Turning a Spade With the Crew

Blog Challenge (that I've been thinking about for a few days):  What two brands of clothes would I wear for the rest of my life?

I have made one definite decision and one maybe decision.

Definite:
J. Crew

Their clothes are beautiful, well made, and classy.

I've been wanting a navy pea coat!  Love this one!

Maybe:
Kate Spade

I always find myself attracted to her styles, accessories, etc.

This dress reminds me of the Don Loper dress Lucy chooses in The Fashion Show!

 What brands do you love?

Ten Little Words

I believe I have truly met a challenge in my Blog Challenge list.

I am supposed to write the story of my life in ten words.
TEN WORDS!
Is this possible??
Let's find out.

Moving and traveling, family, friends, experiences, love, laughter, memories, dreaming.

These words describe me in my life for the past 21 years.

Life stories are not meant to be so condensed.

Part of one side of my awesome family!

With Pen and Paper I Pray

The blog challenge I am up to wants me to write about how I want to grow closer to God.

I don't mind being personal and opening up, but I'm not going to go into that here.

But, I will share one way that I love spending time with God.

Journaling.

I LOVE writing to God.  My prayers.  My thoughts.  My desires.  My praise.  My thanks.

I am a verbal processor, so I pray out loud, too.  But, journaling means I can look back at what I prayed.  I can see God's faithfulness...and my sometimes progress.

My journal didn't tell me how many pages it came with.  So, rather than spending the time to count, I just number every page as I finish it (come close to finishing it).  When I fill up the book, I will have a surprise number!

Do you ever have the thought while writing that some day someone might read through your journal?  Your spouse?  Your child?  A fan if you become famous?  An historian if you become extra famous?

I'll admit.  The thought does occasionally, more frequently that I care to admit, cross my mind.

Christmas Favourites!

Blog Challenge:  Favourite Holiday!

"Hi, I'm Kirsten, I listen to Christmas during months that aren't after Thanksgiving and before New Years!"

Yes, Christmas is my favourite holiday.  I've always loved it.

After I was born my mother listened to Christmas carols.  I was born in July.

When I was little I called nativities "festivities."  Can you already tell I was an extrovert?

The whole Christmas season gives off the cozy, warm, aura.  Some foods even taste like Christmas.  They may not even have cinnamon in them.

My best Christmas present memory is when I got all my American Girl Dolls (Kirsten and Felicity), their accessories, and in my stocking was a white little statue that opened at the bottom and held a pretty ring.  It sounds very Elsie Dinsmore, doesn't it?

I love the family gatherings, candle light services, and solos of O Holy Night.

We used to open a present from my Grandma in England on Christmas Eve.

Oh, and Grandma Bush's Coffee Cake on Christmas Morning.  Oh. My. Word.

During the Christmas Eve service my grandfather reads The Visited Planet.  Please go read it!

One of my favourite Christmas songs (that tells me it is Christmas) is Mannheim Steamroller's Hallelujah.  So beautiful.

Then, during my Freshman year at college the Freshman girls decorated the Freshman guys dorm.  It was SO much fun.  AND, this is what happens when you leave a camera to catch their first reactions...the Freshman guys...not those upperclassman.

Do you have any special traditions or memories?

Blog Challenge: Thankfuls

Today's Blog Challenge is to list some things I am thankful for.
It is a little bit ironic because I've been thinking about my need to be content where I am, even if it is not where I would prefer to be.

My Thankfuls:
-Skype to talk to friends who are at a distance
-Being with my family for longer than a month, something I haven't had for about four years.
-Having fall start in September instead of November (Virginia trumps Columbia in that respect)
-Being able to see my extended family
-An opportunity to substitute teach, which allows me to connect with people I haven't seen in ages
-HobNobs from my grandmother
-Emily.  She dreams about England with me

A little practice for November : )

Family: Learning to Laugh; Grandma Humor

Blog Challenge:  My family.

If you know me or have read my blog, you know I love my family.

Family is a special group of people who, though we may not always see eye to eye or get along, are always there.  We can move, grow up, get married, but our family will always be there.  "Be there" doesn't mean constant contact.  "Be there" means we can pick up the phone, send an email, or get together, and just keep going, even if it has been a while.

I love my family.  I'm pretty close with everyone on both sides.  I don't see everyone a lot.  But, I love the times we spend getting together and laughing, sharing memories, and making new memories.  Are we a perfect family?  Well, actually, yes.  I'M KIDDING!  No.

When my great-grandmother on my mom's side died, we celebrated her life and had so much fun in the process!  She was 97 and had lived a FULL life.  Yes, we had our moments of tears, but sometimes the tears were from laughing at stories of Grandma.  Do you know one time she got stuck in the bathtub and the fire department had to come and get her out?  No, of course you don't.  But, you do now.  She would also say, "Don't ask me to go with you if you don't really want me, because my bags are already packed."

While everyone was in for her memorial services, we sat around my grandparents family room eating Andes Mints and Oatmeal Cream Pies (her favourites), wrote memories of Grandma for the box her ashes were put in, and just shared time.

Also, I really like to think she was a flapper.

Great-Grandchildren Christmas Card '93?  I had a fractured leg and Josh clearly was not thrilled.

Four Songs: From Taylor to Ingrid

Blog Challenge time, again!
I'm supposed to put my iPod on shuffle and write about the first five songs.
But, I don't use my iPod enough to keep it charged.
So, as I've been prone to do during this challenge, I am going to change the rules a little bit.

I'll be writing about the four songs I can recall having bought on iTunes (I know, keel over in shock) songs I enjoy.

Love Story by Taylor Swift
I bought this song after it became a fun memory song with friends.  We would sing (screech?) it at the top of our lungs in the car.  And, I like this song.  And enjoy picturing Romeo and Juliet (the play) in my mind (does that make me a nerd of some kind?).  Except, it has a happy ending.

Breakfast at Tiffany's by Deep Blue Something
I just love this song.  I don't remember where I first heard it.  But, I love it.  I think I read that although the song is named after Breakfast at Tiffany's the song actually follows the storyline of Roman Holiday (both are Hepburn movies).

Scalliwag by Gaelic Storm
I first heard this song on Pandora last summer.  I loved it so much and decided I had to buy it.  So, I did.  Although I can't understand a lot of the words, they talk about wellies.  And, the music is so fun and upbeat.  It makes me want to scurry over the pond!

You and I by Ingrid Michaelson
They talk about the south of France.  And, the music is fun.  Ok, I don't have a lot of commentary, but it is a fun song.

Well, now you know.
Happy listening!

Blog Challenge: Five Things

I promise I will start blogging more.  These past few days have just been different.  And, today I've been sick...a stuffy nose makes it difficult to focus.

Anyway, my blog challenge for the day is to write about five things I lust after.  But, I don't really like that phraseology.  So, I am just going to write about five things I would like very very much.

1.  Christian Louboutin pumps.
2.  A fabulous leather carry on bag.
3.  Trips to all the places I want to visit in Europe.
4.  Pretty wellies (maybe even multiple pairs to go with the necessary events and outfits).
5.  A beautiful three piece luggage set (no, I don't know what it will look like).

I feel very materialistic after writing that list.  Only number five will be necessary eventually.  Ok, and number four.  Number two would be very nice.  And, number three will more than likely happen before number 1.  Well, at least parts of number three : )

For now, I bid you adieu.  

Birthday 2010.  Lovely wellies I was given!

Those Pesky, Little....

Blog Challenge.
My Fears.
Currently?
Fleas. 

I'm not scared of them.
I just hate seeing them on my feet.
On my bed (just happened).

EVERY time we think they are gone...
BAM.
They come back.

So, fear like a snake fear?
No.
Fear like a fear of spreading poison ivy on yourself?
Yes.

Letters, Princess Di, A. Hepburn

Time to write today's blog challenge, since I did yesterday's earlier today.

I don't really like today's challenge.  I am supposed to write a letter to someone.  Why would I write a letter to someone and then post it for the world to see?  I don't know what you all put in your letters, but most of the time there is at least one thing I don't want the world to know.

Instead, I am going to share a few letter moments that pop in my head when I think about writing letters.

-When telling me about the importance of writing timely "Thank You" notes, Mama told me Princess Diana used to come in from an evening out, sit down, and immediately write her note to her host/hostess.  Princess Diana had something I don't...stamps always handy and a butler to post the note for her.

-I love the scene in Sabrina (with Audrey Hepburn, William Holden, and Humphrey Bogart) when Sabrina sits at her pretty desk in her quaint apartment above the garage and writes her suicide note to her father.  Of course, her attempt is thwarted by Humphrey, she goes to Paris, and well, I won't ruin the ending for you.

-My roommate went on a mission trip to China two summers ago, while I was in England.  When I returned to school after my time in Europe, she gave me a fountain pen and a bottle of ink.  Last summer, after finishing a new series by Brock and Bodie Thoene (go read their Great Depression and WWII series'.  Amazing historical fiction) I had some comments I wanted to send the authors.  So, I got out my pen and ink and wrote.  I had to do a second copy to make sure it looked nice and neat.  My hands were covered in ink, but it felt kind of nice and old fashioned.  Except, most people didn't get covered in ink...minor detail, minor detail.

-I think my favourite kind of letter is one that is from a dear friend that comes in a small envelope.  They are classic and look like they could be taken off a silver delivery tray (like in Little Women).  Of course, it is not necessary.  I love letters of any kind.

-I keep my letters.  I don't think I can recall throwing away a letter that is from a friend friend.  I will admit to tossing notes from 8th grade : )  When I visited Daddy in August, I had the most lovely surprise. He had my last Christmas card from Grandma waiting for me.  I had been thinking about it for a while and wishing I had my last cards from Grandma.  I don't know about my birthday card, but I do have my last Christmas card.  For that I am thankful.

Do any fun or special things come to mind when you think of writing letters?

Be a Fiction Character for a Day!

Again, I am posting yesterday's blog challenge today.  My day was rather full, and by they time I realized I needed to blog, I didn't have the brain power.

*Please take note, this is not a favourite challenge!*

The Challenge: A fiction character I would like to be

The Person:  Mandie from the Mandie Series by Lois Gladys Leppard

The Reason:  I first read the Mandie books when I was eight or nine.  Our church library in Michigan had them.  When we moved back to Virginia, I no longer had access.  Then, I bought the entire series!  I ate the books up.

Mandie was always having adventures and solving mysteries.  She went to boarding school, had a best friend, visited her Grandmother in a ginormous house, had relatives that were Cherokee Indian, went to Europe (with her best friend), found more mysteries there, met awesome people, celebrated holidays in lots of fun places with her family and closest friends, oh, and met the President and stayed at the White House.

I think it would be fun to jump into her stories for a little while.

A few other people I thought about being (and would love to, of course) are: Elizabeth Bennet, Jo March, Amy March, Pippi Longstocking, Anne Shirley, and a couple of characters from the Brock and Bodie Thoene collections.

Found here

Who would you like to be?

My Favourite Clothes!

Today's blog challenge is to write about my favourite article of clothing.

This topic has many sub-topics.  My favourite item because of nostalgia, beauty, frequent wearing, currently own, used to own, owned at some point in life?  You can see where I run into a problem.
I am just going to answer in several topics because, as I've said in the past, I don't like choosing!

*Disclaimer: "article of clothing" is being translated into shoes, too*

So, my favourite article of clothing for nostalgia's sake is a pair of black ballet flats I bought in 2007 from Aeropostale.  I finally HAD to throw them away.  They had lost all ability to hold their own shape.  But, I was loathe to toss them as they had traipsed all over Europe with me.  We had memories from the Alps to the streets of Italia.  Every other time I thought about throwing them away, the memories won out.  Last semester I finally put them in the rubbish.

Fall 2010; Photo Credit: Katharine Hormann

My favourite clothing for beauty's sake is my "Charger Dress."  I fell in love with this beautiful, tangerine dress when I was in 7th grade.  At the time it was a bit too large.  But, I was able to wear it for a pageant that year.  Two years later I wore it in another pageant (winning that time).  Then, for my Senior prom, after putting another dress on hold, I decided to wear it a third time.  It is just such a lovely dress.  The reason we called it the "Charger Dress" is because the local school, and where I graduated, had a Charger as their mascot.

Prom 2008 at The Homestead

My favourite item for frequent wearing is a navy skirt with while polka dots I bought from H&M while in NYC in May.  I saw it and loved it.  It reminds me of a navy skirt with white stars my grandma gave me when I was little.

See that cute lady with me?  She has the best boutique ever!  It's where I bought the Charger Dress!

So, there you have it, three of my favourite items to wear!

The Dirndl is from a thrift shop in Regensburg, Germany.

The "Charger Dress" is from Laura's Boutique Ltd. Hot Springs, VA!  Hit it up if you are ever up there!

The skirt, shirt, and belt I am wearing are from Forever 21, and the shoes are from H&M.

My Favourite Place

I forgot about my blog challenge until I was getting ready to go to bed.
I started it and then decided to just do it in the morning...and then forgot.
So, while it is still morning, here is yesterday's blog challenge: My Favourite Place

I don't like picking my favourite.

Well, if I have to pick,my favourite place is in England.  But, preferably with a friend.  And in the country.  Or at the coast.  Or in Wales.  In the Wye Valley.

New Romney, Kent, England Summer 2010

 But, I love Germany, too.
I think I need to be with a friend in Germany.
Actually, almost any place is better with a friend.  But, especially a place that I have mainly shared with other people.

Reichstag in Berlin, Germany, Fall 2010

Another favourite place is at the river at Kae Lacy's.
It is peaceful and relaxing.  I love being there by myself and with friends.

Photo by Abbie Slate, Summer 2012

So, I don't have one favourite place.  But, my favourite places are mostly because of the memories they hold.

My Dream Job

Hello!

I'm back this evening to write my next blog challenge: my dream job.
Really?  I wish I knew.

Since I can't name my dream job, I will list some interests that I have and that I would like to have as aspects of my job.

-People interaction
-Fashion
-Writing
-Creativity
-Maybe some photography
-Travel
-Fast-paced environment
-Fun co-workers
-Located in Europe
-Travel
-Planning

Next I am going to list some perks that would be nice:

-Hob-nobbing with some celebrities
-Parties
-Access to places the public doesn't...or at least before they do

And, who knows what else.
I have ideas of jobs that would be fabulous for me.

From what I've said above, do you have any ideas?
I would love to hear them!

Sincerely,

Kirsten

P.S. It would be  amazing to be a part of Vogue...somehow.

Scone Recipe and Tea Party How To by Yours Truly

Today's blog challenge is hardly a challenge, except I have to find the recipes to write them out.

Rather than giving multiple recipes, I am going to give you a recipe to a splendid tea. From my favourite flavor to my favourite scone recipe, it will be a wonderful ensemble.

First, pull out your tea set (unpack it if necessary).  Set everything out, wash if needed, and prepare it to hold tea, milk, and sugar.  Go ahead an put the tea in the tea pot and the sugar in the sugar bowl.  Wait to put the milk in the pitcher so it will not become warm.

Now, check your scone recipe (that I am about to give you) and make sure you have all the ingredients.  I know from experience it is not fun to get to the middle and realize you are short or out of something.  Pull out all the tools you will need.  Wash your hands.  And, GO!

Move the baking rack to the middle in the oven and preheat it to 425 F.

My Mama's Scone Recipe (with a few of my own alterations with which she agrees)
*Bake on 425 F for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.  Allow to cool for 10 minutes

-2 cups of self-rising flour
-3 tbs. sugar
-5 tbs. cold butter (cut in small cubes or shred)
-1 cup heavy whipping cream (chill in the back of the fridge.  If partially crystallized it will make fluffier scones)
-1/2 cup of chips--or more (chocolate, cinnamon, dried fruit, etc.) I recommend cinnamon chip

1.  Mix flour and sugar together evenly and thoroughly.
2.  Add butter, use hands or pastry blender, rub butter in till the mixture resembles peas.
3.  Add chocolate chips, etc. and mix evenly.
4.  Add cream.  Stir till dough clumps into a big ball.
5.  Lightly flour counter and place dough on flour.  If dough is sticky, sprinkle some flour on top.
6.  Knead dough by folding over and smooshing with hand 3-6 times.  No more than 15 seconds total.
7.  Flatter and shape dough into rectangle on a lightly floured surface that you can cut on.  The dough should be about half an inch or a bit more in height to allow for maximum fluffiness.
8.  Cut dough into rows.  Then turn the rows into triangles (small, medium, or large).
9.  Place on pan 1/2 inch apart.
10.  Lightly brush with milk or cream and sprinkle lightly with sugar.

I recommend Earl Grey Loose Leaf, if you are able to acquire it.  Delicious flavor!

While the scones are baking, set the table.
When the scones begin coming out, put the water on to boil, prepare the tea, and allow it to steep for 3-4 minutes.

While enjoying your tea party, whether it be with friends, with a book, with the rain, etc.  I recommend classical music, Frank Sinatra and The Rat Pack, Christmas Music, Michael Buble, or a Jane Austen book turned movie.

Have a lovely time!

Cousins tea party (cell phone picture, I apologize for the blurriness)

Early Morning Royal Wedding Tea Party (probably 3:55AM EST)

Making scones for The Pilgrim's Protest debate

Tilt It Like Sinatra, Please

Today's blog challenge is to write about 5 ways to win my heart.

That seems a little personal, plus, why do I want to give it away ; )

So, instead I am going to write a few things that have become a joke among my friends in regard to whomever I marry.
*=Grain of truth but mostly a joke

 1.  Own and wear a fedora.  It is a non-essential essential (the nice way to say, I will marry you even if you don't have one, but it would be nice).  And, he needs to tilt it like Frank Sinatra (and now, Neal Caffrey).

2.   Be able to chop wood.  If I can split wood (with a splitter) and stack it, he should be able to do all of that and more.

3.  Needs to look good in a tuxedo.  Not all guys can pull it off naturally.

4.  Being able to cook well would be a plus, especially considering the family from which I come.

5.  *Have a private jet.  I need to be able to fly my friends to our yearly reunion location (duh!).

Now you have had a taste of what my friends like to tease me about.

And, if you ever want to discuss diamond rings with me, just say the word.  I have serious opinions about a circular stone in a four-prong setting.

Found Here

In Whom Do You Believe?

Today's Blog Challenge topic is to write about God.

I kind of cringed when I first read the topic because I am tired and this is such a very large subject.

To begin, please read the following as it states succinctly what I believe:

 The Nicene Creed

WE BELIEVE in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

I've mentioned The Confessions of Augustine in the past.  I wrote my Medieval Philosophy paper on Augustine's view of the Heaven of Heaven's versus heaven.  As a result of that assignment, I realized everything exists because God sustains it.  There is no force that can out-do God.  He is the maker of all; He is before all time began.  Simply put, He is.

When I think of God sustaining His creation, I am reminded of God's might and power, of His glory and honor.  He is worthy of all I am.  My life should be completely devoted to what His call is for me.

However, time and time again I fail.  I cannot work my way into His good graces.  I am a sinner not worthy of God, salvation, Heaven, or anything good.

But, Jesus came to earth and became God incarnate.  He lived a life free from sin, though He was tempted.  He was lied about, beaten, and killed.  But, on the third day (Easter), He rose from the dead and lives eternally with God the Father.

Because of Jesus' death on the cross I am saved.  By His grace alone does He accept me.  Because HE is counted worthy I am counted worthy.

God does not need me, but He created me for His pleasure and to glorify him.

A book in the Bible that is always encouraging and convicting is Hebrews.  I highly suggest sitting and reading it.  But, before I end, I leave you with two verses:

Hebrews 9:27-28
²⁷ Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, ²⁸ so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Hebrews 12:2
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Someone I Miss

Today's Blog Challenge:  Someone or Something I miss.

I'm going with a someone.
There are lots of "someones" from which I can choose.

I pick....JOSH!

My cousin Josh is awesome.
I miss him living seven minutes away.
I miss having long, deep conversations.
I miss joking and laughing.
I miss hearing him really laugh...when he laughs hard I lose it.
I miss hanging out.
I miss playing games.
I miss having someone my age around.
I just plain out miss him.

It was great to be able to see him for the day when he drove to Orlando to visit (before driving to Mississippi).  He went out of his way to see me.  I appreciate that so much.

He is one of the funniest people I know.
He is very caring.
He loves his family.

I'm privileged to have him as my cousin.

(To other people, I tell them we are almost twins...only seven months apart, and very similar!)

The only picture I have in my easily accessible files, at the moment : (

P.S. I made him sound dead.  He just moved to Florida.

ILL and WC: Try to Guess These Acronyms

Blog Challenge Day 4:  Favourite Shows

Probably the first two things that pop into mind:

-I Love Lucy
-White Collar

I Love Lucy is hilarious.

White Collar is witty, intellectual, hilarious, and attention grabbing (there is a word I can't think of).

My favourite I Love Lucy episodes are when they are in California and when they move to the country.  I love the backdrop, the setting, the relaxed mode, and the change of pace from NYC.

One of my favourite episodes is when Talula Bankhead moves into their neighborhood in Connecticut.

You know how some people reference the office for everything?
I reference I Love Lucy.
It goes like this, "Oh, that is like in I Love Lucy when..." <---fill in the dot dot dot with current topic.

My favourite White Collar...I have to think about that.  One of them is from the current season, when Mozzie thinks there is a conspiracy group still around from the 1700's.  Hilarious.  So Mozzie.  And everyone is fooled.

Fedora donning, skinny tie wearing, tailored suit flaunting Neal Caffrey is a huge factor.

Peter and Elle.  I love them.

It is just the most fabulous show (and, I am proud to say, I have hooked many a person...well, at least a few).

P.S. A scene in White Collar was filmed in the foyer of the building where I lived in NYC!
When I saw that, I kind of freaked out, took a screen shot, and put it on FB.

The inside

The outside...

Seasonal Challenge

Today's blog challenge expects me to write about my favourite season.
Whenever I have to name a favourite of anything I clam up and worry because I can't pick one.

I love the changing of seasons.  I love anticipating what is coming, even if I dread summer leaving.

Currently my favourite season is Autumn (I used the right name, Grampaw). 
I love the transition to cooler weather, the smell in the air, the air change, the leaves turning, and wearing light layers.

I am back in Virginia, which means Autumn is arriving.
This time last year I was in Columbia, probably boiling hot.

I am looking forward to the Fall Foliage Festival, Harvest Festivals, pumpkins, corn, hay bales, boots, browns, sweaters, jeans, cider, bon fires in the cool of the evening, and cool walks at dusk.

At this moment, I am able to say, Autumn is my favourite season (but, winter, snow, hot chocolate, and Christmas are niggling in the back of my mind).

The Fall Colors in the NC Mountains

Relaxing, watching the sun set

Fall Coloring the CIU Campus