Julia London's Blog, page 9

I Finally Have One!

Here she is… Isn’t she beautiful? My new baby. Sigh.

THE pot

I’ve wanted a Le Creuset pot for years. So when I got my check this year from a local dance company (I write the script for their recital play), I jumped at the chance to live the dream.

I made a chicken stew kind of thing that’s basically Ina Garten’s osso bucco recipe with chicken in place of veal shanks. It was fabulous! A perfect christening to the perfect pot.

/>

The recipe suggests serving with a vat of mashed potatoes, which, of course, I did. Yum! Which is why I’ll be running my butt off by the time you read this. Still…dinner was worth it.

Anybody else have a kitchen tool you can’t do without?

Share this:

So how do you organize?

Let it begin…

 

If I learned anything from attending the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention 2013, it’s that I am a very disorganized author. I’m not a pantser.  I do have a general outline typed out before I start.  But I am not a plotter, either.  I don’t have every single chapter planned out, which can mean absolute panic when you reach the middle of the book and think, “Oh, crap, what was supposed to happen here again?”

I’ve tried the pinboard technique before with the chapter cards and character profiles.  And while I’m good at writing out the character descriptions, I am, let’s say, less committed to storyboarding each chapter.  For example, with my last book, I dutifully outlined the first few chapters, but got so overeager to start the writing process that I abandoned the chapter cards, which resulted in that, “Oh, crap” panic again.

So at RT,  when I listened to other authors discuss their organization techniques, I thought of the incomplete storyboard in my closet and slipped lower and lower in my seat.  So today, long before I have another MS due, I will begin organizing my story, planning it carefully, putting more thought into character arcs and world-building.  I will be using my index cards and my post-its and I will dutifully print out all of the pictures I need for visual cues.

If, within one month, if I don’t have a carefully crafted, organized storyboard to photograph and post here, I give you all permission to email me pictures of scary clowns.  and you know how I feel about clowns.

So, other writers, what do you use to organize your story?  Storyboards?  Timelines on butcher paper? Computer programs like Scrivener?

Share this:

Weekend Reading: House of Mirth

Edith Wharton, one of my favorite authors. If you love Downton Abbey and you don’t know Edith Wharton, you are in for a treat. She’s writing about Americans in the same era.

Plus, she’s important to women and literary tradition: The Age of Innocence (1920) won the 1921 Pulitzer Prize for literature, making Wharton the first woman to win the award. Huzzah! 

But today, I’m reading about Miss Lily Bart in The House of Mirth. Warning, if you love a good romance happy ending, you might not get it here. But it will sweep you away to 1906 New York, and it’s worth the trip. I first read The House of Mirth in college, and it’s every bit as good as I remember.

From Goodreads:

First published in 1905, The House of Mirth shocked the New York society it so deftly chronicles, portraying the moral, social, and economic restraints on a woman who dared to claim the privileges of marriage without assuming the responsibilities. Lily Bart, beautiful, witty, and sophisticated, is accepted by “old money” and courted by the growing tribe of nouveaux riches. But as she nears 30, her foothold becomes precarious; a poor girl with expensive tastes, she needs a husband to preserve her social standing and to maintain her life in the luxury she has come to expect. While many have sought her, something—fastidiousness or integrity—prevents her from making a “suitable” match.

Do you enjoy the occasional foray into literary fiction, or are you strictly a genre reader?  

Share this:

I’ll Have That!

I confess that anytime I can, whether I can afford it or not, I will opt to have lobster.  As a child, I was terribly spoiled.  My grandfather lived in Key West, Florida and we would go down to visit.  We’d go out on the boat, get lobster from the traps, and steam them.  So it is a hands down “I’ll have that” meal for me, along with Godiva anything and Bailey’s Irish Cream.

It’s the same way with certain authors I read.  There are some books that you can’t resist snatching up the second they are released.  Alas, as I writer, the book reading is the one thing that I miss the most.  Because when I’ve only a short window outside of the day job, I have to write the stories burning inside me.  Though LOL lately they are giving me heartburn because I can’t seem to get the writing done that I desperately need to do.

So to bring this to a point, LOL.  What is your “I’ll Have That” food?  What is your “I’ll have that author?

Also want to share a Authors Against Abuse campaign that I am part of  on http://novelsalive.tv/off-the-books/a...  Readers who make a contribution to The Rising Phoenix Charitable Foundation (RPCF.org) can pick free books from the participating authors.  So its a wonderful way to spread the love.  Help women, children, and thier pets in need and get a great read!

Happy Reading!

And Remember every day to Dream, Believe, Create, Inspire, Love, Heal

Love Jennifer St. Giles

Share this:

Gotta love those doggies!

When I was growing up, we always had a cat and a dog–terrific pets that shared our lives. When we moved to Atlanta in 1994, we acquired an abandoned kitten who stole our hearts for the next 16 years. We also had other assorted pets–a hamster named Mr. Nibbles (so cute!) and a bunny named Callie (who should have been named Cujo). But we never got a dog. The DH and I say it’s on our bucket list–someday we’ll get one. But for now–and the next two weeks–we are enjoying the company of Rocky and Jill, the two dogs our son is watching while their owners are away.

Rocky thinks he's a lap dog. If there's a lap available, he's on it!

 

Me and my new BFF walking buddy, Rocky

Rocky is a Golden Lab and he loves EVERYTHING–walking, running, eating, licking your face, panting doggie breath on you, smelling every blade of grass he can find. He is the most lovable dog I’ve ever been around. Jill is a mixed breed and is the sweetest dog I’ve ever met. She is totally chill and Zen. They love my son as if he were their long-lost, two-legged brother. The DH and I have accompanied the kid on several hour-long walks with the dogs and I have to say, it’s been a lot of fun. Neither dog ever gets tired. They’re energetic and so much fun and they’ve got us thinking that maybe we need to move up “get a dog” on our list.

Jill is totally calm and loves to snuggle

 

 

Rocky loves to share his doggie breath with everyone

How about you–do you/did you have any pets? Are you Team Cat or Team Dog? If you could have any pet you wanted, what would it be?

 

Share this:

Weekend Reading: The Last Debutante

She hasn’t popped in for awhile, but we still love her anyway. If you haven’t read the latest in The Secrets of Hadley Green series, you are missing out. Go get it! 

Who is the captive and who is the captor? When a sexy laird holds a spirited English lady for ransom, she turns the tables and steals his heart.The lush Scottish Highlands are a tempting setting for seduction in New York Times bestselling author Julia London’s sparkling new novel. 

The last person Daria Babcock expects to find in her grandmother’s home is a brawny, naked Highlander. She doesn’t buy Mamie’s explanation about finding the poor man shot in the woods. Nor does she trust the gorgeous laird, who insists his own memory fails him. But Daria came to Scotland looking for adventure and romance, and after the intriguing stranger kidnaps her, she gets her wish—and so much more. . . .

Did you know that Julia London color codes her shoe collection? Enjoys wearing cut off overalls? Sometimes eats a whole pan of brownies in one sitting? No? Well, consider her ratted out. (She denies two out of three of the above). Do you have any Julia London secrets to share? 

Share this:

Sweet Taste of Springtime

photo from Food Network

Spring has sprung and that always makes me hungry for fresh and wonderful foods.   So, in the spirit of spring, (and the new kitchen I’ll hopefully have by mid-May) I share one of my favorite recipes from the Barefoot Contessa via the Food Network.

 

 

Strawberry Tarts (Barefoot Contessa)

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) cold unsalted butter, diced

2 tablespoons cold shortening

1/4 cup ice water

2 cups Pastry Cream, recipe follows

2 pints whole strawberries, hulled and halved

Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a small bowl and place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Put the flour mixture in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Add the butter and shortening and pulse about 10 times, or until the butter is in the size of peas. Add the ice water and process until the dough comes together. Dump on a well-floured board and form into a disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Roll out the dough and fit into 4 (4 1/2-inch) tart pans with removable sides. Don’t stretch the dough when placing it in the pans or it will shrink during baking. Cut off the excess by rolling the pin across the top of each pan. Line the tart shells with a piece of buttered aluminum foil, butter side down, and fill them with dried beans or rice. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the beans and foil, prick the bottom of the shells all over with a fork, and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes until lightly browned. Set aside to cool.

Before serving, fill the tart shells with the pastry cream. Arrange the berries decoratively on top of the cream. Melt the apricot jelly with 1 teaspoon of water and brush the top of the tarts. Sprinkle with pistachios, if using, and serve.

Pastry Cream:

5 extra-large egg yolks, room temperature

3/4 cup sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 1/2 cups scalded milk

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon Cognac

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 tablespoon heavy cream

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the egg yolks and sugar on medium-high speed for 4 minutes, or until very thick. Reduce to low speed, and add the cornstarch.

With the mixer still on low, slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture. Pour the mixture into a medium saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the mixture thickens, 5 to 7 minutes. Don’t be alarmed when the custard comes to a boil and appears to curdle; switch to a whisk and beat vigorously. Cook, whisking constantly, for another 2 minutes; the custard will come together and become very thick, like pudding. Stir in the vanilla, Cognac, butter, and heavy cream. Pour the custard through a sieve into a bowl. Place plastic wrap directly on the custard and refrigerate until cold.

These look more complicated than they really are.  And they’re so beautiful to look at.  Not to mention delicious.

What are some of your favorite springtime foods?

Share this:

Because I’m a Mom

Bragging time! If you can’t stand moms bragging about their kids, now is your time to vacate. We’ll have new, presumably non-braggy content tomorrow.  

We spent the weekend in New Jersey to celebrate my daughter and her solo performance and chamber orchestra performances in her honors concert. She is a Jill Spurr Titus Honors scholar at her university, due to her fine skills on the violin. Skills of which I have none.

In fact, my musical taste or lack thereof is the butt of many jokes around my house. Also, my dance skills. I am no longer allowed to “raise the roof” or “get jiggy with it.” In the words of my kids, “Mom, just… NO.” Well, fine. But back to my daughter. She’s nineteen and amazing. 

Click here to view the embedded video.

Thanks to my SIL for taping. The piece is Henryk Wieniawski, Légende, a very difficult piece, or so I’m told. This is just a portion of the end.

Sadly, she is not majoring or even minoring in music. She’s an English major like her mom was, and she is working in publicity with a major publisher this summer. Which means, living on her own and only coming home to visit on occasion. They grow up, how do these things happen?

Also, we had time to meet a new family baby, Ava, my husband’s cousin’s baby. And I got to spend time with my kid sister and her architect boyfriend, who made the trip to see Elissa, too. And we introduced Elissa’s boyfriend Joe to the extended family because it seems he will be sticking around awhile (which is fine with me, because he’s pretty great, too).  A good time was had by all, even Kylie who was pampered at the boarding kennel, and now it’s back to work. 

Now it’s your turn. Go on and tell us about kids, dogs, you… brag away! 

 

Share this:

WS Guest Post: Ti

Frequent Whine Sister reader and commenter Ti pops in to offer us a guest post, all the way from the UK. Welcome, Ti! 

My name is Ti, like tea, opposite of coffee. In case you have not had the joy (or pain) of reading me before, I am a very outspoken, punk, mom, wife, zookeeper, YA wanna-wanna-be-author Floridian living in England.

Lately, I have been thinking about something my mom said a long time ago. Our body chemistry evolves and changes every 7 years, so things that you can use and wear like perfumes and makeup as a teen you may develop allergies to when you are older and vice versa. Things that you are allergic to as a child and or teen you may actually adapt and be able to use as an adult.

As a teen, I used every makeup brand known to man (or woman!). I could wear 7 (yes 7) earrings in one hole, and wore any perfume that tickled my fancy. Now, anything jewelry or buttons with nickel breaks me out. Avon breaks me out in hives. The scent of Beautiful or Rose Garden makes me sick to my stomach.

For years, I wore Christian Dior’s Poison daily. An exbf liked the scent and it became a part of my life. I never bathed in it, but I always wore it everywhere and all the time. Then one day I just could not stomach the scent any more. I branched out. People bought me new scents. Aqua Di Gio and Deep Red (Hugo), Clinique Happy, Hugo Orange.

At Manchester or Orlando International Airport, I discovered the new ‘me.’ DKNY Be Delicious green apple. I absolutely love the scent which is funny because I have always disliked a fake apple scent. But this, this stuff makes me yummy. Plus, an extra bonus, Lynx (Or Axe in the US) has a scent for women that is similiar. I even put Lynx or DKNY on before bed!

Certain scents can take me back to different times in my life. I found White Shoulders, Charlie and White Diamonds remind me of my Mom. Warm blackberries and baking biscuits (the kind you put ham and sausage in not cookies) remind me of my Great Grandma Ginny, and cut grass, shoe polish and used motor oil reminds me of my dad.

What about you? What scents transport you back? Have you found your body chemistry changed as well? Do you wear the same perfumes you always have or did you dramatically change too?

Share this:

Weekend Reading: The Kingmaker’s Daughter

The cover drew me in! Once again, I fall for a great cover. And this one didn’t disappoint.

Spies, poison, and curses surround her…

Is there anyone she can trust? 

The Kingmaker’s Daughter is the gripping story of the daughters of the man known as the “Kingmaker,” Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick: the most powerful magnate in fifteenth-century England. Without a son and heir, he uses his daughters, Anne and Isabel as pawns in his political games, and they grow up to be influential players in their own right. In this novel, her first sister story since The Other Boleyn Girl, Philippa Gregory explores the lives of two fascinating young women.

At the court of Edward IV and his beautiful queen, Elizabeth Woodville, Anne grows from a delightful child to become ever more fearful and desperate when her father makes war on his former friends. Married at age fourteen, she is soon left widowed and fatherless, her mother in sanctuary and her sister married to the enemy. Anne manages her own escape by marrying Richard, Duke of Gloucester, but her choice will set her on a collision course with the overwhelming power of the royal family and will cost the lives of those she loves most in the world, including her precious only son, Prince Edward. Ultimately, the kingmaker’s daughter will achieve her father’s greatest ambition.

I really enjoyed being transported back to the War of the Roses. Of course, with Richard in the news lately, I couldn’t help picturing:

But it was a page-turner. Do you enjoy the time period? Lancaster or York? Or the Tudors as seen on TV, with Jonathan Rhys Meyers?

Share this: