Feb 14, 2011

Valentine's Day...

A day full of love...
Realized in the little things...
Deeply cherished...

Deeply Appreciated...
Deeply moved...
 Deeply thankful for...

Top Ten Things I Love

God
My dear parents
My safe home
My beautiful state
My dearest friends
My wonderful, supportive Sisters in Christ
Photography
Flowers
Crafts
Chocolate

~Your Love by Brandon Heath~
{One of my favorite songs}

Of course, how can we not add a few Disney classics?


Now, during this time of my life {"single" years} my whole mind-set should not evolve around finding my Prince Charming. God will, in His perfect timing, allow me to meet my future mate, and so my focus should not be fixed on seeking after him, yet I do like Rebecca St. James song on this. 

May you all have a Happy Valentine's!
Blessings,
Grace
P.S. For those searching for a clean romance chic flick, I highly recommend this:

I know, from the trailer and the cover it looks like a really cheesy, impure movie, but we rented it a few months past, and my family and I really enjoyed it! It was so sweet, cute, clean romantic, with the exception of one phrase a woman says, as well as a LONG kiss at the end, but the story was cute, and the plot clever. It totally inspired me to go to Verona, Italy! If any of you would like a more detailed review, just comment, and I'll post one soon!


Feb 13, 2011

The Old, Leather Journal...

Who would have wondered that one beat up, leather book could hold...
So many random ramblings....
 So many papers...
So many entries...
So many kind words and letters...
So many first moments...

So many friendships...
So much of my journey through life...
So many smiles...
So much love...

 So much history...
So much time...
So many ponderings...
So many doodles...
So many mistakes...
So many of my utmost deepest thoughts...
So many hopes...
So many dreams...

So many fond, cherished, memories!

Three years ago on October 26th, 2008, a black ink pen met, the crisp, cream-colored pages of my fresh, unwrinkled journal, sparking my journey in journaling, recording my day's events whether dull or exciting. 
Are you faithful to your journal {I have not been}? 
And to those who do not keep one, I encourage you to do so. Your girlhood/adolescent/pre-marriage years should be the most cherished years of one's life...a time when care-free days, are everyday; and when one grows older, days that will be looked back on with joy. 

My journal has been in the past, a great comfort and companion, patiently listening to all my thoughts and miscellaneous rambles, that I look back on with giggles of my naive, childish trifles:). It's so interesting as time progresses, how thoughts mature. I was twelve when I started writing in my leather journal, and now that time seems so far away.  
Love in Christ,


P.S. Sorry for the unedited pictures!:) I was lazy to-day!:)

Feb 12, 2011

~February's {not-so-simple} Simple Life {and Jewel Me Pretty Giveaway Winner}~

Hello, readers! This is my monthly article, "Simple Life's" first anniversary! I have been posting the "Simple Life" posts for over a year now {as of starting in the February of 2010}.
February 14th is approaching quickly. The date "sneaked" 
{it is the correct English, no joke! Snuck is not a word!!! {you can't see it but it's in red lining meaning, IT'S WRONG!} 
up on me and I have been frantically finishing my Valentine's! The most pleasant sight to me{since I am hopelessly old-fashion} is a tidy little stack of letters with old-fashion print, bright, red wax seals still sticking to the parchment letter, tied with a pink ribbon in my hopechest! Letters are such a delight indeed, and Valentine's are an extra Victorian treat!:)  

Spring has been blooming here in the CA. I am sorry to say this to the readers on the East Coast, but it was 84 degrees here where I live...I teased my mom, "There is a river {for once}, and the weather is actually hot enough to swim in!" Indeed, it is lovely! The weather should be turning back to cooler climates 
The other day, after helping my daddy build wooden boxes for our summer's vegetable garden {so excited!:)}, the lighting was perfect for photography!

I LOVE my new pastime!:) {Or is it just my camera?} I heard a quote that made me laugh about photography...Buying a Nikon doesn't make you a photographer. It makes you a Nikon owner. =D
I also came home the other day to receive this in my mailbox:
I am very much enjoying my Passion Flower Luxury Spa Salt Bar {smells limey!:)} and cotton washcloth as well as my lavender lotion bars!:) Special thanks to Melissa from Elegant Rose Boutique for sending these to me!

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~Giveaway Winner Announcement~


And I took FIVE takes to make a video with my camera to announce the giveaway winner of the Jewel Me Pretty giveaway, but Blogger will not load the video! {Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!} *composing self* 

So, without further ado I announce the blessed winner who will be knocking herself out in a $20 shopping spree to Jewel Me Pretty {SPECIAL thanks to Rin for donating the wonderful, most generous prize} is, thank you all the girls for entering; I received 272 comments and gained so many followers {I will stop my rambling now:)}

IS.... 

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Congratulations, dear Ashley!!! 


Perhaps, you may have to post your prize(s) when you receive them! I hope you enjoy the shopping spree! Please comment with your emailing address {will not be posted} within 48 hr. else I will draw another winner; after I hear from you I will 

Again, thank you SO much to all of you for following my blog, leaving sweet, encouraging, supportive comments, and for entering my Jewel Me Pretty giveaway! To those who did not win, I will be posting three more giveaways this month, and March is already filling up with sponsors, so stay tuned!

With lots of love,
Grace