30-Day Challenge, Day 26

A childhood memory.

I'm sorry I haven't been keeping up with the blog challenge!  I've been kind of putting it off, since I got off-schedule the other week after my wisdom teeth surgery.  And there have been other things to post.  :-)


I have so many lovely childhood memories.  The question is, which to post about??  
Hm.  Probably our visit to Campobello, when I was seven years old.   Campobello is an island off the coast of Maine and Canada and was the site of the vacation home of Franklin D. Roosevelt.  We went with our cousins from Indiana, whose grandparents (on the other side of the family) own a cottage on the island. 

I have some very special memories of this vacation.  We toured Roosevelt's summer home, visited lighthouses, hiked across rocky beaches, had a campfire on the beach, played games, christened and explored little nameless "islands"...and I got teased about the stringy seaweed strung all over the rocks on the beach behind the cottage.  I thought they were so mean. :-P  And yet still I look back on it as a great memory-- one of the most outstanding in my childhood.

I would go again in a flash if I had the opportunity.  Maybe one day. :-)

30-Day Challenge, Day 25

A recipe.

Here is one I really enjoy.  It is from a cookbook, not original to us, but I can't remember the name now...Anyway, it's very tasty and moist.  Good stuff. :-)

BANANA BREAD

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
3 ripe bananas
1 teaspon soda
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup nuts (optional)

Cream butter and sugar.  Add eggs one at a time.  Add vanilla and flour.
Beat together bananas, soda, and nuts.  Ad this mixture last.  Bake slowly at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.  Use 2 loaf pans (4 1/2 inch by 9 inch)  greased and lined with wax paper. 

30-Day Challenge, Day 24

A movie no one would expect you to love.

Agh.  Some of these posts are not so easy.

I mean, what does it mean by "no one"?  No one at all?  No one upon meeting me?  No one who knows me at least a little?  None of you?  And should it be one no one expects me to love that I do love, or that I don't love?  (I analyze too much.)  I think all my readers here are pretty familiar with the types of movies I like... I'm not too secretive about what I like.  It is a fact generally acknowledged that I love Jane Austen and Charles Dickens adaptions and other period dramas (though not all) and animated films (particularly Disney).  If you didn't know I love Disney animated films and get as much enjoyment out of watching them as I do out of watching a Jane Austen flik, then I guess there's the answer to today's post. :-)


But anyway, I  thought it would be more interesting (and easy) to write about a movie no one would expect me NOT to love.


So I love animated films.  And I have a soft-spot in my heart for, well, um, like dolls and stuff. :-)  So what would you all expect me to like?  (In general.  At least, I think most people would expect me to like it.

Toy Story.  :-P

Okay, rewind.  I really like Toy Story 2.  It's not one of my top 10 favorites, but I do enjoy watching it very much if I fastforward Jessy's depressing song.   But Toy Story 3 is a different matter.


I was hesitant at first about watching it because I knew the theme was Andy growing up, and I've struggled a lot inside about growing up and knowing I'm not a little girl anymore.  (It has awesome pros, but it's kind of sad too sometimes. :-) )  But when I watched it, that aspect didn't bother me at all.  I teared up in the end scene with Andy playing with the little girl... especially when he starts talking about how Woody is a faithful friend... Okay, so that was a lovely scene; I loved that part.  In fact, I would probably have loved the movie except for one thing.


The climax.


*spoilers ahead* (if you haven't seen it and you don't want to know, just stop reading here)


If Lotso had clipped the "stop" button on the dump belt when I thought he was going to, and everyone had been saved just before going over the edge towards the fire pit, I would have been quite happy with the movie.  I would have gasped with relief and sat back to enjoy the rest of the film.
But to have those "friends" of my childhood... Woody, Buzz, Jessy, Rex, Slinky, and the others, really actually almost burn to death??  I didn't even like when they all started holding hands.  I've heard some people say they started crying there and thought it was so wonderful because it symbolized the strong bond of their friendship and how they would stick through anything together, but I didn't like it at all.  I don't mind if the characters "almost die" and then get saved in the nick of time, but to really almost ALMOST die...and in such a traumatic way... and so emotional... and, I mean, Woody and Buzz, ya know?... yeah.  It was just a little too much.  I even had a hard time appreciating "The claaaawww!!"  I was so tensed up after that that I had a hard time sitting back and enjoying the sweet ending.  I did like the sweet ending, but I was too traumatized to really let it warm my heart, if you know what I mean.  


In addition, the film did have enough "darker" moments that it just didn't make it to the top of my list.  The evil Lotso bear that smells of strawberries, and... *shudders* that SUPER CREEPY BABY DOLL that looks like it needs someone on the American Girls Fans Message Board to fix it up.... (I still hated the baby doll even by the end.)  And just little aspects here and there.  Not bad things, necessarily, just things that didn't sit right with me when I wanted a heart-warming, nostalgic movie. :-)

Don't get me wrong-- I don't hate this movie, and I don't not recommend it (though I don't recommend it for children, even if it is a cartoon-- don't believe in that line on the back of the case that says "G-General Audiences").  I got some good laughs out of it, and I thought the ending was the perfect way to conclude the series.  I loved Bonnie (absolute adorableness!) and her little toys, especially Mr. Pricklepants ("I am trying to stay in character!") :-) :-)   And who doesn't love Woody?  (mmmmm!!  *hugs self* I LOVE WOODY!!!!)   But it just didn't make it to my favorites list and I probably wouldn't watch it again unless my sisters let me fastforward through (or leave the room for) the whole dumpster scene.  It just wasn't my idea of a good climax.  The climax should have been a good several minutes prior to that, like, before the dump truck even picked the toys up in the first place. :-P

(Though it's kind of odd, because I don't really dislike intense scenes in general; I mean, I love The Incredibles and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which have some intense, main-character-almost-dies types of scenes. (Didn't know I liked those?  Maybe I should have featured them... :-P ) (another post for another time...)  I think, though, that it was the fact that I sort of "grew up" with Woody and Buzz and the others, and already have a soft spot for (eh-hem) toys anyway, so to see them almost burn to death just wasn't what I wanted to see.  :-P

So what did you think about it?  Feel free to disagree with me.  I'm very glad if other people like it, because I feel bad that I didn't. :-)  What were your thoughts on Toy Story 3?   

P.S. I'm sorry I keep posting about animated films.  I tried to think about something else to write about for this post, but animated films kept coming to mind and I didn't know what live action films people wouldn't expect me to love. :-)

30-Day Challenge, Day 22

A website.

First, allow me to apologize for my lack of posts this week.  I asked for prayer about my oral surgery and failed to give you all an update on that.  Please forgive me!  The surgery went well and I had no complications, except a brief panic afterwards where my blood pressure plummeted and they had to put me on oxygen for a couple minutes... after that, I was fine.  I enjoyed lots of rest the first couple days, watched movies and read books and just relaxed.  The last couple days, the swelling has pretty much gone away and I can finally smile regular now, and I'm beginning to chew my food now (though no chips or steak :-) ).  Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes this last week; I have been so blessed by the kind notes I've received!

Now for the blog challenge. A website. :-)

FAMILY HEIRLOOMS
My mamma just started up this blog last week to catalogue her collection of pictures, newspaper articles, and documents she's gotten in her genealogy studies.  The family history is really quite interesting.  Mommy's most recent posts are about her great-grandparents who were settlers in North Dakota and Saskatchewan!  Anyway, she has been posting pictures and other things she's found over the years, and I thought some of my friends interested in history might enjoy looking at them!  I am! :-)  Here's a sneak peak of her pictures--North Dakota homestead!

 I'm sorry my post was not more detailed; I was going to share more websites of various topics but somehow it didn't save when I left my computer, and it's late now and I need to head to bed.  :-P

30-Day Challenge Postponed ~ News

Hello folks!

We now interrupt this program for a little prayer request and a little rest. :-)

I'm getting my wisdom teeth pulled tomorrow! Mm-hm.  *smiles real big*    Don't I sound excited?
I'm actually very nervous.  Very.  :-/  Not so much about the surgery but not being myself afterwards. :-S  So if you could all pray, not only that it would go well but also that I would trust the Lord and rest in Him and not be afraid, that would be wonderful!

I had been planning on writing several days' worth of posts in advance and scheduling them to post on their respective days, but I couldn't think of what to write, and so I just decided to postpone the whole thing until next Sunday.  That doesn't mean I won't posting at all this week (it might mean that, but not definitely ;-) ) but the blog challenge is put off for a week. 

Thank you so much! 

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

30-Day Challenge, Day 21

Something you know you do differently than most people.

Amanda says I deal from the bottom of a deck of cards, not from the top.... I didn't know that was different from other people until she mentioned it. :-)

I also pour the cream before the coffee... most people I know pour the coffee in first and then the cream. :-)


I can't make it through a movie without critiquing on the style or historical accuracy of the costumes and planning to make a re-make of at least one gown in the film.  I suppose other historical costumers do that, but not most people in general. :-)

What about you?  Did I miss anything? ;-)

30-Day Challenge, Day 20

A hobby of yours. 

Sewing doll clothes....

 Sewing historical costumes...

and the weird one that gets me some strange looks...

collecting American Girl dolls.

But then, we live in a time and place that prizes individuality, so people really shouldn't have a problem with it anyway. :-)

What are some of your hobbies?

30-Day Challenge, Day 19

 A talent of yours.

Well, it seems kind of self-centered to write about a talent of mine.  :-P  But then, talents are gifts given by God, and everyone has talents to do different things for God's glory.


God has given me a desire to, and ability to, write, particularly to write novels.  I think he's given me that ability to write effectively (several people have told me something I wrote made them cry ;-) ) so my desire is to use my writing to change people-- to point them to the Saviour.  After all, since God gave the talent to me in a first place, it only makes sense to use it for His glory!  I also strive to use my writing to encourage people, through blog posts, emails, letters, and Facebook statuses.  There are so many hurting people who just need an encouraging word and I hope the Lord might use me to do that in my writing.


Now, by reading this post, you probably think I don't actually have a talent for writing because that was very, very short.  But it's kind of awkward to write about oneself. ;-)  You can read more about my writing by clicking the tag on this post, "books I am writing". :-)

30-Day Challenge, Day 18

A time when you felt passionate and alive.

This one kind of makes me chuckle because it sounds like the person doing the challenge must be old, tired, and decrepit. ;-)  Though I have to admit, the last couple days I've felt very tired.   But that's because I stayed up too late at night. ;-)

Anyway, this category is slowing me down and making me get behind on the challenge, and I have several posts to write before Monday because I'm having oral surgery on Monday and won't be feeling like writing for a couple days after that, so.... I'll just skip this one for now and come back to it later .;-)

30-Day Challenge, Day 17

An art piece.

Here is one I really like.   I'm not sure what it is about it... it's just sweet and homey and peaceful looking.  :-)

 I love this too.  The sea... the flowers... the book... the tea... that's where I want to be right now. :-)

 I also have several other "favorites" with sheep/shepherds theme but I've posted them quite often in various posts on this blog, so if you go back through "devotional thoughts", you should find them....

There.  Now I think I'm caught up.... ;-)

30-Day Challenge, Day 16

A song that makes you cry.

Good grief.  I didn't even have to think about that one.
Probably the song that makes me cry the most is "When Somebody Loved Me" from Toy Story 2.  When I watched that song on Youtube, it left me depressed for the rest of the day.
Watch at your own risk.




But that was just a "bad" kind of cry.  There are plenty of songs that make me cry a "good" kind of cry. :-)
The one--or some-- that comes to mind first is actually the whole CD, So High the Price, by the Steve Pettit Evangelistic Team.  The first several times I listened to it, it brought tears to my eyes with each and every song.  The theme of the whole CD is Christ's sacrifice for us.  When I listen to the songs, my heart is filled with awe as I consider my sinfulness and God's love and Christ's sacrifice for me and the glory of His resurrection...  I nearly always get a lump in my throat now when I hear the triumphant words in one of the numbers, "Death is dead!  Love has won!  Christ has conquered!"  Then the words of another song on the CD... "I was blinded by my sin/ Had no ears to hear Your voice/ Did not know Your love within/ Had no taste for heaven’s joys/ Then Your Spirit gave me life/ Opened up Your Word to me/ Through the gospel of Your Son/ Gave me endless hope and peace" ....

Here is another lovely selection from that CD:

30-Day Challenge, Day 15

A person you admire.

 

A life lived for the Lord.    

A courage that risked everything that lives and souls might be saved.  

An endurance and steadfastness amidst physical suffering. 

A pen that dripped with beauty and passion and love for her God.   

A heart so closely knit to the Father's.  

 Amy Carmichael

P.S. I'm afraid I've really slacked off on this challenge.  It's been a super busy week... we had church and company on Sunday, a friend over on Monday from 1:00 to 9:00 ;-), and dentist appointments and shopping today, PLUS two sewing orders. So yeah, busy. :-)

30-Day Challenge, Day 14

A vacation you would like to take.


Well, first, here's the vacation I would like to take RIGHT NOW. 

  HAWAI'I !!!

Water...

Color...

Sunshine...

 and WARMTH!!!!!

But actually, my big dream trip is to England.  Studying for a book in London, visiting "Cranford" (a.k.a. Lacock), meeting my English cousin Louise, attending the Jane Austen Festival in Bath.....  *sighs*  It's a nice idea.  Hopefully it will become a reality one day. :-)

30-Day Challenge, Day 13

A guilty pleasure.

A what?  Would that mean something I enjoy but feel guilty about? 
I'd have to think about it.... Would getting a $3.50 cup of Starbucks flavored coffee every once and a while be considered a guilty pleasure?

30-Day Challenge, Day 12

A song that you want played at your wedding(or was played).
I'm afraid I failed to do this one yesterday, for the overall reason that I don't know what I want played at my wedding because I really don't think much about my wedding.  I think I know who I'd like to sing at my wedding, but besides that, I'm not sure. 

I thought it would be lovely to walk up the aisle (or back down) to a Jane Austen soundtrack piece. "Hole in the Wall" would be a lovely processional (it was for some friends of ours). The main theme of Pride and Prejudice (1995) or the end credits piece of Emma would make delicious, exciting recessionals.  As for a song to be sung?  I don't know.  I'm not much into love songs right now, not being in love myself, so I haven't thought much about that.  Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Speechless" would be nice, even though it isn't a love song as in, love between a man and a woman, but it is about the greater, more amazing love of God for us.  And the person I want to sing at my wedding would sound amazing doing that song, if I could convince him to.  But then, that's a couple years away at least, so I don't have to worry about it yet.

:-)

30-Day Challenge, Day 11

A photo of you taken recently.

This one was taken on Sunday... of my new haircut. :-)

This is from the Christmas Ball in December.  I like the "movie feel" of the picture.  Photo by Brandon Pieplow.

That was a pretty easy post. 

30-Day Challenge, Day 10

A photo of you taken over ten years ago.

Oh dear!  We've got heaps of those and I am absolutely addicted to "old" photos.  Anyway, here are some, because I did not take time to scan more, and besides, most of you probably wouldn't be as interested in them as I am. :-)

 Okay, now I'm the one with my tongue sticking out, as usual. :-P

At the airport on the way to California, when I was six

 probably watching a movie right here...eating popcorn...hanging out with my pal (my sister ;-) )...wearing my favorite pajamas (Disney's Pocahontas themed) :-)

At Campobello with my aunt Lois, when I was seven

 

 And probably my favorite from the "era"... the Christmas I got Kirsten (1998...?)

 I LOVE pictures from when my sisters and I were little!!  :-D :-D :-D

30-Day Challenge, Day 9

A photo you took.

Card game, anyone?

 Kitty's pretty full of herself... she thinks she can beat you at cards.  I dunno, I think she might not have all the rules down yet-- particularly Number 1 Rule: Don't let the other players see your cards! :-P

30-Day Challenge, Day 8

A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life.

To a Very Special Friend:
It seems strange to write a letter to you for all the world to see, though I do it often enough when it's just you and me to read it. But I couldn't really think of who else to write a letter to. I suppose almost everyone that comes into our lives changes us in some way, which makes it harder to decide who to write this publicized letter to, especially as if I featured one person in particular, the others who have meant just as much to me might feel hurt and left out. However, you've made such an impact on the lives of so many of my friends that I am confident they feel the same as I do and will not feel left out in the least. :-)


Anyway, there really isn't anybody more deserving of a public "thank you" than you! You've known me all my life... even before I could see clearly or distinguish one word from another, and what's more, you've loved me. To this day, I'm not sure why you did, or why you still do... after all I've done to hurt you and disobey you! The fact that you keep loving me through all that fills my heart with amazement. When I complained about the food you put before me, you could have taken it all away, but you continued to give me food to help me live and grow. When I fought over toys with my little sister out of pride and selfishness in my heart, you could have thrown your hands up in the air and left me alone to have my way and hurt others, but instead you lovingly disciplined me and taught me what selflessness and humility and true love are. When life took its terrifying turns and I found people or things I loved falling from my grasp and I kicked against what you were doing, you could have cast me off as a hopeless case, but instead, you showed me that through it you were always there for me, you would help me through whatever the situation was, and that all I needed, in reality, was you.

And oh-- you remember those times when I got so depressed? Those awful times (and not all that seldom either) when satan was really after me, telling me life was pointless, that I was worthless, that I could never be good, that I might as well not exist? Ohhh, dearest friend, you were so wonderful in those moments. When I felt like I was in despair, you whispered to me, "Let me help you," and I feebly called out your name and asked for some ray of light. You could have ignored my cry because you knew my lack of faith, but instead you spoke in your beautiful, authoritative voice-- you bid satan be gone, and then you wrapped your arms around me and whispered, "Peace, be still." Each time that has happened, it has made me love you even more, because in those times I see your strength and your authority to rebuke those demonic forces that surround the walls of my soul with their battle axes and fiery arrows; I see your steadfast love and kindness in your words of comfort and continual presence; I see your goodness and faithfulness in keeping your promise to hold me in the palm of your hand and never let go. Wow. Even as I write, I remember more and more that I have to thank you for. THANK YOU!!

I'd have to say the biggest thing of all of those thankworthy deeds you have done, it would have to be the day you saved my life. You remember that, I know! I was sentenced to death, and rightfully so. I'm ashamed to think of what I did... so many things, most of which I'd hate to admit... But when I was to die, you stepped up and took my place. Yes-- you died in my place, thereby clearing me from the punishment of my sin and washing my sin away. Then-- oh, this is the best part!!-- you came alive again and gave me new life-- because you are not just like any other person. You are GOD. And because you are God, death couldn't possibly keep you in its chains. You arose a Victor, and I arose with you.


It is for all this and more that I thank you. I know that this was supposed to be a "thank you NOTE" and it turned out to be more of a letter, but how can even a blogpost of this length sufficiently thank you for all you've done?? You are so wonderful and so good and so great that if I had all eternity to thank you, it would never be enough.


Thank you again, dearest Friend! I love you, Jesus!


Love from your ransomed,
Melanie


"We love Him because He first loved us."

30-Day Challenge, Day 7

Five things you couldn't possibly live without.

•  FOOD.  Neither could you.  (Sorry, I had to put that one first for effect. ;-) )
• GOD.  And for more than one reason too.  Think about it.
•  He created me.  Nothing exists without some intelligent mind outside of itself coming up with the idea and creating it.  I honestly couldn't live unless God created and sustained me.
•  He loves me.  He is love.  If He was not, I would be gone a long time ago.  In His patience and goodness, He grants me life and forgiveness when I don't deserve it. 
• He saved me.  He granted me His Holy Spirit.  This gives me peace and strength in the trials of life, hope of a future with Him, joy in His amazing unconditional love. "I could not do without Thee, O Savior of the lost." <3
•  FAMILY IN CHRIST.  That includes my immediate family and those related not by blood but by Spirit.  We all need that encouragement we receive from brothers and sisters in Christ... insights others have had in their walk with the Lord, guidance from more mature Christians, encouragement during difficult times, and just the same love for Jesus Christ and the common factor of being sinners saved by the amazing grace of God.  I am so glad God did not leave us alone in our walk with Him but has surrounded us with people taking the same narrow way.
• COLOR.  I love color.  More and more I love it.  I am so glad we don't live in a monochromatic world or one of those sci-fi places where everything is white.  I love blue, green, pink, orange, yellow, silver, gold, maroon, aqua, lavender, brown, turquoise.... <3 <3 <3
• WRITING.  Whether it be on computer, or pencil and paper, or slate, or just in my own mind.  If I didn't have some avenue for my passion for writing and creating , I'm not sure what I would do. ;-)

 What about you? 

P.S. I have a "new look"! :-) :-) :-)  "Snip snip, here we go!"  I'll see if Beth can get a picture tomorrow so I can post it for you to see. ;-)