Aug 29, 2011

Twosday Favs 24

Lightning is what struck our thoughts a few nights ago. Heat lightning was half of it. The other was most definitely not heat lightning. There was loud thunder and quite a bit of "DID YOU SEE THAT ONE?"
It was a successful night, and although storming and raining, it was warm. Deliciously warm. Like no-blankets-at-8-at-night-outside warm. Ahhhh. It was a good night, except the fact I don't like lightning very much. It's beautiful, but it can hurt other people, and a few times, we smelt fire. But other than that, a great show.

Please don't tell me you've never seen veggie tales. This has got to be one of my favorite veggie tales songs!

Where have all the Staplers Gone

See you next week!

Aug 27, 2011

Saturdays

{Think up a caption for this picture!}

(picture from google pictures web search)

Aug 26, 2011

Autumn: Then and Now

I was thinking, with September only 5 days away (GASP!!!), it's almost Autumn- or at least, it's almost time to feel like Autumn. Since that wonderful season actually doesn't start until the end of September, it's funny that we all think fall starts when school starts. But unless your school starts on September 23rd (or is it the 21st?) we're stuck in the vortex that all the departments stores set out for us. Isn't it funny? We've walked into several stores already that have halloween stuff out (blegh) and even some Christmas stuff! What? It's still August, even though it kind of feels like fall! So, anyway, here's to almost-Autumn, and some wonderful changes in clothing style too!
The 1940's brought us great style- the longer t-shirt sleeves give more coverage if that is what you desire, and the high neckline is much more modest than the popular plunging v-necks today.

This vintage coat and skirt set make for a wonderful impression. And in the 1940's hats were natural to wear. The mustard-mossy green color of the hat is a wonderful example of different color styles throughout the years.

Now, summer brings many people to wear flowy skirts. But fall usually brings back jeans, jeans, and more jeans! I don't have anything against jeans, just the super tight ones. What makes me sad is that people don't realize skirts are more sensible on some cases. Women have worn skirts and dresses for hundreds of years longer than they have worn jeans, and they worked hard, too! In fall, heavier skirts are much warmer and less irritating than jeans. (You know when you've been active out in cold weather, and you get the uncontrolable oh-so-annoying itch?? Skirts seem to prevent that some. Lol.)

Skirts also come in many different colors and you can pull of a floral print! Have you ever seen anyone wear pink and blue and purple floral print jeans in public and look normal?

This cardigan, perfect for the skirt above, is a wonderful shade of red. With a shirt underneath, it's a real winner!

And I couldn't help showing you this dreamy gown. The flowly sleeves, the empire waist skirt.... the (a-hem) $4,000 price tag. That's a huuuge amount of money but boy, isn't it a GORGEOUS dress?

So, I guess this will be a weekly post now, hence the polling votes! Still deciding what day to do it on... I don't really like to do things on Fridays- hopefully I won't forget too often (with my record of doing Twosday Favs lately).
So, probably Thursday- I used to do Thursday Dresses, and now- I welcome...
:) I love this! I tried to get the whole "then and now" theme by doing a "then" dinasour and a "now" dog. Cute? I like it! I love the blue and black lettering too. Definitely one of my favorite buttons so far!
I used a sign like this:
(without the little car pictures, just the red part) and turned it black, turned the line straight, and wah-lah! The basic Then and Now button!
See you Twosday and Then-&-Now Thursday

Aug 24, 2011

What's up with Me: August 24th... and Australorps??

Read it.
Love it.
Want it.
By Jenna Woginrich

I read this and instantly:
POWIE ZOOM!
I want backyard chickens.
Call me strange....... and yes, please pardon the fact that this is a the farthest thing from a fashion-y vintage-y post on this fashion-y vintage-y blog, but I just wanted to share with you.

These are Black Australorp chicks.

Full grown Australorp:


This not-so-cute Ameraucana chicken is pretty fun.
Ameraucana chick:



It's also known as the "easter egger". Can you guess which egg belongs to this gal?
Isn't that great? These hens lay green, blue and even pink eggs! AWESOME!!!

Now, I just have to convince everyone in my surroundings that this is a great idea. I have this $150 plan to make it work- the chicken coop makes up 2/3 of this, sure, but it's a starter coop, and actually quite a good price. I want to get 2 or 3 Black Australorps, and of course, I'd get the day old chicks. SIGH!!! Raise your hand if you also want to join me in holding brand new balls of fluff that make my breakfast! :) Lol.
Really, I think having chickens would be a fantastic experience. And I doubt that I will ever be able to stop having chickens... that is, if I actually start having chickens.
(thinks to self: Slow down, girl. Don't jump to step ten when you have yet to even confirm you will be doing step one. Hehe.)
Ok ok... I think God is teaching me patience, sisters!



Aug 23, 2011

Blogger of the Month Award

I can't believe I forgot AGAIN..........................................................

But it's time for the Blogger of the Month Award!!

And this wonderful blogger is...

.1. FUN
.2. GREAT photographer
.3. SENSE of humor

She is.....




Congratulations, Kimberly!!!!

I'll contact you right away and send you your award!

Thanks for coming to the Blogger of the Month Awards! Join us next month, same time (hopefully actually the 21st) same place!

Mary

Acting Talent

This fall, I'm joining a homeschool acting group! I am SO excited and hopefully I will be able to continue with the group for a long time.

Acting is my pastime.
I never really acted before, I had been in a few plays at church and had done one acting summer camp- which I fell deeply in love with. I did that acting camp a few years back, and I wanted to do more so badly! It was one of the best experiences I've had.
But now, God has opened our hearts and we've decided that acting at that particular theater is not what He wants for us. I was so excited when I heard about the homeschool acting group. I wondered for a while if I would be able to do it. It was confirmed that I would be able to and I'm very impatient for it to start!
Not to long ago, I struggled with the fact that I felt like I didn't have anything that was mine. My sister is quite the chef, and my other sister is a great teacher. I had played around in a few things- ballet, swimming, gymnastics... now I have tap, and that makes me feel like it's mine. But I didn't feel like I have real talent for anything. Suddenly it occured to me that acting is my talent.
Theatre Production of "Oklahoma"
Acting is my passion.
I love acting with everything I am. I repeatedly tell others that I don't like to talk in front of people- unless I'm acting like someone else!
I still felt like I didn't have a sport or active thing for myself, but I read this in an acting booklet:
"It is good to be physically active for the stage, and to practice singing."
Hooray!!! I had something all to myself that was healthy and fun! The best part is that I enjoy it SO much. I don't understand how someone can be a "bad" actor/actress because it just makes so much sense to me. You say your lines and act like the character... but some people just can't do that. I'm completely confused at that concept..... but enough of that! :)

MORAL:
Praise God! I know, it's kind of hard to get that from this post, but that's my point!

P.S. I got all my pictures off Google Search!

Aug 21, 2011

That's My Style

Edited to note: This is my 200th post!!! Yay!

Vintage isn't just a time, it's definitely a style! Stores are carrying whole sections of vintage. Lace and pale colors, faded blues and pinks, pearls and gems, are everywhere.

I found this headband- isn't it so sweet? It's adorable. I'd love to have it for myself!


This skirt is wonderful.

My kind of vintage, from the 40's, is usually denim skirt and blouse or full skirt with a petticoat and button-up shirt. Oh yah, that's my style!


This is pretty cute- not sure I like the big red-orange buttons though!


This is too cute of a picture. Don't you just love it?


Thanks for looking- sorry if I've been posting waaaayy to much clothing posts- I just got hit with inspiration! Lol. I'm definitely thinking about asking my mom if I can make a Polyvore account. It sounds awesome! I get some of my pictures there- that's why all the pictures are so small. But it's a good selection of pictures- I love it! See you later,
Mary

Aug 20, 2011

A Walk Down the Street: Then and Now

In the 1940's, women would get presentable to go shopping or take a walk or window-shop.
They had higher standards for how they dressed in public.

Sadly, now girls will wear whatever to go out and about.

The basic outfit is a low-cut immodest shirt and a pair of short-shorts.


I'm apolled that girls wear such things. In the Bible it says that showing thighs is just a being naked. Girls everywhere show their thighs- all their friends do it, why won't they? Also, there's the "jeggings" and "skinny jeans" and...the dreaded diaper shorts.
Diaper Shorts (noun): Meaning: A pair of very short shorts that rides up on the sides, forming a diaper like contraption that looks unfashionable and ridiculous- in my opinion.


I would LOVE to wear this outfit on a stroll on the town:


AHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That skirt is A-MAZING!!!! And the shirt. I love babydoll tops and 3/4 sleeves.

All of these opinions are my own- I don't want to offend anyone, but I want to share my standards with people. From a Biblical standpoint, I want to give my opinions and I hope that you think about them.
Thanks for reading!

Aug 19, 2011

Nancy Drew - From Now.... or then?

It seems like the most popular Nancy Drew is this one:
The, shall I say, *NEW* Nancy Drew. Stylish, a bit vintage, classy..... but not my kind of Nancy Drew. Especially not the hair. I mean, not that I have anything against this actress, but she's just nothing like Nancy Drew. She makes an awful Nancy Drew. That is.... oh, I'm so bad at explaining these things.
She makes an awful original Nancy Drew, because she's nothing like the original 56 books.
Make sense?
Well... I might be confused now. Lol.

Do you prefer this Nancy Drew?
Cute and sweet, but in my opinion the shows were a little....dumb. Cheesy, I suppose. Not enough intuition and Nancy Drew-ness in figuring things out.


In my personal opinion, the best Nancy Drew is this one:

Nancy, George, and Bess, the trio who solve case after case together, catching crooks and figuring out the hardest puzzles.
I love how this cover captures the moment when they solve the case- but they are working together as a team. It's not all NANCY DREW in her fame and glory!!!! She's just an ordinary girl.

So, whose your favorite?

~Mary

Aug 17, 2011

I think this may go under construction...

at least the background. I don't think I'll ever be able to part with Lucia Marie's header and button- they just make me happy. I don't have to fuss around with them or be discontented with how they look. They are so simply happy!!!
What do you think? I think I need to change it because the whole "eiffel tower" thing is about to make me go crazy... this isn't really an "eiffel tower" blog- maybe something more.... 1940's ish? I don't know. A cherry pie? An apron? A.....sock hop? That's the 50s actually. Hm. I don't know. Hopefully you don't mind my rambling, but I'm done now anyway! See you later!

Aug 16, 2011

Twosday Favs 23

The *official* Twosday Favs Button!!
I made this button a while back and just now decided that it would be kinda smart to put it up...I might change it though- still thinking about it!

Favorite11111111.......
My new Scrabble necklaces! They are
SO much fun to make. Here's pretty much
all you need to make them, except the
pretty paper.

I got the bails from Micheals Craft Shop. Real easy to find, and although they are a little big, they are handy and cheaper than buying online sometimes. There are 3 for 3 dollars- sometimes on http://www.etsy.com/ they sell 1 bail for like 12 dollars. I'm not gonna pay that much when I can get 1 for a dollar and not even pay for shipping. :)

Favorite22222222.......
This pic. His paw is in the air and his tongue is out. AWWWWW!!!! I am definitely an official cat-lover!

See you next week!


Aug 15, 2011

Addison Road

Besides the point that this is one of my all-time favorite songs, I love her voice and alot of the band's other songs as well!
But this one is definitely my favorite:


Aug 14, 2011

What's Up with Me August 14th

This pretty much explains how normal our cats are.
That's not a stuffed animal up there....
If you had to decide what level of sanity my family is at, don't come at 9:00 because that is the time we are all... kind of crazy. Sisters poking each other in the stomach and laughing so hard they hurt does not look.... normal. Unless you live at my house. :)
So that's what's up with me today.... actually that whole poking-tickling scene was yesterday but the mood transfers to today... because the first thing me and my sis did today was get out the cookbooks and read all the recipes, choosing what sounded good for breakfast, like muffins and casseroles etc.etc.etc. Then we got out leftover lasagna and heated it up.
Sound normal?
Mary


Aug 13, 2011

Fred Astaire Quote

You know, that Kelly, he's just terrific.
That's all there is to it.
 He dances like crazy, he directs like crazy.
 I adore this guy.
 I really am crazy about his work.

Fred Astaire is my favorite tap dancer. He is so talented. I think one of my favorite movies with him is "Easter Parade".
Fred Astaire Picture
Whose your favorite actor from the past?


I figured it was time to post again....

because I feel like I haven't posted in a while...Have I?
So this is going to be a really random post.
Sorry I've been so.... uh, disconnected from my blog, I guess. Well, I have a few things to update- no pictures yet, but soon!

{1}
I made my very own Scrabble Pendants!!!!! They are awesome.

{2}
I got a pair of tap shoes all my own!!!!!! They are also awesome.

{3}
I really feel like drawing pictures with colored pencils. Weren't you just dying to know that? :)
But not like little colored pencils doo-da's, I like these kind of colored pencil pictures:
They are SO much fun to do!

See you later! (probably Tuesday)

Aug 10, 2011

In Another Day Complete Story

Pearls of Wisdom

Judy Wheeler ran up the stairs toward her room. She could hear her little brother, Samuel, counting downstairs. Her little sister, Elizabeth, ran into her parents room and hid behind the desk. Judy giggled. Hide and seek was such a fun game! She ran into her closet and closed the door behind her, climbed onto the shoe rack, and sat down. She pulled a few dresses over her and curled up her toes. It was a great hiding spot- not to brag, or anything, but no one ever found her there!
Samuel stomped up the staircase, singing. He was six years old and loved this game more than anything else. He usually didn't want to be "it" but Elizabeth and Judy told him he had to or they wouldn't play. So he counted to thirty and started looking. When he reached Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler’s room, Judy could hear Elizabeth giggle.
"I found you!!" Samuel cried out. Elizabeth sighed.
"Have you found Judy yet?" she asked. Judy, of course, was not found, as Samuel told her. Judy took a deep breath as Samuel and Elizabeth came in, poked the covers of the bed, peeked underneath it, and prodded behind the dresser. Samuel walked over to the closet and opened the door. He shoved the dresses to the right. Then the left. Judy shrunk into the corner.
"Not in here," Samuel shrugged and he and his sister jumped out of the room. Judy, tired of being cramped up in that position, fell out of the closet and stretched her legs. Since they lived in such a big house, Sam and Elizabeth wouldn't re-check the room for a few minutes. Judy walked over to the door and peeked out. No one was there. She tip-toed silently out and walked quietly down the stairs. She reached the kitchen with ease. Judy pulled herself onto a stool in the kitchen and reached for a banana.
"No you don't, little Judy!" her father exclaimed. Suddenly they both heard voices from the living room.
"Ah-ha! Daddy, thanks for telling us where Judy is!" Samuel yelled and came bursting into the kitchen. But Judy made a run for it and slipped out of sight just in time.
"Found- huh?" Elizabeth started. "Where did she go, Daddy?"
"She just disappeared! She's got fast little legs, that Judy!" he smiled.
Meanwhile, Judy was racing up the old servant's stairwell. It led into her parent's bedroom and she never took the route. As she reached the top, she noticed something. A small sliver of light through the doorframe made something glisten. What was it?
Judy pushed open her parent's stairwell door to get a better look. As light streamed in, Judy saw something she had never seen before.
A doorway!
It seemed to glisten in the light. The copper doorknob seemed to scream "Adventure!". So Judy, making sure to push her parent's door completely open (just to be safe), turned the doorknob. The old wooden door creaked as it swung inwards. Judy stopped for a moment as her eyes adjusted. A tiny round window, covered with dust, let in a small amount of light. Judy could just make out the piles of boxes and Christmas decorations. She knew her parents stored things somewhere within the servant's stairwell, but she had never known about this! Suddenly something caught her eye. It was an old wooden chest. She stepped toward it carefully, the boards beneath her groaning at her weight on them. Judy gasped as she reached the gorgeous piece of woodwork. On the chest was a piece of metal, nailed to the front. Engraved on the front was the name "Rosalia Carter Wheeler". It was so beautiful. Judy repeated the name to herself a few times, then fumbled around in the darkness, trying to figure out how to open it.
Judy realized that the light in the room was getting dark. She didn't realize two familiar faces, that of her mother and father, watching her from the doorway, silently. She was too enwrapped in her exciting adventure. Suddenly something that sounded like metal hit Judy's toe.
It was an old metal key. On it was carved the initials RCW.
It was an old metal key. On it was carved the initials RCW.
Judy gasped. She slowly walked toward the chest and nervously grasped the key in her hand. She thrust it into the lock and it clicked. The clacking of unlocking contraptions intrigued her and suddenly.... the moment was over. Judy took a deep breath as she lifted the lid of the wonderful-smelling cedar chest. But what lay inside was even better. On the very top was a letter. An old, yellowed-with-time letter that called to her. She reached towards it, cautiously, and with the tips of her fingers lifted the writing out. The wax seal had long since opened with age and Judy's heart beat faster and faster. She lifted the flap and reached inside. The sweet-smelling letter was like an old book. The older it gets, the more it gets read- at least to Judy.
The letter was torn on the corner but nothing else was wrong.
It was so mysterious but simply fantastic, and Judy eagerly, but carefully, unfolded the letter.
Each fold in the paper seemed to be tearing, an ancient piece of paper that seemed to disintegrate in the hands of the finder.  Seconds passed quickly as Judy's eyes came to rest on the top of the page. In the most unspeakable writing was written:

Dear Judy,
I know you don't know me very well. If your parents haven't already told you about me, I might as well tell you. My name is Rosalia Carter Wheeler. I married into the family. I married your great-uncle John. My life was a wonderful one and the entire Wheeler family never let me down. But now, Judy, it's time for me to finish the race. I've done my part.
But I have a challenge. I propose to you something that I want you to get done before your race ends.
You will find out what I mean when you continue looking through my hope chest.
But as of now I think I need to tell you why I chose you to take this quest. It is because, Judy darling, you are only days old. When I hold you I can only think that someday you will be just like your mother. Just as full of adventure and excitement as anyone. But for unknown reasons, you'll seem to have a knack for finding things. That's what I did when I was a girl.
Just remember that my quest doesn't lead to anything more exciting, not even close to what God has for you and me at the end of His quest. Remember Psalms 86:11. "Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."
Judy, your mother will guide you in truth- that I can promise. But it is up to you whether you want to take my challenge or not. So I propose to you: You may either close this letter and put it back in the chest, locking it and leaving the room, or you may continue. How will you continue?
You'll have to find out.
Love,
Aunt Rosalia Carter Wheeler
Judy stood dumbfounded for a moment. She knew she would never put the letter back, so she folded it up and set it aside. Then she thrust her hands inside the chest and started pulling out things. An old, hand-quilted blanket with heavenly embroidery, a Bible, a rag doll. Item after item was pulled out and each one more intriguing than the other. Soon the chest was empty. Judy was confused. There was nothing in the chest, she thought as she glanced in. But what about the quest. Suddenly something caught her eye as it flashed. Her thoughts were racing and her heart was beating as she looked in and found a small, metal ring to a false bottom.
Judy's fingers clasped around the ring.
She slowly and carefully pulled the false bottom up...
It looked empty but Judy knew it wasn't. There was no object in there, though. She groped along the bottom, hoping to find a hidden compartment or something hidden in a crack. Finally she found something. When she rubbed her fingers over a certain spot, there were tiny crevasses that her fingers bounced across. She ran to get a flashlight. Racing back up the stairs, her thoughts were a-whirl. She didn't know exactly how to explain her feelings. Excitement? Fear? Determination? She only knew that she wanted to figure out what it was on the bottom of the hope chest.
Flickering the flash light on the bottom of the false bottom, Judy was confused. There were no rings of knobs, and she couldn't see anything that looked like a secret compartment. She rubbed her fingers along the bottom. Ah-ha! she thought. She turned the flashlight on the corner, deep within the hope chest. Tilting her head, Judy could read what it said.
one Timothy at 9 and ten
Beneath that was written:
Solve the riddle,
Solve the case,
Finish the quest,
Where you began the race.
Judy was puzzled. What could it mean? And what did it refer to when it said "the race"? Judy sat there, lost in thought for a moment. Judy started folding the items from the chest back up and placing them inside. She didn't want to give up, but it didn't make any sense.
Wait!
Suddenly it occurred to Judy. “One Timothy at 9 and ten" could mean two things: One, it could mean Aunt Rosalia's Timothy grandfather clock, and something about the time at 9 and ten. Judy looked over in the far corner of the closet where the clock stood. Holding her breath, she walked over to the clock. There was nothing unusual about it. She turned the key that stood in the lock and yanked the door open gently. Its metal hinges were rusted and opened with terrible squeaking. Judy flipped on her flashlight and looked up at the clock work. Nothing. She felt around near the clock's face. Maybe there was a compartment up by the nine and ten numbers. But still, she couldn't find anything. Perhaps her brain needed a rest. Judy walked out of the attic and into her parent's bedroom. Collapsing onto the bed, she tried to relax but her brain kept whirling. Judy tossed and turned for a few minutes before her eye fell upon something in the room that made something click.
The family Bible rested on the nightstand. Judy sat straight up, eyes wide.
Because suddenly, for some reason, she had thought "First Timothy Nine Ten.”
Judy raced to the Bible and flipped open to 1st Timothy. Wait- there was no Chapter 9 in 1st Timothy! It only had six. Maybe verses 9 and 10... Judy quickly scanned chapter one. Nothing in particular of verses nine and ten stood out to her. Chapter two verses 9 and 10 read: "I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God." Judy read the other verses in 1st Timothy and found nothing. Finally she closed the Bible, convinced it was a dead end. Slowly she dragged herself into the attic, trying to think of what it might mean. As she reached the hope chest she glanced over at Aunt Rosalia's family bible.
She opened to 1st Timothy, hoping beyond hope that this would lead her to something.
The pages rustled as Judy's trembling hands came upon 1st Timothy.
Chapter 2, verses 9 and 10 were underlined. Wedged in the crack between pages lay a gold chain. A bookmark, maybe?
Judy pulled it out. At the end of the gold chain was a perfect pearl, without defect. Tied to the chain was a note.
"Dear Judy,
Please keep this necklace. Congratulations, you solved the quest. Did I stump you with my riddle? Perhaps it was too easy- or perhaps too hard. Well, I'd like you to know something. Now that you have that necklace, you have to know something. I wore that on my wedding day- perhaps you'll do the same.
There was a matching bracelet. The secret to that lies within my armoire.
But, I can't tell you anymore. Ready for another quest?
All my love,
Aunt Rosalia Wheeler Carter"

The End!

Aug 8, 2011

All I.C. Books 15% off!!!!!!!!!!!

Go check it out! Save some money and enjoy a good read- but wait... there's more. There's a NEW I.C. Book in the making- when it arrives it will be 50% OFF for a limited time only!!!


In Another Day: Prizes... and Winners!

Hello everyone! How are you this beautiful day??
It's time to announce the winners of the In Another Day Challenge!!!
Isn't it exciting? (Due to some complications there are only 2 prizes instead of 4- just to let you know!)

The first prize is from Beth's Polymer Pens- this wonderful vintage writing pen!!! SO jealous of the winner!


The second prize is a scrabble pendant of your choice from Sweetlittlethings4u. I LOVE these necklaces SO much!!!!

Alright... and now for our winners!!!

In first place:

Congratulations Moriah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please email me at minshipwriter@gmail.com to claim your prize!

In second place.....


Congratulations Carrie!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please email me at minshipwriter@gmail.com with the link to the pendant you want to claim your prize!

Thank you all SOOO much for participating and have the most wonderful week!

Aug 7, 2011

Estate Sale Find

Here's the story- I'll lay it out flat.
With friends at our side, my family and I went to an estate sale- something we are avidly in love with. The Estate sale hosts do not own the items- they simply sell it. Which makes the prices better.

Well, on the way to the check-out to pay, I found this: A small school photo of a girl.
In the upper right-hand corner it says 1941- but 41 is scratched above something that looks like 39. So either this picture is from 1939 or 41. Either way, it's beautiful and I love it!

On the back it says "Caralee, 11 years". Isn't that just wonderful? If she is still alive today, she'd be 81. But from the circumstances of this being an "estate" sale, she may have been the one to whom all the stuff belonged. I just thought of that....

Isn't she beautiful??? I love it because it shows the style of clothes of the time, and her hair too-  And look at her necklace! It's just so wonderful, like holding a piece of history.

Have you ever had any great sale finds?

Mary