Proper Andi Part 2

Posted on April 17, 2019 by Emily Annesley

This is the second of a four-part fan fiction story based on the characters of author Susan K. Marlow’s Circle C Adventures. This story also won first place in the 14-17 age category of Mrs. Marlow’s annual short story contest. ‘Proper Andi’ is meant to fill the gap between Mrs. Marlow’s ‘Andrea Carter and the San Francisco Smugglers’, and ‘Andrea Carter and the Trouble with Treasure’, dealing specifically with Andi’s struggle with growing up, and still doing the things she loves…which don’t happen to be considered ‘proper’.

“Welcome home!” The whole family stood smiling on the platform of the train station.

Andi smiled and waved a delicately gloved hand at them. She descended from the train straight into her mother’s arms.

Andi felt tears well up and she sniffed quickly. Fashionable ladies didn’t cry in the middle of a public place.

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When I Don’t Write, and Why I Need To

Posted on April 13, 2019 by Emily Annesley

I hit a slump in my writing recently. In journaling, and blogging, and story writing.

And then I noticed I started to feel really purposeless. I wasn’t fulfilled, or happy with where I was at. Last night I broke out my journal again and started to explain to myself what was going on in my life…and all of a sudden I felt better.

For me, journaling organizes me. My mind and imagination need regular maintenance, and writing is the way I take care of them.

When I don’t write, my mind starts to clutter, like a room that needs cleaned, and I start to lose the things I need (i.e. my sanity and story ideas). By picking up a pen and facing my emotions, sorting them out, toning them down, throwing some out and encouraging others, I can get back to where I want to be. Some people might call writing a sort of therapy for me, but I just consider it to be the way I was made. Writing is a part of me, and I shouldn’t let it slide.

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Proper Andi Part 1

Posted on April 10, 2019 by Emily Annesley

This is the first of a four-part fan fiction story based on the characters of author Susan K. Marlow’s Circle C Adventures. This story also won first place in the 14-17 age category of Mrs. Marlow’s annual short story contest. ‘Proper Andi’ is meant to fill the gap between Mrs. Marlow’s ‘Andrea Carter and the San Francisco Smugglers’, and ‘Andrea Carter and the Trouble with Treasure’, dealing specifically with Andi’s struggle with growing up, and still doing the things she loves…which don’t happen to be considered ‘proper’.

San Joaquin Valley, California, late spring 1881

Andi crashed into her room at Miss Whitaker’s school for young ladies and jumped onto her bed.

Jenny slammed the door behind them and gave a wild-cat yell that made Andi shiver. “No more school!”

Andi flung her pillow at her, and Jenny reached for her own. She whacked at Andi until the seam in one of the pillows came open and a few feathers floated out. They stopped and looked at each other sheepishly.

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Make Your Own Skin-toner

Posted on April 5, 2019 by Emily Annesley

I use this twice a day, and it has really made a difference in how often I get breakouts. It has also made my skin softer and smoother. Just apply after you wash your face, let it absorb into the skin and then use whatever moisturizer you like.

Ingredients: Apple Cider Vinegar, Filtered Water, and pure Lavender Essential Oils*.

Instructions: Combine one part Apple Cider Vinegar and two parts Filtered Water (I think I did like 1/3 Cup ACV and 2/3 Cup water). Shake in a few drops of Lavender Oil (not too much, I probably did five to seven drops), put into a cute bottle, and store at room temp. Done!

*Make sure the Lavender is pure, and safe for you to use directly on your skin.

I found this recipe on the blog ‘Don’t Mess With Mama’ under DIY facial toner. She has variations of the recipe for different skin types and a bunch of other cool DIY stuff, so check her out.

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Assumptions and Apologies Part 5 (Conclusion)

Posted on April 3, 2019 by Emily Annesley

This is the conclusion of a 5-part fan fiction short story based on the characters of author Susan K. Marlow’s Circle C Adventures and Circle C Milestones. This story details the courtship of Chad Carter and Ellianna Coulter. Enjoy!

The children filed into the schoolroom, dressed in their best.  Ellie tried to push the butterflies in her stomach to one side, but they kept rising up into her throat.  She tapped the ruler on her desk. “Please be seated.”  The students sat in the front row and stared at their teacher.

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Assumptions and Apologies Part 4

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Emily Annesley

This is the fourth of a 5-part fan fiction short story based on the characters of author Susan K. Marlow’s Circle C Adventures and Circle C Milestones. This story details the courtship of Chad Carter and Ellianna Coulter. Enjoy!

That Sunday, Ellie didn’t go out to the ranch.  The boarding house was still and dreary.  Ellie graded final exam papers and organized the upcoming Exhibition, but her heart wasn’t in it.  Her argument with Chad weighed heavily on her heart. How would it end?

All week, she washed clothes, cleaned her room, and thought.  Maybe she hadn’t been understanding.  Under all his rough exterior, Chad was kind.  The memory of her harsh words snapped back at her jeeringly.  What a fool she was.  She had done exactly what she had accused him of.  Instead of asking nicely, she had tossed around orders and told him what to do; acted like she knew everything.  No wonder Chad responded the way he did. 

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Assumptions and Apologies Part 3

Posted on March 20, 2019 by Emily Annesley

This is the third of a 5-part fan fiction short story based on the characters of author Susan K. Marlow’s Circle C Adventures and Circle C Milestones. This story details the courtship of Chad Carter and Ellianna Coulter. Enjoy!

When Ellie came down for supper, she met Chad in the dinning room.  He nodded a greeting and sat down at the table.  Ellie glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, but didn’t receive a response.  Her heart skipped a beat. And not in a good way.  Chad’s face was clouded and grim.  Ellie felt a little scared.  What if he didn’t forgive her?  Could she really live in Fresno if Chad ended their courtship?

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Assumptions and Apologies Part 2

Posted on March 13, 2019 by Emily Annesley

This is the second of a 5-part fan fiction short story based on the characters of author Susan K. Marlow’s Circle C Adventures and Circle C Milestones. This story details the courtship of Chad Carter and Ellianna Coulter. Enjoy!

It was nearing half past five when she finally trotted into the yard of the Circle C Ranch.  Ranch hands smiled in recognition and one came to take her horse. 

“Thank you.”  Ellie said politely.

The hand grinned.  “The boss is out in the south pasture…if that’s who you’ve come to see.”  He finished slyly.

Ellie blushed, but calmly raised an eyebrow.  “Is he?  Well, I might ride out on Magic in a moment, but I’d like to speak to Elizabeth first.”

She glided up to the house leaving the ranch hand chuckling.

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Book Review: ‘On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness’: The Wingfeather Saga book 1

Posted on March 8, 2019 by Emily Annesley

I came into this book without any intention of finding it to my liking. I mean, really, ‘On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness’? Come on, how cheesy can you get? Of course it’s the ‘sea of darkness’, you already said it was the ‘dark sea’! So without further ado, let’s see what changed my mind!

My Rating: Four and a half stars

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Assumptions and Apologies Part 1

Posted on March 6, 2019 by Emily Annesley

This is the first of a 5-part fan fiction short story based on the characters of author Susan K. Marlow’s Circle C Adventures and Circle C Milestones. This story is set between Mrs. Marlow’s ‘The Last Ride’ and ‘Courageous Love’ and details the courtship of Chad Carter and Ellianna Coulter. Enjoy!

San Joaquin Valley, California, Early May, 1885

Ellianna Coulter rapped her ruler on the desk.  “Attention!”  Her tone softened slightly as she continued.  “I know you are all impatient.  Finish your work, and then I have a surprise for you.”  The students of the Fresno Grammar School hushed and bent over their desks.  Miss Coulter was loved by all her pupils, although she kept order with a firm hand.  Beth Morgan caught her teacher’s eye and smiled.  Ellie smiled with her eyes, then directed them to the little girl’s slate.  Beth took the hint and scratched away at her spelling lesson with a worn slate pencil.

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