Annndddd I'm back. It's been awhile, but here I am, and I've been tagged with the Liebster Award by both the amazing Karyssa Norton @ No Coffee, No Can Do and Pip and Lolly @ Pip and Lolly. But first, the rules... 

Rules:

Link back to the person who tagged you.

Answer the eleven questions.

Tag eleven bloggers and let them know.

Ask your tagged bloggers eleven questions.

So first, Karyssa's questions.....

How long have you been writing? 

When I was little, I’d crank out bits of poetry (my first poem was titled “Apple Cider Bubble Bath”) and create my own picture books, but I first started writing seriously about two years ago, when I first learned that I was actually good at this whole writing thing through a school project. It was then that I began writing longer stories beyond trips to the carnival and it was then that I started my blog.

When you write, do you like to type or write by hand? 

Despite my many escapades with writing novels in notebooks, I mainly end up typing. First of all, my hand prefers it. Like, REALLY prefers it. Secondly, it's SO much faster than writing by hand, not to mention neater. Lastly, there's something about that clickety click sound as my fingers sweep across the keyboard that is so satisfying. Am I the only one? =) And yes, I just copied, pasted, and slightly edited this answer from the Sunshine Blogger tag. xD

Oxford comma: yay or nay and why? 

*cheers for the oxford comma* Yay! Because that’s what I was taught to be proper grammar when I was a little girl, it just looks right (in my humble opinion, that is), and I love the name.

Do you prefer movies or shows? 

No, my family's tv does not look like that. Sorry. xD

Shows. Because then I can spend several seasons with the characters I love instead of just an hour and a half. It’s the same with stand-alone novels and book series for me. I prefer series for the same reason. =)

If you could only visit one other country, which one would it be? 

Ummmm…. Seeing that I’ve already visited a bunch, I’d head to Uganda (again). I miss the red dirt and smiling faces SO much. There’s no place on earth that I’d rather be than in the humidity and sunshine of Uganda.

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? 

I’d say I’m an introvert, but once you get to know me, well…. Just ask my friends. You’ve been warned. xD

What's one random thing about you that few people know? 

One random thing…. Only one? *pouts* Well, I happen to be obsessed with typewriters. Seriously. I love them. They’re so pretty and they make that lovely click-click-ding-ding sound and they have some of my favorite font and—

I just love typewriters.

What is your favorite animal? 

I want one. 

*head bang* I have to choose between itty bitty otters, super cute sea lions, cuddly puppies, and fluffy chinchillas?! I don’t do well with these types of questions. I suppose my favorite animal would be a horse. I’ve loved nearly everything about horses ever since I was little, petting them, riding them, seeing them outside the car window, writing about them…. *sigh*

What quote (from a book, movie, YouTube video, etc) do you find yourself saying often? 

Believe it or not, it’s a Disney quote. From Frozen. Whenever my sisters and I are bored, I almost always ask, “Do you wanna build a snowman?” And you know what? They don’t tell me to go away!

If you could see yourself from someone else's perspective, whose perspective would you choose and why? (It could be a family member's, friend's, your local librarian, etc.) 

I’d choose to see myself from my sister Malia’s perspective because her perspective would be very honest and down to earth, so I’d be able to see what I’m doing right and what I’m not doing right.

Would you rather live in the city, or the country? 

Isn't it so fairytale like? =)

The country, for sure! Just think about it. *daydreams* A quaint little cottage where I can read, write, and bake all day and then I’ll walk outside and pet my pretty horses and cuddle the baby rabbits and watch the sunset and…. *cars whizz by* I did say I was daydreaming, right?

And now my next nominee's questions.....

Why do you blog? 

I blog because it’s a way I can connect with other writers in an awesome community where we encourage each other and help each other grow. I blog because it’s a great way to help start my dream writing career. I blog because I enjoy writing posts and talking to my lovely readers in the comments.

What makes you feel on top of the world? 

Lots of stuff make me feel on top of the world. A scoop of salted caramel ice cream. A hug from my little brother. My dog deciding to (finally) cuddle with me. Spending time with my friends. Being sent into jaw dropping awe because of God’s incredible creation and His awesome majesty. It’s the little things and the big things that make me feel like I could fly on top of the world.

How do you cheer yourself up after a bad day or disappointment? 

I’ll either write a woe-is-me letter to God or binge read. Or both. Cuddling with and whining to my dog Wrigley helps too.

If you could live in any book for a week, which book would it be? 

*sigh* All the pretty books...

Okay, let’s see…. Not The Hunger Games, I wouldn’t last a week in that book. Probably The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. That would be SO fun to live in Narnia for a week. I’d get to wear pretty dresses, ride unicorns, stay at Cair Paravel, have tea with Mr. Tumnus, and ASLAN. Enough said.

If you could play any character in any movie, TV series, book etc. who would it be? 

Elizabeth Thatcher from When Calls The Heart. I’d love to teach a one room schoolhouse in an adorable little town out in the middle nowhere! Plus, she’s a writer, and I can find myself relating to her on quite a few occasions.

What is your favorite place you’ve ever visited or lived? 

I actually don’t have a favorite and simply cannot pick one in the place I’ve lived area. Each place I’ve lived has been special and unique, both in the location, the people, and the culture. But in the realm of places I’ve visited…. This is also super hard, but probably Uganda. I love that country to death.

If money wasn’t an object, where do you want to be in five years? 

If money wasn’t an object…. I’d want to have a big giant house in some foreign country with a bunch of adorable kids, and I’d bake them cookies and write them stories when we wouldn’t be out and about serving wherever we could. Basically, I want to be a missionary/writer/blogger/cookie baker/mom to many (aka like Katie Davis).

Are you a girly girl or would you consider yourself more of a tomboy? 

I’m not a girly girl (sparkles and the color pink don’t appeal that much to me), but I’m not necessarily a tomboy either (I mean…. What’s wrong with a day at the mall?) I’d say I’m somewhere in the middle. For example, I’d love to go on a hike and watch a baseball game, but then I’d also like t
o smear on facials and binge watch Downton Abbey.

What is your first memory? 

That’s a hard one (as if these others haven’t been difficult). I think I can vaguely remember chasing ducks somewhere…. But that’s about it.

How do you tell people you love them? 

I don’t always say it, but I like to do random things to show people that I care through little things like asking if I can help them, how they’re doing, and engaging in a conversation, but also in things a bit more noticeable like leaving someone a note or doing a chore. I don’t just like to say “I love you,” I like to show it.

What do you want others to see in you? 

I want other to look at me and see a young woman who loves the Lord with all her heart and pursues him no matter what. I want them to see Jesus through my imperfect self; I want them to see a light in the dark.

I Tag...

Anyone who wants to do this tag! Surely eleven people will want to do this tag, right? =)

My Questions...

I'm going to be stealing some questions from my awesome nominees, since I'm feeling very un-original right now. =) 

1. How long have you been writing?
2. Oxford comma: yay or nay and why?
3. What's one random thing about you that few people know?
4. What's a quote that you find yourself saying often?
5. Would you rather live in the city or the country?
6. If you could be any character in one of you favorite books, who would you be? 
7. Which national park do you want to visit one day?
8. What is your favorite thing to cook?
9. What makes you feel on top of the world?
10. If you could live in any book for a week, which book would it be? 
11. What do you want others to see in you? 

*gives you candy if you made it through this post* Will you be doing this tag? =) What's one of your favorite animals? Would YOU rather live in a tiny cottage or a modern apartment? What is one of your favorite memories? What is a quote that you love? Grab some ice cream and let's chat!

6 Things My Mom Has Taught Me

Yesterday was Mother's Day. I know, I know, this post is 24 hours late, but my excuse is in my opinion, EVERY day should be Mother's Day. Moms do so much that they need more than a day of appreciation. After all, mothers are like doctors, cooks, teachers, therapists, errand-runners, dropper-offers, and so much more rolled up in one human being.

This Mother's Day, I couldn't help but think of all the things my mom has taught me over the years. Sure, as my teacher, she's taught me everything I know from my ABC's to 9x2=18, but she's also taught me more than that, lessons that will stick in my head and heart longer than the quadratic formula. Here are just five of those lessons....

My Mom Has Taught Me....

What A Godly Woman Looks Like. 

What comes to your mind when the word lady pops up? An English noblewoman with impeccable manners and a gorgeous dress? A woman with a kind, gentle heart? When I think of the word lady, one of the people that pops up in my mind is my mom. Sure, she may not live in an English mansion or ride around in a barouche, but she's every bit of the lady little girls dream of becoming. Watching my mom act and speak like a lady has shown me what a godly woman, or a godly lady, looks like. I hope that one day I can be at least half of the woman my mom is.  

To Try, Try Again. 

My mom has taught me not only to have patience, but to try. And if you don’t succeed, try, try again. Don’t get the correct answer to a problem in school? Try, try again. Failed at that recipe? Do over! Couldn’t figure something out? Google it! Try, try again.

To Have Patience.

I am not a very patient human being. However, patience is a trait that my mom showcases with flying colors. How she is patient with my siblings and me all day every day and is STILL sane is beyond me. By watching her, I've learned that patience is more than not going insane in the checkout line at the supermarket. Patience, from my observations, is more like an attitude of grace and calmness when things aren't exactly going your way. Every day, I try to be as patient as my mom. One day, maybe I will. *waits impatiently for that day to come* 

Mother's Day makes me think of flowers. Hence all the flowery pictures. =D

To Be Myself.

My mom has ALWAYS wanted my siblings and I to not give into peer pressure and be something we're not. She's always wanted us to be ourselves and hold onto our values despite all the pressure being put on us. She's taught us that we are wonderful creations handcrafted by God, and that we shouldn't go along with what everyone is is doing. 

To Love God.

This is probably the most important lesson my mom has taught me. To love God with all I've got no matter what, and to follow him at all times. She's taught it to me through Bible lessons, the words she speak, and the way she acts, which brings me to the next lesson my mom has taught me..... 

To Love Others.

There's a sign that hangs in our living room with a quick run down of Mark 12:30-31. Love God. Love others. The way my mom selflessly serves the people around her has taught me to love others. As I’ve watched her open our home to guests, love and respect my father, teach and care for my siblings and I, and basically just live, I’ve learned what it looks like to deny oneself for others.

Yes, I am taller than my mom. I don't know how that happened. At all. xD

Mom, thank you for teaching me all of this and so much more. Thank you for being a shoulder to cry on and a role model to look up to. Thank you for all you do, from making muffins and doing laundry to reading Jane Eyre and watching Downton Abbey with me (we still have quite a few episodes, by the way =)). Love you, Mom! 

EDIT: This post was originally titled "5 Things My Mom Has Taught Me" but I realized that I actually had six things written after I published it. xD *hides face* Don't worry.... I fixed it. 

 What are some things your mom has taught you? What did you do for your mom on Mother’s Day? Please tell me you also enjoy Downton Abbey, and that everything Jane Austen and Jane Eyre makes you flail. Let’s chat!

The Sunshine Blogger Tag

Recently, the amazing Savannah of Scattered Scribblings tagged me with the Sunshine Blogger Tag. Thanks, Savannah! =) This looks like a lot of fun! And I've been tagged quite a few other times (thank you so much, everyone! =)), so be on the lookout for more fun tagginess! If that's even a word.
Which it should be. Anyways, the rules.... 

Rules: Answer 11 questions from your nominee, tag 11 bloggers, and ask them 11 new questions. 

Do you own any signed books?

Don't you love the matching bookmark? =)

I do happen to own one lovely signed book-but only one, although I hope to add to that collection. I have a signed copy of Purple Moon by Tessa Emily Hall, and it's one of my absolute FAVORITE books. Isn't the cover lovely? Which brings me to the next question... 

What are three of the prettiest books you own?

AAAAHHH THIS IS SO HARD. I love book covers, and I have picked out books partly for the covers.... Such a shallow bookworm I can be. xD Well, here they are, and I have restricted myself to only pick books I own in print.... Not the millions of pretty e-books I have. 

Purple Moon by Tessa Emily Hall, my special 50th year anniversary edition of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, and For Love and Honor by Jody Hedlund. Aren't they gorgeous? =) 

What are five of your favorite blogs?

Wow. This tag is HARD. I FOLLOW MANY BLOGS AND I LOVE THEM ALL. I'll pick five random ones that I love. =)

Jem Jones

Pip and Lolly

The Relentless Daydreamer

Taking My Time

The PURSUE Magazine blog

If you could re-write the ending of one book, which book would it be?

Hhhhmmmm.... This is hard to decide. I think I'd rewrite the ending to Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. It was just so SAD. And not what I had in mind for Katniss and Peeta and everyone else. If it was me, it would be more.... Confetti and happy and cupcakes everywhere. Which doesn't exactly tie in with the rest of the series but why can't party hats and giant cakes go with it?

How did you come up with the title for your blog?

Well... I have had two previous blogs, the first named A Little Bit of Everything and the second Ramblings of a Writer. As I prepared to start my current blog, I was practically banging my head on my piles of notebooks as I tried to think of an original name that would fit my blog. And then, I had it... Notebooks. I love notebooks. And novels. Who doesn't love novels? So I named my blog Notebooks and Novels, after two things I love. =) 

What is the last movie you watched, and what did you think of it?

The last movie I watched was Ant-Man. I liked it. A LOT. Okay, who am I kidding, I loved it! I just love Marvel, and I am NOT a DC girl. At all. But anyways, the movie was a great spin on the original Ant-Man story, and I think it was done very well. I also enjoyed how we got to see a certain Avenger in one scene.... Which is probably my favorite part of the entire movie. =D 

What's one of your favorite memories from 2017 (so far)?

One of my favorite memories.... THAT IS WAYYYY TOO HARD. Probably sitting around the campfire beneath a canopy of stars with s'mores, my family, and a notebook. It doesn't get much better than that, if you ask me. =) 

How is a raven like a writing desk?

I know this one! They both make NOTES! =D Thanks, Jest! And yes, I have read a bit of Heartless so far... And now lemon tarts sound lovely. =) 

What are your three favorite fandoms?

*head bang* Umm.... This is a hard tag. When I say hard, I mean HARD. How am I to pick?! Well, I'll start with two obvious fandoms: Narnia and Middle Earth. I mean, Tolkien and Lewis. Who doesn't love them?! And as my third... The Avengers. Earth's mightiest heroes. And for the record.... Go team Cap. =) 

Do you prefer writing by hand or typing? 

Despite my many escapades with with writing novels in notebooks, I prefer typing. First of all, my hand prefers it. Like, REALLY prefers it. Secondly, it's SO much faster than writing by hand, not to mention neater. Lastly, there's something about that clickety click sound as my fingers sweep across the keyboard that is so satisfying. Am I the only one? =) 

What's a story you'd like someone to do a re-telling of?

Hhhmmm.... There's SO many! Probably "Thumbelina" for me. How has there not been a retelling of one of my favorite childhood stories yet?! If there is, please kindly direct me to it. Thank you. If not, then I have another writing project to attend to...

I Tag...

Jem Jones @ Jem Jones

Allie Taylor @ The Depth of My Faith

Karyssa Norton @ No Coffee, No Can Do

Lilly Shyree @ A Lilly in God's Garden

Alea Harper @ Elvish Pens, Fantastical Writings

Mary Elizabeth Horton @ Sunshine and Scribblings

Rebakah Eddy @ Rebakah's Remarks

Bellethiel Marcaunion @ Ramblings of a Pilgrim on the Way

Ellen @ Ellen's Everyday Events
Andrea @ A Surge of Thunder
Bethany R. @ A Great God and Good Cocoa

My Questions...

What is your favorite type of post to write?

When did you start writing?
What is one piece of advice you'd like to give to new bloggers?
Do you prefer Microsoft Word or Google Docs?
What member of the Fellowship of the Ring can you relate to the most?
How are you pursuing your dreams right now?
What is the hardest part of being a writer?
What is your favorite hot drink?
How do you come up with your story ideas?
Which do you prefer, ebooks or paperbacks?
What is one book that has made you cry?

Do you have any signed books? What are some of the prettiest book covers you've ever seen? How did you come up with the name for your blog? Which do you like better: Marvel or DC Comics? Let's chat in the comments!