{{tying the knot}}

News of a Romantic Nature ...

This is going on, guys:

Yep. After two years of being an official couple, Daniel asked Abigail to be his wife. Get that? My best older brother is marrying my best friend, probably by October. Furthermore, I got to be in NoVa when he proposed which meant that instead of waiting a week or two to celebrate, I was bludgeoning the car window for them to open the door probably two hours after the initial proposal when I pulled up to his apartment. We had an impromptu ice-cream party and toasted the happy couple with some Martinelli's and Abigail informed me as we sat side by side on the couch an hour or two later,

"You're doing your happy-wiggle."

Yeah, apparently that's a thing. Anyway, I'm so terribly TERRIBLY excited about this, and I want everyone who reads this to leave a big old fat comment if you can. I mean, it's an ENGAGEMENT, people! <3

Auld Lang Interview. (Sir Laugh a Lot)

This New Year's Eve you get a treat! Abigail Taylor is here and she's interviewing me (Rachel) and right now we can't figure out whether it's going to end up as a sappy, emotional, weepy sort of post or a HAIL THE NEW YE LADS AND LASSES thing or maybe just a lot of nonsense. So this is for all of you who are struggling to stay awake till midnight and have logged onto your computers just for lack of something more interesting to do. ;)

last sunset of 2013!

A: Should I type?
R: Yes.
A: I hate your screen.
R: I'm sorry it offends you. "You offend reason, sir, but I should very much like to offend it with you!"
A: What's in your drink?
R: I can't see a bloody thing right now, but I think it's tea.
A: Could you see the sunset?
R: It looks like an abstract painting. No fault of the drink. I just have the wrong contact prescription.
A: How do you feel about the last sunset of 2013?
R: It's slightly nervousing thinking about it being the last one. But it's a very nice one. 2013 has been a good year for skies. I hope your typing is right, I can't read it.
A: Earlier we counted how many airplanes you'd been on this year. How many did we come up with?
R: 10 I think. After I forgot I'd gone to Orlando instead of Atlanta. That lessened the count.
A: Which was your favorite plane?
R: Even though it was a little awkward, probably Saint Louis to Denver because that's when I dropped Winnie the Pooh on that guy's feet. But that would be flight. Plane-wise I liked one of the trans-atlantic planes the best.
A: Favorite destination?
R: Romania. Although I didn't fly into Romania.
A: Did you have any near death experiences in 2013?
R: Yes actually.
A: Tell us?
R: I thought for sure we weren't going to make it on the drive from Hungary to Romania.
A: Why?
R: Because they'll do anything to avoid potholes. And there was the time dad was driving home at 2:30 in the morning. I also didn't think I'd survive that one. We saw one of every kind of animal on that drive. Unicorns and everything.
A: What was your favorite "first" of 2013?
R: Oh gosh. Probably an international travelling experience. It was a big year for firsts.
A: What happened in 2013 that you hope never happens again?
R: Hitting a friend's car with a friend's car.
A: There's a good reason I'm not a journalist. *thinking thinking thinking*
R: I thought you said "there's a good reason I'm not in pajamas."
A: What sorts of things made you cry in 2013?
R: Leaving people that we'd grown to love. Frustration. Unrequited love. Finances. "Saving Mr. Banks." The end of "The Return of the King." Andrew Peterson music. Hitting a friend's car with a friend's car. Watching friends go through painful seasons. Other friends dying. Laughter. Ok, that's enough things. Oh! Sophie Scholl.
A: What movie or novel character did you most relate to this year?
R: Probably Brother Tom in the "Hawk and Dove" series. And I feel like there was some girl, but I can't remember. Definitely Sophie Scholl... I identify with her because she was just my age. Oh!!!!  *bangs head violently* What's her name! In "While You Were Sleeping"!!!
A: Lucy.
R: Yeah. I'll fall in love just like her. Also Giselle, in a tiny weird way.
A: What tiny weird way?
R: I'm a little idealistic. Prone to break into song. And... I don't know. I always... I don't like the idea... welll... I don't know... I wish life was just like a fairy tale. I also really like "So Close"... that song, I feel like it describes my life really well. Well, my love life... which kind of doesn't exist.
A: When did you feel the most beautiful in 2013?
R: Hmmmm.... let's see. Well, when I was at the Gala at Bear Trap Ranch, I felt like people were surprised at how well I could clean up, after what I'd been wearing all week. HSLDA Christmas party was nice. I don't know if I was beautiful, but I was... suitable.
A: Favorite gallant act performed for you in 2013? I'm so glad you're answering these questions instead of me. I have such a terrible memory.
R: Oh this is a good question. I was rescued out of a Romanian creek but I didn't want that gallantry so it didn't really count. I'd have to say some of the small things that a lot of my guy friends did. The boys in my van on the SAT were always really attentive and I appreciated that. Friends remembering things I'd said I wanted to watch or read. Giving out compliments they didn't have to give. Things like that. Happy little things.
A: What did you do in 2013 that made you laugh the hardest at yourself?
R: Probably when I dropped the book on that guy's feet. It was such a Rachel thing to do. Also, I can really scare myself sometimes. Like, start imagining things in the woods and creeping myself out. And then I always laugh really hard. Or when I say something that just pops into my head and people laugh, and it makes me laugh because it was rather clever.
A: If I asked you about what scared you the worst, would that be the same as your near death experiences?
R: Well, it all depends on what you mean... I got kind of scared by the guy who was hitting on me in the grocery store, because he started following me all through the aisles! But I really was scared we were going to get hit head-on in Romania. Oh, it was creepy at the border between Hungary and Romania, when they took all our passports and took a really long time looking at them. It felt like "The Terminal."
A: What do you think is most different about you this year, than last?
R: I think I have a better concept of the different levels of relationships. And what a treasure a friendship is with the opposite sex, even if it never "becomes anything." It can be really encouraging and inspiring. Girl friendships too, but I already knew that before 2013.
A: Speaking of which, what do you most adore about me?
R: Your explosive goose-laugh. And your ability to say the right thing to quiet people.
A: Well. Should we end it there?
R: Sure. Merry New Year's everbody!
A: Parting words? Advice? Prophecies? Visions?
R: Okay. Ahem. First, "If it's half as good as the half we've known, here's hail to the rest of the road!" Second, never... *guffaws* Don't drink a lot before a road trip! And take social media breaks periodically. It's so much fun. And then, prophecies? Let's see. Umm. Some people who keep breaking up will continue breaking up but it won't be over yet. There will probably be 4 marriages in 2014.
Sarah breaks in: "Good grief! Who are you marrying off???"
R: I haven't done my visions yet. My visions. I see..... Sherlock Season 3 giving me an ulcer. Maybe another trip to Romania. I'll probably fall in love this year... mildly... I'm like Harriet Smith that way... just kidding... oh oh oh! I'm going to publish my book! I forgot to announce that here. And another vision!
Sarah: You have a lot of visions.
R: I see... salted caramel gelato!
A: It wasn't that good.
R: You had some??? *fighting for a few moments*
R: Well fine. One final vision. I see many more adventures and new friends. And exciting things. I'm making this all up on the fly. Don't hold your breath for any news. Toodles people. I love you.
A: *starts to say something*
R: And a lot of goat babies!

The Silver-Screen: a year in old movies

I was just thinking recently how many old movies we've watched since Daniel & Abigail started courting. Should we multiply the number we've watched this past year by how many years we predict they'll have the rest of their lives together? Hmmm? I think we'd run out of old movies. :D All that to say, I love love love the movies I've seen, and the actors I've seen in them! Here is an exhaustive list of the old films I've seen this year, and my favorite part about them! :) (It is entirely appropriate and absolutely NOT a coincidence that I am watching Roman Holiday right now!)

My Favorite Wife:

Best part of this film?

Cary Grant's shaving-scene:

Nick: "I need to shave."

Bianca: "But you're skin's as soft as a baby's!"

Nick: "No, no! I feel like a hairy ape!"

Holiday Inn:

Best part of this film?

Fred Astaire's dance-numbers! :)

{Most especially his "Firecracker dance"}

Roman Holiday

Best part about this film?

AHEM

Gregory Peck

AHEM

Christmas in Connecticut

Best part about this film?

Dennis Morgan giving the baby a bath. <3 So sweet. Probably my absolute favorite part of the whole movie. :) I love guys that love babies.

Arsenic and Old Lace

Best part about this film?

Priscilla Lane. 

Because she's just too darn cute.

Sabrina

Best part about this movie?

Audrey Hepburn, of course! Sabrina's letters home were hilarious too.

Charade

Best part about this movie?

The absolutely breathtaking suspense in parts. *shudder* It really was a grand murder-mystery and combined Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, which was a load and a half of fun!

How to Steal a Million

Best part about this movie?

Not sure yet! I haven't finished it! Haha! I plan to tonight, though. As of right now, I'm thinking Peter O'Toole is a good choice for favorite-thing. ;)

What old films do you enjoy?

Summer-it's a wrap!

Labor Day weekend is the official end of summer, I suppose. Oh, and what a summer it's been! It began with a wedding that led to a courtship that has led to a certain member of our family moving into a different Time Zone. (Not nationally recognized, but philosophically termed "Lovers' Time") This makes coordinating the simplest events rather difficult because this certain member doesn't need food or drink when he has the conversation of his "belovedid," to quote Ernest T. Bass. I am half-jesting. It has been such a blessing to see Daniel and Abigail's courtship flourishing. :)

The summer continued with a visit to the harbor to see a fleet of tall-ships and an unexpected departure to Georgia which took up five weeks! I turned 20 while down in Georgia and came back just in time to see baby saying his first words and celebrating his first birthday, and Sarah and Leah to turn 18 and 15, respectively. Life waltzed along in a at a comparatively slow pace to that I'd learned to cope with during the campaign.
Levi took his first official steps, and the girls were introduced to Smash-booking. We attended a surprise party for a dear friend, and we lived through many a day of rain for--contrary to the rest of the nation--it's been an exceptionally wet summer.

We planted berry  bushes and played volleyball. I worked on my books and lived the Cossack Uprising vicariously through With Fire and Sword. We made matches and discussed hopes and dreams. There's been laughter and joy and heartache all mingled together into the goblet of this summertime. Old ways we were fond of have gradually been effaced by a new regime of blessings that will prove to be sweeter than we'd ever have dreamed. At present they may rub now and again like a new pair of boots, but we'd never trade them back.
We've sent letters and received letters, we've sung songs and watched movies. We've danced to Ella Fitzgerald and memorized songs from Wicked and Les Miserables. We've even gained a taste for country music!

We've fallen in love with Sherlock and reminded ourselves that our tastes have grown much more refined since the days of Spy Kids and Inspector Gadget. We've made birthday cakes and eaten them, we've walked in the historic towns nearby and had a picnic or two to boot.

It's been a long, full, summer, and one I can truly say I'll never forget. So many memories, so many lessons learned...so much life. I can only look forward with breathless, eager anticipation to see what the fall will bring.
Autumn! Fire of my heart and love of my being...I come alive when the trees kindle and the breeze carries that gypsy-chill on its breath. When the blood rushes with spices and the very leaves are blushing with pure exhilaration...

I can see some of the adventures that might be lurking around the corner, and I know there will be some that take me by surprise. Graduations, dances, birthdays, camp, visiting missionaries and plots for Romania. Campaigns and bonfires and more!

 I don't know which things will come to pass and which will be replaced by something better. But I can say with full assurance that it will not be a dull autumn by any stretch of the imagination!

♫Nothin could be finer than to be in Carolina in the mor--or-ornin'!♪

On Saturday Rachel and I accompanied Daniel down the well-traveled roads leading to the Taylor's house. :) I always have a good time on road trips with these guys. 

We had fun hanging out, singing, and going over to the pool for a nice swim. 

Then on Sunday, after church and some chilling time, we went over to one of the Taylor's neighbor's houses for a picnic for Sam and Anna!

Having a great time with friends:

Rach and Goldberry

Mr. Taylor

More of the wonderful NC people!

What made the picnic truly Southern was the pecan pie and sweet tea. ;)

This was taken by me bird-watching from a distance. ;)

Then Molly, Anna, Jenn and I took the little boys on the trampoline. :)

Anna and David--aw!!

Jenn with Rufus. 

Zach is my little buddy. :)

Molly with her little big nephew!

It was a very wonderful weekend and I used Daniel's phone there near the end to snap some pictures, and I thought you guys might like to see what we've been up to. :)

Avast thar! Be ye friend or foe?

Yesterday Daniel, Rachel, Abigail T., and I trooped over to a harbor close by to check out this event called Harbor Fest/OperationSail. There were around 51 ships, both naval and tall ships, that were docked in a strip of 3 1/2 miles long! We had a great time and Rachel got to do some hands on researching for a certain writing project in the works. :) Here are some of the pictures I was able to take before my battery died:

I think this was the same one that fired twice and scared the wits out of us!

Some of the crew aboard the Cuauhtemoc.

A Mexican sailor at the wheel.

Daniel was a bit disturbed by the deepness of the water we were inches away from

This hammocks were rawther comfortable!

Sailor's knots were abounding....

See? Told ya.

A straight-up shot

Ropes galore!

Rachel was very excited and impressed that this one carried a "moon raker". (the toppest sail a ship can have)

Very pumped up researcher person. ;)

I loved all the tons of masts, flags, and pennants!

This was a neat shot. :)