How to Dress for Radio
This morning Wayne and I are driving into Orlando so I can record a radio advertisement for my new hardcover, A TURN IN THE ROAD, which will be released April 26. I’ve said for years how much I love radio. When I’m on the air, I feel like I look thin and sound skinny. Even though I won’t be on camera, I spent copious amounts of time on my hair and changed outfits three times. It’s a mind game I play. If I think I look my best, I sound better! And so I’m dressed to the nines . . . no pantyhose but close. This is Florida, after all! Read more
Happy Birthday James!
My grandson, James, turns twelve today and I’m convinced he’s the next writer in the family . . . Read more
First Words
I got the news that our youngest grandson said his first word. Born a month early, Jaxon has spent the first year of his life playing catch up. He’s our miracle grandbaby born after six IVF attempts, and a joy. I thought for sure when I heard from our daughter-in-law, Laurie, that his first word would be Ma Ma. If not that then Da Da. But no, Jaxon’s first word: FOOTBALL. Yup, he’s a Macomber through and through! Read more
Cabin Fever
I’m feeling better each day, but along with that comes cabin fever. The best prescription, I think, is to get out a little. Wayne suggested we see a production of THE PRODUCERS at our local theater. I’m looking forward to it and to getting away from my own four walls for a bit. Read more
A Love of Food
I’ve been under the weather, even though it’s gorgeous in Florida, so I haven’t been blogging at all. Pneumonia hit me hard, and I’ve been as limp as a wet noodle for a couple of weeks now. I am starting to get some energy back, and one sure way to get me out of bed is gourmet food.
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Organized to the Hilt!
My friend, Mary Lou Carney, and her sister, Libby, spent the weekend with me. Mary Lou has boundless energy and insisted we re-organize my closet. I apparently had chosen the wrong kind of hangers, and she was determined to set me straight. I'm glad she did. My closet is now flawlessly organized, by color and by style, jackets all in one spot, blouses in another, pants lined up perfectly, again according to color. I'm telling you, friends, it's hard to take anything down to wear for fear of disrupting this perfect set up. I guess I'll just
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I have a gift for all my readers for Valentine’s Day: a fun, easy recipe my friend, Mary Lou Carney, and her sister, Libby, passed along to me. It’s for the crock pot. (I do love my crock pot!)
1 pot roast
1 package dry Brown Gravy Mix, disolved in 2 cups of water
1 cup Italian salad dressing.
Pour gravy and salad dressing over meat, turn on the crock pot and several hours later, enjoy.
Happy Valentine’s Day, one and all.
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In the Kitchen with David
For those of you who saw me on QVC on Wednesday night during the segment, In the Kitchen With David, the one comment I’ve been getting again and again is how short I am compared to David, the host of the show. One lady said, “I thought you’d be taller.” Actually, so did I! The worst part is, as I grow older I seem to be growing shorter. David is around 6 feet 3 inches, and I’m just above 5 feet. He’s close to my son’s height, plus he’s very gracious, so I felt at ease right away.  Read more
QVC and Me!
My bags are packed and I’m heading off to Philadelphia in the morning. The weather there is way cooler than here in Florida. Why would I do such a thing? I’m going to be on QVC! The segment “In the Kitchen with David” will air between 9 and 11 p.m. ET. I’ve been scheduled to be on at 10 p.m. for a few minutes, but that timing could change.
I’m so excited! I’ll be there wearing a big smile and talking up the Cedar Cove Cookbook. If you happen to see me on QVC, let me know what you think! Read more
A Bite of Vero Beach!
Wayne and I attended the Vero Beach Top Chef Qualifying event last night. Now this is something I could really get into. The best way to describe it would be to compare it to a Bite of Seattle, or any other event centered around food tasting or small bites. Restaurants and country clubs offered samples of their signature dishes. I think there were 14 last night. After sampling each chef’s offering we voted.
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Happy Birthday Jazmine!
This is a very special day–my oldest granddaughter, Jazmine Lynn, turns 16. I was with my daughter, Jody, when Jazmine was born and was the first one to hold her. She’s grown into a beautiful young woman who is bright, outgoing and focused . . . especially now that she’s ready to get her driver’s license. For the last 16 years on the morning of her birthday I’ve told Jazmine all about the day she was born. It was a momentous occasion for Wayne and me as we became grandparents for the first time. Read more
A Dull Life?
Wayne and I had to answer some questions for life insurance purposes:
Have you scuba dived in the last 3 years? No
Have you gone bungee jumping in the last 3 years? No
Have you sky dived in the last 3 years? No
Have you flown in a plane other than a commerical flight? No
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Speed Shopping
Wayne had a doctor’s appointment close to Sam’s Club yesterday and since he was headed that way he offered to pick up anything I needed. Wayne isn’t a shopper. He doesn’t understand the concept of browsing in a store. I’d recently stocked the shelves, so I didn’t have a list to give him. Frankly, I wondered what he’d bring home.
Are you ready?
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Guys and Dolls
Wayne and I had dinner with Broadway star Burke Moses last night. He played Gaston in Beauty and the Beast on Broadway and is currently starring as Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, which is playing here in Vero Beach. Not only is he as handsome as the devil, but charming, witty and fun. It was a delightful evening. Still . . . Wayne is my sweetheart and always will be! Read more
Suitcase Spilling Yarn
I'm in heaven. I'm home from New York and Vogue Knitting Live, which was an incredible conference. I took an enlightening color class from Laura Bryant, the amazing woman who produces Prism yarn, and shopped in the market. The zipper that extends my suitcase capacity by a few inches was fully open and a HEAVY sticker pasted on the side. It really is true–I write books in order to support my yarn habit.
Watch Me Grow!
One of the first things Wayne and I did when we bought our Florida home was plant a lemon and a lime tree. Later we added an avacado tree. We checked the trees every day. I even sang to them. Blossom and grow. Lemon tree very pretty . . . you get the idea. Well, we have lemons. Bowls and bowls of lemons line my kitchen counter top. I’ve baked lemon chicken, lemon pie, made lemonade, frozen lemon juice, and they just keep coming. This morning, I noticed blossoms on the lime tree. Heaven help us. Read more
Knitting in New York!
I’m off to New York this week for the Vogue Knitting Live conference. What most people don’t know is that I write books in order to support my yarn habit. I’m arriving early, because I have a series of meetings with my agents and publisher. It’s going to be a great week. I have my knitting needles packed, and my credit card in my hand.
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Entertaining Steps
I heard on the news yesterday that every state in the Union had snow, with one exception–Florida. Even Hawaii got snow on January 13. Still, it’s cold here (in fact, very similar to Port Orchard’s weather!). It’s so cold that my walking partner didn’t show up for our two-mile sojourn. I’m from the north; I have grit and a warm coat , so I trekked those miles by my lonesome self, although it was boring. To entertain myself I counted my steps. Anyone care to guess how many steps it takes a short woman like me to walk two miles? & Read more
Favorite Movies
Someone recently asked me which was my favorite movie. I’ve long been a fan of The African Queen, and Romancing the Stone. Several other movies come to mind, including Guys and Dolls. As it happens, the musical is playing at our local theater, and Wayne and I are attending tonight. I’ve always dreamed of starring in a Broadway musical. Unfortunately, I don’t have much of a singing voice, and I can’t act. Come to think of it, that hasn’t stopped others, but I think I’ll just stick with writing. That was alwa Read more
Cold Snaps, Even in Florida
Under the circumstancese, I know it's difficult to dredge up much sympathy for us here in Florida, seeing that a good portion of the States are buried in blizzards and snow, but Florida is experiencing another cold snap. I feel so bad for the marine life that depends on the warmer coastal waters. It's supposed to get down into the low 30s tonight. As for me, I am so acclimated to the warm weather that the other day I had on a sweater when it was 79 degrees. I'm longing for my fireplace and a hot cuppa.
12th Man & the Richter Scale
Our children attended the Seattle Seahawks game last Sunday when they beat the Super Bowl champs, the New Orleans Saints, in the play-offs. The winning touchdown, scored in the fourth quarter by Marshawn Lynch, was what won the game for the Seahawks . Wayne and I were watching it on TV in Florida and started jumping up and down and hugging one another. Meanwhile, our kids and the entire Qwest Field, raised such a ruckus that it actually recorded on the Richter scale. Is that amazing or what? Read more
Back on Track
I’m back on track–the walking track, that is. My walking partner, Martha Powers, met me at 7 this morning and we did our two mile trek in non-record time. I’m sure there are any number of health benefits to walking every day but for me they are far more than just the physical. Martha and I help solve the world’s problems, plot books and share juicy Hollywood gossip. We’ve made several friends along the way as well; however, most of them have long tails and four tiny feet. Read more
Home Cooking
I’m baking this morning. Friends in Vero Beach asked us to dinner, and I volunteered to bring the dessert. True, I could send Wayne out to pick up something store bought, but seeing that my friend Maureen is going to all the trouble of cooking, buying dessert didn’t seem right. After leafing through a number of cookbooks I settled on Mississippi Mud Cake with Espresso-Bourbon Glaze. Does that sound good or what? Read more
Choices
I woke to the sounds of thunder and torrential rain this morning. I’ve never seen rain the way it comes down in Florida. Dark, angry skies glared back at me as I looked out my window. I decided right then and there that I had a choice. I could grumble and complain about the lack of sunshine or I could use today as a good excuse to go into my office and work. I’m in my office. After all, into every life a little rain must fall. Read more
Technology Lessons
Anyone who tried to contact me via my cell phone last week was most likely unable to reach me. The reason? I got a new cell phone, and I couldn’t figure out how to answer the @#$%$# phone. The salesman assured me it was so close to my "old" phone that I wouldn’t have any problem making the transition. I took him at his word and went along my merry way. Well, excuse me; this phone is different!! So different that I’m going back and taking a class. Lesson learned! Read more