Noah's Ark

I hear they might have found Noah's Ark, at long last. (That would be SO exciting.) Given how much rain we've been getting in Spokane this spring, we might need an ark!

I'm bundled in the prayer shawl sister Sally made for me a few years ago, and feeling very cozy and grateful in my warm kitchen.

I watched a movie on my iPod last night, after writing and supper. It was "Georgia O'Keeffe", and I enjoyed it a lot. I was in a movie watching mood after that, on a roll you might say, so I decided to que up another film from my iTunes library. I launched "Coco Before Chanel". (Obviously, I love stories about real people.) Well, turns out "Coco" is in French, with English subtitles. I wouldn't mind that normally, but, well, reading subtitles on a two-inch screen? Not without a magnifying glass. :)

I still have "Crazy Heart" and "The Young Victoria" and "It's Complicated" on DVD, so I'll probably throw a one-woman film festival this weekend. Especially if it's still raining.

:)

Planting Zinnias

You know me and zinnias--I love them. For me, they're in the same league as peonies and roses, so vibrantly colorful are they. It's still too early to put seeds directly in the ground, at least as I understand the process, but I'm itching to plant. So, in addition to my strawberry starters, which seem to be doing well, I've got two large plastic "greenhouses" on my windowsills, flower seeds germinating even as we speak. :)

Last year, I had quite a container garden going out on the deck; this year, my plans are even more ambitious. I will grow herbs again--sage and basil and mint, to name just a few. I'll grow tomatoes in my big "tomato tree" rigging--making sure I buy plants for full sized tomatoes as well as the cherry type. In my world, you can't have too many fresh tomatoes.

I'll be raising dahlias again, and trying my hand at some sweet corn, too.

The new book is turning out to be a delight. I'm already in love with the hero. :) He's strong, he's smart, he's a rancher, he loves kids and animals. What's not to love?

Our weather is still pretty gloomy. I just keep reminding myself that April showers bring May flowers.

Like zinnias.

Be well.

Rain on Strawberry Plants

Yesterday, after working on my new book (YES!), I planted eight strawberry plants in a special pot recommended by my aunt, Billie Wiley. The weather has been spring-like, naturally, this being Spring, changing often. It ranges from glorious sunshine to dreary drizzle, and manages to strike virtually every note in between. I've come to love something about each phase--the cozy, tea-by-the-fire days, the wow-let's-plant-roses days, all of them.

Whatever the weather, I'm thinking, Today is the best day of my life. It's the only REAL day, isn't it? The past is a story, the future is a dream.

Today, there is rain on strawberry plants. There are two beloved cats and two priceless dogs in my household, all exerting their very different personalities. There are books to read (and write) and movies to watch and art supplies to experiment with. There is yarn to knit or crochet.

This is the day the Lord has made.

I will rejoice and be glad in it.

A Creed In Stone Creek

Today I start a new book, the story of Steven Creed and Melissa O'Ballivan. The only thing better than starting a new book is finishing a new book. :)

I spent the weekend lounging, mostly, and listened to a great new book called, "The Girl Who Chased the Moon." It was magical, and I loved it--can't wait, in fact, for the next installment. I'm tuned in to Mary Higgins Clark's new one now, "The Shadow of Your Smile".

I made some new ATCs for a trade online and went out for groceries once, but that was about the extent of my ambition. It was all very restful.

Sadie was down to 30 pounds even on Friday--cause for celebration. Don't want her to go any lower, however. After all, she'll be eleven on October 22. Maybe I should get myself a trainer!

That's the update from my kitchen table.

Strawberry Marauder

This is one of my two kitties, Cha Cha. She's the imperious one, Miss Attitude. (Can you tell???) She's been nibbling at the leaves of my baby strawberry plants.

Note that bright sunshine pouring in through the window! It's a glorious day here in Spokane, Washington!

All these exclamation points remind me that I finished revising "Willow" and am now waiting to hear the editor's verdict.

The dogs are snoozing, and Sadie will be visiting her wonderful trainer later this morning.

And I feel a distinct Kneed to Knit. What's THAT about? Debbie Macomber is the knitter in my set, and a fantastic knitter she is, too. Me, I knit panels--straight garter stitch rows that I hope to felt eventually. I still have that crazy yen to knit socks. I listen to several of the knitting podcasts available on iTunes and I've become a devotee of the Yarn Harlot. (Yes, that's what she calls herself. Her real name is Stephanie Pearl McPhee and she is a hoot!)

You know you're hooked on knitting when the first place you want to go, after surfacing from a week of jet-lag, is a yarn store.

:)

I'm not even good at it, though. Go figure.