Friendship: remind someone you care.
Quote.
Update.
Highlight of the week: My daughter’s words.
Motivate: Friend check-in.
Book review: The Road Trip
Hot Fruit Tea Recipe. Yum!
Book Bonus: Storybook pumpkin: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
Final thoughts.
Update:
I hope you’re doing well. It’s late October and Nashville, as usual, is wowing us with its fickle weather and rapidly cycling temperatures, leaving residents in a state of wardrobe confusion.
I can’t believe October is nearing its end. Time just doesn’t stop.
In writing news, I have officially sent my newest manuscript to my agent. I’ll let you know when I hear back. No news on my previous novel. There’s still hope, but I’m feeling less hopeful.
I’ve also decided to do NaNoWriMo. I’ve semi-plotted about 40% of a new book, and I’m going to attempt to write 50,000 words of this novel starting Nov. 1. I’m thinking this one will be a true romance novel, and once the idea is a little more solid, I might share my thoughts. But I’m thinking of calling it, The Other Love.
Until Now. 1, I’ll wrap up some other smaller projects.
I’m hoping to have a holiday short story to give away as a freebie also.
Highlight of the week:
My favorite moment this week is something my 4 yo daughter said to me:
“Mommy, I’m so glad you’re my mommy. If you weren’t my mommy, I would ask you to be my friend.”
Motivate:
This past week, I’ve been thinking a lot of what it means to be a friend, especially as Amorette said she would want to be mine if I wasn’t her mother already.
It made me feel really good to hear those words. It made me want to live up to them.
I think a simple, but effective way to give yourself a boost is to let someone know you’re thinking about them. It will do the person you contact good, but you’ll feel better knowing you brightened their day.
Maybe it’s someone you see or talk to all the time. Remind yourself of why that person’s in your life. Then, remind them.
Maybe it’s someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Why haven’t you? Has life gotten in the way? I’d venture to guess they’d love to hear from you.
Last evening, we had a lovely friend over for dinner. Stephen made our famous Hot Fruit Tea. It’s fantastic for fall. Everyone always loves it, and we can’t get enough as the seasons are changing.
We put it in the crock pot with a ladle when guests come over, and it’s so inviting.
Thought I’d share in case you want to wow your guests or serve it at your next book club meeting.
Hot Fruit Tea Recipe:
Ingredients:
5-6 tea bags, fruit flavor of your choice
2 cups boiling water
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
2 1/2 quarts water
1 1/4 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 tsp. almond extract
The juice of 3 lemons
The juice of 3 oranges
Directions:
1. Steep tea bags in boiling water for 5 minutes
2. Bring tea, sugar, cinnamon sticks, and 2 1/2 quarts water to boil in saucepan. Remove from heat and add vanilla, almond extract, and juice
3. Pour tea into slow cooker and keep warm there while serving.
Variation: Float thinly cut fresh lemon and/or orange slices in tea
Book Review:
As you may remember, I thoroughly enjoyed my last Beth O’Leary read, The No-Show, which is why I continued with another of her novels.
This read, The Road Trip was well written, but I can’t say it was my favorite. It followed a younger crowd, doing all the things I never did as a young adult, so have trouble relating to. (I was 40 years old at birth, so maybe that has something to do with it.)
It was a fine read, but I can’t tell you to go grab it because while it was good enough for me to finish, it wasn’t one I want to remain with. Summary is below in case you’re interested. Maybe it will speak to you.
Goodreads summary:
Addie and her sister are about to embark on an epic road trip to a friend's wedding in the north of Scotland. The playlist is all planned and the snacks are packed.
But, not long after setting off, a car slams into the back of theirs. The driver is none other than Addie's ex, Dylan, who she's avoided since their traumatic break-up two years earlier.
Dylan and his best mate are heading to the wedding too, and they've totalled their car, so Addie has no choice but to offer them a ride. The car is soon jam-packed full of luggage and secrets, and with three hundred miles ahead of them, Dylan and Addie can't avoid confronting the very messy history of their relationship...
Will they make it to the wedding on time? And, more importantly... is this really the end of the road for Addie and Dylan?
Book bonus: Storybook Pumpkins
My older daughter’s school does “Storybook Pumpkins” every year. You pick your favorite character from a book and you decorate a pumpkin inspired by that book character.
Aerie and I finished hers this weekend, and since it’s book related, thought I’d share.
Her favorite book is: Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus! by Mo Willems.
Such a cute book.
Final thoughts:
Think about a friend. Think about why they’re your friend. Revel in the friendship.
Tell them you were thinking about them. I think it’ll make you both have a better day.
I hope your week is awesome!
Much glitter,
Melissa
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