The Leap

Hello all!

As you've all figured out by now, I've kind of hit my photo storage limit for the Blogger platform (about which I was utterly desolate about for, eh, three months?). But don't get all weepy on me, because I have moved the blog!

From now on, The Extraordinary Adventures will commence at aredheadsfairytale.tumblr.com! Admittedly, my graphics aren't as good, but by will or some act of Photoshop- by golly- I'll figure out this html thing.

Also, I'll try to get all my old posts archived over there, so they don't get lost in the shuffle.

So, keep reading.
And keep being cool.

-Riley

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