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.














Monday, February 27, 2012

Inspiration for Monday

"You may only be someone in the world, but to someone else you may be the world"
-Author Unknown

"Today you are You,
     that is truer than true. 
There is no one alive
     who is Youer than You."
-Dr. Seuss

"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing."
-Benjamin Franklin

"I have spread my dreams beneath your feet-tread softly because you tread on my dreams."
-W.B. Yeats

"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly."
-Langston Hughes

Have a Happy Monday and a Great Week!

Friday, February 24, 2012

Books With Cookies And Milk

See You At Harry's

See You At Harry's

Written by:  Jo Knowles

     I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of this book through NetGalley and I thought a lot about how I was going to write this review. I debated whether to do a detailed outline of what was going on in the story and finally opted on leaving that up to you as the reader and telling you a little more about Jo and just giving a touch on the story.   Jo has really done it this time!  I loved her first three books, “Lessons From A Dead Girl”, “Jumping Off Swings” and “Pearl”, but with “See You At Harry’s”, I felt more emotions than I thought possible with the reading of one book.  Jo takes you down a path where your heart breaks, heals and then soars.  She has a remarkable talent for writing; her words seem to flow effortlessly.  Jo captures the essence of her subject creating an inspiring reading experience.  I feel that her writing is a gift and she is the channel from inspiration to paper.  

     “See You At Harry’s” is coming out in May of this year.  This is Jo’s first, ‘middle-grade’ novel, where her other stories are for the Young Adult Genre, although I feel that this book is ageless. 
     When you stop by Harry’s you will meet, Fern, who is twelve, her older brother and sister, Holden and Sara, and then there is Charlie who is three.  Their parents own and run the family restaurant, “Harry’s Homemade Ice Cream and Family Restaurant”.  While reading this story I was drawn into the world of the characters and found their happenings truly realistic.  Here is a family that truly loves each other with realistic emotions of annoyance, grief, anger, despair and fear.
Thank you, Jo, for finding a way to share this beautiful story, not only for the sake of the story itself, but for the message you spread with it. 

If you haven’t already, please stop by her blog/journal at http://jbknowles.livejournal.com/ . 

     Reading her blog, leaves you with the feeling that you have known her forever, even though you may never have met.

 Chocolate Covered Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich Cookie Pops
For the Brownies:
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa, plus more for pan
2 eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup flour
pinch of kosher salt

For the Ice Cream Sandwiches:

1 quart vanilla ice cream, slightly softened
2 pounds chocolate chips
1 teaspoon oil
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Butter a 13x9inch pan. Place a sheet of parchment paper in the bottom, spread with butter, and dust with cocoa powder. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter, sugar, and 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder. When the mixture is creamy, and all lumps are gone, add in eggs, one at a time, incorporating well after each addition. Add in vanilla.
With the mixer on low, add in flour and salt. Mix until just combined. Spread into prepared pan and bake until shiny on the top, 10-15 minutes. Remove from oven, and allow to cool completely.
Remove brownie from the pan, and cut in half. Spread ice cream on one half, and top with the other half. Freeze for 2-4 hours, until firm.
Cut the large ice cream sandwich into smaller sandwiches. Insert wooden popsicle sticks, and freeze for another hour.
Melt the chocolate chips with the oil in the microwave in 30 second intervals, until chocolate is smooth. Dip each ice cream sandwich in the chocolate, and let set on a sheet of parchment paper. Wrap in parchment

Don't Forget The Milk!
Enjoy!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Inspiration Is A Gift

    

     The gift of writing comes in many forms.  For me, I like to think my inspiration for writing comes in pretty little packages.  I love opening each and everyone, unfolding new surprises and ideas.  Inspiration in our writing is not only a gift to ourselves, it is a gift to our readers as well.  Where we choose to draw inspiration from is as much about who we are as it is about anything else.

     Where do you draw your inspiration from?  Would love to hear your thoughts.

Monday, February 20, 2012

I'm Back! - Inspirations to Start Your Week

     So it has been some time since I wrote a blog post.  Like everyone, I have been busy.  I have been taking care of my Step-mom who has not been well.  She is doing much better now! 

     Thank you everyone for the emails "where are you, are you okay?"...  I appreciate your concern.  Well, I am now coming out of my rabbit hole with a little help from my fellow bloggers.


     I hope you are all well and I wish you all a belated Happy New Year!  Here are a few inspirational "To Do's" on my list this year:

1.  Carve out an hour a day for solitude.
2.  Strive for realistic deadlines.
3.  Nurture friendships.
4.  Approach problems as a challenge.
5.  Cherish your dreams.
6.  Create boundaries.
7.  Let Mother Nature nurture.
8.  Always carry something interesting to read.
9.  Don't overschedule.
10. Keep it simple.
11. Laugh more often.
12. Be instead of do.
13. Don't be afraid of your passion.
14. Care for your soul.
15. Set aside one day a week for rest and renewal.

     Life has priceless gifts waiting for us, if we are willing to quiet our hearts and listen to what it tells us.  I hope you all have a great start to the week. 

     "You only live once - but if you work it right, once is enough."
- Joe E. Lewis