Janice Thompson's Blog, page 5

Loving Lucy, Day Nine: Perceptions and Portrayals

Almost missed DAY NINE of “Loving Lucy!” Oh my goodness! I’ve been dealing with technical/computer/printer woes most of the day so I’ve been preoccupied. How can I celebrate the release of “The Icing on the Cake” without mentioning another Lucy episode? See if you remember this one:

LUCY WRITES A NOVEL

Lucy reads about a housewife who makes a fortune writing a novel in her spare time, so she takes a crack at it by writing her first novel, “Real Gone with the Wind.” However, Ricky, Ethel, and Fred don’t like the way Lucy has portrayed them and try to stop the book from being published.

As a novelist, I feel Lucy’s pain! (Sort of, anyway.) NOT saying I use any “real” people as inspiration (((JANICE CLEARS HER THROAT))) but if I did, I would ONLY portray them in the best possibly light.

If you’ve read “The Icing on the Cake” you know that Scarlet doesn’t see Armando in the best possible light from the get-go. In fact, her pre-conceived ideas about him almost sabotage their relationship altogether.

What about you? Ever perceived (or portrayed) anyone in a bad light? If so, then you can probably related to Scarlet. . .and to Lucy. But not to me, of course. I would never, never do that. Just sayin’…

While you’re pondering that little gem, hop on over to B&N and pick up a copy of “The Icing on the Cake.” I think you’re gonna love it almost as much as you love Lucy! (Hope so, anyway!)

 

Loving Lucy, Day Eight: Near-Drowning Alert!

Welcome to DAY EIGHT of “Loving Lucy” where I’m celebrating the release of my latest romantic comedy, “The Icing on the Cake.” Today I’m featuring an episode of “I Love Lucy” that very nearly cost the zany redhead her life. Check it out:

LUCY’S ITALIAN MOVIE: En route to Rome, Italy, an Italian producer offers Lucy a role in a film called “Bitter Grapes.” So she decides to take a job in a vineyard to absorb a little “local color.” This episode contains the famous scene in which Lucy stomps grapes and picks a fight with her fellow stomper. Ironically, by being away, she misses being selected for the role.

You might remember the episode, but I’m going to share an article that tells the “behind the scenes” tale:

GRAPES OF WRATH

“Lucy’s Italian Movie” faced a variety of obstacles….first was getting a vineyard to donate the necessary grapes for stomping. The company that ultimately agreed did so with the proviso that it must be mentioned in the script that foot-pressing was an outmoded method of making wine in Italy.

Next was the local extra cast to wrestle Lucille in the grape vat; Teresa Tirelli didn’t speak any English and an interpreter had to explain the scene to her. Apparently something was lost in the translation because Tirelli didn’t grasp that this was supposed to be a filmed-from-the-waist-up fake fight and she literally held Lucille’s head under the grape mush until the star nearly drowned.

And lastly, even though the show was broadcast in black and white, Lucille, Desi and the production staff were sticklers for detail, so a formula for a purplish/blue dye had to be worked out that would properly tint Lucille’s flesh and hair without irritating her skin or reacting with the chemicals used to keep her permed locks that famous henna color for that final scene.

(Read the full text here: http://mentalfloss.com/article/28436/... –brought to you by mental_floss!)

I dont’ know about you, but I’m awfully glad Lucy was okay! If you’ve read “The Icing on the Cake” you would probably agree that Scarlet would be glad about this, too. She is, after all, the biggest Lucy fan of all! Maybe you could watch this episode and then pick up a copy of the book…just for fun! No risk of drowning, I promise, unless it’s drowning in laughs.

Loving Lucy, Day Seven: Star-Struck!

Welcome to DAY SEVEN of “Loving Lucy” where I’m celebrating the release of my romantic comedy, “The Icing on the Cake.” Today I’m featuring a special “I Love Lucy” episode. Check it out:

LUCY AND BOB HOPE

Sighting Bob Hope at Yankee Stadium, Lucy hopes to persuade him to appear at Ricky’s club. To get close enough to him, she disguises herself first as a hot-dog vendor, then as a tobacco-chewing umpire.

I Love Lucy

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I love, love, love this one! Lucy’s so anxious to get close to Bob that she goes to embarrassing lengths to get his attention.

What about you? Would you be star-struck if someone like Bob (or a famous movie star from 2013) happened to be nearby? Several of the females in my Weddings by Bella series are gaga over a certain Hollywood Hottie named Brock Benson. Seems like all the women (including Scarlet, from “The Icing on the Cake”) are awestruck. Until they meet him in person. Then they realize he’s just a normal guy. Each also realizes that her own fella (in Scarlet’s case. . .Armando) is the only hero worthy of her time/attention.

Did Lucy learn her lesson? Usually not. Still, she made us laugh all the way! (Hey, speaking of Bob Hope…have you read my book “Picture Perfect” yet? It’s LOADED with Bob Hope/Bing Crosby images!

Happy reading, y’all!

Loving Lucy, Day Six: Jealousy

Welcome to DAY SIX of “Loving Lucy,” where I’m celebrating the release of my latest book, “The Icing on the Cake.” Let’s see if the following episode brings back any memories:

CUBAN PALS: A visiting Cuban dance troupe asks Ricky to do a number with “Little Renita Perez”—a little girl he used to dance with in Havana. Lucy’s all for it—until she finds out that “Little Renita” isn’t so “little” anymore. She takes Renita’s place at the club-but Ricky switches numbers, and Lucy is chased by a man in full voodoo garb!

I loved this episode SO much because I really felt for Lucy. Little Renita Perez was a part of Ricky’s past, and obviously someone quite beautiful/trim. Someone he remembered with fondness. How funny, the scene where Lucy meets “little” Renita in person, only to discover she’s not so little anymore!

If you’ve read “The Icing on the Cake.” you know that Scarlet (the heroine) feels awkward around the “normal” (i.e. “little”) girls like Bella, Hannah and Gabi. She wants to be “little” too. In fact, she works TOO hard to drop a few pounds and pays a heavy price.

I can relate to Scarlet today! I’ve worked SO hard over the past two and a half years to lose weight. I’d love to be “little” but here’s the cold, hard truth: God loves me (and you…and Scarlet…and Lucy) just the way we are. Of course, He longs for us to be healthy, but we can’t exchange health for “skinny.”

Just something to chew on. Ha! CHEW on. While you’re “chewing” on that, why not read Scarlet’s story? I think you’ll enjoy it!

Loving Lucy, Day Five: Matching Dresses

Welcome to DAY FIVE of “Loving Lucy” where I’m celebrating the release of my latest book “The Icing on the Cake” by tying the story to various I Love Lucy episodes. See if this one sounds familiar:

LUCY AND ETHEL BUY THE SAME DRESS

The girls are going to appear on TV with their club, having chosen to sing Cole Porter’s “Friendship” in celebration of their bond. Everybody’s pleased, until the two women buy the same dress for the occasion.

I I love, love, love the song and dance number and that dress bit is over-the-top funny!

How does this tie to my story? If you’ve read “The Icing on the Cake” you know that a particular bridesmaid’s dress causes trouble for Scarlet. Her situation is sort of the opposite of Lucy and Ethel’s. Scarlet WANTS to blend in and look like the other girls. She knows she’s not “the same as” the other bridesmaids (in size/shape) and wonders if she will stick out like a sore thumb.

What about you? Ever had to wear the same dress as someone else? How did that make you feel? Ever show up for a function in a dress that someone else was wearing? Let’s share stories, ladies! And while you’re at it, why not pick up a copy of “The Icing on the Cake” at B&N. Thanks so much!

 

Loving Lucy, Day Four: Get Rich Quick!

Welcome to DAY FOUR of “Loving Lucy” where we’re talking about that zany red-head, Lucille Ball. See if this episode stirs any memories:

THE MILLION DOLLAR IDEA

Lucy concocts a delicious salad dressing, and Fred tells her she ought to sell it. Marketing the product as “Aunt Martha’s Old Fashioned Salad Dressing,” the girls manage to receive hundreds of orders. The problem: they’ve priced the product so cheaply that it will cost them rather than make them money.

This happens to be my ALL-TIME favorite episode. Why? Because I’m an “ideas” person. I love coming up with brilliant-beyond-brilliant ways to make money. Some work and others (like Aunt Martha’s Old-Fashioned Salad Dressing) DON’T.

Why does this episode remind me of my latest book, “The Icing on the Cake?” Because Scarlet (my heroine) has her very own “Aunt Martha” (Aunt Wilhelmina). Aunt Willy is the best baker in the state and has made quite a name for herself. Scarlet wants to carry on the family legacy (in much the same way that Lucy wants to carry on Aunt Martha’s). It’s one thing to carry on a legacy, another to start a business hoping to make millions!

In the end Scarlet IS successful (DEFINITELY more successful than Lucy was with her venture). What about you? What funny businesses have you attempted? Did you think you would get rich quick?

Speaking of getting rich quick, why not venture over to Amazon and buy a copy of “The Icing on the Cake” so that this author can get rich quick?

Okay, just kidding, just kidding. Well, kidding about the “get rich quick” part, not the part where you go to amazon and buy a copy of the book. I think you’ll love it! It’s nearly as entertaining as Lucy and Ethel’s big television commercial, featured in the attached video.

Enjoy!

Loving Lucy, Day Three: Proving Yourself

Today is DAY THREE of “Loving Lucy.” I’m enjoying this walk down memory lane. As I’ve already shared, Lucille Ball is one of my favorites. There’s nothing like an episode with the zany redhead to lift my spirits.

Today I’m highlighting a very special episode, one sure to bring back lots of memories. See if this rings any bells:

JOB SWITCHING: Ricky and Fred think doing housework is much easier than earning money. Lucy and Ethel feel the opposite. So the boys try doing the housework while the girls attempt to hold down a job at a candy factory. Problems soon arise on both fronts. Ricky and Fred cause a huge mess in the apartment by burning the clothes with irons and getting food all over the kitchen. Lucy and Ethel find themselves fighting against a speedy belt of chocolate.

Oh, what fun! But, realistic? Not really! Did we really believe for a minute that Lucy and Ethel would shove chocolates down their blouses? Of course not. Would we watch it again and again? Of course!

If you’ve read my latest book, “The Icing on the Cake” you know that Scarlet opens her business (Let Them Eat Cake/a bakery) to prove something to herself and to her Aunt Willy. Scarlet’s a lot like Lucy, for sure. Fortunately, Scarlet’s journey (though chaotic at times) has a happier ending! (Check it out: )

What about you? What crazy/funny jobs have you had? Let’s talk about it…after watching the attached youtube clip, of course! Until then, keep laughing…and enjoy Scarlet’s wacky story!

Cake Montage

I’m wrapping up a full month of celebrating cakes by putting together this video montage of all the cakes I’ve baked in recent years. Enjoy!

Loving Lucy, Day Two: The Diet

It’s September 2nd, Labor Day! We’ve had such a fun family day. We ate hard, played hard and loved hard. Not that it’s hard to love, but you get the idea! I’m going to post today’s “Loving Lucy” clip.

The episode I’m showcasing today is dedicated to my sons-in-law, Kevin and Zach, who are both starting a 24-day weight loss challenge tomorrow. We’ve made a commitment (especially after our carb-loading day today…ha!) to keep one another accountable over the next 24 days!

Another reason I’ve chosen this episode is because of my character, Scarlet, in “The Icing on the Cake.” If you’ve read the story, you know that she’s “pleasantly plump” and hopes to drop a few pounds. It’s so hard, considering her line of work! (She’s a cake decorator/baker.) She’s nuts about Lucy and especially the (attached) episode.

To bring you up to speed, the Lucy episode is titled “THE DIET.” Here’s the storyline: Ricky provides an incentive for Lucy’s diet by telling her she can appear in his show if she can fit into a size 12. Can Lucy resist the temptations of eating?

If you saw the Lucy episode you know that she almost kills herself trying! (Maybe you’ve walked a mile in her shoes!) When you want something bad enough, you work hard to get it. That’s why “balance” is so important. Scarlet learns this the hard way, ala Lucy style.

What about you? Having trouble keeping things in balance? If you’re interested in joining several of us over the next 24 days we’re going to hold one another accountable. Just let me know. And if you’re looking for something to take your mind off of eating, why not read “The Icing on the Cake.”

Hmm. On the other hand, the book will probably tempt you TO eat. That’s what I’m gathering from the reviews, anyway! Still, it’s a fun story, sure to make you smile. Get your copy at amazon or B&N online or at your local bookstore.

Happy (and healthy) eating, y’all!

Loving Lucy. . .Day One: Hello Out There in TV Land!

I can hardly believe it, but September is here! Wowza! Can it be? We spent last month on a Cakewalk (browsing through photos of my cakes). This month we’ll spend thirty days together “loving Lucy.”

I’ve been a Lucy fan for as long as I can remember. My favorite non-fiction book in highschool was titled Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel: The Story of I Love Lucy. I read it over and over again. Just couldn’t get enough.

I’ve chosen to highlight various episodes of I Love Lucy because the heroine in my latest book (Scarlet/The Icing on the Cake) is nuts about the wacky redhead.

I can’t help but start with the most famous episode of all, one you’re sure to remember. It’s titled LUCY DOES A TV COMMERCIAL. In this now-infamous episode, Lucy does a “Vitameatavegamin” health tonic commercial. The tonic (which is 23% alcohol) makes her more than a little tipsy. In fact, she ends up completely intoxicated. Hysterical!

I’m sure Scarlet could really relate to this episode in particular because something similar happens when SHE appears on TV for the first time. Oh, she doesn’t get drunk. Not exactly. But she gets overheated and (after going without food) passes out cold in front of the television audience. What a mess! Check out the scene where she faints dead away with Armando at her side:

I could feel Armando’s stare, even with my eyes closed, so I opened them and peeked at him.

“And again I ask. . .are you all right?” He took hold of my arm. “Your face is really red.”

I put my hands on my cheeks and could feel them burning “It’s just so hot in here. It’s hot to you too, right?”

“Yeah, it’s warm, but not the kind of hot you’re describing.” He gestured to a chair in the back of our little area. “I think you need to sit down, Scarlet.”

In spite of the spinning room, I could not—would not—sit. Not with a wedding cake to bake in front of millions of people.

            Wedding cake.

            We are baking a wedding cake, right? Not a birthday cake?

            Wait. I think we’re baking a turtle cake for a little boy, right?

            No. A baby shower cake. That’s why I have blue fondant gel in my pocket.

Strange. I couldn’t find the bottle of fondant gel in my pocket. Forcing myself back to the task at hand, I made a conscious decision to keep going with this Italian-themed wedding cake. No matter what.

Only one problem—the little white stars. I saw them every time I blinked. When I looked at the cake, there they were. And when I shifted my gaze to mama’s face in the television audience, I still saw them. After a minute of two, I felt sick. Really, really sick. My stomach did the hula, and the stars morphed into magnificent, shiny orbs floating in front of my eyes. Before long, they consumed me. A surge of nausea gripped me just as the camera swung round to get a close-up of our cake. Panicked, I tried to decide what to do. If I bolted, everyone would know I was sick.

Okay, not that I could bolt. My vision—blurry as it was—had now disappeared completely.

But my stomach—oh, my stomach! The cameraman, likely sensing my problem, swung the camera around to the Alvarez family just in time for me to grab a mixing bowl—an empty one, thank God—and empty the contents of my stomach, feeble as they were, in front of everyone in attendance.

At this point a gasp went up from the audience. Not that it mattered. By now, my vision was nothing but stars.

Stars, stars, and more stars.

I gave myself over to them, floating away on a cloud of white.

***

If you want to find out what happens to Scarlet, I suppose you’ll just have to get a copy of the book. I will leave you with a little clue, though. . .she ends up just as humiliated as Lucy. Maybe more so!