what's been happening.

after graduation we all ran in the fields.

family.

graduation. 

skipping through [poky] fields [in bare feet]. 

letters.

fantasizing my future.

babysitting the fantastic five. 

picking, or just maybe stealing [a few] cherries.

studying for my permit test.

shopping for Florida clothes.

that's what has been happening. what's happening in your life?

xxx.

lindsey nicole

p.s. liking the no-caps trend?

Lately Lovely {Christmas Edition}

Dear friends,

I hope your Christmas was as wonderful and filled with Christ's love as mine was! 

Two days before, On Christmas Eve Eve, we all piled into our van and hit the road to see our extended family. I was planning to finish Libby's striped socks in the total of 7 hours of driving, there and back, but I was distracted and didn't remember half of the yarn needed, so she didn't get anything from me on Christmas morning. 

In stead of knitting, I listened to music and stared out of my window, dreaming, thinking, and processing everything that was on my mind for three and a half hours. I can let my mind wander for great lengths of time without being bored.

The night we arrived, we headed to a steakhouse for dinner to celebrate my Grandpa's retirement. He has been working for Ameren for 39 years and is finally retiring-- I'm so proud of him! Being such a hard worker, and a cattle farmer on the side, I know he won't get bored.

On Christmas Eve morning we had a big breakfast and opened presents. I got to see my adorable cousins, too!

Later on, we went on an outing with my Grandma and Aunt, then picked up the town's famous pizza for dinner. And we exchanged gifts and had a great time before we hit the road again.

On Christmas Eve, for once I curled my hair and we hurried to get ready before a fancy dinner and Christmas Eve Service. My favorite part of the service is when we sing "Silent Night" at the end and light candles, then raise them on the last verse. I was so enchanted by the sight of all the candles raised and the soft sound of everyone singing. 

When Christmas morning came, we went to church, then came home and opened presents. We all felt like we were very content this year and didn't really want much, so I loved everything I got (I'll tell you about it later).

Christmas afternoon held games, friends, and LOTS of laughter! So much that my stomach hurt.

Since then, I've been hit with something strange that makes me pick up my stuff, read more, be very productive, not eat junk, and go on frequent runs. Strange, but nice. :)

g

the beginning of my mama's cranberry sorbet

candy canes. <3

a self-portrait from Christmas Eve
(I don't really take many self-portraits because the make me feel vain. It's kind of weird, I know.)

when we visited my grandma (my dad's mom),  we went to a mennonite market with her and my aunt that had lots of bulk foods and candies... and I got this!! I've always wanted one of these lollipops, but it's really more because I want to look at it than eat it. :)

... and then I loved it so much that I drew it.

I titled it "eye candy"

a bad picture of something I found on my walk. It was peeking out of the weathered, lifeless grass, couldn't help but remind me of Peeta. How lovely is that in the end of December?


And now I'm going to make you a promise: I will post my sixteen before sixteen list BEFORE the end of the year! That is, unless the computers break down, or Jesus comes back. I would really be happy about the latter. Happy isn't a strong enough word. Ecstatic X infinity would be more like it. :)

Sending love and hugs,

Lindsey Nicole

Over The River And Through The Woods...

Hello, my beautiful readers! I call you beautiful, because I know you are! You were made in the image of God, specially created to be you and no one else. And if you were made in the image of God-- the creator of the universe, then how could you not be beautiful? But even more than the way you look on the outside-- your hair, your eyes, your height, it's the way you look on the inside that's beautiful. He created you with a beautiful heart that longs to worship Him and praise Him for what He has done. I pray that all of you will realize, if you don't already, how beautiful you are in His sight. So the next time someone tells you how pretty you look, in stead of letting the voice inside of your head say 'No I'm not, you're just saying that, and it's a lie,' say 'thank you' and remember that you were created just the way God wanted you to be. And also remember that when we put ourselves down, we not only give into Satan's trap, but we are putting down God's creation. We are saying it's not good enough. But remember what God said? In Genesis, He created the heavens, the earth, the plants, etc., and He said they were good. But when He created man, He said it was very good. So remember that even when we feel so imperfect, Jesus' blood  covers our imperfections, and our Heavenly Father sees only Jesus' perfection when He looks at us.

Wow. I really didn't mean to write all that. I called you beautiful, and the rest just flowed out. Okay, so I am finally back from... Grandma's house! My sister and I got to spend Monday through Thursday at my Grandparent's house, preparing the feast for Thanksgiving.

As for what our week entailed, please read on. :)

Making homemade noodles for the feast

Fixin' some biscuits and gravy

lichen. I was so captivated by its brilliance that I left the bread baking early to capture it. 

Libby and the lichen tree

The rain on all these was too inspiring to pass up.

uhh... hay bale?

orange rolls, which, sadly, i didn't eat...

and...finishing Catching Fire {the second in The Hunger Games series}
I actually bought the last one today. Mockingjay is its title. It felt so incredibly exciting. See, as I've said before, I'm not much of a reader-- or at least I haven't been until lately. And when I want to read something, the library is my best friend. Or else I would just borrow from a friend. But there's something so refreshing as you pick up a brand-new book, so crisp and clean, take it to the desk of Barnes and Noble for purchase, and carry the bag home. The pages are unfolded-- untouched, even, and the words inside bring you to a whole different world.

Okay, sorry for that sappy ramble. Sometimes I just get lost. :)



I took several more pics, which I will add later, but it's just good to be back. [hint: be ready for some silhouettes and sunsets!] All in all, it was a successful and memorable Thanksgiving. I got to see some of my very few cousins, which is a rare and lovely treat. I also got to ride horses with my aunt, through their acres and acres of pasture, in search of a cow-- and the calf she was expecting. We found neither, but it was certainly a very pleasurable ride. Thanksgiving day brought an array of dishes-- turkey (of course), candied sweet potatoes, noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet corn, pumpkin pie, and about 14 others. The homemade noodles would have to be my favorite! We ate until we couldn't hold any more, then followed up with dessert and a few games of bingo. It's a relatively-new family tradition that is rather amusing.

Following hours of mingling with the family, my brother and I set out in my parents' tiny hometown in search of a red box.  We had absolutely no idea where we were going, but that's always the fun part of our late-night excursions together. We played the "turn right or left?" game until we found one... which was out of the film we were trying to find- Jane Eyre. So we found another, where the same story displayed itself.  But, since the third time's a charm, we got to a McDonalds and picked up the last copy available... and saw someone I knew! Which wouldn't be a problem, except I picked that night, of all nights to wear my pajama pants out of the house. The first time ever, and what do ya know? So I hid my lower half behind a trash can while my brother kept the conversation going. Our trip back included stopping at a green light, while in deep conversation, stalking a bridal shop window, and driving the wrong way down a one-way street. Yes, we were quite successful. And talented. And since my brother will be out of the house, and away to college in less than a year, I'm relishing each one of these crazy, laughter-filled adventures we have together.

Well, I think I've said enough. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! It was a great reminder to me of how terribly blessed I am, and I hope it was for you, too! Also, you should know that all fifteen of you are huge blessings to me! Thanks you so much for the encouragement!

Much Love,Lindsey Nicole

P.S. What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?