Nov 30, 2011
Well it’s been a few weeks. I had to change a few things up around here!
First, if you go to my actual blog (not read this in an email), you’ll see that I changed my background for the season. Happy Holidays!
Second, I started using my new ZipList software for my recipes. I really like the formatting. Of course, I’m brand new at it, so I’m sure after I learn some more tricks and tips, it will become even better. Look for some, if not all, of my recipes to be reformatted and reposted in the month of December.
Thanksgiving’s behind us, but never stop giving thanks. The last week has certainly been out of sync with my love for stability, but I also love surprises… well, good ones anyway.
By the time you read this, I’ll prob’ly be in the middle of a big winter storm. The kind of storm that So Cal doesn’t usually get; and certainly not this early in the season. I’m thankful for the touch of midwest winters that I still miss, thankful for a full pantry, thankful for the warmth of cookies baking in the oven and a log on the fire.
With the not-so-good surprises and life-as-we-know-it moments, I kept thinking about my blogfriend Andrea and her daily posts about seeking peace in the midst of a busy life. I don’t think she knows how much she really inspires me. Lately, when I find myself about to over-react, I’m reminded of her posts and they touch me, sooth me, calm me. God works… even through the blog words of a stranger. [She’ll inspire you, too. Check out her blog, Quiet Mom-ents, here.]
Life is always going to throw us curveballs. What matters is that we take the swing… but only when we’re supposed to. Striking out too early is just as bad as being stranded at the plate.
So my goal for December is to not only embrace change, but actually instigate it. I know. Me. ME. A creature of habit, a lover of stability. I figure what the heck. I only have one life. Why get it stuck in a rut?
So. Bring on the storm. I’m ready… I think…
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Nov 29, 2011
I am really excited to share this recipe. Yes, it was posted a few weeks ago, but this time, this time, I used the ZipList plug-in. As I recently mentioned, this gives me the ability to streamline my recipes. And gives you the ability to create your own on-line recipe box.
So have fun. Have a cookie. It’s a real gem!
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 1-1/2 cup sifted confectioners sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 egg
- 2-1/2 cup sifted flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup small gumdrops, sliced (don’t use black)
Instructions
- Thoroughly cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Beat in egg.
- Sift together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Gradually stir into creamed mixture; mix well.
- Shape dough into roll 2″ in diameter x 12″ long. Wrap in wax paper, chill several hours or overnight.
- Cut 1/4-inch thick slices. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Decorate tops with gumdrop slices.
- Bake at 350 for approximately 12 minutes, or until lightly browned.
- Cool slightly before removing from pan.
- Makes approximately 4 dozen.
3.1
https://franklymydearmojo.com/2011/11/29/recipe-gumdrop-gem-cookies/ (c) 2012 Frankly, My Dear... New Inklings Press
Nov 29, 2011
My writing partner and I got together today. It’s always a hoot when we do. Thankfully, today was a day filled with more real-writing and less let’s-talk-about-everything-but-writing.
I love it when we get together. We have the same ideas for our characters and the plots. She finds inspiration in pictures and drawings; I find mine in nature and poetry. We get together, talk out the themes and ideas and what if’s…
And after three hours together today, what has been planned as a three-book epic story has now grown into (at least) five. (Just to give you an idea of how colossal that growth is, we started this project a year ago as one novel. Within the first week we knew it would be a trilogy. Now we’re planning to retire on this series.)
We’ve pretty much signed an oath in blood to not reveal any details; but I can tell you that writing with Megan has been the highlight of my life. We balance each other out wonderfully. She brings great dialogue to the table, and let’s me hammer out the descriptive details.
There’s been some wonderful moments, some stories behind the stories that are hilarious to only the two of us. But I can honestly say, no one gets my humor like she does (and no one holds onto these jokes longer, either!). Our first edits resulted in some bad writing, but great moments. [“Wait! Why do *I* get to be *her*?”] [And my personal favorite to date: “She had an affinity for his masculinity.” “We are not trying to be Gilbert & Sullivan, here!”]
In all my other writing endeavors, I’ve flown solo. This is my first attempt at collaborating. And I really love it. I love how Megan and I had the same story idea before we even got together. I love how our sub-themes and characters and visions for the details are the same. They relate to each other, feed off each other, grow with each other.
It’s true when they say characters are like your children. We have given birth to some amazing characters: good, dark, helpful, mischievous. Prince and Pauper. Significant and insignificant. And as we grow them, they have a life of their own. So often have we sat around our laptops or Denny’s and said, “He would never say that!” or “She would so-o-o act that way, it’s perfect!” So many little inside jokes that will never make it into the books, but we’ll hold on to forever.
I wish I could share the story with you so far. I really do. Because it’s an amazing story. There’s action and romance and fantasy and suspense and good and evil and Darkness and Light and so much more.
We’ve got the first five books written out. Well, planned out, at least. We’ve got the sketches and napkin notes to prove it. But now it’s time to really sit down and type it out in detail. Not skipping a beat or missing a breath. Now it’s time to Write.
Good thing I have The Best Writing Partner Ever … and bonus for me, she’s a Barista at the Starbuck’s just two miles away. How awesome is she? That’s what I’m sayin’…
Now it you’ll excuse me, I have some dragons to slay.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
