Have you ever dreamed of becoming a writer, but didn't know how to go about it? Or possibly, you do write. All. the. time. But, you just aren't getting where you hoped. Or you do write, but it's for work purposes and leaves you feeling unfulfilled and wanting to let your creativity loose. Maybe you just think about writing and then life gets in the way. Or maybe, you don't like to write at all, but enjoy learning how others have developed their craft.
Behind every great author is an equally great story of how they got there. Stephen King wrote his memoir, On Writing, where he talks of being rejected and not giving up; and in this article, http://www.brainpickings.org/2015/04/27/ann-patchett-on-writing/ Ann Patchett tells how she makes great art and what she feels is the single most important aspect of writing.
Whatever your take on the craft of writing is, give it a read, and see where you end up. Then let me know what you think...
If you liked Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn or Girl on a Train by Paul Hawkins then, The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson is your next favorite read! Full of twists and turns and unexpected darkness, this novel will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end! For a keep you up late kind of a novel, give The Kind Worth Killing a try today!
This week was our staff meeting week and I tried something new! Again! My co-workers are guinea pigs when it comes to bringing food to staff meetings. Everyone here will eat their vegetables like they are supposed to :), so I try new things. This week I made a breakfast pizza/casserole of sorts and added all kinds of fun things. The original recipe that I tweaked and made my own can be found on www.iowagirleats.com. It's very adaptable. I am going to make it again at home with less of the green stuff:)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Drizzle 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil into the
bottom of a 10” cast iron or heavy bottomed, ovensafe skillet then tilt or brush the
skillet to evenly coat the bottom in oil.
2. Press thawed hash browns in a kitchen towel to remove as much excess moisture as
possible then transfer to a large bowl and mix with remaining 2 Tablespoons extra
virgin olive oil, garlic powder, and onion powder, to taste. Transfer to prepared skillet
then firmly press into an even layer with your hands and bake until golden brown and
crispy, 20/25 minutes, rotating pan 180 degrees halfway through.
3. Meanwhile, whisk eggs in a large bowl with salt and pepper. When hash brown crust
is golden brown, season the top with salt and pepper then pour eggs evenly over
the top and bake for 1 minute. Top with chopped mushrooms, asparagus, bacon, and
cheese then continue baking until cheese is golden brown and bubbly, 5-7 minutes.
Let pizza sit for 5 minutes then use a spatula to help slide onto a cutting board. Slice,
top with chopped green onions, and then serve.
Notes: If your pan is larger than 10", add enough hash browns to cover the bottom of the pan
and then a little more.
So my corrections included more eggs and bacon. Then, I added spinach, broccoli and roasted cherry tomatoes. I topped with a small bag of colby jack cheese and some feta cheese sprinkles!! Totally yummy!!
And I got the highest compliment....I got asked for the recipe....
I ran across an article on Facebook today about "Hands Free parenting".The phrasing made me curious so, I read through a couple of articles on the blog Hands Free Mama. I realized Hands Free Parenting meant putting your devices down, letting go of the to-do lists, leaving the laundry etc. for small increments of time and really being present in moments with your family. Then, I saw there was a book, also titled Hands Free Mama by Rachel Macy Stafford, which we have here at the library.
In this world of continued busyness and responsibility, we all need to find our moments of peace and happiness in a day. There are many ways to achieve this contentedness, and this book gives you as a reader, the author's ideas. Maybe they are right for you, maybe they will lead you to your own solutions. But, it's intriguing, nonetheless, to imagine carving out those moments.
What do you think? Do you find time to be present in the moment in your day? Or is this something you strive for more of?
I don't know what type of a reader you are. Do you read several books at one time? Do you start one and finish it before you begin another? Do you have books stuck in every nook and cranny imaginable so as to never be without a book? I am typically a start one and finish it kind of a reader. Mostly because once I start a book, I usually get into it and want to know how it ends, so it's distracting for me to be reading another story when my heart is still in the first one. That being said, sometimes I forget to bring the book I am reading to work with me. I get back to the break room to take lunch and I don't have a book!! AAAgghh! Horror of horrors!! Fortunately, I work in a library so there is no shortage of books to read.
Recently, I grabbed "A Discovery of Witches" by Deborah Harkness off of our exchange shelf so that I could leave it in my locker and not worry about it being due. Now, I am never without a book on my lunch hour and I don't worry about forgetting the book I am reading at home. This particular novel incorporates lots of things I really enjoy in a book. There is the fantasy element since it deals with witches, vampires and daemons. There is the historical element since it takes place at Oxford and incorporates history along with the fantasy. Finally, the romance element; that integral part that just "makes" a story for me!
It's kind of slow going, since at present, I only read it on my lunch breaks, but it seems to lend itself well to being put down. I find the dynamics of the different magical creatures quite interesting and the idea of one of them trying so hard not to be what is in her nature. I can sense the love story that is surely coming and I am intrigued about what will be found out in the mysterious manuscript.
Lucky for me, there are two more in this series by Deborah Harkness and I can continue reading and reading!:)
Comment and let us know what type of reader you are and what you are reading right now! Maybe I'll add it to my bedside table.
Spring has sprung!! And so have asparagus spears all over the countryside...What to do with it?? I am new to asparagus and so went looking for recipes and talking with people...I was told by one asparagus lover that the best way to eat it is steamed with butter. "That way you get the good natural flavor and that's what it's all about!"
Grilling seems to be another popular way to serve asparagus. This recipe from Better Homes and Gardens sounds intriguing also.
Grilled Asparagus in Dill Butter
For even doneness and browning, line up the stalks along the grill rack and roll often.
Snap off and discard woody bases from asparagus. On a platter, drizzle asparagus with butter and sprinkle with dill, garlic, and pepper. Toss to combine.
For a charcoal grill, placeasparagus on the rack of an uncovered grilldirectly over medium coals. Grill for 7 to 10 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender, rolling asparagus occasionally to ensure even cooking. (For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Place asparagus on grill rack over heat. Cover and grill as directed.)
To serve, transfer asparagus to a serving dish. Sprinkle withParmesan cheese.
This recipe by chef Ina Garten looks good, too.
Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten
Roasted Asparagus Total Time: 35 min Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Yield:8 servings Level:Easy Ingredients
2 pounds fresh asparagus Good olive oil Kosher salt, plus extra for sprinkling Freshly ground black pepper Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Break off the tough ends of the asparagus and, if they're thick, peel them. Place the asparagus on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, then toss to coat the asparagus completely. Spread the asparagus in a single layer and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Roast the asparagus for 25 minutes, until tender but still crisp.
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-asparagus-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback
I think I will check my mother in law's patch and see if I can try something new....How about you?
Jill Shalvis is popular contemporary romance author. A main focus in her novels is a sense of community. In this respect, her writing resembles Robyn Carr. Shalvis' Lucky Harbor series have all been winners and recently, she started her Animal Magnetism series. I'm sure those will all be big hits too. Watch this little blurb and see what you think. Then stop in and check one of her books out!!
Stephen King doesn't write in my typical style of reading. In fact, I've never read a single one of his fiction books. I admit, I have seen at least one of the movie remakes, but never had the desire to pick up one of his books until his memoir. I've always wanted to write. I know, I know; cliche. But, as a young person, I wrote short stories, poetry, papers, etc. I entered small contests and won. I had teachers encourage me. Then, I got busy with college and I think I forgot about all of that. When Stephen King's memoir, On Writing, came out I flipped through it and started to read. It was very interesting to me to learn about writing from a bestselling author's point of view; all of the hardships, and times when they wanted to give up.
Recently, a co-worker sent me this article, http://mentalfloss.com/article/53235/how-stephen-kings-wife-saved-carrie-and-launched-his-career, on Stephen King's wife and her role in his stardom. She had looked him up in response to a Trivia Crack question of all things!! It's funny sometimes how things get started....
Read the article. Read the book. Read both and see what you think.
