going for a stroll

Lately I've become and avid walker. At some point of the day, I don my tennis shoes, grab my camera, and head out. Luckily I live in the country, so there is many a field and hill to explore. Just in the past week I've found several "heaven spots." These are places where I can just sit back and read a book, listen to music, or simply think. Really, it's like my own personal Narnia.

Lately my favorite time of the day to go walking has been around 5 o'clock, just as the sun is beginning her golden retreat. Her rays gently touch the fields, and practically set them afire. {This of course creates the perfect picture-taking setting. ;)}

I just love how going for a stroll clears my mind, and refreshes me. It's amazing, what a little peace and quiet will do for you.

Yes, quite amazing indeed.

~ Abby



P.S. 25 of you?! Oh my goodness gracious! :)

tag & 50th post

Guess what?!

It's my 50th post, that what.  

50 seems to be a pretty monumental number in our society. 50 years is half of a century, and 50 cents is half of a dollar.  Eating 50% of a banana split {in my opinion} is pretty impressive, but getting 50% on a test is not. Consequently, America is made up of 50 states, and now there are 50 posts on this blog.

So in honor of this {almost} historic occasion, I'm doing a tag that I saw on this awesome blog.

1.       My boy side [x]

I love hoodies. [x] I love jeans. [x] Dogs are better than cats. [x] It’s hilarious when people get hurt. [] Shopping is torture [] Sad movies suck [] You own a car racing game. [x] You played with hot wheels cars as a kid. [x] At some point in time you wanted to be a firefighter. [] You owned a ds, ps2, ps3, n64, or sega. [x] You used to be obsessed with power rangers. [] You have watched sports on tv. [x] Gory movies are cool. [] You go to your dad for advice. [x] You hate drama. [x] You own like a trillion baseball caps. [] You used to collect hockey cards. [] Baggy sweats are cool to wear. [] It’s kinda weird to have sleepovers with a bunch of people. [] Green, black, red, blue, or silver are one of your favorite colors. [x] You love to go crazy and not care what people think. [x] Sports are fun. [some :P] You talk with food in your mouth. [] You sleep with your socks on at night. []

2.       My girl side [x]

 You love to shop. [x] You wear eyeliner. [x] You wear the color pink. [] You go to your mom to talk. [] You consider cheerleading a sport. [] You hate wearing the color black. [] You like going to the mall. [x] You like getting manicures and/or pedicures. [] You like wearing jewelry. [x] You cried watching the notebook [] Dresses are a big part of your wardrobe. [] Shopping is one of your favorite hobbies. [] You don’t like the movie star wars. [] You are/were in gymnastics. [] It takes you around one hour to shower, get dressed, and make-up. [] You smile a lot more than you should. [x] You have more than 10 pairs of shoes. [] You care about what you look like. [x] You like wearing dresses when you can. [x] You like wearing high heel shoes. [] You used to play with dolls as little kid. [x] You like putting make-up on others. [] You like being the star of everything. []

3.       Appearance [x]

 I am shorter than 5′5″. [] I have many scars. [] I tan easily. [] I have green eyes [x] My eyes change color [] I have blue eyes [] I wish my hair was a different color. [] I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color. [] I have a tattoo. [] I am self-conscious about my appearance. [] I’ve had/have braces. [x] I’ve been told I’m attractive by a complete stranger. [] I have more than two piercings. [] I have/had piercings in places besides my ears. []

4.       Experiences [x]

 I’ve gotten lost in my city. [] I’ve seen a shooting star. [x] I’ve wished on a shooting star. [x] I’ve seen a meteor shower. [x] I’ve gone out in public in my pajamas. [x] I’ve pushed all the buttons on an elevator. [] I’ve been to a casino. [x] I always get mistaken for much older than I actually am. [x] I’ve been skydiving. [] I’ve gone skinny-dipping. [] I’ve drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour. [] I’ve crashed a car. [] I’ve been skiing. [] I’ve been in a musical. [x] I’ve caught a snowflake or snow on my tongue. [x] I’ve seen the northern lights. [] I’ve sat on a rooftop at night. [x] I’ve played a prank on someone. [x] I’ve ridden in a taxi. [] I’ve seen the rocky horror picture show. [] I’ve eaten sushi. [] I’ve been snowboarding. []

5.       Relationships [x]

 I’m single. [x] I’m in a relationship. [] I’m engaged. [] I’m married. [] I miss someone right now. [] I've played with someone's emotions on purpose before. [] I’ve gotten divorced. [] I’ve told someone I loved them when I didn’t. [] I’ve told someone I didn’t love them when I did. []

6.       Honesty/Crime [x]

I’ve done something I promised someone else I wouldn’t. [x] I’ve done something I promised myself I wouldn’t. [] I’ve snuck out. [] I’ve lied to my parents about where I am. [] I’ve cheated while playing a game. [] I’ve run a red light. [] I’ve witnessed a crime. [] I’ve been in a fist fight. [] I’ve been arrested. []

7.       Random [x]

I can sing well [I’m ok :P] Stolen a tray from a fast food restaurant. [] I open up to others easily. [] My parents are divorced. [] I watch the news. [] I don’t kill bugs. [] I sing in the shower. [x] I am a morning person. [] I've been abused. [] I paid for a cell phone ring tone. [] I am a sports fanatic. [] I twirl my hair. [x] I care about grammar. [x] I have “?”s in my screen name. [] I’ve copied more than 30 cd’s in a day. [] I bake well. [x] My favorite color is either white, yellow, pink, red, blue, black, purple, or orange. [x] I would wear pajamas to school. [x] I like Martha Stewart. [] I know how to shoot a gun. [x] I laugh at my own jokes, 'cause they’re funny. [x] I eat fast food weekly. [] I’ve not turned anything in, and still gotten an A in a certain class. [] I can’t sleep if there is a spider/cockroach in the room. [] I am ticklish. [] I love white chocolate. [x] I bite my nails. [] I’m good at remembering faces. [x] I’m good at remembering names. [] I’m good at remembering dates. [x] I honestly have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life []

I tag all of you. :D

~ Abby

those lazy sunday afternoons {a short ramble}

There is just something about Sundays. Maybe it's the getting dressed up and heading to church, or spending the afternoon reading and hanging out with the family. Either way, spending my entire day relaxing and in worship is quite refreshing. It clears my mind from the hectic week, and focuses my heart on what is really important.

I shall now leave my lovely readers with a picture of boots. A little girl at church today was wearing these, and quite frankly, I'm jealous. {Besides, who doesn't love boots?}

Now if you'll excuse me, I have tea to make, and a book that is calling my name.

~ Abby

P.S. I guest posted on Fernweh today. You can check it out here. :)

it's the simple things

I'm learning more and more that the simple things are what make life so beautiful; the small details that we often overlook or take for granted. The smell of coffee in the morning, hearing a little kid giggle, the moment when the sun kisses the horizon goodnight. You know, just the little things.

Things like wearing this owl shirt, because owls make me happy.

The thrill of going to the zoo on a sunny day, and finally getting a good bird picture.

Going to go see a long anticipated movie with awesome people you've known your entire life. {And yes, I was very fangirlish ;)}

And of course, the first few gentle signs of spring.

Have a good weekend,

~ Abby

the hunger games tag

Ok, so Hannah from my {beautiful} nutty life tagged me in this awesomely awesome tag. I mean seriously, tags are already awesome, so to have a Hunger Games themed one is even more amazing. But anywho, I was tagged on Thursday, I do believe, and I was super excited to do this. However, I got swept up into the monstrous amount of schoolwork that haunts me everyday and was unable to devote enough time into writing a post. {At least one that sounded at least somewhat intelligent.} So this brings me to where I am now, sitting under the magnolia tree in my yard, listening to my happy playlist, and ignoring the chemistry test I should be taking.

So long winded and pointless excuses aside, lets begin!

Warning: Spoilers are throughout this tag!

1. Who were your favorite male and female characters and why?

Well my favorite male character is a no brainer, it's Peeta obviously. I loved his selflessness and his sweetness. He was most definitely my favorite male character, if not my favorite character in the entire book. As for my favorite female character, I'm really not sure... I honestly didn't like Katniss all that much in Catching Fire or Mockingjay, in fact, I kind of hated her. {Cue gasps and shocked exclamations!} But if I had to pick a favorite, It'd probably have to be Rue. The part were she dies will probably the one point in the movie where I may cry. But I digress.

2. If you were placed in the Games, would you be more likely to let yourself be killed rather than attacking other children, or would you try to win?

This is a hard one. I don't think I'd just roll over and die to avoiding hurting anyone, but I would under no circumstances kill someone who was defenseless, younger, or handicapped. In fact, my instinct would be to protect such people, not to eradicate them to ensure my own survival. {Especially with the younger kids.} Now it would be a completely different story if I saw a 150 pound guy coming at me with a spear.

3. What kind of strategy would you try to use if you were placed in the Games?

I'd probably just lay low and try to avoid being murdered. I'd avoid one on one confrontations and only fight when I was attacked first... I'm pretty strong, but lets just say it's a good thing I'm good at climbing trees and can run like the wind.

And without further ado, I tag Jana from Sunshine Songbirds & Blueskies and Paige from The 828 and Katie from Dramatic-Rants-Of-An-Intellectual-Teenager! {And anyone else who would like to do this of course.}So what are you waiting around here for? Tag, you're it! ;)

~ Abby

P.S. Be sure to link back up here... I'd love to see your answers! :)

P.P.S. You're supposed to come up with your own questions, but if your brain is fried like mine is, I won't judge if you use mine. :P

everyday adventures

Really, there is just something about packing up, and spontaneously going somewhere for the day. My family and I did that this past Saturday, beginning with a trip to a museum, and concluding with pizza and ice cream. (We did manage to stop at a cute little book store, and even squeezed in a trip to the mall -- what more can a girl ask for?) To put it quite simply, it was lovely.

This one was mesmerized by the toy dinosaurs; I do believe that he would have stayed there all day playing with them if we had let him.

I saw this sign and immediately thought "I suppose this would be Hagrid's pet dragon's scientific classification." (+3 points if you remember that dragon's name. +5 points if you even know what I'm talking about.)

Yes, it was quite lovely indeed. :)

~ Abby

p.s. His name was Norbert. :P

and the rain fell

"Life is hard, but so very beautiful."

- Unknown

That quote has really resonated with me lately. I have a couple of different friends that have been going through some rough times, and I have honestly felt at a loss of how to help, how to be there for them. In addition, I have also been struggling with several things, and have really just felt empty.



I mean, I've just been rather depressed. It's hard to see your friends hurting, and not knowing what you should say -- not knowing what words will bring them healing. It's even harder when you're hurting yourself, and then you ache for them on top of that.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Over the past few days, that verse has brought me comfort beyond words. Knowing that I can trust in His infinite wisdom has brought me immeasurable peace. I know that if I keep trusting in Him, things will all turn out, and healing will come.

"So baby hold on, just another day or two. I can see the clouds are moving faster now, and the sun is breaking through."

- "Hold On" by TobyMac

This is an amazing, amazing song. This particular verse kind of spoke to me last night, reminding me that no matter how hard the rain falls, the sun will always eventually break through.

All of those words have been so comforting to me. But I feel as if I should stop rambling now. :)

~ Abby

ho hum

{image courtesey of weheartit}

I spent the last 48 hours without the internet. Yes, I am alive, but I may or may not be suffering from a severe case of PIDT. (Post internet deprivation trauma.)

I never quite realized just how much I use the internet. In fact, I sort of took it for granted. But going two full days with no texting, flickring, tweeting, IMing, instagraming, blogging, or video calling has completely cured me of my ungrateful spirit. However, spending two days without such a huge amount of distractions also gave me a sort of break. I'm honestly feeling quite refreshed and inspired.

In fact, the quiet gave me a chance to do things that I don't often have time to do. I had more time to spend reading my Bible and praying, baking, and reading. I even found time to make my new banner! (I feel so proud and productive. :P) Perhaps some quiet time is good for a person.

That being said, I didn't seem to find enough time to clean my room. Hmmm...

~ Abby