The Blue Dress

It had been a few weeks since my last thrifting adventure, and when the little sign with the words "Goodwill" plastered across it appeared up the road, my heart gave a bit of a leap. Of course, I had to concentrate on more important things at the moment, like driving. I maneuvered through the claustrophobic parking lot, managing to miraculously squeeze into a tight spot. Believe me, it was quite the feat.

Once we entered, I readily scoured the aisles, searching for a bulky, knit grey sweater. Sadly, none of the grey sweaters I found perfectly matched my criterion. However, while browsing through the dress rack, this blue dress flashed before my eyes for a moment. I pulled it out, noticed the tag was still attached, showed it to my mom, bought it, wore it at least once a week, and finally blogged about it.

Thoughts, my friends?

Oh, and I am contemplating starting a FAQ page for the blog; if you've been aching to ask me any particular questions, this is your time (i.e. what camera I use, my favorite drink, etc.).

Cheers.

meet my new lens.

Christmas has flown by with identical the swiftness of this past year. After all the strewn wrapping paper and boxes were thrown away and a delicious lunch was eaten up, the gifts were more closely examined and put to use. Did I mention my amazingly loving parents got me a 50mm lens? Oh yes.

Somehow this lens usually manages to transform normal afternoons into awesome photo shoot sessions with siblings. Constantly.

taken by Nathan

Oh, and those leisurely walks with friends? They also turn into never-ending photo shoots while meandering through. Every tree, rock, flower, and spot of delicious sunlight must be captured. As we ventured through a beautiful trail, each photo never ceased to dazzle me. The lighting, the depth, the color. Dear 50mm lens, I love you (and the lovely sun flares you create).

Oh, and it's always a perk to have a beautiful friends who are willing to have their picture taken a bazillion times! I wish I could share more of the photographs; however, I have countless favorites from this particular trek and never wish to bore you.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas time with family and friends. Now, to usher in the New Year, with all of it's charm.

Oh, but do take your time, New Year. Rushing never helped anyone.

Christmas Tree #2

It started with a phone call and a trailer full of Christmas trees. Real Christmas trees. Firstly, let me say that never in the history of our family have we have a real Christmas tree in our home. Therefore, it wasn't a matter of uncertainty on my part when friends called and offered to drop of a free Christmas tree, having managed to get a truck load full of them. Long story short: they dropped it off, and the next day we got to work.

It took a deal of coaxing on my part in order for my parents to allow me to bring the piney smell of goodness into our house. You see, we've already got a Christmas tree. It's an artificial one, made of plastic and wire. It does very well, of course...but, you know.
So the next day my older brother and I chopped it nearly in half (the thing was gigantic) and I salvaged a few of the branches for wreathes and such. The lovely tree is currently adorning our bedroom (yippee! yippee! oh yeah...thanks, mom and dad), which means I get to smell it all night as it diffuses it's beautiful scent into the air.

Meet Mr. Chubby Tree. I admit, I prefer my chubby, real Christmas tree to our slender fake one. It has truly transformed my Christmas into something even more beautiful. I never dreamed a real Christmas tree would be brought to us this year (in all honesty, it's a miracle we could even fit it in our bedroom). But God always likes to surprise us, doesn't He? (Oh, and so do wonderful friends!).

So that's my biggest Christmas dream come true thus far. I hope you've had a few little wishes come true yourself! Have a warm, cuddly Christmas Eve, my friends. May we all together celebrate the birth of our Savior, thanking Him for the continual blessings is pours into our overflowing cups.

This Christmas Break

Somehow my dear, sweet Christmas break has morphed into something very different from a relaxing time of rest. My wonderful days off from school are filled with driving around the island, finding adventure as we go. It's a paradigm shift from the mornings stuffed up in my bedroom reading textbooks, and I do believe I quite like it. A lot.

Oh, and need I remind you that Christmas is only two days away? Like seriously. This is ridiculous. Personally, I am not ready to bid farewell to this year. It was far too short; it's days slid through my fingers.

Still, my heart won't let me be melancholy. The parties, laughs with friends, hot chocolate, carols, lights, and love floating through the air swell within me and leave me joyful.

Did I mention I've got a huge, real Christmas tree currently in a corner? Oh yes. More on that later, though.

Gift Wrapping

So it's that week. The one where ribbon, wrapping paper, and tape are littering the floors as you frantically wrap all those last minute presents. I sadly, do not have presents left to be wrapped at the moment. If I could re-do my already-wrapped gifts, though, I would probably do them like this:

woodland wrapping



two-toned wrapping

stamped paper

tree sillouhette

 paper doilies

yellow and white

lace and ribbon

It's almost enough to make me want to undue all of my previous wrapping! Oh well, I will simply have to make up for it next year. Hope you all are able to use some of those beautiful ideas.

Happy wrapping, friends.

Be Determined

Many things weigh down my mind. They pull down my thoughts from the clouds, dampening creative desires. The sobering feeling which has been seeping through my mind does not bring with it a mood I particularly relish; and, as much as I wish they could, the lighthearted feelings of Christmas spirit do not always suffice to awaken inspiration.

A decision to be made aches through my chest. I long that I wasn't the person who needed to have every detail worked out before a plan feels safe. Through all of my stressing and calculating and theorizing, there is one verse that continues to echo through my mind.

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

This week I hope to meditate on those words, let them sink in, and just trust. This week I hope to escape from doleful brooding. I must re-awaken inspiration. I am beginning to realize that inspiration is generally a very fickle flame which ignites when it pleases, but I must learn to mould it. It takes a lot of hard work and discipline and determination.

I desire to be determined and:  research journalists // create jewelry // prettily wrap gifts // be thankful // take a zillion pictures // write a story // bake yummy food // love Jesus more // relish life.

PostScript: The winner of the giveaway is Emma Margaret! Please email me to claim your prize within 48 hours.

The Three

It's been crazy since the big brother has been home. Most days a jam packed with adventures and excursions outdoors. We visited a park during the weekend and had a bit too much fun in the playground.

I learned that the above photographed playground "ride" is not the innocent, flinstone-speckled, oddly-shaped thing it at first appears to be. It is a ride of torture which I cannot fathom young children attempting because my older brother and I nearly died by being tossed from the ridiculous machine.  Yet somehow, after recovering from the affects of dizziness, it was imperative that we try it again, simply to suffer the same affects directly afterwards.

In the wise words of my older brother, "If we spin the other way the next time, we will cure our dizziness."

He will not like me for posting the above picture. Ah well, I like it besides. Oh, and do not drink the water below. Only shower in it and make sure not to accidentally digest any because, ah, it might be fatal. That is all.

Oh, and I love those two guys. Having Nathan home makes us the three musketeers again; we again need five chairs, forks, and plates at a table. It is taking a bit of adjusting to, and I usually feel our family is oddly large when walking together. It is strange and delightful all at once.

Yesterday, while venturing through a park, I asked mom to take a picture of the three of us. One was long overdue.

PostScript: Giveaway here!

He's Home

A whole week of anticipation had brought us to this moment in an airport -- waiting. We were expecting the 9:05 flight in from L.A. which was supposed to arrive half an hour ago. Michael and I proceeded to make jokes about the movie The Terminal while we waited on a wooden bench with Mom. Perhaps our older brother would end up like the famous Mr. Navorski (aka Tom Hanks) and have a taste of living in an airport. He probably go delayed. He probably missed his flight. Such were our comforting words to our anxious mother who was constantly peering towards the doors Nathan ought to have walked through forty-five minutes ago. I snapped a few pictures to ease the wait, and planned on taking a few shots of the first happy moments of our reunion.

Michael and I watched the road as Dad drove in circles around the parking lot in order to avoid paying the parking fee. "There he goes!" one of us would amusdely observe as the little, crusty smiley face on the radio antenna glided by.

"I didn't hear a plane land!" Mom cried confusedly as the doors opened and a train of people began wandering past us again. And again. And again. Where was he? I believed he would come through those doors. He had to. Just had to.

I saw a dark figure dart to the right behind a crowd of people. "I saw him!" I cried delightedly. He jumped through the doors, surprising us. I was jumping happily as he approached. Hysterical hugs and laughs and being picked up off the ground. Curious glances from surrounding people.

"A strong head wind delayed us an hour." Was the explination which melted all of our previous apprehensions.

He was home; and I had forgotten to take pictures.

P.S. Don't forget to enter the blue bow giveaway!