Devon Monk's Blog, page 27

Writer’s Journal and Apple Butter Hats

Canned apple butter this weekend. Knit a silly hat for the jar, as one does when cooking apples.

A few weeks ago, writer and fellow Deadline Dame, Karen Mahoney mentioned that she was going to use Facebook as a sort of writer’s journal–a place to keep track of her daily writing progress. I liked that idea, and thought I might give it a try.

So last week, (well, Monday – Thursday) I kept a writer’s journal on Facebook. I also, (of course) came down with some sort of flu thing, so was feeling pr...

Saturday at the Monk’s

So I’m taking a break from the day’s word count and decided to whip up some banana bread. Hubby, being a useful guy, is outside trimming back some overgrown brush.

He comes in for a quick break and to “quality control” (taste) the batter. Declares it delicious, then back outside he goes.

Wanting to get a few more words written while the bread bakes, I go to my desk. As soon as I sit, husband returns, and triumphantly says, “Look what I found!”

“It’s the biggest spider I’ve ever seen in our yard!...

Knitting: The Sweater Conundrum

You may know this guy:

Alan Tudyk who plays Wash on this terrific show:

You might know this guy too:

Martin Freeman, who plays Watson on this excellent show:

Watson wears a sweater in the show that I suddenly really, really wanted to knit! (Did I suddenly really, really want to knit it because I’m procrastinating on getting my word count done today? Um….I’ll get back to you on that later.)

Here’s Watson’s sweater:

I even found a pattern for it on Ravelry, and was all ready to start knitting when I...

You Too, Can Win a Book

This arrived on my doorstep last week:

The last book in the Allie Beckstrom series! (Well, there will be two spin-off books featuring Shame and Terric and other familiar characters, but this is the last book from Allie’s point of view.)

I’m going to be doing several giveaways of the advanced *uncorrected* copy of MAGIC FOR A PRICE, and the first giveaway is over on the Deadline Dames today! Just click here and you will be taken to the post, where I’m asking for your reading recommendations. Two...

Knitting, Baby Shower Edition

My friend is having a baby and said hand made gifts were welcome at her shower. So I did some knitting!

First, the front of the blanket:

And now the material for the back…

Together…

And a little something else for fun:

Pretty cunning, dontcha think?

Pattern Details:

Union Jack Pattern: Debbie Bliss

To make the cushion pattern a blanket, I used bulky yarn (Loops and Threads “Charisma”)

and #11 US (8.0 mm) needles. Blanket measured roughly 4o x 34 inches (101 x 86 cm)

Jayne Hat: Sweet Tea Soakers

Yarn: V...

Meanwhile at the Monk house…

…Things have been busy! Let’s get the important stuff out of the way:

Growing…

My herb garden is no more. For whatever reason *cough-lackofwatering-cough* all the herbs have shriveled up and died. I have decided I am not a very good grower nor harvester of herbs. Next year I will plant flowers in the same pots and see if they survive. If I want kitchen herbs, I’ll likely put them on my kitchen window sill, where I may remember to water them more than once a month.

The raised garden is giving us...

Hi There

Wow. Um…so apparently it’s been a long time since I blogged.

Ta-da! I am once again bloggy!

How’s it been going with you? Got anything you want me to talk about?

(Picture is my accidental ensemble from the other morning. Also proof of my usual state of mind on deadline.)

Some Goings On

The TIN SWIFT blog tour is done, although there are a couple giveaways still open if you’re hoping to score a copy of TIN SWIFT, a magnet, and the steampunk airship bookmark. Check the list here for those giveaways, and also for the free serialized story, HANG FIRE.

Last week was pretty busy. I was interviewed and photographed for a local magazine: Willamette Weekly. Both the photographer and reporter were terrifically nice, and hopefully, we’ll see that article in September.

I’m happy to say t...

Penny Craft

This is what a penny looks like:

This is what a penny looks like when it has been stuck in the drum of my clothes dryer for a couple years:

This is what a penny looks like when it has been stuck in the drum of my clothes dryer for a couple years, taken out by the dryer repairman, given to husband, who showed me why our dryer died, THEN given (by me) back to to husband with a request he make them into earrings because I LOVE the look of them:

Distressed, unique, a little steampunk-ish. Win!

Blog Tour Day 20 – The End!!

TIN SWIFT Blog Tour

Today, you can find the last chapter of HANG FIRE, the short story set between DEAD IRON and TIN SWIFT in my Age of Steam series ready to read at Bibliophilic Book Blog! Just click on the link below to read the final installment, and don’t forget, if you leave a comment there you’ll be in the running to win a copy of TIN SWIFT, a handmade (by me) steampunk airship bookmark, and a cool TIN SWIFT magnet. A winner will be chosen at each stop, so go ahead and leave a comment at...