tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52247188546916346672024-03-19T00:39:04.682-07:00The Write Words...writing about my favorite things...Photogirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498663171572118363noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224718854691634667.post-16188394981215026722016-05-02T17:24:00.001-07:002016-05-02T17:24:33.902-07:00Do Aliens exist?<a href="https://animoto.com/play/4UeD0xR2VWkkHsusxZGX1Q">Do Aliens exist?</a><br /><br />
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Hey guys!! I know I haven't been on in a long time, but here is a video that I had to make for class, but I wanted to share with you guys! Hope you enjoy! please leave down in the comments on this post about what you thought about it! :)Photogirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498663171572118363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224718854691634667.post-39908197222331105932011-12-13T10:53:00.000-08:002011-12-21T05:53:05.394-08:00Terrific Holiday Gift Tags! (Free Downloadable)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRQniPV8VlZHGQ8unQdQOUsKTKK7EmSc6Uvy-qZYLLZVnFxnbHLgLxbXdM-lnmc-bhyG7ycGEN6ZQKojJxtj6FSetYffjIq4Q-FRKEHy7PZJjb9F2iU-OFJrmakgeC4mIg8ABQaAuOEs2/s1600/sassperil.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRQniPV8VlZHGQ8unQdQOUsKTKK7EmSc6Uvy-qZYLLZVnFxnbHLgLxbXdM-lnmc-bhyG7ycGEN6ZQKojJxtj6FSetYffjIq4Q-FRKEHy7PZJjb9F2iU-OFJrmakgeC4mIg8ABQaAuOEs2/s400/sassperil.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688577985677728514" border="0" /></a><br />OK!! Who still needs gift tags because they haven't finished wrapping presents yet? Aaaaah, it's nice seeing <span style="font-style: italic;">all</span> those hands waving wildly right along with me. And even if you ARE done (damn overachievers!), you could still use some awesomely cute tags to go on those perfectly wrapped packages you have there.<br />These are some super cute tags that you can download for FREE! That's right people, I am all about the FREE this Holiday season! Enjoy. Or print them and save them for next year!!!!<br />(I'll be some of you even have NEXT years presents wrapped, don't you?)<br /><br />Click on <a href="http://www.sassandperil.com/blog/2011/11/24/giving-thanks-free-holiday-gift-tags/">Sass&Peril</a> for the download!!!Photogirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498663171572118363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224718854691634667.post-9429429498273073302011-12-13T10:16:00.000-08:002011-12-15T08:54:40.655-08:00FREE Prtintable Card templates from Becky Higgins!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPTQm36djL29U4OwFvwsPEkQpAIRDGuK6sA5QHFpOhVRDDu6iHDehg8XnbUQSW4Z21N8qOQp1YsEaDHJKtWdC_rqKEGBOeqP5cr6e9x1Han1_m2dBYep1gIHD0gK3L5d312UkKeYoJfV6/s1600/cluster-holidaycards2011.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPTQm36djL29U4OwFvwsPEkQpAIRDGuK6sA5QHFpOhVRDDu6iHDehg8XnbUQSW4Z21N8qOQp1YsEaDHJKtWdC_rqKEGBOeqP5cr6e9x1Han1_m2dBYep1gIHD0gK3L5d312UkKeYoJfV6/s400/cluster-holidaycards2011.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685681948187410178" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />I am an avid scrap-booker from way back. The name <a href="http://beckyhiggins.com/">Becky Higgins</a> is well known in the scrap-booking industry!! I absolutely love her back-to-basics approach to memory-keeping. Her strategy is keep it simple - so you don't get bogged down in all the details. It's hard enough to find time to scrapbook all my memories without having to worry about the "too many" products out there for memory keeping. </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She has some awesome additional free stuff on her website, but I would like to steer you towards the FREE Printable Holiday card templates for now! These are super cute. You DO have to know how to use Photoshop (Elements at least) and understand layers, but she gives you good directions to follow!!!! </span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ENJOY!!!!!</span> <a href="http://beckyhiggins.com/freestuff/"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Download Free Cards Here</span></a>Photogirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498663171572118363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224718854691634667.post-83336282646986368062011-12-13T10:05:00.001-08:002011-12-14T06:08:04.319-08:00Peace, LOVE & Reindeer Hugs - Adorable Free Printable tags!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_h8mEc7Oe30rxoph5TsUzWizL-097njr5fqKjT-KC9mzMd0YmPA-kvSc7-UjNQRxDpVoxGZx-Rl8MQE3sjk73Xj4pXi39f5nRmNbstzTek1-bAtQrBHMTgIOazL6QKBNK8BzZhlJEbXD/s1600/reindeerhugs_04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 358px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_h8mEc7Oe30rxoph5TsUzWizL-097njr5fqKjT-KC9mzMd0YmPA-kvSc7-UjNQRxDpVoxGZx-Rl8MQE3sjk73Xj4pXi39f5nRmNbstzTek1-bAtQrBHMTgIOazL6QKBNK8BzZhlJEbXD/s400/reindeerhugs_04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685677358476582018" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">These holiday tags are too too cute!!!! I know I'll be using them for MY gifts this year. I mean, </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >really</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, who wouldn't LOVE to hug a Reindeer????? </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Thanks to Amy Moss at <a href="http://www.eatdrinkchic.com/">EAT*DRINK*CHIC </a> for these adorable tags!!!! Download them from her site here: <a href="http://www.eatdrinkchic.com/post.cfm/reindeer-hugs">Free Printable Reindeer tags </a> </span>Photogirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498663171572118363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224718854691634667.post-77129673122535878322011-12-13T07:05:00.000-08:002011-12-13T08:59:47.234-08:00(Free!) Vintage Rudolph Labels<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqs8MLQF2oOlrN2Qkc9FReJLH14UrpRTxrFyQ1zJWNnjtKhhnzzHRlSa2sijMZMyHiltHHQARkQMFQk8QPWZ88fxAcM4ix_FvnFjSTzQHs4blh50xi83sHxJq4xv_AYAf-9hv3F7VBGbFH/s1600/vintage+rudolph+fancy+labels+-+lisa.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_A9lDSXSaaqMNLeVZo8-9UGMfyXCFyp3x0JmtCNtK1AiShtdHnQ7EoBWmPUGrqtQuSDKt4mhGFrkvKfenFJkkky4prkvtb7CaVyEHGbds4xAEYpfsOra78KwDLL_pTUqBKzgdNsHc5KV/s1600/reindeer+food+label+-+tomkat+studio.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_A9lDSXSaaqMNLeVZo8-9UGMfyXCFyp3x0JmtCNtK1AiShtdHnQ7EoBWmPUGrqtQuSDKt4mhGFrkvKfenFJkkky4prkvtb7CaVyEHGbds4xAEYpfsOra78KwDLL_pTUqBKzgdNsHc5KV/s320/reindeer+food+label+-+tomkat+studio.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685641050683104386" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I LOVE the Christmas Holidays! The lights, the colors, the music, the COOKIES (boy! do I LOVE the cookies!!) --- even the GRINCH! I will say though, as a single parent, it stinks trying to "economize" during this festive time, when all I really want to do is spend every last penny I have on those I love. Since most of my measly income goes towards "Santa" gifts for my favorite little elf during this time of year, I also LOVE (and really really appreciate) FREE things during the Holidays!! I'm going to share all the wonderful freebilicious stuff I find with you right here each day until Christmas!! There are SO many creatively awesome people out there. Maybe you will like this stuff too!!! Enjoy!</span> ****************************************************************************** <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Here is my first Fabulous Find! Lucie and I made this "Reindeer Food" last year and shared with some friends. She is already excited about making it again this year. Here are some incredibly cute little tags to go with it from Kim at the </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://tomkatstudio.blogspot.com/2010/12/free-printables-reindeer-food-tags.html">TomKat Studio</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">!</span><br /><br />Directions:<br />Grab some clear plasic Baggies. Add oats, colorful sprinkles and Glitter -- LOTS of Glitter!!<br />Tie with ribbon and attach the <a href="http://tomkatstudio.blogspot.com/2010/12/free-printables-reindeer-food-tags.html">FREE printable label</a>!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqs8MLQF2oOlrN2Qkc9FReJLH14UrpRTxrFyQ1zJWNnjtKhhnzzHRlSa2sijMZMyHiltHHQARkQMFQk8QPWZ88fxAcM4ix_FvnFjSTzQHs4blh50xi83sHxJq4xv_AYAf-9hv3F7VBGbFH/s1600/vintage+rudolph+fancy+labels+-+lisa.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqs8MLQF2oOlrN2Qkc9FReJLH14UrpRTxrFyQ1zJWNnjtKhhnzzHRlSa2sijMZMyHiltHHQARkQMFQk8QPWZ88fxAcM4ix_FvnFjSTzQHs4blh50xi83sHxJq4xv_AYAf-9hv3F7VBGbFH/s320/vintage+rudolph+fancy+labels+-+lisa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685657429924927394" border="0" /></a>Photogirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498663171572118363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224718854691634667.post-59988114864599722092011-06-28T08:49:00.001-07:002011-06-28T09:26:46.057-07:00A Bit of Whimsey!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nU6yfVhuY6KiKpndS6rKoZqo5cdKAWV9D6bUXcfPcWXJn35mWrcHXPgeJdeIUQ1LxOfHwRRGQMG_Kp6NxZ6R7y-ulJkgD1a1vVaBRri-X-GsakO-VD44_tx5FRiI43A5qrv3Qa6wA2XG/s1600/IMG_1119_vintage_afb.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nU6yfVhuY6KiKpndS6rKoZqo5cdKAWV9D6bUXcfPcWXJn35mWrcHXPgeJdeIUQ1LxOfHwRRGQMG_Kp6NxZ6R7y-ulJkgD1a1vVaBRri-X-GsakO-VD44_tx5FRiI43A5qrv3Qa6wA2XG/s400/IMG_1119_vintage_afb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623301174678006338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I edited this photo for a photo challenge over at <a href="http://lovethatshot.com/" target="_blank"><img title="Visit Love That Shot" src="http://lovethatshot.com/blog/images/love-that-shot-125.jpg" alt="" width="125" height="125" /></a>.<br /><br />The idea was to use post processing to give a photo a magical or dreamlike finish. I LOVE the way this photo of my daughters BFF Kennedy tuned out. I used a couple of free photo textures provided by Love That Shot and VOILA! Magical! Below you can see the before and after!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yMGl4zM08CHmaDmE3yFrl86tLnuQBYAd33Hr9rgaA299lqpC6a5cF9DC1SZ3-CyOPfckpuu7bfq_LwV-kylT0PsfgbipKGiyZWMN3qXmSoeo7e6BQjjsbPdIRNtizhpZOeVQbMnwlBAa/s1600/IMG_1119_afb.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yMGl4zM08CHmaDmE3yFrl86tLnuQBYAd33Hr9rgaA299lqpC6a5cF9DC1SZ3-CyOPfckpuu7bfq_LwV-kylT0PsfgbipKGiyZWMN3qXmSoeo7e6BQjjsbPdIRNtizhpZOeVQbMnwlBAa/s400/IMG_1119_afb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623301034760913330" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_W9PpkXJHh_Zyh5Vncq8IJN7B6YceLDMItd1Rd7TSHTaBK2HQNU7_enKrA77yieQid_LZRUqAVrnDr9hByRVJydi0KrW49hiWUn5NIdtPMyFgyqsv8hRvL0ZNTF0XJlZSOEIy5Rq2zx6/s1600/IMG_1119_vintage_afb.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_W9PpkXJHh_Zyh5Vncq8IJN7B6YceLDMItd1Rd7TSHTaBK2HQNU7_enKrA77yieQid_LZRUqAVrnDr9hByRVJydi0KrW49hiWUn5NIdtPMyFgyqsv8hRvL0ZNTF0XJlZSOEIy5Rq2zx6/s400/IMG_1119_vintage_afb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623299690401322082" border="0" /></a><br />To see the rest of the lovely entries, go <a href="http://lovethatshot.com/blog/2011/06/28/whimsy-photo-challenge/">here</a> !Photogirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498663171572118363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224718854691634667.post-82619240043185662472011-06-07T12:11:00.000-07:002011-06-07T12:51:35.018-07:00...from a distance<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFVVZKsW5JbOxZfsqZtQV4Rg0sbKjyQKweVsL38ZfQXxTqZ7jdkBCfU1bHm0-TwgL1gwWzJ8zNgQKIwxb_sciEQ3XEnoJ5gix5U4Zn2QjfcoxoCVKrW6MBzqhrHPWDmDLQqf2vX-1HA0A/s1600/IMG_9704_IHF.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFVVZKsW5JbOxZfsqZtQV4Rg0sbKjyQKweVsL38ZfQXxTqZ7jdkBCfU1bHm0-TwgL1gwWzJ8zNgQKIwxb_sciEQ3XEnoJ5gix5U4Zn2QjfcoxoCVKrW6MBzqhrHPWDmDLQqf2vX-1HA0A/s400/IMG_9704_IHF.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615566594906183170" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqs4RAXn-xAIuzv6p-fmUb2zkGnhywPUUHUZDTitMjpgHT3tpZ4ZB_rsJfF81hHYZKSvokXKQ2auBxlqCOkYPSdKMPi6M3eQdbrD7QVAmk2SgjZXuLQvTLuenSL7ZoDVUqjL0Pu9_H6B4g/s1600/IMG_9704.JPG"><br /></a><br /></div><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:14pt;" >My interpretation of <span style="font-weight: bold;">"from a distance"</span> for the I heart faces weekly contest!</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:14pt;" ><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;" align="center"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:14pt;" >…from a distance</span><span style="font-size:12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Memorial Day - originally called Decoration Day – is a day of remembrance for those who died protecting our country. It’s also a day for coming together in peace and celebrating freedom.<span style=""> </span>I think many people, especially children, who have no relatives in the armed forces, celebrate Memorial day <b><i>from a distance</i></b>.<span style=""> </span>It’s just another day for a parade, cookout and fireworks – the beginning of summer! Teaching our children to understand the holiday by spending time talking to them about what Memorial Day means to us, as adults, allows them to get close and reflect on those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom! A very heartfelt THANK YOU to all our military who have served this country <b><i>up close and personal</i></b>!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrEqsPXvHAcN2_W4qfiUx8EWUkdskotG-UCro-3Q80gdjGCQ43t727y08AYz_cvlsmL2LFIhRVIUIu8CTwpmswE8V3g2LuYIPsIzVVyV-K3qdmcgqsMnpp8_LoMoizjEstVIqPPbgJJh_/s1600/I_Heart_Faces_Photography_125.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 125px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrEqsPXvHAcN2_W4qfiUx8EWUkdskotG-UCro-3Q80gdjGCQ43t727y08AYz_cvlsmL2LFIhRVIUIu8CTwpmswE8V3g2LuYIPsIzVVyV-K3qdmcgqsMnpp8_LoMoizjEstVIqPPbgJJh_/s200/I_Heart_Faces_Photography_125.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615559868438946722" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12pt;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Photogirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498663171572118363noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224718854691634667.post-30915140713428874812011-03-28T10:34:00.001-07:002011-03-28T11:47:51.464-07:00Chocolate Mint Cupcake Yummies!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRnbEHorHiL1yXWaPVlLblVTjcuLme2yy9cevr5a-acgmdoyCA1HUs3Eto7rLd1dFhtjknjAoA6V5tVRBMdtUxGgF5hlK5oD3ScE3YNT3uyi6nrEgHn7Rfkr7CHicARbydswO5dx0Qi5A/s1600/chocolate-peppermint-600x411.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRnbEHorHiL1yXWaPVlLblVTjcuLme2yy9cevr5a-acgmdoyCA1HUs3Eto7rLd1dFhtjknjAoA6V5tVRBMdtUxGgF5hlK5oD3ScE3YNT3uyi6nrEgHn7Rfkr7CHicARbydswO5dx0Qi5A/s200/chocolate-peppermint-600x411.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589200535033296210" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I can't believe it's been a month already. Time seems to evaporate like a volatile liquid around here. I scarcely had time to recover from the Key Lime Cupcakes before it was time to try out yet another new recipe! This month I had a request from Glitter Girl Kristin for Chocolate Mint Cupcakes for our monthly write-a-palooza!! I scoured the internet and found a lovely recipe on <span style="font-style: italic;">Martha's</span> website, but since she gets on my ever lovin' last nerve, I decided to keep looking. I came by one from <a href="http://www.ledelicieux.com/2011/03/16/its-my-birthday-chocolate-mint-cupcakes-with-molten-lindt-lindor-mint-centre/">Delicieux</a> (someone in Austalia, I believe) , and had to convert several of the measurements, but this one was a winner! Although I always test the cakes early in the baking, they all seem to be coming out a bit dry lately. Not <span style="font-style: italic;">overly</span> dry mind you, I would just like mine a bit more moist! I decided to confer with some of my baker friends and was told two bits of info that seemed helpful and I shall incorporate next time. Either add a few tablespoons of applesauce or add a box of instant pudding to increase moistness. Of course, the <span style="font-style: italic;">"science girl"</span> in me, couldn't just leave it at that! I needed to know WHY. And lordy, lordy, did I find my answer... if you want to understand the science behind baking, read <a href="http://www.baking911.com/howto/how_baking_works.htm">this website</a>, it's AWESOME and now I understand baking principles I never even knew I wanted to know!! I am a happy, <span style="font-style: italic;">informed</span> baker now. :)</div>OK, on to the good stuff....the recipe!<br />Please note - these call for using Lindor Lindt truffle balls inside to form a molten center. I could not find those anywhere, so I used Andes mints instead...worked ok, but I am dying to try with the truffles for a true molten center.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /> CHOCOLATE MINT CUPCAKES<br /><br /><div><li>6 Tablespoons butter, at room temperature</li><li>1 cup sugar</li><li>2 eggs</li><li>1 1/4 cups of plain flour,sifted</li><li>3/4 teaspoon baking powder</li><li>a pinch of salt</li><li>3/4 cup of buttermilk</li><li>1/2 teaspoon baking soda</li><li>1/2 tablespoon white vinegar</li><li>2/3 cup of good quality cocoa</li><li>1/2 teaspoon of mint extract</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.ledelicieux.com//goto/http://www.lindt.com/au/swf/eng/products/lindor/lindor-gift-boxes/lindor-mint/">Lindt Lindor Mint chocolate balls</a></li></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a muffin/cupcake tin with cupcake wrappers.</div><p style="text-align: justify;">2. Cream the butter and sugar in a medium/large bowl.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">3. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">4. Switch the mixer to a low speed and in a separate bowl or cup combine the sifted flour, salt, cocoa and baking powder and add to the batter alternately with the buttermilk and mix until well combined.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">5. Add the mint extract. In a small cup mix the vinegar and baking soda together and add to the batter mixing on a medium speed for 10 seconds.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">6. Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake papers and press the Lindt Lindor Mint balls into the center and ensure the balls are covered by the cake batter.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">7. Bake in the oven for 17-20 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Icing - Chocolate Mint Ganache</strong></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></em></p><p style="text-align: justify;">3 ounces of dark chocolate (I used Hershey's dark chocolate chips)<br />1/2 cup Heavy Cream<br />1/4 teaspoon of mint extract</p><p style="text-align: justify;">1. Chop the chocolate into small pieces and place into a bowl. (or pour in the chips!)<br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">2. Pour the cream into a saucepan and heat until almost boiling and then pour over the chocolate pieces. Let it stand for 5 minutes before stirring until smooth and adding the mint extract. Let it stand for 10 minutes (or longer) before decorating the cakes. (I just dipped my cupcake tops in.<br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;">I topped mine with Andes Mints....so pretty!</div><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; border: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br /><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;">Enjoy!!!!<br />~Laurel<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /></div></div>Photogirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498663171572118363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224718854691634667.post-25347673035974611252011-03-01T07:36:00.000-08:002011-03-01T08:15:06.210-08:00Key Lime Cupcake Heaven!Want some cupcakes with the WOW factor! These are <span style="font-weight: bold;">sure</span> to impress. I seriously think they may be the<span style="font-style: italic;"> best</span> cupcakes I have ever eaten. Light, fluffy, and soooo Key Lime! I hope you love them as much as I do! XOXO ~ Laurel<br /><br />(Recipe Adapted from from Bittersweet Bakery Recipe)<br />CUPCAKES<br />3/4 cup all purpose flour<br />1 cup self-rising flour<br />1/2 cup salted butter, room temperature<br />1 cup sugar<br />2 large eggs<br />3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (I use Nellie & Joe's Famous Key Lime Juice, it's fantastic!!!)<br />1 tablespoon finely grated lime peel (approx 1 lime)<br />1/4 teaspoon neon-green food coloring (regular works too)<br />3/4 cup buttermilk<br /><br />Preheat oven to 350°F. Line standard muffin pan with 12 paper liners. (I usually get about 18 cupcakes!)<br /><br />Whisk both flours in medium bowl.<br />Beat butter & sugar in large bowl until creamy. Beat in eggs 1 at a time, then next 3 ingredients. Beat in flour mixture, alternately, with buttermilk.<br /><br />Scoop 1/3 cup batter into each cupcake liner.<br /><br />Bake cupcakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. (ovens vary, mine only take 17 mins!)<br />Cool 10 minutes in pan. Remove from pan; cool completely.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0IJCP4cwyQODZXXYsdzs1ZFXwjuQoJUtl8B0iOrZgfomgh5aK8aRg5Hwokqp_Mu3FQ6rkENuz4V1qX7ejiBiXUKKvxehmtgyEWmZascm-waRp3zirW7wAsvM2Z2cyT2aZTq3IXAD5AV2/s1600/Key+Lime+Cupcakes2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 124px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0IJCP4cwyQODZXXYsdzs1ZFXwjuQoJUtl8B0iOrZgfomgh5aK8aRg5Hwokqp_Mu3FQ6rkENuz4V1qX7ejiBiXUKKvxehmtgyEWmZascm-waRp3zirW7wAsvM2Z2cyT2aZTq3IXAD5AV2/s200/Key+Lime+Cupcakes2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579140361127577010" border="0" /></a>FROSTING<br />1 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature<br />2+ cups powdered sugar<br />1/2 cup butter, room temperature<br />1 tablespoon finely grated lime peel<br />1/2 teaspoon lemon extract<br />1 tablespoon fresh lime juice. (Again, I use <span style="font-style: italic;">Key Lime</span> juice!)<br /><br />Beat all ingredients in medium bowl until smooth. Spread or pipe onto cupcakes.<br />ENJOY!!!!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGdz0l1qnhi4q0v-N_nkKLaobh23atWeG8D_MezF3A8ef3mPTTt-dhNVEnjceQc_lETP8c_g-f075rKUoRPBuRm3M-fNDmkALjbItFluQJxDmAyQi4L_pQnvswvdyLq95n_VkRUsBw-Cc/s1600/Key+Lime+Cupcakes+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 189px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGdz0l1qnhi4q0v-N_nkKLaobh23atWeG8D_MezF3A8ef3mPTTt-dhNVEnjceQc_lETP8c_g-f075rKUoRPBuRm3M-fNDmkALjbItFluQJxDmAyQi4L_pQnvswvdyLq95n_VkRUsBw-Cc/s200/Key+Lime+Cupcakes+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579140100090610018" border="0" /></a>Photogirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498663171572118363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224718854691634667.post-20596447103723249032011-02-04T10:49:00.000-08:002011-02-04T13:27:28.503-08:00I'll miss you...until we meet again!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEign0pcGPIPEJnB-hnwodDWfBxnhlD3wYEaBYzES7evVSOFSFK6e14bMoADc-rVT3pSZdA4CkD_ijDb4blgIhTQUJYI8w5MAT7NlXVZI5iLNkeSZ4L64v4DnM6vlqpT5hyTOExW4RLKLoPP/s1600/IMG_7262C.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEign0pcGPIPEJnB-hnwodDWfBxnhlD3wYEaBYzES7evVSOFSFK6e14bMoADc-rVT3pSZdA4CkD_ijDb4blgIhTQUJYI8w5MAT7NlXVZI5iLNkeSZ4L64v4DnM6vlqpT5hyTOExW4RLKLoPP/s200/IMG_7262C.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569948104038433730" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnl-2iLYcY_Xd_2Rwbk0yobS5Bg-V4thUc5WNw7gU3T5IQlKmaPsX1CP3WJgz6qWaM9HNieuHBePKAMjgU54t6gIAt7dafRAf5RHGo9KdfIDtiP9MYJtiyqsfQsa9L5Puan-g8IDhD61E/s1600/IMG_7336C.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnl-2iLYcY_Xd_2Rwbk0yobS5Bg-V4thUc5WNw7gU3T5IQlKmaPsX1CP3WJgz6qWaM9HNieuHBePKAMjgU54t6gIAt7dafRAf5RHGo9KdfIDtiP9MYJtiyqsfQsa9L5Puan-g8IDhD61E/s200/IMG_7336C.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569948245337722930" border="0" /></a></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:Georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br />Goodbyes are not forever.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:Georgia;font-size:130%;" > Goodbyes are not the end.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:Georgia;font-size:130%;" > They simply mean I'll miss you</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:Georgia;font-size:130%;" > Until we meet again!</span><br /></div><br />Dear Jo~<br />How do you say goodbye to someone who means so much? Well, I can't.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">So, I. just. won't.<br /></div>If I think too long about how far away you are going, I will certainly break down into tears. Instead, I will view this as an exciting, wonderful new adventure starting for YOU.<br /><br />As you depart for another land ~ your homeland ~ know I wish for you the best of luck and good fortune. As your horizon is now expanding, I cannot be sad for the wonderful new adventures you will have. I know you came into my life for a specific reason. We both know. Lucie knows.<br />I will treasure the many years we have had together. Forever. You are now a sister to me. And even though you may be going half way around the world, I know we will be together again. Lets look at it this way - now I have a new exotic location to vacation. :)<br /><br />Hug the Koalas, eat something from the barbie, put some flowers on Heath's grave for me and never, ever forget me and Lucie. We LOVE YOU! "May the odds be<span style="font-style: italic;"> ever</span> in your favor"<br />XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX<br />Laurel and Lucie<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:13.5pt;" ></span>Photogirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498663171572118363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224718854691634667.post-56981702079347035332011-01-21T10:28:00.000-08:002011-01-21T11:33:02.318-08:00A Few of My Favorite Things...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywjTp8VawOMhyphenhyphen1BqikF33kJCgJ-U5p6R1Tgo6nAYbG_k9L7HTlfEkxpyN5NpAO1KwEWtKVGS5-TT_OTfp82h948ehbKTFZQ_GDaW9cMjCy-HOGcbIdj07nBFrviZBVyMzgB4TvQGjU7oC/s1600/IMG_6651c.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywjTp8VawOMhyphenhyphen1BqikF33kJCgJ-U5p6R1Tgo6nAYbG_k9L7HTlfEkxpyN5NpAO1KwEWtKVGS5-TT_OTfp82h948ehbKTFZQ_GDaW9cMjCy-HOGcbIdj07nBFrviZBVyMzgB4TvQGjU7oC/s200/IMG_6651c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564711202918804338" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zk2HRfG3Z83OcyN3S-UwwczbuZXyH5HlnA1n7YPG-_Thr4SL2Dm5-g3RMLwDShpgKSzb4KPOqHaoKFj1j10YOSHX6pNfGkTOcy0hGJZ64ZHYAGCCxnEyg0unZGa-CWU8psx5vIYNO07A/s1600/PumpkinCupcake5.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zk2HRfG3Z83OcyN3S-UwwczbuZXyH5HlnA1n7YPG-_Thr4SL2Dm5-g3RMLwDShpgKSzb4KPOqHaoKFj1j10YOSHX6pNfGkTOcy0hGJZ64ZHYAGCCxnEyg0unZGa-CWU8psx5vIYNO07A/s200/PumpkinCupcake5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564715659695733650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaP4_fMFgggUDXMbw1DMbpKjMpUEAPjVUalKYhNBbgxmtJ6KXrZvOkreJzOP6ZTGSBCHlETpAUIPZds9wb9P2a_1UbaFvx-JKM_tKg-GSIhpEIeKZoXrylRPdG6N0R2bdZhpuSBcA8OQ-M/s1600/IMG_6645c.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaP4_fMFgggUDXMbw1DMbpKjMpUEAPjVUalKYhNBbgxmtJ6KXrZvOkreJzOP6ZTGSBCHlETpAUIPZds9wb9P2a_1UbaFvx-JKM_tKg-GSIhpEIeKZoXrylRPdG6N0R2bdZhpuSBcA8OQ-M/s200/IMG_6645c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564717058760220050" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Sunday I had the honor of spending time with two of the original </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >"Glitter Girls"</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> and writing muses (Kristin & Mary). We managed to pound out a few thousand words each all the while celebrating Mary's "early" birthday. In honor of the birthday girl, I got to make some of my favorite cupcakes </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >ever</span><span style="font-size:100%;">...Pumpkin! I think they were a hit since Kristin "I hate Pumpkin cupcakes" downed a whole cake. I need another birthday to celebrate soon as I am DYING to try out my new Key Lime cupcake recipe! Any volunteers?<br /><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We were graced with visits from two guest writers - an absent "Glitter Girl," Nicole, joined us via text (tried S</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >kype</span><span style="font-size:100%;">, but it wouldn't connect) to have a word war and Jamee dropped by to share in the cupcake devouring (along with the ever beautiful half-pint Juliette!)<br /><br />I'm positive we got more eating and socializing done than writing, but that's part of the fun. We don't have "writing groups" to sit and write without speaking. And even though we gabbed too much, I got more writing done that I have since our NANO weekend in November. Now that we have planned to meet, eat & write at least once a month, I might just finish my novel!!</span><br /></div>Photogirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498663171572118363noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224718854691634667.post-52685245196995266382010-03-10T10:48:00.000-08:002010-03-10T10:51:39.717-08:00My Friend Heather's Blog.....Clipping for a CauseMy Friend Heather took some advice I gave her about coupon-ing (which I learned from my neighbor Donna---See how we all pay it forward!) and has turned it into a wonderful cause....visit her blog below for lots of great ideas and a chance to win a 10.00 gift card.<br /> <a href="http://clippingforacause.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/ww307/LeslieFLambert/Blog%20Items/heatherbutton-1.png" target="blank" border="0" width="170px" /></a><br />TTYL..........LaurelPhotogirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498663171572118363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224718854691634667.post-29221567598625548272009-11-16T11:00:00.000-08:002009-11-16T11:04:18.096-08:00WOW! Summer Fiction Contest - Honorable Mention<span style="color:#ff0000;">So, after winning 2nd Place in the first WOW Short Fiction Contest, I decided to try again during the summer contest. I just found out I won Honorable Mention in this one! Whooohoo! I am very excited. Enjoy the story below!! Thanks for Reading! ~Laurel</span><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Rat Trap </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">I struggled to think of an answer to his question as rows of sweat dripped down my chest underneath my shirt. The air was sticky with grime. He was supposed to change that damned fuse in the basement, but of course, he didn’t. Now the air conditioner was out. I swear, worryin’ over that ancient fuse box was gonna be the death of me. One day soon, I’d have a new one put in - a real snazzy one where ya had a switch to flip instead of screwing in fuses.<br /> <br />The blast of cold air cooled my face as I put the lemonade back in the fridge. He rocked back and forth on the hind legs of his chair as I set the glass in front of him. His eyes followed me across the table. <br /> <br />“So?” he asked again, his chair landing with a thud. “Would you do it? I mean, if you thought you’d never get caught? Could you kill someone?” He squinted, waiting for my answer. Looking away, I wondered if his question was a coincidence. I choked on that thought as I went over my actions in my head. I had been so careful hiding the evidence. <br /> <br />He took a long sip of his sugary pink lemonade. I hated that stuff. Ironically, it was so icky-sweet that he’d never even notice I’d mixed it with half a box of rat poison.<br /> <br />My first instinct had been to attack him with my endless questions about her. About them. But confrontation would have been too easy for him. He would have been ready with remorseful lies and promises to “do better.” Men were all the same, either bullies or cheats. I had learned my lesson, time to teach him his.<br /> <br />“Now sugar, what kind of question is that to ask your lovin’ wife?” I pushed a strand of sticky hair behind my ear and forced the same devoted smile onto my lips that I had been showing for weeks – the mad weeks since I had discovered them.<br /> <br />He didn’t answer, just stared at me same as I stared at the sweat beads drippin’ down his glass. The chaotic rows shimmered when the sunlight caught them just right. Each strand of liquid diamonds dribbled down the glass to the table, leaving a puddle around the base. The clock ticked. He breathed. The chair creaked again. My mind burned with frustration as I tried to decide if he actually knew. He took another long swig, finishing it off. The ice clinked to the bottom of the glass, sounding a lot like justice.<br /> <br />Shouldn’t be long now.<br /> <br />His eyes twitched. My forehead clenched in anticipation, damp with the same sweat beads tricklin’ down his glass. All his bulging muscles trembled and his breathing hitched. I stood up and leaned across the table as the poison spread through his body. I moved close enough to whisper in his ear.<br /> <br />“Darlin’, to answer your question, guess I would do it. As long as no one would find out.” I dug into my pocket and pulled out two pieces of paper. I slid the Quick-Crete label across the table so he’d know my intentions. “And it would have to be for a really good reason,” I added, waving the photograph of them in front of his face to make my point. The flicker of understanding flashed in his eyes just before he slumped over in his chair. I waited a few seconds to make sure it took.<br /> <br />Gone at last. It was time to celebrate.<br /> <br />I searched the cupboard for the fancy bottle of champagne – a sparking memory from our wedding – that I had been savin' for a special occasion. I popped the cork and took a long gulp right out of that twelve-dollar bottle. I wiped the sweat off my forehead with the back of my hand. The heat was almost more than I could stand. I took another swallow before I decided to finish his job in the basement.<br /> <br />As I removed the dead fuse, something scurried across my feet. Thinking it was our cat Whisper, I glanced down. To my utter horror, a value-sized rat looked back at me. I jumped forward and felt a sharp electric jolt as my hand slipped into the bare fuse socket. <br /> <br />Dying by electrocution didn't take long, but it was just long enough for me to believe in karma. Rats! </span></div>Photogirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498663171572118363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224718854691634667.post-34159442594671828692009-10-08T14:00:00.000-07:002009-10-08T14:01:44.456-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23EOUmy2EhURnzg2xkcP735CjWYqHy30BWQKErhN5fEqGTgAIiC5B-WPr-XbX13cp4lRG8luEAr61nSvi8GFDOxHEIVf85O4l7jwIgYs3BL7eRSOdUiD39VjN07nMW2zStMn1xUjLQ9mm/s1600-h/nano_09_.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23EOUmy2EhURnzg2xkcP735CjWYqHy30BWQKErhN5fEqGTgAIiC5B-WPr-XbX13cp4lRG8luEAr61nSvi8GFDOxHEIVf85O4l7jwIgYs3BL7eRSOdUiD39VjN07nMW2zStMn1xUjLQ9mm/s200/nano_09_.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390337221284279234" border="0" /></a><br /><p><strong>National Novel Writing Month</strong> is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.</p> <p>Valuing enthusiasm and perseverance over painstaking craft, NaNoWriMo is a novel-writing program for everyone who has thought fleetingly about writing a novel but has been scared away by the time and effort involved.</p> <p>Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in NaNoWriMo is output. It's all about quantity, not quality. The kamikaze approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly.</p> <p>Make no mistake: You will be writing a lot of crap. And that's a good thing. By forcing yourself to write so intensely, you are giving yourself permission to make mistakes. To forgo the endless tweaking and editing and just create. To build without tearing down.</p> <p>As you spend November writing, you can draw comfort from the fact that, all around the world, other National Novel Writing Month participants are going through the same joys and sorrows of producing the Great Frantic Novel. Wrimos meet throughout the month to offer encouragement, commiseration, and—when the thing is done—the kind of raucous celebrations that tend to frighten animals and small children.</p> <p>In 2007, we had over 100,000 participants. More than 15,000 of them crossed the 50k finish line by the midnight deadline, entering into the annals of NaNoWriMo superstardom forever. They started the month as auto mechanics, out-of-work actors, and middle school English teachers. They walked away novelists.</p> <p>So, to recap:</p> <p><strong>What:</strong> Writing one 50,000-word novel from scratch in a month's time.</p> <p><strong>Who:</strong> You! We can't do this unless we have some other people trying it as well. Let's write laughably awful yet lengthy prose together.</p> <p><strong>Why:</strong> The reasons are endless! To actively participate in one of our era's most enchanting art forms! To write without having to obsess over quality. To be able to make obscure references to passages from our novels at parties. To be able to mock real novelists who dawdle on and on, taking far longer than 30 days to produce their work.</p> <p><strong>When:</strong> You can sign up anytime to add your name to the roster and browse the forums. Writing begins November 1. To be added to the official list of winners, you must reach the 50,000-word mark by November 30 at midnight. Once your novel has been verified by our web-based team of robotic word counters, the partying begins.</p> <p>Still confused? Just visit the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/hownanoworks" target="_blank">www.nanowrimo.org</a></p>Photogirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498663171572118363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224718854691634667.post-67855055682642051132009-09-01T06:08:00.000-07:002009-09-01T06:14:18.798-07:00Spring Fiction Contest at WOW - 2nd Place !!!<span style="font-family:georgia;">So, to my utter amazement, I actually placed in the contest I entered at the end of May. I took 2nd Place out of about 300 entrants. I was shocked as this was my first writing contest entry ever!!! (well, unless you count the one I won a few years ago when I worked at Travelers. It was on customer service - exciting stuff!)</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">I am honored to share the story with you here. Once the page loads, please scroll downto "2nd place winner" to read my story! Feel free to leave comments here on what you thought! Thanks for reading. :)</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/32-FE1-Spring09Contest.html">http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/32-FE1-Spring09Contest.html</a>Photogirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498663171572118363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224718854691634667.post-37242814458803734012009-07-31T12:02:00.000-07:002009-07-31T13:14:07.146-07:00Bliss & The Naivety of Writing<div align="justify">So I find I am faced with a bit of a conundrum in regards to my writing. It seems the more knowledge I attain on the craft of writing, the less eager I am to do this professionally – at least for any kind of “living”. Unfortunately, gone are the days of naivety in my writing.<br /><br />The times when I could sit down, punch out a horde of words, and think to myself: WOW! This is really good stuff here.<br /><br />The times when I thought “editing” meant using spell check on my first (& only) draft.<br /><br />The times when I considered what I had to say might in any way be the slightest bit unique.<br /><br />HAHA. I must now laugh out loud at those ludicrous views. My overloaded brain now contains multitudes of articles screaming the how’s & what’s and the do’s & don’ts of writing. Making me understand that I am but a tiny seed in the garden of writing and leaving little doubt I may never flower into adulthood in said garden.<br /><br />Reading author after author talk about how “I was born to do this and would scratch my prose on the walls of caves if I had to,” doesn’t make things any better. Sure, I LOVE the art of writing. More specifically, I should say, I love the art of storytelling, but writing is a totally different beast. I hear all these writers say things like --- "the voices are in my head all the time and HAVE to come out onto paper". Am I an awful writer if that’s NOT the case?<br /><br />Because it's just not like that with me most of the time.<br /><br />My characters come out when <span style="font-style: italic;">I </span>want to play, but not often on their own. Sometimes, I even have to coax them out. But then the fun starts, and when they do talk to me and tell ME where the story should go, I really feel like a writer. Artistically, I see things and get story ideas all the time now, but I think it's because I am tuned in to that creative part of myself. A part that wasn’t visible to me before --- before I allowed this portal inside my head to open. I have always loved stories, escaping into other worlds, other lives -- but never really thought about writing them down so much. Until I started that pivitol story that has changed everything for me.<br /><br />So far on my journey, I have loved every aspect of writing my stories out and it has really helped me through a very trying time in my life. I love that I can write whenever I want ... there are no deadlines and no one is paying me to finish it and move on to the next one.<br /><br />On some cosmic level, I know this is a very special time for me. And I want to enjoy it. I also know that if I ever DO get published, without a doubt, things are going to change. I hope I don't ever end up hating to do this...I don't ever want writing to become my daily grind. I want it to always be my passion.<br /><br />Until then, I will write on, somewhat blindly, with my trusty sidekicks drive and ambition along for the ride. Maybe, just maybe, with a little bit of luck sprinkled in, it will get me where I am headed. :)</div>Photogirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498663171572118363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224718854691634667.post-17267998578463363952009-06-16T13:49:00.000-07:002009-07-31T12:00:56.126-07:003 Months<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;">3 little months.<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>I was positive I could avoid them for 3 tiny months, right?<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>I swear I tried, I really did. </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">But they were there…staring at me from behind the glass</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> at work. Every. Single. Day.<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>Watching me, taunting me - each time </span><span style="font-size:100%;">I walked through the room.<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>I couldn’t think of anything I had done to deserve this cruelty.<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>I am a good person - I mind my own business – I do nice things for others.<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>Yet, there they sat, day after da</span><span style="font-size:100%;">y, mocking me.<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>I was at my wit</span><span style="font-size:100%;">s end. Not sure how much more of this I could handle before I lost my mind. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">I started staying in my office, cooped up like a hermit crab. I could avoid them at work, but now they had begun following me all over the place.<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>They showed up at sporting events I attended, concerts, even at Wal-Mart.<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>Trying to humiliate me in pub</span><span style="font-size:100%;">lic. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Finally, I had enough! I was going to do something ab</span><span style="font-size:100%;">out them once and for all! I plotted my revenge with endless possibilities.<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>Each idea making me giddy with anticipation.<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>The surge of excitement I felt demolished the anxiety over what I was about to do! So unlike me.<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>I didn’t care if it was premeditated or not, as long as they were gone from my life, and everything could get back on track. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Shooting them wouldn’t work - it was too messy and would draw too much attention. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">I could drown their little round heads, but not enough su</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ffering in that! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Yes! I could go all Manson on them, chopping them into tin</span><span style="font-size:100%;">y</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> little pieces, then feed them to the rats. THAT would make me feel great.<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>Watching each and every last one of them suffer at my hand, while the others, lined up in a row, would have to watch!<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">It’s what they deserved after all.<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>For making me suffer.<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>All I had asked was 3. Little. Months.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">I walked to the break room, making sure no one was arou</span><span style="font-size:100%;">nd to witness my insanity.<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>I slipped the gleaming butcher knife out of the d</span><span style="font-size:100%;">rawer.</span></p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">I waited for Ed to finish at the vending machine.</span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">My heart sank as he turned and walked out of the room. The plotted vengeance would have to wait. Ed had the last of the bright yellow packets firmly in his tight little grip.</span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:+0;"> </span><br /><br />The M&M’s would not die by my hand this day. </span></p>Photogirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498663171572118363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5224718854691634667.post-18560446099713601552009-05-28T10:07:00.000-07:002009-06-12T11:11:37.444-07:00Too Many Rules<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I discovered, very late in life, that I have many talents I never knew existed. OH! The clues were there in childhood, I just never picked up on them. My parents would say it was because I was "obsessed" with all things music. My life revolved around the "record player", hundreds of 45's (Google it) and my love for hunky teen idols (OK, I admit, Rick Springfield was far from a "teen" when I fell in love with him! Whatever!). At the tender age of 16, I discovered LIVE BANDS and became, uh...well...um, OK, OK...a </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >groupie</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. I detested that word and went to great lengths to persuade anyone (mom, dad, sister) from thinking I fell into that category. I went to concert after concert after concert, my snazzy 110 camera in hand,taking pics of everything. Later, I would cut those prized photographs into funky shapes and glue them into my scrapbook with the collected memorabilia associated with each event. Next, I would add the "official" reviews from the local papers and MY very own personal review as well. I still have that scrapbook, and all its wonderful memories!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Ya' think I might have picked up on a few things I loved back then. NOPE.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Not until I was </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >much</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, say 20 years, older would I figure it out; my passions for photography and writing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I have been practicing my love of photography for over 10 years now, and I am still obsessed. Anyone who knows me will tell you, if you see me, you see my camera around my neck - or at least in my hand! My daughter thinks I am the paparazzi!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">More recently, I had this crazy idea in my head and I decided to write it down. One sentence lead to another, two pages bloomed into 20 and voila, the next thing I knew I was writing a story. The ideas kept coming and coming and I kept writing & writing. At first, I was embarrassed to tell my friends, knowing they would think me crazy. Why would a 30-something, mother and wife think she could write a novel?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Well, why not? I mean, SRSLY, who is to tell me what dreams I can aspire to reach?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">One of the best things I have gotten out of this experience is to realize that MY FRIENDS believe in me, and so should I! Not one person has told me I was "crazy" or "delusional" for attempting to write a novel at this stage in my life. Just because I didn't realize this gift until now, doesn't mean I cannot attempt to take it as far as I can! </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> I've got a lot of learning ahead, might as well jump right in!!<br />You can follow along if you like, as I record my journey to becoming a published Author!</span> :)<br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To quote a teen pop princess:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >There's always going to be another mountain</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >I'm always going to want to make it move</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Always going to be an uphill battle, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Sometimes I'm gonna to have to lose, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Ain't about how fast I get there, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Ain't about what's waiting on the other side...</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >It's<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Climb</span></span><br />~Miley CyrusPhotogirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498663171572118363noreply@blogger.com0