February 1, 2012 - Posted by kku - 0 Comments
I knew publishing an anthology would be a lot of work, but I didn’t expect the final edits to consume my life. Was I in for a surprise! I decided not to add up all the hours because it would be too shocking to look at the final number. Now I’m finding that this process was simply a warm-up exercise for what was to come.
In January I attended a children’s nonfiction writing workshop. I submitted a manuscript for critique and got very encouraging comments from an editor known in the industry for her high standards. When I sat down with the editor to review the manuscript she said, “I think it’s a fabulous story…” Music to my ears! I’ve spent weeks researching, writing and revising. It’s hard to sleep some nights because I’m so excited about this manuscript. It’s always been one of my favorites. I will continue to write, revise, and repeat, knowing that the final manuscript will be that much stronger and that the editor is waiting for my revisions. It’s always more fun to revise when an editor says, “don’t stay away too long.”
January 3, 2012 - Posted by kku - 0 Comments
It’s finally here. Been in my hot little hands for a few days… Voices of the Valley: First Press. Sue Tasker founded the California Writers Club Tri-Valley Branch in 2006, and it was her dream to publish the writings of the branch members. Although Sue passed away all too soon, the branch pursued her wishes and published its first anthology this month. There’s a nice mix of short stories, poems, children’s writings, and memoirs. You can order a copy by clicking here.
Make yourself a cup of tea, find a comfy chair, and enjoy the writings of the talented CWC Tri-Valley Branch members.
December 17, 2011 - Posted by kku - 0 Comments
What do you get a mother for Christmas who has everything, doesn’t want anything, and would like to be surprised when she opens her gifts? I made a quilted table runner in her favorite colors – pink and blue.
I’m a new quilter but thought the pattern was straightforward enough for me to finish in a matter of days. Working tirelessly each morning, I stitched the top pieces together fairly quickly. After assembling the table runner, I machine quilted it by stitching in the ditch (where the fabrics join each other). I was in such a hurry to giftwrap the table runner, that I neglected to quilt half of it! Fortunately I discovered my mistake and finished in time for a pre-Christmas arrival. Next year I’ll start my projects much sooner.
December 7, 2011 - Posted by kku - 0 Comments
The cookies are made and now it’s time for the truffles. I surveyed my family members about flavors, offering them a variety of options. Alas, they were no help. “All of them sound fabulous,” I was told. I know the feeling because I’m a chocoholic and love these little balls of deliciousness.
The flavors that won out this year were blackberry, cherry, lemon, and rocky road. The recipe for the cherry truffles said to eat them within two weeks. One of my friends said, “I’m pretty sure you need not worry that we complete the truffle mission by the assigned date.” He was right. He ate all his truffles and two dozen cookies in about three days! Now that’s a dedicated fan.
November 30, 2011 - Posted by kku - 0 Comments
I love, love, love to bake. Cookies, cakes – anything sweet will do. I don’t discriminate! This year I’m planning to make eleven kinds of cookies for the holidays and five different candies. Most will be given away or shipped off to family and friends because it’s my way of bringing them some yummy holiday cheer.
I had a warm-up for the impending weeks of marathon baking when I made cookies for my husband’s officemates last week. Six scrumptious varieties and some to-die-for toffee. This week I’ll focus on the “family and friends” cookies – chocolate raspberry bars, butter cookies, apricot shortbread, and pecan pie cookies – to name a few. Then I’ll break out the truffle making equipment and indulge in my yearly chocoholic adventure.
Time’s a-wasting. I need to get baking!
November 15, 2011 - Posted by kku - 0 Comments
There are no words to express how difficult it is to lose a father. Even knowing that cancer would eventually get the best of him did not make this any easier. I have heard that no matter how long you have to prepare, you are never prepared. It’s true.
My dad lived to the ripe old age of 88, and I will most remember him for his creativity and sense of humor. As I thought about what I would say at his memorial service, it brought back memories of his incredible “works of art”. He enjoyed both the design aspect and building his creations. Most memorable was a gorgeous telephone table he built with inlaid wood and abalone on top. The curves on every tiny piece of inlaid material were perfect, every corner square like it should be, every edge beautifully done. And to think that he spent so much time on a top that would mostly be covered by our free-standing telephone. This was craftsmanship like you can’t even find these days. Pride of workmanship, even if others wouldn’t see it.
Dad enjoyed writing too, particularly letters. If he didn’t like a product he bought, the company would hear about it – why it doesn’t work well and how to improve it. He’d write to thank companies too, if he found their products helpful and well designed. He’d get agitated if his pens disappeared from the table where he kept his notepad and writing instruments. Disappearing acts are to be expected when you have five kids! His solution to the problem? Make little flags with his name on them and attach a flag to the end of each pen. Those were dad’s pens, and we weren’t supposed to use them! Although the flags looked silly on his inexpensive pens, now that I’m treasurer for a volunteer organization, I get it. My pens keep disappearing at the meeting check-in table!
What’s been nice about this difficult time is that old memories of Dad keep floating back at the most unexpected times. It’s like getting to live my life all over again with Dad. Although he is resting in peace he will always be in heart, and I’ll cherish the days he comes to “visit” me.
October 28, 2011 - Posted by kku - 0 Comments
The fall is my favorite time of year. The leaves turn gorgeous shades of red, orange, and yellow, prompting me to go on a daydreaming binge while I take in the beauty of my backyard. How can I possibly write when there’s so much beauty all around me? Some days it’s not easy, but nature is my favorite subject so this is the perfect opportunity. It’s even more enjoyable if I do it with a cup of tea and a slice or two of pumpkin bread.
I love the smell of pumpkin and spice that fills my home as I bake loaves to ship to family members. My favorite recipe has a touch of cranberry in the loaf and an orange glaze on top. I’ve experimented with this recipe for years because… well, I’m a tinkerer. Always wanting the make my creations even better. There are plain loaves for some and loaves with nuts and/or raisins for others. My family calls me a perfectionist. There’s always room for improvement when creativity is involved, but now it’s time to stop tinkering and enjoy the pumpkin bread. The problem is that I want to eat the whole loaf!
October 12, 2011 - Posted by kku - 0 Comments
There are signs of life in my garden! Micro greens, lettuce and spinach are making a believer out of me. The third time must be the charm, probably with the help of a few rainy days last week. I will write and quilt – two of my favorite activities – while I wait to harvest my vegetables and greens. If you have secret tricks for a successful garden, please let me know.
September 28, 2011 - Posted by kku - 0 Comments
The news was not good. Two sprigs of lettuce grew but nothing else. I must have flooded all my seeds (death!) or washed them away. Can you tell I’m a new farmer? Today I planted my crop of fall vegetables for the third time – yes, third! I will wait again and hope something grows. It’s a good thing my family isn’t depending upon me to eat or they would have starved by now!
September 13, 2011 - Posted by kku - 0 Comments
It’s been almost two weeks and I barely see anything growing in my vegetable garden. Maybe two or three sprouts? Pathetic after all that work several weeks ago. The first thing I checked was the irrigation system. Alas, it’s not working well. What happened in the last few weeks to make it go haywire? I’ll never know but am sure it needs to be redone. That was my gardening project for today, and also replanting my crops.
A few weeks ago the issue was a lack of water. Today I watered the new plantings manually, just to be sure, but I got distracted and forgot the water was on. Forty-five minutes later I remembered! I doubt that’s a good sign, but I’ll wait a few weeks and see.
