december's beginning in grams

a collection of photos being grammed this half of december.

I. inside haven
ii. the haven at christmas time. note to self it's for buying friends, not me. ;)
iii. a quick stop on my lunch hour to look for a few gifts for friends.
iiii.  hey there fella. i really.. really.. like you.
v.  a letter from my friend Katie
vi. a letter all the way from snowy canada.

 more can be found  here. :)

to be a photographer, one must photograph no amount of book learning, no checklist of seminars attended, can substitute for the simple act of taking pictures. experiencing is the best teacher of all. and for that, there is no guarantee that one will become an artist. only the journey matters. ~ harry callahan

cutie you are

hey there cute little fella, you made my heart melt, and all i wanted to do was take you home. you're my favorite to see at the zoo, and seeing you eat and play with the  greenery made me want to pick you up and keep you always.

as of late

i like these days, when the sky isn't sunny blue, and there's  a chill in the air. october is one of my favorites and i don't want it to end. these months are going by so quickly, and before i know it, snow will cover the ground and thick coats will be the everyday. there's something sweet though, about the way everything is silent in the dead of winter. the sky and night are still, and you can hear the simplest sound miles away. i hope fall doesn't go too quickly though, as i would very much like to hold onto it and savor every moment before all i want to do is be bundled up inside. <3 

anticipating:: senior pictures,skyping with friends who i've never video chatted with and a possible google hangout crafting workshop in the near future/
starting replies to: sarah, grace, katie, bethany, 
brewing a cuppa:: holiday tea { i may be fond of tea tins and part of the reasoning behind trying certain ones. ;) but i'm also just excited for this time of year in general.}
watching:: xfactor and the voice
reading:: a fine romance, falling in love with the english countryside
firsts :: visiting minnesota \\ having an official sister \\ 
to-do:: catching up on school from while i was gone. weekly photography assignment for my class. 
eating:: marinated chicken for dinner. 
cooking::  fall yummies. is it just me or am i seeing more pumpkin goodness than ever before?
quoting:: i'm so thankful to live in a world where there are octobers. ~ anne of green gables. 
loving::  instagram, always // long skype chats filled with much laughter, and plenty of hours messaging dear friends who make me laugh. // inside jokes

Josh, You're Getting Married Today!!!!

Love this picture..though the date is wrong :)

Please excuse me. I don't know what my face is doing here. :p

My sweet siblings. Joe and Josh. Best brothers ever!!

For Josh,

Wow, where has the time gone! Here we are on your wedding day. A day every person dreams of. I can't believe how fast these years have gone. It seems like just yesterday we were playing basketball in the driveway. I have so many memories of special times together. You have always been one I look up to, even through all the nicknames you've called me, as brothers do, I love you no less. ;) 

I can't believe we are here, on your wedding day. I only ever wish the best for you and I can't wait to see all the Lord has for you and Abbey. I'm so excited to share this special day with you and be in the wedding. 

Love you always,

Your favorite sister ;) <3

P.S. Thanks for giving me the sister I always dreamed of.  

A little story for my sweet readers... (This was written many months ago, and added to here and there.)

"Four years ago, my brother packed up his belongings and headed off to college. He's one of my best friends and having him go away, living elsewhere, and not seeing him everyday was hard on me. I couldn't imagine him not being here everyday. The feeling of four in the house was so unknown, because all my life, there had been five.

Time is something that flashes before our eyes so quickly. Years can pass by before realizing all those "moments'' were meant to be remembered. Even just the small ones. The feeling of waking up to the sound of family all under one roof someday becomes quiet once one moves out. You realize how much you appreciate all that you had and moments you'll never forget become treasured stories to tell and look back on and smile. I never want to take a single day for granted.There's little blessings in the every day whether big or small. Sometimes the smaller ones mean far more later on.

I think of my 16th birthday.  Going up to Josh's college to bring him home. My mom and I spent the night at a hotel right down the street from his college. We enjoyed spending time together. We had never been away with just the two of us. It was peaceful and found ourselves giddy with it being so quiet. My mom and I felt like going out for a late night Meijer run. We were hungry because we didn't really have much to eat for dinner. I saw someone with clearanced lunch meat and rotiseree chicken. My mom and I started laughing at the idea of getting that and having it be just the two of us eating it in our hotel room. So there we were, back at the hotel eating chicken together and cracking up. A moment that I won't ever forget. :) 

In the morning we packed up our things, ate breakfast and headed over to help Josh bring all of his suitcases to the car. After several trips to and from the car we were on our way. 

I think back to when Josh left for college nearly four years ago. I wondered how I would make it through four years knowing that one of my best friends was leaving and I wouldn't get to see him every day. My family has always been so close and it's all too rare in this day and age. My family's relationship is something that I am so thankful to have as I know many families are so distant nowadays. Yes, it was hard at first to just let Josh go and being on his own for the first time but God gave us all that we needed to go on and live our lives. My mom and I basically cried for the first 3 years every time we said goodbye while visiting him up at school and having him come home. Christmas and summer break were always the hardest. He came home for a month at Christmas and almost 4 months during the summer. When he's home things are all as they used to be. And I've learned to appreciate them far more than I ever did. Josh is graduating in May. He's engaged to a sweet girl who loves him with all her heart and I am so thankful to be gaining a sister. One who shares many interests as I. October is the wedding and plans are all in the works.

There's memories I keep in my heart.. many car rides with music blaring loud, talking and laughing, summertime and floating on rafts while hearing him talk about work. i'll never forget those car rides. those were things i loved back then and every time he came home from school. i looked forward to those probably the most. because it was us and like things were as they used to be. i still love those rides when he comes home. i won't forget the midnight runs up to the gas station in the summer to get a frozen drink . i won't forget seeing his car pull into our court and especially those hugs. "

Here we are four years later. He's graduated, and getting married today. Time sure flies by. 

Simply Breakfast

Filled With Inspiration

 I have a box filled with journaling paper products, gathered together from far-away friends letters. Pretties just waiting to used and created with-. I'm a journaler, always inspired, and always ready with new ideas. {If you watched my room tour, you may have noticed this box which held letters before now holding inspiration lovelies.} <3 Where do you keep ephemera?

Elegant Blogger Award

My dear friend Sarah recently awarded me the "Elegant Blogger Award". I haven't ever filled out one of these so I decided to share this today. Thank you so much Sarah, you're so sweet and it made my day..like you do a lot. ;)

THE RULES

• When you receive the award, link back to keepcalmandsparkle1099.blogspot.com and the blog that nominated you 
• Display the award button in the post
• Answer all of the 12 questions given in this post (Do not make your own questions)
• Nominate 12 bloggers
• Notify them that they have been awarded

THE QUESTIONS

1. What made you decide to start blogging?

My mom has followed the same blogs throughout the years and I always wished I would find someone my age who wrote a blog sharing my interests. The first blog I followed was one of my dearest friends, Liz. I always thought it would be fun to create a blog and make it my own, that's where  the blogging journey began for me. Over at : Hannah's Day Of Discovery It's funny to look back on my first blog and see how much has changed. :) 

2. What is your fashion style?

I would say classically modern with a touch of vintage. American Eagle style with a touch of Talbots. Part of me is a total girly girl that also loves a nice pair of jeans and a cozy sweatshirt. I love fashion, accessories, and makeup. I enjoy fashion while still being modest. 

3. What is something none of your followers know about you?

I am deathly scared of spiders. Like it doesn't matter the size. I can't let it live. Someone must come and get it. I just can't let the thing go walking. One less spider in the world is a happy thing. :p Oh and If I ever had to be in a room with a tarantula I think I'd pass out. Just the thought about being near such a thing would make me sick. 

4. What are some of your blogging goals?

To be open and honest, being me, rather than trying to be like others. Grow in photography, and share my writing.

5. Where is your favorite place to shop?

Definitely Anthropologie. I love everything in the store from the stacks of books about traveling and baking,  lovely stationery and paper products, delightful candles and lotions,  fresh colored coffee mugs and beautiful kitchenware, to the darling clothing. Sadly my taste is more than my paycheck.  It's a good thing I'm a drive away from one. :) The lovelies I have from there are collected and I love them all. :)

6. What would your ideal amount of blog followers be?

I don't really have an amount I'd like to reach. I wouldn't say no to new followers  but I'm very thankful for the 44 I have. ;) To think 44 people actually want to read my blog makes me happy. :)

7. What are your talents?

When I think about a talent or gift I think of something that comes naturally and brings great joy. I think of being creative. I'm always dreaming of a new idea. I also love organizing. People always tell me I'm kind and supportive. I guess that's it. It's hard coming up with things about yourself. 

8. Are you a leader or a follower?

I think both. I don't want to be a follower of certain things so I'll go about it my own way. I like to be different and be me. :)

9. What is one of your favorite quotes?

10. Do you have a favorite book or book series?

My favorite book series is definitely the Christy Miller series. The moment I opened up to the first page, Christy felt like one of my dearest friends. I went through the complete series including extended series within a few months. I haven't found a book since (besides Hunger Games) to capture my attention completely. I was glued to the books and couldn't do anything else.haha 

11. Out of all of the synonyms for elegant, which would you describe yourself with (smart - stylish - dressy - graceful - dainty - fine)?

I don't feel very dainty or graceful. But I'm definitely not a brute either. I think I'd choose stylish. 

12. What is your favorite flower?

Favorite flower. I like daises. 

Now for the part where I nominate 12 others. :)

1. Grace @ Graces Garden Walk

2. Katie @ Flightless Bird

3. Liz @ American Girl Fan

4. Hope @ Sprinkles Of Blessings 

5. Bethany @The Literary Maidens

6. Hannah @ The Writings Of Hannah

7. Gracie @ Gracie Bella Butterfly

8. Renee @A Knitters Notebook

9. Emily @ Borrowing Photographs

I have some other people I'd like to pick but they don't have blogs. If you'd like to take part, then I nominate you. :) 

august loves

long skype chats, late night laughter and messages with Sarah, fresh new magazines in the mail, letters and packages waiting to be opened, realizing how much people care, and having them always there for you, starbucks runs with my mom, sharing what's on my heart, learning it's okay,  i don't need everything just so, all the mixed in ramblings are okay too. photography is a learning process, and i should be enjoying every moment of it.

truly blessed

I sit here tonight, so thankful and truly blessed. I honestly can't put it into words , when I think about how many friendships blogger has given me. Ones that I am dearly thankful to call some of my closest friends. Having a blog, and meeting others through comments and links , you'd really be surprised with just what you may find. I can think of so many people who someday, I'll have the blessing of meeting "in person". I know there are people out there who simply can't even begin to understand why someone would even think of meeting up with someone they had never seen in person before, but I think all of us bloggers can truly understand, that meeting another "blogger friend" is one of our dreams. I had the opportunity to meet two sisters who are so dear to my heart, in June. To think that actually happened, is just amazing. I'm looking forward to meeting others that I've read their blogs, or exchanged letters with someday. I hope next year will hold lots of travel, not only a trip when I graduate, but also meetings with some of my best friends. I hope to head out to a retreat also, so saving money must begin soon. :)

This week much love arrived in the mailbox, and I am so touched to call these people, friends.