Nancy J. Parra's Blog, page 3

Oct. 4

Today's subject is the horror of not finding chocolate chips in the cupboard. (Just kidding, I'm sure there are far worse horrors in the world. So let's say- the complaint...) What happens when I want a gluten-free cookie and it's 9 pm? Well, I make them, of course. The trouble is that I didn't have any chocolate chips. This almost never happens. Anyone who knows me, knows I always have chocolate in my house. But alas, not tonight. So what did I do? I made trail mix cookies. I used the chocolate chip cookie base but instead of chips, I added the same amount of dried cranberry, white chocolate, walnut trail mix. The result? A cookie jar of yum!What good things have you come up with in a pinch?

Oct. 3

This weekend I harvested the grapes. It was over two hours of cleaning and sorting them into a big pot where I cooked them down to juice. The juice was then twice strained and frozen. We got a gallon and a half off of one grape vine. The next time I have a large section of time I'll make jelly with the juice. The juice is darker this year. We waited longer to harvest the grapes. I hope the jelly has more flavor this year. It was good last year, but delicate. I prefer more grape flavor. We will see.What did you do this weekend?

Sept 29

The month has faded away into a memory. Writer friends are you prepping for this year's NANOWRIMO? My regular readers may remember that the month of November many writers sign up to hit a certain word count that equals a book in a month or as close to one as possible. It's a great motivator to get writing before the holidays hit us. What do you win if you reach your goal? A complete first draft and a cute little banner to add to your blog or website. I have never done this because I've always set my own goals. But I will use the change of month and season to create new goals and deadlines. For me it's all about getting your bum in chair and writing. The stories tell themselves.Are you setting new goals?

Sept 28

Today little dog and I went for our walk in rain. It was the third day in a row. I'm not begrudging it as we needed it, but it is a bit cold and wet and yucky to walk in. I keep saying I need to get a giant golf umbrella for us both to walk under. When I do, I can guarantee that the rain will stop. Isn't that the way of things. Writers, when you write characters do they have things like this happen to them-rain when you don't have an umbrella or rain right after you wash your windows or your car? We call it Murphy's Law here- whatever can go wrong will go wrong. Everyone, what others things seem to happen all the time?

Sept 27

Next week is October. Gah! I know I'm accomplishing things. My to-do list is fluctuating. So why then am I feeling as if there simple aren't enough hours in a day? Little dog says I'm making her tired and she needs a nap. Perhaps I'll discover that October is a good month to get caught up and I will be able to join little dog in her nap. With the colder air, falling leaves, and honking geese flying south, a nap sounds very, very good.But the grapes are getting ripe and soon I will be picking them and cooking them and straining them and making juice and jams and jelly. So much for a nap. At least the jelly will be tasty when I'm done.Cheers~

Sept 26

I forgot to say- Happy equinox! It is officially autumn here and spring down under. The days are rapidly growing darker. The trees are changing color and leaves are falling. This morning was a heavy cold rain and little dog grumbled about having to go outside to do her business. I refuse to spend the money on one of those puppy shelters for her to potty under. 1) I don't think she'd use it. 2) It's crazy how much money we spend on dogs while children suffer. Don't get me wrong, I love little dog and spend far too much money on her, but in my book all children should be warm, dry, happy and healthy. (So should fur babies but human babies first.) We can't rescue everyone. Life isn't fair, blah, blah, blah. It's why I love stories. I know you can get lost in a story and for a while-however short- you can be a hero/heroine. For a while you can be brave and funny and beautiful and you know the outcome will be happy. If only life were truly like stories. What are your favorite things about changing seasons?

Sept 22

There are so many details to be attended to in my life right now; details in writing while I edit, research revise. There are logistical details of getting myself to and fro. There are details to attend to after Bouchercon. There are details, details, details. I like to organize my details and try not to miss them. Sometimes it feels as if you are swallowed up whole by the little things, but then I smile and say "hey, don't sweat the small stuff and it's all small stuff." What I really have to do it to stop promising things that I can't deliver and forgive myself when I don't meet my personal insane deadlines.  I keep making lists and crossing stuff off. In the end it all gets done.
How do you deal with the details of your life?

Sept 21

On our walk today, little dog and I passed a group of Mallard ducks sleeping on top of two large logs in the middle of a swamp/pond. I thought how clever. I doubt a coyote is hungry enough to splash his way through the water to get to them. Even if he did, they could wake up and fly away before he reached them. It's times like this I wish I had a camera with me.
What did you see today that stuck in your mind?

Sept 20

I did write a post yesterday. I didn't see it posted. Hmmm, Blogger is acting all weird. So is Facebook. It seems when the internet messes up it goes all over. I am changing internet providers and will be without service for a while. Hopefully it will be fixed by Saturday. I'm hoping to have more time starting next week to get back on line and follow your blogs and check in with my friends. I feel so woefully out of touch. Take care and know I'm thinking of you~ Cheers!

Whoops, it wasn't blogger it was me. I scheduled it for the 20th and not the 19th. Yikes. I need some rest. Thanks for your patience.

Sept 20

I learned last week that The Counterfeit Bride, my latest book was named one of the top ten romances of 2011 by Booklist Magazine. What an exciting and happy thing!!
I actually learned about it from friends who sent me the link. Thank you to everyone who told me and tweeted the information.