Stephanie Verni's Blog, page 109

Finding Love on New Year’s Eve

Over the past few days, I’ve been thinking about what my final blog post for 2012 would be. After much consideration, I decided to end the year the way I began it: with a love story—or two. The first is not just any ordinary story: It’s the story of my parents and New Year’s Eve. Quite frankly, I would not be here today writing blog posts if my parents had not met on a blind date on New Year’s Eve. [...]

Looking For A New Year’s Eve Movie With New Year’s Eve In It? Top 5 List From Steph’s Scribe…

If you’re like me and will be staying home on New Year’s Eve, I’ve compiled a list of movies that might suit you for that night. You can pop it in and be done with it just before the ball drops and the celebrations begin in Times Square. I picked lighter movies that in some way depict New Year’s Eve. This would be my list… 5. About A Boy. Hugh Grant and Rachel Weisz star in this film. Grant meets [...]

The Letter in the Desk: Before the Novel

At National University, when I had decided to write BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE as the novel for my thesis, we wrote short exercises that would help prompt us and get the creative juices flowing. Many students got ideas from the prompts for novellas or short stories. Because my novel revolved around love, and more specifically, forgiveness, between Michael and Annabelle that spans about 15 years, I chose an exercise about writing letters in particular because the story takes place in [...]

Phillip Phillips and My Mother

As I was putting away my Christmas presents this morning and trying to organize the children’s bundle of gifts, I came across a gift that my mom gave me yesterday: the Phillip Phillips album on disc. Yes, I’m still one of those people who prefers to receive a CD; I realize most people are of the iTunes generation, but I still like the physical disc of the record. There’s something about holding it and having it that makes me feel [...]

Merry Christmas!

Filed under: 2-Posts About Life Tagged: happy holidays, Merry Christmas!

The Case for the Wonderful Christmas Scrooge

“Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world.” — Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol *** It’s about that time. I will get out my treasured copy of [...]

Beneath the Mimosa Tree on Fox45 News

This past Monday, Fox45 News ran a piece on independent authors and self publishing. Despite the fact that my place of employment was incorrect, noting I was a “University of Towson” professor (I attended Towson University both for grad and undergrad, but I teach at Stevenson University as my bio indicates…), I appreciated the plug for BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE. Thanks to Joel Smith from Fox45 for the story idea! And it was great meeting Daryl Smith. Also, Greetings & [...]

The Cookie Caused The Curves

Last night, I was knee deep in dough. I mean it. There was so much dough in my kitchen, I couldn’t see the countertops. I had two full days off this week, and while the children were at school, I made the most of it. I executed my Christmas shopping at lightspeed; I cleaned up and organized the gifts; and I made batches of cookies. I took a picture of my first attempt at Amaretti cookies. My husband, a cookie-junkie, [...]

The Top 7 Best Lines from Holiday Movies

Steph’s Scribe has chosen these seven as the best lines from Christmas Movies. Care to agree or disagree? 7. “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid.” — Santa from A Christmas Story 6. “The only people who grow old were born old to begin with.” — The Bishop’s Wife 5. “…And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the Heavenly Host Praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace and goodwill toward men. [...]

Discussing The Newtown Tragedy With My Children

Before I begin, I must apologize in advance. Those of you who normally read my blog for happy, go-lucky stories, will not find one here today. It breaks The Scribe’s heart to have to discuss this story, but I feel I must. Out of respect for the families who have lost a loved one, no photographs accompany it. And so… * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * [...]