Things to Do on a Rainy Day

Hello friends,

As a resident of Washington, I've seen my fair share of rainy days. Like, probably 70 percent of our days are rainy. Well okay, so I just looked it up and it's more like an average of 42 percent per year, but it feels like a lot more than that. Still, I'm well experienced and today I'm here to share with you some things to do on rainy days that are more or less productive. So sit down, grab a cup of tea, enjoy the sounds of rain falling on your roof, and get ready for some extreme wisdom.

1. create a goodreads/twitter/instagram// Okay, now hear me out, too few of you guys have social media for me to stalk you on! I want to know every book you're reading, every small detail of your day, and every bit of food you took a bite of. Plus, social media helps raise awareness for your blog and beautiful face, so what's not to love? See, productive!

2. discover a new musical// Don't get me wrong, I love Hamilton and Les Misérables, but there are other amazing musicals out there that also deserve crazy fangirls (and fanboys!!) to memorize every line, create fanart, and write fanfiction for. So cue the recommendations.

Fiddler on the Roof. TRADITION.TRADITION!....TRADITION. *inaudible fanigrl squeals* 

Phantom of the Opera. Phantom and opera in the same title, so a no brainer obviously. 

The Huntchback of Notre Dome. Specifically the 2015 musical by James Lapine and Peter Parnell and composed by Alan Menken. Such goodness. 

Into the Woods. It's weird, it's creepy, and it's a play on different fairy tales. It's cool. 

Wicked. UM it's about the two witches from The Wizard of Oz so uh yeah. 

My Fair Lady. Audrey Hepburn plays the main character. You're welcome.

Grease. GREASE LIGHTENING *attempts to mimic their dancing* It's good, so good. 

3. curl up with a cozy read// Reading is just pure wonderfulness and reading on a rainy day is so magical, so you must do it now please, thank you. And, if you read, you'll learn new things and have a better imagination and you'll just be a cooler human being. Not that if you don't read, you're not cool, it's just that, you're probably not as cool as someone who does read, especially someone who reads on a rainy day. But hey! I'm here to give you some cozy reads recommendations so now you too can be cool. *enthusiastic thumbs up*

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. A wonderful book written by a wonderful human, You should read it, then run to me and we can talk, but only if you loved it, because this is my all time favorite book and I will not tolerate any hate. 

The Tale of Despereaux by Katie DiCamillo. It's a book about an adorable little mouse who is outcasted because he's too brave. It's the cutest book ever! 

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. This book utterly broke my heart into a million pieces but also made it feel so complete. It was amazing. 

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks. This is such a heartwarming contemporary that gave me so many feels. I adored it! The movie adaption is great too, but the book (obviously) is much better. 

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Some of the best writing I've ever read and a beautifully crafted story. Plus, super short chapters so it goes by quickly. 

4. try a new recipe// Because baking is ten times more magical when it's rainy. Try my Jam Cookies or Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins if you dare! WARNING: They're super old posts and need updating, so please no judgment. Or judge, whatever, no hurt feelings or anything. 

5. watch something new on netflix. Okay so nothing about this is really productive, but you could clean or do homework while watching your new show and maybe feel productive? OR you could just take a well deserved break and eat food and turn on a good show. Do it, you know you should. 

Merlin. This is my favorite drama ever!! Merlin is adorable and all the characters are amazing and it's a fantasy and made by BBC and it is pure joy so watch it. Yeah yeah, that was a terrible run on sentence, but I can't properly express me love for this show, it's just so wonderful!! 

Call of the Midwife. Another wonderful drama from BBC, I've only watched the first season so far but I'm really loving it! The British know how to do it right.

Heartland. So this is a show about horses and a ranch, so not normally something I'd watch, but a few of my best friends love this show and got me hooked. So far it's pretty good!

When Calls the Heart. This show is so cute! It's a bit cheesy, don't get me wrong, but I quite like it. One of my closest friends really likes it too, but since she lives about three hours away, we just watch it at the same time while texting each other and ranting. It's pretty great. 

6. get coffee with your best friend. Because your best friend is an adorable, wonderful person who deserve to be loved and given coffee. You can do it, you can leave the house, bear the rain. If you have a close friend who doesn't live close enough (like me, *sniff*) skype them and drink coffee over the screen. Unless your wifi connection is ruined by the rain, then just be lonely and sad I guess.

7. discover new blogs. Welp, hopefully you guys have a good wifi connection or else you're missing out! Blogs are the best and there are so many wonderful people you must read from. Spend some time looking through other bloggers' "friends" pages (I really need to make one), or stalk the people who comments on their blogs, or who follows them on twitter. It sounds creepy, but you will find amazing bloggers, I promise you.

Letters to Jayna. Okay, so Elissa is one beautiful soul and just happens to be one of my best friends, so obviously you need to go follow her. She writes such beautiful poetry and I love her to death. 

Twilight to Dawn. So if you know The Barefoot Gal, then you already know Julia is an amazing human being and I adore her poetry blog, everything she write is pure goodness. Go follower her and convince her to publish a poetry collection, okay? okay.

Simply Me. Oh my gosh guys, Vanessa is actually the sweetest person ever and I love love her blog and her so go check her out.

Words Passing You By and Beloved. So I've been following Cally for awhile now and she is who I aspire to be. Everything she writes is breathtaking and I just love her and the wisdom she has. Follower her other blog too, gah she's great. 

Paper Fury. If you like books, then you will love Cait's blog! Her formatting is on point and she writes some of the best reviews ever. I just love everything about her writing!

8. watch your favorite childhood movies// And let all the nostalgia kick in. I was watching Spirit the other day and it just gave me all the feels! My brother Zachary use to force us to watch that all the time, it was so weird to watch it without him.

9. take up a new hobby// If you're going to stay home all day, you might as well hunker down and learn something new. It makes you feel all accomplished and productive, that is, if you actually were able to figure it out. If you tried and failed, well, you might feel differently.

Start a blog. Okay, so if you don't blog, you need to start! the blogging world is a magical place where you can write whatever you want with no rules and express yourself. It's wonderful and actually not that hard. I mean, it takes a lot of time and work, but it's fun and rewarding. Do it, you know you should.

Learn to crochet/knit. It's way easier than it looks, plus you can knit your family a bunch of stuff for their gifts and it's cheap and they can't complain because it's "from the heart" *evil laugh*

Pick up a new instrument. Spoiler, I don't actually play an instrument and that picture is me creating an allusion that I'm more talented than I actually am, but I wish I knew how to play an instrument, so let's learn together, shall we? Okay. 

Write something new. A short story, poetry, creative nonfiction, a song. Whatever you're not use to and kind of scares you, try it! You just might like it. 

10. go clean your room// Because this is the most productive thing on this list and it'll raise your spirits. Let's be honest, it's probably a mess right now and you're using the internet as a distraction. Well stop it, and go clean your room. You can't say I'm not wise. 

Bonus! 11. go enter to be in Morning's blogger yearbook// So Morning had this amazing idea to create a blogger yearbook and she needs more entries, go check it out! Her blog is awesome and I think her idea is absolute genius. 

What do you like to do on rainy days? Throw me some more ideas down below. Did any of my suggestions help? Let's chat about it! 

Have a wonderful week,

Elizabeth 

enough

life was good
for there were flowers to be picked
bright and vibrant
just like her eyes
they were to be set on her desk
to remind her
there were still beautiful things
at night
when she couldn't breath
when her mind held her captive
she could look at those flowers
and smile
she would clench
and unclench her fists
panic would rise up her throat
choking her
but
life was good

life was good
for there were twinkly lights
to be put up
walls to cover
with words she'd stringed together
and images
painted straight from her soul
when her vision blurred
with tears she could not control
she looked up to see her creations
the feelings that were pasted there
and was comforted
they were wet with tears
and scars were hidden in their pages
but
life was good

life was good
for there were adventures to be taken
mountains to climb
with hair blowing in the wind
she had road trips to leave for
maps to be looked over
detours to be taken
when she felt alone
tapped in a box unable to move
she thought of the smell of fresh air
and the feel of new ground
under her feet
wrapped into a ball
loneliness holding her tight
she stared into the darkness
but
life was good

life was good
for there were books to be read
the pages
each having a story
she filled her bookshelves
with friends she held dear
and places that whispered her name
when she no longer wanted to be herself
when her spirit felt crushed
she changed her name
and left her sad world
she became lost
and questioned her purpose
but
life was good

life was good
for there were sunsets to be watched
hands to be held
and shoulders to lean on
as the sky turned magically
into colors no human could ever recreate
she became an early riser
just to watch the sunrise
when the panic attacks erupted
and breathing seemed impossible
she reminded herself
endings can be beautiful
and new beginnings breathtaking
alone in her bedroom
rocking back and forth
her heart was pounding like a race horse
but
life was good

life was good
for there was always light to be found
in the darkness
and arms to hold her
when she fell
even when she felt alone
her heart hopeless
she was never alone
when she felt unworthy of love
her creator told her otherwise
this world failed her
and every day she was reminded of her imperfections
but
life was good
because god was good
and that was enough



Happy Thanksgiving// Whether you're American or not, happy Thanksgiving to all my beautiful followers, I'm so thankful for all your support and sweet comments, you guys are the reason I still blog and I can't thank you enough.

So I've been thinking about thankfulness for awhile and discussing it with others. Let's be honest here, it's really hard to be thankful sometimes! Life isn't easy, and often times we only dwell on the bad things. Whether it's your hair not being how you like it, trouble at school, struggling with anxiety, or a death you're grieving, there are so many things that stop us from being thankful. I get it! I've been there too and I'm constantly struggling with it, but guys, God calls us to be thankful in everything, not just when life is going good. We forget that, because it's hard and seems impossible. Why would God call us to do such a thing when we can't possibly accomplish it?  So I wanted to write about that. How even when it doesn't seem like there's things to be thankful for, there is! We have been given so much. Best of all, God is so very good and is always there for us. So no matter what you're going through this Thanksgiving, remember that! You're never alone. God is constant, and in the good and bad, we are to praise Him and give Him thanks, but He too will be there for us, comforting us and giving us the strength we need to go on.

I hope you all have a wonderful day, whether it's spent with family, friends, or just you and a piece of pie. Remind yourself to be thankful not just today, but every day, and that God is good in everything.

I love you all,

Elizabeth

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” 

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

Recommended Reads: Classic Literature

Hello friends!

So if you haven't caught on by now, I love books. I mean, I really love books. I'm a collector and hoarder of all things literature and today I'm here to share a little bit of that obsession with you all. Specifically, we're going to talk about classic literature. You don't know how much it saddens me when I hear people say things like, "Classics are just for school." or "Classic literature are just giant, boring books." If you've ever said something like that, let me tell you friend, you're wrong, and I'm here to tell you why. So without further ado, here's seven must read classics you need to get your hands on right now.

1. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

(Taken from goodreads). It was the time of the French Revolution — a time of great change and great danger. It was a time when injustice was met by a lust for vengeance, and rarely was a distinction made between the innocent and the guilty. Against this tumultuous historical backdrop, Dickens' great story of unsurpassed adventure and courage unfolds.

Unjustly imprisoned for 18 years in the Bastille, Dr. Alexandre Manette is reunited with his daughter, Lucie, and safely transported from France to England. It would seem that they could take up the threads of their lives in peace. As fate would have it though, the pair are summoned to the Old Bailey to testify against a young Frenchman — Charles Darnay — falsely accused of treason. Strangely enough, Darnay bears an uncanny resemblance to another man in the courtroom, the dissolute lawyer's clerk Sydney Carton. It is a coincidence that saves Darnay from certain doom more than once. Brilliantly plotted, the novel is rich in drama, romance, and heroics that culminate in a daring prison escape in the shadow of the guillotine.

• IT'S ABOUT THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. I mean what else would you want in a book? Written by Dickens and a historical fiction? Um, yes please! Pro tip, as you're reading this, do some research on the French Revolution, specifically the storm of the Bastille. It really helps the story come alive, plus you're learning, so perks!
• IT HAS AN AMAZING CAST OF CHARACTERS. Dickens has this beautiful talent of creating a huge range of characters and not letting one go to waste. It's amazing! Just as you think a character was of no importance, they suddenly jump back into the story and are doing something incredible. 
• IT'S EXTREMELY QUOTABLE. What other novel do you know of that is equally known for its beginning lines, last lines, and everything else in between? The writing is beautiful, you just have to get use to the wordiness of Dickens' writing and then you're all set.
• SYDNEY CARTON. What a wonderful, depressing, amazing, beautiful, complex character. 
• THE CITIES. The entire novel takes place in either England or Paris, switching between the two cities depending on which character we're following. Who doesn't want to read a book set in Paris and England?  
• THE KNITTING. Call me a grandma, but using knitting to pass along secret messages, absolute genius. Life goals, I'm telling you.

• WORDINESS. Dickens has such beautiful writing and I love it, but oh my gosh is he wordy. 
• TOO MANY CHARACTERS AND TIME JUMPS. I keep contradicting myself, but there were almost too many characters and time jumps, and it got confusing at times. But then again, I'm easily confused so it could totally just be me, 

2. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne 

(Taken from goodreads). Nathaniel Hawhthorne’s most famous novel was published in 1850 and takes place in Puritan New England, focusing on a community where a beautiful young woman, Hester Prynne, and her illegitimate child are subject to persecution and ostracism; while the mother refuses to name her co-conspirator in adultery, and the father of her child burns up with secret guilt and shame. Hawthorne’s family history caused much of his interest in this time period, but his spiritual leanings toward the popular Transcendental movement precipitated this classic novel where oppression, injustice and intolerance – and their consequences – are explored in turn.

• HAWTHORNE'S PERSONAL CONNECTION. So Hawthorne actually came from a Puritan background which he was deeply ashamed of and his ancestors were involved in the Salem Witch Trials. He wrote this to kind of separate himself from that, to show how he disagreed with his family's past actions. 
• IT HAS A WITCH. Okay so I'm kind of being misleading here, but it's set right before the Salem Witch Trials, so you're kind of getting a view of how it all began. Plus there's also a "witch" in like two pages, so there's that.
• PEARL. Pearl is the incredibly creepy, demon-like child of Hester's who has such amazing lines and plays such an important part of the story. I loved her character.
• THE THEME. Basically any one could read this and come up with different themes, but one that really stood out to me was the way it promoted that the truth will set you free. You see Hester struggling with how society treats her, but with no personal guilt because what she's done is out in the open and she's repented of it. The father on the other hand is driving himself sick with guilt, for everyone treats him like a saint, and only he knows what he's done. It's ingeniously executed. 
• THE MYSTERY. There's always questions you're waiting for to be answered. Whose the father? Will the truth be revealed? Will Hester find happiness? Even in its shortness, it's packed full of beautiful goodness. 
• THE ENDING. Just, *sigh,* so very perfect. 

• THE WRITING. I didn't hate it, but it was difficult at times. It's written in Old English, so sometimes it really is quite beautiful, it just doesn't make for a quick, easy read. 

3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

(Taken from goodreads). The unforgettable novel of a childhood in a sleepy Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it, To Kill A Mockingbird became both an instant bestseller and a critical success when it was first published in 1960. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was later made into an Academy Award-winning film, also a classic.

Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, To Kill A Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior - to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, humor and pathos. Now with over 18 million copies in print and translated into ten languages, this regional story by a young Alabama woman claims universal appeal. Harper Lee always considered her book to be a simple love story. Today it is regarded as a masterpiece of American literature.

• THE BEAUTIFUL CHARACTERS. Harper Lee created amazing, lovable, fantastic, adorable characters that I just all want to give hugs to. Atticus is the best father in all of literature, I adore him. And Jem and Scout are so cute and sweet and my favorites. And there's a cast of side characters that are just equally as wonderful. 
• THE WRITING. Simple, yet beautiful and full of punch. (I'm really good at descriptions, obviously).
• THE STORY. Lee handles racism, innocence, ethics, and love all in one outstanding novel. This story is being narrated by Scout, a young girl, so everything you're seeing, you're seeing for a young child's view.
• THE RELATIONSHIPS. The relationship Atticus has with his children, the relationship Jem and Scout have, and the relationships they have with their neighbors and friends are all just so feel good and lovely. 
• THE ENDING.  Oh my goodness, this ended absolutely perfectly. Everything was wrapped up in such a clever, heart-tearing-in-half kind of way. It was just perfect. 

• JUST KIDDING. This book is absolute perfection and no one can convince me otherwise. 

4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

(Taken from goodreads). Pride and Prejudice has delighted generations of readers with its unforgettable cast of characters, carefully choreographed plot, and a hugely entertaining view of the world and its absurdities. With the arrival of eligible young men in their neighborhood, the lives of Mr and Mrs Bennet and their five daughters are turned inside out and upside down. Pride encounters prejudice, upward-mobility confronts social disdain, and quick-wittedness challenges sagacity, as misconceptions and hasty judgments lead to heartache and scandal, but eventually to true understanding, self-knowledge, and love. In this supremely satisfying story, Jane Austen balances comedy with seriousness, and witty observation with profound insight. If Elizabeth Bennet returns again and again to her letter from Mr Darcy, readers of the novel are drawn even more irresistibly by its captivating wisdom.

• THE MEN. Yes yes, I can't talk about Pride and Prejudice and not mention the men. Specifically the one, the only, the dreamy, Mr. Darcy. Watching his feelings for Elizabeth progress is the best thing ever. BUT GUYS. Dear Mr. Bingly cannot be forgotten. He is so adorable and cute and sweet and I'm obsessed with him. The way Simon Woods portrayed him in the 2005 movie adaption was exactly how I pictured him! Gah, such a cutie.
• THE SISTERS. The relationship Jane and Elizabeth have is such a beautiful representation of sisters and friendship, and the way they care for their crazy younger sisters and mother is so sweet. I just adore the relationship these two girls have. 
• IT'S SET IN EUROPE 19th Century England focused on the gentry class, located in the beautiful countryside. Um, yes please. 
• THE PARTIES. So much dancing, partying, and merriment, Makes me want to take their place. Seriously, whenever I watch the movie adaptions, I just want to jump in and start dancing with them,  and by them, I mean Mr. Darcy. 
• FEMINISM. Jane Austen was definitely a feminist, you can tell so evidently from her writing. She portrays her heroines with intelligence, wit, and determination, and shows the injustice women had to put up with. She also dealt with a lot of other controversial topics during her time, such as social class and morals. 

• NOT ENOUGH DARCY. Where is all the Darcy??
• TOO MUCH CONFUSION. Honestly, so many of the character's problems would have been solved if they all just sat down and talked about it. Come on guys, you're adults, act like ones. 

5. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

(Taken from goodreads). He was in love with the golden girl of a gilded era. He was Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire who gave wild and lavish parties attended by strangers.
"In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars."

She was Daisy Buchanan, a young rich beauty with bright eyes and a passionate mouth.

"High in a white palace, the King's daughter, the Golden Girl." Even her voice was "full of money."

great novel of a glittering era, of amazing richness and scope, this is the most dazzling fiction we possess of the Jazz Age's reckless revels.

fable of the Roaring Twenties that will survive as a legend.

• THE WRITING. AHHH guys this is one of the most beautifully written books I've ever read. The imagery is outstanding, and his language is beautiful. He strings together words to create such breathtaking sentences and I can't even describe it but it's wonderful. Just read it.
• IT'S SET DURING THE ROARING 20s. It truly transports you back to the jazz age, where  parties, dancing, beautiful people, and money were seen as the highest level of class. I've always had a fascination with the 20s and this novel only fueled it. 
• ALL THE FEELS. So many broken people pretending to be put together, this book really punches you in the gut.
• FITZGERALD'S CONNECTION TO GATSBY. When you read The Great Gatsby and poke around Fitzgerald's life, you'll realize the two aren't so different. It's always interesting to observe how the author used his own life to shape his novel and characters, and you can definitely see that in this book. 
• IT'S JUST PLAIN BEAUTIFUL. I mean, look at it.
• HOW IT ENDS. Tears, so many tears.

• THE CHARACTERS. They're all kind of terrible people. I mean, you can have sympathy for some, but when you dig down deep enough, none of them have good intentions. It's just so hard to love any of the characters because of how deplorable they all are. 
• THE LACK OF MORALS. Seriously, do these people not have a conscience? 

6. The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, 

(Taken from goodreads). A masterpiece of satire, this classic has entertained and enlightened readers the world over with its sly and ironic portrayal of human life from the vantage point of Screwtape, a senior tempter in the service of "Our Father Below." At once wildly comic, deadly serious, and strikingly original, C. S. Lewis gives us the correspondence of the worldly-wise old devil to his nephew Wormwood, a novice demon in charge of securing the damnation of an ordinary young man. The Screwtape Letters is the most engaging and humorous account of temptation—and triumph over it—ever written.

• THE VOICE. It's written from the POV of a senior tempter, a devil named Screwtape, to his nephew, a junior tempter named Wormwood. Screwtape gives Wormwood all the dirt, and tells him all about his past experiences tempting humans, and the tricks of the game. It's eerie and upsetting, but pure genius and amazing. 
• IT'S A SATIRE. I mean, who doesn't love a good satire? The humor in this is amazing. The irony and sarcasm brings my heart so much joy.
• IT'S ALL ABOUT TEMPTATION. Although fiction, this book is packed full of truth. It's all about human weakness and temptation, and wow did it sure hit me hard. C.S. Lewis was a genius in his execution of this topic. While still being funny and entertaining, it was also moving and deep. 
• SO MANY GOOD THINGS TO QUOTE. So many, I promise you.  Like look: "It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out." Guys. 
• IT'S WRITTEN BY C.S. LEWIS. Need I say more? 
• THE FORMATTING. It's written in letter format, thus the title. You don't get to read what Wormwood is writing, but only what Screwtape has to say, so the entire book a little bit of a mystery, trying to figure out what is happening by Screwtape's reactions. 
• THAT LAST LETTER. *round of applause* 

• IT'S A BIT SLOW AT TIMES. But oh, the slow burning is so very worth it.

7. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

(Taken from goodreads). "She'll have to go back." Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert had decided to adopt an orphan. They wanted a nice sturdy boy to help Matthew with the farm chores. The orphanage sent a girl instead - a mischievous, talkative redhead who the Cuthberts thought would be no use at all. But as soon as Anne arrived at the snug, white farmhouse called Green Gables, she knew she wanted to stay forever. And the longer Anne stayed, the harder it was for anyone to imagine Green Gables without her.

• THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE. Anne is so cute and fun and I adore reading her story. And Mathew is one of my favorite characters ever, he's such a sweetie. And just all the characters are wonderful balls of sugar.
• GILBERT BLYTHE. But Elizabeth, you already talked about the characters. Yea yea, I know, but Gilbert Blythe is pure perfection and deserves his very own category. He's the cutest, sweetest, gentlest, most amazing fictional boys of all time and if you don't like him, I will fight you (and if you like him, I'll also fight you, because he's mine).
• ITS WHIMSICAL WRITING. I adore Montgomery's writing style. It's so whimsical and happy, and completely transports you into the story.
• PRINCE EDWARDS ISLAND. Can I please please just move there and live there forever? Montgomery uses such vivid language to describe it and it sounds so beautiful and wonderful and I just want to go there and visit it and never leave.
• ALL THE MISTAKES. Anne is honestly the klutziest person alive and just prone to making mistakes, but it only makes me love her all the more. I have never laughed harder at a character before., but it's more of a oh yeah me too laugh, because we've all been there Anne, we really have. 
• IT'S AN EASY AND FAST READ.  This book is just pure fun and loveliness. It's pretty fast paced and reads easily, so it's perfect when you don't want anything too complicated. 

• SKIPS OVER TOO MUCH TIME. A lot of the times the story would just skip over seasons and suddenly it's Easter when we were just reading about Thanksgiving. I get that Montgomery was trying to speed the book along and not use unnecessary space, but it seemed kind of awkward at times. 
• NOT ENOUGH GILBERT. I mean, I don't think it could ever have enough Gilbert, but I needed much more than it gave us.
  

Have you read any of these books? What do you think of them? Have I convinced you classic literature isn't all that bad? Let's chat down below! 

Also, if you have any recommendations for me, please please let me know! I'm always up for discovering new books. And if you want me to do another recommended reads, leave me a comment below and let me know what genre you'd like me to discuss. 

Have a wonderful week!

With love,

Elizabeth 

my air force man

it's taken me
forever
to come up with the right
words
to say to you
because
you mean so much to me
and watching you leave
is so much harder
than i thought

my big brother
leaving his home
off to save the world
will you forget us
while you're off exploring new places
meeting new people

please don't

it's the little things
i'll miss the most
the conversations we have
over the silliest of things
the way you always listen
no matter what i have to say
all those
stupid
reddit jokes
i'll even miss those

it's so weird
it feels like only recently
we were just little kids
building forts
and exploring the woods
playing sports
and fighting over who was
safe
and who was
out

now we're all grown up
and
i am so proud of you
and even though this
goodbye
is so so hard
the goodbye i denied for so long
and pretended wasn't coming
it's here and
i'm still
so
proud of you

you inspire me daily
to never give up
to always work harder than i thought i could
to stand firm in what i know is true

i know you will do
great things
and
great things
are coming your way
this goodbye is hard
but god has his eye
on you

so go out there
my big brother
make this world safer
and don't forget me
and how much i love you

my air force man

Art Journal Update #1

The poem//

it's ok

to feel hurt

to stand up for yourself

to wear that funky dress

to let go 

to try new things

to forgive and move on

to be creative

to cry

to dance

to take that selfie

to say no

to smile

~

it's ok

to be uniquely you

The inspiration// 

I was thinking back to middle school me, the girl who was so afraid to go somewhere without straightening her hair. The girl who wouldn't cry in front of anyone. The girl who was afraid to wear the things she thought was cute. The girl who was angry. I want her to know, and all other girls with those same insecurities, it's okay not to be exactly like everyone else. It's okay to forgive others and smile. It's okay to feel pain and cry. 

The poem//
The lacey covering of death
Shadows past memories.
Sorrow clings to its delicate cloth,
Raw emotion claws at the strings.
One single tug
And everything breaks loose.
Happiness becomes clouded,

Death is everywhere you step.

The inspiration//
I found this piece of writing stuffed in a journal from 7th grade. Suddenly, all these memories came rushing back to me. I remember when I wrote this, and I remember why. I remember the pain I was feeling, the loneliness. So I took to paper and tried to create this image of what that felt like. Five years later, reading this piece still hurts, but I don't want to forget that pain, so thus it went into my new journal to be remembered.

The poem//

i saw you walking by

my chest tightened

i froze

because i know you have

every 

reason to be wary of me

we passed each other

no words were said

you looked up

i looked away

i'm sorry for the things i said

i'm sorry for the things i did

i'm sorry for the things

i'm too afraid to say 

face to face

maybe someday i'll be brave

but today

i'm sorry

that these words are on paper

instead of spoken to you

The inspiration//

This is to all the people I owe apologies to. To all the people I've wronged. To all the people I've hurt. This is my selfish poem. This is my way of saying sorry without having to say it. 

The poem//
headlights
hundreds of them
each car
holding a person
with feelings
stories
lives
each person whose life
i know nothing of
but whose life
is so big
to them
how small am i
who am i to think
i am so important
when my life is only
a grain of sand
in this vast
vast sea
of headlights
shining back at me

The inspiration//
After a long day, I was driving back home and my mind started wondering, as it does. I was thinking about how tired I was, how my head hurt, all the homework I needed to finish, all the reasons in why my life isn't 100 percent at the moment. Just your casual pity party. Then I started thinking about all the cars I had been passing. The drive from town to my house is 30 minutes, on a few busy highways. I started thinking about the hundreds of lives I had just passed, and how every single person has their own issues I know and care nothing of, and how all those people know and care nothing about mine.I suddenly started to feel oh so very small. How often I complain about my life, when there are so many other people struggling and needing the good news of Jesus. So many people whose stories are just waiting to be told.

The Poem//
i'm alright
but
i feel so lonely
invisible
if i were to
disappear
would anyone notice
would anyone care
or would it be like
i was never actually
there
these tears are silly
and they don't make any sense
because no ones here
to watch them
fall from my face
but it's okay
i'm alright
i'll keep on smiling
and wiping those invisible
tears
from my eyes

The inspiration//
We all know what it's like to feel lonely. Sometimes I get in these really bad moods, where I'm just sitting alone in my room and feel so incredibly lonely, like i'm invisible, but it's so hard for me to admit that. Do people really care? Am I just being overly dramatic? Am I a bad Christian for feeling this way? These types of questions float around in my brain, so I brush it off. I don't let people see. But last time I felt this way, I wrote this poem down. Then, I talked to a friend and she encouraged me. I prayed to my God, and He reminded me I was loved and never alone. Finally, I pet my adorable puppy, and he gave me kisses. Sometimes you might feel like you're alone, invisible, but you're not. Oh dear one, you are never invisible to God and those around you who love you.


With love,

Elizabeth

October Photo Dump

Hello friends,

So it's November and it's crazy. Trust me, I love October and I'm sad to see it go, but November 1st, bring on the Christmas music, peppermint mocha's, and holiday movies. Tis the season folks. But for all you "after-thanksgiving-people" (bless you), I'll spare you all my Christmas joy for a little bit and instead share some pictures from October. My last week was full of amazing friends and some really fun events and I just had to share them with you because I've been extremely blessed and I need to start showing that instead of complaining all the time. #truth 

First off, the pumpkin patch! I was able to go again with a few of my lovely friends, Alora, Kaylie, and Isaiah. These people have been a few of my best friends for years and I love them to death. I do a lot with them, so be prepared to be spammed with their beautiful faces. *evil grin* Their little sister had her birthday, but her party was cancelled because she was sick, so we brought her to the Pumpkin Patch instead to lift her spirits. It was a lot of fun, but crazy busy! I would not suggest going to your town's most popular pumpkin patch on a Saturday. Don't do it guys.

Then my youth group had a costume party! Technically it was a masquerade party, but as you can see, not everyone always wears a mask. So if your family was anything like mine growing up, you weren't allowed to dress up and go trick or treating on Halloween. Although the holiday still isn't a huge thing in our household, it's been fun to dress up and go to these kind of parties in my high-school years. I gotta make up for some at that lost childhood memories and dress up whenever I can.

My friend Chloe and Kirsten were super cute in their wolf and red riding hood costumes (they tried to convince me to be the woodsmen but I was like "psh, no!"). I decided to be a flapper, for it seemed easy enough. But do you know how many times I was asked who I was?? Do I not look like a flapper, or do people just not know what that is? Alora and Kaylie were also super adorable in their 1940s get up. Seriously guys, my gal friends are goals. I'm gonna be honest here and say I'm not exactly sure what Isaiah was, but he looked cute too ;)

Yay for crappy phone pictures! I know it's really bad, but I love my family and I just really wanted to share it. The weird looking one is my lil brother, and the guy with the cheesy smile is my big brother. Nicole, his fiancee, was horrified to find we've never really carved pumpkins, so this is what happened. I'm not showing you a picture of my finished product because #1 the outcome was not good and #2 I actually don't have one...so.

Just this last weekend, I was able to go on a retreat with my friend's youth group. It was hosted by the same camp we volunteer at every summer, and we've been going for the last three years. It's always a lot of fun and just so nice to be back there. Did I get any cool pictures? No, but I got some of us swinging so what else do you need, right? It was an awesome weekend, though, and it was really nice to see everyone and have some refreshment with God away from the rest of the world. The above picture is of the cabins we stay in during the summer. Luckily no one is put up in them during the retreat otherwise they'd probably freeze. They're really just boards nailed together. There are holes and cracks in the wood that you can see straight out of. The camp experience, though, am I right?

And that was the last week of my October! What exciting things happened in your life this last month? Let me know :)

With love,

Elizabeth