Of Food and Fundraisers

  Our church has had multiple missions trips in the history of its existence and I believe that their most preferred way to raise the money that they need is to provide a fundraiser meal. I have attended several of these meals already and truly thought nothing much about them. They were well planned out and quite organized events and there was absolutely no reason why I would have had to think about them overly much, the missions trip maybe, but not the meal.

  That all changed this past week. Our church is preparing for a trip to Thailand and obviously money was needed to be raised so they decided on a fundraiser meal. Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner they thought that it would  be fun to do a themed event. I heard a lot of different ideas but eventually someone decided on doing a salad bar and naming it "Lettuce love one another." Thus began all the puns.

  It's a missions trip for the youth of the church and even though Diane and I won't be going along we still chose to help with the bringing about of the big meal.

  Decorations needed to made, food needed to be supplied, willing hearts and hands needed to be offered in service and Diane and I were simply happy to be of any help. On Saturday Eldon drove us over to the church and dropped us off. Diane and I hustled indoors (it was really cold outside) and we spent the entire evening chopping vegetables, making bread, and washing dishes. It was some of the most fun I've had in a very long time. All of my friends gathered around several truly long tables and chopped away at vegetables for hours. It was such a bizarre thing that I couldn't help but enjoy myself thoroughly. The conversations had between the adults overseeing all of us and the youth were highly entertaining. It was nice to realize that the elders of the church were every bit as lighthearted and human as the rest of us.

  The pastor's wife, Diane, and I all cried together as we chopped onions.

  Nevertheless, all of that work was just a taste of what would follow on the very next day.

  On Sunday morning I had to get up early so I could bake cupcakes. Once we were all ready for church we left and Sharon and I nervously anticipated the event. We were to work in the kitchen and tend the food tables and serve anyone and everyone who needed any help of any sort.

  Once at church we munched on doughnut holes as one of my favorite people taught us all how to greet and thank people in Thai. I can honestly say that our accents held a lot of room for improvement, nevertheless it was so much fun greeting people in Thai that no one was overly concerned with the little flaws in our performances.

  As the church congregation filed into their seats we rushed to work. My first job was to set up the dessert table and so one of my friends and I set out on a mission (pun fully intended) to cover the surface of the pretty table with cookies and cupcakes until it overflowed.

  Some members of the church stood around sipping coffees and watching all of us bustle around the place as we set up and I didn't mind it since I didn't really notice them until I ran into a bit of a difficulty.

  We had large trays of cupcakes to carry out to the dessert table. Our job was to remove the lids from the trays and place the cupcakes onto lovely plates and arrange them in a pretty way. It was easy peasy until I had to remove the lid from a particularly old fashioned pan.

  I tugged at the lid, I yanked on the lid, I pulled, pried, and poked, all to no avail. I glared down at the stubborn obstacle and then looked at my friend who was having a jolly time of arranging her desserts out of her well-behaved pan.

  "You know, if I were in a movie some fine gentleman would come to my rescue." I told her mournfully.  She laughed a little and nodded, but I was still stuck with my problem, or so I thought. Remember those church goers I mentioned that were just standing around, chatting, and watching us work? Well one of those members in particular, a blue eyed, bearded, middle-aged man had been watching my struggles and after my distressed statement he stepped up with a smile and offered to help.

  He effortlessly removed the lid and I thanked him profusely. He walked away with quite a heroic air and I decided that fine gentlemen help damsels in distress every bit as much in real life as they do in movies.

  The rest of the morning and several hours into the afternoon we worked, but never once did it feel like work. I had the best time ever and left the church having grown much closer to all of my friends and a bunch of other people I had never really talked to before. I don't think I'll ever be able to look at any fundraiser meal the same again. It's not just a nice array of food provided for donations, it's a whole team of people giving selflessly of their time and energy for a cause that they believe is greater than them.

Getting My Driver's License

  The process of becoming a legally licensed driver was one of the most difficult and stressful things I've ever gone through in my life and I'm blessed because of that. I had so many little adventures during the eight to nine months it took me to become licensed and I thought it would be fun to do a blog post about my experience.

  My very first driving lesson happened a little less than an hour after I got my permit. My Mum pulled into the parking lot of a nearby biking trail and she handed me the keys after showing me the gas and brake. I was absolutely horrified as I stared at those keys in my hand. I thought that it was a truly idiotic thing to give me, an overly dramatic teenager, the keys to the family's primary vehicle. As I looked around the parking lot and saw all of the potential ways I could destroy the vehicle I started sweating and couldn't breathe properly for quite a while afterwards.

  I stomped on the gas a little bit harder than needed and so began the season of my life where I learned to drive. That first day, and for weeks afterwards I had a terrible time knowing how close I was to the edge of the road and taking curves was one of the hardest things ever. Instead of slowing down I'd stomp on the gas and send us hurtling around the bumpy bends on numerous little country roads hitting every pothole while I was at it.

  There are two quite large stones positioned at the entrance of that little bike trail parking lot and the entrance just happens to be positioned right around a curve in the road, therefore the first few times that I entered the area I would stomp on the gas and go hurtling straight towards the big rocks. Somehow I always got the steering wheel turned just in time to avoid destroying our lovely little vehicle. I can imagine that my guardian angel was very busy while I was learning to drive.

  Driving on big roads and interstates where the speed limit seemed ridiculously high was the thing that gave me nightmares. I remember very clearly praying one morning that God would give me as many situations as possible for me to practice my driving skills before I take my test and somehow I didn't expect Him to answer quite like He did.

  That very same day I had to drive on a big interstate that was rather busy. It was foggy and it was raining lightly and I had many times where I had to slow down because of different people pulling out right in front of me. To make it more interesting I drove past our destination twice so not only did I get to practice turning around, the whole dreadful day was topped off with me backing down the driveway to my Dad's shop. While I appreciated how well the Lord provided me with scenarios of practice for me I didn't exactly ask for such things again.

  I'm a little bit of a perfectionist and I had a lot of anxiety to deal with during those eight to nine months so while most teenagers view the road test as exciting and they just want their licenses already, I was a very timid person busily dreading my upcoming test with such anxiety that I was almost ceaselessly in prayer. I take things too seriously, I always have, and I took my upcoming test very seriously. Nevertheless, on the day when my driver's test was first scheduled I was woefully unprepared. I had tried parallel parking with mixed success and felt anything but confident going in on the big day.

  I tried to be calm, I really did, but I was still  quaking in my shoes. The driving examiner, bless his heart, was a very kind man, I can't really remember many details about him other than I recall him being extremely tall and talking rather loudly.

  The first things I had to do were operating various vehicle controls. I succeeded rather miraculously because he told me to do something I'd never done before. When it came time to parallel park my stomach was in one gigantic knot, a gigantic throbbing knot.

  I backed out of my spot and I recall being pleased that I remembered to look over my shoulders and all of that jazz, but when I pulled up to parallel park I knew that I wouldn't pass. I tried valiantly to park our vehicle and the dear examiner didn't say a thing as I tried and tried again.

  Long story short, I failed and did a magnificent job of it.  I didn't cry on the way home or any time afterwards because I was too busy thinking about the fact that I'd have to experience the whole wretched thing again.

  After failing that once I devoted my life to doing as much as I could to preparing myself. I prayed almost ceaselessly, listened tirelessly to songs I found comforting, and practiced parallel parking again and again using the system that my dear Dad taught me how to set up using four buckets and various stick-y things.  Day after day I spent hours practicing until it felt strange to not have a steering wheel in my hands.

  After fourteen hours of parking practice the big day rolled around again and back I went to the driving center. The second time around I remember how much clearer everything felt, and how alert I was to everything. Things looked brighter, sounded clearer, and registered better in my mind. The test day was blessedly sunny and I smiled as much as possible and spent all of my time in the waiting room praying. Some people say that taking your driver's test isn't a big deal, to me it was huge.

  When I saw who my driving examiner would be I was disappointed (in retrospect I see just what a blessing it really was) the man was middle-aged, a bit overweight, and grumpy, most likely because it was a warm day and he had a boring job. To his credit he spoke kindly in introduction and when Mum handed me the keys for the second time in that exact same spot I took them the first time, whispered a prayer under my breath, forced a smile with my lips and marched out the door little knowing that I was about to have one of the best days of my life.

  The man began by telling me all of the usual things that all examiners do. I assume it was the Holy Spirit that made this introverted girl open her mouth and we weren't halfway across the parking lot when for whatever reason I asked the driving examiner if he liked his job. The robotic expression he had been using slid right off of his face and he laughed in shock. That unexpected question changed everything and he talked to me cheerfully from then on as if we had been friends for years.

  All too soon I was told I have to parallel park, and I think that the Lord must have custom-made the examiner for me because he spoke the exact words I needed to hear throughout the whole process to calm me.

  I pulled up to the parking spot with my turn signals clicking away steadily. I took a deep breath, turned my steering wheel sharply and the next thing I remember is the driving instructor telling me I did it. I sat there in jubilant surprise and I'm convinced that it wasn't me who did the parking. All I did was turn the wheel and I don't remember anything else from then on till the examiner told I did it. Maybe the Lord took over, who knows, what I do know is that I was told the parking was done perfectly and that I had parked in just one maneuver out of the legal three.

  Everything else was just peachy. That seemingly abrupt question before we ever got into the vehicle had broken any crankiness that the man had had and the rest of the test was spent with us chatting merrily.

  I felt such joy after parking. The man told me I had passed without a single mistake and I felt like I was flying as I told my Mum and then the exuberance I felt when leaving with my license in hand was one of the happiest moments in my entire life, probably the happiest aside from being born again.

  I left the driving center that day having just gained a license, but now I see that the process of procuring a license didn't only provide me with a license, but also a much closer relationship with my heavenly Father. There are many things I can praise Him for in my life, and today's blog post talked about just some of the ways He's blessed me. Yes, God could have prepared me to pass the first time around, but I'm much closer to Him because of my initial failure.

The Highlights of 2018 - Part Three

  I'm back to finish up the highlights of my past year. It's been a lot of fun to be able to see all of the things that we were up to in 2018 and I can't wait to see what adventures 2019 holds for all of us.

  Without further ado I shall get right into September.


             September

• We celebrated Labor Day with apple pie 
• Sean and I raked the yard and he decided to be my leaf jumper (he squished the leaves into the tub we were using to carry the leaves by jumping all over the leaves as I scooped them in)
• I requested a heap of books from the library - to quote from my diary - 
• An adorable little hornet decided to rest in my curls 
• I accidentally turned on my turn signals instead putting on my low beams as I passed someone on the road, I felt as if I had just added insult to injury
• I got to listen to a speaker from Nicaragua
• Eldon's fiancee came over several times just to hang out and enjoy dinner with us
• I had a bit of a Dick van Dyke watching session
• My driver's test was officially scheduled for October the 11th
• Sean celebrated his stuffed bear's birthday and I even baked a tiny birthday cake for him
• I drove rather adventurously through the fog to get to my Dad's workplace to deliver something he needed and ended up backing down the long lane to his shop due to my highly interesting driving skills
• I began focusing more on practicing my parallel parking
• I read some spin-off fairy tale books
• We commemorated 9.11.
• I spent an afternoon with one of my good friends
• I got to listen to the very inspiring testimony of a young missionary at our church
• Mum spent an afternoon with one of her good friends
• I came to know of one of the greatest violinists in the U.S, a.k.a Brian King Joseph
• Mum treated Sean, Diane, and I to a lunch at a hibachi grill and it was the greatest thing I've ever experienced in any restaurant
• Eldon built a bunch of shelves for my Mum
• I baked a bunch of recipes from Mary Berry's baking book

              October 

•  Diane, Mum, and I cleaned out our vehicle 
• Sean and I spent a lot of time raking the yard (especially picking the leaves out of our flowerbeds)
• I read "The Book Jumper"
• Eldon butchered a cow and hence provided our family with a bunch of meat
• We bought a big freezer for our basement 
• Diane and I got be part of the cleanup crew for a stand our church had provided in a festival
• I practiced my driving a bit more in preparation for the big test day
• Mum, Diane, and I varnished the shelves that Eldon and Dad built
• I failed my driver's test (this was by no means a highlight in the month, it's only in this list because it was monumental)
• I began practicing my parallel parking in earnest (my dear Dad set up a spot using buckets and upturned brooms until I learned to do so for myself)
• My Aunt and Uncle came by for a short visit
• Dear Eldon kindly helped me carry all of our lovely new shelves into us girls' room. 
• I did a bunch of writing both in my book and as random scribblings in my journals
• Diane accompanied Eldon and I for the first time to the senior youth gatherings at our church
• All of my friend's took their driver's tests and passed at first try
• My Dad helped me some more with my parallel parking practice (I took my practicing very seriously and did roughly fifteen hours of practice in prep for test take number two)
• I got to meet a bunch of new people at church 
• We gave our librarians some cupcakes 
• I passed my driver's test and simultaneously had one of the best days in my entire life
• Us womenfolk accompanied by Sean cleaned out our attic 

            November

• I officially became an "adult" in the library's eyes
• Eldon and his best friend hung out often to work on my brother's truck
• My parents gifted me with an entire pint of the most delicious ice cream ever in celebration of me passing my driver's test (the ice cream was in the flavor of "Chubby Hubby" by Ben and Jerry's, in case you're wondering my parents totally bought it for me because the name amused them)
• Daylight Savings time ended and it felt like we were all gifted with an extra hour of sleep
• One of my best friends came over to spend a fun day going on walks, talking, and eating brownies
• Diane and I discovered that it's impossible to speak Pennsylvania Dutch with a British accent but it is possible to speak it with a Russian or Italian accent
• My friend pointed out the fact that the pillows on my bed are the exact shade of purple as Barney the dinosaur
• Diane and I began making Christmas ornaments for our tree
• Everyone began planning out presents and running secretive little shopping trips
• Diane and I fell in love with Michael Bublé's Christmas music
• I got hired by a sweet family from church to clean house once a week
• My sister's friends visited her several times
• I spotted a man in Walmart with his shopping cart full of fifteen heads of lettuce (and the man himself was rapidly filling up a third bag brimming with avocados) I so dearly would have liked to ask what his plans are for it
• Mum made a fancy dinner just because
• Diane and I watched "The Long Long Trailer"
• We went to my Dad's parents' home to celebrate Thanksgiving with them and our relatives and Eldon's darling fiancee was kind enough to come along 
• One of the librarian's and I realized we're both not Bob Ross in the slightest and we discussed our various art failures 
• We set up our Christmas trees

            December

• I baked a bunch so that I'd be able to contribute to the food department of Diane and Sean's group play
• My family attended the home school play that Sean and Diane took part in 
• One of my best friend's and I spent a day Christmas shopping and had quite the adventurous time of it
• We got all of our Christmas gifts bought, created, and wrapped
• We baked a bunch of cookies and Christmas treats
• Eldon took me out for a fun evening of perusing stores and then treated me at a restaurant 
• We went to the library quite often and Diane's stacks of books have officially become much taller than mine
• Mum baked all of her traditional fruitcake
• We celebrated my Dad's birthday
• We celebrated Sean's birthday
• Eldon's fiancee and our family had a bit of a Christmas exchange and pizza night
• I had to do panicked shopping when I discovered one of my friends bought a Christmas gift for me and I had nothing in return as I was completely unprepared
• I got to talk with very nice people that I met for the first time 
• My siblings and I attended a lunch fundraiser at our church
• My parents attended a Christmas party
• The very kind wife of our landlord dropped in to celebrate Sean's birthday the day before
• We celebrated Christmas Eve with good food, stories, and stuff 
• We celebrated Christmas and was it ever a good one!
• We ate our gingerbread houses in celebration of New Year's Eve

   And there you have it, or as the French say, voila. Our year was very long but you can tell it was rather full of lovely happenings. I always knew that life isn't measured by the greatest and grandest of occasions, but rather by the everyday moments. 

  While I was stressing over my upcoming driver's test my Dad told me something that can be applied to everything in life, not just getting a driver's license and I want to share it with you because once applied to life, everything becomes happier. I shall paraphrase it because it's far more applicable that way, otherwise it only applies to those ready to parallel park. "You can't always control every situation, but you can always pray and rejoice in everything."

  I hope your year is a wonderful and a happy one, and until my next post, fare thee well.

The Highlights of 2018 - Part Two

  Today has to be one of the loveliest and sunniest days yet of this year (never mind the fact that it has only been two weeks) and so with the beautifully glistening snow outside my window to keep me company as I write, I shall set about creating another post.

  I left off after finishing the month of April so I shall pick up with May.

The Highlights of 2018 - Part Two

             May

•  I practiced my parking skills
• We finished school and entered summer break
• I started a scripture writing challenge that I found on Pinterest
• My sister Diane and our little brother Sean went splashing through our creek
• Diane went to a cookout with her friends
• I baked cupcakes for our homeschool group
• I got an Instagram account
• All of my friends were persuaded to play carpet ball with me
• I decided to "wing" making a dress, including creating the pattern
• I was gifted an adorable silver spoon
• Mum picked up Downton Abbey at the library and I established a tea and movie time each week
• I parked our vehicle successfully without hogging three spots (which is actually possible)
• Mum and one of her friends had lunch dates and went walking (I tagged along once)
• The home school group play was had and I said goodbye to the group for the last time
• The dress I tried to "wing" sewing got stuffed into an unobtrusive corner in my closet
• Dad and Eldon went to a lumber exposition 
• Eldon officially got a girlfriend (who turned out to be my best friend from childhood)
• Diane and I took up playing tennis
• Eldon graduated from school
• Eldon and I attended a folk music concert

            June

• I accidentally ran into one of my best friends at the library
• Eldon and I attended one of our friend's graduation party
• All of us siblings learned how to play slapjack
• Mum took us to a beautiful old graveyard where I held a frog that used my hands as its restroom
• My family (excepting Eldon and I) went to a wedding of my Mum's brother
• Eldon and I attended several youth events
• My friend and I went walking and then made homemade donuts
• One of Diane's friends came over to have a cupcake baking day
• My family went exploring at Cooper's Rock (where us children bought some pretty quartz)
• Eldon and his girlfriend and her brother and a friend and I all started hanging out on Sunday evenings
• A giant white duck chased my family (and we were in a vehicle!)
• We all went wild strawberry picking
• We all tried kombucha for the first time and I decided it's delicious
• One of my dear friends got married
• One of my cousins asked Eldon and I to be table waiters at her upcoming wedding
• I got a bank account
• Mum, Diane, Sean, and I cleaned out our basement
• My Dad treated us all to pizza
• Diane and her best friend started having library days where they went to the library and then spent an afternoon together reading books and nibbling on snacks
• I sent in an application to a transcription company

          July 

• Dad took Diane, Sean, and I on a hike with the goal to reach a bridge where we would sit and watch trains pass underneath  
• Eldon and I went to watch the fireworks in town with some friends
• Dad and Eldon worked from home for a little while
• Dad and Mum gave me a bouquet of roses just because they loved me (and they gave Diane a special gift as well)
• The transcription company I applied for accepted me and I was enrolled in training (I wasn't given a job but depending on how training went I would become a transcriptionist)
• My friend asked me to come over to her place where we stroked her cats, watched movies, and went berry picking 
• My family went on a hike to a darling little covered bridge where the more adventurous of us walked over the wet rocks and crossed under the bridge (being careful not to get swept up in the waterfall)
• My sister and I went raspberry picking 
• We attended my cousin's wedding and I got to talk with all of my beloved cousins again 
• We went back to school shopping
• We butchered chickens (a most gruesome task no matter how informative or useful)
• Dad played baseball with Diane, Sean, and I
• I got to drive on a big road for the first time ever (the kind where you drive at an unholy speed whilst weaving among potential life threats)
• My family attended the graduation party of Eldon's girlfriend and I baked cupcakes for the event
• We started up school again
• Mum bought happy planners for us all and so Diane, Mum, and I began planning
• Diane and I watched our first opera, perhaps you've heard of Semiramide? 
• I actually got to sit under a weeping willow tree as the sun set

            August

•  I baked some sesame seed bread (my first enriched bread recipe ever aside from the disastrous brioche I once tried to create)
• Mum made bunches of sweetcorn; so much that we were up to our ears in it (pun completely intended)
• I was promoted in advance and became a full transcriptionist
• Mum took us all to feed the ducks at the pond by our library (Sean was almost run over by the greedy little things)
• One of Mum's brothers and his family stopped in for short visit
• Mum and Dad had a date night at one of their favorite restaurants
• Eldon became engaged
• I met my Sunday school teachers at one of my favorite restaurants
• Mum, Sean, Diane, and I went blackberry picking
• My best friend and I went bike riding with her family
• Eldon and his fiancee started having pizza nights with my family once a week
• I finished reading through my whole Bible (it had been a goal)
• We went to our country fair 
• We watched bull riding (live) and I was thrilled when I found out that one of the bulls had been in the PBR
• One of my good friends invited me over to her house where we chatted in a hammock (I love hammocks) and then baked cupcakes
• Diane officially entered senior youth at our church after saying goodbye to junior youth
• We went to the fair a second time and Dad gifted Diane and I with some money which we could spend on anything we pleased
• We went to the Flight 93 memorial
• Eldon's fiancee and her brother came over to play baseball like we used to back when we all little children
• I was introduced to the books written by Harold Hill (some of the best books out there)

  The summer months were very busy for my entire family and even more precious memories were created. My desire for adventure was nourished and I enjoyed many delightful adventures both alone and accompanied by family. 

Life as a Mechanic's Daughter

     Somehow, probably thanks in part to movies they stereotype a mechanic's daughter, the tendency is to picture a girl wearing grease smudged overalls, clunky brown shoes, and a red and white bandana in her hair. She knows the names of hundreds of tools, and has an obsession with a welder.      
     I'm a mechanic's daughter, and I certainly do not have an obsession with a welder, not even with a lowly wrench. I know hardly a single thing about trucks, or tools for that matter, it's not a fact I'm proud of, but I feel I must spread awareness that not all mechanics' daughters are like the picture I just painted.
  Yet, being the daughter of a mechanic, and a sister to a brother who is also a mechanic, does mean, sadly enough, that I get called out to help with all sorts of odd mechanic-related situations every once in a while.
   I had a very long day yesterday, I went to the library, dropped off an invoice for a client Dad did some mechanic work for, went to the bank, and to Goodwill. By the time my Mum and I got home, I was exhausted and extremely ready to read the books I had checked out.
    As I walked up the sidewalk towards our porch steps I recoiled in disgust when a horrid stench filled my nose, I'm not the most observant when I'm tired, so it took me a little time to realize that Eldon (my eldest brother) was spraying primer onto a fuel tank that he's working on for the truck he just bought (this is a ton of information, so just bear with me here) for those of you who do not know how primer smells, you'll have to believe me when I say that it's stinky.
    My brother spotted me almost immediately and gestured me over. My Dad wasn't at home at the moment so my brother was short a helper, here's when I come in.
  I know hardly a thing about how mechanics, and people who paint trucks, and truck parts (namely fuel tanks) dry their projects properly, however they do it, I'm almost certain it is not how my brother does it. He had our tractor's bucket raised, then he hung the fuel tank from a very strong wire that he had attached to the bucket, his primer-ing and painting took place in such a position. It's quite ingenious in my opinion. But I was needed to hold the tank carefully as he repositioned the tractor. It was difficult, at least to me, and a mini adventure, and in the end I smelled of primer, but it was rather nice to feel useful even when I have no idea what I'm doing.
  Another time, I was needed to spray starting fluid while my brother tried to start a rather dreadful lump of a tractor. I won't go into detail. but in the end I reeked of starting fluid. Why is it, that everything mechanics use reek?

  This was quite possibly the strangest post I have ever made, and I'm not certain if I understand it all either, but now you know that even though I prefer beautiful things, and sweet things, and rather romantic hobbies and such, I do occasionally help with projects that stink.
   Enjoy your week everyone, and I hope for your sake that all of your projects will be stench-free. 

Daybook

 Today..... Saturday, January 20, 2018

Looking out my window..... I see a bunch of brown grass showing in the field across the road, and quite a few cows standing around and chewing their cud.

I am thinking.....  That Saturdays are the perfect days to spend journaling.

I am thankful.....  For catalogs with hand-drawn pictures like this one.

One of my favorite things..... Is the paper trimmer my Mum bought last year during the back to school sale. I use it so often, no more crooked lines for me!

I am wearing.....  A sea-foam-green shirt, and cream colored skirt with mauve flowers.

I am creating.....  A new junk journal. I'm still using my old one, but it's rapidly being filled and it's about time I make a new one.

I am reading..... Like usual, a nutrition book. As of today, I am reading "The Happiness Diet", it's a very good book and I love all the history they give on various "foods", take Crisco for example.

I am hoping.....  That my family will still be in good health for tomorrow so that we can go to church. Sicknesses in the Winter are so unpredictable that I'm never certain that our plans shall go unaffected.

I am learning.....  How to make a journal cover that isn't warped, or weak, or lopsided. I believe the journal I'm working on now is my eighth (?).

In the kitchen.....  A pan of blueberry lemon cupcakes are cooling before I can go frost them.

Picture thought..... Just looking at my journaling supplies makes me happy.

Adventures at the Dentist

  Yesterday I went to the dentist again, a new dentist this time so I assumed beforehand that I would have at least some sort of adventure, and I was right, it seems adventure abounds if your eyes are wide open.
  It was an absolutely freezing cold day and we had to park a little bit away from the actual building. I opened my door and stepped right into a snow drift, so I was chilled in a relatively short amount of time. My Mum, Diane, Sean, and I all rushed into the building while trying not to slip on the slush and ice and various other cold things associated with winter.
  We waited for quite some time. Of course we had things to keep us entertained, for example we had a wonderful time watching water drip from our shoes, and an even more splendid time listening to some of the oddest country music ever.
  Finally I was called back. I'm sure you are all aware of how dentist's chairs work, they can go up, go down, and the back can be lowered and raised to take you from a sitting position to a laying down position...well, the chair I got to sit on was rather feisty.
  The dental technician was a very friendly, cheerful woman who answered all my questions (I'm good at being curious, and it's rewarding at times, you see, apparently most of the instruments that she used on me were throw-aways and back in the 1900's dentists didn't wear gloves [she shuddered at this point]). Anyways, I've gotten sidetracked, so I shall get to important information. She warned me that her chair is faulty, they are getting a new one, but until then, all of us patients have to be on our toes, or rather, be good at doing sit ups.
  When she went to lower the chair's back, parallel to the floor, the chair's back lowered, but the problem was, it didn't stop. Laying on the chair while she worked to get it to behave was like trying to lie down on a see saw, I went up and down, and up and down, and up and down. I had no idea that anyone could get seasick in a chair, but rest assured my friends, it's very possible.
  She unplugged the chair when it was in the position that she wanted, and from then on it behaved since it couldn't do anything.
  My teeth cleaning went very well, my teeth are all in dandy condition, and I was told that my wisdom teeth will most likely begin to show during this next year. What fun. (Not) All of that aside, my visit to the dentist was almost very enjoyable.

New Year's Goals

  The year of 2017 was one of the best years of my life, not necessarily because of any one event, but because of the hundreds of small but beautiful moments I got to live through. And now that I do look back I see that I had many adventures, so many in fact that even Bilbo would be satisfied.
  I joined a speech class, which was one of the best and worst ideas I've ever had.  I'm not overly fond of attention and sadly, making a speech catches everyone's attention. I had many awkward, choking, forget what I'm supposed to say moments, and blushed a bunch, but in the end I was able to give a speech without so much as a tremble.
  I joined/started going to Sunday school, it's so much different than just attending the church service and I love it. I met a bunch of wonderful new people and am enjoying the lessons very much, probably because our teacher is so passionate about what she does.
   I sewed a bit, and wrote a bunch, and really fell in-love with junk journaling and keeping a smash book. That's certainly not all that happened this year, I met a ton of interesting and amazing people and stepped out of my comfort zone so many times, with that all in mind I think it's perfectly accurate to say that yes, 2017 has been my best year ever.
   Now let's see how many of my last year's goals and resolutions I completed.

• learn to temper chocolate ... This one was a bunch of trial and error, but I finally learned how!
• have a proper high tea party ... I had a wonderful tea party early in January and now my sister and I want to plan another one.
• complete my crochet afghan ... Sadly I did not get my afghan finished. I did work on it, but so many other hobbies kept me busy.
• start my own kitchen notebook (like Rachel Khoo) ... I did start my own kitchen notebook and I love it. I document all of my own recipes, the fails and the successes, I feel like the best part of the notebook is the fact that I can sketch a bunch into it.
• blog much more frequently ... I think that we all know I failed this one.
• have excessive berry-ings ... As soon as Summer rolled around Diane and I attacked the berry bushes. I think we got more scratches than berries, but this goal is complete.
• read 52 books ... This was by far the easiest goal I had made, on December the 31st I had well over 70 books read. (I think it was eighty some.)
• finish writing my book ... Sighs, this didn't happen, I now wish that I had spent more time writing, but at least my book is about half way done.
• make a proper pâte à choux ... I love French foods and pastries and making pâte à choux was a must for me. I made several things with it actually, including Gougere and the classic éclairs.
• make a proper pastry cream ... I think that considering what I had just said, this one is obvious.
• broaden my french baking knowledge in general ... Well, my knowledge is broadened, not vastly, but a bit.
• break my bad habits (wouldn't you just love to know what they are) ... Hmm, I do wish I had written down what my bad habits were because I have no idea now if I accomplished this or not.
• have a real picnic ... A real picnic had been planned for Diane's birthday, but due to the frigid temperatures we had it inside.
• become fluent in French ... Groans, not quite there yet, I think I'm like 62% fluent now. (Don't you love how precise that is?)

  And now onto this year's goals.

• Blog at least twice a week
• Finish a diary every two months
• Make macarons
• Make churros
• Finish sewing my 50 states lap quilt
• Do NaNoWriMo
• Finish writing my book
• Get my driver's license
• Write a letter every week
• Take a picture every day
• Do a daily Bible study that isn't just reading my Bible

   It seems that I have much less on my goals list this year than I did last year, but at least I am being more specific this time around. And now I shall wish all of you a very wonderful year filled with many adventures (the good kind.)

Recently.....

  Hello again dear friends, it has been yet another while since I've last posted. I know that I told you last week that I'd be blogging more frequently and then I immediately sat back and drank tea whilst forgetting all about what I'd said.

  Now that I'm back I assume it's only appropriate to inform you about all the little things that you've missed while I was being lazy. Since I'm on my Summer break I've gotten to spend a lot more time doing all the things that I love, like binding books, reading, journaling, and sketching.

  This first picture is what I started to draw last night but didn't quite finish yet. (I really dislike drawing clothing.) I've missed drawing so I'm happy to get back to it, though I should probably use better pencils than just my regular old yellow school pencil.

  
I've really been enjoying binding books to use as journals. Though I hate using the kettle stitch it makes neat books so I'm grateful for it. The book on the bottom there is the first one that I bound, the cover turned out a little wonky but I think I've got the hang of it now, at least I learned that using old cereal boxes to make "hard" covers is not a good idea!

  
Here are my last two, most recent journals that I made, have you noticed that I love to put charms on them?

  
Now, onto more pressing matters. (I'm literally laughing right now, even though I've been told my jokes lack a sense of hilarity, they amuse me) my brother Eldon made me a beautiful book press that I love to use when I make my journals, the picture doesn't really show it, but it's varnished, waxed, and very smooth. I was terribly excited about it, and readily made the cookies that Eldon requested as proof of my appreciation.

 
 My reading of late, hasn't been Anne of Green Gables, or Little House on the Prairie, instead I've been devouring (yep, I'm absolutely hilarious) this College Nutrition Book, I've learned so much and can hardly wait to learn more. I'm sure I'll get to learn plenty more considering how I'm on page 32 out of 512.

 
And there, that's the end of my hobbies of late, since I've gotten caught up with you I can now sit back and wait till tomorrow to make another post. It truly is a delightfully satisfying feeling!

X ~ Xanthan Gum

  I'm supposing that after you read the title you must have thought something along these lines "Oy, a health post." Or maybe you thought something more like, "A heath post, goodie, let me go fetch my note book."  Whatever you might have thought, rest assured that I shall not spend hours and hundreds of paragraphs raving about the wondrous glories of xanthan gum, in fact, for that matter, I shan't even spend a second talking up xanthan gum, but rather I shall bash it most heartily.

  If you are a loyal user of xanthan gum then I apologize in advance for any offense I might inflict but I simply needed to let more people know about my discovery. Prepare yourself, for here I go, about to rant.

  My Mum agreed to join me for forty days (I wanted much more, but that was all she committed to) of an extreme health adventure, we ate absolutely no gluten, no soy, no sugar, you name it. What we did eat was many strange things, we used much oat flour, countless egg whites (I know they're not strange, I'm just listing things here) coconut flour, neufchatel cheese, kale, zucchini, coconut oil, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, turmeric, and yes, xanthan gum. You name it, if it was "healthy", we were there. And amidst all of that crazed health pursuing, we became obsessed, it was pure insanity. We couldn't go a minute without thinking about food, and our bodies began to pay the price for such extreme "health". Our minds felt very fragile, like a single sharp poke could break us.

  Eventually my Mum and I got a major reality shock upon realizing that this wonderful life that God had given to us was being wasted, on obsessing over food. Reading scriptures brought to light how absolutely insane it was to concentrate so much on food, which is meant to be but just a trivial necessity in our lives, it doesn't hold a candle to the life God has planned for us.

  After that realization, my Mum and I converted back to eating food, real food. We ate gluten, we ate dairy, and we ate sugar. We enjoyed every bit of it and still do. My Mum and I discovered the absolute secret to eating for optimum health and happiness. You can eat absolutely everything (junk food is not that terrific though, so we avoid that, but that's just common sense) the only catch (and it's insanely easy, not really a catch at all) is that you must simply eat everything in small portions. Like our motto which is "Eat everything, just not everything of everything."

  Our happiness and zest for life returned with eating normally again. And best of all, obsessing over food is no longer in existence. We didn't realize just how much food had taken over our lives until we started eating anything again.

  I know that so many people have very many fads that they follow, (don't get me wrong, I don't think that all food studies are bad, though most are extreme) and my Mum and I followed them all, and we are taught by nutritionists everywhere that the fads we follow are for optimum health, but think on it. So many people say Stevia is good for you ( I'm sure I've really plunged into the deep end by bringing up this subject) but it's along the lines of serious drugs. If you ever research it a little you'll notice that people stopping Stevia had extreme withdrawal symptoms, but they say that it's so much better for you than sugar since it comes from a plant. Well, sugarcane is a plant. Now I will readily agree that raw sugar is most definitely better for you than just regular old sugar, but my point is that Stevia can no longer hold it's plant prowess over sugar.

  And more about Stevia. Many, many, many (I can't even stress how many people) think Stevia is the only way to go and they rave about it's weight loss benefits but I did a little research myself and it happens to be that Stevia DOES mess with you. Here is what I found, and I'm quoting it. "Our bodies don’t quite know what to do with these calorie-free sugar substitutes. Tricked by the sweet taste, the body activates the insulin response and ushers out glucose from the bloodstream to make room for the incoming sugar load…but no sugar ever enters. To stabilize blood sugar levels, the body then releases the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which set to work retrieving stored sugar (in the form of glycogen) from liver and muscle tissue.  When this process is continually activated, our adrenal glands burn out, our immune system is weakened, inflammation increases, and thyroid function is disturbed. If your body doesn’t have enough glycogen stored, it can’t convert the inactive thyroid hormone T4 into the active thyroid hormone T3. What happens when your thyroid function is out of whack? Weight gain…hair loss…and fatigue! In fact, numerous studies have shown that rather than contributing to weight loss, artificial sweeteners like stevia actually cause weight gain!"

  So now that I've vented myself on that I shall actually get to the point of my post. Xanthan Gum. My Mum did research on it and came up with horrifying results. I'm sure a lot of you how black molded vegetables look. And the fact is that to make Xanthan Gum, the producers let just such mold grow on corn, and certain beans and scrape off the slime from underneath (also known as the feces from bacteria.) Then they dehydrate it, grind it into a powder and sell it labeled as a gluten free baking assistant and thickening agent sourced from plants. That bacteria isn't even good for you though and it's proven by how you aren't allowed to feed Xanthan gum to children as it may prove fatal, or at least inflict severe damage. I don't know about you but that was enough for me and I was left terrified because I had eaten a good bit of Xanthan gum, the fact that it was bacteria feces didn't help to settle my stomach either.

  So if you're wondering what my Mum and I did about the whole "gluten is horrible for you deal," well, we laughed in its face. One of my friends (who has a gluten intolerance) went to a doctor recently and he told her that for most people all a gluten intolerance is, is just a deficiency of magnesium and certain vitamins. With such deficiencies you can't digest gluten. The cure? You can reap healing, life changing results by simply eating a well balanced diet. Think the old-fashioned food pyramid. And adding missing vitamins.

  I had read an article written by a woman who claimed that the rising of gluten intolerance is because of hybridized grains. I couldn't believe how obvious the actual reason is. Think on it, in most cases gluten intolerance is merely a nutrient deficiency. That deficiency comes from not eating as God made us to. With so many crazy fads out there with whole swarms of naive people following them it's obvious that we have many many more deficiency possessed people who think they're doing themselves good by eating the way they do. With those deficiencies they can no longer digest grain because they have harmed their digestive system unbeknownst to them. So how could they fix those deficiencies? By healing their gut and eating as God made us to.

  Food is not complicated, God made it that way so we can follow him with a whole heart, soul, and mind. Savoring every bite will likewise let you savor every moment of life.

  Please know that I honestly, from the bottom of my heart did not mean offense to anyone at all, trust me, I've been there, done that, with fads. I just hope that I can open at least one person's eyes to the  greater picture in life. To go from dreaming to waking up and seeing all of your glorious surroundings. If I can do that to one person through this post, than I shall feel that my life's purpose has been fulfilled.  I had no intentions of rambling on for so long (and getting heated various times) so now I think it would be a wise time to bow out gracefully with a few scripture verses. (Please know that Jesus said the following words.)

  Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment.

  Mark 7:18-19 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into his belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.


There are more Bible verses, but this post is quite long enough. Maybe someday I'll share my Bible study on food, eating, and sickness.

K ~ Keen (As in the Old-Fashioned Saying for Awesome)

    Now, the word keen is not by any means a word in my daily vocabulary, yet for some reason when it came time for me to go about making a blog post I panicked because I had no ideas jotted down for K. In my great distress I tacked on  the first word I could think of.

  Something I think that is very "keen" is the fact that my landlord dropped in today with a terrific treasure that he had brought for me, you might as well hurry and fetch a cup of tea because I'm ready to launch into a little story.

  For some reason all of my tales (or at least the last one I told) begin when I walk past our windows and note some form of suspicious activity on our premises, this one begins just like that.

  Several months ago our landlord promised me a vintage sewing machine and little chest of drawers that his mother used to own, I was ecstatic of course and couldn't wait till he delivered them. Well it turns out that I did indeed have to wait, and wait I did, for a good long time.

  This afternoon I walked past our window and saw his truck parked in front of our porch. I was curious and went outdoors to investigate, I relished the feel of my bare feet pattering against the wooden slats on our porch in the fresh spring air. I ducked my head a bit as I hurried under the rhododendron bush that curled over the stairs in a lovely little arch that is honestly better suited for hobbits. The cool squish of soft ground met my feet as I flew to the truck in sheer delight upon seeing how in the back of his truck he had tied my little vintage sewing machine and chest of drawers.

  In moments he had helped me carry various things into my house (he had brought a big tin of buttons, a bag of bows, and various other items including numerous good quality spools of thread. I was beaming with delight and thanked him profusely. He said he was happy to have made my day and then he left to work with Eldon up in the fields.

  Diane and I hurried and in about twenty minutes we had completely rearranged our room and now we both have our own desks because my little machine cabinet makes a perfect desk that I love. I must say that topped with one of my Grandma's crocheted doilies, my little desk looks as if it could fit perfectly into an Amish girl's room. I love my room even more now, and can't wait to go write in my diary tonight. Usually I would share a picture with you of whatever I yapped about but it's late tonight and I don't quite feel up to doing that task, perhaps on a later date you will all become acquainted with my desk, but till tomorrow, adieu.

G ~ Good Housekeeping (1950's Style)

  I have had a love for the olden days - specifically the 20's through the 60's - since I was ten years old and that love has only grown if anything since last year, so much in fact that when I came across a 1950's schedule for the average housewife I fell in love and immediately printed it out onto card stock and keep it firmly stuck to my fridge and follow it's rules whole-heartedly and with a heap of delight, because somehow it makes me feel just a little closer to that beloved decade of mine. And the plus to it is that our home is cleaner than it has ever been before.

  I'm sure I'm not the only lover of delightful vintage schedules and because I'm terribly kindhearted, and quite frankly need a blog post made, I will share my schedule with you.


          Daily Schedule
       

1.   Throw back covers
2. Open curtains and windows (obviously I don't open the windows throughout winter)
3. Freshen up
4. Make and serve breakfast
5. Clean up breakfast
6. Complete a ten minute exercise regime
7. Shower, do hair and makeup, get dressed
8. Carry around a basket and as you clean throughout your house pick up items that don't belong in a certain room and distribute them to their places as you clean
9. Pick up potential clutter, do a light dusting, fluff pillows, water plants
10. Make beds
11. Tidy bedroom, dust them lightly
12. Hang up clean clothes, put dirty ones in the hamper
13. Tidy bathroom, sweep, clean toilet, change trash, scrub mirrors and vanity
14. Vacuum carpeting, sweep floors, shake rugs
15. Review the menu, do any necessary prep
16. Do long term prep for dinner (such as prepare a dessert, etc.)
17. Wipe down kitchen surfaces
18. Dispose garbage, and scraps
19. Scald dish cloths, hang to dry
20. Sweep or mop kitchen floor
21. Handle errands (such as shopping) or indulge in a hobby
22. Wash fresh veggies, store in the fridge (this is assuming you went and did some shopping)
23. Have a quick lunch (I know, I almost died too when I realized all that had to be completed before lunch)
24. Crisp veggies, thaw food, various prep for dinner
25. Handle weekly chore for today
26. Set table for dinner
27. Arrange living room for evening enjoyment
28. Sweep floors, clean entrance ways
29. Prepare a special dish for dinner
30. Freshen up
31. Greet husband (in my case it's my Dad)
32. Serve dinner
33. Clear table, wash dishes
34. Pour boiling water down the pipes to flush them out
35. Set table for breakfast
36. Do any make-ahead breakfast prep
37. Prepare Husband's lunch
38. Enjoy your well-earned evening

            Once-a-week Chores

1. Clean and disinfect all kitchen appliances 
2. Scald and disinfect breadboxes, garbage pails, etc
3. Replace flowers with fresh bouquets
4. Do laundry twice a week
5. Mop all floors, wash windows
6. Clean out the fridge, scrub the stove
7. Dust and polish all furniture  

  I hope you all enjoyed this schedule as well as I do, I know that my family thinks I'm crazy that I would willingly follow this schedule just for the fun of it, but I know I have kindred spirits out their that completely understand it.

Of Books and Bugs

  There are certain times in my life when I am a mighty warrior, one that is so strong and fierce that nothing can stand in my way. I had just such a time a few days ago.

  It all started out quite innocently. There I was, sitting unsuspectingly on my bed, snuggled under my covers reading a terrific Louis L'Amour book. I have never told you before, but I love the Louis L'Amour books and so my leisurely time spent reading those books in the evenings is  quite normal and nothing seemed amiss.

  It was dark out and I was savoring the softness of my favorite blanket and the terrific tale being told in my book. Now my super warrior instincts were quite alert and my eye twitched. I thought nothing of it till I felt this great big black shadow hovering over me. Slowly I lowered my book and looked to see what it might be.

  My heart was ridden with terror when that great black shadow turned out be a most hideous brown scaled, large, bow legged bug perched primly on the tip of my big toe! Diane (she had been reading a book on the bed too) shrieked and flew out of bed. As she trembled by the door I bravely yanked my toe out from under that armored beast.

  My eagle like eyes scanned the room in seconds and with the aid of my dear comrade in battle I attained a most fearsome trap for the beast. The trap of which we are speaking was a lovely flowery stationary box. With lithe feet I approached the beast and with all my strength I fought a gag as I approached it. My breathing was labored and my heart was beating frantically, but nevertheless my nimble fingers scooped up that abomination into it's trap. Diane is not by any means a strong-hearted warrior so she fled the room as I delicately perched that box containing the monster on the top of my little waste basket and with a magnificent leap I flew under my covers feeling courageous and worthy of every medal that could possibly be bestowed upon me.

  My night was fitful because since I had not actually, dare I say it, squished, that bug it was still very much alive and all throughout the night I tossed and turned to the sound of the great bow legged behemoth clacking it's scaly shell against the sides of it's trap, trying as it might to escape.

  Now when morning arrived, rest assured I found a warrior reputed to be one with a strong heart, to put that monster to sleep. (Thanks Dad if you're reading this.) And that concludes the tale of my awesomeness.

New Year's Goals

  Isn't it both terribly exciting and perhaps a touch intimidating to face a new year, a year that is completely clean and sure to be oozing with surprises and the potential to be the best year ever?! I definitely think it is and therefore I am viewing 2017 with much eagerness to embark on a potential adventure.

  I love to be organized though for the new year and because of that I wasted no time and immediately composed a list of goals for this year. Since I supposed you would appreciate seeing what my goals are (I know I would like to know what yours are) I made a list (I have an undying love for lists.)

New Year's Goals 2017

• learn to temper chocolate
• have a proper high tea party
• complete my crochet afghan
• start my own kitchen notebook (like Rachel Khoo)
• blog much more frequently
• have excessive berry-ings
• read 52 books
• finish writing my book
• make a proper pâte à choux
• make a proper pastry cream
• broaden my french baking knowledge in general
• break my bad habits (wouldn't you just love to know what they are)
• have a real picnic
• become fluent in French

  And I think that finishes my list. I am only slightly daunted, not overly much because I absolutely love challenges and my list makes a splendid one. Just so you know, I will try to let you know if I have completed any of my goals and shall strive to document each adventure regardless of whether or not they were completed throughout this year.

   Before I go, I want to wish all the best to you with completing all your goals.

'Twas the Day After Christmas

  It's really the same thing every year, for months I look forward to Christmas with an enthusiasm that can't truly be explained. I put all of my time and energy into creating festive things, from Christmas ornaments, to gifts, to cookies, and various treats. Then, on Christmas Eve I am a-twitter with excitement. The following day is much like a passing dream and then it's all over. Nothing can express the sorrow that seems to flood me throughout the week after Christmas.

  Usually I spend my week after Christmas doing nothing but mourning for the holidays of my past while staring dismally at the ghost of Christmas that lingers everywhere, like scraps of wrapping paper, leftover treats, the empty tree, and everything else that has faded in some way or another.

  But this week after Christmas I was surprised and still am as each day that greets me is actually fresh and full of delightful activities (minus having to do Geometry of course). I wanted to let you guys see what my day after Christmas was like so I shall compose a list. And just in case you are wondering, no, I did not not spend the day after Christmas in my pj's, having a LOTR marathon whilst munching on leftovers. Not that I'd frown upon those of us who have done just that though.


My Day After Christmas


I spent hours reading a book.

I began planning a high tea party.

I got to work on finishing a crocheted lace table runner that I want for my tea party.

I got most of my New Year's goals written down and dreamed over.

I ate part of my mini gingerbread house (it's actually made of graham crackers.)

I read my old diaries.

I poetically daydreamed over my gifts.

And lastly I had a chocolate from a box of delightful things a friend had given to me.


After Christmas fun, is so much better than after Christmas blues!

My Dear Diary ~ A Morning Spent Shopping

  I don't know about you, but to me spending an afternoon, or evening, or whenever really, scribbling away in my diary is a pretty perfect way to use up my time and document my life in a pleasing and enjoyable manner. Even though the idea of having my life recorded is terrific, it is the fact that I can write absolutely whatever I fancy at the moment into my diary that makes me love it so much. Plus, my diary is like a friend to me, however strange that may sound.

  Now I did not plan to go about making a blog post consisting of nothing but yapping about my diary so I shall not turn it into that now. My point for writing this post was to tell you about my morning that I spent shopping, I am only giving you a proper introduction to my diary because today you shall get to meet her because I have had a pretty terrific morning that can only be told to you properly if I go and share my diary entry about it with you.

  But, before I begin, there is one thing that you must know about my diary, and that particular bit of information is that her name is Arabella, I don't know why I chose that name but she looked a bit British so I went with it.

  Now that I have given you that vital bit of information I can share my morning with you just as I did with Arabella. Well, everything but my handwriting, which you can be glad you don't have to view since this font is a lot more legible.

Dear Arabella,

  Though it is only 3:27 in the afternoon, I was in the mood to write so here I hideout in my room, secluded efficiently from most of reality. Isn't that terrific?!
  This morning at around nine, Mum whisked Diane, Sean, and I off to to go about some shopping for Christmas supplies and various other items.
  My lower back was doing a splendid job of hurting and throbbing uncontrollably, so that made for an interesting ride into town. I didn't care too much though, because everyone knows that physical comfort is overrated. #sarcasm
  Once we had arrived at the store Mum led us all to the Christmas section of the store which seemed to be branched off as another building. That building had frequently opened doors so lots of cheery birds were flying around chirping incessantly. I was in awe of all the supplies in the Christmas department, we browsed for a while and Mum selected several rolls of wrapping paper and a large container of gorgeous ornaments. I could have spent hours in that department doing nothing but sighing over perfectly darling ornaments and so on.
   Sadly however, we left to finish up the rest  of our shopping . Since it's Christmas season, there were exceeding amounts of elf balloons everywhere. They were floating over shelves, and peeking from behind boxes, and some were basking in the warmth of the ceiling lights. Sean didn't seem overly impressed about them, but that only amused me.
  Mum took us to select winter boots then and I have to admit that I was a touch upset over how Mum made me get a pair of boots suited for orcs instead of a lovely pair that I wanted. I believe as Mum put it "you have to be practical, you're using these outside in the snow, it's not like you're using them to go to church or something." Can you believe that?! I'd much rather be cold and stylish than warm and sporting boots that orcs would fancy.
  However, Arabella, all thoughts of fashion problems were soon forgotten when I arrived to the tea section and was informed that I could select anything that suited my fancy. Naturally I chose the "English Breakfast Tea" knowing that once I arrived at home that Dad and I would have to thoroughly look over the assets of the tea, noting it's flavour notes and so on.
  Once we had checked out and were leaving, the store's greeter took one look at our tub of ornaments and immediately began telling Mum how he decorated his tree with purple ornaments and how the tinsel we had selected didn't actually look that pretty on the tree. Mum tried to politely edge away from all of his excessive chatter but that man followed us right along. I don't know exactly why but he struck one of my many absurd funny bones.


  That was only an excerpt from my diary but I believe it served to tell you about my morning spent shopping. You see, sometimes I can explain things better to Arabella than anyone else.

Bits and Bobs (Yes that's a British Phrase)

  I know I have slacked on blogging lately but I have a relatively good reason why. You see I have been busy with school, French studies, and lots of writing, just not here on my little blog.  Even though I don't have enough information on a single subject to give you a delightfully long and juicy post, I have have a sufficient amount of information on multiple subjects to give you a delightfully fluffy post consisting of Bits of Bobs.

  If you are wondering what is up with my strangely confusing choice of wording today, I have a very simple explanation. This morning after school I watched several re-runs of Good Eats. Need I say more? In fact I could give you lengthy paragraphs on how Curry is actually only a stereotype Indian food but I shall refrain.

  Now because I went and named this post "Bits and Bobs" before I even started writing I suppose it only makes sense that I should now divulge some Bits and Bobs of information from my life.

  A few weeks ago my second cousins came over to visit and everyone (other than my Mom and Diane who stayed home to prep dinner) went down to a nearby trail to hike. The vehicle that we were using as our means of transportation (My Dad's F-350) didn't have enough room to fit everyone inside so my second cousins, Eldon, and I were left to climb into the back of the truck. It doesn't sound like much of a problem at all, and actually kind of even sounds like fun, right? WRONG!! I was wearing a black skirt so having to hunch in the back of a dirty truck surrounded by a bunch of your guy second cousins was no picnic trying to remain properly ladylike. Once we left for the trail I thought I would be fine but naturally I wasn't. The wind was strong so my hair came out of its neat little bun and starting flying all over my face making that I couldn't see a thing, and because of all the excessive wind, my cheeks were flapping around like an old hound dog.  Besides that all of those guys I spoke of earlier immediately launched into a lengthy discussion of what kind of truck they prefer, and how many horsepower they guessed a certain truck had and other utterly boring factoids.

  Yesterday while walking to our barn across the road I stepped on something on the grass that popped like a large pimple. Curious, I crouched down, pulled the grass apart and went screaming all the way up to the barn after seeing I had just squished a little frog.

  Do you know what my friends? I feel victorious because I have finally finished The Fellowship of the Ring but 'ere break of day' I had started reading The Two Towers. Who am I kidding, I don't feel victorious, I feel helpless. As much as I love Lord of the Rings movies, and I do enjoy a lot about the books, they are heavy, slow reading.

  On the subject of school I have an interesting tale to tell. My Vocabulary Professor, upon looking at him, appears to the average person as a normal, middle aged, kindly, guy. So picture this. There I was at my desk, notebook and pen in hand, ready to become the next genius of the century, and he begins his half hour lecture. He opens his mouth and begins yapping about Procrustean people, factotums, and various other horrors I truly don't care about. You know how the average person gestures with his hands for emphasis while speaking? Well he starts talking about how his teaching will broaden my mind and then BAM!! His legs bend, and he half lunges, half squats. Not sure if that really just happened I straightened my back and opened my eyes a little bigger and then BAM, once again his head disappears from view. One hundred and eighty five times did he bounce across his classroom. I wasn't sure I could possibly stand another one of his cardio sessions this school year but then he goes and says his love for words first began when his father read "Lord of the Rings" to him as a boy, and then my friends, all was well and I shall continue enjoying his class.
 

Competitions

  I have been fortunately blessed with a bunch of fun-loving relatives that never fail to give us good times every time they visit. My Uncles are the best considering how mischievous and competitive they are and I was delighted to be able to capture a few moments from one of my Uncle's last visits.

  Every time my Mom's brothers come over my Dad is immediately sucked into a world of competitiveness and hilarity.  Seeing what my Dad and my Uncle (s) will go through just to reign victorious is hilarious and by far one of my favorite things about being visited by my Uncles.

  The following video is just a glimpse of what really goes on when we get competitive. (Sorry for the shakiness, apparently I can't hold a camera steady.

Awkward Shopping Experience

  There are a number of Amish stores in our area. We don't visit them often, but occasionally my Mom needs something not available in normal stores. When that happens she will drive to the store and then stay in the van while either my brother Eldon or I go in to buy what ever it is she needed. (It's all part of growing up in a family where the parents are being shunned by the Amish.)

  The following is the account of the first time I was the one responsible for doing the purchasing:

  Last summer we made frequent visits to a little Amish store where we would proceed to buy fresh fruit and vegetables. One particular time I was sent to go do the buying of a broom, peaches, and corn. I took a deep breath, straightened my skirt, and stepped right out into the unknown depths of awkwardness.

  I looked around searching for someone to help with my purchasing. My eyes found nothing and quietness almost deafened me. A movement caught my eye and I found a woman in a produce shed arranging boxes. "I would like a broom" I said, awkwardly approaching her. She eyed me strangely and then started walking to a tiny trailer. I followed her, just happy to have something to do. Inside, the trailer smelled like dust and old jello. She led me towards a bin of brooms and asked "Which one." I smiled and went for a purple broom. This was easy. Gaining confidence with every step I told her I would like half a peck of peaches. Once again I was inclined to follow her as she silently the way.

  Once inside of her produce shed I was left to hold my broom and inspect their ceiling as she quietly counted peach after peach into a bag. My eyes grew bigger and bigger as one after another peach filled a bulging paper bag. She straightened up and handed the heavy bag to me. Grimacing I took the bag thinking it was going to burst any minute spewing peaches all over the floor and my pride. "And 2 dozen corn" I said concentrating on carrying my awkward load.

  This time she led me outdoors towards where my Mom's minivan was parked. I ignored my family's snickering faces and followed her to a massive bin of corn where she proceeded to fill bag after bag of corn. I shifted my broom, shoving it under my arm and hoisted my bag of peaches to try and make room for all those bags of corn. She eyed my load uncertainly then heaped the bags of corn into my hands too. Then she stood there looking at her feet while she waited for me to pay her. Obviously I wasn't in any position to get my wallet and pay her at the moment so I struggled and dragged, clanged, huffed, and stumbled my way over to the trunk of my Mom's minivan where I disposed of my load.

  Drawing up the last scraps of what was left of my dignity I took my wallet and sheepishly paid her. She counted the money and nodded towards me and we both went our separate ways.

  Finally I was free to collapse into the minivan where I was bombarded with supportive snickers and outright laughter. My only comfort was that she had been every bit as uncomfortable as I had been.

Biking Adventures.

  Since I lived (and still do) in the country, most of my adventures were had on my bike. My first bike was a small, pink, Barbie bike that I loved to no end. It has actually come through a lot during my younger years and now lays in pieces out in my Dad's garage.

  Today I will be describing in short paragraphs the adventures I have had on that bike.

#1.  My brother and I were of the competitive sort when we were little kids so we could be easily found racing our bikes down our long driveway, or perhaps showing off some new stunt in front of our parents. One particular day Eldon and I had called Mom to look at our new stunt as we raced to the mail box. After Mom had arrived Eldon and I each wanted to be the most epic. I don't really know how it happened other than probably trying to watch Mom to see how impressed she was with our stunts instead of paying attention to what we were doing, but the next thing I know Eldon and my bike smack into each other and we go crashing to the ground. We weren't hurt but I don't think we were as eager to show off anymore.

#2.  Soon after we moved to where we live now, Eldon and I took our bikes determined to face the challenge presented by the massive hill that was behind our barn. I can still see us sweating our bikes up that long field lane thinking that our struggles would never end. Somehow we reached the top of the hill and Eldon and I positioned our bikes, looked at each other as if daring the other to try and beat him, and went flying down that hill. I can tell you, I have never been more afraid for my life than that ride. My feet had flown off of the pedals which were spinning so fast that I couldn't regain my footing. Let me paint a picture for you. There I was, a little girl on a pink bike, flying down a hill with her feet shooting out on either side of her, a horrified expression on her face as she bounced over rocks, screaming as she flew in and out of the ditch. Finally at the bottom I went flying over a water trench before managing to stop myself. Sadly Eldon won, which was really all I was upset with.

#3.  For the longest time I wore dresses when I went biking and for several weeks I could be found speeding through our yard with my skirts billowing in the wind. Then one day my dress got caught in my bike chain. Which wasn't that horrible unless you count me having to stand helplessly attached to my bike while Eldon ran into the to get my Mom. She tried to free me, but the dress was caught really badly. She finally went into the house and got a big bath towel. With it wrapped around me, I left my dress with my hungry bike and ran to the house.  I'm still a little sad that my favorite blue dress got destroyed that day, even though I would have outgrown it a long time by now.