The Time that Books Once Again Won Me Over (Shocking)

You remember how I was excited 'cuz I finally started reading all the books that I own?

Yeah, that was a fun week or so.

Guess what? I am, once again, drowning under a pile of To-Be-Read library books. I couldn't control my need for fresh, exciting material. Aren't you so proud? I just finished an autobiography (which wasn't nearly as boring as it sounds), a best-selling novel (which was as boring as it sounds seriously people, get some plot), and a book that I got signed before I had even read it (I have no words).
And I can't stop, which is neither a good thing nor a bad thing. I'm just happy to be reading more.

This is the next book in line to the coveted place beside my computer. I've seen it in multiple bookstores, had it recommended with flying colors, and been quite intrigued. It kind of took the blogging community by storm. I finally went on the Google and found out what all the hullabaloo was about. 

I'm glad to have new books to read (that's the best problem to have), but my life isn't slowing down any time soon. Wish me luck.

Toodlepip

So I Did The Thing Again

Guess what I am finally doing? Watching P&P 1995. That's right, finally doing the thing. The five hour thing.

"I would wish to marry for love, instead of fortune." Well, guess what Jane, you're in luck!

So far, I do like the 2005 P&P better, but who knows, I'm only ten minutes into 1995. 

My first impression of Elizabeth: She seems more silly and light-hearted than the 2005 Elizabeth, much less sarcastic, too. 

My first impression of Darcy: He is a statue, a statue that walks. 

Bingley's smile is a tad creepy, and he is much more abrasive and loud, but I kind of feel like that fits him. He's like a loud, awkward puppy.

Jane is much more doe-eyed, and soft-spoken. I believe that the actress might have confused soft-spoken with kind. 

Okay, I need to stop comparing it to the 2005 P&P. 

Aww, Elizabeth, don't turn down his offer for dancing. You'll regret it later. 

I thought that one of the points of Lizzie being so outspoken was because her mother was the opposite, constantly worried about social norms and being proper, but in this, it seems as if Elizabeth's mother is much more outspoken in public. 

Oh goodness, he's even worse in this one. He just makes my skin crawl with every word he says. I would like to echo my previous statement about him. He is "CreeperCreepton from Creepville". He's so awkward and his manner is very clumsy. I kind of feel bad making fun of him now, but he was the character made to be despised (or at least that's what I'm going to think). 

Now he's proposing. Great. Lizzie, you run so far away from that man.

Run!

Keep running!!

Even that might not be far enough.

Also run from Wickham, fast. He may seem classy and cool now, but just you wait.
Mrs. Bennett: Young George Wickham is such a nice man, is he not?
Me: He is not.

Oh snap, Lizzie, you just used Darcy's own words against him. Go you, but also don't be too mean, he's not all bad.

 

I love the contrast between the orange and green. 'Tis beautiful. This movie is actually quite good. I was expecting not to like it as much as the 2005 version, but I'm finding that it is just as good, just in a different way.

 

Aww, he's so proud of his spunky Lizzie. Okay, this is actually super cute. 

Bro just got turned down. Bro's being all sad now, and I feel the need to protect him from Lizzie's cutting words. Even though I can kind of see where she's coming from. And he did kind of insult her while he was professing his love in a very wordy and sophisticated way. With a straight face.

Found this gem, didn't stop laughing for days.

I really like that this adaptation has a lot more details. Though I suppose that's what you would expect from a five hour movie vs. a two hour one.

I'm having too much fun with all these Darcy memes. Someone stop me. 

Darcy: I have been walking the grounds in hopes that I would meet you.

Me: Staaalker. 

Lydia and Kitty are so.... *shakes head* I prefer the Lizzie Bennet Diaries Lydia. She's a treasure. I can hear you all now. How can Lydia Bennet be a treasure? Trust me. Just watch the Youtube series! 

Oh how scandalous, he's not quite all the way dressed. *shocked gasp* Das awkward for him. Poor Darcy. Aww, and now he's looking for her so he can apologize and be all charming. And he just paid her a compliment, go him. He's learning. 

Lizzie: I've heard so much about you.

Georgiana: And I you. 

Me: How much you wanna bet he stays up late at night talking about Lizzie. "Oh Gigi, she has the prettiest eyes."

Pinterest has completely ruined my original thought of an austere Darcy. Between all the "Darcy's Inner Thoughts" and memes, I've begun to find Darcy completely hysterical and kind of charming.
I say 'kind of' because I like the type of guy who isn't quiet and brooding, I do that enough on my own without another person adding more of it.

Aww, Bingley, you awkward puppy, I'm sorry your sisters aren't nice. You deserve angels like Gigi for you to tell all about Jane.

Darcy is so concerned for Lizzie's well-being. He's being all gentlemanly.

Lizzie: I can assure you, I am quite well. *dissolves into tears*
Me: Something tells me you're lying...

Oh goodness, Mr. Collins is back. And he's just as insufferable as ever, but at least Lizzie is standing up to him.

You can tell that Darcy is on a mission by the determined look on his face, and he's going to save the day and win Lizzie's heart. You noble, awkward man. I have to say that this version of Darcy comes off as more stoically silent than socially awkward, and that may not be a bad thing.

Jane (about Bingley): We shall be able to meet now as indifferent acquaintances.
Me: That's a funny joke.

Poor Puppy is so nervous to ask Jane to marry him, and I wish I could give him a hug. Bingley, you okay? She said yes!!! Good for you Jane, you precious cinnamon roll. You deserve to be so happy.

Well, this declaration of love from Lizzie was a lot less romantic and dramatic than the 2005. I don't know, I'm kind of fond of the morning mist and sunrise romance. It's cute.

Oh! We get to see their wedding!! Aw, they're having a joint wedding, that's sweet.

This was a good 5 hours of my life, and I will watch it again in a years time probably. It's just really good. It gave a lot more detail, development for some characters, and adorable looks.

I'm quite excited to watch the 2005 version with my mother. I can't wait to see what she thinks of it.
Until then,
Toodlepip

Me Talking About My Characters Because I Lurv Them

Y'all know that I love to talk about my characters any chance I get. So guess what time it is? It's time for another episode of "Me Talking About My Characters Because I Luuurv Them"! aka March's Beautiful People for Writers. For today, I will be discussing Olivia. She is the protagonist of my "black ops meets Downton Abbey" novel: Code Name: Lily Smith. 

Olivia

What first inspired this character? Is there a person/actor you based them off of?

I never really know what inspires a character. It's like, one moment I'm thinking about whether or not  penguins have knees (they do), and the next I'm dreaming up a new novel. Olivia sort of...happened, like a flash of light. She wasn't, and then all of a sudden, she was.

Describe their daily routine.

She wakes up, gets coffee, and get's ready for school. After school she and her bestie meet up at the bus stop and go to hang out. She stays away from her house as much as possible, and sometimes spends the night at her best friend's house instead of going home.

If they joined your local high school, what clique would they fit into?

The creative nerds, like, photography and drawing.

Write a list of things they merely tolerate, i.e. people, foods, circumstances in their lives.

Her mother, Tanner (at first), all puzzles ever, and sauces on foods.
How do they react in awkward silences?

She tries to make conversation or ends up babbling a bit.
Can they swim? If so, how did they learn?

Yeah, she can swim. Her dad taught her before he died.
What is one major event that helped shape who they are?

Her father dieing in the military, and then her mother spiraling down a dark path.
What things do they value most in life?

She values Adrian, her pictures of her family before death touched them, and a stuffed animal that her father gave her.
Do they believe in giving other people second chances? Do they have any trust issues?

She believes in second chances, but unfortunately, it is she who needs others to give her a second chance. She doesn't have major trust issues, but she is wary of people because most everyone in her life has left/been awful to her.
Your character is having a rough day…what things do they do to make them happy again? 

Drink coffee, hang out at the local bookstore/coffee shop, and watch Disney.

Is there anyone they talk/interact with to get in a better mood?

Beginning of story: Adrian was her go-to. He's been her best friend since birth essentially. End of story: Tanner. He's her government handler, and they become really close.

And that's it! This has been: 

Toodlepip

The Sister Tag ft. Bethany

Hello dear humans (or extraterrestrials...I don't judge),

Welcome to Evangeline's fabulous blog. (I hear that you are all under the impression her name is Laura, but that is all due to an unfortunate mishap. Her name is in fact Evangeline...or is it?)
Bethany here. I am EVANGELINE'S absolutely incredible sister that you have heard so much about. ;P In honor of the sister tag, I have made the executive decision to take over her blog. Just go with me for a moment in pretending like I do, in fact, have any actual power here... Shall we begin? 

Note: All of these answers are 100% true and not a joke in even the slightest.

How old are you both?

E: Great question...

B: 42 (Ok let's be serious...47)

Describe each other in one word.

E: Lively.

B: Entertaining.

Do people ever get you mixed up?

E: Yes.

B: Only old people...

What are each of your favorite fruits?

E: Watermelon, only because I am ready for summer.

B: Considering my summer diet consists of only watermelon, I must agree. 

Do you ever argue?

E: She is a noble land mermaid, how could I argue with her?

B: Undisclosed. 

What is the best thing about one another?

E: Bethany is my go-to human for anything, whether it is a hug or advice, anything. Cause I luuuuv her. 

B: She literally makes me laugh so hard and the amount of hilarious inside jokes that we have is rather shocking. 

Fave inside joke?

*looks at each other simultaneously*

Both: ALL OF THEM.

Fave memory together?

E: THERE ARE SO MANY. One of my favorites is one weekend when we were home alone the whole time and we literally just hung out, ate so much food, messed around a ton, and of course, laid in bed watching Netflix for hours. Also, there may or may not have been a GIANT blanket fort involved. 

B: Ditto. But also I remember this time when we were really little, and we were writing in our journals together. We were just playing around, and I wrote in my journal how excited I was for us to be older and be best friends, share things, etc. and now it is exactly how I had hoped so long ago. Yes, that was probably the cheesiest thing I have ever written, but it is also very true. 
E: AWWW.

Guess each others favorite singer.

E: Justin Bieber. (JUST KIDDING. Alex & Sierra...for the moment)

B: She doesn't know so how should I?! ;P

Who takes longer to get ready?

E: BETHANY.

B: BETHANY.

Hair up or down?

E: Up.

B: Down.

Pants or dresses?

E: Pretty sure I own about 1 dress. So let's go with pants.

B: Are yoga pants an option?

Favorite animal?

E: Her's is a horse. 

B: White tiger all the way. 

If your house was burning down, and your entire family was sure to be okay, what would you save, and why?

E: She would save her makeup.

B: Only because it is really expensive! And I want to be a makeup artist...it's not vain ok. ;P Haha. She would grab her fav stuffed animal and her USB drive with her writing on it. 

Comedy, action, or chick-flick? And which movie in the picked genre?

E: Comedy!! But she doesn't have a favorite movie right now. She prefers tv shows. 

B: She likes comedy and action. For instance, the Avengers. 

Blackberry or iPhone?

Both: IPHONE 

Favorite movie?

E: Another great question...

B: TOO MUCH PRESSURE. 

What is something weird that you eat?

E: She eats asparagus, and I think that's weird. (all asparagus is weird)

Sorry bro.

B: She eats sauerkraut? I am not a fan of sauerkraut... But does that earn me a cool picture? No. 

Do you have anything matching?
E: Yes, yes we do. We have matching athletic jackets. She is not a fan of wearing them at the same time. 
B: GOD FORBID. I am not a matchy match person. 

Favorite TV show?
E: *forgets every TV show I've ever watched* 
B: Parks and Rec all the way. Closely followed up by the Vampire Diaries. And although she has momentarily forgotten, Ev's favorite TV show is BBC Robin Hood, Merlin, or Sherlock. #thebettersister
E: #lies

Preferred sock brand?

E: The fuzzy kind.

B: ALL THE SOCKS

And that's a wrap, lovely humans of the internet. It has been a pleasure. Truly. Stay safe out there, kids.

And this has been: proof why Bethany shouldn't be let out of her box. 

Toodlepip 

Spring 2016

"Spring has returned."

Taking walks in spring is wonderful. It's just warm enough to be enjoyable, but not to the point that I'm dying of heatstroke.

It's cold enough to have tea in the morning, but warm enough to have iced lemonade in the evening.

Everything is blooming and new. Our front yard is full of small bursts of color as flowers wake up from their winter sleep.

Farmer's Markets are opening up again. There is nothing more relaxing and wonderful than walking through a Farmer's Market, listening to the musicians playing guitar and the vendors selling their vegetables, flowers, honey, and other things.

All the colors that brighten throughout the day, going from a soft shadow in the morning to a brilliant gold to a dusky blue light.

The birds beginning to sing again, their songs waking me up in the morning.

Those who know me know that I don't like the heat. If it's hotter than 70FH then I become a melted popsicle, sticky, useless, and probably on the floor. Spring is perfect. It isn't my favorite season, but it's pretty great.

Toodlepip

The Bookshelf Scavenger Hunt Tag

Guess what? I was tagged.

 

Morgan tagged me (thanks!) to do the Bookshelf Scavenger Hunt Tag, which sounds perfect. 

rules-
make sure that you link to the creator of this tag- which is this lady
link to who tagged you
tag a friend!

I tag Lilly (blog or Youtube, either one), Mary over at Homestead Your Life, and Sky at further up, further in. 

1: Find an author's name or title with the letter Z in it.  

Weeeell, I think the closest thing I'm going to find with a letter Z in it is The Prisoner of AZkaban.

2: Find a classic.
*does walk of shame from bookshelf* I have no classics. 

3: Find a book with a key on it.
Does it have to look like a key? Or can it just perform the basic key function that opens something? 'Cuz if so,

 

You see that weird metal egg-thingie that those dragons are protecting? Yep, that's a key.

4: Find something on your bookshelf that is not a book.
Easy: My bookends that literally say "Book" and "End", my Harry Potter collectible Wizards card, three little letter blocks, a Cinderella puzzle, glow-in-the-dark stars, and an old doll from when I was a wee lass.

5: Find the oldest book on your shelf.
Book that I've owned the longest: The Sea of Monsters or Tree Castle Island.
Book that was published the longest time ago: The German catholic Bible that I found at a garage sale. That Bible was made in 1898.

6: Find a book with a girl on the cover.
I don't have a lot of typical YA, so this might be hard.
The Lost Hero, The House of Hades, and The Blood of Olympus technically have a girl on their cover, but it's super tiny, so I doubt that counts. Auralia's Colors and Cyndere's Midnight both have a girl on the cover, as well as Daughter of Venice and Gathering Blue. 

7: Find a book that has an animal on it. 
The Titan's Curse, The Last Olympian, and The Mark of Athena = Pegasus. 
Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star (frog), Secret of the Dragon Sanctuary (dragon).
Harry Potter books = Owl, cat, phoenix, basilisk, hippogriff. 
The Unwanteds = On every cover there is a giant, stone cheetah. 
And the list goes on.

8: Find a book with a male protagonist. 
'Arry Pottuh, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Unwanteds, Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, The Beyonders, Tree Castle Island, Artemis Fowl, Peter and the Starcatchers, The Missing, Dreamhouse Kings, The Cay, and The Giver.
Wow, I had no idea I owned that many with a male protagonist. Huh.

9: Find a book with only words on it.
Zilch. Even my Inkheart copy has a page burning on it (and a salamander).

10: Find a book with illustrations in it. 
That's easy. I have a book from waaaaaay back that I found in my grandparents house. It's My Little Golden Book About God. Before I could even read, I remember turning the pages and just staring at the pretty pictures. 

This picture was my favorite. 

11: Find a book with gold lettering.
Inkheart, and all the Fablehaven books. 

12: Find a diary, true or fictional. 
Do my old journals count? Oh! And I have the Royal Diaries.

13: Find a book written by someone with a common last name (i.e. Smith, Brown)
The Hunger Games by Susanne Collins, Sway by Amber Turner, Tree Castle Island by Jean George, Waiting for Normal by Leslie Conner, and Here, There Be Dragons by James Owen.
Are those common enough?

14: Find a book with a closeup of something on it.
Inkheart has a closeup of a page burning, and The Ravenmaster's Secret has a closeup of a...raven. 

15: Find a book that takes place in the earliest time-period. 
Probably Dove and Sword: A Story of Joan of Arc. It takes place in 1429.

16: Find a hardcover book without a jacket on it.
All the Royal Diaries books, some of my Sisters Grimm books, and the last couple A Series of Unfortunate Events. 

17: Find a teal/turquoise color book. 
The Lightning Thief, Gathering Blue, Island of Legends, Auralia's Colors, Peter and the Starcatchers, and Whirlwind. 

18: Find a book with stars on it.
I didn't think I had any, but I was forgetting my latest book that I got for my birthday. The Sword of Summer. It's really a beautiful cover. 

19: Find a non-YA book.

Umm, most of my shelf. The only YA books I have are The Hunger Games, Divergent, and...is Artemis Fowl YA? I guess it is. Oh! I guess the Heroes of Olympus are YA. Huh, whodathunk?

Anywho, that's it for this tag. This was fun, getting to know my bookshelf again.

Toodlepip 

God's Perfect Rest

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

Recently a friend and I (hi Mary) went over her Bible study. It was awesome. I hadn't had a Bible study in a couple weeks, and it felt so refreshing to delve back into the Word. Her excitement was so infectious. This morning I did a Bible study of my own, and I realized that I have been getting so caught up in all the thoughts that are swirling around in my head that I feel paralyzed. At times, it's like I'm trapped in my own head. To-do lists, chores, and have-tos are never ending lists that go on and on, pushing God farther and farther from my thoughts.

I know that God doesn't give us more than we can handle, so why does it feel like I'm going crazy?

I measure my worth by how productive I am, by how much I get done in a day. I believe that if I do not get a certain amount of writing, piano, math, etc. done, then I have failed myself. I start to whisper lies to myself like, I am lazy, and my life is going nowhere. 

I view idleness as a plague, slowly infecting every part of one's life until they're drowning in unproductiveness. 

But I am to accept God's promise of rest.

Rest is not idleness. The definition of rest “to cease from action or motion, refrain from labor or exertion, and to be free from anxiety or disturbance.”  

I am to lay down my troubles and stress and find solace in God's perfect rest. If I let all my worries fill me, then there will be no room for God's love. 

My way: Hold on to my problems and go crazy.

His way: Let go and find peace. 

His way is much better.

When we hold on to the strife of the world, we are actually sinning by not following God's Word. We are not trusting that He is greater than our problems, but He is. 

Isn't that wonderful?

Toodlepip

The Happy Tag

I was tagged by Morgan to do this. Thank you! I tag Olivia, and Mary, and Mary. :)

Books - 

The Bible by our Creator
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan 
Here Where the Sunbeams are Green by Helen Phillips 
Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry 
The Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker 
Sway by Amber Turner 

Words - 

Iridescent
Gossamer
Nefarious 
Mellifluous 
Oblivion 

Movies/TV shows - 

Gilmore Girls 

Once Upon a Time

Cinderella (2015)

Treasure Planet 

The Bourne Chronicles 

H2O: Just Add Water
BBC Robin Hood
Merlin

Scents - 

Ocean spray

Campfire smoke

Frying bacon

Dirt after rain

The smell of a barn

Songs - 

Light - Sleeping at Last

Ever After - Main Theme

Sun - Sleeping at Last
Home - Gabrielle Aplin 
Guns and Ships - Hamilton 

Misc. - 

rain. swimming. mint chocolate chip ice cream. running through sprinklers. fuzzy socks. typewriters. old books.sunsets. the beach. starting a new journal. the purrs of a cat. giant slides. Nutella. watching fish swim. coffee. musicals. morning Bible Studies. fireworks. glow-in-the-dark stars. 

Thanks again for tagging me, this was fun.

Toodlepip