Alyxandra Portraits

Mama took these pictures of Aly today as well.  These were some of my favorites ^_^

Skyeler

Senior Pictures

This afternoon mom, Aly, and I made our way out to a beautiful "plantation" to take some pictures.  It was over 50 degrees, so we thought it would be a great day to get out and get some fresh air.  As it were, it was very windy!  Making pictures a bit harder than anticipated.  Some are, of course, better than others, but I wanted to post a variety.  The pictures took a while to upload, so this is all for now (but they are a pretty good quality!)  Pictures mom took of Aly will soon follow!

These are all outdoor.  Some of the better ones of today :)  Some of these will probably be used as some of my senior pictures.

Skyeler

Knitting during Hamlet

I spent the afternoon watching Hamlet (staring David Tennant!) and knitting ^_^  I was making this little hat, which turned out to be the perfect size for Aly's American Girl doll... and apparently Rory!  Doesn't he look so adorable in this hat?  We know everybody loves a Fuzzy Snuggle ;)

This version of Hamlet was amazing!  The first movie of this play I have seen, and my favorite of the Shakespeare movies we have seen so far.  

The movie was also relatively clean.  There was one short but crude scene, perhaps not appropriate for younger audiences.  Also a part or two that might need moderated for some guys (depending on your standards.)  Other than that, the movie was amazing.  The language was not a problem, as it was all Shakespeare's words.  David Tennant's interpretation of some of Hamlet's lines was beyond genius.  Though  his hair needed messed up in the beginning of the movie, I have no complaints of him in this role! 

To be, or not to be...

His emotion was amazing.  

He also manged to pull of the madness of Hamlet with humor and kept the audience captivated!  Though I did seem to expect him to pull out a sonic screwdriver... (too much Doctor Who!)

All the other actors were amazing also.  I was just a bit focused on this amazing actor who played the doctor XD  It was well worth the three + hours we spent watching this!  We managed to consume quite a few Oreos, Twizzlers, and (I at least) had a lot of popcorn :D  This would definitely be a movie I will watch again.  I am finding Shakespeare to be so very enjoyable!

Skyeler

Amelia Pond playing in her miniature pond

This is what Amelia does for fun.  She plays in her water bowl.  She thinks its a swimming pool.  She likes to get her paws in it and play with the water.  Rory has thought it fun as well, and has splashed her.  But alas, I don't have a picture of that.

Skyeler

Book 6 - Golden

I finished an extra book this week, entitled Golden, by Cameron Dokey.  This is a beautiful retelling of the story Rapunzel.  Written in first person (which I enjoy very much) and with twists I did not expect despite thinking I knew the story, I would very much recommend this book.  A thrilling, clean, beautiful fairy tale.

"Before Rapunzel's birth, her mother made a dangerous deal with the sorceress Melisande: If she could not love newborn Rapunzel just as she appeared, she would surrender the child to Melisande. When Rapunzel was born completely bald and without hope of ever growing hair, her horrified mother sent her away with the sorceress to an uncertain future.

After sixteen years of raising Rapunzel as her own child, Melisande reveals that she has another daughter, Rue, who was cursed by a wizard years ago and needs Rapunzel's help. Rue and Rapunzel have precisely "two nights and the day that falls between" to break the enchantment. But bitterness and envy come between the girls, and if they fail to work together, Rue will remain cursed...forever."  From Amazon

Skyeler

Book 5 - Dragon Flight

This book was a sequel to Dragon Slippers, another book that I very much enjoyed!  I love the characters in these stories.  Besides that, all the mention of embroidery and fabric makes me want to drag out all of my cloth and start making something!

"With the Dragon Wars over, Creel finds herself bored with life as a seamstress. Then word comes that a bordering country has been breeding dragons in preparation for an invasion. Never one to miss out on the action, Creel throws herself headlong into an adventure that will reunite her with Shardas, the king of the dragons, pit her against a vicious new dragon, and perhaps rekindle a friendship with Prince Luka. Funny, heart-felt, and action packed, new readers and returning fans alike will dive headlong into this exhilarating follow up to Dragon Slippers." From Amazon

Skyeler

Shakespeare Quiz

Which Shakespeare Heroine Are you?   My mother sent me this quiz earlier this month.  I enjoyed it, and found my result not only humorous but even mostly accurate :P  I am:  Helena (from A Midsummer Night's Dream): You are thoughtful, sensitive, elegant, and beautiful, although you might not realize it. You have the soul of an artist and you like the space around you to be pretty as well. Sometimes you get a little sad and woeful, but remember you have friends who love you, and that some guys aren't worth getting depressed about. You're looking for a romantic soulmate to sweep you off your feet, and you're sure to find one…just don't be afraid to look in some unusual places!

Seeing as how we are doing Shakespeare this year, I was excited that there was a fun quiz to take (even though I didn't recognize all of the actors and things of course.)  Anybody else care to find their result? XD

Skyeler

Book 4 - Entwined

The fourth book I read is entitled Entwined by Heather Dixon.  I rented this book from a (*gasp*) digital library and read it on my computer, and then finished it on my new Kindle Fire ^_^  This book was loosely a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, which I very much enjoy.

"Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it's taken away. All of it.

The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation.

Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.

But there is a cost.

The Keeper likes to keep things.

Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late." From Amazon

Reading about the dances was great fun!  As was the relationships between the sisters.  And, of course, I do love romance, but only if it is clean.  Which I am pleased to say this book was!  Besides all of that, I think the cover is pretty :P

Skyeler

Twilight Vs Tangled

A friend shared this humorous image with my mom, who in turn shared it with me.  Perhaps contrary to popular belief, when a guy wants in your room, Rapunzel actually has the "proper" response.  *grin*   

Skyeler

All rights are of course reserved to the original illustrator and movie producers.  I don't actually have the originated website for this image.

Ice Skating!

Yesterday we went ice skating!  I haven't been in a few years, and found I still love it.  If only it wasn't so expensive :P  I look rather unnerved in the below photo, but I really was enjoying myself ^_^  I have some bruises today from falling over, but that's alright.  I was trying to twirl and spin and skate backwards.  

Then we tried to get a group photo . . . 

Too Fast

Falling Over

Wrong Way

Turning Around

Finally!

Laughing :D

 Skyeler

Book 3 - Henry V

Henry V, by Shakespeare.  My third book finished this year :)  This is not my favorite Shakespeare play that I have read, but it has been enjoyable.  I read the Folger Shakespeare Library version, which has side notes on strange words, complicated phrases, and puns that I just wouldn't have gotten without help.  In this play, it also gave us French translations, for Princess Katharine, who spoke French for most of her dialog!  As pretty as it sounds, I was very grateful for this translation, as I wouldn't have known what they were saying without it (believe it or not, I don't speak french.)

Skyeler

Fun Photoshopping!

I Photoshopped my cape picture here :)  Nothing too special or difficult, but I like it :P 

Skyeler

Book 2 - Pygmalion

Last week's book was Pygmalion, by Bernard Shaw.  I definitely enjoyed it, though it wasn't what I was expecting.  I haven't read many plays other than Shakespeare (who gives little to no stage direction) so it was very different to see this perspective.  It didn't end how I expected either, but I liked the ending all the same.  I didn't actually find a cover for this book (and I don't recommend searching either, as Pygmalion is part of Greek/Roman mythology and they had interesting choices of art.)  (Though the book has nothing to do with mythology.)  Today, we watched a production of Pygmalion, entitled My Fair Lady, staring Audrey Hepburn.  She is beautiful and elegant and classic.  A joy to watch!  The movie followed the plot of the book quite well, adding nearly six months that the book just skimmed over (and I was very happy to finally see some interpretation of those months!)  The ending was...I thought the same, but implied something different if you hadn't read the book.  Oh well.  I still enjoyed the movie nonetheless.  Very delightful.  Enjoyable.  And musical, lol.

  Skyeler

Cape Pictures!

I now have pictures of my finished cape!  Yeah!!!  This afternoon/evening mom and I went outside tot take these pictures.  There are several different views here.  For our first time trying to take pictures of something like this, I thought we did a pretty good job! :D  Any thoughts?  Once I *cough* earn some more money, I intend to make another one, perhaps a bit more carefully, and try to sell it on ebay or some other such site.  Any of my nonexistent viewers interested in buying a cape/cloak?  Any of my friends need a Christmas present for next year XD

Skyeler

Book 1 - She Walks In Beauty

Along with my Mama and sister, I am doing what is called (or what she calls) A Book A Week.  It is exactly what it sounds like: reading at least one book every week in 2012, so 52 books by the end of the year :)  I already count my books, but the last two years I have not quite made it.  In fact, I have barely crossed 30 each year.  

Anyway.  This is my first book finished in 2012.  She Walks In Beauty by Siri Mitchell

"For a young society woman seeking a favorable marriage, so much depends on her social season debut. Clara Carter has been given one goal: secure the affections of the city's most eligible bachelor. Debuting means plenty of work--there are corsets to be fitted, dances to master, manners to perfect. Her training soon pays off, however, as celebrity's spotlight turns Clara into a society-page darling.

"Yet Clara soon wonders if this is the life she really wants. Especially when she learns her best friend has also set her sights on Franklin De Vries. When a man appears who seems to love her simply for who she is and gossip backlash turns ugly, Clara realizes it's not just her marriage at stake--the future of her family depends on how she plays the game." From Amazon

I loved this book. I thought it was very beautiful, and loved immersing myself into the the 1800's for a while. The characters, though in a different time period, I could definitely relate too. It was also interesting to see how things were back then - to see what has changed, and what hasn't.

Skyeler

My Cape Is Done!

I'm so excited!  Of course, I need a frog thing, and it's long, but it's still a really really cool cape.  Pictures to follow.  I'm not quite sure how to take them myself, you see.   But I want them in this pretty snow...

Skyeler

One more!

I just "stole" this picture off mom's blog.  Sparkles is very helpful when it comes to sewing XD  Also, you can now see just how much fabric is there.  And that is only one of the colors!  AND it keeps going outside of the photo!

Skyeler

Current Sewing Project

As has been before noticed, I have a significant amount of projects that I undertake.  Perhaps too many, but I enjoy them all nonetheless.  My current one is (dun dun dun) a cape!  This shows, well, hardly any of the cape (believe me: the fabric goes on and on...and on.)  And actually, I didn't edit this picture at all (*gasp*) It does show a bit of my sewing machine though :)  I am quite looking forward to modeling my cape when it is done!  

                                  Skyeler

Photography Again

I have another picture today ^_^  This one is just something I decided to take a picture of when I wasn't sure if my other photo of the day would turn out.  However, they both seemed to turn out acceptable :)  I am slowly beginning to take shots on manual.  I'm beginning to worry that I'll not be able to live on auto (or "Happy Mode" as my mother calls it) once I can switch the aperture and shutter speed just a bit quicker.  And of course, make sure it's focused.  Not everything is going to stay still for me long enough to take 5 pictures of it >.<  Yet at least I am practicing!  So here, below, is my prettiful, loverly tiara!  Look at the sparkles!

        

  Skyeler

Cute Picture!

Yesterday we had Co-op, and upon taking our leave of the church building some of us were playing around outside.  Carrying each other on one another's backs resulted in some very cute pictures ^_^  Here is my favorite!

Me (4' 11'') carrying Elizabeth (5' 5'') XD

Skyeler

Rory!

Another picture of Rory.  I'm sure you nonexistent readers don't get tired of seeing photos of him ;)  He was sleeping on my bed today.  He looks so cute and innocent!  Of course, this was taken before he spent the evening trying to get into the garbage can.  And after he spent the morning trying to retrieve my Steak N' Shake milkshake out of the trash as well.  Oh Rory....

Skyeler

Project 365

I started a new blog!  This new one is for photography, and the challenge of taking a picture every day this year.  If you are interested, you can find it here.  Hope to see comments there!