Julia London's Blog, page 100

Question of the week: Peanut Butter?

This one is simple. Yes, it is supposed to be Kathleen Givens's day here at the blog, but I am still catching up from conference and didn't have time to go through the archives. Instead, I will ask you the Question of the Week.

How do you like your peanut butter? [image error]

I am not a huge fan, but I do like it and lately I have been craving peanut butter. I like it creamy, on whole grain bread with strawberry jam. You?

FASHION FRIDAY–SEW WHAT IS NEW?

I'm a frustrated fashion designer.  I wish I knew how to sew and design clothes.  I watch Project Runway every season and turn green with envy at how the talented contestants are able to make such great things on a shoestring budget and in a mere 24 hours.  How do they do it? 

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I've made curtains before, and can do little things like hem pants and fix a cuff, but I want to learn how to make clothes.  For years I used my aunt's old sewing machine, then a few years ago the DH bought me a new...

The Writing Life: Friends

RWA 2010: Sherri and JK at Dinner (photo by Jacquie).

On the importance of networking and going to conferences.

In 1999, I attended my first RWA conference and met lots of authors. It was incredible. Finally, after years of sitting alone at a computer (or typewriter, yes I am that old), slugging through manuscripts that were sure to be met with open arms by New York City publishers and embraced by readers, I had found my people. After a fair amount of walking around gape-mouthed and...

Wine-y Wednesday

Although I have a veritable whine-o-tude of things to whine about, I decided to write about something that I love even more than whining. Wine. Yes, wine. The elixir of the gods, the smooth, fruity, and  healthy beverage that is best paired with good food, good friends, or good TV.

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Bogle Cabernet

My favorite wines are red. I love Cabernet Sauvignon (or Carb-in-nay as my son calls it). Favorite labels are Liberty School, although I'm on a Bogle kick at the moment.

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O'Reilly's Pinot...

Good Buy Tuesday: Bulk buying

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Where have I been?  Seriously, what planet have I been living on that I didn't realize the benefits of buying in bulk?  I have always avoided the bulk aisle as the bothersome, must-package-it-yourself aisle, and if that's not enough, you have to write down a bin number. How inconsiderate!

But then I was at Sprouts, and I saw something that looked doubl-icious, and I marched right over there and had a look.  And as I was staring at them (Jelly-Belly jelly beans, for you Nosy Parkers out...

When Blood Calls

Fun in Funky Packaging

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Does it get any better than drinks that glow? Honestly, I'm thinking not…although, when you add in good friends and fun times, maybe that's the ticket? Because what's a glowing drink without good friends?

I'm thinking about friends and glowing beverages because I just got back from the RWA conference, just unpacked (mostly) my suitcase, and just found my (one) glow cube and passed it off to my youngest child (the eldest having deferred in the interest of family peace! Clearly, I should...

Question of the Week: What's Your Favorite Season?

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It's that time of year again in which I wish I lived anywhere but here.  It's so stinking hot.  The pool is too warm, the dog pants constantly, and I take two showers a day.  I start dreaming of the next season.  We don't really have a next season in Texas, but I like to pretend.  In about a month, I will be preaching that global warming is real and we're all going to burn to death or run out of water!!!  The heat does funny things to me.

I really like fall.  I look forward to that turn more t...

Florida Fashion Friday

Your intrepid conference reporter, talking about Florida fashions at the RWA conference.  The fashion forecast is HOT, HOT, HOT.  The number one top most noticed item, the Walt Disney World Mickey mister. 

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Florida Fashion Must-Have!

As for the more traditional accoutrements, sundresses are very popular.   Long, short, mostly in bright colors.  For the feet, the hot look is sandals – lots of them, usually two to a person.  The humidity is killer, and hairstyles are falling, so hair-doodads ...

WRITERS' CORNER THURSDAY–WHAT RENEWS YOU?

WRITERS' CORNER THURSDAY—WHAT RENEWS YOU?

Writing is a lonely profession.  Lots and LOTS of hours spent alone with a computer and my thoughts.  Toss in the stress of deadlines, and is it any wonder that a writer would feel the need to be renewed?  I'm being renewed this week by attending the annual Romance Writers of America conference in Orlando—along with 2,000 other writers in need of renewal—at the beautiful Swan and Dolphin resort.

There's something so great about being with people who go ...