Hello, dears!

Did you have a good Thanksgiving? I did! So far we’ve had one out of four celebrations, and for the rest we’re going to our old farm for the weekend for fun times and delicious food with friends and family. 🙂

Anyway, back to the post. About a month ago I got the chance to visit my dear friend, Aria, and see her family’s lovely farm. We had a wonderful time together, and this time we made sure to take PLENTY of pictures. XD Aria suggested doing a BFF Q&A to go along with them, and I agreed it sounded fun. And here we are! Get ready for some pretty fall photography and answers to a selection of you guys’ questions. 😉 After you’re done here, make sure and hop over to Aria’s blog to check out fifteen more questions and answers!

1. Least favorite food?

Allison: Um… probably tripe. It’s pickled cow stomach, which is about as gross as it sounds. Tripe tastes remarkably similar to rubbery vinegar that has been soaking in the smell of a dairy for a couple of days. :[]

Aria: Probably some vegetable, like mushrooms or tomatoes.

2. What would you consider to be your dream job?

Allison: Selling stuff that I make. XD In more technical terms, having a successful Etsy shop. I’m enjoying running my art Etsy shop at the moment (by the way, check out the new products and holiday sales! 😉 ), but it’s also been fun to sell my poem book, so who knows… maybe more of both in the future?

Aria: Photography! And I’ve always thought about being a professional vocalist, preferably a jazz artist.

3. What would you do with a million dollars?

Allison:

• Pay tithes and taxes. 😉
• Give away maybe a little less than half to Christian charities.
• Fix up the Cedar House so we can turn it into an Airbnb.
• Put a couple thousand dollars into a business fund for advertising, adding more products, etc.
• Probably give my parents, like, $100,000 to use for the farm.
• Reserve a couple hundred dollars for buying fun stuff or clothing.
• Save the rest.

Aria: Well, after tithing, I’d probably buy some adjoining land and build my dream house and get a camera upgrade. XD I’d put some money towards growing my business,definitely. AND I WOULD PROBABLY BUY BOOKS. But honestly – a million dollars really isn’t that much money, and although I’d really like a helicopter (so I could fly up to Allison’s whenever I wanted), I don’t know that I could afford it. Maybe I should get the helicopter first. XD

4. What is your favorite thing to do other than photography or art? 

Allison: Exploring the farm, playing games, or watching a movie with my family; having company over or going to a friend’s house; reading a good book; or blogging. I realize that was a plural answer for a singular question, but… I TRY NOT TO PLAY FAVORITES, OKAY?

Aria: I really love singing (and performing), and just being creative, mostly!

5. Chickens/eggs or cows/milk?

Allison: Hard decision, but probably cows. They’re a lot more to keep up with than poultry, but we go through SO much milk (and butter and cheese). Plus cows are prettier and nicer and more pet-like than chickens. 😉 We’re hoping to get both of the aforementioned eventually, just not 500 cows or 24,000 chickens like at our old farm. :[]

Aria: This is AWFULLY hard because they both have their perks! I’d say cows, though.They’re much more labor intensive and expensive, but it’s pretty hard to get the same quality milk that we have.

6. Individual books or book series?

Allison: Book series! If a book is good, why wouldn’t you want more of it? If the rest of the series is bad, you can always read the first one like it’s an individual book and ignore the rest.

Aria: OH NO, THIS IS HARD! I feel like if the book is MEANT to be a series, the all-around GOODNESS of a book is kind of spread out. Series books can get repetitive and predictable, as the Mandie series and the Nancy Drew series did.But then, some individual books leave you wanting more! I think I’d choose individual, with a sequel. (I have read some pretty amazing series, though!)

7. If you were to color your hair, what color would you choose?

Allison: Well I’m not planning to color my hair, but if I had to, I’d choose a lighter version of my current hair color, I guess. Nothing crazy. 😉

Aria: Well my hair isn’t actually blonde – it’s more of a darker light brown. Kind of close to Allison’s, without the slight reddish tint. So technically my hair is already colored, but I’ve always wanted natural coppery red hair.

8. Fight or flight response in scary situations?

Allison: Probably flight. :[] It depends on the situation, though. If it’s necessary for me to confront something, especially if I have someone else with me (and especially if I’m confronting it for them), I’ll “fight,” but usually I’d take the easiest or safest route. And that’s not always a good thing – it’s something I need to work on!

Aria: I am thankful to say that I have never been in a scary situation! So I have no idea. It could be either, but more likely flight.

9. What do you two have in common?

Allison: Oh many things! For instance, we’re both Reformed Christians, homeschoolers (well, when we were in school), farm girls, entrepreneurs, photographers, bloggers, readers, musicians (well, Aria more than me), and we’re close to the same age, among other things.

Aria: Wow, where do I start? Well, we are both farm girls, Reformed, conservative Christians, love photography, love reading (and share many of the same favorite books), were homeschooled, studied music, write now and then, have blogs, have two cats, enjoy creating art, love the Gray Havens, love Fixer Upper and share around the same decorating styles, have 12-year-old brothers…the list goes on!

10. What differences do you have?

Allison: We do have a few different beliefs, of course. Some of them are in regard to food/health-related topics, holidays, and, ahem, black and white movies. Okay so I don’t hate all black and white movies, but Mr. Smith Goes to Washington sure isn’t my top pick for entertainment. Nor is Jimmy Stewart my favorite actor… (I don’t have one, actually. XD)

Aria: We really don’t have that many differences! The personal differences we have aren’t super important; she doesn’t think eating organically is as important as I do, she’s not quite as much into hair/makeup/fashion as I am (although I’ve kind of backed off – I’m not nearly as crazy as I once was), she’s definitely not as much of a romantic as I am, she doesn’t like vintage music, and watching black/white movies isn’t her favorite pastime. Her family also celebrates Christmas, and we don’t. Besides that, I honestly can’t think of anything!

11. What is one thing you would change about the other?

Allison: Well, it’s a little embarrassing how I’m basically the theme of her room. *hides* I’m awfully glad she likes me, but I’m really not worth all those heaps of emails and gifts and kind words… and panicked messages when I haven’t replied for a couple of days. Aria, I THINK YOU SHOULD LIKE ME LESS. I’M OVERWHELMED. :’D

Aria: The one thing I wish is that Allison and her family would have the same convictions that we do about celebrating/not celebrating Christmas. It definitely hasn’t come between us, but it would be really nice to share that conviction, especially since I don’t know anyone else who does.

12. What is your favorite part about photography?

Allison: I love capturing beauty that others miss, either because they don’t notice it or they weren’t there when I was, where I was. God puts so many beautiful things and beautiful moments around me; I love photography because it allows me to share that blessing with others. 🙂

Aria: I like the creativity and the all-around process.

13. What is your favorite hymn?

Allison: AHHHH, I LOVE HYMNS! Both playing and singing them; they’re just beautiful. I have dozens of favorites, but one of my top picks is “It Is Well With My Soul.” I’m always refreshed and humbled by the message of hope and endurance through hardship because of God’s love for us.

Aria: I really love O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus. The minor key is so pretty, and the lyrics are so true and amazing and beautiful too. ❤ 

14. Do you like it better in the spring/summer when the leaves are green or fall/winter when they’re all different colors?

Even though fall foliage is STUNNING, I prefer the delightful, fresh beauty of blossoms and new leaves. Besides, both blossoms and fall colors stay for only a short while, but after the blossoms come green leaves, and after the fall colors comes gray, bare trees.   (Look, that rhymed!)

Aria: Definitely spring/summer! I love the lush green leaves and the warmth. 🙂

15. [Last but not least, the most important question:] Elephants?

Allison: Ugh, the elephants got into the room AGAIN? Where? I don’t see them. *sigh* We really need a better lock for their cage.

Aria: For…what? Riding? Remembering things? Looking at? I prefer giraffes, actually…

And that, my friends, wraps up the Best Friends Q&A! I hope you enjoyed reading my answers and seeing the photos I took at Aria’s house, and make sure to read Aria’s and my answers to more fun questions here!

Which question/answer was the most relatable? Do you have a favorite photo? And… elephants?

Thanks for reading, and have a lovely day!

***Allison***