Snowpocalypse 2012

Yes, once again it has snowed in the Portland area, which, of course means everyone stops what they're doing and freaks out.
So, today I went out in the snow, all bundled up in waterproof and warm clothing, hugged a few snowy ducks and tried sledding in various things, such as a severely broken laundry basket, the back of a folding chair and a kiddie pool (none of which worked). Then, I went inside, because snow started blowing into my ear and I saw my brother walking toward me with an ominously huge snowball. Inside, I took of my waterproof gear and started drying off. Then, I decided to take pictures of the ducks in the snow, their webbed footprints and other snowy things. I threw on a sweater and opted not to get back into my waterproof attire. After all, it wasn't like I was going to try to sled in a laundry basket again.
I went outside, and got the pictures. All was well. Then, as I walked back toward the house, there was a patch without snow and with mud and.... well you can guess what happened. Epic fail!

Now I'm sitting here listening to huge piles of snow slide off my roof and onto the deck. Here are the pictures I risked life and limb for. Enjoy.


Our Yard.


Webbed footprints


Evidence that man walked with ducks


Ducks in the snow!

Keep on glowing in the dark,
Elora
p.s. Special thanks to Branden for the name of this post ;)

How to Decorate a Notebook

Last time on Behind the Stone Door...
I showed you how to make a cool looking composition book with a magazine picture or scrapbook page and made mention of another post, including more ways to decorate a notebook. This is that post!!! (cue dramatic music.)

These are some other cool looking designs I've done on the front of composition books:

-Top left: I cut up an old music sheet from my church choir and pasted the pieces on top of a nice piece of scrapbook paper.
-Top right: I cut out interesting pictures and words from magazines and put them in a collage pattern on the front of the book.
-Bottom left: I doodled all over a plain piece of white paper and glued it to the front of a spiral notebook. I use this one to take notes at school!
-Bottom right: First, I laid a magazine full page picture on the cover. Then I put a blank piece of colored paper on the bottom half. Finally I added ribbon,pressed flowers and newspaper clippings and covered it with Mod Podge.
If you have any ideas for cool notebook covers to share, post a comment.I'd love to try it!
Keep on glowing in the dark,
Elora

Make Your Own Christmas Gifts!

Hey everyone,
I'm back! Now that it's only five days until Christmas, I thought I would share some Christmas gift ideas I have enjoyed making. Most of these are pretty quick and cheap. They turn out especially cool if you have Mod Podge glue. You can buy it for about five dollars at a craft store or at Fred Meyer.
This first one is my favorite. I love making these cool looking notebooks with scrapbook paper, magazine pictures and other things.
You will need:
- A composition book or spiral notebook (composition books work better)
- Mod Podge Glue
- Something to spread the glue with
- Scissors
- A full page picture from a magazine,a piece of scrapbook paper, or any other paper you think would be cool.


Step 1: Cut the picture or page to fit the cover of the notebook. Make sure the edge lines up with the tape binding, but does not cover it.

Step 2: Spread glue over the cover of the notebook. Place the picture carefully over the glue. Flatten out all wrinkles and bubbles.

When the picture looks right on the cover, spread another coat of Mod Podge over it. Let the Mod Podge dry for about 30 min, then your notebook is ready to use!


These notebooks make a great gift for just about anyone, but especially for teachers, friends who like to write , or evil scientists, (they can use it for a lab book!) Check out my next post for some more ways to decorate a notebook cover.
Keep on glowing in the dark,
Elora

This Time Last Year

At this time last year, November 13th, 2010 at approximately 2:30...

- My brother was playing his championship football game against Hillsboro.

-Olivia from our group in Hillsboro was busy winning the primary division finals at the National Bible Bee.

-I was in the heat of my black belt test.

I got invited to Nationals last year, but I didn't go. I had a bunch of inner turmoil about it at the time, because I never expected to be invited to Nationals. Unfortunately, my black belt test was at the same time, on the same day, on the other side of the country. I had to make the decision to do my black belt test, because I had been working toward it for so long.

Now I see how God is working out everything in His timing. I was supposed to go to my black belt test last year and learn the things I learned and be a light to the people around me. But this year, I'm supposed to go to the Bible Bee.

I guess all that turmoil wasn't really necessary. He knows what He's doing. And I can't wait to see what He has next for me.

Keep on glowing in the dark,

Elora

Re:Creation

Right now, I am listening to Steven Curtis Chapman's new album Re:Creation. It just came out today. He "recreated" some of his old hits and, of course wrote some new songs. It is really great and I highly suggest it! (Yes, I was counting down the days/hours/minutes to its release.)
Keep on glowing on the dark,
Elora

My First Rejection Slip

I was actually kind of excited to get this today. I probably won't feel that way next time, but for now, I'll try again and see what happens then.
(Ha ha ha! Now I'm an official writer!)
Keep on glowing in the dark,
Elora

Windowsill Garden

When I grow up, I want to be.....

I decided to plant some flowers this spring,(mostly inspired by biology class). Since it is so cold outside, they're in my windowsill. It's exciting watching them start to grow,(and interesting from a scientific perspectie too)! The top picture is some wildflowers and the bottom are sweet pea plants.

Tonight

Tonight:
-I helped my friend Mikayla with her homework.
-I finished writing a story called, "Back to Light".
-I went to Taekwondo and started learning my Black Belt form.....
That's right, my BLACK BELT FORM!!!!!
Indeed, I made it through 51/2 of testing on Saturday. Master Lee tied my black belt at about 5:30. I almost cried. It was an awesome day!

Keep on glowing in the dark,
Elora

500

On Wednesday night, I finished memorizing my verses for the Bible Bee!
It was about eleven at night, when I laid down on the bed and declared, "I memorized 500 verses this Summer!!" Then, with a little less glee, I got up and reminded myself, "now I have to review them all." I can't believe the Bible Bee is next Saturday! Aaaaaaaggghhhh!!!!!
Yep, welcome to my summer...
Keep on glowing in the dark,
Elora

Weeks, Not days!

Our local Christian radio station is putting on a concert with a bunch of Christian artists on August 28th. They've been advertising it all summer, but now, I think they're a little too excited.
Just the other day I heard a commercial that said FishFest, (The concert), was only a few days away. In reality, it is still a few weeks away.
It freaked me out for a second, though, not because I am going to the concert, but because the Bible Bee is on that same day.
It can't be in a few days, I still have verses to finish!
Weeks, The Fish. Weeks, not days.
Keep on glowing in the dark,
Elora

Almost Distressing....

I finished the library summer reading program today! My grand total of minutes read....(drum roll please)..... 2280 minutes! Yeah, I know what you're thinking, "Did you do anything else this summer??!!" Don't worry, I did. I memorized Bible verses.
It was only 38 hours of my summer that I read for:)
Keep on glowing in the dark,
Elora

What I Did Yesterday

I went to the post office and stuck an envelope in the drop box.
If that doesn't sound very hard to you, let me explain more about the envelope. In it, I had two of my stories called "Pictures" and "Our Victories". I sent them off to a magazine called Stone Soup hoping that they would use them for their publication. That was kind of nerve-racking, even though all I did was put an envelope in a mailbox.
I'm so exited! I'm so nervous! But, then again, I am Elora.
Keep on glowing in the dark,
Elora

Can You Believe it?

Stores always put up seasonal stuff too early. Just the other day, I was in Target and they have school supplies already. It's not time for summer to end! I haven't even been to camp yet!
At least they haven't put up the Christmas stuff yet.....
Keep on glowing in the dark,
Elora

Short Short Stories

That is, as opposed to long short stories, which I usually write. Not right now, though.
I am so exited! From April 27th to May 27th, I wrote 9 short stories. Thay take up no more than both sides of two sheets of notebook paper. Trust me, for me that is short. I'll type some up and get them on here as soon as I can.
Keep on glowing in the dark,
Elora

p.s. I'll probablly put up the Christmas one in the middle of summer. ;)

I'm Done!!!!!

Yes, finally. I thought I was done with the school year at the beginning of this month, when I finished my regular schoolwork, but then I had to finish stuff for AWANA and homeschool co-op. I also had Rosetta Stone and a geography class. Finally, I did a speech about Chinese language at a culture symposium. I just finished that tonight, and now I'm DONE with 8th grade!!!!!

oh wait, that means I'm in High school........

Anyway, hopefully I'll be able to blog and work on my book more this summer.

Keep on glowing in the dark,
Elora

Meritorious Award

I just got this award tonight in AWANA! It is for finishing the two Jr. High AWANA books. I was surprized that it is so big! Next year I will start doing the High School books.
Keep on glowing in the dark,
Elora

8 projects

This week at school, I had 8 projects. Unfortunately, my teacher is coming over on Thursday, so I had to finish all 8 papers by then. I just got them finished today. I feel very victorious!!
Keep on glowing in the dark,
Elora

Camps, Camps,Camps!

I haven't blogged in a long time,(which you've probably noticed). Since I haven't been blogging, you'd probably like to know what I have been doing. Well, I've been helping out at camps! First, I was a Jr. counselor at Kaleidoscope, which was a kid's drama camp at our church. Then I was a Jr. counselor at Camp Tillikum, the elementary school camp at our church. My summer has been very exciting so far, and there is still more to come, ( like our church Jr. High summer camp).


Keep on glowing in the dark,
Elora

The Cow Escaped!!!!!!!!

Sorry I haven't blogged in so long, it's hard to get used to the summer schedule. Anyway, I had a very exciting night tonight. First, I went to Taekwondo and I did really good at dodge ball. Then, I went to choir practice( I actually figured out most of my part tonight). When I got home it seemed to be an ordinary night, but then , the craziest thing happened!
Our next door neighbor has seven cows, and one of them got into our yard!!!!!! All the guys at our house and the neighbors came over and tried to lasso it. Then my mom, our friend and I came out to help them block the baby cow from running away from them. Finally, they caught her and got her into the truck and drove back over to the neighbors house. It was really strange, (and kind of exciting)!
Keep on glowing in the dark,

Look What I Broke!

Explanation: I took a Taekwondo test today, ( don't worry, I don't go around breaking peoples decorated wood planks on a regular basis) . It's also the explanation for why I walked into choir practice with a Taekwondo uniform on! I passed the test, so now I am a Blue Sr. belt!

keep on glowing in the dark,