A List of Things...

First off, a big Congratulations and Good Luck to my wonderful critique partner, Gillian Layne, on her final in the Golden Heart! I couldn't think of anyone who deserves it more. Gillian is such a talented writer and such a wonderful friend, I cannot imagine trying to write without the support and advice of this wonderful person!

Second, I apologize for not posting since the winter. Sometimes, a person just needs to take a break, and I was definitely needing a break. I'm glad to say that my health has improved to the point where I am almost entirely back to normal. I still have difficulty remembering where things are when I put them up-but then my Mom assures me that is merely the effects of nearing 40 and not the result of a mini-stroke, LOL.

Third, for everyone that asked for a tutorial on the wallpaper, thank you. I started to do one but felt so silly because it was so simple. The first step is to put up the paintable wallpaper-the hardest thing about this step and the entire project is matching up the seams-I hate matching up the seams. Let it dry. I then took Minwax Stain in Dark Walnut and just painted it on. To get the different tones, I was really messy with the stain. I would soak a foam brush in it, then squeeze the stain onto the paper and let it run a minute before spreading it around. Let that dry and then stand back and admire your handiwork. Easiest home improvement project ever, I promise.

Fourth, I have finally found the new story that has been lurking in my mind for months. I have the prologue (the prologue actually came to me first and set the scene for the entire book), chapters 1 and 2, and the black moment. I am writing towards the black moment because after the prologue came to me, the black moment came to me. I really hope this works because I've never tried this type of writing before. While I was never a plotter, I still wrote in a linear fashion. We'll see where this route takes me and enjoy the ride. I guess this is extreme writing by the seat of your pants.

And finally, I have finished the hole in the wall doorway. Okay, I did not finish it by myself. I got in over my head (actually, what I got in was an electric outlet and my son kicked part of the wall down to tell me to stop. It scared him so badly he told his dad -who promptly took my saw from me!) and had to call my uncle to come and save the day. He done such a fabulous job! I still need to paint the trim in my living room, and get my decorations up and then I will have some pictures for you!

Want a sneak peek? Of course you do!

More to come, I promise!

Winter Wonderland?

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening

 

In the lane snow is glistening

 

A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight

 

Walking in a winter wonderland

When it snows, ain't it thrillin

Though your nose gets a chillin

We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way

Walking in a winter wonderland

And yes, I skipped through the lyrics because it was flipping cold outside!

Rocking Around the Hurricanes

Welcome if you're from Between Naps on the Porch!

I am loving me some hurricanes for this holiday season. When I saw a fabulous post on another blog highlighting how to make one-I had to give it a try.

I set my goals a little loftier than I should have when my daughter and I were at Micheal's and I saw one on sale for $7. I promptly informed her that I could make one cheaper. She promptly informed me that I was insane. WELL, who's laughing now? Me, that's who!

See that little hurricane with the beads and the amber ornament inside? The one with the big arrow pointed at it? It was $1 on clearance at Home Goods-the only thing I could find wrong with it was it needed washed. I kid you not!

See that silver plated candle stick? Same story-$1 at Home Goods but look as I might, I have yet to find anything wrong with it. I meant for the hurricane to go on this candlestick. I brought them home, scrubbed them clean, and hot glued them together.

Note to my readers, DO NOT HOT GLUE A HEAVY SILVER PLATED CANDLE STICK TO AN EXTREMELY LIGHT WEIGHT HURRICANE GLOBE!

Yeah, good thing I've got Mommy-hands and managed to catch that sucker before it came into contact with the floor. So I temporarily separated them by sitting them side by side while my pulse settled back to normal-beside my apothecary jars.

And then, while at Walmart craft section picking up some E6000 epoxy (because I was sure that I wasn't using hot glue again), I noticed this:

That huge hurricane globe was $3!! See the candlestick it sets on? $2 out of Wally's candle section. Made for each other, no? The slender taper holder in the middle? $1.

There you go.

For $8 I got a hurricane three times the size of Micheal's $7 one. For $1 and an apothecary jar I already had, I got a hurricane twice the size as Micheal's $7 one. For a buck, I got one the same size as Micheal's $7.

Pretty good, no?