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!