One thing I love about the holiday season is getting together with friends and family. I just went to a lovely Christmas luncheon with my Romance Writers Utah Chapter where we ate delicious food at Marie Callenders, shared gifts, and shared exciting news of the successes some of our members are enjoying. This week I went to lunch with one of my best friends, a lovely lady I've known and worked with for years. We went to Red Lobster and ate too much, laughed and talked and promised to get together more often. Next week will be a time to get together with family and laugh and enjoy each other's company.
I'd like to share with you a recipe that my mother called white cracker pie. She always made it at Christmas. I don't know where she got it, but it's one of my favorite pie recipes, easy to make, and I think it's yummy.
White Cracker Pie
3 Egg Whites
12 Soda Crackers
1/2 Cup Nuts finely chopped
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1 Cup Sugar
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
Beat egg whites until stiff. Add sugar and vanilla.
Fold in crackers and nuts that have been finely ground and mixed with baking powder.
Put into well-greased 9 inch pie plate.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Cool at least 4 hours.
Makes 1 pie.
Can be frozen. Thaw before eating.
Put whip cream on pie before serving.
As each of you enjoy this lovely season, take time to appreciate what you have, take time to enjoy your family, friends and those you associate with. Most of all be happy.
Merry Christmas and I wish you the best in 2010.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Life Is A Journey
I came across a couple of thoughts I'd like to share with you.
Where you stand is not important -- it is in what direction you are moving that counts.
Sometimes I get discouraged and feel I'm not spending enough time writing or that I'm not finishing my stories, but when I realized that as long as I am taking one step at a time heading in the direction of reaching my goal, that is all that matters. It seems each day gets filled with things I have to do -- cleaning, laundry, time with my family, and now the holidays with the extra work they create, that I forget that this is my life and I need to make it the best it can be. As long as I take a step each day, eventually I'll succeed. If I can take more than one step - great for me, but if not, one step at a time is all that I need to and I'll get there.
Life is a journey - not a camp.
Keep striving to better yourself. Make each day worthwhile to you, and most of all take time to be happy. Live today and tomorrow will get here on its own accord.
Where you stand is not important -- it is in what direction you are moving that counts.
Sometimes I get discouraged and feel I'm not spending enough time writing or that I'm not finishing my stories, but when I realized that as long as I am taking one step at a time heading in the direction of reaching my goal, that is all that matters. It seems each day gets filled with things I have to do -- cleaning, laundry, time with my family, and now the holidays with the extra work they create, that I forget that this is my life and I need to make it the best it can be. As long as I take a step each day, eventually I'll succeed. If I can take more than one step - great for me, but if not, one step at a time is all that I need to and I'll get there.
Life is a journey - not a camp.
Keep striving to better yourself. Make each day worthwhile to you, and most of all take time to be happy. Live today and tomorrow will get here on its own accord.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
A Sense of Accomplishment
Isn't it wonderful to experience a sense of accomplishment when you've finished a big project?
This week I finished two projects (yeah for me!). First, cleaning the carpets in my home. Everything just feels wonderful and just in time for the upcoming holidays.
Secondly, I finished a novella I started in October. What a great feeling to write "the end" and send off a query to an editor. Cross your fingers for me that she'll want it. My critique partners say it's my best story yet.
I challenge you to work hard and feel the heady sense of accomplishing something you've been working at but just hadn't finished yet.
This week I finished two projects (yeah for me!). First, cleaning the carpets in my home. Everything just feels wonderful and just in time for the upcoming holidays.
Secondly, I finished a novella I started in October. What a great feeling to write "the end" and send off a query to an editor. Cross your fingers for me that she'll want it. My critique partners say it's my best story yet.
I challenge you to work hard and feel the heady sense of accomplishing something you've been working at but just hadn't finished yet.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Great Advice to Live By
A friend gave me the following and as I read through it again tonight, I found myself thinking it is so true. I don't know who wrote it, but I wanted to share the thoughts with you.
DO FOLLOW YOUR PASSION
Every super-successful person's gotta do what they love.
DON'T BE AFRAID
You'll never walk if you don't take the first step.
DO JUST DO IT
You can dream, you can talk, but at some point you have to do it.
DONT EVER GIVE UP
Tenacity: you're gonna get knocked down. Take your knocks and get right back up.
DO GET A YES
You might get a hundred doors slammed in your face. So go to door 101.
DON'T OVER PROMISE
You have to keep your credibility.
DO SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE SMARTER THAN YOU.
That's the Ronald Reagan School of Management.
DON'T LISTEN TO NAYSAYERS.
DO FOLLOW YOUR PASSION
Every super-successful person's gotta do what they love.
DON'T BE AFRAID
You'll never walk if you don't take the first step.
DO JUST DO IT
You can dream, you can talk, but at some point you have to do it.
DONT EVER GIVE UP
Tenacity: you're gonna get knocked down. Take your knocks and get right back up.
DO GET A YES
You might get a hundred doors slammed in your face. So go to door 101.
DON'T OVER PROMISE
You have to keep your credibility.
DO SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE SMARTER THAN YOU.
That's the Ronald Reagan School of Management.
DON'T LISTEN TO NAYSAYERS.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Life - Use It Wisely
Life is a coin
You can spend it anyway you wish,
But you can only spend it once.
----Unknown
I found this saying and remember writing it down because it really made me think. We have one life. We can only have each day, each hour, each minute once, and then it is gone. How did you spend yours? Did you do something to improve yourself or did you do something to help someone else? So often we wile away our days, putting off doing things until tomorrow, then wish we had the time back.
Each time I read through the above thought, I find myself thinking of all the things I'd like to do, all the love I'd like to give, all the happiness I want for myself and others, and then I realize I'm the only one who can spend my day doing just that.
Be happy. Live your life and spend it wisely.
You can spend it anyway you wish,
But you can only spend it once.
----Unknown
I found this saying and remember writing it down because it really made me think. We have one life. We can only have each day, each hour, each minute once, and then it is gone. How did you spend yours? Did you do something to improve yourself or did you do something to help someone else? So often we wile away our days, putting off doing things until tomorrow, then wish we had the time back.
Each time I read through the above thought, I find myself thinking of all the things I'd like to do, all the love I'd like to give, all the happiness I want for myself and others, and then I realize I'm the only one who can spend my day doing just that.
Be happy. Live your life and spend it wisely.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Utah RWA Conference
I just returned from a wonderful Writers Conference sponsored by the Utah Chapter of Romance Writers of America held at The Lodges at Deer Valley in Park City, Utah. Beautiful setting, wonderful rooms, and great service.
It was a fantastic conference with workshops by such authors as Jo Leigh, Lynn Kurland, Nicole Jordan, Elizabeth Lane, Rachel Gibson, Melissa Mayhue and Raeanne Thayne. In addition, we had a special workshop by Jude Bown, author and inspirational speaker. I enjoyed all their words of advice and am amazed at all the talent of these wonderful authors.
We were also lucky to have agents, Kelly Mortimer and Christine Witthohn, as well as editor, Amanda Bergeron from Avon Books, present workshops and a panel for us to ask questions to gain from their knowledge.
If you’re an author or anyone who is striving to achieve a dream, here are few words of wisdom I gained from the workshops and speakers:
You have to take the first step. If you’re an author, put your butt in the chair and start writing.
Never stop learning about the process. Do your homework. Know who to submit your work to, know what they are looking for. Overcome your fears and never stop pushing yourself to do better.
Don’t try to mimick others. Learn your strong points, emphasize those strong points. Find what makes you unique and go for it. Don’t let anyone change that.
Network. Get to know others in the field you’re striving to succeed in. Ask for their help. Be their friend and offer any assistance you can to help them. Always be professional. Look for the positive and don’t complain.
Treasure the small successes and achievements you make. And lastly, Do what you love.
It was a fantastic conference with workshops by such authors as Jo Leigh, Lynn Kurland, Nicole Jordan, Elizabeth Lane, Rachel Gibson, Melissa Mayhue and Raeanne Thayne. In addition, we had a special workshop by Jude Bown, author and inspirational speaker. I enjoyed all their words of advice and am amazed at all the talent of these wonderful authors.
We were also lucky to have agents, Kelly Mortimer and Christine Witthohn, as well as editor, Amanda Bergeron from Avon Books, present workshops and a panel for us to ask questions to gain from their knowledge.
If you’re an author or anyone who is striving to achieve a dream, here are few words of wisdom I gained from the workshops and speakers:
You have to take the first step. If you’re an author, put your butt in the chair and start writing.
Never stop learning about the process. Do your homework. Know who to submit your work to, know what they are looking for. Overcome your fears and never stop pushing yourself to do better.
Don’t try to mimick others. Learn your strong points, emphasize those strong points. Find what makes you unique and go for it. Don’t let anyone change that.
Network. Get to know others in the field you’re striving to succeed in. Ask for their help. Be their friend and offer any assistance you can to help them. Always be professional. Look for the positive and don’t complain.
Treasure the small successes and achievements you make. And lastly, Do what you love.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
I Read a New Book
Have any of you read Carla Neggers? I got a copy of her book, Cold Pursuit, and I loved it. From the first murder in Black Fall, a small town in Vermont, to the hit and run murder of a prominent ambassador in Washington, D.C. her story grabbed me and didn't let go. Her hero was wonderful and the heroine determined. I couldn't put the book down and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys suspense and romance at its finest.
Her website is: CarlaNeggers.com
Her website is: CarlaNeggers.com
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