A cup of tea!

After a long day at work, a cup of tea is a nice way to relax. I decided I needed something out of the ordinary, so I went with my new cup and a tea that suits it perfectly.

Now what tea is this? This is my childhood tea. This the tea of Mma Ramotswe and Mma Matuski of The #1 Ladies Detective Agency. This is a tea that'll last through the ages although it lacks the traditional tea leaves. 

So as the evening progressed, I sipped my tea, and felt like a lady with my tea from a (New York!) Master Tea Blender!

March Musings - Day 29

One of my favorite things to do is discover what someone likes, and send a splurged gift to them every once in a while. For example, I discovered recently that John likes 3 Musketeers, so whenever he isn't around, I get one to surprise him when I see him next. Or if I discover a friend loves letters, I'll make sure to write them frequently. Or if a friend loves tea, I make sure to send them some every now and then. Well, I'm super excited today because I found out about a book one of my friends likes, so I decided to get them to add it to their collection! Ahhhh I hope they like it!

Confessions of a Bookworn

Yes, I have inhaled the musty aroma.

Yes, I have swooned over a book store.

Yes, I have read for hours on end.

Yes, I have let the stories rock my core.

Yes, I have longed for a shelf of the classics.

Yes, I use my birthday money to buy even ones that are dull.

Yes, I treat myself to adventure and fantasy.

Yes, I trudge through books I need to stop in to mull.

Yes, I enjoy every style, genre, and kind.

Yes, I feel the salty sea in the ocean pages.

Yes, I stop to smell the daffodils in a poem rhymed.

Yes, I feel the bitter cold while a war rages.

Yes, I rejoice when the characters do.

Yes, I feel the heartache when they lose a friend or two.

Yes, I am a bookworm, it's clear through and through.

Yes, I am a bookworm; now what about you?

The Power of a Story

The power of a story can be an incredible thing! Whether it's reading a book to a child, or sharing a story about "the olden days", a story can change your mood, or give you something to think about! Going back through history, you can see how the stories were passed down from generation to generation. Each had a purpose, or a moral to them. Some were about events that occurred; others about how to live the best you could be. The Bible was originally passed down through the spoken word, memorized carefully, and preserved through generations. The books rich with examples of how God calls us to live, work, and show His love, kept the Christian faith alive! 

Stories are a big part of the relationship between John and I! The first time we began to flirt was when I taught a story, and he copied me blatantly! (I should sue him! ;~) Haha!) Anyways, from the beginning, stories are a part of our relationship. We started sometime last year, telling each other stories about silly things or about what might happen someday when we serve God. One of my favorites was one he told about a bunny! They bring us a smile when one of us may be sad or bring us hope when we are discouraged. Sometimes they even remind us of how God always is faithful even during hard times!

Today I want to share a little story of my own, that happened today, two years ago! <3

Once upon a time was two people contentedly emailing back and forth. Those two people were actually John and I. I was working on a blog post, and asked his advice when the tables turned, and the following conversation ensued.

J: Hey moriah could you be praying for me i have some things that have been weighing on my mind heavily lately and im very on the fence on what to do. :-/

M: It is awesome! I certainly will be praying!!! :( God will show you what's right. He always does..... idk if it would help, but Psalm 13 came to mind :~) 

J: Did that seriously just come to you this moment!

M: Um yes....I memorized it this past spring, and it popped into my head! 

J: Thats crazy it. Its like perfect to answer my question i mean wow im kinda speechless right now.

M: Weren't we just saying how awesome and amazing God is?? :' ) 

J: Its just its what ive been asking God for. I think he may have finally granted me my request. I really cant believe it.

M: I'm so happy for you John! That's wonderful!!!

J: Yeah at least i think He is saying i can have what i asked for im still a bit nervous but i think its a yes?

M: I'm sure it will be clear soon, in due timing :~)

J: Thats what i said 5 years ago.... Its been a long battle. :-/

M: :( do you mind telling me about it or no?

J: Um i dont know if i should it isnt bad but i dont know give me a second to think.

M: I understand if you don't. :) 

J: Its so hard i want to tell you because i know you could help but i dont know what the reprucussions of that would be this has happened once before and it didnt go so well last time.

M: I trust you to use your discernment. :~)

J: Ok you what just whatever. Ok for the past few years ive been asking God for a girl one who would fit into his plan and that i could you know "date" for the next 4-5 years i tried and failed twice to interpret Gods plan and i felt like a complete failure for the longest time. And now i think He is beginning to reveal His plan to me after all these years. So yeah thats it.

M: Sometimes God uses trials like that for us to learn and grow. I'm very happy for you :~) 

J: Yeah you are right and ive been learning why its been this way over these years but still i just feel like this girl is going to just be another failure for me to carry with me and i dont know if she even likes be back its rediculous i just dont know and im afraid to say anything for fear of killing our friendship which happened before as well. I just feel stuck.

M: Ah I see...quick story.....last guy I liked I told him so. I was scared stiff from making the mistakes I've made in the past. He didn't feel the same way but he agreed to pray. While my friendship with him became more brother-sister, we both could clearly see God's answer because of our honesty with each other. Now I have an awesome "brother"....honesty is best.

J: Ok ok....well you said it honesty is best moriah i like you its you the one who God put in my yead out of no where ive prayed about it and now you know what im sick of just sitting around its not why ive been so nice to you but through us talking its just been in my head for a while. So there i said it and now you may reject me but please make it quick ive been waiting for closure on this for a while...

M: Oh John! I like you too! You know last week when we were talking?? That was the day I knew I'd never be more than a sister to my friend.

J: Wow im just completely blown away right now you have no idea i wish you could see my face right now. :-D

And they have lived happily ever after! Well, mostly! ;~) The end!

Beautiful Blessings - 7/26/16

~ a perfectly poised portraiture of a kitty

~ always looking for my favorite book - War and Peace - at libraries I visit

~ the beauty in old books that match

~ finding a selfie on my phone left to make me smile :~D

~ a clock that tells the time and the date

Beautiful Blessings - 7/23/16

~ going swimming at the Y on a hot sticky day

~ trying out my new swimsuit!

~ coming home from work to find an insanely cute kitty waiting for me

~ finding a book from a store my Mom used to get books at

~ an evening of Star Trek and knitting ahead

The Princess: a fun little story

Once upon a time, there was a princess!

The Princess

shows

Hidden Mercies

during

Crime and Punishment,

&

War and Peace.

Though she may be A Little Princess,

As Time Goes By,

she is one of the most Essential Thinkers I know.

She gives all her clothes away, excpet for The Last Silk Dress

which she always wears with a National Velvet cape.

When her kingdom, A Kingdom Far and Clear,

with Castles in the Air, 

celebrates The Return of the King,

the princess heralds his return with The Trumpet of the Swan.

All in all, the princess is a Lady of High Regard!

The End!

Beautiful Blessings - 1/12/16

~ Hungrily devouring a few chapters of "The Phantom of the Opera"!

~ Realizing how much I missed reading!

~ Catching up with many old friends today!

~ Seeing prayers answered in their lives!

~ Achy sore muscles from dance yesterday! Literally a pain, but they make me happy! God is good!!

1 Chronicles 16:34

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

for his steadfast love endures forever!

Beautiful Blessings - 11/30/15

~ Catching sight of an Eastern Screech Owl!

~ Catching up with a bunch of friends!

~ Catching a hug from T-bug!

~ Catching one from L-Jo too!

~ Catching a smile from L-Jo as she tells me how Dad used to read to her "The Little Red Hen" when she was little!

Hats for the Holidays! Day 17

Yes, another brown hat! This was one my Mom had....and I think she may have worn it after her wedding when she changed out of her wedding dress to regular clothes. Tis a very nice hat! Ive always loved it <3 But then again, I love all my babies....er......hats ;~) Heehee!!

Even has a bow on the back! Makes me think of "Olivia and the Missing Toy" by Ian Falconer.

"Still it was Olivia's best toy. So she fixed it, adding a bow for extra beauty."

Beautiful Blessings - 10/14/15

~ Having a "Princess Day!" with Lil' G, L-Jo, and T-bug!

~ Making goodies together for our lunch!

~ Watching Princess movies! Cinderella (by Faerie Tale Theatre), The Dancing Princesses (by Faerie Tale Theatre), Cinderella (2015), Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses, and Beauty & the Beast (Disney)!

~ Ending the day with a princess book! "Ponyella" by Laura Numeroff and Nate Evans!

~ T-Tot having and adventure and overnight at our grandparents!

Beautiful Blessings - 9/18/15

~ Blogging over at "Literally My Life"! I did a fashion post for Eden, which was a lot of fun! Go and check it out here!

~ Hanging out with 3 girlfriends and Mom at the Fall Festival!

~ Getting a bunch of books in the book tent!! Supports the library, too!

~ Finally being able to get another Lilla Rose Flexi Clip! I got the top one 2 years ago, and the bottom one I just got! Not to sound like Im advertising for them, but I just have to say: I love them!!!

~ Proverbs 3:5 <3

Beautiful Blessings - 8/26/15

~ Flying to Africa in the Little Tyke's playcube! I love listening to their adventures in flight! Heehee!!!! I think the plane is about to crash though XD
~ Listening to the katydids and crickets sing "When the Saints Go Marching In"! Seriously! Thats the rythm that they are doing! They are so talented that they even have the echo ;~)

~ Finding beautiful patterns and textures in the yarn!

~ L-Jo and T-bug making sure that even Turtlebunny gets to play Bingo!
~ Reading 7 chapters in one of my books for history!

10 Series Homeschoolers Read - A Blogiversary post!

Whoa! 3 years! Ive had my blog for 3 years! Its hard to believe for me! I'm so glad Ive stuck it out this long! Every year, since day one, on my blog-iversary, I post something about homeschooling/homeschoolers!

The very first post on my blog was: 4 Myths About Homeschooling!

The 1st year Anniversary, I posted: 100 Things Homeschoolers Love!

The 2nd year Anniversary I posted: The Homeschooler's "Rap"!

This year, without further ado, we shall discuss 10 Series Homeschoolers read!

1. Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Homeschoolers love Lord of the Rings! (and of course the Hobbit as well) I read them through for the first time a couple summers ago, and loved them! Ive read through them a couple times since!

2. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

You can't have Middle-Earth without Narnia! My Dad read these to me when I was little, and when we were reading "The Silver Chair", I drew a picture of the Marshwiggle, and Jill, and so on, on a sticky note. We kept the picture in the book!

3. The Sugar Creek Gang by Paul Hutchens

I must confess, I haven't read these, but my Dad did to my sisters! They love the Sugar Creek Gang! In fact, they are currently watching on of the Sugar Creek Gang movies they got out from the Church library yesterday. They often pretend to be the Sugar Creek Gang as well. Its always an honor to be Circus!

4. The Hardy Boys by Franklin W. Dixon

My Mom and I are proud to say that we completed my Dad's collection of the original Hardy Boys  a few years ago! I have read every single one of them, and love them! My sisters just started reading them with Dad. I think they are gonna start the 2nd or 3rd book tonight.

5. Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene

You can't have the Hardy Boys without Nancy Drew! This is my pitiful collection of Nancy Drew. I must confess I like the Hardy Boys better, even though they were both written by Edward Stratemeyer. I actually read an interesting biography on him a couple years ago. The funniest story I read in it was when his son was old enough to read them, he would borrow the books from his friends and eagerly devour them! One day, his son came into his office, and gasped when he saw the rows of books that his father had written. He didn't know until that point that his father was the author!

6. Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol

I devoured these as a kid! I loved trying to figure out who did the crime, what happened, and seeing if I was right. I didn't always figure it out, but it sure was lots of fun! I also enjoyed rereading them and seeing if I can remember what happened in the end without peeking at the answers. Encyclopedia Brown was amazing in my opinion!

7. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Ah The Boxcar Children! I loved reading about their adventures with their Grandfather! My Dad read these to my sisters, and they gobbled them up! I especially loved the Schoolhouse Mystery (#10). Of course the first one is the most loved! I remember seeing my friend have them, and being quite intrigued as a kid.

8. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

I have read these too many times to count! And of course, the true avid homeschooling readers know that there isn't just the Little House series but there the series about Laura's Great Grandma, Grandma, Mom, and Daughter!

I especially enjoyed the series about her Great Grandmother in Scotland!

9. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

My Mom read this to me as a kid, and I fell in love with Anne! I read through the series again last fall or winter. I loved how she adored books like I do! Anne of Green Gables is a classic series that every homeschooler should read if they haven't yet!

10. Sarah, Plain, and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan

I read these as a kid, and my Mom read these to my sisters. We love the Sarah, Plain, and Tall series! We also enjoyed the movies that were made based on the first 3 books. When we need a good rainy day movie, we pull them out. They are short books, but they are excellently written! I highly recommend them for a read aloud!