We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Posts for Easter and an Award

I can't believe I've had this blog for over a year now! It seems only yesterday I was celebrating my first Easter with all of you. I am so, so blessed to have such a lovely and supportive blogging community right here at my fingertips! Thank you all for being so kind.

Speaking of kindness, I have been nominated for the Liebster Award again, this time by IrishAG!

Now, since I've done this before I won't tag anybody this time around or come up with new questions. If you want to say I've tagged you, go right ahead. Feel free to reuse these questions, too. :)

IrishAG's Questions:

1. What flavor of Neapolitan ice cream is your favorite?

Chocolate. Always. All the chocolate.

2. Do you like wearing messy buns or two braids better?

I prefer two braids. I think MyLittleMegara would go ballistic if I restyled my hair, anyway.

3. Do you like Valentine's Day or Halloween better?

Valentine's Day. Chocolate and spending time with special people are two of my favorite things, so combining them is just about the best thing ever.

4. Would you rather go to Brazil or France for vacation?

I think France would be nice. I like French food (pastries and chocolate and such.)

5. If you could have one Disney Princess dress, what one would you choose?

Other than the one I have, I'd love this dress of Ariel's:

Google Images

6. Would you rather have an animal print coat or a stripey one?

I'd love a green striped coat.

7. Who is your favorite villain?

I'd have to say that I really love the classic Disney Maleficent. She's such a gorgeous design.

8. What is your favorite solid color to paint your nails?

I don't like nail polish. The smell gives me a headache.

9. What would your dream socks look like?

Pale green with the rosemaling from my skirt printed on them.

10. Sausage or bacon?

Bacon!

11. Would you rather have snowflake or tropical flower printed pants?

Why not both?

Thank you, everyone! My next post should be up soon. :)

-Anna

November 16, 2015

According to MyLittleMegara, this is the time of year that we should be especially thankful. I don't know what makes this time any better for gratefulness than any other, but I can tell you one thing I'm glad for - I got to go back outside today!

It was right in the afternoon when the sun starts to come down in the sky and set everything aglow.

Despite the air's chill, I was overjoyed to be outside again.

This tree may have shed its leaves, but I still think it is lovely.

The sky was the same pale blue as my shirt!

I could've stayed outside forever.

Suddenly, something lying on the ground caught my attention.

I went over to investigate and found a dry, curled up leaf.

For some reason, I found it fascinating. That same leaf had been vibrant and green when I was last outside. Now it was small and crunchy and brown.

I studied it for a few moments before going back inside where Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven were waiting.
-Anna

October 8, 2015

In late September, I found out that Kristoff could play the Lute. Once I had that knowledge, I made it my mission to convince him to play for me. After several weeks, he finally broke down and agreed.

It was unbelievable! I couldn't believe my ears. I had expected a nice, amateur sound to come out of Kristoff's instrument. Instead, a beautiful, heartfelt melody flew from his fingers. Simple, but rich in tone.

When he finished, I clapped, then looked him dead in the eyes. "That was fantastic."

"Thank you," Kristoff said seriously.

I opened my mouth, about to say something else when a voice broke into our conversation.

"HEY GUYS!"

It was Olaf.

"Guys, I have to show you this!"

I laughed. "What is it?"

"No," Olaf shouted, "you have to come down here!"

Kristoff and I climbed off of the cabinet and followed the little snowman,

"Look," Olaf whispered, breaking our chain and picking something up off of the ground.

Kristoff and I exchanged a quick glance, then took the paper from him.

"Oh my gosh," I breathed.

"This is you," Kristoff sounded somewhat awestruck.

In our hands was a beautiful portrait of... me.

"Meritre sent it to MyLittleMegara in an email," Olaf explained. "Meritre drew it herself!"

I was stunned speechless. Imagine that somebody enjoyed my blog enough to actually draw a picture of me!

"Well," I said when I finally could, "There's only one way I can think of to really show our thanks." I told the boys my plan, and we got MyLittleMegara to take this picture.

Meritre, thank you so so so so SO MUCH!

-Anna

Liebster Award

I am so honored to have been chosen by Ani for the Liebster Award!

The rules are: I have to answer the questions, come up with ten of my own, and nominate other bloggers with under 200 followers. This shouldn't be too hard...

If you could have any literature, movie, or TV show character’s wardrobe, who would it be?

Ariel from The Little Mermaid. I love her dresses (not so much her shells.)

Where would you most like to vacation (it can be fictional)?

I'd love to go to Corona, the kingdom from Tangled.

If you could take a class on anything, what would you teach?

If I could take one? Singing. I've always wanted to be able to. If I could teach one? Fairy tales!

What’s your favorite flower?

Ever since I saw them when I went outside, I really love tulips.

What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Chocolate!

If you were a Disney princess, what would you be?

Anna, I guess. I sort of am her, but then I'm also not, so... 

What’s your favorite breakfast?

Breakfast sandwiches!

What’s your favorite kind of weather?

Sunny and cheerful and warm, so I can go outside!

If you had a $10,000 giftcard to any store, what store would it be?

The Disney Store. Buy ALL THE TSUM TSUMS!

What’s your ideal music playlist?

Disney music played instrumentally.

I nominate: Winnie at Winnie's World and Queen Elsa at A Doll's Life for Me!

Your questions are:

1. If you could be an animal, what would you want to be and why?

2. What is your favorite kind of tea (if you have one)?

3. Would you rather where fuzzy socks or cute sandals?

4. What is your favorite memory from blogging?

5. Do you have a hidden talent?

6. How were you found/ purchased?

7. How do you feel about thrift stores?

8. What is your favorite thing to learn about?

9. What is your favorite song?

10. What Disney moment makes you cry?

Thank you Ani and good luck to my new awardees!

-Anna

September 3, 2015

"It's still cloudy!" I exclaimed as I gazed out the window at the steely blue gray sky.

 



"I've waited and waited to go outside, but it just stays cloudy." Sighing, I turned from the window. A friendly face greeted my dissappointed one.

"I bet I could - erm, that is, I have an idea to make staying inside more bearable," Kristoff said sincerely.

 





I couldn't help but cheer up at the sight of my friend. Taking his hand, I let him lead me to Sven and Olaf.





"Okay," Kristoff addressed us, "Who here is up for some free reindeer rides?"

"Oh, that is so me," Olaf exclaimed. Kristoff shot him a look that I couldn't quite decipher. "Oh! Right! Umm, Anna, you should go first."

"I guess I will! Thank you, Kristoff." I perched on Sven's back and hooked my feet through the straps on his harness; Kristoff led us as our guide with Olaf right beside him.

 

Together, we walked all over the first floor. Talking, laughing... just generally enjoying each others' company.

It felt wonderful to spend more time with the people (doll, snowman, and reindeer) that I care most about without any distractions. I even forgot that I was stuck inside! We walked around until dark, when I noticed that Sven was getting tired, so I patted his hea and hopped off.

 

"Hey, Kristoff... thank you." I patted him on the shoulder.

I had this sudden, insne urge to hug him. After all, he had just made my day! I put my arms up and stepped towards him...

 



... then thought better of it. Kristoff wouldn't like that. It would seem forward, or maybe even flirtatious, which was NOT how I wanted to come across. Quickly, I pulled back and turned away.

"You're welcome," he answered quietly. Funny, he almost sounded sad.

"I... should go," I stammered. And that was the end of that.

-Anna

August 19, 2015

I am thrilled to announce the second Just Anna Book Club meeting! Olaf and I will be discussing two new books this time (and once again there may be spoilers.) Ready to go?

My book was Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix and Olaf's was If You Met Snow White by Margo Lundell.

Me: Why did you pick this book, Olaf?

Olaf: Well, when you read that Snow White book last time I wanted to learn more about her character so I decided to read this.

Me: I can't believe I inspired you, that's so great! Okay, what was your favorite part?

Olaf: I love the picture of Snow wading.

Olaf: What got you to read Just Ella?

Me: MyLittleMegara actually met the author and was very excited about it. I overheard her talking about it and asked if I could borrow it. I'm glad I did!

Olaf: What did you like the best?

Me: I loved the part near the end where Ella realizes how wrong she's been about palace life and decides to take her destiny into her own hands, making the best out of an awful situation.

Have you read either of these books? Do you have suggestions for next time? Answer in comments and remember -- thank you so much for joining us at the Just Anna Book Club!

-Anna

August 4, 2015

It was evening, and Olaf and I had spent a nice day laughing and reading and exploring and playing games. After our wonderful adventures, we had climbed up onto the mantel and were settling in for a nice long chat when I began to gesture wildly while speaking. (I do this sometimes, and often find it embarrassing.)

My motions became too flamboyant and I lost my balance. Rather than stopping my fall, my stand caught my leg and, as I wrenched it away, I fell off of the small ledge.

In the space of one second, I thought that this was what it must be like to be Alice in Wonderland, but without a watch bearing rabbit and a certain destination other than painful splat. No sooner had I thought of said "splat" than my fall was broken by something warm and firm. Actually, two somethings. Like... arms?

My eyes flew open and locked onto a pair of deep brown ones, concernedly watching my face. Preparing to say something witty or intelligent to this strange new doll holding me, I opened my mouth.

"Thanks," I said stupidly, "that was like a crazy trust exercise or something." Was now really the moment to quote Olaf?!?!?

Suddenly, I realized that my arm was around the other doll's neck.

Before I could say anything else ridiculous, I moved my arm.

"Oh!" The blonde doll said, helping me sit on his... his what, exactly? Upon closer inspection, I discovered that I was sitting on a plush reindeer.

"You aren't hurt, are you?"

"No, I'm Anna! Er, I'm fine," I stammered as the Kristoff doll let go of me. In the process our hands met. It was unnerving and wonderful and terrifying and over before I could decide how I really felt about it.

"Well, um, I'm Kristoff and this is Sven," Kristoff said, gesturing to the reindeer who was functioning as my seat. Sven greeted me in reindeer noises so I scratched between his antlers.

"He seems to like you," Kristoff remarked.

"You think so? Well, I like hi-"

"HEADS UP!" A shout broke through my sentence as Olaf jumped off of the mantel and landed next to me, upside down, on Sven.

"Wow, a reindeer," he exclaimed while righting himself. "What's his name?"

"Sven," Kristoff and I chorused, then laughed. I smiled up at him. 

"What do you call the reindeer, Sven?"

"... Yes..." Kristoff said.

"That's so narcissistic, naming a reindeer after yourself. Sven and Sven. Or... WAIT! Do you call him Yes?"

"Wait, what?" Kristoff asked, looking utterly confused.

"Olaf, the reindeer is named Sven. But the blonde guy is named Kristoff," I explained.

"Oh, wow. I really messed that up, didn't I? Sorry, Kristoff!"

"It's fine," Kristoff answered. "Anna, how do you feel?"

"Pretty good, considering I just fell out of the sky," I joked.

"Do you think you can stand?" Kristoff still seemed very concerned.

"Yeah, I think so." The concern was cute and mildly distressing.

He helped me to my feet and kept one hand at my back, supporting me gently.

I was amazed at how that one action had the power to rid me of any normal thought. 

"Thanks again," I mumbled, pulling away.

"No problem."

"I... erm... unh... I should go. I have to, umm, do... things..." I wished I could just stop talking! Wincing, I walked away. I couldn't stop myself from looking back, though. 

Maybe I could get to know this Kristoff doll better...

-Anna