For the last two years I've been enjoying life. Too much apparently.
I've gained 15 pounds, outgrown most of my clothes and not exercised. I was kind of okay with all of that until my stomach started bothering me. I went on-line to see what the web doc had to say. Big surprise. Eat less. Exercise more. Drink water.
Ugga bugga. As if I haven't heard this before. But sometimes I think our bodies have to give us that little extra push to start believing it. So...I'm eating a lot less and enjoying it even less. And I'm trying to learn to drink water. I swear it's a family thing. My family never drank water unless it was in what we in Montana call a "Ditch" -- whiskey and water.
I'm not a fan of alcohol, but I'm also not a fan of water. I love my Coke Zero. I've been drinking some form of Coke or Diet Coke now for years. I know I drink too much of it. So yesterday I cut my intake to 2 -- and dozed off. This is not going to be easy. But I do believe that diet foods and drinks are making us all fatter. That and no exercise.
I know I have to add exercise into the mix. I spend a lot of time at my desk sitting. It's the nature of my job. Years ago I made a rule: No Eating at the Computer. As any writer will tell you, snacking at the computer while writing is dangerous. I have a friend who had a bowl of dried bananas next to her computer. One minute it was full, the next it was empty without her remembering she'd even taken a bite. She panicked at the thought of how many bananas she'd consumed.
While I don't snack at the computer, I do, however, drink pop, lots of it, and the only exercise my body gets is my fingers when I pound the keyboard. By late afternoon though, I'm exhausted. Mentally, that is, and the last thing I want to do is move farther than a chair beside the fireplace and in front of the TV.
But my body says it's time. So I'm getting out my Richard Simmons Sweatin' to the Oldies video tape and I'm going to start movin'. No more watching Biggest Losers from my armchair and thinking I should be a contestant. Actually, thinking it would take someone to force me exercise like they do on the show.
Well, apparently that someone is going to have to be me.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Sewing up a storm on the old Viking
I love to sew. I think it's because sewing is like cooking -- it's creative and you get to see the results a lot quicker than writing a book. Also it involves color and texture and design and it's fun.
This year I'm sewing some Christmas and birthday presents. I learned to sew on my own. My mother didn't sew. A friend at college taught me a few tricks. But most everything I've learned by trial and error. More error than anything else.
I started sewing before my daughter was born. One of my first projects was a maternity blouse. I remember it well. Orange and white elephants. I have no idea what I was thinking. But I loved the feel of the material -- and probably the color. After that I made all kinds of things for my daughter including curtains for her bedroom and comforters, hats and dresses as well as stuffed toys.
I'm a practical sewer. I make things that I hope people can use. And I'm no pro. I'm still learning but I put a lot of heart into what I make -- not to mention hours. So I hope my projects will be well received.
I am though starting to worry about my sewing machine. It cost over $500 dollars -- 35 years ago. I've only had it worked on once. It weighs a ton. And it doesn't do anything fancy. It comes with some cams that you can plug in and make it do some decorative stitches -- which in its day was pretty impressive.
But have you seen the new sewing machines? I took a class a couple years ago and dragged my old heavy machine down to the fabric store. That's when I got my first look at the new sewing machines. Wow. Is there anything they don't do? I thought it would be cool just to have a serger. But these machines have their own brain.
I really could use a machine with a brain. But I'm not sure about forking over thousands of dollars for one. My sewing is pretty basic. And the old Viking still does the basic stitches I need to sew one piece of material to another. So for the time being, I guess all the creativity will have to come from me. As well as the brain power.
This year I'm sewing some Christmas and birthday presents. I learned to sew on my own. My mother didn't sew. A friend at college taught me a few tricks. But most everything I've learned by trial and error. More error than anything else.
I started sewing before my daughter was born. One of my first projects was a maternity blouse. I remember it well. Orange and white elephants. I have no idea what I was thinking. But I loved the feel of the material -- and probably the color. After that I made all kinds of things for my daughter including curtains for her bedroom and comforters, hats and dresses as well as stuffed toys.
I'm a practical sewer. I make things that I hope people can use. And I'm no pro. I'm still learning but I put a lot of heart into what I make -- not to mention hours. So I hope my projects will be well received.
I am though starting to worry about my sewing machine. It cost over $500 dollars -- 35 years ago. I've only had it worked on once. It weighs a ton. And it doesn't do anything fancy. It comes with some cams that you can plug in and make it do some decorative stitches -- which in its day was pretty impressive.
But have you seen the new sewing machines? I took a class a couple years ago and dragged my old heavy machine down to the fabric store. That's when I got my first look at the new sewing machines. Wow. Is there anything they don't do? I thought it would be cool just to have a serger. But these machines have their own brain.
I really could use a machine with a brain. But I'm not sure about forking over thousands of dollars for one. My sewing is pretty basic. And the old Viking still does the basic stitches I need to sew one piece of material to another. So for the time being, I guess all the creativity will have to come from me. As well as the brain power.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
A book in a month
Every few months I can't help myself. I buy a writing book.
I love writing books and I'm smart enough to know that I need to keep learning. Sure a lot of what I read in how-to writing books I've heard dozens of times before. But I believe there are some things I can't hear enough. I need those reminders of what I should be doing.
What keeps me going back to writing books is that there is almost always one or two things that will click -- and improve my writing.
My latest purchase is No Plot? No Problem! A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days by Chris Baty. Chris is the founder of National Novel Writing Month which begins in November.
I've always wanted to take part in NaNoWriMo but haven't for one reason or another. This November I've decided to participate. While other writers sign up and keep track of how many words they write each day on-line, it isn't really about competition except with yourself. To "win" you need to finish with 50,000 words -- the length of a small novel.
The idea is complete the first draft of a book and experience the satisfaction of that accomplishment.
It's also a chance to write and not feel alone. Other writers will be at their computers trying to get something written down. That's what it takes to write a book -- getting something down that you can work with. Authors are encouraged to get together locally as well and write.
The only rule is that you can't write on a work in progress. This is about creating something new, something that may surprise you since you have to write just over 1,600 words a day to make 50,000 words at the end of the month. So you're forced to create every day.
Today I'm cleaning off my desk and getting ready for November 1. I have a book in mind I want to write but little more than an idea -- that's probably why Baty's book had such an appeal. No Plot? That's me. I have some ideas that have been rattling around in my head for a while and I'm excited to see what I can do.
Anyone else who wants to participate can find NaNoWritMo on-line. We all need a little push sometimes and here is something that gets us out of our comfort zones and drives us to excel beyond our old limits. So let's just do it!
I love writing books and I'm smart enough to know that I need to keep learning. Sure a lot of what I read in how-to writing books I've heard dozens of times before. But I believe there are some things I can't hear enough. I need those reminders of what I should be doing.
What keeps me going back to writing books is that there is almost always one or two things that will click -- and improve my writing.
My latest purchase is No Plot? No Problem! A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days by Chris Baty. Chris is the founder of National Novel Writing Month which begins in November.
I've always wanted to take part in NaNoWriMo but haven't for one reason or another. This November I've decided to participate. While other writers sign up and keep track of how many words they write each day on-line, it isn't really about competition except with yourself. To "win" you need to finish with 50,000 words -- the length of a small novel.
The idea is complete the first draft of a book and experience the satisfaction of that accomplishment.
It's also a chance to write and not feel alone. Other writers will be at their computers trying to get something written down. That's what it takes to write a book -- getting something down that you can work with. Authors are encouraged to get together locally as well and write.
The only rule is that you can't write on a work in progress. This is about creating something new, something that may surprise you since you have to write just over 1,600 words a day to make 50,000 words at the end of the month. So you're forced to create every day.
Today I'm cleaning off my desk and getting ready for November 1. I have a book in mind I want to write but little more than an idea -- that's probably why Baty's book had such an appeal. No Plot? That's me. I have some ideas that have been rattling around in my head for a while and I'm excited to see what I can do.
Anyone else who wants to participate can find NaNoWritMo on-line. We all need a little push sometimes and here is something that gets us out of our comfort zones and drives us to excel beyond our old limits. So let's just do it!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
It's that time of the year
We have a houseful right now. And that is saying a lot since we have a large old house that our friends say is like going to their grandma's house. All four bedrooms are full and one of our guests is sleeping on the front porch futon.
It's that time of the year when friends and family gather in our part of Montana for what has become a yearly tradition since our move here. It is our favorite time of the year because the house is filled with laughter. It's crazy and wonderful having that many people under one roof -- not to mention that many dogs.
Yesterday some friends stopped by from out of town with their two dogs -- which added to the dogs already at the house to a total of nine. Nine dogs that were every color, size and shape. Some puppies, some old and cranky. Amazingly they all got along pretty well. Most are bird dogs of some sort.
It's hunting season. For our guests, it's the time of year when they get the meat that will feed their families until this time next year. So everyone takes that part very seriously. This morning they're hunting pheasants, ducks, geese. Tomorrow it will be antelope and deer. Tonight we will have a fish fry from the walleye and northerns caught this summer at the lake north of town. This morning we had sausage gravy and biscuits for breakfast made from elk sausage brought by friends. Before the week is out we'll be eating antelope tenderloins.
In our part of Montana, we are very close to our food source. We grow a lot of our food, put in up in the freezer or quart jars. People here still can and cook. And this time of year they stock up for the coming winter. It's both a productive time and an excuse to eat too much and play too hard.
We turn the kitchen over to anyone who wants to cook and it's not surprising that most of them love to cook and make amazing dishes. Local friends and neighbors send over goodies. I just got a call that some good friends are sending over some homemade pizza rolls and bread sticks. We have homemade cookies and rolls, cinnamon bagels and apple pie that were dropped by.
Up here, dropping by treats is just the neighborly thing to do. I'm always amazed when there is a knock at the door and someone hands me a warm loaf of homemade bread because she knows we have company. Or I come home to find a pan of fresh homemade cinnamon rolls sitting on my kitchen counter.
Food gathering and cooking is always important in our part of the state but especially this time of the year. Soon the season will be over, the freezer full, the shelves stocked. But it's going to be awfully quiet around here. Fortunately there is next year.
It's that time of the year when friends and family gather in our part of Montana for what has become a yearly tradition since our move here. It is our favorite time of the year because the house is filled with laughter. It's crazy and wonderful having that many people under one roof -- not to mention that many dogs.
Yesterday some friends stopped by from out of town with their two dogs -- which added to the dogs already at the house to a total of nine. Nine dogs that were every color, size and shape. Some puppies, some old and cranky. Amazingly they all got along pretty well. Most are bird dogs of some sort.
It's hunting season. For our guests, it's the time of year when they get the meat that will feed their families until this time next year. So everyone takes that part very seriously. This morning they're hunting pheasants, ducks, geese. Tomorrow it will be antelope and deer. Tonight we will have a fish fry from the walleye and northerns caught this summer at the lake north of town. This morning we had sausage gravy and biscuits for breakfast made from elk sausage brought by friends. Before the week is out we'll be eating antelope tenderloins.
In our part of Montana, we are very close to our food source. We grow a lot of our food, put in up in the freezer or quart jars. People here still can and cook. And this time of year they stock up for the coming winter. It's both a productive time and an excuse to eat too much and play too hard.
We turn the kitchen over to anyone who wants to cook and it's not surprising that most of them love to cook and make amazing dishes. Local friends and neighbors send over goodies. I just got a call that some good friends are sending over some homemade pizza rolls and bread sticks. We have homemade cookies and rolls, cinnamon bagels and apple pie that were dropped by.
Up here, dropping by treats is just the neighborly thing to do. I'm always amazed when there is a knock at the door and someone hands me a warm loaf of homemade bread because she knows we have company. Or I come home to find a pan of fresh homemade cinnamon rolls sitting on my kitchen counter.
Food gathering and cooking is always important in our part of the state but especially this time of the year. Soon the season will be over, the freezer full, the shelves stocked. But it's going to be awfully quiet around here. Fortunately there is next year.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Pleasing Whitehorse readers
Where is Bo Evans? And what about Geneva Cavanaugh Cherry who disappeared all those years ago? And will Violet Evans ever get out of the mental institution? How about Eve Bailey? Will she find her birth mother? And Faith Bailey, what's going on with her? And Arlene, did she ever marry Hank?
Those are a few of the questions I've been asked lately. Readers who started the Whitehorse series with me want to know about some of their favorite characters and when in the devil I'm going to tie up those loose ends I've left dangling.
It's all coming. I promise. I know we didn't accomplish much along those lines in Montana Royalty. It was a little different. Some people liked it. Others just wanted to get back to Whitehorse and soon. :)
The trick for a series like this is how to add new characters (we have to have them to keep going) and not forget the old favorites. But a reader who picks up a book without reading any of the other ones in the series, doesn't want to hear about a bunch of characters she doesn't know or care about. So it's a fine line.
But for those of you who are faithfully following the series (I thank you) I want you to know that I haven't forgotten about those loose ends or your favorite characters. So here is a sneak preview of what is coming when the handsome Corbett brothers hit town:
April:
SHOTGUN BRIDE: Maddie Cavanaugh returns to Whitehorse and gets a surprise and Bo Evans is up to his usual nasty tricks only much nastier.
May:
HUNTING DOWN THE HORSEMAN: Faith Bailey has a secret that is revealed and Eve Bailey finds out the truth about her birth mother.
June:
BIG SKY DYNASTY: In one of my favorite books, Georgia Michaels from Montana Royalty gets caught between a man and a murderer. Wait until you meet Nicci -- and my favorite character of all, Agnes Palmer.
September:
SMOKIN’ SIX-SHOOTER: Pearl Cavanaugh and Nina Mae Cross show up to help solve a 24-year-old murder. I think you'll like this one.
December:
ONE HOT FORTY-FIVE: When Violet Evans escapes from the mental hospital to ruin her mother Arlene's Christmas wedding she brings two other patients from the criminally insane ward with her. (I can't believe how many people want to see Violet back. :)
Then an old Whitehorse family, the Winchesters, who have more than their share of secrets, will be featured along with on-going characters in the next six to run April, May, June and Oct, Nov., Dec. of 2010.
So don't lose faith. I'm trying to keep all the balls in the air and mix up the stories so it's fun for me as well as you. I love Whitehorse and I'm so glad you do to.
Those are a few of the questions I've been asked lately. Readers who started the Whitehorse series with me want to know about some of their favorite characters and when in the devil I'm going to tie up those loose ends I've left dangling.
It's all coming. I promise. I know we didn't accomplish much along those lines in Montana Royalty. It was a little different. Some people liked it. Others just wanted to get back to Whitehorse and soon. :)
The trick for a series like this is how to add new characters (we have to have them to keep going) and not forget the old favorites. But a reader who picks up a book without reading any of the other ones in the series, doesn't want to hear about a bunch of characters she doesn't know or care about. So it's a fine line.
But for those of you who are faithfully following the series (I thank you) I want you to know that I haven't forgotten about those loose ends or your favorite characters. So here is a sneak preview of what is coming when the handsome Corbett brothers hit town:
April:
SHOTGUN BRIDE: Maddie Cavanaugh returns to Whitehorse and gets a surprise and Bo Evans is up to his usual nasty tricks only much nastier.
May:
HUNTING DOWN THE HORSEMAN: Faith Bailey has a secret that is revealed and Eve Bailey finds out the truth about her birth mother.
June:
BIG SKY DYNASTY: In one of my favorite books, Georgia Michaels from Montana Royalty gets caught between a man and a murderer. Wait until you meet Nicci -- and my favorite character of all, Agnes Palmer.
September:
SMOKIN’ SIX-SHOOTER: Pearl Cavanaugh and Nina Mae Cross show up to help solve a 24-year-old murder. I think you'll like this one.
December:
ONE HOT FORTY-FIVE: When Violet Evans escapes from the mental hospital to ruin her mother Arlene's Christmas wedding she brings two other patients from the criminally insane ward with her. (I can't believe how many people want to see Violet back. :)
Then an old Whitehorse family, the Winchesters, who have more than their share of secrets, will be featured along with on-going characters in the next six to run April, May, June and Oct, Nov., Dec. of 2010.
So don't lose faith. I'm trying to keep all the balls in the air and mix up the stories so it's fun for me as well as you. I love Whitehorse and I'm so glad you do to.
Monday, October 6, 2008
The best ever peanut butter cookie recipe
I just have to share this peanut butter cookie recipe. It is the best I've ever had. My husband, who doesn't like peanut butter cookies, loves these. They are so rich and crispy and just melt in your mouth. And since the grandbabies are coming this weekend and it is supposed to snow, it's definitely time to turn on the oven and bake.
Peanut Butter Cookies
1 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teas baking powder
1/2 teas salt
1 1/2 teas baking soda
Cream butter and sugars, add peanut butter, then beat in eggs. Add dry ingredients. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. (Overnight works well too.) Roll into 1-inch balls. Bake 10 minutes at 375 degrees.
Enjoy!
Peanut Butter Cookies
1 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teas baking powder
1/2 teas salt
1 1/2 teas baking soda
Cream butter and sugars, add peanut butter, then beat in eggs. Add dry ingredients. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. (Overnight works well too.) Roll into 1-inch balls. Bake 10 minutes at 375 degrees.
Enjoy!
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