Life Update/YouTube/Happy Easter!

My Dear Readers,

           It has been far too long. All I can say in my defense is that high school is demanding! I hope you all had a lovely Easter, I couldn't post yesterday because my entire family came to visit. it was kind of hectic, but I had so much fun hanging out with my cousins again. I got to play a song for my Grandfather on guitar (Sea of Love by Cat Power!), and we all ate a ton of cake. 

           Since we are moving soon, I've been trying to pair down and get rid of my old toys and books. My little cousin, Oona, loves baby dolls and yesterday she added a very special one to her collection. I had received a Baby Alive doll for Christmas when I was little, and played with her for yeeeeaaaars. But as I got older, she began to collect dust. Now I know that my doll is in good hands with someone who will actually play with her, and love her just as much as I did. It feels really good to donate old toys or give them to family members and see other people enjoying things that you had forgotten about. 

           On a less sappy note, I've wanted to start a YouTube channel for ages and I finally uploaded a video! I had posted a Continental Knitting Tutoial before, but I couldn't figure out how to edit it. It's really time consuming and takes about 8 years to export and upload, but I started using iMovie to put my videos together. I can't download it on my PC so I have to use my iPad or iPhone, and it takes a while. However, I really like iMovie because it's very straightforward and simple compared to Windows Movie Maker. I love the format of the app, and all the different text options. Bonus: I don't have to wait for the program to export each individual clip like on Movie Maker. 

          I have four other videos that I've been working on, and hopefully I'll be able to upload them soon. Remember all those trips I went on last Summer? Along with all the pictures, I filmed my vacation as well. I finally finished condensing the clips and doing voice overs, and soon you'll be able to tour Atalaya with me and climb an almost 200 year old lighthouse called Old Baldy! For now, you can watch this Get Ready With Me video that will take you through my basic skin care routine as well as a very simple makeup look. This is my first time doing anything makeup related, so please be kind!

My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC19kvWDhvV7gxKFJAMh1MLA

 

                               Yours with Love, 

                               Madeline

          (P.S.) I'm going to be changing the look of the blog soon, so keep an eye out! 

     

North Carolina Wildlife

 

My Dear Readers,

        Hi again!! The second part in my photography series is all about critters. I live in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, and thought I'd share the beauty of mountain life with you. The following species were photographed in my own back yard, literally! 

Creepy Crawly

{Common Inch Worm}



                                                                           Lift Off
                                                           {Unknown Species of Moth)      

                                                                         Micro Duo

                                        What did the Moth say when it flew into the flower?
                                                                         Pollen Me!

                                                                       Built In Straw

                                                                             Spots

                                                                  So Long, Farewell...

                                                                             Dusty

 Bloom in the Wind

A Letter from Mother Nature

 Spinning Wheel

  {Orb Weaver}

                                                                     Beast in the Sun

 Hide and Seek

{Unknown Red Ant}

                                                                          Innocence
                                                                      {Hank the Cat}

                                                                  Boy's Best Friend
                                                                   {Hank and Max}

                                                       Now You See Me, Now You Don't

                                                                     The Watchman

                                                                        Sunbathing

                                                                   This is called Sass

                                                                       Mischievous

                                                                       The Sphinx
                                                                       {a.k.a. Pip}

                                                                    Try not to Yawn
                                                     {Pip enjoys a good rub on the nose}

                                                                         Wonderlust

                                                                       Sistine Chapel

                                               Behind every soft mitten lies a deadly claw

                                                                 Concealed in Kudzu

                                                            Wild Mountain Hare at Dusk

                                                                              Blend

Picnic in the Twigs

{Asheville Squirrel}

                                                                           Pre Leap
                                                                    {Tryon Squirrel}

                                                           Munch upon the Bird's Lunch

                                                                             Grace

Knuckles

 18th Century Bricks, This Seasons' Acorns

 Crisp Autumn Walk

 Ted says "Hi!" to the blog readers

Ye Olde Moss Stone

                                                            Who lurks in the Shadows?

                                                             Field Mouse on Concrete

                                                                       Ruffled Pigeon

                                                                    Lazy Pigeon

                                                     Asheville's Own Regal Grumpy Cat
                                                         {Crooshanks? Is it really you?}

                                                               Time to Smell the Roses

                                                                   Peace in the Shade

                                                                 It's All Rather Curious

                                                                         Intermission
                                                          {Stand from Sitting Position}

Gaze

                                                     New Friends in the Great Outdoors

 

             I apologize for the fuzzy photos of various mice and pigeons, these were taken through a window! You don't need to live in a National Park or visit the Mountains to see squirrels and birds, so take a stroll around your own neighborhood and see what you can find! I hope you're inspired to go outside from this series, even if it's just for a minute or two.

             I had a lot of fun experimenting with zoom and lighting while photographing these creatures, and am curious about any techniques and tips you might have. Tell me what you find in the comments below or on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube (coming soon)!!

 

                                                                                                  Yours with Love,

                                                                                                                          Madeline

 

(P.S.)

 

         I highly recommend reading The Hobbit and the Lord Of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien; I'm currently reading The Fellowship of the Ring and it's simply AMAZING.