of home and anne shirley.

"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there?"

~Anne Shirley (a.k.a., L. M. Montgomery)

..Aye, I be home. And how glad I am. My bed feels awfully cozy, and though I shall miss the sound of the ocean and burying my toes in warm sand, there is just something about home, wherever it may be, that gives certain satisfaction. It is times like these that make me feel like a sort of Anne Shirely, and my mind fills with all sorts of odd, dreamy sayings which I believe she would be proud to utter.

...Of course, that could be because I have been re-reading my "Anne" books this week. I just love those novels...have I ever mentioned that L.M. Montgomery is my absolute favorite authoress? She just writes so...deliciously, to use a word which she herself was fond of. :) Not to mention, we have the same initials, near same first name, and similar writing styles (not claiming any of her talent, here..).

It surprised me to realize that I haven't picked up a good, light-hearted pleasure book for nearly a year (High school does that to you...but, I'm not complaining). Thus, this vacation was much-needed for my poor literature-starved side, and I was made thouroughly appeased. In any account, it was a lovely week "down by the seashore," and I have a beautifully picture-filled, self-explanatory post coming up as soon as possible to further my point. :) In the meantime, here are a few key points about my time away that you should take into consideration while you wait:

This week:

I got a sunburn. A rather...terrible one.

I was creative and got pictures for my blogging friends, despite my lack of camera. More on that later.

I read seven books over the course of six days.

I went on one vacation, came home for a day and attended a grad. party, then went on another.."vacation."

I discovered, after 15+ years of distaste, that I do indeed like S'Mores.

I met someone who reads my blog.

I became an impromptu worship leader. o.O Truly.

And, as a random side-note:

I am only approx. 15 days from sweet sixteen. :]

Love y'all. I missed you! :)

p.s. (weren't my guest posters wonderful? i was thoroughly satisfied with how they babysat my blog. were you ? :)

Modest Summer Outfits {Guest Post by Emily}

Hi! I’m Emily, and I blog over at Practically Pink. I live in a small town in NC with my family; my wonderful father, my older sister, Katie (21), and my younger brother, Andrew (almost 14). Also, you might already know this, but my mother just recently passed away due to lung cancer. We are a Christian family and are trusting in Him as we start this new chapter in our lives. He is going to help us through this difficult time, but we just have to lean on Him and walk by faith. My little corner of the internet is a snapshot of our life, mixed with an assortment of many other things that catch my eye on a daily basis. Come on over and say hello! I would love to "meet" ya'll!

First off, I want to say thank you to the lovely lady that runs this blog, my beautiful blogging friend, Miss Lucia.  She emailed me last week and asked if I would do a fashion or a recipe post while she was away, so I got to thinking about how hard it is for some of us to create modest outfits for summer that aren't very hot.  Summer is by far the hottest season of the year, right? But being hot is no reason to dress immodestly! So what’s a girl to do?  Here are a few tips that I use to stay cool (and be modest) during the extremely warm months in North Carolina.  I promise you that there are plenty of ways to look cute without wearing tube tops and mini skirts. 

{1}  Find a cute sundress or two-

I actually like wearing a casual dress and flip flops better than pants in the summer.  Dresses are normally sold in cool light fabrics for the summer and most of the time they are pretty affordable!  I've found quite a few at Target, Walmart, and JCPenny.  You know what the huge plus is about wearing dresses?  You have instant air condition if you stand near a floor air vent.  Yes, I've done that before. =)

{2} Just add a cami or cute tank top-
Layering can be hot at times, but you can easily solve that by layering with light colored cami’s and tanks. I highly recommend that you invest in some high-quality tanks and camis to wear beneath tops and dresses.  Most of the time you can just add a tank underneath a shirt and make it look "decent" instead of having to pass it up.  I used to think that if a shirt was kind of low in the store then I couldn't buy it at all, but sometimes you can fix it by adding a little something or tacking it where it is low.

{3} Look for some blouses-

After regular comfy t-shirts, my favorite type of shirt is a cute blouse. They are so feminine and pretty! Plus, they are normally quite modest and perfect for summer!  Try looking for a few to pair with some skirts and make some new outfits for church or something. 

{4} Buy or make some skirts-

Skirts are absolutely perfect for summer! Most are light-weight and you can do almost anything in them.  I like to wear simple skirts made of cotton and denim, but there are lots of different types of skirts that help you to be able to “breathe” in the warm temperatures.  Summer weather in North Carolina can be almost unbearable at times (most days get up to the upper 90’s or 100's), so I have to find clothes that will be comfortable. 

{5}Capris and Bermuda Shorts-
 
I love to wear skirts and dresses, but I am not the type of girl that wants to wear them throughout the entire summer.  I'm not saying that I don't want to look feminine, but for us girls that do lots of activities that you can't wear a skirt to do, then capris and shorts are a must! (hiking, biking, running, and much more!) You can find lots of different styles nowadays that will fit most body shapes and that have different lengths to choose from, so they aren’t uncomfortable.  Everyone is different, so this might not be your favorite way to keep cool, but I just thought I would throw it out there.  You just have to be careful to not get any that might be too short or tight in certain areas.  *Ahem*  =) 


There you go, ladies!  Those are my five tips on creating summer outfits that allow you to stay cool
(and modest) at the same time.  One of these items is sure to help you this summer, no matter what you might be doing.

Thanks again for letting me guest post, Lucia!

Love In Christ,
Emily

Umbrella {Guest Post by Rachel}

If I was a raindrop / You'd be my thunderstorm / It's cold, so surround me / With rain clouds to keep me warm / I feel like I'm falling / So darling, don't let me go / The thought is appalling but should I slip away / Into the stormy sea /  will you remember me? ~Owl City, Butterfly Wings

I have nearly been swept away by these summer storms.

In this part of the world, the rumble of thunder and photograph-flash of lightning during the summer months is as expected as a pink-skied sunset. 

It's our reality. It's an intrinsic part of our summertime.

I truly love thunderstorms. I love the splash of my feet into post-rain puddles, the gentle whisper of the water droplets against my windowpane, the orchestral rumble of the thunder. 

This is a writer's inspirational paradise. 

But when the storms continue to roll...two days....three days...four days in a row...

...weariness begins to set in.

Umbrellas become essential accessories to daily life. 

The rain becomes overwhelming...and yet, our lives do not stop for water or wind.

We duck under our bits of canvas, and wait out the watery overflow.

We wait out the storm.

Because we know it will eventually end.

The world will sparkle like diamonds and silver, the skies will clear...

And then...

...slow and warm and beautiful...

...the sun will come again.

Weather is a great metaphor for life - sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, and there's nothing much you can do about it but carry an umbrella.  ~Terri Guillemets

About the author: I, Rachel, am a 20 -year-old dreamy newlywed, and the author of DramaticElegance. My blood runs red with passion and delight...composed with hints of freshly brewed coffee, melted chocolate, and the ink from a thousand pens. My eyes glitter with stars and imagination...my nose is flooded with the aroma of country breezes and white jasmine. My lips are laden with poetry and prose, glory and honor to the King of the universe. I am the love child of music and candlelight. I am the daughter of Aslan, and my song is love. I am a princess of the Kingdom of Heaven. I am a thundering whisper. I am a roaring lamb. 

I am only me.

(You can also find me on my twitter, you can email me, and you can also check out my giveaway.)

the doll house | guest post by sonja

My sister's doll house is a beauty--full of delectable dainties, creative notions, and oh-dear-I-can't-believe-she-made-that loveables.

It is home to 6 little girls and their many pets--5 to be exact (3 dogs, 1 lamb, and 1 cat).

I'm serious. 


Interested in a tour?

The doll house is painted a lovely summer orange and trimmed in white and brown. Shutters, window boxes, and a white wrap-around-porch adorn the outside.

(tip: mouse-over to see downstairs!)

The house is three stories tall. At the tipity-top is the attic which currently houses all ongoing and future projects. It is also littered with summer garden tools, vegetables from the autumn garden harvest, and spare furniture.

Down below are two rooms--a bedroom and the drawing room. And below that, down a second flight of stairs, is the kitchen and parlor.

Homemade suitcases sit on the porch waiting for an adventure. Ingeniously crafted out of old dental wax cases (those of you who have had braces know what I'm talking about), wrapped in canvas and embellished with leather, these little beauties are just a few of the many handmade items inside the doll house.

The walls and porch railing are a pure white. Natural wood furniture decorates the doll house with rustic charm.

Outside 'round the side of the partial wrap-around-porch is a clothes line strung up to dry the hand washed linens.

Paper crocuses fill the window boxes giving the appearance of spring year-round. And the kitchen is full of homemade salt dough creations.

This doll house will hopefully remain in our family for many years to come; thus allowing the next generation of little homemakers to come along and run their own home. 

Doll houses really are splendid things. Don't you agree? 


Do you have a doll house? Or perhaps did you grow up with one?

Much Love Dearies,

Sonja

 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

who am I?

I'm Sonja--a country girl at heart and lover of all things beautiful. I'm a self proclaimed passionate optimistic life-enthusiast and can usually be found with a camera in hand. I write about my faith, life, and family at my blog Girlish Musings.

blog//etsy//e-mail

Thankful in the little things| Guest post by Johanna

Hi! My name is Johanna, I'm the blogger at Growing up on a Farm.

I thought I should first tell you a little bit of my background history before I officially start this blog post :)

I was born in Erbach, Germany because my Dad and Mom we’re missionaries in Romania. Together they were there for a little over 11 years. I don’t remember most of it though, I was just a little girl. 

When I was about 6-ish we moved back to the US and a few years (and a few more children) later we we’re living on our 37 acre farm in the big 'ol beautiful Lone Star State of Texas. 

 No hobby farmers here :) We raise 400 chickens, 4 Adult Large black hogs... and their 13 piglets (more on the way) 7 milk goats, cows, 6 great Pyrenees dogs, and 3 Pyr mixes, 1 big ham, aka- Bow, our Weimaraner, way to many barn cats cats for our own good, and the miscellaneous little birds that run around here and squawk at us (Read, geese, peacocks, ducks, etc...)

 Being out on the farm is such a wonderful way to grow up, anyone who does can testify to that!  But it can get busy, and hectic, sometimes I feel like the whole world is spinning out of control and I'm the reason for it.  That's normally when I realize that I haven't stopped, just sat still, and listened to God.  Sometimes it happens when it's late at night and I'm rushing around trying to get my evening chores done, maybe milking the goats, and I'm tired, and frustrated, and just mad about everything, when I'll here that Still Small Voice calling to me out of the peaceful dark night. "Johanna," it says, and then I remember.  Most of the time He just wants me to be still, listen, and pray. 

As a human I can say that, I just never learn!  

When it's 3:00 in the morning and I can't sleep because one of the little kids just woke up with a scary dream and snuggled into my bed with me, it always makes me really mad. 

I want to take it out on God and ask Him "Why me?" But every time this happens, suddenly with embarrassment, I remember that I didn't read my bible today, and I forgot to pray for so-and-so like I promised I would.  

It doesn't take long until I've read and prayed for everyone on my prayer list when I fall into a peaceful sleep and when it's time to wake up in the morning I have such a better look on life.

This is what God is teaching me, to love the little things, what normally would be called a horrible nights sleep, turns into a wonderful time where it's just me and Jesus. 

Slowly, oh so very slowly, I'm learning to be thankful, for everything in life.  

{Via}

Taken with an iPhone.... man... 

   

This post started out as being something silly about farm life, I guess God had other ideas! :)

God Bless you today!
Love with all my heart,
Johanna

a town called mayberry.

I grew up watching the old films. "Mary Poppins," "Bed Knobs and Broomsticks," "The Swiss Family Robinson..." Mom and Dad were careful {and still are} of what we watched, and we certainly didn't mind. I loved the oldies, and always will. Black and whites were the best; it always saddened me when an old show got colored. It just didn't seem right! Black and white just...captures the personality of our grandparents and great-grandparent's time so vividly.

One show that will never grow old for me is the "Andy Griffith Show." There's Andy Taylor, the sheriff, Barney, his clumsy and extremely comical deputy, and of course good old Aunt Bee Taylor and Andy's little cutie, Opie. They all reside in a perfect little town called "Mayberry," where gossips set the town feuding with one rumor, Floyd the Barber catches burglars, and the Diner always serves its special to Barney and his girl.

Ah...I love Mayberry. I love its innocence. I love its charm. I love its vulnerability to disaster. The '50s style storefronts, the drugstore soda fountain, the everybody-knows-your-name atmosphere. It was my dream home, back in the day. And it's characters...there isn't one I don't like. Truly. 

Oh, Aunt Bee..I always felt the urge to wrap my arms around Aunt Bee's squishy body and give her a big hug. She just looks like a huggable kind of person. I love huggable people. ..And sit beside her as she knitted in the evenings...listen in while she gossiped on the phone with Clara...



Barney. Now, Barney is the type of person I would get fed up with easily. Watching him on television is a completely different matter...he cracks me up. End of story. :)

Andy, Gomer, Opie, Floyd, Clara, Ellie, Thelma Lou...I could write an entire report on each of them. But I'll stop here. :)

Do you remember Mayberry? I do. I always will. But I think a part of America's heritage was lost when towns started becoming less like Mayberry, and more like mini-New Yorks. People are getting so caught up in technology and "change," that they are beginning to lose even the simplest joys of life. Like sitting on the porch drinking ice cold cherry coke...

Sometimes it feels like this world is spinning faster

Than it did in the old days
So naturally we have more natural disasters
From the strain of a fast pace


Sunday was the day of rest
Now its one more day for progress
And we can't slow down
Cause more is best

It's all an endless process

Well I miss Mayberry
Sitting on the porch drinking ice cold Cherry --- Coke
Where everything is black & white
Picking on a Six String
Where people pass by and you call them by their first name

Watching the clouds roll by...

("Mayberry," by Rascal Flatts)

::sigh::

..I miss Mayberry.

p.s. (last post from me for a while...the beach is coming up! i am now handing you over to my guest posters. and...new look? you like?)

and the {fudge} winner is..

I'm pretty much as excited as you are to learn, in a few moments (or a few nanoseconds if you feel the need to skip this little speech), which of the 235 entries received during the course of this {amazingly yummy} giveaway will be the blessed winner of:

The "It's A Dream" SAMPLER Pack

I can personally vouch for Miss Julie and her amazing fudge--I received my sampler pack {won through a giveaway!} a few days ago...wow. It was *good.* And yes, it was all gone withing the day. :D

SO, if you aren't a winner this time, there is always the option of treating yourself, ;) ESPECIALLY since everything in Julie's shop, including this sampler pack, is on sale!!

Kay, enough rambling. Let's get on with it, shall we?!

The WINNER of this amazing 1 pound fudge pack is the lovely...

#11, Miss Rachel of Dramatic Elegance!!

..CONGRATUALTIONS, Rachel! I suggest, my dear, that you hop on over to Jewel of the Lion and start picking your four flavors. It is a tedious task! ;)

A big round of applause and thanks to Julie and all who joined us for this giveaway. Stay tuned for another {yummy} giveaway coming in early August! And just for fun--what kinds of giveaways would you like to possibly see in the future? Any reccomended shops?

~ If you are interested in sponsoring a future giveaway at my blog, visit my contact page and send me an e-mail!~

4th of july

Okay. Yes. I know. It's been over two weeks since the 4th of July. And I still haven't posted.

:P

..you can blame the general busyness of life for that. :] And I'll spare you the details so we can get to the point! I know this is kind of a lame, way overdue question, but--what did y'all do for the Fourth? Better yet: what are your yearly traditions? There. XD Gotcha planning ahead for next year, already...;)

Cowboys warming up

Our Fourth started with the best kind of thing--a rodeo. Olivia and I had gotten free tickets at a parade to a large rodeo about an hour away, and so we gathered some rodeo-lovin' friends and headed out. For the first time in my life, I splurged on fair food {think Teriyaki} and had a bite of the biggest Elephant Ear I have ever seen {think bigger than a steering wheel}. We shouted our lungs out for the daring cowboys on bulls, ooh and ahhed over the rodeo queens' pretty outfits. Yesh, I j'adore rodeos {kay, Française and rodeos don't exactly go...}

 It was a hot day, so we stopped and got smoothies at McDonald's after the show. By 5:00 p.m., we were back at the house, and preparing for a couple of families who would be spending the evening with us for food and a few home-approved fireworks. We had hamburgers, hotdogs, watermelon, chips, popsicles, icecream...all the traditional 4th o' Julyyy foodstuff. :D The boys then decided to take a dip in our swimming pool, and us girls thought a walk would be nice. We didn't get far before we spotted a nice daisy-filled field, and turned the walk into a photoshoot.

Caley, Olivia, Me, Sarah, Andrea, Hannah, Chrissy

Pretty Andrea ♥

Pretty Sarah ♥

Pretty Caley ♥

Yeah, my camera has like zero macro...but I love how this turned out. ♥

  

 The lovely Caley and I. Isn't her hair amazing, y'all? ♥

I love these girls!!

Andrea and I during the fireworks :)

...Annnnnd I got literally NO pictures of the fireworks, because of my everlasting excuse: terrible camera. Bleh. Yes, I am saving...I am saving. *feels sorry for herself* :.(

Since I didn't say this...er..umm...*cough cough*...two weeks ago:

HAPPY {late} FOURTH OF JULY, Y'ALL!!!

In God we trust. ♥

sundae.

This weekend was our local county fair and rodeo {big update soon!}. In one word: supercalafragilisticexpialidocious. :) Along with the fair, of course, came my tradition of purchasing a boysenberry sundae at the "Dairy Women" booth. :]

...Never mind that the line was half a mile long, never mind that I missed half an hour of the rodeo waiting for my order to arrive...all that I remember now was the pure, milky bliss of the first spoonful of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and tart-sweet berries.

Just because I'm weird cool like that, I searched "sundae" on weheartit to reverberate the happy memory. Here is just a sampling of what came up--some of these amazing thangs seriously need to be in art museums. o.O

...and get a load o' this:



^^ I totally want that set up at my wedding, if I marry a millionare. XD ^^

::sigh::

There's just something about...icecream!

So? What's your "oh-my-goodness-I-loooove-that" flavor when it comes to ice cream?

PS~If you want to satisfy your sweet tooth with something almost as good as a sundae, enter my giveaway which ends in two days! Also~~welcome to my new followers! I am so excited that more friends have joined us here, and hope you will enjoy joining me on this journey we call life via blogger. :)