Spring has Sprung!

I often get asked where I find the time to write, and I usually say I make the time. There are many things I put off doing- laundry, dishes, phone calls, but writing is something that calls to me. I don't watch a whole lot of TV, I think the only show I watch on a regular basis is CBS Almanac because Brian has it on Sunday mornings. I haven't been doing much writing lately, the ideas are floating around, I just need to put them into the right order before sitting down to work on the next project. I think I'm a little scared of the ideas I have because it is a darker theme. I've been hearts and flowers for the last few projects, and the change in direction is a little frightening for me. 

There have been plenty of ways to distract myself from getting to work on a new story. I've put together a few puzzles and read almost an entire series of books that are nothing like the show based on the books. In this case, I liked the show more. My garden is in, and the flower garden is getting out of hand. I should really add a section about twice the size of the current garden. 

Here is one of my recent blooms. This is the first year my iris have bloomed at this house, and since it was too early in the year when I first dug them up, I had no idea what color any of them would be. I have a few varieties, which is nice. 

The boys are already done with school, I can't believe how fast the year went. The summer will likely also fly by. I have plans with them to take a day to go to some garage sales. We did that last year too, and they had a blast with the $3 they were each allowed to spend without my input. 

The fire department auxiliary is putting together another cookbook with the intent of publishing it next year when the department celebrates their 100th anniversary. It's a fun project that gets me in the kitchen testing some of the recipes we get.  

Strange Winter

It's been a strange winter around here. Tomorrow the high is going to be near 50 degrees, no where near what it should be in February. It's got me thinking about getting outside and ordering my seeds for the garden. We've decided to expand the garden this year and that's making it even more fun to pick out the foods I want to plant. 

Even with a mild winter, it hasn't been uneventful. There was huge debate over a school levy. My editorial to the local paper pulled me out of my writing slump, at least a little. The back story of the levy is that in November, a portion of what the district asked for did not pass by a narrow margin. A group of parents got together and petitioned to bring the question back as soon as possible, which was in early February. The outcome was much clearer the second time, and the levy still did not pass. 

The boys and I got out ice fishing once with my parents. Another issue with the strange winter is the lack of ice safe enough to go on. It was a good day at least, and we got a few northerns for my dad to pickle. 

Before long, I'll take my first trip to Mexico too. I went last week for a new tattoo, and have almost hit my weight loss goal knowing I will be wearing a bikini soon. I can hardly wait to sit by the pool in 80 degree weather, sipping something cool while I read a book or just relax. 

I'm almost ready to start my next novel. I just have to get a few details final before I can start, since the part I haven't quite decided on yet is going to be in the first chapter. But I've got the writing bug again, so it shouldn't be long. I have another novel written and have done a few edits to it, but I need to either find a publisher for it or go self-published. I'm not sure which will be better for me and the book.