Life is Glorious

picture credit

There is so much to love about life, and so much to do to enjoy it. 

I recently read a blog post by SW on A Free Mind and it made me think once again about how true the above statement is. Here is her beautiful advice~

Be humble. Be kind. Know that you'll make mistakes and it'll be embarrassing, but have a sense of humor.
Laugh.You might as well have fun.
Tell people you love them, and be gentle.
Question everything, and I mean everything. Because the truth can take it, but nothing else can. And it's the truth that matters.
Take chances and do things that scare you. Never close your eyes to possibility.
Don't box up reality and pretend you know its walls.

Look up, at the sky. Taste the air on the tip of your tongue. Watch the clouds move.
Take care of yourself, always be gentle. Cry if you need to, but don't give up hope. Look for things to be grateful for. Smile. Hug. Breathe deeply, in and out. Do it now.
Be brave. Seek out life. Know that adventure is close to you, rubbing up against you daily. Take it by the hand and welcome it in.
Notice colors when you see them, tell yourself "that's blue" or "pink". Look for your favorite colors.
Be aware of your self breathing in and out, thinking, feeling. Close your eyes and let your mind go black. Rest.

Don't make assumptions. Don't judge. Don't become too familiar with your opinions.
Laugh, smile, make laughter creases around your eyes.
Drink water. Stretch. Skip. Read books. Clap your hands. Shake your head around so your hair gets messy. Scrunch up your nose. Smell flowers. Taste your food like you're on a cooking show. Talk to people.
Have discipline. Be tidy. Be polite. Enjoy things. Learn. Take initiative.
Sing. Dance. Twirl. Give piggyback rides. Use more adjectives. Cuddle. Remember the things you love. Make a list of them.
Have fun. Work hard. Sleep well. Look up, at the stars.
Check out this incredible world. Be friendly.
Think, before you act. Be safe.
Love, as much as you can.

In Honour of these Happy 3 Years

Time is passing. The weather is growing cold.

The first day on this month (being October 2016) was the third anniversary of the beginning of "On Solid Ground". Three years! Ah, it's been a good adventure. I personally have changed much in these three years, and this blog shows it, doesn't it? Let's take a look and see what I've done. . .

2013-
-Started On Solid Ground
-Did the 30 day LOTR challenge
-Awarded the Sunshine Award
-Started Three Fangirling Sisters

2014-
-Awarded for the Liebester Award, and the Sunshine Award.
-Added blog pages
-Posted a lot about needing to post more (*sigh* ☺)
-Got a bit excited about a certain movie. . .
-Wrote Misty Streets
-First Year Anniversary
-The Things That Make Me, Me

2015-
-Awarded/tagged the Blogger Recognition Award, Authorly Bucket List Tag, Sweater Weather Tag, and 12 Days of Thanksgiving Tag
-Took a blog break
-Designed quote pictures
-Created and reported on my summer bucket list
-Designed my compass blog design
-Participated in a photo challenge
-Second Year Anniversary
-Participated in an End of Year Link-up

2016-
-Tagged for the Happy Tag and Quote Tag
-Designed my sycamore blog design

Well, that was a nice little recap. :)
Thank you so much for all the fun adventures you've been a part of! I simply would not be blogging if it wasn't for my dear, dear friends, most of whom were there when I did my first post and others who have joined along the way. You are all so special and enrich my life so much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!

And with that said, let's continue on to the next year of blog adventures for S. F. :)
*picks up walking stick and sets off* And you say, "But wait, S. F.! It's autumn time, remember? Don't for get your hat and scarf and sweater!" *halts and comes back* See? What would I do without brilliant friends like you! Here's a hug for each of you!

God bless you all! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Yours truly,

S. F. (who sets off on her new-blog-year-adventure again, this time with a hat, scarf, sweater, and thankful heart)

Reflections from My Dresser Top

I took a look at my piled dresser top and thought something like, "To sort or not to sort, that is the question." . . .
Well, the answer was sort. (Obviously.) And so I ended up taking everything off the dresser top and out of two "stuff drawers" and making a pile akin to Mt. Everest on the bed. :D Yes, it took a while to "sort" and yes, I still have to organise it all properly. . .but the point I'm heading for isssssssssssssss. . .I removed lots of particles (and piles) of dust (and one spider! O.O) which made me feel good.

A couple of days later. . . I took a look at my hibernating blog and a thought something like this came to mind. . . "DUST." Dust? Yes, dust! Something fresh and new and brilliant! I think I'll start with the design first. The water colour/compass design has been up for over a year, so I'll try something new (not quite sure what just yet. . .any ideas?) and then do a little updating of things here and there. The other changes I'll make I'm not quite certain of, but they will most likely insure that I post at least once a month from now on. ;) I'm looking forward to it! *happy happy happy*

The empty dresser top.

Any ideas from when you've "dusted" you blog?

I hope you have had an excellent summer, my dear friends! God bless you all!

Love, S. F.

Make Today Count

"We shall have all eternity to celebrate the victories, but only a few hours before sunset to win them." ~Amy Carmichael

 We only have one life. And believe me, it may go faster than most of us expect. If we aren't aware of what is going on around us, we will suddenly realise that the time has swiftly gone from sunrise to sunset.

 How can we make today count? How do we wish to live our lives? What do we want to exchange our days for?

"Through this toilsome world, alas!

Once and only once I pass;

If a kindness I may show,

If a good deed I may do

To a suffering fellow man,

Let me do it while I can.

No delay, for it is plain,

I shall not pass this way again."

~ Unknown

That one day. That one chance to do good and help another along. We must take the chances "for it is plain, I shall not pass this way again."

Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone's burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?

Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love.

~Will L. Thompson 

When the sunsets everyday, we should ask ourselves "have I done any good?" And the more you think on it, the more you'll realise how many chances you have to help others, whether you took them or not was your choice.

 
This is a lesson the Lord is teaching me more and more everyday. I have to decide what I'm going to do, who I'm going to serve, how I'm going to live. It's a choice we all are making all the time.

". . .Choose you this day whom ye will serve. . .but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

~ Joshua 24:15 (KJV)

 I wanted to share this message with you all because it's SO IMPORTANT! Life is happening no matter what. And the encouragement I'd like to share is that any good deed that you did in a day makes it a golden day to treasure forever. Every day is worth living because every day the Lord provides ways for you to succeed and grow. He is with you every hour of your life.

While I'm on the subject of how we spend our days, I'd like to let you all know that, despite my lack of posts and comments and emails and whatever else, I'm still here. Blogging has slipped farther down on my list of priorities, but be assured that you friendship has not. I often think of my wonderful Blog friends as I go throughout my day and I wonder how you're doing and hope all is going well. And so, while I do take a long time to reply sometimes, I have not left. :)

I hope all has been going splendidly in all you have been doing this year!

 Your friend,
S. F.

Note: All pictures in this post be me and my sisters.

The Happy Tag

Thank you so much for tagging me, SW! ♥ This tag is quite fun and brings a bit more joy into your day as you think about all the things that make you happy. :) What you do is list things that make you happy under the 6 categories given.

I tag Kara, Abby, Carissa, Chloe and Sarah.


Books:

The Word of God

Anne of Green Gables

The Wind in the Willows

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

A Child's Garden of Verses
Peter Rabbit

Words:
Love

Faith
Hope
Family
Home
Brilliant
Done

Movies/TV:

Anne of Green Gables
Little Women
Scenes in Hobbiton from LOTR and The Hobbit

Scents:

Just before it rains

Mushrooms cooking

Dirt and grass

Roses and Rosemary

Old books

The library

Songs:
I Am a Child of God

Mountain Rose Waltz by the Gothard Sisters

Fairy Dance Jig by the Gothard Sisters

Sunshine by John Denver

Fur Elise and other classical
Hobbiton theme song

Misc:
Smiley Faces :)
Hugs
An armful of books
Letters from friends in the mail (and e-letters, too)
Sunsets
The tick-tock of a clock
A cat's pur

Endings and Beginnings

 The old year has gone, like the dying sparks of a fire.

Now the new is here; 'tis a fire blazing bright.

Have a wonderful 2016!

End of Year Link-up (Hosted by Kara)

The sun has set on the last day of 2015. How was your year? Mine was brilliant. :) Kara started a link-up earlier this month, and I'm finally getting around to doing it. Join up if you feel so inclined!

Rules (copy and paste these):
1. You must have a link to Kara's post on your End of Year Link-Up Fun post, and the above picture
2. Answer the questions. You can just do half, all of them, whatever! ☺
3.Comment on Kara's post with a link to your post
4.Invite someone to join in (choose a blogger who'd you'd really enjoying seeing the answers from)
5. Have fun!

The questions....
Favorites of 2015...

Movie (post the trailer):
Hmm...I really don't know!

TV Show (post the trailer):
I can't think of any one I watched.

Book: I read the Chronicles of Narnia and Little Women-- loved 'em both!

Song (post that too because then we can listen to it): "It Was Beautiful" by the Gothard Sisters

Band: My favourite band (as always) is the Gothard Sisters. :)
Music Artist: I suppose the Gothard Sisters count for this, too. ;)

A year in review....

Something I accomplished in 2015...
Reading the Chronicles of Narnia and hosting my first blog link-up. :)

Something I hope to accomplish next year...
I hope to finish my stories. :) And also reach my goal from this year of reading 100 books.

Go ahead and post 3 favorite candid shots from 2015...
Do nature pictures count for candid? Well, anyway, here are 4 of my favourite nature pictures (I couldn't pick just 3).

What is some things you did that you always said that you'd never do?

Nothing comes to mind at the moment.

What I look forward to in 2016:
I don't know if I have anything specific I'd like to accomplish. I do look forward to continuing to develop my talents and maybe gain a few new ones. I look forward to all the exciting adventures that 2016 will bring.

Sweater Weather Tag

Photos by my sister. :)

Hullo, good friends!

Kara did the "Sweater Weather" tag on her blog, and it looked fun so I thought I'd go along and do it as well. :) Join in and answer the questions on your blog or in a comment!

1. Favourite candle scent: Hmmm. . .I'm not sure if a have a specific favourite.

2. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? Herbal tea, thank you!

3. What's the best fall memory you have? Playing in the leaves with my sibling, and having lovely Thanksgivings.

4. Best fragrance for fall: Oh, you know that smell when you step out the door and all the smells become combined, so as the best way to describe it is simply "Autumn time!"? Mmm-hmm, that one. And also, Thanksgiving meal being cooked. ☺

5. Most worn sweater: I do have sweaters, but more frequently wear a long-sleeved shirt instead.

6. Football games or jumping in leaf piles? Definitely jumping in leaf piles. Wee! ;)

7. Skinny jeans or leggings? Leggings under a skirt.

8. Combat boots or Uggs? I haven't had either, and therefore have no preference beside to say both look nice and comfy.

9. Is pumpkin spice worth the hype? . . .Maybe. ;)

10. Favourite fall TV show: None.

11. What do you want to be for Halloween? Well, it already happened and I prefer to call it "Autumn Costume Festival". . .and so I was a medieval princess for Autumn Costume Festival.

12. Hats or scarves? Both are good. :)

13. What's your #1 favourite thing about fall? Beautiful leaves, harvest time, service, and snuggling under the covers after a chilly day. ♥

Hope your November has been brill so far! :)

With love,
S. F.

A Quote, an Invitation, and a Question

Well, well! Here we are at the end of another month. I hope you've had a most beautiful October.

As the title says, I have a quote, an invitation and a question.

 I found the quote whilst reading the writings of Laura Ingalls Willder. I thought it was lovely, so I wanted to share it.

"As we go about our daily tasks, the world will seem lighter if we enjoy the beautiful things that are just are outside our doors and windows. 

 It pays to go to the top of the hill now and then to see the view. . .forgetting that we are in a hurry or that there is such a thing as a clock in the world.  You are 'so busy'! Oh, yes, I know it! We are all busy, 

but what are we living for anyway, and why is the world so beautiful if not for us? 

. . . The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes, and surely it is in the everyday things around us that the beauty of life lies."

~Laura Ingalls Wilder.

 And the invitation is this: KBR Ministries is hosting their "Give Thanks X7" challenge in November, and all are invited!

To participate, you simply have to record at least 7 things each day in the month of November that you are grateful for. More information >>HERE<<

Last but not least, my question is. . .would you be interested if I hosted a photo challenge?

That's all for now!
Keep smiling,
S. F.

Two Years Have Rolled By

Who'd of thought? Two years (and a day) have passed since I started "On Solid Ground" and officially became S. F.! October 1st 2013 is a day to always be remembered. ☺
It most certainly has been two lovely, brilliant, joyful, and adventurous years. :) Thank you so much, everyone, for making this blogging experience of mine a fun one! It wouldn't be the same without YOU. :)
I am so grateful to the Lord for giving me these amazing opportunities. ♥
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; … for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
~ Colosians 3:23–24

A collection of: past and current blog banners, past and current prophile pictures, and my 'signature image.'

 An Accounting of Numbers:
1 happy girl, 2 years, 4 designs, 4 pages, 5 awards/tags, 6 prophile pictures, 19 followers, 33 labels, 62 published posts, 370 comments, 6054 total page views.

Top 5 Most Popular Posts:
1.Drum Roll, Please  2.The Blogger Recognition Award  3.Start at the beginning, of course!  4.Sunshine Award  5.Now Summer Ends. . .

 Now, last year I hid 10 "We stand. . .On Solid Ground" images (see below) in various posts for ya'll to find. . .and only Les found them. :) So here's another chance to find all ten images and leave a separate comment to report the posts they're in. Go!
(Note: they are only in posts between October 2014 and October 2013.)

Here's the image to find:

Well, now we go marching on into the next year of this blog. May it be a blessed one for all of us.

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

Once and Only Once

Just a little (or rather, not very little) thought. . . 

Photo © S. F.

"Through this toilsome world, alas!

Once and only once I pass;

If a kindness I may show,

If a good deed I may do

To a suffering fellow man,

Let me do it while I can.

No delay, for it is plain

I shall not pass this way again."

~ Unknown

The Things That Make Me, Me

Dear readers,

Since you cannot really know who I am completely know who I really am (for not even I know myself,) I have come up wit a collection of the little things that me, me, with pictures I found on Pinterest (lovely place, isn't it?).

Here you are:

The Things That Make Me, Me:

It sure is. I would love to spend a whole day out of doors.

I love hedgehogs. SO. CUTE.

A turtle. Reading. How much better can you describe me?

It's a hobbit of mine. :)

*drooling* A shortcut to mushrooms. *drooling*

The Gothard Sisters are the best!

I love that moment!

This is brilliant and so true.

*dreamy sigh* Autumn time.

Bilbo Baggins is my favourite Middle-earth-ite.

Violets in the rain. ♥ both.

Zinnias!

Who could not adore turtles?

It's a fun life. Really. What do you do?

There you have it. A little look at me, though you knew most of that already.