~Photo-a-day~ Dec 24-31

And here is my LAST photo-a-day post!!!! I can’t believe it=)

Christmas was aMAZing!!!!! I will share more on this fabulous day and picture in a post on Friday…

I don’t know what I will be doing in the new year photography wise….to be honest this photo-a-day really burnt me out and I’m looking forward to not having to take a picture for a while. like not even picking up my camera will be so nice!

So today is New Year’s Eve!!!! And I’m so excited about what will be coming up in the following year….this year rocked! but I’m ready to see it go and begin a fresh start in 2015. Sounds weird saying two thousand and fifteen, doesn’t it?? but by April we should have stopped writing 14 instead of 15..haha=)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

Day 358

~candy~

Christina went to an Amish taffy pull, my siblings were snacking in this stuff all weekend long.

Day 359

~aftermath~

This is the aftermath of our gift opening procedure=) boy was it fun!

Day 360

~gift~

Christina gave me these for Christmas and I’m in love!!!

Day 361

~new~

they started on a new puzzle and it still looks about like this…lol I guess it was a difficult one.

Day 362

~smiles~

this guy! is absolutely dreamy=)

Day 363

~silver~

Day 364

~boots~

Day 365

 ~fun~

instead of ice skating this year I went and saw a movie with this guy=) brothers are the best!

I did it! I took one picture (at least) a day for 365 days and I’m sooooooo glad it’s over. But it was fun=) and now I can say I did it!

Happy Wednesday!!!!

~Photo-a-day~ Dec 17-23

I’m sitting here partially watching Christmas movies with my parents, they just finished number two for the night and it’s 11:30. way passed my bedtime. But this is what I love about this season…the late family movie nights. Listening to my parents laugh and everyone just enjoying being together. I’m soaking up this time, because I know soon it will be gone. This next year will probably hold many changes for me, good ones but changes that will take this away once and for all.

Last weekend I felt like I met with two every good friends to have a bit to eat and exchange Christmas gifts. They are absolutely such dears…I’ve gotten through a lot of hard spots in my life by having them near.

So far this weeks been amazing! And loads of fun….I made tons and tons of Christmas treats…and I can’t wait to enjoy them on Thursday with the rest of my family. Christmas is so close and work is so demanding…sometimes I feel like saying “can this wait till Monday, tomorrow Christmas” =)

 

Day 351

~cozy~

I know that there isn’t another person in the world who would think of this picture first for the word cozy. But there’s nothing better to me then all the horses in their stalls munching on their grain, in the evening.

Day 352

~handmade~

Sugar cookies from our Amish neighbors=)

Day 353

~number 19~

this one’s pretty lame, but oh well…it’s the number nineteen right?!?!?

Day 354

~dessert~

a gift from another one of my friends a dessert candy, it smells soooo good! But Christina doesn’t appreciate the smell at all.

Day 355

~3 o’clock~

picked up my computer at 3:00 on Sunday!!! It felt like I was whole again….not really that bad, haha. But I sure missed it.

Day 355

~stocking~

We never did the stocking thing growing up, so the best I could do for this picture was take one of my stocking feet, but those aren’t really stocking either. Oh well! let’s just forget this picture even happened.

Day 356

~blessings~

gifts for all of my dad’s employees=) I received a text from my brother this morning telling me how much the guys loved their boxes=) Perfect Christmas gift ever, Amish goodies=)

I’ve been baking a ton this year and have a lot more baking ahead of me tonight…I had to work all day today, kinda makes me sad…I don’t want to be an adult around Christmas time.

~Photo-a-day~ Dec 10-16

As you can tell I missed several days posting here on the blog…but before you jump to conclusion let me say a word in my defense. I wasn’t taking a break for Christmas or anything…I know you won’t believe me. I did skip Friday on purpose (I just had too much going on with work) and then on Monday my personal computer started quickly slowing down. And me, like every other dummy out there, tried to buy and install anti-virus protection right when I noticed the problem. To say it was way too late would be an understatement. So I took my computer to the “computer doctor” and everything was taken care of in five days. But that’s FIVE whole days! I was lost without it…but there’s some good to be found in every bad situation…and this proved to be no exception.

Last weekend was a whirlwind….mostly spent in the warm kitchen. Friday I had my monthly dentist appointment (btw: good news folks! I get these braces off in February) and I had a eye doctors appointment that night, as well. After getting my eyes dilated, I was so glad that I have previous prescription glasses, they helped a ton to get me through the rest of that night. I baked dozen and dozens of chocolate chip cookies for our local fire departments and police station. The guy’s faces when I dropped them off, Saturday morning, was thanks enough=)

Then on Sunday, after church, I turned on the oven and started to bake muffins, for my dad to drop off at all of his customers on Monday. I’m not sure how many I made total but the oven finally turned off at 7:00 pm and it had not been empty for over five minutes at a time, till that time. I made applesauce muffins, banana/chocolate chip muffins, cranberry pecan muffins and carrot cake muffins. I believe they turned out well….my many test taster ate a great deal of them, it was fun to see them take a bite and their eyes light up. The gift baskets looked beautiful, (thanks to Christina for ALL of her help) and the customers were very applicative.

Sunday night I was joined by my parents and Christina in my late night, basket filling campaign. You know that time, somewhere between twelve (at night) and one (in the morning) where everything starts to get funny…but when Christina gets started and my mom can’t quit laughing, you might as well shoot me. Monday morning I missed my alarm. And I’m so thankful for a boss that when I tell him I’m going to be late, his response is “take your time” =) did I mention I love my job.

Okay on to the loads of “photo-a-day photos” have been patiently waiting to be posted. Enjoy!!!!

 

Day 344

~décor~

I’m in love with Frosty the Snowman that I even named a horse after him…haha no joke!!

Day 345

~shopping~

shopping for ingredients for all the muffins I made for my dad’s customers…there’s almost nothing I enjoy more than shopping for groceries.

Day 346

~tree~

Day 347

~weather~

Our neighbors house on this gloomy, rainy, cold day. Perfect weather to stay indoors…

Day 348

~front door~

Day 349

~sparkly~

sitting a top our manger (I love Christmas decorations!!!)

Day 350

~santa~

I’ve been slowly watching my way through these movies…so far I’ve watched four completely through=)

Christmas is almost here!!!!! Like this is Christmas week! And I’m looking forward to every bit of this week…from all the late night movies, shopping and baking. It’s going to be an awesome holiday!!!!

hope your week is fantastic!!!!

 

~Photo-a-day~ Dec 2–Dec 9

Hello!

My life has been so crazy lately…but crazy in a good way. I spent last week up near Shipshewana, IN attending meetings. I learned so much about Jesus, myself and most importantly that this life is a journey to be taken one step at a time. (and enjoyed) I feel so refreshed and invigorated, more than ready for whatever this life has to throw my way.

This weekend I gave in and instead of doing something profitable at home, I ventured out and included myself in the group jumping at Skyzone. It’s an indoor trampoline park in Indy…I jumped for like two hours straight and was so sore on Monday. haha! I twisted my knee wrong also (my only injury) and it has kinda messed with my workouts for the first part of this week. But other than ALL that, I’m quite alright and had a good time=) I even celebrated afterwards. with a milk shake,at Steak’n Shake. After my salad, of course…aren’t y’all proud of me?!?!?

Monday it felt so good to be back in the office. Sam missed me a lot!  I’m sure the horses I jog missed me at least a little bit. They were all pretty goofy after their weekend off though. But after last night, I think we’re back on track. Literally….lol!

Day 336

~errand~

Christina came up and spent the day with me last Wednesday. Here we are running errands for mom, picking up all her holiday baking needs=) BTW isn’t Christina perfectly lovely, in this photo?

Day 337

~candle~

In the middle of our table…I love Christmas time and all the decorating that comes with it.

Day 339

~dinner time~

Here we are up in mom’s and dad’s room eating dinner, while watching a movie. not weird at all right?!?!? I don’t know how many movies I’ve watched from a floor seat…quite a few and I don’t know why I continue to do so, it’s sorta uncomfortable.

Day 340

~ornament~

Y’all have seen these before, seriously this is what pops into my head when I hear the word “ornament”…weird I know, just thought you’d wanna know that…I should get out more=)

Day 341

~lights~

The lights on our stairway are so festive…I can’t help but feel in the season with our house all decorated=)

Day 342

~bundle~

I asked mom what I could take a picture of for “today’s word” and she immediately responded with this…so a bundle of bananas it is ladies and gentlemen=)

Day 343

~baking~

I don’t bake very much in the evenings any more (sniff) since I’ve started my second job. Mom made muffins and bread last night, so I HAD to take a picture. She’s an amazing baker and I’m so happy she finds the time to do it.

So that was my week…please tell me about yours.

Happy Monday!

 

~Photo-a-day~ Nov 26-Dec 1

I ran the drumstick dash again this year. Even though Christina and I did it together, we didn’t run together. I ran alone and it was positively boring…I shouldn’t HAVE to run so fast then. I should be fine with running slower. I had my first cup of coffee, in over a year, after finishing this race – I deserved it after running in that freezing weather. IT WAS AMAZING!!!! no sweetener just straight black=) We stopped by my grandmas to enjoy a bit of the traditional meal. The cranberry salad, my mom made, was excellent! It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without it.

I went hunting all day Friday with Steve (my boss) and Isaac, way down in Canaan Indiana. We didn’t see anything, but had a wonderfully grand time out there in the woods. This was my very first all day hunt. And let me tell you it was perfect! I had such a good time=) Sitting there, thinking. All by myself all day long, no phones ringing, no costumer needing anything, I didn’t have to put my glasses on all day, and I didn’t have to talk to a soul. A neighbor dog came out of the woods and began barking at me non-stop for the first half hour of legal shooting. Tried my patience to the max, to say the least.

Sunday my mom and Victoria sang the Handle’s Messiah with a community choir. I’ve listened to this song all my life on CD’s my mom has blared off and on my entire life …but have never ever heard it live. It was beautiful – the hallelujah chorus gave me the chills. Everyone standing to their feet wow!!!! Mom has worked so hard the past few months to get to this point…music lessons etc. She’s one of the best singers I’ve heard (of course I’m bias) but come on, believe me, she like sang opera in collage…so I hope you get the picture of how GOOD she really is=) She underestimates herself so much…All of us kids were there to hear her sing, minus only one - Jonathan. She was so happy…and that’s when she’s the most beautiful to me.

 

Day 330

~starts with “S”~

Spice=) The king of the spices in my book is cinnamon…I love the smell, taste, looks everything about it.

Day 331

~texture~

Day 332

~a blessing~

We cooked our normal stuffed Thanksgiving turkey for Sunday. This stuffing is soooo good! we only have it once a year and wow after I eat it - every time no fail, I wonder why we don’t make it more often that this.

Day 333

~warmth~

no kidding it was fifty-three degrees, it felt like a heat wave. I went running in a tank top and actually was pouring sweat=) I could totally get used to this!

Day 334

~I went…~

I went to the Handle’s Messiah performance=) 

Day 335

~mail~

Mailing out the Christmas letters to soldier. I will be mailing out 31 letters to 31 soldiers this month.

Day 335

~red & white~

I’ve actually begun my in store Christmas shopping!!!

 

Happy Wednesday Folks!!!

 

~Photo-a-day~ Nov 19-Nov 25

I went to my first Amish benefit dinner Friday night. Our neighbor kids took me on a tour of their school house. Picture a “Little House on the Prairie” school and you’ll will be imagining it perfectly. I totally could have gone to school like this. I mean they have the perfect play ground for recess and a stove inside for heating their lunches…

Samuel came home for Isaac’s birthday last weekend. He looked so good, just three weeks and he looks so much more like a man older. I wish he was nearer so I wouldn’t notice the change. His move hasn’t been anything but a good decision, so far. We all miss him, but thus is the life of adults. We all move on. He’ll be missing Thanksgiving with us, but he’s coming home for Christmas…and I’m going to visit him in January=)

Our entire family was together Saturday night for Isaac’s 17th birthday party…it was a fun night. I couldn’t help but be thankful for all these wonderful people God has blessed me with to call my family.

Samuel, Isaac and I did the weekly grocery shopping for our mom, together Saturday morning. The music was a bit loud at times and we might have pushed the cart a tiny bit too fast. But we got it all done in an hour! I was pretty proud of ourselves….haha! I love hanging with my brothers. They kept throwing food to one another. I think when I handed Samuel a large spaghetti squash and he throw it to Isaac who wasn’t expecting it, I could have died from embarrassment.

 

Day 323

~I feel…~

….so ready for this work day to be over. One good thing about my second job is I get to be outside.

Day 324

~work~

After I work my 7-4 job and then go an work horses till seven thirty, I finally arrive home to this. This is where I work on my dad’s business books every evening.

Day 325

~play~

As an adult, my definition of this word has changed a bit. This is what I do for play…make card/scrapbook…I have such a good time. Friday night I was making more Christmas cards for soldiers, while waiting on my bread to bake=)

Day 326

~my home~

It’s feels amazing to see this face again…he’s still calling this home. Soon that will change and Tennessee will claim that right in his heart. sniff

Day 327

~a treat~

Baking treats with Casey…I love this photo of her=)…I spent Sunday afternoon with this fabulous girl, cooking up more amazing things=)

Day 328

~technology~

Making Amish noodles for the first time. I’ve helped an Amish family make these once, so when mom told me we needed noodles for Thanksgiving, I jumped at the chance…I borrowed this pasta maker from my bosses wife. It worked like a charm=)

Day 329

~currently reading~

Mom is reading the “Little Duke” to Isaac for some part of his school. I remember her reading to me back when…those were the days.

Its taken me a bit longer to get this post up today Works been super crazy today and I had to work solid over my lunch break. When, of course, I normally write this.

Tomorrows Thanksgiving!!! Where has this year gone. I can’t believe it’s already here…

I’ll be running a 5K (click here for more info) in the morning bright and early…with my best friend! I can’t wait=)

~Photo-a-day~ Nov 12-Nov 18

This cold weather is insane…I finally broke down and bought myself a pair of coveralls for this winter! If I had been using my brain I would have bought these this spring, instead, when they were on sale. oh well! this is what I get for not using my it. They are wonderfully warm. They make working in the barn sooooo much more enjoyable! so it’s okay if I look ridiculous in them=)

I’ve officially begun Christmas shopping…that is online, of course=) And my first set of packages should be arriving any day now. I love online shopping!!!! It’s sorta like a Christmas gift to me, I get to open it=) Then of course rewrap and give away again=) Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the best days for this. Free shipping, plus huge savings! This is one day out of the year that I indulge in hot chocolate. I make myself a cup and sit in my pajamas and slip, shop, smile and repeat=)

I only have a month and a half left to take a picture a day=) and I haven’t missed one day, it’s crazy awesome!!!

Day 316

~opposites~

Hannah and I made Christmas cards for the soldiers, while watching “Flicka” and one evening. We are completely opposites in everything…the way we clean, our interest, our movie choices (haha I don’t think she was really enjoying Flicka, come to think of it…) and in making cards. We don’t do it alike at all! But she can sure make a beautiful card and we sure had a ball that evening together. With sisters like mine, who needs friends?!?!?Day 317

~junk~

I love coming home to mail on my bed…but please no junk mail!!!!!! =)Day 318

~something new~

Hannah’s new phone…she finally upgraded to a smart phone. Watch out! she’s now joined the phone addict club=) 

Day 319

~I wish…~

“I wish is was warmer out here”…hunting this morning was also referred to as “the time I froze”=) read more about my hunting joys here

Day 320

~colorful~

I made this Amish Pumpkin cake…it was so dense. I used a healthy recipe…my all time favorite recipes to make (honey instead of sugar etc.) but I never got a chance to taste it. My mom and dad loved it=) I made the whipping cream as well…adding honey to it for sweetener also=)

Day 321

~watching~

Ever since the snow fell, Merry’s been coming to the house and sitting outside the glass doors. She just sit there and watches as I eat breakfast. I usually give her a piece or two of bread. I don’t know why she doesn’t stay in the garage, where it’s warm.

Day 322

~ a landscape~

This was a bummer….all day I was envisioning this amazing photo I was going to take of the snowing landscape around my work. But noooo…I forgot and by the time I finished at my second job (and remembered) it was, of course, dark. And I had to settle for this picture, of a picture, on a page in a French cookbook I was drooling over=) yeah this is what I do for fun!?!?! haha =)

I hope your weeks been fantastic so far!

Happy Wednesda!!!