Susan Meier's Blog, page 4
July 17, 2014
Confessions of an Author Whose Book Did Poorly
HER SUMMER WITH THE MARINE is a great book. I don't just say that because I wrote it. LOL!!! Over fifty people reviewed it with four and five star reviews. Especially on Amazon. So why didn't it sell?
It's about a hero and heroine who run competing funeral homes. So, okay, I get it. The subject matter makes readers say, "Huh?" But every day I read blogs and tweets and Facebook post by readers longing for something different. And I succumbed. A friend and I stayed on the phone for hours one day, trying to think of something that hadn't been written about to give these readers what they want, and though it took awhile we realized we hadn't read a ROMANCE where the protags ran a funeral home.
I'm a fairly decent writer. So the story emerged quickly. The characters are strong, wonderful people. Their conflict is real. Poor Ellie is losing her dad. He's dying and she knows it. And she just wants to make sure he gets from his community everything he gave to them for the years he ran the funeral home.
But this phase of her life is hard, and though she's fiercely competing with Finn Donovan, he's really the only person in town who understands everything she's going through. The only one who can not only relate, but also help bring her out of her sadness.
They are good together and they have fun. But Finn's also got troubles. He grew up in an abusive home and he resettled in his small town to get his mom out of his father's house.
He succeeds because his mom is ready. And everybody cheers when Finn's dad takes a swipe at him, but he doesn't punch back...breaking the cycle of abuse through non-violence.
HER SUMMER WITH THE MARINE has so much to recommend it that it breaks this author's heart that it didn't sell.
I get it that funeral homes seem icky, but by not picking up this book you're missing some great humor, some poignant moments and red-hot romance that allows two broken people to heal.
You know what? I think I might just go read it myself! LOL
No matter what you choose this summer...
Happy Reading...
susan meier :)
It's about a hero and heroine who run competing funeral homes. So, okay, I get it. The subject matter makes readers say, "Huh?" But every day I read blogs and tweets and Facebook post by readers longing for something different. And I succumbed. A friend and I stayed on the phone for hours one day, trying to think of something that hadn't been written about to give these readers what they want, and though it took awhile we realized we hadn't read a ROMANCE where the protags ran a funeral home.
I'm a fairly decent writer. So the story emerged quickly. The characters are strong, wonderful people. Their conflict is real. Poor Ellie is losing her dad. He's dying and she knows it. And she just wants to make sure he gets from his community everything he gave to them for the years he ran the funeral home.
But this phase of her life is hard, and though she's fiercely competing with Finn Donovan, he's really the only person in town who understands everything she's going through. The only one who can not only relate, but also help bring her out of her sadness.
They are good together and they have fun. But Finn's also got troubles. He grew up in an abusive home and he resettled in his small town to get his mom out of his father's house.
He succeeds because his mom is ready. And everybody cheers when Finn's dad takes a swipe at him, but he doesn't punch back...breaking the cycle of abuse through non-violence.
HER SUMMER WITH THE MARINE has so much to recommend it that it breaks this author's heart that it didn't sell.
I get it that funeral homes seem icky, but by not picking up this book you're missing some great humor, some poignant moments and red-hot romance that allows two broken people to heal.
You know what? I think I might just go read it myself! LOL
No matter what you choose this summer...
Happy Reading...
susan meier :)
July 15, 2014
My Life as a Laundress
Have you ever noticed how much you can learn about your family from what you find in your laundry basket? When there are jeans in my son's things, I know the weather has dropped below zero, otherwise, he wears shorts. Seriously. He's hot blooded. When my daughter's dating someone there are lots of pretty blouses in her basket. When she's not, it's T-shirts.
I get a lot of change that immediately goes into my poker cup. If you leave two quarters in your pocket, kiss it goodbye. Once I find it, either in the laundry basket or in the washer tub, it becomes mine. House Rule. If you don't like House Rule you are invited to do your own wash. So far no one's taken me up on that.
Because I work at home, I almost exclusively wear pajamas. I have more pajamas than a fully stocked Victoria's Secret before Christmas or Valentine's Day. My husband realized a few years ago when I quit working and began writing for a living -- thus living in my PJ's -- that he can go to any department store and find pajamas from sexy lace to work-horse flannel and these make excellent gifts for any occasion. He doesn't have to know a specific size, just be in the ballpark, and if he's got money he can spend big bucks. If he's sort of broke, he can get me something as pretty at WalMart. Unfortunately, before he discovered pajamas, diamonds were his gift of choice. Though I love my PJ's, I'm not sure I made out in that deal.
We use heavy duty, extra strength detergent and we're not stingy about it. We like our clothes clean. Which is probably why each of us changes a few times a day. And why laundry is such a big deal in my life. I do a lot of it. Luckily, there is no water shortage in our city!
My son who now lives on his own is allergic to a certain kind of laundry soap, so we never bought it. Still don't. It's like a ban that's never been lifted, or an old law that's so antiquated it makes us laugh. It's still in force, even though it's no longer needed.
Every morning, I sort out two loads, wash them and put them in the dryer. When the dryer dings, I dump them on a chair and the clothing owners have 24 hours to get their things off the chair and into their rooms. If they don't, then I take the clothes into their rooms. If a drawer accidentally falls open as I walk by and ... well ... I see things then it's on them because I was only in their room to put away laundry that they should have put away.
You'd be surprised what THAT particular adventure has netted me in terms of news and information.
I grew up in an era when women began to fuss and fume about having to do all the housework. I'm not in their ranks. I sort of like housework. Don't get me wrong, if I could afford to pay someone to scrub toilets that person would be living with me right now. But I don't mind dishes. Washing them is very soothing. I love to scrub. Who doesn't love to toss water on a floor and watch a mop try to corral it? But laundry is my favorite. It's like keeping in touch with kids who are growing away from me.
I knew immediately when my daughter switched to thongs. Not because she told me or because I bought them (though in some way, shape or form I'm guessing I did) but because I washed them. I've watched their taste in clothes mature. (Even if their underwear declined.) I washed fatigues when Spunky was in the army. Blood stained shirts after Mikie's trips to the hospital.
I guess in a way, laundry is a history of sorts. Or a way to stay in their lives when they're struggling for independence. A chance to say a quick prayer when you see your kids are growing, growing away, growing into themselves.
I get a lot of change that immediately goes into my poker cup. If you leave two quarters in your pocket, kiss it goodbye. Once I find it, either in the laundry basket or in the washer tub, it becomes mine. House Rule. If you don't like House Rule you are invited to do your own wash. So far no one's taken me up on that.
Because I work at home, I almost exclusively wear pajamas. I have more pajamas than a fully stocked Victoria's Secret before Christmas or Valentine's Day. My husband realized a few years ago when I quit working and began writing for a living -- thus living in my PJ's -- that he can go to any department store and find pajamas from sexy lace to work-horse flannel and these make excellent gifts for any occasion. He doesn't have to know a specific size, just be in the ballpark, and if he's got money he can spend big bucks. If he's sort of broke, he can get me something as pretty at WalMart. Unfortunately, before he discovered pajamas, diamonds were his gift of choice. Though I love my PJ's, I'm not sure I made out in that deal.
We use heavy duty, extra strength detergent and we're not stingy about it. We like our clothes clean. Which is probably why each of us changes a few times a day. And why laundry is such a big deal in my life. I do a lot of it. Luckily, there is no water shortage in our city!
My son who now lives on his own is allergic to a certain kind of laundry soap, so we never bought it. Still don't. It's like a ban that's never been lifted, or an old law that's so antiquated it makes us laugh. It's still in force, even though it's no longer needed.
Every morning, I sort out two loads, wash them and put them in the dryer. When the dryer dings, I dump them on a chair and the clothing owners have 24 hours to get their things off the chair and into their rooms. If they don't, then I take the clothes into their rooms. If a drawer accidentally falls open as I walk by and ... well ... I see things then it's on them because I was only in their room to put away laundry that they should have put away.
You'd be surprised what THAT particular adventure has netted me in terms of news and information.
I grew up in an era when women began to fuss and fume about having to do all the housework. I'm not in their ranks. I sort of like housework. Don't get me wrong, if I could afford to pay someone to scrub toilets that person would be living with me right now. But I don't mind dishes. Washing them is very soothing. I love to scrub. Who doesn't love to toss water on a floor and watch a mop try to corral it? But laundry is my favorite. It's like keeping in touch with kids who are growing away from me.
I knew immediately when my daughter switched to thongs. Not because she told me or because I bought them (though in some way, shape or form I'm guessing I did) but because I washed them. I've watched their taste in clothes mature. (Even if their underwear declined.) I washed fatigues when Spunky was in the army. Blood stained shirts after Mikie's trips to the hospital.
I guess in a way, laundry is a history of sorts. Or a way to stay in their lives when they're struggling for independence. A chance to say a quick prayer when you see your kids are growing, growing away, growing into themselves.
April 3, 2014
Her Summer With the Marine
Normally, I don’t get questions on my books. My stories are fairly straightforward. But my March release, HER SUMMER WITH THE MARINE, came with a question from a few readers. Not a lot. Most people loved the book. But some wondered…Why the heck would the hero chose to run a funeral home? LOL
The answer is easy. Finn Donovan is a businessman. But he also thinks like a chess player. He plays down the board. He doesn’t just see what’s happening now. He looks for what will be happening in the future. When he got out of the marines, knowing he had to settle in Harmony Hills, he looked at the economic landscape of his small town and saw most needs were already filled — except that Mark McDermott, the funeral director, was getting old. His goal was to work for Mark and ultimately buy him out. But when he was ready (after he did his schooling and apprenticing) Mark wouldn’t sell. Not one to waste an education, he started the competing business. Which ultimately puts him and Ellie in competition and also gives them a chance to realize they are the love of each other’s life. <3
I like using everything in a story.
But back to Finn. Something that a lot of writers forget then they are writing about small towns is that the economics of a small town are different than those in a big city. Granted, you will sometimes find a housewife who starts selling cookies from her garage and ends up as successful as Mrs. Fields. Or as in the case of my heroine in A FATHER FOR HER TRIPLETS, you find a heroine who starts baking wedding cakes for friends and ends up an accidental entrepreneur. But, mostly, the businessmen of a small town make their money serving the needs of the people around them.
It’s more true to life to have a hero who makes his money serving those around him, then a secret late-night stock market trader. :) (Though I’ve written about that guy too! LOL)
I wanted The Donovan Brothers series to be about “real” small town life. I wanted to show that the leaders of a small town are part of the town. Not just bystanders who make their money on the Internet or through mail order and have no other tie. I wanted to show that small town leaders live with and work with the people in their community. So, later this summer, you’ll meet Finn’s brother Cade, a rancher, who suddenly finds himself “saddled” with the town’s grocery store…and the town’s runaway bride. A few months after that, you’ll get Devon’s story. Devon is a big city guy finally tying up the loose ends of being the executor of his friend’s estate — who discovers his duties aren’t done when the money is all divided. He’s got responsibilities far beyond that! LOL
So why did I want to go this route of a “real” small town experience? Because investing in your community is the way a small town entrepreneur doesn’t just make money; he makes a life – Finn. Because sometimes we think running away and reinventing ourselves is the way to escape our past, but life has a way of drawing us back and forcing us to face our issues – Cade. And because sometimes you have to go the extra mile for your neighbor, realizing, in a small town, everybody is your neighbor — Devon.
I loved the fact that so many people were intrigued by my choice of funeral director as Finn’s occupation. I’m sure it prodded people to read on. LOL But I especially loved the fact that I get three books, three brothers, to really explore small town life and show readers a true glimpse of living with the same people you work with, go to church with, shop with, share a fence with.
To me, small town life, real small town life, is a blast of loving, fighting, coming to others’ rescue, and loving some more.
So if you like small town gossip that turns into genuine caring, watching the members of a community live and love, you’re going to love The Donovan Brothers series. <3
Happy Reading…
susan meier
Oh, and, btw, someone asked me what happened next with Finn and Ellie. :) A wonderful fan went to my Goodreads page and said…Hum, so did Ellie sell Finn her funeral home? Short answer: Given that they were married, it become community property. :) But another thing I didn’t get to talk about in the book — no time — was that Finn started many, many more businesses in Harmony Hills and beyond. He was, after all, a businessman who played down the board. :)
The answer is easy. Finn Donovan is a businessman. But he also thinks like a chess player. He plays down the board. He doesn’t just see what’s happening now. He looks for what will be happening in the future. When he got out of the marines, knowing he had to settle in Harmony Hills, he looked at the economic landscape of his small town and saw most needs were already filled — except that Mark McDermott, the funeral director, was getting old. His goal was to work for Mark and ultimately buy him out. But when he was ready (after he did his schooling and apprenticing) Mark wouldn’t sell. Not one to waste an education, he started the competing business. Which ultimately puts him and Ellie in competition and also gives them a chance to realize they are the love of each other’s life. <3
I like using everything in a story.
But back to Finn. Something that a lot of writers forget then they are writing about small towns is that the economics of a small town are different than those in a big city. Granted, you will sometimes find a housewife who starts selling cookies from her garage and ends up as successful as Mrs. Fields. Or as in the case of my heroine in A FATHER FOR HER TRIPLETS, you find a heroine who starts baking wedding cakes for friends and ends up an accidental entrepreneur. But, mostly, the businessmen of a small town make their money serving the needs of the people around them.
It’s more true to life to have a hero who makes his money serving those around him, then a secret late-night stock market trader. :) (Though I’ve written about that guy too! LOL)
I wanted The Donovan Brothers series to be about “real” small town life. I wanted to show that the leaders of a small town are part of the town. Not just bystanders who make their money on the Internet or through mail order and have no other tie. I wanted to show that small town leaders live with and work with the people in their community. So, later this summer, you’ll meet Finn’s brother Cade, a rancher, who suddenly finds himself “saddled” with the town’s grocery store…and the town’s runaway bride. A few months after that, you’ll get Devon’s story. Devon is a big city guy finally tying up the loose ends of being the executor of his friend’s estate — who discovers his duties aren’t done when the money is all divided. He’s got responsibilities far beyond that! LOL
So why did I want to go this route of a “real” small town experience? Because investing in your community is the way a small town entrepreneur doesn’t just make money; he makes a life – Finn. Because sometimes we think running away and reinventing ourselves is the way to escape our past, but life has a way of drawing us back and forcing us to face our issues – Cade. And because sometimes you have to go the extra mile for your neighbor, realizing, in a small town, everybody is your neighbor — Devon.
I loved the fact that so many people were intrigued by my choice of funeral director as Finn’s occupation. I’m sure it prodded people to read on. LOL But I especially loved the fact that I get three books, three brothers, to really explore small town life and show readers a true glimpse of living with the same people you work with, go to church with, shop with, share a fence with.
To me, small town life, real small town life, is a blast of loving, fighting, coming to others’ rescue, and loving some more.
So if you like small town gossip that turns into genuine caring, watching the members of a community live and love, you’re going to love The Donovan Brothers series. <3
Happy Reading…
susan meier
Oh, and, btw, someone asked me what happened next with Finn and Ellie. :) A wonderful fan went to my Goodreads page and said…Hum, so did Ellie sell Finn her funeral home? Short answer: Given that they were married, it become community property. :) But another thing I didn’t get to talk about in the book — no time — was that Finn started many, many more businesses in Harmony Hills and beyond. He was, after all, a businessman who played down the board. :)
December 2, 2013
Cat Casting for THE MAGIC OF A FAMILY CHRISTMAS
A cat, Creamsickle, plays a leading role in bringing the hero and heroine together in THE MAGIC OF A FAMILY CHRISTMAS. This isn't an accident. My cat Sophia has done some remarkable things. She can cheer up anyone. She keeps the rodent population to a minimum in our little section of town. She meows if I yell...even if I'm "yelling" to call someone to dinner. Which has turned me into a much quieter person. But she doesn't get along with our other cat Fat Fluff.
We've figured out why. She believes she's a member of the family and Fluffy is just the cat. The pet.
It all goes back to the day we got Sophie. A few weeks before we'd had to put Fluffy's brother Basil to sleep. I couldn't seem to get over his loss. He was a wonderful, huge black cat who loved to hide in poinsettias. So it was awful.
My niece Kelli just happened to be driving home from Pittsburgh one Saturday and they found poor Sophie on the road beside a stretch of woods. She was so tiny she fit in the palm of Kelli's hand. She was also covered in dead leaves, and sneezing. A new mom, Kelli couldn't leave the poor kitten, so she brought her home and my sister suggested they call me since I had just lost a cat.
I went to Helen's house to see Sophia and it was not love at first sight. She was filthy. She was angry. And she didn't seem to want pity! LOL But she needed me. So we took her home and my husband (ace that he is with cats) tried to give her a shower. Get that picture in your head. There's my well muscled, tough guy husband holding a squirming, screaming fist-full of kitten under the shower head. He ended up wetter than she did.
Fluff wanted nothing to do with her. First, Basil was his brother. Second, she had a virus (which we didn't know until the next day when we took her to the vet). Third, she was a feisty little brat.
She was also so tiny I had to feed her milk from the tip of my finger. Then because she was so small and so scared, I cuddled her. I used my chin like a mama cat would use her tongue to bathe and sooth a kitten. And I guess somewhere along the way Sophie decided I was her mom.
After that, we presume she looked around, realized Fluff was a pet -- but the rest of us were family -- and she was being treated like one of us...so she must be one of us.
We named her Sophia Maria Lolita Conchita Chequita Banana...so much of a longer name than Fat Fluff that we also figure that helped fortify her theory that she was family. So now she seriously treats Fluff like the family pet, while she's one of us.
And her greatest love is to sit on my desk, watching the little characters appear to the computer screen while I write. She absolutely, positively has a say in things around here!
With such an odd cat like Sophia, you would think she inspired Creamsickle in THE MAGIC OF A FAMILY CHRISTMAS, but it was actually Fat Fluff!
Creamsickle is quiet, but loving. He wasn't really happy when the new foster kid moved in. But when he realized how in need of love and affection Harry Martin was, he stepped up...just like Fluff did when Sophia arrived. He didn't even protest when Harry bought the bell collar for around his neck. In fact, he sort of liked it. And he also agreed with Harry that Wendy Winston, Harry's new guardian, needed more love in her life. Not just from wonderful Harry, but from a mate. So he didn't mind one iota being involved in Harry's plot to get Wendy Winston and Cullen Barrington together before Christmas.
Add a candy factory and a sexy, but grumpy, hero to the mix and you have quite a story! LOL THE MAGIC OF A FAMILY CHRISTMAS was one of the most fun stories I've ever written. I actually read it when my author copies arrived! LOL. Not only did it put me in a Christmas mood, but also I liked being with those characters. I liked being in that candy factory. I loved the small town, with the tinsel and silver bells, ice storms and fluffy white snow banks. I loved Wendy and I loved Cullen. Because they were both such wonderful people. Both had hearts big enough to open when Harry needed love.
Yeah, Wendy and Cullen really deserved a happy ending. They really deserved each other. But it took some conniving on Harry's part, a little bit of magic on Creamsickle's, and lots of cocoa and popcorn by the fireplace!
It's a special book about special people and I was thrilled to be the one to get to write it!
susan
THE MAGIC OF A FAMILY CHRISTMAS
We've figured out why. She believes she's a member of the family and Fluffy is just the cat. The pet.
It all goes back to the day we got Sophie. A few weeks before we'd had to put Fluffy's brother Basil to sleep. I couldn't seem to get over his loss. He was a wonderful, huge black cat who loved to hide in poinsettias. So it was awful.
My niece Kelli just happened to be driving home from Pittsburgh one Saturday and they found poor Sophie on the road beside a stretch of woods. She was so tiny she fit in the palm of Kelli's hand. She was also covered in dead leaves, and sneezing. A new mom, Kelli couldn't leave the poor kitten, so she brought her home and my sister suggested they call me since I had just lost a cat.
I went to Helen's house to see Sophia and it was not love at first sight. She was filthy. She was angry. And she didn't seem to want pity! LOL But she needed me. So we took her home and my husband (ace that he is with cats) tried to give her a shower. Get that picture in your head. There's my well muscled, tough guy husband holding a squirming, screaming fist-full of kitten under the shower head. He ended up wetter than she did.
Fluff wanted nothing to do with her. First, Basil was his brother. Second, she had a virus (which we didn't know until the next day when we took her to the vet). Third, she was a feisty little brat.
She was also so tiny I had to feed her milk from the tip of my finger. Then because she was so small and so scared, I cuddled her. I used my chin like a mama cat would use her tongue to bathe and sooth a kitten. And I guess somewhere along the way Sophie decided I was her mom.
After that, we presume she looked around, realized Fluff was a pet -- but the rest of us were family -- and she was being treated like one of us...so she must be one of us.
We named her Sophia Maria Lolita Conchita Chequita Banana...so much of a longer name than Fat Fluff that we also figure that helped fortify her theory that she was family. So now she seriously treats Fluff like the family pet, while she's one of us.
And her greatest love is to sit on my desk, watching the little characters appear to the computer screen while I write. She absolutely, positively has a say in things around here!
With such an odd cat like Sophia, you would think she inspired Creamsickle in THE MAGIC OF A FAMILY CHRISTMAS, but it was actually Fat Fluff!
Creamsickle is quiet, but loving. He wasn't really happy when the new foster kid moved in. But when he realized how in need of love and affection Harry Martin was, he stepped up...just like Fluff did when Sophia arrived. He didn't even protest when Harry bought the bell collar for around his neck. In fact, he sort of liked it. And he also agreed with Harry that Wendy Winston, Harry's new guardian, needed more love in her life. Not just from wonderful Harry, but from a mate. So he didn't mind one iota being involved in Harry's plot to get Wendy Winston and Cullen Barrington together before Christmas.
Add a candy factory and a sexy, but grumpy, hero to the mix and you have quite a story! LOL THE MAGIC OF A FAMILY CHRISTMAS was one of the most fun stories I've ever written. I actually read it when my author copies arrived! LOL. Not only did it put me in a Christmas mood, but also I liked being with those characters. I liked being in that candy factory. I loved the small town, with the tinsel and silver bells, ice storms and fluffy white snow banks. I loved Wendy and I loved Cullen. Because they were both such wonderful people. Both had hearts big enough to open when Harry needed love.
Yeah, Wendy and Cullen really deserved a happy ending. They really deserved each other. But it took some conniving on Harry's part, a little bit of magic on Creamsickle's, and lots of cocoa and popcorn by the fireplace!
It's a special book about special people and I was thrilled to be the one to get to write it!
susan
THE MAGIC OF A FAMILY CHRISTMAS
November 14, 2013
The Start of Holiday Season
I have to admit that when I chose this topic, my editor and I had a good laugh. Why? Every year for the past few years, I've written a Christmas book. And as most of you know, books are written about eighteen months in advance, which means that for the past several Julys I've been writing about snow and sugar cookies, cocoa and evergreens, silver bells and candy canes.
So when the real holiday approaches, it usually takes me by surprise. It's one thing to write about baking cookies, quite another to actually have to bake them! Plus, I have a big family and we've got a tradition or two.
We start off with the Halloween Parade in the small town in which most of my family lives. Nieces and nephews dress up, trying to win prizes in the town's parade. Last year they won the overall group prize for their "Flintstones" costumes, complete with Flintmobile that my brother Brian made using PVC pipe!
Then comes Thanksgiving. Most of us have lunch at home (our turkeys!) and we meet at my mom's around four. Each family brings a salad or main dish AND a dessert. (Note the high ratio of desserts to actual food. LOL) Lots of us play poker. Some play darts in the family room. Everyone yaks at my poor mother! Picture eleven kids bringing home spouses and kids. That takes us close to fifty people right there. Add in nieces and nephews who have gotten married or bring girlfriends and boyfriends and that takes us over sixty. Add great grandchildren to that and we're fast approaching the need to rent a hall for our family celebrations.
Before we go home Thanksgiving evening, we put all of our names in a hat and pick the name of one person to buy a gift for. With so many people, none of us could hope to be able to afford (let alone be able to remember all the names) to buy a gift for everyone. So we all choose one name and have a $25 limit. Some of us have shamelessly gone over...but that's another blog post.
The day after Thanksgiving is "cookie making party". Every Black Friday, my mom invites her grandkids (and great grandkids) to her house to make iced sugar cookies for her "goodie tree" in the family room. We've discovered some real artistic talent in our kids...some of whom have even painted stain glass windows on the church cookies...and discovered that some of our kids should stay in school and never even give a passing thought to a career in art! LOL
It's this tradition that found its way into THE MAGIC OF A FAMILY CHRISTMAS, along with my mom's recipe for both the cookies and the icing.
The first of December we begin talking about cookie exchange. With so many people in our family, it's easy to set up a cookie exchange. Everyone has to put her name on the list to participate. When everyone is signed up, we all choose a "type" of cookie to bake. (I usually bake the peanut butter blossom cookies -- the ones with Hershey kisses...yum!) We make one dozen for everyone on the list -- usually around 15 dozen, but when you're making the same kind of cookie, that's not too difficult.
On "exchange" day, we give a dozen cookies to everyone on the list and get a dozen cookies from everyone on the list. And if you don't think this is fun, you've haven't experienced getting twelve or fifteen different kinds of cookies like caramel cups or lady locks or mini cheese cakes (all of which I can't bake myself!).
At this point, if you haven't done your shopping, you better! I'm one of those people who leaves shopping for last (hoping for good deals) and cleaning for even later than that. But this year, my sister Janette has made me new silk drapes, and we're reupholstering my dining room chairs. So cleaning has to start now! I'm not putting new drapes on dirty windows.
My son Spunky has been our decorator-in-chief for most of his life. Ever since he criticized my placement of lights on the front bushes and I said, "If you think you can do better, go ahead..." he's been the one who puts up lights and strings tinsel. Because, by dingy, he could do better! LOL
All of that is great fun, but, for me, getting ready for the holidays is about more than cookies and gifts, lights and tinsel. I always find myself misty-eyed at the Hallowee Parade, grateful for my gorgeous nieces and nephews and the wonderful sisters and nieces who care for them and make them such cute costumes.
That's a great way to slide into the season. Being thankful for family easily segues us into the Thanksgiving weeks, where we all look around and simply feel joy and gratitude for what we have.
Christmas weeks, as we prepare to celebrate the most wonderful holiday of the year, buying gifts for family and friends is an opportunity to tell those we love that we're glad they're in our lives. Which is why I usually go over the $25 limit for my "family" gift. I actually give a lot of thought to my gifts. I want the receipients to know how much I care about them. And if that costs a few bucks...so be it. LOL!
Walking into a warm church on a cold Christmas moring is like getting hug from God. The scent of ham and kolbassi that fills the air when we get home reminds me of how lucky we are not just to have food but to have family to celebrate with. The presents...well, they're just plain fun. And they remind me that sometimes life has to be about fun.
Sigh.
You know, sometimes when I contemplate the holidays, I think it's too bad we can't have these warm, wonderful feelings all year long.
susan meier
SINGLE DAD'S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE
So when the real holiday approaches, it usually takes me by surprise. It's one thing to write about baking cookies, quite another to actually have to bake them! Plus, I have a big family and we've got a tradition or two.
We start off with the Halloween Parade in the small town in which most of my family lives. Nieces and nephews dress up, trying to win prizes in the town's parade. Last year they won the overall group prize for their "Flintstones" costumes, complete with Flintmobile that my brother Brian made using PVC pipe!
Then comes Thanksgiving. Most of us have lunch at home (our turkeys!) and we meet at my mom's around four. Each family brings a salad or main dish AND a dessert. (Note the high ratio of desserts to actual food. LOL) Lots of us play poker. Some play darts in the family room. Everyone yaks at my poor mother! Picture eleven kids bringing home spouses and kids. That takes us close to fifty people right there. Add in nieces and nephews who have gotten married or bring girlfriends and boyfriends and that takes us over sixty. Add great grandchildren to that and we're fast approaching the need to rent a hall for our family celebrations.
Before we go home Thanksgiving evening, we put all of our names in a hat and pick the name of one person to buy a gift for. With so many people, none of us could hope to be able to afford (let alone be able to remember all the names) to buy a gift for everyone. So we all choose one name and have a $25 limit. Some of us have shamelessly gone over...but that's another blog post.
The day after Thanksgiving is "cookie making party". Every Black Friday, my mom invites her grandkids (and great grandkids) to her house to make iced sugar cookies for her "goodie tree" in the family room. We've discovered some real artistic talent in our kids...some of whom have even painted stain glass windows on the church cookies...and discovered that some of our kids should stay in school and never even give a passing thought to a career in art! LOL
It's this tradition that found its way into THE MAGIC OF A FAMILY CHRISTMAS, along with my mom's recipe for both the cookies and the icing.
The first of December we begin talking about cookie exchange. With so many people in our family, it's easy to set up a cookie exchange. Everyone has to put her name on the list to participate. When everyone is signed up, we all choose a "type" of cookie to bake. (I usually bake the peanut butter blossom cookies -- the ones with Hershey kisses...yum!) We make one dozen for everyone on the list -- usually around 15 dozen, but when you're making the same kind of cookie, that's not too difficult.
On "exchange" day, we give a dozen cookies to everyone on the list and get a dozen cookies from everyone on the list. And if you don't think this is fun, you've haven't experienced getting twelve or fifteen different kinds of cookies like caramel cups or lady locks or mini cheese cakes (all of which I can't bake myself!).
At this point, if you haven't done your shopping, you better! I'm one of those people who leaves shopping for last (hoping for good deals) and cleaning for even later than that. But this year, my sister Janette has made me new silk drapes, and we're reupholstering my dining room chairs. So cleaning has to start now! I'm not putting new drapes on dirty windows.
My son Spunky has been our decorator-in-chief for most of his life. Ever since he criticized my placement of lights on the front bushes and I said, "If you think you can do better, go ahead..." he's been the one who puts up lights and strings tinsel. Because, by dingy, he could do better! LOL
All of that is great fun, but, for me, getting ready for the holidays is about more than cookies and gifts, lights and tinsel. I always find myself misty-eyed at the Hallowee Parade, grateful for my gorgeous nieces and nephews and the wonderful sisters and nieces who care for them and make them such cute costumes.
That's a great way to slide into the season. Being thankful for family easily segues us into the Thanksgiving weeks, where we all look around and simply feel joy and gratitude for what we have.
Christmas weeks, as we prepare to celebrate the most wonderful holiday of the year, buying gifts for family and friends is an opportunity to tell those we love that we're glad they're in our lives. Which is why I usually go over the $25 limit for my "family" gift. I actually give a lot of thought to my gifts. I want the receipients to know how much I care about them. And if that costs a few bucks...so be it. LOL!
Walking into a warm church on a cold Christmas moring is like getting hug from God. The scent of ham and kolbassi that fills the air when we get home reminds me of how lucky we are not just to have food but to have family to celebrate with. The presents...well, they're just plain fun. And they remind me that sometimes life has to be about fun.
Sigh.
You know, sometimes when I contemplate the holidays, I think it's too bad we can't have these warm, wonderful feelings all year long.
susan meier
SINGLE DAD'S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE
November 7, 2013
Cholesterol and the Meaning of Life
This spring, I began a low cholesterol diet. My cholesterol was fairly high, but in some ways that was good news (depending upon how masochistic you are) because I desperately wanted to lose weight and couldn't seem to motivate myself.
When you are presented with the opportunity to have a piece of cake, which might come with a heart attack somewhere down the road, it's much easier to say no to the cake. And pretty soon I was on a fairly nice roll with the diet.
I discovered some great things about myself. Like: I had forgotten how to tell myself no. Or maybe I'd forgotten how to listen when I told myself no! LOL In general I ate too much. I ate for entertainment. I ate when I was bored. I ate when I was happy. I ate when I was sad. There wasn't an event or reason I could add a slab of baloney to.
Plus I had forgotten what it felt like to be genuinely hungry, to eat because my body needed fuel. Worse, I rarely got off my butt. I work in a chair, played cards and Yahtzee with my son in the afternoons also in a chair, and watched TV at night laying on the couch. The invention of the remote, I've decided, was not such a good thing. I'll bet if we studied this out, we'd learn America's sudden explosion of weight is as much the fault of the television remote as it is the fault of fast food. But I digress...
Realizing I had some really, really bad habits, rather than look at this adventure as a diet, I began to realize I needed to look at it as an opportunity to fix those bad habits. To change the way I looked at food. To get myself back to eating because I was hungry. (What a concept!)
After months or arguing with myself, battling the desire to scarf down a ho-ho when my writing didn't go well or the absolute whiny need for a beer on Friday nights, I managed to make some significant changes. I lost nearly 20 pounds and could once again fit into most of my clothes. When it came time to check my invisible cholestrol progress, I went to the doctor wearing my favorite capris and a cute little top. There was a spring in my step and a lilt in my laugh! I was absolutely positive I'd aced this thing!
But I didn't do as well with the cholesterol lowering as I had hoped. Still, the good news is this will keep me watching what I eat for another several months and maybe I'll drop another ten or fifteen pounds? And really ingrain my new eating habits.
Sometimes it's all a matter of perspective.
And that takes me the meaning of life portion of this blog. Really, a lot of life is a matter of perspective. So if you have a choice, it's always wise to look on the sunny side. It rarely does any good to rant and rail. But it does a lot of good to find the silver lining in your clouds!
So the next time life hands you lemons, think of me and my cholesterol. In finding the silver lining I'll eventually succeed. And, really, what else am I going to do for the next six months! LOL
Have a good week...Oh and skip on over to Amazon and take a look at the SINGLE DAD'S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE, my Christmas book this year!
susan
When you are presented with the opportunity to have a piece of cake, which might come with a heart attack somewhere down the road, it's much easier to say no to the cake. And pretty soon I was on a fairly nice roll with the diet.
I discovered some great things about myself. Like: I had forgotten how to tell myself no. Or maybe I'd forgotten how to listen when I told myself no! LOL In general I ate too much. I ate for entertainment. I ate when I was bored. I ate when I was happy. I ate when I was sad. There wasn't an event or reason I could add a slab of baloney to.
Plus I had forgotten what it felt like to be genuinely hungry, to eat because my body needed fuel. Worse, I rarely got off my butt. I work in a chair, played cards and Yahtzee with my son in the afternoons also in a chair, and watched TV at night laying on the couch. The invention of the remote, I've decided, was not such a good thing. I'll bet if we studied this out, we'd learn America's sudden explosion of weight is as much the fault of the television remote as it is the fault of fast food. But I digress...
Realizing I had some really, really bad habits, rather than look at this adventure as a diet, I began to realize I needed to look at it as an opportunity to fix those bad habits. To change the way I looked at food. To get myself back to eating because I was hungry. (What a concept!)
After months or arguing with myself, battling the desire to scarf down a ho-ho when my writing didn't go well or the absolute whiny need for a beer on Friday nights, I managed to make some significant changes. I lost nearly 20 pounds and could once again fit into most of my clothes. When it came time to check my invisible cholestrol progress, I went to the doctor wearing my favorite capris and a cute little top. There was a spring in my step and a lilt in my laugh! I was absolutely positive I'd aced this thing!
But I didn't do as well with the cholesterol lowering as I had hoped. Still, the good news is this will keep me watching what I eat for another several months and maybe I'll drop another ten or fifteen pounds? And really ingrain my new eating habits.
Sometimes it's all a matter of perspective.
And that takes me the meaning of life portion of this blog. Really, a lot of life is a matter of perspective. So if you have a choice, it's always wise to look on the sunny side. It rarely does any good to rant and rail. But it does a lot of good to find the silver lining in your clouds!
So the next time life hands you lemons, think of me and my cholesterol. In finding the silver lining I'll eventually succeed. And, really, what else am I going to do for the next six months! LOL
Have a good week...Oh and skip on over to Amazon and take a look at the SINGLE DAD'S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE, my Christmas book this year!
susan
October 14, 2013
Something Light and Fun
As most of you who read my books know, I normally write incredibly emotional books for Harlequin Romance.
This month, however, I'm in an anthology with the lovely and talented Shirley Jump, Barbara Wallace and Jackie Braun...THE BILLIONAIRE'S MATCHMAKER.
The whole anthology is light and fun, as an adorable Jack Russell terrier match-makes four unsuspecting friends.
It's an e-book through Entangled Publishing, slated for release today.
http://www.entangledpublishing.com/ca...
If you're looking for something light and fun to brighten up your afternoon...this book's for you.
Happy Reading!
susan meier
This month, however, I'm in an anthology with the lovely and talented Shirley Jump, Barbara Wallace and Jackie Braun...THE BILLIONAIRE'S MATCHMAKER.
The whole anthology is light and fun, as an adorable Jack Russell terrier match-makes four unsuspecting friends.
It's an e-book through Entangled Publishing, slated for release today.
http://www.entangledpublishing.com/ca...
If you're looking for something light and fun to brighten up your afternoon...this book's for you.
Happy Reading!
susan meier
September 27, 2013
Giveaway
I'm really not as good at Goodreads Giveways as I thought I was. LOL But this weekend I'm giving away one copy of SINGLE DAD'S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE.
Next week I will give away more copies! So watch for the giveaways!
And have a wonderful fall. I never realized how much I loved this season until we didn't have to run our central air anymore. LOL
It's so beautiful here in Western Pennsylvania with multicolored leaves and fresh crisp air. And it's still warm enough outside to enjoy it.
But I also love being able to wear layers. Coats and scarves. Pretty boots.
I hope the snow holds off long enough for us to really enjoy fall!
Happy reading,
susan meier
Next week I will give away more copies! So watch for the giveaways!
And have a wonderful fall. I never realized how much I loved this season until we didn't have to run our central air anymore. LOL
It's so beautiful here in Western Pennsylvania with multicolored leaves and fresh crisp air. And it's still warm enough outside to enjoy it.
But I also love being able to wear layers. Coats and scarves. Pretty boots.
I hope the snow holds off long enough for us to really enjoy fall!
Happy reading,
susan meier
July 7, 2013
Getting Ready For RWA Nationals
July is one of my favorite months of the year, if only because it's warm in Pennsylvania! LOL
But this year I'm excited to have a book as a finalist in the RWA RITA competition...THE TYCOON'S SECRET DAUGHTER.
The winners in all of the categories will be announced on Saturday, July 20th, at the RWA conference in Atlanta.
On Friday, at the same conference, the Reader's Choice Award winners will also be announced. I have a finalist in THAT competition too, NANNY FOR THE MILLIONAIRE'S TWINS.
Needless to say, I've been shopping! LOL I now have plenty of shoes but today I was still trying on award ceremony dresses.
I also started packing lists and shopping lists. At the literacy signing, held Wednesday to more or less kick off the conference, I hope to have some kind of chocolate to pass out to the people who will come in to buy autographed copies of books by hundreds of authors! The money goes to a great cause.
The 16th I'll be flying to Atlanta! It's going to be a great week.
Hope to see some of you there!
susan meier
But this year I'm excited to have a book as a finalist in the RWA RITA competition...THE TYCOON'S SECRET DAUGHTER.
The winners in all of the categories will be announced on Saturday, July 20th, at the RWA conference in Atlanta.
On Friday, at the same conference, the Reader's Choice Award winners will also be announced. I have a finalist in THAT competition too, NANNY FOR THE MILLIONAIRE'S TWINS.
Needless to say, I've been shopping! LOL I now have plenty of shoes but today I was still trying on award ceremony dresses.
I also started packing lists and shopping lists. At the literacy signing, held Wednesday to more or less kick off the conference, I hope to have some kind of chocolate to pass out to the people who will come in to buy autographed copies of books by hundreds of authors! The money goes to a great cause.
The 16th I'll be flying to Atlanta! It's going to be a great week.
Hope to see some of you there!
susan meier
April 18, 2013
I think spring is here...
Shhh... Don't let the weather know that!
I live in Western Pennsylvania where the weather can change at a moment's notice. We had a bad winter and desperately needed spring. In the past week, we've had temps in the seventies. My son has begun his practice of taking long walks and my husband is playing golf every day.
And me? I just want the furniture on the back deck so I can sit in the shade of my porch swing and read!
I was lucky to find some freebees for my Kindle...and also some new books from fave authors. So I'll be sitting on my porch swing a lot...as soon as we get the furniture on the deck.
How about you? Do you have a favorite place to read? Have you found some great books to read this summer?
susan
I live in Western Pennsylvania where the weather can change at a moment's notice. We had a bad winter and desperately needed spring. In the past week, we've had temps in the seventies. My son has begun his practice of taking long walks and my husband is playing golf every day.
And me? I just want the furniture on the back deck so I can sit in the shade of my porch swing and read!
I was lucky to find some freebees for my Kindle...and also some new books from fave authors. So I'll be sitting on my porch swing a lot...as soon as we get the furniture on the deck.
How about you? Do you have a favorite place to read? Have you found some great books to read this summer?
susan
