tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27534170717941091972024-02-01T23:28:38.044-05:00LolliPop's CottageWriter for children's books.Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-88387316139194607292015-04-24T12:39:00.001-04:002015-04-24T12:39:45.216-04:00<span style="font-size: large;">I arrived at the Conference: </span><span style="font-size: large;">Think Outside the Crayon Box</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileUKqlZ-0l5WKIA8Tcu0dSacFojzZVzqUCO9aOvMr4uIETiY4SbUKB_yx796OO_S0Ca09SwiqYQy6yrnbFho6Yvo_JnmZ7IloXvEvDRGxRvSoZwePROgF858yjhVad-zBeCYhwbzKlW6z/s1600/150424_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileUKqlZ-0l5WKIA8Tcu0dSacFojzZVzqUCO9aOvMr4uIETiY4SbUKB_yx796OO_S0Ca09SwiqYQy6yrnbFho6Yvo_JnmZ7IloXvEvDRGxRvSoZwePROgF858yjhVad-zBeCYhwbzKlW6z/s1600/150424_0001.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My first workshop starts at 2:00 pm - Writing Picture Books and Early Readers Like a Poet: Writing Poetry Techniques to Make Your Picture Books Pop! Presented by: Jane Kohuth, author of</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780307975799"><img class="bookimages" height="320" src="http://www.janekohuth.com/images/annefrank.jpg" title="Click to purchase!" width="219" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Published by Random House in September, 2013</span></div>
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Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-22033473078457922582015-04-24T06:44:00.002-04:002015-04-24T06:44:41.473-04:00<span style="font-size: large;">Spring Conference</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today is the start of the NESCBWI Spring Conference. Bags are packed and I am ready to go. So excited! </span><br />
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<a href="http://newengland.scbwi.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/58/files/2015/03/Badge_Attendee.25in-bleed.jpg"><img alt="I will be an attendee at the 2015 New England SCBWI Conference" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-883" height="300" src="http://newengland.scbwi.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/58/files/2015/03/Badge_Attendee.25in-bleed-214x300.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy! Happy! Happy!</span></div>
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Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-52895023887857690852015-04-19T23:54:00.001-04:002015-04-19T23:54:06.562-04:00<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I am reviving my Books With Cookies And Milk! Here is a cute story I just enjoyed reading. Check it out :)</span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Books
With Cookies And Milk<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Duckling Gets a
Cookie!?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75"
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<a href="http://img2.imagesbn.com/p/9781423151289_p0_v1_s600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?" border="0" class="image img book" data-bn-src-url="http://img2.imagesbn.com/p/9781423151289_p0_v1_s600.JPG" height="320" id="viewer-image-1" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/p/9781423151289_p0_v1_s600.JPG" width="318" /></a></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Words and pictures
by Mo Willems<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This is such a cute story!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It says so much in so few words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even the title makes you wonder whether the Duckling gets the cookie or
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gentle hint of kindness and good
manners is behind the Duckling and the cookie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a great story to read or to be read to!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nice work Mo Willems!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Chocolate
Chip, Raisin, Nut and Oatmeal Cookies<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ingredients<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened or room temperature<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">6 tablespoons shortening<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">1 cup (packed) light brown sugar<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">1 cup sugar<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">2 large eggs<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">½ teaspoon ground cinnamon<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">1 ½ cups all-purpose flour<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">1 teaspoon baking soda<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">¾ teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">2 cups old-fashioned oats<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">¾ cup milk chocolate chips<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">½ cup chopped walnuts<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">½ cup raisins<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Nonstick vegetable oil spray<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Preheat oven to 350</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">º.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Spray baking sheets with nonstick spray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Using an electric mixer, beat butter, shortening, eggs, sugars, vanilla
and cinnamon in large bowl until well mixed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sift in flour, baking soda and salt; beat to blend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mix in chocolate chips, nuts, oats and
raisins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Drop 1 rounded tablespoonful of dough, for each
cookie onto baking sheet, spacing 1” apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Keep this shape do not flatten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bake cookies until lightly golden and soft to the touch, about 14-15
minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cool cookies on sheets and move
to wire racks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Pour
a glass of milk and Enjoy while reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-67500551843529028262015-04-09T10:37:00.000-04:002015-04-09T10:37:22.570-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Trying to remember the stories I liked to read as a child.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SWRNSbq3_biNeGtHOHO9gkylUM2QapP8lrO42dJU-ZA8_bsTGDkGcwDsM_glai9V1zFddNVl9cbaNuuFNzz7DYnrxJnpE6H4gymCFk0Acp6MgIjBiChsvzQSfhonAmQHSMDA8OPHFFvw/s1600/me.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SWRNSbq3_biNeGtHOHO9gkylUM2QapP8lrO42dJU-ZA8_bsTGDkGcwDsM_glai9V1zFddNVl9cbaNuuFNzz7DYnrxJnpE6H4gymCFk0Acp6MgIjBiChsvzQSfhonAmQHSMDA8OPHFFvw/s1600/me.png" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today, while writing I am recapturing my youth! Here is a picture of me in the 5th grade!</span> </div>
Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-90594307075877521652015-04-08T07:11:00.002-04:002015-04-08T07:11:33.471-04:00
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Trying to succeed as a writer and opening doors<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I read anything I can find on how to be a writer, seeking
that magic phrase to guide me in the right direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized that inspiration is all around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is in reading books, reading the newspaper
or just watching people around me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having
curiosity is my best inspiration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone
and everything has a background story waiting to come forward. Writing isn’t
about waiting for doors to open, it is about wondering what the story is behind
the door and creating that story and making others want to open it and see what
is happening behind it, too.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I carry a notebook
with me wherever I go, jotting descriptions and phrases for later use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my prompts that I use is an image of a
closed door, then one slightly ajar and finally a door that is swung wide
open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These “door” prompts are on index
cards and I move them along as I write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It seems to work for me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">My notebooks are filled with scribbles and sketches, stories
complete and incomplete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may never get
published or never be read by millions, but I feel successful at my attempts
because I am doing what I love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
writing instead of just hoping to do it one day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am always opening my own doors instead of
waiting for someone to open them for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Careful world, I am opening doors and I don’t always knock first!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-15722828875159255622015-04-03T21:34:00.000-04:002015-04-03T21:34:22.546-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">
Who else is looking forward to attending the Spring Conference?</div>
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<a href="http://newengland.scbwi.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/58/files/2015/03/Badge_Attendee.25in-bleed.jpg"><img alt="I will be an attendee at the 2015 New England SCBWI Conference" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-883" height="300" src="http://newengland.scbwi.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/58/files/2015/03/Badge_Attendee.25in-bleed-214x300.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't wait!</div>
Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-5414762836932788952015-04-02T06:55:00.006-04:002015-04-02T06:55:51.230-04:00
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just to let you know why I have been among the missing - </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For the over past year
I have been taking care of my Stepmom who passed away peacefully last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a lovely and kind woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will miss her greatly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like me, she liked to write; her passion was
poetry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also loved quotes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, in her honor I am posting some quotes from
a post from a couple years ago on my blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> "Laughter is one of the best medicines
around for relieving stress and for creating a more healthy spirit. And, one of
the greatest aspects is that it is totally free and can be done by
anyone." </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Byron Pulsifer</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Anybody can do
just about anything with himself that he really wants to and makes up his mind
to do. We are capable of greater things than we realize." </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Norman Vincent Peale</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Patience and
perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and
obstacles vanish." </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- John Quincy Adams</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"At times our own
light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has
cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within
us." </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Albert Schweitzer</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"If the only
prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough."</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Meister Eckhardt</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">I hope today finds you all happy, healthy and writing!</span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-90703098813561119132014-01-20T11:14:00.001-05:002014-01-20T11:14:59.603-05:00Intruding On My CharactersI seem to have a habit of intruding on my characters. Instead of letting my character lead the story and having their dialogue and their actions tell the story, I seem to be narrating. It is really a hard habit to break. I must realize I cannot manipulate my characters, they should have a realism all their own Learning to let them show the reader what they are doing and where their part in the story will go. The more I train myself to stay focused and let my characters lead the way, the more readable my stories will be. <br />
<br />
My quest for this week is to re-write, and re-write. Looking forward to a productive week. Wishing the same to you! I leave you with a few quotes that I have pinned up at my desk to keep me on track:<br />
<br />
"You have to throw yourself away when you write." - Maxwell Perkins<br />
<br />
"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try." - Beverly Sills<br />
<br />
"All profoundly original work looks ugly at first." - Clement Greenberg<br />
<br />
"Hope is the thing with feathers<br />
That perches in the soul -<br />
And sings the tune without words<br />
And never stops - at all.". - Emily Dickinson<br />
<br />
"All glory comes from daring to begin." - Shakespeare, 'Coriolanus' Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-21522495590900947312014-01-13T20:28:00.000-05:002014-01-13T20:35:24.648-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I dipped my feet into 12x12! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpNMg2nZ31mMNLyTRp5Q5qz18odJWuNdppsuuQ1ZM0oMbnMfdnfcfB5hu_veQjFKk3GFHrIAoZnH-Yl7F8_IC8xRaYYFNIqeot6PwKonIMDsm1-hUraSUgVxDHja8MnXUU1sGafKCCAZg/s1600/12-x-12-new-banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpNMg2nZ31mMNLyTRp5Q5qz18odJWuNdppsuuQ1ZM0oMbnMfdnfcfB5hu_veQjFKk3GFHrIAoZnH-Yl7F8_IC8xRaYYFNIqeot6PwKonIMDsm1-hUraSUgVxDHja8MnXUU1sGafKCCAZg/s320/12-x-12-new-banner.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Actually, my toes in 12x12! Time to take on the challenge. I do have some stories that I have been working on and several more ideas in my head waiting to get on paper. Writing Picture Books is a challenge in itself. Now, to add writing one a month into the scheme of things 'UPS' the challenge. There is no magic formula for writing. At least, not one that I have discovered. So, time to see if I can hold up to the challenge. I used to think that my goal was to be published, but I am looking at my goal in a new light. I now keep a picture of a child reading a book on my desk. That is my new focus, to one day see a child with my book, opened in their hand, excitedly reading away! <br />
<br />
If you are interested in checking out the 12x12, you can check it out here:<br />
<a href="http://www.juliehedlund.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/12-x-12-new-banner.jpg">http://www.juliehedlund.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/12-x-12-new-banner.jpg</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Has anyone else signed up for the challenge? </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Writing!</div>
Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-6211717350212523642014-01-05T23:12:00.002-05:002014-01-05T23:12:41.045-05:00Happy New Year! I'm Back!<span style="font-size: large;">I have been trying to
figure out how to get back on the blogging track after being away for a considerable
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes life just gets ahead of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I sat down at my desk today, I had the
overwhelming feeling of not knowing where to start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what happens when you have been away
from blogging for so long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been
having the feeling of discontent and disconnect so, I am jumping back in. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Even though I haven't been on my blog, I have been writing and doing some illustrating. I have finished the pencil illustrations for one of my picture books and have completed six color illustrations. My next step will be to do the same for another picture book that I have finished writing. My plan is to bring them to the Spring Conference and hopefully have the opportunity to sit in on a critique. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am glad I am back! What have you been up to? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-20414831793971408982013-01-07T11:18:00.004-05:002013-01-07T11:18:41.575-05:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Am I making progress or not?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Mondays are hard! It is hard to pick yourself up sometimes and start the week, especially, when you receive a letter back on your submission and it wasn’t exactly the response you were hoping for, but it was a personal letter with some helpful criticism, for which I am extremely grateful. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> The letter stated that she is not taking on many new projects at this time, however, she found my story very engaging; and couldn’t wait to get to the end! I was given a couple of suggestions to enhance my story. So, that is what I am going to do. I appreciate the advice and I am going to start working on it this week! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Hope you all have a great week!</span><br />
<br />
Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-55886383895358718132013-01-03T15:46:00.000-05:002013-01-03T15:46:09.755-05:00
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" aria-busy="true" aria-describedby="fbPhotosSnowliftCaption" class="spotlight" height="200" src="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/553150_4867907851180_2097964465_n.jpg" style="height: 520px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 374px;" width="143" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A View Outside My Back Door!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I just wanted to share with you a picture my daughter took outside my back door! I love this time of year! You can find inspiration even by just looking out your door. Hope you are all having a wonderful week. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-13282434979020197392013-01-01T08:04:00.002-05:002013-01-01T08:04:31.483-05:00
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy New Year!</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> I have been away from my blog for so
long!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The past few months have been
busy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband had a fall over the
summer and broke 4 ribs, punctured his lung and broke his elbow in several
places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is now well on the mend and
back to his full daily schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
also been taking care of my step-mom, she is 88 years old and has had a tough
year and she, too, is doing better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So,
that in short, is why I have not been on my blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span>I love New Year’s Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There's something exciting about turning over
the calendar page on January 1st. I'm always full of anticipation, wondering
what things the New Year will bring, and hoping it will be a good year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This day holds so much promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is like the first page of your newest
book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The page lies blank before you,
waiting for you to let it know where it is going.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span> </div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> I am not making any New Year’s
Resolutions this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am taking each
day and page as it comes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, with this
New Year, I am offering to you a blank page. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where will it take you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What will you do with it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Best wishes for a Very Happy and
Safe New Year!</span></span></div>
Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-3477961768259678542012-06-11T09:26:00.000-04:002012-06-11T09:26:08.185-04:00Hi Everyone! <br />
<br />
Happy Monday!<br />
<br />
I finished another Picture book draft! Yay for me. This one I am actually going to try to illustrate. I'll keep you posted on how that goes. <br />
<br />
How was your weekend? I hope you had the opportunity to get some writing done. I hope this week you hit the ground running (as far as writing goes)! Have a great start to your week! Here are a few quotes to get you going:<br />
<br />
"A writer is, after all, only half his book. The other half is the reader and fromthe reader the writer learns." - P. L. Travers<br />
<br />
"I write when I'm inspired, and I see to it that I'm inspired at nine o'clock every morning." - Peter De Vries<br />
<br />
"The writer, when he is also an artist, is someone who admits what others don't dare reveal." - Elia Kazan<br />
<br />
"The true function of a writer is to produce a masterpiece and no other task is of any consequence." - Cyril Connolly<br />
<br />
<br />Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-3252608861349450002012-06-04T09:50:00.004-04:002012-06-06T19:33:25.881-04:00Inspiration For The Week<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"> Do you know why a car’s windshield is so large and the
rearview mirror is so small?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because
your Past is not as important as our Future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Look ahead and move on.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"> Old friends are gold!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>New friends are diamond!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
get a diamond, don’t forget the god!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because to hold a diamond, you always need a base of gold!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"> Worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles, it takes
away today’s peace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> I chose these particular inspirational phrases because the
author is unknown to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that you
become the author of these phrases during your upcoming week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Happy Monday to you all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-81042053872816829302012-06-01T09:12:00.001-04:002012-06-01T09:12:14.073-04:00Planning On A Writing WeekendSo, I am geared up and ready to go. I am planning on having a writing weekend. <br />
<br />
I picked up a funky new pen and a new notebook. I love the notebook, it is one that you can sketch on your own design on the cover. I have gathered my magazine photos and articles, for a little added inspiration. <br />
<br />
This weekend I am heading outdoors for my writing retreat. <br />
<br />
How about you? What are your plans for the weekend? Hope it is Inspiring!<br />
<br />
<br />Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-4059851198453232312012-05-29T08:56:00.001-04:002012-05-29T08:56:05.495-04:00Quotations for Inspiration<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Good Morning!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope
everyone had a nice long weekend!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here
are a few quotes:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">“Writing a novel is like driving a car at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can only see as far as your headlights,
but you can make the whole trip that way.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">– E. L. Doctorow</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">“Most of us don’t value what we have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead we focus on what we lack.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">– Paul McKenna</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">“It’s never too late – in fiction or in life – to revise.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">–
Nancy Thayer</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">“True success lies in deciding what our priorities are, and
what trade-off we are willing to make.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">– Octavius Black</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">“Life is not the way it’s supposed to be, it’s the way it
is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The way you cope with what it is
what makes the difference.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">– Virginia Satir</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hope your week sails by smoothly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">All the best,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Maeve</span></div>Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-47868336998608134282012-05-23T14:03:00.002-04:002012-05-23T14:03:33.907-04:00Am I Really A Writer? <span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Has anyone else questioned themselves and asked:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I really a writer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are times that I hesitate to share my
craft, to let others know that I write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hold back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">Maybe, I feel this way because writing is never about me,
even though there may be some of me in everything I write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writing is hard work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I apply myself, writing and re-writing every
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, then why is it so hard for me
to grasp onto that title?</span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">This is something I am working on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about sharing some of your own feelings
and tips?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">How do you overcome this feeling?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have any of you felt this way?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-983004917605627022012-05-20T21:53:00.000-04:002012-05-20T21:53:05.187-04:00Here we are at the beginning to a new week! It is like the start of a book. Ideas of what you would like to happen are laid out before you. How will it end? Will it be as you planned or will surprises await you? I love surprises! Don't you? <br />
<br />
Here are a few quotations to start your week. I hope they bring you some inspriation.<br />
<br />
"Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glit of light on broken glass." - Anton Chekhov<br />
<br />
"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination." - Jimmy Dean<br />
<br />
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." - Henry David Thoreau<br />
<br />
"Believe in yourself and in your own voice, because there will be times in this business whn you will be the only one who does. Take heart from the knowledge that an author with a strong voice will often have trouble at the start of his or her career because strong, distinctive voices sometimes make editors nervous. But in the end, only the strong survive. Readers return tiem and again to the unique, the distinctive, storytelling voice. They may love it or they may hate it, but they do not forget it." - Jayne Ann Krentz<br />
<br />
"Each day comes bearing its own gifts, untie the ribbons." - Ruth Anne Schabacker<br />
<br />
I'll be checking in on you to see what gifts this week brings you. Have a great week!Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-38130636785756707962012-05-18T06:58:00.000-04:002012-05-18T06:58:36.996-04:00Happy Friday! I am working on a new story while I am waiting to hear on my submissions. My main charachter keeps yelling at me and saying: "YOU ARE NOT THE BOSS OF ME! YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO! I WANT TO DO IT MY WAY!" Which I find kind of funny. I thought I was. Am I not the one who created you? <br />
<br />
So, with that in mind I took a step back and did some rethinking. Was I pushing my character around? Was I being a dictator or a coach to my character? What I really wanted to be was a coach.<br />
<br />
We may create our characters, but it is their journey in our story. They each have problems conflicting with their own goals. They already had plans before our story interupted their lives and made them change course. They weren't just sitting around waiting for something to happen. <br />
<br />
Today, I will be getting back to my story and my character. I will challenge him to do his best. I may not always see him as he sees himself. But, I will coach him to be the best he can be and make sure that he has self-assurance, self-discipline, courage and a sense of humor. Hopefully, with all this I will have created a character who is believable and can stand on his own.<br />
<br />
Enjoy your weekend!Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-54529385389597582452012-05-16T21:22:00.000-04:002012-05-16T21:22:17.143-04:00Hello Everyone - I Have Really Missed You All!Wow! It has been so long since I have been on my blog! Sorry for my absence, sometimes life just gets ahead of you. I hope all is well and I can't wait to catch up on what has been happening and how you are all doing. I have been actively submitting. Now, I am hoping I won't actively be receiving rejections. :)<br />
<br />
I know it isn't Monday, but I am going to start with posting some inspirational quotes just to get back on track. Hope you find them as inspirational as I did.<br />
<br />
"The secret of getting ahead is getting started." - Agatha Christie<br />
<br />
"You must keep sending work out; you must never let a manuscript do nothing but eat its head off in a drawer. You send that work out again and again, while you're working on another one. If you have talent, you will receive some measure of success - but only if you persist." - Isaac Asimov<br />
<br />
"Believe in yourself and in your own voice, because there will be times in this business when you will be the only one who does. Take heart from the knowledge that an author with a strong voice will often have trouble at the start of his or her career because strong, distinctive voices sometimes make editors nervous. But in the end, only the strong survive." - Jane Ann Krentz<br />
<br />
"Never, EVER give up. Not ever. Not EVER. Ever EVER." - MaryJanice Davidson<br />
<br />
So, everyone - Hello, Best Wishes and Good Things to you all!<br />
<br />
<br />Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-56474655388563648392012-02-27T07:33:00.001-05:002012-02-27T18:29:57.123-05:00Inspiration for Monday<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"You may only be someone in the world, but to someone else you may be the world"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-<strong>Author Unknown</strong> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Today you are You, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> that is truer than true. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is no one alive</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> who is Youer than You." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Dr. Seuss</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong>Benjamin Franklin</strong></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I have spread my dreams beneath your feet-tread softly because you tread on my dreams."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-<strong>W.B. Yeats</strong></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-<strong>Langston Hughes</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Have a Happy Monday and a Great Week!</span></div>Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-47247586913821813812012-02-24T10:01:00.003-05:002012-02-24T11:18:07.863-05:00Books With Cookies And Milk<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">See You At Harry's</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="See You At Harry's" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327973140l/12384984.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Written by: Jo Knowles</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Jo has really done
it this time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jo takes you down a path
where your heart breaks, heals and then soars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She has a remarkable talent for writing; her words seem to flow
effortlessly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jo captures the essence of
her subject creating an inspiring reading experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel that her writing is a gift and she is
the channel from inspiration to paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> “See You At Harry’s” is coming out in May of
this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ageless.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> 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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their parents own and run the family
restaurant, “Harry’s Homemade Ice Cream and Family Restaurant”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While reading this story I was drawn into the
world of the characters and found their happenings truly realistic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a family that truly loves each other
with realistic emotions of annoyance, grief, anger, despair and fear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">If you haven’t
already, please stop by her blog/journal at </span><a href="http://jbknowles.livejournal.com/"><span style="color: windowtext;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">http://jbknowles.livejournal.com/</span></span></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">
.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> Reading her blog, leaves you with the
feeling that you have known her forever, even though you may never have met.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<strong><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Chocolate Covered Brownie
Ice Cream Sandwich Cookie Pops<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">For the
Brownies:</span></span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted at room temperature<br />
1 cup granulated sugar<br />
2 tablespoons cocoa, plus more for pan<br />
2 eggs<br />
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract<br />
3/4 cup flour<br />
pinch of kosher salt<br />
</span><b><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: medium;">
For the Ice Cream Sandwiches:</span></b><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">
1 quart vanilla ice cream, slightly softened<br />
2 pounds chocolate chips<br />
1 teaspoon oil<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 15pt 0in 7.5pt; mso-outline-level: 4; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Directions:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Preheat
the oven to 350 degrees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Butter a 13x9inch
pan. Place a sheet of parchment paper in the bottom, spread with butter, and
dust with cocoa powder. Set aside.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cut the
large ice cream sandwich into smaller sandwiches. Insert wooden popsicle
sticks, and freeze for another hour. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">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 </span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Don't Forget The Milk!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.5pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</div>Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-80174480459376830102012-02-22T10:09:00.000-05:002012-02-22T10:09:21.232-05:00Inspiration Is A Gift<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img src="http://www.bellalino.com/Gift%20Certificates%20&%20Wrap/Gifts/Bella%20Gift%20Wrap.JPG" /> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 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. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Where do you draw your inspiration from? Would love to hear your thoughts.</span>Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2753417071794109197.post-53045987113119853242012-02-20T08:27:00.000-05:002012-02-20T08:27:31.853-05:00I'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! <br />
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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.<br />
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<a href="http://www.andrewmcdonald.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/pooh.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1498" height="241" src="http://www.andrewmcdonald.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/pooh.jpg" title="pooh" width="320" /></a></div>
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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:</div>
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1. Carve out an hour a day for solitude.</div>
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2. Strive for realistic deadlines.</div>
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3. Nurture friendships.</div>
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4. Approach problems as a challenge.</div>
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5. Cherish your dreams.</div>
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6. Create boundaries.</div>
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7. Let Mother Nature nurture.</div>
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8. Always carry something interesting to read.</div>
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9. Don't overschedule.</div>
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10. Keep it simple.</div>
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11. Laugh more often.</div>
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12. Be instead of do.</div>
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13. Don't be afraid of your passion.</div>
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14. Care for your soul.</div>
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15. Set aside one day a week for rest and renewal.</div>
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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. </div>
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"You only live once - but if you work it right, once is enough." </div>
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- Joe E. Lewis</div>Maeve Frazierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.com5