Annette Mackey's Blog, page 8

Honey House Naturals: Lotion, Lip Balm, Candles, and More …

 Kiss those chapped, winter hands goodbye. Say hello to soft skin all year long!

This post may seem like an advertisement, but it is not. I was not asked to write this, nor have I been paid anything. That said, let me tell you about a wonderful product that I have been using for years. It's made by a little known company called Honey House. If you live out west, particularly in the Seattle area, you may have seen some of these products in high end stores, but if you're from the east, chances are you've never even heard of it. Here's the link if you'd like to go to their website.

Honey House Naturals

With the changing season, it's certainly a good time to stock up on all those wonderful essentials that keep the skin moist. Since most people are not familiar with Bee Bar Lotion, let me explain. It's an all natural product that comes in a variety of scents, and in a beautiful tin. My personal favorite is vanilla. You hold the bar in your hand and the heat from your body melts it ever so slightly. Then you gently rub it in. Even though the product is heavy enough to not be washed off, your hands feel great. At first there is a little residue, which takes a few minutes to soak in, but after that your hands will be soft and protected from the harsh winter weather. You'll never have to worry about chapped skin again. It's that great. By the way, both the mini size and the full size make fantastic gifts.

 

More Than Just Lotion

Perfect for expectant mothers, the Belly Bar is an all over body moisturizer. For those who aren't quite ready for a solid lotion, they also have a cream product. And lip butter, and candles, and cute gifts, and, and, and .…

Okay, so I get a little carried away sometimes. It's not like this is a cure for cancer. But, it is a wonderful product that apparently, I can't stop talking about.



 Then Comes My Favorite Product

The Lip Butter! Once again, it's all natural, which is nice since you are putting it on your lips! For some reason, I think people forget about how important "all natural" is when you are putting a product practically in your mouth. And with the lip butter, you won't have to worry about dangerous chemicals or colorings. Soft and sweet, I carry one every where I go.



 

I Saved the Best For Last

I love this picture, because it depicts the Honey House moto. Everything is taken fresh from nature. Need I say more?

Cheese Soup

I've made a lot of cheese soups. This one is my favorite.

Cori's Cheese Soup

4 chicken bouillon cubes

1 qt. water on low

Dissolve Cubes in Water.

Add to water and bouillon:

1 cup grated carrots

1 cup diced celery

1 cup chopped onion

1 1/2 cups cubed potatoes

Boil 15 minutes.

Add to Soup and cook for 15 miutes:

1 pkg Frozen chopped broccoli

1 pkg. frozen chopped cauliflower

Add

2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup

1 pkg (1 lb) Velveeta Cheese (cubed)

Cook until cheese melts, stirring to prevent scorching.

Soup freezes well.

Liebster Award — Bloggity Fun!

 

 

 

 

I've been working on narrowing down a few writers to share. Believe it or not, this isn't all that easy. There are so many amazing authors trying to make their way in the crazy world of publishing, and I can only send this to five!

Before I make my list, here's how it works:

THE RULES:

1.Show your appre­ci­a­tion to the blog­ger who gave you the award by link­ing back to them.

2.Reveal your top five picks and let them know by leav­ing a com­ment on their blog.

3.Post the award on your blog.

4.Bask in the cama­raderie of the most sup­port­ive peo­ple on the internet—other writ­ers.

5.And best of all—have blog­gity fun and spread the love.

Okay, here we go …

As was posted previously, the totally awesome Wendy from Scribblings of Wendy Jane sent this honor my way. To see just how great she is, refer to my previous post.

And now for my top five pics .… dun, dun, dun, dun .…

1) C. C. Jackson  - Who is not only a great novelist, but just plain fabulous in every way. Her book Stay was a finalist this year in the Readers Favorite Book Awards in the Young Adult Sci-Fi category, a very competitive category by the way. Way to go Stacey!

2) Tia Bach at Depression Cookies - Next Generation Indie Book finalist and fabulous tweeting friend.

3) Melissa Foster —  A five times award winner from Readers Favorite. Wow! That's a lot!

4) Sarah Ketley - Who is just all around fabulous. Make sure to visit her website.

5) Kathleen Shoop - Who is a total inspiration to me, but probably has no idea that I think she is amazing.

There you have it: my top five pics. Now it's time for bloggity fun. Love that!

 

 

Wearing White After Labor Day

Okay, so I've never been a fashion guru. That's a given. So I really am not qualified to offer any advice on the subject, although I do have an amazing friend with the knack. Her store, , sells big brand names for almost nothing. So if you're looking for fashion advice, you should check it out. She also posts a lot of hot deals on the Trendy  too. My favorite is the SwitchFlop. Here's a peek.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isn't that the cutest thing ever?! You can change out the top to suit whatever fashion mood swings your way. Go ahead and visit her . I'll wait …

Okay, now that you've satisfied your thirst for beautiful apparel, hear me out. My big question is why? Why not wear white after Labor Day? I know all about the history behind the rule, so don't get me started on that. But to tell you the truth, I think it's kinda dumb to remain a slave to such an outdated tradition. With supposed equality among the races, and with air conditioners abounding, it just seems like this is one rule that should be flushed. What's the big deal anyway? It's a pretty color, and I like it.

I feel like shouting to the world, "Fashion floppers unite! Dress the world in white!" or "You can't make me wear that drab. Without white I just get mad!" I can see it now: people lining the streets in front of the White House with their signs held high, all shouting in unison …

Okay, maybe that's getting a little dramatic, not to mention cooooooorny.

So in my sorrow, I asked my  friend what to do about this dilema, and found out that all is not lost. After Labor Day, white becomes cream. Hmm … cream. I guess I can live with that.

Thank you 

Liebster Blog Award

 

 

 

 

This morning when I checked my inbox, I found a little bit of sunshine. The totally awesome Wendy from Scribblings of Wendy Jane had honored me with the Liebster Blog Award. For those of you who may be scratching your heads in wonderment, the Liebster is designed to bring a little attention to noteworthy blogs that have less than 200 followers. Needless to say, the smile on my face is still beaming. Thank you Wendy!

 

THE RULES:

1.Show your appreciation to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.

2.Reveal your top five picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

3.Post the award on your blog.

4.Bask in the camaraderie of the most supportive people on the internet—other writers.

5.And best of all—have bloggity fun and spread the love.

 

While I'm working on Number 2, let me just add another link for your reading enjoyment: Where To Belong by W J Smith, available in ebook and print.

 

Amazon.com WidgetsHere's a quick blip:

Madison, an ex-con artist, has lived by the rules for eight years following the death of her fiancé. Her world flips upside-down when she runs into the best friend she left behind in attempt to escape their dangerous lifestyle. When not only her way of life, but also the life of her dearest friend is threatened by an old associate, will it be enough for her to continue as a law abiding citizen?

I'll return shortly with my top five picks!

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

There are few books that I have enjoyed as much as I enjoyed The Help by Kathryn Stockett. And, to top it off, the movie was amazing. The setting takes place during the civil rights movement in Jackson, Mississippi. To put it in the words of Minnie, one of the black maids, "We living in hell," sums it all up. From the first sentence, the book transports you to another time and place. One of my favorite segments was when Hilly, the bathroom segregation ring-leader, tells Skeeter, "There are racists living in this town," completely oblivious to the fact that she is one of them. It is not very often that I feel my socks have been knocked off. Thank you Kathryn Stockett for your wonderful work. This is definitely the kind of novel that I would like to aspire to write. Talk about depth. Wow. Definitely 5 out of 5!

Book club discussion questions

Class Collision: Phoenix Rising discussion questions:

Genre: Fiction, YA Fiction, Historical Fiction, American Drama

At the beginning of the book, Linda realizes that David has been less than honest with her. Do you think she should she have postponed the wedding?
Was David justified in his secrecy? Is dishonesty ever appropriate?
In Class Collision: Fall From Grace, David spent years trying to return home. In Phoenix Rising he is an adult. Why doesn't he just go home?
At what point do you think Linda realizes that she is still in love with David?
During World War II, the entire country seemed to back the war effort. Have things changed in the United States in this regard?
When David returns from the war on furlough, he and Linda go to the ranch for Lucy's wedding. It becomes apparent that Lucy believes David is a horrible, cruel, sorry excuse for a human being. Have you ever known someone to misunderstand another person so completely?
Why did David take such a dangerous job in the war? Did he want to be a hero? Was he in it for the glory? For the pay?
Is David a product of his environment? How much of his personality was set at birth?
When David and Alex argue outside the mansion by the fountain, Alex seems to be speaking to his brother, even though he doesn't believe in David. Do you think Alex is justified in his anger?
How did you feel about Elizabeth's initial reaction to her long lost son?
Why does Alexander wait so long to tell David that he believes in him?
Would David have been interested in Linda had he not been kidnapped?
What kind of person would Alex have become had David had not been kidnapped?
Why do the servants recognize David when his family does not?
At the end of the book, Gordon is finally humbled. Do you think David should have rubbed his nose in "it" and made a public spectacle of him?
The premise of the book seems to ask the question, "Can money buy happiness?" What do you think?

Homemade rolls — oh so yummy

These take a little time, but are so worth it. Yum!

Basic Roll Dough: this makes a lot! You may want to cut the recipe in half.

7 cups flour (may use up to 1/2 cup less if desired)

2 package active dry yeast

2 1/2 cups milk

2/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup shortening

2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

In mixing bowl, combine 3 cups flour and yeast. Mix. In sauce pan, combine milk, sugar, shortening, and salt. Heat over medium heat until shortening almost melts, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Add milk mixture to flour and yeast and mix immediately. Add eggs. Mix. Gradually add remaining flour and knead into soft ball. I use an electric mixer with a bread hook. No work. So easy. By the way, you can't really knead dough too much. The more you knead, the softer the bread. After kneading is done, place dough in greased/sprayed bowl. Spray top of dough with cooking spray. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise until double in size. Punch down. If desired (for softer rolls) let rise again. Punch down and let dough rest 10 min. Roll out as desired. See instructions below for a few ideas. Place prepared rolls onto greased/sprayed baking sheet(s) or in greased/sprayed baking pan(s). Spray rolls with cooking spray and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise 30 minutes or until double in size. Carefully remove wrap. Bake at 350 for 10 — 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from heat. Butter tops and enjoy. Store leftover rolls in fridge in airtight container.

To make cinnamon rolls, on a floured surface, roll out dough into a rectangular shape 1/2 inch thick. Butter generously. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar in desired amounts. Add chopped walnuts and/or raisins if desired. Roll dough lengthwise. Using string/thread, cut rolls into desired width by placing string/thread under dough, bring it over the top, cross and pull. The dough should cut smoothly and cleanly. Remove any wayward walnuts. Place on greased baking sheet and bake at 350 for 10 min or until golden brown. Glaze and enjoy.

Glaze: 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons whipping cream or milk (add more milk for a runny texture), 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 cup butter. Mix, then whip until smooth and fluffy. Frost cinnamon rolls immediately when they come out of the oven.

To make soft wheat bread, substitute 1/3 — 1/2 flour in recipe as wheat flour. Makes 2 — 4 loaves depending upon size of pan.

To make rolls in the shape of croissants, on a floured surface, roll dough out into circular sections as if making a pizza. Slice into crosswise sections like a pizza. Roll each triangle piece from the large end to the small end. Shape and place on baking sheet leaving space for dough to rise between each roll. Spray with cooking spray and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise 30 min or until double in size. Remove wrap and bake as in recipe above.

To make pizza crust, make dough as in recipe above. After the dough has risen once, roll dough out in cornmeal — thin. Place dough on pizza pan. Add sauce and toppings. Bake in hot oven 12 — 15 minutes or until done.

Since most recipes on this site are my own recipes, sometimes my instructions can be confusing. Sorry about that. If there is anything that doesn't make sense, feel free to email me for clarification. Also, all measurements in my kitchen are akin to olden day measuring. I use my hand to measure teaspoons and tablespoons. I heap things sometimes when I want a little different texture. In other words, feel free to change things up and make these recipes your own.

All shook up

The publishing world is changing. Certainly, that is no surprise to anyone. How? Now that's the million dollar question. If only we knew in advance what the future will bring.

Let's break it out:

Up until the 1990's, the internet was for all intents and purposes, non-existent in the average home. It wasn't until 1995–96 that things really started taking off. In that short amount of time, the information highway has literally transformed the world. If we step back and look at the situation in a historical context, the results are truly staggering. Change this fast and this massive is practically unheard of in history, except during a revolution. Apparently, that is where we are right now.

Gone are the days when readers flocked to their local bookstores in search of information. Now they just click. Think about it. What do you do when you need to build something? When you want to know how to make something, need maps for a trip, questions on gardening, research … everything? Where once people sought information in libraries and stores, now we turn on our computers. Want a recipe for creme brulee? Look it up. You're literally clicks away. And you can see how people rated the recipe and read comments for suggested changes. Seriously, what we have gained from instantaneous information is absolutely astounding. No one drives thirty minutes in traffic to buy a book on humming birds anymore. That would be crazy. We click. We type. We scroll.

Non-fiction went so rapidly from being purchased to being clicked that bookstores were left scratching their heads. Hoping to keep up with the times, they added coffee, sweet snacks, lounge chairs, playgrounds, music, anything to draw people from their homes. Neighborhood bookstores disappeared so fast you would think they had gone up in flames, eaten alive by the big chains that were ready and waiting to pounce at the first sign of weakness.

Now we are in the midst of that same kind of change in fiction. The kindle, nook, Amazon, and any other online book dealer or ereader has made it possible for authors to sell their work directly to readers. For the first time ever, writers are talking directly to their audiences rather than relying on a middle man. The only problem is, the middle man just so happens to be the the publisher. You see, the reason the future of fiction so important is because it is all they have left. Nonfiction has already blown out of control, and now self-publishing threatens to do the same to fiction. It is true, there are only six big publishers, but they are big because they inhaled everyone else who couldn't stay afloat in these turbulent times. Between the recession and the ereaders, it's no wonder so many articles are coming to their defense. It is highly possible that in a few years, they will start to crumble. Seeing the writing on the wall, these big guys are reaching out to all of their big friends: Write an article in the Times. Save us! Get out the big guns and squish the little guy before he takes us out of business the way we took everyone else down.

Don't get me wrong. I actually love the big publishers. I love their books, their marketing skills, and their mass distribution. I would prefer that they all stay in business. But after finding out how many amazing authors and amazing books have been turned away by the big guys, and how many authors are now building their own platforms on their own, delivering their amazing products directly to readers … I'm less inclined to feel as bad about it.

What it comes down to is this: the internet changed the rules. It's not the first time something like this has happened, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Unfortunately, in a world where no one truly understands what is happening, staying afloat is easier said than done. And as is always the case in a revolution, those who survive must learn to adapt.

Writing your book …

It seems that everyone has written, or would like to write a book. With the Internet bringing the wall down between authors and publishing, it is certainly an exciting time to dive into the publishing pool.

Before you begin, consider the following suggestions:

Do your research. Research adds an element of realism, making your story more believable. As an added bonus, research can also spur the imagination, generating ideas that you might not have considered otherwise.
 Prepare an outline. Don't worry. This doesn't have to be written in stone. It doesn't even have to be worded well. Outlines can be very useful, opening your eyes to possible holes in your story, where you need to do more research, as well as bringing a cohesive element to your book. If you really want to get nuts, check out these outline suggestions by Indiana University and Purdue. I'm not suggesting you go to those lengths, but clearly, you can use this tool to the extreme.
If you have trouble getting started, write the sections of your story that come more easily. Start in the middle. Start at the end. The point is to start. Write what you are passionate about, and when you get stuck, take a break. When you come back to the project, reread what you have written. This will juice up your brain, hopefully enabling you to solve the previous problem.
Don't be afraid to brainstorm. Not everything you write has to be perfect. Sometimes you just need to get your thoughts out there.
As sections and chapters come along, keep your outline close so that you don't miss anything. This will aid in organization, an important element for future readers.
When you have finished the first draft, you may be tempted to think that your book is done. It is not. Realizing this is absolutely crucial. Now it is time to clean the manuscript. For ideas on how to clean and edit a manuscript, go to my Checklist for cleaning a manuscript.

For more great writing ideas, here's an awesome article by 99%.

Good luck with your project and don't get discouraged.