Food Issues

My husband is not on a diet. He is dealing with food issues sensibly by following a plan set up by a nutritionist. This involves weighing and measuring ridiculously small amounts of food for a full-size man.

On the plus, or maybe I should say minus, side, I’m eating less myself. While I’m not measuring and tracking units of protein vs. carbs, this program discourages fixing fancy combinations of food. They’re too hard to measure. And plain food tends to be less tempting (except for ice cream).

I have food issues in my books, too.

In real life, people socialize over food. Heroes and heroines, too, go out to dinner, cook together, celebrate holidays (such as Thanksgiving), take lunch breaks from work, etc. It’s all too easy as a writer to have them constantly fussing about with coffee cups, bites of omelet, or whatever, during their conversations.

Usually by chapter five or so, my ongoing outline gets studded with reminders to AVOID FOOD.

You’d be surprised how difficult this is. Almost as hard as avoiding food in real life.

I doubt Congress worries about this. Please don’t tell them. They might start fining authors of characters who overeat.

Or – worst case scenario – take away my ice cream.

Step by Step

When I was a little girl I had two dreams for my life--to be a writer and to be a mom. And while I'm proud of myself for accomplishing the first, I'm even more thrilled to be living the second each and every day.

From the moment each of my girls were born, I was a devoted mom--giving them as much of my time and attention as humanly possible. Each stage they hit, I fell more and more in love with them.

The baby stage was nothing short of amazing as I watched them accomplish all the special milestones--smiling, sitting, crawling, walking, talking, etc.

The toddler stage was wonderful (really) as I watched them explore and learn and become mini versions of the adults they would be.

The early school stage (with the exception of the first day and the accompanying tears--on my part) was memorable as well...with homemade Christmas presents, Mother's Day teas, helping with class parties, etc.

And now, as they're getting older (fifth grade and high school freshmen), I find myself getting teary-eyed as I watch them taking the first real steps towards the young women they will become. Young women I'm so very proud to call my daughters.

I bring this up because the past few months have brought so many changes their way, changes they've done amazing things with like:

Despite a move halfway across the country and a major change in their overall school environment, both girls are thriving. My oldest is hitting high honor roll each quarter with a full load of after school activities. My youngest just landed herself in some sort of gifted and talented program at her school and is involved in chorus and orchestra.

My oldest is pursuing her dream of becoming an actress by getting involved in everything theater/show/production related she can find--performing just this past weekend in her high school's production of Beauty and the Beast (she brought me to tears more than a few times as I watched, proudly, from my seat in the auditorium). The picture above shows her with some of her friends from the cast (she's the one on the far right).

My youngest got involved in basketball this winter and just earned a special award for Most Improved on her team. When presenting her the award, the coach mentioned everything from her ability in the sport to her "always smiling face." And the smile she had when he handed her the award? Absolutely priceless.

Step by step they're growing up. Step by step they're needing me less and less. It's a process I love and dread all at the same time. There's a very real part of me that wants nothing more than to put bricks on both of their heads to keep them from growing another inch...a part of me that wants to hug them so tightly they can't ever leave But there's also the part of me that knows there will come a day, in the not-too-distant future, when I have to let go and trust that they'll be okay.

Because they will be. I see it in their poise and their confidence, their kindness and their gentle ways.

I see these things each and every day. Even when the view is a little misty.

~Laura

Springing Up All Over

Do you love flowers? I do. This time of the year is bliss, especially after such a long, snowy winter. The bloom in Philadelphia has begun: daffodils, tulips, crocus, hyacinth. Even the trees are getting into the act as the cherry blossoms begin to cast a cotton-candy-pink haze over the neighborhood. Soon there will be little wind-blown eddies of delicate petals all over the sidewalk, drifting out into the street.

I recently went to the Philadelphia Flower Show. This year’s theme was 'Passport to the World' and there were some truly amazing displays. I saw a hot-air balloon completely covered in flowers. A giraffe stretched its long orange-orchid-bedecked neck over the festivities. There was an elephant, too! The scents were exquisite, sometimes almost overpowering. A convention hall full of flowers is pretty potent. The skill and artistry of the floral designers was delicious.

All this bounty of color and beauty sparked a discussion among my friends. We debated various favorite flowers. (Mine: tulips and grape hyacinth. I love how succulent they look and the vibrant colors.) Then we got talking about cut flowers. Do you send them? I used to send my husband flowers after a deal had gone well, or if I knew he’d had a particularly bad week. The secretaries in his office loved it. Now he works from home, so I can buy flowers that brighten both our days. I used to send my mother sheaves of spring flowers on May Day. Now she wants blooming plants and thinks cut flowers are a waste. I bow to her wishes; my goal is to bring color into her life, not argue about thrift.

I buy cut flowers for myself, especially in the spring. When it’s dreary, I can’t resist the cheerful colors. I like to bring flowers to hostesses, along with a bottle of wine, when we dine out. Often, I’m struck by how surprised and delighted people are to receive flowers. I wonder if flower-giving has fallen out of fashion. Still, I love to get them. Why shouldn’t I give them, too?

A young friend of mine asked me what he should get his mother for Mother’s Day. I said: flowers. He argued, saying it was lame, cliché, too impersonal, and besides, they die. A week later, I had dinner with this mother and she spent thirty minutes telling me about the flowers her son had given her—he had taken my advice after all. How she had found them waiting for her in the morning with a card. How lovely the colors were. How good they made the house smell. How some of the flowers had wilted quicker than others, so she got a different vase and rearranged the remaining blooms for a different effect. There was absolutely nothing ‘lame’ in her joy and I relayed the story to my young friend. He conceded that he had learned a lesson and thanked me.

To me, flowers show appreciation, love, affection, regret. Heartfelt, simple and just plain pretty.

What about you? Do you give flowers? How often do you get them? Is it for a special occasion or ‘just because?’ Do you prefer cut flowers or blooming plants? Bouquets or sheaves of flowers you can arrange yourself?

Thinking about love and flowers—Lisa

It Takes A Village

Did you know the word “Harlequin” can make me cry like a baby? It’s true. The day my editor called with the news that she wanted to buy my book, I started crying the minute “Harlequin” appeared on the Caller ID. The day my contract came in the mail, the day the line edits arrived via courier, the day I first saw the beautiful cover of my book, all those special “Harlequin” days earned their own, very happy tears. And, a couple of weeks ago, when a box of books arrived on my doorstep and I saw “Harlequin” on the shipping label, I cried again. This time, because inside that box, the one that seemed far too small to hold the culmination of a life-long dream, lay copies of The Officer’s Girl.

If I had known they were coming on that particular day, I’d have hired a marching band to serenade the delivery man. Cheerleaders would’ve lined the walkway leading from the street to my front door. After all, this was a momentous occasion. It deserved fanfare. This was the day my debut book for Harlequin American Romance arrived.

That evening as I cradled a copy of The Officer’s Girl to my chest, sniffed its printed pages, admired it’s beautiful cover and didn’t want to let go—ever—I couldn’t help comparing my book to a baby. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and whoever “they” might be, I think they’re right. The same is true for books. It takes a village.

A whole lot of people inhabit my village. My own personal cheering squad, my family. My critique partners, both past and present. The instructors in every one of the hundreds of classes, workshops and writing seminars I’ve attended. The speakers at conferences, the authors of three bookcases filled with books on writing. The ten thousand members of the Romance Writers of America and, in particular, those in my local chapter, STAR. The authors who’ve taken me under their wings and taught me that I was a better writer than I thought I was. The amazing Harlequin staff. And a host of others, including the book distributors and sales staff who will make sure that, come April 13th, The Officer’s Girl appears on store shelves or arrives in mail boxes.

Yes, it takes a village…and I’m grateful to every member of mine.

Who’s in your village?

Norway gives nod to romance author

My father called me on Sunday and told me to turn on the TV and check out the Norwegian women’s curling team. “They copied your bookmarks with their pants!” he said.



“How can the Norwegian women’s curling team copy a romance author’s bookmarks?” you ask.

Like this.

Thank you, Norway!

Happy reading, everyone!

Until next time,
Lee

PS: If you’d like an autographed bookmark, please email me through my website. If you'd like a pair of polka dot curling pants, visit Loudmouth.

Writing While Fuzzy Brained

Good morning from the lake house in cold, foggy, Mineola, Texas! While it is below freezing (sorry, plants I forgot to take inside) with light snow at our home in Richardson, about 90 miles away, on Saturday we had cold rain and blustery winds - until this Sunday morning.

Just about an hour ago, before dawn, it began to snow. Right now, soft flakes are drifting down on the deck, the bird feeders, the grass, and our car. We've never been here before when it snowed and it's very exciting to see. I can't wait for the sun to come up to see the lake and trees! (Sorry for the blurry image - I think my hand was shaking from the cold temperature outside.)

I've also included a photo from our absolutely gorgeous day on Friday, when we were out working in the yard and garage in our shirt sleeves. This is facing west over the lake with the rising sun reflected in the water. Mist was rising from the lake because of the warm weather. Many of the trees are budding out and blooming, although you can't see them in the photo. Much more springlike than the actual first day of spring!

One of my goals for the weekend was to get my next release almost finished. My understanding editor gave me another month after my three weeks of absolutely fuzzy-brained non-production from the middle of February to the first week in March. I had a bad sinus infection, then strep throat. I took lots of medication which left me goofy and sleepy until I finished all the doses. I then had about four days of clear, energy-filled, fired-up creativity and dedication.

Then I got a cold. The sniffles have just about departed, depending on how much time I spend outdoors in all the pollen. I'm not coughing very much. We even went out to dinner last night at Kitchens restaurant and I could taste my food!

I thought I'd share some techniques I've been using to try to keep writing while on medication that made me less than cognizant. (For example, I stared at my computer for a full two minutes the other day and couldn't remember a major character's name! ) Ever since I started writing series for Harlequin American - first Ranger Springs and now Brody's Crossing - I've maintained a separate Word file titled "People and Places." I add to this file with each book, listing the most current hero and heroine at the top of the list with their ages in the year of publication, their status, description, family situations, etc. I then list any new characters I've introduced in that book with their physical descriptions, ages, etc. Near the bottom of the list I have various places around town where my "regulars" work and congregate, such as Clarissa's House of Style, the Cafe, Dewey's Saloon and Steakhouse, etc. I include descriptions and any relevant history of the establishment in these listings. I save this file under the folder "Brody's Crossing" in my Harlequin American folder so I can find it easily when I can't remember who the police chief is or what month and year someone got pregnant. It's so much easier than trying to remember what book I mentioned that factoid in and trying to find it by doing a text search in Word. I also created a Word file with a map of fictional Brody's Crossing so I know street names, locations of places in relation to blocks of the downtown, etc. I don't think I can upload that image, but if you'd like a copy, I'll be glad to email it to you.

The second thing I've been doing in this book, tentatively titled Texan in Her Heart, is create another word document for "What Leo knows about Amanda" based on what she's told him in conversation., This is where the fuzzy-brained condition really played out; I couldn't remember if he'd assumed something, she'd mentioned it in introspection to the reader, or they actually had a conversation. So when they talk about her mysterious (from Leo's perspective) reasons for being in Brody's Crossing, I copy and paste relevant parts of their dialogue into a file. I also note the page number where the conversation took place. Although this might change later, it probably won't be too far off because I write the book front to back. (Many authors write scenes and place them later, or write out of order when they visualize a scene farther back in the book.)

I also sometimes create a document for "Go back and add" things. These are notes to myself to check on things I'd written, or add something like a motivation or description. In other books, when I used to print out the manuscript as I went, I used Post-It notes to tell myself where things happened or where I wanted to go back and add something. In the interest of saving money and not cutting down so many trees, I've stopped printing out as I go along. I've had to learn new techniques to keep up with the story.

I hope this might help aspiring authors who are having the same fuzzy-brained moments as I sometimes have. Also, it might give readers some insight into how we keep up with characters and events in our books, especially series where it has to make sense over a longer period of time. Brody's Crossing originated in 2006 and will go on through 2011 at least, so that's five years of characters, places and descriptions to keep up with in my mind. That's a lot of details!

Have a great springtime. I hope yours is less cold and rainy than mine!

Spring Break? Really?

I’m pulling an all-nighter. With no good reason to rise and shine early, I’ve been working late. Very late. Not only has my January 2011 release been bumped up three months earlier, but I’m working on changes to a proposal. Need I say more?

There are night people and day people, night owls and early birds. I’m of the late variety. I’ve been a night owl all my life, starting within days of my birth. Getting up early is almost an effort in futility. When working for those hourly wages, I’d much rather sleep in late, work a late shift, and return home to stay up even later, winding down after a few hours. On my own, it’s late to bed, late to rise. Sometimes it’s been possible, but rare. But it’s Spring Break Week here, and there are no grandkids needing to be taken to school. Hallelujah!

There’s a problem. Come Monday morning, we’ll be back to the 7:15 a.m. alarm going off. Now I know that isn’t early for many, but for those of us who are night owls, it’s painful. And because I’ve been crawling into bed near 6 a.m. for the past few days--or nights, depending on how you look at it--getting up an hour and fifteen minutes after closing my eyes isn’t going to cut it.

So tonight I’ll try to keep going. There’s always a chance of a short nap later this afternoon…if I’m lucky. It could mean sleeping through The Mentalist
this evening, but because I’ve only just begun watching it, a miss isn’t going to hurt too much. Easier, by far, than to continue on this schedule, come Monday.

We’ve asked this before, I think, but let’s take a poll. Night Owl? Do you enjoy the quiet after the moon has risen? Or Early Bird? Rising with or before the sun?

Love-Hate Relationship with Computers

This past Sunday I was reminded once again how my goofy world revolves around my computer and the Internet. I had trouble with my PC and while the computer was being fixed--I was miserable. All I thought about was not being able to write this blog and do the other work-related things on my Sunday to-do list.

It occurred to me on Sunday that my computer had taken control of my life. I love being able to work from home, but there's a down side--access to the computer 24-7. I never leave work. When I find myself with extra time on my hands, I head to my computer to check e-mail, or I talk myself into writing another page in my wip, or I get a jump start on my research for the next day and surf the web.

Sometimes I long for the days when the Internet didn't exist--when work was in an office building thirty minutes from my home. Back then when I had time on my hands I took the dogs for a walk. Went outside and chatted with a neighbor. Or sat in my rocker on the back porch and enjoyed the sun on my face. Back then weekends were really weekends--days off work.

It's been months since hubby and I have taken a Sunday drive. I loved those drives when we spent a few hours alone away from the house. We'd talk about what was going on in our kids' lives, our jobs, and home-improvement projects we wanted to tackle. It's my fault the drives stopped--it's me who comes up with excuses about wanting to get ahead in my next book or making up the pages that didn't get written the previous week.

This past Sunday I realized that I need to do a better job balancing life and work. I need to learn to say "No" to my computer--especially on weekends.

How about you--do you have trouble balancing life and work? If not, what are some things that you do to keep your job from intruding in your day-to-day life?

Marin
Dexter: Honorable Cowboy July 2010
www.marinthomas.com

Orange Bar Stools and other Quirky Keepsakes

I’m sure most people have things that follow them through life, but who’d have thought mine would be a pair of bright orange bar stools? And as you can see, they aren't even fancy bar stools, but they are cool.

In the early 60s my dad got transferred from Dallas to Fort Worth and we moved. My mom decorated our new home in the popular colors of the time. Brown, orange, and green. Her purchases involved a pair of bright orange, molded bar stools which were pretty cool for the day. Now the house has gone through multiple redecorating attempts and when we sold it and moved Mom in with us last spring, the coppertone appliances were long gone and country blue, beige, and touches of pink had obliterated every hint of the original color scheme. Except those orange bar stools that still stood proudly at the bar.

My friends and I sat in those bar stools and decorated Christmas cookies. As have my kids and grandkids. I ate breakfast there every morning and the only phone in the house was a wall phone beside the bar where I spent many hours giggling with girlfriends or flirting with my first boyfriends. We addressed Christmas cards there. The mail got tossed on the bar where we'd sit and sort through it. Grocery lists and school work and . . .

At Mom's 80th birthday a few years back, I provided a basket of paper and pens and asked everyone to write her notes. Two daughters of our friends wrote about looking forward to coming to the house because my dad made them coffee milk and they sat at the bar in the orange bar stools eating Mom’s cookies and listening to the adults chit chat, feeling all grown up drinking their 'coffee'.

Combining two homes into one last spring, we were both getting rid of lots of furniture. Mom said to put the bar stools in the garage sale. We certainly didn’t need them in our new house. But regardless, my husband and sons piled them into the truck and they spent the winter in the garage at the new house with boxes and other items waiting for hubby’s shop to be finished. Two weeks ago we started moving stuff into the shop. Shelves and the floor jack. Wood working tools and a clock tinker desk. My dad’s old workbench and you guessed it, those orange bar stools. My daddy has been gone 23 years, but last Sunday his best friend and his wife came down to visit and my husband was showing Ted the shop. I walked out to check on them and Ted was sitting in one of the bar stools smiling. He said he couldn’t wait to call his daughters and let them know that the orange bar stools made the trip and were alive and well in Waxahachie. Those orange bar stools have once again earned the status of cool.

What funny things have you hung on to? I'm not talking grandmother's Dresden china or Mom's diamond ring here? I'm talking those quirky items that just follow you through life.

Hubby & Son in Mexico last summer!!

Happy Time Change!! Ugh. LOL!! The clock might say it's noon, but I feel more like six AM!!

My friends all tease me that my life is never boring, and the past few days have certainly proven their point!! On Friday, Hubby was supposed to leave for South Africa. We've been shopping for adapters and luggage locks and specialty batteries for some oddball work thingee of his and making sure all of his medications are filled. We finally got everything ready when an hour before he was due at the airport, the phone rang. It was his doctor, telling him he had diabetes. Upon dropping him at the airport, he was still shaken. I assured him that I'll do everything I can to help him change his diet for the better--lord knows I could drop a few LBs myself!!

Tulsa traffic was insane!! Gridlock and construction and rain in all directions!! It took over an hour to make the normally fifteen minute trek. Hannah and I had just gotten home, lit a fire and settled in for a lazy Friday night when the phone rang. Bad weather in Atlanta caused Hubby's flight to be canceled. Back out into the cold rain we went to pick him up.

With Hubby home, we scrambled to find him something safe to eat. His doctor advised cutting all sugar and white flour products. I had no idea how tough that is!! I made a spinach salad with black beans and grilled chicken, but when it came time to pour on the dressing, even the low-calorie versions are loaded with sugar. I finally resorted to sending the kids out for sugar-free dressing.

I've always been a firm believer in everything happening for a reason and this time is no exception. Friday, my sweet, funny Hubby was pretty shaken up about his diagnosis. Since then, we've done lots of online research and discovered that this isn't a death sentence, but lifestyle change. I'm doing it with him, and it's hard, but we'll make it through. Had he kept to his original schedule, I think his trip would've been ruined by worry. Now, this little extra time to form a nutrition plan has made all the difference.

As a reward, fate gifted him a much simpler direct from Atlanta to Johannesburg flight, as well as a three-day weekend to spend exploring while he's there.

Last night, I fooled around in the kitchen and came up with a chicken, shrimp and brown rice gumbo that was delicious. Hubby made us a spinach omelet for breakfast. Yes, we'll miss Domino's and I-Hop, but after having been married for twenty-one years, we figure we might as well try for thirty or forty more!!

The Top Five Inventions of My Time - How About Yours?

The other day my daughter was having a Skype date with her boyfriend. The fact that she was in Australia and he was over ten thousand miles away on the other side of the world in The Netherlands, didn’t matter a whit, thanks to the wonders of modern technology ie. the Internet.
This was a far cry from the long distance dating her father and I did just thirty years ago when I donated my blood in Athens in order to be able to afford a phone call home. Oh, and I had to book that phone call 24 hours in advance!
I suppose there are people who can live without the Net—remote tribes of New Guinea, Carmelite nuns, members of the Flat Earth Society—but I’m not one of them.
Is there anything the internet can’t do? It can find you answers to all sorts of questions, keep you in touch with far-flung friends, book hotel rooms, even find you a husband. And to think, the US government wanted to keep this wonderful invention all to itself. Had it not been for its eventual application as the www we’d still be trekking to the library to research, relying on the vagaries of the postal service to keep in contact with friends, paying a fortune for travel deals etc.
That got me thinking about inventions and what I consider to be the top 5 Can’t-live-without-them inventions of the modern age.
My mother used to maintain the bobby pin was a remarkable invention. Probably. If you had enough hair to need one—or happened to like picking locks. But I need to point out that Mom was born in an age where television, walking on the moon, machines to wash dishes and clothes and even dry them, hadn’t been invented.
The Top Five Inventions that made a huge impact on my life are: Television, Immunization, Dishwashers, The Pill and the Internet.
A quick straw poll of those nearest and dearest turned up answers relative to the age of the respondent.
While our grandmothers and great-grandmothers would probably rate the invention of the radio, electricity, the old-age pension, hip and knee replacements as their Top Five, my husband’s mother maintains: Penicillin, hand held battery-driven vacuum cleaners, The Pill, electric typewriters made a huge impact on her life.
His father rates:- Television, the improved efficiency and safety of cars,antibiotics, anaesthesia, laparscopic surgery. (Can you tell he’s a surgeon?) J
My 21 yo son says:- The computer game Modern Warfare 2, stick deodorant, Toyota Landcruisers, fixed gear bikes and Atomic weapons. (what can I say, he’s a boy!) He was surprised to be told that fixed gear bikes were all we had to ride in the “olden days”!
My 24 year old skyping daughter’s are:- cell-phones, computers, iPods, skype, and MAC makeup…
My 27 yo daughter said:- ipods, laptops, wireless internet, cell phones and GHD(hair straightener). LOL!
I wonder what will our children’s children think are the greatest inventions of their era? Intergalactic travel? The cure for cancer? I can’t even begin to fathom the possibilities. Can you?
Which inventions would make your list? In-vitro fertilization? Satellite navigation? Automatic car windows? Richard Gere? Aerobics? Moosetracks icecream, credit cards, atms, something else?
I’d love to hear your Top Five. And maybe some suggestions for what kids born in the future will think are their Top Five.
I’m giving away a copy of my June release, THE SHERIFF AND THE BABY to the most interesting answer.
CC!

Missing the Olympics...

I am suffering major Olympics withdrawal right now. I had so much fun watching all the events. I found some new ones to root for with Nordic combined and ski cross. And if I loved Apolo any more, he’d need to take out a restraining order on me. The hockey games were amazing. I’m so proud that the MVP is a Michigan kid. Actually I’m so proud of all the athletes, no matter their country. They all played with so much heart. They work so hard and sacrifice so much to get to this level of competition that I can’t help but root for them all!

If like me, you’re suffering Olympics withdrawal, please remember to pick up my April book, HIS BABY SURPRISE. (I had to post that yummy cover again!) The hero, Brooks Hoover, is a hockey bad boy who’ll hopefully steal your heart like he stole mine and the heroine’s.

So who is your favorite athlete from the games? Or what was your favorite event?

EMAIL HUMOR...and THOUGHTS

All of us get those email jokes and inspiring stories that circulate. Some I read, others I delete, depending on how much time I have. I received this one the other day. The title caught my attention and then after I read it, it made me think.

Here’s the email:
What is celibacy?
It can be a choice in life, or a condition imposed by circumstances.
While attending a marriage counseling weekend, Walter and his wife Ann, listened to the instructor as he explained, “It is essential that husbands and wives know the things that are important to each other.”
He then addressed the men, “Can you name your wife’s favorite flower?”
Walter leaned over, touched Ann’s arm gently, and whispered, “Gold Medal All-Purpose, right?”
And thus began Walter’s life of celibacy…

Okay, the celibacy part didn’t make me think. After I smiled, I wondered after many years of marriage, did my husband know my favorite flower? Did I know my favorite flower? Through the years my tastes have changed. When I was younger I loved roses, still do. Don’t we all? My favorite was yellow roses. When I got married, my mom and I argued about the flowers. I wanted the bridesmaids to carry a long stem yellow rose. She wanted them to carry a bouquet of mixed spring flowers. They carried the rose (and that battle wasn’t easy to win since she was paying for the flowers).

After I read the email I sat wondering what is my favorite flower today? I like roses, irises, tulips, Gerber daises, lilies, just about anything. You give me flowers and I’ll love them. I’m not picky anymore. I decided not to test the hubby since I couldn’t quite decide on a favorite flower.

A few days later was our anniversary and, Bless his heart, I kid you not he came home with yellow roses.

I was so excited I said, “You remembered.”

He smiled and replied, “Sure I remembered. It’s our anniversary.”

I took a whiff of the flowers. “I meant about the yellow roses.”

He got that deer in the headlights look. “Uh…well…” I could see he didn’t remember so he did some fast thinking and went with the truth. “I went in for red roses but the lady said she was low and could do a mixture. I told her no I’d try somewhere else. She said her supplier sent her too many yellow roses and she’d let me have a dozen on sale. I told her she had a deal.”

Gotta love a man who gets it right—by accident—and on sale.

I guess when it comes down to it, I still love yellow roses. And the husband.

What’s your favorite flower? Or are you like me—just happy to get flowers.

Linda
http://www.lindawarren.net/
Skylar’s Outlaw – Jan ‘10

Yummy Kentucky March Recipes

In Texas, March has come in like a lamb, with mild temperatures and sunny days - so far. I'm looking forward to springtime when there are no more freezing nights, snow or ice storms. Of course, the winter storms here in the Dallas area aren't nearly as bad as the ones I grew up with in Louisville, Kentucky. The wind whipping down from the upper midwest, through the Ohio River Valley, could freeze your mittens in no time flat!



I'd like to share two wonderful Kentucky recipes with you, both made with buttermilk. The first is from a cookbook my sister sent me in 1974 when I lived in Denver. My husband had mentioned his grandmother making buttermilk pies when he was a boy, and I found this recipe in my Out of Kentucky Kitchens cookbook by Marion Flexner, Bramhall House. Here's a photo from last Thanksgiving, along with my daughter's pecan pie.

Buttermilk Pie

Make (or buy) a pie crust and place in a 9 inch pie pan. Prick the surface to keep from blistering and bake for 10 minutes at 450 degrees. It should be done but not brown.

Filling

3 eggs 3/4 t. vanilla

3/4 C. sugar 3 T. lemon juice

3 T. flour Grated rind of 1 lemon

3 T. melted butter (or substitute 1/2 t. dried lemon peel)

(no substitutes) Cinnamon to dust top

1 1/2 C. buttermilk

Beat the eggs with the sugar. When light and lemon-colored, add the flour. Beat again, then pour this mixture into the buttermilk. Add vanilla, lemon juice, grated rind and butter. Pour the filling into the baked pie crust and dust the surface with cinnamon. Return to the oven at 375 degrees and bake until filling just sets. (Usually this is about 20 -25 minutes, but check by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean if the filling is set.) Do not cook too long because this is a custard and can get too tough. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.



This pie is also excellent cold the next morning for breakfast with a hot cup of coffee or tea!


The second recipe is one I made for my daughter's birthday a few weeks ago. This is from allrecipes.com. I baked this cake in a bundt cake pan and it turned out great.

Kentucky Butter Cake

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour (or spray) a 10 inch bundt cake pan.

3 C. unbleached all purpose flour 2 t. vanilla extract
2 C. sugar 4 eggs
1 t. salt 1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda 1 C. buttermilk
1 C. (2 sticks) butter

In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Mix in buttermilk, butter, vanilla and eggs. Beat 3 minutes at medium speed. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Bake 60 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Prick holes in the still warm cake. Pour the sauce (recipe follows) over the cake and let it cool before removing it from the pan.

Butter Sauce

3/4 C. sugar 1/3 C. butter
2 t. vanilla 3 T. water

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until fully melted and combined, but DO NOT BOIL.

Getting Ready

Just yesterday I made plane reservations for our son Arthur to come home in May. It’s hard to believe, but he’s just about made it through his freshman year in college.
Hmm…let’s be honest here. I’ve just about made it through his freshman year! It’s been a strange adjustment for my husband Tom and me.

Tom has had a tough time adjusting to a ‘girl’ house. He’s now outnumbered, and Lesley and I have used that to our advantage. We’re uninterested in both Sunday football and the History channel. We don’t want big breakfasts every day of the week. And we can have whole conversations about the new cute clothes we saw at the mall.
Tom’s anxiously awaiting Arthur’s return to dinner conversation. Very much so.

My daughter has gotten used to things, too. She’s taken over the basement-my son’s former lair. Now instead of the sounds of boys playing video games, I hear the unmistakable high-pitched laughter only five sixteen year-old girls can make. I predict a territorial war will break out within days of his arrival.

I would have never have guessed it, but I, too, have gotten used to him being gone. No longer am I buying frozen pizzas, canned chili, Cheese-its and real ‘Coke’. Lean Cuisines and Diet Cokes have taken their place. I like that everyone is usually asleep by eleven o’clock at night-and awake by eleven in the morning. I’ve even gotten used to doing less laundry-which, by the way, I cried about last August.
Now I’m wondering how our life is going to change when our extremely sociable, restless, late night-boy returns.

All I’m sure about is that things will change. As they’ve changed already.

•I now care less about his grades and more about his health. Every time he calls, I say silly mom things like, “How are you feeling? Are you eating?”

•I prefer hearing about his fraternity antics after the fact. Way after the fact.

•Things just aren’t the same…even when he is home. He’s more grown up. More patient with me. Now, when I tell him stories about the dog or my writing, he actually pretends to listen. On Valentine’s Day, he called me twice…just because he knew I was home alone. These things are new. Really.

So, during these last two months before we’re a family of four once again, I guess I’ll treasure the changes that have been made and will look forward to things getting shaken up again.

Anyone have words of wisdom or a story to share…either about when your child left and came back…or you did? I’d love to know that I’m in good company.

~ Shelley Galloway

FEBRUARY WINNER!!

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