$5 AmazonOn Demand Credit

...Can be used for renting online movies. And wouldn't you like a new movie to watch during that fast-moving-in stormy winter night!

    You'll need a Twitter account, but it only takes a minute after that. Go here. (Many thanks for the tip, One Frugal Girl.)

Track Santa The Easy Way

NORAD normally tracks drug dealers and such. But one night a year, it focuses on the other major intruder in airspace: Santa. Track him and the reindeer here -- has he found your home yet?

My Very Best Wishes for...

A happy and peaceful Christmas, with time to enjoy and reflect. 

I'm so grateful for a Savior born on earth for us!

Spontaneous Meeting Combustion...

'Flashmobs' have been one of the newest developments -- a whole bunch of people who get together in a preplanned place and DO SOMETHING.

Like the Hallelujah Chorus...

Or rocking out to Christmas music!


(Many thanks to friend Marcie for passing this on.)

The Sweet Smell of...

Are you partial to how things smell?
    When I was little, I realized that people (and their homes) had a distinctive scent. I could even tell, head down, when a certain aunt, or my grandma, entered the room, based on the smell that preceded them. (My grandma smelled like hermit spice cookies!)
     Even now, I tend to rely on how things smell -- I rarely turn on a timer when cookies are baking, for example. Instead, I wait until they have a 'just-baked-but-not-burning' waft. Rice smells a little like mothballs when it's done. And brownies don't start scenting the air until 'just' before they're finished.
     Husband thinks this is funny, but generally is ok with it. The one bad part -- if you get involved somewhere else in the house, and forget to check! (A glance at the clock now and then helps.)
     This blogger got me started on the power of smell. The interesting part about this -- you can actually BUY smells like 'baby powder' and 'bonfire,' thanks to Demeter Fragrances. (They've got stuff on sale, plus shipping discounts.)


    My top ten favorites: lavender, soap (especially Dial), cinnamon, coffee, bacon, lilacs in spring (or the scent of freshly-dug earth), freshly-ironed linen (or sheets off the clothesline), tangerines, cedar...and the scent of Husband and Daughters when I snuggle into their arms.
    What are yours?

Seven Fish Dishes for Christmas

I just found Grocery Cart Challenge's list of 101 stocking stuffers...more good ideas here! One is beloved by Daughters, who are always visitiing the laundromat -- a roll of quarters.
    Also, Jenn at Frugal Upstate, bless her heart, has 68 ideas for stuffing guys' stockings -- Hooray! Husband tends to be quiet to start with, and is not exactly forthcoming about what he'd like in this department. (I can't get the ATV-for-hunting he'd really like, to fit in the sock.)


* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

    A reader asked about the Seven Fish Dishes. Having seven fish dishes (or nine, or as many as thirteen, according to this Wikipedia entry, "The Feast of the Seven Fishes") is an old Italian-American custom for Christmas Eve. The fish (a popular way to stay 'meatless') represent the seven sacraments of the Catholic church.

     I can hear your next question -- are we Italian? Naahh...though we LOVE their food, and Husband spent some time in Naples, Rome and elsewhere during his Navy years. (P.S. We don't go to a Catholic church, either.)
     When the girlies were little, and I was often housebound with them, I started trying to celebrate a different country's customs every year at Christmas time. The Italian version -- the seven fish dishes -- was such a hit that I've repeated it every year, and it has now become a Brick tradition.
     The dishes change, depending on available seafood, what I can find on sale...and our budget. Certain elements remain, though; we always have at least one soup, one whole baked fish, some kind of shrimp. And ALWAYS Angels on Horseback. (The girlies inhale any leftovers while we're washing dishes afterward.) Here's this year's menu:

1.  Clam Chowder (New England style with cream, onion and potatoes -- no tomatoes for us)
2.  Angels on Horseback (oysters wrapped with bacon, skewered with toothpicks, and baked about 20 min. at 400 degrees until crunchy. YUM. Don't knock these until you've tried them!)
Devils on Horseback (chicken livers wrapped with bacon, ditto. I know -- these aren't seafood, but they're a nice complement to the Angels. Don't count them.)
3.  Salmon Creole (salmon filets with a spicy coating)
4.  Shrimp Ajillo (the garlicky Panamanian version of Shrimp Scampi)
5.  Crab Legs 
6.  Tuna with Homemade Noodles (I'll give the recipe for this later)
7.  Rocky Mountain Trout (Daughter #2's contribution; she caught them herself. Baked with mushroom stuffing.)



Plus some kind of greenery in the vegetable department, hot rolls or biscuits and a refresher course of sorbet or sherbet. (All that seafood taste really adds up.) Friend Constance is bringing dessert, and I'll add a platter of chocolates and cookies for after-meal nibbling.
    We dress up in our best...and take our time, with a glass of wine and much talk. Each dish is counted as it appears, and small amounts are the rule, for obvious reasons. Little sighs of pleasure appear for someone's favorite, or a groan from the person who partook too much of another specialty.
      It's a wonderful time.

Christmas Baking

Hmmm...shouldn't I be whipping up sugar cookies or something?
    Maybe take a page from the Swedish Chef, and do up some popcorn shrimp...or doughnuts.

We always have seven fish dishes on Christmas Eve -- have been working up that list. And starting to plan for Christmas dinner, as well.
   Or maybe I should go haul the boxes of decorations up from the basement.


Maybe I'm starting to get into the Christmas spirit.

Serve a Log for Christmas Dinner

...a creamy chocolate log, that is! If you've ever made a jelly roll, a Christmas Log won't be that hard for you. It's a French tradition that Julia Child made especially popular, with the 'log' decorated in meringue mushrooms and clouded with a 'veil' of caramel. (Yum -- just writing about this is arguing for setting aside our more usual Sachertorte, and whipping up this instead!)
      Here's the recipe:

• 1/3 cup cake flour
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/3 teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs, separated
• 1/4 tsp cream of tarter
• 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
• Confectioners sugar
• Filling:
• 14.5 oz can pitted cherries
• 2 cups whipped topping
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup coffee flavored liqueur

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 15 X 10 jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Grease and flour paper then tap off excess.
     In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder and salt, then mix well. In a separate bowl, using an electric mixer, beat egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar until fluffy. In a separate bowl, using clean beaters, beat egg whites on high until foamy. Gradually add 1/2 cup sugar and cream of tarter, beating until stiff, but not dry, peaks form. Fold 1/3 of beaten egg whites into egg yolk mixture. Alternate folding in egg whites and flour mixture.
     Pour batter in pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle a clean towel with powered sugar. Immediately loosen cake from edges of pan and turn upside down onto towel, sprinkled with powdered sugar. Carefully remove paper. Trim off stiff edges of cake, if necessary. While hot, carefully roll cake and towel from narrow end. Cool on wire rack at least 30 minutes.
     Combine cherries, powered sugar and liqueur is a small bowl. Let stand at least 5 minutes then drain liquid and spoon over cooled cake. Add whipped topping to cherries. Spread cherry mixture over center of cake and roll cake into a log. Refrigerate for 1 hour or more, even overnight. Garnish with whipped topping or chocolate syrup.
    (Thanks to MDWanda at Better Recipes.com for sharing this)

More Christmas cakes are at Better Recipes.com ...take a look!

Christmas Repurposed

Simple, graceful ideas for gift wrapping...


New things you can do with holiday items...

all sorts of Christmas crafts to start now...and finish!

Maybe it's a response to all that cynical humor of Scrooged (yes, I watched it on AMC recently), but I feel determined to actually enjoy preparing for Christmas this year -- even if it means I put a wreath on the door, make just one or two kinds of cookies...and call it good.
    Not having to kill myself preparing for the festivities would truly make it a Merry Christmas!

Coffee in Boquete

Elizabeth Edwards, estranged wife of one-time political candidate John Edwards, died yesterday of the cancer she has fought for years. She did it, to the end, with her usual grace and dignity. What a woman...her children can be proud they're hers.
* * * * * * * * *
We're now snug up in the Panama highlands, at the Panamonte Inn, a country inn with a bit of a snooty viewpoint. Poquete ("po-quet-tay"), the town we're staying in, is tucked into a very tree-and-greenery valley that is part of an old volcano. Everywhere you look, it's crammed with green...oh yes, and people. People wandering around the streets -- and stepping out whenever they feel like it, whether a car's coming or not. People drinking beer outside the liquor store -- or older Americans having loud discussions about weird health problems. (I now know more about when you use socks on disgusting feet problems than I ever cared to.) This place is JAMMED with people, bumping into each other, or just wandering the streets. Reminds me, in some ways, of Aspen, with its pile of houses bumping into each other -- especially big houses.
   There are some intriguing people...Indians here to pick coffee, we're told. The women are very short -- less than 5 ft tall, I'd guess -- and wear bright-colored ankle-length dresses that remind me some of Hawaiian muumuus...but in solids, with what looks like rickrack for trim. (The best photo I could find of them is here...we took a few, but were trying not to rubberneck.) They live four hours or more drive away, but take the bus here and stay for some months, picking coffee. I tried sooo hard not to stare, but was intrigued...
    It's been far chillier here than anywhere else in Panama. Last night, we came into town at the start of a rain-and-windstorm. Lots of mist today, with rain off and on. We spent the afternoon on a coffee tour to the La Miligrosa plantation, hosted by "Mr. Tito." (You can find out more about him and his work here.) The guide went through the whole process, from coffee bush/tree to picking, fermenting, drying and roasting the beans.
    They not only roasted some in front of us, but encouraged us to taste them, both the bean and the ground version, made into coffee. (Tasting it in solution is called "cupping.") Before this, I would have sworn that the dark roast was the most flavorful...but according to Mr. Tito and company, dark roasting is generally what's done with a lesser-quality bean, to mask its lesser flavor. (They also say that the 'export brand' is generally the lesser-quality beans; the good stuff is sold in bulk to a buyer -- often Japanese -- or kept in the country!) What I discovered was that the light was good, but the medium roast really brought out the bean's flavor. And the dark roast? You could just taste 'burn,' not the various nuances. ("Smell the citrus?" the guide said, when we sniffed the light roast. And we could. Fruit trees are grown around the coffee bushes, to protect them and give animals another food source. Some believe that these trees actually lend their essences to the coffee, as well.)
    Mr. Tito (full name: Tito Vargas) built his coffee plantation up from some acres of replanted cow pasture. He grew 9 kinds of coffee beans, and processed them with machinery he cobbled together from junk autos -- even a computer fan! And this iconoclast began to win prizes for his coffee. This year, he took second place in the annual Best of Panama coffee contest -- against very heavy competition. (You'll find it listed as 'Panacoffee.') An amazing guy -- and terrific-tasting coffee.

An Irish Look at the Twelve Days of Christmas

Here it is...and don't be forgettin' I'm Irish, too!

Save Bucks on Your Heating This Winter

Get Rich Slowly, a font of wisdom on all things financial (and practical), has a great post on lowering heating costs this season. 
      Clever Dude also has some good ideas; many are similar to GRS, but there's some new stuff here, too.

      At a time when saving extra money really comes in handy, this subject can be of enormous help.
      We keep our bills below $100 -- even in the deepest winter months! -- by following a few basics:
                  *Heaters are turned off in rooms that don't get regular use
                  *The thermostat is kept at 66 degrees (62 degrees at night)
                  *A space heater and fireplace keep things comfortable in the space we spend the most time in --
                          the living room

      Also, we keep a towel or blanket tightly rolled against the front door. (You can literally feel the cold by standing in front of it. I only wish we could do that with the kitchen cupboards, which are against the north wall. The cold is evident when you open a door, and the dishes stay permanently chilled.)
      Next on the list: thick, heavy curtains against the door that leads out to the deck. I'm thinking maybe red corduroy or velvet; Sylvia Plath sewed curtains like that for her living room, and said seeing them drawn was like being inside a valentine. Warmth and beauty -- a nice combination.

Charley Le Chien

A back post, while I'm still in Panama...

    You may have been wondering how Charley, our new ball 'o fire, is doing.

According to him...or us?

Actually, on most counts, he's been wonderful -- friendly and loving. He loves to doze off snuggled against Husband's chair, paw outstretched against his leg in a sort-of "hey, how's it rolling" gesture.

     Buck, our Weimie boss-in-residence, tolerates and even occasionally welcomes his presence. (Especially when it's cold.) For his part, Charley waits to let Buck go first, and obviously enjoys his company on jaunts outside.

    I'm writing all this to remind myself that, by and large, Charley's been a wonderful dog. It's a help, considering he just pulled a whole batch of freshly-watched clothes off the line, and gleefully trampled all over them.
   "HEY, MOM!!! Thanks for the new toys...and they smell like you and Dad!"
    I'll give him a chance to mend his ways. After, that is, I clean up the bits of paper, plus the latest mangled pen, from his chewing episode this morning. He especially loves pens.
    Sigh.

 Charley in front, ready for mayhem -- and Buck, zonked out, snoozing in back

Inexpensive Gifts -- More than a Hundred Ideas

These were suggested for teachers...but there are lots of ideas here for teenagers, mailpeople, choir directors and others!

On My Way, Back Another Day...

A big basket of shirts waits for ironing. The sink's full of dishes. Random scraps of paper are piled here and there. Phone messages. Business files still to be sent.

And Husband and I leave for Panama tomorrow morning! 

We'll return in a few weeks, hopefully brown and rested. (And having visited the Panama Canal, something I've wanted to see all my life.) The Brickworks offices will still be open, though quieter. (It always is, this time of year.) Feels strange, knowing that in less than a day, the cold and snow will be a past memory.
    Please continue to stop by. A pile of posts are waiting and ready, and will be doled out over the next few weeks until I return. Be good -- see you soon!

Making Money for Christmas

Surely you've noticed the Swagbucks 'swidget' on the right of my column. It's been one of my best secret ways to earn gift money for birthdays and the holidays.
   I don't do anything fancy, either, to earn it. I just do the searches I would normally do. I respond to a short survey now and then (5 min. tops), and do a Swagbucks poll (even shorter). That generally earns me 450 points twice a month -- and 450 points is a five-dollar Amazon gift card! I've earned 17 of them so far, this year. That makes a total of $85 for doing little normal than my normal routine. (And note: I haven't had any trouble with weird cookies, viruses or anything like that. Swagbucks is extremely respectful about that issue.)

You can do this, too. Just click on the 'swidget' to get started. (And you'll give me an extra bonus for doing it -- thanks if you do.) It won't be long before your first gift card -- or other item -- is a done deal.

New Picasso Trove Uncovered

Picasso's long-time handyman has surfaced, with a trunkful of paintings, drawings and such he said Picasso's second wife gave him. He's been storing this stash of hitherto-unknown work -- 271 pieces -- in his garage for decades!
     Needless to say, the official purveyors of the Picasso estate -- children Picasso was reluctant to acknowledge during his lifetime -- are not thrilled. They're trying to argue that the handyman stole the works, but based on the lack of official action, are having trouble making their charges stick.
    It will be interesting to see how all this develops. The handyman and his wife said they came forward now, so their children wouldn't have to deal with problems after they pass on. They were certainly right about that...

Top Ten Christmas Movies

Here's one list -- whaddya think?
   (I'm still at a loss to understand why Bad Santa would be here...but hey, that's me.)

My Ten Favorite Holiday Movies (not in order of importance)


*The Christmas List:   Mimi Rogers has a boring, if busy life -- but a list to Santa Claus, of all the things she's ever wanted, or wanted to try, change her life. Not always for the best, it seems, either. I didn't want to like this movie -- but it's one I never miss each year.

*It's A Wonderful Life: Jimmy Stewart, a very strange angel named Clarence, and the chance to see what would happen if you never had been born. What more could one ask?

The Shop Around the Corner: The movie that inspired Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks' endearing You've Got Mail (which easily could be on this list, as well).  Two clerks hate each other on first sight...but have been falling in love via mail, at the same time. A charming picture of a small pre-war shop in New York City. (I know, it's supposed to be in Europe somewhere -- but it sure feels like NYC to me.)

*Scrooge: Albert Finney remains one of the best truly skinflint misers...with a humorous edge. The songs in this musical stay with you, especially "Thank you very much." And Bob Cratchit's buying expedition with 15 shillings ("FIF-TEEN shillings, mind you!") put Black Friday madness back into perspective.

*The Santa Clause:  Is there anyone whose family or friends haven't had to deal with the heartbreak of divorce during the holidays? The notion of a "revolving Santa" is intriguing, but it's the whole 'how do we do this peacefully' dilemma that really breaks my heart. Sad...and funny, too.

*White Christmas:  Along with Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, I watched this late night in a comfortable pile of sleeping bags, and cousins. The only problem: we could sing the songs, but never caught the title! It wasn't until college that I finally learned the movie's name. Great actors, lots of snarky side comments, ebullient music and dance. (Even some weird stuff, like "Choreography" and an  "Abraham" dance-down.)


*The Homecoming:  Where's Dad? He hasn't gotten home from the mill yet -- send Oldest Son out to look for him before it's too late. A Depression era family waits, and so do we. I love this simple, touching movie. It was also the first appearance of John Boy, and his family, the Waltons. (Note: Daughters mutually loathe it, and say it's corny. But hey, whose list is this?!?)


*Holiday Inn:   A restaurant/inn that's only open during holidays, Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby -- and a ton of jokes and side comments, along with the sparkling dance and music. I love, love, love this black-and-white celebration.

*While You Were Sleeping:  The cutest guy in the world falls on the subway tracks...and you save him, only to be mistaken as his fiancee. Spend your holiday with this quirky family, as well as the sweetest, most wistful heroine ever to wander into the subway. (Plus, Bill Pullman is kinda cute.)  For weeks after we see this, we wander around saying, "Was you leanin'??"


*Die Hard:  The perfect antidote for too much sweetness -- a vacationing cop who's the only hope for foiling a bunch of terrorists and saving a high-rise building...not to mention his wife. Bruce Willis brings just the right amount of humor and bravado to this frenetic romp. ("Whadja think -- I'm ordering a pizza!?) And Die Hard 2 is just as good -- not a common happenstance for a sequel, and something DH3 and 4 can't say.


Here's a more-or-less complete list of holiday movies...pick your own. And let me know what your list is!

Black Friday...Scary

Remember my earlier post about Black Friday? Take a look at this scene from a Hawaiian Wal-Mart. My Colorado Wally experience wasn't this bad...but around the displays that held cheap DVDs, I'd say it came uncomfortably close!

Viewpoints actually has a section on Black Friday Horror Stories. While you're there, take some time to write reviews -- 10 of them will net you a $10 Amazon gift card, but only until Nov. 30.

Weird Photos for the Holidays

...how many strange photos did you produce this year?

Actually, we behaved ourselves. Everything looked normal. But that's not the case for others; witness this odd slide show. The best treat of all in this department is Awkward Family Photos.com, which has a full range of just weird to truly bizarre. (Don't miss 'Grandpa's Last Stand' and 'LOL Cats'...sterrrrrraaannnge. There's also Grandpa and Grandma at Christmastime, with three of four grandchildren screaming their heads off.)

For once, I actually celebrated Thanksgiving without reading Christmas stories, or listening to Christmas music. Now, on to enjoy it!

Black Friday - Just Thankful I'm Not Out There Anymore

Daughter #1 persuaded me to hit Wal-Mart just after midnight, when the sales kicked in.
    I have rarely been so frightened.

   In a crowd, I am constantly fighting the fear that I will be trampled. I can control it, but when pregnant with the girlies, it was almost impossible to go anywhere, without the feeling that any minute, people were going to begin stampeding all over. Where did I get this urge? No idea -- but it's been something I've fought all my life.

   We started by not being able to find a cart. Daughter said, "C'mon Mom, we'll just look for one on the way." I was grateful we were cart-less by the time we hit the $2 videos -- people with carts were regularly being trapped in the back aisles. Daughter shoved ahead...I wiggled around people...and twenty minutes later, we were juggling a big stack of goodies. The only way to make progress was curving around a lot, saying "excuse me" until people moved, and grabbing the minute I saw anything good. (Tip: check nearby displays, as well as the top of the video display -- people will discard good stuff there, after they've edited through their stack. They clear away extras. You get the good stuff!)
     For the rest of the time, we literally had to fight our way through the aisles, especially after we found a cart. One chunky girl in a light blue jacket could have been a linebacker; she repeatedly blocked the entire aisle with both her backside, and her cart. Jammed around people, trying to move through without mashing someone else. To add to the strangeness, the employees at Wally (who were largely standing around, or even stranger, standing 'guard') had cordoned off several aisles to keep the midnight specials saved. That was ok -- but after midnight, the ropes STILL stayed up! (We just went underneath.)
     Tip: Go with someone else. You can take turns holding places in line, going to get extra items, and double-checking the list. Daughter finally found a shorter line, while I was trying to get the cart to her. While we caught our breath, I expressed how I felt about being pushed, stepped on and shoved aside. Daughter said, "There are two kinds of people: pushers and pushees. And you have to decide which one you're going to be."
     Me (still breathless):  "I just wanted to bite somebody! So wouldn't that make me a third kind of person?
    "Naw," said Daughter. "It would just put you in jail. Now in jail, there are two kinds of people..."

Husband, who is more a hermit than anything, decided he wanted to get a camera for next week's trip to Panama. If he was headed out, well then, I could make a quick stop at Cost Plus and Michael's...before you knew it, we'd spent the afternoon out. But part of that time was checking out titles at Barnes & Noble. (They have some terrific bargain books and kits this year). We had a great time, didn't spend that much, and actually got a number of bargains. Now, if I can soak my mashed toes...

You Have GOT to See This Video!

Before you take off on a flight today...or you're 'looking forward' to coming home:

Be sure to watch this Buck Howdy take on Khris Khristofferson's "Help Me Make It Through the Night."

Except it's "Help You Make It To the Flight."

   Husband came running, at the sound of hysterical laughter: "what, what?"

Cookie Dough for 50 Cents??

Yep...if you have a King Soopers handy in your neck of the woods.

Pillsbury's new "Simply" Chocolate Chip cookie dough packs are on sale for $2.49...but if you buy four, you get $4 back, dropping their price to $1.49 each.
    But wait -- most (not all) of the packages at my local KS had 55-cent coupons on them! And King Soopers doubles your coupons, up to $1. So that meant...
    Eight packages of chocolate chip cookie dough for 49 cents. Each.

I baked up a package worth for last night's supper. Delicious.

Restless Tuesday

Brin over at Messy Thrilling Life is drying corn. At least that's something productive -- I've been trying to force myself to keep my mind on work, and stop wandering all over the internet. A Get Rich Slowly reader has interesting (and inexpensive) gift ideas. Prince William is getting married. (Girls everywhere start sobbing on cue, here.) He's also going to be the patron for a centennial reenactment of Scott's race against Amundsen to the South Pole. (Just so it doesn't end the way the original did!)
      There's a new copy of the Declaration of Independence out for sale. (The last one went for $625,000. A mere stocking stuffer...)
    And this insanely cool 1840s-or-so 'Aviary handkerchief from Ebay:

The price was right -- less than $35!
We're having cold and BLOWY temperatures...the greenhouse blew over Sunday. I unzipped the plastic (thank God it wasn't glass) and Husband re-propped it. Fortunately, only one little flat of baby greens tipped over. I carefully picked the seedlings up and poked them back in the soil, then re-placed everything else.
    Yesterday, it threatened to tip over again. (You would too in 45 mph or so winds!) Today, it's rocking with every gust. But so far, still upright.
    And that's me too, hopefully -- once I get some work done.

Publishing Books -- What's Best?

This guy thinks so, though he argues only for self-publication.

I've published six books now -- three with three different publishers (American School of Needlework, Voyageur Press and the Kansas City Star), and three self-published. One book (Hanky Panky) went into 13 printings -- almost unheard-of for a craft book.

    My own experience has been that each book is different. Today's post is on having a publisher publish your book -- tomorrow, I'll give my take on self-publication.

LETTING SOMEONE ELSE PUBLISH IT FOR YOU

First, there's the effort of interesting them -- and getting a contract. You may get an advance, which helps fund your lower-income writing periods. (Then again, that advance comes out first before you get a cent of your royalties.) And if the book sells well, the royalties come in handy, and they continue to flow until your book goes out of publication. (About 3-5 years, if you're lucky.)

Don't think, however, that the publisher will do a lot of promotion for you -- they won't. A prominent mention in their sale catalog, yes. A full-page ad or two when the book first comes out: maybe. Review copies to various publications and blogs: only if you initiate it. (And insist on it. I knew of publishers that automatically sent their new books, when I was the book review editor at Quilter's Newsletter. My publishers, however, have not, although Voyageur Press was willing to ship to the list of people I suggested.)

   But the primary benefit, as a teacher, judge and appraiser, is much more subtle. People read your book -- and want to meet the writer. People read your book -- and decide that you are an authority on that subject. Or your expertise is worth trusting more. Those assumptions all lead to more gigs teaching, judging and appraising. A further bonus: I can sell books at these venues, giving me even more income. (Not to mention added royalties.)
    You don't make a lot of money selling books -- it costs a great deal to get them wholesale. After I pay the publisher, I only get a limited amount of $$ per book. And the money is tied up in those books, until they're sold. If a rainstorm from an open window damages them -- as happened recently to a pile of Quilts of the Golden West -- well, Brickworks is out of pocket. Too bad.

The final issue is copyright. When I first started publishing with others, it was assumed that I would retain the copyright. When I approached ASN in the past few years with another book idea, though, they insisted they would hold the copyright. My words, my patterns -- their property forever!? I don't think so. (Had that book been accepted, I would have countered by offering the copyright for five years -- then it would revert back to me. I think they would have gone for it, but there's no way of telling for sure.)


So -- is it best to have someone else publish the book for you? On the plus side:
    *You make royalties -- and sometimes an advance, as well
    *They'll do a great job (pick your publisher carefully, for this reason)
    *Their distribution network is generally much larger than yours
   *They'll do (some) advertising
   *Having a book published by a reputable publisher doesn't hurt, status-wise

And on the negative side:
   *They may be difficult to work with -- or make changes you don't want
   *They may demand the copyright
  *They may not keep your book in print for very long
  *They may do little -- or no -- advertising, or sending out review copies

Tomorrow -- What about Self-Publishing, Instead?

Wal-Mart Deals for Black Friday

Get a sneak peek at the sales flyer, courtesy of the Wal-Mart website...

$1.96 DVDs, $2.97 crockpots, and more.

Weekend Dithering

Saturday...aaahhhhh.

Except I have a ton of errands to do, including finishing up a play that's overdue, for the Junior Church kids on Christmas Eve. No leisurely evening, either -- we need to cover for the Worship Team that normally does the Saturday night service at church. Sometimes I feel like poor old Mystery Guitar Man... or maybe Beaker.

I'm grateful for things like automatic deposits, quick Christmas gift ideas (gotta start planning for that, too) and this surprisingly good crockpot recipe:


AUTUMN PORK LOIN
    1 pkg pork loin
    1 can mushroom soup, plus 2/3 can milk and 2/3 can red wine
    2 large serving spoons salsa (I used this terrific avocado version)
    1 teaspoon rosemary -- or not

    1 can green beans (for later)

Mix together, and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Occasionally spoon the developing sauce over the meat, and/or cut it into smaller slices or chunks, to soak up much flavor as possible. Thirty minutes before serving, drain and dump the green beans in. Makes about 4 servings.

Serve with baked potatoes or instant mashed potatoes -- yum.

Tonight: On Appraising

Interested in learning more about appraising, as well as dating and valuing quilts and other textiles?
Do you live in the Denver, Colorado area?

I'll be speaking tonight (Thursday, Nov. 18) for the Smoky Hill Quilt Club in Aurora, CO -- general information is here, but the location has been changed to Lord of the Hills Lutheran Church in Aurora.


I'd love to have you join me.

In The Mood for A Little Hanky Panky?

If you've been thinking about getting a copy of my bestselling book, HANKY PANKY CRAZY QUILTS, now's the time! Through Sunday only, you can get a copy of the book for $10.95 postpaid (saving $3!) -- but only by mentioning this post on my blog. (Order as usual, but write CINDY BRICK BLOG in comments. We'll automatically adjust the payment when we process your credit card -- or refund any needed money, if you've paid via Paypal. You can also mail a check -- just put the magic words down on bottom left.)

These books make great Christmas presents -- so do Hanky Pankies. (You can make one in LESS than 10 hours, from first stitch to binding -- wow!)


You can also see Hanky Panky on its Amazon slot -- but don't order it from there. We can't give you this special price, except through the Brickworks website. Your book will arrive ready-wrapped...and we always include a freebie or two, as well.

You've got through November 21, 2010 to take advantage of this special.

Join the Pilgrims - Live on Tuesday, Nov. 16!

Meet a Pilgrim and an Indian...how many chances do you normally have to visit the Pilgrims' home at Plimoth Plantation -- live. It's only a 30-min. field trip -- head here to join.

Come Join Me on Thursday!

I'm speaking for the Smoky Hills Quilt Club in Aurora, CO this week Thursday. The subject: appraisals. How they're done, what they mean, how I do it...and so on. If you're in the neighborhood, come and join me!

The meeting starts at 6:30 Thursday evening, at Lord of the Hills Lutheran Church (21755 E. Smoky Hill Rd. in Aurora. You can mapquest it from your address.)

I'd love to meet you!

Fitting Everything In

It's a long week ahead.

    I've got a ton of stuff to do. And to make things more interesting, Charley, our new dog, is a chewer and explorer. So far, from his grasping jaws, I've rescued Husband's toolbelt, some weird velcroed sheepskin thing (I still don't know what it is, or where he found it), a piece of 1890s calico...and a bag of fireplace ashes he split open all over the sidewalk. (Hey, the dog's an equal opportunity grabber!)

Charley views computer time as poke-Mom-repeatedly-with-a-very-cold-nose-so-she'll-pay-attention. To more important things, of course, like petting drippy-furred dogs. (It's been snowing off and on all day.)

Well, he's a pup 10 months old. He'll learn.

I need to get more stuff done more quickly in less time -- and this blogger has some great ideas. (Thanks, Moneycrashers!) I also have some tricks that work well:

     *Bunch errands. If you're going to the post office, stop by the library and bank, as well. If I have to make phone calls, I'll do them all in one swoop. (Don't answer the phone every time it rings, and save yourself even more minutes -- just return the calls in one group later.)
     *Keep your morning routines to a minimum. My skin dries out easily in the winter -- and a quick shower is better than a leisurely bath. My hair stays glossier if I don't wash it as often, either.
    *If you've got regular tasks, do as much as possible ahead of time, while you're relaxing. I'll wrap extra copies of the books we ship out for orders -- same for freebies. That way, it takes only a minute or two to pack an order.
    It isn't just for the biz, though. I'll write thank-you notes, and Husband pays bills while we watch tv.
    *Get extras. I'll pick up extra boxes of Husband's favorite protein bars, or a tube...an extra dozen eggs...an extra 40-lb bag of dogfood...and I try to keep an extra gallon of milk in the freezer, to minimize additional trips to the store. When I get these items on sale, I pat myself on the back twice!
    *Cook simple meals during times of extra busyness. White cheese dip plus pasta = Pasta Alfredo. Store-made fried chicken. Baked potatoes. Macaroni and cheese. Mix in chopped broccoli or mixed vegetables, and you've got a meal. Make a large pot of soup or chili, eat some and freeze the rest.

     Charley's banging his meal dish around, I've got to get the fried chicken in the oven, and there's dishes to wash. See you later.

There's a New Brick in the Family!

...and he's kinda furry.
    Charlie is part Chesapeake Bay Retriever, part Lab...and all cute. He's a lovely cream/gold/rust all over, with perky ears and bright golden green eyes. He came from the Dumb Friends League -- maybe he was subdued in his little cage, but at home, he's been anything but! So far, he's done great, with the possible exception of the glass doors that lead outside to the deck -- he can't figure out who that strange dog is in the reflection, and keeps wanting to go out and investigate. :) 
    Buck, our resident Weimie, is less than enthused. But then again, Buck feels this way about all 'intruder' dogs. (For your information, Buck does not think HE is a dog. He is a 'people' who just isn't given the privileges he deserves.) I think he'll get used to the idea in time. Probably he would disagree, if he could type!
    Charlie already is making a place in our hearts. Oh...and his name? Because he's full of the Dickens!
* * * * * *
In other notes, Donna Freedman has some extremely helpful notes for the upcoming holiday season -- including how to save on gift cards and other purchases. Lots of links, too...take a look here.

Our funds are at a minimum, thanks to hospital bills for Husband. Thankfully, though, I've been purchasing gifts all along, as I find them at a good price. There's very little to get, other than maybe a few dollar presents for Christmas stockings -- and Husband's anniversary present. (Dec. 26) I do plan on making the annual stop to the mall, to see Christmas decorations -- but that will have to wait until the girlies have a day off, and time to spend. (I'll take just enough cash for lunch -- and no credit cards, to ease the temptation.)

Charlie's tail almost knocked the row of cups off the coffee table...I'm not used to tails, after living with docked-tail Weimies for decades! Gotta go...

Elf Yourself - One Sample!

Just elfing around...I've got work to do (Husband is muttering over his), but can't help adding Jack, Daughter #1's dog, and Buck to the Elf mix!

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/DH4tPMmR7JK5D6EH

Enjoy...and please don't hurt me, Daughters #1 and #2.

Saturday

If you're dawdling over breakfast (or brunch) this morning, you might enjoy spending it with Ginger. We did!

    Today is full of little doodly errands...plus heading to the Dumb Friends League to look for a little brother or sister for Buck, our very-old Weimaraner. He misses Goonie, who died back in July. So do we.
    Now is the perfect time to think about adopting a dog or cat, if you live in the Denver area -- the Dumb Friends League is offering a $100 discount through the end of November! Adoption includes spaying or neutering, shots and an initial doctor's visit. The final price should be pretty close to free when all's said and done. Get your $100 coupon here.

Supper with friends tonight -- but I have a bunch of business stuff to do first. Have a good weekend yerself.

Charley and Me

...Charles Dickens, that is.

   I'm rather fond of this old boy. I did my Master's paper on his work, and try to read at least a few books by him or about him throughout the year. Scrolling through his museum website (the Charles Dickens Museum in London), I came on a very appealing invitation -- if you visit the museum during the holidays, you'll not only get the usual tour, but a glass of mulled wine (after Dickens' own recipe -- he was a big one for this), mince pie or Christmas cake, and a gift pack! Wow. The invite's here -- I wish I could come up with a good reason for the sudden need to fly to England.

Also -- for those of you who are also fond of Dickens tidbits, Robert Seymour's gravestone has been found and refurbished. (Seymour was the first illustrator -- and some say originator -- of the Pickwick Papers, but committed suicide in a fit of despair after he felt his idea was stolen. Blamed Dickens for it, too.)

And Gad's Hill Place, Dickens' beloved home through his death, will change from a private children's school to a Visitors Centre in 2012. Whoa...maybe I should start saving!

Get Some Guacamole -- Close to Free!

Run, don't walk, over to your Facebook account, and access Wholly Guacamole. They're currently running a $4 coupon that will let you get a nice pot of guac or cheese sauce practically free! (I could even print off two: one for us, one for Daughter #1, who is a sucker for an avocado anytime.) 
   Click on 'Like,' then coupons -- it's just a step after that. These coupons are only good for the first 10,000 printings or so, so don't dawdle.

Snow...

The sun was shining this morning...and still doing its stuff when I drove into Denver to do some appraisals. By 1:30 p.m., the world was pearl gray, with heavy spatters of rain. That turned into hail. Back into rain. And by the time I hit Dead Man's Curve on the way home (it really is called that), it was flappy globs of snow that stuck to everything, including the highway signs. As of tonight, there are at least 6 or 7 inches of snow sticking to everything, tree branches included...and yet it feels curiously warm outside. We're getting more low temps the rest of the week, though. I just hope the plastic-walled greenhouse Husband set up for me on the patio will make it. It's resting on a concrete foundation -- maybe that will help keep it warm. Maybe I should put some jugs of water in there, to help absorb and release heat at night. Any ideas?

Speaking of, here's a terrific way to turn your favorite magazine photos into stationery, courtesy of Messy Thrilling Life. (I'd read about this in the Tightwad Gazette, too -- have just got to try it.)


And don't miss the sad tale of 4,500 passengers and crew stuck on a Carnival cruise to the Mexican Riviera, that are basically going nowhere, thanks to an engine room fire. No hot water. No air conditioning. (They don't seem to need the latter -- it's only 65 degrees out.) Eating canned crabmeat and Spam. Oh boy!

Veteran's Day Free Meals and Discounts

Don't miss out on this, if you or someone you love is/was on active duty or retired in a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Many of the specials revolve around Thursday, Nov. 11 -- but some, like a free meal at the Golden Corral, are on Nov. 15, instead.
    Lowe's and Home Depot are both offering a 10% discount for purchases this week through the 11th. Husband (a six-year Navy veteran) and I will probably be headed to Applebee's on Thursday for a free meal.
    Full list is here!

Uptown Girl...and Other Female Muses

Did you know that Billy Joel's song "Uptown Girl" wasn't about Christie Brinkley? (It was actually Elle Macpherson. Go figure.) 
   And Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" was about Caroline Kennedy.
   More about a number of female-inspired songs here. Fascinating.

Sleepless

Wow, what a weekend.

   We had a great time at Caryl May and James' wedding celebration...got home about 9:30 p.m., just in time to do some quick vaccumming and greet Joanie, Joy and Janet, who arrived about 11:00. They finally went to bed, but Daughters, who were both in a feisty mood, wanted to stay up and blab.
   That meant going to Worship Team practice (and dropping one daughter off at the lightrail) on just a few hours' sleep. And having the cousins here meant another trip around, and no Sunday nap. Even more sleep lost.


Whew. 

   The J's leave early this morning, on their way to Michigan. I had planned to get up early anyways, to make them breakfast, but couldn't sleep -- even when I finally had the opportunity. The time change? Or maybe the culprit was some difficult things to consider, including some business decisions on product. I finally got up at 3:30 a.m., and started plowing through those. The worst are done, and I feel better. Now on to breakfast.


Things I Have Learned (Once Again) Through this Weekend:
*Stop worrying about Stuff That Might Happen. It doesn't change anything. You're not better prepared, either, unless you plan, instead of obsessing. Besides, whatever you dreaded doesn't even happen part of the time.
*Poor decisions don't change, whether you make them now -- or try to fudge, put it off and make them later.
*Listen to your gut. If a little voice is speaking that this is not the right fit, or there's a problem brewing, listen to it. Less heartache in the long run. Every single time that I've ignored this little voice, I've regretted it.
*Spend time with the ones you love. Even if it means lost sleep.


Now that, I won't regret. Ever.

Shocking Animal Videos

(Hey, if Shawn Hannity and Greta VanS can use that phrase a lot, so can I!)

A dog catches a salmon -- as it swims across the road. (I'm not making this up. Go look.)


A bear chases a bison down the road in Yellowstone National Park. (Does he catch him? Go see!)


And now I'm off to wash dishes...

Molly Brown House is Having A Party!

You're invited to a free Night at the Museum...tomorrow night (Sat., Nov. 6) from 5-10 p.m. Here's the general information; if you live in the Denver area, it should be great fun! Visit the Molly Brown House Museum website for more information.

Molly Brown House Museum Events

Night at the Museums - FREE event!
Saturday, November 6, 2010 5-10 pm
As part of Denver Arts Week, we invite you to visit the Molly Brown House Museum and more than a dozen other museums, all hosting free extended hours on a fun Saturday night! Free shuttle buses will depart continuously from the Cherry Creek Mall and the Denver Art Museum. Beginning at 4:30 pm on November 6th the Molly Brown House Museum will hand out timed entry passes into the Museum good for that night only. Passes are given out on a first-come, first -served basis until all timed entries for the night are handed out. If you are unable to join us on the 6th, we will have another Free Day for Denver Arts Week on Thursday, November 11th from 10 am to 3:30 pm.

Trying to Get Everything Done

Husband and yours truly found ourselves facing off tonight over something silly. He'd had a long day at work, and both of our computers are acting up. (And we don't know why.) As for me, I'd been trying to cram cleaning in around piano lessons, business stuff and trying to help out for Caryl May and James' wedding tomorrow. (We still don't know for sure when Daughters are coming in, and need to be picked up from lightrail, though I have a better idea now.) Plus I got a nastygram from someone who completely misunderstood my actions (not to mention my motives) about a situation.
   After we got done snarling at each other, I apologized and explained why I was frustrated. He explained why he was frustrated. And at least we're talking better now.
   The cousins called -- they're in Boise, Idaho. They figure 14 hours to Castle Rock, since they're going slower than usual. (Mapquest says it's about 12 hours drive.) They won't leave until 7 a.m. tomorrow morning.
   Hope sprang in my breast. That would put them in town probably about 8 or 9 p.m. The wedding is at 5 tomorrow; reception at 6 p.m. I should be able to stay through the wedding and a good-sized chunk of the reception, with no worries. (Dave and the girls can stay as long as they want.)
   This may work, after all, with God's grace.

Airlines, Carryons and Checked Bags

I just finished an interesting post from Liz Weston, financial guru-ette, on why airlines should charge for carryons. Liz doesn't understand why people lug on those pull-suitcases-with-wheels, and try to stuff them into the bins, especially when they get on last of all, and could gate check them, instead.

Well.

I've made several flights this past month, and can speak to this, especially after a lovely flight from Grand Rapids, MI to Atlanta,GA, via Delta Airlines. (I was headed to Denver -- so the airline routed me south and east instead. I felt like a UPS package. Go, Delta.) 

Thanks to the Mama and several goodies I'd found, I was bringing home a heavier carryon suitcase than I'd brought. Much heavier, in fact. My group was one of the last called (not my choice, Liz!), and by the time I got on board, the plane was stuffed to the gills. With people and luggage. As I trudged to the back of the plane, the stewardess sweetly pointed out a tiny space in the very back: "You can put your suitcase there." (Hint to Liz: I TRIED to gate check the suitcase, and was told by the gate person, "We don't ever do that," in snotty tones suggesting I'd insisted on flying the plane myself.)

I puffed a little, trying to push the suitcase in. It didn't fit. I ended up in the back galley, pulling out stuff until finally the suitcase had a lower profile. (I had to push it into another bin, which entailed dirty looks from the people who had stuff in there already. It barely fit.) Then, holding my extra shirts in my arms, I had to make the people in my row stand up, so I could get in. They weren't tiny, nor were they polite. The rest of the flight I spent making myself as small as possible, and causing no trouble. (The stewardess, unlike the other staff I'd encountered, was actually quite kind during this embarrassment.)

Ironically, the flight from Atlanta to Denver was no problem. I re-packed the suitcase in the terminal, putting back the shirts, plus several other items from another bag. When time came to board, I didn't dare suggest gate checking. Just puffed on, lifted the bag up...and it slid in, with at least 8-12 inches on top to spare.
   Oh yes...and we were two hours late getting into Denver.

I learned some things from this escapade -- and this month:
*Checking bags is expensive. Two bags I needed to bring kits and samples to L.A. for the cruise cost me $120 roundtrip. At baggage claim, they showed up more banged-up than what they started. (This was United, in case you're wondering.)
*Not all airplane overhead bins are the same size -- even if they're from the same airline
*Some gate people just wish you'd go away -- a fact the Grand Rapids staff made abundantly clear. (I was trying to!)
*Stick with an airline that treats you right -- like Southwest. Not only do they let you check bags for free (Go Southwest!) and have a staff that treats you right...they understand about emergencies. When I was forced to cancel a flight only a few hours beforehand, due to Husband's week-long stay in the hospital, the Southwest rep did not hesitate to reschedule the ticket. When I need it, I can use it. No penalties.

Now that's the way to treat a customer.

Another Look at Self-Worth

Here's some great advice for all of you navel-examiners out there, courtesy of George M. Cohan.

The writer of "Yankee Doodle Boy" really was born on the Fourth of July. (According to his parents and himself, that is -- and his dad was known as a "pillar of rectitude," according to Cohan's biographer. Cohan's birth certificate registered a July 3rd date -- probably a clerical error, according to said biographer.) If you're curious for more about this talented, bossy, generous man, look for George M. Cohan: the Man Who Owned Broadway by John McCabe.

Anyhow, here it is, from Cohan's play The Return of the Vagabond:

I'm the best pal that I ever had,
I like to be with me;
I like to sit and tell myself
Things confidentially.


I often sit and ask me
   If I shouldn't or if I should
And I find that my advice to me 
   Is always pretty good.


I never got acquainted with
   Myself til here of late;
And I find myself a bully chum,
    I treat me simply great.


I talk with me and walk with me
    And show me right and wrong;
I never knew how well myself
    And I could get along.


Just get together with yourself
   And trust yourself with you;
And you'll be surprised how well yourself
   Will like you if you do.

Feeling French

The Everyday Minimalist makes an interesting case for French women -- that they're more put together than their American counterparts because they:
    *Don't try as hard to 'be liked, or like everybody else'
    *Don't worry about extra poundage
    *Accept themselves for what (and who) they are
    *Give their personal lives latitude -- open space to their partner as well as themselves
   *Wear the same clothing over and over, with small changes


(Here's the L.A. Times article that started EM's musings in the first place.)

I have a tough time believing that 'honesty =being rude to everyone' is a positive thing. (EM just says that quality is refreshing.) I'd love to say this, as well as the other statements, is blowhard stuff...but a good friend's experience gives me pause. She was more than endowed with her share of curves, and unfortunately understood enough French to overhear several discussions about her weight. (And they weren't nice about it, either.)

And how far do you take these precepts? Let your partner sleep around...or do it yourself, because then you are allowing freedom? Accept those little faults about yourself, like cruelty or alcoholism, that make you anything but a better person? Be obnoxious, because then you can say exactly what you want, without considering other people's feelings?

I think I'd rather stick to being an American -- although I did find myself living comfortably on 3-4 changes of clothing this past month, and doing just fine. (The secret is choosing higher quality stuff that's classic in design, then accenting with unusual jewelry or footwear.) Ironically, I am part French...French Canadian!

Home At Last

WHEW...the long month away is finally done. I taught the last Crazy Quilting class Saturday night. (Hi, fellow Rocky Mountain Crazy Quilters!!) We had a great time, slinging trims everywhere and traipsing around, admiring fellow students' work. This is one talented bunch in the CQ department.

I feel, though, a bone-deep fatigue, along with the relief. Missed an appraisal appointment yesterday, felt terrible. (Called the person who was actually scheduled today, instead...and thought I had a free slate, that I'd misplanned, since they were today. Didn't look at e-mail, and missed the message from the person who was actually scheduled. Yeowch. Please tell me you don't do this sort of absentminded behavior.) I am starting to realize that a few days off to wash clothes and putter are critical, before I start up again. Otherwise, my body takes that time that hard way -- I miss deadlines and commitments, forget to send birthday cards, etc. Not good.

Aha well. It's a glorious, blue sky day -- and the fall colors are 'sort of' still out there. I've got some work to do. More later. It's just nice to be home.

Monday Mailbag

One nice thing about Monday mornings is Trent's 'Reader Mailbag' at The Simple Dollar. Here's the current batch of questions asked (and answered). But even if you don't find something helpful in this batch -- you will next week.

The weekly Festival of Frugality is interesting and helpful, too -- this version comes via Frugal Upstate.

Oh, and I am dying to add new numbers to our fuschia front door, just like Holly's here. (Maybe when I get back.)

We're hip-deep in fabrics and embellishments, finishing up on Crazy kits for tomorrow. They (and I) head out to Los Alamos, NM tomorrow morning. Would have left this afternoon, but we have a rather blowy in-and-out storm to deal with today. Better to stay home, and get an early start.

October...What October?

Got home (again) late last night. I am so grateful to snuggle up again by Husband's warm back. To just hang out, watch "Ice Road Truckers" (the 'Deadliest Roads' Indian version - yowza!), eat The Mama's doughnuts (which she and I cooked Thursday morning), Husband reading the Sunday paper.
     Bliss.
I leave again tomorrow -- this time to teach in Los Alamos, NM. Back Thursday night, after a pitstop in Grand Junction. I'll try and check in on the way.
     Until then, take a gander at this post on J.D.'s Get Rich Slowly: it talks about the merits of long-term thinking. That's one approach that's kept me going through this long month of traveling -- if I just stay patient and knock things off the to-do list one at a time, I can get through it. This income is needed to start to meet the expenses from Husband's Labor Day time in the hospital. I need to keep going.
     Talk to you soon.

A Great Buy

Forgot to mention this earlier...Daughter #1 met the Mama and yours truly at the airport last Wednesday, with a big smile and a lovely double-breasted coat tossed over her arm. Thick navy wool, classic buttons, designer back, fitted her perfectly.

She kept grinning. Know why? Because that gorgeous coat cost her approx. $40. It was on sale (30% off), and she combined it with a 40% off coupon that she got for complaining about crappy service at the store. (Yet another reason for speaking up -- respectfully.) A $120-plus coat...for $40.

Her Hollander grandpa would be proud! I know I was, at her resourcefulness.

Off to the Races Again Soon

My coughing and thrashing last night didn't help anyone else in the bed -- including me -- sleep. A student in the Crazy class had a cough and bleary eyes...apparently she passed on an extra bonus. Which I am about to take with me tomorrow to Michigan. I'd scheduled a week there with the Mama, as well as a few days with Brother and Sister, before the teaching cruise ever surfaced.
    Ah well. Brother says the fall leaves are still out and shouting their colors. That's one thing I miss about Michigan -- their heartbreaking symphony of red and orange. We get a very pretty gold out here in Colorado, but the rest of our colorings are more subdued.


   Clever Dude, bless his heart, passed on a batch of frugal tips learned from Secrets of A Stingy Scoundrel, or a book better titled as "It's Okay to Cheat, Lie, Take More Than Your Share and Be Obnoxious...As Long As You're Saving Money Doing It." Examples: take enough ketchup packets at the fast food place to replenish your bottle at home. (I smiled to myself, because one of the Uncles will clear off a table of sugar packets, etc., on this same theory. Grabby, but effective. I'll take a few for my food, but if I don't use them and they start to pile up at home, I will squeeze the extra into salsa, ketchup bottles, etc.)
   Example #2: Break up with someone just before a holiday, so you don't have to buy them a present. (I assume not buying for an elderly aunt, on the theory she's going to kick off soon, flies under the same radar. Unless you hope to inherit something from her, of course.)
   Some interesting stuff here -- but I don't plan to save money by selling my soul. It almost sounds like that wouldn't be a problem for the Stingy Scoundrel -- as long as he gets enough cash for it.

Teaching Without Light - Living Without Money

Last night's talk at the library was one of the most interesting ever. We'd lugged in the books and quilts and started to lay everything out when BAM! The lights went out. And stayed out.
   A big chunk of town had no electricity, including the library room where I was speaking. Fortunately, the room next door had a little natural light from several windows. The librarians found a few flashlights, and we looked over the first quilts with flashlights playing up and down them. Forty minutes later (it was supposed to be only 10-15 min.), the lights came back on -- Hooray!
   At least the audience, and yours truly, got a better feeling of what it was like to make -- and view -- quilts in the Golden West.


And from the "Whoa, Let's Think About This" Department:
   Mark Boyle has lived for two years, he says, without using any money. He lives in a camper he got free; scavenges wild fruit and dumpster food; and cooks on an outdoor stove, using wood he chops himself. Here's the general scoop, plus another take on the subject (with some great photos). Boyle even wrote a book on the subject: The Moneyless Man.


I must be getting old -- because my first thought was that Boyle was lucky. Lucky to find a place he could park the trailer without having to pay rent; lucky that he even got the trailer in the first place. (They don't give 'em away in my neck of the world!) And good luck finding lots of food when it's winter out!
    He's got some interesting tricks for getting things free. (Including making maximum use of the Freecycle movement.) So why not pick up what you can from this interesting book...and gently leave the rest.

Quilts of the Golden West -- in Castle Rock

Got some free time tonight? I'd love to have you join me to discuss Quilts of the Golden West -- and the Gold and Silver Rushesl. We'll see lots of antique and new samples, and talk about how quiltmakers have expressed their opinion about money, finances and politics in their quilts. I think you'll be surprised...

The talk's at the Philip S. Miller Library in Castle Rock, CO -- 7 p.m. Hope to see you there.

Husband's Progress

Thankfully, it's optimistic -- he gets a bit stronger every day. But he is still not back to full strength. Hours spent at work mean that he comes home wiped out and sleeps for a few hours. And he can't put in a full workday yet.

That's okay. Beats the alternative...
 

Graphic courtesy of ppdigital at www.morguefile.com. But don't think this is typical for Colorado -- we don't have much, other than gold and orange...and very few maples.

Baking Cakes

A rainstorm cleared away the dryness this afternoon...it's been nearly a month. I called the Mama, yelling "I'm scared!" She fell for it. "What? What's happening? Are you ok?" I yelled, "I'm scared, Mom -- there's something wet falling out of the sky!!"  She started laughing...

This new coolness is so refreshing. It made me think more about fall-type projects, like baking. Our family has a tough time eating a full cake, but these tiered pans from the Lakeside Collection are the perfect size:

And the price? You're not going to believe this -- $7.95!

They've got an interlocking numbers cake set:

as well as giant 'cupcake' pans, that are intriguing, too. Other novelty pans available. Prices are extremely reasonable. (And nope, I'm not being paid by the Lakeside Collection -- I'm just a fan. You have to be careful to pick among the flotsam and jetsam, but there are some great bargains there!)

Monday Oddball Stuff

The World's Smallest Cow -- she's the size of a sheep! Swallow has had nine regular-sized calves, and is due with her tenth. Her size isn't the only unusual thing -- she also enjoys listening to BBC classical music.

A tornado...in Brooklyn?? The recent storm left a 14-mile swath of destruction...

Randy Quaid arrested AGAIN??  For squatting in a guesthouse he and wife Evi owned some years ago? This goes hard on the heels of the couple's previous charges, for not paying a $10,000 hotel bill and other mayhem.  I've admired this talented actor's work -- what in the world is going on?

Odd and gutsy -- Phillipe Croizon, a quadruple amputee, has completed a swim across the English Channel.

And one of the decade's most clever, absorbing movies: Inception. It's a meditation on architecture, a spin on Escher's work, an engineer's love of gadgets and gizmos...and a James Bond-style thriller on a group who can steal -- and influence -- your dreams. It will be out on DVD soon, but the real way to view this complicated, absorbing flick is on the big screen. (Little details and comments do matter, in this case.) I finally got Husband to go last week, with only a few people in the audience. He loved it; you will, too.

When Someone You Love Is in the Hospital

Things from Home That Help:
   *a clean set of clothes for wearing home (also acts as a mental reminder that they WILL go home)
   *their own pillow (enormously comforting -- and more comfortable, too)
   *a favorite snack for both of you (most of the hospital fare was at best edible. Husband craved, among other things, a Coke.)
   *slippers and/or comfortable socks
   *laptop computer, if you've got one -- you'll also need charger cords for it, as well as cellphones
   *something trashy for you to read while you're waiting  (a friend gave me the most recent issue of People, but I also found comfort in silly romances and 'haunted stuff' books.)


Don't Plan On:
   *understanding what's going on, especially at first. Just think what your loved one is feeling -- they're really out of it! You MUST listen carefully, for their sakes. Ask lots of questions until you do understand.
   *getting much work done while you're waiting. (See next comment)
   *getting much sleep while you're there. Everybody and their brother will come in to poke your loved one, take blood, check on them, etc. Your bed won't be very comfortable, to begin with. Plan on waking up every time the door opens. (Now you know why you won't be getting much work done -- you'll be dozing a lot more!)
    *having much done quickly. You'll have to wait for tests, doctor visits and even simple things like IV changes, Get used to the idea, as distasteful as it seems. (Husband's IV would 'beep' when it was finished -- and that beeping would keep on until the nurse stopped by. As long as 30 min. later.) 


Do Plan On:
    *Being your loved one's chief defender. You're the one who will have to listen to doctors' comments, answer questions when your person is out of it, insist on clarity.
   *Their Primary Go-pher. If their ice runs out, the IV starts beeping (previous comment), or they're trying to get a shower (and need their IV detached)...guess who's going to be the one who either does it -- or goes to find the nurse? Yep, you.
   *Their Head Newsperson, Cheerleader and Reassurer. You'll be the primary one people call for information. But you'll also be your loved person's main conduit to The World Outside. Tell them about everyday life -- pass on the news. Tease and fuss over them.
      Remind them that this is temporary, that they'll be home soon. And you'll still love them just as much as ever. No matter what.

Getting Itchy...

Husband Dave actually went into the office on Friday....yay! He came home exhausted, and has spent most of today resting, but he is definitely doing better.
   I am so grateful.

Spent most of this week cleaning up and putting stuff away. The house was full of dusty piles of papers, clothing that needed to be folded and put away, stuff like that. I took a room at a time -- throwing stuff away (2 garbage cans' worth), filing the taxable receipts, and rearranging things as I went. Sweeping, cleaning and dusting followed. The living room -- the kitchen -- we now have clear surfaces! This hasn't happened in months...

Trying not to wonder about the medical bills which will be coming in soon. I've read a couple of books about people who lived homeless, as a reminder that this too will pass...and worrying about it won't help. I even found a blog, ImtheWorkingPoor, that deals a lot with living on a miniscule income. (Donna Freedman's blog has tips on the same subject, but handles it more cheerfully.)
   I found several Christmas presents for the girls at great prices this week -- one, from a store that was closing, was especially incredible. Was God reassuring me that we'd be ok? That He was aware and caring about us and our situation?
   I think He was.
   We've been short before -- we'll handle this ok. Dave's getting better, and income is coming in again. Orders have picked up for Brickworks, too. I've got some ideas for homemade presents. Fall is finally starting to kick in, in spite of hot temps and forest fires around here...my favorite time of year. The Hawaii cruise looms -- two weeks of spending time with Mom, strolling the circuit, and four days of teaching.
   It will be all right.

Bonnie Leman 1926-2010

A giant in the quilting world died back on Sept. 4. Bonnie Leman left as unassumingly as she'd lived. Yet this classy lady founded Quilter's Newsletter and a handful of other quilt-related magazines. She did so at a time when quilting was thought of as a 'little old ladies' field, and dismissed to back bedrooms.

Bonnie was inducted into the Quilter's Hall of Fame some years back; they have a thoughtful retrospective (including some great photos), including a link to a live interview.

I worked for four years (1992-96) for the company Bonnie founded, Leman Publications. During my time, Jeannie Spears, then Mary Leman Austin, were the editorial directors, and the business was sold to Rodale. But Bonnie was the person I interviewed with. Her name still appeared as author on Leman Pub. titles. And she still visited regularly. She had a quiet way of making her opinion known about the magazine pages of the current issue posted for review. (These lined one of the hallways, and everyone was expected to check and double-check them before actual publication.)

Her passion for quality and excellence -- something she passed on to the editorial people under her -- had a huge influence on my own work as a designer and editor. I was fortunate to learn the trade from writers, editors and artists who not only cared how the patterns and quilts looked on the page. (Great photos and layouts weren't encouraged - they were demanded.) These were practicing quilters, who also demanded that the patterns and info be accurate. If that meant tweaking and revising, or sewing the pattern yourself, so be it. Our magazines had a reputation for being ready to use -- pick up an issue, cut out the patterns, and sew the blocks, with no problems. Bonnie (and we) were proud of that.

No doubt Bonnie is choosing materials for her next project, or picking out a favorite book from the Heavenly Library. Find one from the Library of Alexandria for me, Bonnie...and rest in peace.
              * * * * * * *

Bonnie Hale Leman, 83, of Arvada, CO, passed away on Saturday, September 4, 2010. Born in Purdin, Missouri on September 28, 1926, to Rex and Laura Hale. She left home for college at 16 and graduated from Park College three years later. She moved to Denver in 1953 and met her husband George Leman while they were both pursuing master's degrees at the University of Denver. She was a mother, teacher and freelance writer until she found her calling in the publishing business, when, in 1969, she founded Quilter's Newsletter Magazine. Through her magazine she helped revive and foster an appreciation of quilts as a great American art form that continues to this day. Bonnie grew her magazine readership to more than 200,000 subscribers in over 100 countries, as well as writing and publishing numerous books and other publications on quiltmaking. She travelled much of the world in the course of her career, made hundreds of friends, and contributed to the growth of the quiltmaking art in many countries. She retired in 1995 to enjoy her children and grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband George Leman (1986), she is survived by her daughters Megan O'Gorman (John O'Gorman), Mary Leman Austin (Milton Austin), Emilie Leman, Georgianne Holland (Ted Holland), David Leman, Andrew Leman (Glenn Alfonso), and Matthew Leman (Tara Williams Leman). Her cherished grandchildren include Jerome and Pauline DeFelice; Jessica, Laura, and Eric Bender; and Avery Leman. Also survived by her beloved brother Roy Hale and family of San Francisco; and the Jack and Betty Most family of Carlsbad, New Mexico. A Rosary will be said Monday, September 13, 7:00 p.m., Mt. Olivet, 12801 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, 303-424-7785. Funeral mass will take place Tuesday, September 14, 10:00 a.m., Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 3920 Pierce Street, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-4942, (303) 424-0402. Reception information will be available at the funeral service.