This Way Home
Jane's Photos

JaneBlog Home

Where Jane talks about everything on her mind…and yes, as usual, there is quite a lot on her mind.

Resolutions

January 2, 2009 – 2:09 pm

I’m not big on making New Years resolutions anymore.  Once upon a time I did.  I made lists of all the ways I’d try to change, and all the things I’d do differently–

eat better

exercise more

lose weight

read more classics

take vitamins

join a Bible study

pray daily

I was going to be a better, nicer person.  I was going to be healthier and stronger.  I was going to be leaner and fitter.  I was going to be improved.

I’m mid forties now and wise enough to know I shall never be vastly improved.   For better or worse, I am who I am.  And it’s a good person, even though flawed.  But what I’ve learned in the past five years is that my flaws are mine, and make me who I am, again, for better or worse so I don’t resolve to remake me, or reinvent me, or try to dramatically improve me. 

But I do have two resolutions for 2009, and they have to do with ugliness and unhappy people, and here are my 2009 resolutions:

I resolve to not allow unhappy people to ‘win’ by poisoning me with their ugliness or unhappiness.  I won’t take their anger personally, nor will I dwell on their pettiness or dance to their tune. 

My second resolution relates to the first, and it’s this:

I resolve to be positive and to surround myself with loving, healthy, positive people.  For me, success isn’t about things, or stuff, or power.  It’s about quality of life, and that’s what I want, in abundance.

Anyone else make a resolution for the new year?  You can share your resolution, or why you do or don’t make them, in the comments below and you’re entered in my 2009 Resolution contest.  The contest is a sarong and all the Hawaii goodies I offered in my last contest.  The contest will run through Sunday night midnight and I’ll draw the winner’s name and post it below on Monday morning when I’m back home in Bellevue.  (I heard its snowing again in Washington.  Hopefully not in Greater Seattle!  I need kids to get back to school!!)

By Jane | Posted in Promo & Contests, Feminist Fun, Mom World | Comments (69)

Maui Bliss

December 30, 2008 – 9:28 pm

Have just arrived in Maui with my two boys for New Years and finally have some internet connection and a working password for my blog again!  I somehow got locked out but I’m back again.   I did get to Hawaii on the 21st and then my boys arrived on the 26th, and that’s when we all finally celebrated Christmas.  We’ve been passing the time on Oahu by playing on the beach, redeeming Christmas gift cards, and eating out since our new house is missing a working kitchen at the moment.  But now, after four days of this and that, we’ve arrived on Maui to celebrate the new year.  We thought it’d be fun to stay for a few days at a resort with an amazing pool so boys could swim and I could read.  And read.  And read.

It rained most of the day but Jake and Ty didn’t mind.  It’s a warm tropical rain and the view of the ocean is gorgeous regardless.  They spent the afternoon in the pool with the slides and chutes while I ate lunch and then found a dry spot to read a Mary Balogh novel.  I know I’ve said this before–maybe even many times–but I adore Mary Balogh’s historicals.   They are my favorite comfort read, so warm, so wonderful, so perfectly suited to my personality and my idea of a great historical romance novel.  I used to read hotter romance, but I’ve discovered in the last few years that I’m happier with a book that offers more characterization and less explicitness.  It’s not that eroticism isn’t appealing, but when I read I want to be swept into a world of interesting characters that are well motivated, and Mary’s novels do just that.

I heard from my editor in the UK about the book I turned in the first week of December and she wants a few tweaks but nothing too drastic so once I’m home, I’ll jump on those.  In the meantime I have a stack of fun books next to my bed and hopes that surfer Ty can jet over from Honolulu tomorrow to join us for New Year’s Eve.

Tell me what you’re doing for New Years Eve by posting a comment below and you’ll be entered in my New Years contest.  I’m bringing home tons of sweets and treats from Hawaii, including coffee and chocolate macadamia nuts, a Hawaii Starbucks card and a Hawaii 2009 calendar.  I’ll draw a winner midnight on New Year’s Day and post the winner’s name on January 2nd.  So bring me up to speed…tell me what you’ve been doing these past couple weeks, and/or your plans for the new year, and you’re entered!  Good luck and fingers crossed, you’ll win.  :)

By Jane | Posted in Promo & Contests, Hawaii, Mom World, Travel Girl | Comments (55)

Snow, Oh No!

December 19, 2008 – 1:36 pm

It’s Friday noon and I’m still sitting in my house in Bellevue having been unable to get to the airport this morning to catch my Hawaii flight.  I couldn’t get a cab company or limo driver to pick me up and Surfer Ty didn’t want me to try driving my Tahoe because there would be no one to come help me should I spin out somewhere.  So I try again Sunday.  Even though another snow storm is expected to hit Saturday night.

But it is beautiful.  The view from my windows show powdery glittering white in all directions and with the blue sky overhead, it’s a winter wonderland.  My boys are being picked up by their dad in a couple hours and I’ll spend the next day and a half reading.   I bought a couple Georgette Heyer novels at the Barnes & Noble Tuesday during my signing so I’m looking forward to curling up in front of the fire with carols playing and just reading.  Yes, I’d rather be with Ty in Hawaii, but considering all, reading by the fire isn’t a bad way to pass the time  (As long as I can get on the plane on Sunday!!)

And because I’m still here, I’m doing a shortie contest giveaway.   Tell me what your favorite Christmas carol is, and you’re entered.  The prize is another festive holiday box filled with sweets and treats, including a signed copy of Mrs. Perfect, See’s candy, a CD of carols, a box of peppermints, my JP heart candle and lots more.  So share with me your fav carol, and anything else you feel like chatting about, and you could win.  I’ll draw the winner Saturday night midnight and post the winner’s name Sunday.  Now remember, I’m hoping to be on a plane Sunday so if it takes me a little while to post winner’s name, please forgive me!!

Merry Christmas, everyone.  I hope your holidays will be festive and fun and most of all, filled with love.  Lots, and lots, and lots of love.

By Jane | Posted in Promo & Contests, Mom World, Travel Girl | Comments (67)

Bellevue Book Signing

December 15, 2008 – 12:19 pm

It’s Monday late morning and we’ve snow glittering on the trees and rooftops and temperatures are hovering in the mid twenties. With a a bright clear blue sky I can see the Olympics with breathtaking clarity and they’re just gorgeous–thickly powdered in snow and jutting jagged and white against the sky. The Seattle skyline looks miniscule compared to the mountains and doing errands this morning I felt so lucky to live here. Sure, we get our share of rain, but the combination of mountains and lakes and trees is truly majestic and it’s such a book lovers haven. We have great bookstores, libraries and librarians, writers and readers–I’m truly blessed.

Tomorrow I’m meeting some of my close local writer friends for a festive holiday lunch in Bellevue and then immediately after I’m zipping over to the Bellevue Barnes & Noble for a casual 2-4 pm signing. It’s to make up for my cancelled event last week when I had the flu and if you’re in the area, and have time, stop by and say hello. I’ll have special gifts for everyone who shows, so drop by if you can, but there’s no pressure if you can’t.

Now it’s back to wrapping last minute gifts and candy making and cookie baking. I can’t believe I leave for Hawaii in just four days. I guess I better think about packing, too!

By Jane | Posted in Book Talk | Comments (21)

Mmm, Holiday Baking

December 13, 2008 – 11:36 am

My post yesterday about doing some holiday baking has become my obsession. After reading everybody’s favorites and family traditions I began to crave–and I mean pregnant lady CRAVE–some of the recipes I used to make with my mom and sister as a little girl. I’ve made most of them as an adult, and many with and for my kids, as my oldest son enjoys baking with me, but there are a couple I don’t make often as I’m not quite sure that I’ve got the recipe down right.

I, too, usually make fudge at Christmas, three varieties from traditional creamy, to Rocky Road, to peanut butter.  I also make Spritz cookies, roll out sugar cookies which we frost and decorate, an amazing melt in your mouth cream cheese horn with a bit of jam at the end, apricot bars, Butterscotch ’scotties’, and the recipe below for peppermint spirals. Growing up, my mom whose family is Southern also used to make the most wonderful pralines (had to make them on the very dry, cold days so they’d set) and then my grandmother Porter made divinity. I don’t make candy other than those easy fudge recipes but wish I did when it’s this time of the year.

Now, with my mouth watering and my fingers itching to begin measuring flour and sugar, I’m posting one of my favorite recipes, one that I’ve made for years. This cookie tastes best when its baked a little crisy and then to make it absolutely perfect, chop up a candy cane and sprinkle each pink and white spiral cookie slice with crushed peppermint before baking. That way hhen when it comes out of the oven, it sparkles and is as festive as the season itself.

You are the most wonderful group of women. I wish I could have you all over this weekend for a good old fashioned tea and a holiday cookie exchange. It’d be such fun to get us all in my living room talking around the Christmas tree! Enjoy my recipe and if you’ve got one to share and you’re not shy, do!! I love hearing from you and learning new things.

Peppermint Spirals

1 c. butter or margarine, softened
1 ½ c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp peppermint extract
2 ½ c. all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
red food coloring

Cream butter; gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add egg and peppermint extract; beat well.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture, beating just until blended.

Divide dough in half; tint one portion with desired amount of red food coloring. Cover and chill both portions.

On sheets of floured waxed paper, roll each portion to a 16 x 8-inch rectangle. Invert plain dough directly on top of red dough. Roll up jelly-roll fashion, beginning with long side, removing wax paper while rolling. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Cut into ¼-inch slices and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes (check after 6-7 min.—they burn quickly!). Remove to wire racks to cool.

Yield: about 5 dozen. (Or 3 doz. Bigger cookies)

By Jane | Posted in Mom World | Comments (12)

Snow in Forecast

December 12, 2008 – 1:25 pm

I did it. The copy edits for Tiana’s book, Easy On The Eyes, got Fed Exed to New York last night leaving me just errands and housework today. It’s so nice to have no writing on my plate for the next few days, especially as the weather guys say we’ve a Canadian storm front bearing down on us here in the Pacific Northwest and snow is predicted for tonight, tomorrow and Sunday.

My boys are very excited about the first snow fall. Last week I bought new shovels and sleds for the kids so they can enjoy it to the fullest. My only concern is that I have tickets for the Nutcracker in Seattle tomorrow afternoon, but hopefully the roads and bridges won’t be too icy scary. I do have four wheel drive and a nice big strong car, but I’m also a little bit of a weenie when it comes to driving on slick streets. I learned to drive in the Tule fog–thick and gray and soupy–but snow? Ice? Not so much.

The boys are also looking forward to seeing the Nutcracker tomorrow, too. But that’s because they don’t really know what the Nutcracker is. Yes, they’ve read the story and I’ve read it to them, but they’ve never dressed up, gone to a theatre and sat for two hours watching a ballet. I think they think there will be some talking and singing and rap. Or talking and singing to break up ballet sequences.  I’m kind of giggling a little (nervously) that at intermission tomorrow they’ll be giving me some serious maybe-we-should-drive-home-now-talks. Either way, it’s an adventure and a first for the three of us, although I grew up dancing and performed in the Nutcracker every year in Visalia as a little girl.

Sunday I’m taking the boys to a Santa brunch at Overlake and maybe I’ll even tackle some holiday baking. I’ve got my shopping done, my decorating done (well, surfer Ty did my outside lights and helped put up my tree for me) and all that’s really left is to finish my cards and find some good books to take to Hawaii with me. I leave on the 19th for a couple weeks in Hawaii and it’s the first time I’ll be back there since July!

I’m doing a fun holiday contest this weekend, and the prize includes a signed copy of The Frog Prince, a frog prince Christmas ornament, a CD of carols, a box of See’s chocolates and a $5 Starbucks drink card. If this festive gift sounds like something you’d enjoy, tell me what you love to bake at Christmas, or share your favorite holiday cookie/recipe. You don’t have to post the recipe (although yum, my mouth is watering at the thought of some of those amazing recipes out there…) just let me know what special bakery item says “holiday!” to you. Contest runs through Sunday night and I’ll draw the winner Monday morning.

By Jane | Posted in Promo & Contests, Mom World, Writing Life | Comments (39)