Showing posts with label Summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Summer. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

From the Proud Owner of...

For many, many years now, I have wanted Adobe Photoshop.  However - it's very expensive (as anyone with any kind of interest in photography can tell you!) and was never "in the budget."  

So... we went with the next best thing - Photoshop Elements on sale! =]  

(me likey sales. and photoshop elements. a lot.)
 =D


I have had such a grand ole time watching tutorials and gettin' acquainted with this lil' guy...  I can't wait to start using it in earnest!  

Friday, July 22, 2011

A photo shoot with pears

Pears... Delicious. Speckled. Green. Goodness. 

I have been wanting some oh. so. badly. the past few days and then my wonderful Marmee surprised me with a perfect pair of pears.. That inspired me to do a photo shoot. =D

A pair of pears..

Glorious morning sunlight..
Blue Jean. Sunshine. Pears.. Happy girl!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Freedom


"It already appears, that there must be in every society of men superiors and inferiors, because God has laid in the constitution and course of nature the foundations of the distinction."
John Adams, Thoughts on Government, 1776
"That wise Men have in all Ages thought Government necessary for the Good of Mankind; and, that wise Governments have always thought Religion necessary for the well ordering and well-being of Society, and accordingly have been ever careful to encourage and protect the Ministers of it, paying them the highest publick Honours, that their Doctrines might thereby meet with the greater Respect among the common People."
Benjamin Franklin, On that Odd Letter of the Drum, April 1730
"Citizens by birth or choice of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations."
George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796
"And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever."
Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 18, 1781
"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." 
Abraham Lincoln
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."   
Declaration of Independence
Happy Independence Day!  
In the midst of all the cookouts, picnics, fireworks, and singing, let us remember all those that have fallen for our freedom, and what it took for our Founding Father to shape this Nation.  Without their faith in God, and His hand in all of the historical events, this country would not be here, as we know it, today.  Let us give thanks today for our freedom, for this country, and for our Great, Mighty, and Wonderful God - they ultimate founder of Independence!


"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord."  
Luke 4:18-19





 
 

Friday, July 1, 2011

A first...

Today I taught my very. first. ever. since the beginning of time. PIANO. lesson!!!!

About a month and a half ago, my Marmee's friend, Melissa approached me about giving her 9 year old daughter, Delaney, piano lessons.  After thinking and praying about it I decided to go for it!  Since it was her first music lesson we both had a first, along with all the nervousness and anxiety that go with it!  =]

I think it went really well... she already learned a song (which really pleased both her and her mom!) and all about the Grand Staff (I'm not sure how much of this was actually comprehended, but at least she has exposure to it!)

My favorite part was watching her face light up when she played her song - it was so sweet!




Playing her first song together

Playing on her own!

Us two Newbies! =]

I had so much fun teaching (I think I learned as much as she did!) and can't wait for our next lesson!

P.S. Please ignore our messy house... we are getting ready to rip up our carpet and put down laminate hard wood, so it is quite a mess! 

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Today I...

Wished my dear friend, Jean Marie an extra-special, totally amazing, beyond blessed birthday.  It's pretty amazing that, having just met at the end of May, I feel like I KNOW her... and I don't think anyone who knows her can help loving her!  She is such a dear, sweet, funny young lady, who quite obviously loves God and cares about people.  I love you, Jean Marie and hope that your birthday has been as amazing as you are!
**friends**

I also watched the rain pitter-patter-pat outside - I'm really thankful for all the rain that we have had this past week or so... it is truly a blessing and a miracle!  And... MaKenna and I ran through the rain. really. REALLY. fun!

I ate a DELICIOUS tortellini, tomato, green pepper, zucchini, feta, and crouton salad... complete with greek dressing!

A yummy bite of tortellini and feta cheese...

... quickly disappeared =]

and... I helped my Marmee add memory to our computer 
(taking a picture is helpful... right??????) =]

So that is a [not-so-complete] list of what I did today!

It's still raining outside, and I really want to go puddle jump or just simply frolic in the rain... =]

Hope you all are having a wonderful week! 

 Love you all,  
Holly Lou

Friday, June 17, 2011

The Little Things Photography Challenge [Day 3]

I didn't take as many pictures today... but it was still super fun! =] So here we go... Day 3!


Thursday, June 16, 2011

The Little Things Photography Challenge [Day 2]

Ok, I know this is a day late, but after we got home from church last night, I just didn't have time to post - please forgive me!! =]

For Day 2 I decided to try to make a video of all my pictures.  I have never done this before and have had so much fun that I think I'll do every time I get a chance! =]


A few notes:

The grass looking stuff near the beginning are scallions... A couple of weeks ago, I want to get an onion out of our fridge, and one of them had sprouted!  We decided to plant it, just to see what would happen.  So far, it hasn't done a lot, but it is a TON greener - before it was more of a yellowish color - and it is a tad bit bigger!

The little white vase is another "experiment".  Marmee has ivy growing in a vase on top of our fridge, and she trimmed it up and gave me a piece.  I am hoping a root will grow, but so far no sign of one, although I think it has a new bloom!! **YAY!!**

Our New Series in Reverb (youth) is "3D" - Making DAILY DECISIONS to be DEVOTED to God!  I am so excited about what God is going to do in my youth group this Summer - I know, because it comes from HIM, it will be incredible!

Much love from,

Super excited, somewhat computer geek, completely in love with Jesus,


Holly Lou

Monday, June 13, 2011

Summer - Projects??


Summer is here - with all the stifling heat that comes with it!  Everyone seems to be asking my family when we will finish our school year and take a Summer break... The answer? We aren't! =]

Yes, it's true... and honestly, I am excited about it!

So this Summer I am doing:

  • History (Tapestry of Grace)
  • Math (MathUSee)
  • Web Design 2 (FLVS)
  • Spanish 1(FLVS)
  • AP Macroeconomics (FLVS)
  • Music (Piano, Band, and Voice)
We decided to work through the summer for several reasons.  First, as I approach the end of High School (I'll be a Senior next year!) I need to complete our History curriculum by this time next year - and at this point we have about a year and a half left to get through before graduation!  Second, we simply get bored when we have no school to work on, so we decided to just continue through the summer.  We will still take breaks if we want to go to the beach or something, though!

So that's what we are doing this summer, along with a whole bunch of other stuff!  What are you and your family doing this summer?