Tonight...

I had to come on a do a quick post to wish all my wonderful followers a Very Merry Christmas!
We've had a very impressive snow storm hit this last week...well, last three days, really. And I think we got three feet in that time.

It wasn't no-stop snow. It was more an hour here and there, and when it came down it meant business.
I took a step outside to shovel the walkway and I came in ladden with snow. :D I might have been outside a grand total of five minutes and...well, here. Take a look.

I have mixed emotions about snow. I love it. I love the way it looks and I really do love the storms that just let loose and blast everything they have down on us. But I wish there was a way I could have all that and not have to shovel. I am not a fan of shoveling. It's hard, tedious work. I guess you have to deal with the good and the bad in these things. It is beautiful.

Anyway, I didn't really mean to come on and tell you about the weather. *Giggle* I'll just leave it at we have the perfect weather for Christmas. *Smile.*

My sisters and I went out last night and caroled. We haven't done it in...years. But it was so fun! We're going to go out again, even if it's just for a little, and sing our hearts out. That's the good thing about big families: you have a home-made choir, quite literally. :)
Then, later on when the littlest members of the family have been tucked into bed, we're going to have mulled wine and read Christmas stories out loud to each other.
Have I mentioned how much I love Christmas? And Christmas Eve might just be the very best part of it all...

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful, blessed day tomorrow and I'll talk to you all again soon!

God Bless!
Amy

Oh, one more thing. This song is totally PERFECT for Christmas Eve. Please give it a listen, it's really lovely.

This and that...But mostly that.

Christmas is only six days away! Scream with me, people. In a good, happy way. ;)

Okay, I went and saw the Hobbit. *Squeee!* It's awesome. I can't say I was worried that Peter Jackson wouldn't do a good job. But it was sort of relief how good it was! There were a few changes that I was like, *hmmm* about and one or two (maybe three) things I wouldn't have done and I sort of wish Peter Jackson hadn't, either. But otherwise, brilliant. The cast was perfect.

Martin Freeman was Bilbo. He did such a perfect job his roll. I don't think they could have found another person so perfect.

There were a couple parts that stood out in their perfectness, and the whole beginning in Bilbo's hobbit hole was everything I could have hoped for. 

Loved it. 

When wrapping presents or doing crafts, there's nothing quite so nice as listening to some of the Old Time Radio Christmas shows. The era of Radio shows was so neat and some of their stories get more across than the movies of today. One that I really enjoyed was 'The Christmas Carol.'

Scrooge is voiced by this guy:

For those of you who might not know, he's Mr. Potter on "It's a Wonderful Life."

If you'd care to listen to it while you wrap or do crafts click here.The Christmas Carol

I recently saw, "A Princess for Christmas" and thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked it so much that I watched it twice in a week. *Grin*. The ending gets a bit cheesy but otherwise, it was very well done. I like happy, fuzzy stories at Christmastime. 

And something to jump up and down about, Josh Groban has released a single from his upcoming album, All that Echoes. *Jump. jump, jump!* Did you hear that, Peeps? His NEW album which will be released in February!

The single is called, Brave.

And since I'm already on the topic of Josh Groban, you really should watch this. Awesome. <3

Well that's that. God Bless!
Amy

Christmas-ness

I have had a hard time getting into a Christmas mood this year for some reason. I have no idea why.

I love Christmas.

It just has felt like Christmas is really far away.

Has anyone else noticed that there has been a decided lack of overall Christmas-ness this year? Or is that just me?

I mean, other than Christmas things showing up in the stores directly after Halloween, *Snark*  there just hasn't been much in the line of the 'spirit of the season.' 

I went Christmas shopping and no one wished me a Merry Christmas! 

I was like:

Furthermore, there wasn't even a 'happy holidays' or anything. I sort of hate the generic 'happy holidays' line. It's lame. And it feels way too politically correct. *Sneer.*

Pretty much, yeah. ;)

Even still, why is there absolutely no merriness? Or happiness? 

You watch old movies or listen to the old radio shows and people literally shout 'Merry Christmas!' to everyone they come in contact with! And there were always carolers and lights...*sigh.*

This song captures the feeling you should have at Christmas, in my humble opinion. At least, Christmas is pretty much like this at my house! 

I went to the library and checked out pretty much every Christmas book they had. I probably have twenty books, from picture books to decorating books, to the 'Christmas Carol.'

I have never actually read Dicken's 'Christmas Carol' but I want to. 

Christmas books are fantastic to put you back into the right mood. Especially the picture books.

One of my favorites is called 'The Gift of the Magi'-- the one illustrated by P.J. Lynch if possible.

This is such a sweet, lovely story. I cry every time I read it. In a good way, of course! Sad Christmas stories are not my fav. I like to get a warm fuzzy feeling in my tummy when I read Christmas stories. This one is perfect for the warm funzzies. :D I mean, take a look at that cover! *Fuzzy!*

Also, 'The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey' is awesome too. Also illustrated by P.J. Lynch. I love that man's illustrations. They are beautiful!

I've read, "The Long Christmas" every year since I was ten or eleven. It's a collection of traditional short stores and some of them are fantastic. You really can't beat Tradition when it comes to Christmas stuff.

Christmas music is absolutely a MUST. Crank it up, please. :) And not that stuff that plays in the stores, either. Real Christmas music. (Do not make my listen to Santa Baby one more time or I might scream. Loudly. In public.)

I think I've posted this song before, but it's one of my absolute favorites. And it's Josh Groban, so...





I think one of the reasons it hasn't felt very Christmas-y to me is we haven't had any snow. I live in a place where the whole 'white Christmas' thing happens pretty much every year. We usually have snow from November to May, minimum. But, besides one little snow storm almost a month ago, it's been clear here. But we got some yesterday! *Hip-hip-hurrah!* And everything seems a little bit better now.

I feel the need to run around and shout, "Merry Christmas!" to the world. I can see myself, a crazed look in my eyes, wishing everybody a Merry Christmas and smiling like a mad person...oh wait...That sounds like...




Perfect. :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

God Bless you all.
Amy

It's the season...

I have decided, I'd really love to have a room with secret door. Let's make it my future library...sounds like a plan. I mean, after I get my obstacle course up and going, obviously. Or maybe before. Hmmmm. 

                         Can you say, completely and totally awesome? 

*Sigh*

I can't believe how fast time is going by. It's already the 5th? Hang on, when did that happen? 20 days until Christmas? Shu-reeek! I've got to get crackin' if I'm going to get all my little Christmas plans together in time!

This is how I feel when the advent wreath comes out.

Christmas traditions are probably my favorite. And one that I've never done before and that I really love, is the tradition of putting a big candle in your window. It's to symbolize guidance to Our Lady and St. Joseph to your home! It's shows they are welcome as they look for shelter. I need to get a great big candle. :D

And to top everything off, tomorrow is St. Nicholas' feast day. St. Nicholas is one of my favorite saints. You can read about the feast day here.

God Bless,

Amy

Ta-da!

*Dramatic drum-roll please.* I finished! *Wild cheering and dancing.* 

                                      

I am so happy to announce that I did it! I made it all the way to 50,000 words and now I will once again enter the blogging world with a bit more dedication. :D I'm happy I made it and I'm so glad it's done. I don't even want to think about the amount of editing my story needs...but I do have a lot of good stuff to work with.
This song is very strange, but it sort of fits my mood right about now. And it's really fun to sing along with. In her voice...

Cheers!

God Bless...

Amy

I ramble.

Hello. How was everyone's Thanksgiving? I had a lovely day.

I made sweet potato pie.

There was a bout of fencing in the backyard with my sisters. And a tiny bit of boxing. We believe in arousing an appetite, you see.
NOTE TO SELF: It's been far to long since I've done any fencing and I'm ruddy awful at it! Time to start practicing again. *Nods* Getting killed is unpleasant.

There was dinner. It was so delightful I shall not put you through a remembrance. I wouldn't want you to drool on your laptop.

There was coffee and chocolate pudding pie while watching Second Hand Lions. We were going to watch Holiday Inn. It's sort of a tradition in my family and I was really looking forward to it, but our VHS tape is old and the movie wouldn't play. *Sniff*

There was talking and lots of coffee all evening.

Then, after sneaking in a word count back at my little apartment/cabin, my sister and I stayed up WAY too late and watched Holiday Inn on youtube. *smirk*

Thanksgiving was successful.

                  I cannot wait for this movie! It is going to be ever so fantastic.
I've been watching every clip I can get my hands on... obsessively. Martin Freeman might be the best hobbit ever. *Squeeee!*

Okay, maybe not best ever. I paused for a second and took a look at the Hobbits from Lord of the rings.

What's not to love?

Martin Freeman does makes a perfect hobbit, though.

             


I am SO EXCITED! It looks so good. :D I'm trying to decided of I want to re-read the book before the movie comes out. I read it a few months ago, but I'm all in the mood for it now. I shall have to come up with a Hobbit inspired outfit too. I like to do weird stuff like that. I will wear shoes.

Did all you people have a wonderful Thanksgiving? Did you do anything special? Do you have some cool traditions?

Is anyone else as absurdly excited about the Hobbit as I am?

God Bless!
Amy

It's the little things...

Sunday was a really grey, cold, rainy day. We had a giant puddle outside our house...and I do so love to play in puddles!

 On a whim, I took my camera  out and took a few shots. It's amazing how beautiful little things can be. The water was so still and reflected everything so well! I couldn't have asked for better conditions.

I'm rather delighted with the pictures I got.

And I had fun playing with Picmonky's editing tools.

I couldn't pick my favorite.

I've been listening to a lot of songs by Seirra Bogges lately. She has such a beautiful voice...and lovely stage presence--I always notice if someone has good stage presence or not. :D It's a thing with me. 

God Bless,

Amy

Writing and Pictures

I love the evenings where you can curl up with a cup of coffee and just write. Everything's done, you've cleaned, you did the dishes, you got into your comfy pajamas and all that's left is coffee and writing.

Oh yeah, and Pinterest.

                      I love this necklace...I'd do a lot to own such a cool little thing.

How pretty is that? 

Things they should teach you in school.

YUM!

                                 




Oh yeah...I should be writing. *Grin*

I'm doing pretty well on my Nano story. I like a lot of the stuff I've written, *Sigh of relive* and I pretty much know where I'm going with the plot. *Cheers and pats self on the back.* 

A problem I'm running into, though, is...I have a character that keeps changing. I've dubbed him my 'skitzo' character. 

He's my most interesting character in the story, I think, and he has such potential. And I keep tweaking and yanking at his back-history which makes his current story ever changing. Sometimes he's a really sweet fellow. Sometimes he's not so sweet. Sometimes he makes sense to me. Sometimes he doesn't.

I know how I want him to turn out, and I think I'm getting a handle on his personality. What? I'm only 22,000 words into my novel. There's still plenty of time to get him right.

That's been my biggest snag so far. I have to slap my hands when they try to go back and change things. I remind myself firmly, "write now, edit later" 

But it's hard.


Hey, any of you ever watched 'Second Hand Lions'? If you haven't you really should. It's a fantastic move. One of my very favorites. The story is unique and the characters are brilliant.

It's been a while since I've watched it.

But I think I'll have to watch it again soon.

Maybe once I get my word count up. 

That's all for now. 

God Bless!

Amy

One more random post

A little while ago Bella tagged me and I sort of forgot about it in the Nano madness. So, apologies, Bella. I shall do it now.

1.) Do you like musicals?
Yes. I so love musicals. It's just so fun to sing a story, ya know?

2.) What is your favorite musical?
The Phantom of the Opera. I know...everyone loves that one. But it is the best.

Just to mix things up, I also love Newsies and think it's a really under-rated musical.

Plus, Christian Bale was really cool in that one. *Grin*....Yeah. The movie version. The Broadway one looked soo ruined!

3.)If you could step into a book for a single day, which would it be?
This might seem strange but I think it would be 'Mariel of Redwall'.

I've been a huge fan of the Redwall series ever since I was ten. (That's more than half my life! *Eeep!*) I was infatuated with that series. Mariel of Redwall was, and still is, my favorite. You might be thinking, "Yeah, but those books were about animals!" Yes. Freakin' awesome animals. I would be a hare. A fighting hare. Because they were cool.

   No laughing. I'd make a jolly good hare, wot, wot! Absoballylutely splendid!

4.) Do you know what a silver tongue is?
Er...Moe in 'Inkheart?" So, someone who reads things to life?

5.) How does the quote, "There is Evil there..." end?
"That does not sleep." ...It doesn't even blink!

6.) Do you like having your picture taken?
Well...no. Not really. I'm not photogenic. I know, it's hard to believe, right? But I'm not. I did a photo shoot not too long ago, mainly because I'd never ever done one, and out of something like 135 pictures, 10 or so are good. I'm not kidding. I mean, look at this one! Worst. Photo. EVER.

After posting that little dandy, I feel the need to show one where I look good. To make up for it.

Oh PicMonkey, you make photos so fun!

7.)Do you like warm or cold weather better?
I'm very versatile. I am happy in the summer and I love swimming and hiking, (And as of last summer, rock climbing!) but there's the cozy aspect of winter that I love. I am happy I live in a world where the seasons change.

8.) What is your favorite color.
I love the color YELLOW! I think it's a very me color.

9.)Do you know how a war can be past down for generations but only last 7 days.
No. But I have a feeling it has something to do with Timey-wimey.

10.) Who are three of your favorite authors?
Dianna Wynn Jones, Brian Jacques, and oh let's see...Alistair Maclean? He writes some pretty awesome adventure stories. The Guns of Navarone, anyone?

11.) Do you know what a Jean Jumper is?
Yes. But I prefer jean skirts, thanks.

There, that's that. And now I shall go back to my 'literary abandon' and try to figure out how to steal Washington's snuff box. Yes, you read that right. Washington's snuff box.

God bless!
Amy

Random Things

Strange things happen to me when I do research for a story. I must first mention that I really love research and I often sort of hide in it. Kinda like, "I'm not ready to start writing...there is so much about internet hacking that I don't know!" Or, "I don't care how many people in history apparently used lemon juice as invisible ink, that stuff doesn't work! Please, Mr. Google, give me more options so that I can make that part more believable."

Anyway, not only do I love research, I can get totally sidetracked with it. Literally, I will start by looking up boxing terms so my 'fight scene' will read better and end up watching boxing tutorials on youtube...which moves you right into crazy martial arts stunts....*sigh*

I wont say what I was researching, but I discovered "Adult Obstacle Courses." And I WANT one.

So Much.

It's like going to the park...but for older people. Believe it or not, there are all sorts of different tips and tutorials on how to make a custom obstacle course in your back yard. I sooo hope on day I have like, five acres of land and I can dedicate an acre or so to this.
How cool would that be?

I want it to be something like this.
                                                                   

AIR ASSAULT!

Only, I would like mine to be a touch more private and a little bit less intimidating. And as long as I'm dreaming, I'd really love for it to have a small rock climbing wall. *Nods* Thank you very much. :) That will be all.

God Bless!
Amy

Nano and Altoids.

I have done it. I am doing NaNoWriMo-National Novel Writing Month. The month where crazy people like myself take on the challenge of writing 50,000 words in 30 days...armed only with coffee and chocolate. I tell you this so that if my posting slows down a little you will understand why. I am hoping to keep up with my blog, I might be a bit distracted. And I think I'm gonna take a break from the Saturday Style posts until December.

My sister found this cool website called The Art of Manliness and I think it's awesome! I've spent waaaay too much time reading and browsing through this site-under the pretext of research for my book, obviously. (Um...no. My book is not about manliness. There's just some useful information there!)
The thing that caught my attention the longest was this post on Altoids Boxes. 22 ways to reuse an Altoids tin. Need I say more? I am strongly fighting the urge to go buy 22 tins of altoids to try out all the ideas. But I do have one tin already and I just need to decided which project to do first...Ooooo! Choices. *Browses through the list.*
Urban Survival Kit, *Oh that's a must!*
First Aid Kit, *That is useful*
 Portable BBQ Stove...*NO WAY! That's feakin' awesome!*
Isn't it kinda sad that these sort of things excite me more than...well...almost anything?

I'm off to finish my word count for the day! Talk to youse all later.
God Bless
Amy