December Wrap-Up Post + Room Tour!

I hope y'all had a wonderful Christmas yesterday! I can't believe that December is almost over! And not only is December coming to a close, but also the year of twenty eighteen! This wrap up post is the last post of 2018! So, lets get on with wrapping up the last month of the year! And I will save the "goodbye 2018" speech for next week!

❅❅❅Colder weather❅Hot chocolate❅Painting pottery <3❅Bought 12 books at a thrift store for only 6 dollars!!!❅Wrote❅Late night poem inspiration❅Shipping out a soap order❅Taco Bell❅Reading blog posts❅Writing blog posts❅Planning a surprise for y'all!❅Nativity skit practice at church❅Practicing my gourd thumb piano❅Eating haystacks at potluck (taco salad...)❅Making magnets❅Making a rag bowl ❅Praying❅Giving Bella her medication❅Reading❅Painting nails❅Moving horses in the barn because of weather❅Working out early EARLY in the morning at the YMCA❅Participating in my first book tour!❅Making breakfast❅Singing/dancing with my cousins❅Smoothies❅Looking at a ton of Christmas lights❅Watching Courageous❅Watching JK Studios (Studio C)❅Eating leftovers❅Playing Uno❅Playing Dutch Blitz❅Horse farrier❅Horse chiropractor❅Enjoying cookies❅Deep discussions with mom❅Facials with big sis❅Homemade lemonade❅Chocolate❅Hot tub❅Country music❅Writing❅Soap making (peppermint and lavender)❅WIP research❅Movies❅Painting pottery again!❅FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE DRINK (It's never too cold outside!)❅Nativity skit and Church Musical❅Yes, we did pull it off, and were surprised to see 97 people at our church! Are usual congregation ranges from 25-30 including my family!❅Preparing and eating good food❅Entering two contests❅Visiting the nursing home for our Christmas program❅Eating vegetarian chicken nachos❅Playing Telestrations❅That game is so fun and funny!❅Watching a movie Christmas night❅❅❅

❄❄❄Because things are funny??❄When I get a Dutch Blitz card out in the middle of the table before my sisters do (you might not know how crazy it can get unless you have played this card game before!)❄At jokes❄At riddles❄When a song pops on and we (me and little sis) know the Studio C version!❄Quoting movies❄Playing battle ship❄At our facial bubble charcoal masks!❄We looked like Pandas!❄At our Telestrations drawings❄❄❄

~Funny moments~

Me: Looking at the DVD player with exasperation. Pushing buttons, "Why won't this thing open so I can put the disk in??" 

Little Sis': "It might help if you were using the right remote!"

Little Sis': Tells me a joke.

Me: "I have know IDEA what the answer is."

Little Sis': Tells me the answer.

Me: *laughing*

Little Sis': Tells another joke.

Me: "???"

Little Sis': Answers then tells another.

Me: "I don't know, but these are making my brain hurt!"

(This next one is kind of funny... for you...very awkward for me!)

Bank lady: "Alright, are you a student?"

Me: Looks at mom, "Am I?"

Thoughts: How can I explain that I am technically out of high school, but I am still student aged and not really sure what kind of continual education I might have in the future??? *facepalm*

I'm awkward again, next question...

Bank Lady: "What's your phone number?"

Me: "Um... I don't know, let me see." Looks in phone contacts while face turns miserably red.

Thoughts: Someone help!!! *gulp*

Still awkward...

Bank Lady: "So, what are your plans now that you are out of school?"

Me: "I'm still not sure yet." *very thankful that my mom fills awkward silence following*

Thoughts: *Screams* Not again!!! Why does everyone ask that!!!??? *Decides I need to come up with a better reply* *headdesk*

Who knew getting a checking account could be so torturous! Moving on!

❆❆❆My sweet Bella Baby❆A good deal on books!❆Time with family❆Seat heaters!❆Watching shooting stars❆Family teamwork❆Getting a new book in the mail❆Getting mail❆My new computer❆A space heater in my room (this is a very important thing to have if your room is in the basement!)❆Opportunities to give❆❆❆

❄❄❄To forgive❄To step out of my comfort zone (why is it so hard for me!!!???)❄To better manage my time❄How to write a novel❄That if I plan to get up at 5AM then I need to go to bed at a decent time!❄That God is for sure when we are so unsure❄To roll with it!❄To find confidence in who I am❄That we all cannot be perfect, only Jesus is perfect❄To Trust❄To lean on Him❄To wait❄To seek and search❄To step out in faith❄That time flies, so cherish today❄❄❄

~Mini Photo Dump~

After Nativity Skit and Musical Church service, we had potluck... Look at how pretty that cake is! Chocolate with raspberry!

This is the gourd thumb piano that I played with my cousin for the service.

We got a waffle maker!

I thought this was so pretty!

Peppermint ice cream at a cute little ice cream parlor! 

Funny conversation with Lil' Sis! This is how a true blogger texts, btw! And note: I don't like pudding!  *makes face*

Peppermint ice cream sandwich, do you see a ice cream pattern here??

This was off of Pinterest that I had saved to my phone a year ago. 

*drumroll*

Now, for the moment you have all been waiting for!!! My room tour video!

I hope you enjoyed watching that video and reading this post! What was your favorite thing about this wrap-up post? Do you hate pudding like I do? How was your Christmas? Next week I will be talking about some changes to Showers of Blessings (nothing major at all... but if you have any ideas, let me know in the comments so I can be thinking about them!) for the new year, and also talking about 2018. So, be on the lookout for next weeks post! Happy New Year!!!

Let's talk in the comments below!

Christmas Tag // Poem

Merry Christmas!!! Today, I have two different things to share with you. One is a tag, and the other is a poem! The tag is a Christmas tag that I thought should be done before it "expires." Maybe that only makes sense to me and my half-awake brain. (I just happen to be writing this after I have been awake for 13-14 hours... oh well.)

12 of my Christmas favorites tag! 

~~~

The Rules

Thank and link back to the blogger who tagged you - Thank you, Anita!

Answer the twelve questions.

Tag one to four bloggers and give them twelve questions to answer.

Use the above photo for the beginning of your post. 

~~~

The Twelve Questions:

1. What is your favorite Christmas Song? 
I'm not a big Christmas music person, but I do like some Christmasy hymns such as Joy to the World, Oh Come, All Ye Faithful, Away in the Manger, The First Noel (I'm playing this one for a church musical...)

2. Favorite Christmas tradition?
Eating nachos and playing games with my family! 

3. Favorite Christmas Movie? 
Um, ok, I am going to have to break out some Hallmarks here! A Very Merry Mix-Up was probably one of my favorite Hallmark Christmas movies. 

4. What is your favorite holiday sweet? 
HOW CAN I DECIDE?! I love my mom's Cinnamon red hot bread, Papa's chocolate peanut clusters, homemade chocolate covered cherries, sugar cookies, peppermint ice cream!  

5. Favorite holiday drink? 
Hot chocolate of course! Peppermint hot chocolate is really good too! Or I might just opt for a FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE DRINK! 

6. Candy Canes or Chocolate? 
Both of them together!!! 

7. Sugar Cookies or Brownies? 
Why are these questions so hard? I guess I will go with sugar cookies because my sister makes really good ones! But... I like brownies too, especially with ice cream! 

8. Do you like to buy or make Christmas gifts? 
I think handmade gifts are a lot more special, but obviously you can't make certain gifts. 

9. Does your family decorate for Christmas? 
No, we don't do much decorating for Christmas. Other than the paper snowflakes taped to the door, and the amazing scent of freshly baked goodies. We use too, but then we decided to do things differently than we did a few years ago. 

Christmas used to be a lot more about giving presents to each of our family members and filling stocking stuffers. We lived in our bigger house, and had a big room that we put a giant Christmas tree with a train wrapped around it on the floor. We decorated like crazy! I think decorating is fun, but it is just a extra thing that can be crowding time along with the rest of the Christmas time business. So, no, we don't go all out with decorations in the past few years.

10. What do you do on Christmas Eve? 
Every Christmas Eve, we go to my Aunt's house and have a Christmas dinner.

11. What do you do on Christmas Day? 
We try to do a little more outreach around Christmas time, since people seem to be more open to hearing about “The Reason for the Season.” 

The last few Christmas’ we have gone to the nursing home. We sing, play interments, do nativities, and give the residents gifts. This year we are giving them each little prayer bears. After the nursing home, we come home and have nachos! They are so good! Also around Christmas time, we bake red hot cinnamon bread (If you have never tried my mom's red hot cinnamon bread then you are so missing out!) and give it to our neighbors on our road.

12. What is your favorite Christmas Bible verse? 
Luke 2:10-11
"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."

I tag Liberty
I tag Ashley  
I tag Rebekah (Who just happened to read my mind and already did this tag...Oops. You don't have to do this again unless you want to answer more Christmasy questions! *winks*)
and I tag YOU! 
~~~

I wrote this poem a few weeks ago and I thought I would include it in today's post... 

And Yet

Written by Brooklyne 

I hurt, and yet 

You comfort 

I bleed, and yet 

You heal

I run, and yet 

You find me

I hide, and yet 

You see me

I doubt, and yet 

You reassure me

I flea, and yet 

You are constant 

I fall, and yet 

You lift me up

I stumble, and yet 

You steady me

I wander, and yet 

You guide me

I falter, and yet 

You are my Rock

I cower, and yet 

You are my courage 

I fail, and yet 

You succeed 

I am weak, and yet 

You are strong! 

2 Corinthians 12:9

"And He said to me.

 'My grace is sufficient for you, 

for My strength is 

made perfect in weakness.' "

❄❄❄

How do you celebrate Christ's birth? What is one of your family traditions? Do you like Christmas music? What line is my poem stood out to you the most? 

Comment below! 

Icy Branches

One month ago, we were driving into town the morning after a night of sleeting rain. Everything was coated in ice. Like, everything was completely incased in ice! Grass, trees, cars, houses, anything that was out in the elements all night was icy and slick.

As we were driving, we saw at least five or six trees that had actually lost their branches because they had been so weighed down with ice wrapped around them. When I looked outside the window of our car, I noticed that every tree had branches that were drooped and hanging lower than normal. The trees that still clung to their fall leaves had been even more weighted, and those trees were the ones to loose their branches.

Do you think that we are similar to these icy branches? When we are faced with trials and tribulations in our lives, we feel a heavy weight bearing down on us. The trials that we face are just like the ice on the branches, it is cold and restricting, making us feel heavy and tired.

God sometimes asks us to let go of certain things that we wish to cling to because He knows what is going to be ahead. The pretty fall leaves had to die and fall from the branches. They had to let go of their leaves just as we, as humans, have to let go of our selfish wants, letting God look out for our needs. Now, let me clarify here, I’m not saying that we should let go of our dreams and desires, I’m saying that not all of our dreams fall in line with God’s plans. Sometimes we have to let go of our plans in order to see more clearly His plans.

If the autumn leaves had not fallen yet, the winter ice would have more to cling too, creating so much weight that the whole branch would have to give under the pressure and break off. When we don’t listen to God’s design for us, and we cling tightly to our “leaves” then when those trials come, and we have so much weight on our shoulders, we will break under the pressure.

God has designed the leaves on trees to fall off and die to prepare itself for winter. Even though the crunchy leaves seem hopeless, they are not. When they have fallen, they decompose and provide nutrients to the very tree they had fallen from. Leaves have a important purpose. Just like we ARE mean’t to go through certain seasons in life as the leaves do. The leaves bloom, bud, grow, change, and eventually fall away. But each of those seasons weren't lived for no reason. The “leaves” in our life that had once fallen away, those past experiences will help us in the future seasons in our lives. 

So, you ask, what about the trees that have kept their leaves attached and the ice has made their branches break, where is the metaphor in that? Is there hope for those trees? 

God is a God of second chances. Even third, forth, fifth chances! His everlasting love has made it possible for us to be forgiven. There is hope. We all have broken “branches” but guess what, as long as we believe that God is the Healer of those branches, then we will be healed. That very same part of us where the branch had fallen will grow a new branch. One that will be nourished and grow stronger than the branch before it. 

Notice that the ice weighed down ALL of the trees, not just the ones that still clung to their leaves. Trials come to ALL people, whether they are ready or not, but it is up to us how we will choose to deal with those trials. Will we bend under their weight? Most likely. Will we break? Well, that is up to us.

Remember that all of the trees bent under the pressure, but only those who kept their leaves broke. It was the trees who had prepared themselves by letting go of their leaves that were able to pop back up when the Son melted it.

Next time you are weighed down by a trial in your life, let the love of God melt away the ice that is keeping you from flourishing. Know that “This too shall pass.” And have faith in the future God has planned for you! 

Have you ever felt the weight of a icy branch in you life? Do you see the comparisons from these branches to our lives? How can we learn from our past mistakes? Do you believe that God has the power to forgive us when we break under pressure? Lets talk in the comments below! 
❄❄❄
Also, quick announcement, today marks my third year baptism anniversary! Three years ago, I remember sitting on the tractor with my mom and thinking about getting baptized. I asked myself, "What is holding me back?" and then I realized that nothing was. On December 12, 2015 I made the very important decision to get baptized. That day was and always will be so special to me.

Behold, An Author Interview!

*Drumroll* Today, I have something very special for y'all! This is my first time participating in a book tour. And I'm so excited! My friend, Faith, is publishing another book! And the best part? I got to interview her, asking her some questions about her new Christmas collection, Behold. I can already tell that Behold is a very special book, although I have not read it quite yet...(hopefully soon, though!) I have read her two other books: Dandelion Dust, and Love Needs No Words. They were both very enjoyable reads! I highly recommend each of them!!! 

Now, lets begin with the interview, shall we?!

~~~

1. Tell us a little about yourself and why you are passionate about writing, what made you first decide to start your self-publishing journey?

I’m Faith—a writer, reader, dreamer, coffee drinker, and most importantly, a daughter of the King. Although it took me a couple years and lots of searching to realize it, writing and shining Christ’s light through words truly is my passion. I’ve came to know many indie (self-published) authors since joining the blogging community back in 2015, but I wasn’t sure if I’d ever self-publish or not. It was a bit of a someday-dream. Then, when I wrote what later became my debut novella in late 2016/early 2017, I knew from the start that I would be independently publishing it.

2. What is special about your newest book, Behold? How does it stand apart from the other books you have written?

Behold is special to me because I love Christmas stories. Or, more accurately, I love Christmas and everything that accompanies it. Nearly all of the books/stories I have written, especially those that cover a span of time, have a Christmas scene tucked in there somewhere. But Behold is the only one entirely devoted to this season that I love. :)

3. So if I understand correctly, Behold is not just one story, but a collection of stories. How many stories are in Behold?

That’s correct! There are four stories in Behold, some historical and some contemporary. They each have a differing plot and theme, with a unique look at Christmas.

4. How long did it take you to write Behold from start to finish?

Since it’s a collection of short stories that I didn’t write all at once, that’s kind of hard to say. Some were written as far back as 2015 (but re-worked for the collection! :P), while others were written as recent as this past fall. So about three years, though most of these stories were written in the Novembers and Decembers of those years.

5. What makes Behold a Christmas story?

Actually, most of the stories are set the week of Christmas! One in particular happens entirely on Christmas Eve. I strived to show the hope, joy, and love of the Christmas season through each of these tales.

6. What lesson would you like your readers to take away from reading Behold?

It’s my prayer that, not only do readers enjoy these simple stories, but that they are reminded and encouraged to take a step back this Christmas. God the Father sent us a Savior that long ago night in Bethlehem, One who would later die for the sins of the world. And He is worthy of beholding.

~~~

Well, I for one loved hearing more about your writing journey and also learning a little bit more about your newest book! Thank you so much for letting me be apart of your book tour, Faith! And best wishes on all of your writing ventures! (Hopefully there will be many more books to come!)

Click HERE to buy Behold on Amazon! Add Behold to your "Want to Read" shelf on Goodreads HERE!

Synopsis

A collection of short stories honoring the birth of the Savior

From two siblings caught up in the harrowing days of World War II to separated foster children in the US...

From a memorable road trip across the Southeast to the reunion of a war-torn family...

You’ll be swept into the Christmas spirit with the endearing stories tucked inside these pages. The storylines range from family to romance to the bond of community, with settings scattered across America and beyond.

Behold the beauty of the Savior’s birth with this gathering of stories that warm the soul and bless the heart.

~~~

Author Bio

Saved by God’s grace, Faith Potts is a teenage writer and homeschool graduate, living with her family and beloved yellow labs in the North Carolina mountains. When she’s not weaving stories, consuming large amounts of coffee, reading stacks of books, or studying American Sign Language, she can be found laughing harder than is healthy, daydreaming, and—of course—blowing dandelions.

~~~

Click on these links to check out Faith's Writing Blog, Faith Blog, and Author Website!

You can also find Faith on Goodreads, Instagram, and Facebook!

And that's not all! Faith is hosting a GIVEAWAY for the launch of her new book! Enter HERE!!

2 Corinthians 4:6

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 

Have you read Behold? Do you like reading Christmas stories? Are you totally excited for this new release?? Let me know in the comments below! 

Shared WIP Tag: Week Five!!! Aesthetic Party!!!

Party time! *dances in confetti* Today is the last day of the Shared WIP tag! Big thanks to all who participated and to all y'all who read about each of our Nano books! I hope you guys had as much fun reading about our stories as we did telling you about them! Go HERE for the list and links to the other's who participated so you can go and read their bonus party posts! (List and links, participating party posts... Say that really fast! Who knew I could write tongue twisters!)

And if you missed out on any of my WIP posts then here are the links so you can catch up!

Week one
Week two
Week three
Week four

So, anyways!

What are we waiting for!

Lets get this aesthetic party going! (And brace yourself, because this post is going to be a lot different then most aesthetic posts going up! *crosses fingers* 

~~~

Adam 

//Loner//Thoughtful//Stray//Lost//Kind//Smart//Protective//

Dakota 

//Dreamer//Helpful//Scared//Doubting//Loving//Strong//Loyal//

~PINTEREST PICS~

SOME CHARACTERS... 

DAKOTA 

ADAM 

MABEL

ADDY

EMMA

LEXI

BEA

~SNIPPETS~

Dakota POV

"The moon shone brightly through her frosted window, it’s reflection on the windowsill as a welcome beacon of light to the dark room.  Dakota gently rolled over on the straw mattress, careful not to wake her younger siblings sleeping in the bed next to her bed.  Her body was tired, but her thoughts kept spinning, keeping her awake for yet another restless night.  She huddled under her quilt and tucked it beneath her chin.  The chilly, night air seemed to cut through the thin walls of the two-story general store like a newly sharpened knife cutting through butter.    Dakota’s nose and ears felt like ice-sickles, and the tips of her fingers felt numb and tingly." 

~~~

"Dakota always thought being outright with someone was a good thing.  The truth was the truth, no need to sugarcoat it.  But, the from the look on Mr. Pencil Tapping Man’s face, he thought she was being very rude and abrupt."

~~~

"Commands, screams, and cheers erupted around her, tightly pressing around her until a wagon parted the sea of city people just like Dakota would imagine how God parted the red sea for the Israelites."

~PINTEREST PICS~

SETTING...

~SNIPPETS~ 

Adams POV

"When Bea tapped his shoulder, Adam realized that his little, energetic sister had still been chattering on about something, probably asking him one of her many questions.  The child never ran out of questions to ask! 

'Huh? What were you saying?'

'Adam!  You weren't listening to me… again!  You know, I’m old enough that you shouldn’t tune me out anymore.'  Bea pretended to pout, but Adam knew it was just for show.  He shook his head, how ironic that she was trying to convince him that she is old enough with a protruding lower lip." 

~~~

"Suddenly, Adam felt out of place, standing in the big family full of smiling faces.  He was only reminded at what he hadn’t ever and could never have—a real family."

~~~

"As they stepped into the dusty barn, horses shifted around in their stalls and greeted them with nervous whinnies, as if they were warning each other of the trespassers.  One horse in particular stomped his hooves and swished his tail, pacing back and forth along the wood, stall door."

~PINTEREST QUOTES~

Dreams, Hope, Gods plans...

~SONGS~

Read between the lines, here. 

Obviously, some of these don't really work for the 1800s! :)

Wide Open Spaces- Dixie Chicks

The Keeper of the Stars- Tracy Byrd

Fear is a Liar- Zach Williams 

The River- Garth Brooks (but in the video, it's Scotty McCreery...)

~WORDS~

THAT DESCRIBE...

✯Journey✯Dreams✯Hope✯Plans✯Love✯Beginnings✯Hardships✯Blessings✯Fear✯Overcoming✯Faith✯West✯Prairie✯Plains✯Mountains✯Wagons✯Family✯Teamwork✯

Friendships✯Road-less-traveled✯Trials✯Redemption✯Chronicle✯

~BIBLE VERSES~

Faith, Hope, Love...

Hebrews 11:3,6

"By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, say's the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Isaiah 40:31

"But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."

1 Corinthians 13:4,8

"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;"

"Love never fails..."

~OREGON TRAIL RECIPES~

I have not tried any of these yet... :)

Oregon Trail Breakfast Cornmeal Mush

✯Put dried currants (does anyone know what these are??) into 4 cups of boiling water

✯Sprinkle a cup of cornmeal into the boiling water

✯While stirring, add a tablespoon of lard (I would substitute something instead...) and a teaspoon of salt

✯Cook for 3 minutes, then pour into bowls

✯Serve with molasses, butter, and milk!

Molasses Stack Cake

✯Mix half a cup buttermilk and shortening, one egg, one cup of molasses, and a half teaspoon of baking powder

✯Add a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg

✯Add 2 cups of flour, mix well, then roll the dough thin

✯Form into circles and place on greased cookie sheet

✯Bake until golden brown 

Potato Cakes

✯Wash 6 potatoes, peel, and grate

✯Combine with 2 tablespoons salt, half a cup milk, 2 eggs, and one cup flour

✯Pour spoonfuls of mixture on to melted shortening 

✯Fry the "cakes" until done and golden brown on both sides

And that, folks, concludes this five week Shared WIP Tag! Thank you all for reading about my work-in-progress!!! Y'all are awesome!

NanoWriMo Update:

I made it to 30,003 words!!! I am so happy with  this accomplishment! Although the Nano goal is 50,000 words; I set a personal goal of 25,000 and I did it! Last Camp Nano, I hit 10,000 in one month, so the fact that I could triple that was really good for me! 

I also wanted to congratulate those who who won, and those who gave their best efforts whether you hit the goal or not! The word count doesn't matter as much as the dedication to our stories. What really counts is sticking to our writing even after November. But take a moment to pat yourself on the back... We survived a whole month of a crazy amount of writing! Good job!

*hands you a plate of cookies-or your favorite writing snack*  

Favorite Snippet? Favorite Pinerest quote? Have you heard any of the those songs? Favorite bible verse mentioned? Are you going to try a Oregon Trail recipe? (Let me know if any turn out good!) Hope you liked reading this post!

 I'll see YOU in the comments! :D