Menu Close

Tag: life

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year – a Christmasy tag

Tracey Dyck 19 Comments

Deborah O’Carroll from The Road of a Writer is spreading Christmas cheer by doling out this Christmasy Tag. Thanks, Deb! This is a nice excuse to chat about seasonal wonderfulness.

Rules
Post the picture on your blog. (Neither Deb nor I have any clue what picture this means.)
Answer the questions.
Tag up to 12 bloggers.
Make up 10 questions for other bloggers.

What is your favourite Christmas treat?
Gingersnaps and mandarin oranges and chocolate everything and nuts and eggnog and peppermint and (gasp) have you ever tried a chai white hot chocolate? You must.

Are there any special traditions that your family has to celebrate Christmas?
Yes.

How do you normally celebrate Christmas?
This is very much like the above question, which is why I’m properly answering here. On Christmas morning, my mom makes apple scones. We put a candle in each one and sing happy birthday to Jesus (a tradition we’ve been doing since I was a wee child). Then we take our long, leisurely time unwrapping gifts, all of which is videotaped for posterity. On Boxing Day, we often spend the afternoon building Lego, since all six of us receive sets for Christmas. (Yes, even my parents!)

Do you enjoy getting presents for your friends and family? Do you buy your gifts or go the homemade route?
Of course I do! Some people are harder to shop for than others, but ultimately I love picking out thoughtful gifts. I usually go the store-bought route, because I don’t consider my crafting skills to be . . . er, skilled enough to produce good presents.

Is it cold where you live? Have you ever had a white Christmas?

This sort of question I find endlessly amusing. Because yes, it is cold where I live (though it’s been unseasonably mild up until this week, during which eight inches of snow fell on us). I’ve never not had a white Christmas!

What’s on your Christmas list this year?
BOOKS. As always. Also boring, practical, un-Christmasy things like black socks and a back-up hard drive for my laptop. Music and movies are always on the list, too.

What’s your favourite Christmas song?
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is probably my top favorite carol. A modern song that I fell in love with is Hillsong’s We Have a Savior. Michael W. Smith’s It’s a Wonderful Christmas is a beautiful orchestral album, and I also love Chris Tomlin’s Glory in the Highest album. (And I’ll admit that the Oakridge Boys’ Christmas Carol gets me singing every year.)

What is your favourite Christmas memory?
I have too many to recount! As Deborah said in her post, they all kind of blend together. I suppose all my favorite memories revolve around family.

What does your Christmas tree look like?

My parents give my siblings and me a new ornament every year. As you can see, the collection has grown. It kind of looks like a Christmas toy shop exploded on our tree.






What are you reading in December? (Anything festive?)
Currently A.D. 30 by Ted Dekker. It’s not exactly festive, but . . . it does occur during Jesus’ life on Earth. Does that count?

Are you an organised little elf or are you still shopping/preparing on Christmas Eve?
I am a semi-organized little elf who let the mild weather trick her into thinking Christmas was a long way off. Then the snow came, and the calendar shrieked at me in panic. (Okay, it hasn’t been all that bad. I just have a couple odds and ends to finish up.)

How early do you start to get into the Christmas spirit?
December 1st. No earlier. Usually no later. The tree goes up in the first week of December, and out comes the holiday music. I myself didn’t really ‘feel’ Christmasy for the first week or two. But now I feel like a child again, absolutely giddy with anticipation.

Do you make any Christmas crafts? Decorations? Send physical Christmas cards?
Depends on the year. As I said earlier, my crafting skills are not quite prepared for much gift-creating. Though if I took the time (and money to purchase supplies), I think I’d have fun with it.

What’s the menu for Christmas Day?!
Apple scones for breakfast, which I already mentioned. Lunch is late and consists of all manner of snacks. Supper this year will be at my grandma’s. Who knows what scrumptiousness she’ll conjure?

What makes it FEEL like Christmas for you? (Weather, specific tradition, food, smell, person, etc.?)
I definitely had a hard time getting into the Christmas mood before the snow hit, shallow as that sounds. Decorating the tree, singing carols at church, driving around town and seeing all the beautiful lights . . . I don’t know, it’s a combination of a lot of things. Mostly it’s the cozy feeling of family, nestled in the warm living room on Christmas Day, laughing and enjoying each other while pristine snow blankets the world outside.

Do you have relatives coming? Excited? Nervous?
For Christmas itself, no, nobody’s coming. After Christmas, yes. The family continues to expand as cousins grow up and get married, so lassoing everyone into the same spot for Christmas is no longer simple. I’m excited about getting time off to spend with family.

What famous Christmas character do you most identify with? (Scrooge, Elf, Tiny Tim, the Grinch, Santa, etc.)
Um . . . none of them?

If you were to start a new Christmas tradition, what would it be?

Goodness. Way to put me on the spot here. I love the traditions my family currently has, and can’t think of anything more to add!

What Christmas movies do you like to watch this time of year or what’s your favorite?

Unlike some people, there’s no set movie that comes out every single year. It could be Rise of the Guardians, a Christmas-related VeggieTales movie, Miracle on 34th Street, or any new film we find under the tree.

Look, Jack Frost left his signature on my front window last year!

What’s your favorite Christmasy book or book with a favorite Christmasy part?
I love, love, LOVE Max Lucado’s The Crippled Lamb. It’s a touching story about an outcast lamb who ends up getting to keep baby Jesus’ warm.

I tag . . .
Cassia @ Dimensions of My Universe
Sarah @ Ink and Paper Tall Ship
Emily @ Ink, Inc.
Jack @ However Improbable
Amy @ Little Moon Elephant
And whoever wants to add a little Christmas fun to their blog! Go on. You know you want to snag it.

Questions to use (because I haven’t the time to create new ones today):

  • What is your favourite Christmas treat?
  • Are there any special traditions that your family has to celebrate Christmas?
  • How do you normally celebrate Christmas?
  • Do you enjoy getting presents for your friends and family? Do you buy your gifts or go the homemade route?
  • Is it cold where you live? Have you ever had a white Christmas?
  • What’s on your Christmas list this year?
  • What’s your favourite Christmas song?
  • What is your favourite Christmas memory?
  • What does your Christmas Tree look like?
  • What are you reading in December? (Anything festive?)
  • Are you an organised little elf or are you still shopping/preparing on Christmas Eve?
  • How early do you start to get into the Christmas spirit?
  • Do you make any Christmas crafts? Decorations? Send physical Christmas cards?
  • What’s the menu for Christmas Day?!
  • What makes it FEEL like Christmas for you? (Weather, specific tradition, food, smell, person, etc.?)
  • Do you have relatives coming? Excited? Nervous?
  • What famous Christmas character do you most identify with? (Scrooge, Elf, Tiny Tim, the Grinch, Santa, etc.)
  • If you were to start a new Christmas tradition, what would it be?
  • What Christmas movies do you like to watch this time of year or what’s your favorite?
  • What’s your favorite Christmasy book or book with a favorite Christmasy part?

    • Keep Reading

    Sandpaper Days

    Tracey Dyck 18 Comments
    source

    The days when you are not where you want to be.

    The days of monotony, of the same routine over and over and over again.

    The days of chaos, where nothing is tied down and everything whips in a whirlwind around you.

    The long days full of long hours, but never enough time.

    The days of hard work, of aching muscles and aching mind and aching heart.

    The days of bleary eyes blinking at too many pages, of weary hands wiping down too many tables, of crammed brains stuffing too many things inside.

    The days that grate, rubbing you all the wrong ways until your fur stands on end and you know that one more scrape will set you off hissing at the world. Slowly wound tighter and tighter, the pressure builds by slight degrees and if today could be that exhale you’re desperate for, it would be just in time.

    These are the sandpaper days.

    They are hard. Not in a fiery trial kind of way, when the world crashes down around your ears and you scream for help. No. These days, if doled out one at a time, would be quite bearable. But there are just so many of them, and in numbers they are strong. They stretch and pull and drain, and if you would be honest with yourself, you might admit to being weary in well doing.

    I’m here to tell you “press on.” I’m here to say that these days are shaping you, refining you, smoothing your rough grain. And they do not last forever. This is a season, and as all seasons do, it will pass.

    I’m here to challenge you to embrace it. It may feel like hugging a cactus, but these days are meant to be utilized. If you give in to the weariness, you only lengthen the season. Decide. Decide you are going to learn what you can here, do the best that you can, and keep putting one foot in front of the other. If you don’t, you may walk around and around this mountain countless times throughout your life and never get over it.

    I know. Oh, I know you want nothing more than to collapse and not move for a week, but press on, dear heart.

    When your strength fails, there is a Strong One from which to draw. A Steady One on which to lean. He is with you in the midst of your sandpaper days.

    Keep Reading

    Subplots and Storylines – October 2015

    Tracey Dyck 10 Comments

    You know those chunks of narrative in certain novels (particularly fantasy) that detail a long journey? Like those insanely long walks Frodo and company are always taking, or the Pevensies trekking around the island of ruined Cair Paravel in Prince Caspian? Not a whole awful lot happens, but the characters walk and walk and walk . . . or ride . . . or fly . . . or zap through portals . . . or something.

    Anyway. That was my October. What I did this month was not varied, but there was a lot of it. Like walking day after day toward some epic destination, except I wasn’t carrying the One Ring or discovering my castle in ruins. No. Not quite.

    Basically, October was Work and Editing. Of the first there is little to say, aside from the fact that hours are picking up now that Christmas is around the corner (say what?!), so I’ve been getting closer to a full-time schedule. This is good. Also busy.

    Of the second item, Editing, there is much to say. Too much for this particular blog post, so you will just have to twiddle your thumbs and wait for the next post. (Who twiddles their thumbs while waiting, anyway? I don’t. I just shift position a lot and try to get comfortable. Or stand/sit with good posture. Sometimes those two things are not synonymous. . . . Wow. Where was I going with this?)

    Moving along!

    Of course, Frodo and company encounter obstacles and meet people and do interesting things along the way–they don’t just walk. And the Pevensies find a creek and eat squashed sandwiches and get hot and tired and look for a way to the Narnia mainland. Little events do happen during those drawn-out narrative journeys, and little things have sprinkled my month too.

    *pulls out day planner*

    What, you don’t keep a day planner?

    Ahem. *flips through to remind herself of October happenings*

    Happenings

    Well, there was Thanksgiving, which I celebrated at three gatherings, and which prompted a post about the many things we can be thankful for.

    Mid-October, I got together with a family friend (someone whom I consider an honorary aunt and a fantastic person) to set up her blog. She wants to start one and asked me–me, a fledgling blogger myself–for help. So we had fun all afternoon, trying to get the template to work right, messing up, and then doing the work all over again. But it’s a good start, and hopefully one day soon, once she’s launched her blog, I can introduce her here!

    Another happening on this long walk called October was a local book faire I attended, where I found three specimens.

    • The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde. (No, the last name is not a typo.) Mint condition. Cover displays a bug car parked on dragon skin, so . . . very large dragons may be contained within? The blurb looked interesting–main character works at an employment agency for magicians, but the land’s magic is drying up. (Let’s hope the dollar store sticker on the back doesn’t mean it’s a cheap story.)
    • Deep Secret by Diana Wynne Jones. Previously a library book. Cover looks very 90’s. But ever since I heard a bunch of friends raving over Howl’s Moving Castle, I’ve been scouring every book faire for anything by this author. This is obviously not HMC. But it is Diana Wynne Jones.
    • Cyndere’s Midnight by Jeffrey Overstreet. Almost mint condition. And I adore the series, so I was thrilled to find the second installment for $4.50 instead of $15.99. Have any of you read the Auralia’s Colors books, by the way? What did you think about them?
     
     
    Adventures of a Film-ish Variety

    Avengers: Age of Ultron: I’d already seen it in theaters, but the very day it released to DVD, my brother and I hurried out to buy it . . . and proceeded to watch it twice in the same weekend. No regrets. Pure awesomeness all the way.

    Disney’s Descendants: Watched it with my two sisters, chuckled at some parts, winced at some of the songs.

    Tomorrowland: I was pleasantly surprised! It wasn’t what I expected, but it was nevertheless quite good. Even funny at times. And one scene near the climax was incredibly thought-provoking. I was hanging on every word of the villain’s monologue. (Yes, there was a villain monologue. But it did offer some intriguing food for thought about how we give power to what we focus on.) I’d definitely recommend this film!

    Adventures of a Bookish Variety

    I read five this month! That’s about my average, so it feels better than the measly three I managed last month.

    Messenger by Lois Lowry: It wasn’t bad. It also wasn’t super amazingly good, either. I feel like so far, the first book (The Giver) was the best, Gathering Blue was second-best, and this one settled into third place. Let’s hope that Son, book 4, changes this downward slope. Although I do have to admit that the trading concept in Messenger was interesting, and the ending was somewhat unexpected.

    Paige Rewritten by Erynn Mangum: Funny! Romantic! Fluffy without feeling like cotton candy! As in, it was fluffy without being overly sappy or sugary or . . . You know what, my analogies are just not functioning today. Never mind.

    Mrs. Jeffries Reveals Her Art by Emily Brightwell: Apparently I haven’t read any of these mysteries since last winter. Oops. There’s a ton of books in this series, and I’m progressing through it at a rather sedate pace. Every now and then, a good old London mystery is a nice way to deviate from my usual genres. I thought I predicted the outcome this time–I truly did–but I was completely wrong. Again. Am I the only one who tries to figure out the mystery before the characters do? And am I the only one who tends to fail miserably? I gauge the suspects, but I also gauge the author. “I think this character is the murderer, but is that because the author wants me to think that? And if she wants me to think it’s him, that means it’s probably someone else, right? Like that person over there–he doesn’t seem suspicious at all. IT’S PROBABLY HIM. But then, it could be the obvious choice, hiding right under my nose . . .”

    Emissary by Thomas Locke: Hands down, this was my favorite read this month! It took me a bit to get into it, for whatever reason, but once I did, my goodness. It was a tightly packed bundle of so much high fantasy awesomeness, I don’t even know where to start. First off, a good fantasy instantly makes me feel at home in some way, which Emissary did. And then there was the spine-tingling magic! I wouldn’t say it functioned in a particularly unique way, but its vibrancy definitely made up for that. But the plot! And the characters! So good! Interestingly enough, I had a bit of trouble connecting to Hyam, the main character, at first. But as the book progressed, I fell in love with him and the others . . . Joelle, Master Trace (hah! it’s almost my name!), the elves . . . Basically everyone. The POV was handled a bit more distantly than perhaps I’m used to, but Hyam’s selfless actions spoke louder than his thoughts or words. He is wonderful. Go read this book. And then wait impatiently with me for the sequel coming out next year.

    A Templar’s Apprentice by Kat Black: This was a reread, but seeing as I read it eons ago, my memory of it didn’t outpace my reading. Meaning, certain things were familiar as I came upon them, but not once did my recollections spoil the ending for me. Ha. Funny how that works sometimes. Anyway, it’s a good little book that begins in medieval Scotland, and follows thirteen-year-old Tormod as he becomes apprenticed to a Knight Templar. There was a teensy bit of language, as well as some sketchy spirituality. (After meeting some Arabs who serve Allah, Tormod concludes that everyone worships the same God in different but entirely acceptable ways. This message doesn’t have a lot of bearing on the story, though.)

    In Summary
    October didn’t seem to fly by as rapidly as previous months, but it didn’t stick around for long, either. I managed to read and watch some epic things to go along with my not-quite-as-epic walk, a.k.a. Work and Editing. Plus there were some fun goings-on in between. Oh! And if you missed it, I hosted my very first interview with a talented artist last week. You can read it HERE. So all in all, October was a satisfying month.
     
    How was yours? Busy? Quiet? Were you trekking across the Misty Mountains, slogging on one step at a time, feeling as if no end was in sight? Or was the plot of your life more like all the interesting and varied and rapid-fire bits of a tale? (I think I just need to shut off my analogy side for a while. NONE of the analogies in this post have made much sense.) And perhaps the biggest question of all: are you participating in NaNoWriMo National Leave Your Sanity Behind Month? (I, sadly, am not. I never have. Yet. One of these years, I shall!)
     
    Do tell in the comments!
    Keep Reading

    Interview with Artist Kianna Giesbrecht

    Tracey Dyck 12 Comments

    I am about to burst with excitement, questers! Because today marks a momentous day in the history of the world! (Or, you know, the history of my little slice of the internet. Same thing.) Today I have the privilege of hosting my very first interview!

    This particular adventurer is a dear friend of mine whom I’ve known for years. She’s a fellow creator, but not only does she write: she also dances and arts. (Which is most definitely a verb, okay? People art. She arts amazingly.) Her sketches and paintings are stunning, and the craziest thing is that she basically taught herself. I know there are probably more artists than writers among my readers, but some things hold true no matter what creative medium you choose.

    She possesses a dry, quirky wit and a brilliant smile and a soft heart. I think you’ll find the following chat rather inspiring. Plus ALL THE PRETTY PICTURES. Petting is allowed. Stealing is not. Ahem, carry on.

    Ladies and gentlemen, questers and adventurers and journeymen and traveling minstrels, I give you . . . Kianna!

    Self-portrait of Kianna

    ~*~


    Tell us a little about yourself—personality, hobbies, favorite dessert, anything!
    Hi. My name is Kianna Giesbrecht, I’m 20 years old, and here’s a little randomness about me:
    I’m a neat person, though when it comes to painting I somehow manage to get paint all over myself. When I draw, my pencils tend to end up in my hair, behind my ears, and/or in my mouth.

    My first painting I ever did on canvas, as opposed to cardboard or whatever I could find, I think was when I was ten. And it was a copy, off of a pot holder we have, of the Buchard Gardens. At that time I had no idea it was a real place, only that it was pretty. I showed my dad and he recognized it (so I guess it wasn’t bad :)) and he said, “Hey, I’ve been there.”

    I like to draw people. It’s funny, ’cause often I’ve gotten the comment that “aren’t people hard to do?” I dunno. I’ve been drawing people my whole life. I really like the expressions of a person. Maybe that’s why I favor that art subject.


    I love eyes. LOVE eyes! They hold such character, mystery, and beauty.

    I like tigers. My favorite color is green. I love sunsets and thunderstorms and butterflies. I like to bake. I’m a daydreamer. I love the fall. I love cold weather. I like dance and listening to different genres of music. I love the sound of violins and the saxophone! I sometimes write poems. I love dabbling in writing novels. I like fantasy, fiction, mysteries! I like old school animated Disney classics: Tarzan, Treasure Planet, Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, Aladdin, Peter Pan, Robin Hood, etc.

    I was homeschooled from grade 2-12. (Awesome!)

    I LOVE vanilla ice cream! I’m a little claustrophobic, dyslexic, random, and weird. And I love hugs!

    How long have you been drawing and painting?
    I’ve been doing art for as long as I can remember. I started with scribbles and coloring and making little doll houses out of cereal boxes.

    What made you start?
    I dunno. I was never put into art classes or anything. Art was something I simply did. It wasn’t something I necessarily understood to be art at the time, only that I loved to create. It was fun. Made me feel good. The one place where I made sense as a struggling school student, and I could be free to express myself in the only way I knew how.

     

    What do you love most about creating art?
    I think what I love most is that it’s your own. You can study and learn the techniques, but ultimately how you apply them is up to you. Art is a story—it should tell a story—and that story is yours, your decisions. And that’s something I absolutely love about it. It’s passion that can be expressed in so many different and creative ways. It’s only as limited as your imagination. It’s something you can share with people. It’s a vulnerable, personal, beautiful thing. Your talent is a gift from God. What you do with that talent is your gift to him. So between you and him—from one artist to another—to create something is like nothing you could experience from anything else.

    What inspires you?
    Inspiration is a funny thing. It can hit you or it can seemingly hide from you. And I realize it’s different for everyone personally. But art is a privilege. Poetry in color. A mystery not meant to be solved. ART IS EMOTION. So: whatever moves you.

    I get inspired by anything. Whether it’s something I heard, like a quote for example, that begins to form a picture in likeness to the words that dawned the inspiration. Or, say, the screeching of a train slowing down. Reminds me of nails down a chalkboard . . . Ooh, shiver . . . Or like claws. Yes. So right away I get this bud of a picture, thinking how I could interpret something really cool from that. (I think of Fantasia, how shorts are created by the aroused imagination through music. That kind of symbolic art is cool.)

    If I’m sad, I’ll draw or paint in reflection of that, same if I were happy. But both of those opposite ends of the scale are things that equally excite me.

    I LOVE COLOR. I love creating things that pop, but things that are interesting to me and not necessarily usual. As well, I love to create things in the reverse; that are gray; are an intriguing image of pain, or hope, or anger, even strangeness—meaning something very unique, very creative-licenced. I believe art is a safe place to express any emotion. It’s simply giving face to whatever I’m feeling.

     

    What’s the hardest part of an art project?
    For me it totally depends on the project—especially my mood. If I’m frustrated, I have to take a break or I’ll probably ruin it. But then it’s always an experiment for me, and I’ve been realizing, even if it takes a dozen tries, it’s never a waste as long as I learn something.

    If I wanna draw something that I don’t know how it’s supposed to look, that’s a very hard part of any project. But that’s why I’ll look up references, snap pictures, pose my head so I can copy it—whatever. Nature is the best teacher. And art is a journey. You never ‘arrive,’ which I think that’s the beauty of it. It’s about the climb; about amazing yourself. Gary Jenkins likes to say, “Art is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re going to get.”

    There’s definitely things that I like to draw less than others. Such as hair. Hair is not my favorite thing to draw most days. But nothing is so hard, for me, or challenging rather, than first getting the outline right in order for the later fill of details to turn out.

    The most satisfying?
    Stepping back to take in the finished project and being amazed at myself. The gratification of the reaction of friends and family touches the heart like nothing else. But mostly to say, “I did that,” to amaze myself, even if midway through the project I feared wouldn’t turn out right. That is a very beautiful, very satisfying thing indeed.

    Where people/experiences have helped you grow as an artist?
    Friends and family have always encouraged me with my art. (Which is a needed natural nourishment.) Without that I don’t think I would’ve developed my self-taught art as I have. So their support has naturally influenced my growth. But recently I’ve had the privilege to do some illustration for family. It’s challenged me in a very new but good way. Being able to give face to my own ideas is awesome in and of itself, but then also to experience giving face to someone else’s ideas is very exciting. To assist in something so unique as someone else’s imagination is incredible.

    Where do you hope to go with your art?
    First of all, art is such a big part of who I am—it is me—it gives me a voice. It’s something I can’t imagine doing without. But I honestly don’t know where I hope my art to go. Naturally I’d love to do it full-time, and I have had half a dozen paid requests and several requested gifts.

    Illustration is something I’m interested in, or simply filling requests. All I really know is that I want my art to mean something to people.

    Any encouragement for fellow artists and creative people?
    Art comes in so many different forms (acting, photography, dance, music, baking, fashion, whatever!). And art is for everyone. So if you wanna do it—do it. But be you. Explore. Experiment. Enjoy! Embrace your passion and bask in its beauty.

    Now, if you’re like me, it’s not always something beautiful.

    “Creativity takes courage.” —Henri Matisse

    So if you’re feeling unappreciated, remember you’re smart and talented. Someone is cheering for you. Always.

    Never give up on what makes you smile!

    “Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.” —H. Jackson Brown, Jr. 

    “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” —Albert Einstein

    So dare to dream, to be vulnerable, bold, courageous. Get excited! God is. He wants to be a part of what you do. Art is loose. Your gift. Free. Beautiful. A perspective on life, and what you make of it.


    Say it with me: “I’M (you’re) AWESOME.”

    Fan that flame.

    <3
    someone like you

    ~*~
    Thanks so much for joining us and sharing your heart, Kianna! I love how you said that God is excited about our dreams, dreams that He’s given us. He’s even more excited about it than we are. And that is truly mind-blowing.

     
    Well, readers, I wish I could link you to a slice of internet belonging to Kianna, but alas, she dwells in the mysterious land of No Internet. The Q&A you just read was copied off an exchange of good old-fashioned handwritten letters. But do drop a comment here for her—I’ll be printing off everything to give her a hard copy later, and we’ll see if I can find a way for her to personally respond to all of you too.

     
    I know you’re bursting already with comments and questions, so I’ll shut up and let you have it!
    Keep Reading