Home Again, Home Again

Jiggity Jig.

WELL, I'm home. :) And it's good to be home. Today, I'll describe my week in words and tomorow I'll show you pictures.

Day One: Trail Blazin, Some Light Looking, Quaint Shops, Cheerwine, Gingerbread Tea, Cold Weather, A Real Christmas Tree decorated and all in our cabin, a Fireplace, A night of Chili, watching Elf and playing Games. We also bought a packet of candy canes and wrapped it up and left it under the tree for the next people who were staying at the cabin. :)

Day Two: Kissing and petting donkeys, eating at an old farmhouse resteraunt, taking pictures with a gigantic nutcracker,  delicious gigantic muffins, walking around shops, strolling through a park, horseback riding up a mountain, and delicious warm soup to warm us all up, and the Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

Day Three: GrandFather Mountain Hiking, Pizza Eating,Toffee Coffee Expressos, A Waiter who said thank you for everything even for asking if he could fill up your water, It's a Wonderful Life(My favorite Christmas movie).

Day Four: Eating at an old 50's themed diner and having one of the best milkshakes of my life even though it was 39 degrees here, shopping around old downtown Boone (such a quaint and cool place!), also went to an old record shop which was pretty awesome and purchased my first ever record(A Beatles one), and lastly came home to the cabin where we played card games and Chubby Bunny (which is highly difficult and highly entertaining). We also watched a Charlie Brown Christmas and a Miracle on 34th Street.(Another oldie but goodie Christmas movie).

Day Five: Waking up to a Winter Wonderland. Playing in 2-4 inches of snow. Snowball fights. Sledding down the hill in the cabin's backyard. Freezing our butts off. Making snowangels. And heading home. :)

("…freshly cut Christmas trees smelling of stars and snow and pine resin - inhale deeply and fill your soul with wintry night…"--John Geddes)

It was fun to be gone,

but it's good to be home.

Today, I'm giftwrapping at Dollar General and then me and my family will go light looking and watch A Christmas Story.

Tomorow, it'll be good to go to church and see everyone again. Then, we're going to a boat parade.

 

It's almost Christmas guys.

It's in the air.

It's on the smile in my cheeks.

I'm going to try to catch up with everyone's blogs.

But I apologize if I don't get around to it.

I've got a lot going on.

 

Happy Almost Christmas!

Tell someone you love them.

Bake Christmas cookies.

Wear Ugly Christmas Sweaters.

Give a Stranger a Gift.

Short and Simple

"Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise."

 

--Victor Hugo

 

(I'm sorry, I've been busy. I will tell you all about it when I get back home.

I promise. )

The DownFall of Photographers

The thing about photographers is they notice little details. They notice the way the sun is setting and what exposure to use and how to position the people in the photograph to make it look just right. They notice the bright red of holly against a foggy snow colored sky and know that the juxtaposition of it matters. They notice blades of bright grass versus dull grass. The bees peeking out of flowers instead of just the flowers. They notice, they see, they snap, they capture. They capture moments.
But one thing I realized that is the downfall of at least of my new found photography love, is that sometimes I forget to live in the moment. I'm too busy capturing it that I'm not living it. I realized that as yesterday I took so many photos, pretty photos, that I hardly was joining the moment. Instead I was an outsider photographing the moments. I realized that there are so many pictures of me as a kid playing in NC and in the snow and making goofy pictures without me asking for them. I just was doing my own thing and living in the moment and my Dad was there to capture it for me. I guess, sometimes I need to let other people capture it so I can make moments too. And even if they don't capture it, it's still very important that I make them. That way I can always have them in my head, even if no one else can experience them. So, walking through NC today, I limited my picture taking. And I just let myself enjoy and have fun and live. Without thinking about angles, lighting, focus, and all that jazz.

Sometimes a photographer needs to realize how to get the best of both worlds.

Cold Weather

Cold Weather takes me to places I've never been. It takes me to small quaint cafes with calm music and sophisticated lattes. It takes me to your arms where warmth and solace is stored. It takes me to longer nights where roads go on forever dimly decorated by a few working streetlights. It takes me to Country hills with thin, foggy air that we fly down hand in hand laughing as only we know how. It takes me to breathe in specks of cinnamon and vanilla. The wind whistles our names carefully as if they were delicate to hold. Our sychronized breaths make an appearance in the thin air. My sweater hides me as I sink into it soaking up the comfort it is offering me. Red lipstick can be found on my lips as brown splatters the clothes in my closet. Cookies bake in the oven creating heavenly smells as Christmas music belts out loudly making it's presence known. Colder weather takes me to place I've never been and places I have cherished. It frames memories, creates memories and dreams memories. Cold weather IS a memory. Cold weather makes me think of YOU.

(Ps. One week until Christmas.)

The Definitions of Winter

How to Describe Winter: Oversized Pullover Hoodies. A Real Christmas Tree beside a Fireplace in a Log Cabin. Hot Coffee in the morning out of Camera Lense Coffee Mug. Cold Weather. Cheerwine. Gingerbread Tea. Chocolate Chip Muffins. Mountains. A Cabin with a View. A General Store. Christmas Lights everywhere. Seeing your breath. Christmas movies. Nature Trails. Comfort. Lots of Comfort.

 

Thank-you North Carolina for giving us an actual winter since Floridians don't get one.

 

First day = A Day of Success.

And We're Off!

I'm sleepy and tired, and ready.

 

Farewell, friends.

 

 

 

Remember this.

Please.

Looks Questionable to me!

So I've been nominated twice for a questionnare.

And I was busy so I rainchecked the first one,

when I got nominated again. haha.

So, I think its time for me to answer their questions and post some random facts.

Random Facts:

 

1. My friend came to see one of my dance performances last night and she told all of her family about it and it turns out her sister is married to Big Mike from American Idol. I don't remember which season and he didn't win, but he was still on the show and has his cd out in stores. So, Big Mike came to see me perform and I think thats pretty epic. :D

 

2. I have wanted a key necklace for a very long time and my bestfriend Natalie just happened to get one for me for my Christmas present. <3

 

3. I've also never gotten flowers from someone other than a family member until last night, thanks again to Natalie. <3

 

4. Today, we're leaving the dogs at the vet kennel because we're leaving for North Carolina and getting up at 4 am tomorow morning. This still makes me sad though, because I love my pooch. He's the best dog, he really is.

 

5. Someone compared me to Natalie Portman once. I think I look nothing like her, but that was a pretty nice compliment considering how drop dead gorgeous she is.

 

6. I want to write a book some day and have it published. And I want it to be a book that inspires and helps people get through some of life's hard trials.

 

7. I sometimes wish I looked like Kristen Stewart because I think she's really pretty.

 

8. I only type with two of my fingers and apparently this is weird.

 

9. I one time sang I Will Survive in my sleep apparently. According to my parents.

 

10. I love acting and really want to be in a play or musical again. I did a performance of Grease when I was younger and have done multiple church skits before, but that was about it.

 

11. I still want a photographer boyfriend for Christmas. Thanks Pinterest for reminding me by popping up with a guy photographer on my little pinterest newsfeed. Thanks a lot.

 

Questions from Erin:

 

1. What do you believe in?
CreamCheese?

Just kidding. :)

I believe in my Savior Jesus Christ who died for my sins.

2. What is your favorite
cookie?

 

Tasty ones.

3. If you could go to the moon,
would you?

 

Yes, the moon is one of my favorite things. It's so pretty and dreamy, and it makes me wish I could paint because if I could I'd paint the moon.

4. Why do you blog?

 

To impact, inspire, as an outlet, to remember, to capture, to keep me going. So many reasons.

5. What's your favorite childhood
memory?

 

Christmases as a kid. Or just being a kid in general. Like jumping in puddles or jumping off swings or feeling on top of the world when your Mom buys you popsicles after a long summer day of swimming in the pool. Or the soccer rides home with my Dad and stopping at McDonalds after a game. Or the way of being naive and thinking everything was perfect and beautiful and lovely and there was nothing wrong in the world. And the excitement of life. Which really came to life during Christmas.

6. Tell me about your mother.

She's awesome.

 

7. Have you ever been out of the
country?

 

I wish, but no. :(

8. What do you think of before you
go to bed?

It depends. Sometimes I recap my day. If I've been in a fight with someone, I'll try to think of ways to fix it. Sometimes, I pray for people before I go to bed. Sometimes, if I have a test the next day, I'll go over the answers in my head. Sometimes, I think up crazy stories of what could happen and what conversations I might have with people and how I'll meet my husband. Sometimes, if I go to bed really late, I don't really think of anything at all besides sleep.

 

9. Skirts or dresses? Both?
Neither?

 

Dresses on occasion and only the comfortable but flattering type. Skirts aren't really my thing. And I only like dresses when dressing up.

10. Favorite movie?

 

Ha. I can't pick. But I like any movie that leaves me with some piece of wisdom, or thought, or impacting quote. A movie that I still think about after I've seen it.

11. Who is your hero?

I have many, but the ultimate hero would be Jesus. Heros are usually limited to who they can save. Not Jesus though. He can save everyone.

 

 Michelle's Questions:

 

1.What is a song that takes you back to a happy
memory?

Probably "On the Ride" by Ally and AJ is my earliest happy song memory but I have so many. That's the great thing about music. And thats why I make mix cd's. Because there is so much into songs, so much meaning, so much memories.

You're at the movies: candy or
popcorn?



Popcorn. That practically screams movies.

If you could live inside of the plot of a book for
a month, which one would it be?

The Lord of the Rings probably. Such an adventure! 

You're headed for a year to
a deserted island (it's the latest craze): what is one thing that you would
definitely take?

My dog. He'd keep me sane.

Rain or sunshine?

Both.

How
many licks does it really take to get to the center of a Tootsie
Roll lollipop?

 

NOONE KNOWS. Besides who would ever just lick a lollipop? I always crunched mine to get to the tootsie because its the good part!

What's a verse that brightens you right
up?

Again, I have so many! The 23rd Psalm is a classic, but it was one of the first verses I memorized and really stuck with me even at a young age. However, there are countless Psalms verses, 1 Thessalonians verses, Romans verses, and Isaiah verses that have brought me unending comfort.

Have you ever had an album (we're talking pre-MP3s)
that you played so much, it's practically worn out?

I don't think so. When I was younger, i wasn't BIG into music. The exceptions were probably: NSYNC, Hillary Duff, Ally and AJ, and the first Avril Lavigne cd which I actually liked.

 

Why

is that Goofy can talk but Pluto
can't?

I really wish I knew. Maybe Pluto has nothing to say?

What's your most favorite of all the Holidays and
why?
Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas.

Thanksgiving- because i love all of it's foods, because it's a time for friendship and cheerful hearts, and because it's always memorable. Christmas Eve- Because its family time and pre Christmas fun and excitement. And Christmas Eve candelit service and Village Inn Pie and Coffee. Christmas- Because I love giving and i love the look of a prettily lit tree with presents stacked underneath it. The only sad thing is that growing up, Christmas isn't the same as being young and wide eyed and super surprised and happy with all your gifts. When you're older you pretty much know what you're getting and aren't as keen to getting up so early. That's one thing I miss. But it's still a fun and beautiful holiday.
If there was one word to describe what you'd like for
your 2013 to be like, what would it be?

Happy.

 

 

 

I'm leaving tomorow guys,

I'll miss you all.

But I'll love the long car ride and the random pit stops and surprise diners and family time.

Crossing my fingers for snow.

*eep*

Keep on, keeping on in the meantime.