ocean eyes and rainwater

I more often than not find myself wanting my little brother's eyes for my own. Yeah, we have the same shade of blue, but his are so much more bright and intense. But whatever. I think I'm just being paranoid about my eye color.

I took a few more photos in my backyard for you. It had just rained and with everything soaking in water the plants and other things were so alive. Amusez-vous.

Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013

Dear 2012,

I have changed an abundance in your twelve months. I've discovered what I am to be for the rest of my life. What I want to pursue.  What I am going to pursue. You have changed my future and you are effecting my life in a very big way. I will never toss you aside or forget what you have taught me. Thank you for playing an important role in my maturing years. 

Dear 2013,

I have great expectations for you. Please do not disappoint me. Don't leave me sitting on the bleachers. Don't throw me in the dirt. I am afraid of everything. I am afraid of what my future holds for me. What will I be like at the end of 2013? What person will I be? But I will trust in God for He has a purpose and a plan. He has a reason for everything. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

5    Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understandings;

6    in all you ways submit to him, and he will make your paths strait.

New Year Resolutions (and things to do in 2013)

1. Keep a daily log of 2013 worthy of posting next year

2. Keep and write down all the good things that will happen in 2013, place them in a jar, and open it at the end of 2013

3. Reach 100 followers

4. Go to Busch Gardens and ride every extreme roller coaster

5. Make a reading list and finish it

6. Meet a blogging buddy

7. Watch a sunrise at Fred Howard Park

8. Re-decorate my bedroom

9. Zip-line

10. Go to a book signing

(and 20+ more, but I don't want to bore you so... yeah)

What are your new year resolutions?

Seashells by the Seashore

Winter in Florida? Unheard of. It's 75+ degrees here. That's why we visited my dad's hometown - Tarpon Springs. 

       Midway through this little photo-spree, my camera settings were switched and therefore made every picture come out completely white. It was a let down, I confess. But look on the bright side! I managed to deliver the few photos I took.

Bokeh Christmas

And I'm just adding these in for fun. : p

A Walk in the Park

Book review: Tiger's Curse - Colleen Houck

The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she'd be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world.

But that's exactly what happened.

Face-to-face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever.

Tiger's Curse is the exciting first volume in an epic fantasy-romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.

From the book. ^


My thoughts

(some major and minor spoils ahead)
 Tiger's Curse has everything I'm looking for in a book. Adventure in far off places, deep magic, a strong plot, well-constructed characters, and romance.
      Somehow, just like Kelsey, I can see more than a tiger. As I stare into those cobalt eyes, I can almost see a man under his black striped fur.


You should know

Language - None.
Violence - Use of several weapons, fighting, yelling, wounds/scars.
Romance - A couple of kisses, loving/liking.
Other - Shape-shifting (from tiger to man and vice-versa).


That sums it up for the book review of Tiger's Curse.

Simplicity

Fall is in the Air

My neighbor has this huge maple tree in her front yard and was kind enough to let me take some photos of it. What a great neighbor.

The sun was pouring through the leaves so I had to snap a photo.

How has your Autumn been?

Let's Tie-Dye!

At my homeschool co-op, our group tie-dyed. It was lots of fun. You'll see. Just keep scrolling...

I learned that there are three basic types of tie-dying. They are all too hard to explain in writing.

After everyone bagged up their newly tie-dyed shirts, we had some free time. Unfortunately, I only got one picture of us goofing around. : /

See the rubberband? See it? That was our only weapon. Stay strong, sisters!

Have you ever tie-died before?