Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Annual Brainstorming Retreat

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm back from my annual brainstorming retreat in Idaho but am still flying high on the shared laughter and love. I consider myself doubly blessed to be included in this group of talented writers and altogether fabulous women. This is our ninth summer to meet together––hard to believe it's been that long––and I think this year might have been the best retreat yet.

Brandilyn, Janet, Sunni, Karen, Robin, me, Tricia, Gayle, Francine, Sharon 

We've been through a lot together and on our first night there, we always share a recap of our past year––what God has taught us, what we've struggled with, what we want to praise God for, and how the group can pray for us. And of course, along with some tears, there's LOTS of laughter and praising, and delicious food! 

One of the gals LOVES Rolos candy (chocolate with caramel), so I tweaked my sweet mom's recipe for Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake and added some Rolos. Yum!! Then I glazed it with warm fudge sauce, froze it overnight, and popped it into my checked baggage. As they say in Steel Magnolias, "It freezes beautifully!" And traveled without a hitch.


Hanging out in the kitchen

 We all loved Janet's scarf and wanted to share it

We met a brown bear while walking (then quickly ran away before the homeowner came out and saw us accosting his decorative driveway art)

Beautiful wildlife would venture up as we were out on the back deck brainstorming 

Tricia's teaching me Mahjong. She knows how to do everything!


Robin "off kilter" (which is usually the case!)

Thinking about marketing these...
(for the "backstory" on this t-shirt, click here)

Even the trees have eyes...

Hard at work during one of our free times (well, maybe Tricia's still playing Mahjong)

Cupcakes for everyone!

Relaxing on the back deck
 

Having a ball as we brainstorm

And finally, the motley crew again...

It's a little sad to think of the retreat being over so quickly, but as fast as this past year came and went––and it flew!––I know July 2012 will be here before we know it. And there's another book waiting to be written that these gals helped me brainstorm. We've started recording the brainstorming sessions too, which helps a ton. I can't tell you how many times I've gone back and listened to when we brainstormed A Lasting Impression. I'm grateful they share their immense talent with me, as well as this earthly journey.

Okay, need to get back to A Lasting Impression galleys. Blessings, friends!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

"Ma'am, would you step to the side?"

That's what I heard recently as my daughter and I went through airport security on our way to NYC. Then a kind and mannerly TSA screener escorted me to the dreaded glass booth where she instructed me to step on the rubber mat and put my feet exactly on the printed footprints.

Meanwhile, Kelsey was snapping pictures with her camera, laughing hysterically and loving every minute of it!



No matter what it looks like, I wasn't praising and singing hallelujah in that moment. But I was laughing like crazy this past weekend when––at an annual brainstorming retreat––a sweet friend gave me a special gift that she and her daughter had made "commemorating" that public pat down. Someone snapped some pictures right after she gave it to me (click on the pic to make it larger, then arrow back to return to this page)...




If you can't read it, it says, "I got to second base with a TSA screener." LOL! Oh gracious, we laughed and laughed. And of course I wore the shirt this past weekend as we brainstormed each others books, which was such fun! We took walks every day (to help walk off the Chocolate Rolo Cake and Chocolate Chip Cookies). Below, Karen Ball is giving me "a hug" as we ventured out one afternoon. At least a "hug" is what she called it...


But now, it's back home and back to work. My galleys for A Lasting Impression were waiting for me when I returned last evening so I'm diving into those––after meeting a friend (who I haven't seen since college days) for a quick tour of the Belmont Mansion this morning followed by brunch. Not to worry, I'm takin' my camera.

It's wonderful to be home but oh...what a precious time of fellowship with my writing sisters this past weekend. And that shirt...what a kick!

For more pics, click here.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Isn't he the cutest thing!


Read more about sweet little Louie here, at Kevin and Amanda's blog. LOVE her blog! Kelsey and I "stalked her" in NYC a couple of weeks ago by visiting some of the bakeries she visited and eating some of the treats she recommended. Good move! Delish!

I'm cleaning off my book shelves and have some books I'm giving away...


 If you're interested in being included in the drawing, click here for details.

And now I'm off to frost a Chocolate Rolo Cake. Don't know what that is? I'll tell you next time! But rest assured, it's yummy...

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

ICRS Atlanta 2011, Part II

Just downloaded the last of my pictures and thought I'd share while catching up on office work. It's great to be home––there's no place like it––but I really did love being with my writing buddies amidst all else.

I met a new buddy this trip, Suzanne Woods Fisher, who writes Amish fiction. She and I happened to meet in the lobby on Tuesday morning as I was grabbing a latte, and I'm so glad we did. What a doll this woman is! I downloaded her novel The Choice to my Kindle and will be treating myself soon!

      Susan May Warren strolled in and joined our chat. Susie and I go back a few years through ACFW, and she's a great gal. And wonderful writer!


Susie will be teaching at ACFW's conference this year too, btw. Hope to see you there.

Then as I headed over to walk the ICRS floor again (and to sneak one last hug from Deb), I heard a voice calling to me from above the down escalator. It was Terri Blackstock who had had major "Delta trials" in getting to Atlanta for the show. Her plane kept getting delayed. But she finally made it! We met up with some other friends and grabbed a picture…

Colleen Coble, Terri Blackstock, Deb Raney and me

And last but not least, the lovely Deb Raney and her sometimes-sweet-but-sometimes-snarky husband Ken at the Kingstone Media booth, which was hoppin' busy! I love how they support one another in their dreams. And love those bright red polos!

All for now…

Monday, July 11, 2011

ICRS Atlanta 2011, Part I

ICRS in Atlanta has been fantastic! And having my daughter Kelsey with me has made it all the better. Here are some glimpses from the past couple of days...

Catching a smile on the ICRS floor today with Jeane Wynn of Wynn-Wynn Media

Laughing with Tricia Goyer and Julie Quinn (B&H Publishing) at Tricia's booksigning.

Grabbing a  hug from sweet Deb Raney, who I'll see again in September at ACFW when we teach a class together

LOVE having Kelsey here with me. So fun!

A highlight was meeting Linda Attaway (Mocha with Linda) and chat with her for a few. What a great gal!

Met with my German publisher and (pictured below) is the cover of REKINDLED that just released in Germany one week ago. In German, the title reads "When a Stranger Returns." Love that!

REKINDLED in German

Me with Aaron, Diane and Sylvia during my booksigning. Such fun seeing everyone!

My Dutch publisher, Albert deVos, and I met for a few minutes to chat about my books selling in the Netherlands. Appreciate the trust his company has shown in publishing my stories over there.

Had fun at the Christys tonight with Liz Curtis Higgs who emceed the ceremony (she was fabulous!) and with Julie Klassen who won the Christy for Best Historical Romance for The Girl in the Gatehouse. Congrats, Julie! Here's a press release on all the 2011 Christy winners.

Getting tickled at dinner at the Christys with Dwight Baker of Baker Publishing. Does this man look like a safe dinner partner? I think not...


Kelsey with sweet Liz after the ceremony

Hugging Brandilyn Collins after the Christys. Doesn't she look lovely! If only she were sweet... (grin)

And finally, Kelsey and me with Randall Wallace, who was the dinner speaker tonight at the Christys. Talk about an over achiever. This man has done it all. And so humble. You can read more about him here...

And now, to bed, and then back to Nashville tomorrow...

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Home from NYC, and ICRS bound

I'm home from a wonderful trip to NYC with my daughter both for the RWA conference and for lots of sightseeing. We had such a memorable time together...

We saw every building in NYC and then some! Lovely views! 


We saw WICKED the first night we were there. Oh...fabulous! How have I lived all these years without seeing this musical? ; )

We visited a fabulous little bakery by the Today Show

And we toured the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center)
  

Saw the lovely Central Park...several times

  We enjoyed dinner with my agent Natasha Kern before the RWA RITA Award Ceremony (where Irene Hannon took home the RITA for Best Inspirational for her book In Harm's Way. Congrats, Irene! So happy for you, lady! If you haven't read this book yet, do! You can find it here.)

Me and Kels at the RITA Awards (it was so fun having her there with me)

Me with the lovely Mary Connealy

Enjoying a laugh with Dee Gist and Missy Tippens

And now I'm back home, but not for long. I'm headed to ICRS in Atlanta next weekend. Lots of travel this month, amidst several marketing "to dos" and needing to make good progress on my next book. If you'd like to see more pics of NYC (and the most important part...the food!), visit me on my facebook page.

Lastly, be sure to check out Breathe, a FREE Kindle book (historical novel) by Lisa Tawn Bergren. Have no idea how long it's free, so nab it quick.

Blessings on your week, friends, and pics next week from Atlanta and ICRS!
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