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.  

Wrapping up Summer

It's amazing how quickly the summer can pass. I scaled back on events this year to spend more time with my family, and don't regret it one bit. We took our first trip and spent the better part of a week in South Dakota. The picture above was at Bear Country. Sadly, this is the best family picture I got. It still looks kind of cool.

Monday the new school year starts up again. I will have a first and second grader! 

I've been asked to be a godmother again too. It's an exciting honor to get asked, and I had hoped I would. Now I have 2 godsons, I think my family knows me well enough to know I am better off with boys than girls :)

The writing has been slow. I finished up my first draft of my third book, not any connection to the two I have published. I haven't decided what I want to do with it once I get it polished up. I know more now about publishing than I did when I finished writing my first one, and might try another option.

The garden is still producing. I picked beans tonight and we had them with fresh potatoes. I've pulled a few carrots, and they are still growing but are bigger than I have ever mangaged to grow. The tomatoes aren't great this year, they seem to crack or split before I get to them. The chickens don't seem to mind. We've been collecting at least one egg every day too.

Fall approaching is also a good thing. Deer hunting starts in 20 days, I need to get my sights set before then. At garage sales this summer I purchased a pile of books I plan on reading when I bike in the basement (it makes the time pass faster). And of course, the food gets better as the temps get lower.