Until Next Year

Merry Christmas

As I suspect everyone else is in the same situation, the last few days have found myself in a flurry of trying to get things done: baking, cleaning, shopping, wrapping, laundry, and the list goes on and on.  This year I added to my list to finish a novel.  For the Great Novel Challenge, my fourth one is due by the 30th.  Wow, what a busy time.

I have been thinking about the blog.  What do I want to write these last few days of 2019.  We are closing out a decade.  I could list all my accomplishments.  Hum, I have to say that does sound fun.  Okay, I do have to say that I have seven published books accomplished in the that time.  Wow.  But, I don't want to do a huge list because everyone accomplishes a lot in a decade.  We gain a lot and lose a lot.  I have traveled a lot. 

As for looking forward, I want to accomplish a lot, travel a lot, and as life happens, I will lose too.  A new decade.  I think of the Roaring Twenties.  What a decade that was.  What will this decade bring?  A new hip is the first on the list!!!  I am excited to find out what else.  I have so many plans: writing projects, gardening projects, and travel.  Oh, my!

At any rate, as this decade closes and my novel has been turned into my mentor (seven days early), I am going on a real vacation.  When I close up my computer later today, I am keeping it turned off until January 1, 2020.  After writing over 256,000 words of fiction and over 298,000 words of nonfiction (yes that is half a million total), I want to completely unplug.  If I feel the need to write, I will use a pen and a leather bound journal.  Yep, I am going old school.

So again, Merry Christmas.

Happy New Year.

Blessings to you all!!!

Joy On The Morning

Mornings are my favorite time of day.  They are especially blessed when I wake up with energy.  Today, I am having an especially blessed day, and joy fills my heart.  I have a million reasons why.  My husband finally feels the Christmas spirit in the air.  They had a successful catering job yesterday that lifted both his and Madelle's spirits.  I am looking forward to an amazing Christmas season filled with family and friends.  I officially have 1019 words to write to reach my goal for the novel challenge.  The last scene will be longer than that so the novel is almost written.  I will have 16 scenes to edit and my cover to accomplish.  I should be sending the computer file to Dean by  the 23rd and possibly have the Kindle version complete.  So exciting!!!  Yes, there is joy in my soul.

Baking

The last couple of days I have been exhausted.  To the point that when I sit done, I fall asleep.  Right now, I could put my head down on the desk and start snoring.  Uff da.  I am not sure what that is about.  All the Christmas things I want to do, need to do, just might not get done.  Oh well.  I can truthfully say that I am not struggling through the winter days this week.  I am sleeping them away.

One of the things I love to do for Christmas and as an artist date is to bake.  This past weekend, I met up with my sister to teach her how to make lefse.  What fun!  After I taught her the technique of rolling, which she mastered in moments, I baked gingersnaps.  The day before, I baked a batch of shortbread to send home with her.  She, well, we love it.  I also put gingersnaps in her tin of cookies.

I have also been watching a few episodes of the British Bake Off Competition.  They do some amazing savory bakes.  In fact, the two times I have been to Europe, I have been amazed by their savory pastries.  This morning I attempted to have a little fun with my biscuits.  I rolled three out to be thinner.  I put a dab of olive oil down, Monterey Jack cheese, and spices.  I had the cheese leftover, so I just kind of threw the stuff on.  Next time, I want to have a better plan.

Savory Biscuit

So, I am enjoying the time indoors with some extra baking.  I will stop the baking for the most part after Christmas.  At least, I usually stop.  Maybe this year I will change it up a bit.  I have been thinking of making cookies for Madelle's school or God's Love.  Maybe I will keep baking after all.

Oh, and we had so much fun, we are looking at making this an annual event at Clay's house.

Surgery

On Friday, I went to my appointment with an orthopedic physician's assistant.  One look at last year's X-ray, she ordered a current one.  I was happy they had a machine in the office.  Once that came through to my room, she showed me where the bone is grinding against bone in my right hip.  Yes, it isn't all in my head.  And we finally have a fix that will take for longer then a couple weeks or days.  I am so excited.

I am now scheduled for a hip replacement.  Unfortunately, I have to wait until March.  Ugh!!!  I am so ready to get it done and finally be able to go on walks again without hobbling and being afraid my leg will give out on me.  No longer will I be a bad dog owner.  I hate not taking Leo for walks.  Poor pooch is bored following me around the house instead of around the outdoors.

I am nervous about the pre-surgery.  I have to go off all of my meds that keep the RA pain at bay.  I will have to do this one to two weeks ahead of the date.  Of course, it will be interesting to see how much the medicine does work for me.  I am looking forward to April when life will hopefully be back to my normal.  Fingers crossed.

Together We Vanquish

Yesterday as I was daydreaming about my current novel, I realized I have no title for the project and I plan to send it to my mentor at the end of next week.  I am determined to finish it in the next eight days, possibly eleven depending on how hectic next week becomes with Christmas prep.

Anyway, I have been plugging along at the writing.  For the week, I have written 7,369 words.  My goal was 10,000.  I still have today and tomorrow, so I do have some hope.  I do worry because I have a doctor's appointment today and tomorrow I need to go to my cleaning job.  Both activities have been know to derail my progress.  Hum, I need to get bullheaded.  Oh, and I also want to add some baking in there at some point.  Gurr.

Here is a quick back cover blurb. 

Being a young Valkyrie of the Northern lands, Bodil's curiosity angers her goddess. Many times she finds herself being punished for traveling the bridge to the human world without permission.

While gathering brave warrior auras, Bodil stumbles across a warrior that peeks her interest.  She fails to accomplish her mission in the proper manner.  Freya punishes her.

In this gripping fantasy adventure, the author weaves a new story about the Norse gods and colorful characters through the eyes of a warrior maiden.

I have an idea.  Here are two title possibilities.

Together We Vanquish

Vanquish

If any opinions are out there, I would love to hear them!!!

Festival of Trees

I won the bid on this wreath that my friend made.  

The winter scene she painted herself.  She is so talented.

Part of getting through the winter blues is to do things with friends, especially when they are connected to an artist date.  My leg is causing me problems again; plus, the snow has partially melted making the world look dirty and blotchy.  Last Thursday, I wasn't in a bad mood, but going to a prayer service by myself didn't hold any interest for me.  I decided to stay home and rest.  Instead, I received a phone call.  I took the invitation to the Festival of Trees as a sign from God that he didn't mind that I skipped the meeting, but he did want me out and about and not feeling sorry for myself.

With December being busy, I have only attended the Festival once on a crowded Saturday with a three year old many years ago.  Yes, I loved the trees, but I didn't enjoy the crowds.  Well, my friend had two tickets to the Thursday night event of the four day Festival.  I said yes.  I had a delightful evening and plan to go again next year.

The evening was spent critiquing trees, wreaths, and swags while catching up and drinking champagne.  We also listened to my favorite music group in town, the Caseys, more dear friends.  I even had a bartender wink at me.  Okay, it was my husband, but still....  I absolutely loved the evening.  My leg did hurt a little, but my friend, though in her twenties, is very patient and understanding.  Her knee has been troubling her.  She gets it.  And bonus, the crowd was much small because the evening event was adults only and a limited about of tickets.  Perfect!!!

Now, I didn't know that anyone could do an item for the Festival.  I also didn't know they had a silent auction.  I love silent auctions.  Yes, I put in three bids.  My talented friend did two wreaths.  I bid on one of them along with a swag and a small tree.  As we walked through, we discussed plans for next year.  I want to do a small tree to promote my book.  I will make snowflake ornaments and maybe book cover ornaments as well.  We will see.  I have a lot of ideas popping through my head.

I am also feeling the need to do some crafts.  I have been looking at ideas.  I won't commit to any until after the New Year.  I just have too many things to do between now and then to add more projects.  So I will keep you posted.

What a fun evening to keep the blues away and because of it, I will have more fun projects to keep me busy later down the road, especially if my hip continues to keep me grounded.

I loved the wood pieces with 

snowflakes stamped on them.

Some of the ornaments are the author's book cover.

I don't normally like antlers in decorations, but this works.

Sadducees and Pharisees

For the last couple of years, I have read a lot of books by Matthew Kelly, so I am not surprised when I hear his voice in the back of my head almost daily.  When the lector began the first reading, I heard Matthew.  "Don't forget to bring one thing away from Mass."  I started listening with purpose.  Of course, my attention faded in and out until Father talked about the Sadducees.

I have been fascinated by the Sadducees since I was a little girl, "they were sad you see."  I think of this every time I hear of them.  Today, Father talked about the differences between them and the Pharisees.  The first group only took lessons from the Tora and didn't believe in eternal life.  In essence they were conservative.  The Pharisees looked at the entire Old Testament and believed in life after death.  They were liberal in comparison to the Sadducees.  This is simplistic, but the general idea.  Then Father connected it to today.  We as humans haven't changed much.

As we head into the elections which will be heating up soon, I am amazed at the message I keep hearing.  We need to be kind and Christ-like.  We each have our leanings in our church beliefs and politics.  I am a "liberal" Catholic, but I am also conservative in other areas of my life.  This can get me into a little trouble at times.  The thing is that I really do appreciate most of my friends on the other side of the aisle.  We need to all remember the goodness in each other and speak accordingly.  My daily calendar on my desk puts it better than I ever could, and I will end the post with them.

May all of our words be a blessing every day.

Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.

PSALM 141:3 NIV

Health and Writing Update

What a week!!!  I am not always the smartest person in the world.  My week became busy at some point with trying to decorate for Christmas, Advent Tea, D&D, and I am not sure what else.  I forgot to take my Vitamin D and Estroven a few days in a row.  Yep, I became very moody with hot flashes.  Wow, that is a recipe for disaster.  At this point for the week, I have only written 3,811 fiction words.  Ouch!!!  My system is getting readjusted, so I am hoping for 2,000+ words today.  This next week needs to be only about writing and editing.

My health has gone a little wonky.  I am supposed to stay stress free.  I have a situation in my life that is all but stress free.  I got a muscle tension headache on Thursday.  Last night, I had a big autoimmune flare-up.  Also, my hip is hurting again, and I am struggling walking.  I failed my MRI on Wednesday because the hip hurt too bad to stay in one place too long.  I have to go back to the drawing board.  Gurr.

So, what did I do all week in my little hurting funk that started mid week?  I rested.  I watched some television.  I read.  I still went to my prayer group gathering with the ladies.  I love them so much.  I went to the Festival of Trees at the spur of the moment with a different dear friend.  We had a lovely evening critiquing the trees, planning for next year, and catching up after a long time being too busy to see each other.  That must not happen again.  I also was blessed with a visit from another friend over tea yesterday.  I love my Helena family.

Spring In the Neighborhood

What does spring look like in your neighborhood?

The first days of spring look brown and dirty.  The dripping of water off the roof calls out the first notes of the season.  Water seems to be everywhere.  Slowly, the grass begins to wake and turn green.  At my house, the tulips and crocuses begin poking out of the ground.  I try to get out and begin clipping back the dead stems of last years plants if I haven’t done the task months prior.  Birds come back from their southern journey and add to the tune of spring.  I love this time of year.  The air grows warm.  I can toss the winter coat in the closet along with the boots, gloves, hats, and scarves.  Just thinking about spring, I become giddy with excitement.

This coming spring will be sad.  Part of the joy of spring for me is waiting in anticipation for the big semis turning off of Green Meadow Drive and onto Mill Road.  The trucks deliver new plants, trees, and compost to the neighborhood green house.  This April the trucks will not be coming unless the business is sold to someone who will keep the business a green house of flowers and tree and bushes.  Yes, this spring will not be as fun as springs past.  I will have to do something to make the season new and unique to replace the fun of the green house.

Enjoying Winter

Remember back in the days of our childhood when we would all bundle up to go outside?  We loved walking through the snow, blazing a new trail.  I loved grabbing a sled and taking a run down our hill that we lived on in Eureka.  Going to visit the Butts family, I got to put on a pair of ice-skates and wander all over the top of Glen Lake.  At school, we found whatever ice there was see how far we could slide.  Those were the days!!!

I have heard rumor that Montana is going to have a long, snowy winter.  Already parts of the state has had record breaking snowfall.  One friend talked about depression in December and I know a lot of people struggle during the long months.  I have been know to as well, but I want to enjoy the time, because well, four months of not enjoying life just seems, frankly, stupid.  At Mass yesterday, Father said that on such a cold day, we need to find gratitude to help us through the rough weather days.  Yesterday at -2, he was grateful for no wind.  Oh, I so agree.

An article is floating around Facebook again this year about a scientist that went to Northern Norway to study depression during the dark months of winter and found no depression.  I love this article.  Winter is fun people!  We do have to approach it with a different attitude.  Here are some points to think about.

1.         Celebrate the things one can do only in winter - skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and sledding.  Now, I do have a hard time with this.  My rheumatoid arthritis flares in the cold and my hip issues cause me to cringe at the thought of falling.  However, I am going to try to get out in the yard this winter.  Yep, the yard.  What am I going to do?  Hang out with Leo, the beagle.  We can walk around and get fresh air.  I might take my garden sheers out and cut some of the mess in my vegetable garden.  I want to take winter pictures.  One of the reasons I bought my new pickup is to get around in the snow better than the little Ford Focus.  I might go on an excursion or two with my camera.

2.         If you are stuck indoors due to illness, hobbies are another thing to look forward to in the winter.  Take time to read more.  Hey, I have seven books in print that you can read.  I plan to read more poetry from the Elizabethan age along with some historical books about that time era.  I also will continue to crochet.  This is something I have always loved about winter.  In the summer, I don't crochet because it is too hot.  My fingers will get sweaty and sticky, so winter is the best time to work on blankets.  And hey, watch some fun movies as a family.  With Disney+, my family has enjoyed watching the movies from the vault.  My husband and I are re-watching the Star Wars movies.  I crochet during this time.  Oh, and I am also going to start baking more after Christmas.  No, I don't need more sweets.  However, I can take them down to God's Love.  This is a place here in town that feeds the homeless.  I will be doing something I love and giving to others.  Win, win, right there.  I love winter!!!

3.         The Norwegians have a word, Koselig, that means coziness. They embrace the winter season with candles, fires, warm beverages, and fuzzy blankets.  Before I read the article again, I had been drinking tea in the evening.  I only drink tea in the cold months of the year.  Also, I add my dad's old flannel shirts to the list of cozy.  I am wearing one right now.  Norway also has winter festivals.  I am thinking I need to plan something in January and February and even March.  Other things to think about are hosting dinners or getting a group of people to go to the movies.  Hey, go support your local school and attend a theater production if they have one or a sporting event like wresting and basketball.

4.         Find the beauty in the winter!!!  Yes, there is beauty in all the fluffy whiteness out there.  I need to take pictures.  I admit, I do get tired of all the white.  I need to embrace it more and see the beauty.  I have been working on that by watching the clouds roll by as I sit at my computer.  This is something I want to work hard on this winter.

5.         I read one article that suggested going on a vacation.  This can be difficult due to finances or kids in school.  I am fortunate this year to be going to Texas during a winter month.  Normally, I don't always get the chance.  Though with the daughter almost an adult, I might do it more often.  However, one thing I do is listen to what I call island music.  This is a vague concept.  I think I will look up some stuff.  Basically, I listen to a ton of uplifting music that make my feet tap.  Music can transport me to a vacation feeling.

5.         Change your attitude about winter.  Stop complaining and find something good to say.  Be grateful.  Today the sky is a vivid blue above the house.  Off in the distance fluffy clouds drift along the northern edge of the valley.  Gorgeous!!!

Over the next few months, I am going to try to incorporate the things I am doing to keep my joy during the dark months of winter here on the blog.  Come join me and start appreciating the fun of winter.

Remember back in the days of our childhood when we would all bundle up to go outside?  We loved walking through the snow, blazing a new trail.  I loved grabbing a sled and taking a run down our hill that we lived on in Eureka.  Going to visit the Butts family, I got to put on a pair of ice-skates and wander all over the top of Glen Lake.  At school, we found whatever ice there was see how far we could slide.  Those were the days!!!

I have heard rumor that Montana is going to have a long, snowy winter.  Already parts of the state has had record breaking snowfall.  One friend talked about depression in December and I know a lot of people struggle during the long months.  I have been know to as well, but I want to enjoy the time, because well, four months of not enjoying life just seems, frankly, stupid.  At Mass yesterday, Father said that on such a cold day, we need to find gratitude to help us through the rough weather days.  Yesterday at -2, he was grateful for no wind.  Oh, I so agree.

An article is floating around Facebook again this year about a scientist that went to Northern Norway to study depression during the dark months of winter and found no depression.  I love this article.  Winter is fun people!  We do have to approach it with a different attitude.  Here are some points to think about.

1.         Celebrate the things one can do only in winter - skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and sledding.  Now, I do have a hard time with this.  My rheumatoid arthritis flares in the cold and my hip issues cause me to cringe at the thought of falling.  However, I am going to try to get out in the yard this winter.  Yep, the yard.  What am I going to do?  Hang out with Leo, the beagle.  We can walk around and get fresh air.  I might take my garden sheers out and cut some of the mess in my vegetable garden.  I want to take winter pictures.  One of the reasons I bought my new pickup is to get around in the snow better than the little Ford Focus.  I might go on an excursion or two with my camera.

2.         If you are stuck indoors due to illness, hobbies are another thing to look forward to in the winter.  Take time to read more.  Hey, I have seven books in print that you can read.  I plan to read more poetry from the Elizabethan age along with some historical books about that time era.  I also will continue to crochet.  This is something I have always loved about winter.  In the summer, I don't crochet because it is too hot.  My fingers will get sweaty and sticky, so winter is the best time to work on blankets.  And hey, watch some fun movies as a family.  With Disney+, my family has enjoyed watching the movies from the vault.  My husband and I are re-watching the Star Wars movies.  I crochet during this time.  Oh, and I am also going to start baking more after Christmas.  No, I don't need more sweets.  However, I can take them down to God's Love.  This is a place here in town that feeds the homeless.  I will be doing something I love and giving to others.  Win, win, right there.  I love winter!!!

3.         The Norwegians have a word, Koselig, that means coziness. They embrace the winter season with candles, fires, warm beverages, and fuzzy blankets.  Before I read the article again, I had been drinking tea in the evening.  I only drink tea in the cold months of the year.  Also, I add my dad's old flannel shirts to the list of cozy.  I am wearing one right now.  Norway also has winter festivals.  I am thinking I need to plan something in January and February and even March.  Other things to think about are hosting dinners or getting a group of people to go to the movies.  Hey, go support your local school and attend a theater production if they have one or a sporting event like wresting and basketball.

4.         Find the beauty in the winter!!!  Yes, there is beauty in all the fluffy whiteness out there.  I need to take pictures.  I admit, I do get tired of all the white.  I need to embrace it more and see the beauty.  I have been working on that by watching the clouds roll by as I sit at my computer.  This is something I want to work hard on this winter.

5.         I read one article that suggested going on a vacation.  This can be difficult due to finances or kids in school.  I am fortunate this year to be going to Texas during a winter month.  Normally, I don't always get the chance.  Though with the daughter almost an adult, I might do it more often.  However, one thing I do is listen to what I call island music.  This is a vague concept.  I think I will look up some stuff.  Basically, I listen to a ton of uplifting music that make my feet tap.  Music can transport me to a vacation feeling.

5.         Change your attitude about winter.  Stop complaining and find something good to say.  Be grateful.  Today the sky is a vivid blue above the house.  Off in the distance fluffy clouds drift along the northern edge of the valley.  Gorgeous!!!

Over the next few months, I am going to try to incorporate the things I am doing to keep my joy during the dark months of winter here on the blog.  Come join me and start appreciating the fun of winter.