Globetrotting art

A while back my Australian friend Jude sent me a card featuring the art of Beverly Skurulis. Jude's famous around here for sending fun surprises that bring her world right into ours. She gives us a glimpse of what for her is everyday but for us smacks of the extraordinary. I love mail with Jude's handwriting on it!

Anyhow, Beverly Skurulis is an Australian artist and I've got to tell you I just love what she does. I love the bright colors and fun, almost edgy feel her art has. It's beautiful and playful all at once, and just makes me smile.

I've had the card Jude sent matted and framed and it looks fabulous hanging in my office. Sometimes I stare up at it when I'm struggling to find just the right word. It's become one of the things that helps bring serenity to my world. Thanks Jude!

Oh? The card Jude sent? It's called One for the Tucker bag. Very sweet, and I love it.

And when I've got the odd moment to troll the Internet? Invariably I head back to the artist's site and take a peek at her work. I enjoy doing this, so I thought you might, too. From Jude to us to you, the art of Beverly Skurulis.

Cooperstown in the afternoon

We live close enough to Cooperstown that it's an easy trip for us. We go there frequently, especially during the warm months. So yesterday afternoon when we didn't have anything much planned, having lunch in Cooperstown seemed like a very good idea.

Thought I'd share some pix with you. I know the first is kind of fuzzy but I just love those hills beside the lake and it was the only way to show them without having a bunch of boats (and waving strangers!) in the foreground.

I've got to admit that The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper is one of my favorite books so it's no shocker that I'm a fan of Fenimore House.

The house is beautiful, the grounds are gorgeous and just walking through the rooms, halls and gardens where the man himself found inspiration gives me goose bumps.

Otsego Lake is another of our favorite spots. On a clear day it seems like you can nearly see from one end of the lake to the other. Of course you can't, no matter how clear the day is, but still...

We had a great time. Lunch was fabulous, then afterwards we strolled through the lakefront park. We stopped for ice cream on the way home and it was, definitely, a perfect spring day.

What about you? What have you been up to? I hope whatever you've been doing, it's been bringing you happiness in large measure.

Birds, Bees and Birthdays

Ah, Monday again. I love Mondays.

I hope you all had a great weekend. We had a wonderful time here, even if there were spots that were a bit more overcast and dreary than I would have liked. I spent most of Saturday in the greenhouse. Let me tell you, the place is packed! Flowers and veggies, and even an orange tree, are taking over in there. The plan is to plant the first wave of stuff in the gardens in early June. Then, back to the greenhouse to begin a second wave of flats. This time, perennials for the flower beds. I've decided there are areas that need some extra color so we're putting in some new perennial beds. Along a stone wall, beside the pond and down a slopey part that's murder to cut. So, you see, we're going to be busy as bees these next weeks but--can you tell?--I love doing it.

Oh! Bees! Ours are all out of the hives and doing their jobs, zipping from cherry blossom to apple blossom to apricot blossom to...well, you get the idea. A few years ago we had difficulties with pollination (is this maybe more information than you need? Hmm?) so we got bees. Worked like a charm. Last season we had bushels of grapes and everything got really well pollinated, all thanks to those busy bees.

Not much else going on. Am still banging away at the next mystery but I'm close to the end. I love manuscript endings because it's the point where everything just comes together. I like that, the tidy little package at the end. An "Aha!" moment or two and maybe some hint at what's to come next. Or, maybe a kiss to seal a deal. Who knows? All I can say is I'm happy to be bearing down on the final chapter.

So how did you spend your weekend? Did you relax? Were you bee busy? Or was it a combination of both? Whatever you did, wherever you went, I hope it was satisfying. And I hope you're as psyched to see Monday as I am!

Now, for the birthday part...

Recently my darling husband celebrated a birthday. We love birthdays around here and celebrate for at least a week with silly surprises, special meals and goofy cards. Cake, too, there's always lots of cake--even for breakfast. But the birthday chaos is fodder for another post...

Back to the hubby's big day. Before the actual day I asked him if there was anything special he'd like for his birthday. His answer? "More of you."

Hmm....More of me? What, did he mean for me to gain loads of weight? I thought for a few minutes, then I realized what he meant.

So, I'm giving it to him.

I thought I'd share the birthday gift news with all of you first since it'll affect the time we spend together. Essentially I'm going to cut back on my work schedule and spend long, relaxing days with my hubby. We'll laugh and garden, read and barbeque, but I won't be at my desk as much as I have been.

What does this mean? Not much to many. For hubby and I, it means he'll have more of me. And me of him. Personally, I love the idea. For everyone else, it won't have any real impact on their lives. I'll write less, at least until the fall. And until the fall I'll only blog on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I'm going to miss my morning blog chat, emails and reading all the blogs whose writers feel like good friends but I'm sure I'll adjust. Because really, spending a lazy summer morning in bed with a good man isn't anything to whine about. And if we get up early and take a long walk in the forest and meadow instead of my sitting on my behind at this desk? I think it'll be a good thing, all around.

Birthday wishes should come true. This one is in my power to grant, so I'm going to do it. It's what he wants. He deserves it and I'm giving it to him.

I hope you understand. So, I won't be here tomorrow but I'll be back on Wednesday. And I'll do my best to visit everyone's blogs and keep abreast of emails but if I slip a little I hope you'll give me some slack.

Oh! If you get the chance to slow down a bit, breathe the warm, sultry summer air or spend an evening chasing fireflies with those you love, I hope you take it. I truly believe that some of the most treasured memories come from spending ordinary days with special people. I'm hoping we make some extraordinary memories this summer. I hope you do, too.

See you Wednesday. Until then, have fun. :)

Homesick

Do you think it's possible to be homesick for somewhere when you're, ah, well...already home? I do. Because I am, and have been for, oh, I don't know...maybe six years? Yeah, you heard me right. I've been homesick from home for a place I don't live for over half a decade.

And you thought I was normal, didn't you? Ha!

All right, the explanation. We used to have a house on one of the most wonderful places on earth. We sold it about six years ago. At the time we planned to buy another home there but to make a long story short we couldn't find one to suit our needs. So we let the idea go but even though the idea went, love for the place lingers. In a really big way.

A few years ago I wrote a murder novel called Sniffing Sand, set on the place that makes my heart homesick. It's the first in a series of books set there so I get to revisit the island over and over again--at least in my mind and on my screen. Sniffing Sand releases in July, by the way. The second novel in the series, Sandswept, releases this December. It's what I've been working on for the past few weeks, and what's made my usually controlled homesickness rise to the surface.

Who ever said love is easy?

So where's the spot that calls me home? Chincoteague Island, in Virginia. I love, love, love the place. It's like heaven on earth and there isn't a day I don't contemplate the roar of the ocean, feel the golden dunes beneath my toes or hear the birdsong that fills the air over that island. I love where we live but there'll always be a special spot in my heart for Chincoteague.

Have I said I love the place? Oh, right. So, anyway...

Working on Sandswept, going back every day to the place where we spent so many happy times, makes me want to go back. Not just in writing world but in real life. And my desire to go there isn't just a small, niggling thing--I want to go back in a big way. Big. Really.

Last night I dreamed we were there, walking on the beach. I saw the water, smelled the salt, smiled at the whelks littering the sand. Then I woke up.

*Sigh*

This morning I was reading the New York Times when a headline caught my eye.

Paddling, Wining and Dining on the Other Eastern Shore

You didn't think I didn't know where that was, did you? Before my mouse moved I knew and a grin stole over my face. Then--the article! Pictures--of home!

Yeah, I'm homesick. Just so you can see what posessess me, the article.

Is there a place that calls you home, even from home? Somewhere you love and would return to in a heartbeat? Half a heartbeat? Please tell me there is. I'd hate to think I've got some weird mental homesick illness or, worse even, am the victim of an island mind and heart takeover and will need, I don't know, a location exorcism or some such gruesome thing.

I'd much rather it's a case of plain, ordinary homesickness.

A Tale of Two Friends

Do you remember the old Bette Midler song? I think it was called "Friends" and the first lines went like this:

Oh, you got to have friends,
the feeling's oh so strong.
You got to have friends
to make that day last long.

Yeah, I know. Nothing earth-shaking and even kind of hokey but what can I say? The words have been stuck in my head for days now.

Do you have close friends? I hope you're nodding, thinking, "Uh huh. I've got 'em." Do you have one really close friend? You know, the one you call for--well, everything? Again, I hope you're smiling, nodding and thinking, "Oh yeah. I've got a friend like that."

Why do I ask? Recently I got a wonderful email from a reader who wanted to tell me how much she enjoyed Vineyard Mambo. Of course any nice reader mail is always appreciated but this one really made me think. One of the comments was about the strong female relationships in my stories. This reader liked the fact that most of my heroines have a tight connection with another woman. It made everything more realistic, she said.

I smiled. What a great observation! I thought about what she'd said. I realized she's got a point. I do generally have a strong friendship in almost everything I write. Why? Because friendships are important to me, plain and simple.

I believe in women supporting each other, through good days and not-so-good ones. I believe in female friendships that, hopefully, last a lifetime. Similar to a marriage, having a close friend is something that makes the ups and downs of this crazy ride we call "life" much more interesting. In some spots it can turn the unbearable into something tolerable, a grin into side-splitting laughter and even the most mundane into something extraordinary. A best friend can bring laughter from tears, and that's a gift not everyone in your life can give.

Me? I could tell a tale of two friends, talk about a bond that's lasted nearly--eek!--three decades. I could share moments of joy and heartache, go on about shouldering burdens and celebrating success. There are stories of motherhood, godmotherhood, gardening, Christmases and countless every days, but I'll save those for another time.

I certainly won't give away any long-held secrets. Talk about drinking green beer and losing a car? Nope, won't let that one out of the bag. Giggle over midnight runs from fraternity houses? Ha! You won't get that info from me! Not today, at least...

There's an immeasurable comfort that comes from sharing a close relationship with a dear friend. It's a good feeling to know, deep down inside where it really, really counts, that you're not alone. Not now. Not ever. No matter what life flings at you, there'll be someone to share it with. What more can anyone ask?

So this reader was very much on-target with her observation about friendships in my stories. I know there has to be a hero and a heroine in each. Sometimes a murder victim, and a killer--or two!--as well. But I also believe there has to be a friend. A real, thick-and-thin, lifetime friend.

I'm lucky, because I know someone who fits that bill in my life. It's said it's easiest to write what you know and the experience of having a dear friend is one I understand. It's an experience I try and gift to each of my heroines because I know it matters. A lot.

This morning, with that ridiculous song bringing a grin to my face, I am thankful for someone special. Someone who runs when she needs to, brings depth to the funny times and helps find clarity in the scary ones and just really, truly makes my life richer with her existence.

So, even though I know she knows who I'm talking about, I have to credit my friend Annie for being part of every "friend" in my stories.

Thanks for yesterday, Annie. And all the yesterdays before yesterday. And thanks for today. And for tomorrow, and all the tomorrows after tomorrow. You're the best.

Which brings me back to my original thought...do you all have an Annie in your life? I sincerely hope you do. One other thought...when was the last time you let your friend know how much she means to you? I ask because I think that sometimes we get so busy we forget the importance of actually telling people they are special, that they have an impact on our lives. I know I do but hey, that's a topic for another day.

Sort of like the green beer story. Now that's something to write about!

From the land of snow

Okay, I'll admit it. I've been a bit preoccupied lately. Have you noticed? Or have I hid it as well as I hoped?

Just feeling like I'm juggling as fast as I can. On the one hand I'm trying to catch up with all the stuff that slid when we walked through the valley of scary health. Good news is that health is less scary now and yes, I am catching up. Whew!

Of course there's always (if you're fortunate) the other hand. And that hand is the one that holds all the things that are coming up...deadlines of all shapes and sizes. I've triaged them, put a priority on each item and am plugging away at the list. So that hand shows progress, and promise. All in all, everything is going well.

Still, it takes a lot of energy to juggle this fast. I must admit that although I'm enjoying these days I'm looking forward to a time in the very near future when I'll be able to sit back, cross my ankles and smile at the sky from the hammock. I'll drink pink lemonade, read racy romances and forget all about juggling. For a while, that is. Because really, we all know that a juggler can never really put her balls to rest, now don't we?

What about you? Are your spring days nuts, too? Or are you already kicking back? From reading blogs I'm pretty sure I already know the answer to that one. Still, I thought I'd ask.

And yes, I was serious when I wrote the post title. It is snowing outside. And no, I'm not happy about it! :)

Chocolate for everybody!

Fun, fun, fun! Isn't that part and parcel of summer living? I spent the whole weekend planting (yes, Dru, I did manage to plant 35 trees this past weekend! Thanks for asking!) and in the greenhouse so it feels like summertime fun. And although it's not officially summer, I'm feeling decidedly summer-ish now that the tulips are blooming. So last night I whipped up one of my favorite fun, easy, yummy desserts. It's so simple--and yummy! Did I say it's yummy yet?--that I thought I'd share it with all of you. Maybe you'll find this decadent dessert is one that blows your skirt up, too.

So how do you make Chocolate Brownie S'mores? Easy, very easy. And yummy--oh? I said yummy? Oops! Sorry!

First of all, I can't take the credit for this creation. I saw the recipe on a box of brownies. I don't remember which one it was, but there you have it. This is a pilfered recipe. But it's yu--well, it rocks.

The basis for the whole shebang is a rectangular pan of brownies. Whip up whatever kind you prefer, bake them in a long pan and when they're done baking take the pan out of the oven--but don't turn the oven off. While the brownies are hot, dump a couple of handfuls of mini-marshmallows on top. Then sprinkle a few handfuls of milk chocolate morsels on the marshmallows. Yeah, my take on this is very scientific. Just add enough marshmallows and chocolate until you feel the "right" amount is there. Then, pop the pan back into the oven and bake until the stuff on top gets sort of melty. You'll know when that's "right" too. When everything is gooey, pull the brownies out of the oven. Turn the oven off and place pan on a cooling rack. Put graham crackers which have been broken into quarters or halves on top of the melted chocolate. Mash the crackers down slightly. Don't break the crackers, just make sure they're sort of smooshed into the melted chocolate. And yes, smooshed is a technical term! :)

Now the hard part: wait until the brownies cool before cutting. Cut them along the lines of the graham crackers. I like to add a scoop of ice cream and some whipped cream to this but hey, you don't have to. They're still awesome without any embellishment.

So now you know what I did last night. What about you? What was the highlight of your evening?

Rainy Days and Mondays...

...always make me smile. I love rain. I love Mondays. So it's all good. Welcome to a new week. :)

On the reunion front, I've received a couple of emails from old classmates! How exciting is that? A few have tracked me down via my website and others have responded thru the email address I posted when I asked if anyone knew where my old friend Lisa is.

Yoo hoo...Lisa?...Yoo hooooo...

I'm getting such a kick out of catching up with these people I can barely talk about it without smiling. It's interesting to hear what they've been up to, find out what they've done and where they are. So many have done such different things than they expected --or planned--or hoped!-- to when they graduated high school. I'm intrigued by the stories they tell about their lives up to this point.

There are, unfortunately, some serious updates. Evidently a good number of classmates have passed away. We're not that terribly old, yet it's a sobering fact many of us are no longer here. That just makes me sad.

I'm enjoying catching up with my long-lost friends. I'm hoping more give a shout out and let me know what they're doing. Still not certain we'll attend the reunion in the fall but at least I'm getting a chance to renew some important relationships.

As I said, one of the most interesting parts of this whole catching-up thing is hearing about how life's turned out different than planned for so many. Me, my life has been, thankfully, just what I'd hoped. My biggest desire was to find love and have a happy, successful marriage. That, thank God, has been the case. And I wanted to be an author when I "grew up" so although I don't always feel entirely "grown up" my writing dream has also been realized.

What about you? Is your life turning out how you'd planned it to? Are your high school dreams coming true?

Five Angel Monday!

What a way to begin a week! I'm pretty much out of my mind here so please bear with me. Fallen Angel Reviews has given Vineyard Mambo Five Angels and a Recommended Read!

I must look like an imbecile sitting here in the dark, in my jammies, grinning. An imbecile or a pervert, one or the other.

Hmm...I don't think I care what I look like right now! I'm too darn happy to give a hoot!

Anyway, part of Cheryl's review:

"...Vineyard Mambo is a must read. Talk about a fun book. The first thing I noticed was the title of each chapter, for example Hot Waffle Kisses or how about Grilled Pizza and Cold Leads. Nonno has a secret romance going on with someone in town. The ending was a happy as well as a good one. As I was reading I could just about picture myself living in Milton Falls.

Sarita Leone is such a wonderful prolific writer. I can’t wait to read more books by this author."

Do I really need to say I'm over the moon about the review? I wonder how long it's going to take before my feet touch the ground?

Sign of the times?

You know, yesterday I paid $4 for a new (not expired, without Botulism) jar of mayonnaise. I spent $3.49 for a loaf of bread. And the gallon of milk? $3.69.

All that was annoying but instantly forgotten when I pulled into the gas station. The price at the pump? Are you sitting down? Because really, I was glad I wasn't on my feet when I looked up and saw

$3.94.

No, that's not a typo. $3.94.

Long summer car trips? Soon to be another "I remember when..." moment.

Reeling in the years

My high school reunion looms. This fall, actually. I've been giving a lot of thought to old friends and passing time.

This morning I posted a note on our message board at Classmates.com. I'm hoping to reconnect with a certain old friend. She and I were really close in school but when I went to college we lost track of each other and now, so many years later--and I shudder when I think of exactly how many years it's been!--I'd like to catch up with her. I really hope I get some leads on her whereabouts. Who knows? Maybe she'll contact me herself!

Lisa...? Yoo hoo... Are you out there...? Lisa...?

Maybe I'll just wait and see if anyone raises a hand, waves an email address or phone number.

And time passes in some unusual ways, especially between the pages of books.

Last night I bought Isabelle and the Outlaw by Loretta C. Rogers. It's a short story from The Wild Rose Press. I don't know about you but I love short stories, especially when they're as entertaining as this one is. I read it early this morning (had another of those 4 am nightmares. Ugh!) and I loved it. A time travel story, Isabelle and the Outlaw has interesting characters and a solid story line that reeled me in so completely I was actually disappointed to see the story end. It is well done and if you haven't read it you might want to check it out. It's the first thing I've read from Loretta Rogers but I'm going to see if she's got a backlist. Reading about Isabelle and her hunky outlaw made up for my monster nightmare! :)

Reading?

Oh, it's springtime and the living is light and breezy. That's how it goes, right? Um, no?

Hmmph.

Well, here all is light and fun, including my reading choices. Right now I'm loving the heck out of a book my mom gave me for my birthday. It's an early work from one of my favorite authors, Janet Evanovich, called Naughty Neighbor. It is a hoot, one of those books where you smile as you read.

Ms. Evanovich's writing style appeals to me. Sassy and smart, with fun dialogue. Here she pairs an unlikely couple, a woman whose focus is on the more responsible issues in life and a man who is decidedly fun-loving. The fact that there's a pig--yes, a pig!--at the center of this wacky romance only makes me like it more. I'm nearly done with this and honestly I'm going to hate to see it end.

Perfect light, breezy springtime reading, I think.

What about you? Where's your bookmark? And are you enjoying what you're reading?