Year In Review '17

 

I was feeling a bit blog-ish tonight (yes, I believe I invented that word), so I thought to myself, "Why not strike while the iron's hot?"  A positively smashing idea on my part, undoubtedly ;)

Truth be told I was scrolling through my reading list on my blogger dashboard, feeling somewhat wistful and dreamy, and I happened upon Abby's post in regards to hopes for the coming year, I felt compelled to follow suit in my own little way.

These are some of the questions that she included.

What did you do in 2017 that you'd never done before?

 Rode a Ferris Wheel!  

 Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions and will you make new ones?

I've never really been one for making resolutions, or at least not the usual kind people seem to expect.  I'm not saying those kind are bad, not at all, but I guess I just prefer to look at them as goals or opportunities for betterment. With that in mind, I want to make my focus this year more or less the same as last: To live every moment of my life as the gift that it truly is, to remind myself of this in moments when I forget, and to help others see life as a great treasure, too.

 Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes, my favorite sister had a baby in the spring, making me a proud auntie! 

My little Hummingbird in her new Christmas bonnet ♥

 Did anyone close to you die?

A great-uncle.

 Which countries/states did you visit?

 Let's see, no international borders were crossed, unfortunately.  Sorry to disappoint!

As for states, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and for the first time ever, New Hampshire!  I would love to add Maine to my 2018 list but I can't really see that becoming a reality.

♥ Home sweet home ♥

 What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?

My very own lighthouse.   Maybe a slightly clearer future?  On second thought, I'll just look for another lighthouse.

Portland Head Light, Portland, Maine.

I think I'd like to write a story about this place.  Thoughts?

 What date from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory?

 Ooh, January 22nd!  But I'm not telling why...

 Did you move anywhere?

If living with my favorite sister and wonderful brother-in-law in NY for two months counts, then yes.

 What was the best month?

 Hard to say... March? April? October?

 What was your biggest failure?

Not making prayer my first and strongest refuge.

 Did you suffer any illness or injury?

 A few more colds than usual but I'm still breathing.

 What was the best thing you bought?

 Probably my laptop since it's come in handy for schoolwork, writing, and this very blogpost you're (hopefully) enjoying :)  

 Whose behavior merited celebration?

 Mulan's, she saved China ;)

 Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

 Those who think being an American means throwing mass temper tantrums in the streets is a show of patriotism when they don't get what they think they want from a government they don't begin understand.

 Where did most of your money go?

I don't think I spent very much in the past year, it was probably equally dispersed between book sales, thrifting, and yarn.

 What did you get really, really excited about?

My trip to New York and my eventual return home.

 

 Compared to last year, are you:
happier or sadder? I'd like to think I'm happier :)
thinner or fatter? More or less the same.
richer or poorer? Richer in love, poorer in fears.

What do you wish you'd done more of? 

Reading and blogging, but we shall change that this year!

What do you wish you'd done less of? 

Asking "what if?", procrastinating, doubting.

What was your greatest musical discovery?

 Spotify.  Where was this incredibly helpful convenience when I was planning a wedding two years ago?!?

 How did you spend Christmas?

 As stated above, with my family.

 How are you spending New Year's?

 Same as Christmas :)

 Who did you spend the most time on your phone with?

 My most special friend!

 

 What was the best book you read?

 Hmm...probably The Great Gatsby.  I'll tell you what my least favorite was and about all the books I read last year in my next post.

 Did you fall in love in 2017?

 Oh, wouldn't you like to know?

 

 What was your favorite TV show?

 I don't really watch a lot of TV shows, especially not current stuff, but as an enduring favorite I'd have to say JAG. (Which I got all ten seasons of for Christmas, eeek!)

 

 What were your favorite films of the year?

 That would be I am David,  A Walk to Remember, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and The Zookeeper's Wife.  I think the latter is my top favorite, plus it's also the only one that was "new" as of 2017.

 

 What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

 I turned 17 and my wonderful brother-in-law got me a pinata!

 How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017?

 

  And some days, not even that was achieved!

What kept you sane?

 Journaling everything.  Thoughts, joys, the things I did, and what made me sad or especially happy.

 Which celebrity/public figure did you admire most?

 

Jacob Rees-Mogg, a British politician who speaks the truth unabashed and defends it with dignity.

 Who did you miss?

 My family and friends at home while I was in NY, and my family in NY when I was home again.

 Who was the best person you met?

 Two new friends-one older than I,  the other younger-but both very dear.

 Tell a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017. 

"It could always be worse; this too shall pass." ;)

Five personally significant events of 2017:

• Becoming an Auntie.
• Learning to drive.
• Participating in NaNoWriMo.
• Entering my Senior Year.
• Developing my skills.

 Five things I want to do in 2018:

•  Continue developing my skills and gain new ones.
• Go on more adventures!
• Turn 18!
• Graduate!
• Embrace all that life is and has the potential to become.

 People I'd like to know better in 2018:

My grandfather.

 

Thank you again, Abby, for the inspiration and very good questions!  Be sure to pay a visit to her beautiful blog, Lavendar Spring.  

And of course, I fully intend to blog more frequently in 2018 (distant laughter), so you shall be hearing from me yet again before too long.  

Until then, tallyho, my dearies!

Always,

~Emma

Sunshine Blogger Award

Hello! *waves excitedly*  So last week I was tagged by Sarah at "Life of a Homeschooler" (you really should check out her blog, its adorable and I love it), with the Sunshine Award!  In the past, as you are all well aware, I usually put off writing these tag post thingies for weeks a long, long, long, long time.  But this one looked so cheery and springy and happy that I simply couldn't put it off more than a few days!

This house looks like sunshine, doesn't it?  It looks like a good place to begin an adventure!

Sarah's questions:

1.) Do you like primary, pastel, or neon colors best?

Okay, so I'm not really a huge fan of primary colors.  I suppose I'd lean more towards pastels, but I like bright, vibrant colors, too, so probably a mixture of those together.   

 

 Like this gorgeous bouquet, actually!  That's perfect!

2.) What was the last movie you watched in the movie theater?

Ugh.  Despicable Me 2.  I did not enjoy that movie, sorry if you loved it!  I saw it, hmmm....3 years ago?  I was visiting my "city" aunt with a couple of my cousins and apparently that was the only movie worth viewing at the time.  Oh well, it could've been worse.  As a general rule, though, I'm not a huge fan of theater movies. I actually kind of go into panic-mode! Between the huge, bright screen in a dark place, strange people, and the incredible volume, I would much prefer to watch a movie from my living room couch!

3.) What is your favorite kind of weather, sunny, rainy, cloudy, etc.?

That is a tough question.  Ordinarily, I would say rainy, although I have a tendency of being fickle about my favorite weather ;)  If I wake up and the sky is brightest blue, the sun is shining and the birds are singing, I'm all like, "I love days like this!".  Then the next day it's dark and cloudy, maybe spitting an occasional sprinkle, I've got a good book, cup o' tea and a blanket, and I'm like, "I love days like this!".  So yeah, don't ask, it all depends ;)

 I'd say this is me in a rain shower, except I wouldn't use the umbrella.  It is common knowledge that dancing with an umbrella is cumbersome and probably dangerous, too ;)

4.)  Who is your favorite Disney princess?  Do they have a live-action movie?  If so, do you like the cartoon or live-action better?

You had to go and ask me this question!  I have three favorites, how can I possibly choose between them!?  Fine, since you're forcing me, my favorites are Rapunzel, Aurora, and Cinderella!  

 "But don't you know me? Why, We've met before!"

"We have?"

"Yes! You said so yourself, 'once upon a dream'!"

 As to the second part of your question, only Cinderella has a live-action movie and I thought it was AWESOME!  Such amazing colors and visual presentation!  It was splendid!

 Oh yes I did find THAT scene!

But as far as my favorite animated movie, that goes to Tangled!  That is one of my favorite movies of all time ever!  And that's saying a lot.

Aww

5.)  Are you a morning person or do you like to sleep in?

 Uhhhhhhh.... No, no I am not a morning person, at least not on purpose.  Then again, though, I don't really like to sleep in late, either, at least not really late.  Really late for me is like, 9 o'clock!

6.)  What social media site do you use most often?

Pinterest.  Pinterest is social media, right?  I don't know, maybe it isn't.  I don't really use anything else remotely social media related!

7.)  Is there a fictional character who you wish had a blog?

I.....don't think so, no.

8.)  Coffee or tea?

Tea, all the way!!!  Tea is the best.  I do drink coffee on occasion, more often when my sister is around, but not by habit, ordinarily.  I like it, though, especially iced!

 

 And I do so love my hugs <3

9.)  Do you have a favorite teenager post?

I can't say that I have a specific favorite, but I've seen a few I thought were funny.  Like these ones:

10.)  Can you think of a favorite song of yours that has the word "Sunshine" in it?

The first that came to mind was John Denver's "Sunshine On My Shoulder".  It's pretty and I like to sing it, but not my favorite!

 "Loch Lomond", now that is one of my favorites, and there is a line towards the middle about "sunshine".  This is actually the song that got me into Celtic music!  I know pretty much the whole thing from memory, it's so pretty!  Have a listen and let me know if you like it :)

 And that concludes this extraordinarily loooooong post!  Thanks, Sarah, those were super fun questions!  If anyone else wants to have a go at answering any or all of them, consider yourself tagged ;)  If you do, leave a comment or link to your own post, I'd love to hear your answers!

~Emma ♥

Emma Woodhouse Week Kickoff! (And lovely buttons to grab)

      Greetings, all!  Welcome to the Celebrating Emma Woodhouse Week kickoff!  I have been looking forward to this all week and I'm so excited to share with you!

Is this not the cutest picture ever???

       I decided to base my theme on Emma for two reasons: 

Firstly, because it is the best book/movie/fictional character EVER. 

And secondly, because this wonderful book is celebrating a big birthday this month!  Okay, that one needs some clarification.  

 You see, according to the publisher, the official publication date is December 23rd., 1815, which would make last year "Emma's" 200th birthday/anniversary.  Whereas the cover page lists it as 1816, making it the 201st anniversary!  Either way, 200 years or 201 years is a pretty big deal in my opinion, and I didn't think you darlings would mind :)  (But if you do, kindly refrain from telling me so, I have quite delicate sensibilities, just talk about me amongst yourselves ;)  

 Anyway, those are just the boring facts and technicalities I'm sure you don't care about but that I can't help including because I love facts and technicalities and cats! ;D  Now who's ready for buttons?!  (I really, really, really hope you like them!)

 I think this one's my favorite!

Wait, maybe this one?

Nope, nope, nope!  It's this one!

Okay, usual tagging rules apply here!  I tag any of you who wish to participate and answer the following questions!  You may answer them in the comments if you wish or write a post of your own, just don't forget to link back to this post so no one misses out on the fun!  (And don't forget to grab a button!)

And now for questions!

1. Which Emma character is your favorite?

2. Have you seen any film adaptions of the book? Which version(s)?

3. Which did you prefer, book or movies?

4. Do you think Emma is a spoiled brat?

5. Mr. Darcy or Mr. Knightley?

6. Would you be happy living in Highbury, or long for the busy society of London and Bath?

7. Who is more irritating, Miss Bates or Mrs. Elton?

8. Opinion of Harriet.

9. In your opinion, what is Emma's best quality?

10. What is Mr. Knightley's?

11. Would you eat the wedding cake? 

I hope you liked the questions, now go forth and be tagged!

~Emma

Happy Anne of Green Gables Week! Or, Better Late Than Never!

Or at least that's what I'm telling myself... ;)  Anyway, how I only found out about this today *gasp* the last day(!), I'll never know!  It probably has nothing to do with the fact I don't check my dashboard consistently.  But despite being the last day, I am still going to chime in with my two sense because I just love Anne way too much not to!  (Well, Anne and Gilbert, that is, you certainly can't have one without the other!)

(I must say, I had a difficult time choosing my favorite tag.  Well done, Miss Evie!)

Now, I've never done one of these tag-things before, so forgive me if I mess this up!  Here are my answers to Miss Evie's questions!  (With lots and lots of quotes and pictures to help illustrate my love of Anne!)

1. How did you get introduced to Anne of Green Gables?

     Oooh, I hate to say this, but it was through the movies first!  (I loved them when I was little!)  I don't think I read the book until I was maybe 10 or 11, and even then, I struggled reading it at first!  But now its one of my treasured favorites :)

2. Are you more like Anne or Diana? Why?

     Hmm.... Maybe a combination?  I liked Diana, most of the time, but sometimes she was just too...too... unimaginative?  I could never be without my imagination! So I guess I'm more like Anne!  (Of course, everybody thinks they're Anne!)  She has an exuberant spirit and a zest for life that I admire in others, and like to think I possess the same in some small fraction, at least :)  

3. If Rachel Lynde called your hair as red as carrots, how would you react?

     Honestly?  I think I would probably just laugh!  I'm kind of a hard person to insult ;)

4. Gilbert, or Morgan Harris?

     Does that question really need to be asked?!?  I could come up with SO MANY REASONS why Morgan Harris was a waste of time (without ever dragging in the fact that he wasn't even in the books!) Just, no!  So definitely Gilbert Blythe, without a doubt!

5. Honest opinion on the third Anne film.

     Oh boy.  As a period drama, not bad!  The acting wasn't too terrible, and neither was the execution, but calling it part of the "Anne" series?  No, no, no!  Didn't the director read the series first?  Didn't he know it was Anne's daughter involved in WWI?  That even then, neither of them were ever on the FRONT LINES!  I could go on and on, but I know you don't need to hear my further conjecture on the matter, the subject is exhausted!

(This wasn't bad, though, at least they didn't make us wait until the end!)

6. Have you seen the New Anne film?

     Ugh.  Yes, yes, I have.  It was utterly detestable!  How can people who shatter other people's childhood dreams be allowed to roam the earth freely like that, let alone write books!?  So my opinion?  I haven't one, because the whole movie was a lie and never happened!

(Give me "Lover's Lane" any day :)

7. What in your own words is a kindred spirit?

     A kindred spirit is someone you can really connect with, not just as a person, but in the very depths of your soul, too.  You never have to explain yourself to them, they just understand and accept you and all of the craziness you add to their life!  They'll always be their for you, to laugh with, cry with, adventure with, and dream with!  So if you have a person who is your kindred spirit, hang on to their hand and don't let go, because they're pretty special people to have!

8. Movie Gilbert or Green Gable Fables Gilbert?

     Um, I've never heard of "Green Gables Fables", but even if I had, I'm 99.9% sure I'd still go with movie Gilbert! :)

9. Does anyone know where we can watch Road to Avonlea online?

     Yes, actually!  You can watch most of them on YouTube!  I've no idea whether that's entirely legal or not, though... ;)

(I know this is about Anne, but can we just take a moment to remember "Road to Avonlea", one of  the best shows of all time?)

10. Favorite book cover?

     Oooh!!!  This one! 

I love how you can see the freckles on her nose!  

(I know, random!  Have I mentioned previously how much I love freckles?  I love freckles!)

 11. The films or the books?

          That's a very difficult question!   I love them both, even though they are completely different!  

And now, in closing, one of my favorite quotes from the book!  

 I know this kind of gives away the end, but I love the end, so I apologize for nothing!

     Thank you, Miss Evie, for the lovely questions, I really enjoyed your tag! 

~Emma

*disclaimer* All the above pictures credit to Pinterest and their sources, I merely borrowed them and in no way claim them as my own.