Pismo view

So I mentioned last week that we took a quick trip up to Pismo Beach. Did I mention how much I wish I were there now? Not that I don't live near a beautiful beach myself--I do--but my work's here too (and my house needs a good scrubbing), so I'm kind of in the mood to 'get away from it all'. Know what I mean?

Ah, well. Duty (i.e. editing) calls. That and the kiddos are finishing up their last weeks of school, so now is not the time to jump ship. (I wrote a brief article about looking for deals on the coast. If interested, you can read that by clicking on this link.)

Before I head off to the backyard with 300plus pages, a red pen and a huge cup of coffee, I just had to ask--anyone watching The Bachelorette? I know, I know--gah--I had promised myself not to peek at it this season, especially after the Jason/Melissa/Molly debacle. But somehow I got (a little) pulled in and, um, watched it. We all have our vices, I suppose. Not saying I'll watch the whole thing, but if you did, what did you think? Will Jillian find her man this time?

Garden chatter

My cool friend Sherrill invited me to coffee in her garden this a.m. Sherrill is one of the gals who reads my books before sending them off to my editor at B&H. Let me just say that I could sleep in this garden...a lilting fountain, soft wind chimes, fragrant blossoms, oh my, as comfortable as all get out. She's tilled this soil for about ten years and it shows. Wow. I was there to discuss my next book with here, but really felt more like taking a nap!

Anyway, such a great way to start the weekend. I'm allowing my mind to take a couple of days break from the writing/editing (at least I'm trying to), and in addition to visiting with Sherrill and doing a bit of shopping, I walked the beach with Dan and hung a new flag on the front porch.

What're you up to this weekend? Any Memorial Day events? I'd love to hear. Until then, have a beachy weekend, my friends--wherever you are!

Kris Allen - American Idol

Could not resist am American Idol post this morning. I've been unable to keep up with the weekly posts on my fave talent contest, but last night's finale was just too fun not to mention. Dan, the girls and I laughed through much of it (Teen Son was at youth group). Kara in a bikini? Nick Gentile writhing on the stage floor? Tatiana fighting for air time?

Not to mention all the stars who performed. Steve Martin on banjo...what? Queen Latifah...Keith Urban...Kiss? LOL Kept thinking that somewhere out there, some kid was pointing to the TV and saying, "How come grandpa's dressed up on stage with his tongue hanging out?"

Ah, Idol, you done good.

And then...THEN...the results were announced! Kris won? Well, woo-hoo!!! I fully expected Adam to win, even though much of what he sang was not my cup of espresso. The man's amazingly talented and unique--and now his autograph on our WICKED Playbill is probably worth less (shoot).

But KRIS! Surprised, but happy to see him win. There's some whining going on in the blogosphere about how America got it wrong, blah, blah, blah, but I don't agree. As a Danny Gokey fan -- love his gritty voice -- I transferred my votes to the soothing voiced Kris because of the two men -- Adam or Kris -- I would actually buy Kris' albums. When Kris' voice comes on my radio, I will turn it UP.

And that's what it came down to for me. Kris has the kind of voice that draws me in and keeps me listening. His ability as a musician to change up songs, also drew me, and I suspect listeners will hear a lot more of that from him in the future.

So that's my take on the winners. How about YOU? You sad, happy, surprised, angry or ???

We had two great singers to choose from this time around--can't wait to see what happens next year.

When my next book is finished I will...

* Clean out my (disgusting) fridge
* Go to the beach
* Shovel the papers out of my office
* Go to the beach
* Empty out my makeup drawer and start again
* Go to the beach
* Detail my car
* Go to the beach
* Take a super long nap...on the beach

Just sayin'....

A weekend to celebrate

Crazy weekend with a business dinner in Pismo Beach on Friday night, followed by a family gathering just south of there the next day. This is the view from our hotel's restaurant. Very ahhh! I have to admit that I found it difficult to tear myself away from the writing deadline that's been driving me lately. But oh! I highly recommend breaks, my friends! Even a short one was good for the soul.

On Saturday, we celebrated the 90th birthday of my Uncle 'Hap' Navarro. You may recall that I wrote about attending Uncle Hap's induction into the California Boxing Hall of Fame. You can read that post HERE. This pic is of the three hermanos de Navarro (yeah, my Spanish es no good ;): My uncles Mike and Hap Navarro and my pops, Dan Navarro. They are all precious! GREAT turnout with lots of hugs, some tears, and a whole lotta picture taking ;)

I'll be writing like the wind, I tell you, for most of the week. My Otter Bay Novels (The first is Sweet Waters, 8/09) are set along the central coast and just being there for a short while this weekend made me want to return. So watch for the occasional 'ahh' moment when I upload the rest of the beachy photos. The weather was perfection!

Congrats!

The winner of Sally Stuart's Christian Writer's Market Guide is....

B.K. JACKSON
Woot-woot...I love giving stuff away!

Heading north this weekend for my uncle's 90th birthday! Lots to celebrate, and as a bonus, we'll get to drive along California's breathtaking coast. Looking forward to the break even if it means I'll have to work faster next week to catch up-ack.

I'll take some pics. In the meantime, have a beachy weekend, my friends--wherever you are!

Farewell Danny

(Photo by Monique Erskine)

If you didn't get a chance to read my short but sweet article about a local Danny Gokey sighting (when this photo was taken), you can read it at this link.

Was American Idol hard to watch last night or what? First off, I love Kris. He's an amazing musician and has a beautiful voice. That said, I choked up when Danny got voted off and downright teary eyed when he sang You Are So Beautiful, especially in light of the recent passing of his wife, Sophie.

Adam's got one superb set of pipes, but his style is just not my thing. (Kind of like my sometimes quirky, always beachy books may not suit everyone. Ahem.) Nothing against him, just was hoping for a Kris/Danny sing off. Hey, a girl can dream!

Needless to say, but I'll say it anyway, I'm putting my extra votes (I had split them between Gokey and Allen) on Kris. How about YOU?

Market Guide Giveaway!

For 24 years running, the Christian Writers’ Market Guide (includes CD!) has remained the most comprehensive, complete, essential, and highly-recommended resource for Christian writers, agents, editors, publishers, publicists, and those teaching writing classes.

And I'm giving away a new copy FREE to a randomly drawn entrant in the USA (sorry to my friends outside of the states--high postage and all).

Just answer this question (or these questions), and you'll be in the drawing on Friday morning (remember to leave me an email or website address so I can reach you!). Here goes:

Why do you read fiction? And if you don't, why not?

Happy Mother's Day!

Teen Son's been interning in the kitchen of a nearby fine dining establishment. He likes to spread that talent around, so before leaving to cook for our church's pancake breakfast this morning, he served me this 'snack' (in bed, of course!). Lol...I eat about a 1/4 of that for breakfast usually, but it's Mother's Day, so why not live a little?

To all mama's--have a beachy day, wherever you are!

Bonjour

So last night we sat around listening to tales from outdoor ed camp. Elementary Girl had been away for most of the week (my hub, Dan went for part of the time), and there was much to tell. Somehow in the midst of the frivolity, Charlie the Dog's head got beneath this hat (gee, wonder how that happened...) and the storytelling took a decidedly French turn...

Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sun...

Took this picture a few days ago after a long day of writing and mothering. (This is sunset on the west coast. Visited the east coast once and was awed by sunrises that looked like this. Hm...may have to write about that some day...)

Anyway, Once I get on a roll, it's tough to tear me away from the computer screen (unless it's for things I have to do, such as pick up kids, groceries, etcetera...)

I make myself do it, though, not only because the body needs a break, but because of my readers who'll spot fatigue on the page if I'm not careful.

I wrote about one of my de-stressing breaks--beachcombing--for the Examiner, and if you'd like to read that article, you can find it by clicking HERE.

How about you? Do you make yourself take a break? I mean an out-of-the-house, if weather permits, fresh air break? Where do you go? What do you do?

Here's to working hard--yet taking great breaks. Have a beachy day, my friends--wherever you are ;)

*snort*

I know this is a sorry excuse for a real post, but it's kind of funny, don't you think? It's got that whole 'pearls before swine' thing going on...

And considering Elementary Girl played in a soccer tourney this weekend in a city that has had 3 confirmed cases of the Pig Flu, well, guess it's been on my mind. Hope you are all healthy--take your vitamins!

Weekend warrior

It's the weekend! Woot! Oh, except that I'm writing today because, well, I've got a deadline breathing down my neck...ha. At least the sun's shining and the grass is green after a light sprinkling of rain last night here in California. We also had an earthquake, apparently, but I didn't feel that. Phew.

If you read my newsletter this week, then I wanted you to know that the article I mentioned is up on my examiner page. It's a story and the pic of my son and a group of his friends who ran into ??? from The Passion of the Christ. My son was thrilled, to say the least! You can find that story by clicking HERE.

In addition to writing, it's also another soccer tourney weekend for Elementary Girl. It's the game that never ends, I tell you! Ah, but it's so healthy for her--and for me as it gets me out of this chair, ha.

Have a beachy weekend, my friends--wherever you are!