Fall-Tastic Favorites Tag

Happy November everyone!!  I hope you are all having a great month so far.  I was tagged by my sister, Madison over on her blog to do the Fall-Tastic Favorites tag!  Thank you, dear!

1. Favorite Fall Holiday:

Thanksgiving, of course! ;D

2. Favorite Fall Dessert Ingredient: Carmel, Pumpkin or Pecan?

Honestly I like them all!  But if I have to choose just one probably pumpkin. 

3. Favorite Fall Movie:

Well, I like old horror movies.  And Nightmare Before Christmas has AMAZING music!  And the Peanuts Thanksgiving movie is really cute.

4. Favorite Fall Candle:

All of them?!  Umm...anything with apple is good. 

5. Favorite Fall Drink:

Coffee with peppermint mocha creamer (even though its kinda a Christmas creamer) or apple cider is always delicious!

6. Favorite Item of Clothing for the Fall:

I love it all, but my favorite would have to be sweaters.  So cozy.

7. Favorite Fall Outing/Activity:

Again, I love it all.  But my favorite would have to be Apple Hill.

8. Favorite Candy:

For chocolate, Twix is probably my favorite.  For "candy,"  it would have to be Skittles.  But I like a lot of others as well! :)

9. Favorite Fall Weather:

Cooler, breezy, foggy, rainy, all of it! ;D

10. Favorite at Home Meal:

All of them!  Soup is always good on a cool autumn day.

Thank you for tagging me, Madison!  I understand that quite a few of you ladies that I tagged are doing NaNo this month.  If you don't have time to do this tag, I totally understand.  I hope you all have an awesome month crafting your stories.  May the words come easily and smoothly for you all!  I myself, am not doing it. I do think it would be an interesting experience, someday.  However, if you can do the tag, please do.  And if I didn't tag you and you'd like to do it, please go for it!  Many blessings to you all and happy writing! :D

I tag:
Phoebe
Savannah
Meredith
Mary
Miss March
Erudessa
Abigayle

Questions;
1. Favorite Fall Holiday:
2. Favorite Fall Dessert Ingredient: Carmel, Pumpkin or Pecan?
3. Favorite Fall Movie:
4. Favorite Fall Candle:
5. Favorite Fall Drink:
6. Favorite Item of Clothing for the Fall:
7. Favorite Fall Outing/Activity:
8. Favorite Candy:
9. Favorite Fall Weather:
10. Favorite at Home Meal:

3 Outfits for Disneyland

So at the beginning of the month we were blessed to go to Disneyland!!  I honestly feel like Disneyland is my second home.  I love it so much.  I have never been to any other Disney park around the world (someday I'd like to visit them all!) or Walt Disney World.  Someday.  But for now, I just love being able to go to the original theme park that was created and enjoyed by Walt Disney himself.  Anyways, I thought I would share with you all what I wore the three days we were at the parks (California Adventure :)).
                                                                         
                                                                                   Outfit #1

                                                                              Hat: Forever 21

                                                                              Top: Kohl's

                                                 Cardigan:  I don't remember...either Burlington or TJ Maxx, I think.

                                                                              Pants: Forever 21

                                                Shoes: My Mom bought them for me to help someone adopt. 

                                                                                

                                        

                      

                                                                               Outfit #2

                                                                             Hat:  Paris

                                                                             Glasses:  Amazon.com

                                                                             Blouse: Forever 21

                                                                             Vest:  From a friend

                                                                             Skirt: Stein Mart

                                                                             Shoes: Famous Footwear

                                                                             Purse: Disneyland

                                               Pin:  Antique fair thing. (different then the one I talked about before.)

                                                                               

                           

     

                                                                                Outfit #3

                                                                       Glasses: Amazon

                                                                       Jacket: Disneyland

                                                                       Dress: FemmeDeBloom Instagram

                                                                       Socks:  Forever 21

                                                                       Shoes: Famous Footwear

                                                                       Collar Pin:  FemmeDeBloom

                                                                       Backpack (Minnie Mouse): Disneyland (old)

                                                                          

                                       

  

I think Mickey liked it!:D

                                       

                                       

It was an AWESOME trip!!!!  I hope you enjoyed looking at what I wore.  Blessings ~ Morgan

                                                  WHICH OUTFIT WAS YOUR FAVORITE??

Book Review: Unblemished

                                    

Product Description

Unblemished, by Sara Ella
Eliyana has a birthmark covering half of her face.  Her mother and Joshua are the only people who treat her normally.  Because of Joshua, she believes she can be loved.  One night her mother does not come home.  Joshua becomes her new legal Guardian.  She is also being stalked.  Eliyana soon finds herself in a world much larger than she’s ever known. A world forced to remain in a bad situation by a powerful and vile man. Eliyana holds the answer to defeating him. How can an ordinary girl, a blemished girl, become a savior when she can’t even save herself?

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O. My. Goodness.  THIS BOOK!!!!!  It was AMAZING!!!!   I thought the cover was neat online, but then I saw it in person...WOW!!!  This is such a beautiful cover!  It even has sparkles on it.  :D  On to the review...

This is a super fast paced, fairytale, adventure.  We jump in right when Eliyana is grieving her mother's death.  Then a whorl pool of things happen to her.  Before you know it she is in another world...well technically the Second Reflection.  Where we live is the Third Reflection, there are seven in total.  Anyways, at the beginning of the book you are just as lost as El (her one of many nickname's) on everything going on.  How is her birthmark, that she has always hated, something important?  Something that can save these people.

Let's talk about some of the characters, shall we?  El, can sometimes be annoying.  She is into Joshua a bit too much, if you ask me.  And she doesn't trust Ky at first (will talk about him next), but I can't say I blame her.  He had given her no reason to trust him, but after he saves her and is being kind to her, she is still suspicions of him.  Just trust the guy already (I say that, but I wasn't so sure myself at one point!).  Which she does eventually.  Other than that she is a fine heroine.

Ky is my favorite character.  At first he is a "bad guy,"  but it is really just an act.  He is cocky, funny, SUPER protective (which is super sweet), kind, and I just...love him.  He's one of those characters you can't help but like (love). 

I don't want to give to much away.  This is an epic story of love.  A story of good vs. evil.  And the biggest love triangle I have ever witnessed.  I am truly sad that I finished it.  And the second one doesn't come out till July of next year!!! Ugh.  I need answers.  At the end you don't know who El is going to choose, Joshua or Ky.  I'm team Ky all the way.  If you love fantasy, romance, and fast paced goodness, this is the book for you.  It also has some fun references that I enjoyed reading (minus the Harry Potter ones).

The one thing that I didn't care for was that Eliyana's Mom had her at 16 and she conceived her by a married man.  Even though I don't think she knew he was married, they still shouldn't have done that.
Other than that I LOVED this book!!!  I can't wait for the second one!!!  Well done, Sara Ella!!!

5 out of 5 stars

*I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

Blogger Recognition Award

My friend, Miss March tagged me for the Blogger Recognition Award!  Thank you so much!

 

-Thank the blogger who nominated you.

-Tell a little bit about how you started blogging.

-Give two pieces of advice for new bloggers.

-Nominate 15 other bloggers.

                                                             Why I started my blog

I stole this from my post, Reasons to Start a Blog.  I think it pretty much sums it up.

" For me, I started a blog just because. I don't think that I really knew what I was going to do with my blog.  I think I was leaning towards a fashion blog.  You can read my first post here."

Fashion blog, craft blog, whatever I was thinking back then, I don't really remember.  I did have a blog before that.  It was for the felt dolls I made, but I only did a couple posts.  Eventually, I just deleted it.  As for this blog, I think I just did it mostly because I wanted to. :)

As for advice, I think I am going to be sounding pretty cliché. 

                                           Advice #1  Write what you want to write about.

Write what you want.  Just go crazy if you want to.  Don't try to impress anyone or fit into someone's mold.  You are your own person, you are exactly the way God made you to be.  So don't try to write like someone else, or do all the same posts that someone else is doing.  Just be yourself.  And that right there sounds cliché, but it is so true!  If you love a crockpot of stuff like; movies, books, writing, fashion, crafts, music, animals, photography, painting...whatever it is.  If you have passion about it, it will show up in your writing.  And you don't have to focus on just one thing, write about whatever you want!  Maybe this week you watched a movie that you loved and write a review for it or just saying how it made you feel. Then next week you want to share a recipe you love...whatever the case, do it.  This is your blog, your expression zone, so to speak.  So don't be afraid, just have fun with it!

                                                        Advice #2 Don't worry about it.

Don't worry if you don't have a ton of followers, or you don't get any comments on a post, or even about how many views you get. Even if you have only two readers, your not going to stay at just two.  Keep going, and don't worry about it.  If you find you are comparing yourself to another blogger, just give it all to God.  You are not that person, and they are not you.  God loves you just the way you are.  If you want more followers and such, pray about it.  And start following and commenting on other peoples blogs as well.  Just don't worry about it.  Have fun with your blog, and make it uniquely YOU.

So I am going to end this with breaking one of the rules.  I am not going to be tagging 15 bloggers.  But if you would like to do this tag, please do!  Thanks again, Miss March!!! :D  And thank you to all of you for reading my lil blog!  You all mean so much to me. <3

Book Review: Shadow of the Storm

Publisher's Description

In the Depth of the Storm's Shadow, Only Truth Can Light Her Way Having escaped Egypt with the other Hebrews during the Exodus, Shira is now living in freedom at the foot of Mt. Sinai, upon which rests the fiery glowing Cloud containing the shekinah glory of God. When the people disobey Yahweh and build a golden idol, the ensuing chaos gives Shira an unexpected opportunity to learn the arts of midwifery. Although her mother wishes for her to continue in the family weaving trade, Shira's gifts shine brightest when she assists with deliveries. In defiance of her mother, Shira pursues her heart's calling to become an apprentice midwife.

When a delivery goes horribly wrong, Shira finds herself bound to a man who betrayed her, the caretaker of three young children, and the target of a vengeful woman whose husband was killed by Shira's people, the Levites. As contention between the Hebrew tribes and the foreigners fans the flames of another dangerous rebellion, Shira will come face-to-face with the heartbreak of her past that she has kept hidden for so long. How can she let go of all that has defined her to accept the love she's denied herself and embrace who she truly is?

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So you may remember that I did a book review for a book called, Counted with the Stars back in April.  I LOVED it!!  You can read that review, here.  Anyways, when I saw that the second book in the series was available to request, I was so excited!!!  And so glad that I got it! 

                                                                         Characters

I already loved Shira in Counted with the Stars.  So I was excited to experience this book through her eyes.  She is stronger and braver than she knows.  And sometimes when she submits or lets things go I want to shake her a bit.  And encourage her to believe in herself, that she can do it. Thankfully, Ayal and Kiya do that for me.  Thanks, guys.  By the end of the book she has changed into the person Yahweh made her to be.  A strong, brave women.  Who is kind and loving.

As for Ayal, the main guy. I didn't like him as much as I did Eben (the main guy in the first book).  He was ok.  I won't say to much less I spoil it.  He just wasn't my favorite.  I am glad that he did apologize to Shira and truly does love her.

And the vengeful gal, Dvorah.  Some parts of the book were from her point of view, which was interesting to read.  And I wonder what will happen in the next book concerning her.  It kind of left you hanging.

And of course, some of the characters from the first book.  Jumo and Eben weren't in it as much as the first book.  They were there, and mentioned here and there, but not the conversationalists'. I did like the sisterly bond between Kiya and Shira.  That was sweet.

                                                                         Overall

It was an enjoyable book.  I like the first one more, but this one is still good.  The writing is great and descriptive.  No matter how many scars that you have on your heart, you can be healed by the One who made it.  You just have to let it all go, give it to God.  Forgive others and the harder one, yourself.  In Him all things are made new.  And He will be with you during all the storms and trials in life.

One note though, there are some things that are not for younger readers, this is definitely a book for more mature people.  

4 out of  5

*I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Q and A Tag from Fawnabelle Baggins

I was tagged by Fawnabelle Baggins to do a Q and A!!!  Thank you so much, Fawnabelle!!

Rules:

• Tag the blogger(s) who have nominated you
• Answer the questions you were given
• Nominate 10 bloggers
• Write out your 10 questions
• Let them know they’ve been tagged

1. What is your favorite thing about fall?

  Just one?!  Umm...probably the weather turning cooler.  I am not a big heat person...AT ALL!!  Give me mountains' and fresh cool air, please! ;D

2. How do you eat a cupcake? (Trust me, there are several ways...)

I take off pretty much all the frosting.  I don't like frosting, but I like cake!  Unless its like a whipped cream frosting, then yes!

3. How do you prefer your cookies? Crispy? Gooey? Half-baked? RAW?!

All of the above?! ;)  My favorite is probably a bit crispy.  But I love gooey as well!  And who doesn't like to eat cookie dough?!  Mmmm, now I want cookies!

Aren't they cute?!

4. Is there a traditional food and/or dessert your family makes for the holidays? What is it? (Can I possibly have a recipe?!)

Let's see...we do lots of baking during the holidays.  One that I really like that is really easy and delicious are, Hello Dolly Cookies.  And just for you Fawnabelle, here is the recipe! And if any of you think it sounds good...please try it! If you do, please let me know how you liked it! :)

Melt 1 cube of butter

1 cup Graham cracker (crushed)

16oz. Package of chocolate chips

1 cup chopped nuts 

13 oz. can of Eagle brand milk (condensed milk)

Layer in 9X13 pan.  In the order above, melted butter, crushed crackers, chocolate...and so on.  Do NOT stir! Bake @350 for 25 minutes.  Enjoy!

They kinda look like this!  Minus the coconut.

5. What is your favorite soup?

I LOVE soup!  I love chicken noodle (or rice), chicken tortilla, and tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich, to name a few.

6. What do you eat for breakfast during the holidays? Anything special?

Yes, on Christmas morning we have coffee, bacon, and orange rind rolls.  They are really good!

Ahh...so cute!

7. Do you carve out your pumpkins to decorate your porch during Halloween time?

Sometimes.  Or if we don't we just leave them on the front porch as decoration. ;)

8. Are you excited to eat all of the delicious food waiting for us in these coming winter months?!

One word...YES!!  :D  If you didn't know by now...I love food. <3

9. Does it snow where you live? About how much snow do you get?

NOPE!  And I'm ok with that!  I don't really like snow.  I don't mind visiting it, that's fun! It is really beautiful, but to live in it?  I'll pass.  Where I live we do, of course, get rain and sometimes hail!  Which I LOVE!!  I LOVE rain!!!! *dances in the rain* (even if it's not raining out :))

10. Do you make your hot cocoa special? Any extra marshmallows or whipped cream? Powdered cinnamon?! Does anyone drink champurrado?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Not really, I normally would probably drink it plain.  Whipped cream is always good on it, but I don't always do that.  And I DON'T like marshmallows!!!  Only in s'mores, now THAT'S good!  But NOT in my hot cocoa or raw. ;)

Thank you so much for tagging me Fawnabelle!  This was a lot of fun!  As for tagging others, I tag YOU!  Yes, you!  If you would like to do this tag, please do!  And Fawnabelle had some awesome questions so I'm going to leave hers for you. 

1. What is your favorite thing about fall?

2. How do you eat a cupcake? (Trust me, there are several ways...)

3. How do you prefer your cookies? Crispy? Gooey? Half-baked? RAW?!

4. Is there a traditional food and/or dessert your family makes for the holidays? What is it? (Can I possibly have a recipe?!)

5. What is your favorite soup?

6. What do you eat for breakfast during the holidays? Anything special?

7. Do you carve out your pumpkins to decorate your porch during Halloween time?

8. Are you excited to eat all of the delicious food waiting for us in these coming winter months?!

9. Does it snow where you live? About how much snow do you get?

10. Do you make your hot cocoa special? Any extra marshmallows or whipped cream? Powdered cinnamon?! Does anyone drink champurrado?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

10 Reasons Why Everyone Should Have a Pet Dragon // Guest Post by Mary

Hi guys!  So today is an exciting day!  Today I am sharing with you all my first guest post!  And who is this person who wrote an AWESOME post for my lil blog?  Ladies and gentlemen, I proudly present my awesome, talented friend, Mary!!!!! *hands over mic*

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Hullo there! My name is Mary, and I'm the brilliant mind behind Sunshine and Scribblings. My dear friend Morgan was kind enough to allow me to explode with nonsense over on her blog, so I naturally had to write an awesome post in payment. 

Thus why this post is here to convince you that you obviously need a pet dragon. Because seriously, why don't you have a pet dragon? Something is definitely wrong here.

Luckily for you, I'm going to bring happiness to your life in the form of dragons. Sit back and enjoy, peasants.

1.) They can get you food.

I mean...does this even need an explanation? You can just sit around and be awesome all day and let your pet bring you food. Bonus points if it's cookies.

2.) They can protect your books.

Every good bookdragon obviously needs a pet dragon to protect all the books. THIS IS LOGICAL, PEOPLE. Whenever someone you don't trust with your life (aka books) comes over and tries to borrow your precious books, you can casually drop the hint that you have a pet dragon who guards the bookshelves. Voila! Problem solved.

3.) They're ridiculously cute.

        

Case in point.

4.) They might lead you to Middle Earth.

This is always a good thing because portals are very shy and like to keep to themselves. I haven't found one yet so I'm just assuming portals are introverts who want to hide from everyone.

Thus why you need a dragon to escort you there. Just...make sure he's not a miniature Smaug who wants to burn down villages, okay?

Well, if he's cute then it's fine.

5.) They give you bragging rights.

How many people do you know with a pet dragon? Yeah, that's what I thought. So once you get one, you can carry it around wherever you go just to show how sophisticated you are. It works every time.

6.) They can help you write.

If mischievous squirrels are messing with your novel, dragons have been proven to be the number one best way to chase them off. They're also highly skilled in typing. But they tend to put on the caps lock all the time soooo...yeah. Caution is advised.

But they have mostly fabulous ideas so it's worth the risk.

7.) They come in a variety of colors.

Which means you can find one to match your outfit. How cool is that? They can also live in your bathtub if you don't have space in your bedroom. Well...certain kinds can, at least.

Like that one. Aqua dragons are fun and don't mind living in bathtubs.

8.) They're experts at making s'mores.

Much more effective (and less time-consuming) than a campfire, trust me. Just put the marshmallow on the stick, bring in your dragon, and let it do its thing. Dragonfire s'mores are 1000% cooler than regular s'mores.

9.) They're portable.

You can take them with you to the airport, mall, farmer's market, library...basically anywhere as long as you smuggle them in your backpack. This is assuming you have a small dragon, which of course you do because big ones might burn down your house. They have significantly more firepower, unfortunately.

However, with the small ones, you can easily take them around wherever you go. Since some people are actually afraid of dragons (pssh, what's to be afraid of?), I recommend keeping them in your backpack when you go out. Unless you're trying to show them off to your friends or keep them as a bodyguard. In which case, they can perch on your shoulder.

10.) They can be your bodyguards.

As I mentioned above, you can also use your dragon as a bodyguard. If someone's suspiciously eyeing your food, you can always threaten to unleash your pet dragon on them. That should deter any food-snatchers.

Well, are you ready to get a pet dragon? OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE. I have just given you ten completely valid reasons for owning one. 

So what are you waiting for? GO GET THYSELF A DRAGON.

*bows out regally*

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*applause*  Thank you so much, Mary!!!  I think we all want a pet dragon now (if you didn't before you read this).  I'm convinced.  I need one.  Anyone else?  Who's with me?! 

WHAT KIND OF DRAGON DO YOU WANT?

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? 

WHICH DRAGON IN THE PICTURES IS YOUR FAVORITE?

LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS!