Fortunate
{I mentioned last week that we had to say goodbye to our loyal dog Lucy, which was a terrible experience. But, we still have Daisy, and we’re feeling very fortunate to have her wagging her tail around the house these days. She’s an old, tired lady, but she’s still up for walks and treats and snuggles. Lucky us.}
Sad
{Speaking of Lucy, we’re all dealing in our own way. My husband left her a sweet message on our family chalkboard, and my girlie drew the most adorable picture of her at school. I got a little teary when I took it out of her backpack.}
Thankful
{It’s Teacher Appreciation Week! My daughter has a wonderful teacher and we wanted to do something nice to acknowledge all her hard work. I thought about sending an apple to school for her, but then I recalled my own teaching days and decided that Apple Strudel would be a much tastier after-work treat.}
Fantasitcal
{This book is amazing. It’s taking me forever to get through because last week sucked and I’m in the middle of a revision (that’s finally starting to take shape!), but yeah… I love Finnikin and Evanjalin. I love this world. I love Melina Marchetta’s writing. Recommend!}
Decadent
{Nordy Bars are one of my favorite treats. My mom used to make them at Christmastime, but they’re super tasty any time of the year. In fact, I made them for a barbecue last week and they got all kinds of compliments. Butterscotch, chocolate chips, marshmallows, pecans… What’s not to love?}
Diligence
{My little miss has been writing books these days, just like her mama. Usually she’s much more focused than me, but lately we’ve both been hard at work. My goal is to finish my revision this week. Then it’s off for a beta read. Yay!}
Gratuitous
{I know I’m *slightly* biased, but I think she’s pretty darn cute.}
Tell me: What have you been up to lately?
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Love all of this, Katy! So moved by your sweet daughter’s picture. I remember losing a bunny when I was little and it ended up being the first story I wrote that showed me the power and healing in writing down feelings. Love that she is a budding author too, just like her mama ❤ I also am cheering for you like nothing else in CMH – GO KATY! You have almost done it! Yippee! Also, those dessert bars look absolutely delicious! I might have to get that recipe 🙂 Hugs to you!
Thanks, Tem. ❤ I cannot wait to call this revision done and see how it's received… Hopefully well. 🙂 And definitely let me know if you try to the Norday Bars. Yum!
I think your daughter’s pretty darn adorable too. And McKenzie used to write little plays all the time. We have journals filled with them! She doesn’t write anymore than is required now. Well, unless it’s on her phone. Which she’s terribly attached to. Teenagers. Jeez.
And I’m still so sad for you and your family. I love the notes and pictures and I’m glad Daisy’s still up for snuggles! Seeing your pictures makes me want a new dog even more. Hopefully this summer. 🙂
Enjoy the rest of your week! And enjoy your reading! Finnikin has been on the TBR for a while…just need to get on that!
Ooh, you should read FINNIKIN soon. I’m about 2/3 through and it’s fabulous. It reminds me a lot of the GRACELING books, and of course Melina Marchetta’s writing is gorgeous as always. Maybe this summer you’ll have time to give it a read. 🙂
The pictures of your little writer are so cute! So sorry to hear about your dog–sending you a virtual hug.
Thanks, Rebecca. ❤
More hugs for you and your fam about your dog, but so glad that you still have another furry friend around and that your girl seems to be taking it pretty well. That drawing is too precious!
Yay for Finnikin! I’m about to start FROI and I am SO EXCITED!! Also, those Nordy bars look soooo good. I want to nom them through this computer screen.
Aww, thank you, lovely. ❤ FINNIKIN is a fantastic read so far. I'm at the part now where we're really getting to know Froi, which makes me all kinds of excited to read his book. Melina Marchetta rocks!
That picture of your cutie is ADORABLE! She’s gorgeous (I imagine her dad is looking forward to the teenage years :P)
The message of your hubby and the drawing of your little one melted my heart. So sorry again about your dog! Pets are such important companions and become part of the family ❤
I haven't read FINNIKIN yet but I'm thinking about it since I absolutely loved JELLICOE.
(oh and those pictures of yummy desserts made me want to become a teacher :P)
PS: can't wait to get an email with the subject line "Here's my book" 😀
Oh, Elodie… That subject line is in your VERY near future. Like, Friday, I hope. And I cannot thank you enough for offering your amazing beta skills. I hope I’ll get to return the favor someday very soon! And thank you for your sweet words about my girlie’s photo. I think she’s pretty darn adorable myself. Hope all is well with you, friend!
Bias or no, your girlie is seriously cute. Love seeing all your pics of her! As a former teacher myself, I think I can safely say that your apple streudel probably made that lady’s day. In fact, it probably didn’t make it out of the classroom. (I probably would have had the thing done by the time I left for the day lol.)
I’m really excited about reading FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK now. I figured it was good, but I trust your opinion on these things. Plus, I love a good fantasy.
P.S. If you ever find yourself in need of a beta reader, I volunteer as tribute. Just saying… 😀
Thanks, Jaime! I’m hoping my girl’s teacher enjoyed her treat. It took extreme willpower not to buy myself a piece. 🙂 I can’t wait for you to read FINNIKIN so we can compare opinions. Something tells me you’ll be a fan. Oh, and I’ll be emailing you about your beta offer (I hope that’s okay!). I would LOVE your fresh perspective on the revision I’m *almost* done with.
I’m both teary and hungry now. Love the messages to Lucy, and your baking looks amazing. One of the drawbacks of throwing myself into writing/revising is that I spend far too little time in the kitchen. This is something that needs to change (though my waistline probably won’t thank me for it). Your daughter is so adorable! Look at those big brown eyes! It’s awesome that she’s following in your writing footsteps. From experience, I know that the best way to raise a reader is to be a reader yourself, and I think that can spill over into writing too. Hope writing goes well for both of you this week!
Thanks for your sweet words about my girlie, Erin. We think she’s pretty darn cute. 🙂 Oh, and she already has such a healthy love for books — she comes by it honestly. My husband and I like to think of ourselves as collectors (rather than hoarders!).
I hope you get a chance to bake soon. You should *totally* make Nordy Bars!
Oh Katy, so sorry again for your loss. Your girl is so cute (big eyes and great smile)! 🙂 Also please send me some Nordy bars – they look SO GOOD and I don’t even like pecans all that much!!! 🙂 Enjoy the weather, freedom from revisions & that sunshine.
Thanks so much, Rachel! You should definitely make Nordy Bars next time you’re in a baking mood. They’re excellent with the pecans, but you can totally omit them too. Yummy either way!
I’m so glad that you’re loving Finnikin! It’s such a great series. Froi takes a while to grow on you (at least, he did for me) but the next book is his and I wound up loving him.
(Also–chiming in to offer beta-reading if you like, although I know there can be such a thing as “too many cooks” so I won’t be offended or anything if you are set for readers already. But if you’d like another set of eyes–now or later on–just email!)
I’m about 1/3 through FROI now and I am enjoying it just as much as FINNIKIN. After the way Froi acted in the earlier parts of FINNIKIN, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to relate to him, but sure enough… I’m totally loving him. Can’t wait to see where this story is going to go, and what will happen in QUINTANA.
And thank you so much for your beta offer, Jess! I very well might be taking you up on it in the future. And of course I’d be happy to return the favor. 🙂