Hi Everyone~
Have a wonderful day!
XO
Cindy
This little girl is from Dezinaworld!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
My reply to HKIA and HKTB
This is my reply from them after I received their email dated 11th March...
I replied them on the same day itself....
Sorry for not providing the full detail on this.
I just know that they are departing at gate 47 at 1900 at 06th March 2011.
I replied them on the same day itself....
Sorry for not providing the full detail on this.
I just know that they are departing at gate 47 at 1900 at 06th March 2011.
Reply from HKIA and HKTB dated 11th March 2011
HKIA = Hong Kong International Airport
HKTB = Hong Kong Tourism Board
Below is the replied from them..
Dear Ms Chu,
Thank you for your email. Please rest assured we are most concerned about your comment on wheelchair staff accepted tips from passenger. As there are different wheelchair service providers in the airport, to let us understand more about the matter, we would be grateful if you could advise us the airline that the old lady travelled with, a brief description of the staff concerned and her uniform colour. Your additional information may facilitate our follow up with relevant service provider. Should you have any queries, please feel free to contact us.
Once again, thank you for writing to us.
Yours sincerely,
Customer Service
Hong Kong International Airport
c.c. Hong Kong Tourism Board (Case Ref No. FEED-VRSUP3-20110310-0226575)
HKTB = Hong Kong Tourism Board
Below is the replied from them..
Dear Ms Chu,
Thank you for your email. Please rest assured we are most concerned about your comment on wheelchair staff accepted tips from passenger. As there are different wheelchair service providers in the airport, to let us understand more about the matter, we would be grateful if you could advise us the airline that the old lady travelled with, a brief description of the staff concerned and her uniform colour. Your additional information may facilitate our follow up with relevant service provider. Should you have any queries, please feel free to contact us.
Once again, thank you for writing to us.
Yours sincerely,
Customer Service
Hong Kong International Airport
c.c. Hong Kong Tourism Board (Case Ref No. FEED-VRSUP3-20110310-0226575)
Fool For Books Giveaway Hop - April 1st and 2nd - No Fooling!
Yea! April is finally here, and to celebrate Springtime's arrival I'm participating in the Fool For Books Giveaway Hop this weekend.
This is a fast little hop, and is graciously sponsored by Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer (http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com) and Belinda at The Bookish Snob (http://thebookishsnob.blogspot.com/).
There are over 200 blogs signed up for this hop, so be sure to check out the others by clicking on the links at the end of this post!
For this Giveaway, I have two special treats for 2 lucky reader/followers!
Package #1:
A copy of The Seven Year Switch by Claire Cook, wrapped up in a bright yellow bandana with lots of cool goodies including a sunny emory board, bookmarks, a cute notebook with pen attached, and a package of sunny happy sunflower seeds!
Package #2:
A Copy of Deep Down True by Juliette Fay, wrapped up in a gorgeous purple rose bandana with lots of goodies including a flower emory board, bookmarks, a cute little notebook with attached pen, and happy Daisy seeds!
HOW TO ENTER:
1. Leave a comment with your name and email address here. Indicate which package you'd like to win!
2. Be a follower of my blog. (either Google Friends Connect or Networking Blogs) Be sure to leave a comment to let me know you are following.
3. For an extra entry, become a follower of my gardening blog, A Good Year For The Roses: Sharon's Gardening Blog (http://sharonsgardenblog.blogspot.com/) - be sure to let me know you did here!
That's it! Easy!
Good luck to everyone! I'll draw for the winners on Sunday morning!
This is a fast little hop, and is graciously sponsored by Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer (http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com) and Belinda at The Bookish Snob (http://thebookishsnob.blogspot.com/).
There are over 200 blogs signed up for this hop, so be sure to check out the others by clicking on the links at the end of this post!
For this Giveaway, I have two special treats for 2 lucky reader/followers!
Package #1:
A copy of The Seven Year Switch by Claire Cook, wrapped up in a bright yellow bandana with lots of cool goodies including a sunny emory board, bookmarks, a cute notebook with pen attached, and a package of sunny happy sunflower seeds!
Package #2:
A Copy of Deep Down True by Juliette Fay, wrapped up in a gorgeous purple rose bandana with lots of goodies including a flower emory board, bookmarks, a cute little notebook with attached pen, and happy Daisy seeds!
HOW TO ENTER:
1. Leave a comment with your name and email address here. Indicate which package you'd like to win!
2. Be a follower of my blog. (either Google Friends Connect or Networking Blogs) Be sure to leave a comment to let me know you are following.
3. For an extra entry, become a follower of my gardening blog, A Good Year For The Roses: Sharon's Gardening Blog (http://sharonsgardenblog.blogspot.com/) - be sure to let me know you did here!
That's it! Easy!
Good luck to everyone! I'll draw for the winners on Sunday morning!
Fun Find! Polaroid Model 95!
A few weeks ago I was able to purchase this fantastic camera, with it's case and several accessories to go with it!
Of course, I had to do some research to find out exactly when it's from and now I'd like to share what I learned! The Camera is a Polaroid Land Camera, Model 95. It was the FIRST Instant camera ever sold to consumers! The inventors name was Edwin Land, hence the title Polaroid 'Land Camera'. (I always thought the Land part of the name was about taking pictures of Landscapes, but now we will all know better :) This model was manufactured from the years 1948-1953.
When it came out in 1948, the retail price was $89.75, which is pretty much like buying a new DSLR camera today!
Here's a great advertisement for the camera in 'Modern Photography' Magazine, in 1949!
I also found an article from 'Popular Science' Magazine about the camera, written in 1947! Great title, right?
This camera is available now in The Shop. It's too great of an item for me to keep, I can't wait to send it out into the world to someone who can really appreciate this little piece of history!
Of course, I had to do some research to find out exactly when it's from and now I'd like to share what I learned! The Camera is a Polaroid Land Camera, Model 95. It was the FIRST Instant camera ever sold to consumers! The inventors name was Edwin Land, hence the title Polaroid 'Land Camera'. (I always thought the Land part of the name was about taking pictures of Landscapes, but now we will all know better :) This model was manufactured from the years 1948-1953.
When it came out in 1948, the retail price was $89.75, which is pretty much like buying a new DSLR camera today!
Here's a great advertisement for the camera in 'Modern Photography' Magazine, in 1949!
I also found an article from 'Popular Science' Magazine about the camera, written in 1947! Great title, right?
This camera is available now in The Shop. It's too great of an item for me to keep, I can't wait to send it out into the world to someone who can really appreciate this little piece of history!
Evie n Lizzie Bandana Dress R&G
Rachel at Evie n Lizzie has taken pillowcase dresses to a whole new level, making them out of bandanas. I absolutley love it. It's creative, it's fun and they are absolutley darling.
Rachel sent Alexa and Lillian matching pink bandana dresses and we just so happened to receive them the day before Alexa's spring school pictures. I don't know who was more excited for her to wear them for picture day, her or me. Being it's still pretty chilly here in MN, she wore it over the top of a black long tee and black leggings. We haven't received her pictures back yet, but I'm certain they turned out extra cute.
Here is my own picture of Alexa on picture day!
It drives my husband bonkers that I love to dress my girls to match - but, he can't even deny the cuteness in these sweet little matching bandana dresses.
These lovely dresses are literally made out of 2 hankerchief bandana's and is finished off with 1/2" black grosgrain ribbon ties at the shoulders. It comes in one size and measures right below the knee on a 2T and fits as a tunic for sizes up to 8.Approx: 20" long and 38" around
With Alexa being 6 and Lillian 3 and both pretty true to size, they both wear them as a tunic top. When it warms up a bit, they can wear them without the shirt underneath and just a pair of black leggings or shorts.
And talk about affordable - these lovely little numbers are only $12.99.
The bandana dresses currently come in pink, red, white and navy. However, there will be other colors offered later next month including black, brown, olive and more.
Another very popular fashion trend for the little ones these days is the ruffled pants or capris.
How cute would these be paired with the bandana dresses?
Named after her adorable little girls, Evie n Lizzie, Rachel's shop also features the standard pillow case dresses in the most adorable fabrics. These are the perfect spring/summer dresses or in the cooler months they go great with a pair of jeans and a shirt underneath. 
While you're shopping Evie n Lizzie for your little girls - treat yourself to something sweet and special, too. These Posy Cabochon earrings are a must have and come in all sorts of colors. 
How bout these button earrings? My daughter would LOVE them. 
And my favorites..the turquoise rose cabochon's. 
Evie n Lizzie also offers sweet little items for boys, hair clips, bibs and burpcloths and bloomers for the babies. All items in the shop are handmade with care by Rachel. If you see something in her shop that you'd like in another fabric or size, she can accomidate you. Rachel always has ideas flowing through her head and loves putting different patterns and colors together.
GIVEAWAY:
Rachel at Evie n Lizzie has offered such a sweet giveaway to one lucky Mom-a-Logues winner ~ Your choice color bandana top/dress.
(colors avail: red, navy, white & pink)
Manditory Entry:
What color bandana top/dress would you choose and who would it be for?
**Include email address with each entry**
Extra Entries:
(1 entry each)
Add Evie n Lizzie to your favorites on Etsy.
Follow Rachel's Blog via GFC
Follow Mom-a-Logues via GFC
Follow Evie n Lizzie on Facebook
Follow Mom-a-Logues on Facebook
Follow Evie n Lizzie on Twitter
Follow Mom-a-Logues on Twitter
(3 entries each)
Facebook this giveaway (include ID)
Tweet this giveaway (include link)
Blog this giveaway (include direct link)
(5 entries each)
Add my new blog button to your blog sidebar (let me know where I can find it)
Make a purchase from Evie n Lizzie (I will confirm with Rachel)
Giveaway ends 4/14 at 9pm cst. Winner will be chosen via random.org and notified via email. Winner's name will be published on the bottom of this post after the they have been notified and confirmed. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email or another winner will be selected. Good Luck!
{Disclaimer: I received the bandana dresses mentioned above for this review/feature. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own.}
CONGRATULATIONS: Lindsay 
Update II on Pritsha
Pritsha has spent the last several days not eating at all--and I had stopped force feeding her in the hopes that she would eat on her own. Not so. I called the vet office and one of the vets suggested we try an IV of Valium. Apparently it makes cats ravenously hungry after receiving it.
After she was weighed....at 5 lbs 15 oz (still loosing), they gave her the IV and the Valium worked! She ate almost a tablespoon of food!! I got her home, gave her some more food later on...was feeling so ecstatic...and then everything she ate came up. I spent the evening crying while she flailed around (affects of sedation and from being too weak) and rasped for air. I attempted to give her water. She threw it up. She hid from us for a while, then I found her laying in her litter box in the wee hours of the morning and I took her to bed with me. I was convinced she wouldn't make it through the night.
But she did and thank God for being so merciful...she has been able to keep down a little food and water today (force feeding). Her prognosis is not good. Her body is metabolizing itself and causing her liver to shut down. Her ears are showing some jaundice. The best I can do is keep feeding her and hope that it reverses the liver damage and we can put the weight back on her.
I know many people are not animal people, but I certainly am, and she is my first (fur)baby so if you pray, please say a prayer for her.
After she was weighed....at 5 lbs 15 oz (still loosing), they gave her the IV and the Valium worked! She ate almost a tablespoon of food!! I got her home, gave her some more food later on...was feeling so ecstatic...and then everything she ate came up. I spent the evening crying while she flailed around (affects of sedation and from being too weak) and rasped for air. I attempted to give her water. She threw it up. She hid from us for a while, then I found her laying in her litter box in the wee hours of the morning and I took her to bed with me. I was convinced she wouldn't make it through the night.
But she did and thank God for being so merciful...she has been able to keep down a little food and water today (force feeding). Her prognosis is not good. Her body is metabolizing itself and causing her liver to shut down. Her ears are showing some jaundice. The best I can do is keep feeding her and hope that it reverses the liver damage and we can put the weight back on her.
I know many people are not animal people, but I certainly am, and she is my first (fur)baby so if you pray, please say a prayer for her.
Review - The Violets of March by Sarah Jio
Here on the last day of March, I am so tickled to bring you a review of a beautifully written book - "The Violets of March" by debut author Sarah Jio.
Part mystery, part romance, “The Violets of March” is one-hundred percent a enjoyable read that will have readers anxiously awaiting Sarah Jio’s next novel.
Sarah Jio is a veteran magazine writer and the health and fitness blogger for Glamour magazine, a role she’s had for nearly three years. In addition, she is a women’s health contributor to Womansday.com, the web site of Woman’s Day magazine. She has written hundreds of articles for national magazines and top newspapers including Redbook, O, The Oprah Magazine, Cooking Light, Glamour, SELF, Real Simple, Fitness, Marie Claire, Hallmark magazine, Seventeen, The Nest, Health, Bon Appetit, Gourmet, The Seattle Times, Parents, Parenting, and Kiwi. In addition, Sarah is a monthly columnist for American Baby. She has also appeared as a commentator on NPR’s Morning Edition.
When best-selling author Emily Wilson’s world came crashing down around her, she retreated to the one place where she always felt happiest – her beloved Aunt Bee’s home on Bainbridge Island Puget Sound .
But Emily is surprised to find that her aunt seems to be a little stand-offish during this visit, a little distracted. When Emily discovers an antique red velvet diary hidden in her bedroom, she soon finds that the island is hiding more than a few secrets, and as the story within the fragile pages begins to unravel, the big mystery seems to be directly related to Emily’s life
As Emily finds herself drawn into the 1943 diary of Esther Hanson, a woman with her own share of grief and heartache, Emily finds many parallels and coincidences that connect to island life and its residents today, but when she tries to talk to her Aunt Bee about it, she runs into a stone wall. As Emily researches the mysterious Esther, the men who loved her and her unresolved disappearance, she finds her self-confidence returning.
Emily also found a little romance coming back into her life as two men, one from her past, and one recently met, vie for her attention and affections. Perhaps there is a cure for heartache in this island air, a fact that is encouraged by the appearance of the illusive wood violets – tiny flowers that choose to appear to those in need of healing.
In “The Violets of March,” debut author Sarah Jio beautifully blends the stories of two women – one of the past, one of the present – together to create a captivating and enthralling novel of romance, heartache and redemption.
About The Author:
Sarah has a degree in journalism and writes about topics that include food, nutrition, health, entertaining, travel, diet/weight loss, beauty, fitness, shopping, psychology, parenting and beyond. She frequently tests and develops recipes for major magazines.
Her first novel, THE VIOLETS OF MARCH, will be published by Penguin (Plume) in May 2011. Her second novel, THE BUNGALOW, will debut in the spring/summer of 2013, also from Penguin (Plume). Her third novel is in progress. (Yay!!!)
Sarah lives in Seattle with her husband, Jason, and young sons Carson and Russell. (Sarah has a new baby boy, Colby - 8 weeks old! We can't leave him out!!!)
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher (courtesy of the author - Thanks Sarah!). I was not compensated for my opinion.
My BABY is a BIG GIRL!!
This week is spring break for Alexa and even though she was begging to go back to school on Tuesday already, she has been enjoying her time off hanging out (and cleaning the house) with her Papa. After their big project of cleaning the playroom yesterday they head out to the garage for some manly work - putting the seat down on Alexa's old bike and the training wheels back on.
Yes, Alexa is handing her bike on down to her little sister.
Lillian has been riding a radio flyer trike since last summer and although she loves it, it's clear that she is ready for a big girl bike. I was a bit surprised that this all happened so quickly. The hubs and I never really talked about the switch from her trike to the bike. If you know me at all, you know that this is a lot for me to handle. I get a little bit emotional about my babies growing up and entering new stages in their lives. I welcome them with open arms, but I'm not going to lie - a tear or 2 were shed when I saw her trike hanging up in the garage and her new (Alexa's old) big girl bike was setting down with her horn and helmet waiting for her. I thought maybe she would totally deny that bike and demand her trike back, but she didn't. Alexa had her out of the car and on her new bike immediately when we got home. I helped her down the driveway and off she went.
She didn't even need any help! The bike fit her perfectly and she can actually ride it much quicker than her little trike. Watch out 186th Street!! haha!
I truly was SO proud of her. I couldn't snap enough pictures of her first ride on her big girl bike. I have to cherish these moments because Adam is going to have her riding without training wheels before I know it. 
Alexa was such a good big protective sister - always by her side making sure that she wasn't going to fall. They are such a team, those two! :) 
I had to remind her a few times to look up to see where she is going rather than looking down at the pedals. But, it's still new to her and she has the whole summer to practice. She's even trying a few tricks - "feet off the pedals" in the pic above.My babies are growing up so quickly!!
****
Speaking of spring break. This also marks the end of the 2nd trimester for Alexa in Kindergarten. She brought her 2nd report card home last Friday and let's just say we are celebrating all week!! We could not be more proud of our smart little daughter. Kindergarteners are graded on a number system 1-4. 1, of course, being the beginning level. She needs to be at a level 3 in all areas to be ready for the 1st grade. We are so proud that she has ALL 4's in the Math category and 3's and 4's in Literacy (reading). She is over and beyond ready for the 1st grade. Sorry - just had to brag a bit - I'm ONE PROUD MOMMY!!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Ethics - To tips o not to?
It has been a long time I din update this blog....
I din think up putting this issue up here BUT the reply from Hong Kong International Airport's personnel had changed my mind....
Here is what I sent to the Hong Kong International Airport board and to the Hong Kong tourism board...
The issue below was happening around 1815 at 6th March 2011 near gate 47 at Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 1.
I came across this incident when I was in the queue to get free internet access…. There were one old lady on wheel chair and few (I think there is a total of four of them) old buddies who is not strong physically and need assistant who need to depart at gate 47 which is so far far far far far away from the main gate. When I saw them, they were assisted by the airport crew. One lady helped push the old lady who is on wheel chair and the others were on the cart, heading to gate 47.
Well…. After dropping off them on ground, the old buddies offer some tips to the crew. The crews accepted it and treat it as "coffee money"… After that, the crew who should help them on board accept a call from the counter and need to rush back and she wants to give back the tips she had receive to the old buddies. What is this la…. Of course the old buddies say no to her and say never mind la…. She apologized and went off and says there will be another crew to come over to handle them…. @@
I was not sure whether there is another crew member coming over to take over her place or not. What my concern were…..
(1) Is there anyone coming over to assist them?
(2) If there is someone coming over to assist them, should they pay him/her tips?
(3) Are the old buddies suppose to give tips to the crew?
(4) Should the crew members accept the tips?
(5) If the crew is accepting the tips, what is the main purpose of setting up this service?
(6) If the crew is accepting the tips, do they still get their monthly pay?
(7) If the crew is accepting the tips, should they get their monthly pay?
I just cannot get the whole idea of this. When I first saw them helping the old buddies, I was amazed and was touched with such a high quality service provided by the HK airport. p/s: I had send another copy to the tourism board.
I din think up putting this issue up here BUT the reply from Hong Kong International Airport's personnel had changed my mind....
Here is what I sent to the Hong Kong International Airport board and to the Hong Kong tourism board...
The issue below was happening around 1815 at 6th March 2011 near gate 47 at Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 1.
I came across this incident when I was in the queue to get free internet access…. There were one old lady on wheel chair and few (I think there is a total of four of them) old buddies who is not strong physically and need assistant who need to depart at gate 47 which is so far far far far far away from the main gate. When I saw them, they were assisted by the airport crew. One lady helped push the old lady who is on wheel chair and the others were on the cart, heading to gate 47.
Well…. After dropping off them on ground, the old buddies offer some tips to the crew. The crews accepted it and treat it as "coffee money"… After that, the crew who should help them on board accept a call from the counter and need to rush back and she wants to give back the tips she had receive to the old buddies. What is this la…. Of course the old buddies say no to her and say never mind la…. She apologized and went off and says there will be another crew to come over to handle them…. @@
I was not sure whether there is another crew member coming over to take over her place or not. What my concern were…..
(1) Is there anyone coming over to assist them?
(2) If there is someone coming over to assist them, should they pay him/her tips?
(3) Are the old buddies suppose to give tips to the crew?
(4) Should the crew members accept the tips?
(5) If the crew is accepting the tips, what is the main purpose of setting up this service?
(6) If the crew is accepting the tips, do they still get their monthly pay?
(7) If the crew is accepting the tips, should they get their monthly pay?
I just cannot get the whole idea of this. When I first saw them helping the old buddies, I was amazed and was touched with such a high quality service provided by the HK airport. p/s: I had send another copy to the tourism board.
Girlie Girl Week Still in Full Swing!
Hi Everyone~
Yes, Girlie Girl week is still in full swing! I created this small canvas with an image of a little girl from Dezinaworld and with it is my prayer for all of you bloggers that you are having a good week. (If you would like to see a close-up, just click on the image.)
I am posting today for Alphabet Thursday and our letter for this week is "Y.' Well, my "Y" stands for You.
I want you to know--You are all special to me!
If you get a chance, you'll want to zip down to my next post to see a beautiful piece that my friend Sonya made for me--it's so amazing!
XO
Cindy
Girlie Girl Week Continues with A Gift from a Friend
Today I went out to my mailbox and there was a gift from my friend Sonya! I was in awe of this beautiful creation--and her kindness!
Tears came to my eyes when I saw this gorgeous,
heartfelt creation.
And look at this adorable tag!
I am humbled from receiving such a gift from such
a beautiful person. Thank you, Sonya!!
If you would like to visit Sonya and see her gorgeous creations, just go to
Five Questions With ... Susan Mallery, author of "Already Home"
Today, I am privileged to present an interview with author Susan Mallery. Her latest book, "Already Home," was released yesterday (March 29) and she took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions about her writing life and upcoming projects!
I so appreciate Susan's time to talk about her profession!
Susan's new book, "Already Home," is destined to be the favorite book of the spring/summer reading season!
About The Book:
After nearly a decade as a sous-chef in a trendy eatery, Jenna is desperate for a change. She's supported her ex-husband's dreams for so long that she can't even remember her own. Until she sees a for-lease sign near her parents' home and envisions her very own cooking store.
Her crash course in business is aided by a streetwise store manager and Jenna's adoptive mother. But just as she's gaining a foothold in her new life, in walk her birth parents—aging hippies on a quest to reconnect with their firstborn.
Now Jenna must figure out how to reconcile the free-spirited Serenity and Tom with her traditional parents, deal with her feelings for a new love interest and decide what to do about her ex's latest outrageous request. In the end, Jenna will find that there is no perfect family, only the people we love.
My Thoughts:
Set in Georgetown, Texas (a charming town near Austin), "Already Home" is the story of coming home in more ways than one.
Susan's character, Jenna Stevens, has come back home, licking her wounds, so to speak. Her self-confidence has been stolen by her ex-husband, and it's time for Jenna to learn how to be her own woman again. She has a strong family support system with her adoptive parents, and thankfully, meets Violet, who's business sense and abilities help her store become a huge success. But when her birth parents show up, their sudden presence gives Jenna a whole new dimension of her life to consider!
I loved how Susan handled the wide variety of sensitive subjects with this book - adoption, birth parents, spousal abuse, even relationship abuse - while keeping the storyline light and fast-paced! Plus she has the delightful town of Georgetown portrayed to a T!
Readers will find this tale hearwarming, as well as heart-wrenching at times, but I guarantee - it will be a story that is remembered long after the final page is turned.
About the Author:
Susan Mallery is the New York Times bestselling author of over one hundred romances and women’s fiction novels, and she has yet to run out of ideas! Her funny and sexy family stories consistently appear on the USA Today bestseller list and have landed as high as #5 on the New York Times list. She has won many awards, including the prestigious National Reader’s Choice Award. Her books have been named to the Top 10 Romance Novels lists of 2007, 2008, and 2009 by Booklist, a publication of the American Library Association, and she was the only author on the list all three years. Because her degree in Accounting wasn't very helpful in the writing department, Susan earned a Masters in Writing Popular Fiction.
Susan makes her home in the Pacific Northwest where, rumor has it, all that rain helps with creativity. Susan is married to a fabulous hero-like husband and has a six pound toy poodle...who is possibly the cutest dog on the planet.
Be sure to check out Susan's incredible website at http://www.susanmallery.com/!
She also has a fabulous contest running in connection with the release of "Already Home."
They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach… but I believe that seducing his taste buds is the real secret. What would you cook to win a man’s love?
Submit your original recipe between March 1 and April 24, 2011 for a chance to win a $300 gift card to Williams-Sonoma, possibly the most fabulous cooking store on the planet. Imagine what fun kitchen toy you could buy for yourself with $300! I (Susan) will choose the top three recipes, make each of them, and serve them to my personal taste tester (aka, her husband). Keep in mind that I’m (Susan) not a gourmet cook, so I will choose recipes that are fairly uncomplicated. The winner will be notified on May 1, 2011.
Send your recipe to jenel@susanmallery.com with a note verifying that the recipe is original, created by you. The recipe must come in the body of the email (no attachments).
Contest rules:
My thanks to Eric Glover at PlannedTVArts for his assistance with this interview and for arranging for a review copy of Susan's book. I was not compensated for my opinion.
Check out this adorable video that ties in with "Already Home!"
At what age did you know that you wanted to be a writer?
Susan: I was about 21. I probably would’ve wanted to be a writer sooner if I’d had any concept that it was even a possibility. I thought writers were exotic and sophisticated, and I was just a girl from L.A.
At what point in your career did it finally sink in – “hey, I’m famous,” and did it make a difference in your writing?
Susan: I’m only slightly famous in certain circles. I don’t feel very famous when I’m cleaning up after my dog or waiting in line at the grocery store. Whether or not people know my name doesn’t have any impact on my writing, but I do feel that I have become a better writer over the years because I practice my craft. I work hard to write books that readers will love, and I’m truly honored by the response.
Who are some of your favorite authors? Who inspires you?
Susan: I find Debbie Macomber to be very inspiring, and she’s also one of my favorites. I’m thrilled to be sharing cover space with her this month on THE KNITTING DIARIES. (My story in THE KNITTING DIARIES is loosely linked to ALREADY HOME, and both books were released on March 29.) Debbie doesn’t chase after trends. She writes books from the heart. They move her, and they move her readers. I try to do the same.
What do you have coming up in the future?
Susan: After ALREADY HOME, my next books will be the second trilogy in the Fool’s Gold series. The Hendrix triplets will fall in love in August, September, and October. Boom, boom, boom, one right after the other. I’m having so much fun with the town of Fool’s Gold
What advice would you have for anyone wanting to break into the writing biz today?
Susan: Write what you love to read. Write a story that moves you – makes you laugh, makes you cry, scares your pants off. And read, read, read, read. The more you read, the more you’ll understand storytelling, and the more you’ll understand what kinds of stories are marketable today.
I so appreciate Susan's time to talk about her profession!
Susan's new book, "Already Home," is destined to be the favorite book of the spring/summer reading season!
About The Book:
After nearly a decade as a sous-chef in a trendy eatery, Jenna is desperate for a change. She's supported her ex-husband's dreams for so long that she can't even remember her own. Until she sees a for-lease sign near her parents' home and envisions her very own cooking store.
Her crash course in business is aided by a streetwise store manager and Jenna's adoptive mother. But just as she's gaining a foothold in her new life, in walk her birth parents—aging hippies on a quest to reconnect with their firstborn.
Now Jenna must figure out how to reconcile the free-spirited Serenity and Tom with her traditional parents, deal with her feelings for a new love interest and decide what to do about her ex's latest outrageous request. In the end, Jenna will find that there is no perfect family, only the people we love.
My Thoughts:
Set in Georgetown, Texas (a charming town near Austin), "Already Home" is the story of coming home in more ways than one.
Susan's character, Jenna Stevens, has come back home, licking her wounds, so to speak. Her self-confidence has been stolen by her ex-husband, and it's time for Jenna to learn how to be her own woman again. She has a strong family support system with her adoptive parents, and thankfully, meets Violet, who's business sense and abilities help her store become a huge success. But when her birth parents show up, their sudden presence gives Jenna a whole new dimension of her life to consider!
I loved how Susan handled the wide variety of sensitive subjects with this book - adoption, birth parents, spousal abuse, even relationship abuse - while keeping the storyline light and fast-paced! Plus she has the delightful town of Georgetown portrayed to a T!
Readers will find this tale hearwarming, as well as heart-wrenching at times, but I guarantee - it will be a story that is remembered long after the final page is turned.
About the Author:
Susan Mallery is the New York Times bestselling author of over one hundred romances and women’s fiction novels, and she has yet to run out of ideas! Her funny and sexy family stories consistently appear on the USA Today bestseller list and have landed as high as #5 on the New York Times list. She has won many awards, including the prestigious National Reader’s Choice Award. Her books have been named to the Top 10 Romance Novels lists of 2007, 2008, and 2009 by Booklist, a publication of the American Library Association, and she was the only author on the list all three years. Because her degree in Accounting wasn't very helpful in the writing department, Susan earned a Masters in Writing Popular Fiction.
Susan makes her home in the Pacific Northwest where, rumor has it, all that rain helps with creativity. Susan is married to a fabulous hero-like husband and has a six pound toy poodle...who is possibly the cutest dog on the planet.
Be sure to check out Susan's incredible website at http://www.susanmallery.com/!
She also has a fabulous contest running in connection with the release of "Already Home."
Win the Way to Your Man's Heart Contest
They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach… but I believe that seducing his taste buds is the real secret. What would you cook to win a man’s love?
Submit your original recipe between March 1 and April 24, 2011 for a chance to win a $300 gift card to Williams-Sonoma, possibly the most fabulous cooking store on the planet. Imagine what fun kitchen toy you could buy for yourself with $300! I (Susan) will choose the top three recipes, make each of them, and serve them to my personal taste tester (aka, her husband). Keep in mind that I’m (Susan) not a gourmet cook, so I will choose recipes that are fairly uncomplicated. The winner will be notified on May 1, 2011.
Send your recipe to jenel@susanmallery.com with a note verifying that the recipe is original, created by you. The recipe must come in the body of the email (no attachments).
Contest rules:
- No purchase necessary.
- Void where prohibited by law. Otherwise open to fans around the world.
- Entries accepted from March 1 until April 24.
- Recipe must be original, not from a cookbook.
- Winner will be notified by email on May 1. One prize of a $300 gift card to Williams-Sonoma will be awarded to the creator of the winning recipe.
- Winning recipe will be published on http://www.susanmallery.com/.
My thanks to Eric Glover at PlannedTVArts for his assistance with this interview and for arranging for a review copy of Susan's book. I was not compensated for my opinion.
Check out this adorable video that ties in with "Already Home!"
Wordless Wednesday - Great-Grandpa and his Girls
Last weekend we were able to visit my Grandpa.
Let's just say that he LOVES his great-grandbabies.
I mentioned in my previous post that he and Lillian have a special little game they play.
Below is a series of photos of them playing "hide the M&M's from each other".
...M&M's in Grandpa's pocket.. 
..Lilli found them.. 
..Ha Ha..Got 'em Grandpa. 
Uh Oh, he took 'em back. 
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