As promised, today I have a delightful treat for you. Be forewarned: eye-candy feast ahead. It *may* induce coveting…and hunger pangs. Belly up to your laptop screen or smartphone annnd let’s go! As you know, one of our family’s all-time favorite restaurants is the award-winning Dobyns Dining Room at the oh-so-amazing Keeter Center (located at my beloved alma mater, College of the …
A Little of This and That from the Ozarks
Happy Monday! I know. Sometimes it’s hard to hop back in the saddle again after a few days off. However, since we must, I hope your week is off to a great start! Here in my neck of the woods, we’re in for a delightful weather change this week. (Of course, in the Ozarks we’ve come to expect this.) The …
Valentine’s Day Countdown
This week begins the official countdown to one of the busiest floral seasons of the year. (Have you ordered flowers for your Valentine yet?) I usually plan a quiet (and delicious) meal at home, and of course, it involves chocolate. And candlelight. We have a teenager still at home and so our daughter helps me with meal prep. It’s a …
What Fuels Our Creativity
Last week I talked about research trips adding dimension to our writing. As writers, side trips away from our desks and computers aren’t just a fun way to “get away from it all.” These trips recharge our brains and fuel our creativity. When we see something besides the four walls of our offices or work spaces, we’re reminded that there is life …
Celebrations and Milestones
This past weekend was extremely busy. Our son graduated from my alma mater, and while we were on the go non-stop, it was indeed a wonderful way to celebrate Mother’s Day. You may recall that I dedicated Friday’s post to our future educator. If you didn’t get a chance to read it, I’d invite you to visit the link. You …
10 Sweet Things about the Ozarks
I’ve always told my husband, “I want to retire on the beach.” There’s just something about the sound of the incoming tide and living on island time that holds great appeal. Fewer tornadoes, no sudden temperature drops, and sunshine aplenty even in winter sound pretty sweet, too. Yep, I could definitely go for life on the water. I wonder, though, …
All Work and No Play Kill Creativity
Some professions are more taxing than others. No matter how much we adore what we do, any career will leave us emotionally and physically spent if we don’t take a break from time to time. For those of us who write, all work and no play can also be creativity-killers. I know from my own experience, spending endless days planted …