The Wonderful Book Tag!

Good day everyone! As I write (write sounds so much better than type) this, I'm gazing out the window at loads of glorious white stuff and procrastinating Biology. That's right, we finally got some snow. :-) Yay!!! We measured around fourteen inches and I'm enjoying it immensely! *squeals* I'm going to put up some pictures in a couple days. (Translate to – whenever I get them off Mom's phone. xD) 

Now for the purpose of this post... Rebekah Ashleigh tagged me for this cute book-y tag and it looks like so much fun. :) Here goes! 

The Ruuuullllleeeessssss!!! 

1. Answer the 10 questions

2. Tag at least 3-5 people

3. Have fun! : ) 

My answers!! :-) 

- - - 

What are your top two favorite books? 

Just two?? Um, okay. A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin and A Cousin's Promise by Wanda E. Brunstetter would have been my answer. But now I would probably have to say The Pirate Daughter's Promise by Molly Evangeline too. (Because I just read it and it's awesome. EVERYONE should read it...period.) I'm currently reading Dare by Tricia Mingerink and it'll be a 'favorite' too, once I'm finished. *ignores the fact that she gave more than two* *moves on* 

What are your top two favorite series? 

Again, just two? That is better than one though... ;) I'd have to say The Discovery Series by Wanda Brunstetter and Circle C Adventures by Susan Marlow. (Only because I'm going to say Wings of Glory several times before I'm finished...) 

Who is your favorite fictional character?

Walt Novak *cheesy grin* Or Mandie Shaw or Anne Shirley :D 

I'm assuming this means favorite character from a 'real' book (because it is the wonderful book tag. DUH.) but if that wasn't specified I'd say my character, David Carnathan. ;)  

If any one of your favorite books could be made into a movie which one would you want it to be?

A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin!!!!!!!! If it was done right, it would be SO amazing!! :D The entire Wings of Glory series would make an amazing mini-series. :) Someone should do that. *makes mental note to write a letter filled with suggestions to a movie producer* 

What is your favorite genre to read?

Right now, I would say anything WWII, but previously I was in love with Amish fiction. :-) Fantasy currently isn't a favorite (but that could change), and I've never read dystopian or anything like that, but otherwise I read just about anything as long as it's clean, good, and I enjoy it. :-) 

Do you have a favorite author?

Several! ;) Susan Marlow, Sarah Sundin, Wanda Brunstetter, Deanna Klingel, and Lois Gladys Leppard. 

Is there a book that you can hardly wait for it to come out?

The last two books in the Circle C Milestones by Susan Marlow, anything by Sarah Sundin, and The Silent Blade and A Question of Honor by Jesseca Wheaton. *hint, hint* B-) 

What was one of your favorite childhood books? 

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney. Also, A Tent Too Full by Stephen White and If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Numeroff. 

I think my parents had those memorized. Apparently I did too because if they tried to ad-lib it or skim the story (to make story time a little shorter) I would notice and tell them. B-) 

What was one of your favorite books when you were late elementary to middle school age?

The Mandie series :) 

What is your favorite book of the Bible?

1 John, right now. :) Also Ruth and Esther. 

The people that I tag... 

Lauren Stoner

Bethany R.

Rebekah Eddy 

And here's a list of the questions so it's easier for anyone to copy them... :) 

What are your top two favorite books?

What are your top two favorite series?

Who is your favorite fictional character?

If any one of your favorite books could be made into a movie which one would you want it to be?

What is your favorite genre to read?

Do you have a favorite author?

Is there a book that you can hardly wait for it to come out?

What was one of your favorite childhood books?

What was one of you favorite books when you were late elementary to middle school age?

What is your favorite book of the Bible?

If anyone else would like to do this, on their blog or in the comments, please feel free!! Thanks again for tagging me, Rebekah! :D 

Sisters in Christ, 

~Faith 

Earliest Memories ~ Tag!

Hello everyone!!! Bethany from A Great God and Good Cocoa came up with this sweet tag and nominated me for it! :D Let's get started! 

1. What is your earliest memory?

Going fishing with my daddy when I was about three. :) When went out in this little lake in a john-boat. I don't remember us catching anything, but Dad might have. I remember having to where a life-vest (and not liking it one bit...) and eating M&Ms. :) Then, when we were leaving, Dad took me and put me in my carseat in the truck. When he went back for the boat, it had floated away... So he went for a little swim, needless to say. Hehe. ;) 

2. What is your earliest memory of a birthday? 

I can vaguely remember my fifth birthday. We had a party here at the house and I remember playing games in my room with others kids, but that's about it. I can distinctly remember all of us pushing on the bubble of a Trouble! game I'd just gotten. xD 

3. What is your earliest memory of a food?

My grandpa smoked salmon at the aforementioned birthday party. I don't remember birthday cake, but I remember the salmon! :-) 

4. What is your earliest memory of a gathering?

Does church count? I would say church and some family gatherings that I vaguely (there's that word again) remember. :-) 

5. What is your earliest memory of family?

Christmas Eve at my grandparents house every year. ;) 

6. What is your favorite memory?

That's tough... Okay, here's a few. ;) 

Although I've been homeschooled ever since, I went to a private Christian school for kindergarten. At this school the classes are so small that they combine ever two grades. Ex. K-4 and K-5, 1st and 2nd, etc. Me and another girl were the only two kindergartners that year, and there were three girls in K-4. No boys. It was a great year. B-) 

I've made lots of great memories camping with friends and family through the years. A mission trip I went on last year, and when we went out west this year would have to be at the top of my list too. ;) 

7. What is your earliest memory of a gift?

I'm sure there's something I've overlooked, but I'll just go with this. When I 'graduated' from kindergarten our teacher have each student (all five of us) a gift. I got a journal and a few other little things I can't remember. I loved it so much and it made me feel quite grown up. :) I still have it somewhere, I think. 

8. What is your earliest memory of an embarrassment?

Hmm... Okay, just telling this will be embarrassing. When I was about ten, a friend of mine's mom was in the hospital and we were going with Dad to see them. This was the maternity wing of the hospital so the doors were locked and someone would have to let us in. I saw this box-like thing on the wall with a handle that said "pull here". So I pulled it...and it came off in my hand. Alarms started going off, the doors started slamming. Mom tried to stick the thing back on the wall, but that wasn't happenin'. A nurse came running to see what was going on. She laughed at our interesting dilemma and let us in. To make matters worse, when we got to the room they asked what the alarms were about and Mom and Dad got to relay the story. I still haven't lived that one down... *sigh* 

9. What is your earliest memory of when you were scared?

At the Christian school I attended, I remember being terrified of the 1st-2nd grade teacher. One time in particular, we were sent to the 1st-2nd grade classroom because our teacher had to give some possible students' parents a tour of the school. I didn't enjoy it... (at all!!) 

Other memories of being scared would include the first time I got bee stung and being warned of fire ants at my grandparents house in Florida. (We don't have those little red-devils 'round here. ;) ) 

10. What is your earliest memory of a camp? 

A three day Girl Scout day camp the summer of 2008. I'd just started Girl Scouts at the time and I really enjoyed it. Those three days I spent at the rec park were a lot of fun. :-) 

11. How young were you when you received Christ? (optional)

I was eight. *smiles* When I was at the Christian school (mentioned above) I remember the teacher taking one of the girls in my room at going right outside the door. Everyone else in the class including me stayed in the classroom. Mrs. R was giving us an illustration of who was saved and who wasn't. That really made me think. :) 

Here's some old photos of me and my brother the Christmas of 2007. :-) 

If you look closely, you'll see that I'm missing my two front teeth! 

You can definitely tell in this one ;) 

Most of you who I would've tagged have already been tagged, but I'm going to tag a few others. :) I nominate... 

Rebekah Ashleigh

Indi Raine

Emily Miller

Eve Estelle

Here's the questions again to simply y'all's lives. ;) 

1. What is your earliest memory?
2. What is your earliest memory of a birthday?
3. What is your earliest memory of a food?
4. What is your earliest memory of a gathering?
5. What is your earliest memory of family?
6. What is your favorite memory?
7. What is your earliest memory of a gift?
8. What is your earliest memory of an embarrassment?
9. What is your earliest memory of when you were scared?
10. What is your earliest memory of a camp? 
11. How young were you when you received Christ? (optional)

Thanks for reading everyone!! 

~Faith 

Books, Writing Contests, and Life

Hello everyone! It's me just popping in to say that I may be a bit neglectful of blogging for this week. I'm scrambling to finish, edit, and tidy up my entry for the Circle C Short-Story Contest. I also want to enter Bethany's Writing Challenge. (It seems that these two share a deadline – that being Friday, the 15th. Like four days from now... Yikes!) 

Anyways... The purpose of this post is to explain my absence (told above) and let y'all know of some upcoming stuff around here. :) 

"Love is in the Heart" ~ Writing Contest! 

 Click here to check it out! 

This one is going to be such fun! My mind is currently spinning with ideas. ;) The deadline and word limit are below but please be sure to click the link, read the post, and leave a comment for Lesa if you plan to enter. :-) 

Deadline: February 1st

Word limit: 5,000

Winners announced: Febuary 14th (DUH.) 

"Flash Fiction Challenge" ~ Writing Challenge! 

This, too, is going to be oodles of fun! Click here for details! I'm super excited about it! 

On this blog, there will soon be... 

- character spotlights for a short story I started...*cough, cough* last summer... :) 

- and two or three tag posts that I haven't gotten to yet! :D 

--NOTE-- The Bookshelf Tour is temporarily discontinued. Due to reasons I'm not delving into at the moment, my books are currently in boxes in a corner of the summer kitchen. :-( 

My books... :) 

The bare, empty shelves ;) 

So unless I 'get brave' and dig through them for the C's and D's, this will start back up sometime in Febuary after my bedroom gets put back together. ;) 

I also have an ARC book that I have to finish and review, school to keep caught up on, and all these wonderful books that I 'have' to read soon. B-) I've already read several great written works this year...which brings me to my next thought. 

Would you like to see book reviews here on Stories by Firefly? 

Are you planning to enter either/both/any of the aforementioned contests? 

If so, which one(s)? 

I'd love to hear from you! 

Sisters in Christ, 

~Faith 

Cinderella Party Tag!!

Heidi is having Cinderella Week!! After seeing this tag, I couldn't help but hop right in. ;) Be sure to check out Along the Brandywine for all the fun!! Here goes! :D 

1. In the vast array of fairytale heroines, what particular character qualities most define Cinderella? 

Kindess, gentleness, sweetness, sensitivity, humility, and compassion. I might also add good work ethic and maybe a bit of naive-ness. 

2. What are some of the deeper, big picture differences you see between retellings where both stepsisters are nasty and others where one is nasty and one is kind? How do you think the two takes differently develop/illuminate/affect Cinderella’s character and also the overarching story itself?

I think stories where both stepsisters are cruel and awful to her, Cinderella has more to work through, more to want to escape from. Opposed to where one sister is nice and she's a friend to Cinderella, it's seems 'better' even though the other is still nasty. But there isn't as much inner struggle in the story, I don't think. ;) 

3. Are you an animal lover? Would you eagerly count mice, lizards, cows, and geese as friends? Dogs and cats? 

YES!!! Um, not mice or geese. But yes to lizards, cows and cats...and of course dogs. Duh! xD

--Pinterest 

4. After asking question #3, I realized how remarkably many of the adaptations I’ve seen have Cinderella either horseback riding or involved with horses. Have you ever ridden? If so, have you ever ridden sidesaddle or bareback? 

I have riden twice in my entire life. Once when I was little and Dad was with me, and a few years ago all the girls from youth group got to go! It was so much fun! 

I've never ridden sidesaddle or bareback, but both sound like fun. :) 

--Pinterest 

5. Your favorite Cinderella dress/s? 

The one from the animated version... B-) (because that's all I'm slightly familiar with!) 

--Pinterest 

6. Do you ever think of Cinderella while doing your household chores? :)

Um, can't says I do. ;) But I was thinking of these questions while at the grocery store yesterday. Does that count? 

7. What major character traits do you think are essential in a faithful prince? 

Protectiveness, genuineness, truly loving Cinderella for who she is inside, and being a gentleman. :) 

--Pinterest 

8. Your top THREE favorite fairy tales (as in the original folk tales, not adaptations). 

Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and the Snow Queen (because I had to read it for school and it's one of the only fairytales I'm familiar with...hehe.) 

9. Your top FIVE current favorite fairy tale/legend type films (BESIDES any Cinderella adaptations). 

Uh, oh. Um, can I say none? I'm kidding ;) I'm not sure that I'm familiar with any...not that are films. There are several fairytale-retelling books that I enjoy. :) But I can't think of any movies... 

10. If you could play Cinderella and the story could be set in any region of the world and any time period, what would you pick? And what would your dream ‘ball gown’ for it be like? 

*rubs hands with glee* This will be fun!! *thinks it over* Oh, goodness. There are SO many things I could say!! How about a Victorian era setting? And a dress.... *searches* 

Oh, I love this one!!! Perfect :) 

11. And (purely for fun :))… what color/s do you immediately associate with Cinderella?

Blue. That pretty, light, almost-silvery blue :) 

Thanks for hosting this, Heidi! And thanks for reading this, all!! :D Have a glorious day! 

~Faith 

Hello, 2016!!!!!

Here's some goals I have for this year. I guess you'd call them resolutions? ;) Anyways, here they are. :) 

Goals for this year. (In no particular order. xD) 

- Read 101 books (from the 35-40 I read this past year this is quite an undertaking... ;) ) 

- Finish all my short stories and... 

- Finish at least one of my book length writing projects 

- Read 30 books of the Bible (including Revelations, Hebrews, Jeremiah, Romans, Ecclesiastes and Isaiah) and keep a journal of what I read. :) 

- Grow closer to God <3 

- Be a better friend *smiles* 

- Learn to drive a stick-shift (hehe.) 

- Get my drivers license 

- Make a difference 

- Write fanfic for some of my favorite books/movies. Including -- a continuation of Under His Wings by Liz Tolsma, 'missing/deleted scenes' from...White Christmas Pie by Wanda Brunstetter (*wink to Rebekah A.*) and Laura's Victory by Veda Boyd Jones :) 

~ Books I plan to read in 2016 ~ 

- Wings of a Nightingale series by Sarah Sundin 

- The Anne of Green Gables series by Lucy Maud Montgomery 

- A Christmas Gift for Rose by Tricia Goyer 

- A Gown of Spanish Lace and Tomorrow's Dream by Janette Oke 

- Tales of the Heartily Homeschooled by Rachel Starr Thomson 

- Andrea Carter and the Long Ride Home: 10th Anniversary edition and The Last Ride by Susan Marlow

- Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin 

- The Redemption of Sarah Cain by Beverly Lewis 

- Gentle Annie by Mary Francis Shura 

- The Journals of Corrie Belle Hollister by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella 

- The Christmas Star by Ace Collins

- The Christy Miller collection by Robin Jones Gunn 

- Faith under Fire by Stephen Rabey 

- The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis 

- G.I. Joe and Lillie - Remembering a Life of Love and Loyalty by Joseph Bonsall 

- Growing Up Duggar by Jana, Jill, Jessa, and Jinger Duggar

- Grace Unplugged by Melody Carlson 

- The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom 

- United We Stand by Joan Croston, and others 

- Starlight Animal Rescue series by Dandi Daley Mackall 

- He Did This Just for You by Max Lucado 

- The Westward Christmas Brides Collection 

~ Movies I Want to See ~ 

(Ignore the fact that they're mostly Christmas movies...) 

- The Redemption of Henry Myers 

- The Christmas Card

- God's Not Dead - 2 

- Christmas Child

- Christmas for a Dollar 

Have you read any of these? Seen any of the movies? What books are you looking forward to reading in the coming year? Movies to see? Any New Years resolutions? 

I'd love to hear! 

~Faith