Happy 2009!

So I'm several hours early... but I don't plan on sitting at my desk at midnight typing out a post. I'm tramping it up Chilliwack style tonight! That sentence makes me laugh...seriously. Regardless of WHERE we are going, I will be with some wonderfully amazing people that I love and care about and could not imagine ringing in 2009 with anyone else. Although, despite the break-up, it would be nice to also have E there. Arguing we are not... and like I mentioned below, I will miss us.

So onwards we go to 2009! It's a new year, a new chapter, and new beginnings...

Love XOXO

Carmen

HEARTFAST is Whiskey Creek Press Torrid's NUMBER ONE BEST SELLER!

Linda,

Congratulations! Your book HEARTFAST is the Number One Bestseller at Whiskey Creek Press Torrid for the month of January 2009, certainly a great way to start the new year!

HEARTFAST will again be carried on the WCPT Home Page all month as the Bestseller, and be permanently “red lettered” with our other, past Bestsellers at the site. HEARTFAST will also be featured in the WCPT newsletter as the Bestseller and at other third party places.

HEARTFAST is your fifth book with Whiskey Creek Press Torrid, and all five books have been Number One Bestsellers, an amazing achievement unmatched by any other Whiskey Creek Press author to date. You have developed a growing fan base with your writing efforts, never an easy accomplishment but always very valuable and rewarding. Well done!

Again, congratulations from all of us at Whiskey Creek Press!

Debra Womack, Executive Editor and Publisher
Jan Janssen, WCPT Executive Editor
Steven Womack

What Would You Wish From Your Fairy Godmother?

Supposed your Fairy Godmother appears before your very eyes, what wish would you ask her that she can grant to you for this coming year 2009? Please explain your answer.


When You Wish Upon A Star



Tags: Fairy Godmother, Wishes, Life, Dreams, Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Happiness, Wonderful Life, Reality

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

And the beat goes on

Well, December is finally coming to a close. This is one month I would like to disappear from my memory. Not only painful, but stressful and frustrating as well. (I guess that can be included in painful).

Lots of plans have been put in place, one of which includes a new place to live. I found one, put a deposit, and now I am just sitting around waiting for the 15th. It sucks to be in the same place knowing that you are no longer together, but trying to keep things normal for Sadie. I don't think either of us really know what to say to each other... but the sadness has sure taken over. I will miss him. I will miss US. But I wont miss those things that I can't live WITH which is why this is the right decision.

I do believe he is finally agreeing with me on that as well.

I have my moments when I think that he doesn't even really like me. That hurts, because in the end, I still love him with all my heart. It's funny how quickly it just becomes too much...I mean, I have done a pretty good job of being patient and understanding, while deep down building up this wall that one day was just THERE and the day before it wasn't. Such a weird feeling to have to be honest. I guess when you are done, you are done.

Doesn't help with the tears though. They come pretty frequent.

With all that said, I am a little bit excited, nervous, apprehensive, and SCARED about this new chapter in our lives. I am almost 30 and starting over, and while I am a strong, independent woman, I can't help but feel overwhelmed at the thought of being on my own again. Actually, who am I kidding??? This is some seriously scary shit! It is so much easier to stay, and be unhappy, then it is to move on and start over isn't it? I do have those fleeting moments where I wonder what the heck I am getting myself into...

Chin Up.

I can do it

WE can do it.

10 Reasons NOT to Buy an E-book

10. I have lots of room to store my print books.

9. I don't care for all the variety. It's too confusing.

8. It'll put used book stores out of business.

7. I paid good money for these reading glasses.

6. What would the authors sign if I went to their book signings?

5. Who wants to sit in front of a computer all day?

4. E-reader? Good grief! MORE technology?

3. I don't need it right now. I can wait for it to come in the mail.

2. What would I do with all my neat little bookmarks?

And the Number One reason NOT to buy an e-book?

1. Bargain? Feh!

Santa Liked Me This Year! :D

Okay. After the prerequisite Bath and Body Works (mango mandarin, in case you're curious), the funky socks I love to wear when teaching, and a bag of expen$$ive Kona coffee, my Best Gift From Santa this year is my Seagate Free Agent Desktop 500 GB (that's right, people! FIVE HUNDRED GIGS!) External USB Hard Drive. And it's very reasonable in price! Also, it attaches direct to your computer tower (or laptop) and runs direct from there. No electrical outlet needed!

So if you're needing a place to backup, more room to store your books, or just more room period, check them out!

Fresh Starts.......

(No, this isn't any where's near the area of the world where I live.)

Usually by the time I get to the "tail end" of a year...I am SO ready for the "NEW YEAR" to begin.

I usually feel like a "worn out Washer Women" by December 31.
Thankfully I am not feeling as wearisome in my body, mind and soul, this year as of current as I have been at the end of some previous years in my life.

I guess some years are rougher than others I suppose.However, I am one that absolutely loves "NEW BEGINNINGS."
"New starts, changes, moves, conversions."
Call them what you like.
But I love them.

***Here's my "short list" for this Monday morning.***

~Fresh Bedsheets
~Being the FIRST one to walk on fresh fallen snow
~New born babies
~The air after a cleansing rain
~A sprouting plant
~A good cry (not for sadness always, but for good things as well like, proud moments, Hallmark movies, joyfulness, laughing till you cry...and thankfulness!)
~Little hatched chicks
~Using a new washed towel
~Clean hair
~Traveling to a place I've never been before and seeing things for the first time.
~A fresh cup of tea
~Cracking open a brand new book....I love that.
~A fresh toothbrush
~Stars on a crisp and clear night
~A new coat of paint on a wall....smells good...looks good. That's a winner all around really.
~Dew on the grass on summer mornings
~A freshly dusted room (the lemon pledge smells nice too!)
~Early morning sunrises
~Hellos instead of Goodbyes. I really detest "goodbyes"...but I've learned that goodbye isn't forever.
~Beaches with sand that is untouched in the morning
~A new pair of contacts that aren't grimed up yet
~Brand new Christmas socks
~Children that have just had baths
~Hot muffins straight out of the oven
~New money......well....scratch that.......I like old money too don't take me wrong. HA!
But the crispy bills are nice aren't they. That's why we always put them in cards for some reason. It's like it's worth more or something because it's new and not used.

When the year is nearly over.......I never have the attitude or thoughts of......
"oh let's hang on to this year because it was so great......" but rather.....I like to "sweep it out of my front door" like
Mrs. Mouse.

Be gone with you!


Life is like a "Carriage ride" and we had better "gather our skirts up and get in" or we will "miss the JOY in the journey."
It's no fun being "dragged behind a carriage" you know.
Just get in the thing.
And "hang on for dear life if the road gets bumpy."
I am all about "Journeys" anyway.

I love new adventures and new challenges.
Especially the "good ones" of course... we always hope and pray for those don't we?
But sometimes there is sad mixed in with the good.
It all does work out though depending on how you look at it and how you react. Most times.

As the song says...."A spoonful of sugar DOES help the medicine go down" so many times it is how we "perceive" life and how we adjust to the hand we are dealt.

I can tell you though...first hand....that "This lady is Embracing 2009" and looking forward to what wonderful things lie ahead for me and my family and friends.

No matter what war is happening, no matter what financial crisis is going on....no matter who is the many nations leaders.
I know that my family will overcome and press onward.
Come what may. Because we must.

Many men and women prophesy and predict that the days ahead are going to get very "hard and rocky"....and I believe that.
I'm not saying that my family will float along in life unscathed.
I'm sure we will feel "fall out" just as others will.

However......

I am not afraid. I'm also not foolish.
Some things can't be stopped or prevented.

Like "Birth and Death"...."New" years.
And "End Times" of all sorts.

Friends, get yourselves "ready."
2009 is just days and hours away.

A Mooney Marketing Tip - Free Excerpts

It costs pennies per disk. All you need is time.

Buy CDs by the bulk, and use those white paper envelopes to put them in.

Hand them out at all book signings, in each book order you mail out, or send them to friends and fellow authors who are seeking freebies for giveaways!

Here's what you do:

Prepare an ad for each book.

Include a picture of the cover,

a direct BUY link (from your publisher's website, Fictionwise, ARe, wherever!),

ISBN number,

genre,

link to your website, MySpace, and YouTube (if you have a book trailer video),

BLURB,

EXCERPT (be sure to give a rating for the excerpt!).

Save as a MS Word file, or better yet, convert into a PDF file (you can find free PDF converting software on the internet.)

If you save every ad in one folder (mine is labeled PROMO DISK), then all you have to do is "drag and drop" the folder to burn on each disk.

I also found out that you can even drag and drop those .mpv files on the disk, too!

Where did all the trailers go?

Some of you have noticed and contacted me on the assumption my book video trailers over on YouTube had been removed by some sinister force. I assure you that's not quite the truth. But I did have one removed because of the music played in it.

My bad.

So I've taken down the majority of my trailers and I'm in the process of completely revamping them. Not exactly starting from scratch, but re-editing them without any music whatsoever.

What? NO music in my trailers? How does that work?

Just wait. :D You'll see. ;)

Come Join the Red Rose Publishing Yahoo Loop, and You Just Might Be a Winner!

Click on the invitation for a larger version that's easier to read.

Merry Christmas!!

And God Bless Us, Everyone!

On Christmas Day...

Candace Estes won a book of her choice!

Congratulations!

And thank you to everyone who entered!

Merry Christmas From Our House To Yours....

Whether you be near or far.

We wish you a most Merry Christmas.......

~~Our Children~~
Standing.....Luke and Caleb
Sitting......Gabriel and Ariel

Merry Christmas!

I want to wish all of you a wonderful holiday season, with lots of love and family and friendships!

While not the best time to share bad news... it should be said that E and I have gone our seperate ways. Well not technically yet, but we have split up. It is never easy, but it IS for the best as we have not really been a working unit for some time. There are still lots of decisions to be made, but the one thing we do agree on is our love for Sadie and we are going to do our best to make sure she is our number one priority through all of this...

To my friends, family, loved ones, and random blog readers, please have a safe and wonderful holiday season... and see you in the New Year

Love
Me

XOXO

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas...

Gina Pettitt won from me...


Congratulations!

A Mom's Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my own doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out -- over several Christmases.

Since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles; and who knows when I'll find any more free time in the next 18 years, so now - -

*** Here are my Christmas wishes ***

* I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.

* I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

* If you're hauling big-ticket items this year, I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

* On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, 'Yes,Mommy ' to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

* I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, "Don't eat in the living room!" and "Take your hands off your brother!" because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

* If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

*If you don't mind, I could also use a few miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely.

*It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing, and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his red crayon back.

Have a safe trip Santa, and remember to leave your wet boots by the door, and come in and dry off, so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table, but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours always with love and appreciation,

a Mom

P.S. One more thing... You can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children "young" enough to believe in Santa.

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas...

Lindsey Ekland won from me...


Congratulations!

This SHOULD be under "dubious gifts", but...

I'm ashamed (not!) to say that I still know the words and tune to this little holiday ditty. If nothing else makes you fall out of your chair with laughter, go hunt this song up on iTunes!

On the Tenth Day of Christmas...

Julie Robinson won from me...


Congratulations!

Ready or not.....here it comes.

All over the world.......people are preparing for Christmas.

In Northern Ireland......
(Belfast children from the loyalist Suffolk estate join with their neighbours from the nationalist Lenadoon area in a joint Christmas service on the Stewartstown Road in Belfast.)

Somewhere in the world, Penguins and Dogs are getting dressing up.


Arlington National Cemetary is even decorated.


Now we wait just a few more days in anticipation of the one day that the world marks to "remember" a special birth.


We've prepared many gifts, we've prepared special foods, we've prepared our homes, we've prepared pretty cards and have mailed them off.

But I wonder to myself tonight.....

"Have we prepared our HEARTS?"

I'm working on that.
It really is THE most important preparation that needs to be done.

Psalm 85:10
"Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other."

How nice it will be to "Kiss the King" one day.

Holiday Eating Tips

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand-alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by:"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO!! What a ride!"

Have a great holiday season!

On the Ninth Day of Christmas...

Linda LaRoque won from me...


Congratulations!

Please Vote!!

Runner's Moon: Simolif is up for Best Book! I would feel very honored if you voted for my novel, but hurry! Votes will only be taken Saturday and Sunday!

Click on this link, and thank you so much for your support! :D

On the Eighth Day of Christmas...

Catslady5 won from me...

Congratulations!

Long and Short Whipped Cream Reviews has reviewed RUNNER'S MOON: SIMOLIF

This is the third book in a series, but the story is fully readable as a stand-alone book. Simolif or Simon as he is known here on earth is a very hot construction foreman at a job site. He has been searching to meet his life mate, because his race only bonds with one person for life. Little did he realize that Professor Sarah Drumman would turn out to be that person. Sarah is an astronomer who works at the local college, next to his job site, and catches her first sight of him, out of her office window.

The sparks that fly between these two characters are very hot and very romantic. This reader immediately became enmeshed in the story and did not want it to end. This story has it all, great sex and romance, and the suspense qualities of a good thriller. When the enemy of these alien shape shifters comes after them, and tries to capture them, it is Sarah who through her love and connection to Simon that is able to save them from being recaptured.

I recommend this story to anyone who likes his or her erotica with a sci-fi twist. I definitely want to go back and read the previous parts of this series.

~ Reviewed by: Anthurium
http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/2008/12/runners-moon-simolif.html

Baking for the Holidays?

The other day I decided to make some little "Christmas cakes."
Let me mention right here.........that I don't like to cook or bake really.
Anyway not like others seem to.

However, one must "eat" in life right? And it is rewarding at times too....so I do it.

This day was one of those "rewarding times" in the cooking department at our house.

My husband has a friend we love dearly at his company that I made a special
"Coffee Cake" for, one Christmas a few years ago as a gift, and he has BEGGED me ever since then to make him another one.

Every time I see that man he is asking me for another cake.
In fact....he asked me last week again. BLAH!

SO I finally broke down and decided to do that for him the other day.

I thought I would "share the journey" with you all.

Here is my prep area...

I use the "mini Bundt pan" for these. The recipe is for a big bundt pan but I just mix it for a full one and then pour half into the mini bundt pan because I think they are cuter for gifts and I get two out of the mixture.

Here is the recipe if you are interested.
Believe me it's super easy or I wouldn't be making it.
And it's very tasty.


~~Jewish Sour Cream Coffee Cake~~
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 1/2 sticks butter (3/4 cups, 150 grams), room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 cup sour cream
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
TOPPPING
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans (you could use mini chocolate chips or whatever other great thing pops into your mind.)
2 Tablespoons cinnamon
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray bundt pan with non-stick spray.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla.
3. Sift dry ingredients together.
4. Alternate adding dry ingredients and sour cream to the cake batter.
5. In a separate bowl, mix topping ingredients (pecans, brown sugar, cinnamon).
6. Sprinkle 1/4 of the topping into the bundt pan.
7. Spread 1/2 batter into bundt pan, add 1/2 of the topping, and then add remaining batter.
8. Sprinkle rest of topping mixture on top of the batter.
9. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes or until a butter knife or toothpick comes out clean. Once it cools in the pan.....I take a knife and slide it all along the pan sides (carefully as to not scratch up the Teflon coating) to make sure it isn't sticking.

Then I flip it over into a decorative box like this one.


Then I put a little
"Snow on the Mountain".....I like to think of it that way.
But in "bakers terms"....use a little strainer or your sifter and dust some powered sugar over the (make sure it's cooled off enough first) little cake.

Look how cute it is.

Place the lid on the box and add a nice ribbon to finish it off.
This is about as good as it gets baking wise in my house aside from some occasional cookies like these I made for a "Cookie Exchange" I went to with about 25 ladies at Miss Sandi's house recently.
I took these....
"Peanut Butter Cookies with mini Reeses Peanut Butter cups in them "


Miss Priss and I do usually make homemade Fudge for gifts for our neighbors.

My Mom would have a "fit" if she read this because she is and has always been quite the baker and cook all of her life.

Honestly,
I nearly called her to ask her how to measure the flour when it's sifted because I hadn't done it in so long. Ugh.
I was confused by this small, yet important question that I had....
"Does one measure flour before you sift it? OR do you sift it and THEN measure it from the sifted amount??"
I looked it up online instead of calling her. HA!
Terrible.

What kinds of great things do you stir up to eat for the Holidays??
Are you giving them as gifts?

Homemade things, baked or otherwise, really are a "Treat"...
I realize this as I see it happening less and less in our society today.
Sadly.

If I Am Santa Claus, What Would You Wish For This Christmas?

If I am Santa Claus, what would you wish for this Christmas? Do you expect to receive it this Christmas? Please explain your answer.


Tags: Christmas, Santa Claus, Yuletide, Mistletoe, Carols, Wishes, Joy, Celebration, Food, Gifts, Merry Making, Greetings, Sleigh Ride, Snow, Winter, Holidays, Feasting, Peace, Love

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

On the Seventh Day of Christmas...

Anne Sorgeson won from me...


Congratulations!



It's not to late to enter! Just send me an email at Linda@LindaMooney.com and say "Please put me on your Christmas list!"

On the Sixth Day of Christmas...

Kimmy Lane won from me...


Congratulations!

On the Fifth Day of Christmas...

JFWisherd won from me...

Congratulations!