Hope You All Have a Great New Year's!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Monday, December 30, 2013
Dear Father Time
Yes, another year has passed, and it is time to write you a
letter. I just wanted to let you know this year has been a roller coaster ride
for me. And I want you to know that I really don’t like roller coasters. The
make me kind of nauseous.
Even though this year has been full of challenges, I believe
that it has made me a better person. And I believe that the challenges it
presented me with made me appreciate the things that I celebrated all the more.
But I was wondering if you could make some arrangement for
this New Year to be a little less crazy. I really do like stability, and I
would love it if this year presented me with a little more.
And if you have a chance to talk to Santa could you tell him
that I do appreciate that he bought me a Powerball ticket, but I am a little
disappointed that it’s not the winning one.
Anyway stay safe on New Year’s Eve, and enjoy your
retirement.
Sincerely,
Heidi
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Smoked Sausage Cooked in Pear and Jalapeno Sauce
If you want to liven up your meal a little with some simple
inexpensive items Smoked Sausage with Pear Jalapeno Sauce is the way for you to
go. The combination of the pears and jalapenos provides a nice sweet and spicy
kick to traditional smoked sausage.
Three items is pretty much all you need.
6 Smoked Sausages
1 cup pear juice
3 sliced deseeded jalapenos
Here’s what you need to do.
1.
Slice and deseed your jalapenos.
2.
Heat your pear juice to just boiling, add the
jalapenos. Reduce the heat, and allow it simmer for 15 minutes.
3.
Pour your sauce over the smoked sausage as you
cook them in a skillet.
4.
Now pair it with a side dish of your choice.
There you have it its sweet spicy and simple.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Arsenal E'Vega Ashes to Snow
Rap artist Arsenal E’Vega’s new release Ashes to Snow mixes
great beats with great rhymes. And isn’t that what rap is supposed to be? As I
listened to Ashes to Snow I realized that Arsenal E’Vega that his music focused
on two things. One is the relationships in his life. And the other is the world
that he lives in.
The song Greed is Good caught my attention. The lyrics in
the song talk about how individuals often focus on getting money. How there are
those who believe that if they could choose between money, respect, loyalty or
power which would you choose. It’s an interesting question. And Arsenal E’Vega
answers the way many people answer the question. They will choose money first.
But I don’t think that is his belief. In the song he points out that he is in
it for the long haul. He also points out that there are individuals who don’t
have money that are spending loads of it, while those who actually have money
are sitting on the money.
And I really liked the video for the song Rose Gold from his previous album called Death to the King Rise the Empire
I really enjoyed listening to Ashes to Snow. Arsenal
E’Vega’s ability to combine lyrics that are insightful with rhythms that make
you want to dance is a great addition to the rap community.
Feel free to check out his music, but keep in mind that like
many rap artists he does use profanity in his music so if you are sensitive to
this you have been warned.
Check out his music on Dat Piff and let me know what you
think of his music.
Related Links
Arsenal E' Vega Turn't Up
Related Links
Arsenal E' Vega Turn't Up
Friday, December 27, 2013
My 6 Favorite Posts From 2013
Well it’s close to the end of the year, and I thought maybe
I would show you guys my favorite posts from this past year, and give you the
chance to take a second look at the posts. Going through my posts from this
past year was kind of interesting. I was able to see my moods on different
days, and I was also able to see how I’ve grown some in past year. It also gave
me loads of ideas for things I want to post about in the future. So I hope all
you will visit these posts, and let me know what you think.
Number 6 Marie Antoinette's Helicopter
Hello, it’s what someone
thought Marie Antoinette’s Helicopter might look like.
No, these aren’t the traditional movies you expect to see on
Valentine’s Day, but they are great movies that have a romantic story. It was
fun to
Yes, I like this post, it was fun to write, and it made me
think about how tastes evolve. And hey Cambodian Space Project is a great band.
Number 3 My Trip to Hell and Back
This post just brings back great memories of a day I spent
with two great friends.
Number 2 Labor Day Letter
I really wanted to point out that Labor Day really is more
than an extra day off.
Number 1 The Geek Girl
This post really is all about enjoying the things that
really interest you.
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Forgiveness
Recently, I had an incident where someone I knew was
extremely rude to me. She told me that I
did something wrong in an insulting manner. She slammed some papers in front of
me, and demanded that I fix what I did. And she did it in front of a group of
people. I saw red! How dare she treat me or anybody else like that! The other individuals
in the room knew she was rude, and they spoke words of encouragement to me. But
I was still fuming!
I wasted a lot of time that day replaying the incident in my
mind. I thought about the things I would do to get her back. I thought I’ll
never speak to her again, that’ll show her. I thought I’ll tell the boss, then
she’ll get in trouble. I thought I’ll tell my co-workers nasty things about
her. That will teach her.
In the end, I decided that none of those things would be
productive. I decided that the only person who would really suffer through all
of this was me. I decided to take that big step, and forgive the individual.
Was this easy? No, it took a lot of effort.
First, I had to tell myself, to let go of what happened. I
had to do this repeatedly. I had to consciously say to myself think about
something different. I had to remind myself that if I keep going through the
incident, I’m not really forgiving the person.
Second, I had to tell myself to continue being polite to
this person. I had to tell myself, part of forgiving is maintaining a
relationship with the individual who has wronged you. I had to say Good Morning
to my co-worker. I had to be respectful of her.
While, I can’t say that my co-worker and I have a great
relationship, I can say that we are able to work together. She now speaks to me
in a much more respectful tone. My other co-workers reported the incident to
management, and it was brought up that she had treated other co-workers in a
similar fashion.
Management addressed the situation, and things are better for
all of the people in the office.
I was glad that I choose to forgive my co-worker instead of
carrying out some crazy retaliatory fantasy.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Post Holiday Shopping List
So we've all spent the past month shopping for everybody and their brother. Now it's time for that post holiday shopping list. You know the one where you buy yourself all sorts of lovelies. So here's my list.

Let me know what you think of my post holiday shopping list, and if you have any items that should be added.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Monday, December 23, 2013
The Important Life Lessons from The Christmas Story
The Christmas Story is a marvelous story, it tells us about
how Christ came to earth at Christmas. But it is also packed full of life
lessons for our everyday life. Here are three life lessons that I have learned
from the Christmas Story.
·
News
travels fast!
The wise men saw the star, and the shepherds heard the
angels, the news of the Christmas story spread like wildfire. Yes there was
divine intervention in the spread of this news. But think about it, how long
did it take for news to spread about the birth of the new Prince of England
when it occurred. It was the talk of the town. If something important is going
on around you people will begin to talk about it, and they will want to know
more about it.
·
The Best
Things in Life Often Come in Small Packages
In the Christmas story Jesus came to the world as a small
baby. Jesus was a small package that wound up changing the world. It doesn’t
matter whether you are a Christian or not, there is no denying that the birth
of Jesus changed the world. Diamond rings come in small packages, and they are
a girls best friend. A kind word may be a small thing, but it might be the one
little thing that turns around a person’s bad day.
·
Always
Make Hotel Reservations if You’re Traveling
While the Christmas story doesn’t say specifically whether
or not Mary and Joseph had reservations at the inn, they probably didn’t. Plan
ahead when you travel. Make sure that you have the reservation confirmation
number. And most importantly, plan for the unexpected.
I hope that you all have a Merry Christmas, and may you all
make loads of memories.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Cucumber and Salmon Finger Sandwiches
Finger Sandwiches are the best for those holiday
celebrations, and while the Christmas parties that require finger foods are
almost over, the next big celebration will be here before you know it, and
you’ll need some sort of food for that New Year’s Eve party you’ll be throwing.
Cucumber and Salmon Finger Sandwiches are the perfect light sandwich that will
please your crowd.
Here is what you need.
A loaf of cocktail bread
Thinly Sliced Cucumbers
Thinly Sliced Smoked Salmon
Freshly Chopped Dill
Softened cream cheese
Now the work begins.
Set your cream cheese out to soften.
Slice your cucumbers into thin slices.
Slice your salmon into thin 2 inches slices.
Chop up that dill, you’ll need about ¾ of a cup.
Mix the cream cheese and dill together.
Spread the cream cheese blend over a slice of cocktail bread,
add a cucumber slice, then add a slice of salmon, and finally top it off with
another bread square. Repeat the process and soon you will have a plate full of
yummy Cucumber Salmon finger sandwiches.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Bobaloo's Christmas Tree
Guest Blogger Bobaloo
Yes, it is Christmas time, and that means the Christmas tree
has been put up and decorated. I love the Christmas tree. In fact I love the
entire process of putting up the tree from beginning to end. First we get to go
into the basement, and dig out the tree. This is so much fun. My pet human
began moving around boxes in the basement. This creates a lot of new space for
me to explore. I just have to see what is behind those boxes.
The box is finally in the living room. It’s right there. I
look at my pet human, to see what she is going to do. I tell her ‘What are you
waiting for, open the box!’ And like a good pet she does as I command. The box
is full of strange items that look like parts of a tree. She begins to pull
them out. I must inspect each item she pulls out. They don’t smell like a tree
though, they smell like the basement. I walk around the items carefully as my
pet human begins to place each of those branches on a pole. Before you know it
we a fake tree in our living room. I immediately run under the tree, and look
for a place that I can perch myself in the tree.
But I have to put this thought aside for a moment because we
are going back to the basement. I wonder what we are looking for now. Soon
another box is brought upstairs what could be in it I wonder. When the box is
opened, I take a closer look, and my heart leaps with delight. There are so
many shiny objects in the box I can’t believe it. It’s a dream come true. And
my pet human begins putting the items on the tree.
When she isn’t looking, I jump into the box. And I find a
stuffed gingerbread man. I love it! It fits in my mouth, and I carry it away.
It is just the size of those birds that are outside of my window. So I am able
to toss it into the air and of course bite its neck just like I would do to
those birds if the opportunity arose.
But then I remembered, I was supposed to find a place to sit
in that tree. I quickly ran over to the tree, and I spotted the perfect spot.
And my pet human exclaimed ‘Don’t climb the tree!’ I thought I can go with the
flow on this one. I’ll just do it when she is out of the house.
The next day my pet human leaves the house. I usually don’t
like it when my pet leaves me, but that day I was excited. It was my
opportunity to get into that tree. I ran to the tree, I do have to admit that
it looks beautiful. I spotted my place where I could sit. I jumped into the
tree, but something went a little wrong. This wasn’t like the trees I climbed
in my youth. It began to move forward and before you know it. The tree hit the
ground. I was startled! All of the shiny decorations that were on the tree were
lying on the floor next to the tree. And my dream of sitting in a tree was
gone.
So I did what any cat would do. I began playing with the
shiny balls on the floor. It was great fun, and my roommates even joined in. We
played and played, and soon I felt tired. So it was time for a catnap. I found
a cozy spot in the middle of the tree that was now lying on the floor. And I
started to dream about all of the play I had done that day.
Then came the second time in the day when things went all
wrong. My pet human arrived home, I greeted her at the door as usual, and I
began to tell her about my adventures. She entered the living room, and she was
not using the happy voice she usually uses when she returns home. I
don’t know how to describe it, but it was upsetting. She was not being polite,
and in fact some of what she said was just a little rude.
She went over to the tree and stood it up. And the tree decorating
began all over again. And all of my fellow felines know what that means, as
soon as my pet human leaves the house again, I can make another attempt to
climb that Christmas Tree.
Fellow felines I would love to hear about your Christmas
tree adventures so feel free to share them below.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Dear Santa
Dear Santa:
I really do hope that this letter makes it to you on time. I
have been pretty busy, and I haven’t been able to send off my Christmas list
for the year. I hope it doesn’t upset you that my list is getting to you so
late, but like I said I’ve been pretty busy. I know that you’re busy this time
of year so I decided to just ask for one thing.
This year I would like a Powerball ticket. Well, I guess I
don’t just want any Powerball ticket. I want the Powerball ticket. You know the
winning Powerball ticket. I know you are saying picky, picky, picky, but this
year I really could use that winning ticket. I’m not really greedy. I just
would like to try that independently wealthy lifestyle.
You know it would just make things a little easier. Imagine
all the good things I could do with that winning ticket. I could help my
friends out, I could help strangers out, and I could help my family out too. It
would be a gift that would actually give to others. And providing me with that
winning ticket could provide me with the opportunity to make your job a little
easier next year. You know with all that sharing I would be doing with
everyone, everybody else’s lists would be shorter next year. It’s a win, win
situation for both of us.
So, when you make a pit stop at the local convenience store
on Christmas Eve, just pick up the winning ticket for me. There’s no need to
grab a snack or drink while you’re there, because I’ll have milk and cookies
waiting for you.
Until Next Year
Heidi
122013
Make sure to check out last year's Dear Santa
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Weekend Outfit
I am always on the lookout for a cute, and comfortable weekend outfit. And this is the weekend outfit that I would love to wear this weekend.

Low-rise Waist Buttoned Suspenders Jeans Chic Nova


Chiffon Blouse with Red Lip Print with Single Chest Pocket Chic Nova

Mini Poker Stud Earrings in Red Chic Nova

Cartoon Yumm Print Backpack in Red Nylon Chic Nova

Cony Hair Pom Beanie in Red Chic Nova


Vintage Hollow Out Shoes in Black and White Chic Nova
Let me know what you think of my outfit.

Low-rise Waist Buttoned Suspenders Jeans Chic Nova

Chiffon Blouse with Red Lip Print with Single Chest Pocket Chic Nova

Mini Poker Stud Earrings in Red Chic Nova

Cartoon Yumm Print Backpack in Red Nylon Chic Nova

Cony Hair Pom Beanie in Red Chic Nova

Vintage Hollow Out Shoes in Black and White Chic Nova
Let me know what you think of my outfit.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
I Have a Dream Part 2
I have a dream, yes once again it’s time to take a look at
our dreams. In the first post we looked at three things that you need to do to
make your dreams come true. Now let’s take a look at something else that will
happen when you’re busy trying to make your dream come true.
YOU MAY GET
DISCOURAGED!
Yes, while you are making a dream come true, there will be
times that you will get discouraged. Let’s take a look at ways to keep working
towards your dream even though you get discouraged.
1.
Make sure you take a look at everything you have
accomplished toward making your dream come true. Make a list of the things you
have done that will help your dream come true even if it’s the smallest thing.
You will soon find that you have moved much further along with your dream than
you believe. You might find that you’ve much further along with your dream than
you thought. Taking a look at what you’ve accomplished will help you see that
you may have a long ways to go, but that you’ve come a long ways since you
started.
2.
Remember dreams don’t happen overnight. My
primary example today is Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela started working towards
the end of Apartheid during the 1950’s and he was imprisoned in the 1960’s, but
Apartheid didn’t end until the 1990’s. That was at least three decades of his
life he spent working towards his dream. Just because your dream doesn’t come
about immediately, don’t give up. In the time that you’re working toward your
dream, you are growing as a person. Your personal growth is part of what will
provide you with the character you will need when you fulfill your dream.
3.
Enjoy the time it takes you to fulfill your
dream. Remember that there is more to life than a dream. You want to do more
than work don’t you? Make sure that you take times to spend time with people
who encourage you. Make sure you spend some time with people who make you
laugh. And make sure you spend time doing things you enjoy.
So remember just keep moving forward you’re sure to get
somewhere soon.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Dutch Cabbage
Yes, it’s that time of year to look for those hearty meals,
that inexpensive, and well fill us up. Dutch cabbage is one of those meals. It
tastes great, and it’s so easy to prepare.
What you’ll need
One head of cabbage chopped finely
1 pound of sausage
1 cup water
1/4 cup vinegar
2 tablespoons mustard
2 tablespoons sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon butter
Here’s what you need to do.
Chop your head of cabbage. While you are doing this melt the
butter in a skillet. Then add the cabbage so cook until it is coated with the
butter, but don’t let it get soggy. Set this aside.
Break up the sausage and brown it. When it is completely
browned, add your cabbage. Now mix the vinegar, mustard, water, and sugar. Mix
all the ingredients together while they are cooking. Cook for approximately 15
minutes. Don’t allow the cabbage to become soggy while you are cooking.
Now you have a tasty meal that tastes great.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Flush Me Freddy by Angela Ambrosini
I had the opportunity to interview Angela Ambrosini the author of Flush Me Freddy. Here is the interview and the review of her book Flush Me Freddy.
Can you describe your book in 30 words or less?
I would describe it as, uncomfortably evocative.
How did you come up with the title of your book?
Since the main character of the story is the only one with a name, Freddy, I thought adding the description of what happens to him to be the actual title. I remember calling my sister one morning and she telling me she was in the process of flushing her kid’s fish because it just died then she asked me gracefully, “so are you coming over for dinner?”
Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
I think my favorite character in the book is the main girl. Notice that I have not given names to any characters but the fish in the book. This style of writing, I believe, is called micro-fiction. I want the reader to focus on the events happening and how it affects them on a personal level rather than focus on a name that might remind them of a person they know. It’s common for people to associate names with bad or even good events and I feel that this would have given readers a different insight into the book.
The main character in your book has to flush her pet goldfish Freddie as a child. The incident is something she revisits often throughout her life. Do you think that what often seem to be small incidents to most people can be an event that individuals play through several times throughout their lives?
Yes. This is a main reason why I wrote the book. I grew up believing that when we are faced with even the smallest events in life we tend to overlook them. Overlooking these small events is what can sometimes cause much larger issues. I want my readers to spend the time reading my story and take the time to really see their life – hoping to notice even the smallest moments they almost missed.
In your book the mother states you need to make all major life decisions by age 21, was that something you were told, and do you think that most of your life is shaped by age 21?
This is something I was told by my mother that eventually stayed with me. I realize when I became an adult that this was a mother’s way of getting out of something such as allowing their child to go to a party, etc. I always found it humorous and wanted to share this with my readers. It’s those simple things our mother’s tells us that I think are most memorable ones.
When did your interest in writing begin, and why did you become interested in writing?
It started out as a test to see how readers react towards characters without names. It then became something more – I added a lot of childhood memories and began to tangle in a simple story that I feel most people can relate to. Growing up in a world where my family didn’t really understand English, I depended on visual memorization and body language to communicate. This story was a great way to express that.
I really like the simplicity of the cover of your book, who designed it, and what was the inspiration?
Thank you! I designed it- I am a creative/marketing director with a master degree in design. I added the fish to the to simulate how the fish itself, like my main character in the book, the girl, was trapped in her life and was trying to escape the book or the minds of the readers– if you will.
Tell me a little bit about where you are from and has that had any influence on the book you wrote?
I was born in Brooklyn, NY. My family is from Italy and English is my second language. I always found communication in different languages and cultures profound and interesting. I am trying to communicate without barriers. Barriers to me sometimes in stories are characters names, points of references like specific dates – with my book I am focused on using extreme visuals. I wanted to create a visually stimulating story with nothing but paper and words.
I was born in Brooklyn, NY. My family is from Italy and English is my second language. I always found communication in different languages and cultures profound and interesting. I am trying to communicate without barriers. Barriers to me sometimes in stories are characters names, points of references like specific dates – with my book I am focused on using extreme visuals. I wanted to create a visually stimulating story with nothing but paper and words.
What makes a good book in your opinion?
A good book, in my opinion, is one that keeps you wanting more.
A good book, in my opinion, is one that keeps you wanting more.
Do you have plans for any other books?
Yes. I have a novel completed – a spin off of Flush Me Freddy. It was the original story I wrote before Flush Me Freddy and am hoping it will be the next to be published.
Flush Me Freddy is the new short chap book by Angela
Ambrosini. The book focuses in on a few events that occur in a female’s life.
As the female moves through life these events affect the way she views life.
Like real life, there are small events that shape her attitudes. An event from
her childhood will connect to an event as a young adult.
Angela describes the events in the book in a way that made
it easy to visualize what was occurring in the story. And like real life, it is
often the small things in the background that make an event so real. It can be
one phrase from a conversation, or the odor in the background that makes a
memory vivid. Angela has done an excellent job of bringing these events to life
in Flush Me Freddy.
When I received the book from Angela, I wasn’t sure what to
expect. I wasn’t really sure what a short chapter book was. But I was really
pleased with the book. It is short, and it is extremely well written. You can
easily read it in an hour. And after I finished reading it, I thought about
some of the events that have shaped my life. If you’re looking for a book that
will make you reflect on your life, this is the book for you.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Dear President Mandela
I’ve been experiencing some minor setbacks in life recently, and
sometimes things get a little discouraging. I know that you are a person that
faced some pretty big setbacks, and I was wondering how did you stay motivated?
Now I know that during your lifetime you sought to gain more
freedom for your people. And in doing that you were given a life sentence in
prison. When you were sentenced to life imprisonment did you feel like things
would never change? I mean my problems really aren’t that big, and I get
discouraged. So I wonder if you thought things would never change when they
announced your sentence in 1962.
While you were sleeping on the floor in your small cell each
night did ever ask yourself, why did I participate in those acts of sabotage? I
mean I am always asking myself what was I thinking when I said I would do that?
So I don’t see how you could not have asked yourself that question.
And how on earth did you occupy your mind during the hours
that you spent working in the lime quarries. I know that was really hard work,
but it also must have been extremely boring. I know when I’m doing boring work
my mind tends to wander. I think about everything from my grocery list to my
dream job. Did you spend some of that time thinking about how to convince
people that they needed to allow the majority of the individuals in South
Africa to participate in the government? Did you start work on speeches that
you believed that you would give someday? Or did you simply count the stones?
Any strategies you have on how to keep discouragement from
getting the best of you would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Heidi
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Sprightly Moans
Some people like pop, some people like country, and some
people like something a little more edgy. Sprightly Moans might be a band that
is for you. Sprightly Moans is a band based out of Austin, Texas, that focuses
on making loud music. If you’ve ever heard acid rock from the 60s and 70s, then
you have an idea of the band’s sound. And I’m sure that there may be a few
listeners who believe they are having a flashback when they listen to the
music.
Sprightly Moans
I listened to the band’s Demos II on Reverbnation, and I liked
what I heard. The music has a lot of guitar, and a lot of drums. My favorite
song of the three songs that are available on Demos II is Twin Kilns. It kind
of reminds me of Tomorrow Never Knows by The Beatles. And that’s mainly due to
the drums in the song. And a little bit of that far away vocal sound that is in
Tomorrow Never Knows. The lyrics are honest, the vocalists clearly states that
‘nothing good can come of this.’
The band has opted to release their music in ep forms so
that it is more affordable, and partially so they are able to release music
more often. If you like music like Jimi Hendrix you should definitely check out
their music on Reverbnation, and hopefully they will release a new ep soon.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Why is Santa Here?
“God put Santa Claus on earth to remind us that Christmas is
'sposed to be a happy time.”
― Bil Keane, Jeffy's Lookin' at Me
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
'Tis the Season
Yes, it tis’ the season for gift giving. We are all
searching for ultimate gift for those we love. But what do you get for all of
those people in your lives who have everything? You know like parents and
grandparents. They just don’t need anything or really want anything. Here are a couple of suggests that I have for
those hard to buy for individuals.
1.
The donation. Is there something your family member is passionate
about? Do they love bird watching? Or is their passion children? There are
loads of great charities that you can make a donation to in your family
member’s name. Whether supporting a child through World Vision, or The Nature
Conservancy, this gift is one that will keep giving for ages.
2.
The parent or grandparent coupon book. This one
will take a little creativity on your part, but put together a coupon book for
your parent to redeem throughout the year. You can include an evening at the
movies, a picnic, or a day fishing. The point of the coupon book is to provide
you and your loved one the ability to spend quality time together. It’s a gift
that will keep giving throughout the year.
3.
Give your parents tickets to an event they will
enjoy. If your dad is a sports lover? Tickets to a local team might make him
happy. If you have minor league teams in your area season tickets might be
awesome! Do your parents love to learn new things? Maybe there is a really cool
exhibit coming to a museum in a nearby city.
Keep in mind that gifts don’t always have to be a lot more
than an object that is sent to the local charity shop when your parents do
their spring cleaning. A gift can be something simple as something you share
with your loved ones.
Monday, December 9, 2013
Amy Crusan-Kramer
A few months ago I read a book called Sam's Story by Amy Crusan-Kramer. I really enjoyed the book, if you haven't had the opportunity to read it you should. Sam's Story is a series, and the second book in the series has been released. You should check that one out too! It's a lengthy book, but it's good.
Amy has agreed to do a guest post today, and hope that you all read and enjoy what has written. And be sure to check out her blog, facebook page, and pinterest page to learn more about her books.
Have you
ever noticed that everyone in a family has their ‘role?’ Not something foisted upon them … they just
seem to grow into it. Well, that’s how
my family felt, anyway. I had the
rebellious, always-in-trouble brother; the sister who was involved in everything
and succeeded at everything; and the cool athletic successful sister. I’m the youngest of four … I was in my
mid-forties … and I still didn’t have a role.
I wasn’t a ‘joiner’ in school, never had a lot of friends, I didn’t
really enjoy school but got average grades and played in the band … but I never
excelled at anything. I hated family
get-togethers, and feared that other family members saw me as the slightly-odd
relative that preferred the company of her pets and books to most people.
There
was only one thing that I thought probably set me apart … but I was too
embarrassed to share it with anyone. My
imagination knew no bounds, and I seemingly always had a story going on in my
head. Virtually anything could set a
story to racing: characters in a
television show or movie, real people in the news or even a stranger I’d
observed while shopping or dining out.
Once started, I could go for weeks, imagining where their lives might
take them … until someone new caught my attention and I was off and running
with a their story. My father died in an
accident when I was twelve and I subsequently found myself in therapy (which
probably saved my life). In one session,
I tentatively hinted at the hidden world going on in my head. My therapist responded, “Oh, Amy, you have
quite the imagination!” She didn’t say
it judgmentally, but, at that age, I was so vulnerable and afraid of being
different, I didn’t tell her any more. I
wondered if I was crazy, but those ‘stories’ in my head provided escape and, in
a strange way, comfort.
In 2009
three things happened: 1. My ancient
desktop computer breathed its last breath, and I decided the replacement should
be a laptop. I splurged at the
recommendations of everyone I knew who owned an Apple product, and purchased a
MacBook Pro. 2. The 2008 presidential campaign of Barack Obama
and Joe Biden had captured my imagination … and, in my mind, I had a story
brewing. 3. I commute two hours each day on a train to
work. These three incidents created the
perfect storm … I’ve got this story, I’ve got a portable computer and I’ve got
the time. “Amy! Write this story down!” And that’s how Sam’s Story came to be.
The moment
I began typing the “Prologue,” something burst inside of me, and there were times
that my fingers couldn’t type fast enough! What does Oprah call it? An a-ha moment? Well, that’s what it was … and what I was
doing felt so right, it almost brought tears to my eyes. Don’t get me wrong; it wasn’t all peaches and
cream. There were things so painful to
write that I had to set it aside for a couple days … and, after one emotionally
draining section, a few weeks. I
realized that I was working through many of my own demons as I documented Sam’s
life, and sometimes needed a break from the emotions that I’d kept pent-up for
so long. We’re not the same person, Sam
and I, but we share many aspects of our personality and experiences. People who know me, see some of the obvious similarities. But there are some things that only Sam and I
know we share … and that’s okay for now.
I will
be turning fifty in 2014 … and I’ve finally found my niche! I’m a writer!
I will be eternally grateful to Samantha Skylar for helping me make that
discovery!
Amy D.
Crusan-Kramer
December
7, 2013
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Warsaw Stew
It’s cold outside in Indiana. And that makes for perfect
stew weather. And Warsaw stew is a little twist that will keep your warm and keep
your stomach full.
Here’s what you need
1 cup fresh sliced mushrooms
¼ cup water
½ lb cubed pork
1 tablespoon bacon drippings
1 pound sauerkraut
1 bouillon cube
1 cup diced polish sausage
1 pound sliced cabbage
¾ cup diced bacon
1 large onion
2 tablespoons floor
3 tablespoons tomato paste
Salt and pepper
Potatoes or rye bread
Brown the pork and add it to a stew pot. Add mushrooms,
sauerkraut bouillon, and sausage and simmer for a couple of hours. In a
separate pan cook the cabbage for 20 minutes in bacon drippings. Take out the
cabbage and drain. Fry the bacon and onions until golden. Mix the flour and
water and add it to the bacon and onion mixture. Add the cabbage, bacon and
onion mixture, tomato paste, salt and pepper to the stew. Serve with potatoes
or rye bread. Keep in mind the stew gets better with age. So it’s great if you
can prepare the stew a day ahead of time, and reheat it.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Easy Handmade Candy Cane Garland
Handmade candy cane garland is an easy and inexpensive way
to get your entire family involved with decorating your home for the Christmas
holiday season.
This is what you’ll need.
Paper I used some pages of an old torn up book.
Crayons I used red and green
Scissors
And some ribbon or string, whatever suits your fancy.
First draw a picture of a candy cane on the paper. I drew
one, and then traced the pattern onto the rest of the sheets of paper. Then cut
out the candy canes.
Next grab your crayons, and color some lines on the paper
you cut out.
Now punch a hole in the top of each candy cane, and string
the string through the holes.
Hang it up, and you have garland that was easy and fun for
everyone to make.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Whatcha Been Watchin?
Yes, it’s time to look at some movies that I’ve been watching,
and I think you might want to watch too.
First, I am now caught up until Season 7 of Dexter. I know
there is one more season to watch. And I can’t wait to see it, but I’m also sad
to see the series end. I’ve developed a love hate type of relationship with
Dexter. There are things about him that I absolutely love, but at the same time
I can’t understand his ability to be so cruel. And his step sister Deb is an
interesting character too. I mean Deb truly is one of those individuals who continue
to love Dexter with all of his faults. I think with the season 7 finale I found
myself kind of hating Dexter. He has managed to warp Deb from a strong
individual to one who is willing to do anything for the man she loves. If you
have watched season 8 please don’t spoil it for me. As soon as it hits Netflix I
plan to watch it, and see how things end. If you haven’t watched Dexter, and
you enjoy exploring the darker side of the human personality, you should
definitely check it out.
Yes, I’ve finally started watching The Walking Dead. I
always knew it would be a good show, but I just never started to get into it.
I’ve watched season one, and it is a great show. I like how the show focuses on
how life is when all of the things we depend on so much are lost. And the
kicker is if nature doesn’t kill you the zombies certainly will. Don’t tell me
what is happening in the current season. I want to watch all the episodes and
find out for myself.
And the final movie is completely different than TV shows
about serial killers or surviving the zombie apocalypse. It’s a documentary
about wind power called Windfall. It’s a couple of years old, but it’s an
interesting film. The film shows how a town becomes divided over wind turbines
that are being built in their community. And while I still believe that wind
power is a great alternative energy, the movie did point out a lot of the down
sides to using it. Give it a watch and let me know what you think of the film.
And let me know if there are any good movies or shows you
think I should be watching.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
The Quest for the Ultimate Hot Dog
Baseball, Hot Dogs and Apple Pie are all part of what it
means to be an American. Well it’s not baseball season, and well there are
loads of apple pie recipes on the internet, but does the internet tell you
where you can find the Ultimate Hot Dog.
So over the next few months, I’ve decided to seek out that Ultimate Hot
Dog. Is it at a stand? Or is it at a local ball park? I don’t know, but I do
know I want to find it.
The first hot dog joint I visited on this quest is Coney
Express. It’s located in Southgate Plaza in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Coney Express
is less than a mile from my house, so when I have a craving for Coney Dog’s
it’s a joint that I visit often.
This is a drive thru coney dog joint. It offers hot dogs in
the usual coney dog fashion. The chili cheese fries are great when you pair it
with your coney dog that consists of coney sauce, onions, and mustard. And if
you’re not in the mood for a dog, the join has some great nachos at a really
low cost. They are packed with meat, lettuce and of course onions.
I have to admit I really like this joint. It has stuck with
the south side of Fort Wayne through thick and thin. So if you’re out near
Southgate Plaza and you’re hankering for a dog. Coney Express will probably
meet your need.
Do they serve the Ultimate Hot Dog? Well so far in my quest
it is the ultimate because it’s the only one. Their dogs are pretty good, but
is there a better one available? You’ll have to wait and see where the quest leads
us. And if you think you know where the ultimate hot dog can be found, let me
know, if I can I’ll test it out and share my opinion with the rest of the
world.
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