February 2014 // Report Card

And March is coming in like a lion this year, at least where I am.  My birth month always has a few tricks up her sleeve.  We've been dumped on by snow for two days, until we had over a foot...then it got above freezing, so we now have a foot of slush.  I hate slush.  But whatever, at least I only have to be out in it twice a day, and hopefully most of it will be gone by the end of the week.  Getting on with my February report card and pictures...

Photo a Day & Weekly Posting | A+ | So far, so good!  I've been keeping up on both Photo a Day and Sunday Style, and trying to add some variety with other things.  How do you think I'm doing?

KFC after bowling...I know, not very healthy, but SO good!

Dance More | A+ | I forgot about this goal in January.  Went to two swing dances in February, so not doing bad at all!  I love swing dancing so much.

Best swing dance EVER!  The end.

One Cross Stitch a Month | F | I'm starting to get the idea that this just isn't going to happen...but I haven't given up yet.  Not completely, anyway.

Practice shot for the Valentine's Banquet at church.  When we first started attending, a lot of people at church though Alex and I were a couple.  It's rather awkward, having people think your younger brother is your husband.  Eww.

Burlap, sage brush, and red candles for the buffet table centerpiece.

It's so fun helping to transform the church basement into a beautiful dinning area!

Movie "Fast" on Sundays | A+ | I've been doing more reading and less movie watching in general.

Me and my dear friend Sarah.

Buy Less Clothes | B | I was doing super fantastic on this...until I discovered ThredUP.  It's an online consignment store.  Totes awesome!  I bought two dresses, but I used the $15 gift coupon which I got by using Sereina's link, so I didn't spend much. If I can keep it down to one clothing item a month, then I'll be happy. :)

Balloons left over from the banquet make a good photo prop!

Adorable Sarah. :)

Hope Chest | Nothing to report.

Just down the road from us.  Our house is at the base of that mountain.  I love it here so much!

Practice my Mandolin | F | I'm so bad about this.  What I need to do, is put the case where I'll trip over it.

Merlin is getting to be a big, fluffy kitty cat!  And he caught his first mouse the other day in the barn!  At least, the first one that I was sure he caught.  With three mice killers running around, it's a bit hard to tell unless you catch them in the act.

Keep Up on House Cleaning | A+ | I definitely deserve that A+...the floors have never looked cleaner, and I've been doing a lot of organizing.

My bro shoveling a path to the car for me before we leave for church.  I'm so spoiled.

Spend More Time in the Word | B+ | I've really been enjoying the study of Acts we're doing at Wednesday night Bible study!  It's so neat sharing and comparing thoughts with others and discovering new things together.  In my personal study, I've been living in Psalms lately.  During some seasons of your life, it's the best place you could possibly be.  I would like to begin a study on my own, though.  Any suggestions?

Besties.

Overall, how was February for you?
Anything exciting happen?
I want to know!

Sunday Style // Bicycle for Two

o u t f i t

denim jacket & brown flats // thrifted {Goodwill}

striped tee // Big R

bicycle skirt // eShakti

Here it is, my newest skirt from eShakti!  Once again, I am 100% completely satisfied in ever way.  I'm having way too much fun going through my closet and discovering tops that go with this skirt!  With the adorable bikes embroidered in so many rich colors, I have quite a few options.  It's definitely more of a spring and summer skirt, but it styled well as a winter skirt for church.  Seems like a lot of the other girls at church were thinking summer yesterday, too.  There were quite a few knee length skirts paired with cozy sweaters, shawls, or cute jackets.

I'm linking up to...

Thanks for being my photographer, Kellie:)

I was so blessed by the special music at church yesterday.  A couple sang Word of God Speak, which is one of my favorite worship songs.  It has always had a calming, quieting effect on my heart.

: :

This last week was the best week I have had in a very long time, possibly the best week EVER!
It held hope, and the promise of more good times to come.

The debate between Ken Ham & Bill Nye was so good!  Way too much fun watching it with my friends at church. *grin*

Wednesday night Bible study continues to be my favorite part of every week.  I loving going early and helping the assistant pastor's wife, Joyce, make soup for our little group.  I'm learning a lot of really good cooking skills from her, and I just love talking with her.  She is a very special lady.  *smile*

The Duck Dynasty marathon was the definition of awesome!  We finished the first disc of Season Three, so we're going to get together again and watch the second disc sometime soon.  I can't wait!!  *big grin*

And the crowning glory - the best out of everything - was the swing dance Saturday night.  BEST DANCE EVER!!  We learned some new moves (such as The Pretzel and The Doggy Door...plus the ones we made up;), I only stepped on one persons foot, and Kellie spent the night afterwards.  A dance must be discussed in great deal, after all. *wink* We didn't get to sleep until about 1:30 am.  Just thinking about how much fun we had makes me smile.  I can't wait for the next dance!! *vibrates with excitement*

How was your week?

Did you watch the Ken Ham/Bill Nye debate? What did you think?

Do you go to a Bible study? What are you studying?

Have you ever gone swing dancing?  Would you like to?

I want to know!

Going Through the Era's {Fun Monday} - 1930's

I'm linking up to Bramblewood Fashion's Going Through the Era's event!

This week {March 4th-10th} is the 1930s.

Today's theme is...Fun Monday!

{share games, TV shows, music, radio shows and books from the era}

I love listening to old radio shows, especially Lux Radio Theater - the advertisements for Lux soap are just golden.

"9 out of 10 Screen Stars use Lux Toilet Soap!"

And who wouldn't want to be as lovely as a Hollywood star?!

Not only are the shows fun to listen to and the acting is superb (of course!), it's an excellent reminder to wash your face.  I can't count the number of times I've snuggled into bed while listening to Lux, only to realize I forgot to wash my face.  1.5 seconds later I'm out of bed and all but running to the bathroom to wash it.  

True story.

*grin*

Here are a few of my favorite Lux shows from the 30s...

Captain Blood (Errol Flynn & Olivia de Havilland)

The Scarlet Pimpernel (Leslie Howard & Olivia de Havilland)

It Happened One Night (Clark Gable & Claudette Colbert)

Only Angels Have Wings (Cary Grant & Jean Arthur)

The Prisoner of Zenda (Ronald Coleman & Douglas Fairbanks Jr.)

Doctor Macro has a lovely collection of Lux Radio Theater and other fabulous radio shows.  

I haven't even begun to explore them all. 

.....

Folks were swingin' to swing music in the 1930's (and through to the mid 40s).

Here's Freddie Rich and His Orchestra with Nan Wynn, Joe Sodja and the Three Symphonettes...

I fell in love with this short video when I first saw it on my special edition copy of The Adventures of Robin Hood {1938}. 
Simply stellar, especially their rendition of Loch Lomond. <3
And the man playing the drums seriously cracks me up...
...as does Joe Sodja and his guitar playing;)
.....
As far as literature goes...
J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy novel The Hobbit, or There and Back Again was published in 1937.

My favorite of Tolkien's books:)

(cough cough and soon to be two motion pictures which I can't wait to see cough cough...;)

 .....

 I hope you all enjoyed reading about a few of my favorite fun things from the 30s.

Make sure to check out the others who are linking up!

Happy Trails, y'all!