What’s Up Wednesday

WUW2

“What’s Up Wednesday” is a fun weekly meme started by my friends Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. From Jaime: It’s similar in some respects to the Currently… post, but it’s been whittled down to only four headings to make it quicker and more manageable on a weekly basis. You’re invited to join us if you’re looking for something to blog about, a way to let your blog friends know what’s been going on with you. If you’re participating, make sure to link your What’s Up Wednesday posts to the list on Jaime’s blog each week. That way, others can visit your post and check out what you’ve been up to.And now, here’s what’s up with me this week…And now, here’s what’s up with me this week…

What I’m Reading: I finished Carol Rifka Brunt’s Tell the Wolves I’m Home and I thought it was a beautiful story. That said, it’s not a book that would have normally attracted me, so I’m incredibly thankful for Corey Ann Haydu’s recommendation. I loved this novel! Now I’m (slowly) reading Lauren DeStefano’s Perfect Ruin. So far, I’m super impressed with the worldbuilding, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing how the story plays out.

What I’m Writing: I’ve slacked on my revision over the last week, and I’m so bummed about it. I’ve just been so busy with the holidays and my husband’s upcoming grad school graduation and our impending move. I haven’t had time to sit down and focus on what my manuscript needs. Boo. I keep picturing myself all comfy on the couch in our new Florida home with my story document opened in front of me… Can. Not. Wait. In other news, I finished my blog posts for the Class of 2013: YA Superlatives Blogfest, which begins this Monday! Looking forward to sharing my favorite 2013 books with you, and to reading about the books you’ve fallen for this year!

Superlatives Button

What Else I’ve Been Up To: Blah. Need you ask? Organizing, purging, packing. The moving truck comes Friday. We’re loading all weekend. We sign out of our house next Wednesday. I can’t wait to be done with this nonsense.

   
Some girlfriends and I hosted a graduation party for our husbands this weekend. Of course I put myself in charge of desserts. I took a break from packing and instead spent two full mornings baking. I was so happy!


I got the cutest winter mug for #SipSwap a few mornings ago. As soon as I unwrapped it, I fixed myself some tea and ate some M&Ms. Because I am a grown up. Thanks so much to Simon Clark for sending such an adorable mug!

   
My girl is *almost* as graceful as I am. Last week at school she hurt her face on the jungle gym (I still don’t completely understand how), but she’s healing quickly. When I told her to not to pick at the scab on her forehead because it would leave a scar, she got all excited and said, “Really? Like Harry Potter?!” And then I was the proudest mom ever.

What’s Inspiring Me Now: I watched The Descendants over the weekend, and I absolutely loved it. I’d heard it was good from several people and I’ve been intrigued by the trailer since I saw it ages ago (plus there’s the whole Oscars thing), but it’s one of those movies that somehow slipped by me. It’s finally on HBO (yay!) and I couldn’t pass it up. Oh, it was so, so good. Flawed but incredibly likable characters. Poignant, but with moments of perfect humor (Sid! The best!). A gorgeous setting (Hawaii!). And Shailene Woodley — what a talent. She’s going to rock Divergent and The Fault in Our Stars. If you’ve yet to see this one, I highly recommend it. Amazing and inspiring storytelling. Here’s the trailer…

Tell me… What’s up with you today? 

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34 thoughts on “What’s Up Wednesday”

  1. Jennifer Pickrell says:

    I’ve been debating on whether or not to watch The Descendants (try as I might, I’m not a Clooney fan), but I think I’ll set the DVR next time I see it’ll be on.

    Those desserts = WOW

    Good luck with the move and have a safe trip – Florida, here you come!

    • katyupperman says:

      I’m not a huge Clooney fan either, Jen, but I liked him a lot in The Descendants. He was a father figure instead of the swoony-type he usually plays, and he did it well. You’ll have to let me know what you think if you end up watching.

  2. Carrie-Anne says:

    Those cookies look awesome! There’s a reason I’m not a size 6, and enjoying baked goods is right up there.

    Will your new Florida home have a lanai? A lanai with a nice view and cool breeze can be a really relaxing, inspiring place to write and do other creative things.

    • katyupperman says:

      I love me some baked goods too, Carrie-Anne. 🙂

      We’ll have a nice, shaded back porch in FL, which I’m very much looking forward to utilizing. Hopefully I’ll get lots of writing done there!

  3. prerna pickett says:

    awww, your poor munchkin! And i feel your pain in the ‘graceful’ department, my girls and I often run into walls. I purchased Perfect Ruin on Kindle a while back and am looking forward to reading it. I love Lauren DeStefano’s writing style. And those cookies are making my mouth water!

    • katyupperman says:

      PERFECT RUIN is good so far, I think. A little slow, but the world is fascinating, and I’m definitely intrigued enough to keep reading. Hoping for a big payout. 🙂

  5. Stephanie Allen says:

    I loved The Descendants! And I was also impressed with Shailene Woodley, so between that and the fact that Veronica Roth and John Green are so excited about her, I can’t wait to see her onscreen.

    Baking sounds so much more fun than packing 🙂

  6. Jaime Morrow says:

    Not to be an enabler or anything, but I think you’ve earned a bit of a break from revising. You have so much BIG stuff going on! I can’t wait for you to be all settled in your Florida home (and by “settled”, I mean unpacked because living in a fort of boxes is lame), ready to plunge back into revisions. With any luck, I’ll be plunging back into revisions myself.

    Those spritz cookies look amazing! I was ogling them on Instagram. So pretty! And how cute is your girlie? I love that she actually wants a HP scar! You done good, mama. (*slow claps*)

    I watched The Descendants awhile back, and I really have to agree about Shailene Woodley’s acting chops. She’ll definitely rock both Tris and Hazel. Have a wonderful, as-stress-free-as-possible week, Katy! Hope the move goes smoothly!

  8. Miss Cole says:

    The baking looks extremely successful. Yum yum yum ^_^

    I really hope the move goes well and you can find yourself in the comfy chair getting to grips with the revisions.

  9. Krispy says:

    I can’t believe you’re moving so soon! It’s going to be weird that you’re not in CA anymore, but I can’t wait to see gorgeous Florida pics from your morning runs! 🙂

    I’ve been curious about The Descendants for the same reasons, but I’m never in the mood for it. I guess I should set the DVR…

    Congrats to your hubs too for graduation! And good luck with the final moving details!

    • katyupperman says:

      You should really watch The Descendants, Alice. I loved it much more than I thought I would. It’s been nearly a week, and I’m still thinking about the characters. I might watch it again. 🙂 Have a great week, lady!

  10. Stephanie Scott says:

    I also liked The Descendants and am looking forward to Divergent & Fault in Our Stars; the YA movies have been fairly hit or miss, but I don’t think so many of us in-the-know were that surprised that Mortal Instruments and Beautiful Creatures did poorly. I don’t know what it is but I could tell they weren’t going to draw the fan base as much. I’m a little worried over Divergent just because people will inevitably relate it to The Hunger Games, and since that franchise is still going strong, it might get flak for being a knock-off in the larger perspective (obviously book fans will not think this but the larger audience). TFioS is hopefully going to rock. I think it has the fanbase and it’s different enough from the Mega-YA franchises to be its own thing. Well-casted with a relatable story.

    Love the baking photos!!

    • katyupperman says:

      I’m with you on all of this, Stephanie. I sincerely hope Divergent stands on its own without constant comparisons to The Hunger Games. Anyone who’s read these books knows how completely different the stories are. Also, you’re so right abut TFiOS’s casting. It’s amazing!

  11. Alexa says:

    That is one nasty scar, glad she’s healing quickly, love the Harry Potter reference, what a cool girl 🙂
    I think this time of year is just so crazy it’s impossible to get much writing done. Even when I have some time my brain is so full of things to do I can’t really concentrate well. Hopefully January will be a good revision month.
    Great cakes for the graduation party too!
    Have a lovely week Katy!

    • katyupperman says:

      Thanks, Alexa! December is always a tough month for me, writing-wise. It seems like there are a million other must-do things that have to come before my manuscript, unfortunately. As much as I love the holidays, I’m looking forward to the peace of January. Hope you have a great week!

  12. Ghenet Myrthil says:

    Your move is so soon! Good luck with the rest of the packing. It’ll be over before you know it!

    I also haven’t been as productive lately. It really is hard around the holidays. I’m going to try to write as much as I can, but plan to return full force to writing as soon as January hits.

    I love your SipSwap mug! I also enjoyed The Descendants. I saw it in theaters when it first came out. I should rent it and re-watch sometime!

  13. valeriefm says:

    I have Perfect Ruin on my stack too! Let me know if you like it 🙂

    Your cookies make me envious. I want cookies! Good luck on the move. Not too much longer, right?

    • katyupperman says:

      I wish I could share cookies, Valerie! And no, not too much longer before we leave California… Seven days, to be exact! I can’t wait to be settled in Florida! Hope you have a great week. 🙂

  14. Erin Funk says:

    I can’t believe you found time to do all that incredible Christmas baking in the middle of packing! You put me to shame, Katy. I haven’t done any baking yet for the holidays. I hope everything goes smoothly with your move and that you can settle into your revisions again soon.

    Your daughter’s Harry potter comment made me laugh out loud. So awesome! 😀

    • katyupperman says:

      Thanks, Erin! She made me laugh too. 🙂 This year I had to cram all of my holiday baking into one day since my kitchen is in the midst of being packed. I’m thankful I found the time to do it!

      Oh, and congrats again on Pitch Wars… So awesome!

  15. Crystal says:

    Your Christmas cookies look delicious! And your poor daughter! That looks like it hurts. I loved The Descendants! George Clooney really impressed me with that one.

  17. Bridgid Gallagher (@bridgidlee) says:

    Um, that cookie display? Impressive! I hope the graduates were grateful! 🙂

    Love what your daughter had to say about her scab/scar. So cute.

    I hope your packing continues to go well. That has to be frustrating to not have time to write, but I love that you have the image of writing in your new home to keep you going. 🙂

    Have a great week, Katy!

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