Wonderkept : Autumn

Beauties of November // HITTING 50K & WINNING NANO...plus other stuffs

11:03 AM

#1 Handing out food at church

. THERE WERE SO MANY TURKEYS-AROUND 200-300-of them *whew* It was actually tons of fun to bring grocery bags full of food and heavy turkeys to people. And to refill tables with boxed brownie mix.

#2 WINNING NANOWRIMO WITH 53,034 WORDS

AAAAAAAAAHHHH. I STILL CANNOT FULLY COMPREHEND IT! I WON I WON!!!! *throwing chocolate chip cookies in the air* *throwing book pages like they do in the movies*.

*squeals* *I can't believe I DID THIS!*

#3 ENDING GIFT OF THE SEA

OKAYYY (doesn't know how to repeat the above squealing again). GIFT OF THE SEA is ended. Just like that. Boom. Wow. But....first draft, riggghhhttt?

#4 Thanksgiving

Which is always an amazing time. The FOOD smelled SO good, and we had pumpkin pie & stuffing (my Mom and me make the best, by the way) & watched the dogggg showww on T.V. And, by the way, I skyped a really awesome person on her birthday the day before ❤ your the bestest!

#5 French & double Pirouettes

(just kinda figured those go together) My double pirouette is not as good nor as perfect nor as balanced as I would wish it be right now (and what's with this I can hardly do it while someone is watching me thing? I mean come on!) But French is coming along quite fine.

*Que Passepartout trying to speak French in Around the World in 80 Days*

Oh, yes. I ALSO PUT MY FOOT ON OUR MANTEL. *Amazed emoji*

#6 Walking on the biggest sandbar ever

I have lived right on this beach my whole life...and never do I remember being on such a HUGE SANDBAR...

#1 Falling out of a pirouette & landing on my tush

Which, technically isn't the funnest thing ever. #lookingupfromthegroundlikeatoddler.

#2 Sprinkling the dance floor with bobby pins

I. HAVE. A. LOT. OF. HAIR. OKAY? So it takes a lot of...okay, a ton of bobby pins to hold it all up in one little ballerina bun. And when you are turning your head at the rate of a second, bobby pins are just going to shoot out everywhere. I'd just prefer them to at home, not at the dance studio. It's like I leave a trail, and suddenly there is some little girl behind me trying to hand back a bobby pin or so. *head in hands*

#1 The story that inspired the Sound of Music, the Story of the Trapp Family Singers. I haven't finished it yet-yes, because of nano craziness this month-but so far I've enjoyed it's little humorous tidbits and heart-felt holiday reminisces. AND of COURSE #2 my own book! Still working on that cover, so, don't worry that hunk of draft up there isn't final. This whole writing journey has been fun. I'm about to see where editing will take me...hopefully to a printed copy of the first draft of Gift of the Sea.

#1 For the EPIC Masquerade/costume/theme Christmas party I'm planning for my youth group!!! Ah! It's a *toy* theme, so you dress as your favorite childhood toy. I'm deciding whether or not to be a wind-up doll, or a stuffed animal. I believe I'll choose the wind-up doll in the end.

#2 For completing my first crochet project

As shown below, this is the little fellow I'm knitting for my niece. She is going to be wearing either a pink sweater or a pink dress, and a pink scarf. IT'S SO CUTE!!

#3 For buying a print copy of Gift of the Sea...and Christmas

What else could any writer be excited for then her own book in her own palms? And also...I've been listening to Christmas music.

How was your November?

What would you be at a Toy Masquerade??

animals

In the Wood Pile // #myrabbitismybff

1:28 PM

See this furry fella?
I've grown up with him.

FOR ALMOST HALF MY LIFE.

We are best friends. He lets me cuddle him (and take hilarious pics of him, and spoil him...) and I feed him hay and those pellet things that look like you would need cement teeth to chew but apparently he likes them.

Owning a rabbit is like owning a constant two-year old. Always getting into something their not supposed to. Either he's just turned a basket into wood chips or dug up a potted plant. But what can I say??? I love him. I took so many pics of him and he was an amazing model (not counting all the times he turned around).

(He was my bff to keep these in his ears❤)

How is Nano going (I've reached 29,000!!) ?
Do you have a fuzzy furry friend?
Love to put flowers in your hair?

By the way....err, P.S....I'm thinking about changing my blog name to joie de vivre...???

animals

OCTOBER Beauties // Newsies, Hay Rides, French & Love Comes Softly

4:38 PM

Our youth group's day at the farm...hay ride/corn maze/fire/s'mores

Finding riding boots at the thrift shop for $3.75

Making new frrrriiieeeennnndsss

Going to Annapolis (thee ol' capital) for Billy Graham's 'Decision America Tour'

Visiting the D.C zoo and seeing the mermaid-like sea lion

Going canoeing for the 1st time

eating CHOCOLATE DIPPED WAFFLES for the 1st time

Love Comes Softly surprised me with it's simple writing. The style was simplicity yet the story was heart-felt and overall I thought the book was a 5-star. It felt real as I went almost sometimes, day-to-day with Marty. Emily's Quest wasn't my favorite Emily book; however, I liked certain chapters. Julie of the Wolves was an unexpected book for me to read. I was excited and surprised at how much I liked it, how much I felt it, and looked forward to reading it. It felt interesting to get in touch with my Scandinavian side and learn about the tundra, Eskimo-like life, etc. Whatever award it won fairly and I honestly enjoyed the tale.

I'm learning French with Pimsler. It's actually quite entertaining, I can listen to it while doing anything (like pirouetting) and, according to my family, I'm gaining an accent. Also, I think I've managed somehow to have more scheduled, organized posts (?) so I'm happy to be on that train bound for better blogging.

I'm trying to be set for Nano (TOMORROW) and make sure I can at least write that 1,600 each day. Thanking God for all these great events.

I watched Newsies for the 1st time. The dancing...I want to dance like that.

My friend's face when she opens her birthday presents (would post a picture.....but I kinda think your gonna see it). SNOW. Okay I JUST HAD TOO. It feels like ages since I've been sledding. Wasn't I still 100% introvert last time I sled??? Oh, and, just found out our dance recital will be to the tune of "16 going on 17" from the Sound of Music.

All the winter cozies.

Maybe perhaps a Christmas party at my youth group. Making new friends (yes, more) and all those exciting things that come with the end of the year.

Such as, maybe...Christmas cookies.

How was your October?

Do you own a pair of moccasins (I want some!)

Have you had a lovely fall farm day?

Are you doing Nano?

Did you like 'Love Comes Softly' by Janette Oke?

Autumn

OPEN the CLOUDS

12:17 PM

Going to Franklin Graham's Decision America Tour...guys of the family haven't awoken yet...I see Mom go to the computer....... suddenly music blasts Unspoken's OPEN THE CLOUDS (this song is the funnest, happiest song you have ever heard. Go look it up because you'll thank me).

This morning I saw my breath for the first time this fall. Can you believe it?! It's autumn, everyone.

Have you ever heard 'Open the Clouds'?

Have you gone a-pumpkin-picking yet?

Autumn

October Beautiful

5:24 PM

October.

It's sound is like a whisper taking flight on the tips of the autumn leaves as they flit through the cool, crisp air. It's like the garland over the gate of the end of the year, looping down proudly with red and brown, gold and orange. October is the flight through seasons, that gently pushes you, happily, into the coming fall.

Welcome October.

Stay awhile, bring some gifts of Mums and of friends, pumpkins, hot cocoa and such. Then leave slowly, after every beautiful leaf has descended onto the earth floor. Thank the Lord for painting October so brilliantly beautiful.

What are your plans for this October?
Have you ever been in a corn maze or eaten a pumpkin pie?
Have you started knitting yet?

Autumn

SEPTEMBER '16 Recap

12:44 PM

// Fun Stuff //

Art fest. So inspiring & beautiful---saw some boots I wish I could fit into.

Youth group. I'm so happy youth group is back to it's normal schedule now. Word Wars, okay, just try a word war, because they work AMAZINGLY GREAT. I MEAN, REALLY. Knitting a salmon/red scarf with white tassel for myself (for Christmastime) before I begin the Christmas present stampede.

//Reading//

Someone awesome's book who I'm not going to name but will know when I say this that her book is fantastic and you all will be reading it in due time so keep a look out. A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes is also on my shelf-or sitting in the living room, or on my bed. I'm sort of an old-book girl so this is a new one for me, and the plot is already fantastique so I'm hoping to like and read the next books after I conquer this one. The adventure is nice for a change. I was reading Jane Eyre. And was amazed with the beautiful writing style, even when I normally don't like first-person. Her story was harsh and brutal, and faithful. Recently, however, it took a turn, and I'm not sure what do to with it.

//Enjoying//

The weather. I'm SO EXCITED for autumn and cocoa and books and books and books and Hallmark Christmas movies and marshmallows and Santa hats and pom-pom boots. The fishtail braid because it's so stylish and easy. Hoodies because I feel like I own a giant portable blanket.

//Looking forward//

To cooler weather and more jeans, ballet, the SPLITS (I'm so close, girl!) Nanowrimo & Christmas (I know but I can't help it. Lauren Daigle is making a Christmas album *whispers*). Also the super-fun-sounding activities my youth group is participating in.

What are you excited about for October & this winter & fall?

Have you read any of those books?

How was your September?

Did you like this post?

Autumn

Autumn '16 Bucket List

8:20 PM

Enter Short Story in the Fair

Two pages+introverted girl+beach+overcoming shyness+prayer= A Night so Fantastic

Make Matzo Ball Soup

...Been wanting to try this

Knit a Scarf. Or two

One for me & one for you.

Participate in Nanowrimo & Finish Gift of the Sea

I've never done Nanowrimo and I'm so excited! Hoping to re-write + finish Gift of the Sea during crazy November. Then my friend can read it. I can't wait.

Knit a Choker

Chokers are the bestest. Especially if you have a long neck...and I so want to knit a cute one with a little flower...or maybe a snowman...or Olaf.

Knit Mittens

I saw these adorable reindeer mittens in a Jo-ann fabrics craft pamphlet. I'd wear them any day. Never to old for Sven mittens, right you all???

Learn Three New Fall Hairstyles

Ah yes!~Planning on maybe a top-knot slash down...and then some forties experiments with curls. Curls. Curls.

Read an Adventure

I've already dove into A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes, so, after about 300 pages this should be checked off.

Become 35% Fluent in French

(Laughing at myself. Like that'll ever happen this year, Duolingo)

Drink COCOA

I'm talking to YOU, girl. Join me with a cup, would you? One clink for long-distance and the other for bookworms?

Write a Brand-New Short Story

Now I've got you thinking, haven't I?

Make 3 New Fall DIY Craft Decorations

Because my room needs more leaves and acorns in it. Spread the crisp-air, crunchy walks, hot tea love.

Design & Craft a Leaf Wreath

Aren't they splendidly beautiful?

Take a Trip to the D.C Zoo

I haven't gone for awhile...

Bring 1 Friend to Youth Group

I challenge you to this one.

What are you doing this Autumn?

Do you knit?

What is your favorite season?

Are you looking forward to cooler weather & all it's accompaniments?

Autumn

Photo shoot with Sam

4:13 PM

I got the idea for this post from Shelby's post at Every Bit of Lovely. I don't know how I didn't think of this earlier-I'm a bit obsessed with taking pictures of my dog. Really, I probably have around 400 pictures of him. I tried to get him to pose, though as you can tell he sits weird because of his lab hip dysplasia. Sam is going on 5 this November, or 35 in human years. We got him free for my Dad at Christmas, about a year after our family dog Eli died. He howls, or 'sings' with us when we sing in tones he likes, and he also sings with my harmonica ( although I actually don't know how to play it).