Luanna Stewart's Blog, page 8
September 7, 2017
Fabulous Friday - September 8
Whee! The weekend is near!
I have nothing terribly exciting on my schedule – same old, same old. I’m madly revising and editing the next book in my series, titled Love & Redemption. (The first in the series is Love & Mayhem, available now. And the second, recently contracted, is Love & Turmoil)
Love & Redemption is set in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1885. I’m having tons of fun doing the research, consulting old maps to determine which streets existed back then, looking at archives to see who lived where.
The character of neighbourhoods change over the years, as I’m sure you’ve witnessed in your neck of the woods. My story is located in what is called the North End. In 1885 it was an area of large homes occupied by successful businessmen and their families. When I was a child in the 1970’s the area had fallen on hard times. Those large homes had been divided into flats, or become boarding houses. Businesses had closed or moved out to the newly expanding suburbs. I was warned to stay away from that part of the city.
Now there’s been a resurgence and the North End is a desired neighbourhood in which to live. New construction has replaced derelict buildings, old homes have been renovated, and the streets are bustling with new businesses, corner coffee shops, and fun restaurants and pubs.
I often wonder what the folks from 1885 would think if they saw their old stomping grounds now.
I have nothing terribly exciting on my schedule – same old, same old. I’m madly revising and editing the next book in my series, titled Love & Redemption. (The first in the series is Love & Mayhem, available now. And the second, recently contracted, is Love & Turmoil)
Love & Redemption is set in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1885. I’m having tons of fun doing the research, consulting old maps to determine which streets existed back then, looking at archives to see who lived where.
The character of neighbourhoods change over the years, as I’m sure you’ve witnessed in your neck of the woods. My story is located in what is called the North End. In 1885 it was an area of large homes occupied by successful businessmen and their families. When I was a child in the 1970’s the area had fallen on hard times. Those large homes had been divided into flats, or become boarding houses. Businesses had closed or moved out to the newly expanding suburbs. I was warned to stay away from that part of the city.
Now there’s been a resurgence and the North End is a desired neighbourhood in which to live. New construction has replaced derelict buildings, old homes have been renovated, and the streets are bustling with new businesses, corner coffee shops, and fun restaurants and pubs.
I often wonder what the folks from 1885 would think if they saw their old stomping grounds now.
September 5, 2017
Wine Wednesday - September 6
Last week I bemoaned my lack of a food processor. My mum read my blog post and pointed out we do indeed have a food processor in this house. It’s a mini one though so dips would have to be processed in batches. Totally doable. Now I can plan my weekly menu accordingly.
We are still living in the back of beyond however so grocery shopping requires time and advance planning. A ferry ride and thirty minute drive each way to the closest large store. I can’t pop down to the store for something I forgot. There is no popping these days. Next week I’ll plan for a pureed dip and shop accordingly. Meanwhile there’s nothing wrong with purchased salsa, hummus, and nice salty chips – yum! And wine, of course.
How do you get over the hump, or mid-week slump?
P.S. Here’s a totally yummy, creamy dip that does not require a food processor.
Chicken Alfredo Dip
We are still living in the back of beyond however so grocery shopping requires time and advance planning. A ferry ride and thirty minute drive each way to the closest large store. I can’t pop down to the store for something I forgot. There is no popping these days. Next week I’ll plan for a pureed dip and shop accordingly. Meanwhile there’s nothing wrong with purchased salsa, hummus, and nice salty chips – yum! And wine, of course.
How do you get over the hump, or mid-week slump?
P.S. Here’s a totally yummy, creamy dip that does not require a food processor.
Chicken Alfredo Dip
September 3, 2017
Maudlin Monday - September 4
Happy Labour Day!!
Not such a maudlin day since it’s a holiday. Though since I’m self-employed (author) and work from home, today isn’t much different from any other day.
The septic issue has been rectified so I have even less to be maudlin about.
We also have a new toilet. All this luxury – I can’t stand it!
Best of all, the local C@P site (free wi-fi provided by the village, housed in the visitor information centre) will continue operating until the end of the month. As some of you know, we don’t have internet access in this house – we’d have to buy a one-year contract that we’d use for only five months – so having the C@P site a five minute walk down the road has been a true blessing. Staying in contact with editors, and promoting book sales by using data on my cell phone, is difficult to say the least. Oy! The visitor centre will close tomorrow but we can sit outside at the picnic table, or sit in our car, to access the wi-fi. 
How do you handle connectivity issues? Retreat to a coffee shop? Hang out at a friend's house?
Not such a maudlin day since it’s a holiday. Though since I’m self-employed (author) and work from home, today isn’t much different from any other day.
The septic issue has been rectified so I have even less to be maudlin about.
We also have a new toilet. All this luxury – I can’t stand it!
Best of all, the local C@P site (free wi-fi provided by the village, housed in the visitor information centre) will continue operating until the end of the month. As some of you know, we don’t have internet access in this house – we’d have to buy a one-year contract that we’d use for only five months – so having the C@P site a five minute walk down the road has been a true blessing. Staying in contact with editors, and promoting book sales by using data on my cell phone, is difficult to say the least. Oy! The visitor centre will close tomorrow but we can sit outside at the picnic table, or sit in our car, to access the wi-fi. How do you handle connectivity issues? Retreat to a coffee shop? Hang out at a friend's house?
August 31, 2017
Fabulous Friday - September 1
How the heck did it become September??? I’ve not been spending much time in the shops so haven’t seen the aisles of back-to-school fun, a sure harbinger of the end of summer.
I have noticed the days getting shorter. And *gasp* the weather person mentioned a frost warning.
Hubby and I celebrated our wedding anniversary yesterday – 32 years. Not sure how that’s possible since I don’t feel a day over 40. I was a young bride but not that young.
The building project ran into a bit of a snag (a supply issue), leading to a bit of a delay in the progress. It’s all straightened out but the late October completion date has become an early November completion date. I just want to be in the new house before the snow flies. *fingers crossed*
Anyone else have a late summer anniversary or birthday ? Do you have exciting plans for the weekend?
Cheers!
I have noticed the days getting shorter. And *gasp* the weather person mentioned a frost warning.
Hubby and I celebrated our wedding anniversary yesterday – 32 years. Not sure how that’s possible since I don’t feel a day over 40. I was a young bride but not that young.
The building project ran into a bit of a snag (a supply issue), leading to a bit of a delay in the progress. It’s all straightened out but the late October completion date has become an early November completion date. I just want to be in the new house before the snow flies. *fingers crossed*
Anyone else have a late summer anniversary or birthday ? Do you have exciting plans for the weekend?Cheers!
August 29, 2017
Wine Wednesday - August 30
I miss my food processor. Many of my appetizer recipes are for dips, paired with veggies, crackers, or chips. Most of the dip recipes call for a quick whiz in the food processor.
Here’s one of my favourites:
Faux gras
I also make my own hummus – very much needing a food processor.
But until we move into the new house and unpack, I’ll be bereft, relegated to non-dip appetizers like this one:
Boursin cheese with caramelized onions and BACON!
Life is hard, eh? At least the “wine” on Wine Wednesday takes the sting out of not having all my kitchen bits and pieces.
Do you have a kitchen appliance or gizmo you rely on?
Here’s one of my favourites:
Faux gras
I also make my own hummus – very much needing a food processor.
But until we move into the new house and unpack, I’ll be bereft, relegated to non-dip appetizers like this one:
Boursin cheese with caramelized onions and BACON!
Life is hard, eh? At least the “wine” on Wine Wednesday takes the sting out of not having all my kitchen bits and pieces.
Do you have a kitchen appliance or gizmo you rely on?
August 28, 2017
Maudlin Monday - August 28
I hope everyone who was and is in Harvey’s path is safe and staying dry.
Our youngest son was visiting for a week. He left on the weekend, returning to his comfy apartment and to his fun job. Leaving me languishing in our empty nest.
Isn’t it remarkable how our babies turn into adults? Real people? With interests and lives quite separate from ours. I read somewhere that the mark of a good parenting job is that one’s children are able to leave the nest and thrive. I guess we did a good job with both boys. But, golly, the house seems empty after they leave.
But enough whining and moaning.
I must say this late summer weather has been spectacular, allowing us to sit in the yard, chat, eat snacks, and enjoy our homemade beer.
The cats, both black, are appreciating the cooler temperatures.
Did you have a fun weekend?
Cheers!
Our youngest son was visiting for a week. He left on the weekend, returning to his comfy apartment and to his fun job. Leaving me languishing in our empty nest.
Isn’t it remarkable how our babies turn into adults? Real people? With interests and lives quite separate from ours. I read somewhere that the mark of a good parenting job is that one’s children are able to leave the nest and thrive. I guess we did a good job with both boys. But, golly, the house seems empty after they leave.
But enough whining and moaning.
I must say this late summer weather has been spectacular, allowing us to sit in the yard, chat, eat snacks, and enjoy our homemade beer.
The cats, both black, are appreciating the cooler temperatures.
Did you have a fun weekend?Cheers!
August 24, 2017
Fabulous Friday - August 25
Happy Friday!!! Here comes the weekend!!
We survived our camping trip. Good golly, we had fun!
That is once we got to our campsite, located in the back country and accessible only by canoe or kayak. High winds and choppy water made the paddling a bit of a chore. Of course the wind was in our faces, ha!
Keji (that’s what us locals call Kejimkujik National Park, pronounced ked-gee) is a little piece of heaven here in Nova Scotia. You know what I love the most? The smell. Hard to describe but it’s a mix of evergreens, leaf loam, and air so clear you just want to take a bite out of the sky.
Also, the quiet. All you can hear is the wind in the trees, the “plop” of frogs jumping into the water, and in the evening, the loons. Such a haunting, sad sound. Especially so when you’re aware of their low numbers.
Once the sun sets, shortly after 9PM, the coyotes come out to play –at a distance, thank goodness. On this trip we heard what sounded like a whole litter of pups welcoming the parents home from a day of hunting. Or, my theory, misbehaving pups getting a good spanking, LOL. And a bit later we heard owls chatting about the day’s rodent catch. I think it was screech owls because their conversation started with an all-mighty screech.
Innumerable stars blanket the sky. More than you can imagine. On a clear night every inch of sky contains a star or two.
Can you tell I love this place? I’ve been camping here for as long as I can remember. First with my family, then with the Girl Guides. Hubby and I tented here when we were dating, and we spent part of our honeymoon at one of the back-country sites. We brought our kids when they were little, and have done so almost every year since.
Do you like camping? Have a favourite park?
We survived our camping trip. Good golly, we had fun!
That is once we got to our campsite, located in the back country and accessible only by canoe or kayak. High winds and choppy water made the paddling a bit of a chore. Of course the wind was in our faces, ha!Keji (that’s what us locals call Kejimkujik National Park, pronounced ked-gee) is a little piece of heaven here in Nova Scotia. You know what I love the most? The smell. Hard to describe but it’s a mix of evergreens, leaf loam, and air so clear you just want to take a bite out of the sky.
Also, the quiet. All you can hear is the wind in the trees, the “plop” of frogs jumping into the water, and in the evening, the loons. Such a haunting, sad sound. Especially so when you’re aware of their low numbers. Once the sun sets, shortly after 9PM, the coyotes come out to play –at a distance, thank goodness. On this trip we heard what sounded like a whole litter of pups welcoming the parents home from a day of hunting. Or, my theory, misbehaving pups getting a good spanking, LOL. And a bit later we heard owls chatting about the day’s rodent catch. I think it was screech owls because their conversation started with an all-mighty screech. Innumerable stars blanket the sky. More than you can imagine. On a clear night every inch of sky contains a star or two.Can you tell I love this place? I’ve been camping here for as long as I can remember. First with my family, then with the Girl Guides. Hubby and I tented here when we were dating, and we spent part of our honeymoon at one of the back-country sites. We brought our kids when they were little, and have done so almost every year since.
Do you like camping? Have a favourite park?
August 22, 2017
Wine Wednesday - August 23
Wine Wednesday – August 23
As you read this I’ll be frantically packing up the campsite, trying hard to beat the rain. The forecast changed, gol darn it, so the rain is arriving sooner than we’d like.
If I were in my house I’d be planning what to serve alongside a bottle of wine for this evening’s supper. I always serve hummus and raw veggies, like bell peppers, carrot sticks, and broccoli florets. As well as another appetizer, sometime another dip, a canapé, or something a bit more complicated like pot-stickers.
Here’s the link to one of my favourite appetizer recipes.
We’re at the height of the local, farm market cauliflower season. And this recipe is a fabulous, tasty way to eat your veggies.
Now excuse me whilst I open a bottle of our homemade Chardonnay, kick back, and enjoy being back in civilization (and modern plumbing).
Cheers!
As you read this I’ll be frantically packing up the campsite, trying hard to beat the rain. The forecast changed, gol darn it, so the rain is arriving sooner than we’d like.
If I were in my house I’d be planning what to serve alongside a bottle of wine for this evening’s supper. I always serve hummus and raw veggies, like bell peppers, carrot sticks, and broccoli florets. As well as another appetizer, sometime another dip, a canapé, or something a bit more complicated like pot-stickers.
Here’s the link to one of my favourite appetizer recipes.
We’re at the height of the local, farm market cauliflower season. And this recipe is a fabulous, tasty way to eat your veggies.
Now excuse me whilst I open a bottle of our homemade Chardonnay, kick back, and enjoy being back in civilization (and modern plumbing).
Cheers!
August 20, 2017
Maudlin Monday - August 21
Maudlin Monday – August 21
I hope everyone had a fun and/or productive weekend. On Saturday I attended a one-day workshop titled “Romancing the Writer” presented by Donna Alward and Michelle Helliwell. The topic was editing and the editor-author relationship. Very, very important. A good edit is even more important than a good cover.
Hanging out with fellow writers was so empowering. I came home with a fire lit under my muse. The best feeling.
On Sunday we ran around to several stores preparing for our camping expedition. Buying food for five adults for three days took some time. Especially when two of those adults are our 20-something, six-foot tall sons. They can certainly put away the food. I’m pre-cooking two pounds of bacon as I write this blog post. (Much less mess in the campsite if the bacon is re-cooked and just needs crisping.)
Here’s a map that shows where Kejimkujik National Park is in Nova Scotia.
As much as I love camping, the preparation is a drag, man. Menu planning, meal prep, checking all the gear, etc., etc., takes several hours. A further complication is the type of camping we’re doing – back country via canoes and kayaks. Everything we’ll need for three days and two nights has to fit in our boats. Tents, sleeping bags and pads, portable kitchen, water filtration and treatment equipment, chairs, tarps – good thing we have a 17 foot freight canoe!
And here’s a link to the park’s website.
Even after all the work involved, I look forward to this trip every summer. I can’t wait to get out to the lake, hear the loons, see the stars (there are way more up there than you usually see), and relax in a hammock. And not see another soul for days.
I’ll share photos of our adventure when I get back.
Cheers!
I hope everyone had a fun and/or productive weekend. On Saturday I attended a one-day workshop titled “Romancing the Writer” presented by Donna Alward and Michelle Helliwell. The topic was editing and the editor-author relationship. Very, very important. A good edit is even more important than a good cover.
Hanging out with fellow writers was so empowering. I came home with a fire lit under my muse. The best feeling.
On Sunday we ran around to several stores preparing for our camping expedition. Buying food for five adults for three days took some time. Especially when two of those adults are our 20-something, six-foot tall sons. They can certainly put away the food. I’m pre-cooking two pounds of bacon as I write this blog post. (Much less mess in the campsite if the bacon is re-cooked and just needs crisping.)
Here’s a map that shows where Kejimkujik National Park is in Nova Scotia.
As much as I love camping, the preparation is a drag, man. Menu planning, meal prep, checking all the gear, etc., etc., takes several hours. A further complication is the type of camping we’re doing – back country via canoes and kayaks. Everything we’ll need for three days and two nights has to fit in our boats. Tents, sleeping bags and pads, portable kitchen, water filtration and treatment equipment, chairs, tarps – good thing we have a 17 foot freight canoe!
And here’s a link to the park’s website.
Even after all the work involved, I look forward to this trip every summer. I can’t wait to get out to the lake, hear the loons, see the stars (there are way more up there than you usually see), and relax in a hammock. And not see another soul for days.
I’ll share photos of our adventure when I get back.
Cheers!
August 17, 2017
Fabulous Friday - August 18
Are we all ready for the weekend? Any big plans? Exciting adventures?
Tomorrow I’ll be at a one-day writing workshop called Romancing the Writer. Here’s the link to the description and the venue. Doesn’t this look like a wonderful spot to spend a few hours? I’ve not been there before even though my mum lives basically around the corner.
Spending time with fellow writers is—well, I’ll be with my own people, talking the same language, sharing similar tales of woe and, hopefully, success. It’ll be rejuvenating, validating, and necessary. Other writers understand that the voices in our heads are nothing to worry about. Unless the characters decide the plot you’ve outlined in excruciating detail just won’t work for them and they go off in a totally different direction effectively trashing half your book. ARRRGGHHH!
Ahem…
After the workshop Hubby and I will be packing and preparing for a camping trip next week. We’ll be in the backcountry, canoeing and kayaking to the campsite. Best of all, our boys (and the eldest’s girlfriend) will be joining us! I’ll tell you more about the park on Monday.
Enjoy your weekend!
Cheers!
Tomorrow I’ll be at a one-day writing workshop called Romancing the Writer. Here’s the link to the description and the venue. Doesn’t this look like a wonderful spot to spend a few hours? I’ve not been there before even though my mum lives basically around the corner.
Spending time with fellow writers is—well, I’ll be with my own people, talking the same language, sharing similar tales of woe and, hopefully, success. It’ll be rejuvenating, validating, and necessary. Other writers understand that the voices in our heads are nothing to worry about. Unless the characters decide the plot you’ve outlined in excruciating detail just won’t work for them and they go off in a totally different direction effectively trashing half your book. ARRRGGHHH!
Ahem…
After the workshop Hubby and I will be packing and preparing for a camping trip next week. We’ll be in the backcountry, canoeing and kayaking to the campsite. Best of all, our boys (and the eldest’s girlfriend) will be joining us! I’ll tell you more about the park on Monday.
Enjoy your weekend!
Cheers!
