Perfect Ideas

Today was the first Christmas party of the year! Tons of fun and lots of pictures, but unfortunately, Google's telling me that I've reached my picture limit. Let's see if I can get this sorted out.

Wish me luck,

Riley

Lights

Tonight we put up the Christmas tree and all the other decorations. Finally. We tried to stick with "classy ornaments" that would "reflect light well" this year. No more first grade art projects or polymer clay snowmen, but it looks good nonetheless. 

Thank You, Thank You

Hello and Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American readers out there! 

We spent most of the day today at my grandparents' house to celebrate the holiday with food and family and friends of family and the great outdoors.

Long Time Coming

The most beautiful corsage on the face of the planet.

Last week, I promised a few posts about pre-Homecoming, and, as usual, something went wrong and that simply did not happen. I lost my SD card. Woops.

So, here we are at the end of it all instead: 

Last night was my first time participating in a school's homecoming.

Excitement.

Talkin' Nerdy

I love dress up days. I really truly do. It's an excuse to wear all those weird things in your closet: bright pink tights, suspenders, argyle socks, a tutu. And around here, especially as homecoming's approaching, we get a lot of dress-up days.

And wouldn't you know it- today was nerd day.

Fall Playlist

 Hello all! It's been sweaters and tights all week long here, thank goodness, and everything's turning red and orange. Unfortunately, my morning commute is getting darker and darker every day, so I don't always get to see until afternoon. Boo!

In any case, here's the playlist for my scenic autumn drives this year. Enjoy!

1. "I Believe in Everything"- Matchbox Twenty

2. "Hopeless Wanderer"- Mumford & Sons

3. "Holland Road"- Mumford & Sons

4. "Champion"- The Chevin

5. "Summertime Sadness"- Lana Del Ray

6. "From the Woods"- James Vincent McMorrow

7. "Young Blood"- The Naked and the Famous

8. "Home"- Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

9. "Cosmic Love"- Florence & the Machine

10. "Only If For A Night"- Florence & the Machine

11. "Heartless" (Kanye West cover)- The Fray

12. "Dirty Paws"- Of Monsters and Men

13. "Howlin' for You"- The Black Keys

Next week is going to busy, busy. Maybe I'll blog a little extra this weekend to make up for it?

Happy listening,

-Riley

Confessions of a Life-Long Read-Ahead

School, school, school. We certainly have a love/hate relationship. Then again, who doesn't?

In the more optimistic view, though, the love part: before this year, I'd never been absolutely required to do outside reading for any class but English (and only English in a few rare cases). 

But by the middle of September, I suddenly had my own personal study library.

I kid, I kid. But really, there are quite a few of them; the ol' Nook-ster has a whole shelf for 'em. 

Luckily for me, they aren't too bad (in fact most of them are very good), but of course I'm not supposed to have read ahead, so let's keep that between us, shall we?

Fiddle Me Pink

Today my family (and the entirety of the Southeastern region of the United States) ended up at a brilliant music festival in the most unexpectedly chilly weather.

13 Things to Do Before 2013

I just realized it yesterday, but before we know it, it will be 2013.

Does that sound ridiculous to anyone else? It seemed like just yesterday was New Year's Eve.

I'm a big resolution person, but I also don't believe in waiting until the last minute to get stuff done, so here's my todo list until the ball drops:

1. Find a new way to organize and prioritize homework.

2. Catch up to the current season of Doctor Who, the Walking Dead, and Sherlock.

3. Survive school formal season

4. Read 8 books.

5. Write a novel for National Novel Writing Month.

6. Develop a regular blogging schedule (yay!).

7. Get back into working out and eating well.

8. Make lots of pumpkin flavored things.

9. Lots of trips.

10. Learn some really good jokes. Use them all the time.

11. Start saving more money than I spend.

12. Make some headway into major decisions about the next few years of school.

13. Learn to walk in high, high heels.

And now I've got to hold to them.

What are some things you want to get done before the new year? Leave your comments below!

-Riley

French Toast English Muffin

This morning, for the first time in a while, I woke up with enough time to actually make breakfast, and sit down to eat it with a cup of coffee (which, cross my heart and kiss my elbow, I tried to quit last week, to no avail). This particular morning, it was one of my absolute favorite things to make nowadays: French toast English muffins

They're basically made the same way as normal French toast, just split the muffin, soak it in egg, and then toss it in the pan for a few minutes. Normally I add cinnamon to my egg, but I forgot this morning (whoops).

But admit it, they look gorgeous.

Then a little melted peanut butter goes a long way.

But then again, it always does.

And then, of course, I gave in and sprinkled on a liberal amount of cinnamon sugar.

It's so filling and good, and really satisfies the sweet tooth if you're like me and prefer a sugary breakfast over a savory one.

Hope you've all had a fantastic week!

-Riley

Stormy Seas

This evening, I found out that my freshman journalism teacher lost her final battle with cancer.

She was such a strong woman, a role model even in her hours of weakness, and I will miss her terribly. 

But she is relieved of her pain at last, thank God, and is somewhere so much better than here.

Rest in Peace, Mrs. Henson.

You will be missed so much.

-Riley

Festivities

Today was absolutely, positively my second perfect Saturday in a row.

A Book By Its Cover: The Great Gatsby

As part of my Lit/Analysis class (which, contrary to popular complaint is a pretty fun class all around), we're doing a big focus on the American Dream, and, luckily, the first part of our study was reading this lovely, lovely book.

Perfect Saturday

Today has been the greatest (and most busy) day on the face of the planet.

I'd Be

If I were a gemstone, I'd be a carnelian.

If I were a scent, I'd be fresh-baked muffins.

If I were a pair of shoes, I'd be little brown flats.

If I were the weather, I'd be a rainy day.

If I were a facial expression, I'd be lost in thought.

If I were a car, I'd be a Mini Coupe.

If I were a time of day, I'd be dusk.

If I were a month, I'd be September.

If I were a place, I'd be the bookstore on a cold day.

If I were a liquid, I'd be a latte.

If I were a taste, I'd be richly raspberry.

If I were a sea animal, I'd be a jelly fish.

If I were a food, I'd be a red velvet cookie.

If I were a colour, I'd be something like auburn.

If I were a musical instrument, I'd be a baby grand.

If I were a flower, I'd be a moss rose.

If I were a song, I'd be "Early in the Morning, I'll Come Calling."

If I were a planet, I'd be Saturn.

If I were an object, I'd be a sketchbook.

If I were a fruit, I'd be a nectarine.

If I were a sound, I'd be the crickets' chirp.

If I were a day of the week, I'd be a definite Tuesday.

Posted by Charlotte at Charlotte's Web and I had to give it a try! :) 

Happy Tuesday. 

Riley

Salt and Pepper and Mondays

Hello all! Just thought I'd drop by to say I hope your week started well, and thought I'd share these cure little guys we found at the grocery store over the weekend. Aren't they precious? They were salt and pepper shakers too. 

I was sad to leave them behind.

See you in the funny papers.

-Riley

Sketch Saturday

Hello all! Hope you've all been having a spectacular weekend. 

Those Who Crawl Upon the Earth

I'll admit it. 

I have a strange (maybe a little unlady-like) fascination with creeping crawlies: ants, caterpillars, butterflies, snails, slugs, praying mantises, spiders, bees. They're all intriguing to me, and every so often I'll go for a spin around the yard with my camera to snap them up. 

Soon and Very Soon

Lovely, Lovely Labor Day

 Had a lovely Labor Day weekend with my family, including a visit from my aunt, cousin, and second cousin (whom for all intents and purposes will be referred to as "the Fabulous Miss J.J.).

Lots of rain and running around and good food. Here's a few snapshots to sum it all up:

Devil Cookies

So, on a late-evening traipse to Target the other night, my dad found these suckers in the bakery aisle:

The Week in Review

Hey, long time, no see! My brother pointed out that I've been very much the absentee blogger this week, and I'm super sorry. Life's been full of little adventures this week, especially since Wednesday, so here's what's new:

Clip

Every year, just about this time, I get the itch. 

That itch to do something a little bit crazy, a little bit different, be a different person.

And, I'll admit it, most of the time, it gets taken out on my hair.

This time last year, my hair was a little past shoulder length, only weeks away from being chopped off (to my mother's chagrin and my friends' shock). Tomorrow I go back to the hairdresser with the same inspiration (today to my mother's chagrin, and tomorrow night to my friends' shock).

I'm beyond nervous, but excited as all get-out.

I'm thinking something along these lines. I can't wait.

Anybody other curly-headed girls ever gone pixie-cut? How'd it go? Let me know in the comments below!

A little bit of hair-prayer is appreciated.

Riley

Children of All Ages

Over the years, like any other youngster, I've daydreamed about skipping classes and running off to join the circus. And not just any circus. I'm talking one of those old-time circuses: the ones that artists, costumers, and historians dream about.
Alas, I remain firmly planted in the 21st Century, no sign of time-travel in sight.

Until then, I can always peruse old issues of National Geographic and daydream to my heart's content.

B, B, What Begins With B?

A little while ago, Cassey over at Blogilates posted an enthusiastic reaction to a pretty unique, 100% natural recipe. Using only a banana and (an) egg(s), one is supposedly able to make some super tasty and healthy pancakes.

Just in Time Friday

No kidding. If Friday had gotten here any slower , I might would have lost my marbles. It's been a good week, albeit long, but I was so ready for the weekend: sleeping in, working out, and catching up on (dare I say it?) homework. Dun dun duuuuuunnnnn.

Moi

Many apologies for falling off the face of the planet the last few days. Schedule's been full, lots of work's been done, even a few social functions have been attended. Life has resumed for the time being.

In any case, I've spent all this week introducing myself over and over and over again. My teachers this year have taken more interest in me and my hobbies than ever before. (To put this in perspective, my math teacher this year wanted to know my favorite food. I'm not certain my math teacher last year even had my email address.) 

Which, albeit often awkward and repetitive, is really very nice and thought-provoking. You learn a lot about yourself when the objective is to condense the essence of your personality to a list or a picture.

The Madness of Extreme Exhaustion

It was back to classes for me today, ready or not.

I'll proudly admit that I began the day with enthusiasm, and a really adorable outfit.

To the Last

I woke up this morning with the inevitable feeling of autumn. It was not the weather outside, nor the turning of the leaves (though the tree outside my house is forever the earliest to shed). It was really a feeling in my soul that summer was coming to a swift end.

And, so, unable to turn back the clock, I celebrated the last day of summer, surrounded by friends and family. 

Purring and Pleased as Punch

Guess what I got in the mail today.

A hint?

If you remember my library adventure from a few days ago, you may be pleased to know that it came to fruition today. 

I'm squealing like a toddler on the inside.

I know, I know. 

"It's a library book," you say.

 "That's gross," you say.

"But it was cheap," I say.

"And it's the book I wanted," I say.

"And it's not missing pages or covered in colored pencil or highlighter and it actually has a cover illustration unlike the one I read when I was eight," I say.

I'm really pleased as punch. I love it so much.

Many thanks to Gypsysnark books, and one Spring Ridge Library (wherever it may be), and my fantastic father for helping me figure it all out on Amazon. And, of course, the author.

Nerdy and Cat-Loving.

-Riley

Throw in the Towel

My color is red, my dad's is blue, my mom's is pink, and if you squint a little, you can see my brother's orange.

Call me a quitter, but that's precisely what I think I'm going to do. 

With only about a day left to go, I think I've finally rested my case for the annual family reading contest.

I had a good run, with 14 books read: two over my personal goal for the summer, and one over what I do believe was my previous record.

Things Never Change

The most beautiful movie device in the history of history. 

Today was my last weekday of sweet, sweet freedom. Cue the tears, the begging, the inevitable plans to join a circus rather than return to education. 

So, fueled by all that, we decided to spend today tripping through interstate antique stores, wishing summer would never end. Lots of interesting things abounded.

P.S. Pretty (Great) Scones

Remember when I made strawberry sconelets and started daydreaming about all the potential flavors?

Well, let me be the first to say...

Lemon-poppyseed works too.

And, hey, guess what? These look good even without glaze.

Yum.

-Riley

Sweet As Can Be

Yesterday afternoon (dinner, actually, since my eating habits are shot to absolute pieces) I finally spent the last of my Christmas gift cards on frozen yogurt.

Sweet Cece's frozen yogurt, all thanks to my dear friend and fellow scribbler Sarah.

Do All For Cats

When I was in elementary school, I was the bookish type. I loved the library. I loved the librarian and her straight teeth and her long skirts. I loved story time. I loved it all.

So, in essence, things really haven't changed all that much.

There was one book, in particular though, that I absolutely adored when I was a little one. It was a hand-illustrated reference book called Cats, and I checked it out as many times as I could, I read it on the bus and in class and at home, and (just between us) by middle school, I halfway regretted not "misplacing" it at the end of fifth grade and just paying the fee to have it as mine forever and ever.

Unfortunately, I did nothing of the sort, and last night, like some kind of nerdy phantom limb pain, it was bothering me terribly.