I know exactly why I never make resolutions and why something like 80% of resolution makers never follow through with them.
Good God, this goal thing is HARD! It's bad enough keeping up with it but what more do I need to say? I write I work I don't get enough sleep. I wake in the morning and do the whole thing again. Family, friends, keeping in touch.
But I'm going to try, after all this is only week THREE. I'm not even out of January yet!
I did manage to watch cute baby animal videos because they're all over the web. What? It's a good way to de-stress after aggravation at work. And I have almost 15,000 words in Covet, a story I absolutely adore.
Weekly goals:
1. Covet. I need to get this story finished. I'm finally in the heads of my characters and I'm so close to where I want to be.
2. The Escape...polish it and send it off to the editor.
3. Get out of this rut I'm in. Winter Blues? Not really but early darkness doesn't help.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Friday Recipe: Chicken and Ginger Soup
I read this recipe in the January 2012 Bon Appétit magazine. It was in a section on how to cleanse and restore yourself after the overindulgance of the holidays. (Their photo, not mine.) I altered this recipe because I don't like ginger and when you eat it as is it's hot.
Ingredients:
1 onion, sliced
2 celery stalks, chopped
8 ounces unpeeled scrubbed ginger, cut into 1/2"-thick slices (I recommend less. Far, far less unless you absolutely adore ginger and don't mind the overpowering flavor of it!)
2 garlic cloves, crushed
10 whole black peppercorns
1 3-pound whole organic chicken, cut into 7 pieces (2 breasts, 2 legs with thighs attached, 2 wings, 1 back) (I used Perdue. Were they organic? Nope. But they were delicious!)
Kosher salt
Cilantro leaves (optional--which I didn't add)
Preparation:
Combine the first 5 ingredients in a large heavy pot. Add chicken, placing breasts on top. Add 6 quarts water (preferably filtered or spring water--my water isn't so bad that boiling it won't kill whatever I need to); bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Cover with lid slightly ajar. Reduce heat to low; simmer until chicken breasts are just cooked through, about 30 minutes. Transfer chicken breasts to a plate; let cool, then cover and chill. Continue to simmer soup, uncovered, until broth is fully flavored, about 2 1/2 hours longer. Return breasts to soup to rewarm, about 5 minutes.
Remove chicken from broth. When cool enough to handle, coarsely shred meat; discard skin and bones. Place a fine-mesh sieve over another large pot; strain broth, discarding solids in strainer (you should have about 8 cups broth). Season with salt.
Rewarm soup. Divide chicken among bowls. Pour hot broth over, dividing equally. Garnish soup with cilantro leaves, if desired.
Ingredients:
1 onion, sliced2 celery stalks, chopped
8 ounces unpeeled scrubbed ginger, cut into 1/2"-thick slices (I recommend less. Far, far less unless you absolutely adore ginger and don't mind the overpowering flavor of it!)
2 garlic cloves, crushed
10 whole black peppercorns
1 3-pound whole organic chicken, cut into 7 pieces (2 breasts, 2 legs with thighs attached, 2 wings, 1 back) (I used Perdue. Were they organic? Nope. But they were delicious!)
Kosher salt
Cilantro leaves (optional--which I didn't add)
Preparation:
Combine the first 5 ingredients in a large heavy pot. Add chicken, placing breasts on top. Add 6 quarts water (preferably filtered or spring water--my water isn't so bad that boiling it won't kill whatever I need to); bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Cover with lid slightly ajar. Reduce heat to low; simmer until chicken breasts are just cooked through, about 30 minutes. Transfer chicken breasts to a plate; let cool, then cover and chill. Continue to simmer soup, uncovered, until broth is fully flavored, about 2 1/2 hours longer. Return breasts to soup to rewarm, about 5 minutes.
Remove chicken from broth. When cool enough to handle, coarsely shred meat; discard skin and bones. Place a fine-mesh sieve over another large pot; strain broth, discarding solids in strainer (you should have about 8 cups broth). Season with salt.
Rewarm soup. Divide chicken among bowls. Pour hot broth over, dividing equally. Garnish soup with cilantro leaves, if desired.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Thursday Thoughts
So this week has been all screwy for me. I posted my Wednesday Sexy Regency on Tuesday and I'm fairly certain I deleted the post I had for Tuesday. It's been hellacious at work! Like running around non-stop crazy.
Every have days like that? Yeah, all the time, huh. Rather than dwell, because we all have them and they can happen on a regular basis, I'm going to put it behind me. Today's funnies are brought to you by Week #2 of 2012 (it's gonna get better!) and Funny Pictures 24.
Every have days like that? Yeah, all the time, huh. Rather than dwell, because we all have them and they can happen on a regular basis, I'm going to put it behind me. Today's funnies are brought to you by Week #2 of 2012 (it's gonna get better!) and Funny Pictures 24.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Wednesday Sexy Regency
Gentleman's Club
Mostly found on St. James Street, a street where women were not allowed on unescorted. Very racy street. The original Red Light District.
Why go there? Gambling, drinking, sex.
What kind of sex? The discreet kind. Sure, meeting a prostitute or having an affair is fine, but homosexual sex as well. Discretion was the key to these clubs, but even homosexual sex needed to be kept quiet.
The servants were key to this, and it was imperative to have ones that could keep their mouths shut!
Everything of Interest to a Romance Writer
Historical Hussies
Mostly found on St. James Street, a street where women were not allowed on unescorted. Very racy street. The original Red Light District.
Why go there? Gambling, drinking, sex.
What kind of sex? The discreet kind. Sure, meeting a prostitute or having an affair is fine, but homosexual sex as well. Discretion was the key to these clubs, but even homosexual sex needed to be kept quiet.
The servants were key to this, and it was imperative to have ones that could keep their mouths shut!
More if you're interested:
Jane Austen's WorldEverything of Interest to a Romance Writer
Historical Hussies
Monday, January 9, 2012
Weekly Goal #2
Las week's recap: I did write every day. WOOT! And I have the finished product of The Escape to prove it. Well, finished as in done, not finished as in edited...still. Done!
Week #2:
1. Continue work on Covet: A Regency Ménage Tale, which I started over the weekend.
2. Watch cute baby animal videos. What? I think they're adorable! Like this one of Siku a baby polar bear from a few weeks ago.
Covet: A Regency Ménage Tale
The truest torment is wanting something you know you can never have. Charlotte Tremaine knew this feeling all too well. She covets the freedom to do as she pleases, but has never let herself dream of being with the man she loves. The problem is, she loves two men.
For the last three years, Charlotte has survived her stifling home life by living through correspondence with two childhood friends now off at war. Once they return, will she be able to summon the courage to tell them of her feelings? Or will she let the convenience of mourning an aunt she despised keep her hidden and isolated?
Fear lurks in the shadows and threatens to keep her cloistered. When William Stanton and Grayson, Lord Warrington return from war, she teeters on the brink of having what she’s always wanted. Torn between William and Grayson, Charlotte must first learn to trust herself before she can trust her heart and body to them.
Week #2:
1. Continue work on Covet: A Regency Ménage Tale, which I started over the weekend.
2. Watch cute baby animal videos. What? I think they're adorable! Like this one of Siku a baby polar bear from a few weeks ago.
Covet: A Regency Ménage Tale
The truest torment is wanting something you know you can never have. Charlotte Tremaine knew this feeling all too well. She covets the freedom to do as she pleases, but has never let herself dream of being with the man she loves. The problem is, she loves two men.
For the last three years, Charlotte has survived her stifling home life by living through correspondence with two childhood friends now off at war. Once they return, will she be able to summon the courage to tell them of her feelings? Or will she let the convenience of mourning an aunt she despised keep her hidden and isolated?
Fear lurks in the shadows and threatens to keep her cloistered. When William Stanton and Grayson, Lord Warrington return from war, she teeters on the brink of having what she’s always wanted. Torn between William and Grayson, Charlotte must first learn to trust herself before she can trust her heart and body to them.
Friday, January 6, 2012
I'm at Raine Delight's today
Today I'm thrilled to be over at Raine Delight's today talking about, well, pretty much anything! She interviewed me with questions ranging from new years resolutions to my latest book. I hope you'll join me!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Thursdays
Is there anything ever really happening on Thursdays? I remember in college the party started on Thursdays and went until you woke up (totally hung over) on Sundays and realized you have work to do. As well, that was a long time ago.
Now I look at Thursdays and wonder. It's not the start of the week, not even the hump day where you can do fun middle of the week things. It's Thursday. Or maybe I'm underappreciating the day.
What is there to do on Thursdays?
Now I look at Thursdays and wonder. It's not the start of the week, not even the hump day where you can do fun middle of the week things. It's Thursday. Or maybe I'm underappreciating the day.
What is there to do on Thursdays?
- Thursday night football
- Hockey (it's an any day of the week game)
- Bowling (I add this because friends and I plan to do that tonight. First time any of us have been in, oh, a decade at least!)
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Wednesday Sexy Regency: Passing the time
Think all Regency past times were cards, balls, carriage rides in Hyde Park, or picnics? Think again. Oh, those were definitely the highlights of the era, but there were also outdoor sports men and women enjoyed.
And no, I'm not just talking about a quickie in the woods! Mind+gutter people...Ok, I'm not just talking about that! I'm also talking about how simple pleasures such as the above mentioned can also be enjoyed much like today. Card gambling, secret looks between illicit lovers across a crowded ballroom. Secret rendezvous in Hyde Park, the to-be place to see and be seen.
The question is, how to take a seemingly innocent activity, such as a returning soldier and a ball to welcome his return home, and make it so very different from Georgette Heyer's idea of Regency?
Guilt.
Our dear soldier, Grayson, has returned from France and Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo. He's returned to his title, his estate, his childhood love, Charlotte. And carries with him the secret affair he had with his best male friend, William.
And no, I'm not just talking about a quickie in the woods! Mind+gutter people...Ok, I'm not just talking about that! I'm also talking about how simple pleasures such as the above mentioned can also be enjoyed much like today. Card gambling, secret looks between illicit lovers across a crowded ballroom. Secret rendezvous in Hyde Park, the to-be place to see and be seen.
The question is, how to take a seemingly innocent activity, such as a returning soldier and a ball to welcome his return home, and make it so very different from Georgette Heyer's idea of Regency?
Guilt.
Our dear soldier, Grayson, has returned from France and Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo. He's returned to his title, his estate, his childhood love, Charlotte. And carries with him the secret affair he had with his best male friend, William.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
New year new you
I hear that all the time! But I like the me I already am. It's a crazy saying, and sure there are things I'd like to change about myself but I don't think I want to be a new me.
Actually that has nothing to do with what I'm talking about today.
Nope.
Today I'm talking about horoscopes. Do you read them or not? Sun sigh, moon sign, Chinese horoscope...why?
Just curious. It IS a new year!
Actually that has nothing to do with what I'm talking about today.
Nope.
Today I'm talking about horoscopes. Do you read them or not? Sun sigh, moon sign, Chinese horoscope...why?
Just curious. It IS a new year!
Monday, January 2, 2012
2012? Weekly goals
Tis the season for resolutions, goals, and promises meant to be kept. FOR A WHOLE YEAR!
Really? I have no idea what I resolved to do last year, and I'm darn sure I didn't keep it much beyond January. If I wrote it down, it's gone. If I blogged about it, I'm not going back to look at it. It's over, it's done with, it's in the past. Must look to the future now!
Weekly goal #1:
1. Write every day. No really! This week I plan on writing every day. Whether it's a blog, 500 words in my latest ménage, or a plot. This week I shall write every day.
2. Promise to keep this up even by Friday when I don't want to. After all, it's week 1!
Really? I have no idea what I resolved to do last year, and I'm darn sure I didn't keep it much beyond January. If I wrote it down, it's gone. If I blogged about it, I'm not going back to look at it. It's over, it's done with, it's in the past. Must look to the future now!
Weekly goal #1:
1. Write every day. No really! This week I plan on writing every day. Whether it's a blog, 500 words in my latest ménage, or a plot. This week I shall write every day.
2. Promise to keep this up even by Friday when I don't want to. After all, it's week 1!
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