The Make-Over of a Fashion Failure

Once upon a time, there lived a little laptop. Her name was StarDaughter (known affectionately as "Dottie" by those who loved her), and she...how do I put this politely?...she just didn't know how to put outfits together correctly. On her best days, she came to work looking like this:

And on her worst days...you just don't even want to see it! I think everyone would agree that blackonblackonblackonblack just isn't the right style for her, but how do you just tell someone that? I finally worked up enough courage to broach the subject of identifying her personal beauty profile, and she jumped at the chance to get some advice from me (you all know what extensive fashion training I've had). First, we went over her proper color palette. 

Then, one sunny, Saturday morning, Maddy and I began to work our magic. I asked Madeline to assist me because, while I unquestionably hold the best eye for color combinations, Maddy is my top fashion consultant. Naturally, the two of us wore our most inspiring designer clothes to give Dottie confidence as we began work.

After opening her eyes to how revolutionary bright colors can be, I gave Dottie a couple weeks to adjust to her new wardrobe hues before completing her look with some snazzy accessories. With her new style sense, Dottie has become an entirely new laptop, finally free to live the life of which she had always dreamed.

World, meet StarDaughter. The most fashionable, most colorful, most Hawaiian laptop on the earth!

Watch-It Wednesday: Nothing!

I just got back from a fabulous day of babysitting some super-fun kiddos! What do you do for eight hours with five children, 10 & under? Oh, "Nothing!"

...which, of course, translates to "Have a Ball!"
Happy Wednesday!

Life Lately...

Hello lovelies!

(Hello...hello...hello)

Wait, was than an echo I just heard?

Yes, it's been a while. Poor little blog has been abandoned for far too long, but I'm turning over a new leaf as they begin to fall, and things should look a little more lively around here, now that all beautiful things outside are beginning to die {albeit, beautifully}.
But take that with a grain of salt, 'cause life is crazy.

Anyway, as I madly edit pictures and put together posts from Europe {which will appear here by the end of the month - hooray!}, life has continued to fly by, in that predictable, frantic style of summer happenings. What has been keeping me busy since my feet returned to Battle Ground soil nearly two months ago? Yes. I know. This question has stalked your days and haunted your nights, so in the name of community service, I have set out this morning to bring peace to your tormented minds. {In other words, by many words, I seek to eliminate the echo of words, since this blog-journal of my words has been lacking in any words.}

1. Deiter 100!
Styled after "The Amazing Race" {of which I know nothing...}, in celebration of their collective ages being 100, the Deiters hosted an all-day event of clues and scavenger hunts which immediately set the bar high for "fun things to do" in the month of August! Each team was encouraged to dress...like a team, and the team of yours truly tied for the prize!

The other winning team: Snow White, Prince, & 7 dwarves!

2. Clark County Fair!
Free pancake breakfast on opening morning, sheep shows, judging, auctioning, and fun...and one late night of bright lights, high rides, and elephant ears. We love our county fair!

3. Cleared-Out Room!
As soon as I got back to my room, after two months of living out of a backpack, I knew it was time to get rid of some things. Armloads of clothes, knick-knacks, etc, exited en mass. The only thing I couldn't let go of? My books, of course! In true all-or-nothing style, I pulled out & re-organized all 235 of them. And, as I had another one on the way in the mail, sternly instructed myself to go easy on the book-buying. I mean, some are in boxes in my closet, some arranged neatly under my bed, and all my bookshelves sagging. Fate was against me, though, because two days later...

Some of the mess... :)

4. Girls' Day in Ptown!!
Ahh, it was lovely. Tea lattes, Anthro, Salt & Straw ice cream {like...yums}, and...the infamous Powell's Bookstore. I'm afraid to say my resolve evaporated the minute I walked through the doors. I came away with *ahem* 3 books ~ but oh, such books!! :)

5. Music on the Lawn!
Being gone for 2 months during the summer sounds like a prime opportunity for "while the cat's away, the mice play" in studio~land. Of course, I wanted my wonderful violinists & pianists to have a bit of a break, but I also needed some sort of incentive for them to touch & play their instruments over the summer. The answer was: give them a piece to learn, on their own, for a performance. But it's summer. We didn't want a formal deal with dressing up, solemn concert hall, etc. So we hooked up a sound system, pulled out the keyboard, threw down some picnic blankets, and had a whole gang of people bring & eat their picnic dinners, while being serenaded by some great music! :) After supper & music, we cleared up, set up the volleyball net, and played until dark {and a little beyond}.

They gave me a super "sweet" card, that they all had signed!! :)

6. Family Camp!

Don't get me started. Family Camp is The. Best. Weekend. of the year. Hands-down. Volleyball, soccer, Frisbee, talent night, game tournaments, campfire singing, baptisms ~ this fun is nothing to the fellowship with wonderful brothers & sisters. I was even more grateful for my wonderful church family this year, after being away from them for 2 months. {Now we just need Jesse and Nathan to come home!}

 

7. Sunriver!
Our annual family vacation spot: Sunriver, OR! The last two years were the first years we hadn't gone since Ems was born (19 years ago), so we were ecstatic to return to the high desert, pine trees, and endless bike trails! G'ma and G'pa came this year, and it was a lovely, too-short, 5 days.

2013 Christmas Picture??

Megs & I during a biking break!

Beautiful Benham Falls

Deschutes River!

It's been a busy summer! So fun-filled and beautiful, it makes me ready to jump into schedules with extra gusto!

How was your summer??

All About 'Cha - Part II

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Hello, dears! Long time, no see! I'm finally home from an amazing week-and-a-half of vacation, and have been spun around to start planning for one of the bestest weekends of the year: Family Camp! A couple of us had a planning session with Pastor just this afternoon...no surprises that it's gonna be another rad Labor Day Weekend!!

So, at some point I'll let you all see pictures and hear about the family vacation.

Not because you are dying to hear all about it, but because this blog doubles - er, triples - as a journal and scrapbook for me (as well as, you know, a letter to you guys every now and then).

HOWEVER, in a desire to have no loose ends flapping around here, I'm first going to finish up Miss Jo's wonderful blog tag, and call a few more of you to join the fun!

Here goes Part II:

1. Cherries or blueberries?
Blueberries! Cherries are fine - I love all sorts of fresh fruit - but you'd definitely see me making a bee-line for those delicious, pit-less, blue bundles of yummy.

2. Vanilla or chocolate?
Ice cream - vanilla.
Everything else - chocolate.
The ice cream can have chocolate syrup on it.



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3. What is your favorite song?
This question is just wrong. A favorite song? Really? Can't do it. I was just listening to Michael Card, so I'll say "God's Own Fool", but...I like a lot of other songs, too.

4. What is your favorite activity?
*Hears Brian Regan's "Is this a good activity??"*
Er...

I like reading. I like playing music. And listening to music. Talking. I like friends. Shopping. I like clothes. And antiques. And jewelry. And... Dancing. I like dancing. Baking. I like food....

Seriously. Who has a "FAVORITE, above-all-else" activity?

5. Have you ever left the country you live in?
Twice! (How spoiled am I??) When I turned 15 I got to go to upstate NY w/daddy, and we went over to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. When I was...16 I think...I got to go to England with my aunt. London, Oxford, and Bath, for anyone who's wondering. Walked the fav walk of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Dressed in Regency attire for a JA festival in Bath. Walked along the Thames at midnight. Went to an Agatha Christie play. Shopped some amazing outdoor London markets.

...sorry, where were we?

6. What is on the floor of your closet right now?
If I listed everything, you'd get bored. And maybe disgusted by the sheer amount. So, briefly: shoes, shoe boxes for OCC, two boxes of books ('cause I'm out of book case room), yarn, a stool, a roll of brown paper, and, *ahem* plenty more.

7. What did you do last night?
I really like this question. Not because I have an amazing answer, but just because it's fun and kind of unique.
We (as in, the quartet) played lobby music for the "Royal Rosarians' [long story - don't ask] Knighting Ceremony" and went to Carls Jr for french fries (thanks, Ben!). Later, I visited with friends, showered, and read Little Dorrit. :)

8. What are you most afraid of?
I don't know. I'm not really afraid of much. Becoming numb to the Holy Spirit. Change - loosing touch with people I love.

9. If you had the option, would you choose a fun drink or an edible snack?
Fun drink. Love yummy drinks. 'specially fruit-flavored ones.

10. What is your favorite day of the week?
Wednesday. It's my day where I have no obligations - I go over to Grandma and Grandpa's to craft w/Grandma. Also, it's the middle of the week! If it's been a bad week, I only have two more days to live through, if it's a good week...every day is my favorite! :)

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11. What is your favorite breed of dog?
I don't...really know dog breeds. I like bigger dogs that don't smell. :p

12. What is your favorite genre of literature?
Hmm...that's a toughy. Historical fiction, anything C.S. Lewis (he wrote several different genres), fairy tales (unashamedly), history shtuff, and any genre with interesting information in it (as opposed to...boring information).

13. Diamonds or pearls?
Pearls, I think. Although, I have a lovely ring, and pair of earrings (both from my dad) with tiny diamonds which I love. Mostly, I don't like big and chunky of either. :)

14. What is your favorite type of flower?
I love flowers. All flowers. I suppose if I was pressed into choosing, I would choose pink roses.

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15. What is an item on your bucket list?
Hehehe - I didn't keep one for a while, but I'm beginning to think I should! One thing: bonfire on the beach, 'til long after dark, singing and talking with good friends.

And now it's time to share the fun! For this set of questions, I'm tagging:

Miss Kaytra from Scraps of Reality (when, of course, you get your life back :p)
Miss Lauren from One Bright Corner
and
Lady Kirsteen from Life in My House Full of Boys

Can't wait to hear All About 'Cha! :)

All About 'Cha - Part I

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Good evening, everyone! A little while back, Miss Jo from Alphabet Soup tagged me to do a fun blog questionnaire! The procedure is quite simple, and one with which I'm sure you're familiar...answer the questions, pass 'em on to some cool bloggers, follow the fun! Because it's quite a long list of questions, I've decided to divvy 'em up into two different posts, and tag a different blogger (or set of bloggers) for each set of questions. Ya ready? I am! So let's go!

1. What color are your socks right now?
As amazing at it is, I'm not wearing socks right now. I usually am, but it's been lovely and warm (which means high 70s here in the Northwest) so I didn't need 'em today. I am wearing purple nail polish, though. :)

2. What are you listening to right now?
Maddy explaining the hairstyle she's giving me, and Megs singing a call to play "Hand and Foot".

3. What was the last thing you ate?
Dinner. And it was delish! Chicken, broccoli, and quinoa. Quinoa = yumminess. :)

4. Can you drive a stick shift?
*ahem* I can get from point A to point B, in a car with a stick shift. Not quite sure that's the same thing as driving...

5. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
Hmmm...Robyn I think.

6. How old are you today?
Seriously? Is this a make-people-feel-old question?? Ugh, fine. Here it goes. 21 years, I-don't-care-how-many-months-and-days.

7. What is your favorite sport to watch?
Not a huge sports fan here, people. I like to play soccer, volleyball, ultimate Frisbee...so I don't mind watching those. Oh, and figure skating/ice dancing is amazing to watch. :)

8. What is your favorite drink?
Can't choose. At all. I love yummy drinks, and I usually try a new one each time I go somewhere. Most common non-water drink? Tea or "DDP" (diet dr. pepper). Drinks I crave? Juice and smoothies. Drink that makes me all creamy and happy? Hot cocoa. And I could list others I love...

9. Have you ever dyed your hair?
*ahem* yes. but it didn't work. 'nuff said.

10. What is your favorite food?
Everyone knows chocolate is in a girl's food pyramid.

11. Do you sing in the shower?
Haha! Actually, no, I don't. And it is because, ever since I was little and first heard someone joke about it, I never wanted to be caught doing it... :p

12. Favorite day of the year?
My fav day used to be the first day in Sun River (our annual family vacation spot). Although we don't go there any more, I think it still would have to be the first day of family vacation. :)

13. What is one place you want to visit?
IrelandIsraelScotlandFranceAustriaSwedenSwitzerlandNewZealand. :D

14. What was your favorite toy as a child?
You know, I really don't know. I can remember favorite books, favorite movies, but favorite toys... Probably either my Kirsten doll, or "Callie" (a stuffed calico cat).

15. What is your favorite season?
Whichever one I'm in the midst of! Spring for the rain, the new flowers, and the pretty color of the clouds. Summer for the warmth, the sun, all the games you can play outside, and the pretty color of the sky. Autumn for the leaves, fuzzy boots, chunky sweaters, long walks, and the pretty color of...everything. Winter for steamy mugs of tea, having to bundle up, and the delicious abundance of rain!

So, now it's your turn! I do here by tag:

Miss Kayleen from Only God
Tante Jen from Four for France
and
Miss Mikaela from One Bright Corner

Of course, if you decide to take up the challenge without being tagged, let me know! I 'd love to read your answers! :)

Why?

In which I contemplate the pressing issues of life...

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Why is it that you only - only - hit an insane amount of eternity-long red lights when you're running late?

Why does a buttered slice of bread always land butter-side-down?

Why do the people who fold laundry look at a size large, masculine, blue sweater vest that their brother wears, and then decide to put it in my pile?

Why do students inevitably get sick the day of a recital?

Why is it so hard - nay, impossible - to find sealing wax in this town?

Why does Megan's Seed Stitch (in knitting) always turn into Ribbing, before she's even knit a row?

Why is there a specified difference between re-fried beans and vegetarian re-fried beans?

...Actually, scratch that one. I'm too scared to ask what's in the non-vegetarian.

Why do laptop power cords just up and DIE, with absolutely no warning or aggravation?

Why do I get to be stuck behind a S-L-O-W school bus (which, of course, is stopping every 3 ft at every driveway) in the middle of summer?

Why does putting two socks in the laundry result in only one coming out of the dryer, but putting three socks in the laundry result in getting them all back?

If only I knew the answers to these pressing questions, then...I wouldn't have a single thought with which to amuse myself!

30 Day Book Challenge! Day 1: Best Book of Last Year

All has been rather quiet around here for a while. It ought to have been! Between scheduling recitals, and having parents gone every weekend for a month, and birthdays, and summer planning, and Mother's Day, and reading, and the beginning of summer parties (we're going to the first - a roasting party - tomorrow evening!), and the 4H-ers starting to vamp up for the fair in August, our lives have been pretty full.

Believe me when I say, though, that the silence has not been due to lack of material - I have several posts bouncing around in my head at the moment - but rather from a lack of blogging time. (Not because I have no spare moments, but because I've been filling them with books instead of notebooks...check out the "Reading" tab for more on that.) So, in an effort to combine the two - reading and blogging, that is - I have embarked, commencing today, on the "30 Day Book Challenge". *sounding trumpets*

I will not, can not, promise to only give one answer to each question - but I will really-and-truly try my hardest. Nonetheless, there may be days when I am forced, against my will, as it were, to give at least "extra suggestions" to the day's query. Time shall tell.

So, without further ado, let us begin.

Day 1: What is the best book you read last year?

I had a sadly small amount to choose from for this question (although that didn't keep from deliberating between two different titles) since I read very little last year, but in the end I decided upon:

The Shadow of the Bear is definitely a candy book, yet one that was both exciting and enjoyable to read (as were the other two in the series). Usually "retold fairy tales" set in the modern day are a let-down. They either use completely off-the-wall, bizarre events to keep the story following a fairy tale, or else become entirely predictable. Add to that the "modern" slant of compromised heroes and heroins with no moral fortitude or higher calling, and you find many of these tales belong in the garbage or the burn pile (depending on the level of the fairy story's degradation).  The Shadow of the Bear belongs where all good stories do, in your hands or on your shelf. While the book itself is not particularly well-written, it is a tale well-told. In these pages, you find a story so compelling and realistic that only a scent of "long ago and far away" (despite the contemporary, New York City setting) reminds you of the story's origins. In these pages, you find a story so complexly-woven that the authoress, Regina Doman, keeps you guessing at the outcome, even when you know the "happily ever after" ending! In these pages, you find a story so sweet, so funny, so suspenseful that it will be nigh-impossible to put it down before the final page.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Have you ever felt that there was something going on in life that not everyone was aware of?" Rose asked, turning her mug around in her hands. "As though there's a story going on that everyone is a part of, but not everybody knows about? Maybe 'story' isn't the right word - a sort of drama, a battle between what's peripheral and what's really important. As though the people you meet aren't just their plain, prosaic selves, but are actually princes and princesses, gods and goddesses, fairies, gypsies, shepherds, all sorts of fantastic creatures who've chosen to hide their real shape for some reason or another. Or have forgotten who they really are. Have you ever thought of that?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Shadow of the Bear. My favorite read from last year. Have you read it?

{I would love to hear your answers to the questions as I go through them, too. Leave a comment and let me know! :)}
 

Watch-It Wednesday...Or, Maybe Not?

It's been a day or two since I posted. I blame it on the death of Sophie (my camera), because a post without pictures is simply no fun, and while we have other cameras, they're just not as convenient as Sophie is. Or, was. Before she "popped off as you might say" (who knows the quote?? :).

ANYWAY, today being Wednesday, I typically post a video - but that's not going to happen this time. I have decided to take a break from all videos one can/would watch on the computer. And if I can't watch them neither shall you - no internet videos for any of you...EVER!!!

Ok, just kidding, because youtube is still up, running, and fully functional. You can watch whatever you want.

But there will be nothing here to watch for a month.

All clear?

Fabulous, let's move on.

As I mentioned before, my lack of posts has been largely due to a lack of pictures. We had some lovely, actually warm days - but sunshine spoken of is not the same as sunshine shown. We had two very fun days with the Littles this past weekend, when Mama, Daddy, and 3 Middles went to the Christian Heritage Homeschool Conference - but smiles from playing games under a fort in the great room are simply not as contagious when read from a page, rather than seen on a Little's face. And let's face it  - you don't care to read or see that the whole family was subjected to the stomach flu for a three-week period.

Finally, however, I have some pictures! Emily, Kaytra, and I decided rather sporadically the other day to do a photo shoot. We pulled into a field, picked our way through the mud - arms full of books, teacups, blankets, and cameras - and spent an hour or so happily snapping pictures. A couple things you should know (and will prob be able to tell) about the three of us....

1. We're book addicts. Wholly, unashamedly, and ecstatically.

2. We are never goofy. Ever.

3. We kind of like a vintage flair.

...and then we just have some smiles :)

I already posted this picture, but - it's my personal favorite of Em's :)

I don't know if it's the coloring, her experssion...but I love this pic of Kaytch!

Vintage!!

(oh yeah, we're also tea addicts...add it to the list :)

Do you see my ring? It's an authentic vintage piece -
belonged to GrandMary (my great-grandma)

Are you pictured-out? Good...'cause I still don't have a Sophie replacement! Out of pure laziness, I haven't attributed each photo to the photographer - but you already know it was a combination of the three of us, right? Have a cheery Wednesday: take a picture of three, seemingly insignificant, things that make you smile today - and add them to your blessings list!