Yes, like so many others I’ve vowed to eat healthier this year. So much so that I went the extra mile and joined Weight Watchers. I have to do it. Sitting at the computer day in and day out has turned me into a couch–er, chair–potato.  Not a good thing. Have any of you done the WW thing? If so, I’d love some hints and pointers. I have a lot to look forward to this year with trips and vacation and I want to do them weighing less than I do now. 

I’m under the gun on my deadline for revisions, too, so it’ll be quiet the next few days. I have a Getting To Know post coming up for Superromance and paranormal author Lori Handiland you don’t want to miss so be sure to check it out. It’ll post at the beginning of the new year when Lori’s latest hits the shelves.

So, any resolutions you’d like to share? Are you dieting? Exercising? Let’s hear it and maybe we can keep each other on track!

 Kay

So, how was your Christmas? Mine was fantastic! I had such a fun time with my family.  Here’s a pic of me and my Yorkie. Isn’t she cute?

What a wonderful Christmas. I hope you all enjoyed yours as much as my family enjoyed ours.

Okay, a reminder! Don’t forget to sign up for the LAUNCH PARTY SCAVENGER HUNT on my Contest Page! The contest ends December 31 and the prize is wonderful if I say so myself. There is a beautiful Longaberger Christmas (Snowman) tote, autographed books, and more! Be sure to answer those questions for your chance to win. Promo over.

So, do you have a favorite gift you gave or received this Christmas? My fave gift is a beautiful charm bracelet. I LOVE it! It’s so special, because each charm on it represents a book of mine. How awesome is that? My dh had some problems finding charms for the bracelet so getting it current is up to me but so far I have a ribbon with a pink heart for HIS PERFECT WOMAN, a dog for HANNAH’S CHOICE in THE POWER OF LOVE antho, a Christmas stocking charm for A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER, and a tiara on my general, I can’t turn it down and have to have it link in honor of all the gals at eharlequin’s Make Mine Super loop. We like our tiaras there. I may wind up doing two charms per book because, honestly, there are so many of them and I just can’t pick one. It’s sorta like potato chips. LOL So, maybe a charm that represents the hero and heroine of each story? Their ’symbol’ so to speak? What do you think? I think it sounds like a great way to have a beautiful charm bracelet! LOL

My dh also got me a gorgeous red laptop. My old one was missing keys, very, very slow and not in good shape so—Yay!!! I’m all set to write, write, write! My favorite gift given was an iphone to my dh. Too, too cool. That thing does everything! Now to figure out how to work it all.

And, yes, even my dog received gifts this year. She got a red motorcyle squeak toy and a beaver squeak toy. LOL Too funny. Although, she chewed through the motorcyle pretty quick so it hit the trash already. *sigh*

 What about you? What was your favorite gift you’ve given or received?

Kay

Is it just a day at the end of the year?

A season of joy, merrymaking and cheer?

Is it people and presents and glittering trees?

Ah no, it is more than any of these.

For under the tinsel and hidden from sight

Is the promise and meaning of the first Christmas night

When the sheperds stood in wondered awe

And felt transformed by what they saw.

So let us not in our search for pleasure

Forego our right to this priceless treasure

For Christmas is a God-given day

And let us remember to keep it that way.

-Helen Steiner Rice-

–I hope you read and enjoyed one of my favorite poems. I wish you and your family a very, very Merry Christmas.

love,

Kay

Whoo-hoo! Merry Christmas–to me! I just learned that I’ve sold two more of the Tulanes of Tennessee series to Superromance. Yay! Talk about a great Christmas present.

And here they are! The pictures of the Santa Hats I promised some of you. Aren’t they cute?! Here they are all lined up in the container.

 And one up close.

Adorable! Can’t you picture them as witches’ hats, too? Several people asked for the recipe so here goes.

You need sugar cones (with the pointy ends)
white almond bark or chocolate (if you can find red meltables this late in the game, more power to you! )
red coloring
M&Ms
small marshmallows
popcorn (if desired)
Reese’s Pieces or any small candy
Sugar cookies
frosting
white cotton candy (Wal-Mart)/or large marshmallows 

I bought sugar cookie dough in the roll (you can go the hard way, but I wanted it to be as easy as possible ). Bake the cookies as stated and set aside.

Melt and color almond bark (the kind used for making candies–and a hint, add the tablespoon of shortening so it stays spreadable–this is KEY to getting the coating smooth). Coat the cones and let harden–also, if you want to add sprinkles or glitter (make sure it’s for cakes and not the real stuff!), do that before the cones harden.

Mix the candies etc for easy access. After the cookies have cooled, ice with fluffy white icing. Fill the cones with the candies mix and place on top of the cookies (the kids were so funny when they realized there were goodies inside!) and right before serving, top with a pinch of cotton candy for Santa’s fluffy hat tip (a dab of frosting on top helps keep the cotton candy on).

These were so cute! The hardest part is covering the cones, but they can be done ahead of time.

Enjoy!

Kay

We’ve all heard the saying. Timing is everything. Boy, is it ever.

To be perfectly honest, I don’t have time to write this blog. But I wanted to post for all of those out there trying so hard to be published and give them a bit of insight into being published and the writer’s life. It isn’t all a bed of roses, booksignings and advances. LOL

I received revision notes for the second of the Tulane series yesterday. Yup, right before Christmas. On top of that, I’m responsible for providing (really cool) snacks for a party at school, my kids get out of school early on Thursday AND they don’t go back to school until January 3. My revisions? They’re due January 2. Anyone else see the irony?

Yup, timing is everything.

The good news is that since I received the phone call on the notes, I’ve made major headway on the biggest of the problem areas. There’s something to be said about panic. Adrenaline can be motivating and I’ve kicked butt on pages today which puts me in a good spot at the moment–thus the blog.  LOL Think I’d be blogging if I was sitting here sobbing over a messy story and Christmas being ruined? (wink!) Those type of blogs are best left unwritten. LOL But, for those of you wishing for publication, just remember to time your deadlines a little better than I did. Otherwise, you, too, will be doing revisions over Christmas.

But since I found myself looking at my hero, Nick, and finding inspiration to get me through these difficult times, well, I thought I’d share. So here he is.

Enjoy!

 Kay