^The morning began with a cup of tea (and trying out the heart-shaped bokeh filter.)
I did have to do school, even though it was my birthday.
^ complete with sparkling cider
^ jen being a torero [bullfighter] and em doing the death drop.
^some lovely roses from em + jen
^ the christmas lights in the back yard [with heart bokeh filter]
^ i made some delicious brownies, recipe from bon appetit magazine.
it was a really lovely day. and no, i don’t feel older. i’m still a kid.
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^ My sisters and I bring Mom and Dad breakfast in the morning. Tea, coffee, muffins.
^ the Christmas tree.
^ This is the candy cane lady. She’s been in the family for as long as I can remember, but she’s been around for a more than that too – her base says 1954.
^ I made this apple pie. And for your information, Betty Crocker makes a better pie crust than Nourishing traditions or those girls from the pie shop in Brooklyn. (whose recipes I’ve used previously.)
^ My super cool camera lens mug from Photojojo.
^ Melissa in all her new winter wear, looking like she stepped out of an Anthropologie ad. [handmade boots + gloves, and scarf and forever 21 headband.]
^ Dad held Riette alot. She’s adorable.
^ A big delicious dinner. It made for delicious leftovers too.
^ At the very end of the evening we went to see Christmas lights. I fell asleep on the drive home.
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This afternoon I took some family pictures for the Braley family. Lovely light!
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This evening some of us girls went to downtown Carrollton, for a ladies chocolate walk they were having. Basically walk around the square, go in all the fun shops, and eat the chocolate samples.
^ really sweet balls of thread at the antique store
^ this picture pretty much sums up clara’s infatuation with owls.
^ a cameo
^ through the viewfinder of a cool toy camera
^ us five girls
^ Summur with the big bag she liked
^ Melissa at Vintage Martini in a big fur coat
^…and me in this ridiculous coat, in which Clara thought I looked like a magician
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I began ECC, our homeschool co-op, this past week, and am taking Physics, Quilting, Psychology, and World History. The thing that makes Physics bearable is that I’m taking it with Emily, Jenny, and Sharlena. We study together, and candy corn is our physics candy.
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As many of you know, I went to India for two weeks this summer at the end of July. There is so much I could say about it, but it was a spectacular and fabulous and amazing and wonderful and fun trip. I am so glad I was able to go, and to experience another culture. We visited Delhi, Udaipur in Rajasthan, Mumbai, and Kerala.
^ Sharlena and I before a day in Delhi
^ We were given leis everywhere we went. It was such fun.
^ Intense bike ride through the muddy water
^ The foursome.
^ We drank – and brushed our teeth with – so many of this big water bottles
^ The group in front of the gates to the President’s Palace
^ Clara
^ Singing in front of the India Gate in Delhi
^ There was a really big group of people watching us
^ Awesome bag and shoes that I got when we went shopping. Bartering is fun.
Well, that was only Delhi. And only some of it. A small some. But, more will come later.
And, I would say that this trip was, indeed, life-changing.
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^ Mom and Dad’s 25th anniversary! (June 1)
^ With friends (the Powells, Meghan, and Reuben) for a surprise anniversary party for Mom and Dad
^ Sicilian orange ice cream at Braum’s
^ India Team group picture
And, I’ve started a summer job, being a swim instructor at the city pool. It’s been fun so far, and I’m quite tan (and somewhat sunburned) after four days of being out all morning. Also, Clara and I now have a cell phone that we’re sharing. It’s rather exciting and fun.
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recently, i have added some new links in my blogroll and chalkboard sections.
including, in the blogroll section: alexa, a dear friend, and michelle, a friend from gfa, and jd, also a gfa-er.
newly added to the chalkboard section: disciple365, the gfa school of discipleship blog; three sixty five, a photo blog by my sister melissa; and vedoluce, etsy shop of alexa.
you should really also read these blogs: melissa, hannah, mary dougherty photography, and shawn.
happy reading!
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^ cupcakes, made by rachael and melissa. really super delicious. i will never be able to eat a cupcake without filling again.
^ lots and lots of people came. and this was just the dining room.
^ paper lanterns on the back porch
^ charlie, claire, and ryan
^ethan, justin, and judah in fedoras. they’re a pretty sweet band.
^ lights in the backyard
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this past saturday we had a carwash at chick-fil-a as a fundraiser for our India trip. several of us teens helped, and lots of parents and adults came and helped too. thanks guys!
we had fun spraying each other accidentally *cough* and, not so fun, getting sunburned. next time i will wear sunscreen.
all in all, we washed 68 cars [including one really muddy truck] and one boat.
^ washing cars : photo by ruth graber
^ the boat!
^ jessie’s windex, guarded by the cones. and the leather things the name of which i do not know how to spell.
^this is what i looked like during my last shift holding signs. photo by ruth graber
^ afterwards: starbucks happy hour half price frappuccinos! and sunburned.
this weekend will be another fundraiser, this time a garage sale, for which we have to get up even earlier. so pray for us!
…and if you want more information about our India trip, leave a comment and i will email you.
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