Brothers are the salt of life.

Hello Lovelies!

We all have people in our lives that make living just a little bit sweeter, funnier and exciting. For me, one of those people is my little brother.

This is my brother Jonathan. He is 10 years old, turning eleven in a few days. He is truly one of the most generous, sweet, loud, crazy, dramatic people I know and I love him to bits. He is almost always one of the first people I see in the morning as he runs towards me asking for a good morning hug. He sits at the end of my bed as I play guitar and write. He, in true 10 year old boy fashion, cringes and hides his eyes every time someone on-screen kisses. And sometimes, he says the strangest things. So today, with his permission, I'm going to share some of my favourite "Jonathan quotes".

1) We were all sitting at the table, discussing science when Dad turns to us and asks, "If there was no air, would you still be alive?" Jonathan replies quickly and confidently, "Of course Daddy. Grampa has no hair and he's still alive."

2) Rebecca, exasperated with Jonathan, turns to him and says, "Jonathan! Stop being so flamboyant!" Jonathan responds, "I am not flammable!"

3) Jonathan comes down one morning with a frown on his face. He comes to me and says seriously, "Sarah, I have a problem." The big sister in me is getting concerned and I brace myself for something bad. Hesitantly, I ask what his problem is. He replies, "I can't figure out whether I want to have the ability to fly or the ability to turn invisible."

4) One afternoon, when we were all scrambling to get ready for going out, Jonathan comes into the kitchen and says happily, "I love the exotic mess of our family."

5) This is Jonathan's version of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (bonus points for me; I know how to spell it!)
"So when the cat has got your tongue there's no need for dismay
Just summon up this word and then you've got a lot to say
But better use it carefully or it could change your life
I said it to my cow and now it calls me wife!"

6) A conversation between Rebecca and Jonathan whilst playing minecraft.

"Rebecca: Look out! It's an angry mob!
Jonathan looks out the window: Where?!
Rebecca: No, not mom, MOB!
Jonathan sounding relieved: Oh.
Rebecca: Jonathan, angry mobs are worse, they have pitchforks.
Jonathan: Yeah but angry moms have math books!"

7) "Word of advice: never sharpen your claws on a water bed."

8) "Mummy, you smell like love and hugs."

9) "Hey! I can feel my heart beeping!"

10) Conversation while Jonathan's doing math
Jonathan: I hate multiplication but I LOVE friction!
Sarah: Friction?
Mom: I think he means fractions.

I love him to bits, despite the fact I occasionally want to strangle him. Do you guys have younger siblings? Do they ever say things that make you laugh or question their sanity?

Ta ta!

Quote of the Day

There’s no other love like the love for a brother. There’s no other love like the love from a brother. ~Terri Guillemets

Reader's Block

Hello Lovelies!!

I have a problem.

Now, I know you're probably thinking, "Yes Sarah, we know you have problems. We read your blog." but I actually have a specific problem this time.

I have run out of books. Dun dun dunnnnn.

I've hit what I call a "reader's block". Like writer's block but instead of running out of inspiration to write and getting stuck, I've run out of inspiration to read. I've gone back and read all my old books and  I've tried finding new books but it's just not working. Nothing is capturing my attention. It's like book reading has become... a chore *gasp*.

I need to get over my reader's block. I need reassured faith that books can be well written and intriguing and amazing.

Do you have any book suggestions? Tell me some of your favourite books! Leave a comment letting me know what it's called, who it's by and the genre of the book.

On a totally different note, I have a moment yesterday that warmed my heart. Back in April, I decided to sponsor a child through World Vision. I had wanted to do this for years but my parents had said no because I didn't have a job and they didn't want me to sponsor someone and then have to pull out later because I didn't have the money. But I did it this past April and I'm sponsoring a little boy. Yesterday, my dad brought the mail home and came to me and said, "Sarah, there's a letter for you from ____ (Due to privacy reasons, I can't tell you where he's from)." I was kinda confused and was wondering if somehow the letter was sent to the wrong place and I had ended up with it by accident. No, my name was on the front of the letter. Huh.

I opened it and found a letter from my sponsor child! It was just adorable. I was really happy and I wrote him a letter back. If you ever have the chance to go on a service trip or sponsor a child or even help out somewhere near your home, I super encourage you to do so. It's incredible getting to help people and see the difference that you personally are making.

Ta ta for now! Leave a book comment!

Picture of the Day 

Has anyone seen the new X-men yet?? :)

Enchanting Light.

Hello Lovelies!

This evening, I was struck by the desire to do some photoing. The lighting was wonderful and it was lovely out, so I grabbed my camera and went outside. All photos are SOOC.

Kay, well technically, this one isn't outside, but I liked it
so it got included in this batch of photos! Yay, for you
little rocking chair!

I'm not exactly sure what type of flower this is, but
we have them growing all over the backyard. Anyways,
I think they're really cute and the contrast between the
white flower and weathered wood was pretty. ^^

I really, really like the warm lighting in this picture.
However, I have no idea what flower this is.

Let's just assume that I have no idea what any of these
flowers are and stick with that. For some reason,
it reminds me of a fairy skirt. It's so feathery and light
looking. If that flower came in a skirt, I'd wear it.

Ooh! Ooh! I know this one! This one is a Day Lili. Go me.

I am NOT a fan of spiders, however, I love spiderwebs. 

I love the silvery thread and the intricate design so much.
It looks whimsical. 

Beside, we have this area called "The Quiet Garden". Really, it's nothing
but an overgrown shady spot with an iron... thing. Arch? However, the vines on the iron thing
 are pretty enough to make up for the mosquito apartment complex on the other side.

""

For some reason, I love this pot. I mean, the plant is cool too,
but the pot is just really interesting.

This one isn't outside either, but I think it's pretty. Therefore,
I'm including it!

I'm really enjoying my summer so far! I've been able to play a lot of guitar, do a ton of songwriting and I've mostly finished decorating my room! Yay me! My younger sister walked in and said, "Wow, I didn't know it was actually possible to have a Tumblr room."

And then, one of my best friends is coming to visit me next week and she's coming alllllll the way down from Quebec and I'm really looking forward to that.

Sigh, I love summer.

Song of the Day

Currently in love with this song.

Life's a Climb

Hello Lovelies,

Being totally honest with you all, recently, life's been tough. I've been going through, well, a lot and it's been crappy. You know those times in your life when you feel like nothing is ever going to go right again? When you look at your circumstances and wonder how you're ever going to get out of it? That's where I've been recently. There have been some dark thoughts going through my head. I've been thinking things that I am continually telling other people that they shouldn't be thinking because they're so much better than that.

I feel like I'm barely holding on. Life just seems to be a struggle of trying to make it to the next rest stop so you can slow down and catch your breath before everything else catches up and whips you to keep going.

Recently, I went back and read some of my old journals. I've kept one since I was seven. I went back and saw all of the times when I was in so much pain, thinking I was never going to get through. And you know what?

I've made it through every single time.

The fact that I'm here writing this is living proof of that. The time when I got my heart broken and then felt ashamed of my feelings towards the guy for so many years I can barely count them? I  moved on and am now stronger because of it. That time when one of my best friends completely ignored me and wanted nothing to do with me? I've forgiven her and can honestly say that I wish her all the best in her life. When I would cry myself to sleep at night because my parents would fight in the room next to me and I would wonder if things were ever going to get better? I've learned that people are imperfect and that even when we hurt each other, if we love each other, we'll do whatever we can to make it right.

Even though I'm in a crappy spot right now, I can look back at all the times I was in an equally crappy spot and see that I've made it through. In fact, I've not just made it through, I've been a stronger, better person because of some of the crap.

It's like the analogy used in the Hannah Montana movie (yes I'm quoting Hannah Montana, don't judge). Life's like a mountain, it's a climb. You have times when you're barely holding on, barely able to climb a little higher. Then you get to a platform and look out at what you've climbed. Your view is so much greater and you can see so much more.

The idea of this post is not to gain your sympathy, rather to hopefully say to those in crappy places, "You've made it this far. Don't give up. You can keep going and you have the ability to do great things. You will make it through this crappy spot."

Life's a climb, but the view is great.

Song of the Day

I thought it was only appropriate. :)

Summery Excursions

Hello Lovelies!

This past weekend was Canada Day weekend and it was certainly a very long, wonderful weekend. First we went to my cousin's house which is like an hour away. We had beautifully, hot weather all weekend. Oh! And I watched this incredible movie called Saving Mr. Banks. It is a very moving, inspiring movie and I suggest you watch it if you like Mary Poppins.

My beautiful sister, Rebecca.

My beautiful cousin, Danielle.

Their pretty doggie, Jersey, who posed nicely for a
picture.

Honestly, she is so photogenic! I'm jealous of her ability.

Jersey again and my sister's feet.

Again with the whole photogenic thing. Did I just
miss out on this gene?!

Then in the evening, we went to the drive-in.

      We went to the drive-in theatre. Now usually, we drive into the lot and pick a spot near the middle. We drive a mini-van and usually the theatre turns a blind eye to us as long as we're not in first few rows. But do they do that this time? Nooooo, we have to go allll the way to the second last row. I swear, the screen looked like the size of my iphone. Despite my wish to have a telescope, it was a lot of fun. It's a cousins' tradition to go to Bulk Barn and then the drive in when we get together in the summer. We all pick out a small bag of bulk candy and then divide it up between the seven of us. Then we all have a bag of assorted candies while we watch the movies. This time, we went to see How To Train Your Dragon 2 and Malificent. The first one was incredible. I laughed, I cried, it moved me. To anyone who hasn't seen it, I definitely recommend it. However, the second movie was possibly the most slow paced, stupid, boring movie I have seen in a long time. To quote Danielle, "Oh just give me the spindle! I'll do it myself." I apologize to anyone who enjoyed it, but I just thought it was so slow!
 
      After the cousins, we went up to my Grandparent's farm for a few days. There were so many fireflies, you could probably see three or four flash a second. I wish I could have taken everyone with me to see how amazing it was!

I love Queen Anne Lace because it reminds me of
Anne of Green Gables.

It's the time of year when all of the tadpoles are growing
into frogs and some of them haven't quite lost their
tails.

It seems like the tiniest flowers are always the prettiest.

I love this plaque. 

I think this is really cute. ^^ Over fourteen years ago.

My brother, always the poser.

The water was beautiful. Just cool enough to cool you
down on a really hot day but not freezing.

I love the lighting in this picture! 

By the pond. 

I really like this picture. You have the greens and browns
and then the bright red right in the middle. It
reminds of country music.

Another summery picture. 

Canada Day fireworks!

This just seems like a really summery night picture.

On Tuesday afternoon, my Mum and I went through her old records. It was actually really cool to see all of the music she listened to when she was my age.

Another one bites the dust, and another one gone
 and another one gone

I may have had a slightly squeal-y fangirl moment
when I saw this.

And this.... I mean, The Empire Strikes Back soundtrack?!?
On record?! That's just an awesome thing.

I had an amazing weekend and I hope you all had an awesome weekend as well! How is everyone's summer going so far?

Photo of the Day

I found this on Pinterest and for some reason, I really liked the mental image. And it was summery. So I decided to share it with you all!