It's been quite a journey and I've only just begun.

For this first draft, I used LuLu.com and got two prints with a coupon code (from my dear coupon queen friend) for $8.00...something. That includes shipping.
The cover I made with canva, using a free image and using my own image of the ship, which I photographed only 15-20 minutes away from where I live.

The hardest part was definitely editing it with the LuLu system. GETTING THE SPINE TO LINE UP. You may not know now, but just you wait. You'll be making your spine title a whole lot smaller.
And then as you can see, there's little 'waves' below the chapters, that kept moving every time we uploaded it (and I say we because Mom got in on this ordeal). And then the cover, because I had saved it as jpeg and just uploaded it as that, it changed like I had used a filter (but actually it looked mystical so we just kept it).

FINALLY IT WAS ORDERED.

After a whole day on the computer, with tired and dry eyes, I knew my book was soon to be on its way.

It arrived at our local post office about 8-10 days after (okay so I don't remember now exactly when). Mom filled the post-lady completely in about my book, and how I had ordered it, and then

and then

I found the scissors and opened it up right then an' there.

I could not stop smiling for anything...like a kid who's just opened a toy on Christmas that's as big as he is. Mom had the post-lady read the back...or she asked to I honestly don't remember which. In the heat of this, another lady walked into the post office and got quite excited over the whole thing.

"No, it's not for sale now" *thoughts* > that'll take years if it ever is.

Well...that's the story. And now everyone who comes to the house has held it (and I'm blushing somewhere in some small corner). And I'm partially afraid they'll open to some dramatic scene or some grammar mistake, and then I'll be truly mortified. 

(first collage for Gift of the Sea)

Have you ever printed a book??

Ever edited your book? Have advice?

 

(my first modeling shot xp)

Well, me and Mom caught onto the trend of "messy bun hats" which are basically crocheted hats with a stretchy ponytail hole in the top for your bun. Actually, Mom caught onto it. Mine....are now back at their humble beginnings in the yarn pile, dismantled. I am completely taken by this one Mom's made (matter fact, if it doesn't sell, I'm going to keep it). Using a rustic/faded denim-like color and THE SOFTEST Angora white yarn you've ever touched is what I call our...

Yep, that. 

So I tried my first Pin (or whatever). We were going to a local Valentine's Crafters Market, so, along with a pair of blue jeans and a white turtle neck, I did the "Hair Bow" hairstyle.

(the perfect looking tutorial with sleek, unknotted and shiny hair)

Here's to saying goodbye *waves crochet hook* I'll be back with more of the wove.

-Psalm 30:11

(by the way, Micaiah tagged me...so go & follow her xD)

About 20. Counting the Trapp Family Singers, of which I'm on the last chapter, 21. But I read THREE books past 1/4 of the way and never finished. UGH.

Fantasy? Young adult? Christian? Basically L.M Montgomery, and Louisa May Alcott types. It just happens that way because L.M Montgomery is my forever favorite. *look up for further reference*. Least read...poetry. If that's a genre (doesn't think so but goes with it).

AHH LOUISA MAY ALCOTT IS THEE BESTEST *lotsa bookish squeals*. For those of you whom it interests, I also read the other two books besides Little Women, Little Men & Jo's Boys. 

Louisa May Alcott has a way of getting me so far entrenched in her novels that, every character feels as real-and no less-then the neighbor next door. When they have grief, it feels like I'm mourning with a friend. Okay, if you are a L.M Montgomery fan and savour her tidbits of hilarious, relateable comedy, then read At the Altar. Trust me on this, It'll get you laughing.

Technically I'm just at the end of The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. But since it's been such a remarkable book, I had to add it.

(Note: since I did not hate any books this year, I'm going to put the books below that I did not finish, as there was a reason for each)

Welllll...I'm doing a challenge (more on that later) and I want to fill myself with Janette Oke books. Also, I was given Northanger Abbey for Christmas by Jane Austen (e-hem, my Mom gave it to me *laughs silently*), and I have started that (already liking it <3).

Goodbye, 2016. Hello 2017. God Bless you.

~For the sleepover~

Obviously this movie is fully equipped for any slumber party. You can tell just by the front cover. It has romance, adventure (to keep you awake), humor, and miracle chocolates. Anything with chocolate, right?

This movie is a classic.

And the passing boy family members will most likely stop to watch as the sword fighting scene comes closer (and to take some of your vanilla ice cream). It's just all around, for any age or person. 

'nuff said. Go and see yourself.

~For your Dad~

Okay, so...this one was technically inspired by my Dad, who believes this movie never gets old. In a way it doesn't. Evan brutalizing himself building the Ark is just as hilarious as it once was. And it still sorta kinda grabs your interest.

Really it is a good movie. 

All the revelations, and Evan Baxter turning from a 'successful Congressman' to New York's Noah is a funny, yet fulfilling plot line.

Warning: after your Dad insists on watching this every weekend you may resent this post.

~For family movie night~

~For your Siblings~

"Kidnapped, or stolen, or captured - whichever you like to call it. My mother warned me not to range the Southern slopes, into Archenland and beyond, but I wouldn't heed her. And by the Lion's Mane I have paid for my folly. All these years I have been a slave to humans, hiding my true nature and pretending to be dumb and witless like their horses."

~Bree, the Horse and His Boy

He desires to go back to his homeland, and so, him and Shasta set out together. Bree teaches Shasta to ride him, which is rather an interesting part, and results in some injuries. 

One of the most interesting Narnian characters is Aravis, the run away Tarkheena Calormen. She rides a Narnian horse as well; Hwin, who is much humbler than Bree.

One of my favorite scenes is where Aravis, riding Hwin, met Shasta, riding Bree. It is night, and, running from the cries of a lion, the two parties run side-by-side on the moonlit shore of a beach.

Aravis also had many quarrels (and, I'm afraid even fights) with Cor, but they always made it up again: so that years later, when they were grown up they were so used to quarreling and making it up again that they got married so as to go on doing it more conveniently.

~the Horse and His Boy

I might also add that the Pevensies make an appearance in this book, being matured by Narnian years, they were older, and Susan was even sought for marriage, if I remember correctly.  

"Your Majesty would have a perfect right to strike off his head," said Peridan. "Such an assault as he made puts him on a level with assassins."

"It is very true," said Edmund. "But even a traitor may mend. I have known one that did." And he looked very thoughtful.

~the Horse and His Boy

“And I was the Lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you lay, a child near death, so that it came to shore where a man sat, wakeful at midnight, to receive you.” 

~Aslan, the Horse and His Boy