Yes, I know Christmas is over, but I want to keep listening to holiday music so you guys have to, too. This song is another one of my favor...

So I was gonna do an Anthem Lights song (I like the band, okay!), but then I realized, “Oh yeah, Christmas,” and decided I should probably ...

In a book I read recently, one of those kids-take-on-evil-corporation stories, I found something that really irked me: once the going got t...

In a book I read recently, one of those kids-take-on-evil-corporation stories, I found something that really irked me: once the going got tough, several of the kids bailed. Now since I’ve never been in a situation like that, I can’t say for absolute certain that I wouldn’t do the same. But in the comfort of my bedroom with a cup of coffee in my hand, bailing seemed pretty wrong, and I thought the ones who didn’t bail were remarkably forgiving about it. They practically sent the quitters off with well-wishes, and the leader of the group even told one girl not to regret her decision.

I’d’ve said something more along the lines of, “I hope your guilt eats you alive.” Or possibly, “May the karma of our enemy’s crimes infest your life a hundredfold.”

Seriously, though. I’d’ve felt so bitter and betrayed, especially since, not only did they quit, they pretty much went home to “live their lives for as long as they could.” As long as they could meaning until the big bad corporation came and got them. Basically, they decided to lay down and take it. That there was no reason to fight anymore because the baddies were gonna win anyway. They saw an out and they took it, abandoning their friends when they wouldn’t come too.

Now granted, these kids had been through Hades and back. Well, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but they’d had some rough times for sure. Still, while I understood their decision, it felt so wrong to me to just peace out on your friends like that. In my opinion, you stick it out with your family and friends no matter what. Live together, die together. You don’t just leave the people you care about, even if you think resistance is futile. You stick by them for them, if for no other reason than to keep them safe and give them support. You’re there for them because you love them, because that’s what love does. What love is.

And if you just peace out like that, well then, I gotta question how much you loved in the first place.

Well, there’s my little rant because I couldn’t think of anything else to post this week. Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Do you agree? Disagree? Either way, I’d love to hear your opinions and your reasoning behind them.

Two words: Feels Overdose. Once you listen to “ My Immortal ” , there is nothing to be done but drown in the agony of your poor heart. A...

I started listening to Adventures In Odyssey when I was 5 or 6, and more than ten years later, I still adore it. It’s a brilliant pro...

I started listening to Adventures In Odyssey when I was 5 or 6, and more than ten years later, I still adore it. It’s a brilliant program, has some of the best lessons, characters, villains, and storytelling you’ll ever find.

Speaking of storytelling, major spoilers ahead if you haven’t heard the last album, The Ties That Bind. Just a note.

Aaaand back to fangirling.

Image from aiowiki.com

I’ve loved Wooton since he first came on as the rather eccentric but totally sweet mailman. I loved his childish heart, his sweet love for the Lord, and his willingness to help anyone in need. I loved his big-brother/fatherly relationship with Grady McKay (whom I really want back, if any AIO writers happen to read this), his house with a slide for the back door, and his love for licorice almost made me love it.

But not quite.

Image from aiowiki.com

Penny’s a little nutty, more or less the female version of Wooton. However, she’s as sweet as they come and very good for comic relief. Admittedly, it took me a bit to get used to her, but once I did, I loved her almost as much as Wooton.

Now for them together.

One of my favorite things about Penny and Wooton is that they never really dated. Sure, they became friends during The Green Ring Conspiracy, and they’ve grown closer over the last few albums, but it was never like “Oh yeah. Those two are together.” It has been kind of hinted that they like each other, but in an adorably childlike way, since they both seem to have the innocence of 9-year-olds. All-in-all, there’s just something very precious, very pure about their whole relationship, and it makes me love them all the more.

Admittedly, I am jumping the gun a little bit here. For one thing, as far as I can tell, they never technically dated. Although it’s clear Wooton is smitten, and when asked why she went to Comic-Connellsville, Penny said, “Because Wooton is into all this comic stuff and I’m into things that Wooton is into.” Which, you know, is enough to make my fangirl heart fall head over heels in feels...

But anyway...

I decided to go ahead and do a post about them because of the end of the last episode. When *SPOILER ALERT* 

Wooton proposed to her.

From giphy.com

I totally did not see this coming. I liked them as people and even as a couple, but somehow, I didn’t see a wedding in the making. Maybe because of the childlike innocence I mentioned earlier; maybe because I wasn’t even sure they were more than friends. But whatever the reason, when Wooton popped the question (in the sweetest, most adorable way, too) I felt ready to fall outta my chair, fangirl screaming.

Of course, it surprised Penny, too. All she could say was, “What?!” and then the episode ended.

So I don’t know. Maybe there isn’t a wedding in the making. Maybe when they finally come out with Album 59, Penny will have said no and trampled all over Wooton’s poor little heart. 

But, occasionally I can be an optimistic individual and I have decided to believe that Penny will not break his heart, that she will say yes, and they will get married.

Mostly because I freaking ship them with all of my freaking fangirlness.

Please tell me I’m not the only one who listens to AIO and loves them together! I am in desperate need of a fangirling friend! So pretty please with chocolate on top leave a reply below, and I shall see you, my lovelies, in the comment section.

Okay, so I know I said there wouldn’t be regular shipping posts... but guys ! I’ve got a ship I just have to share with you! So this week...

This one’s for a character in my novel, What’s Real . I’ve mentioned this story before, when I posted Kat’s song , but today I’m talking ab...

Guess what guys? Thanks to the awesome Aimee at To the Barricade , I've been nominated for, not one, but two blog awards! Thank you, ...

Guess what guys? Thanks to the awesome Aimee at To the Barricade, I've been nominated for, not one, but two blog awards! Thank you, thank you, thank you Aimee! Means so much that you read and enjoy Summer Snowflakes!

Much different situation, but the sentiment is the same :D

All righty, let’s hop right into this!

The Rules:

• Thank the person who nominated you and link to their page.
• Give a brief story about how you started blogging and share some tips.
• Nominate 15 other bloggers
• Notify your nominees.

And it’s storytime, everybody! Grab a seat and a cup of hot cocoa (or tea, or coffee, whatever you prefer), wrap yourself in a blanket, close your eyes and let me take you back... back... way back...

From jurassicpark.wikia

Uh, not that far back. Fast forward! Now!

From tardis.wikia

And not that far forward. Rewind, rewind, and stop!

Ah, here we are. It’s the autumn of 2013, when I first decided to start a blog. There I am searching for names, gathering ideas, looking up advice, determined to make my baby shine the best I could! My reasons, though, were a bit lacking. I started Summer Snowflakes because I heard you had to have some sort of online presence in order to be considered a card-carrying, bona fide author. At the time, there was nothing I wanted more.

Still isn’t actually, but back to the story.

I started blogging because I thought I needed to. I kept blogging because I found I liked it. Very much. I’ve always been an opinionated child and sharing my opinions on everything from writing to movies to your once-in-a-while pop culture post brought me great joy. So, even when I had exactly two subscribers and as many views to speak of, I kept going.

And here I am now! Still haven’t exactly gone viral (working on that, give us a chance), but hey. I’ve got quite a bit more than I did then.

Great, we’re back in present time! I guess this is the part where I give out tips. Honestly, I don’t know if I’m the best person to come to for this, but here’s what I thought up:

1. Reply to comments: every single one. Even if it’s just a “thanks for commenting!” it’s always good to engage with your readers. 

2. Comment on other people’s blogs with a link to your website: This isn’t just for that blogger either. It’s for anyone who visits their blog, sees your comment, and says to themselves, “Hey, another blog person to follow! Guess I’ll click on over and see what they’ve got.”

3. Write what you know: oldest tip in the book, isn’t it? And for books, I don’t even follow this. I write what I know and research what I don’t, which vastly outweighs what I do know.

But back to the point. You know what I blog about? Reading, writing, music, movies, and life in general. Because that’s what I know. And most importantly, that’s what I enjoy. 

4. Don’t ever try to copy someone else’s blog. Not to say that you can’t be inspired by them, but make sure to be you, do your crazy, unique little thing and eventually, people who are either like you or like you for you will find your blog, follow it, and love you forever.

Aw, that one’s over. Oh well. On to blog award number two!

 The Rules:

• Thank the person who nominated you and include a link to their blog.
• List the rules and display the award (Hey I’m doing that now!)
• Add 7 facts about yourself.
• Nominate 15 other bloggers.
• Follow on blogger the person who nominated you.

Smart little girl that I am, I’ve already done three of those. Multi-tasking for the win ;)

So now we have, drum-roll please, Seven Facts About Me.

You have been warned.

1. I have tried thoroughly and unsuccessfully to determine my Myers-Briggs personality. At the moment, I think I’m either INTJ or INFJ. But I may have some “S” tendencies. So go figure.

2. Since I am unsure about number 1, it may not actually be a fact.

3. Number 2 is definitely a fact.

4. I will stop now and write actual facts about me.

5. Like Aimee who nominated me, I love music. Heck, if you’ve hung around here for a while, you already know that. Since I, uh, kinda have a whole day dedicated to music on here...

But anyway. 

6. At the moment, my favorite bands are Anthem Lights and Thousand Foot Krutch, but because I tend to bounce around with favorites and interests, that is subject to very swift change. 

Sorry guys.

7. I don’t watch TV, but I have a few favorite shows that come on Netflix or Hulu. At the moment, those consist of Doctor Who, Merlin, The Flash, Agents of Shield, and Supernatural (but I’m only on season 2 of the last one). I also watch LOST, but I’m not sure I’d put that on my favorites list because

`

**spoiler alert** 

There’s an excessive amount of favorite character death in that show.

Because I am such a lovely individual (but mostly because I wasted several facts above), here’s an extra one:

8. I talk to myself. Often. I figure it this way: other people have the pleasure of speaking with me, so why shouldn’t I?

With any luck (good or bad, I’m not sure yet), you probably feel like you know me a little. If for whatever strange reason, you happen to want more, you can check out my July post for the Liebster Award and read eleven other facts about me.

But on to the rest of the post.

*Checks things off the list* Okay then, we're at the part where I nominate 15 other bloggers. Heh heh, ahem. Unfortunately, I don’t actually know 15 others, but hey I’ll get as many as I can:

Brad @ Blogs from Geekdom

S. Alex Martin @ Get it Write Tonight

Chard @ 101 Ways to Cook Rice and Beans

Eva @ Scribblings of a Janeite

Vanessa and Adriana @ Pen Pals of Peculiar Personalities

Emily @ Dreaming Hobbit

Ciera @ The Write Things

Mariella @ Author Mariella Hunt

Well, I’m off to let all those lovely people know I nominated them. Meanwhile, check out their blogs, leave a comment (and if you left one here, I wouldn’t be upset), and I shall see you guys Monday!