Tolkien Party 2019: Would You Rather...

1.  ...join Thorin's Company or the Fellowship?
   Well, I'd say the Fellowship because of Sam and Pippin and all the other awesome ones, but then again, the Company is a total hoot!  I still think I'll join the Fellowship.

  2.  ...ride Shadowfax or an eagle?
  Seriously?!  Okay, this is a tougher one to answer.  I love horses and Shadowfax is absolutely amazing, but it's an eagle!  I think I'd have to go for the eagle.

  3.  ...travel through Moria or Mirkwood?
  Mirkwood, definitely Mirkwood.  I mean yes, there are creepy spiders, but it's a forest and I love forests.  Plus there are some really cool elves!

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  4.  ...learn to make elvish rope or mithril chainmail?
   Oooooo, I don't know, 'cause either could be really good at saving my life.  But I think it would have to be the mithril chainmail because I think it would probably come in handy more often.  I think.

  5.  ...try to outwit Smaug or Saruman?
  Yeah I'm gonna go with Smaug.  I'm pretty good at flattery, but I would never be able to outwit Saruman, not in a million years!

  6.  ...spend an hour with Grima Wormtongue or Denethor?
  Denethor.  He's a ass, Grima is a creep.

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  7.  ...attend Faramir's wedding or Samwise's wedding?
  HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO ME?!?!?!  CHOSE SAM AND ROSIE OR FARAMIR OR EOWYN?!?!  That's just wrong.  But since I have to chose, Faramir and Eowyn because more of the people I want to meet are there.

  8.  ...have to care for the One Ring or the Arkenstone for a day?
  The Arkenstone!  *shudders*  Keep the One Ring far away from me please, I'm pretty sure it would ruin me.

  9.  ...have tea with Bilbo or Frodo?
  Hmmmmm.  Well, if I had tea with Frodo, then Sam would probably show up, but depending on when  I had tea with Bilbo, I might get to see Frodo and Sam.  So I'll say Bilbo because I also get the feeling that Bilbo is a better cook than Frodo.

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  10.  ...fight alongside Boromir or Eomer?
  Honestly?!  Wow, you sure know how to ask some hard questions!  I gotta say Eomer, 'cause the Rohirrim are just awesome.  But then again, depending on where and when I was fighting alongside Boromir, Faramir might be there too.  So yep, don't know.

  Well that was a ton of fun!  I hope you all enjoyed my answers as much as I enjoyed answering.

Cake Flavored Book Tag

Soooooo....I was tagged by my friend Keturah ages ago (I think it's actually only been a month) and I just remembered it.  Oops, my bad.  Anyway, here we go.

1. Chocolate Cake (a Dark Book you absolutely love).

Well that's a new one.  Ummmm......define dark.  Are we talking "deals with graphic horrible things in the world"?  I think that's what it means, so I'll go with:

Death Be Not Proud - Suzannah Rowntree

It's a very interesting story, a Snow White retelling actually, set in New Zealand in the early 1900's telling the tale of a cabaret singer who is mistaken for a young woman who was murdered years before.  Of course, since the bad guys think Ruby is the girl, they come after her and she is almost murdered.  It was much darker then I usually read, definitely not my normal cup of tea, but I loved it.  I recently included it in my Fairytale Post.

2. Vanilla Cake (a Light Read).

Oooooo!!  This one is easy!

Chip, of the Flying U by B.M. Bower

This is the book I turn to when I need a good laugh but something that doesn't take much brain power (and it takes even less now that I've read it like five times or more).

The cowboys of the Flying U Ranch believe there are only two types of women.

A) "There’s the Sweet Young Things, that faint away at sight of a six-shooter, and squawk and catch at your arm if they see a garter snake, and blush if you happen to catch their eye suddenly, and cry if you don’t take off your hat every time you see them a mile off.”

OR 

B) The Wild Kind.  "She’ll buy her some spurs and try to rope and cut out and help brand. Maybe she’ll wear double-barreled skirts and ride a man’s saddle and smoke cigarettes. She’ll try to go the men one better in everything, and wind up by making a darn fool of herself. Either kind’s bad enough.”

But which ever one she is, they all believe their boss's sister is an Old Maid Doctor with 3 chins and 2 stomachs and will make their lives miserable with doses and potions and bossing.  Ehehehehehehe.  Then in waltzes the Little Doctor, a 5 ft. something maverick with brown hair, blue eyes (I think), lots of spunk and sass, and those poor boys don't know what hit them.  It's absolutely hilarious.  You can find it HERE and either download it (it's free in the public domain) or read it online.  You'll love it. 

3. Red Velvet (a book that gave you Mixed Emotions).

Ummmmm........  Oh I know!  

The Royal Ranger by John Flanagan

While I loved seeing grown up Will with an apprentice of his own and even who he had for an apprentice......I HATE IT!!!!  John Flanagan is cruel and mean and HORRIBLE to do that to us!!!  IT WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WROOOOOOONNNNGGGG!!!!  And that's all I can say without spoiling it for those who haven't read it.  For those who have a wish to commiserate with me, DON'T give spoilers in the comments!

4. Cheesecake (a book you would Recommend to Anyone).

Oh this is superb.  Not only is Cheesecake my favorite cake but THE BOOK I would recommend to anyone is like my favorite book ever.  Okay, that's not quite true, but it's a totally amazing story, it's a re-telling of my favorite fairytale and it's my favorite re-telling of said fairytale (and y'all probably could have figured out the last part without me saying it!).  Anyway.....

Beauty and the Beast by K.M. Shea

I won't sigh and swoon over it anymore (though I definitely could!), y'all can just hop right over to HERE to read about it if you want to know more.  I would recommend this book to anyone and I do recommend it to EVERYONE.  At first I was going to answer this question with Lord of the Rings, but I wouldn't recommend that to certain ages.  B&tB however is okay for all ages.


5. Coffee Cake (a book you Did Not Finish).

I accidentally skipped over this question the first time.  Oops.
The Warden by Anthony Trollope

I started this book one time when I was sick and couldn't sleep.  I think I got half a chapter in before putting it down and I haven't picked it up since.  That was at least 3 years ago.

6. Carrot Cake (a book with Great Writing).

It took a bit of pondering to come up with an answer for this.

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

This book was very unique and absolutely mind blowingly amazing.  Like WOWO!!!

7. Tiramisu (a book that left you Wanting More).

Well besides every single one of my older sister's stories...  Seriously, every time I read one of hers I WANT MORE!!  But today we'll go with one of her bestfriend's books.

Paper Crowns by Mirriam Neal

I NEED MORE!!!!!  This book is awesome and I know some stuff about book two and I WANT IT!!!!!  And I just sounded like a 2-year-old.

8. Cupcakes (a series with 4+ Books).

Ummmmm...crumpadoodles, that series only has 3 books.  Rats.  Okay, I found one.

The Squire's Tales by Gerald Morris

I don't know how many books are in this series, but I know it's a lot more then 4!  It is an Arthurian re-telling focusing mainly on the exploits of Terence, squire to Sir Gawaine.  They are a lot of fun, though I wouldn't recommend them to anyone under 16.

9. Fruit Cake (a book that wasn't What You Anticipated).

This is a rather easy one.  Hangs head and mumbles,
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

*glares at Mel for snickering and giving me an 'I told you so' look*

I procrastinated for 3 years about reading this book.  I did enjoy it.

10. Lamington (favorite Australian Book).

I'm going to use a series for this one.

Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan

Or more accurately, the first eleven books in the Ranger's Apprentice series.  *scowls at Mr. Flanagan again*  IT.  WAS.  WRONG.  And stupid.  And dumb.  AND IDIOTIC!!!!  *pounds fists on desk*  WHY DID YOU DO IT?!?!?!?!

*takes deep breath*

*sits back*
*smiles*

*returns to post*

10.5. Lamington (favorite Australian Book).

I wasn't exactly sure what was meant by an 'Australian' book.  For my first choice I used a series written by an Australian author.  If that doesn't count then...
The Golden Wolf by Mary Elwyn Patchett

This is a story we borrowed from the library and the only reason I read it was because I was proofing it, however, it was a good story that I enjoyed.  When Mary's dog is stolen for a circus, she dresses as a boy to get him back.  She runs away and meets up with an old teamster who takes her under his wing and helps her out.  It was really sweet.  And it is set in Australia.

All right folks, there are my answers!  I'm going to tag:

Bryce
Lydia

MovieCritic

Lisa
and

Melody

(Now Melody, I know you don't normally answer tags, but I really want to see your answers for this one.) 

So long, folks!

Winter Wonderland Tag

Tag Rules:

• Link back to The Storybook Journal
• Answer the Questions, think Winter-y thoughts!  Include pictures, if you like.
• Tag at least 3 bloggers or more if you're feeling ambitious.

1. Name a few things you love about Winter, and a few things you don't love so much about it.

Well, I love the way the sun sparkles on powder snow, the gentle stillness of slowly falling flakes, cozy-ing up by the woodstove with a warm blanket and a good book.  Listening to Christmas music (my family won't allow me to until at least November.), the sharp frosty bite and clear pure smell of the winter air.  Driving through town and seeing everything lit up.

Don't like?  That I can't go barefoot (I hate wearing shoes), the mess that kids wet clothes creates, the way the sun can glare on the snow hurts my eyes, when someone leaves the door open and freezes up the house.  :)

2. When you were a child, did you "believe" in Santa Claus?

Nope!!  When I was just a wee girl I was told that he was fake.  However I do find the Catholic priest, St. Nicholas, from who Santa Claus is loosely derived, very interesting.  He not only was beloved by children and their patron saint, but he was also the patron saint of thieves...well, repentant thieves...the Leverage crew wasn't very repentant.  I guess it actually really depends on how you classify 'repentant'.

3. Is there a book or movie that you really love to read/watch in the Winter as opposed to other times of the year?

There are quite a few Christmas stories that I only read in the winter, and I usually only watch Christmas movies in the winter.

4. Is there a particular Christmas movie you watch EVERY year as tradition? 

Yes.  White Christmas and The Mistle-tones!

 5. Do you usually get a real tree or a fake tree for Christmas? Who's in charge of decorating it at your house? 

We usually don't get any tree (our house is way too small).  And Mom is usually in charge.

6. Does your family usually stay home or go visiting (relatives, friends, etc.) on Christmas Day?

Stay at home.  It's my brother's birthday, so we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve and his birthday on Christmas Day.

7. What does your family usually do on New Years Eve? Any traditions? Do you ever stay up till midnight?

Well, we have lots of good food, certain dishes are a tradition, and then we stay up til midnight and then sleep in.

8. Do you get snow where you live? If so, have you ever built a snowman and named him Olaf?

Yes, we do get snow, and last night I would have been complaining about how we had barely any, but we got TONS last night!  Yippee!  And no, I've never built a snowman and named him Olaf.

9. If it's snowing outside, would you prefer to go outside and build snowmen and enjoy it, or would you rather stay inside with a blanket and something hot to drink and maybe a movie or a book?
It depends on the wind and the temperature.  If it's really windy, I would prefer to be inside, but when the wind is still (and my warm clothes are clean and dry) I would prefer to be outside.

10. When do you start looking forward to or getting excited about Spring? 

Usually about the middle of January.

While looking for 'wintery' pictures, I ran across this poem.

It cracks me up because, while I was born in Wisconsin and lived there for 6 years, I never knew weather like this.  However, if I just exchanged the names of the states, this poem accurately describes almost every winter where I now live.

So there are my answers.  Thank you, Cordy for tagging me, and I tag:

Lydia
MovieCritic
Rebekah

Tolkien Blog Party 2017 ~ Tag

Hamlette over at The Edge of the Precipice is once again hosting A Tolkien Blog Party!!  And I almost forgot about it!  My life's been kinda crazy.  Anyway, here a is lovely tag she put together.

1. How long have you been a Tolkien fan?

  I've been a Tolkien fan for 4 years now.  Gosh, that doesn't seem right!

  2. Has your love of Middle-earth affected your life?

  Yes, in too many ways to count!!  

Keith Parkinson ~ Minas Tirith

  3. If you had to take the One Ring to Mordor, which character would you choose for your sole companion?

  Seriously?  Ummm, I think Sam.  Maybe Merry.

  4. Which is scarier, Shelob or the Balrog?

  Well I personally find Shelob scarier.  It's a giant spider!!

  5. Which two towers do you think Tolkien was referring to in the title The Two Towers?  (i.e. Orthanc, Barad-dûr, Cirith Ungol, Minas Morgul, or Minas Tirith)

  I believe he was referring to Orthanc and Cirith Ungol.

  6. Whose wardrobe would you like to have?

  Eowyn's.  She wears a lot of my favorite colors, plus I really like the style.  Although, Elrond's wardrobe would be cool too, especially his armor in The Hobbit.  All gold and glimmering!

This dress.  Gimme.

And this one, so simple but sturdy.

Simple, but elegant.  Totally love the belt.

I MUST HAVE THIS!!!

  7. What do you think an Ent Draught would taste like?

  Well, it says that it has a very earthy flavor, so maybe something like Celestial Seasonings Tension Tamer tea, or maybe nettles tea.  (I hate the stuff) 

  8. Where in Middle-earth would you like to live?

  Rohan.  Horses, wide open plains, and wind!!

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  9. Do you have any Tolkien-related opinions that surprise other people?

  I don't think so...but I might.  I really don't know.

  10. List up to ten of your favorite lines/quotations from the books or movies.

  Now, these aren't my top ten favorite quotes.

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  And an extra meme that is so true.

 

Beauty & the Beast ~ Tag

The Tag Questions: 

1.When did you first experience Beauty and the Beast?
  I have been 'exposed' to Beauty & the Beast all my life, though I have never seen Disney's animated version.

2. In what forms(book, movie, retelling) have you experienced Beauty and the Beast?
  I have read several retellings of it, and I think I've seen a modern movie re-telling, I just can't think of what it might have been.

3. Who is your favorite character in Beauty and the  Beast?
  Belle.  Her love and caring for those around her, well besides the dumbheads, is a beautiful example of how we should be.

4. What is your favorite song from the cartoon Beauty and the Beast?
   Tale As Old As Time.

5. If you were turned into a piece of furniture what you want it to be?
  I think a bed.  ;)

6. What would your dream cast for Beauty and the Beast be? (This can be as elaborate or simple as you desire.)
  Ummmm...well, the cast of the approaching live action film is pretty much my dream cast!

7. If your school were performing BatB which character would you want to play?
  Belle.  But i would be totally freaked out on stage, so you better leave me in the wardrobe department or give me a background non-speaking role.

8. Like Belle, do you enjoy reading books multiple times?
  Absolutely!

9. If you were to write a retelling, what would you change?
  Well, I currently have a retelling sort of going, and it's modern with no magic and closer tot he original then the Disney.

10. Are roses your favorite flowers?
  No, they are my second favorite.  Water-lilies are my favorite.

  I had planned to go see the upcoming movie in theatre, but due to vehicle issues, I can't.  However I do have a lovely friend who is planning to go,a nd she said she would tell me all I wanted to know.

I Love Austen Week ~ Tag

I haven't been on Blogger lately, so I completely forgot about this Austen Week hosted by the lovely Hamlette in person.  Anyway, here are my answers to the tag!

1.  Which did you experience first, a Jane Austen book or a movie based on one?

  The books.  My older sister read Persuasion out loud to us when I was around 10 (I think) and then Pride & Prejudice not long after.  I'm pretty sure I read all of the books before I saw any movie/TV adaptions.

2.  What is your favorite Austen book?   Oooooo.....I think Pride & Prejudice.

3.  Favorite heroine?  Why do you like her best?

  Well, I think I have to say Elizabeth Bennet.  She is smart, spunky, level headed, kind.  Yes she has her...well...issues, but she is also a very sweet girl.

4.  Favorite hero?  Why do you like him best?

  Fredrick Wentworth.  Who doesn't like a man in a naval uniform?  Just kidding!  It's actually Henry Tilney.  Well, he is very sensible, smart, has a great sense of humor, doesn't take nonsense from others, and all in all, he is the kind of man I would like to marry.

5.  Do you have a favorite film adaptation of Austen's work?

  Well, I like the 1995 P&P, the 2009 Emma and the 2008 S&S equally.

6.  Have your Austen tastes changed over the years?  (Did you start out liking one story best, but now like another better?  Did you think she was boring at first, then changed your mind?  Etc.)

  Actually, yes.  Northanger Abbey and Catherine Moreland used to be my favorites when I first read the books because I am the most like Catherine.  But as I have grown older, that has changed.  I'm still the most like Catherine, but I'm nowhere near as susceptible to the stories I read.  Well, when I read the book I still wasn't as susceptible as she was.

7.  Do you have any cool Austen-themed things (mugs, t-shirts, etc)?  (Feel free to share photos if you want.)

  Sadly I do not.  :(

8.  If you could ask Jane Austen one question, what would you ask her?

  Well I would wish to ask if her choice to write romance novels was born out of her failed engagement, but as that would hardly be polite, I would ask which of her heroines was her favorite.

9.  Imagine someone is making a new film of any Jane Austen story you choose, and you get to cast the leads.  What story do you want filmed, and who would you choose to act in it?

  Well I would like to see a new version of Persuasion.  And I think I would cast Lee Pace as Captain Wentworth.

  With Eleanor Tomlinson as Anne Elliot.

Dark and smoothed hair and int he beginning she would nee to be make-uped (I know that's not a word!) to look paler and thinner.

10.  Share up to five favorite Jane Austen quotations!

   I only have time to grab three right now.  Here they are.

"With three younger sisters grown up," replied Elizabeth smiling, "your Ladyship can hardly expect me to own it."

 “Very true,” said Henry, “and this is a very nice day, and we are taking a very nice walk, and you are two very nice young ladies. Oh! It is a very nice word indeed! It does for everything. Originally perhaps it was applied only to express neatness, propriety, delicacy, or refinement—people were nice in their dress, in their sentiments, or their choice. But now every commendation on every subject is comprised in that one word.” 

“By the bye—I have not wished you joy. Being pretty well aware of what sort of joy you must both be feeling, I have been in no hurry with my congratulations; but I hope it all went off tolerably well. How did you all behave? Who cried most?”  

  That's all folks!!  You can check out all the other posts HERE and be sure to check out the giveaways as well, HERE and HERE.  See you later!!

The Book Sacrifice Tag

  I was tagged by my very good friend Keturah, for The Book Sacrifice Tag.  When I first saw the title I went, "Okay, sounds a little weird"....then I read the post and immediately said, "I'm going to love this!!"

 

  #1: An Over-Hyped Book

  Situation: You are in a bookstore when the zombies attack.  Over the loudspeakers you hear the military announce that over-hyped books are the zombies' only weakness.  What over-hyped book will you chuck at the zombies?

 

  Well this one is quite easy for me.  Anyone of the Twilight books!  Now I have never read the Twilight series, but I know people who have and I know the Twilight story, and it's over-hyped.  And not only are they so popular that I would be able to find them in pretty much any bookstore, also every time I am in a Thrift Store (which is where I do my book shopping usually) I run across 2 in. thick, hardcover copies of the Twilight series and they look like pretty efficient weapons. 

 

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  #2: A Sequel

  Situation: You are caught in a torrential downpour and you're probably the type who melts when you get wet.  What sequel are you willing to use as an umbrella to protect yourself.

 

  First off, what do you think I'm made of?  Sugar Cookie dough?  Or at least, that's what I would tell my Grandpa when he would say I shouldn't be out in the rain!  I love the rain!  But if I was trying to protect a fancy hairdo or my makeup.....I would use either of the sequels in Beverly Lewis' Annie's People series.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a lot of Beverly Lewis' novels and she is one of the only Amish fiction authors I have read who actually accurately portrays the Amish.  And yes, I know what I'm talking about, I once lived among the Amish.  And while I think she did a good job of portraying the story that she wanted to, it was just really weird!  Like really weird!

 

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   #3: A Classic

  Situation: You're in English class and your professor won't stop going on about a classic that "revolutionized literature".  Personally you think the classic is garbage and you decide to express your opinion by hurling the book at his head.  What classic is that?

 

  Another easy one.  Gone With the Wind.  Now this is another book that I haven't read.  But I know a lot of people who have, one of those being my older sister whose opinion of literature I trust, and it has been described to me (and knowing the story as well as I do I agree with this description) as "A waste of 4 hours".  Plus in book format it's a pretty hefty book!  I might give the professor a concussion and that would effectually shut him up...at least for a little while!

 

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   #4: A Least Favorite Book

  Situation: You're hanging out at a bookstore (where else would you be?) when global warming somehow manages to to turn the whole world into a frozen wasteland.  Naturally, your only hope of survival is to burn a book.  Which book would you not regret tossing into the fire?

 

  Beg pardon, but how does global warming turn the world into a FROZEN wasteland?  Anyway, the book/s I wouldn't mind tossing into the flames would be Jody Hedlund's An Uncertain Choice and it's sequels, A Daring Sacrifice  and For Love & Honor.  I read the first book all the way and skimmed the other two ( my sister's ARC's, the last book isn't out yet), and what I found the most annoying, is that the female's have such modern idea's and attitudes.  Plus the men are too crude in front of ladies.  At least for men who are supposed to be medieval knights.  Now they do have gorgeous covers, like really gorgeous ones.  My favorite is For Love & Honor.  So I would throw them in the fire and be content that, even if I had no use for them where enjoyment was concerned, at least they were useful for keeping me warm!

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 Now one of the girls who did this tag thought it was too short, so they added a question.  I agree, so I am using that extra question.

  #5: A Series

  Situation: There's a flooded stream you have to cross on your quest and you can't get your feet wet.  Which series (oh yeah, btw, you brought your whole bookshelf and also probably local library with you) will you use as stepping stones?

  Another easily answered question!  The Elsie Dinsmore series.  I enjoy the first few books, but by the time Martha Finley reached book 9 or so (and she only ever wrote past 1 because all her readers wanted more) she had run out of plot ideas and so the books are basically them traveling all over the U.S. and telling the stories of the historical sites they visit.  SOOOOOOOO BOOOOOORRRINNGGGGG!!!!!!  If these books were supposed to be history books, all right, but they aren't, they are supposed to be historical romance novels!  And I would totally find a way to transport my bookshelves and the local library with me on a quest!!

  Now I am going to tag, MovieCritic, my good friend Andie, my twin sister Tazzie (just do it in the comment,s sis), my older sister Melody (I don't usually tag Mel, but I know she would do this tag!) and HopeAnn.

Fall-Tastic Favorites Tag

  Morgan LuaAnn over at The Day the Lord has Made, tagged me for:

Questions:
1. Favorite Fall Holiday:  Thanksgiving!!  All  the yummy food and family (not yummy family).

2. Favorite Fall Dessert Ingredient: Carmel, Pumpkin or Pecan?  Ooooo!!  That's a really tough one!  Individually nad mixed together, all three area amazing.  But I think of the three, Caramel is my favorite.

3. Favorite Fall Movie:  I don't really have one.

4. Favorite Fall Candle:  Apple scent.

5. Favorite Fall Drink:  Hot Cocoa or Spiced Apple Cider.

6. Favorite Item of Clothing for the Fall:  My fuzzy, pink sweater.

7. Favorite Fall Outing/Activity:  Walking through the gap that's about 7 miles away.

8. Favorite Candy:  Chocolate!

9. Favorite Fall Weather:  Sunny, but cool.

10. Favorite at Home Meal:  Sauerkraut with wieners, Rolls, Applesauce and Beets.

Q&A Tag

  I have been tagged by both Nimrodel and Fawnabelle.  And Fawna, I want to know why I am being punished?  ;)  Just kidding!!  Thank you for tagging me girls!

    Rules:
  Link to the blogger(s) who have nominated you.
  Answer the Questions you were given.
  Nominate 10 bloggers.
  Write out your 10 questions.
  Let them know they've been tagged.

    Nimrodel's Questions
1. Do you play a sport?  Is there a sport you want to learn?
  No I do not play a sport...unless you call wrangling your younger siblings a sport.  Then yes I do....and I'm quite proficient at it as well!!

  There are several sports I would like to learn.  Tae Kwan Do.  Archery.  Skiing.   Fencing.  (No Fawna, I am not coping you!)  The first for self-defense, the others for amusement.

2. Sunrise or Sunset?  Why?
  It's hard to chose!  Watching the world come to life is so much fun, but watching the Sun sink lower and lower and paint colors that know one else can, is amazing as well.

3. What was your dream job as a little kid?
  Ooooo.  You know, I don't really know!  I didn't really have one.

4. What was that last movie you watched that you really liked?
  Movie?  The last movie I watched that I really liked, would ahve to be Prince Caspian which I watch in July.

5. What songs are stuck in your head?
  SHINee ~ Fly High.  From the OST of a k-drama I have not seen.
  Ooo-de-lally ~ Disney's Robin Hood.  Can you sing it with your tongue touching the roof of your mouth the whole time?
  Celtic Woman ~ Santa Claus is Coming to Town.  Because I was listening to Christmas music and  heard that song, and then last night Melody said something about making lists.....

6. What is something that makes you feel nostalgic?
  Candlelight.  Canning in the Autumn.

7. If you were granted an extra hour to be added to your day (so you have 25 hours) what would you spend the hour doing?
  Probably reading or catching up with friends.

8. What is one of the most embarrassing moments you are willing to share?
  One time we were at a stamping party and one of my older sister's friends was wearing these bright red glittery flats.  She said how someone told her, "Those make me think of Dorothy", I thought she said "dorky" and so I said "I don't think they are dorky!".  Then she repeated herself.  At 11-12 I found it pretty embarrassing!

9. If you could customize your car license plate (for most U.S. readers, that means picking any combanation of 5-7 numbers or letters) what would you like your license plate to say?
  41104ME  A reference to my favorite Bible verse, Isaiah 41:10.

10. Rivers, lakes, streams, ponds or the ocean?
  They are all so much fun!!  But if I had to have one on or adjoining my property, I would choose a lake or large pond.  Then I could go skating on it in the winter, and swimming and boating in the summer.



  Fawnabelle's Questions

1. What is your favorite thing about fall?
  The nippy wind blowing in your face.  The gorgeous colors that paint the mountainside.  The honk of geese as they head south.

2. How do you eat a cupcake? (Trust me, there are several ways...)
  In public, I peel the wrapper away and eat it daintily trying not to get frosting on my nose.  In private, I usually take the wrapper all the way off, turn it upside down, and eat it from the bottom down saving the frosting for the end.

3. How do you prefer your cookies?  Crispy?  Gooey?  Half-baked?  RAW?!
  Crisp or gooey, depending on the type.

4.  Is there a traditional food and/or dessert that your family makes for the holidays?  What is it?  (Can I have the recipe?)
  Well, I try to make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip bread every season.

5. What is your favorite soup?
  Does thick, chunky Stew (my specialty) count?  Otherwise, Sour Cream Potato Chive Soup.

6. What do you eat for breakfast during the holidays?  Anything special?
  Well this year we started having special breakfasts of Ice Cream and another dessert (doughnuts, pudding pie, fruit bars, cheesecake bars, etc.) on Half-Birthdays, but during the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year holiday season, no, we don't really.  Oh wait, we do on Christmas morning.  We have pancakes with maple syrup.  (Drenched in it in my case!)

7. Do you carve out your pumpkins to decorate your porch during Halloween time?
  Nope.  We don't celebrate Halloween.

8.  Are you excited to eat all the delicious foods waiting for us in these coming winter months?!
  YES!!  For the second year in a row, we are going to make November a 'Pumpkin Month' where we make a pumpkin dish (dessert or other) every day!!

9.  Does it snow where you live?  About how much snow do you get?
  Yes.  We generally get an average of 2 ft. of snow every winter.  Some years we get more.

10. Do you make your hot cocoa special?  Any extra marshmallows or whipped cream?  Powdered cinnamon?!  Does anyone drink champurrado?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
  Yes.  Yes.  No.  No.  For Hot Cocoa, I like to drink Blue Diamond Chocolate Almond Milk heated with Caramel Sauce and Guittard's White Chocolate (melted in a little cream) mix in and Whipped Cream on top.


  Now, I'm not going to nominate 10 for the same reason that Fawnabelle gave.  But here are the ones that I do nominate.

Clare

Maeve

Keturah

Rachel

Tazzie (you can either answer them in the comments, or borrow my blog)

and...... *snickers* Fawnabelle!!  (giving back what you gave!!)


    My 10 Questions
  1. What is your favorite flavor and brand of Ice Cream.
  2. Have you ever seen the ocean?
  3. Have you ever gone water skiing?
  4. What is your favorite memory connected with summer?
  5. What is your favorite winter activity?
  6. Who is your favorite actor?
  7. What movie is a go-to for your family?
  8. Have you ever played around in the rain until you were soaking wet?
  9. You are sitting by a tree, a bear appears 20 yards from you.  He hasn't seen you yet.  What will you do?  (the tree is climbable (by humans) and it is a grizzly.)
  10. And now, of the gentlemen below, whose looks do you prefer?

Ji Chang Wook

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Lee Min Ho

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Enjoy girls!!

Tolkien Blog Party 2016 ~ Tag

Wooo hooo!!  Hamlette's Blog Party is finally here!!

 
The Tolkien Tag 2016
1.  How many books by J.R.R. Tolkien have you read?
   A lot more then when I did this tag last year!!  I have read, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, and The Children of Hurin.
 
2.  Have you seen any movies based on them?
   I have seen the theatrical and extended editions of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the theatrical editions of his The Hobbit trilogy. 

3.  Are there any scenes/moments that make you cry?
   An easier question to answer would be, "are there any scenes that don't make you cry".  The sad scenes make me cry, the beautiful scenes make me cry and I always cry when the Horns of Rohan are heard on the Pelennor Fields.  Both in the books and movies.

4.  Are there any scenes/moments that make you laugh?
   GaZOBS!!  Pippin scenes, Legolas/Gimli scenes.  And I tend to laugh at the Orcs twisted belief that "this is the age of the Orcs".  Also when they discover that the Rohirrim riding down on top of them aren't scared of them!

5.  Have you ever chosen a Middle Earth name for yourself?  If so, what is it?
   Well I have used a Elvish and Hobbit name generator and these were the results.
My Elvish name is: Finduilas Arnatuilë (I have always loved the name Finduilas!!)
My Hobbit name is: Sweetpea Bulge of Great Smials (I must be a cousin of Pippin's!)
  I have also translated my own name into Elvish, but I'm not going to state it here.



6.  Who would you want to party with/marry/fight to the death? (pick three characters)
   Oh my goodness!!  Party with?  Merry and Pippin.  MARRY?!?!?!?!  I have no idea!!  If I have to choose someone (well someone who isn't dead or married by the end of their respective book), I'll just say......Beregond if he isn't already married?  His wife is never mentioned.  Otherwise Eomer.  Totally and completely.  Fight to the death?  Well if it's fight beside, then Kili and Thorin, if it's fighting against then, I don't know.  Ugluk.

7.  When was the last time you visited Middle Earth, via books or movies?
   Well I am kind of there now.  Melody and I are reading the books out loud to some of the kids.  We are about to read, "The King of the Golden Hall".  I haven't watched the movies yet this year, which is a serious crime!!

8.  Do you consider Gollum to be a villain?  Why or why not?
   Not really.  I consider him more of an antagonist.  Yes he does some really horrific things, and yes he was a bad person even before the Ring took him, but I can't think him thoroughly a villain because of how much of his villainy IS caused by the Ring and not really by him.  (I'm sorry if this doesn't make sense.  I'm not feeling well today and my brain isn't working!)  

9.  How would you sum up what Tolkien's stories mean to you in one word?
   Epic.

10. List up to ten of your favorite lines/quotes from the books or movies.
  I don't have the current brain power to actually go search them out (or remember them) right now, so I will just grab a bunch off of Pinterest.

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And of course this one!!!

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