young and sweet, only seventeen

tea in owl mug and zucchini raspberry chocolate cupcakes that are recklessly delicious

I have now been seventeen for over a week. Almost two weeks, in fact.

I'll admit, I was sad to leave sixteen behind. It really is a dreamy age, the epitome of the teenage years. And it went so fast.

But seventeen's not so bad. 'specially when you have reallycompletelytotallyutterly amazing family and friends who make your birthday reallycompletelytotallyutterly special.

[Just a side note: I'm just love being born in October. Every flavor, every scent, every sound of this month thrills me to the core.]

Started out the morning with a Panera Bread treat my mom had tucked away in the freezer. Then went for a perfect run that made me feel justified in eating birthday yummies.

Lunch with Dad (always a highlight) and we talked about college and life and stuff like that.

School all afternoon.

Birthday feast for dinner: Caramel Apple Pork Chops, Nana's Mashed Potatoes, Mom's Chalah Bread, Grammy's Veggie Salad. It was h-eaven-ly.

This looks appropriate for a 21-year-old birthday picture, not a 17-year-old birthday picture. Don't worry, it's sparkling peach juice :-)

Opened many special gifts. Felt really, really blessed.

AND THEN.

My life was changed as my mom handed me a little silver box.

Inside was a note that read, "May He direct all your paths."

And

Then

There

Was

A

Key

To

My

Very

Own


Lime Green VW Bug.

The car I've dreamed of forever, and never thought I'd ever ride in, much less OWN.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Yup.

I'm one blessed young lady.

dontcha love those little moments?

Spent the morning at the kitchen table with Kate and Isaiah drawing turtles at birthday parties and teddy bears with fat tummies and elegant accessories and beavers with light sabers. Little kids are so much fun!

I finally realized that I'm not five years old anymore and sadly headed off to work on my National Merit Finalist Essay as WELL as my "Role of Religion" essay for U.S. History.

*sigh*

picture taken after the Saturday night performance of Cinderella

they say we look alike...

I went on a little window shopping trip today. (Well, internet window shopping, that is.)

I found some pretty darling dresses, and I wanted to share them with you!

The only problem is, they are extremely short, and most of them don't have any straps. Humbug.

So, just clearin' it up, I wouldn't actually WEAR these oh-so-adorable dresses - unless they magically got longer and had straps. But they're fun to look at!

Here are some of my favorite finds from ModCloth :

I just love this color of blue - and the skirt is so pretty!

This big bow did me in. I LOVE IT. Someday, I'm gonna wear a dress with a ginormous bow, just for fun!

Aww! Isn't this vintage beauty sweet?

Mm, I'm likin' the fabric on this dress. And the ribbon sash is so feminine! With a little sweater, and jean capris underneath, this could be an amazing picnic outfit.

This dress's delicious plum color is simply ravishing. I love how the sash is so high, kind of like a Jane Austen sort of gown.

How FUN would it be to swing dance in this dress?

I'm thinking pretty fun.

If you had $500 dollars to spend one type of clothes (i.e. dresses, skirts, etc.), what kind would you pick?

why, yes

i do watch North and South...

in my room on a Sunday night...

while eating a banana popsicle (or two) ...

and wearing coffee cup pajama pants.

Life is good.

(and yes, I do have a teeny crush on Mr. Thorton)

(ok, maybe more than teeny)

Are any of you out there North and South fans?

what [this] girl needs

(image from weheartit)

I think my love of tea is inherited from my mom.

In fact, I know it is.

My mom's parents lived in England for a few years right after my parents were married and so they visited England more than once.
It was there that my mom was introduced to the wonders of tea - particularly PG Tips brewed in a Brown Betty tea pot, served in a porcelain tea cup, and doused with a bit of cream.

My mom drinks at least three cups of tea a day, if not more. And now I'm becoming just as bad. Tea is the perfect companion for any activity!

School is ten times more pleasant with a warm cup of tea...




Plus, there are so many fun treats that are simply delightful with a swig of tea. Look at these adorable mini granola bars!

I love tea, oh so very much.

If you haven't tried tea...you are missing out. Believe me. So go! Make some tea!

What are you waiting for?!

"That's what friends are for!"

Will (my 11 year old little brother) was Mowgli in our community theater's production of Jungle Book and Kate ( my 5 year old little sister) was a jungle flower. Ashley, one of my awesome friends, was a jungle tree! They were all fabulous!

Mowgli (Will) - he was great!! The perfect Mowgli, for sure.

Jungle Flower (Kate) - she was on stage the entire time and didn't miss a note! Isn't she cute?

Kate with me and my other sister, Karis, after the performance.

A large group of face-painted fans stormed the theater on Saturday Night. We all sat in the front row (well, all of us that could fit) and cheered as loudly as possible. It was so. much. fun

After the performance, we all went to McDonalds for a little snack.

After I got home, I was once again reminded of God's faithful provision. He has blessed me with an amazing group of friends. Not only do we have a blast together, but we support and encourage each other in our faith.

I'm so proud of them!

My New Room - Part I

(I drew this during my driver's ed lesson...definitely craving an iced chai tea latte!)

I'm slowly setting up my new room, and I thought I'd post pictures of the things I finish, just for fun!

(I moved from sharing a room with my two younger sisters into the former "baby room". We don't need it anymore! And let me tell you, I am LOVING having my own room. So peaceful - and all the messes are my own. AHHH! I'm in love.)

Introducing...the makeup stand! *yaay* I don't actually use it for makeup - little hands would definitely find their way into it. So, it's more like a jewelry/hair stand. Still way fun!

My jammie pants make me smile! :)

We're having a "Get Together" at Church tonight with some friends! Fun is sure to abound.

I'm also studying for the PSAT. Bleh. Ok, it's not that bad. Let me be succinct - concise, terse - because I abhor circumlocution and grandiloquent. I consider altruistic acquaintances to be philanthropists of the highest order. Haha. I'm in the vocabulary section of review, and I'm supposed to be integrating the words I study into my everyday speech...so don't be alarmed if I throw in a weird word every now and then ;)

Well, have a beautiful day, sweet readers!

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Ephesians 3:20-21

Savorin' Summer

I'm a fan of summer. Yes, indeed.

It's been a long time since I posted! In that time, I went to SBFYC - which was fantastic. Beyond fantastic. Then, I visited the Hardens and spent five AMAZING days with them!

Now I'm back home, trying to make these last weeks of summer last as long as possible.

Sitting on the front porch reading is oooh so nice. But oooh so hot, as well.

Been trying to finish Driver's Ed before school starts...

Mmm, slushies. We like slushies, especially on hot days. Swimming + Slushies = Super!

Made "Breakfast Cookies" the other night, and decided that they were not only good for breakfast, but really for any - and every - meal.

Today, we completed our "Quest II" trailer!!! So. Much. Fun. We're having a cast swimming party tomorrow, and Ashley made us these awesome t-shirts.

Now I'm off to Bible Study...but SOON I will post about my new room!!

no words needed