Post #4- Some Interesting Quotes

(I have already done a post about quotes that I love but here are some more that are just as good!)

"The Future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." Eleanor Roosevelt

"Outside of a dog a book is a mans best friend, because inside of a dog it's too dark to read."-Anonymous

"The world is a book and those who don't travel read only one page." -Saint Augustine

"Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do their own secreting." -Sherlock Holmes (Sir Arthur Canon Doyle)

"Live on purpose, not by accident." -my mom

"Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale." -Hans Christian Anderson

Land and Sea

Poem by Miranda

Midnight stretch of land and sea

A heart on wing, far as the crow flies

And my father says these words to me,

“Nay, nothing is set in stone, you see.”

Mute and cold the walls do seem

Offering me no sympathy

Naive and ill prepared I they deem

As my heart too flies over land and sea

A time of light, and a lonely time of frost

My eyes search the horizon to see

Him returning over land and sea

To be only with me, but at what cost?

Empty saddle, empty call, stumbling, about to fall

Turn to father proud and tall.

“He won’t be returning over land and sea-

For his name is set in stone, you see.”

"A Story"- By Miranda

~A Christmas poem~

"I once read a story

One without fireworks and glory-

It painted a picture clear

Of a baby not so very mere

Hay in his hair

Royalty can't help but stare

With the star ablaze above

The gift of God's great love-

I once read a story

Now I'm headed for glory."

Post #3- A Book Review of a Book I have Recently Read

Title: Do Hard Things
Author: Brett & Alex Harris

Summary:
"Do Hard Things" is an inspiring book about rejecting our cultures low expectations . Aimed mainly at teens, this book points out the dangers of settling for the worlds standards , which are goofing off and having fun . They call it "The myth of adolescence" , that is , what people now call "Teen" . Rebelling against the lies of being "too young" to make any real difference is what this book expounds upon . Brett and Alex give example after example of what we would deem "ordinary teens" doing extra-ordinary things for God's glory . They point out that the idea of adolescence is nothing but an excuse to be exempt of responsibility and doing anything that's difficult . Biblical principles and scripture references clearly show what teens can accomplish for God's kingdom and what He commands and expects from the youth of the world .

Evaluation:
Don't read "Do Hard Things" if you want to continue feeling okey about reading , doing and thinking shallow things . With it's many in-depth , real-life stories it makes you begin to dig deeper for meaning in your own life . Their challenges and insight about our world's twisted idea of youths priorities are incredible and sometimes frightening . It pushes and stretches what you think you are able to do with only the next page turn . There are no fireworks or embellished happily-ever-after's in this story ; it grips your heart with the truth of it and makes you wonder what you haven't been doing that you could to further God's kingdom . This book brings to light problems with our culture that other people and books dismiss as youthful whims , saying "They're teens , that's what they're supposed to be like!" well , "Do Hard Things" challenges that kind of thinking . I would recommend that every youth in America would read this book , it's that good . This depraved world could use more books like this one .

Post #2- My Favorite Picture and Why

This is a picture that was taken about a year ago on my third oldest brothers wedding day!! since I love taking pictures I have hundreds of favorites actually, but God has blessed me with such an incredible family that whenever I see this pic of us all together I can't help but smile. Especially in that we are all sharing in my brother and sister-in-laws special day! I love you all! <3 <3

Post #1- 10 things you appreciate about your mother

#1. her hugs :)
#2. Her ability to see the whole picture
#3. Her incredible faith in our Lord Jesus Christ
#4. How much she sacrifices for myself and everyone around her
#5. Her wonderful listening skills (even to not-so-wonderful talkers)
#6. The delicious food she makes every single day
#7. The patience she has with teens and our sometimes moody attitudes
#8. Her ability to forgive faster than get angry
#9. Her amazing craft ideas and suggestions of things to do (except for cleaning the ceiling)
#10. The love she has for anyone and everyone which is contagious

30 Posts You'll Love the Mosts

Hello! I saw a few of my fellow bloggers doing something like this and it seems like fun so I thought I'd give it a whirl (hope it wont bore you too badly!):

Post 1- 10 things you appreciate about your mother
Post 2- A favorite picture and tell why it is
Post 3- A book review of a book you have recently read
Post 4- Some interesting quotes
Post 5- A favorite memory
Post 6- Write about something you could eat or drink every day for the rest of your life
Post 7- Write about your favorite season
Post 8- A list of your favorite books & why
Post 9- Write about some things you are afraid of
Post 10- A poem you have written
Post 11- Write about a Sibling and what you appreciate about them
Post 12- A movie review of your favorite movie.
Post 13- Post an interview with a fellow blogger
Post 14- Write about something that bugs you
Post 15- Write about what God has taught you in the past year
Post 16- Write about something you feel strongly about
Post 17- Post some of your own art
Post 18- Write about a tradition or old custom that you think should have survived to today
Post 19- Write about a country you would like to visit someday
Post 20- A craft tutorial
Post 21- Write about a person you look up to
Post 22- Post some of your favorite jokes
Post 23- Write about some Bible verses that have impacted your life
Post 24- Post irregular words
Post 25- Write about a day in the life of you
Post 26- Write about your favorite author
Post 27- Recommend some good blogs that you read
Post 28- Write about what you would like to do with your life in the future
Post 29- A favorite recipe
Post 30- Host a contest

Quotes of Quantity

I am a quote person, This blog is named after one, after all! If it's quotable I try to remember it. With that said, here are some of my personal favorite quotes! hope you enjoy :)

‎" 'It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door," he used to say. "You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no telling where you might be swept off to...' " (-The Hobbit)

"The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding go out to meet it." -Thucydides

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." -Edmund Burke

“There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something …
You certainly usually find something if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after."
-J.R.R Tolkien (The Hobbit)

"May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right." -Peter Marshall

"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future." -Galadriel
(The Fellowship of the Ring)



‎"Courage is found in unlikely places..."
(-Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring)

‎"It is a sad fate for a man to die too well known to everybody else and still unknown to himself."
- Francis Bacon

"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts." -Sherlock Holmes

"That's Inconceivable!" -(Princess Bride)

Thanksgiving Greetings

Thanksgiving, at least for me, means waking up just that much earlier to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It means eating as little for breakfast as possible so that more dinner can be eaten later. Getting on cozy clothes to go to a morning church service to give thanks to the most gracious and loving God, who has blessed me so immensely. After the service we head to my grandma and grandpas house which is only a minute or two away, while the new Michael Buble’ Christmas CD plays in the car. And yes, if you’re wondering if it’s a good- it’s GREAT!
Family is amazing though not everyone always gets along, but who does? Trying to get everyone in one spot to take a family photo for a Christmas card isn’t as easy as it sounds. Ok- verging on impossible. With older brothers trying to strike comical poses, my little sister having a fit about having to wear a dress (and stand by one of her older brothers who is continuously bugging her), and me (the one with the camera who also needs to be in the shot) trying to explain how to take the picture to my accommodating grandma. When it’s finally over, though we always end up with someone in the shot making a face, at least we don’t have to try it again until next year!
The veritable mountains of food are always a plus on Thanksgiving. As my sister-in-law stated, “No one judges anyone else about what they eat on Thanksgiving.” All plates are piled high with each individuals favorite classic dish (I thoroughly enjoy them all). While waiting for food my younger brother and I made a point to play some good old Frogger on the PlayStation1, which is a downright enjoyable game if you don’t mind dying a few 30 times. After dinner we commenced to play a board game but after all the turkey we mostly felt like falling asleep, so we watched a movie instead.
So here I am now, back at home typing this out with frozen fingers (on account of our cold basement) and waiting for morning, because after all- that’s when BLACK FRIDAY starts! No, I’m not a fanatic shopper who plows down people to get into a store or hounds out bargains like the hound of the Baskervilles, but I do love saving money. Therefore, I will wait patiently, albeit anxiously.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!!!

The Great Escape! -old poem by Miranda

~WEEK 3~

"Do you remember the two kids that were cool?

And they they were so cool that they left school?

Well do you know what happened after that?

They almost got caught like a mouse and a cat!

'But how?' you might ask... well here is how-

after they grabbed their stuff they ran and POW!

They hit into the principle Mr.-(confidential), oh no!

But they had a plan...one cool kid sang and it started to flow

And the other sang background and principle fell asleep

The two cool kids over the principle leaped

They rejoiced outside with a 'YAY!' and a 'WOO!'

For thier close escape they both said 'Phew!' "

THE END

Two Cool Kids Who Escaped the Scary Building- old poem by Mirdanda

*I am going to start to periodically post old poems that I wrote while in a study hall at my school once a week. And don't get me wrong about the school (regardless of what the poems might claim), I LOVE the school and the people there but when I wrote these it was the hour before lunch and I was STARVING and sometimes bored. So, without farther ado, here is the first one! :)

~WEEK 2~

(I misplaced week 1)

"There is a scary building built upon the ground

And if you dare to walk past it, you wont hear a sound

But inside this scary, feared building of brick and concrete

There are many unaware children sitting in their seat

They sit and study the whole day through

Day or night, summer, winter, they have no clue

They don't look up from their books or pages

If you saw them they looked like they were in cages!

But two of these unaware children were cool

They knew no one should have to sit all day in school

So as the teachers called for them to sit down, they grabbed their stuff

and when they reached the door they said, "We are leaving in a HUFF!" "

Dear Samantha Eloise Carter

Dear Samantha Eloise Carter,
The course to a battle we charter
Your trusting heart is what I did break
When this wearisome road is what I did take
Dear Samantha Eloise Carter,
I ner’ fashioned myself a martyr
I pray that you think it not unjust
That with my foes; only blood is their lust
Dear Samantha Eloise Carter,
Our love is something they cannot barter
So when I lay down in the scarlet
I will whisper softly “Please do not fret”-
Dear Samantha Eloise Carter’s cheeks are wet
But I will keep whispering “Please do not fret.”

A Taste of Good Times- Part One

By Miranda H.

I know these days young kids (up to age 7) entertain themselves differently than even I did as a child not so very long ago. Their Time is taken up by computers, cell phones (what seven year old needs a cell phone?!), unenlightening TV shows (mainly Disney Channel, sorry) and video games. Once upon a time I too was seven, here’s just a taste of the things my siblings and I did for “fun” in the not-so-very-long-ago good days.

First off, computers weren’t used only for Facebook and celebrity dress-up games. I recall only using the computer when I was seven to travel the old west while trying not to let my whole wagon train die off. Two words, “Oregon Trail”, people. If you have never played it then you should. Not only was it a lot of fun but it also had at least some shreds of history to learn from it; like whether to use Epsom salts to treat a rattlesnake bite, which we both know is a futile attempt. He’s a goner. If it was Cholera he was suffering from that would be a different story. Complete with getting to name the people in your posse (usually made to represent members of my family) made it even better, when trying to get them through.

Unlike the annoying, mindless, head-ache inducing children’s TV shows these days, (yes I’m talking about you ‘Yo Gabba Gabba’) Saturday mornings were enjoyed with legendary figures such as ‘Blues Clues’, ‘Wishbone’, ‘Chip 'N' Dale Rescue Rangers’, ‘Bear in the Big Blue House’ and the iconic ‘Sesame Street’ (ya gotta love Oscar the Grouch).


Getting away from technology stuff though, that’s when I had the times that I most enjoyed and have the fondest memories of. Picture this, five or six unruly kids, an ill-tempered rooster and a large space. Sound dangerous? Very. but f-u-n (if you weren’t so slow as to be caught by the rooster). Growing up with four older brothers may have had something to do with it, but we (mostly them) would proceed to annoy and anger the red rooster until finally it would snap. Fittingly the rooster was dubbed Prince. As planned Prince would turn and begin to chase any and all of us, flapping and sounding quite possessed. Screaming and arms flailing we all would race desperately to the safe haven of piled tree limbs or nearest fence which we proceeded to climb until safe from the talons of the vengeful poultry. The creepy thing was that the rooster would circle us for a few minutes like a wolf and glare up at us with his shifty, beady eyes.

If you ask me, this is SO much better than anything requiring batteries or a plug. Plus, we got tons of exercise. The only down about it: We may have caused a chicken to have severe psychological issues.

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo #2- Water Balloon Flip-flops

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo-
1.~To start you will (obviously) need a pair of flip-flops. Have fun choosing your favorite color of flip-flop or a hue that would look good with the kind of water balloons you plan to use.
2.~ Now for the water balloons (which can be found at many of your local stores). There are quite a few different mixes of colors when it comes to water balloons. They come as just a singular color, a couple of colors, or (As seen in the picture) rainbow!! take your pick :)
3.~Once you have your supplies comes the hard part: tying them all on. Yes, they are small, tight little buggers but it IS possible. Depending on how large your fingers are will make the difficulty differ. I tyed mine on with double knots since they seem to have it in their minds to break free of an ordinary knot. its up to you how sparse or tightly packed they are.
Sage Wisdom: Don't try to tie them all on at once, especially if the water balloons are really unflexable, your fingers will get sore and you possibly may aquire a blister.

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo #1- Coffee cup pencil holder

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo:
1.~take a used coffee cup of your choice(preferably one that isn't stained or chewed) and rinse it out.
2.~ find some craft yarn/rope/ribbon of your choice and circle the top of the cup. To attach it I find that a hot glue-gun works great.
3.~to add more spice and a more vintage flavor to your cup, wrap some lace (^as shown), ribbon, or cloth that you like around it too!
4.~Stick your amazing supplies into it, and there ya go!

Homeschooling Prejudice

Sometimes when people hear the word 'homeschooled' the picture that automatically comes to mind is a nerdy, out-of-the-loop, sheltered, glasses wearing, 'Sound of Music' listening, timid person who constantly talkes about school or what intriguing, theological book they just read. Though some people do have some or all of these qualities this picture is completely off target. Some may prefer the classical music, some, like myself, greatly enjoy bands and artists such as Reliant K, Britt Nicole, Thousand Foot Krutch and such others. One (if not the biggest) question which bugs me that people ask after finding out you're a homeschooler is, "Do you have any friends?" -this always makes me chuckle, especially after getting done with a week of constant get-togethers, sport events, and activities, WITH friends. Yes, there are marked differences from most public schoolers and homeschoolers, like: we dont get snow-days, can snack/drink coffee durring class, wear fuzzy slippers while doing algebra and never get teachers we don't like. Yes, I for one (though I can't speak for all other homeschoolers) have been to a concert, yes, I have played sports, yes, I have watched movies other than 'Old Yeller' and 'Finding Nemo', yes, I do enjoy a good game of PS2, yes, I do believe God is my savior and redeemer, and yes, someday I hope to own a motorcycle. So, as you can tell, sounds like quite an adventure! :)

The Quote that Started it All

"Adventures are funny things.

They may creep out of holes,

appear down a seldom trodden path,

fall out of a tree,

or even arrive in an envelope,

but they always start in the same way.

Adventures always begin with the unexpected..."

-The Door Within

(by Wayne Thomas Batson)