Debbie's Blog
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
Knitting in Heaven
Bev Galeskas, a knitting designer and my friend, passed away over the holidays. Bev provided the knitting pattern for the Cable Sampler Scarf in my book, Summer on Blossom Street. She was fun, business savvy, creative and passionate about knitting and yarn. She died far too young. Although I will miss her, as will the entire knitting community, I have a strong suspicion she’s giving knitting lessons in heaven. Read more
A Fresh Start
I’m all about fresh starts, and there’s none better than a brand new year. Wayne and I are in our Florida home , and I’m about to begin a new book, which will be the last in the Cedar Cove series, titled 1225 Christmas Tree Lane. So the New Year is actually starting with the ending of a series. Ironic, isn’t it? Still, I’m filled with enthusiasm and eager to tackle the blank page . . . Read more
Merry Christmas!
I’ve been caught up in the Christmas madness. Cards, shopping, baking, knitting–all in a frenzy of joy. Wayne and I leave for Florida either Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning, depending on the weather, so I probably won’t be blogging until the New Year. Merry Christmas, everyone! Christ is born. Read more
Happy Birthday, Aunt Betty!
Today is a very special day. My Aunt Betty turns 100 today. You read that right–100. She’s my father’s oldest sister and the last surviving sibling. Because my grandmother was diabetic and often ill, Betty became my father’s second mother. (Dad was the youngest boy.) This summer we celebrated her birthday in Aberdeen, South Dakota. It was a rousing time with a reception for her. She is universally loved and admired, and people came from as far away as Guam. She received close to 200 birthday cards, which she reads over a Read more
Giving Tree
Wayne and I had a wonderful Friday night with three of our grandchildren. We took them to see the new Narnia movie in 3D and then shopping. We found a Giving Tree at one of our local stores and had each grandchild choose a card for a child their own age. I gave them each cash and had them Christmas shop for that child.
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Christmas Crazies
The wonderful Christmas craziness is hitting me this week. Tonight the entire family has been invited to a party in downtown Seattle. Read more
Encouragement
I’m writing our Christmas letter today. I’ve written a letter almost every year since Wayne and I married. In fact, it was feedback from family and friends to my annual letters that encouraged me to consider writing as a career. Who would have guessed a little thing like “Loved your letter; ever thought about being a writer?” would lead to a career? It makes me realize how important encouragement can be. I’m going to look for ways to encourage someone today . . . Read more
Sock Puppets?
Wayne has a bad habit–okay he’s a guy, he has a number of habits that irritate me. This particular one is leaving drawers open. I cannot tell you the number of times I’ve closed drawers for my husband. I think after what happened this week, he may be cured of this habit. Our Bogie loves socks. He finds it necessary to shake them until he’s satisfied they are completely lifeless. Wayne left his sock drawer open and it happens to be the bottom drawer, which was completely accessible to Bogie. I can describe what I found in one wo Read more
Thanksgiving Leftovers
Wayne and I had the great turkey cook-off this Thanksgiving. He deep-fried one bird, and I stuffed and baked a second one. I’m just too traditional, I guess. For me, the stuffing is the best part of the meal. Besides, I thought Wayne had a slight advantage. Really, is there anything that doesn’t taste better deep fried? So when it came time to serve the meat, I sliced up both birds and intermingled the meat so no one knew from which bird the meat came. I called it a tie.
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Grateful for Our Many Blessings
We had one of the best Thanksgivings ever. In the aftermath of the snow and wind storm (we lost power on Monday night) we were without power for two days–without Internet, without cable–so all Wayne and I had to keep each other warm was one another . . .
Correction to Martha Stewart Air Date
I just learned the Martha Stewart segment featuring Doris Robert and me will air on Thursday, November 25 (Thanksgiving Day!) instead of Friday. I’ll be tuning in while cooking and visiting with family. I hear we’ve been getting snow all day in Port Orchard, so who knows, Thanksgiving just might be white! Read more
Happy Thanksgving
I’m flying to New York bright and early Monday morning to tape a short appearance on the Martha Stewart show with Doris Roberts. (I’ll be in the audience with my daughter, Jody, and we’re both excited to see the taping up close!) The show will air on Friday, November 26. All this is part of the promotional package Hallmark is doing to promote the Hallmark Channel movie, CALL ME MRS. MIRACLE, which will air on the Hallmark Channel at 8 p.m. ET on November 27th.
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Happy Birthday Isaiah!
This is a red letter day for me. First, it’s my grandson, Isaiah’s, 7th birthday. I was in the room when Isaiah was born and was the first one to tell my daughter, Jenny Adele, and her husband, that they had a son. He’s a bright, cheerful first grader who asked his mother to read him THE TRULY TERRIBLY HORRIBLE SWEATER . . . Read more
Countdown to Christmas?!
I’m starting to receive Christmas cards. No kidding. Two arrived last Friday and I got another one this morning. As you know, I’m a Christmas kind of person. I cherish the holiday season. Plans are already set in place for our annual Christmas traditions with our children and grandchildren. It isn’t the early Christmas cards, or the fact my favorite radio station is already playing 100% Christmas music. It doesn’t bother me so much that it isn’t even Thanksgiving yet. All this early Christmas celebrating makes me realize Read more
For the Love of Fruitcake
Okay, I admit it. I love fruitcake. I baked Julia Child’s special fruitcake recipe this weekend. (This is Wayne’s favorite–I think it’s the rum and brandy in the recipe that he likes best!) Then sometime this week I’ll bake another batch, this time using a family recipe that’s been around for years with applesauce as the base. I feel especially grateful to have located the white fruitcake recipe my mother used. All told, I’ll be serving three different fruitcakes this Christmas. My mouth is watering already. Read more
Kicking Up Our Heels
Last weekend Wayne and I received a wonderful honor. We had a dance floor named after us! Because my mother received Hospice care before she died in 2005, I support our local Hospice fundraising event. For the last two years they have held a dinner with the fabulous musical group, THE KINGSMEN (of Louie, Louie and Jolly Green Giant fame). The first time we heard them, the music was so wonderful Wayne and I couldn’t stand it–we jumped up and started to dance. So this year Hospice decided to add a dance floor and named it after Wayne and me Read more
Thanks to Our Veterans
I can't think of Veterans Day without remembering my father, Ted Adler. He is my hero.
In Our Nation’s Capitol
I’m in Washington DC for tonight’s National Press Club Book Fair and Author Night. It’s a very prestigious event and I’m honored to have been invited. In preparation for this evening, I walked over to the Press Club building to check everything out and discovered a Filene’s Basement in the same building. Oh my, the temptations! Unfortunately I only brought a carry on, but I will find a way to bring home my purchases.
Dancing with the Kingsmen
Wayne and I have a busy weekend planned. Saturday we’re attending a charity event for our local Hospice. The Kingsmen are performing. You’ll remember the group from the 1960s who sang Louie, Louie. (FYI, the song was once voted upon to be our state song and, sadly, it was defeated.) The Kingsmen are also known for their hit The Jolly Green Giant. (Last year we also attended this charity event, and the group brought Wayne and me up on stage to dance, which was interesting because I’d just recently undergone kne Read more