Just Pictures

I just have some pictures to share today... pretty much it. I guess I haven't taken the time to write up a more creative post lately (duh, I missed the last Saturday AND Tuesday). I don't take the time for that very often, actually. I want to do some more videos sometime, so I guess we'll see if I get around to that.

This week I  helped at our friend's church's VBS, had a thunderstorm pic-nic on a covered porch (yep, that was fun xP), and took a walk or two with the siblings. Also, my "little" sister turned sixteen yesterday. I was just sixteen... *skips the my, does time fly statement* 

On to the pictures.

Rainbowww!

It was SO humid on our last "siblings walk", that my lens kept fogging up for awhile. My camera doesn't like humidity either. ;P

I really like this pic. =D Might be nice if I was using the rule of thirds though. :P

Most of these are edited, at least a little bit (the exposure stuff).

FAVORITE PICTURE? HOWS THE WEATHER? WENT ON ANY WALKS THIS PAST WEEK?

The Girl's Guide to Conquering Life: Book Review

Two posts in one day? Yes, because this is my last day to post a review for my Revell review book! xP {which I happen to not be done reading yet....... oops}





MY REVIEW

The Girl's Guide to Conquering Life, by Erica and Jonathan Catherman, is a book of basic how-to's for girls of a broad range of ages. Some tips I might say are "for dummies", others may be lesser known\practiced. My apologies, but I slacked a lot on reading this book, and have not completed it yet, as of writing this review. I'm not a huge non-fiction reader, so perhaps that is why I haven't fond this all-that interesting. But I really should have made a point to read some of it every day. My bad.

The Pros:

This book has some good and helpful how-to's. How to leave a tip, how to apply for a job, how to change a tire, etc. The chapters cover: Guys & Dating, Social Skills & Manners, Work & Ethics, Wealth & Money Management, Health & Beauty, Clothes & Fashion, Sports & Recreation, Cars & Driving, Food & Cooking, and Tools & Fix-it. So there is definitely some great information in here, especially for a lesser-informed girl. I also really like the cover of the book, and the inside illustrations and layout. :)

The Cons:

Like I said, I wasn't super interested. But that's probably just me. :P Another thing I didn't like was the "modern woman" ideas. There is one on how to ask a guy out on a first date. I don't think the girl should ask the guys out. Also the insinuation the authors give that a guy always paying for a date is old-fashioned. Whattt?? I want a guy to be chivalrous. And I want him to pay for the date, open the door for me, and all that because, yes, I'm a girl. The roles of men and women are not the same, people, and for a guy to act a certain way around you because you're a woman does not mean he thinks you are lesser than him, or that you are weak. There may be some men who think this, perhaps, but definitely not all!
I also thought it was weird that they used a Michelle Obama quote in the book?? I just wouldn't use her for advice. ;)


All in all, this could be a good resource for girls who want to know the basic information on how to outwardly do well in life. :) Young and older girls\young women alike could benefit from this book.

Dusk after Rain \\ PHOTOS

Hey guys! What have you been up to this past week? I've been babysitting\helping babysit for some friends of ours. And it's been SO. SO. HOT. I need a pool. I haven't had my first swim of the year yet. *winks*

Saturday evening my siblings and I went on walk on our road. After going one way, and walking around in the little local graveyard, we went the other way, where the creek is. First I went and got my camera. So that means pictures! 

These are all edited, btw. :P

 fireflies!

WHICH PICTURES IS YOUR FAVORITE? HAVE YOU BEEN SWIMMING YET THIS YEAR? WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT A SUMMER NIGHT?

CLASS OF 2018 \\ I Graduated

How weird is this? Little old me...  how am I almost an adult when I was just a kid a few years ago? I was still thirteen when we moved to the state I now live in. A baby teenager. And time. flew. by. 

Actually, time always seems to fly by, doesn't it? WHY ON EARTH DO I KEEP TALKING ABOUT HOW TIME FLIES BY THEN? *sticks out tongue* Whatever.

No matter how fast it came, I've arrived here, guys.

I graduated, 5/11/18.

Alongside the other seniors from my homeschool group, I put on my cap and gown, the blue honor cord my mom gave me in fine arts, and paraded up the church isle to my front row seat. I felt a little awkward, actually, so maybe I didn't "parade" up there. :P All those people watching me. Me, with that odd flat box on my head. *laughs* If you think about it, graduation caps are a little strange.

Anyhow, we all took our seats and the ceremony began. There were six of us graduates in all, and half of them gave a speech. My presentation was a slideshow of my photography; no more spotlight on me than necessary. *winks* 

We had a speaker, and he gave us a good message. I remember it was pretty good, but I don't recall much of what he said. If any, really... Nice, Natasha.

Finally, a slideshow of around 20 pictures of each of us played, along with the song of our choice. My song was Count That High by Jordan Feliz. Yes, I used that one. *winks* The verse I chose, also displayed on my slideshow, was Isaiah 40:31:

"but those who hope in the Lord 

will renew their strength

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint."

At last, it was time for us to receive our diplomas. On cue, I rose from my seat and walked up on stage, took my diploma with one hand, and shook the speaker's hand with the other. {that pic in the collage below is me receiving my diploma- I cropped out the other people in regard to their privacy}

After we all had our diplomas, we stood in a line on stage and pulled the tassels on our hats to the other side. Graduated. 

Ready, set, GO! Up went our caps! *inserts virtual confetti*

After that we had cake and finger food, and just hung out in the crowd of people {or on the edges, too}. Received the "congratulations" from people. Got some fun pictures holding an object that represents us. I held a camera, surprise. *smiles*

It was neat, and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to have a real ceremony, alongside my fellow homeschool seniors! Actually, now we are homeschool graduates. Now it's time for us all to find our path in the real world. I don't think I feel that grown up yet, but I guess it's time to start figuring out what I'm going to do with my life. In any case, to start doing something worthwhile, somewhere in the right direction. *smiles* 

I don't know where I'm going, but if God leads the way it will be an amazing journey, I'm sure.

Even though I'm not running off to college or doing anything huge, this still is a pretty big thing. It may not seem like it for ME. But this kind of marks the real end to my childhood {even though I haven't considered myself a child for awhile now} and the beginning of adulthood. Let's see how I do on that. :P Wish me well!

Thank you all for reading, and I hope you enjoyed my post on this milestone I've reached! It was nice reliving my graduation experience while writing this post. ^___^

A few of my senior pictures!

CONGRATS TO THE REST OF THE CLASS OF 2018!!!

Professional photo credits to two photographers from my homeschool group. Please reserve all rights.

Raspberry Lemon Iced Tea

Hello guys! Do you need a nice refreshing drink to sip while you relax or work out in the hot summer sun? I suggest making a big cold cup of the Raspberry Lemon Iced Tea featured in my recent Q&A Video! *wink wink*

Here's the general idea of a recipe! Tweak it to your taste. :)

INGREDIENTS

One tea bag of raspberry tea

About a cup of water

3 Tbsp lemon juice

1\8-1\4 tsp stevia powder

Ice cubes


INSTRUCTIONS

Make a cup of raspberry tea in a regular mug. In a large cup or water bottle, mix together water, lemon, and stevia (this recipe isn't exact- it really depends on your taste, and how sweet\sour you like things). Add ice cubes, and pour in tea. Stir and enjoy!

WHAT REFRESHING DRINKS HAVE YOU BEEN ENJOYING AS SUMMER DRAWS CLOSER (IF ANY)?

50's Dress for a Dollar \\ Strawberries

One Saturday {a week ago, actually} we went on a family outing to some garage sales. Fun stuff, of course. ;) I found some things to buy, including a black purse, clothes, and a movie. However, the coolest thing I bought was at a senior center, where there were twenty sales- I think- in one big room. My sister showed me these two authentic-looking vintage dresses. 50's dresses. My interest was quite peaked of course, because I always like vintage things! So I asked the person selling them how much they were.

SHE SAID TWO DOLLARS FOR BOTH!

I did not expect them to be that cheap, even at a garage sale! We bought them, obviously. Who could pass up a vintage dress for a dollar? Not me! xP 

Definitely one of the perks of thrift\garage saling: you just never know what you may find, and for what price!

Eek, isn't it cute? 

Here we are, dressed up vintage with our one dollar dresses. *grins* We just need to learn to do 50's hair and makeup. At least we have red lipstick. *winks*

I also have a few strawberry pictutes to finish off this post with. One morning recently we went to an Amish farm to pick some strawberries. I thought they made fun pictures next to our cowboy boots. *winks* 

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE RETRO DRESS? FAVE STRAWBERRY PICTURE?

Frozen Banana Bites

A Summer Season's Sensation! My little brother and I made these frozen banana treats the other day, and they tasted good! Actually, they are very similar to my Peanut Butter and Banana Freezer Bars. An old amateur post of mine... *sticks out tongue* But the recipe is good. I should actually re-post some of my favorite recipes; do a little revision. ;) But yeah, I'm supposed to be sharing my little recipe today. So. Here it is.

INGREDIENTS

About 2 bananas, sliced (fairly thick)

1\4 cup peanut butter

1 Tbsp honey

1\2 cup yogurt

1 1\2 tbsp honey

1 1\2 tbsp cocoa

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix peanut butter and yogurt mixtures in separate bowls. Put a bit of peanut butter mixture on a banana slice and top it with another slice. Repeat with all bananas. Dip and cover with yogurt mixture and place on a cookie sheet. Place in freezer until fully frozen.

Enjoy as a healthy little summertime treat!

\\ A great snack for kids\\ A great snack for anyone else\\ Make it easier to eat by cutting them in half after frozen\\ Be cooler than me and try putting a popsicle stick in between the banana slices\\