China Bound

When I was a kid I thought that if I dug a deep enough hole I’d end up on the other side of the world. Namely, that I’d find myself in China. Every kid thinks that, don’t they?

Well, I dug a lot of holes, some deeper than I was tall, but I never did get to China. I never got anywhere, to tell the truth. And my dad? He always made me fill in the holes, so after a while I gave up trying to dig my way to the other side of the world.

These past few days I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about those younger digging days. Why? Because I’ve got a shovel in my hand again. And I’m digging. And digging. And digging some more.

Last spring we ordered six dozen flower bulbs. They were delivered earlier this week. Now I’ve got to dig six dozen holes. To tell the truth, I don’t mind doing it. Gives me lots of time to think, and I don’t have to go to the gym if I exercise with a shovel in my own backyard.

Still, I find myself wondering why digging holes seemed so much more fun when I was seven than it does now. Any ideas?

What about you? Did you dig in the dirt when you were small? If you did, where do you think you were headed?

And a word of advice, if I may. If you ever think that ordering six dozen bulbs is a good idea, maybe you should close the catalog and take a walk. With a shovel. Get some perspective, you know? That way you’ll know exactly what digging to the other side of the world entails.

Have a great day! And remember, if you need me I’ll be outside…with the shovel.

When Writing a Book...

...the first line is the most exhilirating.

The last is the most satisfying.

My NaNo novel?

I've written both lines!

Yes, NaNo 2009 is officially over for me. Now, I can sit back, relax and cheer everyone else on!

November Notes...

To Self:

1. Leaving wet bathing suit hanging over deck railing “to dry” is not a good idea. Frozen, stiff suit is difficult to toss into washing machine.
2. Make a Spring Note, and place it prominently so there is no forgetting that beet and turnip seeds yield MANY more vegetables than two adults can comfortably eat.
3. All requests to “make a little something” for the holidays should be denied. Juggling fall garden chores, household issues and NaNo book is more than enough for any sane woman to deal with.

Oh… “Any sane woman”…

Hmmph. Now that might explain a lot of things!

Na No-ing

I have been hard at work on m NaNo novel, a Regency romance called In Name Only. It’s going well, each chapter following the idea I’ve got for it in my mind right onto the paper like magic. It’s a good thing, too, that the chapters are cooperating. Why? Because I’m trying to get the book done by November 13th.

I know, I know…I can hear you, and you’re right. It’s National Novel Writing Month, isn’t it? I’ve technically got until the end of November to finish In Name Only. So why am I writing at break-neck speed?

Actually, we have a prior commitment that begins on Monday the sixteenth. It will take all our time and energy, and is infinitely more pressing and vital than any novel could ever, ever be. All my attention will be on our commitment; I probably won’t even remember I write books until sometime in early December! Yes, life is strange, isn’t it?

By the way, if you’ve got a good thought or small prayer to spare anytime during the last half of the month, I’d appreciate it. Thanks!

So…the book. As I said, it is fortunately coming along well, thank goodness! I love the characters and their dilemma. Lucie has a strong sense of family commitment, and has no problem arranging her priorities. She is intelligent, good-hearted and funny. When she meets the man who makes her heart flutter she is so involved with family issues she hardly notices the flip-flopping inside her chest. They deserve happiness, even if it pretty much does come as the icing on the cake they’re so busy trying to bake they forget to pay attention to romance…

My fingers are crossed that by next Friday I’ll have the last chapter written. And if I don’t, the world certainly won’t end but I will be bummed not to have completed the November challenge. But if I’m lucky, I’ll get to try again next November, right? By that time, I’m sure to have my characters firmly in hand and headed in the right direction!

I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Reading?

I'm finally finding some time to read. I know that sounds weird, given the fact that I've always got my nose in a book. Maybe what I should say is that I'm finally finding time to read in a leisurely manner. There, that's better.

October was such a breakneck-speed month that I felt like I inhaled a few books, in fits and starts and mostly in waiting rooms or doctors' offices. Not exactly the most pleasurable of reading situations.

But so far this month I've managed to carve out a chunk of time each day to sit by the fire while Hubby carves and just sit and read. It's been fabulous!

Yesterday I finished reading Murder With All the Trimmings by Elaine Viets. I laughed so hard! I loved it! The perfect way to begin the month! When I next get to the bookstore, I'm going to pick up a few more of her books. She's got a great sense of humor, and tells a hilarious story.

By the way, I've taken to leaving books I've just finished in the waiting rooms at doctors' offices or the hospital. I figure someone else might need a little pick-me-up moment, so I just leave them on the side tables or in the magazine holders (you know, the ones filled with practically shredded, older-than-Moses magazines. Sorry, Doc!). Not a bad idea, is it?

So, what are you reading? I've got an enquiring mind, and am on the hunt for a few good titles to add to my TBR stack. Any suggestions?

In Name Only

My NaNo novel is a Regency romance called In Name Only. I'm having a blast writing it, so I thought I'd share the first few paragraphs with you. I hope you enjoy it!

“Straighten your shoulders, Lucinda Jane. You don’t want some impudent man peeking down the front of your gown when he asks for a dance, do you? Gracious, my dear, sometimes you have less sense than a goose!”

Dutifully Lucie pulled her shoulders back slightly so her gown’s low-cut, yet oh-so fashionable pearl-trimmed bodice lay snugly against her chest, exactly where its dressmaker, as well as Aunt Lucinda, believed it ought to be.

Had Lucie realized how wholly involved Aunt Lucinda, the Dowager Countess of Waltham, would become in every facet of her dress and behavior, she might not have agreed so readily when her aunt offered to sponsor her for the Season. But she hadn’t known, so she had accepted the proposal. Now, she had to take the sour with the sweet, and smile when she might have otherwise wished to stamp one dainty, slippered foot.

As the crowd inside the ballroom at Cresthill, the Earl of Gloucester’s London home, grew, so did the heat. The air would have been utterly stifling had it not been for the staff of frond-waving servants placed strategically around the huge room. Still, as the dancing progressed, breathing easily grew increasingly difficult.

Lucie snapped open the delicate, handmade silk fan that hung from a ribbon at her right wrist. The fan matched her gown perfectly, its aquamarine hue chosen by Aunt Lucinda to show Lucie’s creamy complexion to its best advantage.

At the moment, Lucie doubted her complexion was creamy at all, or even the tiniest bit becoming. She felt soaked in perspiration, and, even though she knew her aunt would be vexed by the request, she couldn’t hold off any longer.

Turning slowly, not wishing to appear indelicate and further displease her aunt, she gently waved her fan in front of her lips and said, “Aunt, I am nearly wrung out with the heat. I fear I must take a breath of fresh air, and quickly.”

The older woman cast a dubious gaze at her, the heavily powdered skin around her eyes wrinkling disapprovingly. Her expression spoke volumes; Lucie had no doubt that “back in the day” neither Aunt Lucinda nor any of her friends would ever have been so frail they required air—fresh or otherwise.

“Really? Why, I rather feel the touch of a chill.” With a dramatic shiver designed, Lucie knew, to squelch her request, Aunt Lucinda pulled the fine silk georgette shawl at her shoulders tight with one gloved hand. Its dark green edging and fringe matched the feathers on the dowager’s headdress.

Lucie stood her ground. “Be that as it may, I could nearly swoon from the heat. Either that or the boned corset you and your modiste insisted I wear is far too tight. My lungs feel deprived of air, and unless they are refreshed in all haste, I am sure I will fall to the ground. Just think…if I swoon here and now, and crumple helplessly at your feet, all kinds of improper peeks down my bodice might—and most likely will—be stolen.”

She slapped her fan closed, leaned in close to her aunt’s ear and whispered, “Oh! Imagine the scandal!”

Feeding an Addiction

Yes, I, too, have an addiction. Doesn't everyone?

The object of my craving, my must-have-or-I'll-scream lust is Oreos. Yes, the cookie. I love 'em.

And you know what? Oreos really, really help get the words flowing well during Na No. Trust me, I know.

If you're feeling really decadent, try the following recipe. It's fast, easy and oh-so yummy.

And I figure the cream cheese brings the Oreo addiction into the healthy-eating range. Hey, there's calcium in that cheese, isn't there? Gotta watch those bones...

One word of warning, though. These balls may bring on an addiction in your life, too. They're that good. Enjoy!

Oreo Balls

1 package Oreo cookies
8 oz. package of softened cream cheese
melted chocolate--chips, semi-sweet, dark, white--your choice.

Crush the cookies into fine crumbs. Add cheese and mix.

Roll mixture into balls. Chill balls on baking sheet for 30 minutes.

Dip balls in melted chocolate. Chill until firm.

Store any leftover balls in fridge. *

* I just put that in for the purposes of recipe maintenance, not because I actually believe you'll have leftover balls.

And if you do? Have leftover balls? Well, then maybe you should rethink your personal addiction, because it'll mean that Oreos definitely aren't your top lust item.

Kit Kats, anyone? Or Goobers--now there's an addiction-worthy item...

And We're Off!

Happy November! And for all of you who are as wacky as I am and are taking the November challenge, Happy First Day of National Novel Writing Month!

It's hard to believe it's already here. October sure did fly by...

I've got to admit, I love NaNo. I've participated for the past few years, and have had a blast every time. This year I expect the challenge to be a bit more...well, a bit more challenging, given what's going on in our lives at this point, but I'm confident I'll manage my 50,00 words. If I don't have faith in myself, who will?

This year's November novel is a Regency romance called In Name Only. If you'd like to see how I'm doing, and eventually read an excerpt, please visit me here at my NaNo page.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a novel to begin...

Happy Sunday!

An Apple A Day...

We're overrun with apples here. Don't get me wrong, I love apple harvest time. But let's just say I can get pretty creative when faced with a couple of bushels of apples.

One of our favorites? Frosted apple cookies. The recipe makes a lot of cookies, but they freeze really well. Plus, while they're baking the house smells heavenly!

Guess what we're doing this afternoon?

Hmm... I wonder...

Do you think a gallon is enough milk? Maybe I should make a milk run before I begin baking...

Frosted Apple Cookies

2 sticks butter
2 3/4 brown sugar
2 eggs
2 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
2 t. ground cloves
2 t. cinnamon
½ cup apple juice
4 cups flour
2 cups chopped apples
1 cup raisins
2 cups chopped nuts
3 cups confectioner’s sugar
1/4 cup apple juice
½ t. salt
1 t. vanilla
2 T. butter

In a large bowl cream full sticks of butter, brown sugar and eggs. When mixture is fluffy, add baking soda, salt, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and ½ cup apple juice. Mix until well blended. Add flour in small increments, mixing well to thoroughly combine. When batter is smooth and all ingredients are mixed in, add the apples, raisins and nuts and mix to combine.

Grease a cookie sheet. Drop batter by tablespoons onto the cookie sheet and place in a pre-heated 375-degree oven. Bake for 15-17 minutes until lightly browned.

In a small bowl, combine confectioner’s sugar, remaining apple juice, remaining salt, vanilla and remaining butter. Beat until well-mixed and smooth. Use frosting to ice warm cookies.

Makes 4 dozen large cookies.

Cliffhanging

She ignores the sound of footsteps on the stairs.

It does no good. He's found her.

"Honey?"

"Hmm?" Her fingers fly as she tries to block out the familiar voice.

"I know you're writing but I wondered if you'd like to... Are you listening to me?"

"Mmm hmm..."

One paragraph left. That's all. Just...one...paragraph.

"I know that sound." Now he's right behind her, leaning over her shoulder. She doesn't need to see his face to know he is reading the words as they appear on the laptop screen. He's not wearing his reading glasses. She can feel his squint. "It's the sound of--hey, is this the new book?"

"Uh huh."

Down to the last sentence. It has to be perfect, to complete the chapter and draw the reader back again. The words are in her head. Getting them to her fingers; now that's the rub.

"Interesting. Is that--hey, is that what I think it is? Is she really going to--"

She presses save. Done for the day.

Flashing a satisfied grin, she turns to face him. "You betcha. Now, what did you come to ask? Did I want to...?"

He looks from the computer, its screen now dark, to her. Confusion is stamped so clearly on his handsome face she has to stifle a giggle.

"Well?" She pokes his shoulder with an fingertip. "What was it that brought you up here? Did I want to what?"

His fingers plow through his curly black hair. He shrugs. "I forgot. But...what happens next? In the book, I mean?"

She stands, takes his hand and heads for the stairs.

"I'll tell you tomorrow. Maybe. And only if you tell me you came to ask if I wanted a slice--a big slice--of that apple pie I smell baking."

The Small Things

You just never know what you'll find when you take a post-freeze ramble on the farm.

I took a stroll yesterday afternoon, just hoping to clear my head. It worked (the head-clearing, I mean) and the added bonus was these wild daisies.

I picked some to put in a vase for our kitchen table but I left the majority of them right there. I figured they were tenacious enough to survive the cold, they deserved to be left alone.

Don't you just love small, unexpected pleasures?

Light the Night

It's fall, one of my favorite times of year. Leaves crunch beneath our toes. Chilly breezes kiss our cheeks. The night sky seems so bright and clear. Life is good.

Across the country people are taking full advantage of the brisk fall weather to come together in love, hope and with a common bond and purpose. They are walking to Light the Night.

What is Light the Night? It's an event designed to bring help and hope to people battling blood cancers. Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are monsters, and those who fight them need all the support we can muster. Information on these cancers can be found at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Won't you consider taking part in your local walk? The event will inspire and enrich. And I promise, you'll feel so much better for having helped out.

Wouldn't it be great if we could wipe out blood cancers? Who knows? With enough funding for research we may just be able to do that...one step at a time.