Tagged

I have had the joy of being tagged by Lizzy! I've seen a lot of bloggers doing these fun posts, so I'm all for it! I'm not sure who I'll tag back, because most of the blogs I read have already been tagged. So if you're like me, just waiting to be tagged, speak up and I'll tag you. :)

Rules of the game:

1. Post these rules.
2. Post 11 random things about yourself. (Though this can be optional.)
3. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you ask to answer.
5. Go to their blog and let them know you've tagged them. 

11 Random Things About Me:

1. One of my pet peeves is to have to read and decipher horrible grammar and spelling on fb, etc. Example:  how r u to day

 (For those of you who type in lowercase letters as a style on your blog, I'm not talking about you. In fact, I like that!)

2. I stepped on a rusty nail this week.

3. I like my coffee super strong and sweet. Italian Roast, bring it on.

4. I wear flip flops and short sleeves all year round. (How can I help it?)

5. My favorite skirts are worn over and over until they literally fall apart. 

6. I cannot stand the taste of artificial grape, orange, blueberry, or watermelon.  Any product (suckers, Jolly Ranchers, popsicles, etc.) made of those flavors are terrible!

7. I'm on a mission to shoot only in the Manual mode on my camera. I also shoot in RAW + Jpeg. Results~

After the rain...

Jenna

8. As of right now, my favorite two music albums are: In Christ Alone, Keith & Kristyn Getty and Breaking of The Dawn, Fernando Ortega. I lovelovelove Fernando O. His music is just so good~ like the hymns.

9. I love books. They're my friends. What more do I say?

10. Getting up earlier in the morning will help you to feel a whole ton better than getting up late. Proven fact.

11. My new favorite scents from Bath & Body Works are Twilight Woods, and Paris Amour. If you don't have them, get them.


1. What's your favorite music, genre/artist?

 Well, ^^^# 8 ^^^.

2. What do you like on your pizza?

Oh anything. I like pizza! Truth is, I'm not a picky eater when it comes to real food.

3. Do you like subtitled/foreign films/dramas? If so, which ones are your favorites?

O.o I've never seen a foreign film. For drama, I guess I would have to say Pilgrim's Progress: Journey To Heaven and Pendragon. I have not seen Courageous or October Baby yet, but I think those will rank among  my top faves once I do.

4. What is your favorite cartoon character from film or comic book?

Wow, I'd have to say Perpetua. I admire her strong Christian character and tenacity in the face of death. Love that short film!

5. What's your #1 fave fictional book?

Lizzy! How could you! :S M-m-maybe 'The Lost Baron'?!?

6. When you find yourself  liking a character, does it generally tend to be the all-righteous hero, or the bad-turned-good guy?

Ha! The All-Righteous Hero! Annnddd, maybe on occasion the bad good guy.

7. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

You mean, where do I wish to see myself in 5-10 yrs. lol. Well I wish to see myself happily married, with a few kids by then, and living wherever that may be with my true love. Teaching my children all the wonderful things I have learned about God and his creation every day. Kissing their baby hands. Cooking for my husband~ and serving him in any & every way. Loving him with all of my heart~ Full of beautiful LIFE!

8. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you travel/live and what would you do?

I would go to Ireland, hands down. It's just such a beautiful place, and I don't think I could ever get board of the quaint villages, heather, authentic Irish fiddling (they play it in the streets all the time!) and refreshing rain. It's one of my dreams. :) But I think I'd be torn between living there, and missing the mountains and forests.

9. Do YOU like rice pudding? If so, what's wrong with you?! *cough*

Hahaha, um, I don't believe I've ever had rice pudding, that I can think of. Should I try it, do you think? :D

10. Do you often skip boring parts in books simply because, well, they're boring?

Yeah. I confess, a lot of times I'll skip over boring conversations and long, drawn-out, seemingly unnecessary parts. Though, I haven't read many books that have much of that. Sometimes too, I'll speed read, especially if the book is particularly interesting and adventurous!

11. Do you like guns?

:D Yeah, so so. 

 Okay, so here are my questions: (I'm gonna try and think of some really good ones...) :D

1. Do you like photography? If so, what aspects do you like about it?
2. Can you whistle a merry tune? :)
3. If you like to cook, what meal do you least like to prepare?
4. Rattle Snake, or Calamari?
5.  Do heights bother you?
6. What 5 things (that you think are essential) would you wish to have with you if stranded on a forgotten island?
7. Have you ever received a trophy/medal/ribbon for an accomplishment before? If so, what was it?
8. Do you like to draw, paint, play and instrument, or write stories/poetry?
9. Do you like to sing?
10. For those of you who are fashion oriented, what do you think about scarves?
11. What are some of your favorite things to do to amuse yourself on long road trips?

How's that? :)

Ireland, That Beautiful Isle

Ireland. That gorgeous emerald isle, where heather grows on the moors, the skies are gray, and history has been preserved in the quaint villages and cottages.

Source

   Of all places in the world, I love Ireland. What's there not to like? The country is beautiful, the history amazing, and the culture is fascinating. Someday, I'm going to visit Ireland.
  I have always loved most everything Irish~ perhaps because I am Irish. My own great grandfather was born in Ireland. I can't help but think how I like being Irish.:)
  Some of my favorite aspects of their culture is, for one, the music. The music of Ireland is, in my opinion, some of the most haunting and beautiful! The most common/popular instruments used in Irish music are the fiddle, bodhran, various flutes, and the bagpipes.

I also love to hear Gaelic spoken~ it's one of the most beautiful  sounding languages. I would love to learn to speak it someday, but it's a complicated task. :)

Source

So who was 'St. Patrick'? Contrary to common thought, he was not Irish. He was actually stolen from his native land of Britain, and made to be a slave in Ireland  as a young man. After 7 or so years of slavery, he escaped Ireland, and sailed his way back home. Long story short, he ended up going back to Ireland as a Christian Missionary, (not Catholic), living the rest of his life there spreading the gospel. God's hand was surly upon him, and he did many great things for God. We were just listening to a radio drama of his story, and it's really remarkable! The drama will be available for listening for a week or two, so I'm including the links here. I think it's important to know who St. Patrick really was, and why that day is celebrated every year.

St. Patrick: A Heart Afire Pt. 1 of 2

St. Patrick: A Heart Afire Pt. 2

What do you love about Ireland?

On A Little Bit of Everything

  What an amazing, fast-paced 2 weeks it's been. That's all I can say. :)

  First off, we went through the house and did a total makeover~ painting, decorating, and taking care of the spring cleaning & all that jazz while we were at it. I did so enjoy working long hours with one of my very best friends (Mom!) making our home beautiful and clean. It's one of the things we can tackle together and have fun doing! Me and her, we make a good team.♥♥♥ Anyhow, we had some wonderful friends coming to visit from out of town, so we made that our deadline and set out to see how much we could accomplish before then. Everything came together so remarkably! Now, my bedroom is next... *triumphant look*
We ended up having such a nice visit with our friends~ we'll definitely have to do it again soon!!! :D

  So last night we went to a viewing of the documentary 'IndoctriNation'. Very educational and profound I might add (and VERY well done!). If you want to know more about the public school system and how it works, this is def. the thing for you! All you ever cared to know about the whole deal. And then you wonder, "why do we really homeschool? Just because our parents want us to be different, or...?" This will fuel your resolve to stay true to homeschooling!!! Posting the trailer...

IndoctriNation Trailer from IndoctriNation on Vimeo.

IndoctriNation (Official Site)

  Believe me, you want to see this! :D We even got to meet Colin Gunn, (who produced the whole thing) and got a signed copy of the doc. Yup, we is special hehehe.

***Heh, now the fun part! ***

  

  A few weeks back, my beautiful blogger-friend Lauren released a wonderful ebook that she wrote called 'A Beginner's Guide To Portrait Photography'. She is currently having a giveaway on her blog, and as an extra entry in entering the giveaway, I am posting about it here on my blog. Ok, so I REALLY want this book! If Lauren wrote it, it's sure to be spectacular!! Which is precisely why I am entering another giveaway of the same book on this lovely photography blog~ posting about that giveaway as an extra entry also. I very much encourage you to join in the fun if you would like to learn more about how to capture beautiful portraits. I really enjoy Lauren's style too, so that's a bonus for me.  I'm pretty excited!! :D Go join these giveaways!

  So that's how these last crazy weeks have been. Photography classes, violin lessons, painting everything in sight, cleaning, playing and the usual stuff. It's been fun! *winks*

Next up: 'The Assignments of A Photography Class'

Have a beautiful afternoon lovelies!!

~ Danielle Marie

Inspiring Words

I've been coming upon quotes lately that strike me as very delicious // thought provoking. I think I'll be making a 'favorite quotes' book sometime soon, just as a fun project-keepsake. Anyhow, I wanted to share these with you, knowing you'd appreciate them as much as I do.  :)

“You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.” ― William Wilberforce

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

 

“Choices will continually be necessary and -- let us not forget -- possible. Obedience to God is always possible. It is a deadly error to fall into the notion that when feelings are extremely strong we can do nothing but act on them.”
― Elisabeth Elliot

Photo Source

Pseudo faith always arranges a way out to serve in case God fails it. Real faith knows only one way and gladly allows itself to be stripped of any second way or makeshift substitutes. For true faith, it is either God or total collapse.” A.W. Tozer

"The thing you treasure will control your heart, and what controls your heart will control your words and behavior." Paul Tripp

via Pinterest

 

♥ "If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile, the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand." ♥
-Unknown

"Get close to GOD first before getting close to anyone else. GOD without a man is still GOD. But a man without GOD is...
NOTHING."

via Pinterest

The Bible calls debt a curse and children a blessing, but in our culture we apply for a curse and reject blessings. Something is wrong with this picture. ~Doug Phillips

“If Jesus had preached the same message that ministers preach today, He would never have been crucified.”

~Leonard Ravenhill

via Pinterest

 

 “God pity us that after years of writing, using mountains of paper and rivers of ink, exhausting flashy terminology about the biggest revival meetings in history, we are still faced with gross corruption in every nation, as well as with the most prayerless church age since Pentecost.” ~Leonard Ravenhill

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. 

Psalm 30:4-5

Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

Psalm 32:7

Do you have any favorite quotes? ~Dani :)

 

Ich Liebe Dich

Valentine's Day is a special occasion~ an especially special day to say "I Love You". Of course, every day is a day to love, but 'love day' is special. And I do so enjoy spending it close to those I adore~ thinking of the small things in life that we often take for granted, but that spread our road with posies, and make the sun shine. Never forget to thank God for all the blessing He has given us!!!

Roses to sweeten your way *Photo Source*

 Sweet baby hands, the sunshine of my life! *Photo Source*

The beautiful, simple hearts little brothers and sisters give to show their love

*Photo Source*

Tea and cookies of course! *Photo Source*

Sunshine that warms the soul *Photo Source*

Goofy sisters...

And their beautiful faces~ Ich Liebe Dich!

True Love

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth.....
1Corinthians 13:1-8 

~Danielle

Ramblings // Another Wonderful Photo Challenge

Ramblings~
How have the days gone for you? I certainly have no shortage of things to do, and things to be done! I've been excelling in those photography workshops I'm taking, and having way to much fun planning small photo shoots as part of my class projects. I'm so thankful to God for not only giving me a wonderful camera (a much loved dream of mine), but also the opportunity to learn to use it! All glory to His name......!!

Today I hope to do some cleaning in my room, give a writing lesson, have another photography session with my sisters, and start working on the living room. Walls need patching, floors need mopping, and all of it needs to be repainted. :) And I can't wait to read further in 'The Swiss Courier'. I'm quite fond of WWII Christian historical fiction!

Photography Challenge~
Lucia is hosting another super-fun photo challenge this month, and as always, I love linking up. Because February is the 'Love Month', the theme is 'Black and White Love'. The challenge is to capture love~ a mother and daughter hugging, two friends walking down a road hand in hand, etc. I wanted a photo that was unique, so after thinking about it for some time, this is what I came up with:

We had such fun! I absolutely love the way this one turned out! Head on over to Lucia, etc. to view the other link ups, and please join in the fun!!!





I Love Black and White~
Shooting in black and white is very fun! I can't say I like it more than shooting in color, but it comes pretty close!! I <3 b&w! Here's a few more photos I took that I adore~

Beautiful Sue~

Beautiful Jenna~ 

I decided to throw this one in too :)

Have a beautiful day lovelies! 

~Danielle

This Olde Barn n' House

I have a busy few days ahead of me! So many things I want to do and say~ how will I ever find time for it all lol? Anyway, I had such fun snapping and editing these photos! They're pictures of our house and barn, with an olde-fashioned slant. I pretty much just did this for fun, though I do think my subjects in these photos have somewhat of an antique-ness about them. :) I've been having a blast with that editing program! 

Brass Knocker 

Rickety olde barn door~ I really like the different textures in this photo...

The ol' barn...

I love these windows~

   Another olde window <3

This one is my absolute fave!

The surrounding foliage (isn't that just gorgeous?)

{Which ones do you like?}

~Danielle 

A Few Words // Photo Challenge

How's everybody's week been? Mine was ups and downs for sure~ haven't gotten much sleep, went to my first photography class, and have been genuinely busy. Life marches on!

Hopefully in the next few days I'll have the first 'real' post up on my other blog~ The Apothecary Shoppe. I'm also getting ready to post some neat things here. I feel so behind~

So a few things in regard to my photography: For starters, I have no intention of turning this into a photography blog, (though my posts here have become much more photographic), but I've found myself really wanting to share my photography. So, I've come to the conclusion that I should have a blog just for that. I may be putting too much on my plate, but with a photography blog, it doesn't have to be all that formal, and I wouldn't feel 'pressured' to update it as often~ just a place to share the pictures I take. I'm thinking I'd keep it private for a while, (just because), but any of you who are interested can contact me (via email) and I'll send you an invitation. Speaking of invitations, someone sent me one to view a private blog maybe a week or so back, and I went to visit it. I wasn't signed into my blogger account however, so the link didn't work. I decided to come back to it later~ when later arrived, I found that the invite had expired. So I deleted the email before looking to see who had sent it so that I could contact that person and request another invite. I'm pretty sure they were one of my followers here~ so whoever it is, pretty please send me another invitation~ I would love to view your blog!!!! :)

Next, I'm entering another photo challenge hosted by one of my beautiful blogger friends, Oriana~ 'Your Favorite Photo'. This one's going to be hard, for nearly all of my pictures are my favorite.:D  But I think this picture is probably at the top of my list:

Some of my favorite kiddos.

So, tell me what you think about a photography blog...love to hear your input/advise. Everyone have a wonderful weekend! :)

~Dani Marie

Happenings of Late

I'm so glad I was able to snatch the time today to write a more lengthy blog post, and tell you all what I've been doing these last weeks!

First off, I'd like to thank all the new followers~ you're very welcome here, and we're glad to have you! I hope this blog continues to be an encouragement to you to keep following God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and that you enjoy the little tidbits of my life and fancies that I throw in here and there. :) And thanks to all of you who left comments about my photo entry~ I really appreciated them! They made my day.:)

Second, for our Saturday wisdom search posts, I would like to share an old sermon by a wonderful preacher (in words) that I had the privilege of hearing a few nights ago. I found it very edifying, and I know there are some who read this blog who would find it edifying as well. I'll have to post it in sections, so it will take a few weeks, but that will allow for us to comment between each post. I hope everyone is as excited about this as I am! Thought provoking is the word for this sermon. :)

So, in explanation of my slight absence on blogger...
On New Years' eve, we were finally able to drive over to the H. familys' house for a wonderful dinner and evening in which we played a few games and had a fun time of fellowship!

The drive there was absolutely gorgeous, and I had a fun

 time snapping photos out the foggy windows.:)

Playing telephone pictionary~ deciding what to write....

Reading our hilarious cards aloud. :)

Playing Apples to Apples~ Bible addition!

So all in all we had a wonderful evening! Since then we've spent quite a few days rearranging/cleaning/organizing our house, and I've been trying to get on a more consistent schedule practicing my violin and getting back into doing my art, along with teaching and spending time with the kids, and generally spending less time on the internet. (sorry, I don't have any pictures of those :)) We've also had many blessings come our way which we are so very thankful for! For example, starting in February, I will be partaking of some photography workshops, and I am so looking forward to it! Here are a few photos I've taken in my spare time:

A portrait of my sister Susanna :)

A bunch of berries that insists on being bold and bright against the clear

blue sky when all else is dead and drab~ I couldn't resist!

Leanna~ don't you just adore her cute smile? :)

I guess I shall have to include a self portrait of yours truly too :)

~This is me~

So there you have it! Share your thoughts!!!

These Happy Golden Days

(This post is a whole day late; but better late than never right?)

I remember thinking ahead to all those far away years~ 2010, 2012. I couldn't imagine what it would be like and how my life would change. And yet, here we are already and I can't believe it!!! Looking back through the years, I can see all of the many times God rained down His blessings on me and my family~ of how His hand of protection was on us, and how much closer I've grown to Him. Yes, and even the hard times of trial, when all seemed dim and discouraging~ God was still with us and for us. But for now, the sun hangs high and shines bright in the crystal blue sky of my life. All is good....and there's a sense of anticipation and excitement in the air~ for this coming year.

my blessings in 2011 

All in all, my biggest blessings have been that I have and cherish my family, and that God has taken such good care of us, even granting us some of our wants along with our needs. One of my growing desires was to have a nice camera with which to start my journey in photography, and I was so blessed to receive one for my birthday. I already have a few photo shoots lined up for this spring, which I am really looking forward to. So, my camera~ definitely a want, but God was so gracious to give me one!
Another thing I count a blessing was my opportunity to spend the summer at Peniel Ranch. I grew in knowledge of many things, and generally had an excellent time! So wonderful a time in fact, that with the Lords' help, I will be spending next summer there also. *sighz happily*
One of my favorite highlights of the year is that I am building wonderful relationships with my little friends (brothers and sisters), while I impart to them the knowledge of writing. That has been one of my greatest joys!
And some random little blessings from '11:
My new sugar scrubs
Lotion and body mist that smells heavenly :D
My laptop
All the scrumptious new cloths I've been blessed with
Good books
Yankee candles
The new scarves that I got for Christmas (oh I love scarves!)
This blog! (which I started in April)
And our new Keurig one cup coffee maker. *very snazzy*

 
my aspirations for 2012

 I'm not making any new year resolutions~ period. (it never works lol) But I do have a few goals that I'll be consistently working towards and will hopefully accomplish! I want to~
Become a better photographer~ I do know that this will happen :D
Master 'Beau Soir' (Beautiful Evening) on the violin~ kind of a complicated piece as far as the intonation.
Redecorate and repaint my bedroom, and do more interior decor around the house
Make some significant progress in art projects that I have pending
Buy my own car (eeeehh, I don't know about that one....)
Grow my very own herb garden, and preserve the herbs for later use
Keep up on my study of midwifery
Drink lots of coffee (Hahaha, that won't be hard!)
Post a lot here, especially through the summer
Throw a big party for my 20th birthday (Maybe ya'll would like to plan a surprise party~ *hintz*)
Gain at least 50 followers! (Now that would be amazing!!!)
And most of all, spend tons of time with my family and friends, growing closer to God all the time!

So, these are my thoughts for the New Year. What are yours?

Surreal....

Photo Credit

  My life seems a bit surreal right now~ you know when you come to one of those cross roads in your life when you're not sure what's next, but you are contentedly observing other people do exciting things? That's where I seem to be. It's rather a peaceful place~ going about, living daily life, and loving those around me. Still, the exciting anticipation of what may be around the corner....

  I've really been thinking and praying about what things may be in my future, and I've been so encouraged to just wait patiently on God~ know who I am in Him and focus on His word as I invest in my family and friends and reach out to those who are lost. This, I am content with.

  So with the encouragement and exhortations that I've been given, I also would like to encourage and exhort you.  Seek the Lord while he may yet be found, and wait patiently on Him! You never know the wonders and blessings that are given to those who are patient and content in Christ. And He loves a cheerful soul!!!

Keep the faith and be strong!

~Dani

Saturday Wisdom Search

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for your names are written in heaven!

Recently, (over Thanksgiving), I had the God given opportunity to stand as a witness for the truth on facebook. I don't usually do much on facebook except keep in contact with friends, but I do use it as a tool to reach the lost. On this occasion, one of my friends posted a particular picture (having to do with God) on her wall that she thought was hilarious, when in truth, it was a sobering matter. So I lovingly rebuked her and prayed that God would touch her life. Then some of her friends got on there and started to comment and revile God, calling him every filthy name they could think of. But I used my sword with power and grace~ which cut to the quick of their wicked hearts. They went on still, hardening their hearts in their naughtiness. God however, was working, and conviction fell on them. If nothing else, He used my voice to show His mercies to their stony hearts once more, however ungrateful they were. These verses came to mean so much more to me, as I was being persecuted and ridiculed....

Matthew 5:10-12 

 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 

 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

 Never ever back down from sharing your faith, whatever it may cost. Christs' church is here on earth for just such a purpose! Forgiveness and love~ when the world sees this, they will know we are Christians! One thing though, is that one of the friends that commented actually gave what to me was a compliment, when she meant it to be a snide remark. She told me, "...and since you're so obsessed with your God...."~ that made me so joyful! That's exactly what I want the world to see in my life! I want them to see that I am indeed obsessed with God, to the point that I care enough about their souls to warn them of the coming judgment, tell them of forgiveness, sin, and repentance. That I count a compliment!!!

So go out and be valiant for Him; fight the good fight of faith, and rejoice~ be exceeding glad when men persecute you, for yours is the kingdom of heaven!

Be encouraged!

~Danielle~

Giving Thanks!

1Thessalonians 5:18  

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays! A time to look back on the last year and thank God for all that He's brought us through and all the blessings He's given us~ a time to eat those once-a-year dishes your grandmother makes~ a time to visit with friends and family and spend time together laughing and building even stronger bonds in your relationships together~ a time to rest and thank God for! 

To some people, Thanksgiving is a few days off from their busy work schedule to eat all day and watch football. But I see it as a blessing! So here are just a few things I'm thankful for this year:

I am so thankful for the family God has given me~

Photo Credit: Nathan Sherman

I'm so thankful for God's mercies that are new every morning!

I'm very thankful for the sweet friends that God has given me~ (I could post 

so many pictures of my friends!)

Photo Credit: Yours Truly

I'm thankful for the people who wrote hymns inspired by God, 

and the many beautiful instruments with which to play them~

I am really thankful for the wonderful Fall weather we have had!

I am thankful that I had the opportunity to spend a wonderful Summer at

Peniel Ranch~

Photo Credit: Dani Marie

and I'm so thankful for the children in my life; especially for this little 

man, Micah~ I love investing in their lives!

Photo Credit: Dani Marie

What are you thankful for this thanksgiving? 

~Dani