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Love Your Characters
I love three real characters very much! Eric, who continuously teases me and keeps me laughing or squinting and uttering “grrrrr!” Kai, who takes after his father but then plays beautiful music for me so all is forgiven. Arielle, who remembers to keep in touch from college because she knows how much I miss her. Happy Valentine’s Day to my family and Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone. Today, I’m writing about fictional characters. The ones I create. They are with me daily and I strive to understand them as much as I would any family member or friend. In MYSTIC a character named Sri (a wizard) has fallen in love with a man from another world. In order for me…
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Spreading the Love
Spreading the Love Caloosahatchee River bridge Valentine’s Day is on its way! I say let’s spread the love to everyone. Let’s make the holiday more than loving just our immediate family. I read an article the other day that said Americans are lonely especially older Americans. Living in Cape Coral I can say that it is all too often I see an elderly person sitting alone in a restaurant. This Valentine’s Day do something in your community or online that shows people you care. Compliment someone, buy a few desserts and take them to your local police or fire station with a note of thanks, or write a kind letter to…
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Believe in Magic
It took becoming a teacher and discovering how much I loved getting kids interested in reading to understand that my path was leading me to write. “She might even be your lovely school-teacher who is reading these words to you at this very moment. Look carefully at that teacher. Perhaps she is smiling at the absurdity of such a suggestion. Don’t let that put you off. It could be part of cleverness. I am not, of course, telling you for one second that your teacher actually is a witch. All I am saying is that she might be one. It is most unlikely. But–here comes the big “but”–not impossible.” ― Roald Dahl, …
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Eric’s Awesome Mexican Stack
This is Eric’s latest creation. He calls it Eric’s Awesome Mexican Stack. It’s been a wild week celebrating MYSTIC’s book birthday and Arielle being home from college and subbing for all those wonderful kids at NFMAA. I’m overwhelmed and extremely grateful. Luckily, through all the beautiful chaos I have a husband who enjoys cooking for his family especially when his daughter returns home. Oh, and I’ve milked it. “Arielle would like you to make quesadillas.” And “I really think Arielle would love some stuffed olives!” Here’s the recipe for Eric’s Awesome Mexican Stack. First make the sweet corn cake: 1 Package Jiffy corn muffin mix 1/4 Cup melted butter 1/4 Cup water 1…
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MYSTIC
MYSTIC’s book birthday was yesterday January 5, 2013! You can purchase a copy through CreateSpace or Amazon. The Kindle version is coming soon. I have to give a huge shout out to Beth, Ashley and Chris from Project Team 1 at CreateSpace. I decided January 5th was the perfect book birthday for MYSTIC and I begged and pleaded and offered chocolate (not really) to the Project Team to make it happen. They did! I am very grateful to them. Why was January 5th the perfect date? Well, it began on January 5th, 1912 when Virginia Titus Keen was born–My grandmother. She was very, very special to me. Eric and I got married on…
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Easy Homemade Holiday Candles
After seeing the cinnamon stick holiday candle on Pinterest I had to try it. Then I wondered what else I could glue to the side of a canning jar. I came home with peppermints and candy canes. My evening was spent experimenting with holiday sweets and hot glue. The cinnamon sticks didn’t quite reach the bottom of the jar so I added red marbles under the candle. Peppermints and the candy canes were a success! Happy crafting and gifting! Update: Here’s another idea: Chocolate peppermint spoons! Instant hot chocolate or afternoon snack. MYSTIC on Amazon! It’s a hit with kids ages 9-12. Check out my Teacher Resources page for classroom activities and recordings from Florida Virtual…
