new year's goals and other such ramblings

this year i have quite a few of them!

1. drink more water, drink less soda. Eat more veggies and run more.

2. build up the courage and run track again.

3. read more.

4. become a better blogger and get to 100 followers!

5. work on core/abs strength. 

6. be a better secret-keeper. (i know this sounds terrible, but sometimes a secret gets

leaked to even just one person, and i want people to know that if they trust me with a 

secret, it will remain as if no one was ever told.)

and for my biggest project of the year:

7. i'm going to start a project called "365: a sketch a day" where i try to sketch

every day possible. (but really it will probably be about 340 because of two missions

trips in the summer). i just figure that since i'm planning on majoring in art, 

i should be a little better at drawing. so hopefully i'll do periodic posts about my better sketches.

of course, with all of these, i will be trying to grow in my faith, love for the Lord, patience and biblical love. and i pray that all of you will too! 

... now comes the part where i brag about my christmas presents. ;)

from adelle, now hanging by my bed to keep me dreaming for years to come. love it. love her more. 

some totally  a d o r a b l e  chicken feather earrings from Em! how cool is that?! i absolutely love them. and her! :)

the hunger games mockingjay pin. oh. yes. (i didn't actually get the book, i just figured it was more interesting than my hand)

my yearly calendar in audrey form once again! :)

my tiffin!!!

i am in love. but i still need an adventure to take it on. or at least somewhere to go to eat lunch.

from anthropologie!! we found it on super crazy reduced clearance and i fell in love.

I also got an awesome artist beret hat from lib that makes me feel like i'm in france. and cam gave me one of the coolest presents ever, but i didn't take a picture, so i may tell you about that later.

what did you get for Christmas?

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did i ever tell you that i like the hunger games? well i do. i couldn't remember if i mentioned it or not. ;)
anywho, there's a song from the movie that's out and i just adore it. it's kind of sad, but i keep listening to it over and over again. you can listen to it here.

Have a wonderful evening, and read a book by candlelight for me, would ya?
I think i will.


Sending love and hugs,

Lou

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

Psalm 103

Praise the Lord, O my soul; 

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not al his benefits--

who forgives all your sins 

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit 

and crowns you with love and compassion, 

who satisfies your desires with good thins

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The Lord works righteousness

and justice for all the oppressed.

He made known his was to Moses,

his deeds to the people of Israel:

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse, 

nor will he harbor his anger forever;

he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities,

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

for he know how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass,

he flourishes like a flower of the field;

the wind blows over it and it is gone, 

and its place remembers it no mer.

But from everlasting to everlasting

the Lord's love is with those who fear him

and his righteousness with their children's children--

with those who keep his covenant 

and remember to obey his precepts. 

The Lord has established his throne in heaven, 

and his kingdom rules over all.

Praise the Lord, you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his bidding, 

who obey his word.

Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,

you his servants who do his will.

Praise the Lord, all his works

everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, O my soul.

There you go, food for the soul. Honestly, I was only going to write the first few verses, but I read on and realized that it's so good that you can't stop there. I hope that you are having a great week and are not getting too stressed about Christmas presents, but are focusing on why we even give Christmas presents. I must say that I've had a bit of trouble with that this year (I'm knitting my sister socks and I don't know if I'll get them done in time). To all of you who have finals, I hope they go well! 

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go hang out with my bestfriend. Have a lovely evening!!

Much Love,

Lindsey Nicole

{p.s. I'm getting so excited to wear my dress for christmas eve! What are YOU wearing? I'd love to hear!}

the joy of a child

hello friends! 

Oh, I love being able to call you friends. Thanks. :)

At the moment, my camera strap is splotched with powdered sugar and melted chocolate from our gift baking, my stomach is full of way too many sweet treats, and i am so very content and thankful in my heart. The past few days have been great. i had my very first Seussical rehearsal which was fantastic! My family went to a play, shopping, and dinner at the cheesecake factory (for which we had to wait three hours!) but since it's a tradition, we simply had to. usually in stead of going to a play, we all go ice skating but this year since my brother and i are getting so old, it's really annoying since everyone else our age is with their boyfriend or girlfriend, and we're not dating and don't want to. but we never knew or cared when we were kids. it's strange growing up, ya know? everything seems to be changing. i can remember so vividly waking up as a child to the first snow and having so much joy inside that i couldn't handle myself. past christmases when i could hardly sleep, and simply couldn't wait to see what santa had brought me. or even playing kids' games. Now, i still enjoy snow, christmas is, no doubt, exciting, and i like to play games, but it simply isn't the same. childhood is such a blessed thing that just doesn't last forever.

 Last night as we made some deliveries of the sweet stuff we baked, i got to spend some time with three children. a boy who was five, a three-year-old girl, and another little girl who was under two-- in the same order as my brother, sister and i. The surprised looks on their faces as we walked through the door were priceless, and the happiness in their voices when they heard that the gift we brought was for them was so real that i could feel it seeping into me. The laughter that came from them and the sparkle in their eyes as i chased them was so joyful that i was blown away. They are so happy just because i'm playing with them, i thought. when was the last time i was this happy? See, the more we grow up, we take everything for granted and forget the joy in the everyday things. I wish i had that kind of joy. I wish i could be a child once more. I feel like we are so intent on growing up and buzzing through life that we can miss some of life's simple pleasures. Even as teenagers, there are some who are so ahead of themselves that they're dating when they're twelve. Is that really necessary? We're still essentially kids. At least, we're not adults. So i don't know what i'm really trying to say, but i guess i'm trying to motivate us to live each day as a teenager to the fullest, before we're all grown up and we can't do the crazy things that teenagers do anymore. So here's to living our days to the fullest with the joy of a child.

a bad picture of peppermint cheesecake

this is how i wrapped my bestie's christmas present

Well, sorry that all these photos were so terrible and boring! I'll try to be more exciting next time.

Have a lovely day!

much Love and a hug,

Lindsey Nicole

{p.s. i am having one of those Peeta love breakdowns. i know i sound crazy... i am. :)}

{p.p.s. there are only six days till christmas!!! AHHHHHHH!!!! i've got a lot to do... }

Lately Lovely

vintage coat-- thrifted! sorry this is such a terrible picture.

and a drumroll, please!

oxfords! I just got them yesterday for only 5 bucks. Score! 

 and... the past week's decorating in my room.

those twinkle lights went around my bed frame and are now my reading light. since libby and i switched corners, i've been really enjoying how cozy and perfect mine is for reading, writing letters, and knitting (another) pair of socks. 

As for the upcoming events of the night, they will include enjoying my new haircut, watching Holiday Inn (one of my faves!!), and probably eating something yummy. A lovely evening to you, my wonderful readers!

Much Love and a hug,

Lindsey Nicole

... and the decorations go up!

We finally got into the festive spirit and put up some decorations! Our tree is twinkling and the stockings are hung on the mantel. Christmas music is finally playing, and gifts are in the making. I hope that your Christmas preparations are going well! I am trying to keep myself from being too caught up in the commercialism and craziness, so I am reading Luke 2 every morning I can, to keep my eyes on the true reason for Christmas. 

What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

Much Love and many hugs,

Lindsey Nicole

{p.s. I got to do a bit of shopping yesterday and came up with some lovely finds, so I'll share them with you soon!}

{p.p.s. today lib and I switched the place of our beds around and I added twinkle lights to my headboard, so once my camera battery charges, I'll share that with you, too. }

because it's fri-ee-day...

well, now that you have rebecca black playing through your head, i'll tell you about my day. :)

shortly after i woke up, i headed downtown for a christmas parade and saw sophi, emalee, hanna, and a few other folks. after watching plenty of horses, sophi's family and i got to visit a festival of nativities, where we saw sets from all over the world!

sophi. me. emalee.

i wanna live in that top apartment.

raindrops. enough said.




and later... you'll never guess what i got in the mail!  here's a hint:

my new black dress! i don't officially get it until christmas, but i had to try it on for size, and i love it!! 

as for other events of the day, i finally finished "mockingjay".   ahhh... the whole book was a little bit depressing, but the end was good. bittersweet, but good. i would definitely recommend the series!
we also headed out on some errands where i got some more yarn for christmas presents! which, speaking of, i am almost done with my socks and i will post when i'm finished!!

as for my precious little shadow, after five weeks, she will be leaving tomorrow. moving on, and leaving me unexpectedly disappointed. it will be an adjustment for sure. i'll keep you updated.

so for our last night, we are all going to watch "the grinch" and have a slumber party. with that, i'd better be going.

much love and many hugs,

lindsey nicole