Saturday, January 27, 2018

~Snow Day~

Snow Day

Today we woke up to a revolution of snow,   
its white flag waving over everything,
the landscape vanished,
not a single mouse to punctuate the blankness,   
and beyond these windows

the government buildings smothered,
schools and libraries buried, the post office lost   
under the noiseless drift,
the paths of trains softly blocked,
the world fallen under this falling.

In a while, I will put on some boots
and step out like someone walking in water,  
and the dog will porpoise through the drifts,   
and I will shake a laden branch
sending a cold shower down on us both.
But for now I am a willing prisoner in this house,   
a sympathizer with the anarchic cause of snow.   
I will make a pot of tea
and listen to the plastic radio on the counter,   
as glad as anyone to hear the news

that the Kiddie Corner School is closed,   
the Ding-Dong School, closed.
the All Aboard Children’s School, closed,   
the Hi-Ho Nursery School, closed,
along with—some will be delighted to hear—

the Toadstool School, the Little School,
Little Sparrows Nursery School,
Little Stars Pre-School, Peas-and-Carrots Day School   
the Tom Thumb Child Center, all closed,
and—clap your hands—the Peanuts Play School.

So this is where the children hide all day,
These are the nests where they letter and draw,   
where they put on their bright miniature jackets,   
all darting and climbing and sliding,
all but the few girls whispering by the fence.

And now I am listening hard
in the grandiose silence of the snow,
trying to hear what those three girls are plotting,   
what riot is afoot,
which small queen is about to be brought down.










Friday, January 26, 2018

~Modest Outfit Of The Day : Episode 1~

For today's outfit, I went for a 50's skirt and button-up shirt look, with a neck-scarf.

 I always try to be unique when I choose my clothing, but sometimes you just have to use other people to get the desired look.
The inspiration for today's outfit comes from the women in "The Andy Griffith Show" (which I have been obsessed with watching recently), an Audrey Hepburn look (kind of), and 50's fashion templates (which can be found on Google and Pinterest by typing in "50s Fashion".)

I've always loved the 40s-60s looks, mainly  because they are elegant, simple, comfortable, and adorable.  This is a really simple and easy-to-copy outfit that I didn't know I loved until I put it on this morning. You could easily recreate this look and make it your own. 


Here's the outfit, where I got the clothes from, and roughly how much I spent on each item.




From top to bottom:

Scarf -- I'm not sure where I got this from, but it came in a pack of two, and it was about $5 for both of them.

Shirt --  From Ross for $7.99

Skirt -- Church-owned thrift-store in my hometown for  $2.99

Shoes- Salvation Army thrift-store for $3.00

Undershirt -- $1.79 at Walmart.
 I added it for warmth because it was a bit chilly today.


How to recreate this outfit:

First, I started off with a button up shirt, solid color is best, but you could also try plaid ( like I did)
or you could go for stripes or polka dots for a more festive look.
After that, I got my "tube" style (which is like a pencil skirt, but not as tight)  khaki skirt. 
An a-line, circle/half circle, or pencil skirt will do, because these were the skirt styles that were "In" at that time. As long as the skirt can be tucked in, it will be fine.




After you tuck the shirt into the skirt, button up all the buttons and add a small scarf, or don't .It's up to you on how this part of the outfit can go.



You could add a pearl necklace instead of the scarf, or you could wear a belt with the skirt, or you could layer a small vest over the shirt. The possibilities are endless with this type of outfit!

I didn't get a picture of my hair, but I pulled it back in a simple half-up half-down hairdo.

I really hope I helped you come up with an adorable outfit or two!
I can't wait to see what  the next episode of
 Modest Outfit Of The Day
 brings!

Blessings!
 Abigail Joy







Thursday, January 25, 2018

~Coming Soon~

Coming Soon!

Outfit Of The Day Series.

I decided it was time I began cataloging my outfits for my dear readers. 
I aim to show you that you can dress cute, fashionably, modestly, with common sense, and not break the bank!
 So, stay tuned for my first outfit post! 



Tuesday, January 16, 2018

~Oh, To See a Sunrise~

Oh, to see a sunrise
Oh, to feel the tender caress of a sunbeam on your cheek.
To understand what the artist sees,
to know the words that the poet feels,
to enjoy the rhythm the musician hear,
to see the colors that the animals love.

Oh, to see the sunrise,
The colors, the song, the sonnet, the warmth.
The rising of each new day,
The beginning of something new,
The waiting for the unknown.
The dance of each new moment.

Oh, to see a sunrise...


~An original poem.



Monday, January 15, 2018

~Life Without a Mixer #5~

 This is perhaps the easiest pie in the world. Just three ingredients. A can of pie filling ( I've used pumpkin, cherry, apple, and berry. They were all delicious!) a stick (or half cup) of butter, and a yellow cake mix box.  Its so easy!

 Start by oiling an 8X13 glass pan. 
Preheat oven to 375 F ( 190 C)  


 
Spread the pie filling can evenly on the bottom. You can use a medium or big can, depending on how much filling you want.  A small can won't have enough in there.



Get the cake mix box and spread that evenly in the middle. Use your hand or a rubber spatula to even it out.



Melt the butter and spread that evenly on top, making sure to cover every part of it.


  Bake at 375 F (190 C) for 25-30 minutes. Or until the top is a golden brown, and pulling away from the edges.

This pie is so delicious, that there won't be leftovers for long, and you will be asked for the recipe!

Blessings!
Chef A


Friday, January 12, 2018

~Favorite quotes~

Here is a collection of some of my favorite quotes. These quotes either mean something to me, are motivational, remind me of someone, or are just plain likable. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!



The more he gave away, the more delighted he became.
– Marcus Pfister, The Rainbow Fish

"When someone is crying, of course, the noble thing to do is to comfort them. But if someone is trying to hide their tears, it may also be noble to pretend you do not notice them."
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 - Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,  
anonymous 



A person's a person, no matter how small.
- Dr Suess


“Above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you. Because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.”

( Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)




anonymous

“For what you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing: it also depends on what sort of person you are.” 

(C.S. Lewis, The Magician’s Nephew)



Master Oogway -Kung Fu Panda 
Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 


 “Oh, it’s delightful to have ambitions. I’m so glad I have such a lot. And there never seems to be any end to them–that’s the best of it. Just as soon as you attain to one ambition you see another one glittering higher up still. It does make life so interesting.” 

(L.M. Montgomery, Anne Of Green Gables)

anonymous

 "Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become real."

(Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit)

Rapunzel - Rapunzel

 “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” 

(Dr. Seuss, The Lorax)


StirMeupLord . com
Matthew 21:22 - And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.



AA Milne - Winnie The Pooh

“It’s no use to go back to yesterday because I was different person then.” 

(Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland)



Undecipherable signature


Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 


Blessings! Abigail. 











Tuesday, January 09, 2018

~Life Without a Mixer #4~

Hello bakers, chefs, cooks, and other people in the kitchen!  Here are a few quick recipes and tips for you to enjoy! (No pictures to go along with the recipes this time, sorry!)

Recipe 1 
(this recipe/tip is from my mothers cookbook. It has been in our family for 20+ years)

To make all-purpose flour into self-rising flour, 
for every 2 cups of flour, add 1 tsp salt, 1 TBSP baking powder. Mix before adding.

 Recipe 2

My Sisters Quick Biscuits. 
(this recipe is from my sister. She makes the best biscuits!)

2 C. Self Rising Flour (or mixture listed above.)
1 cup Milk
1/2 cup oil
1/4 cup sugar.
Mix ingredients until just blended (dough will be sticky). Pour  1 cup flour onto a pizza pan, add the dough. Knead until not sticky. Pat out and cut into biscuits. Makes about 12+, depending on how big or small you make them.



And the last one, Recipe 3

Easy French Toast. 
( I think this is from allrecipes.com) 
8 Bread Slices
6 Eggs
1 1/3 cup milk
Salt to taste

Mix half the milk, and half the eggs together in a shallow dish. Preheat oil in a skillet or shallow frying pan.Soak bread in the milk/egg mixture. Fry in the oil until crispy brown. Serve with syrup or powdered sugar.

Tuesday, January 02, 2018

~ Bible Reading Plans For 2018~


Even though it is almost the third day of 2018, there is still time to start a Bible reading plan!
I was thrilled when I found this page full of reading plans today. I am currently reading through the New Testament in a month, and I will add the 5-day one year reading plan on top of this.  Here is the PDF for my current plan...  5 Day One Year Reading Plan


This is the page I am talking about.  It has a lot of different reading plans that seem easy to follow.  They even has a plan for you to read at your own pace. I am very excited to start my one year plan!



You could also use The One Year Bible. We have used this for about three or four years in a row; it is easy to use, and you can buy the Bible or use it online. You choose your own Bible version or language. There is a different reader for every Bible version ( the KJV uses Max Mclean)   Here is The One Year Bible Online page that we use.

I hope I have helped you in your search for a reading plan! Blessings! Abigail.