40 & 41: Complete NaNoWriMo / Write a Novel

Last year (2010) I completed my first NaNoWriMo - titled "The Baker's Husband" and I have recently finished it's multiple edits and sent off a synopsis!! (I wouldn't call it a full submission, since I've only sent it one place... but I'm working on it!

This year, despite the universes best efforts to thwart me, I have won NaNoWriMo again!

November was a rough month for finding time (or rather motivation) to write. I started with Ryan home the first of the month, then a drive to Crawford for my Great Grandma's funeral (I had 2 days I didn't write) and then mid-month? Breaking Dawn came out, and like a hardcore geek that I am? I went to a viewing marathon, and then the midnight premiere. So another day of writing gone. Finally, finishing out the month, Ryan was home again. And when he's home? I like to dedicate my time to being with family.

I spent the month of November with Lena and Josh - my two main characters, and they take an interesting journey. I don't want to spoil much, because I have high hopes for this - once I've edited at least a dozen times! I know this piece is rough, and has a long way to go. But I do have high hopes.

Now, since I've told you absolutely nothing about my novel? I have to give credit where it is due.

The idea for my book came from Ryan.

I did a lot different from his initial idea, my characters were a good 30 years younger than his original idea, for one. Which makes a huge difference. The location is different, again making a pretty big difference.

But in the end? I am proud of my story. I love it and I'm anxious to see where it goes. I am going to set it aside for a few months, let it rest. (Stephen King says to *wink* ) and then I'm going to give it a shot at editing!

Accent? Hmm...

Thanks to my good friend Lis (at A Trucker Wife) I thought this was a fun little meme!!




The instructions are to say these words: 
Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught

And answer these questions:

What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?

What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?

What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?

What do you call gym shoes?

What do you say to address a group of people?

What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?

What do you call your grandparents?

What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?

What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?

What is the thing you change the TV channel with?

86. Write a review for 5 books

I love to read, so the idea of writing book reviews appealed to me, especially because I often use the reviews on B&N.com as well as Amazon.com when I'm looking for a new book to read.

After I wrote my first review for Room and quickly followed with Only Mine, I stumbled upon a book review blog! I had no idea such a thing existed, and I spent several hours skimming through the blog to see what she thought of books that I also loved.

The next morning, I started my own blog. For Love and Books. I set up a Goodreads Account, A Twitter account and a new Amazon account.

The coolest thing about this whole process? I have been blogging for a month, and I have already received four  ARC books! (Advanced Readers Copy) from publishers!! (Unsolicited! So they contacted me, said "We like your blog" and gave me books to read and review!)

I don't know what my future as a book blogger holds, but I am hopeful that I can keep this up and continue to blog about the books I'm loving! (It's also inspired me to up my reading total, having read 11 books in August compared to my usual 4 or 5 in a month.)

(You can read all of my Amazon reviews HERE!)

76: Buy a Garden Gnome

The rumor is that Gnomes tend to the garden at night, so who wouldn't want one??

I have wanted a gnome for a long time, and I think this fella will be the first of several for me! (Next up? I want a fairy door!)


Now that this little guy has a home in my garden, we can only hope that he'll help tend to the yard work at night!

86. Write a review for 5 books (either on B&N.com or Amazon.com) :: Only Mine

I ADORE the Fool's Gold Series by Susan Mallery - and I have pre-ordered books 4, 5 & 6!! Book 4 (Only Mine) came out yesterday and I'd finished it by noon today. I just LOVED it. So I wrote up a review and posted it on B&N.com, Amazon.com and Good Reads!!! So here it is for you as well :)

(And if you're looking for a fluffy romance read? I highly recommend this series!

Now? I'll shut up and let you read my review!

I love reality TV (Anyone else addicted to The Bachelorette?) And the Fool's Gold series by Susan Mallery is at the top of my list of favorite series reads! (If Fool's Gold was a real town? I'd move their in a heartbeat!) So I'm sure you can imagine how excited I was for book #4 in the series!
This is the first book featuring the Hendrix Triplets - Dakota, Nevada and Montana. I have enjoyed their characters in previous books and was looking forward to their feature books! Dakota most definitely did not disappoint.

In the opening pages, her personality grabbed me! Her humor is something that I could relate to, including one of her opening cracks to Finn about his choice of a plaid shirt. I think on a personal level I related to Dakota more than any of the other Women in Fool's Gold, her humor being the main connection.

I loved watching the relationship between Dakota and Finn bloom, and I found them to be one of the more realistic couples in romance novels. He was hot tempered (making me think of my own husband at times) and she had a natural way of talking him back down, much thanks to her background with a PhD in Psychology.

Another great element to this book was the subplots. Finns twin brothers, Sasha and Stephen were entertaining. Although to be honest, I didn't have much use for Sasha's character or his part in the reality show. But Stephen and his counterpart - Aurelia? I couldn't get enough of them!
I give Only Mine 4 Hearts, and can't wait for the next installment in this series! (Only Yours is due out August 30!)
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

12. Make S'Mores (with Skyler!) Outdoors

Two weeks ago, Skyler and I made S'Mores with my sister. Unfortunately, due to the lovely humidity that Nebraska experiences? My camera fogged up and not a single photo turned out. So I've been waiting to make my official post on this task, and today we made "S'Mores on a Stick" for a potluck dinner! These photos? Have turned out - so I thought I'd write a quick entry on how to do them! They are a super simple, quick treat to make!

You will need:

• Graham Crackers
• Marshmallows
• Chocolate Chips
• Serrated Knife
• Sticks/Skewers
• Ziploc Bag

This recipe makes 16 S'Mores Sticks

First, you spread the Graham Crackers out (Broken into individual crackers). I used wax paper to make the cleanup easier!

Next, cut the marshmallows in half using teh serrated knife. (I've heard it works smoother if you grease it with Crisco, but I didn't have a problem without the grease.) Slide them on the tip of the skewer. (I don't have a photo of this *sad*

Then, stick your chocolate chips (about a cup worth) in the ziploc bag, microwave for one minute. Squish the partially melted chips around with your fingers, microwave an additional 30 seconds, moosh around again. (It took me 2 minutes total, but microwave power varies.)

Cut the tip off the the ziploc bag (just a small triangle) and squeeze a strip onto on row of the crackers, then quickly place your marshmallow sticks onto the poured chocolate.

Next, Squeeze a dab of the chocolate on top of each marshmallow. Cover, with the spare cracker.

Let sit for an hour or two for chocolate to harden, then you have S'Mores on a stick!

32. Document a "Day in My Life" with Photos

 While in Lincoln; I completed #32 on my list! A day in my life in photos! It was a fun experiment - although I think everyone around me was a bit annoyed as I snapped away photos of every little activity.

I'd like to do this again -- a normal day at home for Skyler and I. I think it's something that will be fun to look back on in a few years! 

If you want to see the collage larger?  (HERE)

Among my favorites?

Skyler at the Grocery Store! (She loves the little carts -- I wish we could find a store with them in Colorado.)

And Skyler playing!

I also liked Skyler's bedtime shot... (Gee - a lot of Skyler *giggle* )

And my favorite "artsy" shot was my headphones!

26. Visit 5 Museums

While we were in Lincoln, we visited the Sheldon Art Gallery!

I've been there a dozen times - we went in school almost every year. But I never really took the time to appreciate it. This time, I tried to take it all in. (At least until Skyler got a bit too bored, and I had to leave and take her to play in the sculpture garden outside!)

(Although Skyler did love the "Song of the Bird" sculpture inside. We spent a good amount of time walking in circles and looking at that one.)

And one last shot -- snapped when I told Skyler we had to leave (of which she'd been BEGGING for the previous 30 minutes...)

86. Write a review for 5 books (either on B&N.com or Amazon.com) :: Room

I am a book nerd. At this point (July 14) I have read 54 books in 2011, and it's rare to find a book that I don't like. So for my 101 in 1001 I thought it would be fun to review a few books! So I posted the following on both Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com as well as Good Reads. 

HERE is my review at B&N!!

I was anxious to read "Room" having heard so many wonderful reviews. Everyone I talk to seems to have loved this book.

I struggled to read from the beginning. Maybe it was the broken language of a five year old, maybe it was the repetitive nature. Whatever it was? It was slow. (I typically read a book in 2 days, but this took me an entire week.)

I didn't feel that there was any real climax to this book, sure it picked up when Jack made his great escape. But it never really grabbed me the way many books do.

I couldn't stand Ma's family. I tried and tried to put myself in their place, which is normally pretty easy with a book. But these characters were just so unlikable that I couldn't manage it. I liked Ma in room; and I can't begin to imagine her trauma, but I just had a difficult time sympathizing with her once they'd escaped.

Overall, I didn't love the book. It was just sort of ok, and I definitely would not recommend it to my friends and family.

48. Send a "Just Because" care package to someone

I love getting mail, so what better than to send someone mail they aren't expecting?

No, it's not my sister's birthday. It's not a holiday. And there is nothing that she needs. But I decided this week, I'd send her a care package at camp! It's packed with nothing in particular, certainly nothing she "needs"! (Although I suppose Justin Bieber trading cards could be a necessity, I'm not sure...) Just a silly collection of items to make her smile!

 

 

Inside? 

*Frog Puzzle

*Guitar Necklace

*Decorative Pins (for her power belt -- a fanny pack for all you non-Kitaki people)

*Cars & Justin Bieber Trading Cards

*A note

29. Attend 5 live shows : Mystere

I've realized I very rarely see anything live - I resort to DVD 99% of the time. So I thought it would be fun to attempt 5 live shows (of any medium) over the course of this list!

Show #1 was Mystere! (Cirque Du Soliel's show at Treasure Island in Las Vegas!)

This show was a huge hit for my whole family! There was enough comedy to keep us all laughing, enough "wow" factor for my husband, and the dancing was just magnificent.

Skyler LOVED the "Baby" (And it had Ryan and I rolling with laughter!) And the audience participation was just hilarious. The dancing and acrobatics were also fabulous. I think my absolute favorite though? The two "Strong Men" (for lack of a better term) who were balancing each other. It was just amazing to watch.

62. Go on a Family Vacation

Number 62 wasn't planned, I figured a family vacation was a few years down the road when I first made this list... But with much thanks to my in-laws, we were able to take a family vacation to Las Vegas from June 19-24, 2011!!

We stayed at the Orleans, and had a wonderful WONDERFUL time!  (A full trip report can be found on my "Sunny Days with Skyler" blog -- under the Vegas tag! HERE is the link...) I was able to cross several items off of my list, and make a progress on a few others!

We had such an awesome family vacation and none of us can pick what our favorite thing was!!

But ranking among the top? Mystere (which will be a later entry!) The Dolphin's at the Mirage, The Bellagio Fountains!

23. Go Bowling

I'm not sure what triggered me to think about Bowling for this list, I used to love to go back in high school! (Although I was never very good...)

Our hotel in Vegas had 70 bowling lanes, and we decided one afternoon to take advantage! Skyler had never been bowling, and Ryan and I hadn't been in YEARS... So it was an experience for all of us!

Skyler was awesome though. She threw the ball, then did a little celebration dance after every turn!!

None of our scores were very good - as we only got two games, so we let Skyler throw every second ball for us! None the less, we had a lot of fun! (And now I really want to go again!!)

36. Take Photos in a Photo Booth

Number 36, Take Photos in a Photo Booth happened almost by accident! We were passing by one in Vegas, and Ryan suggested we stop!

I'm so glad we did, because they are the only photos of our whole family from our trip to Vegas!! (That's a whole different ordeal, really. )

But we did a few of the traditional "poses" from the Photo Booth...  I give this goal "Two thumbs up!"

100. Fill in an Address Book

I know that so many people chose to keep their address books digitally anymore; but I have a problem with that. I keep losing them. (Seriously! I don't know how, but I keep losing them!!) I have one friend, I think I've asked her for her address no less than a dozen times.

So I decided I'd try the paper version, maybe I'll have better luck with that if I can just keep it in my kitchen and always go right to it. So I hunted Amazon and found one I liked, ordered it and then let it sit for a few weeks untouched.

Well, tonight I finally filled it out! (But I could use a few more addresses! If I haven't asked you for yours, and you want a Christmas card, please let me know!! )

56. Toss out all underthings and replace them

#56 is something that I think people should do more often. I know I was guilty of waiting too long! But a change in your underthings can make you feel so much better about yourself!

(And a proper fitting bra makes a WORLD of difference!!)

9. Bake Skyler an awesome Birthday Cake

My friend Meg makes the coolest birthday cakes for her kids, and she was my inspiration in every way for this goal. (Before her, I never had any interest in creating a fun cake. But her kids' cakes are always so fabulous, that I really wanted to give it a shot. )

My initial idea was a crayola box, but after several hours of working with the buttercream and decorating the cake, I opted for an easier design. (I have to give Meg credit here again.) I made a Play Doh cake! (Which also happens to be Skyler's favorite creative toy of the moment.

The cake as a delicious recipe (posted below) as was the butter cream frosting. After some coloring issues, my sister stepped in to help me make some fondant (Marshmallow) which was actually fairly yummy and looked FABULOUS!

My only negative comment about the cake was that the piping letters weren't very neat. But, we were running late, the icing was stiff and I was nervous. (And? My handwriting just isn't that neat anyway. *lol* )

 

Recipes:

Cake

Ingredients

• 1 Duncan Hines Yellow (or White) cake mix
  4 egg whites
  1/2 cup water
  1/3 cup vegetable oil
  1 small pkg of instant vanilla pudding mix (I use white chocolate flavour instead)
  1 cup sour cream

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F, Incorporate all ingredients together one by one on low speed. Make sure to mix thoroughly between each ingredient. Once all ingredients are mixed turn mixer to medium and mix for approximately 2 minutes. Bake at 350 for 30 – 35 minutes


Butter Cream

* 2 cups butter
* 8 cups confectioners’ sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 6 fluid ounces International Delight French Vanilla Coffee Creamer
Instructions

1. 1. Cream butter until fluffy. Add confectioner’s sugar and continue creaming until well blended.
   2. Add salt and creamer, blend on low speed until moistened. Add additional creamer if necessary (up to 2 ounces). Beat at high speed until frosting is fluffy.

51. Write a letter to myself within the first 30 days to open at the end of the project

I remember a letter that I'd written to myself in Junior High Sunday School – set to open the day of my high school Graduation. I'd hung that letter on my wall in my bedroom and anticipation grew as my Graduation day came up. I was so excited to open that letter, having forgotten what was in it. I could just imagine, I had written my hopes and my dreams. I had told myself where I wanted to go to college and what I wanted to major in. Where I wanted to move and what big dreams I had. I was ready to see what a younger me had found so important.

When I opened the letter; I was deeply disappointed. Embarrassed beyond all belief, I couldn't share the letter with anyone. I had told myself how in love I was with my 7th Grade boyfriend. I blathered on, for 3 pages, about how wonderful he was. Thirteen year old me had been such an idiot. (He was a loser to the Nth Degree!!)

I desperately hope this letter is not that way.


I wasn't sure what to write; so it is a hodgepodge of items. My hopes for this list. My hopes for where I'll be in 3 years time. A few thoughts about where my life is right now, and a few of my current favorite things. 

Honestly, writing a letter to your future self is something I recommend to you. It's something I hope to have Skyler do throughout her life. It's something I hope I treasure! (As opposed to my last one which I threw away immediately with a bright red face!!)
 

**I copied it to a private entry -- HERE -- in the event that something happens to the hard copy. **

84. Ask 10 People for Book recommendations - then read those books

I resorted to facebook for my 10 books mentioned in #84. I did decide that I would put  few stipulations on this though. #1? I will only read books I have not previously read. #2? I will take the first recommendation someone listed if they list multiples. That way I get a good variety!






So; my list according to facebook? 

*Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
*A Million Little Pieces by James Frey
*Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
*The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
*The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
*Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman
*Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire
*House Rules by Jodi Piccoult
*Clearing the Aisle by Karen Schwartz
*Einstein's Dreams by Alan Lightman

While it's unlikely that I will read them in that order - I will definitely read them all! (Despite the fact that there are two on the list that I have avoided like the plague... Since my friends enjoyed them enough to recommend them, I will give them a fair and unbiased attempt!)


Sorry for the choppy sizing of the photos -- my computer screen didn't fit the whole thing on one screen; and I wasn't thinking as I was cropping the screenshots! 

44. Write a Letter to Bettina

 

I have had a few friends come into my life who have stuck around. Bettina is one of them, and I am so thankful for her friendship. We met my sophomore year in high school - she was an exchange student from Germany. After she went back, we kept in touch via email. (Although she is better at writing regularly than I am...)

When Ryan and I got married, I sent her an invitation - although I was sure nothing would come of it. The day of my wedding, I was getting my makeup done when there was a knock on the hotel room door. I opened the door to see Bettina and her brother standing there!! I was thrilled! We spent the day after my wedding exploring some of the mountains here in Southern Colorado.

About the time that Skyler was born, I got an email that she would be in the states again for a visit! I lucked out that we were in Lincoln at the same time and she got to meet Sky! (She seems to be around for major life events *lol* )

Her friendship is one that I really treasure, and one that I hope to keep for the rest of my life. And since I've been bad at keeping in touch the past year, I thought a letter would be a great way to get back in touch! (So I sent her an email *lol* Asking for her most recent snail mail address!) I know she's moved around a lot, both while in school (studying abroad in University as well) and since graduating; so I'm not really sure where to mail it too!

3. Try 30 New Recipes :: Stromboli (or Calzones)

I love being in the kitchen, cooking or baking. It's a definite stress relief for me; and it's fun to have something new to try! So for 101, my #3 is to try 30 new recipes. Tonight, I took it a step further and sort of created my own! Stromboli!

First up? Pizza Dough! Use your own recipe; mine is a revised version from the Better Homes & Gardens cookbook (Eveyrone has one! ) and I double the sugar, and a few minor changes to yeast and water thanks to altitudes.



Split your batch of dough (one batch makes two stromboli's for me, and Sky can eat a half, I ate a whole and was full.) And roll it into squares, get it as large as you can without ripping.

Then I brush with Olive Oil and flip over (so that the whole outside will be well coated.)

Next up? Toppings! (Or is it Stuffing?)



Tonight I went easy... Just pasta sauce, pepperoni and cheese.

For the sauce? I used left over from our spaghetti last week. It was Mr. C's from Nebraska (Thanks Dad!!) Although I think normally I'd just use my regular homemade marinara. The spaghetti sauce was a bit too sweet for this.

Also, next time I plan on making a veggie one for myself! Peppers, Onions... all the yummy veggies from a pizza! But I was lazy tonight.

I layered, sauce, meat, cheese, sauce, meat, cheese.



Close them like a clam, and be sure to crimp the ends. (I didn't roll my dough out flat enough, so I had a bit of a struggle with this and they weren't as pretty as I'd like! )



Sprinkle seasonings on top. (I did a mixture of McCormick's Italian Seasoning and Parm Cheese!)

Place in the Oven (425*) for 13 - 15 minutes.

Enjoy!