a night to remember

Sneak peak of  Anna and I in our "Edwardian" finery--waiting to board the Showboat Branson Belle. {Titanic 100 (!!!) } No, we did not make the dresses--Anna's and the hats are rented, {I added the plumes} mine I already had. Actually, I originally wore it to a vintage, 20-30's themed English Country Dance. Before heading to MO I pulled it out of my closet, saw all the lace. . .and voila! It worked perfectly  for 1912. ;) Oh, and in case anyone was wondering, no, I was not grumpy. Trying to look sophisticated.  

thinking in pink*~the random life of yours truly

its time to move on

As much as I enjoyed the discussion on my dancing post , I won't be publishing anymore comments. Nothing personal against anyone, but I'm worried that if I continue replying, I will keep contradicting myself and just make a bigger mess out of things. ;) Sooo . . .thank you all for your input. The subject is now closed, and TLRoS is no longer a depressing blog . . . at least currently. hehe 

andré rieu is my newest favorite musician

Right now my ear buds are in, and as I type I'm listening to the gorgeous strains of violin. As much as I love the piano, the violin has to be the worlds most beautiful instrument. And coming from a such a master! - the Godfather theme, Romeo and Juliet, My Heart Will Go On . . . <---click! (no, I do not in any way endorse the movies these songs come from!) but ohhh. Such beautiful music. It just reaches down into the depths of my (rather dramatic) soul and makes me want to cry. My Groovshark playlist has grown, to say the least. ;)

  

Any of you recognize the gal between Anna (L) and me (R)? we had the honor of meeting the gorgeous Kami while in OR. She is such a blessing and sweetheart.  ♥ you, Kami! 

i'm in love with my piano - go figure

This week has pretty much been allll about music. New, exciting music (for me.) Can I mention enough that my most precious treasure, my deepest passion, is my piano? Though I need a new, *working* one VERY badly. (Which you also know. :P ) Anna has been complaining a lot . . .she says I play too much. Too much? Is there such thing? Of course after I get a song down pact she likes me again. j/k Right now I am desperately in love with THIS song, though my arrangement is a bit different, and The Secret Life of Daydreams, from the 2005 P&P soundtrack.  You can say I was just a *little* excited to find the sheet music at the library. . .I think I need to pay another visit to the music store.

 

mr. bingley moved in the house two doors down

Yep. Five girls. A new neighbor. And who might it be? A SINGLE young man. . .its hilarious. And of course we are all having so much fun . . .teasing each other, being goofy-sisterly-sisters that we are. Right now we're trying to figure out a way to get dad to take him some of our homemade chocolate ice cream.  :P :P

i left part of my heart at the oregon coast

So wild, rugged, awe inspiring. All and everything I imagined my beloved ocean to be. I've always had a fascination with endless, open sea. . .but have never seen anything beyond Lake Erie and Ontario. So it was incredible to dig my toes into the warm sand, smell the salt-infused air, explore the tide pools, climb the rocks, and run yelling down the beach, the wind blowing through my hair. For a moment I forgot anyone was watching. It was just me, the vast, misty-grey Pacific, and its mighty Creator.

the Lord is GOOD

My life has been a whirlwind of constant activity, a phenomenon that only a couple of years ago seemed unattainable. I watched as people I knew saw things, DID things, were surrounded by commotion and fellowship. Me? I was just the untalented, insecure girl who stared out the window, wishing there was SOMETHING I could do. As a woman my job is in the home. But what about social activities? Purpose? He was making me wait. . .He knew the bigger, perfect picture. One thing I've always struggled with in my walk is trust. Oh, I have no problem trusting Michaela - its part of the sinful human nature. Even now, when I see so many things changed in my life, I have to constantly remember that my Lord Jesus is in control. Help me Lord to trust in You, to become the woman of God that I strive to be! Thank you for putting up with my nonsensical ways . . .and most importantly, for faithful parents to lead me along Your Path.

 no matter how hard i try. . .i *always* ramble

But hey, I can't help it. I LOVE to talk. . .and it comes out in my blog posts. Is this a bad thing? ;) Nah!

a current few of my favorite things

Random, spur of the moment tea parties with my sisters.

lacy-pink dresses.

chilled hot chocolate.

zero humidity.

watching an ocean of rippling clouds from an airplane window.

finding treasures at hole-in-the-wall vintage shops. 

breathing life into a much worked on piano piece. 

talking - and singing, though I'm not at all good. 

peonies. . . because they are so much more beautiful then roses.

mini butter and jelly sandwiches. 

creating new, dramatic plots in the life of Renè Boudreaux. . .

 

We were sooo tired. Which is why I look all haggard-out. . .a first-ever flight and major jet lag will do that to someone. :P Anyhow. In the above R pic we were talking about hair. . .you know, girl conversation . . . and THAT was the result. ;) 

i'm thinking of changing my blog name  

What think ye? Anna is constantly changing hers . . . and while I'm rather attached to The Last Rose of Summer, maybe it sounds depressing? I'm sure you've noticed my new header. ;) TLRoS isn't quite fitting anymore. How about something  The Shamrock and the Rose to keep with the Celtic-ish feel?

  Again, note that I do not in any way endorse the movies I mentioned above. o.O In fact, my family very rarely watches movies. . .and when we do, they are NEVER *those* kind. Also, the whole Mr. Bingley thing is all in good fun. ;) You have to admit, the coincidence is pretty amusing. . .

Queen Susan the Gentle // photoshoot

In this post  I asked you to guess which character I portrayed at my friends Literary Ball (English Country Dancing). . .yes, I was Susan from Narnia, wearing a "mock" version of the Archery Dress.  Nooo, the movie dress isn't made with satin fabric, and of course a few minor details are "missing". However! I LOVE my gown (which a friend of a friend made for me.) Normally I like to make my own messes - I mean dresses - for Balls, but felt I lacked the experience, and *definitely*  the time to dabble with the project. Funds were limited, (go figure,) but even sooo . . .like I said, the dress is magnifique. . .simply because it is oh-so feminine.

 If I could wear a medieval-style gown each and every day I more then happily would. I'd spend endless  hours in open, flowered-sprinkled fields; drinking in the sun, wishing the earth always sang of spring, feeling a gentle breeze on my cheek - loving life and the Lord's beautiful creation.

My bestest friend and lovely sister Anna  recently bought a beauteous camera  that she is getting rather incredible at using. She has been *wanting* to use it. . .constantly. Perfect timing for the photo-shoot I've been scheming up! I can now proudly check  "Susan photo-shoot" off of my need-to-be-posted list. Could this mean Michaela ceases at last to be a procrastinator? I only wish. :P 

First we headed to the backyard. We have a lovely "wooded" area that is very nice for pictures. . .but something was missing. This is when we opted for one of our local parks - a favorite place of our family, and just gorgeous with its "lake of shining waters", country air, and foresty paths that open into little grotto's of dead fir trees. Footsteps are whispered away when one melts from the bustling park onto a carpet of needles so thick and soft it is possible to walk without shoes. The outside world vanishes under a canopy of semi-gloom. . .it isn't difficult to imagine small men in pointed caps peeking through the brittle branches . 

"It was when I was happiest that I longed most...The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing...to find the place where all the beauty came from."  — C.S. Lewis

It is just magical. A Susan-inspired dress, talented budding-photographer sister, and Picnik bring to life all the emotions of the day. It was perfectly overcast, slightly chilly, the lake was slivery, and I felt in an extra-exuberant mood. Be grateful that I chose to leave some of the photos out. Like the one of me running full force up a hill, right into the mouth of the camera (while my mouth gaped open.) Would have ruined the "Susan-ish" feel, you know. These pics are a testament to the fact that I am capable of being mature. :P

"Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again." — C.S. Lewis

Susan, little men in caps, shining waters and whatnot aside, the photographer and I needed *one* picture together. . . this was the result. No, I didn't just post that on my blog. You didn't see it, k? 

"To the radiant southern sun, Queen Susan the Gentle. . .Once a king or queen of Narnia, always a king or queen of Narnia. May your wisdom grace us until the stars rain down from the heavens."  

— C.S. Lewis  (somehow that line seems dreadfully misplaced. ;) ) 

PRESENTING: Cookin' Thanksgiving dinner with Mich and her favorite Kid.

This is us, as ourselves, fooling around today in the kitchen. Still not sure how or when Anna acquired the nickname "Kid" - I'm the only one who calls her that. :P hehe

Ahhh...what a day. Just about absolutely perfect.

Italian opera...the lingering scent of the sugar cookie candle I burned yesterday...all mingled with the stunningly delicious holiday aroma of Thanksgiving dinner prep.

Love.

{my mom took the videos - I'm in the Winnie the Pooh sweatshirt and fruity apron. It's a little old, but I love it 'cause it was sent from Zia Lucia in Italy. Oh, and the talk of  "don't  put these up", and "I'm un-tagging myself" is in reference to facebook. ;) }

Take one:

Take two:

At last, the infamous "church potatoes!" 

PS: for those of you who know I have a slight aversion toward  most female singers  - *ahem* I actually really love the voice of the Soprano singing with Pavarotti (in the first vid.) She isn't screechy. Unfortunately I don't know her name. :-/   

Our twist on the Laendler ~

Recently my sister Anna learned a simple variation of the Laendler, the beautiful waltz from 'The Sound of Music.' Of course I had to learn it as well. ;) Soooo we did, and were pestered by several people into making a video. Here it is!

For some reason it seems as though the youtube upload is a little blurry, almost as if our faces are smudged. Not sure why that happened. :-/

*in this video* I am wearing my blue vintage-original 1950's party dress. I just love it - so simple yet dainty, and oh so swishy! Perfect for dancing. Mmhmm...gotta love vintage EVERYTHING. 

I was so born in the wrong era. ;) 

Anna is in the pink dress, also a vintage-original,(1940's.) She is dancing the mans part. *ahem* 

I'd love to know your thoughts! :)

Gazing out to sea...

It is a warm day, a nice break in the incredible heat of late August; a Sunday, and perfect for some family time out in God's wild, wonderful creation.

Lake Erie stretches for hundreds of miles, farther then the human eye can see.

Her greyish-green waves play with the gently rolling wind,

lapping at the rocky shore and catching the toes of laughing children.

In the distance a seagull hovers above the swells, calling in its loud commanding voice before dipping down towards the water where it floats with the ease of a professional surfer....

This is starting to remind me of some of my other posts. hehe

It sounds as though I have an obsession with...oh I don't know. Water? :P

But its just soooo fun to describe, and so easy to "splash" into prose...

Anna and I saw *the cutest* couple ever while wandering around Marblehead lighthouse. I wish I had the camera with me at the time so I could have snapped a picture! It was obvious they were newly-weds (by their sweet behavior towards each other - plus they were wearing rings, ) and well...we were a little enchanted.

:sigh:

Anyhow! Why am I saying all this? I got the idea for the pose in the picture above ^^ from that adorable couple. (And yes, I'm standing on the base of the lighthouse. It is 150 years old!)

Stunning Lake Erie. How can anyone look at a vast body of water and NOT see God and His power?

Gazing out to sea...

And there she is!! Marblehead in all her simple quaintness.

~ taken from the lighthouse ~

The ancient (and steep!) staircase winding up, up, up to the top of the lighthouse...there were about 72 steps! Ooh, a little creepy at the top - I didn't think we'd be *that* high! But I did get some lovely pictures of the lake, and the view was breathtaking!

Maria, Julia, and Lidia havin' fun on the rocks...

~ taken from the lighthouse ~

No caption needed?

Beautiful Anna!

Isn't this the cutest picture???

And there you have it!

Hope you enjoyed the pictorial tour of our little "vacation" at the lake...

Down the road less traveled...

There is nothing quite like a family car ride, whether its a long road trip or simply a spin down a country dirt lane. So many memories are made in the car... its a special treat when someone says, "lets take a little car ride!"

Close you're eyes...

Imagine a spindly highway lined with shady trees, perhaps making an arching tunnel to pass under. The windows are rolled down, and the sound of bird calls fill the morning air. It is a serene setting to spend quiet bonding time with a sister, a parent, or alone with God.

Or perhaps you are on a rollicking ride through a mountain range. The magnificent peaks rise to the heavens, dipping here and there, down, down, into valleys where the smoke wraps like wispy fingers around the oak trees.

Mmmm...I can just feel God's power in the wind against my face, feel my very breath swept away. Are you imagining with me? Someone turns up the radio, and a spunky Celtic fiddle hums along with the twisting road and adventurous scenery.

Maybe a sibling starts in a loud burst of

"This is the song that never ennnndds!"

...which need no further explanation. ^_^

Singing in the car is one of the most delightful "simple pleasures" I can think of. Silly tunes, Irish ballads, opera (falsetto, of course!)

- hymns of praise to the Lord.

Singing makes long rides shorter, hours slip by faster, and memories last forever.

Then there is that supremely-happy-spine-tingling feeling when the sound of your favorite artist's voice soars into the magic of the *perfect* scenery...

...or melts into a shimmering starlit sky.

(Andrea Bocelli anyone? Oooh yes. I think I know what my next blog post will be on...) hehe

~*~

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference."

- Robert Frost

Insignificant Little Happenings...

Not that I speak in respect of want:

for I have learned,

in whatsoever state I am,

therewith to be content.

Phil. 4:11

Ah, the simple pleasures of life! The blissful, sometimes insignificant little happenings that bring the purest of joy.

Growing up the oldest of five girls, I was my siblings one and only babysitter. Naturally this meant I was IN the house more than OUT, and my mom endured plenty of complaining. My life was that of a poor, isolated girl who never really had an opportunity to "live". I didn't go shopping, I didn't see many friends. It was just horribly unfair, right?

WRONG.

Of course, as a "tween" I wasn't mature enough to understand the value of those "boring" years...and its funny, because now I smilingly crave the memories...

...making book bridges for playing "Be-Someone" with Anna (known to um...*other* children as pretend, or house, maybe? ^_^ ) building covered wagons out of blankets, sheltering from treacherous Oregon trail thunderstorms in my parents big walk-in closet, racing couch-arm horses, jumping out of the storage room, mad bike rides around the neighborhood...

...mmmmm...the innocence of childhood!

Though I couldn't even begin to see it at the time, the Lord was already preparing me for my future, maturing me, and protecting me from my own strong will. It would have been too easy to walk down the wrong path had I been surrounded by all the things I thought I'd been missing.

Now as a young adult, I feel that I have at last earned my "freedom." It definitely took long, laborious earning!

- Tests of faith for reliance in Him. Understanding that HE is my best friend - that He'd given me my family, especially my sisters as my true earthly friends. It took many years of hardship before I started my surrender in that area.

Now I have so many friends outside the family circle (spread all over the country, at that!) I can't keep track of them all. ;) Yet I've finally learned, acknowledged, and will never forget His lesson: above all, family matters most. They are the ones that are always there, no matter what. They endure the trials with you. They share every minute of everyday life with you. And that - a loving family - is a sweet, simple pleasure in itself.

~ when I think of simple pleasures...

Christ's unsurpassed love for a worthless sinner like me...the comfort in knowing He's always there, no matter how far you feel from Him...sitting outside with dad while drinking in the quiet glory of a starry summer sky...a gentle breeze rushing through an open window to scamper playfully over my face...the humble pride of an American flag fluttering in the wind...awe-inspiring double rainbows shining promise on a wet and weary world...puffy white cotton-candy clouds floating in an aqua sky...driving through rolling country back roads...curling up with Reminisce Magazine around a crackling fire...discovering a verse that seems especially meant for me right at that moment...loooonngg serious chats with mom....rambling talks that last for hours with a good girl friend...secret sister messages...laughing hysterically with Anna over lunch at Panera Bread...evenings out to see plays...beautiful music to chase your cares away...the soaring feeling in my heart when singing with other believers...any job - physical, spiritual, mental, - no matter how small - well done...the crisp, clean bendable-ness of a brand new soft-cover book..a purring feline friend rubbing your ankles with that special loyalty only an animal can feel....homemade ice cream sweetened with pure maple syrup...trying that first almost-too-hot-to-eat-lusciously-steamy-partially-doughy chocolate chip cookie...never getting too old for my favorite children's books...playing dress up in the middle of a costume shop...a beautiful gown swirling about my feet...finding an amazing deal at Christopher and Banks...developing "real" characters and plotting their life story - aka writing...group video chats @ tinychat.com...

Oooh, I could think up so many more...but in the meantime, do leave your comments - what small happiness-es do *you* enjoy??