Mmmhm.

I got back from AK on Tuesday Morning (at 12:20 am). It was a very fun trip, and here are a few of the highlights. (I took like, 800 pictures. So more to come. When I get around to it. Someday eventually.)

Yukon Ho!

So, by the time you are reading this, I will be in the air, on my way to Alaska! :) See you the 27th!
Libbi H.

Book Review: Band of Sisters by Cathy Gohlke

It’s 1910, and Maureen O’Reilly and her younger sister are trapped. In Ireland, they can never be free, and they must flee to America. After barely getting through Ellis Island, Maureen is devastated when she finds out that her benefactor has died. She moves into a small apartment, and through lying, she lands a job as a worker in a department store.  Only then does she realize that any salesgirl who gets “promoted” is often never heard from again.  When her sister and her are placed in harm’s way, Maureen must choose to tell the truth, because it is the only thing that will free her from harm’s way.

I liked:

• The time era. Such an interesting time in America’s history, with such an influx of immigrants.
• The cover. Oh my lands. Absolutely stunning.
• The historical facts. This ties in with the last sentence, but it was absolutely amazing. I honestly didn’t know a book could have so much historical fact jammed into each page. And to top that off, it was a perfecty seamless use of history. I cannot even say how much I loved it. Because I loved it a lot. A whole lot.

• The character development. Absolutely wonderful. Cathy Gohlke did a fantastic job.

I disliked:

• That it made me want to wear the clothing from 1910. I am content, I am content, I am content! ;)

Innapropriate for ages 18 and under:

• There is a theme running through the book of human trafficking. This is not a bad thing, and I believe the author did a great job of presenting this present day slavery as a real issue, one that needs to be addressed. That said, I don’t believe this book to be appropriate for ages 18 and under. Does this mean that a 17 year old couldn’t read it and be fine? Of course not. It depends on your unique person. However, I was extremely uncomfortable reading a few, ahem, “special” scenes.

Overall, this was one of the most truthful (and fact-filled) Historical books I have read. I learned more about immigration and the life of an immigrant than I ever learned in my history books. I do believe this book to be a great read for ages 18+, and a thought provoking story.

Tyndale publishers gave me this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Tyndale!

What I Wore + News

So. I really was planning on posting pictures of my outfit today, because I really liked it. But instead we went swimming after church, and I really didn't feel like taking pictures! Anyways. This week, you can expect two things: A book review on Tuesday, and me leaving on Friday. I will be gone the 14th-24th, so I would love to have 5-8 guest posters. Email me a post about your favorite vacation, along with a paragraph about yourself/your blog (hey, any publicity is a good thing!), and I will schedule the posts while I am gone :) libbilogs(at)gmail(dot)com. If you have pictures from your favorite vacation, attach them to the post and I will stick 'em in. Anyways. Hope you had a great Sunday!
Libbi H.

past portraits.

I was browsing through some of my old Facebook photos, and I had a thought. What would the difference be in my photos from a year ago (when I first starting learning about photography) compared to my most recent photos? As I looked for my first photo, I found this:

(Taken September 19th, 2011)

Quite obviously (Like, really really obviously) I had no clue what I was doing. I SO messed up this this picture (Beautiful subject, terrifying editing). Honestly, I was about ready to delete all my Facebook albums. Here's the thing, I am pretty embarrassed by my past portraits. (As well I should be) You know what? No one else looks at my old photos. No one even cares, much less judges me about them.  Even knowing this, I wanted to just delete the albums. I almost did too. Then, in the nick of time, I thought, "Why am I even looking at these? It isn't helping anyone." And I stopped looking at them, and looked forward to taking pictures in the future.

This is an analogy about life.^

 "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 3:13-14

{Taken August 31st, 2012}

Book Review + Winner: Twice a Bride by Mona Hodgson

Willow Petersen has loved and lost, and she went to an asylum for two years to show for it. Having a new start in Cripple Creek, Colorado, is a blessing, and she does not want to ruin it.  Still, as a talented artist, she is in need of a job to support herself as a young widow.  When she sees an ad for a portrait painter, she is overwhelmingly filled with joy. When she begins to have feelings for her new boss, she feels like she is betraying her late husband, Sam. Will she ever love again?

I liked:

• The characters. I absolutely love how Mona can bring the characters to life! Having read the first three books, I can honestly say that I adore the characters.
• The Setting. I loved that it was in Colorado. The vivid descriptions were wonderful, and I could hardly believe that one author has so much talent in describing!
• The Dr. Quinn-like feel. I don’t know if anyone else has watched the TV series, Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman, but I watched the entire series, and I loved them!

I disliked:

• That the series ended! ;) I actually almost started crying that the Sinclair Sisters were over!

Content for ages 13+

• There was a miscarriage scene :(, and while it really wasn’t graphic, I don’t think it would be the best for those under 13. 

Overall:

• I absolutely loved this book. I am still trying to decide which book was my favorite in the series, but I believe it is between “The Bride Wore Blue” and this one. I would definitely recommend this to ages 13+

The publisher gave me this book in exchange for a review,

And this is crazy,

but I want to review more books,

so rate it maybe. 

SO. The winner of "The Bride Wore Blue" is....

 CostaWisdoms

Congrats! I  emailed you!

If you didn't win, don't feel bad, I am planning the next giveaway as we speak...er...as we read pixels.

Sincerely,

Libbi H.