Debbie Macomber's Blog, page 33

Inspiration Everywhere

A lot of people ask me where I get my inspiration. I sometimes laughingly say that two house payments are all the inspiration I need. But seriously, inspiration is all around me. For example, my holiday book, STARRY NIGHT, is partially set in Alaska. I’ve visited there several times and Wayne worked on the Alaska pipeline when our family was young and I was a struggling writer. I so admire the people and the gorgeous, rugged scenery. I’m a passionate knitter and love to visit yarn shops and meet knitters wherever I am. My Blossom Street series, which features a shop called A Good Yarn, has eight books and counting (STARTING NOW being the most recent). My cousin, Shirley, a former nun, was the inspiration for my book Changing Habits. After spending an afternoon with her and her friends, I was inspired by their faith, giving spirits and tenacity. After a lot of research I wove a fictional story of three young women who enter, and subsequently leave, the convent. I had the pleasure of spending time with Shirley and her friends this past week and as always, left feeling inspired. As you can see, it doesn't take much for the spark of an idea to take root in my imagination.

My Wonderful 'Squirrely' Grandson

I've had the giggles all day. My grandson, Isaiah, is known as the Weird Al Yankovic of our family. He enjoys taking songs he hears on the radio and changing the words around in a humorous way. His latest effort was with a Katy Perry song that caused quite a stir a few months ago. The original lyrics were: I kissed a girl and I liked it. She tasted like cherry cherry chapstick . . . or something close to that. Isaiah's version is: I kissed a squirrel and I liked it. She tasted like acorn chapstick. Every time I think of it, I chuckle. Now you can giggle too!

Cedar Cove Season 2

I have exciting news! Hallmark has approved Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove series for a second season.

I couldn’t be more thrilled. I know Andie MacDowell, Dylan Neal and the rest of the cast are equally excited. I want to thank you all for your support and encouragement for the series. 

Happy Birthday to A Good Yarn Shop

Five years ago two friends and I threw open the door to A Good Yarn Shop which is situated below my office.  What many people don't know  is that I write books in order to support my yarn habit.  Knitting has been a big part of my life from the time I was in grade school.  I believe I inherited this love of craft from my grandmother, who unfortunately I have no memories of.  She died when I was around 4 or 5 but my older cousins are full of stories about watching her crochet and many of the beautiful items she created have been passed down through the generations.  It has always been a dream of mine to own a yarn store and with the help of my two partners that dream became a possibility.  So... Happy Birthday to A Good Yarn Shop.

Celebrating with Cake

My writing friend Joan Johnston stopped by Port Orchard with her daughter Heather.  Joan was celebrating her birthday with a mother/daughter trip to visit Seattle.  I always look for a reason to celebrate so after my interview with King 5 TV Joan and our two daughters (hers and mine) went out to lunch and then ate cake.  I mean, really, what's a birthday without cake and ice cream?  Happy Birthday, Joan.  Enjoy Seattle.  We brought out the sunshine just for you.

Seahawk Thunder

I cheered my heart out over the Seattle Seahawks-San Francisco 49ers game this past weekend at Century Link Field.  We had our family and friends around us and the excitement was crackling—literally!  The 12th man response was thundering (as well as in the sky) and then God sent lightening to match the thunder!   The best part is always the time we spend together as a family and being able to include friends.  We’re making memories of the best sort.

45 Years of Marriage

Wayne had champagne on ice to celebrate our anniversary when I returned from the Winston/Salem book fair on Saturday.  He's generally not a romantic kind of guy but he surprised me.  You have to remember this is the man who proudly presented me with a portable urinal for Valentine's Day one year.  (It was for me to use in the airplane he planned to build in our basement.)  Another time it was a pocket knife, which TSA quickly confiscated from me shortly thereafter.  But champagne?  My friends this is quite an improvement and evidence that a man can be properly trained--just remember it takes forty-five years or longer.

Knitting Tour Update

[image error]I’m home, exhausted but overflowing with so many wonderful memories of our trip!  The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was impressive and so very Scottish, but also international in scope.  I loved it, and so did Wayne.  As I mentioned earlier, Wayne purchased a kilt, a testament to how much he enjoyed Scotland, as my husband is generally frugal when it comes to clothes! 

It was a week ago Monday when our traveling companion, Nicky Epstein, missed a curb and fell, breaking one ankle and injuring a tendon in the other.  She is still in hospital in Scotland but hopes to be released soon.  Nicky, we’re praying for you every day!

One of our first stops in Iceland was the Blue Lagoon.  I took the advice of our tour group and packed a swimming suit so I could take a swim in the Blue Lagoon.  It was heavenly! 

We left Washington with summer’s warmth still in our bones and needing only light sweaters, but in Iceland we encountered sleet!  The first order of business was purchasing a winter coat.  We learned so much about the geology, history, and farming practices.  One tidbit I found fascinating is that homes in Iceland don’t have hot water heaters; instead their hot water is piped in from the plentiful geysers!

Being a knitter I saw the local sheep as wool-bearing animals, but in Iceland mutton and lamb takes up a lot of room on the menu.  That didn’t stop me from buying some lovely Icelandic yarns, including lace yarn dyed by hand using rhubarb leaves.  It’s the most gorgeous color green.  Of course, having visited Iceland, I’m also planning out a traditional Icelandic sweater.  And yes, I did purchase a bit too much yarn and had to buy another suitcase to bring it all home!

Scottish Adventures

Wayne and I have been traveling in Scotland with a Vogue Knitting tour group.  Even though it’s a knitting-themed tour, Wayne has been enjoying himself as he’s exploring his Scottish roots while I've been visiting a variety of yarn stores and meeting incredibly talented designers. Wayne bought a kilt based on his ancestral tartan so it looks as though we'll both be wearing skirts soon!  Although I have to say, a man in a kilt is solidly masculine!

On Wednesday we were at Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Mill, a wool and cashmere factory.  Our bus drove past several castles and stopped at Killiecrankie, a historic site with gorgeous views.  Today we leave Glasgow and will depart for Iceland, which includes a dip in the famous Blue Lagoon.

What's Debbie Listening to These Days?

Although it’s been over 20 years ago now, I still remember listening to my first audio book.  It was Pat Conroy's Prince of Tides read by Richard Thomas.  From that moment on I've had a love affair with audio books.  I have two or three going at all times.  There's one in the car and another in the house and sometimes an additional one in my craft room. 

I've been asked to highlight five or more that I've especially enjoyed over the last few months.  It was difficult to narrow it down but here are my choices.

1.  The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe

This is the tender story of a mother and son communicating their insights on life and love through the books they read as Will's mother was dying. The book resonated with me as my own mother and I had some of the most important discussion in the kitchen while pouring over recipes and cooking. 

2.  Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

Set in Seattle in the 1940s, the historical aspects surrounding World War II and the sweet love shared between Henry and Keiko will long linger in your mind.  What a talented storyteller Jamie Ford is and this story is sure to pull at the heartstrings.  What prompted me to read this book?  Jamie graduated from the same small town high school as my own children.  I'm so grateful I did.  He's done us all proud. 

3.  The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

Life is filled with joy and happiness; this non-fiction title shows ways to find it in the least expected places. The key is to keep our hearts, our eyes and lives open.  In my humble opinion, Gretchen is far too young to be this wise.          

4.  The Hit by David Baldacci  

My husband and I are big fans of David Baldacci and listen to every one of his books.  We save them for road trips and listen to them together.  Baldacci is a talented writer and storyteller who grabs our attention from the first chapter until the very last scene. 

5. The Twelfth Imam by Joel C. Rosenberg

6. The Tehran Initiative by Joel C. Rosenberg

7. Damascus Countdown by Joel C. Rosenberg

This trilogy is edge-of-your-seat adventure involving the Middle East and a young CIA agent with twists and turns that had me gasping out loud in several places.  The three books are deeply rooted in Jewish and Arab history, and Biblical prophesy. 

8. The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh

I loved this audiobook so much I bought it for friends and family at Christmas last year!