new kitten in the house

Nothing makes you feel better than new life.  In this case, it’s a new kitten we’ve adopted.  Kids love it, dogs are indifferent, but the other cat is feeling a little put out.  I’m sure in time, we’ll all figure out how to live together.  In the meantime, Emma is treating it like a new [...]

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Painting as Therapy, part 2

I’ve finished up my art class now and made a second painting.  It’s a whimsical, folk-artsy kind of thing.  Hope you like it!   I’ve been under a huge amount of stress this last week and I had to drag myself to art to finish the class and this painting.  But I was so glad [...]

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The countdown is on! NANOWRIMO

National Novel Writing Month is almost here, and I’m determined to finish “Sins of the Father” in November.  I really want to find an agent for this book before Christmas so I’m going to be writing like mad starting November 1. I’ve convinced a couple of friends to join me at NANOWRIMO.  Are you signing [...]

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Checklist for Copyediting your Manuscript

Jessica Page Morrell’s Thanks but this Isn’t for Us book includes some of the best, brief checklists I’ve seen around.  Check the prior two posts (Tuesday and Wednesday) for the first and second round editing lists.  Today we’re on to those pesky details. Morrell considered this the third-round checklist: 1.  is your opening perfect?  are [...]

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Checklist for the Second Revision

When you’ve done that first re-write and you’re ready for the second, Jessica Page Morrell suggests you do these things: 1.  check to see if the story moves fast enough to hold the reader’s interest. 2.  can summary sections become scenes or scenes become summary? 3. do you need to add foreshadowing so that later [...]

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Checklist to Use when Revising your Manuscript

I’ve just finished reading Jessica Page Morrell’s book, Thanks, But this Isn’t for Us. It’s a “sort of” compassionate guide to why your (my) writing is being objected.  Let me just say that this is a huge book with all kinds of information in it that will improve your manuscript.  I’ve seen some of the [...]

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Made Cheese, Spent Day on the Farm

Those of you who know me know that I’m dying to get out of the city and the frantic lifestyle I lead and make a life that’s simpler (ie. less driving, less spending money, less people, etc.) I had a taste of this Saturday when I spent the day at Homestead Heritage Farms making cheese.  [...]

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Books Cooks Love Blog

I’ve been trying to figure out how I could combine my love of reading and playing with cookbooks and blogging and have officially launched Books Cooks Love.  It’s a cookbook review blog where I’ll be reviewing new and old cookbooks, experimenting with recipes in them, and talking about all things food related.  Check it out!

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She’s so Creative!

Have you seen these new greeting cards by “She’s So Creative?” Her real name is Stephanie Orma and I gotta admit–the cards are hilarious.  I’m kinda like–why didn’t I think of that?  Just not as creative as this gal–for sure!  I snagged this screen shot of a card, just so you  know what I mean– [...]

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Attack of the Swine Flu

Yes, it’s true.  Both children.  Same time.  Woo.  Thank goodness they are on the mend now!  By the time they started feeling better cabin-fever set in and that wasn’t helped by the constant rainy weather we’re having.  How can I say–”go outside and piddle in the yard” in good conscience when they’ve been hacking up [...]

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