Christmas Break!

Its finally here!
Cue the sigh of relief.

Though I'll have to be continuing with Spanish over break so that I can have enough done by the end of the semester...but its still much less stress than usual!

Today I spent four hours at the mall wrapping presents.
For those of you who know me, the mall is not exactly my idea of a good time...in fact I've only actually bothered going into two stores; the Christian t-shirt store that used to be in the mall and Barnes & Nobel. But I've only ever bought one book from Barnes & Nobel.
Mainly because honestly, I can't afford to buy anything in the mall, and none of it really appeals to me. I don't like wearing Ambercrombie & Fitch or American Eagle, in fact I won't even buy their stuff from GoodWill...I just don't like that image, its not me...

My random mall rant aside, thats where I was for the majority of my day today.

Every year my mom goes to a womens retreat and they like to be able to give scholarships to women who wouldn't otherwise be able to attend, and so Barnes & Nobel provides the wrapping paper and the space and we wrap gifts bought anywhere in the store (as long as they've purchased something from the bookstore as well) and then we come in and volunteer to provide the wrapping service, and ask people for donations for the scholarships.
Its was the first time I think I've ever actually enjoyed myself at the mall.

Oh yes, and I don't like riding escalators...which is a long story...but I just don't like them...maybe sometime I'll tell all you peoples about it...

But on to other things for now.

I finished listening to the audio book of The Hunger Games a few days ago.
It. Was. Awesome.
While it might be a little violent for some people, the story itself was excellent.
I loved the Gregor the Overlander series and Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games didn't disappoint.
Definitely a 3.5 out of 5
I'm looking forward to getting the sequel Catching Fire from the library.

Now, today at Barnes & Nobel, it sure is a good thing I purposely left my money at home because there were definitely some tempting lovelies.

I have a thing for notebooks...and I absolutely LOVE these leather ones I saw today!

This one is by far my favorite, I would adore having this one.
Its a bit of a different size than I usually prefer but it is just so comfortable in my hands, when I'm writing, things have to feel just right and this is just beautiful.

There were some others I loved that they don't have on the web site because they were the last few in stock, on sale at the store, but I really liked this one too. I really like the flap, the tie and the size.

While the first is more of a hardcover style, and the second a thicker harder leather cure, this one is a wonderfully soft, supple notebook, absolutely delectable. (Yes...I love notebooks)

I'm debating whether or not I want to invest in one...because my current composition notebook is just about full...only a few more pages to go and thats not much!

hmmnnn....well much to contemplate there...maybe if I wish really hard for one for Christmas? haha

Hope you're all having a wonderful Christmas break! I know I'm looking forward to watching Christmas movies, camping out under the tree, making caramel corn and Christmas dinner at a friends house.

blessings~

How to Train Your Dragon

          Earlier this summer, I gladly found myself at our local theater with friends, purchasing soda and M&M’s, and sitting down for an enjoyable evening of viewing How to Train Your Dragon.
          Though my mom enjoyed the movie, she wasn’t too impressed…but I don’t really think this is a movie meant for the specific enjoyment of an adult audience…more of a family movie that the kids will love.
          Myself, I laughed and had a great time, and give the movie a 4.5 out of 5...awesome.
          Though not the same kind of awesome as Transformers, Revenge of the Fallen with its CG mayhem; being a fan of dragons and movies like Shrek and Lilo and Stitch I immensely enjoyed How to Train Your Dragon in all its quirky, dragons and Viking, family fun.

          If you’re a dragon junkie, or just like family movies…this is one to add to your list.
          My Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Christmas Tree Memories

Today, we put up the Christmas tree.

Years ago, when my brother and I were younger, we would put up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving.
Over the years, that has dwindled all the way down to mom only wanting it up for three days (which means, put it up Christmas Eve and take it down the day after Christmas) because the cats tend to climb in it and chew on ornaments (yes, our cats are...interesting...but more on that some other time).

Last year, we didn't put it up at all. I didn't want to take care of it and neither did anyone else. So we just did without.

We've had the same Christmas tree (with the exception of one or two times when we've had real ones) for my whole life.

This tree has memories

After I was born my mom decided they had better buy a small, plastic Christmas tree to have in the house.
So almost needless to say, this tree is in pretty bad shape.
The fact that we have to improvise new ways every year to make the boughs stay on says something in itself.
But this tree, this tree has memories.

Camping out under the Christmas tree, it being there with presents under it on Christmas morning.
Good memories.
Childhood, Christmas, memories.

What are some of your favorite Christmas memories?



<center><a href="http://weareconcreteandgrace.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-tree-memories.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i968.photobucket.com/albums/ae164/Forgiven_And_Free/Concrete%20And%20Grace/christmasmemoriesbutton-1.png" border="0" alt="button3"></a></center>

Girls Who Kick Butt: Jacky Faber

(book one: Bloody Jack)Life as a ship's boy aboard HMS Dolphin is a dream come true for Jacky Faber. Gone are the days of scavenging for food and fighting for survival on the streets of eighteenth-century London. Instead, Jacky is becoming a skilled and respected sailor as the crew pursues pirates on the high seas. There's only one problem: Jacky is a "girl." And she will have to use every bit of her spirit, wit, and courage to keep the crew from discovering her secret. This could be the adventure of her life--if only she doesn't get caught. . .

(book two: Curse of the Blue Tattoo) In the follow up to Bloody Jack Mary "Jacky" Faber is forced to leave the Dolphin and attend an elite school for girls in Boston. But growing up on the streets of London and fighting pirates never prepared Jacky for her toughest battle yet: learning how to be a lady.
Everything she does is wrong. Her embroidery is deplorable, her French is atrocious, and her table manners -- disgusting! Then there's the small matter of her blue anchor tattoo . . .
Despite her best efforts, Jacky can't seem to stay out of trouble long enough to dedicate herself to being ladylike. But what fun would that be, anyway?

(book three: Under the Jolly Roger) After leaving the Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls in Boston -- under dire circumstances, of course -- Jacky Faber boards a whaling ship bound for London, where she hopes to find her beloved Jaimy. But things don't go as planned, and soon Jacky is off on a wild misadventure at sea. She thwarts the lecherous advances of a crazy captain, rallies sailors to her side, and ultimately gains command of a ship in His Majesty's Royal Navy. But Jacky's adventures don't end there . . .

(book four: In the Belly of the Bloodhound) The British crown has placed a price on Jacky's head, and so she returns to the Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls in Boston to lay low. But laying low isn't in the cards for a spunky lass who finds trouble even when she's not looking for it. A school outing goes awry as Jacky and her classmates are abducted and forced into the hold of the Bloodhound, a ship bound for the slave markets on the Barbary Coast. All of Jacky's ingenuity, determination, and plain old good luck will be put to the test as she rallies her classmates to fight together to avoid being sold on the auction block.

(book five: Mississippi Jack) The intrepid Jacky Farber, having once again eluded British authorities, heads west, hoping that no one will recognize her in the wilds of America. Soon shes finding adventure on the mighty Mississippi as she makes her way to New Orleans.

(book six: My Bonny Light Horseman) The infamous pirate, riverboat seductress, master of disguise, and street-urchin-turned-sailor Jacky Faber has been captured by the French and beheaded in full view of her friends and crew. Inconceivable? Yes! The truth is she's secretly forced to pose as an American dancer behind enemy lines in Paris, where she entices a French general into revealing military secretsall to save her dear friends. Then, in intrepid Jacky Faber style, she dons male clothing and worms her way into a post as galloper with the French army, ultimately leading a team of men to fight alongside the great Napoleon. In this sixth installment of the Bloody Jack Adventures series, love and war collide as the irrepressible Jacky Faber sets off on a daring adventure she vowed she'd never take.

(book seven: Rapture of the Deep On the very day that Jacky Faber is to wed her true love, she is kidnapped by British Naval Intelligence and forced to embark on yet another daring mission--this time to search for sunken Spanish gold. But when Jacky is involved, things don't always go as planned.

(book eight: The Wake of the Lorelei Lee) Believing she has been absolved of past sins against the Crown, Jacky Faber docks in London to take on her crew, but is instead arrested and sentenced to life in the newly formed penal colony in Australia.

          Mary Faber was nothing but a pathetic street urchin.
         Her parents and younger sister died in the plague when she was young, leaving no relatives, no means...little Mary out on the streets of old-timey London.
          But after the death...or rather, murder of the leader of the street gang that took her in, she decides to get away.
          Taking the clothes and shiv (knife) of her fallen friend, she cuts her hair, setting out as a boy.
          Finding herself at the wharfs, Mary enlists into the British Navy, as Jacky Faber.
          Now a ships boy on the HMS Dolphin Jacky begins her whirlwind adventure that spans across many a country, many a continent, though war and fire, love and hate, the hick towns of the wild west, the carriage of Napoleon Bonaparte himself, the deck of more than one ship she comes to command, from ships boy to Privateer, with many more a tale to come.

          Want more? Well then...make sure to check out the Bloody Jack Adventure series by L.A. Meyer...you won't be disappointed.

Capturing Creation Photo Challenge Day 5

Day 5: Let There Be Sea Creatures and Birds

"Then God said, "Let the waters abound with an abundance of of living creatures, and let the birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens." " --Genesis 1:20

Being not only landlocked, but an absolutely shoddy photographer when it comes to anything living (except my strangely photogenic cat that will pose for me...but thats another story...) I'm going with what I got.

The closest photo I have to anything birdy is this fluffy little feather that fluttered and fell on top of this rusty...well, I forget what it is but I just thought its such a lovely contrast and had to take a picture.

The closest I can get to the sea, is my river.
This picture was actually taken when it was down to its original level for the first time in over twenty years.
It was known for its treacherous rapids and falls for almost a century before the dam was put in, drawing the water level up and evening things out.
Where I was standing when I took this picture, I would've (to put in terms of building height) been about a story or two underwater normally.

Words for Snow

White Light  (entry version)

---

the bells toll
the sound ignites

the full moon
the snow
the nights scant light

the inky darkness
closing in
smothering
glowering
moving in

but suddenly
opened
blossomed
free
by snow
catching light
flying free

the snow burns
white
in the night

the quiet forest
the whispering trees
the cold wind
the chilly breeze

the crystal flakes
alight
aflash
the silent guardians
snow
angels
adrift in the night
to shed a small
scant

white light

This is my entry for Olivia (@HorseFeathers) Words for Snow winter art contest.

White Light  (original version)

---

the bells toll
the sound ignites
the full moon
the nights scant light

the inky darkness
closing in
smothering
glowering
moving in

the moon burns
white
in the
black

the silent forest
the whispering trees
the balmy wind
the chilly breeze

the shooting stars
alight
aflash

the silent guardians
adrift in the night
to shed a small
scant

white light

Interestingly enough, snow isn't the original premise of this poem.
When I originally wrote White Light, it was merely several lines long (whereas the entry version to the left is probably doubled in overall length) and was just a random throw-together of words that contradict each other (as you can read, to the right).

Hoping you're all having a wonderfully snowy winter!

Twitter

For some, inexplicable reason, I am now on Twitter.

Yes, yes...shocking I know.

In fact it really rather...okay completely surprised myself as well.

I never really thought that I'd create a Twitter account. In fact its just about been the furthest thing from my mind.
But this morning, I just did...it was quick, simple and easy and I'm still wondering why!

So all you tweeters...or twitterers or whatever it is click over to the 'follow me on twitter' button in my sidebar why don't cha?

I meanwhile, will be wracking my brains for something creative to tweet...or more likely, trying to make sense of CSS.

Impact

While I listen to Justice & Mercy from Flyleaf's new Remember to Live EP, I flip to the back of my Bible and find one of my favorite quotes penned by my former writing mentor, Shannon Kubiak Primicerio in her book God Called a Girl:

"Some of us may reach the masses with our lives; others may only influence a handful of people. But it's not the numbers that matter--it's the fact that we are impacting people for the kingdom of God. Never underestimate the value of impacting just one person. Their whole eternity could be altered as a result of your impact--that's a huge thing!"

So often all of us, as bloggers, as writers, get caught up in the numbers, in the stats and the appearances.

So often we lose sight of what we're really living for.

Whether it's in our writing, our blogs or our everyday lives, there are times when each of us has gotten caught up in what this world says is important and impacting.

I know often, for me, I make it too much about "being better" about seeming smarter, faster and more fashionable than everyone else...and the thing is, I never much succeed at that.

It's just a pointless venture, and empty reason to base life on.

So often we lose sight of what we're really living for.

Our world, our culture, is living and moving at a fast, "fashionable", and frivolous pace that is not only unattainable, but depressingly hard to even attempt to keep up with.

It tells us what things are "worthwhile" and how we should be living our lives as the social and cultural norm.

But this, is a lie.

Our culture says that how far we make it in life is directly proportional to how we look.
The beauty we see portrayed by run way models and in make-up ads is fake. Sure, the mirror doesn't lie, but our culture does.

The purpose for life we are told, by our culture, is to be wealthy, and make oneself into someone everyone else wants to be.
But in reality, money (though not always) corrupts, and while it can make life easier, it is definitely not something to base life on.
Not something to live for.

Our culture says that how famous, how worthwhile we are is defined not only by its idea of "beauty", and expansive "wealth", but also by how many people are our "friends", how popular we are and all those numbers and statistics.

But that too, is a lie.

never doubt the impact your life has; here in the bloggie world, and the great big one outside your window

You and I may never become household or front page names.

We may never be known as one of the richest people on the planet.

And we may never be as "beautiful" as that photoshopped woman in that magazine.

But when we make the decision to say a kind word, to be there for a friend through thick and thin, to spend some time with our family or by making a statement that we're not going to conform, we are impacting someone and we are a part of Gods plan.

So you and I, though we may not have 1000, or even 10 followers on our blogs, (I am thankful and amazed by my wonderful 9) never doubt the impact your life has; here in the bloggie world, and the great big one outside your window.

A Message from Lacey Mosley

I love this message from Lacey Mosley of Flyleaf.
Please, I ask that  you watch it.







blessings this week!

Yay for the Weekend!

Well, I am SO glad its the weekend!!!

This past week of school has been stressful, stressful and stressful!!!

I seem to be using exclamation points rather a lot today...

I'm dropping my Spanish course at the semester.
Which in itself is a long story in itself...
I guess a good summary is that the course was written by morons.
And that, that is the truth...sadly...

I'm immensely enjoying my forensic science course.
In fact, its my favorite subject...as well as my best.

Web design is going well, though I think the hardest part is definitely having some inspiration to be able to make the page, compared to that all the HTML is a breeze!

But on to something a little less tiresome.

I've started reading some new books.

I began Misguided Angel the newest installment in the Blue Bloods series by Melissa De La Cruz the other night. I'm hoping that this book will live up to the caliber of the previous novels, but I am a bit of a skeptic as I have heard from quite a few different people that nothing happens. I guess I'll see. (I would like to point out, for the record, for those of you that care, that no this is not a Christian book. In fact it is a vampire series. You can read more on why I actually have enjoyed them and a bit about what they're about, here on C&G.)

Due to the popular demand and rave reviews for The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, as well as my love for the Gregor the Overlander series, I've gotten The Hunger Games on audio book from my library to put on my iPod (I've been listening to audiobooks more than reading lately due to school).

I finished reading Torment by Lauren Kate a week ago now, and while it wasn't quite as good as its predecessor Fallen (my review can be found on GoodReads just click the book cover above) it was still an awesome book and I'm definitely looking forward to the third installment, Passion to be released next summer!

I've heard that the movie adaptation of The City of Bones is in the works.

Now, I absolutely enjoyed reading The City of Bones...for the first three fourths of the book...and then came the little plot twist that really just messed up the whole thing...the author definitely could've left it out...so, while it was very well written and a mostly enjoyable read, I'm not going to suggest it for most, especially more conservative readers.

Now, I have a quick reading-related question for all of you readers of blogs and books alike out there.
Has anyone read Incerceron?

I'm welcome to book suggestions, comments and reviews alike!

P.S. I finished up the new blog design and figured it all out, and am wondering what all of you are thinking of the new format, so head on over to the top of the sidebar and vote on the poll (or you can comment ;).

The Difference Between Boys And Girls

There are more than just the obvious differences between the male and female of the human species...

Some are harder to notice, and can only be found by the most keen and observant person.

For example...when chatting on one of the various social networking sites, or through your e-mail provider, a extreme difference in chatting habits...

Where a girl will just say "brb" (be right back) when she has to leave the chat, a guy will go to this length:
"hold on a sec i got to go to the bathroom"

When a girl gets back, she'll simply say:
"back"

When the guy gets back its:
"all better!!!"

The Ultimate Gift

"I plan on knowing Jason for the rest of my life" -Emily

Looking for something to watch this weekend?

I don't know if any of you have ever seen The Ultimate Gift, but it is a truly, awesome movie.

Not because it was packed with action or filled with famous actors.

Not because it has state of the art effects or death defying thrills.

But because it is a touching, and beautiful story, stunningly portrayed by the actors.

          "Will bring tears to even the coldest of hearts."
                    - The Providence Journal

          "It's a pleasure to watch such old pros as Garner and Dennehy work their magic...and Breslin brings such charm to her role that it more than justifies her position as one of Oscar's youngest nominees."
                    - The Hollywood Reporter

          "An inspirational tearjerker...complete with the unwavering message that good is, as it should be, its own reward."
                    - Baltimore Sun

          "Heartfelt without being preachy."
                    - L.A. Times

          Described as "irresistible" (Baltimore Sun), "uplifting" (The Boston Globe), "endearing" (Charlotte Observer), "finely crafted" (MovieGuide) and Breslin's performance as "captivating " (Washington Post); the film follows Jason Stephens (Drew Fuller), a spoiled and selfish young adult on a mission to complete 12 tasks, or "gifts", in order to collect on an inheritance left to him by his wealthy grandfather (James Garner). Jason's journey becomes one of self-discovery and forces him to consider what is truly important in life. -credit-

Though I'm not usually one to cry over movies, The Ultimate Gift is one I always cry when watching.
Abigail Breslin's performance is beatiful. (As are the other memebers' of the cast.)

Its a movie I can safely say garners a 5 out of 5. For an all around awesome view.

My Life According to Flyleaf

So, found this awesome tag a while ago, and I can't remember just who its from...but, I'm gonna give it a try...here are the rules:


Rules:

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. You can't use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think! Repost as "My life according to (band name)."

This should definitely be interesting and I'm not sure how this is actually going to work...but *rolls eyes* well, either way it'll be interesting XD.








Are you a male or female?
Beautiful Bride

Describe yourself:
This Close
Missing

How do you feel:
Much Like Falling
Swept Away

Describe where you currently live:
Perfect

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
All Around Me

Your favorite form of transportation:
Circle

Your best friend is:
All Around Me (Acoustic Version)

What's the weather like:
Something I Can Never Have

Favorite time of day:
Fully Alive

If your life was a TV show, what would it be called:
Treasure

What is life to you:
I'm Sorry

Your favorite color is:
The Kind
Red Sam

Your fear:
Sorrow

Your relationship:
So I Thought
There for You

What is the best advice you have to give:
Set Apart This Dream

Thought for the Day:
Breathe Today

How I would like to die:
Melting [Interlude]

My soul's present condition:
Fully Alive (Acoustic Version)

My motto:
I'm So Sick



And yes...I did actually answer some more than once 'cause I had extras, though I think I might have cheated by using the acoustic versions and interludes haha.
 Anyway...that was rather interesting...




I am a
<center><a href="http://s968.photobucket.com/albums/ae164/Forgiven_And_Free/?action=view&current=flyleafjunkiebutton.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i968.photobucket.com/albums/ae164/Forgiven_And_Free/flyleafjunkiebutton.jpg" border="0" alt="flyleaf junkie" /></a></center>

Luvs Me Some Music

I'm loving this song that Flyleaf's Lacey Mosley did with Orianthi...

Etsy

Something I have failed to mention before, is that I have an Etsy shop!
It hasn't been up long, and as of right now its mostly items made by my mom and dad, but I have a couple things of mine that I have made and designed that I'm trying to sell.

My best creation currently up for grabs is this beautiful black jade & silver  jewelry set.

Its a cool and beautiful combination of black jade and silver. Its one of those necklaces that you just love to wear because it feels so perfect. Combined with the bracelet and earrings it makes for an exquisite set to be worn on a special occasion, whether its a family get-together, the winter formal or a Christmas party with friends.


{all handcrafted}

New Design!!!

Hey! If you haven't seen it yet, make sure to come check out the new blog design!

Exciting News!

Justice & Mercy (Violent Love Version)

---

We can't be oblivious,
We are not ignorant,
Blood in our hearts,
Blood on our hands,
We're human,
we reason,
we're breathing,
Protecting
the living
and dying,
surviving,
We're trying
to breathe
in safety,
Come home safely
Mercy screams
its violent love,
Justice and mercy,
justice and mercy,
The depth of us
created for,
Justice and mercy,
justice and mercy,
This is where they kiss
Life here sacrificed,
Someone who paid the price,
Blood in our hearts,
Blood on our hands,
We cry out,
we're fighting,
it's warfare,
we're dying,
Believing
we're winning,
it's ending,
we're singing,
It's already done,
we've overcome
Mercy screams
its violent love,
Justice and mercy,
justice and mercy,
The depth of us
created for,
Justice and mercy,
justice and mercy,
This is where they kiss
With a life on the line (Fire!),
That consumes or refines (Fire!),
To ascent or decline,
to retreat or to climb,
Out of sight, out of mind
'til attacked from behind.
Will this fire resume or refine?
Mercy screams
its violent love,
Justice and mercy,
justice and mercy,
The depth of us
created for,
Justice and mercy,
justice and mercy,
And this is where they kiss

Firstly, I have been very busy these past few days working on a new blog design (in my spare time) for this very blog, though I am having some trouble figuring out things as I go along (things I can't seem to find tutorials for and so am figuring it out as I go) hopefully it will be ready soon!!! I've tired of the pink...because I don't really like pink, except with black and so it was my original vision for Concrete & Grace, but I'm going to be changing it to black and blue.

In different exciting news, the much awaited (by me at least) new EP from Flyleaf released yesterday...I of course purchase it as soon as I could.

And it's as marvelous as ever.

I don't think there's anything Lacey Mosley can't sing, her voice is always awesome, whether in the screaming, or the beauty of their acoustic and slower songs, it's all brilliant. Not only that, but the lyrics...oh the lyrics...being a writer (usually of things in song or poem format) I have a deep appreciation for such and was definitely once again, not let down.

Capturing Creation Photo Challenge Day 4

Day 4: Let there be the Sun, Moon and Stars.

"And God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also." 

-Genesis 1:14-16

I know its really hard to tell, but that is the moon...it was an absolutely beautiful night, but unfortunately I didn't have a good enough camera to quite capture it...

Christmas Music

         Normally I'm not one for Christmas music, I tire of hearing the same thing year after year, after year.
         However, last year I invested in the awesome music...Relient K's Let it Snow Baby, Let it Reindeer Christmas album. (available during the holiday season as an MP3 download for only $5 from Amazon, I highly recommend it).

         Because I was so highly anticipating listening to my awesome Christmas music this year, I actually started listening to it a few days before Thanksgiving! 


         Now, I do like the more rock versions of the traditional Christmas songs, but I really must give props to BarlowGirl for their awesome vocals on this traditional version of the Carol of the Bells:





          But back to the topic of that awesome rockin' Christmas music.

          As far as originality, and a completely new song, I love Relient K's Santa Clause is Thumbing to Town, which, unfortunately I could not find a video of on YouTube...you'll all just have to trust me on its level of awesomeness.


         Another new Christmas song, is from Flyleaf from one of their original EP's: I LOVE IT:





          Now, I don't know if any of you have by chance seen Mean Girls...but, it really ruined Jingle Bell Rock for me and I haven't really liked the song since...but Thousand Foot Krutch has brought it back for me in their version:





          I love BarlowGirls version of Carol of the Bells, I love to listen to it because its such a beautiful song, but this here, is an awesome instrumental rock version:





Hoping you're all getting into the Christmas spirit as well!

Creatively Fickle

          Okay, so, its the beginning of a new month, and I'm wanting to do something different...

          I'm a person that is always changing my blog design...when I had my first personal blog (which was invite only) I changed it probably every couple weeks, if not more...of course I was using pre-made templates that I took fancy to, and no one actually ever really saw it, but it was just something I liked to change with my mood and fancy. I think you could call me creatively fickle.

          Anyway, since I am still always wanting to change my blog design, but I prefer using my own designs it doesn't happen as much..

          But as of late, I have had, in my head a new, and simpler design idea for Concrete & Grace...well, really, a new much less busy header idea. I do love my header, but its just a bit...too much if you know what I mean. And a week or so ago, I suddenly got an idea for a header that I'm hopefully going to be working on in my spare (ha!) time possibly this weekend...

         I've also been tossing around the idea of a seasonal design that I change every few months or so...I've just loved what Awel, Oliva, Hannah, and Nzkiwigirl have done with it...unfortunately, as of right now I'm too swamped with school and I won't be able to do such. However I am considering on possibly working on a little something-something over Winter Vacation.

         So, there is definitely somewhat of a simpler Concrete & Grace coming your way (hopefully) soon.

Capturing Creation Photo Challenge Day 3

Well, its Day 3 of the Capturing Creation Photo Challenge over at Yours Truly, and so its time for more pictures!

This one I took just this summer. We leveled our yard and so it was kind of dirt and puddles for a while. We live in a building thats over 100 years old however (quite a history there) and so we found lots of interesting things in our yard when we were restoring it to its original level. 

Like bottles, lots of vintage bottles. 

I think my favorite thing I found though would be the coke bottle bottom I found. Its really cool because the glass is un-even (in thickness)  all the way around, the inside, the sides, the bottom...it makes that whole "coke bottle glasses" thing make a bit more sense.

This one I took just a couple days ago. (I'll have more pictures up shortly!)

blessings to you all on this gloriously snowy Wednesday!

TWLOHA

So, I don't know if any of you are TWLOHA  (To Write Love On Her Arms) fans/supporters, but I have something I find exciting...the TWLOHA Store is having free shipping the day after tomorrow! Thats right MONDAY! :) I'm looking forward to it because I've been meaning to purchase a few things from the store since well...last year, and am definitely going to be taking advantage of this! For more information just click on the "free shipping" link above in the paragraph!

If you're interested you can find more about them and their STORY and VISION as well as some FACTS and ways to MOVE and get involved.

Concerts & Capturing Creation Photo Contest Day 2

So, last Monday, I had an epically awesome time at the my local stop on RED's Nothing & Everything Tour with Disciple, Head and Silverline.

It was SO much fun!

Great music, great friends, awesome times.
Now, unfortunately, I didn't have the camera, so I didn't get any pictures :( I did however have my iPod Touch and did manage to get some video...but sadly no average camera is made to withstand that and have clear audio.

I had a lot of fun and ended up buying Disciple's new CD Horseshoes & Hand Grenades and yesterday my mum bought RED's album End of Silence.
So lots of new music I'm listening to.

It seems like winter has arrived where I live...I woke up the other day to find it had snowed 4"-6" and was still coming down!!! But its okay now because we're coming up on Thanksgiving and as long as it waits 'til after Halloween (which to me, is pretty much the end of fall) to snow, then I'm good with it.
Since then, for the past few days we've had some cccccooolllddddd weather! We're talking in the land of below freezing and zero. BRRRRRRRR
I'm hoping it'll warm up a bit and snow more so hopefully I can do some snowboarding this year!

Since its Wednesday (I almost forgot! oops!) I have another installment of my photography for the Capturing Creation Photo Challenge over at Yours Truly! Since its Day 2 the focus is...Let There Be Heavens



“The God said, “Let there be the firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.”

Hope you're all having a blessed (and warmer!) Thanksgiving week with family and friends!

Hey Everybody!--Capturing Creation Photo Challenge: Day 1

Hiya peoplez and random readers!

Got some cool stuff to tell you 'bout today!

There's the awesome Capturing Creation photo challenge happening RIGHT NOW over at Yours Truly!

So...this is my first time entering a photo contest...I have lots of pictures, but it seems like I never have time to get them watermarked with the logo I made! (Well...that and the fact that GIMP tends to not like me...grrrrrr) So, since GIMP hates me I've just done the quick-fix with Paint.

So, here's my entries for today's first theme "Let there be Light"!

PS Soon to come (yes...I have thus far failed to get those tech reviews I promised...soon!) within the next couple days, a blog post about what I did last night! Had an epically awesome time at the Nothing and Everything Tour that stopped near me, awesome bands RED & Disciple!!!