sentimental words // O C T O B E R

Do you ever hear a hum that strikes a familiar feeling in you heart? Perhaps its a song. A worn out blanket. A smell.

I thought it may be fun each month to post something that is sentimental to me. In word form. Perhaps it will be a song. A poem. A quote. Or even just a little story.

This month we will start with an old "diddy" that I go way back with. I began playing it to myself and, to my great surprise, a lump came to my throat. How odd.

These words are from an old movie I grew up watching - Where the Red Fern Grows.
The movie itself is quite dear to me. But the song at the beginning? Enough to get your heart fluttering and the memories rolling.

In the Morning of My Life 

Andy Williams 

In the morning of my life I ran through the hills 

and the whippoorwills sang their songs just for me

and each brand new day was a sweet melody

 In the morning of my life we'd swim in the creek

playing hide and seek like the wind wild and free

and each brand new day was a sweet melody 

But now the world has grown so old

the songs have been sung

there's no one left for me to hold 

but all of my memories remain so young 

In the twilight of my life I dream of the hills

and the whippoorwills who once sang just for me

day is fading fast and now alas

the evening is near

girl baby names // old hollywood

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love baby names. I've always enjoyed reading through lists and lately I have been into watching videos on baby names. Sadly, usually the names are
#1 a family related name or #2 a name I don't really like.

I thought it might be fun to share my own ideas on baby names. Today we'll look at 10 girl names inspired from old Hollywood actresses.

1. Luana 
For 113 years, this name was not on the top 1,000 for precious little girls, according to the US Social Security records. First records began in 1943, but became the most popular in 1947 when 164 girls were given this name.
1940's actress Luana Patten gracefully brought this name to the screen starting as a very young girl. 
Today it is again no longer on the charts.
Considered of Hawaiian origins, Luana is said to mean Enjoyment. 
I personally would love to use this beautiful baby girl name someday!

2. Dale
Dale is most popularly used as a boy name though girls have been given it. One actress was not born with this name but later took it, using it until her death in 2001.
That was 1940's actress, Dale Evans Rogers.
Dale is German and means Valley.
Most popular for girls in 1952, it has since fallen far down the list. Still, I think it could be a very pretty name. How about Dale Elizabeth?

3. Beulah 
Beulah is a beautiful Hebrew word meaning married.

 Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shalt thy land any 

more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, 

and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighted in thee, 

and thy land shall be married. 

Isaiah 62:4

Actress Beulah Bondi brought this name to the screen during the 1930's.
It was most popular in 1904 when 983 baby girls were given this name. Today it does not reach the top 1,000.
I love how elegant this name sounds. Beulah Mae anyone?

4. Audrey
This elegant name is one of the more popular names of today. Of English origins, Audrey means Noble Strength.
Between 1900 and 2018, it was most popular in 2017 when 4,808 girls were given it at birth.
Actress Audrey Hepburn was very well known during her acting days and her face is still recognized by many today. 

5. Doris 
In 1929 this name was a huge hit. 16,496 babies were born bearing this name. With Greek origins, Doris is said to mean, Sea.
Actress Doris Day was very popular on the screen during the 1940's and is still active today. During the 1960's and 70's she even had her own TV show, The Doris Day Show.

6. Ginger
A delicious and healthy spice, Ginger can also be used as a unique baby name. A famous dancer and actress brought this name to fame starting as early as the 1920's, Ginger Rogers.
This name was most popular in 1971, but has since dropped in ratings.
Ginger is said to be of English origins meaning reddish orange color.

7. Rita
This name was quite popular starting in the early 1900's all the way to the 1960's, ranking the highest in 1930. Since then it has dropped dramatically low.
Rita Hayworth was a Hollywood actress who began acting in the 1930's. Usually, Rita is a nickname for other names, like Margarita (Rita Hayworth's birth name) but I find it can stand on its own quite well.
Rita is a Spanish name meaning Pearl.

8. Shirley
Not many of us can say we have never heard of the dimpled faced Shirley Temple. Born in 1928, she began her acting and dancing career at the tender age of three.
This name actually has a long history. Originally a surname, or commonly used and thought of as male, it eventually made its way to the feminine side. Charlotte Bronte made it popular for girls when she wrote the novel titled Shirley in 1849.
In the US, it was most popular in 1936.
Shirley in English means bright meadow while in Hebrew it has a meaning of song unto me or I have a song.

9. Maureen
Irish born Maureen O'Hara was born in 1920. She eventually became an American citizen and made many Hollywood pictures, including five with John Wayne.
An Irish name meaning Of the Sea or Bitter, it was most popular in the US during 1948. Today it is far off the charts.

10. Jean
Having been used for both girls and boys through the years, actress Jean Arthur brought the name to the stage during the silent film days before making her way to talkies.
In 1929 it was popular for girls while in 1928 it was popular for boys. Still, more girls than boys have been named Jean through the years.
From the English language Jean means God is Gracious.

What did you think of this list? Any names you like? Or wouldn't use? Learn anything new?

I love researching baby names, reading histories and meanings. Is this something you would be interested in reading more of?
Any other list ideas you'd like me to do?
Let me know!

pickity place // random photo shoot

On September 23, 2018, we celebrated our one year since we were engaged anniversary. (that's a mouth full isn't it?)
We wanted to go to a local cafe but realized we had waited to long to make reservations and would not be able to get in.
We made reservations for September 29th only to realize that was the day of my cousins wedding. Another phone call made yet another reservation for October 6th.
Finally, we were able to go.

If you don't know, "Pickity Place" is a local restaurant inside a very old little red house.
The neat thing is, Josiah's great-Grandma grew up in that house. It's also the little red house that was the inspiration for the original illustrations of "Little Red Riding Hood".

You get to choose your entree, other wise they serve only certain things each month. Fancy things that I would never order myself, but neat to try!

I love this man.

Chicken Francaise

Bourbon Pecan Pie a'la Mode

Creamy Onion with Pickled Shallots - this was not our favorite. Far to sour.

Autumn Slaw with Candied Walnuts

Spiced Tea

Cranberry Orange Ciabatta

After eating, we decided to go for a drive. The leaves are changing now and the weather was beautiful that day. Cold and crisp.
A stop at the town cemetery meant an impromptu photography session. We used my phone as this was not planned, but I think we got some neat pictures! Josiah is so good at figuring out lighting, set up, poses, and just being plain cute.

the things that make me different

Each person is different. Each has their own likes and dislikes. Convictions and dreams. Hopes and wishes. Each wants, laughs, and cries. Each are the same and yet each are unique.

I started this blog going on four years ago under another name. My blog's as well as my own.
I have grown and changed a lot since that first entry.

My dreams have grown. Some have come true. Some have changed.

I started this blog to open up. Share and feel. Perhaps it was a type of therapy for me. At the time I was a very lonely and searching (almost) nineteen year old. In some ways I still feel like that young girl while in other ways I feel ages older.

 I lived in five different homes since the start of this place. Three with my parents and siblings, two with my husband.
I've moved 3,000 miles away from the place I grew up. I left my loved ones behind and began a new life with my best friend. It's been an amazing, scary, exciting, exhausting and crazy ride.

I've learned to grieve. To cry. To allow my feelings to be felt.

Whenever I look back through the years, I feel as though I have lived several lifetimes. I have learned many lessons. Grieved lost loved ones. Lost homes.
Ached for the future and cried for the past.

Each person has their own struggles. Something inside and personal that no one can see or completely understand. But that doesn't make you strange. That makes you just simply that. You.

We're all beautifully unique in our own way. No one is better or worse.

Embrace who you are. Exactly the way God created you to be. 

I have been struggling. Wanting to be exactly like every one else. I want to fit in. Act the way they do. Look like them. I want to be liked so badly that I think I have to fix who I am. But you know what? I can't. 

I am me. I can't, and shouldn't, change that. God made me this way, and He loves me. I'm not perfect. I fail and stumble but that's okay. No one is perfect. 

As long as we remember one thing, we will be alright. 

I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior

- John Newton in the film "Amazing Grace"

Jesus loves me, this I know. He always has and He always will. I don't have to change who I am and try to be like someone else. He created me to be me. That's who I should be.That's who you should be.

My name is Felicity Marie.
- My name means happy or happiness.
- I am twenty-two years old. 
- I stand at 5'3 1/2 inches tall. 
- I have dirty blonde hair and blue eyes.
- I love Winnie-the-Pooh.
- I am the eldest of five children with three sisters and one brother. 
- I come from a very large family with hundreds of cousins (counting 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc)
- I married my best friend, Josiah, at the age of 21.  He was 23.
- We have been married for eight months. 
- I grew up in the Pacific Northwest but moved to my husband's birth place in New England.
- I dream of moving back home someday.

- I am weird
Now, that's a weird thing to say isn't it? But, alas, it is true. When I am behind closed doors, and no one scary can see, I am extremely odd. I dance jigs and make faces and sing along to old country songs. I make "un-lady like noises" and annoy people by sitting on their heads and poking them in the face. I like to laugh and smile and make people do the same.
I asked Josiah what kind of personality I am to which he said

"You're reserved and quiet in public but extremely goofy when you're at home. 

And when you're with your family you like to sit on peoples heads and fart."

Thank you hubby, the world needed to know that. *face plam*

- I hate and love clothes 
How is that possible? Oh believe me, it's possible. I love fashion. Browsing clothing stores online and dreaming of having enough money some day to purchase them. B U T, I also hate clothes. I am extremely, e x t r e m e l y  picky when it comes to the type of clothes I'll wear. Comfort is my number one thing. If I can't curl up and sleep in what I'm wearing, I nearly have a panic attack. I have literally cried my eyes out because I felt there had to be something wrong with me. Why can't I put on a pair of jeans and confidently walk out the door like everyone else? Why must everything be soft and loose?
For one thing, my legs physically hurt after wearing jeans. I am not sure if it' because I don't know how to buy the right size or what but they literally become inflamed and hot to the touch after a day of wearing them. (another thing. I have what I believe is poor circulation in my legs and live in almost constant pain from it) I think I really need to try finding a soft loose fitted jean. But, alas, you need money for that. Have you seen the prices of good quality jeans? *shocked face* Who has that kind of money laying around?
I am 5'3 1/2, 112 pounds, with a long torso and short legs. I like feminine, soft, and comfortable clothing. If any one has any suggestions on styles, stores, etc, please let me know! I am at such a loss.
That is why I wear my husbands T-shirts six days out of the week.

I am socially awkward. 
Believe me, I am. Even with old friends whom I hold so dear to my heart. If I find out I will be seeing them soon, I have a slight panic attack. I want to see them. But I equally want to hide in the corner of my bedroom and never come out.
I always enjoy it so much afterwards, but before I wouldn't mind at all if the meeting was canceled. 
I ache for companionship yet I am terrified of it.
I have my friends. My siblings, aunts, and cousins. They know me. Inside and out. Understand me. Love me.
I have a very hard time with the idea of making new friends. I can't imagine being myself with someone new. What would they think of me?
To those who can go out, visit new people, make new friends, I applaud you.
I haven't learned how to do it.
That isn't me. I'm not a social butterfly. I love who is in my life. I don't want anyone new.

I love family history.
How many of you have traced your ancestors generations back? Learning who you are and where you came from? Well, I have. It's something I am so fascinated by! My family tree is very large and comes from all corners of the world. My ancestors were Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, German, Dutch, English, Irish, Scottish, and Native American Crow.
They came from all walks of life. Quakers, pioneers, Indian fighters, cowboys, governors, royalty, farmers and of course American Immigrants.
Together with my aunts we traced one side of our family to Royal England and even Jamestown.
When I married I decided to try researching my husbands family history. No offense, but it was rather boring. From what I can tell he is completely Finnish and his family actually hasn't been America that long.

I am a neat freak.
I admit it. I have a slight problem. But, believe me, I am so much better than I used to be! I love cleaning and organizing and making the house smell of cleaning products.
I know I go a little over board when everything like magnets on the fridge or stools against the table have to be perfectly straight.

Davy Crockett, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Louis L'Amour for life.
These three people mean so much to me and really helped mold me to the person I am. If you have been following along on this blog for awhile, these three names should not be new to you. I have mentioned and quoted them many times.
Davy was my first crush. My first hero. He was tall, brave, and wise. He wore buckskins, a coon skin cap, and carried ole Betsy, his rifle. Next to "Jesus Loves Me" I have a feeling "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" was one of the very first songs I learned to sing.

Born on a mountain top in Tennessee, greenest state in the land of the free.

Raised in the woods so he knew every tree.

Kilt him bar when he was only three.

Davy, Davy Crockett, the buckskin pioneer. 

Davy, Davy Crockett, King of the wild frontier.  

Whenever I am lonely, I can just pop Davy into the DVD player and closing my eyes, I'm a little girl again.

Laura. What can I say about Laura? She has been in my life longer than I can remember.
As a little girl, my Mom's hero was Laura. She read her books cover to cover. Beginning to end. Over and over. When I was three years old she read me the entire series, and every year after that until I married.
When I grew up, I began researching the real Laura. The woman. I read her articles and magazine writings. It was then I discovered how much more she had to share and give.

 "So much depends upon the homemakers. 

I sometimes wonder if they are so busy now with other 

things that they are forgetting the 

importance of this special work." 

- Laura Ingalls Wilder

Along with Laura, Louis L'Amour also has been in my life forever. My Dad had dozens of his books and before I could read I would spend hours looking at the cover. Dreaming and wondering. Making up stories that I imagined went with the picture. 

My Dad read me my very first when I was seven years old. From that day on I was hooked. I have now read dozens and dozens of his writings. His books aren't just stories. They are facts, history, and poetry all rolled into one. He taught me the love of writing and learning. As well as helping grow my love and fascination for the American West.

No one can "get" an education

for of necessity education is 

a continuing process. 

- Louis L'Amour

I love American History. 
I am sure you can tell from the fact above. Especially the days of the pioneer, cowboy, and mountain man. I can't tell you how much I dreamed of being one of those people in the past. The rugged and tough ones who helped build this great country. The sorrow and struggle they went through, for us.

I love music. But, old time music is the only way to go.
My siblings have since grown to enjoy more "modern" sounds in music. As for me, I just can't find a taste for it. To tell you the truth, it actually gives me anxiety. It's far to... loud. And with not much meaning.
No one writes music like they used to. The old cowboy songs that have stayed around for decades. The mountain music. That isn't to say I don't enjoy "newer" singers. In fact, my favorite female artist is Patty Loveless. But listen to her next to someone recording today. Just isn't the same. People could really sing back then.
I usually stick to old country and cowboy music. Go Rex! But, I also can enjoy the classics like Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Steve Lawrence.
Music is soothing. It's comfort. It gives you a feeling of joy and that all is right.

I love to cook.
If you follow me on other social medias, I am sure you have gathered this. I love finding new fun recipes that are easy but delicious.

I have anxiety.
Who doesn't? I mean, every one does I think.
I am extremely insecure about myself and what people think of me. Crowds make me nervous, and I almost die when it comes to city or freeway driving. My poor husband. I am trying to work on it though and not say, "babe. break. the light is red. they're stopped. break!" every two seconds.

I love Burgerville and Rocky's Pizza. 
'nuff said.

 I love the mountains. 
I crave the mountains. They help me breathe. Sooth my soul. Make me feel whole.
I grew up spending weekends on my Grandparent's ranch in the Oregon mountains. Those days, my friends, are some of the best days I have ever experienced. Fresh air. Sunshine. Dirt between my toes. Hair flying. Four wheelers. Life was good back then.


I've had braces.
I love researching and discovering baby names. 
I once had a crush on Peter Pan, the cartoon. 
I am addicted to Pringle's "Extra Hot Chili and Lime".
I love salt and vinegar.
I love food.
Mustard.
Pickles. 
Cinnamon Rolls. 
I don't like corn or Spaghetti. 
I have a terrible fear of heights and the ocean. 
I enjoy splitting and stacking wood. Hauling is another story. 
I dream of building my own little farm house nestled far in the mountains. 
I love, love, love, home decor and renovations. I dream of renovating an old home someday. 
I spend hours online looking at home renovations and decorating. 
I also watch cleaning videos. Yes, I literally watch people clean.
Puppies make me happy.
Snakes do not. 
Someday I want to have goats, chickens, and a dog named... C R O C K E T T. 
My husband is my best friend. 
I love my siblings to death.

 This is me. This is who I am. And that's okay.

september // photo dump

I love to write, I love to read, but aside from that I like to go back to the mountains. I like to spend time reading wild country. Mountains or desert. 

There's corruption. There's crimes. There's all these things in the cities and all this turbulence and all this confusion and everything. You come back into the mountains. You can walk out there alone. And there is a great stillness around you. You can look out across great distances. Far distant peaks of mountains and clouds and everything and suddenly it smooths out all the wrinkles. You're at peace with the world. It gives you something. Refreshes your whole spirit. Makes you stronger. Makes you a better person. 

I like to go back to the mountains. 

- Louis L'Amour

With every word, Louis L'Amour can describe exactly how I feel. How I ache for the mountains and how I long to go back again. To feel that wind on my cheeks and to "breathe that mountain air". It truly does smooth out the wrinkles. It truly does refresh your soul. 

Yet another month has come to a close. Can you believe it? Already we are nearing the end of a year. (don't panic yet! We still have October, November, and December to get through)

Some  H I G H L I G H T S  from this month:

- my Grandpa, step-Grandma, and aunt flew here for a visit. We spent money lovely days with Grandpa&Sue and a fun breakfast date along with my aunt!

- we rejoiced that the summer heat drifted away. Cool crisp air took its place. 

- we remembered 9/11 

"never forget"

- Sunday outing with family.

- we celebrated our "one year since we became engaged". 

- hung out with an old friend and met her baby girl! 

- seen my Kirsten Jean!

- attended a cousins wedding. 

Now time for a photo dump!

E N J O Y

I bought my first home decor! Beautiful autumn colors.

Auntie Kristi

It was honestly pretty emotional for me to be with my auntie again. It had been nearly eleven years since I had seen her, until we both flew home for our family reunion in August. She is a link to my childhood and a life that has gone by.

I have been doing some experimenting lately with family recipes and converting them to sugar and gluten free. Some haven't been to bad. These are my attempt at Peanut Butter Cookies

Baked sugar cookies for my in-laws

Finally got our wedding photo printed!

Sunday outing with family.

Visiting the hubby while he printed shirts. I even helped a little *flexes muscles*

Meeting my dear friends baby girl, Audra

Shopping! I hadn't had a "girls day" in months. It felt good.

Our "one year since engagement" outing through the woods!

I love you.

Josiah build us a new cabinet and we painted our light fixture and bought new bulbs. I am happy! The light used to be a ugly silver with huge white round bulbs

just because he is to cute on Sunday mornings.

date night!

We stayed up late one night and build this sign as a wedding gift.

great-uncle and cousin

Kirsten Jean. Don't worry, its a cigar.

How was your September?