Jennifer Apodaca's Blog, page 192

Happy New Year!

I was going to write some kind of clever, sweet or inspiriting post.

Really. I was.

Then yesterday afternoon, when I normally write my posts, Wizard had an idea. It was freezing cold, so he lit a fire, put on a movie and poured wine for us.

So…um…what was I going to write about? I have no idea.

I blame Wizard!

This I do remember, I want to each of you how much  you mean to me. You guys hung with me through a really tough year, particularly the first half of the year in dealing with BLB’s injury/recovery.  I appreciate your support and all the laughs we shared. It truly kept me, BLB and Wizard going when we were all just so tired, and each day was an uphill struggle. Then I would write a post, trying to find something amusing to talk about, and suddenly it wasn’t all so grim.  That is a gift from each of you that I will always remember. Thank you for being there. I truly mean that.

Let’s all raise a glass…

…to good friends who hold our hands through the dark days,  wildly celebrate our bright days and are there every single day in between!

Happy New Year!

Super Awesome Present!

I got a huge surprise gift from Stephanie, one of our “witches” here on the the blog. I’m just amazed at her talent. She’s one of our younger witches, never had a class, and yet she immortalized Axel and Darcy in a sculpture.

Wizard used his new camera to take some pictures:

 

Ignore how tired I look here–I was battling insomnia and losing big time

 

 

I love this statue! Thank you so much Stephanie!

Changing subjects here, last night I told Wizard, “I’m full.”

Wizard says, “Stop eating cookies and candy.”

Um, duh. So I replied nicely,  “They are getting old anyway. I’m going to throw them all out tonight.”

“NO!!!” Wizard actually yelled, as if I had said I was going to kick a puppy.  “You can’t throw them away. My witch made those for me.  Step away from my cookies!”

Sigh…what am I supposed to do? Wizard just isn’t being reasonable.  I haven’t gained much, but I need to get rid of the junk food!

And lastly, Happy Friday! The weekend is here! My plan is hang out a bit with Biker Witch, work on THE PROPOSITION edits and take down the Christmas tree and decorations. I figure I’ll back vacuuming up the pine needles until Valentine’s day.

What are you doing this weekend?

(FYI, I’m planning to blog on Monday, New Year’s Eve.)

Holiday Hangover!

This is Bailey last night (Christmas), totally worn out.

Our holiday was great, but somehow it’s always exhausting.  All the boys were home, and of course, Bailey Dog with his new hoodie sweat shirt.  It’s pretty cold here so Bailey was happy to wear it. He got a new cow-toy that he loves. He refused to put it down except when Wizard and the boys flew remote control helicopters all over the house.

Bailey HATED those helicopters.  He jumped up and snatched one mid-flight, but let it go before damaging it.  Bailey really is one of the boys

Wizard only works a couple days this week, but I need to get back to work and finish my last revisions/line edits on THE PROPOSAL. First, though, I need to get to the gym! And stop eating junk food!

How was your holiday?

Happy Holidays!

All My Friends,

Wizard and I wish each of you a holiday filled with Love, Laughter and Magic…

And lets all get ready to make 2013 rock!

Happy Friday!

I miss writing so much! Seriously!

Yesterday was a frenzy of cookie making; Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Mint, Chocolate-Raspberry thumbprint,  Orange cookies dipped in chocolate and almonds. I also finished making some chocolate Kahlua truffles.

And BLB came over! So great to see him. He’s doing well. Just finished his semester at college. He looks good. He taste-tested the cookies and the peanut butter balls I made the other day

Today, I’m baking Star Bites (short bread cookies, cut into small stars with a ganache filling), Raspberry hearts (short bread cookies with a raspberry filling), mocha cookies, tea cakes and lemon cookies. I also need to make a layered lemon-cheesecake to take to a party on Saturday.

Biker Witch is coming  over to help in the afternoon.  By then, I’ll be exhausted, and she and Wizard will probably gang up on me and tease me. But it’ll be fun.

We have a family Christmas party on Sat.

What are you all doing? Is everyone getting worn down or do the holidays energize you?

(I’m hoping to get back here Monday to wish you all a Merry Christmas!)

 

Wing Slayer Worthy

I’m nearly done shopping! Just picking up a couple little things today.  I even got a lot of the gifts wrapped

So…for Wing Slayer Worthy, I’m a slacker. I’m using one of the pics I have on hand.  So here he is:

 

So what do you think? Wing Slayer Worthy?

Weekend Roundup

Good weekend!  Taking time off is a strange feeling. I’m never “completely” off, but it’s odd not thinking about my work in progress every second.  Saturday,  I mostly sat around a read a book.  While I’m feeling better, the end of the cold was bugging me, so I kicked back. Sunday we did more shopping etc.

I’m not baking until later this week. I’m going to give some cookie-gifts at a Saturday party, and I want them to be fresh as possible.  I realize now that I’m going to be pushing a bit do make that many different types of cookies in a couple days–poor planning on my part. But I’ll figure it out, and enjoy doing it.

After the horrible tragedy in Connecticut last week, all this other stuff just isn’t very important.  My thoughts are with all the families and friends devastated by the violence that I simply can’t, and won’t ever be able to, comprehend.  If I truly had any magic, I would focus it all on giving each and every heart suffering from that tragedy comfort and peace.  I’ll leave my comments at that.

Back to baking, every day Wizard asks me, “Are you starting yet?” He cracks me up. I had six recipes I found online, and I only needed a couple. He was going through them with me, saying, “Ohhh, do that one! No that one! Can you make them all?”  I think we settled on orange dipped cookie and  a mocha cookies to add to what I already had.  He always inspires me

How was your weekend?

Happy Friday!

Yesterday, I sent off THE PROPOSITION to my editor for her last round of edits.  I think I’ve done a decent job, but we’ll see what she says.  I probably won’t get them back until after the holidays.  Once I do those final edits, it goes off for proofreading. Then formatting and I’ll have it up by the February 26th launch date. Although I’m self publishing this series, it’s going through the same (brutal!) revision and editing process as my NY published books.

Right now, this book is just a shade under 200 pages. I’m happy with that length since I have at least five planned   After the holidays, I’ll release an excerpt.

I managed to get a chunk of shopping done too. I still have more to do but I’m making progress, so it’s all good.  Even better, my cold is improving. In fact, I saw my doctor for a routine visit on Wednesday.  He frets when I’m sick, claiming I minimize pain or illness.  So he did his  exam over my pointless protests then said, “You don’t need antibiotics. You have a cold.”

Well duh.  I’m pretty sure that’s what I said. Like…four times.”  I might gripe, but in reality, I am truly grateful for my doctor.  He saved me from a life I don’t even want to contemplate.  I am thankful and appreciative every day that I can get up and live my life.  But he’s still over protective, LOL! He and Wizard both! Oh and Biker Witch

Enough of that! So this weekend will be more shopping, some family stuff and who knows what else. Now if only I could find out what middle son wants. I’m reduced to begging him for ideas.

What about you guys? Are you still shopping? Anyone wrapping yet? Baking? Parties? Let’s breakout the appletinis and cookies, and ring in the weekend!

Wing Slayer Worthy

Colds suck. I came down with it over the weekend, but refused to admit I had a cold.  But now, I’m saying it loud and clear, “Wizard was right, I have a cold!”

I can live with me having a cold, but we all need to cast spells to keep Wizard from getting a cold. Please, I’m begging!

I know that Wizard is a great guy,  he brings me chocolate, makes me laugh, supports my work, does all kinds of great things for me. He’s awesome…

UNLESS HE HAS A COLD!

Have you ever seen that video Man Cold? That is Wizard!

There must be a spell to save us

But enough of that…let’s move onto Wing Slayer Worthy. I don’t think I’ve shown this pic on the blog (though I’ve had it on FB)

Did you spot the panther? So what do you think is this guy Wing Slayer Worthy?

Weekend Roundup

Christmas has invaded my house. Now if I can get a huge chunk of shopping done this week, I’ll feel better.

Otherwise, I cleaned and then we went out to a tile and granite store. Walking through all those slabs of granite was interesting. The price was heart-stopping.  But we’re just looking around right now, it’ll be a while before we make any decisions.

And of course I worked. Wizard walked in the house, looked at me editing, and said, “Your boss is a slave driver, Witch.”

Cracked me up.  Then he ran an errand and came back with CHOCOLATE. For me!

But before you all start thinking he’s such a great guy…I had to share half– HALF!– the chocolate bar with him

So how was your weekend?