Food, Glorious Food…

“Food, glorious food!
Hot sausage and mustard!
While we’re in the mood —
Cold jelly and custard!”*


pbjWhat do you eat during Nano? Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or as Dr. Who prefers – fish fingers & custard? Do you make dinners ahead of time, freezing meals for a quick pop in the microwave or reheat in the oven?  Do you tell your family to fend for themselves and rely on what’s in the cupboard for food to keep you going?  Maybe you buy frozen dinners on sale and hoard them for November, filling your freezer with boxes. Whatever you do, now’s the time to give it some thought and perhaps, stock up.

You’ll want to include your favorite writing rewards on that list as well, especially if it is food related. (Mine are dark chocolate covered coffee beans!)

My go to website for fast meals is usually FoodNetwork.com.  I use it for everything from cookies to breads to full dinners.

I prefer dishes I can cook with little fuss and less cleanup. One pot meals are my favorite, but my family prefers to have their peas separate from their potatoes and meat. (Shepard’s Pie anyone?)

fritata

On the other hand, they love anything that is easily picked up and taken with – even dinner. I’ve been known to make  these easy mini quiches in my muffin tins, eating a few right out of the oven and freezing the rest for late morning rush-out-the-door days. You can omit the crust for a tasty, on the go frittata!

If it’s energy snacks you’re looking for, try Rachael Ray’s Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, or this Homemade Granola. Either recipe lends itself well to additional ingredients.

Whatever you plan on eating, there’s only one month left to get to it!

*Read more lyrics: Oliver – Food, Glorious Food Lyrics | MetroLyrics 

September Writing Challenge

Happy Fall!

It’s my favorite season of the year and we’re celebrating
with a few photos of fall inspiration.  Take your pick!

There’s a cozy tea-pot that is just begging for some attention,
a kitty in Halloween colors year round,
and a spooky morning sunrise with a moon that just won’t go to bed!

teapot autumn

Courtesy of For The Love of Teas, Deer Park, WA

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“You want me to do what?”

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Early morning

Have a wonderful week of writing. See you next month!

How House-hunting is like NaNoWriMo

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Many things are compared to participating in NaNoWriMo, for example – house hunting. Why house-hunting? Because that happens to be what I am doing at the moment. If all goes well, we’ll be moving before NaNoWriMo and settled in time to write with only the usual distractions.  But if not, this may show up in my novel!

How, exactly, are they similar? Read on. For the purposes of simplicity, house-hunting activities will be listed first with the corresponding NaNo activites listed directly below.

1.  You’ve decided to buy a house and you are super excited;
     You’ve decided to write a novel during NaNoWriMo are are super excited!

2. You talk with the bank about loans, fax off all the documents needed and (Yay!) you have pre-approval;
    You sign up on the site, download your writing program, put all your pencils, notebooks and writing reference books needed (No Plot, No Problem anyone?) in one place.

3. You immediately start looking at available houses in your pre-approval price range;
    November 1 midnight arrives and you furiously begin writing.

4.  After days of exploring houses, you can’t find a house you like in your price range and you feel discouraged;
    Week two finishes up and you realize your novel is pure rubbish and feel the dreaded midway jitters and want to give up.

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5.  Your realtor gives you a pep talk and you keep looking through houses, contemplating compromises;
 You reread the pep talks in your e-mail inbox and despite despondancey you plow through the story to Week 4.

6. You find a house that works and make an offer that is accepted!*;
 You realize your story is on the easy, downhill side and race to the finish!

7.  Closing day arrives, you sign the final set of papers and your realtor gives you the house key!
     You write “The End” and validate your story to Win! Time to party!

*or alternately, start over at #6 & redo.

house keys

Of course there are details not mentioned, such as the house inspection, appraisal & waiting until the closing date (creating characters, filling plot holes and making it all fit). But those are minor things.  The important part is you have a house (or Novel)!

Congratulations!

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Labor Day!

Thank you for your services;

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Enjoy your extra day of rest!