Anglophile

I don't know what it is - perhaps my near-obsessive consumption of all things Doctor Who - but lately I've had England on the brain. Britain, the UK, whatever you want to call it. Why does one small country have so many different names, anyway? I've just really, really wanted to visit lately. It seems like the kind of place I'd like. I absolutely love their accents, and the way they talk. I often try, most likely rather poorly, to affect a British accent, and every so often I throw in a "brilliant" or "oi!" They drink tea all the time, and it's easily one of my favorite beverages. Not to mention, the weather sounds absolutely heavenly. It rains there more often than not, and if you've been hanging around this blog for a while you'll know that rainy days are my favorite. Also, it doesn't seem to get as cold in winter, which I wouldn't mind at all. Another factor may be that The Boy is half British. His father's family came over from England, and he still has relatives living there. Unfortunately, he has never been there. And last, but certainly not least, England is just plain down cute. I mean, look at these pictures:

{all photos via pinterest}

♥♥Kristin

TIme Flies When You're Having Fun.

As of Thursday, I finished my first year of college. It's a strange feeling, being finished with a whole year already. Didn't I just graduate from high school a month or two ago? It's funny how the days seem to go so slowly, but the months fly by so fast. Last year at this time, I was a senior, finishing up my last year of high school. Anticipating graduation. Slacking off on my schoolwork because it's what seniors do.

And now here I am. One year older, with a quarter of my college career under my belt. New friends. A boy who somehow became my boyfriend and best friend. Looking forward to a Summer full of backyard picnics, spontaneous day-trips, friendship, laughter and sunsets. And I can't wait.

♥♥Kristin

The Dream

I think everybody has one. It's that one dream that's always kind of in the back of your head, and no matter how irrational it may sound, no matter whether the chances of your achieving it are slim to none, it still just sits there. Maybe you pull it out every once in a while, just to admire, but you can never let it go. For me, that dream is a little bookstore/coffeeshop nestled in between the post office and the dog groomer on a sunny tree lined street. I can smell it: the rich aroma of coffee mingling with that unmistakeable, slightly sweet scent of new books. I can see it: the round tables with comfy chairs and a fireplace in one corner. The shelves of books, new and used, a rainbow of spines. The sunset streaming in through the windows making warm blocks on the wood floor. I can hear the soft chatter, the whisper of book pages, the clattering and foaming of hot drinks being prepared. I know it'll never happen, but that doesn't mean I'll stop dreaming it. It's not so much that I'm hoping it'll come true as it makes me happy to picture. What's your favorite dream?
♥♥Kristin

When the Words Don't Come

Do you ever have days or weeks or even months like that? Where you sit at the computer or with a notebook in front of you and there are so many words inside of you but not one of them can make its way from your brain to your fingers? I've been struggling with it for a few weeks now. There are so many emotions roiling around in my head, so many different thoughts flitting from here to there, but not one of them will form itself into a short concise paragraph. As the ever-brilliant John Green said through Augustus Waters, "My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations." There are really so many things I'd like to say, the only problem is that I just can't put my finger on how to say them.
♥♥Kristin

Where You Find Yourself

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 I find myself so many different places. In the dog-eared pages marking my favorite spots of my favorite books. In the stacks of dusty journals with my twelve-year-old scrawl under my bed. In the small chip on the handle of my favorite coffee mug. In the smudges on the screen of my laptop. In the small man made of twistie ties hanging from the rear view mirror of my car. In the small stain on the sleeve of my favorite sweater. Each of these things and more is a reflection of me, who I was at a certain time in my life, and ultimately who I am today because of it. Sometimes I can't help feeling nostalgic about even the smallest things. Where do you find yourself?
♥♥Kristin

I Could Almost Be A Morning Person

 There's just something about it. Once I get past the waking up part, I really do enjoy mornings. I enjoy the peace and quiet, the calm of taking a few moments to drink some tea or coffee and eat some breakfast before the chaos of the day. I love the way the air feels fresher in the morning, and everything looks a little brighter. On wintry mornings I savor the drive to work or school with the sunrise to my back and the fresh clean world spread out before me. In summer there's nothing better than footprints in the dewy grass and the scents of yellow and green surrounding me. I love the feeling of having your whole day before you, fresh and "with no mistakes in it" as Anne Shirley would say. Quite honestly if mornings didn't come so early I'd be their biggest fan.
♥♥Kristin

Just That Time of Year

I guess it is just that time of year. Those months between New Year's Day and the first warm day of Spring. They always leave me in a bit of a fog, feeling uncreative and unmotivated. At least, that's the excuse I'm going to use for neglecting this little blog of mine. I've started and scrapped a good number of posts, because nothing comes out right. I haven't forgotten you, I promise. When the weather warms up and the days start to grow longer again, hopefully the sunshine will bring me some motivation. For now, though, just know that I am still here, hibernating if you will.
♥♥Kristin

I'm Ready.

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I want this so badly right now. For the past four days it hasn't gotten above 20 degrees. It's absolutely miserable. The cold wind stings your face, your fingers feel like they're frozen even beneath the mittens and your toes soon go numb. Long story short, I've had enough of this winter business. I say, full steam ahead to Spring and Summer. I'm ready for warmth and vacations to the mountains and trips to the lake and hikes through the woods. I'm ready for green and sunshine and warm rough sidewalk beneath my bare feet. I'm ready for fresh juicy watermelon and ice pops and grilled hamburgers and lemonade. I'm ready for a breeze that caresses my face instead of stinging it, for the smell of spring wafting through open car windows, for warm grass, a blanket and a book. I'm ready.
♥♥Kristin

Of Books and How They've Captured My Heart (Again)

Lately I'd been in the hugest book rut. I just couldn't seem to find a book that truly caught my attention and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't bring myself to actually start and finish a book. Even some of my old favorites weren't doing it for me. Then, one of my friends offered to let my borrow the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series that I'd been wanting to read for a while. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get into it. I even thought they might bore me, considering the fact that they were written for 12-year-old boys. Oh, how wrong I was. I was hooked from the first few chapters of The Lightning Thief (the first book in the series).
If you haven't read them, they're about a 12-year-old (in the first book) boy named Percy Jackson who finds out that he's a demigod, the son of Poseidon, god of the sea, and a mortal woman. His best friend, Grover, turns out to be a satyr whose mission was to protect him. He's taken to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for half blood children of the gods like himself, where he meets Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena. All the while, the world of the gods is on the cusp of a great war which Percy very quickly gets wrapped up in. He and Annabeth and Grover (along with other friends they meet along the way) are sent on numerous "quests" to try to save the world of the gods. There's also a prophecy involving Percy, but  I won't give too much away! Really, I highly recommend you read them. I'm not saying I believe any of that stuff about the Greek gods and such, of course, but the mythology sure is interesting and I feel that I've learned a lot through reading the books. It's so fascinating to me.
Anyway, long story short, I am now obsessing over this story and these characters. I've read more in the past few weeks than I had in a while. I'm already compiling a huge list of books to read once I've finished this series and the one that comes after it. You can find the list here on Goodreads. Between those books and my new tumblr, I'm falling in love with books all over again.
♥♥Kristin

Life Lately

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 My second semester of college started on Tuesday. I managed to schedule it so that I only have classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but that means that my Tuesdays and Thursdays are packed. Both days I have Psychology, Anthropology and the dreaded Geometry. Then on Thursdays evenings I have Arts and Play (A class for my Elementary Education major). On the days I'm not in school I'll be working and doing homework and hopefully doing some much-needed reading and tea drinking and relaxing.

Some guilty pleasures I've been indulging in lately:
The Percy Jackson series. Honestly, they were written for 12 year old boys, but I just can't get over them. They've got me hooked like no book has been able to do for a while.
Mainstream music. I know, I know, the content and language are often far from ideal, but I try not to listen to that. I just love how catchy some of it is. How singalongwithable the songs are. (Yup, I just invented a word).
Buying my favorite drinks and snacks from the vending machines at school (Gummies! Strawberry Kiwi Lemonade! Salt and Vinegar Chips!) even though they're frightfully expensive and hardly healthy.

How's life been treating you lately?
♥♥Kristin

p.s. I feel as though I've sort of been neglecting this blog. You know how it can be. Hopefully a real, planned out post will be coming soon!

My Christmas Break in Review.

I can't believe that my Christmas break is over already. It went by so fast! Now it's time to see how I did with my to-do list:
1. Re-read the Wrinkle in Time series. I've been thinking about them a lot lately, and though I've read them all countless times, I'm ready to do it again. Well...I finished A Wrinkle in Time, and then lost some steam. I ended up skipping the next two and going straight to Many Waters which I never actually finished. Shame on me.
2. Spend as much time as possible with my bestfriend
3. Go shopping with my Mom and aunts (It's kind of a tradition)
4. Bake/make things (especially these hot chocolate truffles and these brownies). I'm usually not much of a baker, but the holidays really put me in the mood.Both recipes are fantastic, by the way.
5. Go sledding (that is, if we get a substantial snowfall... here's hoping!) This one didn't get completed, but it wasn't really my fault. You see, it didn't really snow.
6. Take some photos. That's one thing that I've been REALLY slacking on lately. I can't remember the last time I got out my camera just to take a few pictures. You guessed it. I didn't even touch my camera.
7. Write something. Or lots of little somethings. I don't really care so long as I'm writing. Eh... I wrote, but not as much as I could have I suppose.

So, I have to say that even though I never really finished some of the things that I wanted to, I still enjoyed my Christmas Break immensely. I had fun with friends, I was just as lazy as I wanted, and I started reading the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series on recommendation by a friend. That would be the reason I never got through the Wrinkle in Times. Now, school starts on Tuesday and I work four days a week from here on out. No more laziness for me, but honestly I think I'm ready for some structure again.
I know many of you may have started school already, but how was your Christmas Break?
♥♥Kristin

Reader Quirks

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I like reading quite a lot, in case you haven't already figured that out. Yesterday I was shocked to learn that my friend didn't even know who Jane Austen was. There are things like that that I just take for granted that everyone knows. How can you live 18 years and make your way through high school without learning about or at least hearing mention of Jane Austen? It really made me think. I love being a reader. I love knowing things, little tidbits that I've picked up from the different novels I've read. I love knowing the answers to the literary questions on Jeopardy. I love feeling intelligent when people ask about the books I've read and the authors I'm familiar with. I love knowing the plots and being able to quote the "classic" books. I have this constant need to read more books. Any kind will do. Classic. Modern. Dystopian fiction. Fairytales. Even some horror books (more in the vein of Dracula and Frankenstein than Stephen King).
I'll be the first to admit that I have some reader quirks of my own. I rarely, if ever, use bookmarks. I know it's a horrible habit, but I just fold the corner of the page down. I often read a bit from the last few pages before I get there, or sometimes before I even start the book. Sometimes I read something important and spoil things for myself, but sometimes it gives me a reason to keep reading at a certain point in the book. I'll carry a book everywhere I go, even if I'm sure I won't need it. Because really, you never know. It's a large part of the reason I even carry a purse. I don't feel at all comfortable writing in my books, even to underline a quote I like. It just feels wrong to me somehow. I do like reading what others have written or seeing what they've underlined though.
So that's me. Bookworm. Lover of words. Reader. I wouldn't have it any other way.

In other news, and somewhat the inspiration for this post, I've started a book blog on Tumblr. I've wanted to for a while, and two days ago I finally went ahead and did it. I like to think of it as sort of making up for the 365 blog that I left miserably incomplete. I mainly reblog pretty book pictures and quotes I like, but I plan on posting reviews from time to time.
Check it out if you'd like: nofrigate-likeabook.tumblr.com
♥♥Kristin

The Farm Show

It happens for a week every year. I don't know if it's just a Pennsylvania thing or if every state has something similar. It's basically like a fair, but indoors. There's a huge building (called the "farm show complex") in Harrisburg that was built solely for hosting the farm show every year (of course other events are held there as well). There are all kinds of different farm animals to see, a butter sculpture, rodeos and draft competitions in the arenas, and of course stands selling fair food. I suppose you could say it's a little redneck, but it's always a lot of fun. The milkshakes are to die for. There are a lot of stands with free samples of everything from spaghetti sauce to popcorn. It's often very crowded but if you're there with friends it's a lot of fun. It's something I look forward to every year.
♥♥Kristin

2012//The Year in Review

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  It's that time of year again: Bloggers are all writing posts looking back onto the past year and looking forward to the one ahead. Now it's my turn. Here are the highlights:

-In March I started writing this blog and I honestly had no idea where it would be today, or if I'd even stick it out at all. It turns out that I've really enjoyed blogging a lot. It's given me a creative outlet and I've discovered more about myself through blogging. I've written a lot more than ever before and I'm discovering a lot more about myself as a writer. I don't think I'd ever choose it as a career, but it's one of my favorite hobbies. I also enjoy talking to you lovely people.

-This year I also started to get a lot closer to my co-workers. We had so many fun times: going to an amusement park, bowling, Wal-Mart adventures and just generally hanging out and having a blast and laughing until our stomachs hurt. I've developed some real friendships that I am extremely grateful for. I honestly don't know what I would do without these people. I really enjoy spending time with them, even if everyone else thinks we're completely crazy.

-I graduated from high school and started community college. That was a big step in my life. I was completely ready to leave high school because quite honestly it was never my thing. I've always been a bit of a nerd so the learning part was just fine and I even enjoyed most of my classes. I just never felt like I truly fit in with many of the people in my classes. I was always in class with the preps and "populars" and we never got along well. I was also kind of quiet, which didn't help matters for me much. In any case, that part of my life is over now, and if given the opportunity I don't think  I'd go back. I got through it, and that's what matters. Now, in college, I don't have many friends but really I feel like I'm just biding my time there until I move on. Luckily one of my work friends goes there as does my best friend, and another friend from work is planning to go there next year.

This year was actually quite enjoyable, and if I had to live it again, I would in a heartbeat. I just hope 2013 is just as good if not better. I'm not going to make any new years resolutions (let's be honest, I rarely keep them anyway) but here are some of my hopes for the new year:

-So there's this guy. He's sweet and funny, we have such good times together and I feel like I can talk to him about anything. He makes me smile. I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much, but according to various people there is some possibility that he'd ask me out. It would be nice...

-I just want to develop the friendships that I have. I feel like we've got some good things going and I just don't want to ruin anything!

As long as things continue much as they have been going, I will be completely content with my life. I love where I am right now, for the first time in a while. This year has been good for me and I can only hope that it continues into 2013. I hope the new year is all you hope it will be, my friends.
♥♥Kristin

Aunt Beast//A Wrinkle in Time

I know I keep going on about this book, but let me gush just a bit more.
I don't know how many of you have actually read the book, but I'm going to tell you a little bit about my favorite part (I'll try to keep it spoiler free!):
At one point, Meg and co. end up on the grey planet of Ixchel (Don't ask about the names, I honestly couldn't tell you). Meg is very ill and possibly close to death from a recent traumatizing experience. No one knows what to do. Soon they are approached by three of the planets inhabitants, creatures with four arms and tentacles for fingers and indentations on their faces where features would be. Of course the initial reaction is fear, but the beasts (for lack of a better term) promise to take care of Meg, to make her better. As there is nothing her friends could do for her, they have no choice but to agree.
Meg builds a special bond with the beast who cares for her, and affectionately calls her Aunt Beast. These creatures are like nothing she's ever seen before, and they'd certainly never known a human before. Still, they helped her, and she is overcome by gratefulness. These creatures are my favorite part of the book, and here's why:
They are the most caring, thoughtful, loving creatures. Meg notices that they have a wonderful scent, and thinks to herself, "I hope I don't smell awful to it...But then she knew with a deep sense of comfort that even if she did smell awful the beasts would forgive her."
Despite their unfamiliarity with her species, the beasts selflessly care for Meg and her companions in the most hospitable ways possible.
The beasts planet may appear grey and dreary, but there is so much more to it. There is music more beautiful than anything Meg has heard. They are one with their sun and the stars and nature in a very real way. They experience without seeing. Meg realizes that "It was she who was limited by her senses, not the blind beasts, for they must have senses of which she could not even dream."
Later on when it comes time to leave and for Meg to face her fears again, Aunt Beast selflessly offers to go along with Meg, "to hold her" even though she would be experiencing things she'd never known before and putting herself in danger.
These creatures have really imprinted themselves on me, and every time I read this book again I am reminded of it. They are the kindest, most selfless and giving creatures. They love and give unconditionally, even to an alien girl they barely know. This is the way more people should be. It doesn't matter how different one person is from another, unconditional love is all you need.
♥♥Kristin

Today It Snowed.

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Not much, just enough to coat the ground and transform everything from brown to white. I am self-admittedly not a huge fan of snow, but I couldn't help smiling as I saw the big flakes drifting down this morning. It lends a cozy feeling to the atmosphere and Christmas, though little less than a month away, is in the air.
As long as there's nowhere to be, snow is the perfect thing for a lazy winter day. Brew a cup of tea, choose your favorite blanket and curl up on the couch with a book. The snow falling gently to the ground outside just completes the image.
I don't know what it is about this year; somehow every season and all weather just feels magical to me. It could be downpouring or gusting or sunshiney or cloudy and I'd still be happy as a clam. It's kind of a nice feeling actually. I really should try being delighted by the weather more often.
♥♥Kristin

'Tis the Season

 I know it's only the day after Thanksgiving and some may say I'm jumping the gun, but I say as soon as Thanksgiving is over the Christmas season has officially begun. Every year it's a tradition in my house to decorate for Christmas on the day after Thanksgiving.This morning I baked while listening to Christmas music (and possibly singing along loudly). My favorite time of year is from September through December. Fall may be my favorite season, and I love it a lot, but I'm never completely sad to see it go. It just means that Christmas is around the corner (It's when Christmas is over that the depression kicks in).

I love how cheerful everything looks at Christmastime. Many of the houses have pretty white lights strung in the eaves and electric candles glowing softly from the windows. Stores are decked out in red, green and white. Christmas trees wink from picture windows and if there is a snowfall the whole world looks fresh and clean.

Christmastime is arguably cozier than Fall. There's nothing better than coming inside with red cheeks and numb toes, brushing the snowflakes from your shoulders and making a nice cup of tea or cocoa. I love snuggling up in bed with my laptop or a book, turning my heater on and just relaxing on a Sunday afternoon.

Christmas time just makes me happier. I feel more content, and the simpler things make me smile the widest. When it comes to this time of year, there's nothing I'd rather do than spend an afternoon with my family, playing cards and joking around and having the time of my life. At Christmastime, the little things are what count.
♥♥Kristin

The Cliche Thanksgiving Post.

What can I say? I'm usually a sucker for cliche stuff. And anyways, cliche as it is, that doesn't make it any less important to be thankful. So here's what I'm thankful for this year:
1. My job. I know, cliche answer, but it earns me the money that, as a college student, I so direly need. I also met some of my closest friends through my job. Which brings me to:
2. My friends. What can I say? They're the best.
3. My family. Also the best. We have a blast together all the time. They're crazy and I love them to death.
4. Sugar. In the form of: cake, candy canes, Mountain Dew, chocolate.... I could go on.
5. The internet. But really, how did our parents survive without it?
6. Books. They're absolutely lovely.
7. Words. Because they're one of my favorite things in the world.
8. Hot beverages on cool fall days.
9. That I live in America despite what everyone's saying lately. I have religious and other freedoms, enough food, clothing and a house. That's more than a lot of the world can say.
And, most importantly, 
10.The fact that, no matter how many times I screw up, no matter how many times I fall, God is there to pick me up, brush me off, and give me a second chance.
What are you thankful for this year?
♥♥Kristin

I'd Fancy A Lake House.

I know it's Fall and very nearly Winter, but bear with me as I pine for Summer for a moment.

I have no idea whose little lake house this is, it's just a photo I found on Pinterest, but I'd love to go to a little house just like this one sometime. There's just something about lake houses, and lakes in general, that strikes my fancy. For whatever reason, I've been thinking more about them lately. They just seem so quaint and homey and like a place I wouldn't mind spending the summer at.

I can just see myself sitting on the edge of a dock like this one, dipping my toes in the water and reading a book with pages ruffled by the breeze off the lake. Mornings I'd wake up, take a cup of tea and my bible onto the porch (naturally my lake house would have a porch) and have my own little quiet time with only the sound of birds singing and water lapping on the shore. We'd have a rowboat and perhaps a few kayaks. Mid-morning, before the real heat of the day, we'd go out on the water and just paddle around, dipping our fingers in the water and watching fish swim beneath us.  Perhaps after lunch when it's hottest we'd go swimming or wading in the cool water. I'd pause for a few moments, just long enough for a few minnows to nibble at my toes. After eating dinner we'd go out on the porch with books or a journal in tow to spend a quiet evening enjoying nature and watching the sun set behind the lake until the sky dims so that the stars show and fireflies start flickering. Maybe some evenings after it gets dark we'd start a fire in the fire ring and roast marshmallows and sit around it until the fire is nothing more than glowing embers and we'd talk and laugh until we cry. Then, I'd crawl into bed with the windows open so that the cool night air and the unique lake-smell can waft freely through the house (Since this is my dream world, mosquitoes do not exist). And that would be my summer. Simple. Carefree. Delightful.
So yes. You could say I'd fancy a lake house.
♥♥Kristin

I'm Back//Life Lately

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 I realize that probably wasn't a long break at all, but to me, it felt like a long time. There were a few times when an idea came to me and I wanted to blog, but I didn't. This break helped me to realize more fully how much I really love blogging. I don't want to give it up, even though I was almost considering it two weeks ago. There may be times when I feel uninspired or rushed, and I may go a few days more than usual without posting, but overall my posts should be back to normal now. Here's a little bit of what I've been up to this past week and a half:
-I'm still working on my project 365 blog, and it's coming. I still don't feel like it's quite my best work, but that's what the practice is for. I just have to remember that it is impossible to crank out a masterpiece every single day.
-I've fallen more in love with tumblr as a whole. In the past I didn't post horribly much, but I'm liking it more and more. It's becoming a source of inspiration. Here is the link to my main blog.
-I saw Skyfall over the weekend. It's the newest James Bond movie. It was very good, but a bit inappropriate at times, as James Bond movies tend to be. The theme song has been stuck in my head for days.
-I'm really starting to get excited for Christmas. Fall is my favorite season, but Christmas is my favorite holiday, hands down. I even started a new Pinterest board. I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I'm unbelievably excited for Christmas to come.
I promise a real post is coming soon!
♥♥Kristin