Ready? :: February

Hello! I'm so happy to be dipping my toes back into blogging waters. I've found myself on an accidental blog hiatus. This past weekend, however, I went through pictures and am now ready to share a bit of what has been occupying my time. In the interest of not writing the longest post ever, I've divided the three months into three posts. Logical, right? :) Here's a look at my February. . . 

The above picture shows a couple of my history textbooks along with the focus of my extra time: ACT prep. I took that rather momentous test toward the beginning of the month, right after attending. . . 

Storling Dance Theater's production of Underground. I had also enjoyed seeing it a couple of years ago, yet found plenty to appreciate a second time. Besides, not only were the story and choreography there to be admired, but also the added pleasure of seeing a dear graduate from my homeschool ballet group dance one of the lead roles. Such fun going as a group to see her perform! 

Back at our dance studio normal dance classes still took place, with choreography for our production of Helen Keller picking up speed. I even found a quiet moment in an empty room to take this slightly impressionistic picture. Trying to achieve balance. . . 

Even when occasions like Valentine's Day come around the bend and knock my schedule around a bit. Speaking of knocking, I loved seeing this sweet wreath while I was knocking the front door of some friends...

Friends, in fact, for whom I get to babysit. I also happen to love this little girl and her attempts to play with the kitty.  

Another fun babysitting opportunity popped up for Middle Sister and me in the form of providing childcare at a local church. We attended a blur of color and activity in the nursery while parents attended a brief seminar in the sanctuary. 

I did some Bible studying myself at my church youth group's Disciple Now weekend. It was a time of great teaching and community, including Micah 6:8, mint tea, and hiding in a closet we nicknamed "Narnia" during Underground Church. 

The next weekend included a different delightful event, a dear friend's 16th birthday party. Hooray for my first time playing laser tag and for an incredibly fun array of socks!

With it still being winter, we definitely needed to be wearing socks. The temperatures stayed low and the ground maintained a blanket of white. 

With us still having puppies, instrument practices often gained audiences.  

 And homework times included cuddly (sometimes calm, frequently rather crazy:) company too. 

Thus transpired February. Next up, March...

Sweet Things

~ this avocado chocolate mousse. We found it to be delectable (In case you decide to try it: we used about a half cup more almond milk than the recipe called for)

~ berries in season

~ Momma and Daddy celebrating their anniversary

~ youth pastor's darling two-month-old girl

~ her adoring fans (a.k.a. everyone around her :)

~ pups watching a butterfly outside the sliding glass door

~ Middle Sister helping Youngest Sister tune her cello

~ thinking about Nana. Today would have been her 90th birthday

~ her love of travel, and the way she asked about "her mountains" after we visited Glacier National Park on her birthday last year


Something not so sweet? Monday marked our first day of school. It's good to get back to some routine, but the first days are always a bit rough. I suppose you could call it a rocky road. That reminds me. . .


~ cherry chocolate chip soy ice cream. I'm still enamored with this treat from Trader Joe's!

When a Rainy Parade is Wonderful

A very happy birthday to two dear friends! 

(so much fun to celebrate you both ~ your sunshine only stood out better in contrast to the dreary weather :) 

A huge thank you to a particular mom and daughter pair for these pics! 

Behind Ballet

Behind the dance studio, there is this alley. It can lead you around our small downtown the back way. Up ahead, a right turn, then left turn would take you to a children's bookstore. If instead you took two left turns, you would come to a bicycle shop. But, if you pivot to your right from this spot, a few steps lead you to the back deck of a local coffee shop. It was a little less than a year ago that friends at dance introduced me to this place. Turns out they have great tea, hot or iced, and Italian soda in a plethora of flavors. Also, the cozy atmosphere and same people at the counter give it a hospitable feeling. Add a few friends, and it's a favorite place to go. I always did like alleys, but it's these special, quiet spots that make them so mysteriously magnetic.

My Favorite Kind of Bee

I met Jordan three years ago. First our parents recognized each other from college. We started talking and quickly learned we had a lot in common. 

Favorite color? Blue. 

Play an instrument? Piano. 

Want to learn an instrument? Guitar, given by grandparents. 

Hair and eye color? Brown. 

Favorite animal? Dolphin.  

But why did I mention a favorite kind of bee in the title? 

Well, Jordan and I had something else in common; a love of words. Only Jordan's love of words carried over into a love of spelling. This is the third year in a row she has qualified for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. It has made watching the Bee all the more exciting to know Jordan and her family are there, as well as hear about it from them later. This year something really exciting has happened--- she is a championship finalist! 

Congratulation Jordan Hoffman!!! I so admire your way with words and am happily watching ESPN and cheering! ~Megan

Making Stamps

  I enjoyed a taste of stamp carving at an art class several years ago, and had the pleasure of experimenting with it again last Saturday.

Thank you to Jennifer and Hannah for opening their studio for art time, as well as to Misty Mawn's beautiful book Unfurling for the project inspiration.

Happy creating~ Megan

Happy

Wishing Middle Sister a year of rainbows, cupcakes, and everything sweet! ~Megan

Hello, November

The first weekend of November I participated in a piano competition. It was a couple of hours away from home, near a beautiful state park and barn, so the rest of my family came and we turned it into a kind of day trip.

Do you see the reflection of my piano music in the window?

After overcoming cold hands and shaky fingers to play my pieces for a judge with a very Russian name, we took advantage of the beautiful weather with time outdoors.

First off was a state park. . .

Next we went to a barn. . .  

Chickens and roosters have such vivid personalities!

Finally, we conquered a corn maze. . .

It was a refreshing time spent together! Happy November~ Megan

Too Blessed to be Stressed

I have never liked roller coasters. My little sisters' bravery has been the only thing that pushed me into them. I was always daunted by their safety hazards, the height and sheer magnitude only frightening me more. When we went to an amusement park on vacation, I resigned myself to the fact that I was rightly afraid and didn't have to go on any of the roller coasters. This worked fine until the end of the day. That was when the other four members of my family were going on the tallest, curliest, fastest roller coaster there. And I swallowed my fear and joined them.

I knew I would go fast. I knew I would go hight. I knew I would be going upside down. I even knew I would chicken out if I had a chance to think things through. But the park was not crowded and I was able to walk right on. I pulled down the shoulder cushion and told Middle Sister I would be fine. Then the roller coaster took off and started a painful assent to the sky. I squeezed the seat and prayed. All the power I put into fear poured into my prayer. As we climbed higher and higher, the blessing my pastor always says at the end of our church service came into my head. We came to the very top of the hill and in that pause right before you head downhill I heard the last words of the blessing, so go in peace. 

Something incredible happened (other than the gravity defying stunt performed by the roller coaster). I had fun. Peace had settled over me.

Continuing my gratitude list. . . 

531. actually enjoying a ride on two roller coasters

532. eyes open while going upside down

533. the spring in my sisters steps after they rode a roller coaster

534. an absence of fear

535. visiting a cave for the first time-- knowing I will want to visit another




536. my mom teaching us new words

537. eating lunch at a place where they throw rolls to you (my years of never playing baseball did not come in handy :)

538. an amazingly comfortable bed at our hotel

539. riding on a train

540. the actors performing a train robbery messing up their lines and creating a more entertaining show

541. visiting the Titanic museum

542. feeling an iceberg

543. living though it :)

544. a walk along Tablerock lake

545. clear water between my toes

546. feeding fish at a fish hatchery

547. my camera losing the fishy smell it picked up there

548. riding a horse

549. getting the chance to say "Giddy up"

550. no crowds at the amusement park

551. baseball game

552. cheers for the home run that won everybody a Sonic slushy

553. cotton candy. . . blown up sugar

554. stands full of excited people

555. peace despite circumstances

Blessings to you~ Megan