This is an image from an illustrated copy of Emma. The latest PBS series of Austen books, the shows that were filmed for the series, were a disappointment. How sad to have the writings of a master writer turned into a cheap suit.Tuesday, April 8, 2008
England and Austen
This is an image from an illustrated copy of Emma. The latest PBS series of Austen books, the shows that were filmed for the series, were a disappointment. How sad to have the writings of a master writer turned into a cheap suit.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Happily Ever After
Sorrows remembered sweeten present joy.
Robert Polock: Course of Time, Bk. I
Joys are our wings, sorrows our spurs.
Jean Paul Richter
Romance fiction demands a promise of happily ever after before the writer ends the story. Every fairy tale ends with the promise of a happy ever after. But, in all of these stories, obstacles arise that must be overcome and resolutions to differences must be found.
Real life is full of obstacles, sorrows, differences, and grim news--things that detour us from obtaining the happiness we seek. But overcoming the pot holes of life leads to happiness.
Keep positive. Remember past woes, but don't let unhappy memories spoil today.
Robert Polock: Course of Time, Bk. I
Joys are our wings, sorrows our spurs.
Jean Paul Richter
Romance fiction demands a promise of happily ever after before the writer ends the story. Every fairy tale ends with the promise of a happy ever after. But, in all of these stories, obstacles arise that must be overcome and resolutions to differences must be found.
Real life is full of obstacles, sorrows, differences, and grim news--things that detour us from obtaining the happiness we seek. But overcoming the pot holes of life leads to happiness.
Keep positive. Remember past woes, but don't let unhappy memories spoil today.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Brownies In A Jar
These ingrediant jars make great gifts. This one is from the Hershey website and calls for a combination of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips and white chocolate chips or peanut butter chips. I should think you could substitute any flavor chip combination as long as you use the one and a half cups called for.
So find a clean 1 quart class canister or jar and layer (tapping the jar gently on the counter to settle each layer before adding the next layer) the ingredients in the following order: 1-1/2 cups sugar; 1/3 cup Hershey's Special Dark cocoa; a combined 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 1/4 tsp. salt; 1 cup of whatever chips you choose, ending with 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate mini chips.
Cover and attach baking directions.
Baking directions: Heat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour an 8x8x2 inch baking pan. Combine 1/2 cup (1 stick) melted and cooled butter and 2 slightly beaten eggs. Gently stir in jar contents. Spread in pan. Bake 35 minutes. Cool in pan then cut into 16 bars.
So find a clean 1 quart class canister or jar and layer (tapping the jar gently on the counter to settle each layer before adding the next layer) the ingredients in the following order: 1-1/2 cups sugar; 1/3 cup Hershey's Special Dark cocoa; a combined 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 1/4 tsp. salt; 1 cup of whatever chips you choose, ending with 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate mini chips.
Cover and attach baking directions.
Baking directions: Heat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour an 8x8x2 inch baking pan. Combine 1/2 cup (1 stick) melted and cooled butter and 2 slightly beaten eggs. Gently stir in jar contents. Spread in pan. Bake 35 minutes. Cool in pan then cut into 16 bars.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
A Little Inspiration
My neglect of my blog is evident. But not posting here does not mean I have been idle. Family, the holidays, producing new pages and completing new stories have kept me busy.
Today I am posting two inspirational quotes about perseverance that speak to my own need for inspiration at the moment.
When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try one more time." Author Unknown.
He conquers who endures. ~Persius
A writer's life is often filled with delay and with rejection. But, I know of more than one writer who succeeded after years of struggle. Their ability to persevere allowed them to keep writing in the face of rejection after rejection.
So if you have a dream, pursue it with every bit of determination you can muster. Increasing your knowledge, overcoming obstacles, and after each goal is met, set another.
Today I am posting two inspirational quotes about perseverance that speak to my own need for inspiration at the moment.
When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try one more time." Author Unknown.
He conquers who endures. ~Persius
A writer's life is often filled with delay and with rejection. But, I know of more than one writer who succeeded after years of struggle. Their ability to persevere allowed them to keep writing in the face of rejection after rejection.
So if you have a dream, pursue it with every bit of determination you can muster. Increasing your knowledge, overcoming obstacles, and after each goal is met, set another.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Libraries are Fun
The 2007 Holiday season is fast approaching--not to mention my birthday--! I have much to celebrate and be thankful for this year.
In October the Durham County Library held a Romance Tea.The Heart of Carolina published Regency Writers were invited to make up a panel. It was a super day. The guests who came out on a beautiful Sunday afternoon were full of questions and fun. I displayed a copy of BROMPTON MANOR and then donated it as a prize.
On Monday, I received a call from a librarian from Apex who was given my name by one of their librarians who met me at the ALA conference. I have been invited to partcipate in their brown bag lunch event on February 14.
As a long time fan of libraries, I am delighted the publication of BROMPTON MANOR by Avalon Books has provided me with these opportunities.
Among my most pleasurable memories of early childhood are a memory of sitting at a school desk and discovering I could read the words in a Dick and Jane primer and the day I first remember walking into the children's section of my hometown public library and thinking I had entered a land of enchantment.
In my adult life, as my family moved around the country, one of the first things I looked for in every new community was the nearest public library. Each of my four daughters are avid readers and have passed this joyous endeavor on to their children.
Having more and more research books available on the internet is a great benefit, but I am hopeful ink, paper and glue books never disappear.
But whatever is ahead, I look forward to the challanges and the joys.
In October the Durham County Library held a Romance Tea.The Heart of Carolina published Regency Writers were invited to make up a panel. It was a super day. The guests who came out on a beautiful Sunday afternoon were full of questions and fun. I displayed a copy of BROMPTON MANOR and then donated it as a prize.
On Monday, I received a call from a librarian from Apex who was given my name by one of their librarians who met me at the ALA conference. I have been invited to partcipate in their brown bag lunch event on February 14.
As a long time fan of libraries, I am delighted the publication of BROMPTON MANOR by Avalon Books has provided me with these opportunities.
Among my most pleasurable memories of early childhood are a memory of sitting at a school desk and discovering I could read the words in a Dick and Jane primer and the day I first remember walking into the children's section of my hometown public library and thinking I had entered a land of enchantment.
In my adult life, as my family moved around the country, one of the first things I looked for in every new community was the nearest public library. Each of my four daughters are avid readers and have passed this joyous endeavor on to their children.
Having more and more research books available on the internet is a great benefit, but I am hopeful ink, paper and glue books never disappear.
But whatever is ahead, I look forward to the challanges and the joys.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Chocolate Haystacks
Satisfy a sweet tooth and get your crunch at the same time. Keep the ingredients in your pantry and you can whip up a batch whenever you get the urge.
Chocolate Haystacks
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate)
1 Tbs. shortening (must be the solid at room temp. kind)
1 1/2 cups (3 oz. can) chow mein noodles--broken coarsley
Line a tray with wax paper. Put all chips and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) for 1 minute. Stir. If not completely melted, Microwave on MEDIUM another 15 seconds and then stir. Repeat 15 seconds until mixture is smooth.
Add chow mein noodles. Stir to coat. Drop by heaping teaspoons onto wax paper. Let stand until cool enough to eat (or until firm). You may have to refrigerate to firm. Store in covered container in refrigerator. Makes 2 dozen.
Chocolate Haystacks
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate)
1 Tbs. shortening (must be the solid at room temp. kind)
1 1/2 cups (3 oz. can) chow mein noodles--broken coarsley
Line a tray with wax paper. Put all chips and shortening in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) for 1 minute. Stir. If not completely melted, Microwave on MEDIUM another 15 seconds and then stir. Repeat 15 seconds until mixture is smooth.
Add chow mein noodles. Stir to coat. Drop by heaping teaspoons onto wax paper. Let stand until cool enough to eat (or until firm). You may have to refrigerate to firm. Store in covered container in refrigerator. Makes 2 dozen.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Boston and the Revolution
The Massachusetts State House, located in the center of Boston at the crest of Beacon Hill is an interesting structure. The orignial portion is still there and still used. The newer portion is well-integrated.
After Boston, there are six State Houses to go before we will have visited all fifty: California, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Idaho and Hawaii remain. Both Idaho and Utah are being renovated and Idaho is closed to the public. Making the rounds of the State Houses has been an amazing experience in touching the history of this great nation.
Since the 2008 RWA Conference is being held in San Francisco, the California, Oregon and Washington State Houses will be on the travel agenda.
In Boston we not only visited the State House but also toured the US Constitution--used in the War of 1812 and docked at the Boston Naval Yard--Feneuil Hall, Quincy Market and The old State House. I love Boston. The flavor of the city reminds me of London--a blend of the old with the new.
Pedestrians consider the streets of Boston nothing more than additional sidewalks. They cross on the red hand and on the walking guy icon--! They cross anywhere they choose.
Adding to the wonder, we visited the town of Quincy to tour the Adams' residences. The properties are a remarkable preservation of history by the Adams' descendents and the National Park Service.
So I am steeped in the history of the nations birth and my head is full of the romance of past times. Stories pop pop pop in my head. If only I could write a book in a minute.
Because I am enchanted by all of this, I am lableling this post under romance.
After Boston, there are six State Houses to go before we will have visited all fifty: California, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Idaho and Hawaii remain. Both Idaho and Utah are being renovated and Idaho is closed to the public. Making the rounds of the State Houses has been an amazing experience in touching the history of this great nation.
Since the 2008 RWA Conference is being held in San Francisco, the California, Oregon and Washington State Houses will be on the travel agenda.
In Boston we not only visited the State House but also toured the US Constitution--used in the War of 1812 and docked at the Boston Naval Yard--Feneuil Hall, Quincy Market and The old State House. I love Boston. The flavor of the city reminds me of London--a blend of the old with the new.
Pedestrians consider the streets of Boston nothing more than additional sidewalks. They cross on the red hand and on the walking guy icon--! They cross anywhere they choose.
Adding to the wonder, we visited the town of Quincy to tour the Adams' residences. The properties are a remarkable preservation of history by the Adams' descendents and the National Park Service.
So I am steeped in the history of the nations birth and my head is full of the romance of past times. Stories pop pop pop in my head. If only I could write a book in a minute.
Because I am enchanted by all of this, I am lableling this post under romance.
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