Monday Favorites: Make 'Em Laugh!

Happy Monday! It's another week and I don't know about you but it's pretty dreary around here. Lately it's been wet and rainy and gray and just yuck! Obviously, some winter blues have set in. And everybody knows that the best way to cure the winter blues (or any kind of blues!) is to laugh!

Now, for today's post, here are a few videos from my favorite comedian of all time! Ladies and Gentlemen, Tim Hawkins!

Well there you go! I hope you enjoyed today's post and you went away smiling. Keep that smile on! Until next time!

"Mirth is God's medicine.  Everybody ought to bathe in it." ~ Henry Ward Beecher

"Earth laughs in flowers." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Feminine Friday: Wedding Dresses

Hello my lovelies! Today... I went wedding dress shopping for the first time. And today, I found my wedding dress! It is absolutely gorgeous and I LOOOOOOOOOVE it!!!! It fits perfectly, no alterations needed and it was exactly in my price range! God is so very very very good! Wanna see? :D :D


............. Ha! Gotcha! ;) My most wonderful fiancee reads my blog sometimes soooo you will all have to wait. Sorry. :) Instead, I will give you something interesting to read! I was curious about some wedding traditions and so I wanted to share with you some of what I've found. 


The Wedding Ring
According to Brides Book of Etiquette, the circular shape of the wedding ring symbolizes never-ending love. According to folklore, the ring protected the bride against evil spirits; if the bride or groom dropped it during the ceremony, bad luck would follow. Originally, rings were made of rushes, hemp, or braided grass, which had to be replaced every year.
Romans chose more durable iron to symbolize the permanence of marriage. Gold has always been a popular, but more expensive choice, symbolizing lasting beauty, purity and strength. In ancient Egypt, before coins were minted, gold rings were used as currency and as a symbol of the groom's wealth and his intention to wed. To show that he trusted his wife with his money, the Egyptian husband placed a gold ring on the third finger of her left hand . . .

Why Does the Bride Wear a Veil?
Originally, the bride's veil symbolized her youth and virginity. Veils helped bride's remain modest and hide themselves from jealous spirits. Even today, in Muslim countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe, a young man is bound by constraints of religious modesty to conduct his entire courtship while his bride-to-be remains veiled. He's not permitted to see her face until after the wedding . . .

Why Does the Bride Wear White?
White has been a symbol of celebration for some 2,000 years, since the Roman era. In the 19th-century Victorian times, white was a sign of affluence–since it was assumed that a woman would only be able to wear a white dress once or twice, before it was soiled. At the beginning of the 20th century, white became synonymous with purity. Today, the color white once again symbolizes joy on the wedding day; women who are remarrying may choose among many shades of white–from bright white to ecru to champagne.

Why Does the Bride Wear Something Old and Something New?
This custom stems from an old English rhyme, "Something olde, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe. . ." Brides throughout the decades have taken care to include these touches in their bridal outfit, a nod to tradition and superstition. The symbolism: continuity, optimism for the future, borrowed happiness, fidelity, and good fortune.

Why Does the Bride Wear Something Blue?
Brides in ancient Israel wore blue ribbons on the borders of their fringed robes to denote modesty, fidelity, and love–ideals still associated with that color. Blue is also the color that represents the purity and innocence of the Virgin Mary

Why Does the Ceremony End with a Kiss?
From the days of ancient Rome, the kiss was a legal bond that sealed contracts, and thus, the betrothal. Christianity incorporated the betrothal ceremony into the marriage ritual. It was also believed that when a couple kissed, part of each of their souls was left behind in the other when their breath was exchanged. Occurring at the end of the rites, the kiss announces a new status.

There you have it! Some traditions. :) Now for your song! 

Now I'm going to go happily dance around my room and sing for the rest of the day. Keep smiling! Until next time!


"Till I loved I never lived—enough." ~ Emily Dickinson


"Love doesn't make the world go round, love is what makes the ride worthwhile." ~ Elizabeth Browning


"A happy marriage has in it all the pleasures of friendships, all the enjoyment of sense and reason - and indeed all the sweets of life." ~ Joseph Addison

Homemaker Wednesday: Gardening

Good morning! I hope your week is going well, dear reader! I have caught a cold so it's lots of water and tea and soup and sweaters on the menu for me. And good music of course. :) 


Today I wanted to tell you about my gardening plans! Or rather, my gardening dreams. My mom loves gardening. As long as I can remember, we've had flower beds in our yard,, beautifully kept and tenderly cared for. A few years, we had a vegetable garden and grew a variety of things to eat (all of which turned out well). Well I recently realized that if I want flower beds and vegetable garden in my own yard, I'M the one who has to plan it and care for it! Revolutionary thought huh... Honestly, I'm not so sure I am the gardening type. I've not really tried it so I won't say it's something I don't enjoy because I don't know. I want to learn though! Here is one idea that I absolutely love!

Growing herbs inside and it looks cool too! Herbs cost a fortune so I think this is something that would be easy to do and profitable to my cooking. In all, a practical idea.


I also read an article in a magazine once that stuck. The idea was to put a large flowerpot (or two) on your front porch and plant different flowers in it that bloom at different times and then some greenery as well so the pots will look gorgeous all year round! I really really like this idea! I love having fresh flowers so I'm thinking I may start a small pot of them in the Spring. Maybe the herbs as well (if I can get Dearest Carl to manufacture the holders for me :) ). The biggest thing for me is that they can be moved. So I can have them in our apartment and if they last until we get a house, I can take them along! Someone was brilliant.

Keep your smiles on dear readers! Until next time!

"Weather means more when you have a garden.  There's nothing like listening to a shower and thinking how it is soaking in around your green beans." ~ Marcelene Cox


"God made rainy days so gardeners could get the housework done." ~ Anon.


"I never had any other desire so strong, and so like to covetousness, as that one which I have had always, that I might be master at last of a small house and a large Garden." ~ Abraham Cowley

Monday Favorites: A Poem

Have you ever read a poem and just sighed with a thought of "That is beautiful..."? Well, I have. It's an old and well known poem which was first introduced to me in 'Anne of Green Gables'. I liked what Anne read so much that I looked it up for myself and found it was called The Lady of Shalott. So, without further ado, here is that very poem!

The Lady of Shalott

Feminine Friday: The Perfect Wife

Hello my lovelies! It's Friday again and today I actually have something on my mind. I've been reading a very good book, Created to be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl. There are so many things in it about the marriage relationship that I never knew before, things I wouldn't even think of! I'm also finding it very convicting about some things. Yesterday, I was reading a section on what types of men there are and what he needs from his wife. It really got me to thinking about what is expected of wives. Here is what first came to mind.

Wives are expected to:

- Have babies

- Clean the house

- Cook the meals

- Do the dishes

- Keep track of the family's agenda

- Teach our children about God

- Have a quiet time

- Stay physically fit

- Take children to and from lessons, sports and events

- Be involved in church

- Satisfy her husband's intimate needs

- Keep up with family and friends

- Have a garden (sometimes)

- Host parties at her home

- Fix things around the house (sewing, gluing, duck-taping) 

- Keep track of the finances

- Go grocery shopping

To name a few! When I've thought of being a wife, that's what I've thought of. But reading this book has shown me that there's a whole other perspective! Not only is there the physical things a wife does but her CHARACTER is just as important!

Wives are expected to be:

- Patient

- Loving

- Kind

- Joyful

- Self-controlled

- Hospitable

- Selfless

- Gentle

- Thankful

- Listening

- Wise

- Helpful

- Encouraging

- Respectful

- Submissive

Phew! Overwhelmed yet? Well I certainly am. The more I think about it, the more I wonder "How on earth am I going to do this?!" The answer to that question, I'm not! I'm going to fail miserably. I'm going to be short tempered sometimes. I may never get the house completely clean. There will always be dirty laundry. We might even have frozen pizza for dinner sometimes! But this morning, God quieted my heart, took my worry and reminded me "You can do all things through me. I will give you strength. I will support you. I will carry you through each day. Through me, you can!" (Phil. 4:13) So no more worry or fear of failure. Failure is inevitable. Instead, I'm going to start practicing these traits now and maybe, someday, I'll master at least one or two. Maybe....

Keep your smiles on! Until next time!

“A man's best fortune, or his worst, is his wife.” ~ Thomas Fuller

“It was a wife's duty to be interested in whatever interested her husband, whether it was politics, books, or a particular dish for dinner.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt 

Today I'm Feeling...

Hopelessly romantic. <3

Keep your smiles on! Until next time!

"The very first moment I beheld him, my heart was irrevocably gone." ~ Jane Austen (Love and Friendship)

"'Tis sweet to know there is an eye will mark our coming, and look brighter when we come." ~ Lord Byron 

"If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk in my garden forever." ~ Alfred Lord Tennyson. 

Homemaker Wednesday: Paper Snowflakes

Welcome to our second special day during the week! It's called (as you probably guessed) 'Homemaker Wednesday'! On Wednesdays, I'll be posting something about the home. Maybe a recipe, a project, some new tip I learned or possibly an aspiration for my own home. Hopefully whatever it is will be interesting to all you homemakers and aspiring homemakers out there. :)

So, to begin. Today I have a wintery project! Making paper snowflakes! 

Making paper snowflakes during the winter has always been a tradition at our house. Once last week, when I had a free afternoon, I made a bunch and put them up around my room (picture above). I think it makes any room look wintery and its a great craft for kids to do! You know how they like to display their work. :) I personally prefer to just fold the paper and start cutting but some people prefer to have a pattern to follow. So here is a link to a few patterns that I thought looked cool. 

Also, there is a larger more intricate (3D!) paper snowflake that has become the fashion this year and I think they're awesome! I've not made one but my little sister did and it hung in our front window all December long. Here is the link to that snowflake. 

Winter will be over before you know it so you better get cutting! :)

Enjoy your day and keep your smiles on! Until next time!

"A snowflake is winter's butterfly." ~ Anon.


"Winter is a time to gather golden moments and enjoy every idle hour." ~ Judith Boswell

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home." ~ Edith Sitwell

Monday Favorites: Rosebud Salve

Hello my favorite readers! Today we start something new! To give my blog a little more structure and a little less randomness, I've picked a few special days to post specific things. Don't worry, Feminine Friday is staying. :) But I've added two more! The first is 'Monday Favorites'. On Mondays, I'll be posting favorite things of mine. It could be a particular song, a new dress, an activity, a story or poem, the possibilities are endless! The next special day is called.... well how about you come back Wednesday to see. ;)

So, today's favorite is a new find. Rosebud Salve by the Rosebud Perfume Company.

I found this on another blog and, seeing the many uses and inexpensive cost, I decided to check it out! I've been using it the past few days and found that I really really like it! You can use it for chapped lips, dry hands, sunburns, and even diaper rash! I personally have been using it for my lips lately and I really love it. I don't wear lipstick but I like chapstick that tints and moisturizes and this does both! So, if you have a few dollars to spare, you may want to try it yourself. :)

And now I'll be more than happy to give you a favorite song! Enjoy!

Enjoy your day and keep your smiles on! Until next time!

"God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December." ~ J.M. Barrie

"Which is loveliest in a rose? Its coy beauty when it's budding, or its splendour when it blows?" ~ 

George Barlow

Engagement Pictures

As promised, here are some of me and Carl's engagement pictures. Revel and sigh. :)

Yeah, we're cute and you know it. ;) Enjoy your day and whatever you do, keep smiling! Until next time! 


“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dream.” ~ Dr. Suess 


"Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds." ~ William Shakespeare, "Sonnet CXVI" 


"True love stories never have endings." ~ Richard Bach

Feminine Friday: Pretty In Pink

Hello my lovelies! I'm feeling very girly today (even if I didn't dress up). And I have something to show you! Last week, Carl and I took our engagement pictures with our amazing photographer Kristi Witek. The below picture is one of my favorites. :)

*sigh* Lovely right? I thought so too. :) Don't worry though, I will post some of Carl and I soon (for all you anxiously awaiting ladies ;) ). And now for your song. :)

Keep your lovely smiles on! Until next time!

"'Whatever comes,' she said, 'cannot alter one thing. If I am a princess in rags and tatters, I can be a princess inside. It would be easy to be a princess if I were dressed in cloth of gold, but it is a great deal more of a triumph to be one all the time when no one knows it.'" ~ Sara in A Little Princess

Psalm 19

 The heavens declare the glory of God; 

   the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; 

   night after night they reveal knowledge. 

They have no speech, they use no words; 

   no sound is heard from them. 

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, 

   their words to the ends of the world. 

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. 

It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, 

   like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 

It rises at one end of the heavens 

   and makes its circuit to the other; 

   nothing is deprived of its warmth.

 The law of the LORD is perfect, 

   refreshing the soul. 

The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, 

   making wise the simple. 

The precepts of the LORD are right, 

   giving joy to the heart. 

The commands of the LORD are radiant, 

   giving light to the eyes. 

The fear of the LORD is pure, 

   enduring forever. 

The decrees of the LORD are firm, 

   and all of them are righteous.

They are more precious than gold, 

   than much pure gold; 

they are sweeter than honey, 

   than honey from the honeycomb. 

By them your servant is warned; 

   in keeping them there is great reward. 

But who can discern their own errors? 

   Forgive my hidden faults. 

Keep your servant also from willful sins; 

   may they not rule over me. 

Then I will be blameless, 

   innocent of great transgression.

 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart 

   be pleasing in your sight, 

   LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

New Habits

Hello readers! Goodness I have a lot to acquaint you with! I think I was busier over break than I ever was during the semester! Let me catch you up.


Last week passed too quickly. I was sick one day, the rest of the week I spent with Dearest Carl, worked on the puzzle, ate Chinese, watched The Help (awesome movie!), toured my Grandma's church (prospective wedding location), celebrated Carl's mom's birthday, went on a flash trip to Michigan for a day and a night, went antiquing, had awesome conversations about girly things with Melissa, laughed and saw God move in my life. In short, it was a great week.


Yesterday I started classes for my last semester! For the first 8 weeks, I have British Literature 1, British Literature 2, English Grammar and Technical Writing. For the second 8 weeks, I keep the first three but trade the Tech Writing for Finite Math (blech!), Critical Thinking and a Capstone course required to graduate. So all in all, those are much pleasanter prospects than last semester! No more anatomy! Also, all my classes are online this semester which I adore! No more wasting time listening to lectures and doing busywork.


So far, I'm still jobless but looking... and praying... and hoping... and trusting that God will provide.


Now then, I've been convicted over something lately. While I'm at home, I need to use my time better! I kind of had the frame of mind that I can live here but just check out till I get married. I'm busy with school and Facebook and Pinterest and Blogging and shopping and spending time with Dearest Carl. There are four other siblings to take care of things so I shouldn't need to help out right? Heh.... wrong!


Something that woke me up to the above was the picture below:

At some point one day, my little four year old sister had put her pink cowgirl boots right next to my boots in my room. When I saw them I just had to smile. She looks up to me more than I realize and I think all my siblings do. What kind of example am I if I don't do anything to help my mom? They're seeing me loafing around all day when I'm not doing homework and they learn to think that that is okay. When it isn't! 

So I've decided to pick up some new habits. Now this doesn't mean taking over everything because I do still have school and I do need a job but I can indeed help! I can do laundry, dishes, some cooking, cleaning and regular tidying up, maybe some grocery shopping, usual everyday tasks that my mom will appreciate and give me some experience for marriage. I pray that my remaining months here will be productive and a blessing to my family. 

Now then, here is your happy song. :)

Keep your smiles on! Until next time! 

“A good example has twice the value of good advice.” ~ Anon.

“The career of motherhood and homemaking is beyond value and needs no justification. Its importance is incalculable.” ~ Katherine Short

Happy New Year!

Hello again my dear readers! Again we have entered a new year! First though, I wanted to highlight some favorites from 2011. :) So here they are:

- Cheesecake making

- Study dates

- Watching Living Streams grow

- Fourth of July at the Lake

- Getting my first kiss

- Spending time with Blacksmith and Skunk Monkey all summer

- Seeing Karie at school each Tuesday

- Getting to know the Watkins family better

- Hiking at Turkey Run and Shades

- Visiting the IMA

- Housesitting for the Harris's

- My cousin's wedding in May

- Sewing with Grandma

- The LSCC Women's Retreat

- Building the epic Gingerbread Treehouse 

- Getting engaged!!!

- Smiling, laughing and making memories with family, friends and Dearest Carl

- Witnessing how much God loves me and getting to know Him more

Yes, 2011 was a great year. Now I am hopeful that 2012 will be even better! There are soooo many things to look forward to this year and I know that I'm going to be able to give you a lot of awesome posts. :)

Ok, here's your song. Enjoy!

I pray that God blesses this new year for you, my dear reader. Keep those smiles on! Until next time!

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." ~ C.S. Lewis

"We will open the book.  Its pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day." ~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce