Wonderkept : friends

PHOTO SHOOTS 4 Real = Starting A Business & PINNING all the Day Long

2:00 PM

Some girl's been busy taking pictures...almost all day. And *ahem* in Sarah's words "Gone on Pinterest" (or however you said it dear no don't hit me with that donut pillow). So, let's re-wind.

Me and Mom started a business for our art...crochet accessories (baby goods, headbands hats & the like), knitted stuff (cowls & such), signs (which is where I come in...heehee you know I've always got a paintbrush stashed somewheres *frowns* unless my rabbit's eaten it) and other things like chalkboards.

So, this last weekend we took a step up and started a Pinterest.

(Ft. My baby "in the Garden" carrot hat...like it?)

(those burnt pages are from the 1930's, BTW)

(what other prop than rose petals?!)

Anyways...it's been SO MUCH FUN just snapping pics and making them so much more professional than I thought I could do. We now have 20 items on our shop, I'm proud to say, and new items are listed every week if not ever-other-day. So, here's a big virtual invite to come check us out. It's DandeLion Shoppe. You can get our shop updates on Pinterest right over here.

Okay, you all got me. I started a Pinterest too. Go and look and see...because I have 10 boards and 300+ pins already. If you think my LOLx2 board is funny (then we should be friends) let me know, alrighty? *whispers* here's the link...Me on Pinterest.

I couldn't stop laughing. Quote from Jane Austen, Pride & Prejudice. #quotes #literature #humor @Trudy B Medeiros:

(this is just a preview...*giggles under breath*)

Did you realize everyone replaced the once popular "FYI" with "BTW"?

Do you have a Pinterest?

blogs

THE SNIPPETS TAG // Wholly doveted to GOTS

8:37 PM

So...Sarah tagged me for ^ this thingy. I just have to say that this has been really hard...I've had the struggle of "That would be good for that" "But didn't I have another part?" "Wow, 104 is too many pages to search through". It's been quite the struggle, so I hope you all keep in mind that I have many other pieces to this puzzle. Without further ado...here's my scribbles from Gift of the Sea.

{1} Share your most gripping, fascinating, and hooking first line of a story

*ahem* obviously I had to include the whole thing and not just the first line. But really...this is not my best because *surprise* *surprise* I've progressed past this...writing skill wise.

“Oh, dear God!” A cry, A plea, a beg, echoed across the tossing waves. Sitting arms tied to the back, was a girl, young in years, on top a chair. She bobbed dangerously in the waters, which played with her unmercifully, and of no doubt would soon become bored with her, ending her anxiety."

{2} Share a snippet that made you want to shout to the world that you're SO. HAPPY.

I think the reason that this made me...I dunno...joyful, is because I not only described what was yet to me an undescribed feeling, but because I found a relish in putting Christ in my joy...writing.

"A spirit washed them both; they could not think of evil, nor worry, nor the vile, useless things the world rained upon them. Their faces brightened with the hope of the savior, the Lords son who had died for a sinner such as them, and all in that room grew closer to perfect than any outside it. This was a power stronger than death. Any who have not felt it cannot understand it, because it changes every eye that looks out on things, every ear, and every opinion. There is a joy in Christ’s children that cannot be bought any other way than by accepting him into their heart. Because it cannot die, nor grow weary. Whatever life brings, there is a joy when thinking of the next, knowing that it is more pure, righteous, and beautiful than anything the sinful world can grow, give, or have. And this, though not explained by the preacher nor preached at the pulpit, was evident in every mind and soul, and grew to preserve those spirits though their bodies be mortal and flesh. "

{3} Share a snippet that gives you a bit of insight into one of your most favorite characters ever.

I suppose Charlie was always my favorite; even when she was unborn, and just the distant thought of her floated about my mind's eye. The curly, golden hair; sea-sparkling blue eyes, flashing, righteous temper, go-lucky forever optimistic attitude (a fighter) and a humble girl, beautiful though she does not know it. Yes, she shaped her own clay.

"The light made her skin and her face pink. Whether if she had stormed or raged or cried or taunted, she would still look salmon-pink in this light.

She was a girl, and, if only there were nights like these every night, Charlie felt she could always be one.

Always have that right, lovely word at the right, precise time. Always have roses in her hair; oh, how splendid did roses sound now. She did not want pink, or red roses; nor yellow or orange or lavender or even the rarest blue. No, white roses were the best, there was no comparison. For they were spotless in beauty and soul, the perfect example of an angel in form of a flower. Yes, when she was married-it would never come but why not dream on a night like this-she would carry white roses. Because then all would be perfect, and she would never think of the past or future; it would only be the present. At this moment Charlie looked down, and there at her feet was a pool of water so big she saw her whole appearance, from braided hair to black boots. If she had not known herself she would have immediately denied that the person below her in the puddle was, indeed, Charlie prodigy, with the Greek style dress tunic and the pretty flushed face. This, this was an incredible thing, there must be a fairy godmother somewhere turning the puddles into magical mirrors. But the big eyes that fluttered up in shock so told her that she had eyelashes, too. And what a surprise it was."

{4} Share a snippet that gets you beaming with pride and you're just like 'yep, I wrote that beauty'.

Image result for the croods gifs

(My brain ^ after I write something good)

Okay...this was actually super hard because there are so many of those little, precious moments where the writer takes her fingers from the keyboard, smiles like the Cheshire cat, and squeals. But here we go...

"Yet she stood by the window, placidly looking out onto the wide world from her small, humble place, and whispered, “Father I thank you.” If she had not wasted all her tears she would have cried then; not a painful weep where one’s heart is stabbed, but a sprinkle of gladness so thankful, so much full of hope, that water comes from the eyes uncontrollably. Suddenly, one tap or noise came into the house, and gradually it began to make music of the normal mornings sounds. Leila smiled when she heard it, for life, it’s little things like Nana setting a pot of oatmeal on the stove or Charlie falling down the steps, were like beautiful notes in an orchestra. She could not help but love them, each little note that made up the song of this thing called living. Some were low, they reached into your soul, pulling the nasty things from their hiding places, and some were high and celestial, as you thought of heavenly things and lovely happenings. In all, Leila decided, it was a song worth listening to, for you yourself were singing it, but it had been written by a more supreme power than your own. She turned from the window pane and out of the room into the hall, to join into the tune of the day. Where it would lead her, she did not know but would follow the lyrics note by note."

{5} Share a snippet of genius, deliciously witty dialogue between your characters.

Charlie and Leila have a way of talking that makes the contrast between their characters show immensely, yet all the while it shows their bond. Like a dialogue paradox, really. (to understand this know that Charlie onced disguised herself as a boy for work purposes).

"“Oh, I don’t know.” Leila squirmed in the sight of Charlie’s anxious eyes as they locked on her expression; if she would not say it Charlie would get it out of her face. But Leila held as close to decent composure as she could. “I thought you were trying hard to be polite, though you were rude. For that I already liked half of you. You cared about me, obviously. And…had some sort of secret you always seemed to be hiding, that at the most random moments kicked you in the heart. I didn’t like you at all, firstly. You debated some boy on whether to ‘keep me’, and after just coming from a hopeless situation I was thankful, yet at the same time mad at myself for being thankful towards such character. When you gave me bread, I think I realized that it all was a font on your paper front. After that I think I got used to you.” Charlie was pale. “Most persons would just say they hardly knew me as a boy; then there is you.” She said it so lovingly that Leila laughed, fell out of her cross-legged position and fell like a toddler is often onto the carpet. “You can describe two seconds in the length of three volumes.” “Yes; but are they a good two seconds?” “It doesn’t matter, you’d make it interesting.” “Thank you, Charlie.” “Always dear.” "

{6} Share a snippet that leaves you breathless, in a cold sweat with action-induced intensity.

Image result for disney star wars running gifs

Unfortunately, my most intense scene is too long to put down here. So I'll go for the verse that leads up to the chorus, the anxiety that plunges into desperation.

"With a lunge and a strength rare for such a woman, she wrenched Charlie from Leila’s arms, carrying her as she had when she was but a one-year-old newly orphaned babe and rushed her to the kitchen counter. All the while Nana was watching those big, blue, frightened eyes-those baby eyes-she did not see the teenager, she did not see the tomboy, she saw her sister’s baby, alone, frightened, orphaned and injured. There was no better nurse at that moment, when Nana had pulled forth a freezing cold cloth and placed it on the gash. Charlie’s eyes disappeared as she squinted painfully; all present seemed to hold their breath with the sight of it. Her mouth opened as if she was gasping, though no words could be heard by the human ear. It was a horrific moment. Leila, in fear that Charlie would lose conscience and fall onto the hard kitchen floor, stood behind the counter by her curly wig, supporting Charlie’s head with her hands. “Oh Charlie, oh Charlie! You beautiful baby girl! See me, see Nana. Hold the pain, Charlie, hold it.” "

{7} Share a snippet of a most interesting first meeting between your characters

Charlie and Leila, my two main characters, are painting in the woods on a spring morning. There they are surprised by a neighbor whom they have never met, Lucy Ann. Since their first few words are not 'most interesting' I'll skip to this part, just a page or so away...

"“Do you like it here?” Lucy dropped her paintbrush, scanning the sky, and said decidedly, “No, I don’t. It’s a bit like a worn book.” Leila for some reason or the other had never particularly felt that ‘this place’ was strikingly beautiful, nor that it was dryly ugly. But when Lucy Ann had so flatly stated her feelings, all at once an old friend was being mocked in Leila’s eyes. She looked to Pebble Brook, that creek which gentle laughs played with her eyes and delighted her ears; she thought back to the humid yet graciously beautiful summer, and with an undertone of vengeance, said proudly,

“Yet worn books are far more interesting than new ones.” “how so?” Said the other. “They have 99% more character, for the foremost part, being used one always thinks of what kind of people that used it, and what they were like.” “Probably drunkards who chopped trees and plain, mistreated farm wives.” “Yes, maybe.” Said she with pain in her voice, “but what were they like. Did one of them have a good egg out of a bad batch, a good son, who cherished that book and when reading it thought of the beautiful, orphan girl across the creek? Did he finger the tattered pages with love and loss and bravery brewing in his heart? When he penned his name on the flyleaf page, was he thinking of me, a hundred years later, reading it and in turn thinking of him?”
Lucy Ann’s voice became a sort of baffled mumbled as it replied, “New books are still more beautiful.” “Ah, but they do not have three-hundred-year-old tombstones spotted across their tawny brown fields, or Indian burial grounds with stranded necklace beads hinting history. There are no old bricks to kings castles still lingering with reminisce of their glory days in the sun. I will always like the old things; beaten and battered as they are, they fascinate me and intrigue me. New things are so dumb and naïve I cannot stand them.” "

I proudly hand the pencil too...

{Micaiah}

{Grace}

{Hannah White}

Hope you all enjoyed! Let me know what you think...okay?

Which snippet was your favorite? Do you have a book your working on? Wanna share???

Christmas

A PACKAGE // A fallen tree & a falling girl

2:29 PM

^^Ahh^^

So...as a *brief* update...went caroling and drank cocoa and ate sweet potato pie and watched Hallmark movies and decorated our live tree and sniffled 'cause the Grinch isn't on T.V.

And put someone's gift under THE TREE. No, I haven't opened it. Or have I? *smirks* I would never, no worries.

(look it's Peter Pan)

About that tree. Well, this giant old fellow went timbers the other day.

(I know right, where's all the leaves...or snow)

You ever have those brief thoughts...kind of like 'no one has ever put their foot on that tree'. And suddenly you have to go walk on it. Well, I'm officially the first person to walk on it.

For some reason the poor thing reminded me of myself...not that I'm rooted to the ground or anything *smiles* but because it seems I'm always almost falling. With Chaine turns, or pirouettes (partially have my double on the right) I came close to knocking out the tree. And then...there was parent watch night *covers face in hands* where I almost spun into someone.

*ahem* but...Christmas is coming. And my pirouettes are getting better. And my gift is going out today, to my wonderful friend *winky laughy face wearing Santa hat*.

And to all...a good night.

Christmas

A CHRISTMAS COSTUME PARTY + WHAT I WORE // THE STICKY BANDITS

7:22 PM

I HOSTED A CHRISTMAS COSTUME PARTY.

(okay, well...for the youth group, but still) It was so much fun, wish you all could have been there. I believe my earliest preparations for this extravaganza were in November...so yes, I've been quite excited for quite some weeks.

MY COSTUME....was a vintage wind up doll. You know that far-away wish to DRESS LIKE A JANE AUSTEN HEROINE at a ball??? Well, it came true.

It was my very first time wearing real heels...and I did a 'penguin shuffle'. Yes, I was about 5'9 with heels on.
It was also my very first time with penciled eyebrows. Boy, was that different. *Walks into the bathroom* *looks up at the mirror* *astonished face*.

MY HAIR....oh, Mom did a lovely job. I pinned curled ALL of it the night before, then Mom put it up in combs and clips, and just curled a few strands with a curling rod. I had a blouse buttoned up my neck, with a green ribbon tied, and a white bow directly across from my wind-up.

THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE. Haha..............that thing. Our icing bag burst where the zip lock was, and literally just went *GLOP* onto the table (Friends staring at me while I have no idea that I just lost 1/5th or more of the bag). So, we tried icing stuff out of the wasted icing with our hands, thus the title for our team, from that classic movie sequel, Home Alone 2.

(this isn't even our first house. don't ask)

THE PARTY, it turned out to be pretty epical (yes I just created a new word. Ye may use it if you wish). There was Winnie the Pooh, Dolls, Woody from Toy Story (yes Sarah) Mr. Monoply...etc. Overall, I believe all the planning, glue-gunning, stapling, holly leaf-cuts, pin-curling, and anxious waiting was worth it.

After all, isn't Christmas really the most wonderful time of the year?

Jesus=joy

Have you ever (tried) built a gingerbread house?

What toy would you have been?

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?

book

My 5-Step NANO SURVIVAL KIT

3:00 PM

I'VE NEVER DONE NANOWRIMO. I've been waiting for a year. November is one of my busiest months, balancing over 3 birthdays, preparation for Christmas (yes, I said it) several youth group outings, donating and making hand-made wreaths, Thanksgiving....oh boy. In order to multi-task, I need a writing, or nano, survival kit. So here she goes.

My note book is my best friend.

Says every writer ever. And then the pen. You know you get those ideas....where your fingers can't move fast enough, and suddenly all those writerly thoughts are flowing. Notebook=obvious.

(maybe this is already a thing, I'm not sure) I created a PLOT MAP.
Basically it's a start-to-finish vertical line with little check points down it indicating scenes/chapters/etc. I'm not quite finished with mine.

Okay.
Paragraphs.
I tried part of the snowflake method. It definitely helped me think-out the overall plot of Gift of the Sea. And I urge you to try it, to have those notes ready.

My friend told me to try character files!!! I did-and it makes your otherwise paper-only character seem partially alive. Drawing your character is the funnest thing ever.

I just draw a bunch, yet I still have Charlie and Leila's main appearances in my head. I think being artistic with my book helps express settings, scenes, and particularly emotions that my characters feel or go through. Besides, being artistic and a writer, the two bond incredibly. I want to have this big watercolor with Charlie's face silhouette on the right and Leila's on the left and my best quote from the book. Ah! mais oui!

Okayyyy. So I like popcorn.

And I like tea. But it must be from the U.K. It's my way to connect to my British side *laughy squinty face* and to feel like I'm o'er the pond. Until then, dear England *salutes*.

Also...is it just me or does drinking tea while writing make you feel more like an author???

(what ah yah think of my try at this collage?? ^)

Yeah okay still working on the collage. Charlie's...curly blonde/owl-sea-blue eyed/shortish and Leila's taller/chocolate-oval-eyed/long straight brunette. PLUS the picture has to capture their personalities; Charlie being go-lucky yet half wistful and Leila emotionful (emotion-full, i.e, full of emotion. Different then 'emotional' wherewith the occupant is full of it yet not overflowing. E-hem) and mature.

What inspires me with this novel???

Old docks on misty bays

Go-lucky characters

Wistful faces

Roses

tales looming just over the horizon; calling out to be written down.

I HAVE THE BEST WRITING BUDDIES. We are going to change the world!!!! And write epic novels (Lordwilling :) !

Are you excited yet?

bible

The Companionship of Friends and Thankfullness

1:02 PM

(images via google)

If I can ask of you one thing...let you listen for a moment.

To the blessings.

The life revolving around your every breath.

Your family.

Your siblings who love you (despite differences)

With all their heart.

Your parents who serve you with all their kindness.

As homeschoolers...and/or introverts, at times we may fall into the stereotype that being home schooled makes you 'socially inept'. And often enough we are shy, hence, too shy to take that first step into making friends. But we can make friends, and be friendly, just by praying for the right opportunities, friends, and overall bravery. We can have as many friends as God allows us to, and as we allow ourselves to step out of our comfort zone to make.

There are so many things we wish for. One of them being Anne Shirley's kindred spirit. A friend who, through all life, loves you and cares about you. Who laughs with you. Who partners with you through thick and thin, good and bad.

Sometimes we want something so badly we neglect to see what we have around us, and are blinded to the thing we want. The classic, friendly person is not always the best friend. I want to let you know a very important thing, one you may not have to learn from experience...you do not need friends.

Don't feel left out or despondent if you don't have any. We need God, and, if any other human, family. The 'need' for friends is a need for something that can be fleeting, and investing all your heart in one person, can be crucial. When we need friends we ignore the ones that desire our own friendship, and in hastiness push away the others. Valuing people's ( you may not know enough) opinion above your own is a downward slope.

After this...so many friends come along the path. They may not all be secret-givers, or trail-blazers, or even late-night-laugh-with-me friends, but they count, and brighten your life. Once you are satisfied, the possibilities are endless. You see so many friends and opportunities you never saw before...you may even meet the Diana to your Anne.

I want to inspire you that however many friends you have now, however many activities and outings, be thankful. And pray for everything else to come in time. These are just little (yet huge) lessons I've learned-and am still very much learning-that I wanted to share with you.

Do you have a friend from "the race that knows Joseph"?
Do you have family-friends?
Have you experienced this lesson?

beach

Summer BUCKET LIST Recap

6:20 PM

~~Go kayaking with friends on the bay~~

~~Read two L.M Montgomery books~~

Bake a worthy chocolate cake

~~Walk to the 'cliff path' about 5 miles down the beach~~

~~Throw a 1950's party~~

Watch Jane Austen's "Love and Friendship" and "L.M Montgomery's Anne of Green Gable's" with my Momma

~~Read a fantasy~~

~~Make two new friends~~

Make jam with wild raspberries

Harvest the watermelons I planted, and eat them

~~Perform another crazy skit with friends~~

Paint three fairly good paintings, one of a 1800's Mother and son

Enter a contest (and possibly win)

Go bike riding at the park

~~Spend one whole day, from dawn to dusk, at the beach~~

Wake up at dawn

~~Do something I've never done~~

Hold a literary contest on my blog

~~Learn five new, really adorable vintage hairstyles~~

Make my own ice cream

~~Watch Disney's "The Jungle Book"~~

~~Illustrate, and paint a scene in the Chronicles of Narnia~~

~~Learn how to do calligraphy with a brush~~

Buy a printed book of my very own novel, Sea Fair, and one of my collection of short tales

Host a 'completely British' tea with friends and family

Have a photo shoot with the doves

Read the book of Ruth

~~Go barefoot~~

Made a basket full of friends, skit was 100% laughs, not exactly at the beach at dawn, Strawberry was the funnest to draw....completed a sloppy fishtail braid...dove into a wave...ate sandwiches on the veranda...learned how to watercolor again................always barefoot.

Goodbye summer, come again.

beach

1950'S PARTY Recap

2:03 PM

I had my 1950's party!! *Hands out pink balloons and I Love Lucy discs*. Let me just say how thrilled I was at having the idea for this. Ahhhhhh.

First I had to get the normal stuff....my theme was 50's, movies, and pink. Pink balloons, as well as pictures of 1950's movie scenes and models I had printed out and water colored, served as decor, with some teal and pink streamers.

Punch ( okay this is a must, I mean, this stuff was the bestest. Alden's strawberry ice cream + Zevia Cream Soda = fantabulous) was served in ball or jam jars with retro pink/striped soda straws.

A few friends and I headed down to the beach to go paddle boarding/swimming first. It was wonderful and marvelous at the beach...all low-tide and sand bar filled. Also some crabs...

When we came home and dried off, everyone came through the TIME PORTAL and into the 1950's! I mean, so cute! I'm in the mint green w/ floral skirt (which, by the way, I was wearing two to give it that extra 'fluff'). I was also wearing my Softspot sandals, and had my hair in pin-up curls with a bandanna.

We watched I Love Lucy (ooooh, you didn't think I was going to leave it out, did you???) and ate food. Hot dogs. Classic 50's junk food.

I'm so glad I got in the party before school came back, it half being like a last-bit-of-summer-vacation-party.

Before most everyone went home we had a marvelous time with an improv skit, which, by the way, are honestly the funnest things to do with friends.
Everyone enjoys them and everyone remembers them. We did not, however, beg anyone for a mink stole, so rest assured on that point.

It was so much fun, and next time might be a 1960's party *emoji with wide eyes*.

See yeah later kids.

What era would your retro party be in?
What would you wear to a 1950's party?
Have you ever paddle boarded?

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