Emily Joy Photography

I will say it again...

2009-12-19T14:01:00.000-05:00

I have changed my blog address!!!

If you have forgotten, PLEASE switch from following this blog to my new blog:

www.emilyjoyphoto.blogspot.com

When you switch following my new blog, please don't follow this blog any more! Thank you!!!

Reminder...

2009-11-09T15:50:00.000-05:00

Hey folks, I noticed that a lot of people are still following this blog. Just wanted to remind you that I won't post here any more, because I post here now:

www.emilyjoyphoto.blogspot.com

So please stop following here and switch to my new/now old blog! Thanks!

Another delay and a change

2009-10-06T16:26:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! MOST IMPORTANT THING FIRST!!! Are you paying attention? OK, I HAVE CHANGED MY BLOG ADDRESS! It is emilyjoyphoto.blogspot.com.

I REALLY need everyone who is following me to switch blogs! It would be SO helpful! Thank you SO much! Also, I won't be posting here, but I put all my posts onto my new blog, but all the comments are gone :( So yeah, just either switch my blog address on Google Reader or change where you follow. Thanks! My new blog pretty much looks the same, except I changed the blog address and no comments...

Sorry about Challenge! I haven't had time yet, and I'll try to do it right after this post but that might not happen. If it doesn't, I'll post it tomorrow and give you all an extra day to enter :) Thanks!

Week 2 Photo Challenge Winners!

2009-10-04T14:38:00.000-04:00

This past weeks challenge was

Family

I was very happy with the entries! Here are the first, second and third place winners:

First Place Winner:

Laney @ Got Freckles?

Congratulations Laney! I loved how you took my theme 'family' and instead of using a picture of your own family, you did a duck family! Very creative, and I loved it!

Here is your button:

Second Place Winner:

Hannah @ Family, Feelings and Fun

I really liked the beach background (I am pretty partial to beaches myself :), and I loved how you all were wearing white! It looked so clean and beautiful!

Here is your button:

Third Place Winner:

Maddie @ My Double Sided Lens

This one was SO sweet! I liked the partially black and white with a tad bit of coloring :) It adds lot's of interest to your photo.

Here is your button:

Thanks to everyone who entered! It was hard to pick the winners! Be ready for your next challenge :)

Rebecca

2009-10-03T17:46:00.000-04:00

I'm FINALLY getting around to posting Rebecca's photoshoot! This girl is gorgeous!

Look at those eyes!

I love her {umm, 'my'} shoes!

She also wanted to take pictures of me :)

I edited this picture to look like this:

Can you guess the difference? Ugh, that ugly gap between my teeth is gone! I've hated it for FOREVER, and so now I'm thinking about getting braces. The only thing is, I'd have to wear a retainer for the REST OF MY LIFE {even if it IS only at night}. Whoa, this post is supposed to be about Rebecca - not my teeth.

Louie actually looked at the camera! Hmm, maybe Morocco isn't the only photogenic kitten :)

Rebecca is SO funny! She was in love with these little sugar filled pumpkins :)

I told you she was gorgeous.

Timeline

2009-10-01T15:20:00.000-04:00

Just though I'd jot some things down...

In exactly two years, I will get my learners (Is that scary or what???)! I can't wait! Today, mom, Joelle and I went over the fair grounds to kind of set up for the Relief Sale tomorrow and Saturday. Mom let me drive the van around the grounds for a little :) I really need to work on braking softer... And guess what! I've already decided on what car I'm gonna buy!

What do you think? Do you like it mom and dad? Oh I knew you would! Now... do you think I could have a loan? Umm... a permanent loan? As in a gift??? :) So anyway, I'm excited about driving! Joelle asked me if when I drive I'll take her everywhere. Of course I said yes :) Seriously, I am a wonderful big sister. Hmm, I also remember a certain other sister telling me she would take me to see the new Air Bud movie once she got her license... it didn't happen. Yes. You know who you are.

I JUST LEARNED HOW TO PLAY VIVA LA VIDA!!! Seriously, it really isn't hard to learn. And you know what? I always seem to annoy my family with my songs... I learn them and play them over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. My favorite song to play is 'I Saw God Today' by George Strait. It's another song I play over and over and over again :) So my family has been hearing 'Viva La Vida' a lot lately :) My absolute favorite song (Right now) is 'Viva La Vida Meets Love Story'. It is so pretty how Jon mixed Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida' and Taylor Swift's 'Love Story' together.

Just though I'd say... I LOVE OLD NAVY! It is my absolute favorite store IN THE WORLD! I get more than half my clothes there (Is that why I have no money? Probably.) :)

My WONDERFUL big sister Kate is lending me her WONDERFUL camera for the evening :) It is a Sony Powershot something... hey, it's wonderful. I've actually been bookmarking tons of cameras for my parents to get an idea of what I want for Christmas. I like leaving subtle hints, you know? :)

This past weekend was the VA Mennonite Retreat!!! It was tons of fun, even though SOME people decided to skip out on it... YOU know who you are too :) And Katherine, I'll try to post those pics soon... and I'm considering putting in the one of you :) Hey, I liked it!

Today is the first day of October! The month of Fall, leaves, Thanksgiving, Halloween, pumpkins, goards, decorations and ONLY 3 MORE MONTHS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!! Yes, I am counting the days until Christmas :)

My birthday is in exactly 6 months! It's just around the corner :)

Joelle is so big! It is not safe to spell around her anymore. Like one time I spelled B-A-T-H and she was like 'Am I taking a bath?'. Another time I spelled F-I-S-H-E-R-S and she said 'ARE WE GOING TO THE FISHERS???'. Excited much? Sad but true. She is growing up. And now she wants to go to Kindergarten. I think she'd like it, but I have no say in the matter :)

Jo-Bob's birthday is in 28 days. I actually already bought her a present :) I got her a pink poodle at a gas station on the way to the retreat. Apparently though, I'm very bad at hiding things because she found it after I had been home for an hour. She's too smart.

Every Monday evening, I play in the church league volleyball. So... this Monday was at the place we play and I realized OhMyGoodness... this is a co-ed team. So yeah, GUYS and girls. Big guys. Tall guys. Strong guys. Guys that don't know how to aim... :) Just kidding. These guys are amazing. I feel tiny, weak and useless :) I'm only 5'3" and the guys on my team are around, oh, 6' 2" :) Me and one other girl were the only 'little' girls there (Teenagers) and now she's quitting! You can't do this Joy! :)

I figured out how to get my header font and post title and post date font the same! I got the font from DaFont.com. Of course, knowing me, I'll probably change it. This won't make ANY sense to anyone but Mom, but the last sentence was an apposotive. Love you Mom (Even though I still hate Grammar)!

So that's all I'm posting for now... Maybe I'll post more later but now I'm done. Adios.

Oh, and retreat pics coming soon.

And I haven't posted Rebecca's shoot yet have I? I have to let her approve them first. I'll get to it soon!

Week 2 Photo Challenge - Family

2009-09-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone! This weeks category is...

Family!

Here would be my entry:

And of course I didn't take this picture (Because I'm IN the picture) it wouldn't technically count :) But who's being technical?

So yeah, it can be a funny picture of your family, a random picture of someone else's family, it just HAS to go along with the theme 'Family'.

So go ahead! Enter! But only one entry per person.

Here you go:

Week 38 - "Blue" Photo Challenge

2009-09-28T10:31:00.000-04:00

Check out all the VERY cool entries here. I actually had planned and made this photo about a week ago when I saw in the iheartfaces planner that the challenge was 'Blue' I knew just what I wanted to do. I went to Gift and Thrift to find blue stuff. I wanted to buy an old suitcase... but mom said no. Bummer. But I found stuff around the house! Yay! Have a great day!

Week 1 - Photo Challenge Winners

2009-09-28T10:16:00.000-04:00

As you know, this weeks category was...

Silly Pets!

There was only one entry. But lot's of people said they wanted to enter but didn't have any pets! Haha! So here is the entry (And the first place winner!)

Misty from Rejoicing Hearts Photography

Congratulations Misty! Here is your button :)

And I have decided that I will host this challenge from Tuesday until Friday and on Sunday I'll announce the winners!

Hope you all can enter this week!

I have another challenge up my sleeve :) Look for it tomorrow!

Delay

2009-09-25T22:12:00.001-04:00

Hello friends!

HUGE delay! I won't be here tomorrow (Or part of Sunday) due to a Middle School Retreat at my church, so I will NOT be posting any results for 'Challenge' :( But now you have until Sunday at 12:00 PM to enter! :) I had a HUGE/LONG day and I just got home and I still have to pack! I'm taking pictures, and I'll be back later!

My bus leaves at 9:00 AM tomorrow! Be praying for me (And Emmy K. who is coming too {Different church}). Have a great {night}!

A Cup of Tea?

2009-09-24T18:24:00.001-04:00

I can SO see myself sitting on my chaise lounge chair before the fire, sipping my piping hot tea, munching on toast with jam while reading a Jane Austen novel.

*sigh*

There are only a *few* problems with my dream...

I would NEVER buy a chaise! WAY too expensive!
I don't usually 'sit by the fire'. Especially since our fireplace is a big black thing in the basement.
OK (Here's the big problem), I DON'T LIKE TEA!!! :O Yeah I know. There's just something about it I don't like. I ALWAYS am imagining myself drinking 'afternoon tea', eating biscuits and saying 'Daarling...' all the time :)
I HATE piping hot stuff! When I was little (OK, last year) I put ice cubes in my HOT chocolate and I always waiting until Mom's coffee cooled off before I sipped it :)
I would much rather be reading a Lori Wick novel :)

Hmm, I'll need to work on that.

I got a book from the Library called 'The Teashop Girls'.

It was such a cute little story! I think my favorite part about it was the cover! It is SO bright and cheerful!I love the polka dot teapot and the girls fiery red hair with the blue shirt and yellow barrista apron. It really looks like something I would do... work in a quiet tea shop and wear those awesome aprons! Anyone hiring?... :)

So anyway, in The Teashop Girls, at the beginning of each chapter they have a quote that has something to do with tea, and I loved them! So I copied them down... :) Here they are:

- You can't get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough for it to suit me.
~ C.S. Lewis

-Remember the tea kettle - it's always up to it's neck in hot water, yet it still sings.
~Author Unknown

- Coffee is not my cup of tea.
~Samuel Goldwyn

-Bread and water can so easily be toast and tea!
~Author Unknown
(My Favorite! ^ )

-"Bring me a cup of tea and the Times."
~Queen Victoria's first command upon her ascension to the throne

-Thank the Lord for tea! What would the world do without tea? How did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea.
~Sydney Smith

-Where there's tea there's hope.
~Arthur W. Pinero

-I always fear that creation will expire before teatime.
~Sydney Smith
(I am NOT afraid of the world ending, but it IS a cute concept :)

So those are my favorite tea-time quotes :) When I get my first job as tea shop barrista, I shall tell all my wonderful bloggy friends! And I will invite you to come have afternoon tea with me (One at a time).

Week 1 Photo Challenge - "Silly Pets"

2009-09-23T08:18:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Week 1 of Emily Joy Photography's Photo Challenge!!!

This weeks category is...

Silly Pets!

(And just let me clarify, it doesn't have to be YOUR pet, just any pet. Although it has to be a HOUSE PET, it can't be a camel or a tiger :)

Let's see, you can enter today and tomorrow, and I will announce the winners on Saturday!

Here is what my entry would be (Although my entry does not count):

Below is Mister Linky. It is very simple to use.

Create your blog post with you picture in it.
Publish your post.
Go to your blog and click on the POST title to get the URL for your post.
Come back HERE to THIS POST.
Here is an example of what you must do:

Put your name, and your blog address.

Here is a good example of a URL:

http://arollercoasterride.blogspot.com/2009/09/umm.html

Here is a bad example of a URL:

www.arollercoasterride.blogspot.com

If you do it the bad way, I will not be able to find your post, and you may be disqualified :(

So that's all! If you have any other questions, just contact me (emijiz@gmail.com)

PS I am putting my entry below in Mister Linky as an example :)

Challenge

2009-09-22T13:24:00.001-04:00

Hello friends! Tomorrow (Wednesday), I will be hosting a photo challenge!

ANYONE can enter!

Here are the Rules/Guidelines:

The photo MUST fit in with the category of the week.
Your photo must NOT be offensive in ANY way. Your blog may NOT contain racism, hate, porn, violence, or commercial profit (You may not be receiving money from your site).
Beginners, Amateurs, and professionals are welcome to participate!
You MUST make your post BEFORE using my Mr. Linky.
Be sure that on your post, you link back to my 'Challenge' of the week.
You MUST have taken the photo. Not even another family member. Of course, they may enter their own photo, but you may only enter YOUR photo.
Make sure that in your post, you have ONLY the photo you are entering. Otherwise it would be too confusing and I will disqualify you from the contest.
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, anyone is free to enter. On Saturday and part of Sunday I will look through all the entries and will decide upon the First, Second and Third place winners. I will also post my entry (Which won't be counted) so that you can see and example of the category.
COMMENTS!!! Please feel free to visit each link, and if you like it, LEAVE A COMMENT AND TELL THEM! Seriously folks, EVERYONE loves getting comments - especially if it's a compliment.
Winners take... not much. Sorry, no fancy gift, no $1,000,000 prize, just recognition and, hmm, maybe I'll make a button for you :)

Yay! I can't wait to start tomorrow!

And since this is the first time I'm holding 'Challenge', I'll give you a heads up on my first category!

Silly Pets!

So be looking in your archives and folders for the best picture you can find of your silly pet!

I'll be posting tomorrow, so be looking for my first 'Challenge!'

And P.S. Some people may be thinking that I copied that red/black/white theme from iheartfaces, but honestly, I just love those colors! So I was NOT trying to copy anyone. Thanks!

Week 37- "Completely Candid" Photo Challenge

2009-09-21T08:05:00.000-04:00

Check out all the other AMAZING entries at

I ♥ Faces!

Wedding

2009-09-20T15:39:00.001-04:00

I had the pleasure of shooting some fun photos at B and A's wedding on Saturday! Of course, I was not the main photographer, but it was fun to pretend! If you read my About Me, you know that I want to be a Wedding Photographer. It is SO much fun! Mom was the caterer at the wedding, so that's why I got to tag along :)

I split up my pictures into different sections. I edited most of them with borders and such. Tell me how you like it! Well, here you go! Enjoy!

Before the Wedding

Bridesmaids and flower girls.

The little girls whispering secrets before the wedding :)

I snagged this one while the REAL photographers were doing their stuff :)

The Ceremony

The Bride and Groom.

Aww!!!

Leaving the church to go to their off-site photoshoot.

So now here are some random shots I took:

The guest book.

On every table in the reception room they had a glass bowl with a flower in it. It was SO pretty!

Parts of the BEAUTIFUL creation my mom made:

Joelle was great {If not a bit silly}! She was only a little upset towards the end when she wanted to go home!

The candles were beautiful, but it was so DARK in the reception hall that you couldn't see what you were eating!

After the wedding {And while the Bride and Groom were at the photoshoot}, I got mom's rings and used them as props :) I couldn't exactly go over and ask the Bride and Groom for their rings, could I? Hey, I had to improvise. I really like how these turned out!

Haha, I had my "True Love WAITS" ring, but that didn't really apply to the wedding, so I turned it so that it just said "True Love"! Haha! I really liked that one.

I hope you all liked my pictures! I had SO much fun taking them! I hope that I can do another photoshoot like that again soon!

And by the way, the 'Rebecca Photoshoot' is coming soon! Stay tuned!

I'm Confused

2009-09-18T19:40:00.000-04:00

Very, very, very confused.

Why isn't Fall here?

Well, it seems to be here...

Sometimes.

Sometimes not.

But I wish it was.

I am MORE than ready for Fall!

Here are a few decorations from around the house:

These cute hanging fabric pumpkins. I've made 6 of these :)

And these adorable fabric pumpkins! I haven't finished this one yet, but when I do, I'll post pictures!

A couple of days ago, we went to Michaels (A bad place for me to shop when I have no money).

I got this great mini scarecrow... for only $5.00!

And I snagged this cute little pumpkin... for $2.00 :)

We went to a local farm and bought three different kinds of mums. We got BRIGHT yellow, this yellow/orange, and a purplish one that hasn't quite bloomed yet.

And I broke out these cuties :)

Yesterday, Joelle and I made sugar cookies!

I doubled the recipe :)

Hmm, extra sweetness?

Yum!

Thanks for reading! Feedback please!

iheartfaces - "Contemplative" Photo Challenge

2009-09-14T15:33:00.001-04:00

Click here to see all the other cool entries!

Coming Soon...

2009-09-13T15:01:00.002-04:00

Photoshoot with Rebecca!

Blue Vs. Red

2009-09-13T14:55:00.000-04:00

Beginning of the first game.

Didn't plan this one :) But this is Coach Mary.

WOO-HOO!!! (I always lose my voice at these volleyball games :)

Go Leah!

A girl on the Red Team. Even though we probably got smashed by that kill, I had to put it in :)

Joelle LOVES sitting with Aunt Linda and Uncle Larry :) Too cute :)

I took this picture at the game, and I though I would be able to post this on 9/11, but I didn't get to it. Do you know how long it takes to get my photos ready for {the blog}? I have to resize it, touch it up, give it the watermark, and fix any blemishes! It takes a good 4 days to get them ready!

Didn't know WHY that one turned out like it did, but I liked it, so who cares?

Boy, doesn't that look like fun? :)

A Tootsie Pop! Yum!

I tried to get more face shots, but it's hard when people ARE MOVING!!! "Stop moving so I can take your picture!!!"

The Tootsie Pop is BACK!!!

Blue beat them in 3 games!!! Yay! Go FLAMES!!!

What I do at School...

2009-09-10T17:39:00.000-04:00

Of course, I use my Red Pen,

And then my Gold Pen!

Which by the way, did you know that teachers aren't supposed to use red pens anymore because 'it might hurt the childs feelings'? Like, WHATEVER!!!

And then I leave my camera by my desk :)

I have a secret stash of candy :) (Although not so secret because it's right on my desk)

And sometimes, I take a test,

And sometimes, I do an Algebra lesson,

But only sometimes.

Change? No Way!

2009-09-07T16:11:00.000-04:00

Yes, it is all to true. I have changed my look for the THIRD time in September :)

No laughter please.

Week 35 - "Back To School"!

2009-09-07T15:12:00.000-04:00

Click here to check out all the other cool entries!

46 Minutes From Home

2009-09-06T20:18:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Dad for the wonderfully catchy title :)

But yes, Highland is '46 minutes from home', so it only made sense to title it that. Actually, it made sense to ME to have 'Church Campout, 2009' or 'Camping at Highland', but I like Dad's title too :)

So all these pictures will be in no particular order (I'd have no idea where to start!), just enjoy!

Katherine found this little guy in the river. There are so many animals there, once, we even found a snake! OK, enough scary stories... :)

Jenny mostly took care of Tobin. Lucky duck :)

Jenny and I took Tobin, Josiah and David up to the sand volleyball court and started playing some real 'volleyball' :)

Tobin was much to happy just playing in the sand :)

Josiah always wanted me to take a picture of him/something, and I was more than happy to say yes! It is not really normal for someone around here to jump up and down and say "PLEASE take a picture of me!!!". I think I've taken too many pictures of them and overstayed my welcome :)

Yikes! Probably shouldn't put that one on here... But I love it! Psst! If I don't blog within the next week, CALL THE POLICE!!! :) Silly silly silly.

We had a baptism service on Sunday.

Our youth pastor Joe.

The nine kids waiting anxiously awaiting to be led down the river bank to the freezing cold water... :)

The nine kids and their FAMILIES waiting at the bank.

Katherine.

Jessica (I'm so sorry Jessica, I WASN'T in a good place to take pictures!).

Jeremy.

Jacob.

Matthew.

Luke.

Evan.

Perry.

Bryce.

Congratulations! Welcome to the church family!

Haha, lovebirds :)

Eww, look at that mucky brown water... :P It was cold too :) It was cold this year, it was cold last year, and it was cold 3 years ago when I was baptised!

POOL!!! Now remember folks, the water is COLD! 66 degrees to be exact...

What a face!

David is sitting on the edge shivering...

And Joelle is off swimming like a polar bear (Polar Bear? Ice cold water? Swimming? Oh never mind...)!

Aha! But now he is ready to go swimming!

Nope. Never mind.

Another little swimmer! What a cutie pie!

Out of the water, in the water, out of the water... WHICH ONE???

I loved the water drops by her nose :)

Love it :)

You don't know how many people came over to me and said, "Hey, I love your blog!", or "Is that going on your blog?" and I love this one, "Does THAT camera even TAKE pictures???" :) Haha, it's sweet to know that other people read my blog though. And it wasn't just kids! It was actually more adults! I was like "WOW! I really need to watch what I write!" :) And yes, even though my camera does flip out and it looks like a video camera... I love it and I wouldn't trade it for anything! I would rather have a skimpy looking camera and take good pictures than to have NO camera and take NO pictures. Yup. That's my philosophy.

Good night!

Giveaway and LEAVING!!!

2009-09-05T11:36:00.001-04:00

Hello wonderful friends of blogland!

First off...

JULIA'S JOURNAL IS HOSTING A GIVEAWAY!!!

Yeah, it's part of her 'Post-A-Day' thing!!!

Anyway, she is giving away a pair of earrings! If you want to enter, just go here. It is seriously an amazing giveaway! Thanks Julia!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AND...

This evening my family and I are leaving for our annual church campout!

I am taking my camera.

And my swim suit.

Although, being in the 60's the past couple of days, I'm not quite sure how much swimming I'll be doing...

But I WILL take tons of pics :)

Umm...

2009-09-01T12:33:00.003-04:00

What are you doing??? I am SO glad I caught Morroco on camera! Those kittens sure are a handful, but I love 'em to pieces :)

And yes, I put up our Fall wreath yesterday :) *sigh* Today was lovely! It was basically the same as yesterday, but today was little cooler. Ahh, I love Fall :) Now I know that Fall doesn't technically start until September **, but I don't care!

A silly picture of me :)

Ahh, first day of September! I'm working on a new background and header :) Take care!

The Little Princess

2009-08-30T18:37:00.002-04:00

And hello 300 posts! I remember it was Easter Sunday, 2009 when I wrote my 200th post, and July 27, 2008 when I wrote my first post! Seems like a long time ago while it seems like just yesterday! I think that last year went by so fast! I'm hoping that this year goes just as fast, because THEN I'M GOING TO 9TH GRADE!!! Whoo-Hoo!

I must be sick...

2009-08-29T11:27:00.002-04:00

Figuratively and literally speaking. I think it's allergies, but it also might be a cold. But figuratively speaking, I haven't posted for a while! I guess it's harder now that is a 'Photography Blog', because if you get in the 'I don't want to take pictures mood' (Which I didn't think would be possible for me!), AND it is foggy/cloudy/rainy all day... it puts a damper on your photography mood :( ANYWHO...It all started Tuesday night, when we left the windows open. Where we are, they are started to cut the corn, so when I woke up and had a sore throat, I didn't think anything about it. The first couple days of school I usually have allergies. So I went about my first day of school!

School really is fun :) Here is my schedule:

Wait, I don't have a schedule.

Well, yes I do, and I do all the stuff on it, but I don't do it all in the same order.

But here's what's ON my schedule:

Pre-Algebra
Grammer & comp.
Vocab & Spelling
History
Writing
Geography
Fallacy Detective (It's a book)
The Foundling (That's a book too :)
Health
Physical Science (I start that Sept. 11 with a class)
Literature
Cursive
And my Dad and I are going to start Bible sessions/studies or whatever you call it :)

We went to the Library yesterday and GUESS WHAT??? Mom found a book by Gilbert Morris called... 'Joelle's Secret'! Joelle is a really unusual name! I didn't think anyone else knew it :) So I got it and now I'm reading in! So far it is really good. I started it last night, and I'm only on the 7th chapter. Good grief, I should've finished it by now :)

Grammer is my least fav. subject. When I'm doing it, I'm always thinking "When will I use this, when will I use this???". Yes. I know I WILL use all this 'past perfect', 'verbals', and 'present perfect' stuff, but I think it just the same.

Pre-Algebra is my fav. subject! Haha, I feel smarter saying 'Pre-Algebra' :) I'm OK at math, I mean, it can get on my nerves sometimes just because I KNOW I know these things, and it takes forever to do them, but I have to do them anyway! *sigh* I honestly don't know why I like math. I just do.

Well, this morning I got up, ate pancakes, and went to my grandpa's. Dad got on the tractor (Yup. We are FARM PEOPLE!), Kate got the wheelbarrow (Joelle hopped in :), grandpa got the plow, and Mom, Jenny and I grabbed buckets. We went behind grandpa and Dad and picked up taters! Yay! By the way, I think we're having mashed potatoes for lunch, cheesy potatoes for supper, and tomorrow for lunch (We're having company) I think we're having hamburgers, hotdogs, and potatoes.

Around 10:00, we were ready to leave (Well, me Kate, Jenny and Joelle were :). So us gals got our shoes and ran home! OK, not all the way, but we ran for almost a whole mile. We walked some of it, but mostly ran. Dad came after about 7 minutes and we sat in the bed of his truck for the ride home! Joelle's face looked hilarious! She kept blinking rapidly and her hair was sticking straight out from the wind! She looked REALLY silly :)

One more note, my friend Emily (Ironic huh?), who used to go to school with me, HAS STARTED A BLOG! It is about her experience being homeschooled this year. She is going back in 9th grade like me :) So go here and tell her hi!

Have a great day!

P.S. I'll have to change my look either Monday or Tuesday because my header says August 2009, and in three days it will be September! How did that happen? August just slid right by me :(

First Day Of School

2009-08-25T13:13:00.003-04:00

Yesterday Joelle and I took some silly back-to-school shots. I just finished my schoolwork for the day! Yay for the first day of school! Oh, and also my first attempt at creating my own backdrop :)

Week 33 - "Nostalgia" Photo Challenge

2009-08-24T16:56:00.002-04:00

We are supposed to post a picture that is 'nostalgic' (Which means something that is old and it means something to you... put in simplest terms :) and write WHY it is nostalgic to us. Well... I am not old, and I am a kid, so I can't write about something old. This is the oldest (Most photogenic) object in our house, and I thought it was cute! Mom bought it at a yard sale, so it has no significance to any of us, except that we played with it when we were little kids. So that's my cheap explanation of 'My Little Snoopy' :)

Go and check out all the other entries at i heart faces!

Silly Goose

2009-08-24T11:46:00.002-04:00

County Fair

2009-08-22T12:13:00.011-04:00

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Joelle was excited and ready to go!

We first walked around and looked at all the rides and games. Joelle really wanted to ride the Merry-Go-Round, so we bought some tickets. Thankfully, the man let me ride with Joelle, and I didn't have to pay three more tickets!

By the time we had finished our ride on the Merry-Go-Round, it had started to sprinkle - which in the next 5 minutes turned to rain. We rushed to the petting zoo and found some adorable animals - including a llama!

We then ran to the cattle barn (My Dad's favorite place, I'm sure!). Of course, I used to be a farmgirl (And I would give anything to be one again :), and to some people the smell of manure - or cows in general - is repulsive! But I LOVE the smell - I could smell it all day every day!

I really do love cows :)

The rain didn't last very long - maybe 5 minutes - so while we were wandering the cattle barns, the rain stopped and a beautiful rainbow came out!

And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.

And God said, "This is the token of the covenant which I make between me andyou and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:

I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
Genesis 9:11-13

Joelle wanted to play this ducky game. All you do is pay $2, pick up one duck, and on the bottom is a letter. S = Small Toy, M = Medium Toy, L = Large Toy. Joelle got an S and she picked a cute little flower:

We were getting kind of hungry, so I stopped and got a funnel cake. Ahh, funnel cakes :) So fattening, yet so yummy...

Dad was hungry for a cheeseburger, so while he got one, Joelle and I sat down on a picnic table. Right after I got my funnel cake, I took Joelle and got her some cotton candy. I had promised her weeks ago that I would buy her some, and she hadn't forgotten!

She took a couple bites and said "Eww!". Dad and I helped her finish :)

Joelle was SO brave! I kind of wanted to go on a roller coaster, but I also wanted Joelle to go with me. We rode one called the Dragon Wagon! I had ridden it before and it wasn't scary. I convinced Joelle to go along :) We were actually the only ones on the ride! We sat in the very front. It lurched forward and Joelle had this tight look on her face like"I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die..." :) You go sideways, way up, straight down, curve like crazy and repeat. You go around maybe 10 times, and Joelle loved it on the second time! By the time we got around to 8 times, Joelle was like "OK Emily, we can get off now!". But she was so brave and I was proud of her :)

For as many years as I can remember, the Ferris Wheel had been the same. This year, they had a different one! It was called 'The Big Eli'. I personally liked the old one better, although I've never ridden Big Eli. Hmm, I guess I'm not the biggest of fans of Ferris Wheels, I'm not too cracked on the rocking back and forth and slowly rising to the top. Next year, I'll have to try out Big Eli :)

By that time, it was getting darker. I loved how the lights stood out against the dark sky! This has been my first year of photography, and I hadn't had the chance to take pictures like this before!

A Veritable Smorgasbord (From Charlotte's Web)

A fair is a veritable smorgasbord orgasbord orgasbord
After the crowds have ceased
Each night when the lights go out
It can be found on the ground all around
Oh, what a ratly feast!

Melon rinds and bits of hotdogs
Cookie crumbs and rotton cotton candy
Melted ice cream, mustard dripplings
Moldy goodies everywhere

Lots of popcorn, apple cores
Bananna peels and soggy sadwiches
And gobs of gorgeous gook to gobble at the fair

A fair is a veritable smorgasbord orgasbord orgasbord
After the gates are shut
Each night when the lights go out
It can be found on the ground all around
That's where a rat can glut, glut, glut, glut!

Joelle in front of her favorite ride - the Merry-Go-Round! Who doesn't love the Merry-Go-Round?

Ahh, one more ride on the Merry-Go-Round :) Thanks to Dad for taking this picture :)

A very blurry, but funny picture of us whizzing past on our noble steeds :)

I'm not sure what this ride was called - and it didn't look all to scary! You know those rides where you go upside down, sideways, loop-to-loop - those make me sick :(

Joelle and I played one last game (A balloon dart game), and she won a small puppy :)

The Merry-Go-Round was out last ride. Joelle wanted a balloon, so we got her one and decided to be on our way. It was around 9:15. We were on our way to the van, when we saw lots of people gathered around a small stage. A big sign read 'Hansen Spectacular'. The show times were 7:30 and 9:15, so we decided to stick around and see what it was like.

We found out it was an acrobatics show. First, a man and a lady came out and did amazing roller skating! Seriously. Then the same man came out and did amazing jumps on the trampoline and also juggled - which included juggling torches of fire :) Then his daughters (Olivia and Madison) came out and jumped on the trampoline, and did some pretty good tricks (For being 5 and 3). Then the Mom (And the lady at the beginning) came out and did the acrobatics. Amazing!

How she does all that is beyond me! You don't realize how high up she was!

Oh :) I was trying to take a picture of the rides, and Joelle's balloon got in the way. Perfect timing though :)

So we left 'Hansen Spectacular' and went home. The whole evening was so much fun, despite the rain (Even though it was fun to duck into the cattle barns :). I can't wait to go back next year!

And thanks SO MUCH to Misty who helped me resize my photos! It worked wonders (Although I think I may have to make them a bit smaller :)!

Have a wonderful week!

My Look

2009-08-21T15:02:00.001-04:00

Coming Soon...

2009-08-21T10:02:00.000-04:00

Coming soon! County Fair!

Volleyball

2009-08-19T16:41:00.006-04:00

Numba 9!!!

Whenever I re-size the pictures, they are always fuzzy :( I wish I could fix it somehow... Oh well. It's good enough for now! Oh, by the way, we played a tournament and we won all our matches! Whoo-hoo for volleyball season!

Beautiful Butterfly

2009-08-19T16:40:00.003-04:00

My Ring

2009-08-17T12:50:00.005-04:00

I love my new ring! It is beautiful!!! And I was having WAY to much fun with the grapes :)

Jenny has a volleyball tournament tomorrow (The start of the season! Yay!), so be looking for pictures soon!

Week 32 - Bubbles!

2009-08-17T10:37:00.005-04:00

Shoes

2009-08-15T18:57:00.003-04:00

Got some new shoes today at Payless! I love the black ones! And get this: they were only $3.50!!! Wow! I got both pairs for only 18.49 (Or something like that :).

Butterfly

2009-08-14T16:50:00.003-04:00

Banana Bread

2009-08-14T15:39:00.003-04:00

Banana Bread

Ingredients:
1/2 cup shortening (Butter)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup flour
1 cup oatmeal
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (3 medium)
1/4 cup milk

Directions:
Cream (Shortening and sugar) thoroughly.

Add (Eggs and Vanilla), beating until fluffy.

Add sifted DRY ingredients alternately with bananas and milk.

Pour in greased 9 x 5 loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Cover 5 minutes after removing from oven to cool (This keeps moisture in the cake).

Enjoy!

I doubled the recipe when I made it today, but you can do it however you want! The instructions are just for one loaf though. But like I said, enjoy!

Friends

2009-08-13T20:14:00.008-04:00

Today, we were fortunate to have some adorable little boys over! We had so much fun playing outside!

Pretending to be fierce pirates of the deep!

These boys crack me up every time I see them!

Mister Tobin is just learning to walk! Yay Tobin!

"Is that ME standing???"

"What are you pointing at?"

KITTIES!!! Tobin was absolutely mesmerized with the kittens! He would point and make a "Huh!" sound. He would scoot over to them and then they'd run away, he'd scoot, they'd run... over and over again :)

Then we had POPCORN!

Joelle and David were being birds and 'tweet tweeting' all over the place! So Joelle would tweet and David would feed her popcorn, then David would tweet and Joelle would feed him popcorn.. on and on the system went :)

I also got my new Bible yesterday! It's an ESV. Isn't it lovely?

It even has my initials on it!

And today I got my 'True Love Waits' purity ring! I love how it flashes as my fingers move over the keyboard :) That's all for tonight!

I took the plunge...

2009-08-12T20:12:00.002-04:00

Yes, welcome to...

Emily Joy Photography!

I worked on it all day. I think it looks very nice! *sigh* It's just nice to have it finished! Oh, and by the way, the header is from Google (But I made sure it wasn't copyright before I took it!), I didn't take it (Duh! I'm not THAT good!). So Emily Joy Photography is now is business! I made my pictures bigger, new layout (PhotoBlog style! I love it! All my sidebar stuff is on the bottom :), new siggy, new name, new header, lots of new stuff! If I decide later not to have a photography blog, I'll just change back to A Roller Coaster Ride! It sounds simple enough :) Have a great week!

Crazy Silly Funny Faces Photo Challenge!

2009-08-10T09:50:00.003-04:00

Here is my IHeartFaces photo for this week! The category is 'Crazy, Silly, Funny Faces'!

I hope I win!!!

The Beauty

2009-08-09T19:53:00.011-04:00

Sorry, long time no post :) You know how I've written over 200 posts? Well, today is another milestone for this blog! I have gone for TEN DAYS without changing my look! I'm just kidding. I'm sure I've had a look for longer than this, right? RIGHT??? So anyway, the past few days have been beautiful {And HOT! Today it got up to at least 95!}, so I've taken some time outdoors to capture it!
A Cosmo about to burst!
Morroco is so photogenic!

Not-quite-ripe tomatoes {Which I'll admit ~ no matter how crazy you all must think I am ~ I don't like tomatoes!}.

Green grapes {Kate tried one and she said they were sour!

I don't know what kind of flower this is ~ it's just pink and fluffy! A good combination, right? :)

I did a photo like this in another post {Sorry, I can't find the link}, with rain dripping from it. But I think I like this one better ~ with the blue sky and green tree!

Me 'n' Morroco :) Don't tell Louie {He might get jealous}, but I think Morroco is the cutest! Don't tell Morroco {I don't want it to go to his head}...

Silly Louie!

I am asleep in the shade...

Don't take a picture of me.
I LOVE these flowers!

A cute little grasshopper {Or whatever he is. He looks too small to be a grasshopper. Any ideas?}!
I have ultra-zoom, so I didn't have to get NEAR this bee!

I found Morroco asleep in the Million Gold flowers!

Did I mention that Morroco is very photogenic? :)

Now don't get me wrong, I love Louie too! He is one of the sweetest, cuddliest kittens there are!

There are these little ants crawling all over the flowers! Ick! Oh well, they do take nice pictures!

No explanation. Hehe :) In this picture, I think she looks like a goat!

One of the pretty pink Zinnias in my garden!

I love those dark brown eyes!

My goal this Summer has been to get a picture of a butterfly! Seriously! I did it!

The Heavens declare the glory of God;
the sky proclaims its Builder's craft.
~Psalm 19:2

~Something else... Mom and I were talking about blogging, and how she doesn't usually because she feels not everything has to be shared in blogland. Well, I've been thinking about that. I think that's partly why I was away for a while. I do blog about everything! I do blog {mostly} every day! I love taking pictures, and I don't want them to be on my computer and no one ever sees them. Maybe this is being prideful, or boastful, I don't know, but I want people to see the pictures I take! I think I take very good pictures, and I would love to do this for a living one day {I also want to be a wife and mother, but that is besides the point}! So this blog is mostly a photography blog, but I also blog about other things. Maybe, just maybe, I can do both. But without giving my life story out to strangers. I'm not quitting blogger, I'm just saying that I'll probably focus on my photography more now. I'm sure I'll still post about other things, so don't worry! I hope all that makes sense :) I'll try to find some verses in the Bible about being prideful or boastful. But I hope everyone understands my desire to let people see my work! I really don't want my beautiful pictures to go to waste. Well, that's all for now! Good night!

Joelle has a blog?!?!?!?!?!?!

2009-08-05T17:23:00.002-04:00

It is true. Joelle has a blog. A four year old has a blog. My little sister has a blog. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?!?!?!?!?! Well, she asked for one... And just so you know, I DON'T give her what she wants whenever she wants :) So here is the link - and when I told her that I would get my friends to go over to her blog her eyes got big and said, "Will they leave COMMENTS???" :) So she is very excited about comments and blogging. I must say, her blog is very cute :) AND... if you go to her blog and leave her a comment, she would be the happiest girl in the world! Happy blogging Joelle!

Kittens and Ice Cream

2009-08-04T19:41:00.006-04:00

Interesting title, eh? {Did I just say 'eh'???) Let's hope this post will not be as disgusting as the title promises :) So here we go, off on anther blogging adventure! Kittens and Ice Cream!

I haven't done a kitten update in a long time :( They are already about 4 1/2 months old! I can't believe how big they are getting! I absolutely love having kittens around the house! It started raining Saturday night ~ after I had put the kittens in their cage for the night ~ and it continued raining until Sunday around 9:00~ish :) Of course, I had to let the kittens out of their cage before we went to church, so while still in my pajamas {And with Joelle's assistance}, I got my umbrella and dashed daringly into the rain! I got Morroco, and ran back to the house {I couldn't hold two kittens and and umbrella at the same time! I'm not that talented!} ~ and ran back out and got Louie and ran back again! I put them out on the carport so they could stay dry, and by the time we were ready to go to church, the raining had pretty much stopped. SO ~ enough babbling :) On to the pictures of my little sweeties {Yes I call them 'Sweeties' even though they are males :)}!

Umm, Morroco? That doesn't look very comfortable...
I love Louie's ears!
Now on to a whole different subject {But one that tastes great!}... ICE CREAM!!!

The ice cream looks great... and Joelle's face looks...

Telling stories as the ice cream slowly drips... drip, drip, drip.

I LOVE this one!!! Except that it looks like she's picking her nose... :( Could you please move your hand honey? PLEASE?!?!?!?!?

Ahh, haven't had a picture post in a while and... it feels great to be back! I was having a bit of a inspiration 'loss'. I couldn't find anything good to take a picture of, but ice cream and kittens are always great places to start!

We're also re-doing out kitchen ~ I'll be sure to have before and after pics when it's all done! Have a great evening!

A Young Maidens Daybook

2009-08-03T13:17:00.003-04:00

Today...
August 3, 2009 (Wow! August already?)

Outside my window...
Hot, humid, and sunny.

I am thinking...
About the lovely smell of homemade bread wafting from the kitchen!

I am thankful...
For books to read, computers to use, kittens to play with, and flowers to smell.

I am wearing...
Bermudas, purple shirt, hair down.

I am reading...
The Bible, Horse Fever, Saddle Club books.

I am creating...
A new blog layout for someone.

One of my favorite things...
Homemade bread!

For education this week...
Ha! It's Summer! NO education!

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning....
Laundry :)

A spiritual lesson I'm learning....
Thinking before I act/speak.

A Godly character trait I plan to work on....
Listening to Joelle and what she has to say.

Scripture I am memorizing....
Psalm 100.

I am praying....
For our world leaders.

For the rest of the week....
Blogging, swimming, youth group, designing new layouts, shopping, reading.

A picture I'd like to share....
(I didn't take this pic :)

My Look

2009-08-02T16:04:00.003-04:00

I like remembering exactly what my blog looked like when, so now, whenever I change my background I'll post 'My Look', so I can look back and see which background I used :) Happy Sunday!

Memory Verse

2009-08-02T15:59:00.002-04:00

Psalm 100
Shout with joy to the Lord, O earth
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are His.
We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving;
go into His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him and bless His name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and His faithfulness continues to each generation.

"I'd like a 3D ocean cake, please"

2009-08-01T10:40:00.003-04:00

Now really, just LOOK at it! It's REALLY a 3D ocean cake! Someone wasn't thinking :) I thought this was really funny!

Original Source: Cake Wrecks

The worst part about blogging is coming up with the titles

2009-07-30T15:35:00.002-04:00

It is SO true. I'm always trying to come up with fun, catchy titles to start my posts. Most of the time, they are not fun and catchy, but that's OK. In celebration of my one year and 2 days old blog, here are some of my favorite videos:

God of Wonders:

Brian Regan: Phones and Codes :)

Brian Regan: Ironing Board:

Taylor Swift meets Viva La Vida {Beautiful!}

You know how you can't think of all your favorite videos in one sitting? Yeah. Well, that's all I can think of for right now, so maybe I'll post more later :) And I wasn't really tagged, but I'm going to do it anyway :) I'm not sure if I've done this one or not... But here it goes!

What is your favorite book?
I don't know about my favorite book, but I will read anything if it is by Lori Wick!

If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?

I'd love to go somewhere in the Caribbean! White, sandy beaches and clear blue water!

If you could go to any fictional place where would it be?

Narnia. Who wouldn't want to go to a place with lamp poles in the middle of the forest??? :)

Do you write or do you just like writing? or do you write?
I write in my journal regularly, and I've written a 67 page book before, but I don't write nearly as much as I used to - unless it's blogging :)

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A homemaker, mother, wife - anything God desires for me!

Favorite animal?

I feel guilty saying 'puppy', because I have two kittens, but I'd honestly have to say that little tiny puppies are my favorite :)

Favorite song?

I LOVE the piano music to Viva la Vida, but I really like the song 'Free to be Me' by Francesca Battistelli.

Do you like school?

It's OK. I'm not dreading school starting again {It will start whether I like it or not!}, but I also don't want lazy Summer days to end!

Are you a people person?

That depends on my mood! Mostly I am a people person though :)

Do you like to talk?

Yes, if I'm talking to an interesting person :)

Favorite food?

Chicken Lasagna!

Hobbies?

Reading, blogging, playing outside, photography.

Favorite author?

Lori Wick!

Favorite weapon?

WEAPON??? Oh, umm... my KUNG-FU moves!!! Haha, NO.

Is this a fun tag or are you getting bored?

I think I might have done this before... But maybe not :)

Do you like Hannah Montana and all those girly people and movies like High School musical?

NO NO NO NO!!! I will admit that I DID watch all the HSM movies - blech! I'm sorry I spent my time watching them! What a waste of time! And Hannah Montana??? I used to really like her shows - and let me say, she's a GREAT role model for all kids in the world! NOT!

What are you scared of?

Sarah Palin becoming president :)

Favorite flower?
Yellow Tulips.

Do you always use the same password or do you use different ones?

I always use the same passwords - actually, I switch between two different ones :)

Do you like blogs?

Yes :)

What is the expression on your face?

Thoughtful.

Are you going to tag somebody?
Yes.

Color of your eyes?
Bright Blue!

I'm tagging...
Everyone who's name starts with 'E'!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And what does everyone think of my new layout? Yes, I know my header image is a little fuzzy, but I have tried and tried to un-fuzzy it, but it won't work! I don't know why! But I love the picture SO much that I'm still keeping it! It looks just like me! Short blonde hair - and she's blogging! I have a new blog button, signature, background, header and all that good stuff! I'm done with this post for now, I'll be blogging soon though! Good bye!

Guess What???

2009-07-29T20:44:00.002-04:00

My blog is a year and one day old! Happy blogoversary to me! I hope to do a longer post tomorrow, but I might not get to it :( Sorry I missed the REAL blogoversary! If you want to, click here to read my very first entry! I wrote it on July 28, 2008. I remember that I made my blog in the morning and right away made my first post! After that, I wanted to post ALL DAY LONG! Although, it really doesn't seem like a whole year (And one day) has gone by! I think that this year has been the shortest year. Not literally, but it seems really short. But anyway, I wanted to post everything that happened! I ended up posting twice in the same day, the beginning, and one about ping pong :) Maybe I'll post more later, but now I'm going to take a shower... and my sunburn still is sore and the second I get in the shower, I will sting VERY badly :(

Also, how do you like my new layout? I'm not quite done yet, but when I'm done, I'll have a blog button again, so make sure you take it!

i... am.... so.... burnt....

2009-07-29T09:53:00.003-04:00

Yup. It is seriously hard to type. I am typing really slow. My shoulders, neck and face are burnt to a crisp. I went swimming with Rebecca yesterday for 3 1/2 hours, but I put on the spray kind which had a way lower SPF. Ugh. I hurt so bad. I can move. I put a rice bag that had been in the freezer on my back, and it felt so good! I also heard it sizzling because my back was so hot (It was just the rice moving) :) I put Aloe on last night and... it didn't really help. Jenny said it will make me not peel as much. I'm just tired and burnt and hot. You can feel the heat when you touch my face! Oh! And guess what?

I'm going swimming today :)

I WILL put on sunscreen! Ooh, but that will be SO painful! Oh well, I'm swimming in the evening, so maybe I won't need sunscreen. I can't get any more burnt than I am now!

A Young Maidens Daybook

2009-07-27T14:19:00.003-04:00

Today...
July 27, 2009

Outside my window...
Bright and sunny... 84 degrees.

I am thinking...
About my sleepover tonight with Rebecca!!! :)

I am thankful...
Kate made it back from Israel!

I am wearing...
Bermuda's, dark and light green shirt from Old Navy (Gotta love that place!), brown tank top.

I am reading...
The Bible, Donovan's Daughter by Lori Wick (I would totally recommend this series! There are four books, I'm starting the 4th and I finished all of them 4 days! The series is 'The Californians'. READ THESE BOOKS!!!)

I am creating...
Does this count??? I cut off the ends and snapped a big bucket of green beans, so in a sense, I'm creating green beans :)

One of my favorite things...
Chocolate chip cookies!

For education this week...
Ha! It's Summer! NO education!

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning....
Baking.

A spiritual lesson I'm learning....
Honesty

A Godly character trait I plan to work on....
Making prayer a part of my daily schedule.

Scripture I am memorizing....
I'm having trouble getting a new one, so if anyone has a favorite passage, I'd love to hear it!

I am praying....
that Dad would get home safely.

For the rest of the week....
Blogging, swimming, sleepovers, youth group, reading the Bible, reading all my library books, fiddling around on photoshop (!), maybe making those easy-bake cookies in the fridge... :)

A picture I'd like to share....

Week 29 Photo Challenge

2009-07-27T08:08:00.003-04:00

Theme: Beach

This is something I've never done, but I see it a lot, and when I saw the theme was 'Beach' I decided to try it out! I have lot's of beach pictures, but I couldn't decide. I think this one is a good one, but I'm not expecting to win anything!!!

Jenny's Senior Pictures: Part One

2009-07-25T14:28:00.008-04:00

Today, we took some of Jenny's Senior pictures around town. A lot of them turned out great! We borrowed Davene's camera (Which by the way Davene, Jenny wants me to tell you a big thank you for letting us borrow it!), and it takes the most amazing pictures. I want to save up for one, but I don't know if I'll ever have that much! I went along, and I got some good pictures also, even if it isn't an amazing camera :) I can't post the best ones I took, because Jenny doesn't want some friends to see them :) That means YOU Ryan! :) So here is a sneak peak, and maybe Jenny will let me post the rest later :)

Train Tracks:

Getting set up.

Colorful door downtown:

Brunk Fountain:

Her green chucks :) There are lot's more of the 'Brunk Fountain', but they are all good, so I can't put them up yet :(

The Artful Dodger:

I think this is one of Mom's favorites :)

I also took some with Davene's camera, and Jenny said she really liked them :), so I'll see if maybe I can put some of them up. I'd love some feedback!

Awards - Yawn

2009-07-24T16:04:00.005-04:00

I'm not saying that awards are boring. I'm just SO tired from our lake/beach trip today. I'm really not sure what to call it (Lake? Beach?), because it's called Sherando 'LAKE', but a sign said "NO LITTERING ON THE BEACH!". What do you think? I'm sorry. I'm being terribly boring and I'm running my mouth - so I really should get on with it. So, if this post sounds really boring, it's because I'm not 'with it' if you know what I mean :) Before I get to the awards/tags, here is a picture of the lake:

I didn't take this picture, and I didn't take ANY pictures. I didn't even take my camera. I didn't want it to get stolen or anything, so maybe Kate will post pictures and I can steal them from her blog (In a loving Christian way of course) :)

NOW for the awards:

I award: Hannah Paige @ Trusting in His Love ~ Laney @ Got Freckles? ~ Bekah @ The Word Crafter.
I award: Jenny @ Jenny (Ha! Maybe now she'll HAVE to do a post!) ~ Emily Shae @ Writings of a Small Town Girl ~ Elizabeth J. @ Footprints in the sand.

Who knew? I'm a princess!
I award: All of my {girl} followers (Sorry Ryan :).

Tagged by VickyChick:

Starting time: 4:19

Name: Emily {Joy}

Sisters: Three

Brothers: None

What are you wearing? Bermuda's and purple shirt.

Favorite number: I would pick 9, but SOMEONE would get very upset with me. I have no favorite number.

Favorite drink: Water ~ Milk

Favorite month? June or July... But April's a good month because it's my birthday... But December is Christmas... Maybe all those fall months ~ it's fun jumping in all the leaves! Although... January, February and March are cool - literally... School starts in August/September...

Favorite breakfast? Mom's choco chip pancakes :)

Love someone so much it made you cry? AHAHA!!! No.

Broken a bone? No.

Been in a police car? Yeah... only once when I robbed that bank though! Jk jk :)

Been on a boat? Yes!

Came close to dying? Well, Jesus could come back any second...

Been in a hot tub? Yes.

Swam in the ocean? Yeah, more like was dunked and pulled under by the thrashing waves... :)

Fallen asleep in school? I don't think so... no.

Cried when someone dies? Yes.

Fallen off a chair? Not on PURPOSE!

---------------Who---------------------

Who did you last yell at? Jenny :)

Do you like filling theses out? They're fun when you're not sunburned and tired.

Do you like yourself? Yes.

--------------Today did you---------------

Today did you talk to someone you like? What kind of question is that? Seriously, I didn't see that one coming :)

Today did you get sick? Nope.

-------------------Last person who-----------------

The last person you talked to on the phone with? Dad.

The last person who made you cry? Don't remember.

The last person you went to the mall with? Probably my Mom or Kate or Jenny.

Last person who you want with to Europe? Umm, how about not!

Been to Asia? No.

Been to Russia? No.

Been to the Bahamas? No.

Been to Mexico? No.

Been to Canada? No.

Been to Africa? No, no, no, no, no, no!!!!

---------------------Final questions--------------------

What are you listening to? The AC. Ah, the wonderful AC.

Do you hate someone in your family? Hate is a very strong word.

What car do you wish to have? Ooh ooh! I got it! A yelloe VW bug! And then I'd put black polka dots on it and the license plate would say 'ladybud'. Haha, cute right?

Good singer? That depends on who you ask.

Indoors or Outdoors? Depends on the season.

You have a job? HA! Does feeding cats and watering flowers count?

Time finished: 4:30.

I am now tagging: Earwen @ Thoughts of a Shieldmaiden ~ Tia @ 525600 Minutes ~ Marrisa @ A Peek into my Life.

And also, I did one of those speed test things, and here's my score:

420 words

Typing Test

How did I do? Haha, just kidding, I edited the HTML so that I had that many :) I really only got like 56 WPM (Words per minute).

So now I'm typing... I have no idea what I'm typing... I'm going to fall asleep... My shoulders and neck got sunburned. Ouch! You know what? I'm sitting here at the kitchen counter, and I see lemon blueberry and chocolate muffins right in front of me, and they look so good. I want one, but Dad will be home soon and then dinner and... but I want one now... :( Wow, I sound really pouty, don't I? I'm sorry, I'm not usually like this :) O.K., I'll stop typing now :)

ZOO!

2009-07-21T15:25:00.019-04:00

Today our church went to the Luray Zoo. I hadn't been to the zoo in FOREVER! Davene just had her baby (Yesterday, in fact), so we took her boys to the zoo with us! Kate and Mom sat up front, Josiah and I sat in the very back, and Joelle and David sat in the middle - making wedding plans...

They make such a cute couple :) So anyway, we got to the zoo...

Wow! Talk about a scary entrance! So you walk right in to the gift shop (I'll show you what I got later) and pay to go in.

You know, I was planning on avoiding the reptile house altogether. Because, if you know me, I can get kind of squeamish around snakes (And really, any other reptile). But no, they obviously want you to see every aspect of the zoo, so to get to the zoo... you have to go through the reptile house.

***JUST A WARNING, IF YOU HATE DISLIKE SNAKES, YOU MIGHT WANT TO SKIP THE NEXT COUPLE PICS***

Yeah, I really have no idea why I'm even posting pics on snakes. They scare the heebeejeebies out of me, yet I'm posting pictures of them... on my blog. At least they were inside and hard to see, right? No. I'd rather see them full well, then wonder "Is there actually a snake sitting beside me?"

This guys/girls name is Julia Squeezer - a Reticulated Python. Yippee! Such an appropriate name :)

Ha, this little guy had a sign...

"Oh... that's nice to know!" Oh, and no more snake pics :)

Silly munchkins :)

A cute little kitty cat.

This is a Ring-Tailed Hawk.
Josiah said this Toucan was his second favorite, next to a parrot!
We were wondering if this bobcat was named Bob :)

Star, the Bengal Tiger, was my favorite.

This is a Serval. Look him up on Google. He's cute!

Ha ha, speedy the turtle :)

Cute joey!
You got that right!

A... big bird.

These ring-tailed lemurs are cute!
More of the Bobcat.

And... a skunk.
Enlarge this one! Haha! Toad Village!

Love it! Mr. Wart's Toad Stool Maker :)
Petting Zoo <----- Aww... little baby deer!
"What are YOU lookin' at?"

They let a goat out into the room to play!

Donkey/Mule/Cute thing.

Aha! A BIG Camel!

Baby deer.

This big guy downed about 4 of these - each one in 6 seconds flat! He is a thirsty one!

Monkey House!

David and I were being a bit monkeyish ourselves :) P.S. Look at my necklace! I love it!

I have NO good pictures of the porcupine :(

Kate had never petted a lemur before...

And Mom found out she bites!
Pics from the Monkey Show.
No, this picture is not to show how beautiful the workers hair was, look at the monkey!!! Ha ha!

Pretty Star!

My beautiful bracelet I bought at the gift shop! It is a dark green and also a light green - it alternates between the different shades. I really like it!

So that was out trip to the zoo! Hope you enjoyed the pics!

Pictures

2009-07-20T15:20:00.006-04:00

I posted about the waterpark last, and this time, I'm just going to post some pictures I've taken and never gotten posted :) I also couldn't think of a clever title, so I just did 'Pictures'. Very clever, I know...

We just got back from picking Kate up from the airport! She was in Israel for about 3 weeks (If I haven't already said that).

Not really mine (It's Mom's), but this ipod kept me company for most of the trip!

AHA!!! Kate got me MUD!!! Not just any mud, PURE mud, mud from the dead sea! It's the kind of mud you take mud baths in!

Ingredients: Dead Sea Mud

She didn't get me the necklace, but she gave me the charm! Isn't it gorgeous? It is made from seashells from ___. Sorry Kate, I forget where the seashells came from :( It has a beautiful diamond in the center.

A picture taken the other day. I had bought a beach ball for the lake, but *ahem*... that didn't happen.

Such a cutie!

And of course, Morroco couldn't stay away from the camera!

O.K., so not as many pictures as I thought... I have more on the laptop, but right now, the laptop is undergoing some serious internet issues :) This computer might crash too, so if I don't post, that's probably why. So yeah, the laptop has ALL my pictures, so I might have to have a 'Pictures II' post :) So long for now!

A Wonderful Surprise!

2009-07-18T13:19:00.006-04:00

Two days ago, I posted about how I was going to the beach. I was very excited about going, because I haven't been to a beach all year (Actually, maybe even two years!)! And also, to be going with friends and family. But that trip was canceled because of a huge storm over the beach :( I woke up all 'ready to go' and excited, but then I saw the weather forecast and... no beach.

But... I FINALLY GOT TO GO TO THE WATERPARK!!!

If you forget, it was one of my presents for my birthday. A day at the waterpark with a friend! When I found out we couldn't go the beach, I was really disappointed. Mom and Aunt Linda were trying to figure out a date to go to the waterpark, and they came up with a date sometime in two weeks, and I COULDN'T WAIT THAT LONG!!! So when Mom got off the phone, I forget if either me or Mom suggested this, but one of us said, "Hey, what about tonight?". And that was the most AMAZING suggestion EVER! :) Mass. WaterPark has a twilight swim/waterpark thingy. You get to do all the same stuff, it's just darker (Although they do have lights so it's really not that dark).

The outdoor waterpark (Which is a wave pool, HUGE/TALL waterslide, and a water play area for the littler kids) was open from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, and Me, Mom, and Michelle got there around 5:30. So we were in the wave pool for about half an hour. Mom just stayed up in a room kind of above the waterpark (Like an observation room). She just sat up there reading/listening to her ipod/watching us/sipping sweet tea :) while we were playing down there. The walls in the observation room are glass, so we could see her from the waterpark.

I'm going to post the same pictures from this post, so enjoy!

The HUGE/TALL slide outside! Michelle and I didn't go on that one, but I went on it last time, and it was fun!
The FlowRider! There was this little girl (Maybe 3) and she was surfing, and she was good! She looked scared out of her wits, but she was GOOD!

When you go up the 'lane' to get to the parking lot, this is what you see. It gives you an idea on how twisty and turny the slides are! The smaller ones on the front side of the building are the body slides.
DON'T GO ON THEM!!! Never! You cannot breathe, and if that's not enough, you can't sit up and you have water spraying in your face for at least a minute.

The entrance to the Country Cooler. This is a fun ride. It's mostly for the little kids though. It goes kind of slow, and it's lit up inside. The Melting Mongul is the very fun! It is pitch black, even in the middle of the day, and you go up, down, sideways, up the wall (Seriously, you literally are on the side of the wall when you go around a turn!) any way go can think of! But my favorite tube ride is definitely the Peak Splash! It is kind of light, and kind of dark. Lot's of twists and turns and ups and downs! When Michelle and I went on the Melting Mongul, it was really dark outside, so that made it really dark in the tunnel. When it's light outside, you can only see right when you go straight down to exit the tunnel. But then it got really dark in the building, so we couldn't even see when we exited the tunnel! There was NO light! We only knew we were going out when we went straight down and water pretty much gulfed our faces :) Now THAT, was fun!

We had so much fun!

After the waterpark, we went to Cold Stone Creamery! I love that place! I got a mint oreo pie crust ice cream bowl (Like It size of course :). After that, we went home and Michelle stayed for a sleepover. We watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We finished the movie around 12:00. We were SO tired, so we went to sleep. I can still feel the water rushing over my legs, even though it's the next day! I LOVE the waterpark, but it wouldn't be special if we went like every month. It's very special when I get to go with friends and do fun things, so THANK YOU SO MUCH MOM AND DAD for my birthday present!

So even though we didn't get to go to the beach, we're going next Friday, the waterpark was SO much fun, it made up for missing out on the beach! I'm still tired, so I'm gonna sign off now! Bye!

Tagged by Elrania! Again :)

2009-07-16T12:33:00.002-04:00

What time is it?
12:34 PM

What was the last out door activity you did?
Hanging out laundry (Does that count as an activity?)

Do you have an email address?
Yes.

How many followers do you have?
44! Yay!

How long have you been on the computer today?
Longer than I should be :)

Who was the last person you talked to on the phone with?
My Daddy :)

Are you happy right now?
Yes!

Do you want a horse someday?
No. I used to, but I have no where to put it, and well, I don't have money :)

How many pets do you have?
3

Do you have a playlist?
No. I got tired of it.

Are you having a fun summer?
Absolutely! AND LISTEN UP!!! I'm going to the BEACH tomorrow!!! YAY!!! I can't believe it! Me, Mom, Jenny and Joelle are going with Aunt Linda, and my cousins Jeremy and Michelle! YAY!!!

What book are you reading now?
I've finished all my library books, so nothing right now.

What is the most advanced book you read?
Maybe Bamboo and Lace which is like 300 pages long... I have NO idea!

Do you like your blog?
Which one? :)

How many tags have you gotten?
12

What is the most recent award you've gotten?
The Truth in Love Award.

What is the first award you've gotten?
Beary Sweet Blog Award.

Who gave you your first tag?
Hannah at Heart of Purity.

Who gave you this tag?
Elrania! Thank you!

Do you have a three column template?
I used to, but not any more.

What are you doing tomorrow?
Going to the beach!!!

How long have you been on blogger for?
July 28! My blogoversary is coming up in 12 days!

How many times have you changed your profile picture?
Many!

What did you do for your last post?
I did a post about my new profile pictures.

What is the most comments you've ever gotten on your blog? (not including any from you)
I think 9 or something.

Are you having fun with this tag?
Yes.

What is one thing you want right now?
Play in some sort of water!

Is your profile name your real name?
Yes.

What is your favorite animal?
Probably a puppy.

What is your favorite movie? CHOOSE ONE AND ONLY ONE!!!!!!!
I don't watch tons of movies...

Have you seen the new Star Trek?
No.

Who is your favorite fictional character? Yes you may say more than one for this :)
Not really anyone.

Are you hungry?
YES!

Should you probably get off the computer right now?
Yes.

Who are you tagging now?
Hannah at Trusting in His Love
Awel Prince at Beyond the Highest Star
and
Mia at Mia's Blog

Family

2009-07-16T09:13:00.007-04:00

Me, 13

Joelle, 4 1/2

Kate, 19

Jenny, 17

Mom and Dad

My Kittens, Louie and Morroco

For Ryan

2009-07-13T10:45:00.004-04:00

Dear Ryan,

Since you read my blog so often, and I'm sure that none of the things I write about interest you, this post is for you. This post should interest you! Did you get a free Slurpee? OH! Of course you did, because you went with Jenny. So... I didn't get a free Slurpee. Why didn't you give me yours? Too bad that free Slurpee day is OVER!!! Oh, by the way, Jenny thinks you have big ears. BUT WE STILL LIKE YOU!!! Have a nice day Ryan.

Sincerely,

P.S. I now have a whole label for you! (See below :)

Now this is fun

2009-07-10T21:07:00.005-04:00

****WARNING: Picture overload!****

I made Joelle a tent this afternoon - she loved it!

Our pulley system :) I roped a string over a branch and tied two short pieces of string to one end, and attached the other end to a handy dandy... (Did I just say handy dandy?)

Tent peg!
Her fire.

Her eye through a hole in the blanket :)

Such a cutie pie!

A robin who flew in on our party!
A cake I baked this afternoon (Joelle wanted the sprinkles :)!

You HAVE to enlarge this pic (Click on it), it's HILARIOUS!

Sweet face!
Birdy pics...

Louie must have been thirsty!
And Morocco! I didn't think he'd like getting his paws all wet!

O.K., well maybe not picture OVERLOAD, but still lots of fun pictures! Enjoy!

One of my favorite verses...

2009-07-07T13:14:00.004-04:00

"Women should dorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self control.
~ 1 Timothy 2:9

I think that is a very important verse. Not only are we to dress respectively and modestly, we need to have self-control! The NIV says:

I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes.

Does this mean that God doesn't want us young ladies to wear earrings? Or bracelets? Or necklaces? I don't think that's what it means. I think it means not to wear them excessively. This is something that I would consider excessive jewelry:

This jewelry is very beautiful, but it also looks very expensive.

"...not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes."

So why do us girls tend to wear more flashy, bold, beautiful jewelry? And actually, not just jewelry. Clothes, and even electronics. Why? Probably because there's someone out there we hope to impress. That's why we spend hours every morning trying to figure out what to wear. That's why we buy the coolest phones, and the latest video games. That's why we buy jewelry that is so bright, it could light a room. Really. I don't wear make-up, I don't wear big, bulky jewelry. I'm not trying to impress anyone. So why do I argue with myself wondering if I should wear my green shirt or my blue shirt? Why do I brush my hair before I leave the house? That's an easy one. I don't want to be in town looking like a slob! So why do I do all that stuff? I think God wants us to look nice. Beautiful even! 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says:

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body,"

I think that answers a couple questions. Don't wreck your body just because God doesn't want you to wear "braided hair, gold or pearls, or expensive clothes". I don't believe that God wants you to look like a slob and not be presentable. For "your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit", and "therefore honor God with your body". The God's Word translation says:

I want women to show their beauty by dressing in appropriate clothes that are modest and respectable. Their beauty will be shown by what they do, not by their hair styles or the gold jewelry, pearls, or expensive clothes they wear.

So you see, your beauty is not what you wear, or how you look, but what you do! You can be the most popular girl in school, wear all the coolest, most expensive clothes, and adorn yourself with the most beautiful jewelry, but if you do nothing, all your beauty is worthless. So no, you don't have to sell all your clothes and work at the Salvation Army 24/7. But do go out and do good! Help a neighbor, mow the lawn for your Dad, and even help out at the Salvation Army for an afternoon :)

Propriety: your true nature.

Don't buy a whole new wardrobe for a 'new you'. God loves you just the way you are! Don't change a thing about you!

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
~Psalm 139:14

When the NIV said "...not with braided hair...", I was wondering, 'what's wrong with braided hair?'. Nothing! Then God's Word translation says, "...not by their hair styles...". So braiding your hair isn't bad. But excessive hair styles are well, excessive...

Some more excessive that others (This has nothing to do with what I've been talking about, but would you look at that??? That is so crazy!).

I think I've made my point, which was:

"Women should dorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self control.
~ 1 Timothy 2:9

Maybe I'll pick up on this again later, but for now, I'm closing this post. I hope you all enjoyed! Have a wonderful day!

A Young Maidens Daybook

2009-07-06T10:54:00.006-04:00

Today...
July 6, 2009

Outside my window...
It's almost cold! I think it's about 65 degrees.

I am thinking...
About Kate in Israel.

I am thankful...
That I finally finished the flip-flop pillow I promised I'd make Michelle for her birthday... in February :)

I am wearing...
Bermudas, yellow shirt, white socks.

I am reading...
The Bible, a thousand other books.

I am creating...
A Young Maidens Daybook post.

One of my favorite things...
Fruity Pebbles!

For education this week...
Bible reading.

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning....
Sewing.

A spiritual lesson I'm learning....
Submission.

A Godly character trait I plan to work on....
Listening.

Scripture I am memorizing....
Psalm 46:1-3

I am praying....
For the PIM team in Israel.

For the rest of the week....
Laundry, tasting Pita Bites, sampling Fruity Pebbles, cleaning.

A picture I'd like to share....
(I didn't take this, but isn't it gorgeous?)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Found these pics on the internet. Who has time to do these?

This one took only 2700 post it notes :)

I'd like to drive that car!

Post it note mosaic!

Cool, huh?

For Kate

2009-07-05T08:19:00.011-04:00

This post is for Kate. She's in Israel, and of course, Israel doesn't celebrate the fourth of July :) Kate missed out on all the fireworks, and because I'm such a good little sister, I took 315 pictures of fireworks for you! That's a lot. I had to go through all of them this morning and delete a bunch. I picked out the good ones for you :)
Wait a minute! Sorry Kate, Louie wanted to say hi. By the way, they think your bed is very comfortable :) Just kidding...

The show last night was dangerous for the people setting them off. They got a different brand this time and they would light them, and then go off right above their heads! They wouldn't go up, and one even exploded in the can! They said they weren't going to use that brand again :)

So that's the show for you, Kate. I hope you enjoyed it (And everyone else too :)!

Dear Kate,
I miss you, I miss you, I miss you!!! Come back home soon! Love you lot's and can't wait for you to get back home!

Love,

2009-07-04T14:46:00.000-04:00

2 Recipes to share

2009-07-02T10:29:00.005-04:00

***I am unhappy to inform you that I did NOT take the following pictures, but I got them from Google. My camera didn't want to take good pics :)***

Sausage Breakfast Pizza

Ingredients:

1 pkg. regular flavor Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage
1 can (8.5 oz.) refrigerated crescent rolls
1 cup frozen hash brown potato cubes, thawed
4 oz. (1 cup) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 eggs, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons each diced green red and yellow bell pepper (Optional)
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions (Optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F. In large skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until thouroughly cooked and no longer pink. Separate crescent rolls into eight triangles. Place in ungreased 12" rimmed pizza pan with points toward the center. Press together, seal perforations and form a circle 1 inch larger in diameter than bottom of pan. Turn edges under to make a slight rim. Sprinkle cooked sausage evenly over crust. Top woth potatoes; add peppers and/or green onions if desired. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Combine eggs, milk, salt and pepper in small bowl; stir well. Pour evenly over pizza. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake 15-20 minutes or until eggs are set is golden brown.

Done! Here is what you pizza should look like when done:

Five Minute Chocolate Cake in a Mug (This recipe is absolutely dee-lish! You must try it! It is also called "The Most Dangerous Cake in the World". Do you know why? Because now, we are only 5 minutes away from having a chocolate cake all for ourselves!!!)

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons oil
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons chocolate chips (Options. OPTIONAL??? What is optional about chocolate chips???)

Directions:

Use a coffee mug that holds about 1 3/4 cups liquid. Place dry ingredients in mug and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk, oil and vanilla and mix until thoroughly blended. Blend in chips if desired. Place the mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes for a 1,000 watt-oven - or 3 1/2 minutes for a 700 watt oven. Be sure to watch the cake through the glass door. It will rise up over the top of the mug, but do not be alarmed! It will settle down as it bakes. Allow to cool a little, and tip it out into a plate. Add a dollop of whipping topping or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. ENJOY! (The recipe says if you want to feel less guilty, this can serve two.)

Oh YUM!!! There is a funny story with this cake though :) Yesterday evening, I was trying to make one for myself. Everything seemed o.k., but when I put it in the microwave, it didn't rise at all! I took a bite, and it was HOT and soft. The next bite was o.k. The next bite was as hard as a rock!!! I had forgotten the egg. DON'T FORGET THE EGG!!! I had to throw it away. I had some of Mom's, so I know it's good! TRY IT!!!

So those are my two recipes I'm sharing! Enjoy!

Answering Some Would-Be Questions

2009-07-01T08:22:00.003-04:00

For today's post, I'm going to do something kind of random. I'll be answering some questions I haven't even been asked yet :) Some of these I've been asked, but others I've made up or I know some people want to know! So here we go... :)

Q. Why do you change your blog background and header so often?
A. Well, you all know I have a design blog, and before, I only knew 'blog secrets' and only made freebies like buttons and stuff. But thanks to the super helpful Megan, I now know how to re-size the backgrounds I made! Yay! Anyway, I enjoy SO MUCH making backgrounds and headers, that when I make one I like, I decide to use it! Like this one I'm using now,

I think it looks something like chocolate :) And yesterday, I also made a background for my design blog, so go over there and tell me if you like it :)

Q. How many blogs do you really have?
A. Wow! For this one, I had to actually go to my dashboard and COUNT! O.K., I'll be honest, I have seven blogs. But only 2 are in use. If I hadn't made a design blog, I would have four blogs. But one blog is THIS one, another is my design blog, my about me page (Which come to think of it, I can delete that one), my regular blogs test blog, Sugar and Spice (And I can delete that one too), and two (Yes, two) test blogs for my design blog. One is a 2-column and the other is a 3-column. But really, I only keep up with two :)

Q. Why do you always post pictures?
A. If you went to my 'Labels' and clicked on 'Pictures', you would find at least 49 posts with pictures. That may not seem like a lot, but I have many more pictures, I just started the label 'Pictures' later. I post pictures so much, because I know that one day, this computer will be gone, and all the photos with it. However, if I post them on my blog, they will always be there! So I pick my favorites, and upload them here, kind of as a place of safekeeping. They will always be here, and just like I wrote in my journal, my grand kids will come here and read all these posts, and know what I was like when I was 12-13 and up! I want them to know how much I enjoyed photography, and what I was like when I was their age! So that's why I always post pictures :)

Q. Comments. Why do you never leave comments?
A. Sigh, I agree, I am HORRIBLE when it comes to leaving comments. I get a surge of euphoria every time I get a new comment, yet I always fail to see that others get the same feeling when I leave them one! So I apologize to all you bloggers for being so comments-less. I will try to leave more comments on your blog :) So let's make a deal. I will leave a comment on your blog, if you leave a comment on mine! :)

Q. You're not following me anymore! What happened?
A. I hope none of you are hurt by this, but just recently, I had to cut back on some blogs I read. I was following nearly 120 people! I couldn't do that anymore, so I had to cut back. Now I'm following 111 (Which is still a TON!), and I'm reading 15 other blogs that don't have follower buttons. So I really hope none of you are mad at me, I didn't mean to make you mad, I just couldn't read 150 blogs anymore.

Q. You're following me, so why aren't I on your friends list?
A. I'm sorry about that too. I need to delete the entire list and update it. I have only half of the blogs I read on there :) It's hard to go through Google reader and pick ones I haven't updated, so I'll have to do that soon.

Q. Are you really going to Europe?
A. Haha, I don't know. If you're totally in the deep about this question, go to this post. Mr. H (The choir director) might decide NOT to go to Europe and we might go to Africa, or we could end up going to Pennsylvania :) The whole point it, no, I do not know whether or not I'm going to Europe. I would love to, but hey, I might not even make it! I was just rejoicing because if I make it, if we're going to Europe, IF I DON'T DIE, I am going to Europe in four years :)

That's all I'll do for right now, but if you have other questions, leave them in a comment, and I'll try to answer them on this post! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

A Young Maidens Daybook

2009-06-29T09:25:00.004-04:00

Today...
June 29, 2009

Outside my window...
The sky is a bright blue, there is a slight breeze blowing, and you can hear the birds chirping!

I am thinking...
About the lovely, wonderful - tasting Sweet Stripes sitting in a bowl beside me :)

I am thankful...
For this beautiful day.

I am wearing...
Brown capris and a light blue shirt.

I am reading...
The Bible and trying to finish all the library books I got a couple days ago! I signed up for the Summer reading program, so I'll get all the prizes!

I am creating...
I might help Mom make Raspberry Jam today. Yum! And it's the best jam because the berries came from our garden!

One of my favorite things...
My camera!

For education this week...
Bible reading.

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning....
Cooking.

A spiritual lesson I'm learning....
Humbleness. Trying not to brag and stuff.

A Godly character trait I plan to work on....
Listening.

Scripture I am memorizing....
Psalm 46:1-3

I am praying....
That my kittens will learn NOT TO RUN OUT IN THE ROAD! Yes, I am talking to you, Louie and Morroco!

For the rest of the week....
Enjoying the beautiful weather, enjoying those Sweet Stripes :), taking pictures.

A picture I'd like to share....
My piano playing kitty :) Silly Louie!

Giveaway!

2009-06-27T14:36:00.002-04:00

And this time, I'M hosting it! It's here at my design blog.

Yup, just go to my design blog and read all the things you need to do to enter! The deadline is July 3, and I'll be announcing the winner either July 3 or July 4. Get started! Hope you win!!!

EDIT!!!

2009-06-25T13:04:00.004-04:00

I just wanted everyone to know that I changed the post below (So What Are You Doing This Summer?). At the very bottom, I added a Mister Linky thing. I thought it would be cool to see what YOU are doing this Summer! So here's what you do to participate:

1. First, go to the post below.
2. Go to the end right above my signature.
3. Click on the 'Click to add your link' button.
4. A new page should pop up.
5. Enter your name.
6. Make YOUR post.
7. Enter YOUR post URL. Like I would click on my post title and copy that URL and put it in that little space. But you put your post title URL in!
8. Click Enter.
9. It should say something like, 'It might take a little bit for your link to appear'.
10. Close the tab and you're done!!!

Of course, you need to make your post :) Your title should be: So What Are You Doing This Summer? Don't forget that when you make your post, you should leave a link back to me. Thanks!

Emily Joy Photography

I will say it again...

Reminder...

Another delay and a change

Week 2 Photo Challenge Winners!

Rebecca

Timeline

Week 2 Photo Challenge - Family

Week 38 - "Blue" Photo Challenge

Week 1 - Photo Challenge Winners

Delay

A Cup of Tea?

Week 1 Photo Challenge - "Silly Pets"

Challenge

Week 37- "Completely Candid" Photo Challenge

I ♥ Faces!

Wedding

I'm Confused

iheartfaces - "Contemplative" Photo Challenge

Coming Soon...

Blue Vs. Red

What I do at School...

Change? No Way!

Week 35 - "Back To School"!

46 Minutes From Home

Giveaway and LEAVING!!!

Umm...

The Little Princess

I must be sick...

First Day Of School

Week 33 - "Nostalgia" Photo Challenge

Silly Goose

County Fair

My Look

Coming Soon...

Volleyball

Beautiful Butterfly

*My Ring*

Week 32 - Bubbles!

*Shoes*

Butterfly

Banana Bread

Friends

I took the plunge...

Crazy Silly Funny Faces Photo Challenge!

The Beauty

Joelle has a blog?!?!?!?!?!?!

Kittens and Ice Cream

A Young Maidens Daybook

My Look

Memory Verse

"I'd like a 3D ocean cake, please"

The worst part about blogging is coming up with the titles

Guess What???

i... am.... so.... burnt....

A Young Maidens Daybook

Week 29 Photo Challenge

Jenny's Senior Pictures: Part One

Awards - *Yawn*

ZOO!

Pictures

A Wonderful Surprise!

Tagged by Elrania! Again :)

Family

For Ryan

Now this is fun

One of my favorite verses...

A Young Maidens Daybook

For Kate

2 Recipes to share

Answering Some Would-Be Questions

A Young Maidens Daybook

Giveaway!

EDIT!!!

My Ring

Shoes

Awards - Yawn