Bloom where you're planted!

I did not plant this pumpkin patch, but from a few seeds tossed in this spot last fall this vine is thriving on the side of my house.

An unexpected and welcome surprise.

Over the years the hubby and I have moved our family more than a few times - so many times in fact that most of my friends either use a pencil for us in their address book or have simply given us our own page under a little used letter, like X!

"Bloom Where You're Planted" is prominently stenciled across my bathroom walls, across from it a cross-stitched sunflower bearing the same motto. It's a quote I firmly believe in. Having made two (yes two) cross-country moves in 8 years, along with MANY moves before, after and in between, I know what it's like to be the new neighbor and my kids know what it's like to be the new kid in school. Thankfully, we also know how to bloom, no matter where we live.

If nothing else, I think my kids have learned to be resilient, they've learned to grow and thrive no matter what their address. And every morning when they get ready for their day, that quote is there to greet them and remind them of all that's possible - that blooming to your full potential is out there to grasp and you never know what's around the next corner.

Sometimes it takes a lot of work to blossom, and some of us are late bloomers in the game of life, but that doesn't matter!

So, everyday I go outside and water and tend my unexpected pumpkin patch and am reminded how awesome and spontaneous nature and life can be.

I'll keep you posted on it's progress!

Business cards, yes or no?

As happens from time to time (more frequently for me, since I freely admit to being ADD over my promo) I completely overhaul my online presence. In case you haven't noticed the new blog template...it matches my new website, which matches my Facebook timeline cover, etc.

I couldn't resist new business cards to match as well!

Rae Monet, who designed my website, created the business card and I simply loaded it up into VistaPrint and that was it - no fiddling around on my part!

What I love is that it carries over my brand - when you get the business card and visit my website, you will instantly KNOW you're in the right place. That's exactly what I'm going for here.

Honestly, I don't need the card to give to agents/editors or publishing professionals - because they don't want author cards. We take their cards, they don't take ours. So, the business card for me is to promote to a possible fan base, to make contacts, to give people an easy (and hopefully eye-catching) way to find me online and CONNECT.

Now...the back of the card.
I've been reading blog posts and taking a look at other author cards I've picked up at various conferences over the years and I knew this is where I really needed to make some choices. Leave the back blank? Add my email and other links?

You can see to the right, I opted for links and a QR code.

Since the business card is a tool mostly for me to promote, by leaving it places I frequent, handing it to people that ask about my writing or tossing into a swag mailing - it's all about bringing people to where I am online.

The great thing about the QR code is that I can control where it points at any given time. Have a new release I'm promoting? I can point the QR code right to the buy page! Right now I'm looking to build my newsletter base, so the QR code takes the clicker to my newsletter signup form! (September first starts a new give-away, so if you aren't a subscriber to my newsletter list, go ahead and scan it and sign up right from your phone!)

Do you "do" the business card thing? What's on the back of your card?

The Good Luck Charm

Throughout history every culture and religion has had symbols, talismans, amulets and charms they believed to hold, or call, good luck to the owner.  The belief in the good luck charm is deeply rooted in the human psyche. The subconscious effect of warding off the negative and pulling the positive to us impacts daily life even today.

Being superstitious is part of being human, it's an elemental part of our genes to think about the future, to wonder about risky choices and grab onto a "blessing" if we can. We see it in the sports figures who don't shave or wear the same socks when on a winning streak.

Legends of The Star symbol being used for good luck date back to the time of Pythagoras who is said to have created the symbol to mean "perfection." Ancient people believed the stars could tell your fate, and by wearing a star charm you would be blessed with good luck and fortune.

The Horseshoe is another old symbol of good luck that was used to prevent the "evil eye" from entering a person's life or home. Placing the horseshoe over a doorway with the ends facing up is meant to keep all well under its arch. Although I don't consider myself a very superstitious person, when I designed my diamond wedding ring, I made it in the shape of a horseshoe and my engagement ring fits inside. I wear it with the opening to me, so all that good luck stays inside when my hand in down at my side and the good vibes flow toward me! (I'll be married 26 years this November...I guess the design didn't hurt!)

From the Old Celtic belief that finding a four-leaf clover will bring fame, wealth, health and love, to carrying an acorn in your pocket to make you attractive to the opposite sex, all these good luck symbols are a part of who we are as humans. (Although I'll never understand how a Rabbit's foot makes the list of lucky charms, it certainly wasn't lucky for the rabbit!)

Never being one to turn down the idea of bringing a little good luck into my life, I was instantly drawn to a display of these Voodoo Talismans on my vacation last week. I thought these little keychains were fun and quirky and just the kind of thing I need right now. Of course, I was drawn to the purple one, and "lucky" for me, this one is to "whip" away the negative and give the owner self-confidence, the power to move forward and good luck. Yup, that's what I need!

How about you? Do you have a good luck penny in your wallet? A medallion on your dashboard?

Words to live by

Lately I've had a thing for sayings and have been looking for just the right words on signs to hang around the house. (Because I obviously can't get enough words on paper, I need to hang them around  the house too.)

I'm always on the lookout for inspiring phrases and sayings that resonate with my core values and sentiments that I hold dear in my world.

Of all the inspired words, nothing means more to me than my family and the friends that I hold close to my heart.

Yesterday, in a little store in Mystic Connecticut, I found this and I KNEW I had to have it. For me, these eight words say it all - there is nothing more important than the people in our lives. Some days, when the family is driving me crazy and I'm lost in my own little world, this is the phrase I need to remember. It's not the job or what's on TV that night or anything else - it's the family that matters the most.

And when it comes right down to the nitty-gritty, the most important things in life would also be a central theme to all the romances I write - because true love doesn't come in a little box wrapped up with a neat bow...instead it grabs your heart, makes your knees weak and even makes you say or do silly things.

Now, the most important man in my life will be charged with the task of finding the perfect place to hang my new words of wisdom.

How about you? Have a favorite saying that hangs in your house?

Deep Fried Love

Some days a girl just has to toss the diet to the side and order the deep fried Oreo dessert that's screaming at her from the menu.

Saturday night was that night.

I've never had a deep fried Oreo before - and I'm so glad I finally let my sweet tooth win out.

These plump little beauties arrived at my table covered with REAL whipped cream and drizzles of warm chocolate and caramel. Wow, what a freakin' treat, especially if you love Oreo cookies like I do. (It's no coincidence my black and white cat is also named Oreo!)

I'm not ashamed to admit I finished the entire thing. This was one of those nights I was glad hubby isn't much of a dessert guy - there was no need for me even try and be polite and offer to share!

Your Turn:

What was the last decadent dessert you indulged in?