Gasp!!!!!!

I actually wrote something last night. Gasp! Choke! Breathe deeply!

And it wasn't a synopsis or query. It was actually a MS.

Even better? It was my Nano project from last year! I have pulled out Latent and am getting it ready for a new round of critiques and editing.

Still not freewriting, but at least my muse isn't long gone.

Merry Christmas. Best wishes to all of you. I am glad to call you friends.

Blogfest! (even if its late.)

Of course I sign up for a blog fest and my baby gets the tummy flu and I have spent the day taking care of him.

So without any more delay here is my Christmas decorations!

My tree:













My house. (note this is the first house where we have had outdoor lights so we are building our supply)













Lastly a favorite Christmas dessert. Sugar Cookies:

1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup shortening or butter*
2 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/4 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl cream the shortening and the sugar. Add the eggs, extract, and milk. In a medium bowl mix the dry ingredients with a wire whisk. Add the dry ingredients to the large bowl. Mix with mixer until well combined. With hands, shape dough into a ball. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Roll half or 1/3 dough at a time, keep the rest refrigerated. For crisp cookies, roll dough, paper thin. For softer cookies, roll 1/8 " to 1/4" thick. With floured cookie cutter, cut into shapes. Re-roll trimmings and cut.

Place cookies 1/2 inch apart on cookie sheets. Decorate Bake 8 minutes or until very light brown. With pancake turner, remove cookies to racks; cool. Makes about 6 dozen cookies.

Sorry about the lateness of the hour enjoy. :)

mmmmmm chocolate . . .

Happy National Covered in Chocolate Day!





Oreo Truffles

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, divided
1 (8 ounce) package PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
2 (8 ounce) packages BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted
Directions
1.Crush 9 of the cookies to fine crumbs in food processor; reserve for later use. (Cookies can also be finely crushed in a resealable plastic bag using a rolling pin.) Crush remaining 36 cookies to fine crumbs; place in medium bowl. Add cream cheese; mix until well blended. Roll cookie mixture into 42 balls, about 1-inch in diameter.
2.Dip balls in chocolate; place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. (Any leftover chocolate can be stored at room temperature for another use.) Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.
3.Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store leftover truffles, covered, in refrigerator.
Footnotes

How to How to Easily Dip Truffles Place truffle ball in melted chocolate to coat; roll if necessary. Lift truffle from chocolate using 2 forks (this will allow excess chocolate to run off) before placing on wax paper.

I love this song, interesting interpretation

Caution . . . construction ahead . . .

I am revising my blog. I have been looking at what people like and what draws readers and keeps them. I am also thinking in terms of what I myself like and will allow on my blog within my comfort zone. Or what I will allow on my blog before I feel like I'm selling out.

Life is Short

This is your life.
Do what you love and do it often.
If you don't like something, change it.
If you don't like your job, quit.
If you dont have enough time, stop watching TV.
If you are looking for the love of your life, stop; they will be waiting for you when you start doing the things you love.
Stop over analyzing, life is simple.
All emotions are beautiful.
When you eat, appreciate every last bite.
Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things and people, we are united in our diferences.
Ask the next person you see what their passion is, and share your isnpiring dream with them.
Travel often; getting lost helps you find yourself.
Some opportunities only come once, seize them.
Life is about the people you meet and the things you create with them so go out and start creating.
Life is short.
Live your dream, and wear your passion.

author unknown.......

The cure for what ails ya. . .

I have been in a rut. A long creative sucking as well as soul sucking rut. There are many things that contributed to it.

One of the major things is: I let myself stop writing and creating. I also let the stress of my life overwhelm me. Needless to say I sat here feeling empty and wondering why.

I am actively doing something about it.

A few days ago, I stumbled upon a site where there were many pictures of wonderful things. Places and things that stir the imagination and soothe the soul. I browsed the site for hours writing down things I saw that inspired me. It was then that I realized that I am a creator regardless the medium. I must create to be happy.

I used to love to cook from scratch yet lately it has been a mundane chore because I had to. I love to sew but the blankets and things I made for Eli were because I had to. I love to draw but have had no time, caught up in the mundane world of life. The same goes for writng.

This little sight stirred emotions and a desire to create that havn't been present in years and I walked away feeling as little refueled. Granted not completely whole again but now I knew what and why.

I have forgotten how to take true personal quiet creative time for me.

This is going to change starting this week. :)

It's time to dust off those teacups I collect, and have a creative brainstorm session that gives me a list of things to make and create that makes me happy.

What about you guys? What creative outlet do you have that makes you happy?