Debbie’s Blog
2 Timothy 1:7
Word for the Year
To the best of my knowledge my husband has put to memory only one verse from the entire Bible. It’s in Ephesians and in part says: Wives submit to your husbands . . .
Read more
Our Favorite Team
By now almost everyone must know we are a football family. Since we live near Seattle, we are naturally huge Seahawk fans.
Word for the Year
I’m on a search for my word for the year. My word for 2012 was magnify, and that came to me early. It sometimes happens that way, and in other years it will be mid-January or longer before I settle on my word. Friends and readers are offering suggestions, and while I appreciate everyone’s effort, my word has to come from God. My son offered the best idea to date. The 2013 word for the year that he put forth: Seahawks. Come to think of it, that’s not such a bad idea. Go Hawks! Read more
Psalm 139
Christmas Party
I took my staff out to dinner last night to celebrate Christmas and another
great year of working together. Renate, my administrative assistant, has
been with me the longest at eighteen years, and Katie, the most recent hire,
came on board in September. There are eight in all, which sort of boggles
my mind when I think back to the days with that rented manual typewriter on
the kitchen table.
We had a fun evening. This was our first dinner together–in the past it was
Crazy, but Loving it.
The Christmas craziness is upon me, but I love it. You should see my office. There are stacks of cards to be mailed and tons of packages. I've been up late every night knitting until my eyes are crossed in an effort to finish off last minute gifts. Gifts, I might add, that need to be mailed. Wayne and Bogie are eating leftovers from my Christmas Teas for their dinner so I can go directly from the office to finish off the shopping. Everything needs to be in the mail Monday and so this weekend is it. Although it’s crazed , I enjo
-150x150.jpg)
A Seahawk!
I'm not much of a bird person, although Bogie enjoys chasing after them in the yard every now and again. However, I came eye to eye with a real hawk this weekend. I met the official mascot of the Seattle Seahawks during the game on Sunday. I'm not talking about the man in the bird costume, although he's great. This is the real thing with claws, a large wing span and a beak. I saw him eye to eye and I was the first one to blink. Our son, Ted, snapped a quick photo before I dived for cover.
Songs on the Radio
Jazmine, my oldest granddaughter, who is 17, and I, have been Christmas shopping together. While driving from one shopping complex to another we’ve been singing along to the Christmas songs playing on the radio. I treasure those lovely carols of old: Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Joy to the World, Silent Night. This led to a discussion of which carol was our favorite. I chose a more modern one titled Mary Did You Know. I can hardly listen to the words without tearing up. Jazmine gave the question deep thought an Read more
Dressed for the Cold
It’s been cold in Port Orchard the last couple of days. Arctic Circle cold and Wayne loves it. He’s been working in his woodshop with a short-sleeved shirt and whistling like one of Santa’s elves. I, on the other hand, am dressed like an Eskimo. I’ve got a fire in the fireplace, my knitting wrapped around me and Bogie on my lap and I’m still chilled to the bone.
Proverbs 31:25
Looking Good on Radio!
Did you hear me on the radio yesterday? I did a radio tour. That’s where I’m interviewed on a number of radio stations around the country, one right after another. I look so good on radio, thinner than ever. I told my friend, Merrily Boone, that, and she came right back with, "Well, I can wear the same earrings I wore in high school!" The radio tour went from 5 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. (by the close of the tour I had cauliflower ear!), and that was followed by a video shoot here in Washington. What for you ask? Read more
Happy Monday!
I’m taking a day to plot. This is one of my favorite aspects of being an author. Truth be known I’m much more of a storyteller than I am a writer. I love it when an idea strikes me and won’t let me go. I start working the twists and the angles and brainstorm with my editor. Now this is fun! Oh, the writing is fun, too, but the plotting . . . well the plotting is even more so. It’s a happy Monday. Enjoy your day, too! Read more
A Beautiful Day
I’m working on revisions for the second Rose Harbor Inn book at my home office this week. It’s nice and quiet here, which is a stark contrast to the activity level of the office. Bogie is with me and is resting on the arm of the chair, guarding against invaders to his kingdom. There’s a fire blazing away in the fireplace, warming the room. From this vantage point I have a view of Puget Sound. It’s an incredibly beautiful day with the sun shining . . . Read more
Pumpkin Story
Remember those giant pumpkins from my garden that I mentioned a while ago? They look like pumpkins, they grew just like pumpkins, and one in particular was huge, weighing about fifty pounds.
Well, guess what? They aren't pumpkins. I cooked one on Saturday night and the insides seemed a little weird. A mutant pumpkin? Alas no–they are spaghetti squash or some relation to the spaghetti squash. Who knew????
Spread Love Everywhere
The Friends I Keep!
I got a great letter from Fan Ambassador Wendy Lee Paffenroth. She received the ten excerpts for The Inn at Rose Harbor and handed them out to friends, who then purchased the book. After they read the story the group decided to go to dinner and discuss the plot. Apparently their discussion garnered a lot of interest, because the lady at the table next to them leaned over and said, "Wow, you have some very interesting friends." Wendy wrote to say the lady got quite a kick when she realized the people they were discussin Read more
Corn Toss Update
This is an update on the project Wayne is building—the corn toss boards I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. Remember I wanted to purchase a set at a local Farmer’s Market but Wayne felt it was ridiculous to spend a hundred dollars when he could build a set far cheaper? At the time we were $700 into the project. Correction, add several thousand dollars more. Wayne felt he needed a Shop Smith. If any of you know of this amazing tool and see the price tag you will grab your heart and stagger backward. Read more
Major Holiday?
In case you were unaware, today–October 16th–is a major holiday. While it’s true the post office is still delivering mail, this is a very important day in the life of workers all across the land. This particular day’s celebration might have spread around the world. (That part I can’t be sure of but I’ll have my personal assistant, Renate, check on it and get back to you.) What is this momentous day, you ask? Boss’s Day. My staff does an amazing job, and I am blessed to work with them. Today they treated me to a huge, lovely bouquet Read more
On Retreat
I’m attending a wonderful retreat sponsored by Books & Such Literary Agency this week in Monterey. Here I am with Georgia Shaffer, Gayle Roper and Robin Jones Gunn. It’s the perfect time to relax and renew with old friends and new.
Celebrating
This is celebration day for me. My book is finished—well, the first draft, anyway. Just minutes ago I emailed it to my editor. Soon she’ll send revision ideas and it will be back in the saddle again with Rose Harbor in Bloom. But in the meantime, I’m going to have a fabulous weekend: fun, friends and football. There might even be a glass or two of champagne tossed in for good measure. Read more
James, My Football Playing Grandson
I know every grandmother is convinced her grandchildren are the most talented in the universe. I am no exception. My grandson, James, (my daughter, Jody's, son) is on the varsity football team for his junior high school. I attended his game yesterday afternoon and watched him make two punts, both close to 35 yards. Maybe 40. He had one big run and caught a pass, which had me on my feet cheering. Both plays resulted in first downs–the only two first downs in the entire game. What can I say? This family is just loaded with talen
Of Football & Books
Wayne and I were at the Seahawk game on Monday night and while that game, especially the last play, will go down in the history books, it will remain in my memory for another reason as well.
Race for a Soldier
Wayne and I helped sponsor RACE FOR A SOLDIER, a half marathon last Sunday. Our son, Dale, was a runner, and it seemed a fitting way to honor his memory.
