, and all the surrounding countryside. Seriously, with all the British Lit that I have read, and BBC movies I’ve watched, England has become a fascinating country, and I would love to take tours all over the lovely island. I would visit castles and gardens, and famous reformation landmarks, churches and cathedrals, coffee shops- lots of coffee shops, and tons of tiny cozy restaurants.  I would go hiking and backpacking, and probably accidentally drive on the wrong side of the road. I would listen to the people around me talk and become more than slightly desirous of their accents, and probably accidently mimic them. I would peep at the Queen’s castle, and take pictures of Big Ben, and really I'd take tons and tons of pictures. 

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2. Italy Can I be 100% honest about this one? I think I would go to Italy for no other reason than to eat… Although, I had a lengthy conversation about traveling with my oldest brother a few years ago, and he insisted that I cannot travel to another country (Much less Italy!!) just to eat, and if I visit Italy I must do sightseeing and visit all the lovely touristy things as well. So I would duly visit the famous places, and I would love to travel the countryside as well, and maybe a vineyard or two. But I would be doing a lot of eating whilst “sightseeing.” :) Also, Gelato… I would eat lots of gelato ice cream.

3. India I have wanted to visit India for several years now. Ever since I first read a book or perhaps it was a documentary, about girls in the sex trade. I would love to go on a short-term mission to somehow either work with some of those girls, or orphans. I also have always wanted to touch and ride an Elephant, so India seems like they might have elephants, (maybe they don’t and I totally just embarrassed myself! :) But that would be pretty cool too. (ACTUALLY IT WOULD MORE THAN COOL IT WOULD BE TOTALLY AWESOME!! :)

4. Israel It would be fascinating and special to visit the Holy Land, and to see the places that Jesus lived, and walked, and taught. I've read about, and seen pictures of the great diversity of people and civilizations that are packed into the cities, and  I would love the opportunity to people watch and observe. People watching is one of my favorite hobbies. ;) I would want to swim in the dead sea, and ride a camel and try Israeli food. I would want to visit the wailing wall, (I just typed whaling wall…) and visit many, many other historical and biblical sights.

5. Paris, France Ever since watching Funny Face, with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire, I have wanted to visit Paris. I would climb the Eiffel tower, (not ride the elevator, I think. It would be much more impressive to climb.), and walk along the banks of the Seine. I would listen to the people speaking French all around me and wish that I had learned to speak it. I would eat snails, once, because why not, I'd be in Paris... I have to eat them, and then I would eat a lot of other delightful dishes. 

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6. Ireland oh, the Irish landscape. I want to walk along the cliff lines on the ocean and revel in the glorious views. I would hop from bed and breakfast to bed and breakfast and hike until I dropped. (not quite literally.) I would take pictures of sheep and look at the sea again. I think the sea is one thing I will never get tired of looking at.

7. Germany I don’t know off the top of my head what places I would visit, or what I would do, but I know there is so much history wrapped up in the cities and it would be amazing! It would be heavenly to listen to the Vienna Philharmonic. 

8. Scotland - I feel like this one should be higher on the list. I would want to go everywhere and see everything and listen to accents and witness the highland games and just everything. :)

9.  Hawaii Technically not abroad, but it is over-a-sea. ;) I think diving in a warm ocean would be amazing and more than weird. But to see the colors and fishes and everything under the water would be stunning.

Source

10. New Zealand um, I would totally travel here because of the accents, the accents and the accents. Also because of their gorgeous accents. Just sayin'. There's also the stunning landscapes and hikes. But mostly accents. ;)

That's it! I just want to travel everywhere and see everything!! :) What are some spots you've always dreamed of seeing? 

these are a few of my favorite things // 2

+ sleeping in ('nuff said? :D )
+ journaling
+ writing prompts
+ early morning walks
+ friends that make time to just chat
+ lists ;)
+ dancing until my feet hurt and I can hardly breath
+ gorgeous soundtracks
+ spending time with my brother and sister-in-law
+ hiking trips with friends
+ this song by my favorite instrumental group
+ vitamin d drops. (yes, they're my solution to not spending much time outside. lol)
+ black + white mochas
+  nice barista's. (seriously, there is such a difference between sweet baristas and people who hate their job and thus hate you...) 
+ beautiful sunsets
+ watching Larkrise to Candleford again (made it past the first season this time. :)
+ warm, but not to warm, days
+ anticipating things
+ pepsi. (just sayin')
+  when brothers buy you caramel lattes!! :)
+ wearing my favorite dress
+ when it finally cools down at night
+ being busy
+ sunsets
+ planning a zoo trip with my bestie to see the elephants (!!!!)

5 Books I Will Never Recommend // a list

The Book Thief - Marcus Zusak
I'll be honest. I did recommend this one a couple of times. But after trying to explain the plot and characters to people and seeing their horrified expressions, I won't be recommending this book! (It's not a bad book, in fact I thought it was brilliant and fascinating. But it's narrated by a character that is, quite literally, Death, and it sounds morbid and terrible when you try to explain that Death travels around the world carefully collecting souls... See, you probably think I'm super weird now. ;)

The Master of Ballantrae - Robert Louis Stevenson
I love most of Stevenson's books, but this one is one I read once and will never read or think about again. (although it's sitting on my bookshelf and I won't get rid of it because I'm a book hoarder.) It was just strange, and the ending was so ridiculous I laughed, although I think it was supposed to be a depressing ending.




Jacob Have I Loved - Katherine Paterson-
I've actually read this one twice, but it's so weird and depressing, (not to mention that she basically falls in love with a 70-year-old man when she's 14. STRANGE!) I don't know what I think about the story. It's sad.

Hard Times - Charles Dickens
UGH! I usually love Dickens, but this book was just positively awful! I finished it simply because I'm working though all of Dickens works so that someday I shall have the satisfaction of knowing I read them all, but unless you want a similar accomplishment, DON'T BOTHER WITH HARD TIMES!!


Call of the Wild - Jack London
I really intensely disliked this one. I think the perspective (from a Dog's point of view) was interesting, but so far fetched and absurd that I didn't enjoy it, and I actually don't let my siblings read it. (I do most of the previewing for my family.)

these are a few of my favorite things // 1

+ doing morning devo's with the window open and the birds chirping and singing
+ hot, hot, coffee as soon as I wake up
+ this post by an amazing girl I grew up with that feels like she wrote down exactly what I was thinking.
+ 90 Days though the Bible (it's been amazing, and I feel like i've been discovering new concepts and things in all the familiar accounts.)
+ Rereading The Mitford Series (So adorable and sweet and chock full of God and truths in every page.)
+ A flying visit back home to see my bestie and her family last weekend. 
+ new friends over the internet
+ hilarious quotes by little brothers
+ getting to spend time with my oldest brother
+ driving on the highway with all my windows down and my hair tangling
+ my puppy who is always overjoyed to see and interact with me
+ finding $16 unexpectedly, in the back pocket of a skirt I hardly ever wear, this morning
+ Lydia's infrequent giggles
+ watching people interact
+ running into one of my best friends completely randomly
+ stupid pixar movies that make me laugh and rewatching the last season of one of my favorite tv shows in anticipation of another season coming out soon!!
+ enough flowers blooming in the yard to make bouquets
+ anticipating a coffee date with a friend
+ the vitamin string quartet (weirdest name ever, but I love their covers!)
+ being able to smile again without pain (!!! the blisters are finally gone, and I'm thrilled. ;)

This list was inspired by Dani, at A Vapor in the Wind

five things that make me happy // a list

1. Horses, Dogs, Elephants and Otters. 

     Sometimes, when I am sad or having an especially hard day, I Google various baby animals and gush over the adorable photographs and videos. Usually I feel considerably better after a little dose of cuteness. Who can resist a baby elephant throwing a tantrum in a mud puddle, or an otter who can't fit the stackable cups together? :) I also recommend ducklings and big cat cubs... these photos and videos also pacify cranky toddlers, and I am speaking from experience here! :)

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2. Grace

     Lately God has been teaching me about Grace. It blows my mind that the God of the universe, (the God who created the universe and all it contains with only his breath!!!!!) chooses to complete his work through imperfect, flawed, selfish creatures like us. "But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ, by Grace you have been saved... and not that of yourselves, it is the gift of God." Eph. 2:4-5 God chose us. God chose to create us knowing what choice we would make. We rejected God, exalting ourselves, and He, in his infinite and overwhelming love, mercy and Grace, reached out to us and provided Salvation through the brutal, horrific death of his Only Begotten Son, laying his plan for Salvation before the very foundations of the world were set into place. 

     "My Grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9 

     He chose to pour his love and grace on our weak souls, and his power and plan is perfected through us because he is GOD.

     God's grace blows my mind everytime I think about it, but it makes me want to scream for pure joy at the same time. The God I serve is full of love and Grace. I just discovered that my middle name, (Anne-with-an-e) means Full of Grace, and it just became more special!!

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3. Children

     I am a big fan of littles! From babies learning to smile and chuckle to toddlers and their endless questions and energy, to six year olds who amaze you with their sheer brilliance... children are unexpectedly witty, and serious, full of life and laughter and surprises. Life is never dull with a child/baby/toddler around. ;)

4. Coffee (and Ice Cream) (and Food)

     You want to know the tried and true way to improve my mood and make me 110% more happy with you and any given situation? Bring me a mug of coffee. Especially if it's anytime in the morning before 10:00. I will love you for absolutely forever, and probably longer. :) The same sentiments also apply for ice cream and food. (as long as it's not fish or peanut butter... just throwing that out there.) I am not a morning person, and coffee turns mornings into a much pleasanter (is that a word?) experience for my family and I. In fact, sometimes my brothers have it made for me before I even come downstairs!

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5. Books, Bookstores, Libraries, Conversations about Books, Smelling Books, Touching Books.

     My mom always encouraged reading, and when my older brothers and I were younger Mom had us complete a speedreading and comprehension course... and accidentally created bookaholics, (mostly just in my case, the Boys don't really have the time anymore.). Now I could get through reading material two or three times as fast, but totally still understand it! Mom took to punishing me and Andrew by withholding reading privileges instead of other things because it was so devastating. :) Now books are my constant companion, and are always spilling out of the corners of my room, packed into my purse and taken everywhere. 

missing // a list

+my bestie
+Mt. Adams
+walking through our property and trying to glimpse the top of Mt. Hood through the trees on clear days
+finding the first wild flowers of spring peeping shyly out of the frozen, saturated earth
+voice lessons every Wednesday morning at 10:00am
+watching the sun set behind the maple tree every night
+running into people you know at every errand you run
+living five minutes from town
+no traffic lights or traffic in general
+ wading in our swollen creek bed on the first warm day in February
+girls nights with friends
+Princess
+the christian book store and movie rental and always knowing we could count on them to know whether a movie was appropriate or watchable for us.
+my big brothers, although i saw them both last week
+cleaning every week for really sweet people
+ my horse nickering every time I walked outside
+not having to fence my dogs
+the wind roaring across the land
+ the drive through the gorge and the inexpressible beauty of the river and hillsides
+seeing five to 50 deer almost every single day
+courteous drivers
+the coffee shop that only charged 1.50 for a hot chocolate
+the feed store people knowing what brand of chicken food your family buys so you don't have to call your dad at work
+never getting lost whilst trying to drive somewhere
+knowing where everything you need is at the library
+mudding with my big bro in his awesome flatbed
+having to decide which way i wanted to drive home
+everyone waving at everyone

l i s t s

*loving right now*

-cold brewed coffee

-wearing my maxi as a dress

-moby dick

-chocolate milkshakes

-sleep (it's not overrated)

-sense and sensibility

- rainymood.com and my yiruma pandora station playing at the same time.

~ ~ ~

Don't you know? Haven't you heard? Don't you understand the foundations of the earth?

God is enthroned above the earth, and those who live on it are like grasshoppers. 

He stretches out the sky like a canopy

and spreads it out like a tent to live in.

He makes rulers unimportant,

and makes earthly judges worth nothing.

Have have hardly been planted,

They have hardly been sown.

They have hardly taken root in the ground

Then he blows on them and they wither 

and a windstorm sweeps them away like straw.

"To whom, then, can you compare me? Who is my qual?" asks the Holy One

Look at the sky and see.

Who created these things?

Who brings out the stars one by one?

He calls them all by name.

Because of the greatness of his might and the strength of his power, 

not one of them is missing...

Don't you know? Haven't you heard? 

The eternal God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth,

does not grow tired or become weary.

His understanding is beyond reach.

He gives strength to those who are weak.

Even young people grow tired and become weary,

and young men will stumble and fall.

Yet the strength of those who wait with hope in the Lord will be renewed.

They will soar on wings like eagles

they will run and won't become weary

they will walk and won't grow tired.

Isaiah 40:21-26, 28-31

~ ~ ~

favorite quotes right now:

if the shoe fits... buy it in every color.

Unknown

If you live to be one hundred, I hope I live to be a hundred minus one day so I don't have to live without you.

Winne the Pooh

Adventure is OUT THERE!

Up.

Distance means so little when someone means so much.

Unknown

~ ~ ~

to do:
* finish the laundry
* 3 lessons of algebra
* clean my room... again.
* clean the girls bathroom
* get this post finished and up
* straighten my hair and apply make-up so I look presentable when my brother arrives later tonight. :)
*  finish the email that's been sitting in my drafts for days.
* SMILE MORE!!

/ / / \ \ \

     i.my brother is coming to visit tonight, and I'm excited. I haven't seen him in three months, and although this trip will be super short, it will be wonderful!! :)

ii. I've started making bouquets out of the various flowers and weeds around our yard. Some of them turn out better than others, but they are all colorful and brighten up our dining room table.

iii. it's been hot. i'm a cool weather girl, so it's been interesting trying to survive. lots of iced tea and iced coffee! and ice-cubes and ice-cubes in lemonade. and ice. :)

iv. this girl is one of my favorite peoples. so go check her out. she's pretty amazing.

xx,