Debbie Macomber's Blog, page 54

Brotherly Love

My brother, Terry, his wife, Cheryl, and their family are visiting this week from Kansas City.  If you've ever heard me speak, you know that my brother unwittingly played a major role in my publishing career.  He is responsible for my very first sale.  The year I was in the 8th grade my brother and two of my cousins copied my diary and sold it to the boys in my class.

A Writers Den

While in Florida I have a home office where Bogie positions himself close by while I write.  It's nice and comforting to have his warm body snuggle up against my toes.  He brings in his chew toys and his bones and amuses himself when he isn't napping.  It wasn't until I brought in a friend to show them my office that I realized what had happened.  My office resembles a dinosaur dig with no less than 10 bones littering the carpet along with his fuzzy friends and chew toys.  I hadn't even noticed that my Bogie had completely taken over my office!

How to Dress for Radio

This morning Wayne and I are driving into Orlando so I can record a radio advertisement for my new hardcover, A TURN IN THE ROAD, which will be released April 26.  I've said for years how much I love radio. When I'm on the air, I feel like I look thin and sound skinny.  Even though I won't be on camera, I spent copious amounts of time on my hair and changed outfits three times.  It's a mind game I play. If I think I look my best, I sound better! And so I'm dressed to the nines . . . no pantyhose but close.  This is Florida, after all!

Happy Birthday James!

My grandson, James, turns twelve today and I'm convinced he's the next writer in the family . . . if I can pull him off the basketball court long enough to actually write.  He has all the instincts of an author.  When upset, he sits down and writes a story and then brings it to me to read.  When he was eight his classroom was vandalized.  James wrote a story about it and in his tale he captured the culprits.  The last line of his story--and remember, he was only eight—read,  "And when they got out of jail; they were too old for bingo."  The kid's a natural! 

First Words

I got the news that our youngest grandson said his first word.  Born a month early, Jaxon has spent the first year of his life playing catch up.  He's our miracle grandbaby born after six IVF attempts, and a joy.  I thought for sure when I heard from our daughter-in-law, Laurie, that his first word would be Ma Ma.  If not that then Da Da.  But no, Jaxon's first word:  FOOTBALL.  Yup, he's a Macomber through and through!

Cabin Fever

I'm feeling better each day, but along with that comes cabin fever.  The best prescription, I think, is to get out a little.   Wayne suggested we see a production of THE PRODUCERS at our local theater.  I'm looking forward to it and to getting away from my own four walls for a bit.

A Love of Food

I’ve been under the weather, even though it’s gorgeous in Florida, so I haven’t been blogging at all.  Pneumonia hit me hard, and I’ve been as limp as a wet noodle for a couple of weeks now.  I am starting to get some energy back, and one sure way to get me out of bed is gourmet food.



I always knew my love for food would pay off one day, and I was right.  I was asked to serve as an honorary judge at the Vero Beach Top Chef event last night.  I sat with the other judges (considered the real professionals) and tasted the courses.  I just wish I could have eaten more of the delicious foods, but not having eaten much for so long, my stomach couldn’t accommodate a lot.  Next year, I plan to be in eating shape!



This isn't the first time I've acted as a judge.  A few years back I served as a fruitcake judge at the annual event in historic Port Gamble, Washington, and  just a couple of years ago I judged pies at the Western Washington State Fair in Puyallup.  It was a lot of fun and I’m already looking forward to 2012. 

Organized to the hilt!

My friend, Mary Lou Carney, and her sister, Libby, spent the weekend with me.  Mary Lou has boundless energy and insisted we re-organize my closet.  I apparently had chosen the wrong kind of hangers, and she was determined to set me straight.  I'm glad she did.  My closet is now flawlessly organized, by color and by style, jackets all in one spot, blouses in another, pants lined up perfectly, again according to color.  I'm telling you, friends, it's hard to take anything down to wear for fear of disrupting this perfect set up.  I guess I'll just hang around in my pjs all day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I have a gift for all my readers for Valentine's Day:  a fun, easy recipe my friend, Mary Lou Carney, and her sister, Libby, passed along to me.  It's for the crock pot.  (I do love my crock pot!)   



1 pot roast

1 package dry Brown Gravy Mix, disolved in 2 cups of water

1 cup Italian salad dressing.



Pour gravy and salad dressing over meat, turn on the crock pot and several hours later, enjoy.  

Happy Valentine's Day, one and all.

In the Kitchen with David

For those of you who saw me on QVC on Wednesday night during the segment, In the Kitchen With David,  the one comment I’ve been getting again and again is how short I am compared to David, the host of the show.  One lady said, “I thought you’d be taller.”  Actually, so did I!  The worst part is, as I grow older I seem to be growing shorter.  David is around 6 feet 3 inches, and I’m just above 5 feet.  He’s close to my son’s height, plus he's very gracious, so I felt at ease right away. 



The whole experience was fun.  While I was in the make-up chair we were able to see the show.  Wouldn’t you know, I had to shop right along with everyone else!  I couldn’t resist those cute miniature casserole dishes.  Nancy Berland accompanied me on this trip and she bought several items, as well.  On the home front, my daughter, Adele, was also purchasing by phone!