Thankful//A-Z

Today is Thanksgiving. This week has been the first week in a long time where I've been able to just relax for a little while. It's nice to take a break from busy weeks and have time to refresh and well, be lazy. :) I'll give you a little recap of what has happened this week. 

My mom and my sisters and I did a presentation this year for the kindergarten students at a public school. We dressed up like pilgrims and showed them what they would have eaten, believed, and experienced. I believe it went pretty well and they all seemed to be  intrigued to see "real"pilgrims. We have an abnormal amount of pioneer/pilgrim clothing. We used to volunteer at a pioneer village. We probably have every size dress and styled bonnet known to man. ;) I was looking through the clothing this week and found the perfect Edwardian style skirt and blouse. I've seen a lot of bloggers who post pictures of themselves in vintage clothing so maybe I'll give it a try sometime. 

Since this week has been a lot more laid back, I've had time to read, spend time with family, and watch way too much Netflix than what's good for me. It's definitely my guilty pleasure. After finishing the TV show Touch, *bursts into tears* ;) I soon found The Bletchley Circle which I'm very much enjoying now. I finally got the chance to watch Maleficent! I absolutely adored the movie. I can't wait for the new Cinderella movie to come out!

We went to the library. That of course was fun. I picked out an excessive amount of books...as usual. I'm planning on reading a lot this winter. Hopefully I will meet my criteria. ;) I also got audio version of Matched by Ally Condie. Even though I''ve already read it, I've forgotten a lot of the details. My local library finally has Crossed in so I can't wait to start reading it! Back to the audio thingamajig, it's so cool! I've always been used audio books on tape and you would put them in a tape player. But this, this was different. All you have to do is stick some ear buds in a little box thingy and it starts playing the book. It's magical. Okay, okay, I know probably everyone knows what these newfangled inventions are, but I've just discovered them so don't judge me too harshly. ;) 

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving! If you're traveling during this holiday I pray that you have a safe journey. 

Hannah over at With Love, Hannah did an awesome post where she wrote out things she was thankful for through A-Z. I thought it would be fun to try too. I have to say, the letter X was definitely the hardest.

Autumn- a season I truly love.

Books- a way to step into another world or time.

Cats- lovely creatures who are quite cuddly when they're not clawing you. 

Downton Abbey- the best show ever.

Eyesight- so I can see this beautiful world.

Family- people who love me and understand me even though I'm a weirdo. ;)

Grandparents- always love to visit them.

Holiday- a word that always gets me excited.

Infants- nothing gives me more joy than holding a little one.

Journeys- to new faraway places.

Kindred Spirits- true friends that will always stick by you.

Laughter- the kind where you laugh so hard you can hardly breathe. 

Mist- makes the world almost seem like a novel.

Nightfall- when the half the world falls asleep and the other half wakes up to a new day.

Oceans- and their ever constant waves.

Photography- of course.

Quiet times- when the snow covers the ground like a blanket, and for a while everything is so still.

Rainy days- drip drop.

Simplicity- something I crave.

Twilight- (I don't mean the movies or books.)

Unicorns- although I've never seen one.

Vintage- things that hold history.

Warmth- a cozy feeling on cold days.

Xo- kisses and hugs

Yesterday- when the present becomes a memory.

Zeal- for life.

10 TV Shows You Need to Watch on Netflix

Okay, so I guess you don't necessarily "need" to watch all of these but at least try a few out. :) After having Netflix for a few years, I found a lot of great shows that I thought I would share with you all. Enjoy!

Touch TV-PG

Kiefer Sutherland stars as the father of an autistic boy who appears to be able to predict future events -- despite not being able to speak.
-I can't even express how much I love this show! It is amazing!  I just finished both seasons, and now I desperately wish they made a season 3. It's one of those shows that makes you look at the world in an entirely different light. Click here to see the trailer.

Doctor Who TV-PG

An updated incarnation of everybody's favorite time-traveling Doctor sets about fighting nefarious aliens and other foes in this epic sci-fi series.
-Now let me tell you, I'm not one of those people who watch weird alien shows and such, but this show is an acceptation. It is so brilliant! The first season was ok but definitely not my fav. I highly recommend watching it all the way through and not skipping to better seasons. That way you'll understand everything more. Seven seasons of it are on Netflix! Even if you're not into all that alien sci-fi stuff it still is such an awesome show! They even travel in time which is a major plus!

Merlin TV-PG

This family-oriented retelling of the King Arthur legend finds Merlin arriving in Camelot, where he hones his magic skills with the help of his uncle.
-Netflix has all five seasons. This show has something for everyone. It has action, suspense, romance, humor, and so much more! I love how each season got better and better. Click here to see the trailer.

Call the Midwife TV-14

This period drama set in impoverished East London in the 1950s follows a newly qualified midwife and her colleagues at a nursing convent.

-This show is unlike any show I've ever watched. It's based on the real story of Jennifer Worth who was a midwife at the East End. Now I do warn you, this is a show where about three child births happens in every episode. This show isn't like all the movies where the baby just sorta pops out and is clean as a whistle. (Is it just me or are babies in movies not even close to the size of newborns?) Although it doesn't actually "show" anything it is very graphic and realistic.  Nonetheless it is an awesome show and is actually probably one of my favorites. Three seasons are available on Netflix. Here's the trailer.

Wolfblood TV-PG

This supernatural drama series follows a teenage girl who has the powers of a werewolf: heightened senses and super strength and speed.
-This show is awesome! It's a bit cheesy but is very addicting to watch. I just love it! They have two seasons on Netflix. Here is the trailer.

Once Upon a Time TV-PG

In this fantasy series, a young woman is drawn to a small Maine town and discovers that it's filled with elements of the fairy tale world.

-This show has adventures, secrets and even a little romance. And (surprise, surprise) it is actually appropriate. Which is rare for an American TV show. I've always had a thing for fairy tales being retold, and this is such a perfect show for me. Three seasons are on Netflix. Here is the trailer.

The Paradise TV-PG

This is a British TV period drama. A small-town girl with big ideas moves to the city and takes a job at The Paradise -- the nation's first-ever department store.
-This show is filled with romance, hidden secrets, hope, and so much more. The Paradise is absolutely amazing! Here's the trailer. So far it only has one season but I have a feeling that season 2 will be on there soon. :)

Robin Hood TV-PG

This retelling of the Robin Hood tale features a hip Robin and his cynical manservant battling the brilliant but evil Sheriff of Nottingham.

-Robin Hood is an awesome show! It has all three seasons on Netflix! It's a BBC show as well which makes it all the better. :)  Here is the trailer.

H2O: Just Add Water TV-PG

The gals in this fantasy series cope with the burden of growing a giant fin and transforming into mermaids whenever they come in contact with water.
-Like Wolfblood it is cheesy but addictive. It's fun to watch and has a very cool plot. It has three seasons on Netflix. If you enjoy this show, try out Mako Mermaids too.

Sherlock  TV-14

In this updated take on Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved mystery tales, the eccentric sleuth prowls the streets of modern-day London in search of clues.
-I love how this show makes me think. When they solve mysteries, it almost always leaves me flabbergasted and wondering how someone could write such marvelous scripts. :) Sherlock is a genius and has a sarcastic humor that I can never get tired of. I love the brother-type bond that John and Sherlock have. Even though they are nothing alike, there is one thing that they have in common and that just happens to be solving crimes. There are three season on Netflix.
Here's the trailer.

I hope this was helpful for you all. Let me know what you think of the shows. :)
Also you can tell me what your favorite Netflix shows are. Sadly, I feel like I've watched all the good shows, and now I don't know what to watch next. I've tried several more shows, but I found them too teenagery or too graphic. I would truly appreciate your help. :)
1/2/3/4

~TTFN~

Monochrome 02

“The most colorful thing in the world is black and white, it contains all colors and at the same time excludes all.”

~Vikram~

To Cool in the Peppermint Wind

When I woke up today, I was super surprised to see a few inches of snow covering the ground. I just had to go out and explore the winter wonderland. It was so beautiful. I put on my many layer  (I sorta resembled a marshmallow with my fluffy white coat ;) then headed outside. Sarah (from Trusting in the Lord day by day), made me that ear warmer for my birthday! Isn't it awesome! You should definitely check out her online shop where she sells handmade crochet items. I can't believe that winter has already arrived. It seems like only yesterday it was warm and sunny.
Sorry that my eyes are all squinty in the photos. It's so strange how even though it's cloudy it seems so bright!
The last couple of weeks have been so busy so I haven't had much time to post. I will be trying to post more often. :)
What have you all been up too?

I thought I would share one of my favorite poems with you guys.<3

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends,
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.
~Shel Silverstein~

Aspiring Bloggers 02: Adelaide

Hi Adelaide! Can you tell us a little about yourself and your blog?
Hey there! Well, to start with, I'm in love with the Lord. Everything starts there! I'm a self-proclaimed introvert who somehow loves people at the same time, and I'm a geek about books, movies, etc. My blog is kind of a collection of those things.

Why did you decide to start a blog?
Mainly because I love writing, and also because I love internet people. :-)

What is the story behind your blog's name?
I wish I had some awesome back-story, but I don't. It's based off of the song Willow by Jasmine Thompson.

How would you describe your blogging style?
ADD Golden Retriever who forgets to do her homework most nights?

Name some of the bloggers whom you look up to and why? 
One blogger I really admire is Rachelle down at Beloved Bluebird (http://belovedbluebird.blogspot.com/). She has such a sweet, simple style of blogging, and I adore it.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
Mmm, I love that question. I suppose I've always wanted to be an author, or a songwriter.

You are an amazing writer and it shines through your blog. How do you stay inspired when the dreaded writer's block attacks?
Aw, thanks! I mainly try to work on writing one word at a time. I don't look at my Word Count, I don't panic about plot holes (more like plot caverns,) I simply focus on the next word and the next sentence. By the time I've churned out some crummy ones, I get swept back into the story and am able to get my bearings.

 Do you have any hidden talents?
 Well, my friends call me the Screamer of Screams, because I scream really loudly when stuff freaks me out. And for some reason I'm really good at opening bottles.

What's something interesting that your readers might not know about you/your life?
Right now I'm sitting in my sweatpants and a t-shirt that is too big, I had ice cream right after breakfast, and I need to take a shower. Life is good! (Was that interesting?)

On your blog, you shared that you and your family run a Christian camp. That is so cool! What is that like?
Oh goodness, it's the most brilliant thing on Earth. It's a lot of hard work, mountains of files and papers, and some sleepless nights, but I wouldn't want to do anything else!

Thanks Adelaide! It was so fun to learn a little more about you! 

~Click here to visit her blog~

An Unappreciated Beauty

It's early morning.

Outside everything looks wet and dreary.

I pull on my rubber boots,

slide into my jacket,

and quietly creep out the door to my backyard.

When I'm out, 

I can see that Winter has slowly been taking over the colorful Autumn I once loved.

The sun is hidden behind the white sky.

Forlornly searching for a way out of the cloudy maze.

A blanket of leaves lays flat and crinkly on the ground as they crunch beneath my boots.

Their once vibrant colors and soft texture transformed into a crumby brown.

The wind beats against my cheeks

 making them pink from the cold air.

I stop and stare at an almost bare tree.

One last leaf clutches its small stem to the branch,

but the icy wind is merciless,
 and the leaf slowly falls into the arms of its friends

who have been patiently waiting for the leaf to join them.

I sit on an old tire swing,

just thinking.

This weather is perfect for it.

In the summer,
the humid, hot air hazes my mind,
 but in the winter, the cold refreshes it.

When the wind slices through me,

I feel as if my mind is cleared and
 leaving room for new scopes of the imagination.

~Summer, Spring, and Autumn seem to always be the most beloved seasons.~

The most beautiful.

But Winter has an unappreciated beauty.

Winter makes even death look beautiful.

The skeleton of trees, and the elegant snow, 

the flurries that I try to catch on my tongue,

all silently brilliant.

all breathtakingly beautiful.

all lovely
 in a solemn way.

It's Never Too Early to Get Ready for Christimas

Tonight we decorated our Christmas tree. I know what you're thinking. Yes, it's a bit early to get out all sorts of Christmasy things right after the Halloween season, but it doesn't bother me at all. Christmas is such an amazing holiday. :) Here are some songs I love to listen to in the Christmastime. Enjoy!
p.s. I know this is a small post, but I hope you like it all then same. <3

Whispering Pines Meadow

Yesterday, my sister and I went to a lovely meadow area and decided to do a photoshoot there. It was so much fun! It was a bit chilly out, but in a way it was very refreshing. We named the beautiful place Whispering Pines Meadow. Since my sister is reading the second book in the Anne of Green Gables series, we have been naming places that we love to visit a lot.

 I will be sharing a poem I wrote soon. I have to say, I've been feeling very uninspired to write lately. Thankfully after several months, inspiration has found its way to me once again, and I'm ready to write and create. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the photos. :)

So I was trying to do a dramatic running photo, so here's the best photo I got out of it.

 One result, was quite unexpected. I was running up a hill, and my foot fell into a small hole. I, of course, fell. 

I wasn't hurt, but we laughed so hard over it! :D

P.S. We are really laughing in those photos. We were taking pictures left and right and accidentally captured each other laughing. :)

I hope you all have an awesome week!

How to Create a VSCO Effect For Free

So, as promised, I will be sharing how you can get a VSCO effect for your photos for free. After seeing Rachelle's post about how to make it with Photoshop, I was really sad to not be able to capture the effect since my Photoshop elements doesn't have a lot of the essential setting for the tutorial. After searching all over the internet to find out on how to make a free VSCO effect, I decided to do it myself. No Photoshop required. I hope you find this useful, but please do not steal this tutorial and call it your own. I spent a LOT of time perfecting this, so please be respectful. :) I know it's not great but I'll keep on trying to perfect it so can look a little better. 

All you need to do is go to this link to get started:

http://apps.pixlr.com/editor/

It's a free site that has a lot of beginner Photoshop elements in it. Once you're there, click 'open image from computer' and then you're all set. :)

 Please remember that you may need to adjust these settings so you can capture the VSCO effect with any photo. So just play around with the different setting to see what is right for you.

 ~I will also be making a b&w VSCO inspired version soon.~

Please note: I am not trying to compete with the official VSCO company or am saying that my amateur effect is better than theirs. They have amazing effects and you can check out at their website here. 

P.S. All these setting are under the 'Adjustments' tab.

Click on the tab 'Adjustments' and then click on 'Brightness & Contrast'. Set the 'Brightness' to 7 and the 'Contrast' to -25. 

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 Next go to 'Color Balance'. Set the 'red offset' to 16.

~If you want to make another color pop, then adjust the other ones as well~

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After that, go to 'Curves'. To give your photo a shadowy filmy effect drag the line just a smidge lower than it was before.

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 Then click on 'Hue & Saturation'. 

Change the:

Hue:0

Saturation:6

Lightness:3

After your done, go to it again. Adjust the 'lightness' to -11.

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 Last but not least head on over to 'Brightness & Contrast' again and change the:

Brightness:-5

Contrast:-15

Go to it again after pressing the 'ok' button and set the:

Brightness:5

Contrast:-6

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When your done click on the 'File' tab and click on 'Save'.

Yay, you're all done! Like I said before, play around with the settings to complement your photo.