tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84344996026953025212024-02-22T00:23:38.744-08:00~~~ Sharon Lovejoy... writes from Sunflower House
and the Little Green IslandSharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.comBlogger238125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-46045016115480790112018-04-05T22:34:00.000-07:002018-04-07T10:57:17.688-07:00Dear Friends,<br />
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Thank you for your letters, cards, gifts and inquiries about whether I am still residing on planet earth. YES! I’m here and keeping busy. Thanks to questions from many of you, including Vee (A Haven for Vee blog), my old pal Susan Branch, and so many others, I thought I would send you a quick note.<br />
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Life has been good and full, too full sometimes, but I am grateful for everything good that comes my way. <br />
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My newest book, <i>Running Out of Night,</i> now a Yearling paperback, has opened so many doors for me. School visits (sometimes with hundreds of students), classroom visits, author days, and library talks have been a wonderful challenge and more fulfilling than I could’ve ever dreamed.<br />
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I still do talks for gardening and nature, and recently did three talks at the 25th Annual Visalia Springfest Home & Patio Show in California. I met many new readers, but I also got a chance to visit with people I knew from my old days at Heart's Ease in Cambria. Dear, dear people, and so appreciative of everything. Thank you for not only making me feel welcome, but also loved. (Rachel Snodgrass, you were the crowning glory).<br />
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When I present talks to large groups, I always like to have something special for the teacher and the students. Recently, I was given a complimentary sampling of wooden, book shaped flash drives with one of my illustrations and my name printed on the cover. I am able to offer this to teachers, who may want a copy of the program I present. If you are interested in ordering some of the flash drives with your design and name on them, <a href="https://www.usbmemorydirect.com/products.htm" target="_blank">here</a> is the ordering information from USB Memory Direct (<a href="http://www.usbmemorydirect.com/">http://www.usbmemorydirect.com</a>)<br />
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For students, teachers, and my readers, I have drawn and painted a new fox bookmarks. When I visit groups, I’ll tuck a bookmark into each book as a useful keepsake. (Thank you to my husband, Jeff Prostovich, for the great design).<br />
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If you’re reading this and would like some bookmarks, please send me a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Sharon Lovejoy, 495 Buena Vista Ave., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405, and I will mail some out to you. <br />
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I welcome your e-mails and letters. Thank you for your loyalty and caring.<br />
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Love across the miles,<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Sharon</i></span><br />
<br />Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-66646284863332493972016-04-05T15:46:00.000-07:002016-04-05T15:46:22.443-07:00Do What You Love!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy 11th birthday dear little book. Thank you readers!</div>
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Welcome to the world, Running Out of Night (Yearling) in paperback! </div>
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Dear Friends,</div>
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No excuses except one. Somebody needs to invent a 36 hour day! Period. Never enough time to do all the things you need to do and all the things you want to do!</div>
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January</div>
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What a wonderful month. I was one of the luckiest people in the world. I got a chance to work with fine authors, Sara Louis Kras, Sherri L. Smith, and James Burks at the annual Author Go Round for Santa Barbara County Department of Education. </div>
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James Burks-Fabulous illustrator, cartoonist and graphic novelist. </div>
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Sara Louis Kras. She is an explorer extraordinaire with lots of courage. Face offs with monitor lizards (behind her) and polar bears are just some of the things she writes about.</div>
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Award winning author Sherri L. Smith. Her fantasy and fiction books are gripping.</div>
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One of the happy audiences. Let's face it, every kid loves a day off from school and a chance to do something different in a new place. They're loving this experience.</div>
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I visited with hundreds of students, teachers, librarians and parents from 75 schools. Every day of the week was crammed with adventures and new beginnings.</div>
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Each author had a large booth with an area to set up books, art work etc. Groups of 25 to 30 kids, parents and teachers would cram into the booth and ask questions about book writing, reading and jobs. So inspirational for me and I hope I inspired a few of the kids too.</div>
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February</div>
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A month to work, work, work on my new book and a month to give a couple of small talks to groups and to do some more wonderful book club SKYPE interactions. The questions thrown at me by the kids were great. Here I am with a group of students and the little hummingbird (right window pane) is watching the goings on.</div>
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SKYPE Book Club </div>
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...and Kiddie Writers met at my home for a "class" with Newbery Honor author Kathi Appelt. We did that via SKYPE too. Amazing! Left to right-Sherry Shahan-Ice Island, Frozen Stiff, Skin and Bones and more), Me, Elizabeth Spurr-At the Beach, Farm Life, Wind, Snow, Perrier the Pig and more, Cindy Rankin, her new book, Under the Ashes will be released in October by Whitman Publishing. Helen K. Davie-Penguin Chicks, Animals in Winter and more. Cynthia Bates many books to come and Lori Peelen, one soon to be released. </div>
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Spring really started popping in February and I tried to bring it indoors every day. Here are the 7 days and 7 bouquets for a week. Even accomplishing such a little thing as cutting a bouquet made me feel good.</div>
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March</div>
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What a month. So fortunate to give two seminars at the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show. My first talk was about California Gardens: Glorious Despite the Drought. Sharing photos of gardens I love touched many hearts. I also wrote a two page hand-out for the attendees. If anyone wants a copy of the hand out, please write. In it I list some of my favorite native plants and the critters they attract to a garden.</div>
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A little watercolor I did for the title of the talk.</div>
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My second talk was "Vest Pocket Gardens." You get it, small gardens to fit into today's hectic life. What I love about the small gardens is that even with our fast paced existence we can tend them and become intimate with the plants in our care. Containers have always meant so much to me and I know they can enrich your life too. I call them the quick change artists of the garden. Just a few well cared for containers can enliven even the darkest corner of a garden. And, they attract myriad critters too. You don't need a huge garden to create a wildlife sanctuary. (Just think smaller).</div>
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April</div>
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Our March rains were a much needed miracle. Here are a few shots of the astounding rainbow of colors that our California land is producing.</div>
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Mariposa lilies galore.</div>
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A hillside blanketed in purple bush lupine and poppies.</div>
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From 12 miles away the peaks look like they're on fire!</div>
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The back side of Figueroa Mountain.</div>
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During this month I'll be visiting Cal Poly to give a guest lecture on writing for children, both fiction and non-fiction. I'll talk about all the ups and downs of a writing career and help guide students onto their own paths of creativity. Wish me luck!</div>
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Speaking of creativity, the winners of the book give-away are: teejay and Emily Darling. I will need your mailing addresses and my dear Workman Publishing will mail the books directly to you. Congratulations!</div>
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Ok, this posting IS like a crazy quilt of thoughts and experiences, but that is really how life hits us. I'll just end with this photo. Please read the words on the bag I am carrying. It is a mantra we all need to chant. Whether it is by reading lovely books, making bouquets, teaching, creating a garden, cooking a meal, please DO WHAT YOU LOVE!</div>
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Love across the miles, the seas, the mountains,</div>
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Sharon</div>
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Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-87792606788333678732015-12-30T17:46:00.000-08:002015-12-30T17:46:38.102-08:00What I Expect of Myself<br />
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Me and my best friend Hans Lovejoy</div>
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Years ago I stopped doing what other people expected of me and started doing what I expected of myself.<br />
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The 21st century needs another Mark Twain</div>
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It wasn't only teachers and counselors trying to dictate my choices, but also my family. "What Sharon? You are an art major? What will you do with THAT major? You need to learn how to type and take dictation."<br />
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"I can't believe you're not going to accept the job with the school
district. You could retire in 20 years and THEN do what you want."<br />
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Twenty
years? Really? Wait 20 years to do what I want?<br />
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Right around that time I met a woman in an electric wheelchair. She was proud to tell me she once trekked all over Britain, but now? Now she blew on a
mechanism to make her chair work. Her words to me? "Don't waste any
time, don't put off doing things, follow your heart. I was waiting to retire before I did so many things. I retired at fifty five, but look at me now."(She was 56)<br />
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Oh how I love the wisdom of Eleanor Roosevelt</div>
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I chose to take chances. To start businesses, some of which thrived, one which didn't do well. I chose to devote myself to drawing and painting and to learning everything I could about the critters and the gardening I loved. I chose to write, well, maybe I didn't choose it, it chose me. I knew that whether or not anyone ever read my work, I wanted to try to touch other lives and open doors of understanding and build bridges between me and my readers.<br />
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So, I didn't learn how to take shorthand, but I did learn how to type, thank goodness. It makes my life so much easier. Mom was right about that one.<br />
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I guess what this final blog posting for the swiftly fading 2015 is all about, is believing in yourself and always trying to live up to your own expectations. It is impossible to have expectations of others, you never know when people are going to do a 180 degree turn from what you think you've figured out. But, if YOU know what you're going to do and how you're going to live your life, you're on your pathway. You are "honoring your calling," as author Elle Luna says in the following quote.<br />
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Because I honored my pathway (despite the bumps, wrong turns, and dead ends), my life is richer and more joyful. Because I honored my pathway, I am sometimes broke, sometimes frustrated, sometimes on fire, and sometimes sitting alone under a dark cloud. But if I hadn't taken the chance and expected more from myself, well, I'd finally be ready to retire and start living.<br />
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I'm living now–what about YOU?<br />
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My generous editor and publicist at Workman Publishing have offered TWO copies of Elle Luna's book to my readers. Please leave a comment and we'll do a drawing around January 15th of 2016 (Don't hold me to that). Workman Publishing will ship the books directly to the winners. <br />
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<br />Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-59469045378200421692015-11-17T14:08:00.000-08:002015-11-17T14:08:16.607-08:00Love Always, Maine<br />
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A harvest of autumn treasures from my wanderings</div>
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<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 24px;">Dear Friends, Happy Autumn! So many wonderful letters, cards and e-mails have made their way into my life. Thank you, thank you. I'll admit that yesterday's e-mail is the reason I am posting today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 24px;">"Dear Sharon,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: 24px;">As a teacher and a lover of nature, I find your posts so inspiring! I have missed seeing your lovely posts. Do you plan to return soon? Sincerely, ------- 2nd grade teacher at Oregon Episcopal School, Portland, OR"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: large;">I've also received notes from a teacher in Indiana (hi Lori!) and friends from all over the country. Honestly, I didn't realize that so many people still read blogs. I post every day on my page on Facebook, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharonlovejoy" target="_blank">Sharon Lovejoy: Home Gardens Books</a>, and thanks to my granddaughter, who put me on Instagram without my knowledge, I now also post on Instagram under sharonlovejoyauthor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "timesnewromanpsmt"; font-size: large;">So, here I am, sitting at my computer and preparing to share, in a single posting, some of my happy and peaceful times in Maine.</span><br />
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Morning from our porch.</div>
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When I awaken, I can look through four windows to the sea. I never take it for granted. Every morning I say how grateful I am.</div>
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My little studio faces the sea.</div>
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Working on spreads for my new book.</div>
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Drying pages on the back of the couch.</div>
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The screened porch is the perfect work room on a hot day...</div>
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...or a cold morning...(which I love sharing with Jeff!)</div>
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...or a dark, sea-scented night.</div>
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Our supply of hats, walking sticks, and umbrellas stand ready for our hikes all over the peninsula.</div>
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You can't see me smiling, but believe me, I AM!</div>
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Past the homes of Christmas Cove toward...</div>
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...the home of Miss Rumphius...</div>
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...and the sandy beach where I find bird hieroglyphics and sea glass.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">But we don't just walk during the day. Luckily for us, the night of the fall "Blood Moon" was clear and sparkling. Perfect for a hike to the causeway where we watched the full, autumn moon turn into a brilliant red orb.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">The moon rose over the hump of the Pemaquid Peninsula.</span></div>
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The Blood Moon</div>
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Watching the transformation of the pearl-like moon into this glowing, red orb felt like magic. I can't imagine how ancient man, not knowing the rhythms of our eclipses, would have felt. Fright? </div>
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Many of our friends tried to watch this, but fog or storms stole their views. I feel so lucky to have seen/experienced this phenomenon.</div>
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The Lucky Winner is...</div>
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The winner of the (long ago) drawing for the Sara Midda book is reader Thea McGinnis, who said, "Toss my name in the hat." </div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxUNM83TVVRSOJje1gPZj1d4uQn-jkMKTfH0j5XfNxyMHVXKCfE6_RYWAdAFsuRyMw72_SQDOH7rUW31TtSfOEnZZEGTEHF0ktuuJVuGa_OmQFNOZE-B-K6QP9MfphD3wE9GImCDh4YzW/s640/book+peach+blog.jpg" width="530" /></div>
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Congratulations, Thea dear! Please send me your address and <a href="http://www.workman.com/" target="_blank">Workman Publishing</a> will send you your copy of this marvelous book.</div>
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Book News</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGI_GhyphenhyphencL5LZhZmj0nkX8Kn2okCd-mYyNT5upLYM_ZJ12AVp-ZNA7ZHrHgyqq8-ckkzjqb6AU8MYQalDoXELd6Fz1CqLlZMkmvB4bRlhOw1CmM4fGmg8b5jUJop9_-6E9DjJXmwkFGtXf/s1600/Bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGI_GhyphenhyphencL5LZhZmj0nkX8Kn2okCd-mYyNT5upLYM_ZJ12AVp-ZNA7ZHrHgyqq8-ckkzjqb6AU8MYQalDoXELd6Fz1CqLlZMkmvB4bRlhOw1CmM4fGmg8b5jUJop9_-6E9DjJXmwkFGtXf/s200/Bird.jpg" width="167" /></a></div>
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<i><a href="https://squareup.com/market/sharon-lovejoy" target="_blank">A Blessing of Toads</a></i> (Down East Books) is available now in paperback. All the inside illustrations are in black and white. </div>
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<i><a href="https://squareup.com/market/sharon-lovejoy" target="_blank">The Little Green Island with a Little Red House</a></i></div>
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Second printing and hard cover from Down East Books.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nNe83UVDghVKA_Jvi_WjYezMxLqkf0rtLQuArrjJIS2C6mdOiZ0ZGZrrKE12loEuF0dMHZbz6XccDvpDUAwt3U3wL1pAcncEnSVuvTVJZZoVdYUDF6KM56rCD-JdcUwJnYhToy8Ej_rB/s1600/IMG_1827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nNe83UVDghVKA_Jvi_WjYezMxLqkf0rtLQuArrjJIS2C6mdOiZ0ZGZrrKE12loEuF0dMHZbz6XccDvpDUAwt3U3wL1pAcncEnSVuvTVJZZoVdYUDF6KM56rCD-JdcUwJnYhToy8Ej_rB/s640/IMG_1827.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Tim and his beloved grandmother.</div>
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Above is a peek inside the little rhyming rebus written and illustrated by me.</div>
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My 1859 historical, middle grade novel (Penguin Random House) is still available in hardcover, but will be coming out in March 2016 (Yearling) in paperback. I have been so fortunate to do some wonderful book club meetings via SKYPE. The most far reaching was from my favorite Korean teacher, Lily, who joined me in my studio with five of her star students who read and discussed <i><a href="https://squareup.com/market/sharon-lovejoy" target="_blank">Running Out of Night</a>.</i></div>
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All my books are available from bookstores, on-line, and <a href="https://squareup.com/market/sharon-lovejoy" target="_blank">from me</a>. If you want personalized books for gifts, I am happy to inscribe them.</div>
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I am working on several books right now, one of which is a personal journal of Maine and its rich traditions. Stay tuned!</div>
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Well, this has gone on and on. Sorry, I still have so many things to share with you, but perhaps you'll join me again for more Maine. In the meantime, visit me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharonlovejoy" target="_blank">Facebook</a> for a short (almost) daily glimpse at nature and the wonders of life.</div>
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Sending love and joy across the miles to you.</div>
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Sharon</div>
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Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-41884996204117477072015-06-20T18:03:00.002-07:002015-06-20T18:33:03.984-07:00My Midnight Kitchen-Peachy Keen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Early Harvest-Never enough peach pies!</b></div>
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Dear Friends,<br />
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Thank you so much for keeping in touch. I love picking up the mail and finding good, old-fashioned letters and cards. Let's not ever stop sending real mail, real photos, and let's not ever stop reading real books!<br />
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Be sure to read to the end of this posting to see who won the lovely little teak side table for the garden, and read what the newest offering will be.<br />
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My garden, despite the odds, surprises us with harvests of all sorts. We've cut our water usage by half, we use every drop from showers to deep water fruit trees; all our cooking water is kept free of salt and oil so we can cool the water and use it in the garden.<br />
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When Mother Nature produces a bounty of anything, you must work fast and hard to preserve your food. Last year I refreshed my canning skills by taking classes with Ingrid Hilton at the fabulous <a href="http://avilavalleybarn.com/" target="_blank">Avila Valley Barn</a>. Now, when I am in town, I take classes through the <a href="http://ucanr.edu/sites/camasterfoodpreservers/" target="_blank">University of California Cooperative Extension Master Food Preserver Program.</a> They are fascinating and teach how to preserve, pickle, and dry anything and everything.<br />
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My little 'Tropic King' dwarf peach burst into bloom on January the 8th. I never dreamed that during this severe weather it would out produce anything it has ever done. By May I had hundreds of fruits, and the branches hung low (and needed to be propped so as not to break).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5W2NbvdrhHAKNO8g2NvcnoMoSePhvQZp19v6b1g8uQoE9qefXyxbD6sdXLj3-SZ3JPxkEKAfZGWa4YTSalXXukXP4u3D_5oG6S1BXQOl9UoyOknqzDQkKFPnStSz_dIARHMsKElcUpK0j/s1600/Bee+at+a+peach+bloom%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5W2NbvdrhHAKNO8g2NvcnoMoSePhvQZp19v6b1g8uQoE9qefXyxbD6sdXLj3-SZ3JPxkEKAfZGWa4YTSalXXukXP4u3D_5oG6S1BXQOl9UoyOknqzDQkKFPnStSz_dIARHMsKElcUpK0j/s640/Bee+at+a+peach+bloom%2521.jpg" width="620" /> </a></div>
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The ripening crop. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizzq5NVzF2mzpmSVq1Nfki59TuP87hIG0fRJFSzZKbsQZmVBjTTIz2n_FjTMFmiWgJ-bVdDFj08q4dLDH4HmsJup58Tgqjc9CQJQphHKJdGbxr3Ut3bBNLSQ4vwM_JdJRhfj1jH7tJvep/s1600/Last+of+the+peaches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizzq5NVzF2mzpmSVq1Nfki59TuP87hIG0fRJFSzZKbsQZmVBjTTIz2n_FjTMFmiWgJ-bVdDFj08q4dLDH4HmsJup58Tgqjc9CQJQphHKJdGbxr3Ut3bBNLSQ4vwM_JdJRhfj1jH7tJvep/s640/Last+of+the+peaches.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEmRLQl8w58HmacENOYPKi9I839SEedkvjMWeKCkas3k4z7M6Zt15KJP1vtUyjpzVkwrdHTdzUDzSIuGZjehBivAEJX3L-h9tw0v9sOxB6wxtZp1Ma-jj81fHf7DZGLZBvvcDw6XTegJ-/s1600/Peaches+being+prepped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEmRLQl8w58HmacENOYPKi9I839SEedkvjMWeKCkas3k4z7M6Zt15KJP1vtUyjpzVkwrdHTdzUDzSIuGZjehBivAEJX3L-h9tw0v9sOxB6wxtZp1Ma-jj81fHf7DZGLZBvvcDw6XTegJ-/s640/Peaches+being+prepped.jpg" width="484" /> </a></div>
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Washing the fruit to prepare the extras for freezing and cooking.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PJk8LuvGcR_TGI7Ata8kSVsKgj7FOivaQBF3UQrG3UIbtitdvs-l98eOAIUzKVJcMspLuwN16Dr3rY9Mewgguh9aMCQtKuGdu2nqlrQVMr5MuAfTmNY1Ee9uk1TWa_YclSGsX-p-htDf/s1600/Prepping+peaches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PJk8LuvGcR_TGI7Ata8kSVsKgj7FOivaQBF3UQrG3UIbtitdvs-l98eOAIUzKVJcMspLuwN16Dr3rY9Mewgguh9aMCQtKuGdu2nqlrQVMr5MuAfTmNY1Ee9uk1TWa_YclSGsX-p-htDf/s640/Prepping+peaches.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div>
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Many of you know that I love to cook/think/dream in the middle of the night. Working in the kitchen soothes me and helps me get in touch with life. So, I cook in the Midnight Kitchen. It makes me happy.</div>
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Washed fruit waiting to be blanched. </div>
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I slit an X in each fruit so the skin would pop and be easily peeled.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaUay4U3p2KkQMHLn4me185cLBy0etPb7G2eAVL1_m2IK5xkjZV4E5NhGAO8hfdcD12sOYwCgu69Q9ZXnRAnFIa9x7sgsnbe5I3E_SeoUyGZtPE0beVlIkJeOQJ6w-KLboSYcxPubgOWc/s1600/Blanching+peaches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaUay4U3p2KkQMHLn4me185cLBy0etPb7G2eAVL1_m2IK5xkjZV4E5NhGAO8hfdcD12sOYwCgu69Q9ZXnRAnFIa9x7sgsnbe5I3E_SeoUyGZtPE0beVlIkJeOQJ6w-KLboSYcxPubgOWc/s640/Blanching+peaches.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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Dropped them into the boiling water for a minute, then plunged them into an ice bath and peeled them. </div>
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Then reality set in. This is too hard. Life is too complicated. I decided to try another way of readying the fruit for freezing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnLDjpfiVTbwrPtBryf3z4LCSqGj2PsGUqBpS3_8qS_obSKZ7MMM-aDuN-ucoZuutmWDTitznYw5K8DVlyH_p9a6bBuhbKbu0NxaSuk5LkJ4xuMDkUZ8F2FG1KliypsYjnl9lrrm1ly8B/s1600/Peaches+in+egg+cartons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnLDjpfiVTbwrPtBryf3z4LCSqGj2PsGUqBpS3_8qS_obSKZ7MMM-aDuN-ucoZuutmWDTitznYw5K8DVlyH_p9a6bBuhbKbu0NxaSuk5LkJ4xuMDkUZ8F2FG1KliypsYjnl9lrrm1ly8B/s640/Peaches+in+egg+cartons.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>The Easy Freeze</b></div>
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I picked them JUST as they ripened. They were firm, not hard. I washed them thoroughly and set them out to dry overnight in clean egg cartons.<br />
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Then, I froze them whole in freezer bags and tucked them away for the cold winter days when I want to bake or make a smoothie. I checked my friend <a href="http://www.patcrocker.com/pats-books.html" target="_blank">Pat Crocker's preserving book</a> for her way to freeze them. She recommends sprinkling the fruit with granulated sugar and packing them into freezer bags, squeezing out air, sealing tightly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCV13YnbPbZKQOy037qhyphenhyphen8hqJhCQJel7_I5FGfKPcG5KhbeoYU2i5fEyRt-MLDTbLIRw-9asPGsdQ3jdApFi7nOearPuXJt4jA5K2ByZYBBXBBs76KBLvaf_e2SzaoK4uMCZL6-xLp-6PK/s1600/Gram%2527s+Fire+King+Peach+pie+pan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCV13YnbPbZKQOy037qhyphenhyphen8hqJhCQJel7_I5FGfKPcG5KhbeoYU2i5fEyRt-MLDTbLIRw-9asPGsdQ3jdApFi7nOearPuXJt4jA5K2ByZYBBXBBs76KBLvaf_e2SzaoK4uMCZL6-xLp-6PK/s640/Gram%2527s+Fire+King+Peach+pie+pan.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div>
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This is my Grandmother Lovejoy's Fire King pie plate. I never took the time to really look at it, but it is gorgeous. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dBLHyNvDkTOoJ1-upow7Ks82Ne-_Jdtn2fam6kY2l-qX5_F8UpSeIRW5fh36hB9khftJS5WEjUZ1v4p_W2rUS_iccBEPrWYmXfLv3eMhp13YiZJDU0Um5mJNQIiMQu8Cl8xkrCXtiMHh/s1600/Mess+peach+pie+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dBLHyNvDkTOoJ1-upow7Ks82Ne-_Jdtn2fam6kY2l-qX5_F8UpSeIRW5fh36hB9khftJS5WEjUZ1v4p_W2rUS_iccBEPrWYmXfLv3eMhp13YiZJDU0Um5mJNQIiMQu8Cl8xkrCXtiMHh/s640/Mess+peach+pie+blog.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div>
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<b>I Always Make a Mess</b></div>
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<b>Get Busy!</b></div>
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My Favorite Gingersnap Crust<br />
<ol>
<li> 2 cups gingersnaps (homemade or store bought. I love Trader Joe's Triple Gingersnaps)</li>
<li>1/4 cup brown sugar. Pack it tightly.</li>
<li>1 tablespoon all-purpose flour</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon sea salt (I use Malden's; it is like snowflakes on the tongue)</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon cinnamon</li>
<li>1 teaspoon orange zest</li>
<li>4 tablespoons (half a stick) of unsalted butter/melted </li>
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Blend
all ingredients till they hold together and don't crumble. You want the
mixture moist, but not soggy. (Kind of like the perfect soil in a garden) Line your pie pan and set aside enough
for the topping. Fill with peaches, sprinkle on topping and pecans.</div>
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Luscious Filling<br />
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5 cups fresh peaches, sliced<br />
1 tablespoon of orange zest<br />
1 cup sugar (when the peaches are sweet and juicy I cut the amount of sugar in half)<br />
1⁄3-1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour<br />
1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon<br />
1/4 teaspoon of allspice<br />
A grate of nutmeg<br />
2 tablespoons butter<br />
2 tablespoons sugar<br />
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Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Stir together flour, 1 cup sugar, and spices and set aside. Wash, peel, and slice fresh peaches. Zest orange. Mix together peaches and orange zest with the combined dry ingredients. Turn into gingersnap lined pie pan. Use remaining gingersnap crust to cover top of peaches. Dot with butter, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of sugar. I added chopped pecans to my crust.<br />
Wow! Bake 35 to 45 minute<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRSfQtN7doj3JJUx6u1bnfTE3i4c_wjzdoS0HqFK9yScYR_q_nMSq0VItvM0zLy37yKOKjiELlrYAZCxDj7h5IFohXSOKdYqd9sFxdRRKsjIGecnis1a9935N-59grECg5wqUMicsSgZw/s1600/Pecan+topped+peach+pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRSfQtN7doj3JJUx6u1bnfTE3i4c_wjzdoS0HqFK9yScYR_q_nMSq0VItvM0zLy37yKOKjiELlrYAZCxDj7h5IFohXSOKdYqd9sFxdRRKsjIGecnis1a9935N-59grECg5wqUMicsSgZw/s640/Pecan+topped+peach+pie.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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You won't believe the aroma of this pie as it bakes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXplAyUZNbysLySrmHaF9aWY-9Bdwx3oNIEUckWWBJve_P60GSBLCxYbv1rQ1MXYIN6J67P3wlyLzHH0_W1a6UTOqMPN8t1o2KVUtvpHDwKgmxICtvCgfI9RCmNG7iZZZgM7GPGgcE-ex/s1600/IMG_2567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXplAyUZNbysLySrmHaF9aWY-9Bdwx3oNIEUckWWBJve_P60GSBLCxYbv1rQ1MXYIN6J67P3wlyLzHH0_W1a6UTOqMPN8t1o2KVUtvpHDwKgmxICtvCgfI9RCmNG7iZZZgM7GPGgcE-ex/s640/IMG_2567.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<b>From Pies to Book Talk</b></div>
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We had a dinner picnic at my house for some readers of my new book, <a href="https://squareup.com/market/sharon-lovejoy" target="_blank"><i>Running Out of Night.</i></a> They arrived with growling stomachs, big smiles, and lots of questions about the story and how to write. They especially enjoyed visiting my studio and seeing where I write and draw. I hope this visit served as an inspiration for them to reach for the stars. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxd8mhc9HH0R2Ll8PME8jae-j68wcpcp0VdtumZxJFpGllwb_FLT13mvNPS-x6T4wbfiQ5iYX1poUG0gBdvkvyZovANQlMBUDnReS4eqFDHLR0KyUEY6FNM0DZAbkcUQp88K336XlcZw0/s1600/IMG_3866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxd8mhc9HH0R2Ll8PME8jae-j68wcpcp0VdtumZxJFpGllwb_FLT13mvNPS-x6T4wbfiQ5iYX1poUG0gBdvkvyZovANQlMBUDnReS4eqFDHLR0KyUEY6FNM0DZAbkcUQp88K336XlcZw0/s640/IMG_3866.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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The next day I did a SKYPE book club interview with fabulous kids and moms in Portland, Oregon. I showed them around the studio and shared art supplies, drawings, ideas, and reference materials. Then, I was in the hot seat and answered well thought out questions. I loved every minute of our time. </div>
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When doing a SKYPE interview, I can see them and they can see me and my surroundings. Also watching is the little Anna's Hummingbird up in my window feeder. Can you see her? </div>
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Also got the chance to talk to a group of kids about <a href="https://squareup.com/market/sharon-lovejoy" target="_blank"><i>Running Out of Night</i></a>, and shared with them the enlarged copy of an actual bill of sale for three slaves. They could not imagine that humans could be sold just like an object from a store. </div>
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<b>Teachers, Librarians, Home-School Parents, Scout Leaders, Book Clubs </b></div>
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I am happy to speak with you about a library, school visit, book club visit, and more. Just contact me via e-mail, and we can set up a time to meet with readers. Send me an email at <a href="mailto:sharon@sharonlovejoy.com" target="_blank">sharon@sharonlovejoy.com</a>.</div>
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<b>Why I write and draw! </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLG0WEyGeZbqqSDoX9emoSoh7wqX8ZElEIKZADtWYXfx16qwo0UQF5JlyHDYSh0VYY2IBGdHT3JhQhL0aFkc78PnCEPJz3VJ4HY1b_kUubEelq4TdNXafMXoK2eFxgIPdQOd3lbRMUuWU7/s1600/Bird+Book+Peach+Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLG0WEyGeZbqqSDoX9emoSoh7wqX8ZElEIKZADtWYXfx16qwo0UQF5JlyHDYSh0VYY2IBGdHT3JhQhL0aFkc78PnCEPJz3VJ4HY1b_kUubEelq4TdNXafMXoK2eFxgIPdQOd3lbRMUuWU7/s640/Bird+Book+Peach+Blog.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhYYsnQHflM7NHZFtyJRXYTPwS-OzDZgwbwJdvAApNs9gpQYvV-A016T7tEmRwO9KUzHDUZPVasJHbl94ZUsuU-2-KNxPMmh3aDFCSIv2D3MbMyYm0ut5B1bmgFIcMSe1UwmnF1fQZTd9/s1600/Little+Green+Island+Peach+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhYYsnQHflM7NHZFtyJRXYTPwS-OzDZgwbwJdvAApNs9gpQYvV-A016T7tEmRwO9KUzHDUZPVasJHbl94ZUsuU-2-KNxPMmh3aDFCSIv2D3MbMyYm0ut5B1bmgFIcMSe1UwmnF1fQZTd9/s640/Little+Green+Island+Peach+blog.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div>
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Thank you, dear readers, for sending photos.</div>
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<b>Fabulous Teak Table Give-Away (finally)</b></div>
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A huge thank you to <a href="http://www.teakcloseouts.com/" target="_blank">Teak Close Outs </a>for donating a teak table to one of my lucky readers. Over a hundred of you tossed your names into the invisible hat. Tah dah, here is the lucky winner:</div>
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Ann Reynolds </div>
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Please send us your snail mail address, and <a href="http://www.teakcloseouts.com/" target="_blank">Teak Close Outs</a> will ship the table (needs assembly) directly to you. You'll love this!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigY0eeX-e-L4hnc-RZ-96v6ONhJYMc5_O0GObHncL9yU2AY1Pt2ghHX0dbrnlFD_TQbMkircUl-IZi7pit69by-nq8yT6d3dZdVmQMDqfXVZD7haLm08eJi04MjSxMCRR0GRUCYa0nXt_9/s1600/teak+bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigY0eeX-e-L4hnc-RZ-96v6ONhJYMc5_O0GObHncL9yU2AY1Pt2ghHX0dbrnlFD_TQbMkircUl-IZi7pit69by-nq8yT6d3dZdVmQMDqfXVZD7haLm08eJi04MjSxMCRR0GRUCYa0nXt_9/s640/teak+bench.jpg" width="480" /> </a></div>
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Onward...</div>
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<a href="http://www.workman.com/" target="_blank">Workman Publishing</a> has offered to send one of you lucky readers a copy of Sara Midda's new book, <i><a href="http://www.workman.com/products/9780761145264/" target="_blank">A Bowl of Olives</a></i>. Many of you are Sara fans. She wrote and illustrated <a href="http://www.workman.com/products/9780894801938/" target="_blank"><i>In and Out of the Garden</i></a>, which was a huge hit. Then she did <a href="http://www.workman.com/products/9780894807633/" target="_blank"><i>Sara Midda's South of France</i></a>, and many other books. Workman will ship a copy of this beautiful work of art to whomever wins the new drawing. Here are the directions for submitting your name, but please do leave a comment on the blog so I know that you're visiting me! Thanks.</div>
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To drop your name into the "hat" for the drawing, simply leave a comment at:</div>
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Sharon's Give Away at <a href="mailto:sharonsgiveaway@icloud.com" target="_blank">sharonsgiveaway@icloud.com</a>. </div>
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Sending love across the miles,</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sharon</span></i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxUNM83TVVRSOJje1gPZj1d4uQn-jkMKTfH0j5XfNxyMHVXKCfE6_RYWAdAFsuRyMw72_SQDOH7rUW31TtSfOEnZZEGTEHF0ktuuJVuGa_OmQFNOZE-B-K6QP9MfphD3wE9GImCDh4YzW/s1600/book+peach+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxUNM83TVVRSOJje1gPZj1d4uQn-jkMKTfH0j5XfNxyMHVXKCfE6_RYWAdAFsuRyMw72_SQDOH7rUW31TtSfOEnZZEGTEHF0ktuuJVuGa_OmQFNOZE-B-K6QP9MfphD3wE9GImCDh4YzW/s640/book+peach+blog.jpg" width="530" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOAyCtpprZrGwJd0qZYfqedPgCiDnHqh9gkETDWm40DAENR5je3oFSq4yBaaP-cTSh_rMqkh1MSimVZJ8WTljnek89zfOQaqSjyQr86tgMJKJQo3uLuNCSqKCueOPTgBzvv7W0wRfa5WQ/s1600/book+peach+blog+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOAyCtpprZrGwJd0qZYfqedPgCiDnHqh9gkETDWm40DAENR5je3oFSq4yBaaP-cTSh_rMqkh1MSimVZJ8WTljnek89zfOQaqSjyQr86tgMJKJQo3uLuNCSqKCueOPTgBzvv7W0wRfa5WQ/s640/book+peach+blog+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-62410222043732708352015-04-24T17:59:00.000-07:002015-04-27T10:16:55.000-07:00A.W.O.L.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjq5TOmyK31RsJ1kgIX_ikdevvW6BItbIc8GtrspIhxK34UOjjEElzBYQ01eDUmLIkOnP0WVvWnXop1gPX2mxcAlX_s2rb44DYPfHr2Ft99QFI8GJOnLhMdaT_xdd60w9AwT0egWafcrjE/s1600/Monarch+emerging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjq5TOmyK31RsJ1kgIX_ikdevvW6BItbIc8GtrspIhxK34UOjjEElzBYQ01eDUmLIkOnP0WVvWnXop1gPX2mxcAlX_s2rb44DYPfHr2Ft99QFI8GJOnLhMdaT_xdd60w9AwT0egWafcrjE/s1600/Monarch+emerging.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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For the Butterflies</div>
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The butterfly dipped,</div>
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and circled to smell</div>
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His floriferous dinner,</div>
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Which suits him quite well.</div>
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But, wait just a minute,</div>
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My story's not through,</div>
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His feet have more talents––</div>
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He tastes with them, too!</div>
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From <i>Hollyhock Days</i></div>
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Dear Friends,<br />
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If absence makes the heart grow fonder, well, you must adore me by now. Thank you for the sweet cards, letters, and e-mails. They make my heart happier. Many of you know that I was hacked and off the computer for awhile. It took a few weeks to get back on line and then, Whap!, we were hacked again. Thousands and thousands of spams and more.<br />
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This morning when I sat down we were again having problems. Jeff sat on the phone and awaited some tech help for a long, long time. Who would ever believe that we have become so dependent on our computers for so much?<br />
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My garden is bursting with life and my windows are flung open. Scents of Verbena de la mina (it is so fragrant), roses, and jasmine fill my little house with spring. I love it.<br />
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So much has happened that I can't include it all in this posting. Each posting takes many, many hours of concentrated time, which I don't have right now. So please, if you love the beauty of butterflies, just stay with me for this to the end. Also, look for the winner of the beautiful Josie Iselin Beach book and the possibility of winning this glorious little teak side table sent to me by <a href="http://www.teakcloseouts.com/Side-Table-Pasley-w-lower-shelf-p/na-side-pasl-c.htm" target="_blank">Teak Closeouts</a>.<br />
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The little table has a slatted top and a bottom shelf. It is so handy and useful. It does come unassembled, but it took Jeff only about 10 minutes to put it together. Sorry, the supplier cannot ship outside of the continental U.S. A.</div>
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I hosted a meeting of <a href="http://www.questers1944.org/" target="_blank">The Questers</a> at our home last month. The organizer (trouble-maker), Kit Long, is a fabulous woman with many interests. Look what she brought as a hostess gift! A pot with a twiggy tree branch. On each twig was tied the jade-like chrysalis of a Monarch butterfly. What a gift, maybe the best one I've ever received. Glad this isn't a video or a might break your eardrums with my screams of joy!</div>
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Can you see them dangling from the branches?</div>
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Close up. The gold spots are entry points for oxygen.</div>
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You can see the miracle going on inside the chrysalis. I took this photo about an hour before the butterfly emerged from it.</div>
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I spent hours next to the chrysalis tree and recorded everything, but I NEVER got the actual emergence. I literally turned my head for a split second, and wham, the butterfly was out of the chrysalis and all crumpled up like a slightly used prom dress. See how fat the abdomen is? As I watched the newborn, the abdomen elongated and thinned.</div>
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Starting to pump fluid and unfurl.</div>
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Look at this beauty shot!</div>
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I spent hours watching them and became intrigued by the shadows of their legs. You can clearly see how they are able to hold onto flowers even in high winds. This shot sends me into the stratosphere. I love how mysterious it looks.</div>
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This male fell to the ground, and I quickly rescued it. You know it is a male by the dark spot on each hindwing. He stayed on my hand for about 15 minutes until his wings were rigid and he was able to beat them.</div>
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My garden dances with butterflies now and sways with the slow moving (and always hungry) caterpillars.</div>
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If you want to have the awe-inspiring presence of caterpillars and butterflies in your own garden, just do some simple things to suit them.</div>
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1. Plant a diverse array of flowers (native wildflowers, bushes and trees are most important) that will feed both the caterpillar and the butterflies. Monarch caterpillars feed ONLY on Asclepias species. Go for the natives if possible. See <a href="http://monarchwatch.org/">Monarchwatch.org</a> or visit the <a href="http://www.xerces.org/" target="_blank">Xerces Society</a> for guidelines.</div>
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2. Provide a tray or saucer of soil that can be kept moist. Butterflies will puddle on the mud and sip nutrients.</div>
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3. Lay out a few flat basking rocks. They'll sun bathe on them.</div>
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4. NEVER use toxic sprays; insecticides, herbicides, fungicides. NEVER.</div>
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Fruits ripen, flowers burst into bloom...and the adventures and joy continue.</div>
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Thanks for the visit. I post daily photographs, quotes, and ideas on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharonlovejoy" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page. I also have a business page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CultivatingWonder" target="_blank">Sharon Lovejoy: Home Gardens Books</a> with upcoming events and public appearances. Both reach a broad audience. I enjoy interacting with readers. Like the blog, I have made some wonderful friends through this medium. </div>
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If you are a blog follower, you will get an alert whenever I write a new blog. Blogs take hours and hours, which is time I sometimes don't have to spare. I continue to write infrequently for those dear friends who do not use Facebook– Lori, Julie Marie, Darla, and others.</div>
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I am happy to let you know that my little book <a href="https://squareup.com/market/sharon-lovejoy" target="_blank"><i>Trowel and Error</i></a> by Workman Publishing, has just gone into its 13th printing! Hurrah.</div>
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my beloved old book <i><a href="https://squareup.com/market/sharon-lovejoy" target="_blank">A Blessing of Toads</a> </i>is now in its fifth printing with Down East Books!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdurOWzYVVcFY-h7GxsUuah4IYYnSb0FcrdXQF5SB_19ANYk8wdfrY5GoAtng4gONh7npy1vGloPJ33dt_ALohzEAUYPJfaPpvAoCWTyC9_SIQ34vkf-MW3gsIZrkMi12_ILcmgxifGvJ3/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-18+at+9.45.52+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdurOWzYVVcFY-h7GxsUuah4IYYnSb0FcrdXQF5SB_19ANYk8wdfrY5GoAtng4gONh7npy1vGloPJ33dt_ALohzEAUYPJfaPpvAoCWTyC9_SIQ34vkf-MW3gsIZrkMi12_ILcmgxifGvJ3/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-18+at+9.45.52+AM.jpg" height="640" width="416" /></a></div>
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This iteration has a new cover with black and white illustrations inside. The same information is still packed in the pages.</div>
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Thanks dear Aline for sharing this photo with us! I treasure seeing the two of you reading my book, <i><a href="https://squareup.com/market/sharon-lovejoy" target="_blank">The Little Green Island with a Little Red House</a></i>. </div>
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This little book explores the world of colors and critters and is a fun read aloud with children. Jeff and I designed the text to reflect the words.</div>
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Now, some reader letters:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpbycTh6CrYAAo853nmBvHOWktqPWL7l-nIcuzcflJHacVfVHutxUfeeHeTU5UWlvADVMAVlrixiBzhA9gc74dnKiZRkGszwLxVaw7nJV9LRmkAZ0PoedzOK4N1hn7gqkxuiGQt7vwMwu/s1600/IMG_3508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdpbycTh6CrYAAo853nmBvHOWktqPWL7l-nIcuzcflJHacVfVHutxUfeeHeTU5UWlvADVMAVlrixiBzhA9gc74dnKiZRkGszwLxVaw7nJV9LRmkAZ0PoedzOK4N1hn7gqkxuiGQt7vwMwu/s1600/IMG_3508.jpg" height="472" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu31WLDuRsOeCxAPE_LYIrwwbNtyE5vhoN-qe8Zh9J6Qq_toI3EyeaWiQ9X2EkqWDWo0qf0yGPtnxcbIPBy1QieKLm7fEn13cofClMQ1tFJRSu65n91A_PKdGbDpeCV7mu4gNPV6N71D7n/s1600/IMG_3346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu31WLDuRsOeCxAPE_LYIrwwbNtyE5vhoN-qe8Zh9J6Qq_toI3EyeaWiQ9X2EkqWDWo0qf0yGPtnxcbIPBy1QieKLm7fEn13cofClMQ1tFJRSu65n91A_PKdGbDpeCV7mu4gNPV6N71D7n/s1600/IMG_3346.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I want to share with you
one of the most special young people I have ever heard from. Move over
writers, we have a new one on the way! I love this!</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_eHnYv9u-BiyKgYOLYil0M0XBTy0BUfHXJjOe-EQKCuakIeCOUn-dgYvN7ug_oCp8Oka5uRGdIPZz0FtDLOgnydBe8h9ByTEi-3GtxRhsXpxiLhU3qTCBVGQSnYN0U2YI7LJWomVMkry/s1600/IMG_3594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0_eHnYv9u-BiyKgYOLYil0M0XBTy0BUfHXJjOe-EQKCuakIeCOUn-dgYvN7ug_oCp8Oka5uRGdIPZz0FtDLOgnydBe8h9ByTEi-3GtxRhsXpxiLhU3qTCBVGQSnYN0U2YI7LJWomVMkry/s1600/IMG_3594.jpg" height="530" width="640" /></a></div>
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Your words keep my words flowing. Thank you for your many kindnesses!</div>
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The lucky winner of the Josie Iselin book, <i>Beach: a book of treasures</i> is: A Facebook follower, Paulette.</div>
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Enter the new drawing for the <a href="http://www.teakcloseouts.com/Side-Table-Pasley-w-lower-shelf-p/na-side-pasl-c.htm" target="_blank">little teak end table</a>, a $99 value from Teak Closeouts, which would be perfect in your garden, on your porch, deck, or?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRmHp5MVG13-pX9d8lusZug9Bpi6sgeqVGru7CxtdZGciR8zBHvzDny0weI4PCnDRcQdQ57yQ-dH4AcU6V6MBQP6Nrhhnrza0h9J4LwodfFlJ2LhaK3Lh2WcQJnmUsynGprFf40y1qisO/s1600/IMG_3597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRmHp5MVG13-pX9d8lusZug9Bpi6sgeqVGru7CxtdZGciR8zBHvzDny0weI4PCnDRcQdQ57yQ-dH4AcU6V6MBQP6Nrhhnrza0h9J4LwodfFlJ2LhaK3Lh2WcQJnmUsynGprFf40y1qisO/s1600/IMG_3597.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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To enter, simply send an email to Sharon's Give Away at <a href="mailto:sharonsgiveaway@icloud.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sharonsgiveaway@icloud.com</a>. </div>
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Happy Spring to you all!</div>
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Love across the miles,</div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sharon</span></i></span> </span></div>
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Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-13303042731630351782015-01-16T15:25:00.000-08:002015-01-16T17:40:48.931-08:00"She Done What She Could"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hM88NF5zTsfgmA1ZsXaHtJXdDQSoHXepLklzrPvjfE8Hrv7fGiCJEY_bMkx-wLg0BscojKDfNVCtGpDRmga34xKOE926-zr_nEC0qA7r2wAjQJ_Ru02AV0LbxPRijQHyMgoJyQrTjmDj/s1600/IMG_2565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hM88NF5zTsfgmA1ZsXaHtJXdDQSoHXepLklzrPvjfE8Hrv7fGiCJEY_bMkx-wLg0BscojKDfNVCtGpDRmga34xKOE926-zr_nEC0qA7r2wAjQJ_Ru02AV0LbxPRijQHyMgoJyQrTjmDj/s1600/IMG_2565.jpg" height="640" width="490" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaiw9Qg0Y_xwjo3ZD3vjV6BuXLlWLoLhFH6DDGKE8t_IoEqlj2nSTHa6V_sbOOo60afQL1fkYLwPGlgt7eo0SBqsgu6TdvRDX7-g7yTP_RIh_pcm0kvs43AxbkGYO6l-X8WOR307iIw4Y/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-05+at+8.32.00+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaiw9Qg0Y_xwjo3ZD3vjV6BuXLlWLoLhFH6DDGKE8t_IoEqlj2nSTHa6V_sbOOo60afQL1fkYLwPGlgt7eo0SBqsgu6TdvRDX7-g7yTP_RIh_pcm0kvs43AxbkGYO6l-X8WOR307iIw4Y/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-05+at+8.32.00+PM.jpg" height="282" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am thrilled and honored that the International Reading Association chose my new <i><a href="https://squareup.com/market/sharon-lovejoy" target="_blank">Running Out of Night</a> </i>as one of their "2014 Best Chapter Books."</div>
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Dear Friends,<br />
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I am overwhelmed by your many kindnesses. You're the best (as is my husband). I couldn't keep limping along without your support.<br />
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Are you wondering about the bad English in my title? I love to visit old graveyards and read the tombstones. I conjure up images of families of olden times, lives lived on the sea, or in the case of my title, a mother's life raising nine children.<br />
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Jeff and I were traveling through Maine and stopped at a graveyard on Deer Isle, Maine. One tombstone spoke to me; it was as if I were reading my own headstone. I remember that her last name was Eaton and that she'd somehow managed to birth and raise nine kids. The tombstone had her name and then those words, "She Done What She Could." Isn't that all that most of us can aspire to, doing what we can do in the best way we know how? That's what I do. I know that there are always so many more talented people, but I keep going.<br />
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For my birthday the year we stumbled on Mrs. Eaton's telling tombstone, Jeff ordered a headstone cake from Linn's in Cambria, California. They were flummoxed, but they made the cake in the shape of the stone and inscribed it with the words I so loved. "She done what she could." I am still working and still trying to approach life half as steadfastly as Mrs. Eaton and all the other unnamed and forgotten women before me. Salute!<br />
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<b>My First Book Club</b><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyAjGqlrt5sP40tifQuuvRPa6YWZKWGlGCYGtEgv78_Qf7FeDChD0W-a7suTuzcV690Qik5kD9kVSB9ab9q1w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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This is a trial run of what is an upcoming SKYPE book club interview. If you have a book club in my area I will be happy to participate, but if you're far away, SKYPE works beautifully.</div>
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January has been a month of scheduling and work. Jeff is accepting requests for talks, for Skype hook-ups with book clubs, with school visits, and so much more. I will let you know all that is going on as soon as I have an updated schedule. I am looking forward to an upcoming Skype interview with a book club for children in Washington, D.C. that chose <i><a href="https://squareup.com/market/sharon-lovejoy" target="_blank">Running Out of Night</a></i> as their book for January.<br />
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The girls and their mothers will speak to me via Skype and ask pertinent questions about the book and about writing books. They'll be serving food too that goes along with my book. Beef Jerky, apple slices, just the foods I mention. It will be so much fun.<br />
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<b>The Dave Congalton Show on KVEC 920 AM</b></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Rp8HKK9gX2vbgdyg6tYl_UrHo5bJnpJGNqYg97yLyRGTDAT6zADBJzWSr9wqtkIksKF_kBPVLb_mX3y6EvBe8CYe086EhKwZLRP7uJs_gUMfuWDfupHlJZkUPBba_TyyENbRcqaAcIQs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-10+at+9.49.16+AM.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></div>
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Dave Congalton welcomed me to his lively <a href="http://920kvec.com/podcasts/congalton/01-09-15.mp3" target="_blank">local radio show</a> last Friday. (Link is to the podcast. Sharon's segment starts at 36:33) He did an incredible job of making me feel welcome and at ease. We talked for an hour on live radio (daunting), answered two calls that came in, and had a great time. Thank you, Dave, for what you do for our central coast.</div>
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<b>Into the Garden AGAIN!</b></div>
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Can you believe that my dwarf peach is already blooming?</div>
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Then again, can you believe that this dwarf 'Pink Lady' apple is still on the tree?</div>
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<b>Join Me on a Garden Walk</b></div>
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Hurrah! I can walk, bend, and work again and I am loving every second on my feet. </div>
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Join me for a quick walk through the garden and glean a bit of wisdom about gardening in your nightgown!</div>
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<b>Who Won the Double Give-Away?</b></div>
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This is a short, short posting, but I did want to catch up with you and also let you know that having a separate e-mail address for our give-aways is working well, especially for people who are not bloggers and can't leave a comment, or don't want to sign up with Google, etc..We had over 100 entries in the give away of my old book <i><a href="https://squareup.com/market/sharon-lovejoy" target="_blank">A Blessing of Toads</a></i>, which was purchased by Down East Books and was just released. FYI, they updated the cover, but now the interior illustrations are in black and white. Still the same words though.</div>
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We also offered this wonderful, solid copper rain chain from <a href="http://www.rainchainsdirect.com/" target="_blank">Rain Chains Direct</a> (valued at $129.95). The LUCKY winner is one of my Facebook friends, Kris Lech in Nebraska. Maybe this should be an ice chain? </div>
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Congratulations, Kris, lucky girl!</div>
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Signing off now, but hoping to hear from you on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharonlovejoy" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, my new <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CultivatingWonder" target="_blank">Sharon Lovejoy Home, Gardens, Books Facebook</a> page, by <a href="mailto:sharon@sharonlovejoy.com" target="_blank">e-mail</a>, or on this blog posting.</div>
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This month I am offering another copy of <i><a href="https://squareup.com/market/sharon-lovejoy" target="_blank">A Blessing of Toads</a></i> and the fabulous <i><a href="http://www.josieiselin.com/portfolio/beach-a-book-of-treasure-book/" target="_blank">Beach: A Book of Treasures</a></i> by <a href="http://www.josieiselin.com/" target="_blank">Josie Iselin</a>.</div>
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This is a magnificent book. Good luck! Please leave a comment on this posting (I love them), but to enter the drawing, send an email to sharonsgiveaway@icloud.com (<a href="mailto:sharonsgiveaway@icloud.com" target="_blank">sharonsgiveaway@icloud.com</a><a href="mailto:sharonsgiveaway@icloud.com" target="_blank">)</a>.</div>
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Sending love across the miles,</div>
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Sharon</div>
Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-55268514559162325472014-12-31T06:00:00.000-08:002014-12-31T14:50:01.073-08:00New Year's Resolution: Don't Procrastinate!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Last Rainbow of 2014</div>
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Well friends,<br />
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Procrastinate is exactly what I've been doing. I have promised readers and myself every day that I would post a new blog entry, but other life matters got into the way. Thank you so much for the gifts and cards.<br />
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My friends are now referring to me as The Happy Hobbler, and I am happy. I am up and using a crutch sometimes, but mostly walking slowly and surely as much as possible. I am grateful to my friends for meals, help, and love, but no words can express my gratitude to my husband Jeff. He was there for me every step of the way as I will always be for him.<br />
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Stay tuned for the fabulous give-aways at the bottom of this post.<br />
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<b>RUNNING OUT OF NIGHT</b></div>
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In a million years I could've never dreamed of the friendships and journey this book has provided. THANK YOU for your letters and e-mails. I have tried to quickly answer you whenever you write, but sometimes things stack up on me. </div>
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This January I am participating in my first book club interview (east coast) via SKYPE. I'll be interacting with five young girls and their moms. This should be a wonderful experience. I can't wait to hear their questions.</div>
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Jeff recently made a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvi8a47AAWQ" target="_blank">book trailer</a> to publicize <i>Running</i>. </div>
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Making a trailer is a costly project, one which a new author normally can't afford to do. When we realized that it would be up to us to do it, Jeff said, "I'll just learn how to do it." That is sort of the way we handle everything that needs doing...just do it ourselves. Anyhow, it took half a day or so to read, edit, record, and add the pages of reviews. The best part of the trailer is at the end when my son and his close friend play their music. Noah on banjo and John on mandolin. So, this is a family, affair and I am proud of my family for doing it!</div>
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<b>Your letters keep me going on my new book, which should be finished soon! Thank you!</b></div>
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Nancy Heraud, your glorious jellies and pot pourri make me so happy. The kids adore them, but they're so beautiful I never want to open them.<br />
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(Nancy is<a href="http://lemonverbenalady.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> Lemon Verbena Lady</a>) The jar of summer's scents (her famous potpourri) is sitting inside my quilt cupboard. Whenever I take out a quilt and catch the sweet drift of roses, I will think of her.</div>
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It smells divine!</div>
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My friend <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/Patsysjoy" target="_blank">Patsy Lee Anderson</a> knows how much I love anything fox. This is a wonderful new talisman sent by Patsy. Her name is Flannery Kitt Fox; she sits beside me as I work (and cousin Julie Marie, my little chip chip does too). A heart full of thanks dear Patsy. Every package was perfectly wrapped. I didn't want to disturb them, but curiosity got the best of me. I love <a href="http://www.georgeellalyon.com/" target="_blank">George Ella Lyon'</a>s book <a href="http://www.georgeellalyon.com/adultbooks.html#poetry" target="_blank"><i>Poetry</i></a>, the fabulous fox stationery, I love it all.</div>
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This year's Christmas tree was teensy. I just wasn't up to decorating a huge one, but I adored this and enjoyed it every minute.</div>
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I save egg cartons for my ornament storage. Jumbo works best! My friend Consuelo Macedo saves those double plastic boxes that some fruit is packed in. </div>
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No Christmas at our house is complete without my flock of old friends on the mantel. These are German stick sheep (their legs are like wooden matchsticks) and we have had them for decades. During the big San Simeon earthquake in 2003, they were thrown off our Cambria mantel and hurled across the room. Many ears and legs were broken, but they are treasured nonetheless.</div>
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But the best part of the holidays this year was this simple place setting. My grandson Luke, who was born two years ago weighing only one pound eight ounces, finally got a seat at the Christmas Eve table. He sat up with us and saluted the new year to come. He is a little miracle boy and the greatest gift we could ever hope for.</div>
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Now all vestiges of Christmas are being stored away until next year. For the New Year, I always set my table with olive branches, the symbol of peace. I also tuck them into napkin rings and weave them through the old chandelier so that anyone sitting beneath them will have peace in their hearts. It works!</div>
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<b>A DOUBLE-DOOZIE GIVE-AWAY</b></div>
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The first wonderful part of the give-away is a solid copper rain chain, donated by <a href="http://www.rainchainsdirect.com/" target="_blank">Rain Chains Direct</a>. They sent one to us to try before I endorsed it. This has a retail value of $129.95 (we all know how expensive copper is now). Not only is it beautiful, but it is functional and fun. I love the way the rain cascades down the chain and into our big crock. I use the rainwater for my potted plants.<br />
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Jeff prepares the down-spout and sets out the chain and gutter installer. They look like mini-buckets.</div>
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Love these! You will too. </div>
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<b>Send me an email to <a href="mailto:sharonsgiveaway@icloud.com" target="_blank">sharonsgiveaway@icloud.com</a><a href="mailto:sharonsgiveaway@icloud.com" target="_blank"> with "Give-Away" in the subject line to enter</a>. Facebook visitors to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/cultivatingwonder" target="_blank">Sharon Lovejoy: Home, Gardens, Books</a> or on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharonlovejoy" target="_blank">Sharon Lovejoy</a> are invited too. The drawing will be on January 15th. Please, limited to the United States due to customs and high postage rates. So sorry!</b></div>
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I still welcome blog comments, but this new system will enable others without a Google or Facebook account or a blog to enter a free give-away drawing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqe25Ih3zrPdnxpgqsxF6VG4WOiyn2JP2rBmoK-SbAVCWMfOZFrdyMzNSIEJB5MQlBt9MM_G6JSZqHHz8x77DxR5a04bfYPoc1n36xOt-lZdnIEz915UkDiHtdJLRfaSfLplx1hW02PyLD/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-18+at+9.45.52+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqe25Ih3zrPdnxpgqsxF6VG4WOiyn2JP2rBmoK-SbAVCWMfOZFrdyMzNSIEJB5MQlBt9MM_G6JSZqHHz8x77DxR5a04bfYPoc1n36xOt-lZdnIEz915UkDiHtdJLRfaSfLplx1hW02PyLD/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-18+at+9.45.52+AM.jpg" height="640" width="416" /></a></div>
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The second part of the give-away is a copy of my newly reissued book <i><a href="http://www.rowman.com/ISBN/9781608933594" target="_blank">A Blessing of Toads: A Guide to Living with Nature</a> (</i>Down East Books, December 2014). This book is filled with all sorts of tips for how to invite nature into your yard and it explains how nature helps you have a healthy, well-rounded garden. This has an updated cover and shortened title and subtitle from the 2005 version. The interior illustrations are in black and white only.<br />
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I will end this, my final post from the not-always-so-great 2014 (though it ended with a soft rainbow). I send a prayer that your 2015 will be bright, healthy, and joyful.<br />
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Happy New Year to you all.<br />
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Sending love across the miles,<br />
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SharonSharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-57994398760148837762014-11-17T13:16:00.000-08:002014-11-17T13:40:55.783-08:00When a Dream Becomes Reality it can be SCARY!<br />
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My "friends" Zenobia and Lark run for a hide-out.</div>
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Dear Friends,<br />
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Ok, so now I've confessed to you all that turning a dream into a reality is SCARY, really scary. That's exactly what happened to me on November the 11th, 2014. A book I began writing many years ago and that I never dreamed would be published, well, it was, and I am trying to grapple with disbelief and joy, two warring elements in my brain.<br />
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First you think to yourself, "I can write a book. If he can do it, then I can do it." Then you may sit at your desk and stare at a keyboard or pen for hours. It happens to us all.<br />
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For me the dream began in 1969 when I found an old suitcase filled with family letters that dated back to the late 1700s. I soaked in the cadence of their words, the thoughtfulness, the history, the Quaker dialect, the landscape. I rolled in the old letters the way a kitten tumbles around in a bed of<br />
catnip.<br />
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I began copying the letters in 1969...</div>
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...and continued in 1974.</div>
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Some of the letters were faded, and this particular one had blood spots on the top. I copied the letters every time I visited my Cousin Margaret Macdonald, who is the one who first took me to Quaker meetings at Goose Creek, Lincoln, Virginia. What a life-changing experience.</div>
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I made notes, copious notes; I copied every word in the letters; I visited the Virginia and Pennsylvania countryside and fell deeply in love with it and the people. I began to write, but I never really believed that anything other than a heartfelt story would emerge for my family to enjoy.<br />
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Enter my husband. "You can do it. Just keep shooting for the stars, and you'll do it." So I began to work on my book (which I still didn't believe would ever be a book), and I began to carry pages to my Cambria Writers' Workshop and Kiddie Writers, two critique groups that proved to be invaluable to my process.<br />
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Every day I wrote a few pages. Every Wednesday in Cambria I received critiques, drove home, and worked for five to six hours to remedy anything that needed to be remedied. Over and over, hour after hour. My friend, screenwriter Janet Brownell, once advised me to always walk away from my writing when I knew that I had more story inside me to tell. So every night I would get to a point that felt like the story was ready to flow, and I would close the lid to my computer, lock the studio door, and head back into my home and life.<br />
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Sometimes, because I spent so many hours working on the book, I actually dreamed out parts of the plot. Those dreams were an amazing gift. I'd get up in the morning and sprint into the studio to make note of them.<br />
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So now the book is out there in the world. It is like walking your son to his first day of kindergarten. How can I let this precious part of me face the world alone? It is as though you slice open your chest and fillet your heart into thin, thin pieces. Some critics will gobble up the pieces and spit them out as though they are spoiled, others may treasure their pieces and share them with their loved ones. I can't choose what happens, but I know that some will care for their book, others will toss it aside. I did my best and that is all I can do.<br />
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<b>WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I HAD MY BOOK LAUNCH PARTY?</b><br />
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You were all invited to the party, but I was so out of it (yes, I am still in the wheelchair) that I relied on word-of-mouth and Dr. Dan Krieger's wonderful Tribune newspaper story to alert my friends about the event held at The Steynberg Gallery in San Luis Obispo, California.<br />
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My sister Laurie, my dear friend Ginny, and Jeff start working the day of the party.</div>
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I am supervising!</div>
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Is this outdoor table fabulous? YES! My friends Susie Bassetti (Bassetti Vineyards), Cindy Steidel, Penny, Carol, Ginny, and my sis and brother-in-law, and Jeff worked hard to ready the area. Pomegranates, sunflowers, pine cones, Grenache grape vines cut by Ellis Bassette, my dear ones pitched in.</div>
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Jeff rolls me through the garden as we leave for The Steynberg Gallery. "Nobody will come," I tell Jeff. He says, "We will have a heck of a lot of cake to eat then." That does NOT reassure me.</div>
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"See," I said, "nobody is coming. Get out the cake knife."</div>
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When he wheeled me through the door, I wanted to kiss everyone there.</div>
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My friend Dee Dee Osborne drove down from Carmel. Dee Dee and I knew each other many years ago in Santa Barbara. Talk about an amazing reconnection. We "found" each other because she wrote me after watching an episode of Central Texas Gardener, on which I appeared. Imagine, Central Texas Gardener has such outreach. (Linda Lehmusvirta, Tom Spencer and staff, amazing).</div>
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I looked out into the audience and saw so many who are my beloved, long-time friends.</div>
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Throughout the event my friends, musicians, composers, singer extraordinare, Mary Anne and Ames Anderson of Simple Pleasures, performed music of the 1850s. They were superb!</div>
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Back at my home Cindy, Susie, Ginny, Carol, and Penny (who was outside finishing bouquets) slaved in my little kitchen.</div>
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I celebrated, signed books, saw old friends I hadn't seen in years.</div>
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Oh, and we all ate cake, glorious chocolate fudge and carrot cake. Whatever was left over was sent (with the cover intact) on to Hawthorne School.</div>
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My stepson Jim efficiently handles book sales. This one is to my dear friend Elizabeth Spurr who has many, many children's books to her credit. She is a fabulous writer. All net proceeds from the sale are to benefit the historic Dallidet Adobe and Garden in San Luis Obispo, California.</div>
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I especially loved talking to children who are also interested in becoming writers. We need more programs for young writers. </div>
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Jeff watches over me and everything going on. Since I couldn't walk around and visit, he did it for me. What a partner he is. Thank you, Jeffrey! </div>
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Great friends begin to arrive at my home. Jeanie Greensfelder (left, who recently had her poem read on Writer's Almanac), Connie Higdon Gannon, who is the new director of Greenspace in Cambria, Annie, a wonderful photographer and ceramist, and Thomas, who writes beautifully. </div>
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The farm table is slowly being filled with foods for fabulous friends.</div>
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Dear friends Matt Spurr, Ginny Holihan, Susan Branch, Diana, Lee, and Penny (who finally sat down for a moment of rest).</div>
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More friends (fainter of heart and not so wild about the cooling weather outdoors) moved inside.</div>
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The candles lit, the food available, and some brave souls ventured outdoors to eat and talk.</div>
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Writer/photographer Lorin Cary shoots some photos. Check out his Facebook page.</div>
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My adopted daughter Skydrea serenaded me with her newly written song and her amazing, thrush-like voice. Thank you dear, Skye.</div>
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The day was a looooong one, but one of the most wonderful of my life. Thank you to all my dear friends and readers who helped me celebrate the birth of my book. You make my life richer and fuller. A million thanks to my brother-in-law Jeff Prather and my sis Laurie. Jeff took most of these photos.</div>
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Love across the miles and thank you for joining me. I think I posted too many photos, but I wanted to share the experiences. I know that I am not posting blogs very often. Sometimes it seems like days are not even 24 hours long now. </div>
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Sharon</div>
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P.S. The winner of the book <i>An Ocean Garden</i> by Josie Iselin was chosen by the random number generator. Congratulations to Cathi Lamoreux. Cathi, I don't have your address. Please send it along to me and we'll ship the book to you.</div>
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Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-35740884163739750202014-10-18T14:08:00.003-07:002014-11-22T08:54:27.468-08:00Maine-ly Memories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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November 21, 2014 UPDATE: Read about The Lost Kitchen in this NY Times <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/23/travel/restaurant-report-the-lost-kitchen-in-freedom-me.html?emc=eta1&_r=0" target="_blank">article</a>.<br />
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Sunrise in Maine</div>
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Dear Friends,<br />
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Your once peripatetic friend is grounded. I am sitting up in bed for the second week in a row, but getting stronger every day. Watch where you're stepping when you're out in your gardens at night.<br />
I stepped out of my studio door and ended up with a fractured ankle, torn ligaments, bumps, bruises, a head knot, a sprain, AND my first ride in an ambulance. The worst is behind me, and I am feeling good and ready to get up and run...or maybe not run, but walk again.<br />
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Being in a wheelchair has REALLY taught me a lot about the challenges that people must face. Every small bump, change in ground level, or step is a challenge, sometimes a challenge that makes even the easiest chores turn into a grueling physical effort. Hats off to all of you who wrestle with canes, crutches, and wheelchairs. Let's try to make the road smoother for everyone.<br />
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Thanks a zillion for well-wishes, calls, food, and for cards and gifts. I am humbled by your many kindnesses and will try to pay them forward to someone in need. You know who you are...Vicki Boster, Lori Hibbard, Susan Branch, Susie Bassetti, Virginia Holihan, Vicki Greene, and so many others. You are in my heart. Oh, and I should mention that my family, and Jeff have been fantastic, just fantastic. I owe them, big time.<br />
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Since my last posting I have been in New Hampshire on Lake Sunapee and in our beloved cottage/camp in Maine. I also thoroughly lost myself in the culture of apples. Every tree looked like a gift from heaven, loaded with shiny, green and red fruits, and history, volumes of history.<br />
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Please join me for a too long overdue and too long posting. Oh, and I still have to mail out the <i>Stillmeadow Cookbook</i>. Life has been wild. I appreciate your patience.<br />
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<b>BASKET LIST DREAMS</b><br />
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I have always wanted to visit Boston's famous <a href="http://swanboats.com/" target="_blank">Swan Boats</a> and also the <a href="http://www.boston-discovery-guide.com/make-way-for-ducklings.html" target="_blank">Robert McCloskey ducklings</a>. Our dear friends Aline and Frank are Bostonians. They shared the adventure with us and introduced us to some of Boston's hidden treasures and neighborhoods.<br />
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There they are! I felt like a kid when I saw them!</div>
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Patrick was our captain.</div>
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Make <a href="http://www.boston-discovery-guide.com/make-way-for-ducklings.html" target="_blank">Way for Ducklings</a>!</div>
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Our dear friends Aline and Frank on the shore of <a href="http://www.lakesunapeenh.org/" target="_blank">Lake Sunapee</a>. Pretty adorable, huh?</div>
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Just a small taste of Maine.</div>
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On Cottage Point Road in Damariscotta, Maine. A gift to any passerby from Sharon and Jim Aderman. Take a book, read a book, return it, or replace it with another. Their beautiful mini-library. I love it.</div>
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Gotta love this! On the road to Freedom, Maine.</div>
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One of my favorite little islands and lighthouses on Curtis Island. This is just outside Camden Harbor on the way to Vinalhaven, the beloved island of<i> </i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Wise_Brown" target="_blank">Margaret Wise Brown</a>., author of <i>Goodnight Moon</i> (and a hundred other books, including <i>The Little Island</i> done in pseudonym Golden MacDonald). </div>
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Illustrator/Caldecott Honor winner/author/ <a href="http://melissasweet.net/" target="_blank">Melissa Sweet</a> sketches as we plow through the waves toward Vinalhaven. During waking hours, the sketchbook is never far from her.</div>
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Traffic Jam</div>
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Bye bye traffic jam.</div>
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Approaching "The Only House" so named because Margaret had never owned another house. (See <a href="http://sharonlovejoy.blogspot.com/2012/07/good-night-moongood-morning-little.html" target="_blank">earlier blog posting</a> that shows her New York City home, which she didn't own). "The Only House" is on the site of an old granite quarry.</div>
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<a href="http://www.melissasweet.net/" target="_blank">Melissa Sweet</a> and me on the deck of "The Only House." True bliss.</div>
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Margaret's mossy, lichened apple tree. </div>
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I couldn't stop studying the beauty of the mosses and lichens. Look at the little British soldier lichen in full red uniform. The macrocosm is so amazing if we just take the time to really look.</div>
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No other words necessary.</div>
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If you're fascinated by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Wise_Brown" target="_blank">Margaret Wise Brown</a>, you should read this old classics and read <i>Awakened by the Moon</i>, which is a biography of her too short, but extremely productive and creative life.</div>
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Sitting on Margaret's settee beside her desk. The view is what inspired her to write her The <i>Little Island</i>, which maybe what inspired me to write my <i><a href="https://squareup.com/market/sharon-lovejoy/the-little-green-island-with-a-little-red-house" target="_blank">The Little Green Island with a Little Red House</a></i>.</div>
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Here is the view of her little island.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgq_YGwjDZ-j2DvG0U3GCArK6q4YoBFyqQLfdPoRk-jv1x5DtjuFxFjBkqfsJSx4CTjV40fxNb3PO46_h44r1U09neAGajdNS0yLUQ4zSm4UkSC7lzOy4flQgfEmDtz1NHdqIrBfTfkfhV/s1600/DSCN1601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgq_YGwjDZ-j2DvG0U3GCArK6q4YoBFyqQLfdPoRk-jv1x5DtjuFxFjBkqfsJSx4CTjV40fxNb3PO46_h44r1U09neAGajdNS0yLUQ4zSm4UkSC7lzOy4flQgfEmDtz1NHdqIrBfTfkfhV/s1600/DSCN1601.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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An enlarged version of my book <i><a href="https://squareup.com/market/sharon-lovejoy/the-little-green-island-with-a-little-red-house" target="_blank">The Little Green Island With a Little Red House</a></i>. Makes it easier for reading to big groups. This book is going into its <a href="https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781608934652" target="_blank">second printing</a> with DownEast Books, an imprint of Rowman & Littlefield, and should be out soon.</div>
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This was so touching to me. They've inscribed the tombstone with her words in <i>The Little Island </i>(<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVekF8HBH3k#t=53" target="_blank">video</a>).</div>
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For my birthday, Jeff treated me to a dinner at <a href="http://thelostkitchen.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">The Lost Kitchen</a> in Freedom, Maine. The restaurant is in this old mill, which has been completely renovated. You enter it by walking over a pond and stream. It is magical. Pure heaven. Everything. Pure heaven. The food, my friends, the setting, the entire experience. You must (if you're in Maine) treat yourself to this expeience, but reservations are a necessity. I think my friend <a href="http://lynnkarlinphoto.com/" target="_blank">Lynn Karlin</a> made the reservations about five weeks in advance.</div>
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In the dining room.</div>
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On our table.</div>
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Back at our camp, to get reacquainted with Audrey, I pile black sunflower seeds on my foot. It is literally the first step.</div>
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Sweet Audrey. My favorite chipmunk.</div>
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I'll leave you with a heart full of gratitude for family and friends. </div>
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I originally wanted to write a big posting about apples and apple trees, but that will have to wait till next time.</div>
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Oh, and I guess I should mention the release party for my new book.</div>
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It is on Sunday, November the 9th at 2 p.m. at the <a href="http://steynberggallery.com/" target="_blank">Steynberg Gallery</a>, 1531 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, California. All net proceeds from book sales will benefit the gardens of the historic <a href="http://dallidet.org/" target="_blank">Dallidet Adobe and Gardens</a> in San Luis Obispo. Come join us!</div>
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With love across the miles,</div>
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Sharon</div>
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p.s. Leave a comment on this post or <a href="http://www.sharonlovejoy.blogspot.com/2014/09/footsteps-in-sand.html" target="_blank">the previous one</a> to be eligible to win the drawing for these gorgeous <a href="http://www.josieiselin.com/" target="_blank">Josie Iselin</a> books.</div>
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NOTE: <span style="font-size: large;">ONLY</span> if you leave a comment as "<span style="font-size: large;">Anonymous</span>," begin your comment with "<span style="font-size: large;">Sharon</span>" to dodge our spam filter and be sure to list your name at the end of your comment.</div>
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Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-51199122152655642802014-09-08T14:58:00.001-07:002014-09-08T15:00:24.492-07:00Footsteps in the Sand<br />
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Canning jars filled with seawater.</div>
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Dear Friends,<br />
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Not such a long wait between posts this time. First, let me thank KJ for the card, article, and sweet thoughts. Your gardens DO look fabulous. Vicki Boster, your box of tasty delights arrived to great family fanfare. Thank you so much for everything. I don't know how you do all you do.<br />
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I just spent a few hours with our new caretaker, walking the gardens, showing him birdbaths, fountains, feeders, getting him into the swing of caring for this old house and my demanding (but worth it) gardens and container plantings.<br />
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As I write this, there are suitcases, computers, iPads, and more waiting by the door.<br />
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We leave for Maine in just a couple of hours. This won't be our normal long time, but it will be enough time to refill our depleted and tired spirits. Maine. Just saying the word makes me happy.<br />
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The perfect reading/bird watching/ dream spot on our little island in Maine.</div>
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Where do you turn when things worry you or you aren't feeling peaceful? I make soup, work in the garden, but mostly I walk, walk, walk. A few miles everyday helps to keep my soul happy and my brain receptive and creative. My favorite walks are on starry nights...<br />
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... or by day, a walk along the shore, bird watching, finding just the RIGHT rock or shell, or watching the Humpbacks breaching and spy-hopping inside the kelp beds.<br />
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This is a short walk with me. At the end of the walk, I am THRILLED to be able to offer a wonderful give-away from <a href="http://www.josieiselin.com/" target="_blank">Josie Iselin</a>, author, photographer, naturalist, and benefactor of nature. My first offering is the book <i><b><a href="http://www.abramsbooks.com/Books/An_Ocean_Garden-9781419711701.html" target="_blank">An Ocean Garden</a></b>. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91YIss3yeKuwwA8W5moZxu1sBNy4ocsZKdqQlswSqlChIyyQV2YCYiBzDRok5bVuTFElQntweleIkoRCRxj1FXvpADZgY6_YofzU6l392WKTRI3d7sJK3Jg2uuWWfR1snGi1oftqsl3-C/s1600/IMG_1705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91YIss3yeKuwwA8W5moZxu1sBNy4ocsZKdqQlswSqlChIyyQV2YCYiBzDRok5bVuTFElQntweleIkoRCRxj1FXvpADZgY6_YofzU6l392WKTRI3d7sJK3Jg2uuWWfR1snGi1oftqsl3-C/s1600/IMG_1705.jpg" height="602" width="640" /></a></div>
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This Abrams book is gorgeous and full of information–a combo I adore. As I was purchasing this little gem, the other people in line were commenting on its beauty. The two clerks behind the counter also mentioned that it is exquisite. You'll love it, and it will change the way you look at seaweed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pf6L0YZqEDn3hdPzXeomgzJHCQyf9Esa8FX6hMERrdXnISByhP_5JMIt7x3AldCPiCWx36EI78NSo7N7pIfV8ma_4nR3XP6ZFwTKaQnhHwkC5FZMFZaGonpSWFJd_ekqRNkLtDcKb8F1/s1600/IMG_0789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pf6L0YZqEDn3hdPzXeomgzJHCQyf9Esa8FX6hMERrdXnISByhP_5JMIt7x3AldCPiCWx36EI78NSo7N7pIfV8ma_4nR3XP6ZFwTKaQnhHwkC5FZMFZaGonpSWFJd_ekqRNkLtDcKb8F1/s1600/IMG_0789.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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My second give-away is another of Josie's fabulous books, but this is offered only to members of my <a href="http://www.sharonlovejoy.com/CultivatingWonder/Grimy_Hands.html" target="_blank">Grimy Hands Girls' Club</a>. You know who you are. Leave a comment, and you're eligible.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ6So7U__BLDHEL2MvpIC72lpQMnwuwjExZighfz1FRQRi74Wdepj8ApNb_RujShH0tjYEufQd9BWP_hBUbw678FsaG-GIQ3CRRlfiaK8Vqntq3xgBxI76dXCf2H0qgj40diI_NEM2Md8/s1600/IMG_2129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ6So7U__BLDHEL2MvpIC72lpQMnwuwjExZighfz1FRQRi74Wdepj8ApNb_RujShH0tjYEufQd9BWP_hBUbw678FsaG-GIQ3CRRlfiaK8Vqntq3xgBxI76dXCf2H0qgj40diI_NEM2Md8/s1600/IMG_2129.jpg" height="634" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is a <a href="http://www.josieiselin.com/portfolio/beach-a-book-of-treasure-book/" target="_blank">coffee table sized book published</a> by <a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/" target="_blank">Chronicle Books</a>, noted for their fine work. I love this one and you will too.<br />
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Won't you join me as I wander? And look what I'm doing with the treasures I found...<br />
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This is a By-the-wind-sailor, a mini jellyfish that has a sail (see shiny spot above). The beaches were filled with thousands of these.</div>
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Sometimes I am out on the beach for hours, but I don't walk more than a few feet. Why? I plop down and sift through the incredible rocks and shells. I pick up sand dollars, study feathers...</div>
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I feel like a child.</div>
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After I read Josie's book, I decided to try my hand at pressing seaweed. So, I grabbed one of my canning jars out of my trunk and wandered along the shore. Soon, I had a jar full of beauty.</div>
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Seaweed specimens</div>
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Mother Nature's lacework.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I walked along the beach until I found a tide pool full of water, which I collected in some canning jars. (See top photo). I dipped into the pools so as not to collect sand or debris in the water.</span></div>
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When I returned home, I poured the seawater into a long container and gently transferred the seaweeds from the jar to the container.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvDrFM9ik7OwzWJtYi5PVu2GZhH_Kr9_gWN55PJ8HZf_EQThpfvYYwbwP05Bf0_NNIPBAcNwaOn_HD-LFYyzV3ouxOwwjfVe3EIzh5SYuKZ0m5vHpV2g1nD7Adt_ZVMj2Q8fMPeLbA43M/s1600/IMG_0871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvDrFM9ik7OwzWJtYi5PVu2GZhH_Kr9_gWN55PJ8HZf_EQThpfvYYwbwP05Bf0_NNIPBAcNwaOn_HD-LFYyzV3ouxOwwjfVe3EIzh5SYuKZ0m5vHpV2g1nD7Adt_ZVMj2Q8fMPeLbA43M/s1600/IMG_0871.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I toted my wildflower press out of "Sprig," my garden shed and set it outside near my potting bench, and I cut cardboard and thick, absorbent paper to fit inside my press.</div>
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I used a spatula to lift the seaweed out of the seawater, drain it, and spread it out on absorbent paper.</div>
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Then I used chopstick to gently fan out the seaweed. Note: I labeled where I found the seaweed, but at this point I didn't know WHAT I had found.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaw9GuCAyoNXrse3wwIzFphvWcJUCt-Z8ZTQNuJnNd9OfYhDGCWqH_nNJ6VkUnTnuKzMhyCGwuCr6PDLWqqg-kafIpfBfCSoxff13NXM25cYs_kpoIvfpCpLCBv-AVHxkIVfCRfqnjR_r/s1600/IMG_0849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaw9GuCAyoNXrse3wwIzFphvWcJUCt-Z8ZTQNuJnNd9OfYhDGCWqH_nNJ6VkUnTnuKzMhyCGwuCr6PDLWqqg-kafIpfBfCSoxff13NXM25cYs_kpoIvfpCpLCBv-AVHxkIVfCRfqnjR_r/s1600/IMG_0849.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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It has been a zillion years since I've worn nylons. So what better use for them than for the process of drying the seaweed? I cut these into small squares to stretch onto the top of the seaweed. When I press the seaweed, this will keep it from sticking onto the paper above it.</div>
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Seaweed under otherwise useless nylons.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Gb6QKVmZezLy_J1-2LVFy3kADHQ9Hre8pe93JO3Li8Ot2IVqLgA8fK4y-_3toBa4CFvMLBQAx2RCYCwFb6gopnRGOz-l-ejkm-RXcsxMowmHxB4WJCklOKj1YXqWbDL9ho7eQQZlLHww/s1600/IMG_1413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Gb6QKVmZezLy_J1-2LVFy3kADHQ9Hre8pe93JO3Li8Ot2IVqLgA8fK4y-_3toBa4CFvMLBQAx2RCYCwFb6gopnRGOz-l-ejkm-RXcsxMowmHxB4WJCklOKj1YXqWbDL9ho7eQQZlLHww/s1600/IMG_1413.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Don't worry, I did smooth this out before pressing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2erf8j-YE-sp7jC9gIl8MSNWYgUNxmdB-NhkcIkpxilbAZvTCA9dEWeO2Ddlci8tWFubP3eSz-xKqwFicHi_EHCdiS-ZDt6bk38zi18O8bb8bIQleY8uSjs7IaV0Tj_zpyJDdntGHo87/s1600/IMG_0862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2erf8j-YE-sp7jC9gIl8MSNWYgUNxmdB-NhkcIkpxilbAZvTCA9dEWeO2Ddlci8tWFubP3eSz-xKqwFicHi_EHCdiS-ZDt6bk38zi18O8bb8bIQleY8uSjs7IaV0Tj_zpyJDdntGHo87/s1600/IMG_0862.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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See the cardboard and paper on the right side? I put it into the press in layers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShAopQebSlJ7VoqiXi9y_il-sPEZoKX-tI9mKsHk4XF_HI_LgOZ-os-SN3dz0rxOodLFyMiE9-ZGD7zSptQ-TWWERQQmZzpfZvjvbjgiZSpJ5SNtDtPYu7AcKKDr6A4zWePYAQtcRqPgT/s1600/IMG_1410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShAopQebSlJ7VoqiXi9y_il-sPEZoKX-tI9mKsHk4XF_HI_LgOZ-os-SN3dz0rxOodLFyMiE9-ZGD7zSptQ-TWWERQQmZzpfZvjvbjgiZSpJ5SNtDtPYu7AcKKDr6A4zWePYAQtcRqPgT/s1600/IMG_1410.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the seaweed after two days. I change the paper daily to keep moisture away from the specimen. When I am finished with this, I'll mount it on fine rag paper and put it under glass, or maybe under the glass of a coffee table or my tea table. Isn't it elegant?</div>
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Ok, so enough of this puttering around and doing EVERYTHING EXCEPT the final touches on our garden and packing. </div>
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I am happy to announce that the winner of the Glady Taber's <a href="http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=9840313902&searchurl=an%3Dtaber%2Bgladys%26amp%3Btn%3Dstillmeadow%2Bcookbook" target="_blank"><i>Stillmeadow Cookbook</i></a> is:</div>
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Donna O'Shaughnessy. Donna has a few active blogs. Check her out at </div>
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<a href="http://midlifefarmwife.blogspot.com/">http://midlifefarmwife.blogspot.com</a>. </div>
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Congratulations Donna! We will ship this out to you upon returning to California. Just in time for you to do some wonderful, old-fashioned autumn recipes.</div>
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Farewell to you all and love across the miles,</div>
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Sharon</div>
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P.S. For those of you who live along the Central Coast of California (or the valley), please know that you are invited to my book launch party on November the 9th (Sunday) from 2 to 4 P.M. in the heirloom gardens of the old Dallidet Adobe on Toro Street in San Luis Obispo, California. All book sales will benefit the gardens of the Dallidet. It is my hope that we will earn enough money to reconstruct the once magnificent arbor leading up the front pathway to the porch. We'll have food, music by Simple Pleasures (Mary Anne and Ames Anderson), drink, joy, and a short, short talk about publishing and its many pitfalls and adventures. Come join me in celebration of my debut middle grade novel <i style="font-weight: bold;">Running Out of Night </i>(Delacorte Press, the literary imprint of Penguin-Random House). Hurrah!</div>
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This pathway deserves a new arbor to lead the way to the old adobe.</div>
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Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-40650978799086285032014-08-23T14:47:00.000-07:002014-08-26T21:54:24.726-07:00Her Hands Darted and Dived Like Swallows<br />
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Mission and Brown Turkey Figs from the trees I planted 7 years ago. Some of the crop will be dried, some preserved, some cooked and soaked in brandy (Sicilian style). But most of those incomparable figs will be popped into our mouths (and the mouths of our grandkids who love the figs).</div>
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Dear Friends,<br />
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Oops, where did our summer go? Week after week I have meant to post something, but life keeps jamming itself in between me and my work. This is the first big block of time I've had without any assignments. My first time off in eight years. It is the waiting game for me, waiting for my book release, waiting to see if Random House will exercise their option on my newly finished work, waiting for the apples to ripen, the figs to stop exploding everywhere, waiting for life to slow down a tad so I can get caught up. Although I am a patient person, waiting is the toughest thing for me to endure.<br />
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Lots of wonderful letters and cards (and gifts) have come my way. Thank you for writing and voicing your concerns that "everyone is stopping blogging and just posting on Facebook." I won't let you down Darla, Laurie, Julie Marie, Nell, Lori in Indiana, Anonymous (who ARE YOU?), so many of you who don't connect via Facebook. It just takes me a little longer these days.<br />
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Jeff and I had our first stay at Lake Tahoe. Wow, it is so incredibly, deliciously beautiful. I wish we'd had more time to explore, but we did take long walks during both the day and the starry nights. My favorite area was Sugar Pine Point, part of the California State Parks. It is lovely and pristine and perfect for hiking, swimming, and a good, old-fashioned picnic.<br />
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Sugar Pine Point at Lake Tahoe (California State Parks). </div>
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Tahoe is so clear you can see to a depth of about 80 feet. Amazing.</div>
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After Lake Tahoe we drove to Boise, Idaho, for the wedding of my nephew and his beautiful bride.</div>
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The wedding was held high atop a mountain above the thriving city. We danced, laughed, and enjoyed the joyful family time.</div>
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The next day we went to the Basque Festival in the Basque section of Boise and arrived at the huge pans of paella a few minutes late. Too late, but the aroma was heavenly.</div>
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ALMOST, but not quite.</div>
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<b>HOME</b></div>
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Homecoming is always good. Fruit trees laden, berries popping, basil and cilantro flourishing, figs exploding everywhere (with birds, raccoons and opossum fighting over them), and everything ready for eating or preserving.</div>
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<b>A Tribute to Gladys Marie McKinstry (aka Gram)</b><br />
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Gram McKinstry's tiny, freckled hands darted and dived like swallows as she worked in her kitchen. She was the master pie maker, quickly rolling out chilled dough, draping it over her rolling pin, and laying it across her masterpieces. Without missing a word in her "how-to-make-perfect-pie-crust" sentence, she crimped the dough and with the edge of a fork quickly etched leaves, tendrils, and flowers into the top of each pie. Remarkable and beautiful, and I WISH more than you'll ever know that I had taken a photo of those works of art.<br />
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<b>The Hottest Day in August</b><br />
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The Dog Days of summer were the times you'd find us sitting at the old oak table in Gram's tiny kitchen. Usually on the hottest of hot, miserably humid Indiana days that could melt a glacier, Gram would say, "Time for canning. I'm nearly out of 'chila sauce'." Yep, you read it right, "chila sauce." (And I STILL call it that in her honor).<br />
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Gram and I would tie on our aprons and pull a motley assortment of pots and bowls out of her pantry. We'd wipe down the oil cloth covered table, move the toaster out of the center and onto the counter, and get busy.<br />
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Gram and Gramp had a small, but VERY productive garden that was just steps from the kitchen. The great thing about it was that the "Redbird," the Cardinal, was always flashing in and out of the trellis of 'Heavenly Blue' morning glories that shaded her back porch. He kept his bright eye fixed on everything that we did out in their garden.<br />
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We'd pick bushels of fat, juicy tomatoes and tote them into the kitchen, wash them quickly, and slit a tiny X in the side of each one. Then we'd plop them, one-by-one, into a tall enamel pan of boiling water. They'd barely be in for a minute, then another quick dip of a big spoon and they were back out and sitting in a colander atop a cookie sheet.<br />
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Gram and I would grab a tomato, toss it from hand to hand and gripe about how hot it was, then slip off the peels and move onto another hot one. I could feel the sweat running down my scalp and soaking through my clothes. Gram said that ladies don't sweat, so I guess I'm not a lady because I sweated copiously.<br />
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We canned and preserved tomatoes, grapes, berries, dilly beans, and more. I lost myself in her little kitchen, lost myself in her stories about family, about the small town of Apollo, Pennsylvania, where her parents had a bookstore/general store. We laughed, cried about the death of her sister, bemoaned the state of world politics, and somehow, without keeping track, we'd work our way through buckets and baskets of produce.<br />
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On cold Indiana mornings, when the sun barely shone through the windows, Gram could pry off a lid, or lift off a thick plug of wax, and spread the taste of a bright summer day onto her toast. Or, she'd shake some "chila sauce" onto her eggs and onto Gramp's potatoes. She'd remember the hot days we worked and laughed together in her kitchen.<br />
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For the past three months, I've thought a lot about all my grandparents and the ones I was lucky to inherit through marriage (Gram McKinstry). I started to yearn for the feelings I'd once shared in Gram's kitchen, so I took to the hardware store, bought lids, rings, jars, pectin, lemon juice, and lugs of produce. Now what? I asked myself. I'd forgotten so much, too much to do things correctly. So, I signed up for some preserving classes taught by Master Food Preserver (same idea as Master Gardener) Ingrid Hilton. Once a month for the past three months I've attended one of Ingrid's wonderful workshops at <a href="http://avilavalleybarn.com/" target="_blank">Avila Valley Barn</a> in Avila Beach.<br />
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The Avila Barn is great just as a place to visit (especially with kids). They have organic produce, baked goods, gifts, animals, hay rides, and fabulous food in their deli. Now they're hosting food preserving classes and a special boxed lunch from the deli (where they smoke their own meat).</div>
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The boxed lunch.</div>
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Classroom under the arbor at Avila Valley Barn taught by the fabulous Ingrid Hilton.</div>
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Ingrid and her family cart all of her canning paraphernalia to the classes. Not an easy chore.</div>
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Ingrid and her "team," Krista and Nicole, her daughters who grew up canning and preserving.</div>
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Sauerkraut in the making</div>
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Wondering what to do with all your old rings? Ingrid ties them together and uses them as a rack for the bottom of her water baths.</div>
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<b>Gram Would be Happy</b></div>
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So now I've refreshed my memory (somewhat) and had some triumphs and some resounding failures. I walked away from my grape jelly (went outside to the garden and forgot myself), and it turned into clear concrete. I could not get the spoon out of the jelly pot and had to throw everything away. I was laughing so hard that Jeff thought I was having a nervous breakdown.</div>
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I did remember one of the most important short-cuts Gram taught me, and I'll share that secret with you. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhpzHQnv2LA0jfkY-6wmLg45aFifCNpKbxLJ71hxGvIodY_Q8047sxoxrzJ8YVJOrKHx63aQaptU0FyOjx8s011JjcG3y3rNi8uFij-20Al1anYIRmHtUaW8Tn4gE0vwuYHfgrlpw-SMz/s1600/IMG_1237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhpzHQnv2LA0jfkY-6wmLg45aFifCNpKbxLJ71hxGvIodY_Q8047sxoxrzJ8YVJOrKHx63aQaptU0FyOjx8s011JjcG3y3rNi8uFij-20Al1anYIRmHtUaW8Tn4gE0vwuYHfgrlpw-SMz/s1600/IMG_1237.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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ALWAYS keep a good supply of cream of tartar on hand. All the scorched pots were half filled with water, and I added a few tablespoons of cream of tartar to each one and gently boiled them. What looked like irreversible damage soon worked itself loose and with a bit of scraping the pots are now fine.</div>
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Here is another hint. Don't taste jelly. IT IS HOT. How did I forget that? Also, wear shoes that cover your feet (I learned this the hard way). And, always have a healthy and flourishing aloe vera plant close by.</div>
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<b>Make it Fun!</b></div>
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Yesterday my friend Linda and I spent most of the day in her once immaculate and well-outfitted kitchen. We strapped on our aprons and set to work.</div>
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Gram and I never used an ice bath for our boiling hot tomatoes. Dropping them into the ice bath cooled them by 50% and made it easier to remove the skins. Look closely at the bottom of the photo above–I use these Chinese wire and bamboo tools to lift fruit and veggies out of the boiling water.</div>
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Gloves for working with hot peppers. Don't try doing it with bare hands.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmTFx1nnDdcayQM_H5R4CUD_2nQUHZzUdJVKjHmVpogUm0kd2ILDj_joWhx0UNrh_B6INOAUtMWBQv_N12dEh0sHku56U9TNgVLn9vpeGpZx-y2d6X-NSD937xbaTE1XxpAV74smu1vvY/s1600/IMG_1690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmTFx1nnDdcayQM_H5R4CUD_2nQUHZzUdJVKjHmVpogUm0kd2ILDj_joWhx0UNrh_B6INOAUtMWBQv_N12dEh0sHku56U9TNgVLn9vpeGpZx-y2d6X-NSD937xbaTE1XxpAV74smu1vvY/s1600/IMG_1690.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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We roasted trays and trays of peppers, onions, garlic, and tomatoes. The roasting caramelizes the veggies and tugs out their deep flavors. I think roasting the veggies is the key to this salsa being so tasty.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-T9MxJMFxLuLw9ZulbXoo_3VqhoZMexxTMnHQM1ai5DajWa8G5n4hesr07OCDupeS9z6Sc_BecUWz-_GCKz_7mSloEHz03C-e8bDeRdXarw2taojwonTFyzkYXVAIRGFofXHXF0nWZ5FL/s1600/IMG_1675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-T9MxJMFxLuLw9ZulbXoo_3VqhoZMexxTMnHQM1ai5DajWa8G5n4hesr07OCDupeS9z6Sc_BecUWz-_GCKz_7mSloEHz03C-e8bDeRdXarw2taojwonTFyzkYXVAIRGFofXHXF0nWZ5FL/s1600/IMG_1675.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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Salsa, or what Gram called "chila sauce," bubbling in the pot. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJh2raaLL4XMokltUKYD3LidbMX_AQhhfdoUeXpDaUGdPHL8jwSTnq6xqYZVFDlX8PYfKNcEsFeWdhXz_CFHM5gwiT2k09Bfk3gMRau9B-Oh4gkb78WvArRjrnGA6ANtmvDj_o1eJlmES/s1600/IMG_1693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJh2raaLL4XMokltUKYD3LidbMX_AQhhfdoUeXpDaUGdPHL8jwSTnq6xqYZVFDlX8PYfKNcEsFeWdhXz_CFHM5gwiT2k09Bfk3gMRau9B-Oh4gkb78WvArRjrnGA6ANtmvDj_o1eJlmES/s1600/IMG_1693.jpg" /></a></div>
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The final step is to toss in some fresh cilantro-which we forgot to do. So we added it to each individual jar of salsa and shoved it into the liquid.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglkKMVLFgiloifwfm2wBRgKaoak7WIFGkjK5SSkej-xch_wlWw3Gxh5jq2ngX55mEJmBk2ZrqmIkn7Js0Le-Vw-0kwp0dZ1VgnWyv4NVYxX_yr83AOYTk7m4eR_lBd4lvDF06PAgpv94O/s1600/IMG_1702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglkKMVLFgiloifwfm2wBRgKaoak7WIFGkjK5SSkej-xch_wlWw3Gxh5jq2ngX55mEJmBk2ZrqmIkn7Js0Le-Vw-0kwp0dZ1VgnWyv4NVYxX_yr83AOYTk7m4eR_lBd4lvDF06PAgpv94O/s1600/IMG_1702.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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All's well that cans well.</div>
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Everything tasted fantastic. Now we'll let them mellow and intensify for a month or so. I did a happy dance every time one of the lids popped, which signifies that it sealed properly. It is so satisfying to see your work shining/glowing from a line of jars. </div>
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Another Hint: Don't buy the green or blue "vintage" canning jars. Your canned goods will look brown (mine sure did; these above are Linda's clear jars, much better).</div>
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Here is the simple salsa aka "Chila sauce" recipe Ingrid Hilton shared with us (with some modifications).</div>
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4 cups of onion</div>
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6 cups fresh mixed mild peppers (we chose red/orange/yellow bells, but NO GREEN ONES)</div>
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1 cup fresh mixed hot peppers (you can adjust)</div>
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12 cups fresh tomatoes (about five pounds)</div>
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1/4 cup chopped garlic</div>
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1/3 cup pepper flakes</div>
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3 tsp. salt (we halved this and figured people could salt to their taste)</div>
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1 tsp. pepper</div>
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1 cup vinegar</div>
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1 cup cilantro (we used more)</div>
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Wash tomatoes and use an apple corer or melon scooper on stem end.</div>
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Cut tomatoes in half and roast them face down in the oven. Pull off skins, chop tomatoes and pour into a large pot.</div>
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Chop onions, garlic, and peppers, and roast in oven. We added our garlic during the last few minutes of roasting the onions and peppers. You don't want your garlic to burn because it gets bitter. Add all to pot of tomatoes. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, but <b>DON'T BOIL. At the end of cooking time toss in the cilantro and stir. Don't forget it like we did!</b></div>
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Ladle mixture into your hot, sterilized jars, wipe inside tops of jars (so it doesn't spoil on the shelf), screw on bands JUST till finger tight, don't crank them because you want air to escape from bottle. </div>
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Put jars in boiling water bath (cover at least 2 inches above lids) and process for 15 minutes. </div>
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Lift out jars and set on a towel to cool. <b>REMOVE THE BANDS after the jar lid pops and seals.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVQHkN5uhVKdPacV90VNQE10XsnSMvyL1NNnmf3nh2lGK3HIeQucfUQLj6t1TQzvyLgz4dY4yzJ26-dIzRObpkSFrOaBqPRwQkCr6Q1JQeYIFQdjaApvEhOhCPo4RSYgThUaQKCI35xt4/s1600/IMG_1650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVQHkN5uhVKdPacV90VNQE10XsnSMvyL1NNnmf3nh2lGK3HIeQucfUQLj6t1TQzvyLgz4dY4yzJ26-dIzRObpkSFrOaBqPRwQkCr6Q1JQeYIFQdjaApvEhOhCPo4RSYgThUaQKCI35xt4/s1600/IMG_1650.jpg" height="162" width="640" /></a></div>
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I don't mean to insult you, but when Jeff asked, "What are the bands?" I figured that there might be one or two of you out there who do not know what they are.</div>
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<b></b>You don't want to store your jars with bands on because you won't be able to detect a badly sealed jar or spoilage. Store in a cool, dark place for about a month.</div>
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<b>AND THE LUCKY WINNERS of the <i><a href="http://workman.com/products/9780761177487/" target="_blank">One-Hour Cheese</a></i> book drawing are-</b></div>
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<b>(Thank you, <a href="http://www.workman.com/" target="_blank">Workman Publishing</a>)</b></div>
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCk7t57baDupW2S3YGY15OVu3T-RY0e0nAmvQDL1w55UuhO0U0D6Ts40V95yk5E2RAKnCocg9f9XB7ZGlzpmS0o1hxPGLa8GH3YzIsLy6waClKujG9uuHtGhULRL8_DdyCxUY6gucSn0O/s1600/IMG_1227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCk7t57baDupW2S3YGY15OVu3T-RY0e0nAmvQDL1w55UuhO0U0D6Ts40V95yk5E2RAKnCocg9f9XB7ZGlzpmS0o1hxPGLa8GH3YzIsLy6waClKujG9uuHtGhULRL8_DdyCxUY6gucSn0O/s1600/IMG_1227.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b>CONGRATULATIONS TO:</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Bonnie-<a href="http://fromawriterskitchen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">From a Writer's Kitchen </a>blog </b></div>
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(please send me your mailing address and I will forward to Workman Publishing)</div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>and</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Khadijah-<a href="http://www.wideearth.us/" target="_blank">Wide Earth</a></b></div>
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(please send me your mailing address)</div>
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<b>Stay tuned. My next posting will have a fabulous give-away of a great book <a href="http://www.josieiselin.com/portfolio/an-ocean-garden-book/" target="_blank"><i>An Ocean Garden-the Secret Life of Seaweed</i></a> by Josie Iselin.</b></div>
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<b>This exquisite book will change the way you look at the seaweed strewn on the beach, but then, that is Josie's calling, to open our eyes to the beauty around us. You may know her for some of her other books:</b></div>
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So stay tuned and be sure to leave comments on the posting to be eligible for the new drawing.<br />
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<b>Heartfelt thanks</b></div>
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I'll finish this too long posting with a <b>HUGE </b>and heartfelt thank you to all of you who have sent <i><a href="https://squareup.com/market/sharon-lovejoy/trowel-error" target="_blank">Trowel and Error</a></i> into its 12th printing. Thank you, thank you!</div>
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Signing off from this too long missive and wishing you all well.</div>
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Love across the miles and faretheewell,</div>
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Sharon (Look below to see what I just found!)</div>
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Yippee! A special give-away to all of you who leave a comment on this blog posting. I found that I have two copies of this special, old-fashioned cookbook. Leave me a note and be entered into the drawing. Good luck!</div>
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Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-1316219731807171062014-07-08T16:23:00.002-07:002014-07-09T10:30:10.422-07:00Summer in the Midnight Kitchen<br />
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Getting ready to preserve the Concord grapes. I separate them from the stem, rinse them in cold water, and let them dry. Next thing I am tackling is preserving grape leaves for dolmas and other things.</div>
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Dear Friends,</div>
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Oh those sleepless nights... what good can come of them? <b>Plenty</b>! It is my time to sit in the kitchen rocker, find a great recipe, sip some tea, then get up and cook. During those dark and quiet hours I create a maelstrom of foods, syrups, liqueurs, dashed across the walls, counters, and of course, in small, sticky pools on the old wooden floors. What a mess, but also, what a joy to create and have something wonderful waiting for me when I wake in the morning. Jeff loves to smell all the good things I've cooked up and he doesn't bemoan the fact that his feet often stick to the floor.<br />
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During summer's bounty there are so many projects to accomplish. I'll show you just a few of my favorites. I am bad about following recipes, though I LOVE to read cookbooks, so these are experiments and done for food, fun, and for future projects, maybe even my own book of treasured recipes and projects.<br />
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These are a few of the zillions of seedless Concords dangling from our arbor. It is hard to believe that I planted the six of them from cuttings smaller than a pencil. Now they are 10 feet tall and trail and climb 30 feet of arbors and posts.</div>
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The birds harvest plenty of our grapes and let us claim the remainders. During cold winter days I will drink in the sunshine and scent of grapes whenever I open a jar of concentrate, syrup, or jelly. Oh, and that fabulous fruit leather–it is wonderful and is simply made of the leftover pulp, spread in a thin sheet and left to dry in our old, gas oven. I dried this for two days and two nights, cut this into 12 pieces, and rolled it. I store my leathers in tall glass apothecary jars to keep them from rehydrating.</div>
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The Midnight Kitchen smells divine!</div>
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This is one of my midnight experiments–whole grapes and sugar canned for a juice concentrate. We'll see how this turns out. It must age for a month before I open and test one.</div>
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I also freeze bags of the fresh grapes. My old pal Carolyn Germain is the one who taught me what great and healthy treats they are. I love the crunch and pop of a frozen grape. You can add whole grapes to summer lemonades, sangria, etc. </div>
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Summer's bounty is rich in edible flowers...</div>
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...and herbs, lemons, and limes (the last of the crop). I use these for my edible flower cheeses...</div>
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This is a soft yogurt cheese that drips through a sieve for two days (in the refrigerator). </div>
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For inspiration I often turn to this <a href="http://www.alibris.com/Perfect-Preserves-Provisions-from-the-Kitchen-Garden-Nora-Carey/book/5060050" target="_blank">old preserving book by Nora Carey</a>. The recipes are great and the photographs will make you rush out to your garden to do a major redesign.</div>
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<b>Home Sweet Home</b></div>
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I just returned from the American Library Association Conference in Las Vegas. I felt like a goat in roller skates there...out of place, out of my element. The good thing was that I got a chance to meet many of my old friends and new friends who are authors and illustrators. I am a huge fan of artist <a href="http://melissasweet.net/" target="_blank">Melissa Sweet</a>, who was there signing a few of her books. Also got to actually see my new book <i><a href="http://sharonlovejoy.com/CultivatingWonder/Sharons_Bookstore.html" target="_blank">Running Out of Night</a></i> (Random House, November 2014) on a bookshelf! Woot hoot. I couldn't believe it.</div>
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I did a mini-book signing of <a href="http://www.workman.com/search/search.pl?query=sharon+lovejoy&x=-978&y=-70" target="_blank">my Workman Publishing books</a>, visited with librarians from everywhere, and had a ball. </div>
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On Friday night Random House hosted a birthday party for Batman, who just turned 75. About 400 of us crowded into the Venetian Hotel and celebrated Batman with lots of food, fun, wine, and huge Batman-birthday cakes. </div>
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The flight home from Las Vegas to the Central Coast took only 51 minutes. What a difference and culture shock. I was so happy to return to my sweet husband, my gardens, and my family. Heaven-on-earth here.</div>
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<b>The Great Cheese Book Give-Away</b></div>
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Ok, so now that I've written about some of my summer projects I want to encourage YOU to do some of your own. My publicist at <a href="http://www.workman.com/" target="_blank">Workman Publishing</a> has pledged two copies of this fabulous little book to two lucky winners. Simply "follow" me at the bottom of this page, leave a comment on this posting (not on Facebook), and in ten days we will do a random drawing for winners. The books will be mailed out by Workman to your snail mail address, so please, if you comment anonymously, leave a real name and e-mail address or other contact information.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WEVeFzEYUB8iOvS-0UfkuZ8NRBkUbSttoZ_zhJHrxlIU0uee3HyU7vVcEXBVPzqGR-xmvHc17Bi1cj3AVfs8nTpP6axJENmWJ0yEG921fOZxCdLzy0lGdBNrnV8ZRmJAmAaibDG3HBtZ/s1600/IMG_1227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WEVeFzEYUB8iOvS-0UfkuZ8NRBkUbSttoZ_zhJHrxlIU0uee3HyU7vVcEXBVPzqGR-xmvHc17Bi1cj3AVfs8nTpP6axJENmWJ0yEG921fOZxCdLzy0lGdBNrnV8ZRmJAmAaibDG3HBtZ/s1600/IMG_1227.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.workman.com/products/9780761177487/" target="_blank">This book</a> is concisely written, with great directions, photographs, and recipes. You'll love it and so will your friends and family when you start spoiling them with your creations.</div>
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Please stop by for a visit, leave a comment (they're always appreciated), and visit me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharonlovejoy" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and at <a href="http://sharonlovejoy.com/">SharonLovejoy.com</a>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sharon</i></span></div>
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<br />Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-76079635341164729932014-06-17T09:15:00.000-07:002014-07-06T17:18:06.939-07:00The Book Giver<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Uo7PWIMv7_FSAu3RNj7rV_vELyOn5dRpaC6u9P2WUFII8xKI6rkFfU1N4cD3vZBAuZ9dBXJYpwsz750k8-AOb-DjbmKHZybCx8FuVmOAFacbTvfrkv1m8-wjJcT0ruNwplUbG31UvABy/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Uo7PWIMv7_FSAu3RNj7rV_vELyOn5dRpaC6u9P2WUFII8xKI6rkFfU1N4cD3vZBAuZ9dBXJYpwsz750k8-AOb-DjbmKHZybCx8FuVmOAFacbTvfrkv1m8-wjJcT0ruNwplUbG31UvABy/s1600/Image.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Dear friends,</div>
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I wrote this posting two and a half weeks ago, but life has been so hectic that it has sat and simmered on my computer till tonight. So sorry, but I know you understand. I did receive some notes from friends who worry that I will stop blog postings since I am active with Facebook. Yes, I do post one photo and a few words each day on Facebook, but many of my readers/friends don't want or know how to use Facebook, and they don't want me to stop regular postings. So, I promise to continue, though somewhat erratically. I love keeping in touch with you. So if you keep writing to me, I promise to keep writing to you too.</div>
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<b>A note from a friend</b></div>
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Aline and her grandson Timmy made me <b><i>feel</i></b> rich when they sent me the photo above and the words, "He loves this book." Hurrah! Writers (most of them) seldom know if their book is pleasing someone, so words like this can be the biggest spirit lifter of all. Then add on the photo, and wowie, home run. So there are my riches in the flesh! Thank you, Aline, you are so sweet to share this.</div>
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<b>Inspiration beyond the ken</b></div>
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I was so fortunate to spend this morning with retired librarian<a href="mailto:lizkrieger@charter.net" target="_blank"> Liz Krieger</a> (see contact info at post script below). She may be retired from the regular 9 to 5 at the library, but she is a librarian at heart and continues to educate and inspire hundreds of children a year.</div>
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Liz and her husband Dan attend book sales, tag sales, library sales, and anywhere books are sold, and purchase the best children's books by the car load. She doesn't purchase them to sell; she buys them to <b>GIVE</b> them to the children of Hawthorne School.</div>
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Kids arrive at Liz's house with empty shopping bags, and before Liz serves lunch, the kids are allowed to "shop" from tabletops, bookcases, carts, and entire rooms filled with books. </div>
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You won't find any duds here. Liz considers the needs and aspirations of each child and hand picks everything.</div>
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Liz's dining room is given over to the books she selects for the children. I found about ten that I wanted, but heck, this day is for the kids.</div>
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I'll take the blue easy chair for further reading and lounging. Soon this room filled with excited and eager fifth and sixth graders and their tired, looking-forward-to-end-of-school teachers.</div>
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Well, we haven't had any rain here for ages, but wouldn't you just love to be let loose in this house? I would. And then I want to curl up in one of the overstuffed chairs (or, like the three bears, choose a bed) and read, read, read till my eyes cross and I have to come up for air and food.</div>
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She told them which bookcases held the books they especially liked.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHNxsgLBNIPegZr8WwPGVgKlZWHgfHVHnHvTh5p3wldozwMlNDqcQR-tn88r8kppAuEupNXh5zAdlhKy1er64qUlfemyrV7AJ1RD-OMqn4J8GNMS0VKO5Wdta2hERaJEB0QKHfyDUTHXS/s1600/IMG_0414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidHNxsgLBNIPegZr8WwPGVgKlZWHgfHVHnHvTh5p3wldozwMlNDqcQR-tn88r8kppAuEupNXh5zAdlhKy1er64qUlfemyrV7AJ1RD-OMqn4J8GNMS0VKO5Wdta2hERaJEB0QKHfyDUTHXS/s1600/IMG_0414.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Watch and learn. I watched Liz weave her love-of-books-spell with the children. I learned from the master. I could not believe how Liz could pick up a book, virtually ANY book, and tell the children the stories and her favorite parts. I wonder if she ever sleeps?</div>
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Oops, did I forget to comb my hair? I think so. Well, it is ok, I got it cut a couple of hours later.</div>
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But look at these stacks...she has the names of different children on each book. She researches what their interests are and matches the book to the child. Amazing, no? Then, before she hands them to the child, she tells the entire group what the books are about and why she chose that particular book for that special child. </div>
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I know that Liz sometimes works through the night before her group arrives, and you can see the results. She spins tales about the lives of authors; she gets the kids excited about every aspect of the book. It is amazing to see the wonder and joy in the faces of the children, especially when Liz says, "Take your bag and choose the books you love, but try to choose one or two from your favorite category." (I just finished reading Richard Peck's <i>A Year Down Yonder</i> and his <i>Long Way From Chicago</i>, pictured above). Richard Peck's books resonate even with children my age! Hilarious.</div>
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Liz with John (an enthusiastic volunteer) in the background. John read some snippets of a book he loves.</div>
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Liz reads from <i>The Wind in the Willows</i>.</div>
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I am sharing some of the process of creating <i>My First Bird Book</i></div>
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My part in all of this magic was to talk to the children about following (and working for) their dreams and goals. I explained that when I was young I didn't do well in school, but I kept drawing, writing, and dreaming. </div>
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One young boy told me that he really loves to do illustrations, but that he doesn't think he is good enough. I told him to just keep working and to develop his own style. I asked who was judging him. He admitted that he judged himself and compared what he created with art work of others. "Quit comparing yourself. There will always be someone better and someone worse than you," I said.</div>
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I think the kids were interested in <i>My First Bird Book and Bird Feeder</i> because (by a long stretch) it helped them feel connected to R.J. Palaccio who wrote the great, middle grade novel, <i>WONDER</i>. Raquel was the art director at Workman Publishing who did the layouts and devised the packaging etc. for my bird book. She is not only a writer, but also a visual artist. I was so happy to have her creative input with the book, and she informed me that her boys love it! Hurrah.</div>
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I explained about the different kinds of books I've written and how exciting each one is. More like exploring and discovering treasures that you never knew existed. The above book is <i>The Little Green Island with a Little Red House </i>(DownEast Publishing), which is just going back to print again. I am showing them the tide pool page, which is a reflective mirror so that children see themselves in it. </div>
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My first book, <i>Sunflower Houses,</i> originally published in 1991. Still in print! I'm so grateful.</div>
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And, finally, Liz asked me to read a few paragraphs of my new book <i>Running Out of Night</i>, Random House, November, 2014. I did and afterward got some great comments from the kids. Thank you everyone! We'll make sure that you get to read the entire book come November.</div>
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<b>Interactions with the children is fun. Here are some typical questions from the students</b></div>
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"Are you rich, teacher?" one of the kids asked me. "No," I said. "Not the way you may be thinking of rich."</div>
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"What way?" he asked.</div>
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"I have lots of wonderful people in my life, and my books make them happy. They're like family to me, and they make me <i>feel</i> rich in something besides money." </div>
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Another question? How old are you? When I answer them, they are shocked that I am still able to stand and talk (let alone write and draw). </div>
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Is Lovejoy REALLY your last name, or did you make it up? That is a question I am always asked, and they are reluctant to believe that I was actually born with that name. I explain that not only was it tough to be a redhead, but to have the name Lovejoy really sealed my fate. I was teased constantly.</div>
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<b>Pizza Time</b></div>
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The scent of freshly baked pizzas wafted through the book rooms. Stomachs growled; kids sniffed at the aromas and begin to get antsy.</div>
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Liz gave some final words of encouragement and guidance to the children. She said, "Don't just read these books and toss them aside or give them to a thrift store. Read them over and over. Begin to build your own library." Think of that..."Begin to build your own library." That is a great way to encourage children to re-read books, to care for them for the long haul, to cherish them as they should be cherished.</div>
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My granddaughter Sara May made me a bookmark. I think her words say it all, "I love books." (And did you notice her choices of books? That was before she read the entire series of Harry Potter; now they would be listed too. Probably right at the top of her list.</div>
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Thanks to my Grandmother Lovejoy, thanks to my favorite librarians, thanks to some of my beloved teachers and professors, and thanks to people like Liz Krieger,<b> I love books too!</b></div>
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<b>Normally I would do a book give-away this month, but instead I ask YOU to give a book or two to Liz. She and her husband are retired and spend much of their time and their money on books for children. Do you have any good books for children that need a new home? Write to me and I'll introduce you to Liz. She needs any help that can be offered. Thanks!</b></div>
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Workman Publishing just sent me a reprint notice today. This is the 11th printing of <i>Roots</i>, which is amazing to me. I am so grateful to all of you who keep this book alive and thriving.</div>
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I send love to you across the miles,<br />
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Sharon<br />
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p.s. Liz gave me permission to publish her contact information for anyone who would like to send her books.<br />
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Liz and Dan Krieger</div>
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662 Islay St.</div>
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San Luis Obispo, CA. 93401</div>
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805-543-9611 home. </div>
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805-440-1113 Liz's cell</div>
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<a href="mailto:Lizkrieger@charter.net">Lizkrieger@charter.net</a></div>
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Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-72101666771590903302014-05-16T16:59:00.002-07:002014-05-16T16:59:27.151-07:00House of Boughs, Walls of Leaves, A Carpet of Wildflowers<br />
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Who won the big drawing for the <a href="http://www.serenityhealth.com/" target="_blank">Serenity Health and Home Decor </a>outdoor fire pit?</div>
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Stay tuned and read to the end of the posting!</div>
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Dear Friends,<br />
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Maybe it is belated spring fever, but right now all I can think of is that I want to simplify my life. I want to live in a house of boughs with leafy walls and a soft carpet of wildflowers and herbs. At night, glowworms and fireflies will light my home. By day, the shifting shadows of sunshine will warm it and birdsong will be my music. And cleaning it? A heather broom, a watering can, and some helpful worms. What could be better?<br />
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I am thinking of you out there...all of you who are dealing with wildfires, "firenadoes" (a new word to describe a tornado-like whirling fire in California), flooding, intense heat, and tornadoes. This is a tough time throughout our land, and we need to draw together and help each other.<br />
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SIMPLIFY<br />
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Today I am taking a load of good things to our local Hospice Store. Sure, they're good enough to sell, but I want to gift them to someone deserving, someone who may not have the income to treat himself/herself to something besides groceries and gasoline.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuHrpWTXm8aau1apm44i9WMmIIMYynhja6Mk2aN4ohJQHlFTIJYA7ztqgG4zuRjJBvg3m77z5ZMjzuZP6acS3CVBSRT69KuAlmiEo__Br7518saJYaWkS9tVEJH3O5Yhyphenhyphen9fNuYVo9oTux/s1600/IMG_0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuHrpWTXm8aau1apm44i9WMmIIMYynhja6Mk2aN4ohJQHlFTIJYA7ztqgG4zuRjJBvg3m77z5ZMjzuZP6acS3CVBSRT69KuAlmiEo__Br7518saJYaWkS9tVEJH3O5Yhyphenhyphen9fNuYVo9oTux/s1600/IMG_0300.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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These sweet cups, saucers, and creamer are headed for Hospice today.</div>
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Cleaning out cupboards and chests feels GOOD. I urge you to paw through your goodies and share them with others.<br />
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INTO THE GARDEN</div>
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All the artichokes on my healthy plants burned up in the heat. This was the last harvest.</div>
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Last week Jeff and I hosted a wonderful garden walk/talk with a group of California Native Plant Society Members. Thank heavens it was last week because this week has been a disaster. Heat of up to 105 and plants reduced to what look like piles of ashes. EVEN THE NATIVE PLANTS. Nothing survives such an extended drought and high, high heat. Jeff and I take short showers and cart buckets of water out to my potted herbs. That's all we can do to maintain.<br />
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The gate and arbor Jeff built for me. Peephole is an antique found in a vintage shop.</div>
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Before the crowds and the heat.</div>
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The last of the chokes. Note that all the beds have been heavily mulched with an under-layer of compost and worms.</div>
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Under the grape arbor for some drinks, conversation, and questions.</div>
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I love real dig-in-the-soil-and-wreck-your-fingernails gardeners.</div>
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Here is a short video I made of my little garden the day before the garden walk. I hope you enjoy it.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/g1ar4R0NcX0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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And now...DRUM ROLL. The random number generator chose as the winner of the drawing for the fabulous fire pit, donated by <a href="http://www.serenityhealth.com/" target="_blank">Serenity Health and Home Decor</a>, is Sharon Calvert from Alabama's Gulf coast. (Sharon, <a href="mailto:sharon@sharonlovejoy.com" target="_blank">e-mail</a> us your shipping address.)<br />
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You'll love having this in your garden. My family likes to sit around ours, toast marshmallows, and tell creepy stories. The creepier the better.<br />
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All joys to you!<br />
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SharonSharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-61344375825802677532014-04-26T15:33:00.003-07:002014-04-27T19:00:41.094-07:00"Married to Amazement"<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b>"When it's over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement."</b></div>
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from Mary Oliver's</div>
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New and Selected Poems</div>
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What would I do without my daily doses of poetry? Ethel Pochocki, Mary Oliver, Emily Dickinson, Wendell Berry, Robinson Jeffers, Billy Collins, Theodore Roethke are just a few of the writers I turn to every morning. I guarantee that you'll find something, even if it is the tiniest constellation of words to help you through your day.<br />
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Pick up a book of poetry, take time to let the words soak into your soul, and I promise you will grow to love these spare, telling words more every day.<br />
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Yes, yes, I've been away. We've had surgeries in the family, caregiving, lots of guests, and lots of changes, but this afternoon I hope to share a short visit with you. And, stay tuned. I have an amazing give-away donated by <a href="http://www.serenityhealth.com/" target="_blank">Serenity Health & Home Decor</a> to the lucky winner who is drawn from our latest posting.<br />
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The garden is bursting with life. Bees everywhere, birds everywhere, and blooms. Hurrah! Tall stands of hollyhocks sway in a slow garden waltz, hummingbirds empty feeders and visit blossoms until nightfall, and mamas and papas and baby birds now visit the birdbaths and fountains. I am in<br />
paradise.<br />
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<b>Please stay with me to the end of the posting and you'll see what a great give-away we have for you!</b><br />
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<b>Glimpses of Paradise</b></div>
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My pomegranates are in bloom, and I've got my fingers crossed for fruit.</div>
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A favorite of the bumblebees. The backyard is literally a mini-forest of hollyhocks now.</div>
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A native Mimulus (monkey flower), which I grow in a huge pot.</div>
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The native Ceanothus attracts a host of beneficial insects.</div>
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This is the only violetta artichoke I grew because it has wicked bad barbs that always find their way into my hands and arms. But, the taste is incredibly good.</div>
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Many succulents are in bloom.</div>
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We always call this lavender Peter Rabbit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VMbmaptK07QCln-5lzK3aJhelGYVCPHmBLzwEL4TugNkpdoIxav_cuuzy5WyoqYtQY-kfUxZ567Fpxpn34U5ZQz_-a_KhQ75PcNboD37xmAx-hdV_92pQNC98i_JE0EeGrzcrhq2TMf8/s1600/IMG_9382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VMbmaptK07QCln-5lzK3aJhelGYVCPHmBLzwEL4TugNkpdoIxav_cuuzy5WyoqYtQY-kfUxZ567Fpxpn34U5ZQz_-a_KhQ75PcNboD37xmAx-hdV_92pQNC98i_JE0EeGrzcrhq2TMf8/s1600/IMG_9382.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Scented peppermint Pelargonium has huge, velvety leaves and tiny, tasty little white blooms.</div>
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One of my succulent mosaics. I just love these big pots of texture and form.</div>
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The hummingbirds are ALWAYS visiting the Cuphea for nectar. This is the busiest hummingbird plant in the garden–busier even than the Salvias.</div>
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<b>The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden's Tour</b></div>
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Maybe some of you don't realize the rich, complex offerings of a California spring. It is beyond belief and will touch your heart. This is one of my favorite places in the world, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, which is where I learned plant propagation from Dr. Dara Emery, one of the greatest teachers ever. When we were in Santa Barbara, we attended a garden tour of about 8 or 9 local homes.</div>
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On the garden tour, we saw this old, iron outdoor couch, which had fallen to wrack and ruin. A very special lady turned it from a disaster into a fairy-sized landscape for her grandchildren.</div>
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<b>Running Out of Night Begins its Run</b></div>
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I hope to soon be doing even more school and library visits. This was my first group from a local school (Hawthorne) at the home of Liz and Dan Krieger, and I got to read a few pages from my new book <i>Running Out of Night</i>. My book will not be released until November so I read to the kids from my advance reader copy, which is sent out to reviewers, etc. The kids were enthusiastic and filled with curiosity and appreciation. I love working with children...<br />
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...and I love watching children exercise their sense of wonder.</div>
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<b>A Going Away Party for Dear Friends</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ42LiLVBZDUEheLvAf2C8Qf7VlgkbR8ifXpFn19-Zhm4vHxYWHL2cc09qN8VfJsajQdD3wZ2WBvOjyI40MDT_oXjvORCs9Yricx9COu8whg-fyKeiFEixeei1WrWMy1gQgMbmZ3NURDWq/s1600/IMG_9459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ42LiLVBZDUEheLvAf2C8Qf7VlgkbR8ifXpFn19-Zhm4vHxYWHL2cc09qN8VfJsajQdD3wZ2WBvOjyI40MDT_oXjvORCs9Yricx9COu8whg-fyKeiFEixeei1WrWMy1gQgMbmZ3NURDWq/s1600/IMG_9459.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Our dear friends Frank and Aline rented a fabulous cottage in the town of <a href="http://www.oldedna.com/" target="_blank">Old Edna</a>, which is owned by our friend Pattea. We celebrated together on one of their last nights in California. Pattea set up this table in front of the cottage, and we shared tapas out in the company of flowers and owls. Oh, and don't you love the treehouse they built for their son? The old tree died a few years ago, but the treehouse lives on.</div>
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I took homemade bread and flower cheese,on a platter surrounded with edible flowers.</div>
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Pattea decorates her porch as amazingly as the insides of her cottages. Yep, that's me.</div>
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The Old Edna store in the background.</div>
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Pattea's office. Don't you love it?</div>
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Part of the table decor.</div>
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My girlfriends. Left is <a href="http://www.debraprinzing.com/" target="_blank">Debra Prinzing </a>(<i>Shed Style</i>, <i>The Fifty Mile Bouquet</i>, Slow Flower movement and more), and Aline Cullen, who is one of the dearest people in the world.</div>
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Pattea's gypsy wagon where...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtyIiHdeBXjydY-5-JiGR1UsTFfrNwhrfItB7lUdkM3aV4LFC6eNUIRfwugKgFH2XHsnZZWj9ALKAf8aNKrU_GxF-dlkXcAt-2U6ZQ6a5P1yZWPteSJuIscmYunekUXb2v3X4xs655maJ/s1600/IMG_9528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKtyIiHdeBXjydY-5-JiGR1UsTFfrNwhrfItB7lUdkM3aV4LFC6eNUIRfwugKgFH2XHsnZZWj9ALKAf8aNKrU_GxF-dlkXcAt-2U6ZQ6a5P1yZWPteSJuIscmYunekUXb2v3X4xs655maJ/s1600/IMG_9528.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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...all of us girls read stories and talked. Sorry, Frank, no boys allowed!</div>
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Ok, I know that I've wandered everywhere in this posting, but I had some catching up to do. Right?</div>
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Now I want to hear from YOU. And do you know how I am going to thank you? You'll have an opportunity to have your name drawn for the offering of this fantastic fire-pit. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vFIiATaxSCuxDG-xvcP40iXwAGJFXr76dRidcV0LornFo7WPKSKowErzb_ABAhj1k8_FY5jcBO_SvdH7CcO0hdaU8FWtf0RRsGRV40jIdiopoRNljnaJn9qj-yfzsbafOvGwIyxh4esw/s1600/firepit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vFIiATaxSCuxDG-xvcP40iXwAGJFXr76dRidcV0LornFo7WPKSKowErzb_ABAhj1k8_FY5jcBO_SvdH7CcO0hdaU8FWtf0RRsGRV40jIdiopoRNljnaJn9qj-yfzsbafOvGwIyxh4esw/s1600/firepit.jpg" height="320" width="318" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.serenityhealth.com/outdoor_classics_cosmic_fire_pit_grill-p-16312-l-en.html" target="_blank">Outdoor Classics Cosmic Fire Pit Grill</a></div>
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Thanks to <a href="http://www.serenityhealth.com/" target="_blank">Serenity Health & Home Decor</a></div>
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We love ours and think you'll love one too. All you need do is leave a comment on this posting. Sorry, out of country entrants excluded. It would cost a fortune to mail it out of the continental US. </div>
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Love across the miles,</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sharon</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">p.s. Due to the large number of spam comments coming from "anonymous," all anonymous comments are set to be deleted automatically unless your comment begins with "Sharon."</span></div>
<br />Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com77tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-45948476716818175122014-03-26T04:00:00.000-07:002014-03-26T09:44:07.255-07:00Sweet Charity of My Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEMXSXd8HAT5seT-MWCbHqy_m45FnVfLquPhSbEA7CQgax7H5p4O2WLFFLrwUsxaW4QGnxSxgGzCFWYCU5uRO1AUEbp2LUttOw42VILo1mUat-rUGlqYMZOORUqVMuVLn25f5_AEMIE5a/s1600/IMG_9284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEMXSXd8HAT5seT-MWCbHqy_m45FnVfLquPhSbEA7CQgax7H5p4O2WLFFLrwUsxaW4QGnxSxgGzCFWYCU5uRO1AUEbp2LUttOw42VILo1mUat-rUGlqYMZOORUqVMuVLn25f5_AEMIE5a/s1600/IMG_9284.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Spring is peeping through my living room window. Nectarine, Ceanothus, and Fremontodendron in full bloom. Rockers are one of my passions. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilA9bRs6Fj_s1vbIWIiirSgSWWAp1Da7xu_QijVEXYu2WDz94hNUzbWW87m7pcPPsUBLwD25G8DntezlwJup9xub3kWJRNEN-Z-0BUqEM3F0vnJH4LovW7u0ue-ma36ggESTyoQT6AVqkA/s1600/IMG_9313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilA9bRs6Fj_s1vbIWIiirSgSWWAp1Da7xu_QijVEXYu2WDz94hNUzbWW87m7pcPPsUBLwD25G8DntezlwJup9xub3kWJRNEN-Z-0BUqEM3F0vnJH4LovW7u0ue-ma36ggESTyoQT6AVqkA/s1600/IMG_9313.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The common name for this bee-friendly native is Flannel Bush for the silvery-gray flannel fuzz on the backs of the leaves.</div>
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Hello Friends,<br />
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I LOVE hearing from you and learning about your writing dreams and projects. Good for you. You know it is a lonely road, but you're doing it now. The only way to make your dream come true is to stick out your neck and go for it...and you're doing it!<br />
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Tomorrow I read the final chapters of my "tween" Maine island adventure. Then it is time to revise, revise, revise, and did I mention, revise again? This is far, far from being published. It will probably take another two years, but in the meantime I am also working on two other smaller nature-oriented projects.<br />
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Please check out the <a href="http://issuu.com/home4u/docs/this_old_house_-_april_2014/29?e=10813710/7044095" target="_blank">April 2014 issue of <i>This Old House</i></a> (on linked page, click the magnifying glass and search "Sharon Lovejoy") to see the "Retro Redo" four page article about our little kitchen makeover. Photographer Mark Lohman and producer Sunday Hendrickson did a great job.<br />
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Front cover, but no, that isn't my house.</div>
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My kitchen isn't usually this bare. They "edited out" some of my favorite things. </div>
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(Click <a href="http://sharonlovejoy.blogspot.com/2013/10/decorating-with-mother-nature.html" target="_blank">here</a> for an unedited look at the kitchen.)</div>
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We have been traveling, and I have given a few talks to some great groups including the <a href="http://www.midwesternherbandgardenshow.com/" target="_blank">Midwestern Herb and Garden Show</a> in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. (Evidently I mentioned traveling in the last posting, but forgot to mention where and why). We really enjoyed the passionate gardeners we met. We were treated like royalty and spoiled by our hosts and hostesses. I would love to return there sometime.<br />
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My talk for the <a href="http://www.cnps-slo.org/" target="_blank">San Luis Obispo Chapter</a> of the <a href="https://www.cnps.org/" target="_blank">California Native Plant Society</a> was "Wild at Heart" because though I grow herbs, heirlooms, fruit trees, and veggies, I always have a good supply of natives to keep the local birds, bees, and beneficials happy. Sweet charity for my visiting critters. They were a great group of enthusiastic native plant lovers who work so hard to keep California's natives thriving.<br />
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We really enjoyed working at/visiting the <a href="http://www.sdbgarden.org/" target="_blank">San Diego Botanic Garden</a> in Encinitas, California. On Friday night I gave a short talk to some major garden supporters, the mayor, some council members, and docents. On Saturday another talk and book signing, and Sunday a talk on container gardening and another book signing.<br />
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We met so many great people and enjoyed Julian Duval, the CEO-Director, and his lovely wife Leslie. Also got to visit a bit with creative <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/175781191678609848/" target="_blank">topiarist Pat Hammer</a> and other invaluable members of the staff.<br />
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Little pot child in the Seeds of Wonder Garden.</div>
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Ah, Pat, you're a genius. Pat used to do the topiaries at Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. She is so great.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSNKECy0J4NnYG5rOQ42So7INli2c9pTPS_0uEo3iYoZrd3PgJC1ubT3JqAhF_3254KKZMqLa0h3wWKBmpSVMYRXNNRuTuCqJtvOBLazLptVQru2-ipmgUmsjO0x2Yd5Ia21Y1o2H-ijI/s1600/IMG_9271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSNKECy0J4NnYG5rOQ42So7INli2c9pTPS_0uEo3iYoZrd3PgJC1ubT3JqAhF_3254KKZMqLa0h3wWKBmpSVMYRXNNRuTuCqJtvOBLazLptVQru2-ipmgUmsjO0x2Yd5Ia21Y1o2H-ijI/s1600/IMG_9271.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Oh, and did I mention Sam, Julian's 600 pound Galapagos tortoise? How could anyone overlook him? He loved my yellow shirt and green and white jacket; they looked like his favorite foods–bananas and leaves. So, he kept swinging his big head toward me and opening his huge, beaked mouth, but he seemed happy when I stroked his neck. Phew.<br />
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Please visit and enjoy the <a href="http://www.sdbgarden.org/" target="_blank">San Diego Botanic Garden</a> when you're down in Southern California. You will be amazed and absolutely in love with the children's garden. It is accessible to all; even children in wheelchairs can enter the amazing and magical tree house. I felt the presence of Jane Taylor (Michigan 4H Children's Garden guru) throughout the grounds. The gardens are wonderful. You'll come home with a gleaning of great ideas and projects. I sure did.<br />
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I haven't had much time to peruse many blogs, but one thing I've noticed is that blogs are getting less and less attention. So many of us lapse and don't post for weeks, sometimes months at a time. My friend wrote and said, "Please don't stop posting. I love our visits." Well, I won't stop, but it isn't happening as often as I hoped. Patience please! In the meantime, I do try to post something small (inspirational quotes or my musings) and one of my photos on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharonlovejoy" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>. So every day I receive dozens of e-mails and comments on the postings. I try to answer them all.<br />
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I am so proud of my friends Dee Nash (<a href="http://reddirtramblings.com/" target="_blank">Red Dirt Ramblings</a> blog) and Rebecca Sweet (<a href="http://gossipinthegarden.com/" target="_blank">Gossip in the Garden</a> blog), both have new books out this spring. They are both EXCEPTIONAL garden books filled with two lifetimes of garden passion, love, and knowledge.<br />
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Dee's book, <i><a href="http://www.stlynnspress.com/titles/product/20-30-something-garden-guide/" target="_blank">The 20-30 Something Garden Guide: A No-Fuss, Down and Dirty Gardening 101 for Anyone</a> </i>(and I do mean anyone)<i> <a href="http://www.stlynnspress.com/titles/product/20-30-something-garden-guide/" target="_blank">Who Wants to Grow Stuff</a>, </i>is heavy with photos and has some great, simple illustrations for projects and designs. Dee has this incredible sense of humor that shines through on every page without undermining the absolute hands-in-the-soil knowledge on every page. Some of her chapters ("Keeping Small and in Charge" or "Stay the Course, but Try Something New") had me hysterical. This is a great book! This is from <a href="http://www.stlynnspress.com/" target="_blank">St. Lynn's Press</a> of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.</div>
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Rebecca Sweet, my sweet, sweet friend who I've known for nearly two decades (she went into labor in my Heart's Ease gardens and her daughter is about 19 now), has written yet another book (<i><a href="http://www.hortmag.com/gardening-book-reviews/book-review-garden-up" target="_blank">Garden UP! Smart Vertical Gardening for Small and Large Spaces</a> </i>was her last one). This one is <a href="http://www.hortmag.com/gardening-book-reviews/book-review-refresh-your-garden-design-with-color-texture-form" target="_blank">R<i>efresh Your Garden Design With Color, Texture and Form</i></a>. LOTS of colorful photos, which inspire and instruct, and lots of Rebecca's design ideas (she is often featured in magazines). She handles color, texture, and form along with "Seeing with Fresh Eyes." Harmony is what she is all about! This book was published by <a href="http://www.hortmag.com/" target="_blank">Horticulture Magazine</a>.<br />
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OK, now I want to announce the winner of <a href="http://www.sharonlovejoy.com/CultivatingWonder/Sharons_Bookstore.html" target="_blank">Trowel and Error</a>,<br />
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which we'll ship immediately with an extra gift, and one of the first copies of <i><a href="http://www.sharonlovejoy.com/CultivatingWonder/Sharons_Bookstore.html" target="_blank">Running Out of Night</a></i>, which we can't ship until it arrives in November. Thank you for participating!<br />
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The winner is: Barbara Stillman. Congratulations, dear Barbara. Please send us your snail mail address, and we'll ship some goodies out to you this week.</div>
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Finished planting lettuces, endive, red mustard, dill, and fennel today. None of my poppies have germinated. NOT ONE. They are my favorite flower, and they won't do me the courtesy of growing here. <a href="http://judithlarnerlowry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Judith Larner Lowry</a> of <a href="http://larnerseeds.com/" target="_blank">Larner Seeds</a> and author of <a href="http://www.ucpress.edu/book.php?isbn=9780520251748" target="_blank"><i>Gardening with a Wild Heart</i></a> said you have to sow the seeds and stomp on them. Maybe that is what I did wrong. Not enough stomping.</div>
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Right now a gentle rain (thank goodness!) is plink, plonk, plink, planking into my watering cans and buckets standing together under the roof line. Soon they'll be filled with the blessing of rain water. Hurrah!</div>
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Signing off for now and sending love to you.</div>
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<i><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sharon</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">p.s. Watch for my next posting with a drawing for a </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">fire pit giveaway.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">p.p.s. Anonymous commenters, please begin your comment with "Sharon" if you wish to remain anonymous. I get a lot of spam from "Anonymous" and I don't want to advertise unsolicited products and services disguised in comments. Anonymous without "Sharon"= delete.</span></span></div>
Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-85109899871152709552014-03-05T08:14:00.000-08:002014-03-05T08:14:18.710-08:00The Oldest Profession?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Delacorte Press/Penguin Random House</div>
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My first novel (middle grade, ages 9 to 13) is due out November 11, 2014</div>
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<b>I still can't believe it!</b></div>
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Sneak preview of the back cover. This will be out in hardcover.</div>
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Do I look dazed? Well, I am. I can't believe that my new book is a work of fiction.</div>
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Dear Friends,</div>
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Ok, I know what you're thinking after reading the title of this posting, but you're wrong. I believe that the oldest profession is storytelling and that storytelling is how our culture, our very lives, have been saved, embroidered, and carried on to future generations. Storytelling, a simple word that goes back to your earliest memories, and usually those are GOOD memories. Storytelling is what grabs a reader or an audience (notice how Steve Jobs always did storytelling when talking to his enthralled audiences) and holds them captive.</div>
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Here is an <a href="http://www.dailygood.org/story/659/how-stories-change-the-brain-paul-j-zak/" target="_blank">article</a> by Paul Zak that explains the how and why stories are important to us in so many ways and "shape our brains." Stories that are compelling and exciting, poignant and/or joyful engage more of our brains and are better remembered than facts. Please let me know what you think of this.</div>
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<b>"Where are you, Sharon?"</b></div>
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This was a question from a worried friend. I've been out of touch for way too long, but please forgive me. I am trying to finish my newest book, which is about some children who live on an island in Maine (hmmm, wonder where that idea came from?). I've been cocooned with my computer and just working, working, working in between welcoming house guests, celebrating my grandson's 7th birthday, getting over bronchitis and an eye infection, speaking in Illinois, and doing lots of cooking.</div>
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Of course, I always try to make time for my Cambria Writers' Workshop and Kiddie Writers, which are both invaluable to me. They are my critics, and without their constant input, my book would literally be at a standstill.</div>
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<b>Fueling your precious brain:</b></div>
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Every day before work, I try to read something that will refuel my brain. For me the first course is always poetry. It is amazing how just one or two lines can color the way you head into your day. I read classics (right now I'm reading a 1923 translation of <i>Marcus Aurelius Antoninus To Himself</i>) and relevant articles in magazines and newspapers, not to mention the best in arts from NPR. Our brains are precious vessels that always need filling.</div>
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Since I posted the photo of my new book on Facebook, I've received hundreds of e-mails filled with relevant questions about publishing. Although I would love to answer every one of those questions personally, I just don't have enough hours in the day. </div>
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<b>Let me share some hints to fuel YOUR brain:</b></div>
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Listen to everything going on around you. </div>
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Watch everything, and that means social interactions, nature, etc.. All that watching is somewhat like dropping coins into a bank. You never know when something magical or writing-worthy will occur, and you can bank the words and cash them in later.</div>
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A little aside: Jeff has often asked me if he should move to the table next to us in a restaurant so that I will hear what he is saying. It's true, I am an eavesdropper, but wow, what great lines I've heard while doing that.</div>
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Read, read, read. I laughed recently when a man asked me about publishing, and I advised that he read as much as possible. He said, "I don't have time to read, I am a WRITER." Good, be a writer, but you darned well better also be a reader to improve vocabulary, plotting skills, character development, and more.</div>
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Write every day. Even ten minutes a day will add up. Ten quiet minutes of jotting down your thoughts, a proposed chapter, beginning of a book, or poems. My friend Eve Neuhaus wrote something that really piqued my interest. She said that she took a class that advised her to write herself a letter every day. A letter. A good, old fashioned means of communication. I love this idea and am using lovely notecards to write to myself.</div>
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Recently a want-to-be-writer told me that he can't write every day because he is waiting for his creative muse. Well, that is like sitting in a train terminal and hoping to go on a journey, but instead of catching the train, you're all tied up in watching arrivals. The trains keep leaving, but you're never on them. You're waiting for the creative muse to tell you what to do. <b>YOU are the one in charge, not your "muse." CATCH THE TRAIN!</b></div>
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Join a writing group! Find a critique circle that will help you build your writing skills. It is important that they help you grow as a writer, but if they are quick to jump in and criticize without helping to build your skills, well, they're not doing you any favors. Our brains literally shut down and whirl around negative criticisms. That happened to me when I wrote <i><a href="http://sharonlovejoy.com/CultivatingWonder/Sharons_Bookstore.html" target="_blank">Roots Shoots Buckets & Boots</a></i>. Whenever I got side-swiped with criticism from a woman who was helping my beloved editor, I would lose hours of work. Finally, Jeff said, "You're not talking to that woman again. She is poisoning your writing." So, I didn't speak with her again and worked and worked until <i><a href="http://sharonlovejoy.com/CultivatingWonder/Sharons_Bookstore.html" target="_blank">Roots</a></i> was finished.</div>
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<b>How nasty criticisms can hurt your creative process:</b></div>
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I loved learning this weekend about the how and why our brains process good and bad experiences. Here is a snippet from an interview with Rick Hanson, Ph.D., who is a neuropsychologist and author of <a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/book/223287/hardwiring-happiness-by-rick-hanson" style="background-color: white; color: rgb(228, 162, 27) !important; cursor: pointer; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><i>Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence</i></a> <span style="background-color: white; color: #202022; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 22px;">(Harmony Books), wrote about ways to get past our built-in urge to think the worst. The trouble is, he said, "We've got a brain that's really good at learning from bad experiences. And it's relatively bad at learning from good experiences. That's why I say that the brain is like Velcro for the bad, but Teflon for the good."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202022; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 22px;">It isn't. It is difficult, painful, sometimes joyful, sometimes exciting, sometimes heartbreaking, but we are humans and part of the beauty of humans is their creativity. Make yourself work, revise, revise again, and don't be afraid to read to others. You must share your work and get feedback. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202022; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 22px;">Once I confessed to my friend Janet Brownell, who is an accomplished and successful screen writer, that I was afraid to read my work to people. Janet laughed and said, "You can write and write and be a writer, but you need others to read your work before you're an author." </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202022; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 22px;">So now, my friends, I am going back to work so that I have two finished chapters to read to my writing group this Wednesday. This is a short posting, but it is for <b>YOU</b> so you can follow the path to your dreams. That path is rocky and filled with potholes, but it is your path and if you have tenacity and courage, you can make your dreams come true.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #202022; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">I am happy to offer a reader drawing (in a few weeks) for a signed, hardbound copy of <i><a href="http://sharonlovejoy.com/CultivatingWonder/Sharons_Bookstore.html" target="_blank">Running Out of Night</a></i> (not due until November) and a copy of <i><a href="http://sharonlovejoy.com/CultivatingWonder/Sharons_Bookstore.html" target="_blank">Trowel and Error</a>.</i> Please leave a comment on this posting for eligibility in the drawing. Also, if you don't have a blog or address, you'll need to look for the winner so we can contact you for a mailing address.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202022; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 22px;">All joys,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202022; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 22px;">Sharon</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #202022; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 22px;">P.S. I was overjoyed this week to get this notice about <i><a href="http://sharonlovejoy.com/CultivatingWonder/Sharons_Bookstore.html" target="_blank">Trowel & Error</a></i>'s 11th printing. Dreams do come true.</span></div>
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Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com66tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-75095660848060290922014-02-03T19:38:00.001-08:002014-02-03T19:45:48.581-08:00In the Midnight Kitchen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Homemade granola for breakfast</div>
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A rocker is a necessity in a comfy kitchen (at least for me)</div>
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So dear friends, what do YOU do when it is 12:38 A.M. and you can't sleep? Isn't it true that we always mull over our problems and challenges and try to solve them during nights? I should always remember that you just can't solve anything when the dark cloak descends and you're bumping into everything between you and sweet sleep.</div>
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During daylight I go for a walk, weed, or plant, but at night I head for the kitchen, brew some herbal tea, pick up a cookbook, and read. Then, the Midnight Kitchen comes to life.</div>
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Though I love cookbooks, I'll have to admit that many, many times I travel my own pathways and ad lib everything. Sometimes I hit a home run, but others, well, saying things turn out dismally isn't really right because creating and filling the house with the scent of cooking food makes everything feel more do-able, more easily reckoned.</div>
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My friend Carolyn Eicher brought me a lovely bag of rolled oats that were grown organically right here in San Luis Obispo county by <a href="http://withthegrain.org/" target="_blank">WITH THE GRAIN</a>. I decided that a big tray of homemade granola was what I needed to put me into a peaceful place.</div>
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For easy clean-up, I always line my jelly pans or cookie sheets with parchment paper.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oCW_qXq1g2WmCe04ahh7w4hIxpzYcyRiYDJrbOlBC1l4ciPPSWyZvlDIevvtFICkXwGjgQtP_54Sul7sHm2cgPcfsU-BOvRV9ktO3ueSplMr5IQSyqD7c5fYhPi1xe244cvQB0Q5TApg/s1600/IMG_8884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oCW_qXq1g2WmCe04ahh7w4hIxpzYcyRiYDJrbOlBC1l4ciPPSWyZvlDIevvtFICkXwGjgQtP_54Sul7sHm2cgPcfsU-BOvRV9ktO3ueSplMr5IQSyqD7c5fYhPi1xe244cvQB0Q5TApg/s1600/IMG_8884.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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So I dipped into a container of almonds I'd been soaking (this removes bitterness and tannins and makes them taste sweeter and allows our bodies better nutrient absorption). Next I added organic pecans and rolled oats blended with brown sugar, maple syrup, (sometimes I add coconut flakes)...</div>
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...and slid the cookie sheet into Abigail, my faithful oven (named for my grandmother Abigal Lovejoy). You are witness to the major boo boo of the Midnight Kitchen. I put my dried berries into the oven and baked them with the granola. WRONG move. I guess I was tired. Anyhow, the cranberries were fine, but the blueberries resembled little marbles and almost broke our teeth.</div>
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My version of homemade granola:</div>
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Preheat the oven to 275 degrees (low and slow is the key to success)</div>
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6 cups of rolled oats</div>
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2 cups of pecans</div>
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2 cups of soaked almonds (soak 12 hours and drain water before using)</div>
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1/2 cup dark brown sugar</div>
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Mix above ingredients together in a big bowl </div>
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In another bowl mix together:</div>
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1/2 cup of organic coconut oil (I melt it in the microwave)</div>
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1/2 cup of maple syrup</div>
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1 tsp. salt</div>
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Mix ingredients from both bowls together and pour onto jelly pans or cookie sheets lined with parchment paper.</div>
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Bake slowly, stir every fifteen to twenty minutes. After about an hour and 15 minutes this mixture should be a golden brown.</div>
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Remove cookie sheets from oven and add dried cranberries, and/or dried blueberries, raisins or? Whatever strikes your fancy.</div>
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Allow to cool thoroughly before packing into jars for storage. If you've ever seen granola in specialty stores, you know how expensive it can be. So I always do a double recipe (original was for 3 cups of rolled outs and all ingredients cut back by half), and package up some granola for gifts. </div>
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Two bowls of homemade granola</div>
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I didn't end up going to bed until after 3 A.M., but the next morning Jeff awoke to fresh, homemade granola and a pot of homemade chicken lemon soup simmering on Abigail.</div>
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Lemon Chicken Soup</div>
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I use organic chicken broth when I don't have any homemade broth lurking in the refrigerator or freezer. Sometimes I make chicken noodle or chicken rice, but this time I did a cous cous, sesame seed, and garbanzo bean blend (the blend is from Trader Joe's). They tasted great, but they absorb too much of the broth when they simmer on the stove for awhile.</div>
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My secret ingredient (not too secret since you're looking at it) is lemon. I roll them around on the counter to free up the juices, then I squeeze the juice into the broth and add the sliced lemons, which cook in the broth for hours. Wow, this is a winner, winner chicken dinner. The zing of the lemons really tastes great.</div>
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My version of lemon chicken soup:</div>
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Dice carrots, celery, one half onion and sauté over medium heat in butter and olive oil (the olive oil keeps the butter from burning) </div>
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One or two cloves of garlic, crushed on a bed of 1/2 tsp. sea salt, and sliced (or if you're a garlic fanatic it never hurts to use more)</div>
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One inch piece of peeled, diced fresh ginger</div>
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Cut at least two lemons in half and add juice to chicken broth</div>
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Chicken pieces (I use leftover chicken)</div>
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Organic chicken broth</div>
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1/2 tsp. Cayenne pepper</div>
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rice, noodles, or other grain blend</div>
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Sauté veggies and once they're soft you can quickly stir in garlic and salt, but don't let garlic brown as it gets bitter. Add garlic and veggies to 32 ounces of chicken broth. Add lemon juice and lemon pieces. Add ginger. Simmer slowly with lid slightly ajar, which will help thicken the broth and deepen the flavor. </div>
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After a few hours of filling your kitchen with delectable aromas, add the chicken pieces (I add these at the end so that they are still chewable and tasty) and rice, noodles, or grain blend. Stir thoroughly and cover tightly. Simmer on low until rice or grain is cooked (usually takes about half an hour)</div>
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Taste and season as you are cooking your soup. Sometimes you can simmer it for hours and it still tastes like a wet washrag. Add pepper and salt as needed and top the soup with sliced green onions (aka scallions).</div>
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I am sorry to have been away so long, but I've had bronchitis and an eye infection and we have lost three friends in the past month. January was a tough one, but thanks to the Midnight Kitchen, friends and family, we're getting back on track again.</div>
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Sending love across the miles,</div>
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Sharon</div>
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Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-89053050279782710402013-12-31T09:00:00.000-08:002013-12-31T09:00:11.145-08:00Meanwhile, I Keep Dancing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgR9RHi-pPY5yEre33uK_rEJBh91dYaOnx_-KXyiiXyQoFdm7B_H2wtFWdfBVt_faevDpadoVoZh7wckbHzG0ki0yXdM7fRb03ofGu-XXfQlToSLzPdJsCGsopGsw01IpUZhxpPHa2a89E/s1600/IMG_8534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgR9RHi-pPY5yEre33uK_rEJBh91dYaOnx_-KXyiiXyQoFdm7B_H2wtFWdfBVt_faevDpadoVoZh7wckbHzG0ki0yXdM7fRb03ofGu-XXfQlToSLzPdJsCGsopGsw01IpUZhxpPHa2a89E/s640/IMG_8534.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">"I get up. I walk. I fall down. Meanwhile, I keep dancing."</span></div>
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Daniel Hillel</div>
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Dear Friends,</div>
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Congratulations to Susan (<a href="http://mymothersapronstrings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">My Mother's Apron Strings</a>) who is the lucky winner of Marta McDowell's wonderful new book <i><a href="http://www.timberpress.com/books/beatrix_potters_gardening_life/mcdowell/9781604693638" target="_blank">Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life</a></i>. Susan dear, I don't think I have your new address. Please send it along. </div>
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Sending love across the miles,</div>
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Sharon</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><i>Remember to keep getting up. Dance your way into 2014!</i></span></div>
Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-65314413847360388022013-12-23T17:52:00.004-08:002013-12-23T17:52:34.138-08:00The Warmth of Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Friends,</div>
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Every day during the busy holiday season I look forward to reading cards and catching up on the goings on of good friends and family. Thank you, thank you for all your many kindnesses. Thank you dear herbal friend Nancy Heraud, <a href="http://lemonverbenalady.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lemon Verbena Lady</a>, for the unexpected trove of glorious, jewel-like jellies and jams. Nothing is better than something cooked or crafted with love.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUevS7R9nIUPC7Xm3yfE8-lf0wly3a_lxEyQ1H6esPoqIuOa3hoKuPnmjtvIrRVJURlUsR2qpFwDn1r_PUe6lVfpcybrgeDeg52DzWFltC0EmlWKvioiw5JiRuVD5scGvgiLVEzQ_vj9VA/s1600/IMG_8336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUevS7R9nIUPC7Xm3yfE8-lf0wly3a_lxEyQ1H6esPoqIuOa3hoKuPnmjtvIrRVJURlUsR2qpFwDn1r_PUe6lVfpcybrgeDeg52DzWFltC0EmlWKvioiw5JiRuVD5scGvgiLVEzQ_vj9VA/s640/IMG_8336.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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How can it already be time to unpack our family treasures from the old green blanket chest? It feels like I tucked our favorite ornaments away only a few weeks ago, but it has been a year. The first things to come out are always our old stick sheep from the beginning of the 20th century.</div>
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Our old German stick sheep line the mantel. When the horrible San Simeon earthquake hit us in 2003, the sheep were all hurled across the room and onto the floor. Many of their ears are broken and legs are wobbly, but they've been a part of my life for almost 40 years. The children expect them to watch over our family.</div>
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The handmade Edwardian hat-topper is now our tree-topper. Imagine wearing a hat big enough to support a ten inch squirrel. I found this in an antique shop I always loved. Do any of you remember Millie Fairie's fabulous store in Cambria? I'll never forget it. I think I bought this guy about 35 years ago.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxhe8rbTPtZpNTDrpJiH5pFMIS9gvqa3Bf3Za1gVb7lFt2Ih5jHFb1vuxP_z2tXwI9JlqE7ksnWUzjyFIW7Ilv1C5VtvI4zJrfXa2u_KIoQVCcUYyL561rzcEXCvZt7esIp1wvgwUVC5h/s1600/IMG_8358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxhe8rbTPtZpNTDrpJiH5pFMIS9gvqa3Bf3Za1gVb7lFt2Ih5jHFb1vuxP_z2tXwI9JlqE7ksnWUzjyFIW7Ilv1C5VtvI4zJrfXa2u_KIoQVCcUYyL561rzcEXCvZt7esIp1wvgwUVC5h/s640/IMG_8358.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This little snowman (smaller than my pinky finger) is about 100 years old, and he is one of my all time favorites. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCPc3UixOWYXBPHbvdxFL6IzWNElkY1aiH3VCqBhY0HtVxvK-b-8kYjg5xZEfz0nlverNbDGgQqMWA_ZGzSU1CDbyASwWm_OAXmhuICsYAK5ZGnhp5YELFVkQ9h1kShYQ4Y_id-LB8jzn/s1600/IMG_8368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCPc3UixOWYXBPHbvdxFL6IzWNElkY1aiH3VCqBhY0HtVxvK-b-8kYjg5xZEfz0nlverNbDGgQqMWA_ZGzSU1CDbyASwWm_OAXmhuICsYAK5ZGnhp5YELFVkQ9h1kShYQ4Y_id-LB8jzn/s640/IMG_8368.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Mary Margaret Klug stitched the Christmas hearts, my daughter in law made me over a hundred origami paper birds, my friend David Krause made the tiny walnut basket in the lower left. It has a gingham table cloth and is filled with berries. I included his walnut basket in my first book, <i>Sunflower Houses</i>, so this basket is over twenty four years old.</div>
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An early, clip-on glass bunny.</div>
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A tiny cotton Santa and above his left shoulder is the ferry boat that traverses the sea between Anacortes and Orcas Island where we once had a tiny cottage. Waiting for the ferry was always so exciting.</div>
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This is as close as Jeff will get to having the sailboat of his dreams!</div>
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Or maybe this is! This red canoe is in honor of the one we have in Maine. This canoe topped my 50th birthday cake and now always sits in a place of honor in our tree.</div>
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The little clip-on chicken is one of my favorites. I think it is from the early 20th century.</div>
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Corny as it is, the Santa face ranks near the top of beloved keepsake memories. This is actually a half of a mussel shell, which has been painted with Santa's face. Our friends in the Brewer family took us out for a memorable boat ride and picnic at the tiny Burnt Island Lighthouse out of Boothbay Harbor. I bought some of these from the girls who lived out there and tended the island. When I hang these on the tree, I smell the aroma of the firs, the sound of our feet scrunching through the shell-strewn pathways, and I see the play of clear Maine light across the blue, blue waters of the bay. </div>
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I'm a sucker for little holiday stockings.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHADztE-q_HbdJLfZuikzdoSr5lDJDiW8ZGooUGHKqWcBr9LPcLBMN6Oe_NFKsdOaTSS7hcVIt9fU5bmk4kWoiZ26hcydXIrGn-dE4cAYuM9GvD7nAHAjLxd-KHV-i9ZWehqMFOdWuo119/s1600/IMG_8393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHADztE-q_HbdJLfZuikzdoSr5lDJDiW8ZGooUGHKqWcBr9LPcLBMN6Oe_NFKsdOaTSS7hcVIt9fU5bmk4kWoiZ26hcydXIrGn-dE4cAYuM9GvD7nAHAjLxd-KHV-i9ZWehqMFOdWuo119/s640/IMG_8393.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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An old, clip-on bird ornament was a gift from Susan Pendergast, who also made the string/garlands of old glass ornaments. Another few origami paper birds. I love their flight across the branches.</div>
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I treasure all the handmade ornaments sent to me by Suzanne, <a href="http://downinthemeadow.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Down in the Meadow</a>, all the way from South Africa.</div>
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Out come the old Christmas quilts and the memories of blazing sunshine over vast fields of antiques in Maine, Massachusetts, and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. And the stockings from Christmas Cove Designs, which Jeff and I will fill with small gifts for each grand.</div>
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And five little socks to be stuffed for the faerie mailboxes out in our garden. I know that the more grown-up grands are shaky about their belief in the garden faeries, but they still go out to check their mailboxes and many times find fanciful gifts tucked inside them.</div>
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So now the stockings are stuffed, the tree is finally hung with the memories of our lives, and we await the arrival of family and friends, which is really what this season is all about.</div>
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I send love across the miles, and remember, the days are already beginning to lengthen; they're loping toward spring time. Holiday blessings and the warmth of love to you all.</div>
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Believe me dear friends, one doesn't need to grow up!</div>
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LUCKY US! Timber Press sent an offer for a give-away copy of <a href="http://www.martamcdowell.com/" target="_blank">Marta McDowell</a>'s new book about <i><a href="http://www.timberpress.com/books/beatrix_potters_gardening_life/mcdowell/9781604693638" target="_blank">Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life</a></i>. This is a must read for anyone who loves Beatrix and for anyone who loves a garden. This book is amazing! Be the lucky winner, just leave a comment on this blog posting. If you're an anonymous commenter, please check back to see if you've won Marta's book.</div>
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Remember, don't grow up!</div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Happy Holidays!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sharon</span></div>
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Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-785396495269823212013-12-07T12:42:00.001-08:002013-12-07T12:42:50.513-08:00Friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is Jake. He is my morning alarm clock. Jake taps at my bedroom window to let me know that it is breakfast time for him. So, I load his feeder with whole peanuts and he is a happy Scrub Jay.</div>
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Dear Friends</div>
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I know, I know, it has been a long, long time, but you all know what a hectic and joyous time of year this is. We had company for five days, cooked many meals, and had lots of great adventures. I am hoping that your Thanksgiving was wonderful and filled with love. Ours was. We celebrated our first Thanksgiving with a little boy who fought hard and long for life. He is our blessing.</div>
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Thanks so much for your letters, cards, and gifts. I can't believe how thoughtful you all are. Oh, and a wonderful gift was this autographed book from the author herself. It was a surprise, but oh how welcome in my library. </div>
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<a href="http://www.martamcdowell.com/" target="_blank">Marta McDowell</a>'s book, <i><a href="http://www.timberpress.com/books/beatrix_potters_gardening_life/mcdowell/9781604693638" target="_blank">Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life</a></i>, is scholarly, but homey, elegant, and filled with information for all the fans of Beatrix and her works. I LOVE this book. For those of you who are Beatrix lovers too, please visit <a href="http://sharonlovejoy.blogspot.com/2010/10/but-is-it-still-magic-in-here.html" target="_blank">my blog posting</a> I did on Beatrix's beloved Hilltop a few years ago.</div>
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Thanks dear Marta. I wish you great success. YOUR book is brilliant!</div>
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And to my dear Cousin Julie Marie at <a href="http://idyllhours.blogspot.com/">Idyllhours.blogspot.com</a>. Thank you for the little squirrel friend who is doing her best to get me through my separation anxiety with my little Audrey.</div>
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As I work through 280 pages of what is called First Pass on my new middle grade novel, <i>Running Out of Night, </i>(Delacorte Press/Randon House, Fall 2014), the sights outside my window keep me going. What could be tedious and trying is punctuated by the beauty and grace of the birds in my life. I love them.</div>
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What better gift for a youngster than a simple feeder or a birdbath? Such a great way to introduce a child (or someone who is infirm and housebound) to the nature right outside a window. I treasure my bird friends and love them so much.</div>
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The shy Hermit Thrush visits a few times a day for berries and baths.</div>
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The Yellow-rumped Warbler ...</div>
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... drinking daintily.</div>
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Dear little Chestnut-backed Chickadees and White-crowned Sparrows feasting at the wooden feeder Jeff built for me. Such a busy stop for so many birds.</div>
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House Finches try to run the show...</div>
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...but the chickadee never gives up. (A good lesson for us all?)</div>
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An immature White-crowned Sparrow</div>
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Jeff shows our little guy how to feed the birds.</div>
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And at the window feeder he drops in seed by seed. Phew, that took awhile. This is a great feeder with heavy duty suction cups to hold it on the window and an easy fold out front for quick cleaning. This comes with my book <i><a href="https://squareup.com/market/sharon-lovejoy" target="_blank">My First Bird Book and Bird Feeder</a> </i>(<a href="http://www.workman.com/" target="_blank">Workman Publishing</a>).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibz4A48oEruTWM7JoQBPuJxsCJaVvz1JlVpoVS0Xh7U925c0HivUhe30jIREZ36clZxkAKfehouruXlqx29bkMpNfzTtGafVGVUUUkf1rRX_iA2kFY2C1Pd4kSuPMsThzG7Obj72HySxY4/s1600/IMG_8015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibz4A48oEruTWM7JoQBPuJxsCJaVvz1JlVpoVS0Xh7U925c0HivUhe30jIREZ36clZxkAKfehouruXlqx29bkMpNfzTtGafVGVUUUkf1rRX_iA2kFY2C1Pd4kSuPMsThzG7Obj72HySxY4/s400/IMG_8015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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You're never too young to enjoy nature. And, never too old.</div>
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This is my girlfriend, author <a href="http://www.sherryshahan.com/" target="_blank">Sherry Shahan</a>. Her grandsons used the recipe for my bird booster, which can be found in <i><a href="https://squareup.com/market/sharon-lovejoy" target="_blank">Toad Cottages and Shooting Stars</a></i> and <i><a href="https://squareup.com/market/sharon-lovejoy" target="_blank">My First Bird Book and Bird Feeder</a></i>.</div>
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Bird Booster Recipe: </div>
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Note: please replace peanut butter with almond butter IF your child has an allergy to peanuts.</div>
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1 cup almond or crunchy peanut butter</div>
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1 cup canola oil</div>
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4 cups yellow cornmeal</div>
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1 cup white flour</div>
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A few tablespoons of shelled sunflower seeds and/or raisins.</div>
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Mix together and stuff into a pine cone. Hang the cone from a wire or string. Place it where you and your children can enjoy all the activity. The birds need protein and fat during the winter months. Feed them and feed your soul!</div>
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NEWS FLASH!! The winner of <a href="http://www.susanbranch.com/" target="_blank">Susan Branch</a>'s new book, <i><a href="http://shopping.susanbranch.com/A-Fine-Romance--P2538C115.aspx" target="_blank">A Fine Romance</a></i>, has never responded. So Jeff did another random number generator choice and the winner is number 67, Bonnie K at <a href="http://birdsbeesberriesblooms.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Birds, Bees, Berries, and Blooms</a>. Bonnie is a <a href="http://www.sharonlovejoy.com/CultivatingWonder/Grimy_Hands.html" target="_blank">Grimy Hands Girls' Club</a> member so she'll be receiving a bonus gift.<br />
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Joys to you and love across the miles,<br />
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Sharon<br />
<br />Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-6764589277556489212013-11-14T11:19:00.000-08:002013-11-14T11:19:54.541-08:00Let Them Eat Cake!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTxlTCKT4L4rRtZcgbu6iKkxnflJMu1OIjt8EUW5VFvhKbcMW8Bk3DuB77T-DJD0V-0oxuA8ZD0atm3tJg7cyicbAtNITMyshUpvJD6vuTiKzN9pUDSrOu4BRjpIymvQwhY_ruzlwPh9y/s1600/IMG_7659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTxlTCKT4L4rRtZcgbu6iKkxnflJMu1OIjt8EUW5VFvhKbcMW8Bk3DuB77T-DJD0V-0oxuA8ZD0atm3tJg7cyicbAtNITMyshUpvJD6vuTiKzN9pUDSrOu4BRjpIymvQwhY_ruzlwPh9y/s400/IMG_7659.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This stuffed squash was one of the main dishes. I bought the squash at a farmers' market in San Clemente. The farmer didn't know the name of it, but he said it was a "good baking" one–he was right.</div>
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A few years ago my friend <a href="http://www.susanbranch.com/" target="_blank">Sue Branch</a> mentioned that in all the years she has been writing, she has never had a book party. She wasn't complaining; it was simply a statement of fact. When she said that I decided that when she finished another book we would somehow celebrate it with a wonderful party.</div>
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When Sue finished <a href="http://shopping.susanbranch.com/A-Fine-Romance--P2538C115.aspx" target="_blank"><i>A Fine Romance</i> </a>I talked with Jeff and with our friends <a href="http://www.bassettivineyards.com/" target="_blank">Susan and Ellis Bassetti </a>and told them I wanted to throw a party for her. Ellis and Susie quickly seconded the idea and volunteered to hold it at their ranch, which has so much more space than our home. (And who wouldn't want to attend a party in the middle of an olive grove and a vineyard?)</div>
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So onward and upward. Plans began to form, close friends were invited, and helpers were enlisted. Let the cooking begin!</div>
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Our little kitchen turned into an assembly line for a couple of days as we prepared for the party.</div>
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Recipe to follow at end of posting.</div>
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<a href="http://www.bassettivineyards.com/" target="_blank">Ellis Bassetti</a> mans/chefs the outdoor wood-fired oven he built.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uARHPMXX8qxWKeLUNyL03R6jocBusLL0dXNJ7tXmUr8RGdX0vXhyphenhyphenQUtCcBeKAPtY7H4Ed8X-DSjG2miImAe7jy9fFcq_BwATjuZigVaiJg3mYd21dpHF1hm4VlOtGA7ohWcRlN-z3mG4/s1600/IMG_7696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uARHPMXX8qxWKeLUNyL03R6jocBusLL0dXNJ7tXmUr8RGdX0vXhyphenhyphenQUtCcBeKAPtY7H4Ed8X-DSjG2miImAe7jy9fFcq_BwATjuZigVaiJg3mYd21dpHF1hm4VlOtGA7ohWcRlN-z3mG4/s400/IMG_7696.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Somehow Ellis knows exactly when his foods are finished to perfection. Practice, I guess. I have a tough enough time trying to get them right when I use an oven.</div>
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My granddaughter is wearing an official server's apron, but forgets her chores and loses herself in an adventure with the two pups. Much better than working!</div>
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Congratulations Sue dear!!</div>
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My pal Matt Spurr helps dish out and serve the cheesy peppers.</div>
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Joe Hall (alias "THE DREAMBOAT") surveys the box of oysters he flew in from a favorite fish market, <a href="http://www.mvseafood.com/" target="_blank">The Net Result</a>, on Martha's Vineyard.</div>
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Joe shucked the oysters for all of us newbies.</div>
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This is hard work! One slip of the knife and...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4M4M1BJFjHqaS8nSEcXEIgVWNYIaf4i3yE7WKmB3WFxU3j5uBoNEDu14Hm3NpkcJTfGizWqS7SU88QIhV8TUseDdKU8kF_MTB1xsDb4iPtxpHZfgZN9JqDEqvN_DSc9Tkd4veXzOsSkn/s1600/IMG_7709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4M4M1BJFjHqaS8nSEcXEIgVWNYIaf4i3yE7WKmB3WFxU3j5uBoNEDu14Hm3NpkcJTfGizWqS7SU88QIhV8TUseDdKU8kF_MTB1xsDb4iPtxpHZfgZN9JqDEqvN_DSc9Tkd4veXzOsSkn/s400/IMG_7709.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My salad was filled with all sorts of goodies from our garden, including pears, apples, and pomegranate arils. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihW_wYVQCwR-zlJEu1LStylzTgco2tm04q9iPqPhALiFatf7dPiSHrDYOR4PaTy6yQRWntbiPhlkk6NAfyU1lFKAEOi2H7MG_q_JmKHy8Ph_9AbVjQH0lpd9LhTKFfuFwWDSatH6EWIA9x/s1600/IMG_7712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihW_wYVQCwR-zlJEu1LStylzTgco2tm04q9iPqPhALiFatf7dPiSHrDYOR4PaTy6yQRWntbiPhlkk6NAfyU1lFKAEOi2H7MG_q_JmKHy8Ph_9AbVjQH0lpd9LhTKFfuFwWDSatH6EWIA9x/s400/IMG_7712.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is a nine pound pork loin seasoned with my homegrown herbs and marinated for two days.</div>
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I usually cook these for an hour, but in the hot, hot oven (which immediately sears in the juices) it took very little time and tasted great!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOT17ciJ8V-Vd5-c_CBNp6Vxs4INyCR0QiggsRppKmmOVRc9DMoP7o9pJlRRnb7Ithd0MROWmrvFT5k8rejBLDvTqZV-wBZ_XMEhi9pg-xKIFCJWnXR1eZGXS_Db53V5n4d4jtYkk_ljd/s1600/IMG_7715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOT17ciJ8V-Vd5-c_CBNp6Vxs4INyCR0QiggsRppKmmOVRc9DMoP7o9pJlRRnb7Ithd0MROWmrvFT5k8rejBLDvTqZV-wBZ_XMEhi9pg-xKIFCJWnXR1eZGXS_Db53V5n4d4jtYkk_ljd/s400/IMG_7715.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Setting the buffet table. </div>
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Ok, so you can't actually see who is who, but some of the guests didn't want their photos taken...I understand that 'cause I never want my photo taken either.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoXXS4i11qr2APMhiQVVKT_wypJC0xhLHTb0TTvv1FGVmnDcbcIPZAcf0QhjXCf8VKVZgOC2Ugdo-4dpbFVyDZIYlmu8nmoSehhCy4MbWjRaeajbPrIgiqlhlJsvi-xQ-HIMzotcCVuTS/s1600/IMG_7729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoXXS4i11qr2APMhiQVVKT_wypJC0xhLHTb0TTvv1FGVmnDcbcIPZAcf0QhjXCf8VKVZgOC2Ugdo-4dpbFVyDZIYlmu8nmoSehhCy4MbWjRaeajbPrIgiqlhlJsvi-xQ-HIMzotcCVuTS/s400/IMG_7729.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The twenty foot long pine table had a garland of pomegranates, persimmons, and grape vines...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbn4fz73-Taue0OY6UhSP3XezvZBlUucRACR2vDi5EYPdwSLjcy1oz8kkk_9adS8L4jW28PYEjXWQnF3fzzdBPXMLd10z7yo8lko75o2kabx-ICz1l56z1Ow-hHhhBLaAPVKecgMJe7My_/s1600/IMG_7725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbn4fz73-Taue0OY6UhSP3XezvZBlUucRACR2vDi5EYPdwSLjcy1oz8kkk_9adS8L4jW28PYEjXWQnF3fzzdBPXMLd10z7yo8lko75o2kabx-ICz1l56z1Ow-hHhhBLaAPVKecgMJe7My_/s400/IMG_7725.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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...and an array of beautiful and loyal friends (including Sue's original girlfriends from high school).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCUrRqlC9ZBE3Rz6_qbwcos4NwA7k6EQxSK1M9_AnVVXDpCP25K4k8aQYNSWxzJxRbAytReMjQk61emPwoLENDD1_817-tpFcKjoSwqG7RxnKN5uIlZPpHJRawWz44ezDRgA1QrMWlaE6/s1600/IMG_7742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCUrRqlC9ZBE3Rz6_qbwcos4NwA7k6EQxSK1M9_AnVVXDpCP25K4k8aQYNSWxzJxRbAytReMjQk61emPwoLENDD1_817-tpFcKjoSwqG7RxnKN5uIlZPpHJRawWz44ezDRgA1QrMWlaE6/s400/IMG_7742.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sometimes I'd look around and see maybe a dozen people with their phones out and happily photographing the goings-on. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_inhZ5f-dZCtmYkzs2fq2JV3BgCr3a_rxVFcKZTxmRbtNDn7_joW7PeTZivLKUlnng10cJTfsqiIgNLYk_Nlb4leKFDHTdffvGljeoSVy4Sh9tHooWD8MKYosY25FRzVxDbgo2xsVIV_/s1600/IMG_7746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_inhZ5f-dZCtmYkzs2fq2JV3BgCr3a_rxVFcKZTxmRbtNDn7_joW7PeTZivLKUlnng10cJTfsqiIgNLYk_Nlb4leKFDHTdffvGljeoSVy4Sh9tHooWD8MKYosY25FRzVxDbgo2xsVIV_/s400/IMG_7746.jpg" width="328" /></a></div>
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<i>A Fine Romance</i> book cake by Renee Linn of <a href="http://www.linnsfruitbin.com/" target="_blank">Linn's Restaurant and Bakery</a>. Renee spent hours working on this piece of art, which tasted as great as it looked. Thank you, Renee, for all your creativity and giving.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpH-rMt2V6J74Uzn2DJXuzYJHieRlJ_a-iH3ztGkPC4PeyePaUKqbYWPrauQTiwVh75FCOon1bf6mm0dESd_riXJykJY2tU0WIjKaSY05k1uDL7Qc0dW42aI3SkMYEZ2FQqjQzh_RwGGI6/s1600/IMG_7747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpH-rMt2V6J74Uzn2DJXuzYJHieRlJ_a-iH3ztGkPC4PeyePaUKqbYWPrauQTiwVh75FCOon1bf6mm0dESd_riXJykJY2tU0WIjKaSY05k1uDL7Qc0dW42aI3SkMYEZ2FQqjQzh_RwGGI6/s400/IMG_7747.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Don't drop the cake, Jeff!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmSJ2dWj5MU4dmeB1qo-_san-MJVYFE8rODJhdiwev8SCvELeZqIvOeBuYW7xZGYQFZ2Solr0nKsT5j_cK1HphP4FETLjkVoRZr8Ge5CjNdF2hDHjHSLtG3f_pCTIkVOs737JSIzgXn0D/s1600/IMG_7749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmSJ2dWj5MU4dmeB1qo-_san-MJVYFE8rODJhdiwev8SCvELeZqIvOeBuYW7xZGYQFZ2Solr0nKsT5j_cK1HphP4FETLjkVoRZr8Ge5CjNdF2hDHjHSLtG3f_pCTIkVOs737JSIzgXn0D/s400/IMG_7749.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Through the herb garden and to the grape arbor dining room.</div>
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Sue was surprised and she loved it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2G9M2uG7TvyHdtEwNZYk93WFnSfAQM0L4WvOO3mO61MAC5R6gOEaugPxSUi_OEGfPuotyQD81yxCmgzV6OUVJLVjJ-gr1tQd0_EMl6jG_ywFiM-keeo4887YsWLFGznG2eHSQvYd3y0pn/s1600/IMG_7767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2G9M2uG7TvyHdtEwNZYk93WFnSfAQM0L4WvOO3mO61MAC5R6gOEaugPxSUi_OEGfPuotyQD81yxCmgzV6OUVJLVjJ-gr1tQd0_EMl6jG_ywFiM-keeo4887YsWLFGznG2eHSQvYd3y0pn/s400/IMG_7767.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Umm, I like the corners. Lots of frosting please. If I'm going to blow the calories, I might as well go for the good stuff.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqw-JanF1dXBbPsNru3vo327oDdWIIPJBzUWuyGwa5l0FvtjnKl9HFxq3DfmWWvngqJpxWkK4x7raiL_A64VFV2CXZ4SDZFMzdEsO_NsSBGlsY-GIUUeuJPVUc9pY4U9U7xFS67fdiVY1/s1600/IMG_7769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqw-JanF1dXBbPsNru3vo327oDdWIIPJBzUWuyGwa5l0FvtjnKl9HFxq3DfmWWvngqJpxWkK4x7raiL_A64VFV2CXZ4SDZFMzdEsO_NsSBGlsY-GIUUeuJPVUc9pY4U9U7xFS67fdiVY1/s400/IMG_7769.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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Cute boots, Sue. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7n2vfeh6vHj8YgfY-plyxK7uoWfGxObLAksEHRND3Yr_ix9LaUsTkhAR6bb5y2rLyC0Wq04jVtN96NNyeeV3221ifZSVXxuz8P6aYMQgJ0NzaqU_3_hryhDItFmTQP_lGo3cnNhsv3XN/s1600/IMG_7782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7n2vfeh6vHj8YgfY-plyxK7uoWfGxObLAksEHRND3Yr_ix9LaUsTkhAR6bb5y2rLyC0Wq04jVtN96NNyeeV3221ifZSVXxuz8P6aYMQgJ0NzaqU_3_hryhDItFmTQP_lGo3cnNhsv3XN/s400/IMG_7782.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The adorable Julie Marie (<a href="http://idyllhours.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Idyllhours</a> blog) sent two hand felted squirrels to the party. One for Sue and one for me. They are darling. Mine will go up on the animal shelf in my studio. Thank you, Julie Marie, for your thoughtfulness and caring.</div>
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I'll wind this posting down with the announcement of the winner of the vintage Anne Morrow Lindbergh book, <i>Gift from the Sea, </i>which I have treasured and read over and over for years<i>.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVCQNIyKa4XjYyjIBBo2fRXiI2Xy6KquT-jPK27zV2sAc-NiWIu_7zUaZqXJF8xCfpB-fHJx4K-v4RtbzJ0ho3_5sb4n0np09HYong0SvQ4xrs0wzS7dimaSBoNsxrGzS4GHAW7i_-D5L/s1600/IMG_7551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVCQNIyKa4XjYyjIBBo2fRXiI2Xy6KquT-jPK27zV2sAc-NiWIu_7zUaZqXJF8xCfpB-fHJx4K-v4RtbzJ0ho3_5sb4n0np09HYong0SvQ4xrs0wzS7dimaSBoNsxrGzS4GHAW7i_-D5L/s400/IMG_7551.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I just hope that you all get the chance to read this, and that our lucky winner (automatically picked by the random number generator) is number 30, Donna, but I do not have an e-mail address or any information about her. Donna, if you read this, I need your address, etc. It won't be published. If you are a member of The Grimy Hands Girls' Club, you'll receive an extra gift.</div>
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Also, I am in a bit of a dilemma here. Our winner of Sue's personally autographed book, <i>A Fine Romance</i>, from my last drawing, was never claimed. Chris Morgan won it, but I can't find Chris and she hasn't written me. I am going to wait for another week and then draw again if I am not contacted by Chris. Does that sound fair?</div>
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<b>Baked Stuffed Pumpkin</b></div>
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Here is the recipe for the baked, stuffed pumpkin, which I plan to also do for Thanksgiving.</div>
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Pre heat oven to 350 degrees </div>
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You'll need:</div>
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Large baking pumpkin or squash</div>
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Box of cremini mushrooms (they're more flavorful than white buttons)</div>
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2 stalks celery</div>
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1 sweet yellow onion</div>
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2 cups rice (I used Basmati and wild)</div>
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1 container organic chicken broth (32 oz)</div>
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2 tsp. butter</div>
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2 Tbsp. soy sauce</div>
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2 Tbsp. brown sugar</div>
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2 apples diced</div>
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1 cup pecans toasted</div>
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Cut the top off your pumpkin and clean out seeds and strings. Save the seeds and toast them (or dry them and replant them); they taste great.</div>
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Rub butter on the inside of pumpkin and lid and set aside.</div>
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Slice mushrooms.</div>
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Dice celery and sweet onion, add sliced mushrooms. Drop a tsp. of olive oil and a pat of butter into a skillet and cook the mushrooms, celery, and onion till tender. Sometimes I add a splash of red wine or a good balsamic vinegar and make a reduction sauce from the juices. Gives these a richer taste.</div>
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Pour organic broth, two teaspoons of butter, and soy sauce into a heavy-duty lidded pot. Bring to a boil, add rice, turn heat to simmer. It took about 25 minutes for my rice to cook. Lift lid, check that all liquid is absorbed, and fluff rice with a fork. Add mushrooms, celery, and onion. Keep rice uncovered and set aside.</div>
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Cook diced apples in a buttered skillet. Stir constantly, add the brown sugar, stir till apples just start to soften. (They'll cook thoroughly in the squash.) Add toasted pecans to the apples, stir to incorporate. This will coat them with a bit of the brown sugar.</div>
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Stuff squash/pumpkin all the way to the top. Perch lid on top, and it is safest to bake the squash in some sort of a pan, preferably one attractive enough to sit right on your table.</div>
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Here is the tricky part. I baked my squash for a little over two and a half hours. You MUST be able to slip a spoon into the flesh of the squash, which you'll also be eating with the stuffing. Since this is a trial and no error dish, just start it baking early, keep lifting off the lid of the squash and poking at the flesh. When finished baking, set it atop your stove and keep the lid on. I covered mine with aluminum foil and it stayed hot for an hour.</div>
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<b>Baked Baby Bell Peppers</b></div>
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Pre heat oven to 350</div>
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Selection of baby bell peppers</div>
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Olive oil</div>
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Goat cheese</div>
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Parmesan</div>
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Mixed herbs (I use oregano, lemon verbena, smoked paprika and something called Perfect Pinch Salad Seasonings.</div>
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Cut peppers in half and discard seeds and any pith</div>
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Spread peppers onto a baking sheet lined with parchment</div>
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Drizzle lightly with olive oil and top with a few twists of salt</div>
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Bake till sides just begin to brown. You must bake the shells empty first or the bells won't be cooked enough and will just taste raw.</div>
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Mix equal parts goat cheese and fresh Parmesan, drizzle on a bit of olive oil,add some herbs (make sure all herbs are cut into teensy pieces, especially the lemon verbena).</div>
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Stuff the cooled baby bells with the mixture. Top with a snowstorm of fresh parmesan, another drizzle of oil, and the Perfect Pinch Salad Seasoning. Toast in oven for about 10 minutes.</div>
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These are a huge hit! They've become a family tradition at our house. They take a bit of time, but when we cook for people we love it is fun.</div>
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Sending love across the miles,</div>
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Sharon</div>
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P.S. Many thanks to the editors of <i><a href="http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/" target="_blank">Garden Gate</a></i> magazine for their glowing review of my recent book, <i>My First Bird Book and Bird Feeder</i>, published by Workman and available through my site and many others. Hurrah! Introduce children (and maybe yourself) to the world of birds right outside your window!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4x1l8buv0SCx8TjU_tfKWHb60UJvKqCAPxyWjmZ0p1PL-L3iXL_l0DG49RRpSe3C5gJT4KhFmyjp7vibJIY85BGn7GsaRSSWOA0aB6kzsG6Qli3szSWM7nxqy7bdcO5Wm7L2ftI2-z0F/s1600/Garden+Gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4x1l8buv0SCx8TjU_tfKWHb60UJvKqCAPxyWjmZ0p1PL-L3iXL_l0DG49RRpSe3C5gJT4KhFmyjp7vibJIY85BGn7GsaRSSWOA0aB6kzsG6Qli3szSWM7nxqy7bdcO5Wm7L2ftI2-z0F/s400/Garden+Gate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I like how <i><a href="http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/" target="_blank">Garden Gate</a></i> has pre-punched pages that can be easily inserted into a notebook or journal.</div>
Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-2207416267682908192013-11-04T22:44:00.000-08:002013-11-05T15:24:19.921-08:00Solitary Confinement: it isn't always bad!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Do you have a book that feels like a wise, old friend? Do you revisit it year after year? I do, and it is still relevant and important to me after reading it over and over since 1969. A book this well written and deeply considered never wears out. That is why I am so happy to share this vintage hardbound copy of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's book, <i>Gift from the Sea</i>, with my loyal followers and readers. It is a small thank you that I hope will enrich your life. Just leave a comment in the comment section of this posting. Also, if you are a member of the <a href="http://www.sharonlovejoy.com/CultivatingWonder/Grimy_Hands.html" target="_blank">Grimy Hands Girls' Club</a>, you'll receive a bonus gift. If you have a book you wish to share, well, now is the time to tell me (us) about it.</div>
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Oh, I should mention that most of the shells in this photo were picked up on Captiva Island, which is where Anne was staying when she began this book. The <i>Spirula spirula</i> (looks like a ram's horn), the two baby ears, and the worm shell and sand dollar are all finds from my walks. I use a micron 005 pen to write on the back of each shell with the date and place they are found. It is a wonderful way to remember where you had adventures.</div>
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<b>November Garden</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-It2BPVcQjJSOpHKoj4OJL4j50sCAqskyftcx7Vul4FiG3NzYsnGGlybpgENtrGx2yWBqCZq4D2VK92GYiuFSgOVSlMJG9QmNL3zXq91tGnZy9V-1DRCVX8CBJgrWtl-eBM0Z-YKd8bG/s1600/IMG_7620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-It2BPVcQjJSOpHKoj4OJL4j50sCAqskyftcx7Vul4FiG3NzYsnGGlybpgENtrGx2yWBqCZq4D2VK92GYiuFSgOVSlMJG9QmNL3zXq91tGnZy9V-1DRCVX8CBJgrWtl-eBM0Z-YKd8bG/s400/IMG_7620.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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November in a corner of the patio. Jeff says he will divorce me if I make him move that huge boulder again, but I don't believe him. I love puttering around the containers in my garden. Mini worlds of pleasure. Can you see the little cherry tomatoes in the left hand corner? Amazing. The tomatoes and basil are still thriving. </div>
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November tapestry of Zinnias, nasturtium, geraniums, and succulents. Texture in a garden is one of the most important features.</div>
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A tattered and wind-worn Painted Lady on a glorious Bog sage.</div>
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I picked a trug full of fruits from my garden. Brown turkey figs, Feijoa (we call them pineapple guava and they are the BEST), pomegranates...</div>
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...and the last of the apples to be picked for pies, applesauce, and crisps.</div>
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Salvias are blooming, Nepeta is getting ready to bloom again, and 8 out of 10 of the artichokes are flaunting their sculptural beauty.</div>
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<b>Creating</b></div>
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I spend so much time alone (my version of solitary confinement) when I am writing, or simply dreaming of writing a new book. Weeding, walking, cleaning, day dreaming, ironing, all these diverse threads of time and thinking are woven together in the fabric of your dreams and schemes. You may not actually be setting words down on paper or stitching an appliqué onto a friendship quilt, but your brain is working, organizing, and accomplishing way more than you could ever dream. Speaking of dreaming...I have actually dreamt entire passages in my books, also solved some problems during dreaming, and came to the title of <i>Roots Shoots Buckets & Boots</i> in a dream at 2:30 A.M. Your brain is active all the time. Even if you don't remember.</div>
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I have an aversion to the telephone, so sometimes I'll go for four or five days without speaking with anyone except Jeff (and I see him only at meals and in the evening). The phone jangles me out of my reveries, so I turn it off and concentrate wholeheartedly. Even doing drawings takes full concentration. </div>
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Here is your recipe for success...no fudging, no walking away from a project, no matter what your creative bent, just set your heart to it and work, work, work (and enjoy the process). And if you do it wrong...do it over, and over, and over until it is right. Until it suits YOU. A labor of love to be sure, but you already know that, right? You do the same thing when you quilt, or draw, garden, cook, or create anything. </div>
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This illustration didn't make it into my new Random House/Delacorte Press book, <i>Running Out of Night </i>(to be released Fall 2014)<i>, </i>but I still learned lots from working on it for so many hours. I'll use it when I do school visits and talk to groups. My grandchildren gave it a two thumbs up for true creepiness, which is the mood I tried to convey. </div>
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Never trust anyone who works in an organized, tidy space.</div>
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In answer to your questions about where and how I work, a video is worth a million words. This video shows my studio at our little house in San Luis Obispo, California. </div>
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(Due to a technical glitch, this video doesn't show up on some browsers. Click this link <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbXDlx1HNa8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbXDlx1HNa8</a> to go directly to the YouTube video.)<br />
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Be sure to leave a comment on this posting so you can win the vintage copy of Anne Morrow Lindbergh's <i>Gift from the Sea</i>.</div>
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Love across the miles,</div>
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Sharon</div>
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P.S. If you are in the San Luis Obispo area this Saturday, November 9, join me for a free talk and slide show at 10:00 a.m.. <a href="mailto:sharon@sharonlovejoy.com" target="_blank">E-mail</a> me for further information. </div>
Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434499602695302521.post-47110929213378788912013-10-22T16:02:00.000-07:002014-01-05T13:03:21.644-08:00Whispering Leaves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The trees are whispering their autumn song. They swish, rustle, murmur, as they sigh and dance close to each other, then twist and twirl to the ground.</div>
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Hey Sharon, I see you picking up fallen apples...don't you want to share with a friend?</div>
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I always have plenty of harvest to share with friends, especially friends with such gorgeous brown eyes. These were all picked in the last couple of days. Those Brown Turkey figs are the best, the Feijoas (the green fruit in front), are commonly called pineapple guavas. They do have that great taste. I eat them straight from the trees, freeze them, juice them, and include them in apple crumbles. These are the sweet fruits of my childhood. My playhouse-hide-out was in a huge guava tree where the picking and eating was always good in the autumn.</div>
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And at the hundred year old ranch of our dear friends Susie and Ellis Bassetti (you saw Susie and Ellis in my last post with Sue Branch and Joe Hall at our house), the sugar in their award winning grapes is perfect, so yesterday was a harvest day for us. </div>
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Really? I am responsible for totally picking every ripe fruit on one of those rows (which stretch out of eyesight). </div>
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How long are those rows?</div>
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And, though I love the big leaves, no big leaves or stems to ruin the crush. I filled this first trug, but then I had to spend ten minutes pulling out my artful displays of leaves.</div>
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You didn't necessarily see the person working across the vines from you, but you had great conversations, as juicy and rich as the grapes.</div>
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Trug filled till we couldn't move them.</div>
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Workers picked up our trugs (like they were feather light), and tossed them into the big bin behind the tractor.</div>
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The big bins were loaded onto a truck. We picked 23 of these big bins, which equals about 11 tons!</div>
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Where Ellis (the owner of the ranch), Matty, and Bruce offer their two cent$ worth of input.</div>
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Cindy Steidel's kale, brussel sprout, and almond salad.</div>
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Meanwhile, in the kitchen, (as has been the tradition for eons), the talented women cook up goodies for all of us hungry workers.</div>
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Ginny gives things the taste test.</div>
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Fallen pomegranates for decoration.</div>
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Vito and ChaCha look for anything we drop from the serving table.</div>
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Susie Bassetti (ranch owner) is perhaps the best hostess I know. Next month Susie and Ellis, Jeff and I are hosting a book celebration for Sue Branch here at the ranch. Hopefully, if it is a nice day we will be able to eat outside under the arbor.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iyJ7T37dI-gDDTJAZbLbEwlHYWpcHVxSZHukc3ew5BnNTa97ylkqlrzi_xcWzIfVzMWSF-qctuytG1XW8UJyoAICOFxSxn68XtYxRVWi5m4Gd4kwApp7Vb_mtQNBizYK-5pwEnwYZSw9/s1600/IMG_7441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iyJ7T37dI-gDDTJAZbLbEwlHYWpcHVxSZHukc3ew5BnNTa97ylkqlrzi_xcWzIfVzMWSF-qctuytG1XW8UJyoAICOFxSxn68XtYxRVWi5m4Gd4kwApp7Vb_mtQNBizYK-5pwEnwYZSw9/s400/IMG_7441.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The grape and wisteria arbor is our favorite outdoor dining room. Ellis and Bruce made the twenty foot table and used four empty wine barrels as legs. Pretty nifty, huh?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkQ0-Z9GkIuN0PKQ_oSaP1gJGnrvUNDqjKnwCB8o5tYO9Athp8p-Qv0rE-YjpMl_9vyWf2q7QW7tLB0V_GLmNBWc9qErpGbvly2RFsakWsbyjNwnnyTxfL_Ygfus321_L8xEc5ad2D9-J/s1600/IMG_7446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkQ0-Z9GkIuN0PKQ_oSaP1gJGnrvUNDqjKnwCB8o5tYO9Athp8p-Qv0rE-YjpMl_9vyWf2q7QW7tLB0V_GLmNBWc9qErpGbvly2RFsakWsbyjNwnnyTxfL_Ygfus321_L8xEc5ad2D9-J/s400/IMG_7446.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ellis Bassetti, our host and the consummate grower.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzPjbfKV22hQcJVb80tOuihvAcBQxBzEd3S995Yk7Qaxd-R0ZfEoXPqN84yYGEyJJvxmdrr8J-TQXfeurZYQFmYJ-oYk00VDz49cPQJ0QUPzVLOKrwIb-yCoLqQB3wZbn4fE3Yb2N5Gt4/s1600/IMG_7456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzPjbfKV22hQcJVb80tOuihvAcBQxBzEd3S995Yk7Qaxd-R0ZfEoXPqN84yYGEyJJvxmdrr8J-TQXfeurZYQFmYJ-oYk00VDz49cPQJ0QUPzVLOKrwIb-yCoLqQB3wZbn4fE3Yb2N5Gt4/s400/IMG_7456.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ginny (left), Susie, our hostess, Matty the willing grape slave.</div>
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So now dear friends, you've seen some (tip of the proverbial iceberg), of the work and love lavished on a crop. This is done daily by a huge force of farmers and ranchers across the countryside. Bless them all.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBXqEjXcZ0OXBokddt86gw7GnMnFVbSmKii6uDnSHGm1mpu30jtKB4-U2_HiwwnkfVAr3uXbdhKjmicNB1QEnG_Jiq08jZ1XnrNpjHTaMIwjox8ux2I-UYRV7FS0Nyzb4SLxUVEMjD8mP/s1600/IMG_7474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBXqEjXcZ0OXBokddt86gw7GnMnFVbSmKii6uDnSHGm1mpu30jtKB4-U2_HiwwnkfVAr3uXbdhKjmicNB1QEnG_Jiq08jZ1XnrNpjHTaMIwjox8ux2I-UYRV7FS0Nyzb4SLxUVEMjD8mP/s400/IMG_7474.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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May the fields, the vines, the trees, and the workers take rest. (Beautiful banner by talented artist Victoria Greene of Cambria).</div>
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<b>AND THE WINNER OF SUE BRANCH'S NEW BOOK IS???</b></div>
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<b>Lucky number 104-CHRIS MORGAN.</b></div>
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<b>Chris, please send us your mailing address so we can ship your autographed Susan Branch book. Congratulations!</b></div>
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<b>Joys to all,</b></div>
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<b>Sharon</b></div>
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Sharon Lovejoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04321160956925191137noreply@blogger.com28