favorites//Christmas & 2011

I could ramble on and on about Christmas because there was oh-so-much that I loved about it. Instead though, I have created a little list with some of my favorite things.

In no specific order...

Awakening at an ungodly hour and knowing it was Christmas day//Waking up the whole family//Christmas music//Unwrapping gifts//Taking photos of my parents unwrapping their gifts//Snitching several many pieces of chocolate//Traveling to South Carolina//The scent of supper cooking//Lounging around & chit-chatting//Feeling gifts and wondering what they were//Eating wonderful supper cooked by my grandmother//Being fascinated by gifts

Also, I linking up with Rachel's favorite photo of 2011.

A few of my favorite photos from 2011 {And when I say "few", I mean few. There are so many that I love}.

 {my family's photo for our Christmas card 2011}

 {first purchase from forever 21: shoes}

 {my best friend and her two sisters}

 {brother & sister. This was from a family photo shoot I did a few weeks ago}

 {one of the cutest toddlers in the entire universe: lydia.}

 {jenny & jeremy: engaged.}

 {my two silly and awesome friends (who are sisters): beth & breanna.}

 {Kiley and me trying on pumps in Cato}

{leaf drenched in water after a thunderstorm.}

 {chocolate milk. oh yes.}

{One of the very first photos I took the day I got my Nikon D3000.}

{goofing off with emily grace & kiley.}

 

Probably my favorite photo from 2011. This shows the epitome of friendship and I will treasure this photo forever. And yes - that is, in fact, yours truly that they are holding.

 

What are some of your favorite things from 2011?

gratia ago

With Thanksgiving only a mere one day away, it is the ideal time to begin pondering things we are grateful for. What could possibly be a better way than to link up with the lovely Rachel's ABC's of Thanks?

I am thankful for...

amusing musings//blessings//cute shoes//dinner out//east coast//friends&family//golden hour//hershey's chocolate//iced coffee//Jesus//kids//laughter//musical theatre//nikon d3000//oreos & milk//photography//quirky people//running around the house//simplicity//taking pictures//united states//vanilla ice cream//winter//x'tra hot cocoa//youtube//zero school work


What are you thankful for?

hello there, i am an authentic person

Alright lovelies. I am linking up with my dear blogger friend, Abigail Kraft's, authentic people blog party. Sounds like an amusing shindig, no?

For those of you who do not know me {or know me well}, my name is Anna Gray; though you are more than welcome to call me simply Anna or AG! I would like to start off saying "Welcome to bella vita!" and I am just tickled pink that you are here! Seriously. I am.

I am a Christian fourteen year old home-schooler and adore photography, baking, acting, and of course, blogging.

Enough with my rambling and on with the interrogation (wink, wink).

What's the nerdiest/geekiest/weirdest thing about you?

Oh me, oh my. There is a vast amount of nerdy/geeky/weird things about me. Well let us see here...I literally run through our house. The majority of the time I never walk to get to a place in my home. Also, my "hang out" clothes are a pair of rompers. What can I say? They are comfortable. Oh and if I am bored, I get out some old Barbie dolls of mine and do *ahem* engagement photos with them.

If you could live in a fictional universe from any book, movie, or television show, what would it be?

Once Upon a Time. Hands down.

Little or big, practical or frivolous, what is one of your favorite items in your house?

It is itty bitty, but honestly...it is the funky little duct tape bow on my hamster's cage. He is a boy, but what can I say? The bow spices his cage up a little

Do you like animated movies? If so, what is your favorite?

Heck yes, I do! Shrek is my favorite because it is just plain adorable. How can you possibly turn down a green ogre with teeny little ears?

What is your favorite household chore?

Probably laundry. It takes less than five minutes (the majority of the time) and there is just something about pouring that liquid detergent that makes me feel rather happy. Dorky, eh? Neh.

What's your favorite thing to get at Starbucks (or your favorite coffee shop)?

Did someone just say Starbucks?! Goodness, my favorite coffee would most certainly be the iced white chocolate mocha. It tastes like pure Heaven. If Heaven has a taste.
 

What is your favorite pizza topping?

Honestly, I am not that outgoing when it comes to pizza. I typically stick with just plain 'ole cheese. I will eat other toppings, but usually do not choose to do so.  

Waffles or pancakes?

Oof, this is a tricky one. It depends on what mood I'm in. Pancakes are a staple at our house, so I will just go with pancakes {chocolate chip pancakes, to be exact}!

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Do you like to play games? If so, what is your favorite?

Why yes - yes I do! My favorite would have to be either Life or Sorry. Both are such fun!  

Have you ever let anyone win a game?

Heeeeck no. *grin*  

Have you ever dyed your hair?

Nope! I do not plan to either. Ok - so maybe once I begin experiencing grey/white hairs I will. Maybe.

Do you make your bed every morning?

Yes, I do. However, if turns into a horrible mess once I start school.

Picasso or Norman Rockwell?

Picasso! Quirky, abstract, funky art...I like it.
 

Do you like carpet, tile, or hardwood floors?

Hardwood flooring is shiny...therefore I like it.  

If you could put one thing in a safe under your bed, what would it be?

Sasha, my D3000. And my lens. And the stuffed animal I have had since I was five years old. Whoops, that was three things. Oh well.

What's your favorite condiment?

Parsley. Not only does it smell good but it tastes oh-so-heavenly!

Have you ever thrown up on someone (excluding when you were a child)?

Heck NO. Most of you know that I have an extreme phobia of vomiting. Seriously. The last time I vomited was when I was nine years old. Let's just say that I don't handle puking nor the sight of puking very well (for example, I had a panic attack on a bus when a girl in front of me starting spewing.). Someone has almost thrown up on me though (when I was eleven years old).

What was the last thing that made you laugh?

Um...Um...I simply cannot recall.

Think fast...what's the first song that pops into your head?

Bad Romance by Lady Gaga.

(photo not mine)

What are you waiting for? Hop over to Abigail's blog and link up!

a few of my favorite things.

 
I always have to let out a blissful sigh of relief when Friday comes. Why? Well because it is the weekend, of course!

Throughout the week I have documented through photography things of simplicity, beauty, and simply life.

these are some of my favorite things from the week:

sweet young, children



getting school work done in a reasonable amount of time

cookouts with friends

half eaten apples...

enjoying Wednesday & Thursday with your cousins

making silly videos

talking for well over an hour to your 9 year old cousin about hamsters

buns that happen to stay up perfectly without bobby pins, clips, or any other necessities in them...just your own hair...

feeling accomplished by knowing how to set the aperture on your camera {thanks, carlotta!}

getting nice straight-out-of-camera (aka sooc) photos

bokeh

God's creation...

clever quotes by your best friend, "I inspire me."

chillier weather

being able to finally wear jeans

skinny jeans, to be exact

rain

cooking lasagna soup for the first time {thanks, emily!}

chickens...

last but not least...

being asked to do engagement photos.

Saying I am "excited" would definitely be an understatement. I am beyond thrilled, ecstatic, happy!

Do you have any favorites? Be sure to link up at Rachel's blog!

prayer chain for summer

 

 
  A lot of you know that the sweet miss Summer @ Summer's Story is battling DM. She has been going through so, so, so many medications, doctor visits, and chemotherapy just to get in remission. She is a wonderful example of someone who doesn't let her disease ruin her life. Summer is one of the happiest, sweetest, and positive ladies I have ever met and it is pretty much impossible not to absolutely love her!


Unfortunately, her disease has started blazing and she is having to take tons of medications. She is in great need of prayers and therefore I have decided to host a prayer chain link up for her.

It would be wonderful if you guys would link up! Your post could even be something as simple as, "Summer @ Summer's Story is fighting DM and it would be great if you all would pray for her!"

Even if you don't want to link up, please, please, please be praying for her. She wants so badly get in remission.

Remember, God DOES do miracles!


P.S. You also can support her by purchasing a Team Summer T-shirt!

Garden Greenery

  In case you have not read my previous post, I purchased my Nikon D3000 Monday morning and am in l-o-v-e with it! Yesterday evening I stepped out in the backyard for a bit and was able to get some pretty nice photos of the garden...

Linking this one up with Lovely Photo Wednesday

All three of these photos are sooc {straight out of camera}and I think part of what made them turn out so nice was the beautiful lighting outside.

What do you think? :)

          Be sure to go and link up!

Prayer Chain for Emily

I would like for you to meet sixteen year old, Emily...

Emily is battling leukemia...

Emily needs your support...

Emily needs your prayers...

Emily needs a miracle...



Emily needs your love...

If you would, please take just a minute and stop by her blog and leave her an encouraging comment.

Also, if you would want to post a prayer for Emily on your blog, I have it below to where you can link up. I thought it would be a blessing to Emily to have a prayer chain and have people praying for her.

Simply Spring



I am linking up with Miss Carlotta's Spring themed photo challenge!

I know you guys have seen this picture on here before (and if you look on my sidebar, you will see it is the picture for Spring Fest!).



Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:11-13

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Just a quick reminder, you guys have until tomorrow to enter all of the giveaways for Spring Fest! The winners will be announced Saturday afternoon!

Spring Fest: Day 1
Spring Fest: Day 2
Spring Fest: Day 3
Spring Fest: Day 4

Have a lovely Day!

Liquid Sunshine!



Olivia over at (of)HorseFeathers is hosting a blog party called, Liquid Sunshine (complete with a TON of giveaways!)! I linked up and here are my answers to her questions:

Favorite season, and why?

The Summer! Definitely the summertime, because it is hot enough to go swimming, tubing, bicycling, and you can pull out your shades, shorts, and short sleeves.

How would you describe your personal style?

I am a very casual dresser. I honestly am not really into fashion. My outfits usually consist of jeans and hoodie (if I'm feeling brave, I'll add in a scarf!).

What's one weird thing you can do? (The stranger the better!)

I can inhale to whistle, exhale to whistle, and whistle through my teeth!

Rain or shine?

Shine! I love me a good sunny day.

Confession time... what's a flaw of yours?

I worry a lot. For example, if a friend's stomach hurts, my immediate reaction is, "Oh my gosh! Do you feel like you're going to throw up? Do you need a Tums?" And once, I thought I was having a stroke because my head felt funny and my arm was going numb.

Favorite music?

I really like Alicia Keys, Colbie Caillet, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga (No worries! Her music is monitored by my parents and I DO NOT agree with her beliefs).

Have you ever made a decision you instantly regretted? What was it?

Indeed. It was singing a radio song to audition for a musical. Bad decision people, bad decision.

Who do you admire/look up to?

I actually look up to a lot of people. The bloggers I look up to would have to be Abigail @ Rear Window and Hannah @ Aspire. People I know in real life, would have to be Eve Finch, Jenny Nance, Becky Lance, and Renee Kennedy. These ladies are all selfless, considerate, sweet, giving, funny, and most importantly, strong Christians.

You've just won an unlimited lifetime supply of... what?

Pepto Bismol.

If you were an animal, what would you be?

A cat! My mom even said I would be that. Sassy + Sneaky + always on the go + *ahem* sometimes mad = A cat.

If you knew you were going to die in a year, what would you do with your time?

I would take time to fly off the California and view all of the scenery. I also would make sure each and every one of my friends had accepted Jesus into their hearts.

You're now a gazillionaire... where do you go to spend your money?

Apple.com, nikonusa.com and Hobby Lobby.

Classical music: love it or hate it?

It's a love/hate relationship.

Phobias?

Vomiting (aka Emetophobia). Let's put it this way I do not like vomiting nor do I like seeing people vomit. Apparently, 0.2% of Americans suffer from this *ahem* phobia. Read the description of it here.

Hop on a plane and go live somewhere for a year... where is it, and why?

Los Angeles, California. I have actually adored California since I was ten years old (I have not been...yet!). I would live there because of the beaches, the city, the famous people that roam around. I would love it. Don't even think about trying to talk me out of the decision!

Are you an extrovert or an introvert?

Extrovert! I love socializing, being around people (though I am quiet at times), laughing with people, you get the picture.

Would you/do you perform on stage?

I do! It started when I was six years old and did church dramas. When I was eleven, I started doing local musical theatre and my first play was The Wizard of Oz. I plan to do much more with acting and plan to audition for things locally this summer.

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Also, be sure to come back here tomorrow for Day 3 of Spring Fest!