"Fall Festival" Photo Contest Entries!

Miss Hannah Grace of the lovely blog Walking in Thy Truth is having a Fall Photography Contest, as part of her Fall Festival!! What is more exciting?

You can enter up to two photos Fall-related...and here are mine! Tell me what you think...

Pun'kin Beauty

Leaves Yet to Turn

....Make sure to hurry on over there and check out the other things she's having in honor of Fall...hint: giveaways...interviews...contests....;)

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Movie Review: "Miss Potter"

~~"Miss Potter" Movie Review (2006)~~

Here is a delightful movie that is sweetly romantic, touching, cute, innocent, and provides a little bit of "history" in the hidden form of a behind-the-scenes tale reflecting the life of Beatrix Potter. We watched this movie just last night, and I can safely say that is is an adorable film. It features a talented {mostly} British cast, all of whom will sweep you into their parts... 

The Cast

Renée Zellweger as Beatrix Potter

She's a writer. An artist. A dreamer. And a little crazy? Maybe. And try as she might there's no way she's going to convince herself that she will never marry, even though that's what she's vowed to do.

Ewan McGregor as Norman Warne

He's the youngest of three brothers. He's always wanted to make his way in the world and join his siblings' printing press--not sit around at home and twiddle his fingers among the family riches. Then his chance comes--a certain Miss Potter wants to publish a silly children's tale that his brothers will have nothing to do with.

Emily Watson as Millie Warne

Cute, loyal, funny, and rather strong-willed...Beatrix is her first friend, and they're best friends on the spot. Millie makes sure of that!

Barbara Flynn as Helen Potter

Haughty, self-centered, and snappish. But she loves her daughter Beatrix, and just wants what's best for her. She has no hope in these silly "bunny tales," and strongly disapproves of a relationship with a certain "unacceptable" gentlemen. "But...he's beneath us!"

Bill Patterson as Rupert Potter

The adoring father. The one who's always lifted his daughter upand encouraged her to pursue her art and tales. The reason she's as far as she is today.

Miss Potter is based on the true story of Beatrix Potter (Renee Zellweger), a single, middle-aged writer/painter who lives in London during the early 1900s with a family ranking high on the financial totem pole. Since she despises her snippy, buttoned-up society, she uses her watercolor illustrations and stories as a helpful escape device, creating a series of popular children books about Peter Rabbit, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Jemima Puddle-Duck and the rest of her "friends."

While some might call her batty—she speaks to these animations as though they are real, and the movie shows them come to life through her eyes—others might acknowledge that the Victorian Era isn't exactly the cuddliest of times, and fun should be grabbed wherever it pops up. Nonetheless, her disapproving mother (Barbara Flynn) ridicules her art and tries to pawn her off on rich "acceptable" gentleman, but she finds herself more drawn to the "unacceptable" Norman Warne (Ewan McGregor), a kindred spirit who loves her work and helps publish her books.

 It's sweet, adorable and just plain delightful.
The great thing about Miss Potter is that it's a PG movie that both kids and adults can enjoy. The script by newcomer Richard Maltby Jr. offers a few unexpected turns that may warrant a dab of the eye, but even when sad things occur, there is an underlying feeling of hope. It helps that Emily Watson is there to provide comic relief as Miss Potter's confidante Millie.

~Taken from "Cinema Blend" movie reviews...slightly edited/added-to by myself~

Lucy Boynton as the Young Beatrix

Justin McGregor as Young William

I thought this picture was *so* cute! This is the inspiration  look. ;)

Awww...<3

...All in all, this movie is a must-see for lovers of English countryside, accents, =) etc. On a scale of 1-10, I would give this movie a seven star rating. One thing—the guy on the cover {above}…who is he? I can’t figure it out! Her…*ahem*…guy has a moustache. There is another guy in the movie without one (I won’t tell you what happens with him—I’m no spoiler!), but {okay, I notice weird things, lol} he has long, square sideburns, not pointy ones. And he never kisses her. Hmm. I’m thinking they just used a different guy for the cover to make it look more romantic than it really is. How weird is that??

Anyways—cute, cute, cute! Please look into seeing this movie, ladies {I wouldn’t really suggest it for guys…not exactly a Chick Flick, but it’s rather…un-guy-ish}! I had so much fun watching this with my family.

~Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine!~

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

O what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

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This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long.

~~*~~

Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

Angels descending bring from above

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

~~*~~

Perfect submission, all is at rest;

I in my Savior am happy and blest,

Watching and waiting, looking above,

Filled with his goodness, lost in his love.

~~Fanny Crosby~~

"Pure Little Ladies" Mag. is Celebrating...

 Have you heard of the "Pure Little Ladies" magazine by Dear Miss Toria? If you haven't, it is high time you did! ;) It is a wonderful {printed} magazine for young ladies who are striving to strengthen their walks with the LORD, and learn everything there is to learn under the sun! Visit their website, and see if this ministry is something youwant to support by subscribing!  Now.... As you may have noticed from the sign above, "Pure Little Ladies" is celebrating their  2nd anniversary!!!  

 ..Aww! That is awesome. So, head on over to the site and check out what they'll be having going on from November 7th to December 25th.  And one more note...I was dee-lighted today to find that my When Your Heart Begins to Stray post was featured as a "favorite" on the site this month! I was certainly touched. :) Thank you, Toria! <3 Also on that note, I will be posting some answers to a few questions regarding that post's topic, which I recieved {some of which I did not publish}. Stat tuned for a heart-to-heart talk!   Blessings Always through Our LORD,  

 

Well, Whadd'ya Know...

Exciting news, my Dear Followers!!

..My photo, "Daydream Smiles," was picked as a finalist for Miss Anna Katherine's "Smile!" photo contest, along with some other lovely entries. :) How cool is that?! I was pretty thrilled...

But. Here's where you come in! Head on over to this post to see all of the entries, and *vote* using the poll on Anna's sidebar for the one you think should win. The winner gets a pretty pair of earrings--fun! <3

And...if you feel so led, do vote for mine! ;D

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P.S. (How do you like my new *Fall signature? :D Get your's HERE!)

These are a Few of my {Fall} Favorite Things...

..As you may have noticed {from my last few posts{, I love, love, *LOVE* Autumn! Fall! Whatever you call this deliciously spicy season full of colors and bursts and little nips in the air.

Here is a taste {and I literally mean *taste* ;) } of why I enjoy Fall, and what I enjoy about it!

1. Fuzzy slippers

Ohhh, the joy of slipping icy feet into cozy lusciousness! I wear a pair of fuzzy slippers all the time at home. I even slip them into my boots when I go out to feed the chickens in the mornings...

2. Pumpkin Spice Cookies

You haven't lived until you have tasted one of these utterly impeccable sweet Autumn delights. I was recently introduced to the recipe, and since then they have been made and eaten...well, I won't tell you how many times. *wink* =)

Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Frosting

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 cup canned pumpkin puree

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting

2 cups confectioners' sugar

3 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

~ Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt; set aside.

~ In a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of butter and white sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly.

~ Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork.

 To Make Glaze:

~ Combine confectioners' sugar, milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

~ Add milk as needed, to achieve drizzling consistency.

3. Cute & Cuddly Fall Scarves

Scarves are another {cute} fall delight. I love to wrap a warm and pretty one about my neck to add to an Autumn Outfit!

4. Tall and Cozy Boots

..I have yet to purchase a pair of Uggs*, {though oh, how I wish for some!} but I have a tall, warm, black pair that do the job. :) Toasty feet, hello!

5. Apple Cider

Nothing warms the chilled throat more than a cup of spicy apple cider, fresh from the tree {almost}! Here is the recipe to what we like to indulge ourselves in. :)

Hot Apple Cider

3 parts apple juice*

1 part water

cinnamon stick

ginger, thin slice (optional)

lemon zest, several thin slices (optional)

several whole cloves – too many makes it bitter (optional)

~ Pour juice and water into a tall pot with a lid and turn on heat to high. You can see that a lot of the ingredients are entirely optional. We like it that way because then we’re not limited to making cider only when we have everything at home.

~ Prepare spices and add to pot. We put everything but the cinnamon stick in a tea infuser. Otherwise, you have to strain the cider or pick out small chunks one by one.

~ When pot reaches a boil, turn to the lowest setting. Let simmer about 15 minutes. Add thin slices of lemon for decoration if desired.

~ Remove infuser. Ladle into mugs and enjoy.

*When picking out apple juice, read the label and try to get juice without added sugar – often called “apple cider” instead of “apple juice” by some companies. Unfiltered juice (which looks a little foggy) is our favorite when we can find it.

6. Puffy Jackets

...I would die without my "Puffer Jacket!" It keeps me toasty and warm through any gale or snowfall. Nowadays, I am rarely seen without it!

7. Fluffy Socks

Now here is something vital. My feet seem to be always cold...so, of course I would never be seen without a pair of my infamous "fluffy socks!" =D They are so cozy...I can't describe them...I have many pairs...

8. Perfect Photography Opportunities

Ooh, the colors! Ooh, the...awful weather. And the few sunny days. =( But, Fall still holds my favorite subjects for photography--crisp fall leaves wet with the rain, plump pumpkins still in the patch, late flowers blooming... 

...So, there are only a *few* of my "Favorite {Fall} Things." Go ahead and show us your favorite things in a post. Don't forget to link back...

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~~......Happy Fall!.......~~

~Fall Photoshoot!~

My sister Olivia (18) and I had some fun today with the Autumn-ness that has been coming our way…during a break in the rain, we skipped outdoors to take some Fall photos. *smiles and claps her hands*

..The colors were so vibrant, especially near a certain yellow tree..

..And then, it began to rain again! Perhaps another photo time soon...=)

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~~Fall Garlands~~

...Little hands have been busy this week making pretty

Fall Garlands

to hang around our home and spice it up for Autumn.

To make one of these Fall lovelies, you need:

~ Thin colored paper

~Thin string

~Scissors

~Pencil for tracing

~Model leaves (unless you're good at freehand!)

..First, trace around as many model leaves as you want using the colored paper.

Next, cut out your leaves.

Now, punch two small holes in the tops of your leaves, large enough for your thin string to come through.

Finally, thread the string through, and crumple the leaves slightly so they have that "natural" look. :) 

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~~Hang in an appropriate place!~~ 

See the resemblance? ;) *Sigh* Pretty!

Blessings,

~~ Miss Lucia ~~

A Loverly Thing...

...I was tagged by the lovely Miss Anna of Send Me A Song {do head over there and say hello, will ye?}! Isn't that dee-lightful? And it is a unique tag, too...not your every-day-boring-list-of-questions-tag! Let's get started, shall we? =)

1. What do you imagine being, other than your plain 'ol everyday self?



Oh, goodness! So many things. :) I've imagined being a heroine, a fairy, a princess, a butterfly, a pioneer, a bird...the imagination knows no bounds, but it always brings me straight home! ;)

2. Is there something you've tried before...a dare, a certain food, a hard project, anything...that you would never dream of doing again?

Hmm.

3. Is there a book that you've read at least five times from beginning to end?

Yes! Many, actually. "The Borrowed House" by Hilda Van Stockum..."The Millie Keith" series...(by whom? =) "The Witch of Blackbird Pond.." (by--I forget the authoress again!)..the list goes ON!

4. Do you have a special little weakness...that you just can't live without, and that gives you much happiness when obtained? [chocolate, shoes, something like that.]

Oh. Why did you ask? :) No..just kidding! Hmm, let me see: I couldn't live without my piano...when I am busy and rather stressed I can sit down and play, and it just makes me feel..wonderful! When I am feeling sluggish and need a lift, playing brings me life.

5. Do you prefer fast food or pizza?

Depends on which kind of fast-food...I'm not a huge fan of fried things (that is to say, I am a fan of them, but my body detests them! ;), so pizza is always *good!*

6. Have you ever gotten "dressed up" in a historical costume? for what occasion?

Yes! Mainly just for dress-up around the home...my Anne of Green Gables photoshoot awhile back...I have always wanted to try out re-enacting. THAT would be fun!

7. Have you ever stayed up ALL night?

Yes. Sometimes un-intentionally...I just can't get to sleep!--But, a few times with friends. :) What are sleep-overs for? :D

8. Do you prefer men singers or women singers? Soprano, mezzos/baritones, tenors?

I love both. For certain songs I prefer men, and vice versa for women. It depends! I love hearing sopranos (and how high they can go, hehe!), but anything that sounds right for their voice is good with me!

~*~

Rules:

You were given 8 questions from the person who tagged you before, your job was to answer them, and now write 8 (I did five, sorry!) questions of your own, then tag 8 people with your questions.

So, my dear

Miss Jenna

Miss Hailey

Miss Katie

..and Miss Lindsay

...Get to work on this fun tag, if you would like!

1. If you could go anywhere in the world for one year, where would it be?

2. What color would you choose to wear always if you could only wear that color? 

3. Would you be Laura or Mary Ingalls?

4. What book/movie character do you wish you could be for a day?

5. Have you ever read a book that brought you to tears?

  



Dandylions...

I had some fun at sunset with a field of dandylions...

A Birthday Party!

...A few weeks ago Olivia and I were able to attend a friend's 16th "birthday party." I took along the *new* (well, we got it for five bucks off of Ebay!) camera and got some (a few more "photographic" than others, lol) pictures!

...We took a trip to the mall! Olivia and I don't reallt go to the mall that often, so this was a fun treat. =) We had a loverly time dressing up in the {wacky} things at Claire's...how do you like my snazzy shades? ;D

..Oh, goodness! Look at those glasses...=P

...We had fun examining the odd shoes and wardrobe selections of the different "popular" stores! =D

..After a little while at the mall, we returned to her home and sat about stitching away while chatting away!

....The cake was beautiful!

..And, thus ended a dee-lightful day. Hope you enjoyed the *long-needed* photos! Oh--and please pray for me tomorrow around 2:00~I have a meet! *worried face* Thank you SO much, dear friends! Have a blessed weekend.

In Him,

Miss Lucia



P.S. (Go HERE to see some of my most recent Fall photography!)

"Friends Make the World Go 'Round"

"The best mirror is an old friend."

"A good friend is my nearest relation."

" A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away."

"To have a friend, be a friend."

"A sister is the best of friends, and all you will ever need."

~All photos copyright 2010 L.M.~

DO NOT USE. Thank you.