When my first book released about five years ago (
Chocolate Beach), one of my college-aged readers thanked me for writing a character that didn't garden. LOL That cracked me up then, and has stayed with me. There's something so cliche about a heroine who
gardens, apparently.
But what about a writer?
When my kids were little and I wrote magazine articles while also trying to sell a novel, I turned to tilling the soil for an outlet. Hubby borrowed the neighbor's truck and bought a load of mushroom compost for 5 bucks, enough to make our huge backyard one fertile place for veggies on one end and an English garden on the other. Loved it. I remember thinking that I should give up writing and go work for the local garden center instead.
But then we moved closer to the beach where the soil is sandy, the weather is foggy, and my writing career became full time. In other words, little time for gardening. Until recently...when I've managed to make some.
A couple of months ago we put the broken down trampoline on craigslist and gave it away to an artist who wanted to weld it into something amazing. Or weird. I'm not sure which. The grass beneath it was dead, so hubby and I took turns tearing out more of the lawn and I sketched out plans for a lawn-less backyard garden. I have plans for an undulating crushed-stone path, a birdbath, sitting area, and lots and lots of perennials.
Truthfully, we've still got about 1/3 of a lawn in there, but the fountain's back in use, we've pulled out some unhappy plants, and cleaned up some others. Still a long way to go, but by springtime, this writer girl's going to get her garden back.
Just don't expect me to write a book about it ... ;)
I'm so excited to show you the cover of my May, 2011 release, Fade to Blue. Isn't it beautiful? Huge thanks to B&H publishing!
Dan and I were married 20 years ago at the Little Chapel on the Hill, Pepperdine University, Malibu. 
Had lunch today in Paradise Cove near Malibu. I've passed by the turn off for this beach cafe for years, but never stopped until today. Because of the drizzle ~ actually a downpour when we got there ~ the place was fairly quiet. We were seated right away at a place by the window and the rain ceased ... don't you just love this view?
I've said it before but I'm a bit of a reluctant cook. Still need to find time to make some of the recipes sent my way ~ thank you all (and keep them coming)! 
When my first book released about five years ago (Chocolate Beach), one of my college-aged readers thanked me for writing a character that didn't garden. LOL That cracked me up then, and has stayed with me. There's something so cliche about a heroine who gardens, apparently.
This mermaid was placed in memory of our friend, Andrea, who passed away from cancer. It's gorgeous. (The photo doesn't do it justice, trust me. I'll try for a better shot next time.) I heard that her father acquired the statue from a local collector who'd bought it in Russia. It welcomes ships into the harbor from the overlook at Marina Park. 
So the other day I decided to throw culinary caution to the wind and make a recipe I saw in a magazine. The photos looked so yummy and my husband loves capers so I made the crab sliders...and almost everyone in the house hated them. For his part, hubby put on a brave face and ate seconds (says he liked them, but he loves me and wants me to keep cooking so it's suspect ...). My daughter's friend Eva gave me a sad little smile and said, "You tried."
I learned today that Fade to Blue is being typeset as we speak! If you read A Shore Thing, I want you to know that my next novel tells the story of Suz, Gage's sister in Shore. I get all warm and fuzzy thinking about it :-) 
So my youngest daughter turned 12 last week ~ at camp. Last year she was away, too. Sigh. I sent a "party in a box" both years but still! Mama needs to give her kid a hug. Just sayin' :) So when she got home, I couldn't wait to give her the rest of her gifts, which included a baseball cap. Not just any old baseball cap, but a NY Yankees cap ~ the same kind that Justin Bieber aka "JB" wears. 
Yesterday was my youngest's birthday ~ only she's been at camp all week and I didn't get to hug her. Fortunately I rec'd a call (apparently the line at the payphone was extraordinarily long...thanks camp hosts. Not.). First one of the week! I get to see her today, so ya-hoo :)
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