Mum has a Birthday

Yep! Today the best Mummy in the world turned--well, I guess I better not say just in cased she be embarrassed. But she really is my favorite mother in the whole world (of course, I could be a little biased!). I am so thankful that God gave her to me (you could look at it the other way around: God gave me to her). Anyway, I hope that if you haven't enjoyed my mom yet you will one day.

Dad took this picture on the morning that we left to bring me to college. This must be a hard Birthday for Mom since I'm not there. Haha! I hope that's not true!

Happy Birthday, Mum!

I love you!

EllieBelle

The Fall of the Year

Once upon a time, the year fell.

The leaves turned yellow

The trees wore gaudy clothes to tell

Every young and happy fellow

That the year fell.

Oh, it had not died

It only fell down in shades of bright

It was not sad nor cried

But laughed through the windy night

Because the year fell.

It shouted one last time

It shined its blue sky

It pranced to the rhythm and rhyme

It swung its arms dry

As the year fell.

And then, 

In a whimper,

It clouded darkly all around

It lost its rowdy temper

And sifted silent snow to the ground

When the year fell. 

I went through great lengths to procure this picture: running barefoot, jacket-less outside at night in the cold as it rained. The adventures of a stupid photographer.

School

I haven't grown out of taking very unique "notes." 

Winter Is Coming

The leaves are falling to the ground quickly. It's as if fall stopped in to say hello then suddenly left without hardly saying goodbye. 

But I love it!

Hug Boxes

Also known as care packages, but I like to think of them as hugs from the giver. I think they must be one of the reasons we go to college. Haha! Anyway, I've received two of them so far (hint, hint!), one from my kind mom, the other from my used-to-be public speaking teacher.

The box from Mom.

The box from my teacher. 

Thank you, Mom and Mrs. A.!

I love you both!

Elisabeth

A Day Away

Last Saturday, I went with some friends a little ways up north to Taylor's Falls. It was a beautiful day and lovely to be away from the city.

The St. Croix River.

Look, trees!

Tyler basking in the sun. 

Kenan and Henrick grilling hot-dogs while CJ looks on. 

Food! Tyler made sure to bring his tea.

After eating, we began to hike.

We ascended until we had a lovely view of the river below. 

Tyler and Hannah relaxing. 

Trees, river, sky - splendor. 

A dead tree silhouetted against the brilliant sky. 

That cute couple once again. Just to let you know, they're courting, not dating. 

Henrick and Tyler. 

Hannah (not mine), Jenny, Henrick, and Tyler. It's fun to see some of the same people in my pictures that were in Priscilla's pictures two years ago. Here as well. 

Paradise for the city-dwelling country girl. 

Then I hung out at Hannah's house for a while. 

Wonderful fall days to you!!

From the Heart

I'm used to writing from my heart,

Letting the words flow out in rhythmic, almost poetic movements

With odd similes and metaphores, 

They bubble out in my own creativity. 

But that is not the way of academia;

You must write from the head.

You must write what is "right,"

Academically correct.

I am learning to, or trying to, 

Write from the head, 

Not the heart. 

A Wedding and Tea

Alaina and I walked toward the park on that brisk, chilly Friday morning. The wind smote my cheeks as we ascended the hill in the middle. At the top, we waited for the bride and the guests. Unfortunately, the other guests didn't show up and the bride was late. The groom never came either. But it was a lovely wedding. 

Well, the wedding didn't really happen, but we did really go to the park for it. That was probably one of the silliest things I've done, but it was kind of fun. 

When we got back to the house, we finished preparing for our tea party that we had planned (the reception for the wedding 😉). A couple of the freshmen arrived early, and soon more came. The bar filled up with tasties, and I made some homemade chai. The house smelled of a "mulled cider" candle. Before long, most of the guests had arrived, which ended up being about half freshmen and half upper class-men. We gathered around the dining table, Scott gave a toast to the bride, and Ian gave thanks for the food. Then the chatter began as we enjoyed the delicacies. 

After eating, we continued the fellowship and dancing commenced. Alaina tried to teach me, but it didn't last long. Some of our friends really know how to dance, some of us do not. 

Enjoy the bazillion pictures of the day. 

The brilliant colors at the park. 

Alaina waiting for the bride. 

Showing our regrets for the guests that were too late for the "wedding."

The table decor.

Yes, donuts had to be a part of the tea. 

The delicious chai. 

Ian and CJ in their tea garb.

Lounging. 

Jessica

CJ and Jacky

Tyler and Hannah

Come to the table.

Scott giving the toast.

Cheers for the bride! (Apparently, I was ordained as the pastor.)

Aww! Hannah and Tyler.

And the dancing begins. 

Swing your partner. 

Ian and Jenny

Jessica and her arm. 

Alaina

Jessica and Jesse with CJ, Scott, and Jacky in the background.

Hannah and Tyler, again. 

Hannah, Tyler, CJ, and Jacky. 

So ended a wonderful day, one of my favorites.