Beginning

Welcome to my blog, thank you for stopping by. If this is your first time to my blog, it's nice to meet you. If you've been here before, welcome back.

My writing journey has begun. The road will have some bumps and detours. I only hope that the first hill is not too high, and the journey is long.














Friday, September 30, 2011

Books With Cookies And Milk 41

Sleeping With Skeletons

Sleeping With Skeletons

Written by:  Doralynn Kennedy

     I have such a great read for you! In Sleeping With Skeletons you get it all, suspense, love, grief and humor. This story has the right amount of each packed right into it. Doralynn's characters are strongly written, the background of rural Ireland is beautifully described, and the plot is an amazing rollercoaster ride. 

     Sleeping With Skeletons is the perfect title for this story. Margaret knows there are rules when you are in hiding and she knows them all well, but is she able to adhere to those rules?  The beautifully layed out plot tells of the many skeletons Margaret sleeps with and the tracking of her by Riyad. 

     Doralynn’s skill in creating unforgettable characters and amazing dialogue. Her knowledge of what it takes to write a thriller with the right amount of romance is what makes this such a fantastic read. This is definitely a page turning, heart thumping must read!

Cookie Recipe:

Irish Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies

(For Grown-up’s Only)

Ingredients:

½ cup butter
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup Irish Cream Whiskey (I used Bailey’s)
2 ¼ cups cake flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (6 ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
¾ cup coconut
½ cup chopped pecans

Directions:

     Cream butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and egg until fluffy. Add vanilla and Irish cream. Mix dry ingredients and blend into creamed mixture. Add coconut, pecans and chocolate chips. Drop onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Cool.

Don’t Forget The Milk!
Enjoy!


Note:  Don't forget to check out my blog give-a-way posted September 28, 2011

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Fall Give-A-Way

     I want to thank you all for taking the time out of your busy days and stopping by to read my blog. I do appreciate it! 

     I am hosting a Fall Give-A-Way!

     To enter please leave a comment with one of your favorite inspirational quotations. I would like to use your favorite quote, at some point, in my blog with a link back to your blog. If you aren’t already a follower, it is not a requirement to enter this contest, it is your choice whether you wish to or not. The contest is running from today through October 5, 2011. I will use Random.org to select the winner. The contest is open to U.S. and International. The winner will be posted on October 6, 2011.  Here are the prizes for this Give-A-Way:



     A Micro-Cassette Recorder with three blank, reusable tapes (for ideas on the go), a Spells and Potions Hardcover Writer's Journal (purchased in Salem, MA), a 12-pack of Halloween Pencils (purchased in Salem, MA), an assortment of Three (fall scented) candles, 2 mini (4x6) fall notebooks, sticky notes and a bag  of Lindt Chocolate Truffles.

I thank you all for your visits, comments and inspiration!

Happy Wednesday!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Quotations for Inspiration

     Here are a few quotations to start off your week:

1. “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” ~ Albert Einstein.


2. “Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.” ~ Albert Einstein


3. “All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” ~ Pablo Picasso


4. “Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes


5. Féadfaidh an Shine ghrian, an lá ar fad,
gach rud téigh ar dheis, agus aon rud mícheart.
Bealtaine grá sin grá duit a thabhairt ar ais chugat,
agus féadfaidh an mian leis go léir mian leat teacht fíor!

           meaning:

(May the sun shine, all day long,
everything go right, and nothing wrong.
May those you love bring love back to you,
and may all the wishes you wish come true!)

     Have a great week everyone! I’ll stop by to say hello and see how you are!

     Note:  I am having a Blog Give-A-Way starting this Wednesday, September 28, 2011 through Thursday, October 6, 2011.



Friday, September 23, 2011

Books With Cookies And Milk (40)

My Mommy Hung the Moon

My Mommy Hung the Moon: A Love Story

Written by:  Jamie Lee Curtis
Illustrated by:  Laura Cornell

"My mommy hung the moon.

She tied it with string.
My mommy's good at EVERYTHING"

     I love this story! A great book about unconditional love between a mother and a child. It is well-written and flows. There is just enough silliness for both mom and child. The illustrations are great. A great read for the end of the day. This would also be a nice gift for the Mom-to-be.

HALF-MOON COOKIES

Ingredients:


1 (18.25-ounce) package white cake mix
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
8 ounces (half a 16-ounce container) chocolate frosting
8 ounces (half a 16-ounce container) vanilla frosting

Directions:

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat two baking sheets with cooking spray.

2.In a large bowl, combine cake mix, oil, and eggs; mix well. Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheets. Bake 12 to 14 minutes, or until firm.

3.Remove cookies to wire racks to cool completely. Frost half of the flat side of each cookie with vanilla frosting and the other half with chocolate frosting. Serve, or cover loosely until ready to serve.

Don't Forget The Milk!
Enjoy!



Thursday, September 22, 2011

Second Campaigner Challenge

The following Post is part of the Second Campaigner Challenge being held by Rachael Harrie.  The link to her challenge is:  http://rachaelharrie.blogspot.com/2011/09/second-campaigner-challenge.html

The Challenge is:


Write a blog post in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, whether flash fiction, non-fiction, humorous blog musings, poem, etc. The blog post should:

include the word "imago" in the title
include the following 4 random words: "miasma," "lacuna," "oscitate," "synchronicity,"

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional and included in the word count), make reference to a mirror in your post.

For those who want an even greater challenge (optional), make your post 200 words EXACTLY!

My entry is:

Imago of a Writer


     It is an odd analogy to compare the emergence of a writer to an insect, but similar to an insect becoming an adult through the stage of imago, a writer reaches the level of adulthood in their own development. The writer starts out young, fresh and new; metamorphosing into a developed, seasoned, and cultivated writer, shedding their old, unnecessary layers.

     During this process of self-development, the writer’s manuscript, transforms as it, too, is developed, seasoned and cultivated. The initial outcries, like that of miasma, turn to cheers of excitement. Manuscripts returned from editors, who replied that this work caused them to oscitate, with hard work and determination, turn into submissions that are polished and complete.

     The synchronicity of a writer’s imago and that of their writings is what makes them each whole. Nothing during this metamorphosis is deserved; each step is hard work and painstaking, each writer and writing, developing into their unique form. At the end of the day, when we see our reflection in the mirror, can we say our transformation is noticeable? YOU BET!

“We must be ready to get rid of the life we planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us!”

---------------------------------------
 
     This was one tough challenge!  Good luck everyone with your posts.  I am looking forward to reading them.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Is It Ready For Submission?

     How do you know that your manuscript is ready to submit? When you are on the road to trying to get published for the first time, like I am, it is hard to know when it is ready. I have re-read, revised and re-written. I have put it away for awhile, pulled it back out again and repeated the process. Is it ever really ready?


     Should I just let it go? Is it ready for a professional eye? I know I have blogged about ‘getting this party started’, but here I am, hesitating. I’m reaching out – any comments or advice?
     On another note, I am putting together a fun blog give-a-way. Be sure to check back next week for the details.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Quotations For Inspiration!

Today, to start off the week, I am leaving you with some Quotations for Inspiration:

"Sometime in your life you will go on a long journey.  It will be the longest journey you have ever taken.  It is the journey to find yourself." - Katherine Sharp

"Dreams are illustrations - from the book your soul is writing about you." - Marsha Noonan

"Tis a lesson you should heed, try, try again.  If at first you don't suceed. Try, try again." - W. E. Hickson

"I pray that you'll grow whole and old, in joy, peace, and grace, gifting us for many years with your wisdom.  Heaven knows we need it." - Author Unknown

A Toast for good luck with your writing and your week:

Go raibh mile maith agat! (May you have a thousand good things!)

Friday, September 16, 2011

Books With Cookies And Milk (39)

The Lemonade War

The Lemonade Crime

By:  Jacqueline Davies

     This book is the sequel to The Lemonade War. This book can be read without having read the first book. Evan and his sister, Jessie are accusing Scott Spencer of stealing $208 from Evan. Jessie sets up a mock courtroom on the playground after school assigning the roles of judge, jury and witness to members of their 4th grade class. Jessie, acting as Evan’s lawyer sets out to prove Scott guilty. Evan, however, lets his emotions determine his actions when his anger gets the best of him. The characters shine individually in this story and the story is nicely played out.


     I picked this book for review because of the upcoming:

Overcoming Challenges: A Program for Writers, Illustrators, and Educators
Saturday, October 1, 2011, 10:00 - 3:30
at the
Danforth Museum of Art
123 Union Avenue
Framingham, MA.
(Are you going?  Hope to see you there!)

Recipe:

Lemon Cream Sandwich Cookies

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons lemon extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch

LEMON FILLING:

1/4 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

Directions:

     In a bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar. Beat in extract. Combine flour and cornstarch; beat into creamed mixture. Divide into two balls; wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut into 2-in. rounds. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly
browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

For filling, in a small bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar.  Beat in lemon juice and peel. Spread over the bottoms of half of the cookies; top with remaining cookies. Dust with confectioners’ sugar.

Yield: 2 dozen.

Don’t Forget The Milk!
Enjoy!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Are You Ready?

     So you want to get published. You have finished your manuscript and made your revisions. You have listened to comments and feedback from friends and critique partners. They love it! *Claps hands together!*


     Now, comes the time to get it out to editors for any feedback. *Crosses fingers* Any feedback, good or bad, is a good thing, right? It will help you get your story to another level. Are you ready for this? What are you waiting for? *knees shake* Be fearless! Toughen up! You’re ready for it.

     The single most important thing you can do is to let it go. It is your writing that got you here, to this place, this level. You are already a writer. You are on your way!

     Let those editors know you exist. Send that manuscript out! Don’t stop believing. You rock! Let’s get this party started!!

     --To my commenters and followers.  I will be by to visit your blogs and catch up!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Enjoying the Campaign

     We have been reading and enjoying the stories that are coming out of Rachel Harrie's Campaign.  So many stories from just two phrases.  As writers we have taken these two phrases and reached completely different views about what happened. 

     Everyone has their own writing style.  Even though we may not be writing a memoir, we let some of ourselves come through, after all our writing is part of us.  It is what we see, what we hear and what we think.  Writing stories isn't something we do in our spare time, or just to pass the time.  Writing stories is what we DO!  We weave together our thoughts, dreams and even nightmares. 

     We each go through life and write by the beat of a different drum.  I am reading through the many wonderful stories created in this campaign and looking forward to hearing the many beats of the drum!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Receiving and Sharing The Versatile Blogger Award!


The Versatile Blogger award was given to me by Ms Saba at http://worddiaries.blogspot.com/ :) Thank you!!


The rules (there are always rules!)

Anyone who accepts this is asked by the person selecting them to do three things:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Pass this Award along to 15 recently discovered blogs and let them know about it!

     Thank you Ms Saba for this award, I really I appreciate it!  This is such a fun way to get to know other bloggers. 


     Here are the 7 things about myself.  Sorry if most of them are repeats of an earlier post, but these things haven't changed and I'm still me! :)

1. I am a grandmother. I am called “Lolli” and my husband is called “Pop”. Hence, this is where the name for my blog came from.


2. I like to quilt, sometimes I quilt with a group called “Stitch ‘N ( )itch”. I left out the “B” on purpose.

3. I made my daughter’s wedding dress & veil, her bridesmaids’ dresses and my outfit for her wedding. (pictures on left side of my blog)

4. I like to write, draw and paint.

5. I am known for quick-one-line-zingers.

6.  I collect teapots and teacups. 

7.  I have done quite a bit of traveling, but my favorite place to be is inside my grandson's hug!

Here are the 15 blogs I would like to share this award with:

Stacy - http://stacysjensen.blogspot.com/


Lynda - http://lyndaryoung.blogspot.com/

Joanne - http://10minutes2breathe.blogspot.com/

Ali - http://www.alicross.com/

Alleged Author - http://anallegedauthor.blogspot.com/

Cynthia - http://cynthiawillis.blogspot.com/

Mimi - http://mimiindublin.blogspot.com/

Molly - http://lemonlye.livejournal.com/

Ron - http://princebalthazar.blogspot.com/

Jenny - http://www.jennysulpizio.com/

Doralynn - http://dlynnkennedy.blogspot.com/

Angie - http://notesfromthewritingchair.blogspot.com/

Peggy - http://peggyeddleman.blogspot.com/

Lady Gwen - http://rungwenrun.blogspot.com/

Elaine AM - http://notexactlyblogging.blogspot.com/

     Thanks for all that you share with us!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Special Prayers Today!

Special Prayers to:
To the Dewan Family on the loss of
Gerard P. Dewan, Ladder 3
Christine Dewan

And to all who lost someone they knew and loved on 9/11/01.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Books With Cookies And Milk (38)

It's that time of week again where I post another book review and cookie recipe.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Gilda Joyce
Psychic Investigator
The Bones of the Holy

Gilda Joyce: The Bones of the Holy

Written by:  Jennifer Allison

     This is the latest book in the Gilda Joyce books.  The story takes place as Gilda's mother announces that she is getting remarried.  Gilda is horrified to learn that her mother has made this decision without even having Gilda or her brother, Stephen meet this guy.  Eugene Pook, the soon-to-be-step-dad, has a sinister secret in his past.  Why is there a body under the floorboards? 

     Gilda wants to get to the bottom of Eugene Pook and put a stop to this wedding once and for all!  This story is full of suspense and Gilds is funny, quirky and engaging.  I thought this book, like the others in this series was a great read.  I must say that this one is my favorite of the Gilds Joyce books.

Peppermint Patty-Cake Cookies
(Chosen for Patty-Cakes in this story)
(Stock up on Bob’s Sweet Stripes Soft Peppermint Candy.)
(You can also order it from this fun candy site: http://www.oldtimecandy.com/)

Ingredients:

1 chocolate cake mix (unprepared)
1/2 cup canola oil
2 eggs
6+ crushed soft peppermint sticks
1 cup white chocolate chips

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together cake mix, oil and eggs.

Stir in crushed peppermint sticks and white chocolate chips.

Place by large spoonfuls on greased cookie sheet and bake approximate 10 minutes.

Now patty yourself on the back and eat some! Makes about 2 dozen.

Don't Forget The Milk!
Enjoy!

Some of my favorite Quotations

     Today, I want to share with you some more of my favorite quotations:

“It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end.”
– Ursula K. Le Guin

“Within your heart, keep one still, secret spot where dreams may go.”
– Louise Driscoll

“A good book is the best of friends, the same today and forever.”
– Martin Tupper

“Of all the needs a book has the chief need is that it be readable.”
– Anthony Trollope

"Be open, curious, present, and engaged.”
– Author Unknown

A favorite in Gaelic:
"Go raibh mile maith agat!”
(May you have a thousand good things!”)
This I wish to you all.

     I would love it if you would share some of your favorite quotations to inspire us. 

Thank you for your many comments, advice and best wishes. I look forward to communicating with you often. Take care, and happy writing!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Our Inner Transformations

     We writers go through a transformation, much like our manuscripts.  All of our inner transformations might not be noticed by anyone, but us.  Hopefully, our transformation in our writings will be noticed and worth our efforts. 

     In our writings an idea is formed, we create and re-create.  We push ourselves to dig deeper, to write something that our readers will also want to dig deeper and want to know more.  We question ourselves, our charachters and our stories.  Are we writing what we want to say?  Is my charachter's voice strong enough?  Do we like our story?  Will others like our story?  These questions bring forth the transformation in our stories and ourselves. 

     Our stories are immeasurably enriched by our inner growth and higher aspirations, and so are we.  Instead of just thinking about it, start that transformation.  Write that story it could be the best piece you have ever done! 

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Link to a great blog:

Hi Everyone - I was going to do a post today about story creating.  Mine was going to be called Ten Steps to Creating a Story.  But, then I stopped by Lynda R. Young's blog and here was some of what I was going to say, but only better.  So why mess with greatness!  Here is a link to her post:  http://lyndaryoung.blogspot.com/2011/09/10-stages-of-story-development.html

I hope you'll read around her blog, she has so many great posts.  Since I have started blogging I have visited so many blogs and what a community we belong to.  Everyone is so willing to share the information that they have to help us on our own journeys.  I hope you enjoy your visit to Lynda's blog.

Today, I'll leave you with:

     Thanks to you all, I have been getting so much more than I planned.  Have a Great Day!

Monday, September 5, 2011

Campaigner Challenge 200-Word Short Fiction

Rachael has posted our first Campaigner Challenge — the rules are:

     Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “The door swung open” These four words will be included in the word count.

     If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), use the same beginning words and end with the words: “the door swung shut.” (also included in the word count)

     For those who want an even greater challenge, make your story 200 words EXACTLY!

Here’s mine — 200 words.

On Her Own
      The door swung open. The shop seemed airless, today, suffocating in the heat, the air thick with dust motes floating in the shafts of light. Today, despite its agonizing length, was still only half over. Nia walked ahead of him through the shop toward the back office. She was aware of him behind her, aware of his gait and posture, which suddenly seems unnatural, too stiff.

     The pain was building inside her so that she was actually clutching her stomach. It was so physical that it actually hurt. She needed to talk to someone. She’d never been much for talking to anyone before; she’d always believed she could solve her own problems. But, this time she knew she couldn’t. Now she was on her own. She remembered how they’d looked at her, eyes full of concern. She didn’t want to be pitied by them, not ever.

     She felt the hot tears sting her eyes again and she clenched her jaws. I will not let him make me cry, she told herself as she walked into the back office.

     In the window glass ahead of her, she can see a reflection of the two of them, as the door swung shut.

The link to Rachael's blog is: 
     http://rachaelharrie.blogspot.com/2011/09/first-campaigner-challenge.html 

     Here you can stop by and read the other entries to the campaign.  I am looking forward to stopping by and reading the entries, I hope you will, too!

Friday, September 2, 2011

The Blank Page

     Sometimes, I feel intimidated by 'The Blank Page'.  To be honest, I do not have the greatest vocabulary range.  I am always searching to find the 'right words'.  The Dictionary and Thesaurus are my constant staple. 

     Usually, I find that I write my best when I write what I know.  This is my comfort zone.  It is time for me to think out of the box and get out of my comfort zone.  Do you ever feel that, at times, writing can be like trying to push a car uphill, and you are getting nowhere, too fast?  You give it a little push and it quickly rolls back down, or even over you? 

     I read the words of other writers and it seems that their writing flows naturally and effortlessly.  Do the words come so easily to them?  Do they often write outside of their comfort zone?  No more of just writing inside the tiny little box on a page, keeping all of my ideas neatly inside; it's time to get out of that box and use the whole page, filling it with wonderous ideas. 

     So, here goes!  Today, it is time to write, not worry about spelling, not worry about grammar and not worry about making sense.  Just putting words to paper, anything that comes to mind.  If I am willing to endure, it must willing to reciprocate.  I'm going to make every page count. 

     I want to share with all of you a blank page:
    
Posted Image

    Let's get started.  Write that page!  After all, you can't edit a blank page! 

     I can't wait to see how it fills up, I know that we will all fill it with something amazing.  I wish you many happy writings today and every day! 
     

Thursday, September 1, 2011

YIPPEE!!!

I'M BACK!!

     Power is restored! (We won't miss you, Irene!)  We had lost power on Saturday morning, around 9:30, and finally got it back. Now, it’s time for the task of clearing away the rest of the debris from the storm and getting back to normal. Thank you for sticking with me and stopping by! Newcomers, thank you for stopping by. I will be by to visit all of your blogs throughout the next couple of days. I feel as though I have missed so much!


     I did a lot of reading (by Candle and Kindle), I have so many more books to share with you. Now, that September is here, I will go back to my posting “Books With Cookies And Milk” once a week along with my other daily posts. I am planning on having a lot of Give-A-Ways, with some fun prizes with this series in my blog. I hope you’ll stop by and join in the fun.

     I look forward to stopping by your blogs and getting caught up!