Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related:  In my last actual post, I mentioned that I was going to participate in Sarra Cannon's Rough Draft Challenge. I decided against it because while my sister is home from the hospital, she's very limited in what she can do so I'm helping her out with things like laundry, grocery shopping, vacuuming, etc which cuts into writing time. I'm still hoping to get the first draft of Garrett's story finished by the end of this month. 

Motivational Quote:  "So what if it doesn't look the way you planned? All of these days still belong to you, and even the greatest disappointments have their uses." ~ Yrsa Daley-Ward

What I'm Reading: I started reading When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein Saturday afternoon. It's a contemporary romance that was recommended to me by a friend. I've never read anything by Ms. Stein before but am always willing to read books by new authors. 

Random Things:  I took a short break from social media a couple of weeks ago. I don't usually spend a lot of time on it in general, just about 30 minutes in the morning and probably the same amount in the evening but I still needed a break. I took that hour and used it to try a few new to me bread recipes. A couple I would make again. One was a complete failure. But my favorite was the Big and Bubbly Focaccia recipe from the King Arthur Flour baking website. It was the first time I'd ever made focaccia. It's my new favorite bread to make. I can see why the people at King Arthur flour named it their 2025 Recipe of the Year. Here's a link to recipe if you're interested in trying it - Big and Bubbly Focaccia Recipe   I've put a picture of how mine turned out below. 

Random Photo:

 

If you like baking bread, this is a good one to try. I included the link to the recipe above. 

 

 

Monday Check In

 Sorry, no post again this week.  Here's a photo of Mrs. Green attacking Somebody's tail. I hope it makes you smile. 

 

Monday Check In

No post this week as I'm helping my sister as she recovers from surgery. If you celebrate Halloween, I hope you have a great time.

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related: I've hit the middle of the book. Finally. I'm hoping that I only have about 150 pages more to write. I'm going to participate in Sarra Cannon's Rough Draft Challenge in the month of November with the goal of writing those 150 pages. I'm not sure how much writing I'll get done this week as one of my siblings is going into the hospital Tuesday for surgery and will have to stay 4 to 5 days. I'll be visiting her as much as I can and going to her house daily to take in the mail and making sure her cat has fresh water, food, and litter. 

Motivational Quote:  "Our life is in our hands and it's never too late." ~ Tiffany Brar

What I'm Reading:  I'm reading Independent Bones by Carolyn Haines. I should finish it this evening. I'll start the next book, Lady of Bones, on Tuesday while I'm sitting in the hospital waiting room while my sister is in surgery. 

Random Things:  Are you a tea drinker? I should specify hot tea. I do drink iced tea as well but I like to drink that without sugar or honey. When I drink hot tea, it doesn't seem to have as much flavor as it does cold so I add a bit of honey to it and it helps bring out the flavor. The problem is I'm trying to drink tea instead of hot chocolate because it's healthier, but how healthy is it if I'm adding honey to it? A friend suggested adding a bit of milk to it instead. I haven't tried that yet. Any suggestions on how to bring out the flavor of the tea without adding honey, sugar, or any other type of sugar substitute? Just as an FYI, I usually drink raspberry pomegranate green tea or apple chai tea, or a vanilla cranberry tea. I did just buy a box of gingerbread tea to try as well. 

 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related: I'm making headway on Garrett's story. It's taking me so much longer to write this book than I originally anticipated. I keep telling myself even a few pages a day is progress and is bringing me closer to the end.

Motivational Quote:  "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt 

What I'm Reading: I started reading A Garland of Bones by Carolyn Haines over the weekend.  This is the 22nd book in the series. There are a total of 29 books published so far so I'm getting closer to the end so to speak, at least until the next book is published. 

Random Things:  It's finally been cold enough to do some baking. I made semolina bread for the first time this past Thursday. It has a tangy taste, not quite as strong a sourdough, but enough to notice. I will make it again, but I think I'll bake it in a loaf pan instead of on a baking sheet that the recipe calls for. The dough didn't rise as high as I would have liked, rising in width instead so I'm hoping it will rise higher in a loaf pan.

Random Photo:

                  Here's a picture of the semolina bread. It looks taller than it actually is. 
 

Monday Check In

Last week...

Writing Related: I still have the occasional cough left from my cold, but am feeling much better. We had a bunch of appointments including an annual vet check up for Mrs. Green and getting our flu shots so I didn't get much written. Considering I already had a cold so early in the fall/winter season, I don't want to risk getting the flu or giving it to my mom so we both got the vaccine. 

Motivational Quote:  "Fear has a very concrete power of keeping us from doing the things that are our purpose." ~ Luvvie Ajayi

What I'm Reading:  I should finish reading Game of Bones by Carolyn Haines this evening unless something pops up. It's the 20th book in the Sarah Booth Delaney mystery series. I'll probably start the next book in the series within the next day or so.

Random Things:  I have a physical therapy appointment this afternoon. I'm hoping it'll be the last one. I'll keep doing the exercises because they are helping but I don't really want to continue with the appointments. My ulnar nerve issue is much better than it was. It doesn't wake me up at night anymore and I rarely get the pins and needles feeling in my last two fingers now. I still can't type for long periods but I'm going to start splitting my writing time up into two sessions so hopefully that will help. 

Random Photo:

The Halloween wreath for our front door. My nephew's wife made it a for us a few years ago.