things i just really loved about january

via my instagram

1) At the beginning of the month, I began taking an entry level college course with a few friends of mine. It's nothing particularly special, just a history class that meets once a week. It's quite a bit of reading at times, but I love it -- the material is much more interesting than an average high school class. Plus, it's fun to just walk around the campus, sip coffee, and think about when I'll be a traditional student. :) 

2) London Fog tea. The university that I'm taking the history class at has this awesome coffee shop, and this is the best thing of their's that I have tried so far. It tastes like a liquid cinnamon roll, and basically puts Starbucks to shame. 

3) Dance, specifically jazz and lyrical. We started some new routines this week, and I freaking love them! It makes me super excited to hopefully study dance at a higher level in the future. 

4) The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. Enough said. 

5) Books. I've been trying to make more time to read lately, and I've discovered some pretty fantastic books, including Divergent and Insurgent by Veronica Roth, and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Also, I read Junie B., First Grader: Turkeys We Have Loved and Eaten (And Other Thankful Stuff) by Barbara Park to my little sister, and I think that I enjoyed it more than she did. *ahem*  I also think that Barbara Park is to elementary school as John Green is to high school. 

6) Scarves. I was never a big scarf person before, but I really like them now. {Curse you Wanelo! :P} 

via my wanelo

And speaking of wanelo, I will be hopefully purchasing this shirt. Only I currently have very little money, so that's problematic. Do you think I could pay the seller in bicuits?

also via my wanelo

Now, to find dear Nick.

~ Abby

reasons why november is a happy month

via

A lot of people treat November like it's a filler month; the period of time between gorgeous the October, and the silvery beauty of December. But I actually happen to really like November as much, if not more than the other fall months. 

You see, November is when you can begin to listen to Christmas music unabashedly. It's also finally feeling 'wintery', so you can justify wearing tights and scarves and beanies. November mornings are also very misty, and it tends to rain a lot where I live. I don't mind though; November rain > sunshine. 

Also, November is the one month anniversary of Taylor Swift's Red album. (No shame.) It's also perfect for picture taking, and it brings me that much closer to December 23rd. (My half birthday. Yes, I celebrate it. I'll be six months away from being an adult. Woo.) 

Basically, November is a month of book reading, doodling, and reminiscing. It's also a month of anticipation -- after all, November means that Christmas is just around the corner. And let us not forget about The Hobbit premiere. 

Never laugh at live dragons,

~ Abby 

Snow day :)

The roads were too bad this morning to go to co-op. So today was my very first snow day of the year. And what do you do on snow days?

You make cookies of course.

And then what do you do after you eat some of the cookies?

You go outside and take pictures silly.

Snow I believe, is a happy thing. :)

Have a nice weekend :)

~ Abby



Snow, kitties, and black and white goodness

It snowed here for the first time a couple of days ago.

I was ecstatic.

And then the weather was like "LOL, just kidding."

So now the snow is almost all gone, to the extreme disappointment of many.

But I did manage to get some pictures of the remaining piles of snow, along with my kitty helpers. (Who seem to be more intent on licking my camera and I, instead of aiding me with my photography endeavors.)

I'm pretty sure these are kitty footprints, at least thats what I'm guessing. Its either that or a giant, man eating monster that lives behind my rabbit barn. So yeah, I'm definitely hoping that they are just kitty prints.

After taking this picture, I showed it to my brother, and asked him if it reminded him of anything. The following conversation ensued:

Me: "Hey, does this remind you of anything?" *shows the picture*

Brother: "Ummmm, a light?"

Me: "Yeah, I didn't think you'd get it... It may or may not be more of a girl thing."

Brother: "OH! Narnia!"

Me: "Exactly."

Brother: "Yay, I think like a girl apparently!"

Me: *facepalm*

Now, could you point me in the direction of Mr. Tumnus?

~ Abby

P.S. I'm currently obsessed with Taylor Swift's song "Safe and Sound", which is from the Hunger Games movie... Has anyone else heard it?

                                              P.P.S. Wow, I posted two days in a row... I'm beast. :P

Happiness

Drinking tea in pretty cups: this makes me happy. This kind was called "Nutcracker Sweet", and I'm pretty sure I can feel sugar plum fairies and other such magical creatures dancing on my tongue when I drink it.

Words: these make me happy. Especially when they're spilling out of my awesome peacock pen.

Carrie, if you're reading this, know that this is for you. :)

Red nails: they make me feel sophisticated.

My iPod: which I believe has greatly helped me to preserve my sanity.

Currently listening to "Hot Air Balloon" by Owl City.

Photography: this makes me very, very happy.

Jana, that one is for you. :)

Happy Tuesday!

~ Abby

P.S. IT IS SNOWING OUTSIDE!!! :D

Of christmas, cameras, and comedy

Christmas day for our family started out right, with church and homemade cinnamon rolls.

They were pretty good, if I do say so myself. :)

Once we returned from our Sunday service, we opened our gifts.

I recieved and SLR camera.

My life: now complete.

One of my sisters (who I'm pretty sure will one day become a famous musician,) got a keyboard to practice on. Can you guess what we heard the rest of the day? :)

Sheet music from one of the best songs in The Sound of Music. And what a coincidence, I just so happen to be sixteen going on seventeen. :P

We finished off our Christmas with a Tim Hawkins video, snickerdoodles, and frappachinos. It was completely worth it, but lets just say that I feel like I've gained about 1,000 pounds.

This, I am convinced, is pure heaven in a bottle.

And now I shall leave you with a Tim Hawkins video, because to put it quite simply, I want to. :P

Merry Christmas,

~ Abby

Silent night

As I’m writing this, I’m sitting in the glow of the Christmas tree, enjoying the silence. All the kids have been tucked into bed, and are no doubt now dreaming about tomorrow morning. I’m sure I will be woken quite early by the excited squeals of my sibilings, but for now, I am delighted by the peace of the moment.

The presents are wrapped and under the tree.

The littles have lovingly laid out cookies and a glass of milk for Santa.

It is Christmas Eve, the most magical night of the year. But the gifts and sweets are not what makes tonight so enchanting for me. The real beauty of Christmas is the birth of my Lord.

If you listen, you can almost hear it; the waiting. Tonight is the night that the world is filled with a quiet anticipation; the night that joyfully proclaims the coming of my Savior.

And that, is what makes tonight so magnificent.

Merry Christmas,

~ Abby

Hello December

Hello December, I’ve been waiting for you. :)

You’re such a magical month. You always turn up right as I’m beginning to tire of the wet, cold, and dreary month of November.

You brighten my day when I see Christmas lights cheering up and bringing warmth to homes.

You make me think of curling up with a book and a warm blanket, while it snows outside.

You cause me to ponder the art of making the perfect cup of hot chocolate.

You dazzle me with the beauty of God’s creation when I see scenes like this:



And to be quite frank December, you make me

So, hello December. Care to stay for a while?

~ Abby

p.s. all photos courtesy of weheartit, which I discovered yesterday and am now in love with. <3