Fun Post: January Favorites

I can't believe the first month of 2017 is already over. It feels like we just had New Year's!? Crazy how time flies. ;) Anyway, in January I've been:

Reading...
Gone Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright. I love this author, but for some reason had never got around to this book. I didn't enjoy it quite as much as some of her other books, but I do really love the descriptive way in which she writes. I would definitely read it again! :)
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall. This series is kind of an old favorite of mine. While I don't love everything about either of these authors, their books were a big part of my childhood, and rereading them really takes me back. :)
I know I've been reading other books this past month as well, but I'm totally blanking out on what right now, and for various and sundry reasons I can't actually check my bookshelf, either physical or my library checkout history. Yeah, anyway. ;P

Drinking...
100% white grapefruit juice. I think it's Welch's brand, but anyway, Grocery Outlet has the little cans for 25 cents each. They are such a nice, refreshing pick-me-up for so little money!! :) Also, the sparkling Lemon Bai drinks are amazing. So yummy.

Playing...
A LOT of racquetball. As in, nearly every single day of the week, I've been going to the gym with a couple family members to play. It is WAY too much fun to be such amazing exercise!! I really enjoy it, even though both my parents are still skunking me every time. ;P We have never had a gym membership before this, and I've really been enjoying the ability to go early and work out before anyone is up. Also, the variety of machines, etc., helps to keep me motivated. As does the accountability from my family. ;)

Looking for...
An alto saxophone. If anyone knows of one, on Craigslist or wherever, for a good price, let me know. I'm trying to make good on my goal of learning a new instrument this year, and I really, really love the sax. :)

Visiting with...
Some friends from Oak Harbor, (where my home church is), who came over for a youth retreat. We've had a blast while they have been here. Playing signs and Never Have I Ever (which I had never played before. Heh. Heh. ;), having devotions and outreach together, and enjoying the snow here. (They don't get much snow over there. Actually pretty much all they ever see is rain. Ever. ;P) 

Taking...
My very first piano lesson ever!! A family in my church is generously making a way for me to take lessons from an amazing teacher, free of charge. What a huge blessing!!! :) I am so excited to be taking piano lessons, finally! (And I had specifically prayed about that, around a week before I randomly get this call about "Do I want to take these piano lessons off their hands". God answers prayer, people. :)

Visiting...
This tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant a couple towns over. I took my parents out to breakfast there after hearing amazing things about the place online...well, the reviews were not lying. At all. The guy is a 5-star chef, (literally, he got sick of the rat race at his 5 star restaurant and decided to "run away" by starting over in a tiny little town with one stoplight.) Anyway, my mom and I decided to split a plate. When it came, it was about the size of a serving platter for a family of four. At LEAST. We both stuffed ourselves, took a box home, and fed all four of my youngest siblings breakfast!! Unbelievable taste and portion sizes. ;) I seriously think you could take 6 adults to this place and get 2 plates. :O It's called Take-a-Break cafe in Dryden, Washington. Try it out if you are ever here, but don't go without me, please! ;P

Listening to...
A lot of music from this album from the Galkins. So, so pretty. <3

Loving...
The blizzard we've had today. (6+ inches just today, with up to another foot and a half or something by Wednesday?!) My memory foam pillow. Chocolate chip cookie dough. String cheese, melted. Quotes by Corrie Ten Boom. My homemade toothpaste and face scrub. Hanging out with friends. Playing games with my family. Getting my hair cut short(ish). Kebron's impression of Pigeon Toady from Storks. ;P Chatting with Kimberly. The new website they are launching at work. My new piano arrangement book from James Koerts, my favorite hymn arranger. 

That's a wrap for today...my brain is too tired to contemplate anymore. ;) What have been some of your favorite parts of January? Are you holding up on your New Year goals? :) Have a great week!! Love,
Mykaela

Fun Post: November Favorites

I was wondering why I felt like I had just written a favorites post, and then I realized it was because my last one was so ridiculously late, I might as well have just combined it with November. But I didn't. So here we are. ;) I've been...

Reading...
Through the Bible in 30 days! (I posted on that here). Finishing the last verse in Revelation on November 30th was one of the most exciting, fulfilling things I've ever accomplished. It felt so, so good to know that I had stuck it through all the way! I've also been reading Counted With the Stars, by Connilyn Cossette. It's the first book in a series, and this author is a new one for me, but so far I am really enjoying it! The book is about a young Egyptian girl who makes the decision to take refuge with the Hebrews when they leave the land after the devastating plagues. Interesting plot line! 

Writing...
My first Christmas song! I love Christmas so much, and the wonder of God being born as a man is so amazing to me, I figured it was about time that I write about it. ;) 

Travelling...
To Salem, Oregon for Thanksgiving. I had a really good time there, as always. My extended family is extremely large, so we always have a Thanksgiving celebration in a nearby church. They kindly let us use their facilities, which include a MASSIVE gym and industrial kitchen. Since there are usually around 30 or more in our party, it's really nice to have a place like that to spread out, play ball, talk, eat, eat, eat... ;P

Munching on...
Pretzels in ranch. GUYS. THIS IS AMAZING. I can't stop, I need an intervention! ;D And my brother Malachi recently discovered that if you mix mustard and ranch, it makes an EVEN MORE amazing pretzel dip!!! We need to market this stuff. ;)

Listening to...
A LOT of Christmas music. Papa did me the wonderful favor of hanging a hook in the ceiling above my shower so I can hang my bluetooth speaker up while I'm getting ready in the morning. ;) After I listen to several chapters in the audio Bible, I turn on Spotify and hum along to my favorite Christmas playlists! :D It's a lovely way to start the day.

Wearing...
A ton of fuzziness. ;) I have a thing with soft, cozy clothes, and whenever I'm not working these days, I am wearing the coziest, softest things I can get. I have a genuine cashmere sweater that I got at Goodwill for around $4, and am LOVING it. While I could never afford cashmere at retail price, I love the fact that I can still get it cheaply once in a while! ;) Today before I went to work, I actually remembered to switch out my laundry, (don't judge) so when I pulled my furry socks out of the dryer, they were still hot!! Ahh. It's the little things. ;)

Practicing...
A song called "Do You Have Room". A lady in my church asked if I could accompany her on this song, and it is sooo pretty! The best version I can find at the moment is this one. Very sweet words, and the piano accompaniment lends itself to so much feeling and interpretation. :)

Laughing at...
Myself. ;P I got my wisdom teeth out a few days ago, and my dad got some priceless video. Once I got sobered up after the surgery, I was dying of laughter...it seriously was like I was 3 years old again, with no filters! ;) From thinking my stuffed animals had jealousy issues, to telling my dad the definition and pronunciation of "Challah", to laughing and crying hysterically because I "couldn't wipe the corner of my mouth...it's like there's a log in there!", the whole thing was ridiculous. Crazy stuff. You can watch it here. :P


Well, I hope you guys had a great November! We had our first snow yesterday, around 4 inches, so winter is upon us! :) What were your favorites this past month? Any extra special plans for Christmas? Have a great week! 
Mykaela
P.S. Bonus points to anyone who knows the technical term for the coffee drink pictured at the beginning of this post! ;) I love pictures like this. They make me happy.

Fun Post: Book Tag!!

Hello, Everyone!

I hope you all are having an absolutely lovely week so far! :) Today's post is kind of a diversion, a little different than my normal posts. It is a book tag, started by Lauren at One Bright Corner, (awesome blog, by the way), and then tagged to me by Kimberly at Peculiar on Purpose. (Also awesome! :) Since I currently work at a library, and do read a lot, I thought it would be fun. And just for the record, I read because I enjoy it, not because of my job. (You would be astounded at the amount of times people have asked me if I just read the whole time I'm at work. Like seriously? That's like asking someone at JCP if they just try on clothes all day for fun.) Small disclaimer, it is assumed that God's Word is not included in these questions. If I say a book is "in my top three" for example, that does not include the Bible among them. God's Word is on a plane entirely it's own, so I'm just going to answer these tag questions about non-Scripture books. :)

I think I'm supposed to start this off by talking about when I first fell in love with reading. But to be perfectly honest, I can't...because I really don't remember. I have loved reading ever since I can remember. From sounding out "Pat the Bunny" in St. Louis, with my grandma, to reading every horse novel I could get my hands on in Fossil, Oregon, to now, (three moves in four years later), when I read a wide variety of stuff. (When I have time to read, that is. ;) So here goes: the book tag extrodinaire.

1. Name a book you're embarrassed to say you haven't read yet.

Umm...that's a toughie, cause there are quite a few, I'm sure. I've actually never read "Through Gates of Splendor" all the way through, which I feel like pretty much everyone else has read and enjoyed. Just never got around to it, I guess.

2. What's the strangest thing you've ever used as a bookmark?

I dunno. I tend to be a page cornerer, myself. I know, I know, that's awful, but I really only corner the pages a tiny bit!! I do remember grabbing a sock once to hold the book while I got a drink. I guess that counts. :P

3. Look at your bookshelf. What's the first book you see with a yellow spine?

"In the Field of Grace" by Tessa Afshar. Amazing author, amazing book. Seriously. It's a retelling of the Biblical story of Ruth. So good! The ONLY thing I don't care for about Ms. Afshar is that she doesn't use KJV when she quotes Scripture. :( 

4. If you could have one new book from a deceased author, who would it be?

E.D.E.N Southworth or Louisa May Alcott. Both childhood staples of mine!! (Still are staples today.;) Oh oh, or E. Nesbit!!! Or another Narnia installment...oh man. This could go on for way too long.

5. Name an author who deserves more readership. 

I'd have to say E.D.E.N. Southworth again. Her books "Ishmael" and "The Hidden Hand" just never, EVER grow old to me!!! I have read those two at least 6 times each in the last few years. Such, such riveting books.

6. Bookmark or random piece of paper?

Again...I'm a horrible person and corner pages. ;P If I'm actually going to use something, I'll grab whatever is handy. Like a sock, for example.

7. Can you stop anywhere in the book, or do you have to finish the chapter?

I can pretty much stop anywhere if it's a book I've read before. If it is a new one, I usually like to get to the end of the chapter before I break, if possible. If not, I at least have to get to a good paragraph end/division point.

8. One book at a time or several?

Usually, several. I have no problem switching between books, though I know some people hate that. If it's a truly incredible book, one that I haven't previously read, I will stick to it until I'm done. (Which is usually ridiculously fast if I love it that much. I've been known to stay up until rather pathetic hours of the morning reading. Yes, I said morning for a reason. XD)

9. Do you read ahead or skip pages?

Depends. New book, absolutely not. Re-read, possibly, if there's a part I either know extremely well, or don't particularly care for. I'll just kinda skim it to get it over with.

10. Breaking the spine or keeping it like new?

I am so weird. As I was typing that question, the first thought that popped into my head was "HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF SOMEONE BROKE YOUR SPINE?!" Heh. Anyway, now that you have a random glimpse of Mykaela's crazy side. :P If I actually have a new book, which is really rare, I will keep it nice for as long as I can, or until I want to read it while working out. In which case, it must needs be done, for the good of all. 

11. What books do you regret reading?

"Though Waters Roar" by Lynn Austin. I have read other books by this author, and enjoyed them, but somehow this one REALLY just did not do it for me! The storyline was difficult to follow, because there were SO many jumps back and forth between time periods. There was also such a very little bit of the salvation message portrayed, it was just sad. (She's done a fairly good job of that in some other books!) It was, overall, just kind of depressing and weird. :( I kept hoping it would redeem itself, but it didn't.

12. On average, how many books do you read per year?

I have no clue. Maybe 30-50? Somewhere in there?

13. What book could you read hundreds of times and never get tired of?

"The Atonement Child" by Francine Rivers. It has to be in my top three books, hands down. I love it soooooooooo much!!!!!

14. What's the biggest lesson you've learned from a book?

I don't think this is the biggest lesson, but it's a good one for me...From Chuck Black's "Wars of the Realm" series, I learned to take spiritual warfare seriously. Angels and demons are just as real as you and I, and just because I can't see the battle that's transpiring around me, does NOT mean it doesn't exist. Those books were not only so incredibly good I couldn't put them down, and have read them coming up on a dozen times, but also they just made me look at things in a new way as I lived my daily life.

15. What's the most recent book you've read?

"The Treasure Seekers" by Edith Nesbit. This is maybe the fourth time I've read it, and the writing is just so fun! She has a way of writing her "children's" books that somehow seems to grow up with you--I'm reading them again as an adult, and I'm just now "getting" new jokes and fun little tidbits from her books that went over my head as a kid. (Nothing inappropriate or anything!! Just cute hidden satire and/or sarcasm that I didn't quite get when I was younger.)

16. What quote from any book will you never forget? Why is it significant?

I'm not going to list all of my favorite Bible verses right now, because I don't think that's what it's asking for. ;) One of them is Psalm 18:2, though. 

This might sound strange, but the emphasis of words in this quote from the Mark of the Lion series (Francine Rivers), is almost as important as the words themselves. In the scene, a Roman master is confused as to why her faith is so all-consuming to this Christian slave girl. He asks her, "Why do you give up everything you want to serve this God you have never even seen?!" Or something to that effect. Her reply:

"Because He is God, Marcus! He is God!" 

I don't know exactly why this quote is so powerful to me, but the way she emphasizes the words hits me every time. We serve God because He IS God. He is GOD! There is nothing greater, better, stronger, holier, or purer than Him! He is the superlative of every good word or attribute we could apply to His name! Anyway, that was a long answer, but it means a lot to me. :)

17. How many books do you own?

*runs away to try to count, even though most of my books are in storage boxes somewhere*

Somewhere around 60, as near as I can figure it. I know, it's not that many. I have a lot more on Kindle, or from the library, but those don't really count for this question. ;)

18. Of the past year, what's the greatest book you've read?

Probably "The Bronze Bow" by Elizabeth George Speare, and "Land of Silence" by Tessa Afshar. Yeah, I know. I like her a lot. ;) She has only written 5 books so far, and I am dying for her to write more!!!!

~~~~~

Well, there you have it! That was a really fun tag for me to participate in, and I hope you enjoyed it as well! Sorry it got so long. If you enjoyed it, I'd love to see your answers to it as well...if you decide to do it, link your post in the comments! Thanks to Kimberly and Lauren for a fun post idea. :) God bless you all as you serve Him this week!

Mykaela

P. S. I am flying out this Saturday to see Kimberly!!! Ahhh! So very excited to spend some time with her in Oklahoma and Missouri during the next couple weeks. So if I'm a bit late on the Sunday Snippets due to being in a plane at the time, please bear with me. ;) It may be a Monday or Tuesday snippet, but it will come. :)