painting leaves. pies. and surprises.

two weeks ago i got to be a part of planning a surprise birthday party for one of my dearest friends, maddy. at first it was to be a picnic...but then it rained...so it was changed into an indoor picnic/tea party. the night before the "big day" i remembered my promise of producing two pies for the event. so at 11pm as it was raining and everyone had gone to bed...i stayed up baking pies. it was kind of the most peaceful, happy moment of my life. next time it's late and it starts to rain...i'm totally baking some pies.

   the next day, after church, i drove maddy to my house and we painted leaves as her mother and sister rushed home to set up the party at *her* house. i'm just going to say...those were probably the most stressful hours of my life. i HATE keeping secrets...so it was hard not to burst as we were painting leaves and she was talking about still trying to figure out what to do for her birthday. she was...clueless.

after splashing in some mud-puddles, i drove her home. she wanted to go into the house through the garage...and i, knowing everyone was by the front door ready to yell "surprise" made up a silly excuse of not liking to go through other people's garages because it made me feel awkward. somehow she believed me...and we walked through the front door. everyone yelled. someone grabbed her from the side. she squealed. and i began to shake violently because it was over.

the party was a hit. she was surprised. and i was exhausted. but it was so worth it...!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY BEAUTIFUL, WHIMSICAL FRIEND!!

goodbye summer internship.

this summer i had the most AMAZING experience interning at casa manana. i learned more than i could have imagined. i met wonderful people. and i really strengthened my love and appreciation for theatre (and especially the people that work behind the scenes).

it would be impossible to fully describe what all i participated in...but here's a little sampling.

betty buckley awards: i was smiled at by a famous person. and taped microphones on stranger's faces. 

dark week: i helped clean hundreds of stage lights. swept the stage more times than i could count. helped with a deep clean of the costume warehouse. helped clean the set shop. saved a baby bird and was nearly killed by a hobo (...possible exaggeration).

into the woods jr camp: acted as assistant stage manager (ASM) for a week. helped fit costumes. was a backstage quick change helper. fixed hair, did pincurls, and put on wigs.

AND secret garden: helped fit and alter costumes for the show. quick change helper, again. helped with wigs (WAY TOO MUCH FUN!!)

ryleigh came to see a show of secret garden. so sweet.

i'm hoping (and have been asked) to go back soon and help again in costumes.

however, i won't be able to until january.

why?

i'm busy with another show right now...

what is it...?

well...that's a secret...until tomorrow, that is.

xo, rebecca jane

p.s. don't you love suspense?

a painting. (i feel famous!)

this april, at the last civil war reenactment i attended, i was asked to pose for a painting.

i was mounted on to a demon horse (in costume!!) and sat ready to have some pictures taken.

i haven't seen the actual painting until last night!!

it is so incredible and detailed.

LOVE IT!!

i kind of feel famous...

:D

this is one of the pictures taken while we posed.

SUCH FUN!

for the story behind the painting (about the nellie and melvina grandstaff saving the ediburg, va mill) you can go here.

i think it's terribly fascinating!!

xo, rebecca jane

p.s. i'm the one in the hat ;)

puppy dog.

little millie has become my new little companion. 

as i type this she is napping in my lap.

millie bug is the sweetest, lovable, cuddly pup around

she enjoys sleeping on my projects.

eating my pencils...while i'm trying to write.

getting terribly comfortable in the middle of my bed...while i get a little edge.

but i can deal with it...

we love little millie and she is the perfect addition to our family.

is she not the cutest thing EVER?!

xo, rebecca jane

p.s. to you puppy owners out there: we are having a little trouble potty training...suggestions??

horrible histories...teehee

my new favorite online videos are "horrible histories" on youtube.

there's about a thousand of them.

but these are my favorites.

OH SO FUNNY!!

getting to know you! :)

i've been seeing these floating around and thought it would be such fun to write one!

soooo...a-z about me.

(would love to hear yours too!)

A. Age: 17

B. Bed size: Twin! (with a lovely quilt and big fluffy comforter...in case you wanted to know)

C. Chore that you hate: laundry...oh laundry. and folding socks (CURSE YOU SOCK MONSTER!!)

D. Dogs: we have a new puppy named millie. she is my pride and joy.

E. Essential start to your day: lately it's been a small puppy darting all across my room...very pleasant...

F. Favorite color: yellow. yellow. yellow.

G. Gold or Silver: uhm...gold i suppose! it has a more vintage feel to it, i think. (and is very similar to YELLOW!)

H. Height: 5’3" not terribly short unless around tall people.

I. Instruments you play: let's see guitar, fiddle, clarinet, and ukulele.

J. Job title: student...up and coming seamstress and photographer

K. Kids: i hope to have many! someday. :)

L. Live: TEXAS...where everything is larger than life.

M. Mother’s name: eve...like adam and eve...though it's supposed to be pronounced evie.

N. Nicknames: becka, becky, becky sue sue, becs, rebe, and rebeccabellaruski (little sister...don't ask)

O. Overnight hospital stays: about two weeks in south america...an IV in one hand and i had just broken my arm, so a cast on the other. miserable...miserable.

P. Pet peeves: going up the down side of the staircase is one...but i have oh so many more.

Q. Quote from a movie: "i'm not saying she was very silly...but one of us was very silly...and it wasn't me." wives and daughters. probably one of my favorite movies EVER.

R. Right or left handed: right!

S. Siblings: an older brother, two older sisters, and a younger sister. (plus a sister-in-law...if that counts)

U. Umbrellas: i really really REALLY want a bright yellow umbrella. really a lot.

V. Vegetable you hate: sweet potatoes. GAG ME WITH A SPOON!

W. What makes you run late: picking out something to wear. oy.

X. X-Rays you’ve had: teeth. foot. arm.

Y. Yummy food that you make: cookie dough cupcakes are my best and my favorite. and pumpkin cookies. and MINI PIES!! yesssss.

Z. Zoo animal: llamas and camels. squee! i love them so.

i love making lists and filling out questionnaires.

and i would love to hear your a-z's and get to know you better!

please share a link in the comments section if you do it too! :)

xo, rebecca jane

p.s. it's 60 degrees outside today...and i couldn't be happier!!!

p.p.s. michelle is having a birthday party tomorrow...nancy drew style...mom and i are working on creating a mystery for them to solve...it's going to be fabulous.

the search for the perfect pup.

my little sister michelle is turning 10 in a few days and what she wanted more than anything else was a pet.

we narrowed down "a pet" to "a puppy"

and we narrowed down "a puppy" to three very special pups.

pup 1 (above) was a pound puppy.

so very cute and sweet...

unfortunately we had no way of knowing how big she was going to get, and we were really wanting a tiny dog.

pups two and three (above) were cute little papillion pups.

they have the biggest ears...and are just precious!

i don't know if you've ever heard of a papillion...but apparently they're a very old breed...and it seems that marie antoinette had one that went all the way to the guillotine with her.

(no they didn't guillotine the pup too.)

p.s. we got puppy three. her name is millie and she is a doll...we've had a LOT of different dogs, but this one is already definitely in the top three!