Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!

Can you believe it's already 2010?! Well, it almost is. :) The year seemed to go by pretty fast, didn't it? My mom always says the older you get the faster the years go by. :) I guess that's pretty true.

New Year's Eve night is the only night of the year when I know I'm going to stay up past twelve o'clock! ;) We always greet the new year with lots of sparkling cider! Mmm... :)

Well, I hope everyone's had a good year, because I sure have!

~Haley

What I Got

So, here's the post you've all been waiting for! Don't worry, you probably didn't know you were waiting for it, but you were! ;) Here is what me and my brother got the family for Christmas:

My sister did a great job wrapping it, didn't she?

Well, if you want to see an unwrapped version of it you can click here. We've already watched them and they're just fantastic!

~Haley

Happy Christmas Eve!

Yesterday, since me and my brother were the only ones home, I decided that we'd do something fun. We decided we'd like to try out our new cookie cutters and make some sugar cookies. One reason we wanted to make them is so we could try our hand at decorating them! :) We had a lot of fun together! Here are some pictures of them:

~

Here is a recipe for peppermint punch I'm going to make tonight. We've never made it before, but it sure sounds good!

Peppermint Punch

1 qt. pepprmint ice cream, softened
1 c. milk
2 -ltr. bottle gingerale, chilled
Garnish: peppermint sticks, finely crushed or whole

Directions:
In large punch bowl, blend together ice cream and milk; stir gently. Slowly add gingerale; stir until combined. Moisten rims of glasses with water and dip into finely crushed candy. Serve with peppermint stick stirrers, if desired. Serves 8-10.

Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed Christmas Eve and Christmas!

- Haley

More Awards And A Very Long Tag

Gee-wiz, I let this stuff pile up way too much!

These are the rules:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award

2. Copy the award

3. Post it on your blog

4. Tell us 7 things your readers don't know

5. Link 7 new bloggers as recipiants

6. Notify the winners of their award with a comment on their blog

7. Keep on sharing the light of Christ with others!

Here are my seven things:

1. Instead of getting everyone in the family a seperate present for Christmas, I got one big present for everyone this year! I'll tell you what it is after Christmas! ;) Let me just say this, we've all wanted it for a long time! :)

2. I always have math done by seven o'clock.

3. Sue Thomas F.B. Eye is my favorite show.

4. I think Christmas day is the best day of the year!

5. I don't like hot chocolate. I have no idea why I don't, but I just never really have.

6. When I get on the computer I either listen to my LOTR playlist or my random one. ;)
7. I am very gullible.

I now award/tag:

Virtuous

Sarah H.

Katie
Laura
Adria
McKenzie Elizabeth
Callie

Eldarwen, Lindsay, and Taylor all awarded me with this award! Thanks y'all, this is one of my favorites! :) I now award:

Allison
Katie

~

Now for a very long tag!

List seven songs that you are into right now.
1. Hoop Dee Doo- Perry Como
2. Who I Am - Jessica Andrews
3. Pelennor Fields- The Two Towers
4. Lux Aeterna- The Lord of The Rings
5. The Auctioneer- Leroy Van Dyke
6. Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny!- The Andrew Sisters
7. Straw Hat Song- Desi Arnaz

What kind of a car do you want when you're older? I have no clue!

Where do you want to live when you're older? As long as it's in the mountains I'll be happy. :)

Do you want to go to college? Nope. If I do anything it will be something like College Plus

, but not even that really appeals to me right now. Maybe when I get older I'll want to do it.

How many siblings do you have? Two older sisters and a younger brother.

How many children do you want to have when you're married? A lot!

Boys or girls? Both!

City girl or country girl? Country, definitley.

Gourmet meals or steak with salad? Steak with salad.

Flying or driving? I've never flown before. The thing I'd want to do the most is ride a train, but since that's not a choice I'll say I'd rather fly.

Bike riding or swimming? Bike riding.

Sports or no sports? Okay, this question is like in every tag! How many times do I have to say I like to play sports, but I don't like to watch them!

Books or movies? Both!

School or chores? Well, probably chores.

Inside or outside? Usually outside.

Wednesday or Sunday? Sunday!

Friends or Family? Both!

Fried or scrambled eggs? Scrambled. I haven't had scrambled eggs in like four months cause I fixed them too much for a while and burned myself out on them.

Pancakes or cereal? Pancakes, definitely! I never have liked cereal and haven't had any in like six months!

Big meal or something small? Big meal, probably.

Movie or TV show? Usually movie, but I do like to watch "Sue Thomas F.B. Eye," "Doc", and "I Love Lucy."

Thing to do outside? I either read or play with Josh and/or Toby

Favorite meal? What kind of a question is that? Well, if I have to answer, it would have to be Thanksgiving dinner.

Place to read a good book? Outside in the middle of the fruit trees.

What is your favorite vegetable? Potatoes or "PO-TA-TOES!" like Sam would say. :)

Where do you want to live when you graduate? At home, until I get married.

What time or day do you like the best? Morning because that's when I get the most done.

What is your favorite flower? Probably roses, but I'd have to think about it.

What is your favorite weapon? The Bible!

Do you like sports? Why is this question in the tag if there's another question asking the same thing above it?

Do you like writing? Yes.

What is your favorite month? December!

Do you like adventure? Yep.

Do you collect anything? I guess so.

What do you collect? Pens, stationary, cards, and stickers.

Do you live near your grandparents? No, that's why I write to them.

Are you bored of this? Not really.

Okay, I tag anyone who's willing to spend the time to answer the questions! :)

Merry CHRISTmas everyone!

- Haley

A Cute Award!

This is an award I received from Eldarwen! I really like the poem that goes with it! :)

Before Lizzy could get away,

Mr. Collins came forth to say,

You can hardly doubt my intent,

After all the time we have spent.

My attentions have been too marked,

That they can hardly be misread.

Right as I came into this house,

I meant to take you as my spouse,

I'll state my reasons to marry.

It would add to my happiness,

And set a model of marriage,

In my home and in my parish.

For it is the right thing for me,

And also now dear cousin see.

That is the recommendation,

From my most lovely patroness.

She said to me to take a wife,

As the companion of my life.

She said to me the girl I pick,

Should be gentle and kind,

Which I why I have you in mind.

Many Blessings,

Haley

A Thanksgiving Day Poem

Thanksgiving Delights

On Thanksgiving Day we’re thankful for

Our blessings all year through,

For family we dearly love,

For good friends, old and new.

For sun to light and warm our days,

For stars that glow at night,

For trees of green and skies of blue,

And puffy clouds of white.

We’re grateful for our eyes that see

The beauty all around,

For arms to hug, and legs to walk,

And ears to hear each sound.

The list of all we’re grateful for

Would fill a great big book;

Our thankful hearts find new delights

Everywhere we look!

By Joanna Fuchs

I hope that everyone has a very blessed Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving! :)

Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes :)

Hello everyone!
Yesterday I made some of these cupcakes and I thought I'd share the recipe. So, here it is! :)

Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 cup powdered cocoa

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1 egg

1/4 cup corn oil (I use vegetable oil)

2/3 cup milk

1 tsp. mint extract

1 cup miniature chocolate chips

Directions:

Heat oven to 375 dgrees. In large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in cocoa, sugar, and cinnamon. In a medium bowl, lightly beat the egg. Stir in the corn oil , milk, and mint extract. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir in the chocoalte chips. Stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened. Fill greased muffin tins. Bake for 18 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Makes one dozen cupcakes.

~

On a side note, earlier this week I made some pumpkin mufins and I forgot to put the sugar in the mixture! When they came out and someone commented on how they tasted, well, sugarlees, I was like, "Oopsies!" So whenever somebody got a muffin they sprinkled sugar on the top. Man, they were gross without the sugar! Oh well, I don't think I'll do that again for a long time! :)

Eldarwen's Giveaway!

Eldarwen over at The Faithful Elven Princess is having a giveaway in honor of her 200th post! That's a lot of posts! She's giving away some really cute stuff so go check it out!

A Really Cute Apron!

I found this really cute apron at the local antique mall a couple of weeks ago! I'm going to make it a cleaning apron. I would have posted a picture of it sooner, but my sister and I kept forgetting to take a picture of it! ;) So anyway, I just thought I'd post a picture of it!

Pretzel Fun

Yesterday me and my sister decided to make pretzels! Since it was cold and rainy, it seemed like the perfect day for it.

Almost done!

We shaped our brother's name. He was pleasantly surprised because he didn't even know that we were making them. :)

This was definitely our favorite ingredient! :)

Done and cooling! Mmm...

Here's the recipe we used:

Ingredients:
2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1-1/2 cups warm water (110° to 115°)
4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup cold water
Coarse salt

Directions:
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add flour and salt; stir to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead 4-5 times. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 15 minutes. Punch dough down and divide into 20 equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into a 15-in. long strip; twist into a pretzel shape. Combine baking soda and cold water; brush over pretzels. Sprinkle with coarse salt. Place on greased baking sheets. Bake at 450° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Yield: 20 (small) pretzels.

Taylor is Having A Giveaway! :)

In honor of her 100th post, Taylor is having a giveaway! She is giving away some really cute stuff, so head on over and enter. :)

Lindsay Has Awarded Me!

Lindsay, over at Content in Christ has awarded me! Here are the rules for this award/tag:

1. Do a post about the person who awarded you, and their blog.

2. Give the award to 5 of your favorite blogs, give a reason, and leave a comment telling them they have been awarded.

3. Answer the 10 random questions.

4. Have Fun!

Lindsay is my big sister, and we are best friends. :) She has a wonderful blog, and I greatly enjoy her posts!

Here's who I'm going to give this award to:

Sarah H - Sarah has a very neat blog. She is a great writer, and I really enjoy her posts!

Hannah Rose - Hannah's blog is very fun and interesting! She seems to be very busy, but always finds time to post. :)

Courtney - Courtney has a wonderful blog, where she posts about everyday life with lots of pictures. She and her family are in the process of adopting an adorable little boy from China. :)

Rachel - Rachel is Courtney's sister. She posts some great recipes and fun picture posts. I really like her blog too!

Callie - Callie has a great blog. She posts about everyday life anf fun tags! :)

Now, for the tag:

1. Have you ever ridden an elephant? No, but it sounds fun!

2. Have you ever eaten squid? Yes, and it was disgusting!

3. What is something crazy you have done with your best friend? I have no idea.

4. Have you ever held an alligator? No, but I went to an alligator farm once. :)

5. Have you ever let a snake slither through your fingers? No way!

6. What is your first and foremost dream in life? Get married, have kids, and whatever God wants me to do!

7. What is your dream vacation? A year-long trip in Europe.

8. What is the funniest movie you have ever seen? Probably Toy Story and Toy Story 2. I love those movies! :)

9. What is your favorite song? That's way too hard! Just go down to the playlists at the bottom of my blog to see some of my favorites.

10. If you could change the world in one way, what would you do? Bring everyone to Jesus Christ and many other things!

Thanks for awarding/tagging me, Lindsay! This was really fun. :)

A Giveaway!

Hannah over at Trusting In His Love is having a giveaway! She's giving away a few things and it's quite fun! So go and enter before it's over!

The Pictures! :)

It's everywhere!

A very snowy road.

Hmm, I wonder how much more it can hold? ;)

Beautiful snow-covered posts...

Me and Josh.

A neighbor dog decided to come visit us. :)

Our snowman and snowlady. :)

This bush is very pretty

Some snow covered fall leaves...

Beautiful branches...

~

So those are the pictures fo our first snowfall! All pictures are the compliments of Lindsay.

Guess What?!

This morning I woke up to find that it was snowing! That is very new for me so I was so excited! It's actually been snowing all day, so my brother and I have been playing in it a lot. We made a couple of very funny looking snowmen and have just been playing around. :) My sister Lindsay has taken many pictures and I'll post some whenever she gets them loaded on the computer. It's just beautiful! I love cold weather!

Canned Apple Pie Filling...

Last Saturday I made a whole bunch of canned apple pie filling. I've never made it before, so hopefuly it will be good! I started at nine thirty and it took me two and a half hours to peel and chop up the apples! Hey, it was five and a half pounds! It's just a good thing I like doing that. :) Here's a picture of the finished product:

Only some of the cans! :)

I was sure to label them.

Once we've tried some, and if it's any good, I'll be sure to post the recipe.

So that was how I spent most of my Saturday. I love cooking! :)

Hello! :)

Hello everyone,

Since I haven't posted in a while I thought I'd let you know what I've been up to and what's been keeping me so busy. Well, first it's school. I started In Freedom's Cause by G.A. Henty over the weekend and it's not as boring as I thought it would be. But, since it's a boy book I think it's what Little Women would be like for a boy.

Another thing that's been keeping me busy is apples! I went and picked a lot of them off of our tree last week, so now I am just trying to use them all before they go bad. I've made applesauce, apple bread, apple waffles, etc... This weekend I'm going to make some canned apple pie filling and probably some more applesauce! :) Yeah, I think we're all going to be appled out soon.

Those are the big things that have been keeping me so busy. Besides those it's just the usual stuff like pets, reading, letter writing, responding to e-mails, etc...

I guess I should be going now, breakfast is in the oven and I need to check on it!

Many blessings,

What I've Been Reading

This year in school I'm studying medieval history. I'm enjoying it a lot because it's one of my favorite parts of history. In this post I'm just going to tell you what I've been reading for it. All of the books are really good! :)

The Magna Carta. This book gave a good acount of King John's reign and, I think, portrays what most kings really were like back then.



Otto of the Silver Hand. It wasn't a very long book, but I really enjoyed it.




Adam of The Road. I really liked this book! I think it showed what a minstrel's life was really like. It was filled with adventure!

~

So those are the books I've read so far. The next one on the list is In Freedom's Cause by G.A. Henty. To tell you the truth, I'm not really looking forward to this one, because it looks kind of dry and boring, but we'll see. So that's what I've been reading (and what I will be reading, starting tonight). :)

Courtney's Giveaway!

In honor of her one year blog anniversary, Courtney is having a giveaway! She is giving away a beautiful green necklace! To learn more about it click here!

Feelin' Feminine Challenge - Day #7

Wow, I can't believe I made it to day #7! lol! :) This has been fun, but I'll be glad not to have to come up with a new hairstyle everyday. So here I am for the final day:

I'm wearing my brown knit skirt that my sister made for me, and one of my favorite floral blouses. (It's kind of a cold day for it, but as long as I stay inside I'll be okay.) :)

I'm wearing my hair in a braid. My sister braided it for me. Thanks, Lindsay! And I had to put my annoying bangs in bobby pins. I'm still growing them out!

This is why I'm wearing this outfit. We wanted to match on our final day. :)

So that's it for my first Feelin' Feminine Challenge! It was tons of fun, and I'll probably do it again sometime. If you're interested in participating in the challenge, just click here.

Feelin' Feminine Challenge - Day #6

Good morning everyone!
I can't believe this is already day #6 of the challenge! Well, here's my outfit:

I'm wearing a blue floral skirt that my thoughtful sister made for me with a light blue top.

I did my hair in two topsy tails. In the book it's called the cascading look. :) I love topsy tails!

So that's it for today! Only one day left. If you're interested in participating in the Feelin' Feminine challenge, just click here.