tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-134498922024-03-13T23:49:20.315-07:00On the Writers' Road Less Traveled...Weblog of Alyssa GoodnightA journal on the in's and out's, up's and down's, and twists and turns of writing, self-publishing, and life.Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.comBlogger865125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-31184575179027364872011-07-28T21:55:00.000-07:002011-07-28T21:56:53.083-07:00Cover Art! Don't Miss it!<div style="text-align: center;">If you haven't updated your blog roll, yet, please do! Come visit me at <a href="http://alyssagoodnight.com/blog">alyssagoodnight.com/blog</a> and see my brand-new cover art for AUSTENTATIOUS!! Then subscribe to my new blog <a href="http://alyssagoodnight.com/feed">feed</a>, and get all the news!</div>Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-75365980854696013132011-05-22T18:03:00.000-07:002011-05-22T18:04:47.600-07:00I'm Moving! (Virtually speaking)<div style="text-align: center;">Finally! </div><div style="text-align: center;">At long last, I have a brand new website & blog, so I hope you'll come visit me at the new digs: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://alyssagoodnight.com/">http://alyssagoodnight.com/</a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">If you want to subscribe to my new blog feed, click <a href="http://alyssagoodnight.com/feed/">here</a>.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-13021431699683148122011-05-20T08:26:00.000-07:002011-05-20T08:26:10.403-07:00Highlight Reel1. Hello Dollys in the oven right now. (That one had to come first because the smell of melting chocolate is distracting me.)<br />
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2. Houston Museum of Fine Arts yesterday with my mom to see the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings on loan from the National Gallery. (Followed up with a Chicago Dog.) Lovely!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://realneo.us/blog/evelyn-kiefer/monet-of-the-day-garden-at-saint-adresse"><img border="0" height="242" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZayOmGeuSo/TdaH8BvXLxI/AAAAAAAABUg/X6oHMxuWT2w/s320/monet.bmp" width="320" />[via]</a></div><br />
3. Lunching with my new niece. Baby cuddles and baby smiles.<br />
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4. Shopping at Walmart at 11:00 p.m...for fedoras for the Phineas and Ferb <a href="http://alyssagoodnight.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-crazy-life.html">dance number</a>. It's a whole different place late at night...<br />
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5. Spending the afternoons at the high school pool while my boys took a water polo clinic put on by the varsity team. With teeny tiny Speedos there is occasionally a wardrobe malfunction. Just sayin.<br />
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6. Brainstorming a new book (or two...)<br />
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7. Website redesign is coming along...hoping to launch in the next week or two! (Still no cover though.)<br />
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8. An afternoon of non-healthy snacks and giggly games with the girls.<br />
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9. Re-reading <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1556526180/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=alysgoodauth-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=1556526180">Nine Coaches Waiting</a></em> by Mary Stewart as part of Jenny Crusie's Gothic Book Club.<br />
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10. Dance practice. I've almost got it down now!Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-77206603366748599532011-05-17T16:14:00.000-07:002011-05-17T16:15:47.728-07:00Weigh In!The days are getting away from me, summer is almost upon us, and I've started making my Bucket List, which includes all the things I want to get done before I have two boys tagging along with me everywhere I go, wondering if we can get a drink, and when we're going to be done, and whether we can do all this tomorrow... The list includes shopping, errands, lunches, movies, you name it. It's a veritable free-for-all with a two and half week time frame. Shortened by the amount of time required to plan all my boys' end-of-year parties, etc. It's a crazy whirlwind around here!<br />
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This morning I had dinner for breakfast (not on the list), eating some leftover steak, mashed potatoes, and corn-on-the-cob, and topping it off with a brownie. It was an excellent start to the day, and while I was eating I was paging through the latest <em>Redbook</em> magazine. The article that caught my eye was "Hottest Fantasy (i.e. Celebrity) Husbands"<br />
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I will tell you the five guys featured...you tell me the order.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Mr. Darcy (as played by Colin Firth)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey on <em>Grey's Anatomy</em>)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson in <em>Twilight</em>)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Uncle Jesse (John Stamos from <em>Full House</em>...could not <em>be-lieve</em> he was on here!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jim Halpert (John Krasinski on <em>The Office</em>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Who would you add? I want to know why Gilbert Blythe is not on this list!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hlfa_YmQLcI/TdMBVElZA5I/AAAAAAAABUc/0HMGVohmdRw/s1600/gilbertblythe2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hlfa_YmQLcI/TdMBVElZA5I/AAAAAAAABUc/0HMGVohmdRw/s1600/gilbertblythe2.bmp" /></a></div>Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-79761705698100434412011-05-12T09:27:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:29:50.602-07:00My Crazy LifeCheck out this Harry Potter sky I snapped a shot of at 5th grade Field Day yesterday. I probably should have been looking for the Death Eater symbol to appear to send the kids screaming. Honestly I think they'd probably scream for any reason, judging by the uproar that ensued when one of them saw a wasp.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMr9GZnbUwA/TcwLRO8G84I/AAAAAAAABUY/eOM-P5_L3bA/s1600/harrypottersky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wMr9GZnbUwA/TcwLRO8G84I/AAAAAAAABUY/eOM-P5_L3bA/s320/harrypottersky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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In other news, I finished reading <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385342705/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=alysgoodauth-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=0385342705">Hotel No Tell: A Novel</a>">Hotel No Tell</a></em>, sequel to <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385342691?ie=UTF8&tag=alysgoodauth-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0385342691">Super in the City</a></em> (which I loved). I really enjoyed this one too, although I suspect I was a little too distracted to really give this one the attention it deserved. I'll have to read it again in a few months (which is all it takes for me to almost completely forget the plot of a book). Last night I started reading <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0805087214/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=alysgoodauth-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399353&creativeASIN=0805087214">Charles and Emma, The Darwins' Leap of Faith</a></em>, and despite only being on the second chapter, I have to admit I'm already fascinated.<br />
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In other news, I'm waiting for rain, and have even committed to participate in a little dance number the PTA is doing as part of this year's teacher talent show. Here's the song...picture it if you will...me as a Ferbette.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eVLzBb7B1Z0" width="425"></iframe>Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-73156223034754111982011-05-08T20:02:00.000-07:002011-05-09T06:16:36.025-07:00Weekend UpdateFriday afternoon, we headed down to Galveston and visited our favorite pizza spot for the first time since before the celiac diagnosis. It was soooo good. We have tried quite a few varieties of gluten free pizza, but the crusts just aren't the same: chewy and crispy at the same time. We savored.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cXA_XHkdXv8/TcdWdHQk3bI/AAAAAAAABUM/jbRGhRfJVJc/s1600/ginospizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cXA_XHkdXv8/TcdWdHQk3bI/AAAAAAAABUM/jbRGhRfJVJc/s320/ginospizza.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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GFB didn't have pizza. We stopped at Five Guys Burgers and Fries, his favorite restaurant and picked him up a burger + cheese slice to eat on a gluten free bun with all the greasy fries he could handle. Then he played Angry Birds while we ate...all in perfect harmony.<br />
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Then we hit the beach, which was breezy, a little chilly, and littered with sea weed. I didn't even dip my feet in the water but PFB went all in and then shivered himself dry. Then we buried him in the sand (naturally at his request), redipped him, and he shivered all over again.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D5jFbjznZpY/TcdYI26ByYI/AAAAAAAABUU/ONNsxtpNpN0/s1600/galveston.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D5jFbjznZpY/TcdYI26ByYI/AAAAAAAABUU/ONNsxtpNpN0/s320/galveston.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Saturday was full to bursting with laundry, vacuuming, and baking with GFB. And then we watched <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058230/">The Incredible Mr. Limpet</a>, which we all found to be preposterously funny.<br />
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Mother's Day kicked off with a muffin-in-bed and a nearly toppled glass of orange juice (not my fault). Then I opened my gifts from my boys. A school made, framed poem and photo from PFB (9) and a card, which thanked me for giving birth to him in the first sentence and thanked me for feeding him pizza in the second, and a storebought bird feeder and seed from GFB (11...they are apparently too 'busy' to make anything for Mom in the 5th grade). Evidently, a main selling point of this feeder was its resistance to squirrels. There was actually a tiny artist's rendering of a squirrel falling to the ground in embarrassing defeat on the tag. So when the first squirrel approached the feeder, all three boys (husband included) rushed to the window and hung on to see if it would meet a similar fate. Rather disappointingly to all involved, it conceded the battle. Live updates on The Squirrels vs. The Feeder here on this blog.<br />
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We went to my mom's house for lunch/early dinner and I opened a couple more gifts there, including a breadmaker, which my MIL told me she bought to 'make my life easier.' I'm hoping I can easily adapt some of the bread machine recipes to gluten-free versions and hit on a winning sandwich/toast bread. So far we've been unlucky. Also received the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/BabyCakes-Gluten-Free-Sugar-Free-Recipes-Talked-About/dp/0307408833/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1304910092&sr=8-2-spell">BabyCakes</a> cookbook from my Mom, which is full of interesting gluten-free recipes (many of which feature the questionable garbanzo bean/fava bean flour). Things just might start to get interesting around here...<br />
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A very nice Mother's Day, all in all, and I didn't have to make any of the meals! Hurray!<br />
I hope all you moms had a great day!Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-61614115926212673722011-05-04T03:00:00.000-07:002011-05-04T06:41:38.567-07:00Book Review Club ~ MayBarrie Summy's <a href="http://barriesummy.blogspot.com/2011/05/book-review-club-may-2011.html">Book Review Club</a> is back with another slate of reviews today, and I am reviewing <em>Heads You Lose</em> by Lisa Lutz and David Hayward. I will tell you going in that I picked up this book because I have read all the Spellman novels that Lisa Lutz wrote solo, and LOVED them all. I truly appreciate her wacky sense of humor, her kooky characters, and her twisted, tangled writing method. <br />
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<div></div><div style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q02DMMuOS5s/TcBX9WTKr5I/AAAAAAAABUI/1yN0NLIQ5Z8/s1600/HEADS+YOU+LOSE-1.jpg"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q02DMMuOS5s/TcBX9WTKr5I/AAAAAAAABUI/1yN0NLIQ5Z8/s320/HEADS+YOU+LOSE-1.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>So naturally I was curious about the book she co-wrote with an old boyfriend...a writer of poetry.<br />
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Evidently they made a deal that specified that they'd write alternate chapters and that neither of them could 'undo' what the other had written. They just had to roll with it. Naturally there was some back and forth between the authors during the writing process, and the editor made the excellent decision to include it in the book. So, between the chapters there are notes exchanged that spell out suggestions, frustrations, or general commentary. These are seriously some of the funniest parts of the whole book.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><em>Quick summary:</em></span><br />
Lacey and Paul are brother and sister, living together in the family house and making money off the marijuana they're growing in their basement. One night, someone leaves a headless dead body on their lawn, and rather than call the cops (who they don't want snooping around their property), they decide to move the body and do a little sleuthing of their own. Well, Lacey decides to sleuth. Paul mostly just gets high and watches TV (a point of contention between both characters <em>and</em> authors). When the body shows up back on their lawn and a couple more bodies join the mix, things start to escalate pretty quickly.<br />
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I think I laughed out loud while reading this book more than I have ever laughed while reading any other book. It was hilarious and entertaining. <em>However</em>...despite the storyline being quite creative and the characters being well-developed, I have to admit that the plot could maybe have used a couple of tweaks. It wasn't as clean as I would have liked it to be, but what it lost in stellar storytelling, it made up for in humor. <span style="color: #990000;"><em>Definitely recommended.</em></span> If you're in the mood for funny and crazy and inventive. If you're a stickler for form and elegantly crafted mystery, maybe not.<br />
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</div>Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-31817637413058154072011-05-02T07:39:00.000-07:002011-05-02T07:39:16.795-07:00Called out by The Pioneer Woman (she doesn't know it)If any of you have not yet popped over to The Pioneer Woman's <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/">website</a>, you should. Just because it's something to see. It's a phenomenon. She has a huge number of followers, a cookbook, a memoir (of sorts), and now a children's book. Plus, she's funny, a great photographer, an awesome cook (if you can get past all the butter), and she <em>homeschools</em>...on a ranch. Let's just say she's got a lot going on.<br />
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I don't visit her site too often, mostly because it's a time suck for me. I want to look at all the pretty pictures, check out all the new recipes, debate whether I'm willing to make them and my family's willing to eat them, etc. But when I do visit, I'm always pleased. Well I visited on Saturday and learned a little bit about cinnamon toast.<br />
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The Pioneer Woman will tell you there are several schools of thought regarding cinnamon toast. And there is one that is the best, a couple that are pretty good, and one that it 'gross.' You can probably guess where I'm going with this. That's right, I'm owning up. I make the gross cinnamon toast....and I like it. I would have said it was delicious up until yesterday when I took TPW's advice, and tried THE WAY to make cinnamon toast. Such a difference, I cannot even tell you. Then again, I probably don't even have to, because you all probably don't make the gross version of cinnamon toast. You may not even need TPW's advice, but obviously I do. And did. (And probably still do.)<br />
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Before: I toasted, buttered, and sprinkled cinnamon sugar<br />
After (a la The Pioneer Woman): I mashed up a mixture of butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla, spread it on the bread, and toasted that. Crunchy, caramelized deliciousness!<br />
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So here's what I want to know...why hasn't someone tapped The Pioneer Woman for a cooking show?? I would sooooo watch her! And take notes. And learn how to bring back the butter.<br />
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Go make yourself some cinnamon toast--the good stuff.Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-22534839009498038142011-04-29T14:32:00.000-07:002011-04-29T14:32:20.521-07:00Wish List (just a sample)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rCmU6SMXZ6I/Tbss8jFzG6I/AAAAAAAABTo/ozuzVkfjZfU/s1600/midnightinaustenland.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rCmU6SMXZ6I/Tbss8jFzG6I/AAAAAAAABTo/ozuzVkfjZfU/s320/midnightinaustenland.bmp" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">January 2012</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agfdXgGH8co/TbstyAwf_CI/AAAAAAAABT4/SECu8rccIww/s1600/naughtyinnice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agfdXgGH8co/TbstyAwf_CI/AAAAAAAABT4/SECu8rccIww/s1600/naughtyinnice.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">September 2011</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kfqpg9UZsiA/Tbstzna6Q2I/AAAAAAAABT8/6NZBjP4i4z4/s1600/darkenquiry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kfqpg9UZsiA/Tbstzna6Q2I/AAAAAAAABT8/6NZBjP4i4z4/s1600/darkenquiry.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">June 2011</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rquhj2GADZ8/Tbst1NSIcvI/AAAAAAAABUA/Tnu25gHHw7Q/s1600/crimsonwarning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rquhj2GADZ8/Tbst1NSIcvI/AAAAAAAABUA/Tnu25gHHw7Q/s1600/crimsonwarning.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">October 2011</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sOQQ5LYu4aA/Tbst2pE_pOI/AAAAAAAABUE/_Pc8R3LLIwU/s1600/starcrossed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sOQQ5LYu4aA/Tbst2pE_pOI/AAAAAAAABUE/_Pc8R3LLIwU/s1600/starcrossed.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">May 2011</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Happy Weekend!</div><div style="text-align: center;">May it be filled with books!</div>Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-88664660001202377572011-04-28T12:27:00.000-07:002011-04-28T12:27:05.300-07:00QuoteableBoys have been taking state standardized tests this week, and PFB finished yesterday. This was his first time using Scantron cards, and he was clearly intrigued. This was a conversation between the boys this morning on the way to school...<br />
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PFB: You know how there's that grey number on your Scantron card? When you get your Scantron, look and see what your number is so you can tell me.<br />
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GFB (belligerently): Why? So you can <em>steal my identity</em>???<br />
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I laughed out loud and reassured GFB that I doubted very much that that was PFB's intention. Then again, who knows? That kid's got all kinds of things up his sleeve...<br />
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In other news, I have a cold, with a bad sore throat. I solicited advice on Facebook on how to get rid of it, and someone suggested cayenne tea. A follow-up question confirmed she was suggesting I drink cayenne pepper mixed with hot water. Yesterday I balked. Today I just might try it... I'm going to try Hot Tamales first though.Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-10030625151237874552011-04-26T18:43:00.000-07:002011-04-26T18:44:42.208-07:00A MilestoneI finished the first draft of 'book three' today and am feeling pretty good about it. (I basically finished this one in six months, which, given my track record, is <em>mind-boggling</em>. I guess a little planning goes a long way...) My agent has already seen the first 200 pages and loved them, so I have high hopes that the revision process won't be too painful. After that, it remains to be seen whether my editor likes it...<br />
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This all seems so very strange...and not quite real. I sold last August; 'book two' is due October 1, at which time, AUSTEN-TATIOUS will still be four months from publication (January 31st release date for those of you keeping track...which I fervently hope is ALL of you!). It's hard to imagine starting work on a new book in just a few weeks, but that's the way it's going to have to be I guess.<br />
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I should be getting a glimpse of the cover for AUSTEN-TATIOUS in the next few weeks, so maybe it'll help keep things in perspective a little bit. Then again, maybe not.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.emersonmade.com/pages/photos"><img border="0" height="290" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AvnhkzftV8s/Tbd0f4Kb9hI/AAAAAAAABTk/iOIxdAkjmlA/s320/bookswithcharm.bmp" width="320" />[via]</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Either way, I feel a little like a diva right now!Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-63613391832574428662011-04-25T08:13:00.000-07:002011-04-25T08:13:51.757-07:00Awww, man!Yesterday was the first time in my life (that I know of) that I missed out on an Easter dinner. I had a sloppy joe and chips for lunch and takeout Chinese food for dinner.<br />
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We had big plans. We were going up to my in-laws lakehouse for the long Easter weekend, Butters' sister was coming into town, my brother and his wife and new baby were thinking of driving in from Austin, and my parents were going to drive up. Family get-together on the holiday, as usual. But then my brother decided he wasn't going to come, and then my parents (for understandable reasons), so it was just going to be my in-laws and us.<br />
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My MIL likes to cook--no, LOVES to cook and actually prefers to handle most meals by herself. (I do clean-up). So, I asked her what I should bring, and she told me she thought I'd have my hands full bringing foods suitable for GFB, so nothing else was necessary. Okay...<br />
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Well, the weekend went along merrily, and Sunday my family (minus the in-laws) went to church. When we got back at about 10:30, no food preparation was going on, which, if you knew my MIL, you'd know was downright weird. At 11:00 she said, "We need to decide what we're going to do about lunch." My head snapped around in dismay. Leftovers were mentioned. LEFTOVERS?? This was Easter Sunday! Where was the ham? the potato salad? the deviled eggs? the homemade rolls? Where was ANYTHING but a leftover sloppy joe??<br />
<br />
There wasn't anything. And I have to wonder why nothing was mentioned. <em>I</em> would have planned an Easter dinner. At the very least I would have planned an Easter dessert... I just assumed. And assuming doesn't get you a deviled egg, apparently. I've learned my lesson.<br />
<br />
I don't plan on missing out on an Easter dinner again anytime soon... So there.Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-11703076454973011232011-04-20T20:56:00.000-07:002011-04-20T20:59:36.616-07:00Ten Things...<div style="text-align: center;">ten things that made me happy today...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5N3jmMdYf6g/Ta-qiJJXbjI/AAAAAAAABTg/AjNxrhM-YMI/s200/drpepper.jpg" width="105" /></div>* listening to the Anchor cd by <a href="http://www.mindygledhill.com/">Mindy Gledhill</a> on my walk today<br />
* reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vixen-Flappers-Jillian-Larkin/dp/0385740344/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0">Vixen</a> while eating my two egg breakfast<br />
* churning out both new pages and some promising edits<br />
* getting all my ducks in a row before the robotics club showed up<br />
* having them respond with 'Ma'am, yes ma'am!' and occasionally 'Sir, yes sir!' (their decision)<br />
* adding one more thing to my Amazon cart (it's a sickness)<br />
* spending a breezy evening at the park<br />
* giggling at <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/happy-endings">Happy Endings</a>...a new comedy!<br />
* debating whether I should go to a <a href="http://www.surpriseparties.com/">Surpr!se Party</a>, for the research opportunities alone<br />
* my can of Dr. Pepper<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">what about you?</div>Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-33873123524404564582011-04-19T14:56:00.000-07:002011-04-19T14:56:27.992-07:00Short, short story. With picture.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-phQilFQ8PFc/Ta4ELqsFTHI/AAAAAAAABTc/AogCtYLQt84/s1600/ninjabunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-phQilFQ8PFc/Ta4ELqsFTHI/AAAAAAAABTc/AogCtYLQt84/s320/ninjabunny.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A couple of ninja bunnies infiltrated a countertop of frosted Easter eggs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They're not quite so fastidious or quick-witted as your typical ninja...they're obviously still in training. They should stay on high alert, because there are two boys close by who are likely to attack...with teeth!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The End.</div>Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-40261751241183628922011-04-18T12:34:00.000-07:002011-04-18T12:34:32.325-07:00Mexican & a MusicalI got the bike ride and the Mexican food, but I missed the beach. I did, however, squeeze in a Sunday afternoon show. It was Butters' suggestion that the boys would like CATS. I'd never been, so I couldn't form a true opinion, although I suspected that any musical would have trouble holding their interest for the duration. (I was correct.)<br />
<br />
I've seen my share of musicals--not a ton--but certainly a respectable number, but I'd never seen CATS. I honestly didn't know what to expect, but assumed that since it's been running for more than thirty years, it had a little somethin' special. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7InTdLbqHb4/TaySH-hfqyI/AAAAAAAABTY/jqtlXMcVuus/s1600/cats-the-musical.jpg" /><a href="http://www.tourleadervenice.com/2010/10/cats-the-musical-%E2%80%93-double-appointment-in-padua/">[via]</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>This is what I said to my husband after the first act: "This musical is all about cats."<br />
Spot-on, right?<br />
I guess I knew that, instinctively, but I didn't imagine it would be so very...catty. It didn't help that I somehow missed a part of the storyline early on...possibly due to not being able to understand the words of a few of the songs. All I could get was a lengthy ode to 'Jellicle Cats' and then some singing/dancing cat introductions.<br />
<br />
I honestly think I needed to be a cat person to appreciate it. And I'm not a cat person. I think I've posted about that before. In fact, when the on-stage cats were rubbing up against each other, I had to suppress a full body cringe. What I did appreciate, very much, was that the musical was taken, almost in its entirety from a collection of poems by T. S. Eliot, written in the 1930's. I can only assume he was a cat person.<br />
<br />
Let's just say I won't be going to see a production all about cockroaches either, and leave it at that.Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-43829941227280887992011-04-15T09:10:00.000-07:002011-04-15T09:10:44.653-07:00Ahhh...the weekend...The beach would be nice, but I'm not sure if we'll make it down to Galveston this weekend.<br />
If not, we'll settle for bike rides and walks in the park. If I'm lucky, there'll also be Mexican food. If I'm industrious, there'll be gluten-free roll-out sugar cookies decorated by the boys. We'll see...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p5kAfwVy4Ao/TahtoS4H37I/AAAAAAAABTU/vCK-4hc7lW4/s1600/sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p5kAfwVy4Ao/TahtoS4H37I/AAAAAAAABTU/vCK-4hc7lW4/s320/sunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Enjoy your weekend!</div>Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-27725047616545670482011-04-13T09:45:00.000-07:002011-04-13T09:45:19.724-07:00Still ShelteredWell, I've still yet to see the inside of a courtroom, and that's just fine by me. I spent about two hours waiting to see if I'd be called as a character witness (as did several other women), but I never was. The mystery of the courtroom will continue... And the lemon meringue pie didn't materialize. I was forced to settle for chocolate, and while good, it was a bit of a letdown. Huge sigh of relief that that's over. Of course I could still be asked to appear for the final hearing, but maybe not...<br />
<br />
In other news, I think I may have a mini Bermuda triangle or jinx spot at the entrance to my little section of the subdivision. I walk through it virtually everyday to walk my dog and have never had an issue. However...the bird mentioned a few post ago was found right in the middle of it, and today as I walked through, the man walking his dog on the other side of the street stepped on a tennis ball, his legs flew out from under him, and he hung, suspended, arms out, legs out, completely horizontal for one freaky second. Then he went down hard and rolled. <br />
<br />
His dog was standing there with no one holding the leash, so I tried to get my dog under control so she wouldn't spook his dog, while still trying to keep an eye on the man to see how he was doing. When he sat up, I asked if he was okay, and he confirmed that he was, and he got up to keep walking (now with a limp and a clearly hurt arm), but I was totally freaked. It was like a cartoon: seemingly physically impossible, and yet I saw it happen. Crazy. <br />
<br />
I'm going to have to watch my step in the TriangleAlyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-27609812324012917492011-04-12T09:31:00.000-07:002011-04-12T09:35:15.046-07:00Maybe I'm Too Sheltered...Today I have something on my agenda besides writing, volunteering, and the general minutiae of life. And I wish I didn't. I long for the calm, quiet days of working diligently, peacefully, with little human contact. (Sounds great, doesn't it??) But today, I must interact. Today I have to go to court.<br />
<br />
I have never been inside a courtroom. All my expectations are being culled from <em>Perry Mason</em>, <em>Legally Blonde</em>, and other Hollywood creations. I'm anxious to see how the real thing measures up.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmJTbiQ9ybE/TaR_PMDpIKI/AAAAAAAABTQ/5HzHMlptg4U/s1600/legallyblonde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmJTbiQ9ybE/TaR_PMDpIKI/AAAAAAAABTQ/5HzHMlptg4U/s320/legallyblonde.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I didn't imagine picking an outfit for this project would be so difficult, but when I went into my closet last night, thinking to quickly pull something together, I realized I have no spring/summer dress pants. Really. I have jeans, courduroys, track pants, yoga pants, but no pants appropriate for court. I have capris, but they don't seem serious somehow. I really didn't want to wear a skirt or a dress, but I ended up in one anyway. I'm wearing a long black skirt with a subtle pattern, a black blouse and a black blazer. I feel very grim.<br />
<br />
Luckily, they're looking for a character witness and not a fashionista.<br />
<br />
I've already had the pre-game with the lawyer this morning, and that was relatively painless. He even indicated that maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't have time for me. That possibility thrilled me to pieces. I want to be helpful--I totally do--but I can see myself breaking under thes stress: The lawyer for the opposition asking me a question, and me saying, "No, but--" and him bellowing, "NO FURTHER QUESTIONS!" Maybe I'm working myself up for nothing. But this is a big deal. It's not my big deal, but it's a big deal for a friend of mine. So I'm tense with nerves and anxiety...and maybe a little nausea. And my heartbeat is crazy erratic. I need to calm down.<br />
<br />
Good or bad, I will be treating myself to a theraputic slice of lemon meringue pie when it's all over.Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-84886013753868905282011-04-10T18:37:00.000-07:002011-04-10T18:37:05.464-07:00In a party mood...I have a hankering for a party with confetti and streamers. And ice cream and soda pop.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://youaremyfave.com/blog/"><img border="0" height="213" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jV2Tc1-L6xs/TaJZ1cnsk-I/AAAAAAAABS8/tqipvRMRvsg/s320/rainbow.jpg" width="320" />[via]</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://youaremyfave.com/blog/"><img border="0" height="212" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-44BYA00YDbQ/TaJZ2-n4TZI/AAAAAAAABTA/J2V0HEWjDlU/s320/rainbowstreamers.png" width="320" />[via]</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jordanferney.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="238" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RwuBGt-tJL0/TaJZ5NSMz-I/AAAAAAAABTE/zFd5lTG3JSM/s320/streamers.png" width="320" />[via]</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.eatdrinkchic.com/post.cfm/diy-ice-cream-soda-for-a-party-or-wedding"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x2Q_XfFEXyg/TaJa80R-v4I/AAAAAAAABTI/uFcuGAK--lE/s320/icecreamsoda.jpg" width="242" />[via]</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just because.</div>Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-83642442352684353482011-04-07T14:39:00.000-07:002011-04-07T14:39:46.537-07:00Do You Know What Happened To This Bird?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZkxDPOH15c/TZ4t8sOvjHI/AAAAAAAABS4/Zy9WR0xn4_o/s1600/bluebird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZkxDPOH15c/TZ4t8sOvjHI/AAAAAAAABS4/Zy9WR0xn4_o/s320/bluebird.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Found: Dead Bluebird. </strong></span></div>Looks like he could be playing dead, but I suspect not. I <em>do</em> suspect foul play...just not sure what type. <a href="http://meowofthecat.blogspot.com/">Stacy</a> suggests a basilisk may be slithering through my neighborhood in the hours after dark. A squirrel, sprawled on his stomach, found last week only three houses down from this bluebird seems to suggest a pattern... I am on the case!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-68211055756973586332011-04-06T00:00:00.000-07:002011-04-06T05:09:58.044-07:00Book Review Club ~ April 2011While pressed for time, I don't want to miss this month's Book Review Club, so I am reviewing a book that I haven't yet finished. However, I'm liking it so much that I have no doubt I will greatly enjoy the pages I have left. The book that's encouraged me to jump the gun?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k5nwDMPhr4o/TZuOQ1uHWDI/AAAAAAAABSg/JDsE860t3ms/s1600/viennawaltz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k5nwDMPhr4o/TZuOQ1uHWDI/AAAAAAAABSg/JDsE860t3ms/s320/viennawaltz.jpg" width="215" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vienna-Waltz-Teresa-Grant/dp/0758254237/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302040041&sr=8-1">VIENNA WALTZ </a>by Teresa Grant<br />
(Isn't the cover divine?)<br />
<br />
Back of the book summary: <em>Nothing is fair in love and war. . .</em><br />
<em>Europe's elite have gathered at the glittering Congress of Vienna--princes, ambassadors, the Russian tsar--all negotiating the fate of the continent by day and pursuing pleasure by night. Until Princess Tatiana, the most beautiful and talked about woman in Vienna, is found murdered during an ill-timed rendezvous with three of her most powerful conquests...</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<em>Suzanne Rannoch has tried to ignore rumors that her new husband, Malcolm, has also been tempted by Tatiana. As a protégé of France's Prince Talleyrand and attaché for Britain's Lord Castlereagh, Malcolm sets out to investigate the murder and must enlist Suzanne's special skills and knowledge if he is to succeed. As a complex dance between husband and wife in the search for the truth ensues, no one's secrets are safe, and the future of Europe may hang in the balance. . .</em><br />
<br />
This book is fascinating on two separate levels. On the one hand, it is an eminently readable lesson in history, with a great many real historical figures featuring as characters in the novel. On the other, the author-created characters have been given such detailed and mysterious personal histories that they bring the story completely alive. Each time a hint is dropped about these characters' pasts, my curiosity is further piqued, and I'm frantic to keep reading, to discover the mysteries, the secrets, the intrigue!<br />
<br />
The husband and wife team, neither of which are historical figures, themselves have a very curious relationship. You get the impression that theirs was a marriage of convenience...and yet it's not. Deeper feelings are lurking beneath the surface on both sides, but everyone is keeping secrets...<br />
<br />
With the historical figures taking such prominent roles, I've been inspired to look them up so that I can picture them in my mind as I'm reading (even through the descriptions are superb)... All hotties, right?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_XzhkXOhZHk/TZuRTlt4ZxI/AAAAAAAABSk/xLOrDk1YoWQ/s1600/metternich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_XzhkXOhZHk/TZuRTlt4ZxI/AAAAAAAABSk/xLOrDk1YoWQ/s200/metternich.jpg" width="151" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metternich (Austria)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_edCYt0CU1s/TZuS8g0PAfI/AAAAAAAABS0/y1sHLPPNzDc/s1600/talleyrand1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_edCYt0CU1s/TZuS8g0PAfI/AAAAAAAABS0/y1sHLPPNzDc/s200/talleyrand1.jpg" width="130" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talleyrand (France)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I'm not yet sure what role Franz Schubert will play, but I'm anxious to get back to it. I will let you know...<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scpoWfAhx08/TZuRVWsv93I/AAAAAAAABSo/rp5BvBeTlao/s1600/alexander1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-scpoWfAhx08/TZuRVWsv93I/AAAAAAAABSo/rp5BvBeTlao/s200/alexander1.png" width="146" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tsar Alexander I (Russia)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0DVucf4aqXY/TZuRZS7rb_I/AAAAAAAABSs/yf51FKMmif0/s1600/schubert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0DVucf4aqXY/TZuRZS7rb_I/AAAAAAAABSs/yf51FKMmif0/s200/schubert.jpg" width="137" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Franz Schubert</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
[portraits via Wikipedia]<br />
For other, no doubt complete, reviews, head over to Barrie Summy's <a href="http://barriesummy.blogspot.com/2011/04/book-review-club-april-2011.html">blog </a>for a varied list!Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-75891679596600736052011-04-04T07:43:00.000-07:002011-04-04T07:43:49.754-07:00Not flippin'...clickin'Some days I find that even if I have a few quiet minutes, I don't feel like reading a book. On those days, I like to turn to glossy magazine photos for a little visual inspiration. If I don't have a magazine on hand (so many of the good ones are no longer being printed...), I tend to visit pretty blogs with lots of pictures, or Pinterest, where there's so much to see you could lose HOURS in there.<br />
<br />
But I love how all kinds of online magazine are cropping up everywhere. They're the perfect little break from writing...or life, with gorgeous photographs, fun party ideas, yummy-sounding recipes, and interesting articles. If you haven't checked them out, you should...just for the fun of it.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nNKMGmS8VjQ/TZnWhLTZ2tI/AAAAAAAABSQ/tecpaUcgXRY/s1600/Sweet-Paul_Spring-2011-Cover-230x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nNKMGmS8VjQ/TZnWhLTZ2tI/AAAAAAAABSQ/tecpaUcgXRY/s200/Sweet-Paul_Spring-2011-Cover-230x300.jpg" width="153" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_JROd1RGDm8/TZnXmwIAYwI/AAAAAAAABSc/5TSWdf1svAI/s1600/matchmag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_JROd1RGDm8/TZnXmwIAYwI/AAAAAAAABSc/5TSWdf1svAI/s200/matchmag.png" width="152" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Twncp3cMymo/TZnWixpLWoI/AAAAAAAABSU/wjNujjLbu7o/s1600/styledmag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Twncp3cMymo/TZnWixpLWoI/AAAAAAAABSU/wjNujjLbu7o/s200/styledmag.jpg" width="153" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IBOykM5vb6w/TZnWl2wVLBI/AAAAAAAABSY/f_PFchGlODY/s1600/LonnyMag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IBOykM5vb6w/TZnWl2wVLBI/AAAAAAAABSY/f_PFchGlODY/s200/LonnyMag.jpg" width="153" /></a>Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-84101432720121033352011-03-31T14:58:00.000-07:002011-03-31T14:58:16.524-07:00The Power of Book BlogsOnce upon a time I considered this somewhat of a book blog. It is, first and foremost, an author blog, but it is the blog of an author who, like most, loves books. Wants to gush about books, and covers, and really cool metaphors. (Or maybe that's just me.) Anyway, I said 'once upon a time.' Why? Because I've recently come to the realization that this is not a book blog. Not in the way that some blogs are book blogs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photosofobsesion.blogspot.com/2011/03/54.html"><img border="0" height="250" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QetnTZVpzlA/TZT452VoEQI/AAAAAAAABSM/c3VujX_JXXs/s320/stackofbooks.jpg" width="320" />[via]</a></div>A couple of weeks ago (you may remember), I signed up to participate in a blog hop, hosted by two book blogs: <a href="http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/">I Am A Reader, Not A Writer</a> and <a href="http://www.bookscompleteme.com/">Books Complete Me</a>. Over the course of that experience/experiment, I discovered several things:<br />
<br />
1. Book Blogs have a LOT of fans and a LOT of traffic...they can drive pre-order sales (not to mention post-launch sales).<br />
2. Book Blogs are strictly about books. They hype new releases, host a crazy number of giveaways, interview authors, share the love with other book bloggers... You name it.<br />
3. Book Blogs participate (and host) blog hops and book tours.<br />
4. Book Blogs post an astounding number of reviews, some of them for ARCs donated by authors and publishers<br />
5. Book Blogs host and advertise book clubs and hold (and promote) contests<br />
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In fact, Book Blogs are one-stop-shopping as far as books are concerned. You can find out about new releases, read reviews from reviewers you trust, *win books* and other book related paraphenalia, read author interviews, and get in the loop on all the latest hype.<br />
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In my 'research,' I've discovered that the bulk of the big Book Blogs tend to be focused on either YA books or paranormal, or both. Which is understandable, given the current trends in publishing right now. But if you look, you can probably find Book Blogs dedicated to any genre you're interested in...like say, <a href="http://austenprose.com/">Jane Austen fiction</a>...or <a href="http://chicklitisnotdead.com/">chick-lit</a>, should you be so inclined. These Book Blogs wield a lot of clout with a LOT of readers, so no author...and no reader should be unaware of such an awesome resource.Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-35093779501698940492011-03-29T15:53:00.000-07:002011-03-29T15:53:24.775-07:00Poems...for Everyone!Reading to my boys from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-Sidewalk-Ends-30th-Anniversary/dp/0060572345/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301438682&sr=8-1">Where the Sidewalk Ends</a> by Shel Silverstein last night. It has probably been thirty years since I've read those poems--I remember loving them the first time. We only read a few because it was almost time for bed, and we realized we were missing Dancing With the Stars (which they love to watch with me--how about that Daniel Laruso!), but these were my favorites from last night:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">LISTEN TO THE MUSTN'TS</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Listen to the MUSTN'TS child,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Listen to the DON'TS</div><div style="text-align: center;">Listen to the SHOULDN'TS</div><div style="text-align: center;">The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON'TS</div><div style="text-align: center;">Listen to the NEVER HAVES</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then listen close to me--</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anything can happen, child,</div><div style="text-align: center;">ANYTHING can be.</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">MAGIC</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sandra's seen a leprechaun,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Eddie touched a troll,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Laurie danced with witches once,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Charlie found some goblins' gold.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Donald heard a mermaid sing,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Susy spied an elf,</div><div style="text-align: center;">But all the magic I have known</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've had to make myself.</div><br />
Then found this picture today, and it made me this of this second poem all over again...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/penpal/4830248485/in/photostream/"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XKnLQttX2i0/TZJhaRpiueI/AAAAAAAABSI/FyDkC6gEQK0/s320/lanterns.jpg" width="256" />[via]</a></div><div align="center"></div>Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13449892.post-77222910083526353452011-03-25T12:10:00.000-07:002011-03-25T16:01:41.405-07:00Working on the book...I'm in a visual mood today. So, I give you the inspiration for the hero of my current WIP...<br />
That's <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0881631/">Karl Urban</a>, who you might also know as Éomer, from Lord of the Rings, or Bones from Star Trek.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shockya.com/news/wp-content/uploads/karl_urban.jpg"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DAs3ImwJLvc/TYznHhlr-1I/AAAAAAAABSE/iwsMKVnTcpg/s320/karlurban.bmp" width="256" />[via]</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He's working out great so far. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">** Just realized I never announced the winner of my Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway. Congratulations <span style="color: #351c75;"><strong>Jennifer Hedger</strong></span><span style="color: black;">!! Enjoy your gift card! **</span></div>Alyssa Goodnighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12563271888054706202noreply@blogger.com1