Week 2 Accomplished!

I don't really have anything to say in prep, except for the fact that I apologize that these are so late, :( so I'm just gonna start posting. Okay? Cool.

8. On Your Plate - *sigh* I have no accurate description for this. It's a marble cake that my mom made out of a box. But when you add frosting to it, and you haven't had cake in ages, it's pretty good!! Not as good as some plain frosting I had the other day though. ;)

9. Tiny - FLOWERS are coming up!!! I'm so excited!! Although, it did snow yesterday. But, the green plants and fresh spring air are coming!

10. A Place - This is a picture of a picture. The original picture was taken by my father at a castle in Germany! New Schwanstine?

11. Detail - Let me preface this--I Love puzzles! This is my favorite one I've done. Can you guess what it's of? (I'll tell you next week)

12. In The Middle - This word hangs in one of our living areas between some pictures and the words, 'Family' and 'Friends'.

13. View from your bed - Well, my rooms a mess. *shock* Actually, I had someone tell me the other day as I was organizing something outside of home - "Your room must be clean!" I started laughing. : )

14. Water - Now if I lived in some exotic area with a oceanfront view, I'd have a fantastic awe-inspiring picture for you. Well.... I have a dog! ;) So, here's how my dog sees water!

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Here is the prompt I'm using this month! Join me! Even if it's just for a day! There are some days that I'm looking forward to especially!! :D (Like fire.)

Prayer

    Today as I was getting ready to post my week of photos, my computer goofed up. So I don't have all my pictures right now. Hopefully by tonight. Anyway, that's part of my challenge, but I have a different one for you.

The Boston Marathon was bombed today. As I'm posting this, I don't know much except for the fact that there were two explosions, and a controlled one. I've heard that 23 are injured and two killed, but that's not the final count. So, I sat there after receiving the news and prayed. I encourage you to do the same. And I challenge you to continue praying even after you've run out of words. To just sit there in silence. For, Romans 8:26 says, "Likewise the Spirit also helps our weakness: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

Sunday morning our Pastor talked partially about just being still. We are so caught up in our lives, with technology, with work, with school, and with people. None of those things are bad, or evil, unless we use them as excuses to not just sit, and spend time with God. I've seen myself doing it more and more. Saying, oh, I have to go do this, this, and this, so I'll have to put off devotions, or praying right now. This world is hurting, and although sitting there and praying won't necessarily change the world, it will change you.

           Also, while you pray for people, please keep Ryan's family in your prayers - their blog.

Be sure not to get bogged down in the cares of this world. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Phil. 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." No matter what happens or has happened. Jesus won.

Currently

Well, I decided to try one of these "Currently" posts!  I hope you enjoy reading, and I'd love to hear what you are "Currently" enjoying! :)  

OBSESSING

Iced Coffee!  Starbucks Frappucinos were originally what introduced me to the coffee-drinking world, but being dairy free has ruled those out.  *sadface*  However, we now have a Keurig in the house, so my coffee cravings have been satisfied, although I still have not managed to drink a black cup of coffee. ;)   Anyway, enough of my coffee history!!  A couple of weeks ago, on our way home from a road trip, we stopped at Dunkin’ Donuts for coffee and a rest stop.  After glancing wistfully at the milk-laden choices, I realized I could still have a plain iced coffee without dairy.  I was doubtful that it would actually taste good without the usual dairy goodness, even if I was adding coconut syrup (Coconut is another obsession of mine)... but it did!  I have not yet had a chance to patronize a local coffee shop for another iced coffee... But I don’t think I can go much longer without one! ;)

ADORING

Yep!  My family has a new member!  It’s been quite an interesting few weeks.   Our new puppy is an English Shepherd, and his name is Louie. :)  He’s really adorable, and everyone we see loves him.  I love him, too, but I appreciate his obedient moments more and more!   Here’s a picture, because a picture says all there is to say!  :)  

He's now almost 11 weeks.  He's getting so big! :) 

First week of Photo-a-Day

    So, I didn't end up taking all these on their appropriate day, but I did take them. Which is a fairly big accomplishment for me. Without further ado;

1. Play - This is what I play!

2. Blue - This is in honor of April being Autism Awareness month! I have a cousin who has Autism, so this is something that I greatly appreciated.

 

3. Something Beginning with A - This was a little tough for me actually. But, I scrounged up some Animals!

4. This happened today - My big project last week. I fixed some marks on a dresser that were aggravating my slight OCDness. 

5. Something good - These are some of my printed! photoshopped pictures.

6. Air - Again, one that kinda stumped me. But we've had a couple windy days lately, so this was the best I could do. I'm not really happy with it. :/

7. Dreamy - This is my daydream and listen to music corner. It's also good for reading and school. 

So, that's all my pictures since last Monday! That was a lot, and I may split it into two posts this week if time allows. I hope you enjoyed them! I'm off to take today's picture. Hmm... on your plate... I think that may call for some food! Yum!

If you want to jump in and join my photo-a-day adventure this month feel free! You can see the prompt that I'm using, here!

NaNoWriMo Guest Interview!

    Today, we have a guest-ish kind of thing. I've interviewed one of my friends, Jenn, because she's doing NaNoWriMo!! How cool is that!?! She has her own blog over at Blogging a Life Without Words; go check her out! (After you finish reading this of course!)

Erato - So, what made you decide to do NaNoWriMo?
Jenn - I've always been a writer at heart! Back in Freshman year of high school, I decided to take on the challenge of NaNo after being asked to do it by a friend. It was a bit daunting--50k words in a month (about 100 pages) is nothing to laugh at!--but it was super fun in the end. I love a challenge, on paper and otherwise! :)
E - So this isn't your first time doing NaNo?
J - No, as answered before I first did it my Freshman year. But, it has been a while since I've done it, so I'm just as nervous and excited to get back into it.
E - Do you think you'll do it again?
J - For sure! I absolutely love writing, and it's a great way to get used to deadlines!
E - Did you do any prepping for it at all? Like stretching for a race or something?
J - Sort of. I prepare outlines and try to get to know my characters through writing random scenes (that don't go into the final word count). I also like to relax and have been playing through an old video game to get my mind off of writing. For me, getting my mind off something until right before I get into it is the best way to handle the stress of an oncoming challenge. And for NaNo, the more stress you build up the more your story can suffer! Best to be relaxed.
E - Now, I've heard the word cabinmates tossed around, who are they?
J - This month and in July are Camp months. NaNoWriMo proper is in November, but those who come back to NaNo usually participate in Camp--there are more flexible word count goals, and there are Cabins that you get put into (if you chose). Cabins are online chat rooms that you are randomly put into, and Cabin Mates are those that you share the cabin with. They help you to reach your word count through encouragement and harassment. :)
E - Are you interested in writing more for a living?
J - I'm not too sure. I currently have plans to go into blacksmithing and would like to teach dance, but if I have time, I will definitely write! It's all in God's hands, though, but it would be awesome to still tell stories through paper.
E - Do you outline? Or do you have to talk it out, but never really put anything on paper?
J - I outline! I'm the biggest outliner I know, but I don't stick to it. There are main points in an outline that I know I need to reach the end of the story, but if the story develops into something better, I won't stick with it. I will usually just use it to help me reach the end. Talking it out does help, though, and if I find someone I trust enough, I will usually have a huge brainstorming session trying to figure out my story.
E - Does anyone else in your family write?
J - No, I'm the only writer. I'm often made fun of for it, and Paperback Writer (the Beatles) has been dubbed my theme song. But, they've left me alone while I've been writing, so it's all good! :)
E - Are there any stories that you get inspiration from?
J - So many! Often times I like to read movie titles (or watch previews). write an outline of what I think the plot is, and then be surprised by the actual play out of the movie. I don't think I get actual inspiration from reading or other forms of story telling. Movies are special to me, because they give a person time to actually think while the story is happening, and it doesn't take your entire concentration. Gives the mind room to wander!
E - What kind of novel are you writing? Or is it a secret?
J - I'm currently on the fence! It will either be a paranormal fantasy or a futuristic scifi. I want to do the paranormal, because it seems the most exciting and adventurous, but the scifi is the one that I fell is going to work out the best! Ah! So many choices! >.<
E - Now a couple funner questions! Favorite color?
J - Green/Turquoise!
E - Preferred reading material?
J - Fantasy or those "chick-flick" books! I'm not the pickiest reader, but when I want a quick read that gets my mind "set" for adventure, The Lightening Thief is my go-to book!

Thanks, Jenn! 

Photo-a-Day Begins!!

April is here!!! And sadly, I'm not fooling you. Time flies SO fast! 

    Well, let's get down to business!! (Know that song? ;) ) Photography is an activity that involves lots of creativity, which is why this prompt that she's put together is extremely helpful. But, if that's not quite enough for you, pretend that you are someone else. Maybe someone who is a different height? Maybe someone who is a different age? Maybe someone who has gone through a life changing experience? Hopefully your creative juices will spark, and you'll have 30 great pictures by the end of the month! (Oh, and on the 12th, I'd suggest cleaning your room in preparation for the 13th. :) At least, I know I'll have to.) Now, go shoot things! :D

Holy Cowl!

I’ve always been a very limited knitter, only knitting what I am familiar with.  But this time, I am so glad that I decided to give a new pattern a shot!  I found this on Ravelry, and although I had to tweak the pattern slightly to get around using circular needles, it worked better than I had anticipated!!

The finished product! :)