To tickle your holiday funny bone...

Hello there, my peeps!  Wasn't Jen's and Melissa's Be Jolly, By Golly Blogfest on Monday absolutely fabulous!!  I had a great time visiting so many lovely holiday blogs, meeting new bloggy friends, and sharing in some holiday fun!  If you haven't checked it out yet, you can visit my jolly post "here" and the other fabulous entries "here" ~ :)

Busy, BUSY day today, so I'm just going to leave you with a few Christmas funnies *a-cop-out-choo*:

Hoping your presents are bought, wrapped and under the tree!!  Happy Wednesday!

My "Be Jolly by Golly Blogfest" Post(est) with the Most(est)!!



Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and Merriest of ALL Merry Christmases to each and every one of you!! 
Christmas, to me, is THE most magical of holidays in the year.  It brings families together, it brings joy to many, it frees the hearts and pocketbooks of people and promotes charity and well wishes to all.  I wish a piece of its magic to touch everyone, everywhere and in all walks of life.  Who can't use a little magic now and then?  :)

For me, Christmas started with a story:

or two:

It's never quite the same for me with out a little of this:

And when it comes to snow balls...



Recipe:  INGREDIENTS 1 cup butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup chopped walnuts (I use pecans, which I put in the blender to chop pretty fine),  1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration
 
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, cream butter and vanilla until smooth. Combine the 6 tablespoons confectioners' sugar and flour; stir into the butter mixture until just blended. Mix in the chopped walnuts. Roll dough into 1 inch balls, and place them 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. When cool, roll in remaining confectioners' sugar. I also like to roll mine in the sugar a second time.



...I'd rather eat them.

And as my hodge-podge little-tree-that-could looks like this:

I'm happy to rely on other people's holiday decor:

On Christmas morning, I'm hoping that these are filled:



and that I get to eat some of this...


Recipe!!  INGREDIENTS:  1 bag shredded hashbrowns, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 16oz carton sour cream, half stick of butter, 1 small onion (diced), bag of shredded cheddar, salt & pepper to taste  (if you like it a little soupier, also mix in small can of evaporated milk)
DIRECTIONS:  lightly grease 13x9 inch pan, thaw shredded hashbrown in microwave, melt butter and mix with hashbrowns, mix in soup and sourcream, diced onion and 1-2 cups shredded cheddar.  Mix well, put in pan.  Top with more shredded cheddar.  Bake 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.


...with my ham! 

I'll be happy to spend the day with my family and just relax and be jolly, by golly!  It will be a great few days!  And I wish the same for ALL of you. :)  Merry Christmas ~ from Donea Lee

(P.S.  you can read more about my holiday traditions "here" and don't forget to also check out yesterday's GNO post!  AND don't forget to check out other Be Jolly By Golly Blogfest posts!!  You can find a list of all participants "here"!)

GNO!! An exercise in character development... :)

Happy Sunday to all my fellow bloggers, friends and random readers!!

I'm going to break down my title for you first:

GNO (aka Girl's Night Out) = a MUST for the entire female population!!  If you aren't scheduling these at least once a month with your best gal pals - START NOW!!

Exercise = the writery type, of course.  But, also the literal type.  I think I seriously laughed part of my arse off last night!!  Can't complain about that ~ :)

Character Development = it's all about the games, here.  In particular - Boxers or Briefs.  If you haven't played this one - pick it up.  Seriously.  It's hilarious!!  And insightful.  Find out what your friends REALLY think about you... and link together some quirky character attributes at the same time!

Last night, my sisters and friends and I celebrated our annual Christmas GNO!!  We brought a fun $10 gift to exchange via the "left/right" game (you can google this), an appetizer to share for dinner (shrimp cocktail, bacon-wrapped l'il smokies, queso dip, spinach dip, jalapeno poppers, cheese and crackers, meatballs - num!), and also a homemade treat to exchange:

white choc chex mix, pumpkin choc chip mini loaf, butterscotch haystacks, mint brownies, creative take on cannoli, peanut brittle, and a cookie brownie - *drools*

We also, of course, had to play games and gab the night away (yeah, I got home at 3am...)  I LOVED it!!  Soooo much fun!  Did you know that getting together with your girlfriends is actually good for your health?  Seriously - look it up!  AND of course you've heard that laughter is one of the best ways to lose calories (and with what we ate last night, we needed to laugh A LOT!).

As we played our games - a hilarious round of Boxers or Briefs, in which you roll a die of I's, I want's, I have's, I dont's, etc...and your friends get to pick the best random phrase to describe you - I realized that this is a really fun way to get to know people.  It's also a great way to pick fun.  By the end of the game - I was "a whole lotta woman", who was "too much to handle", and thus became a "master debater".  Yeah - not sure I'll live this one down anytime soon - but, I'm a good sport!

We also ended up with a "Jedi Master" who loves "pink fluffy bunnies", a woman who's apparently an authority of all things "Teletubbies" and "Barney", a gal who's "good with her hands", "gives a great massage" and "wishes to run a marathon...naked", and a *warning!!  bowel movements involved* long-time sufferer of "constipation", who's addiction to laxatives has left her dependent on "Depends".  (yeah, my friends are sweethearts, no?)

Afterwards, we all wrote down a deep dark secret and an embarrassing moment to throw into a bowl.  We passed the bowl around, picked a paper to read and tried to guess who wrote it.  I'll just say I learned some interesting tid-bits about everyone!

But, seriously.  Isn't this kind of a fabulous way to do some character development for your MCs and/or supporting characters in a novel?  People's pasts, their quirks, their secrets, the things that embarrass them, etc., it's all part of what makes them who they are today and motivates the things they do, speak, think, eat, all of it!

So - my suggestion to you....if you're ever stuck wondering what you need to make your character as unique as can be?  Have a night out with good friends...

And TAKE NOTES!!!  :)   DO ANY OF YOU HAVE SOME CHARACTER-DEVELOPING GAMES TO SUGGEST?   Happy writing!

Find the Story Friday!!! And me..without my good camera...

I am by no means a professional photographer.  (Oh, Happy Friday, btw!!)

I would love to take classes and someday I'm sure I will.  Because I am forever looking at the world through a lense.  I'll see something (ok, mostly landscapes, sunrises, sunsets, full moons (the kind in the SKY, people!!) fall leaves and oddly enough...snow) and think, "Wow.  That'd make a great picture!" 

And do I ever have my camera at these times?  Yeah, well...no.  I do usually have my phone.  It's not quite the same...I can't zoom.  I can't mess with the lighting, use a flash, play with the scene set up, yadda, yadda.  But, I get the image.  And the one I'm sharing with you today is from one of the moments.  Actually, I credit my daughter with this one.  I made her stand on the top of my car in the grocery parking lot to get a better shot...  :)

Gorgeous, no?  (well, minus the cars and those blasted telephone poles!!)

Sunsets are always good story fodder for romance - don't you think?  Are any of your MCs currently making out with minor characters or pondering the wonders of the universe while watching a sunset right now?

Happy writing!!

Verification? Schmerification... :p

Happy Wednesday, all!

Bare with me.  I'm having one of those random "what the heck do I blog about today" moments.  We all get them, right?  (eek!  it's not just me, is it?  IS IT??)  I've been trying to catch up on my blog reads today.  And can I just say - you guys like ROCK and stuff!  I've been thoroughly entertained!

Colene Murphy had a great blog up about NO EXCUSES!  It was more than that - some great examples of people to really be inspired by, but I love her "this-is-how-it-is-and-you're-going-to-read-it-and-like-it" message at the end.  Timely, for me, because I'm an excuse-making maven!

Abby Minard (one great bloggy friend) interviewed Jen Daiker (another favorite bloggy friend!) today!  Some fabulous tidbits about Jen that, ok - kind of make me want to throw things at her, but since I love her so much, I'll resist - I'm sure you'd love to read about.

And reading Jen's blog (hilarious today, btw) led me to a new blog (yay!!!) and a really cool blogfest!  Check out the "100 words for $100" blogfest here, courtesy of Elena Solodow ~ :)

Elana Johnson's blog was all about (now - sing it with me!!) "These are a few of my fav-or-ite things"

Shannon Whitney Messenger also answered some questions about herself today that you MUST read!  Seriously - I laugh out loud every single time I read her blogs.  :)  (Oh - and hot guys always to be found here - BONUS!)

Shayda Bakshi had a great post about cheerios and cutting cholesterol in your Wips!  Great advice!  And a SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to her for getting an honorable mention in another pitch contest!!  That's so GREAT!

And you still have time to get in on Dangerous with a Pen's "Stranger than Fiction" blogfest - ENDS tonight, midnight.  She's got some FAB prizes up for grabs, so check it out!

And one more - my little sis started a blog and right now I'm her ONLY follower... :(  If you get a chance to read her and would like to follow, you can find The Great EsCait here!

If you're not mentioned above, please don't think that it's because I don't love you!!  It's just that these great posts are what I've managed to read today...but, I'm still reading!!  I just thought I needed to get a post out there, too.

But, as my ideas pale in comparison - I thought I'd just link you to some good reads today.

I will leave you with my one thought - reading through all these blogs has required me to put in A LOT of those darned little verification words!!!!!  *trying.not.to.hit.computer.screen.right.now*

Where do they come up with those things???  But, I thought it might be fun to write a few down and try to use them in a sentence.  Here's today's winners: (verification words underlined)

"I was gurking Saturday night, and dude, it totally threw my back out."
"I'm proud to say that I am now 100% fluent in Inglic."
"Forsoan long now, I just can't eat chicken without thinking about Bert."
"I really must admire Persephone for all her lovely pirthespian sensibilities."

My challenge to you today?  PLEASE COMMENT WITH A HUM-DINGER SENTENCE OF YOUR OWN USING TODAY'S BEST VERIFICATION WORD!!  (*winner for the best one will get a virtual high-5 and I'll totally drink a glass of bubbly (cider) in your honor!!)

I'm a "SPECIAL REQUEST"!!

Happy Sunday, everyone!  I've got some pretty cool news. 

If you haven't before entered Operation Awesome's "Mystery Agent Contest", you might want to check it out.  This is one to watch for, because when they send out the call for one-line pitches - it's limited to 50 entries.  And they go QUICK!!  Like, that day.  *And special note...if you do check out the next one and see 50 comments, don't lose heart - there's a good chance non-pitchy comments were made and they're really not to 50 yet.

Anyhow!  I entered the one for December.  I didn't win the Grand Prize (you get to sent the agent your FULL MS!)  I didn't win one of the 4 honorable mentions that the agent picked, either.  (partials, people!)  HOWEVER - I did get a mention in the "Special Requests"!!  And I quote:

SPECIAL REQUEST

"I’d be more than happy to see a query and the first ten pages from anyone who participated in the contest, but based on the pitches, I especially would like to hear from the authors of OUT OF MY BODY, THE IRON WOOD, ANGEL OUT OF THE WATERS, THREE PARTS DEAD, SIEGE OF THE HEART, PHANTOM FIRES, THE WHISPERING CITY, and THE CABIN AT LOST CREEK."

OK - you see that one on the end there?  That's ME!!!! 
 

 
Can you give me a WOOT WOOT!?  *pauses to listen*  Awww - thanks!  :)
 
I'm pretty excited!  (ya know, in case you couldn't tell or anything...)  I may not have been THE winner, but I certainly feel like A winner.  Why?  Because this is all about validation.  I'm in that top 26% of pitches that appealed to the agent, Weronika Janczuk.  I pitched something that actually APPEALED to a bona fide, real-life, in-the-biz agent!!  Whether she likes what I send her or not (of course, hoping she does!) the point is that I now know that I've got a story concept/pitch that is appealing.  And I can SOOOO work with that!
 
I've been researching away - just a tad worried that I don't have the time to research Weronika the way I'd like to, or read some of the books she's agented or recommends - but, I'm assuming when you get a request like this the ideal thing is to get your query and pages to her lightening quick!  So, that's what I'll be working on today.  Wish me luck?
 
And I pose this question to all of you:  HAVE YOU ENTERED ANY MYSTERY AGENT and/or PITCH CONTESTS LATELY? 
 
Happy Writing!!

Find the Story Friday!! Dognapped....

Hello my blog-tastic friends!  So sorry for the late post...been a busy day!  But, I did get some Christmas shopping done - yay!

So, I'll make this quick.  Here's my pic for the week.  Why?  Because it made me laugh.  Really - the story possibilities for this photo are endless and sure to be fun!  Wait for it....

:)

:):)

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:):)

:)



I KNOW, right??  Lol ~ :)  Would love to hear your story ideas for my cute little pic here.  WHAT DOES THIS MAKE YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU SEE IT?

Happy Friday!!
(oh, yeah!  check out this cool ARC giveaway on Shannon Messenger's blog!!)
(oh, double yeah!  There's also some awesome stuff up for grabs over at the league of extraordinary writers!!)
(and a third, oh yeah!!  My baby sis just started a blog!!  :)  Do a girl a favor and check her out right here - thanks!)
(Ok - need to add a 4th because you CAN"T miss this!!  Beth Revis' Epic Contest of Epic!!  Enter here!)

The Importance of Traditions...

I grew up LOVING Christmas.

We had a wonderful tradition. On Christmas Eve, my dad’s entire family would congregate at my Grandparents house for a fabulous, yum-alicious potluck dinner, gift exchange, and famed original kids’ Christmas play. Naturally, I was the writer and producer of these plays. My cousins, sisters, and I would hunker down in Grandma’s spare bedroom downstairs and raid her drawers and closet for costumes and props. The script would be written on the fly, that night. Rehearsals were short. Themes changed every year. And we always had a blast! The play best remembered was “Christmas around the world”. My sister, to this day, still hasn’t lived down her version of the Russian kazatsky! Sooooo fun!

But, as time passed and we grew up…this tradition that I so very much loved as a kid, faded away. My parents kept the tradition in their own way. As my sisters and I grew up and started having kids, we started to gather at my parents’ house on Christmas Eve for more delicious potlucks and also a gift exchange. Our kids tried the play thing, but sadly it wasn’t a success for them. Still – we always had a great time.

An added bonus? All our spouses families generally tended to celebrate together on Christmas Day so we didn’t have to do that trade off thing – your family on odd years, my family on even. We enjoyed spending Christmas Eve or day with both families every year. It worked out great!

And I still love Christmas. I’ll have to admit, some of its magic for me has dimmed since my mom passed away. My dad remarried and things inevitably began to change (again). I can’t say for better or for worse. My new stepmom has some fabulous Christmas traditions of her own (or so I’ve heard), but the thing is….they aren’t the traditions I grew up with. They just aren’t MY traditions.

Last year, for the first time I can EVER remember, my family did not spend Christmas Eve together. And this year? Still up in the air. It’s sad to me. My sisters and I were talking about it the other day, what should we do? My dad and stepmom will be wrapped up in her Christmas Eve tradition a few hours away from where we all live. We’re invited of course, but… oh, ho, ho – those pesky, darn “buts”.

But, I’m going to do my best to “buck up” this Christmas. For me, I know something will work its way out eventually. I may be a little whiny now, but I’m not above creating a new tradition for my own little family that my daughter, hopefully, will look back on fondly and want to share with her own kids in the years to come. And I’ve at least got great memories, right? (consoling encouraged and appreciated…thanks)

My point is (yes, I do have one…kind of) TRADITIONS ROCK! I think they are an important part of life and if you can hold on to yours for a lifetime – even better! And if you can’t…make some great ones of your own and share them with the people you love.

What are your favorite holiday traditions?

An In-between Day...and contest winner!!

Happy Sunday, friends!  I've got a contest winner to announce today!!  *pauses to do a little jig*  :) 

But, first (don't hate me!)  I've got a post to get out there today and I hope you'll read through to the end, instead of scrolling quickly.  *waits to listen for mad mouse scrolling....none?  Phew!*

Today, as you all know, is Dec. 5th.  It's kind of a weird day for me.  It's between the birthdays of my husband and that elusive "one-that-got-away".  Ok, well - let me first preface the rest of this by saying that I love my husband.  In fact, I spoiled him to his heart's content with a fancy-schmancy dinner last night of prime rib, blue moons, and creme brulee at Rickenbackers.  AND Mr. What-if is in a different state and HAPPILY married to not me.  Still....

Do you have this elusive "one"?  Do you ever sometimes sit and wonder how vastly different your life could be if you'd ended up with one person over the other?  Or, even if you're not married, certainly there is a decision you've made in life that pointed you in one direction over another: jobs, education, friends, etc.

Even stranger for me, though.... my husband and this other guy went to the same high school.  They knew of each other, but weren't friends.  They were born the same year - two days apart.  This would make them both Sagittarius's.  But, honestly - they couldn't be more different.  (makes me wonder if I need to put stock in Zodiac signs AT ALL...)  See?

Mr. "IF" was unavailable, so Tom is sitting in....

*VERSUS*

You get my pondering, right?  :)  (couldn't resist...lol!)  And of course, there's no sure way to tell if one decision/one fate would have worked out better than another.  But...there's always "but".  Anywho!  That's what's on my mind today - and JUST today.  Every December 5th = me and "What if?"  (hey, that rhymes!)

DO YOU HAVE ANY INTERESTING "WHAT IF" SCENARIOS IN YOUR LIFE?

Well, thanks for ploughing through my thought of the day.  :)  Onto the thing you really want to know - winner, winNER, WINNER!!

Here's the hat with all of your entries:

Here's my daughter picking the winner:



And here's the lucky, no-rigged, bonafide WINNER extraordinaire!!!

CONGRATULATIONS, COLENE!!!!  *dances another jig!*  Please make sure you e-mail me your preference of Amazon or B&N and if you'd like the ornament or something else (holiday related).  And don't lose heart, losers the-rest-of-you-who-didn't-win.  :)  Random generosity is cool.  I'll totally do this again!
Hope you've all been having a FABULOUS weekend!  I'm off til Wednesday to read, read and read a little more....

Find the Story Friday!! It's a circle! No, it's a rock. No, it's a...???

Happy Find-the-Story Friday, y'all!  :)  I need your help.  I've picked out a cool pic to inspire you today.  At least, I hope it inspires you!  It's a little bit of a riddle.  And I'd explain it to you better, except that I can't tell you what the picture is.  Why?  Because I'd like you to guess.

But, please don't think I'm initiating a brain-drain on you for nothing!  The first person to correctly guess what/where the picture is will get two extra entries into my GIVEAWAY.  (which ends tomorrow, midnight, btw.  Winner picked on Sunday - woo hoo!!  Hurry - enter "here".)  Ready?

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Want a clue?  This may or may not give it away.  And this is actually why I need your help.  This image didn't inspire a new story, but an old one for me.  It's a key/button/somethingorother to open a portal into a different dimension.  A dimension where Merlin (played by Sean Connery) has been trapped for centuries by the evil Morgan le Fay.  A "modern-day" tourist activates said button and finds herself in an ancient cavern with the man of magic himself.  It's a show I saw on tv a gazillion years ago and I CANNOT for the life of me remember the title of it.  Does this ring a bell to anyone?  Anyone?

If not, that's ok.  It will remain a nagging half memory in my brain, but it's cool.  Really!  :)  Bonus entries require a correct guess of the picture only.

And hopefully, the picture inspires a story idea for you to boot.  May the best guess win!

(p.s. check out another great Giveaway at newly followed Leisha Maw's blog!)