Adventurous. Also, wimpy.

So, what's with the post title?  Adventurous and wimpy?  Yup, that's me in a nutshell.  That's what my bro tells me and, frankly, it's quite true.  I admit it, without shame.  It's just the way I am.  I would be ashamed if it weren't for the fact that I do do things that I'm scared to try.  Example: shooting a shotgun.

Ooh, yeah.  Shooting is fun!  Especially with my young man grinning at me every time I hit the targets. Which makes me grin just thinking about him grinning at me.  Which is very wonderful, indeed. *grin*

Hank shot the 12 gauge first to show me how much it would kick since I was a bit, shall we say...concerned? And, because he's such a sweet and wonderful guy, Hank showed me exactly how to place my feet and hold the gun so I wouldn't wind up on my rear, admiring the beautiful clouds above.  I like him.  He's nice.  Really nice...  *sappy smile* Okay...and moving on.

We were shooting in the small valley behind our house that has been designated "the shooting range", and Alex joined us with his .22 rifle.  Which was awesome.

The arsenal for the day - 20 gauge shotgun, .22 bolt action with a scope, .22 lever action (my favorite), plus the .22 semi-automatic pistol and the 12 gauge shotgun.

It was fun shooting the shotguns, sorta...okay, I really didn't enjoy that except for Hank being so proud of me and the fact that I actually did it.  I did it!  But I still prefer the .22 rifle.

Setting up the targets again.  We had everything from legitimate store bought swinging targets, to rocks sprayed with paint, to cans on top of bushes.  Plenty of variety and plenty of fun!  The cans are my favorite to shoot, although the swinging targets are pretty cool.

Look Squeakie, I killed a weed! Not an actual Hank quote, but basically...yeah, he killed a mullein weed.  And he calls me Squeakie because my voice sounds so high and squeaky on the phone.  I rather like it...in fact, I like it a lot.  Basically, I like everything he calls me...except he's not allowed to call me "babe".

Not ever.  He did once...  Silly boy. 

Also, doesn't he look so cute with his glasses?  I think so. *smile*

Do I feel safe and protected?  You bet your boots I do!

And I have a surprise for you...a vlog!  Enjoy!

Have you ever shot a shotgun?  Would you, given the chance?  I want to know!

Photo a Day // April // Weeks 1 & 2

O N E | Watching "Guy on a Buffalo" on YouTube after Bible study.  *grin*

T W O | Sweet little spotted pony, Freckles.

T H R E E | New arrivals on the farm!

F O U R | Fresh duck eggs...so rich and delicious!  They're fabulous in baking!!

F I V E | Hallelujah!  The water to the sheep pen is on again!!

S I X | Sheepies

S E V E N | Playing Jenga with Hank and Alex.  33 layers.

 These past two weeks have been so delightfully wonderful!  Is it possible to die from happiness?

What changes has spring and April brought your way?  I want to know!

Photo a Day // March // Week One

O N E | I don't always like the way Nutella tastes, but sometimes I just need some chocolate.  Any chocolate!

T W O | Mirror shots will never not be fun.  Getting better at manual focus, I think.

T H R E E | Beautiful horse hair bracelet made by my friend Dinah Raye.

Check out her Etsy shop Pony Tails Designs and give her some favorites love!

F O U R | Horse hair hatband, modeled by my bro.

F I V E | What did I just say about mirror shots?

S I X | Best friends. Love how Merlin is resting his paw on Bonnie's muzzle. :)

Another week almost done and gone!  It's so creepy how the older you get, the faster time seems to move.  It used to take forever for Christmas or my birthday to come around.  Now I blink, and we're there.  At least, that's how it seems most of the time.  Time flies.

Next week on Monday I'm going in for my Open Arms PCC volunteer interview.  I'm not really nervous, especially since my friend Liz is doing the interviewing, but I would still appreciate your prayers on that day.  I can't wait to get started and see what the Lord has in store for me and those I'll be working with!

But right now, I'm looking forward to an evening spent with my friends watching Thor 2: The Dark World!  I haven't seen it yet, so I'm SUPER excited!!  Eeep!!!

And now I've got to get back to work.  The rocking chair, yarn, crochet hook, and Once Upon a Time are calling my name... ;)

Which is your favorite of the pictures?

What did you do this week?

Have you seen Thor 2?

I want to know!

Photo a Day // February // Week Three

O N E | Mom and I are watching through Road to Avonlea for the third time now, and we've decided that as soon as she's completely healed from Lyme disease, we're going on a trip to Prince Edward Island.  We couldn't remember exactly where it was in Canada, so we looked it up on the atlas that we've had since I was a little kid.  Not ashamed to say that I still love all of the little drawings and bright colors. *smile*

T W O | Really enjoying the tea that came in this month's Birchbox!

T H R E E | Homemade blueberry muffins, fresh from the oven.

F O U R | Bunny, my friend's corgi.  I love dogs a lot already, but this one has a special place in my heart.

F I V E  | Minions!  I made minion cupcakes for my bro's surprise party/game night.  Aren't they adorable?!

S I X | Alex and the Bonnie dog at game night.  Whenever we're in a circle on the floor with the game in the middle, she thinks she should be in the middle of it. ;)  Love that dog so much.  And game night was wonderful.  It deserves it's own post.

How was your week?
Did you do anything exciting?  
What has the Lord been showing you through His Word?
I want to know!

Bowling, anyone?

Christopher, Alex, and I spontaneously decided to go bowling last Saturday.  I think the last time I was bowling was about ten years ago...wow.  Now I feel old.  What is it about rolling a large, heavy, round object and trying to knock things down that is so much fun?!  Hopefully, we can get some of our other friends to go with us next time.  Our little group was great, but the more the merrier, I say!

Oh, and I got one strike!  I was happy. *smile*

How about you?  Have you ever been bowling?  Do you enjoy it?  I want to know!

I did not realize how small my feet were compared to the guy's until I say this picture...
It's almost creepy.
*grin*

Miscellany

Hello there, peoples! *smile*  I haven't done a Miscellany post for a while, so get ready...

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There's a chance that Pastor Saeed Abedini could be granted clemency and released from prison!  Sign the petition and find out more at the BeHeard Project!

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The second video in the YouTube series The Monaco Files filmed, created, and edited by my talented bro and his production crew!

Follow their YouTube channel and stay tuned to see what Jack and Jason will be trying next!

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This week at Bible study, I invented the Hymnal Game.  The object of the game is to carry on a conversation using only the titles of hymns.  Try it sometime.  The results are hilarious and awesome!  For about 5 minutes, everyone at the study were looking through the index and shouting out titles while laughing until we couldn't breath. *grin*

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We watched Monsters University finally.  I was prepared for it to be good, but I wasn't prepared for it to be every bit as good as everyone said it was!  And it was!!  Little Mike was completely adorable, and Art made me laugh so hard.  Definitely a win, in my book.

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Well, we have snow again.  The first big snow of the year, finally!  We usually have over a foot of snow on the ground from just after Thanksgiving until sometime between March and the end of April.  So it was highly unusual to have no snow all through January.  But we have it now!

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Wednesday morning, I drove downtown to attend a volunteer orientation at the Open Arms Real Choices clinic.  It was snowing like crazy, the roads were bad, everyone was going about 35 mph on the highway, and I was so scared that my legs were shaking.  But, I made it, found the clinic, and was only 20 minutes late.  *grin*  I am so, SO excited about volunteering at Open Arms!  I've known that it was something the Lord wanted me to do for about 4 years now, but everything was so crazy at home that I couldn't until now.  Now, I just need to finish filling out the volunteer application, get some references, turn them in, have my interview, and start training.  So EXCITED!!!  You'll definitely be hearing more about this in the future!

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I've been so encouraged by this song lately.  The Lord does some of His most powerful and effective work in our lives when we've come to the point of giving up.  When we are weak, He is strong.

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What have you been doing this week?  I want to know!

Christmas Twenty Thirteen // One King // Vlog no. 8

Rule One: The Doctor lies.

As do I...at least in this case.  Because I have one more Christmas post to share.  Rather, a vlog...

Amazingly enough, I've actually begun to feel more at ease singing in front of people.  Which is really good, because I do love singing.  Still working on calming my pre-performance nerves, but they're not nearly as bad as they used to be.  It does help when you're doing it to bless others and for the Lord, not for the applause...although, applause it nice, too. *smile*

How about you?  Do you enjoy singing or playing for others?  I want to know!

Christmas Twenty Thirteen // Formal Jazz

o u t f i t

grey shirt // thrifted {Hospice}

plum tank // thrifted {Hospice}

plum tulle skirt // Kellie Falconer Design

headband // made by me

pearl necklace // made by me

grey ribbon bow belt // just a length of ribbon

plum flower & ribbon brooch // made by me

silver nail polish // Essie

Yes, I LOVE my plum tulle skirt from Kellie's lovely Etsy shop!  I feel like I'm a little girl again, playing dress-up, only it's dress-up for grown-up ladies!  It makes a blissful swishing sound as I walk, only I don't feel like I'm walking.  I feel like I'm floating on a cloud.  

I wanted to have my bro take some photos with the snow in the background, but it was 2*F outside that day.  No thanks, I'll keep my coat and boots on, if you don't mind.  Jenny took these photos for me at the Ladies Christmas Brunch.

I also wore this ensemble to the Spokane Jazz Orchestra Christmas Concert later that evening...

The concert was FABULOUS!!  Far and above exceeding my expectations, which were high.  Well worth the 6 block walk from the car to the theater in 2*F weather while wearing dress shoes. *wink*  And the theater itself was beautiful, as you can see in the pictures.  Thanks to Kellie and Algy for the photos!

Our evening ended around 10:30 at Denny's, eating cheesy fries and hot fudge sundaes, with my bro entertaining the waitress with corny jokes.  The perfect way to end a perfect day, wouldn't you agree?

We are epic.  The end.

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Merry Christmas Eve!!
Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions that your family does every year?  I want to know!