The Spirit of Giving

During this season, we sometimes lose our way. Parties, gift buying, family stress, all interfere with the joy of the spirit of the season. Take time for yourself, for quiet reflection. Take a moment during shopping trips to help someone struggling. 

It may surprise you (unless you're a writer) to learn most writers earn little from their writing. So why do we write? Here's an example of the joy that comes simply from knowing something I wrote touched another's life.

During my struggle with breast cancer treatment, I wrote RECIPES FOR RECOVERY and self-published it for an affordable price just so I could help other patients deal with the nutrition challenges of serious illness. I've given away many copies. My profit margin is tiny, but the rewards are great. People buy it to give as get-well gifts, too. One writer friend asked me to send a copy to a friend's friend. Both she and I received thank-yous from the woman, a two time survivor (colon cancer and leukemia). She wrote:

Thank you for the cookbook and for your dedication to inspire cancer patients like me. It is so helpful to have friends who care when my energy is so low.

This is why I wrote RECIPES FOR RECOVERY. This is why I write. I feel blessed to have my writing impact others in a positive way.

Remember this post as you rush through the holidays. There is no joy like the joy that comes from doing for others. Many blessings to you.

It's October!

October is a special month for me. It holds good and sad memories (both my parents died in October). My husband and I moved into our first house in October, and Halloween--my favorite holiday because it brings out my inner child--is in October. Many years we held costume parties at Halloween. Oh, what fun.

Our first Halloween party.

 

For many, depending on where you live, October marks autumn, with colorful leaf changing and fall festivals, pumpkins and colorful gourds, and football games. I live in Florida, where it's still summer weather, but we do have some fall color. And football is celebrated everywhere and on every level, from high school to professional teams.

My alma mater--UL Cardinals

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, too. While I've always supported the pink movement, I took a more personal interest when I battled the disease in 2010. Now I'm celebrating three and a half years as a breast cancer survivor.

I urge you to celebrate October. Host or attend a tailgate party. Support the local school's fall festival. Donate to one of the breast cancer research causes and wear pink. Schedule your mammogram if you haven't done so. Dress up in a fun costume for Halloween. Bake chocolate cupcakes with orange frosting--or orange cupcakes with chocolate frosting.

Happy autumn!

Now I must get back to writing my latest Drake Springs romance, Return to Drake Springs.

Grow Your Own Herbs

I live in Florida, which means I have a long growing season for my herbs. I have an outdoor herb garden plus a few indoor pots. But growing herbs can be tricky and I've learned a few things the difficult way.

Cilantro with seeds.

First, some herbs have a short growing season. No matter how much care you take, you will lose some plants. Replant or replace plants like cilantro and parsley about every other month. Harvest the seeds off older cilantro plants and save. These are coriander.

Next, some plants need plenty of water while others prefer drier soil. Don't overwater thyme, Rosemary, and sage. Mints, basil, lavender, cilantro, and dill need daily watering. I don't know about tarragon. Tarragon is one of my favorite herbs yet I have yet to master growing it. I tried Mexican tarragon, thinking it might do better in a hot climate, and it was the first casualty of this year's herb garden.

Some herbs prefer partial shade.
 

Finally, all herbs need pruning. The best method is to use some daily in your cooking! Yum! Fresh herbs can turn any dish into a gourmet treat. Experiment with different herb combinations. My family loves spearmint and lavender in steamed carrots. I've not seen that in a cookbook, but I tried it (based on fragrance). A sprig of Rosemary and a few sprigs of thyme go into the pan with all my roasts: poultry, pork, or beef. I add sage leaves to poultry. Basil is delicious when added just before serving to pasta dishes or tomato sauces. And don't forget basil for fresh pesto.

Don't be afraid to try growing herbs. Even if you lose some plants, you are dollars ahead of buying fresh herbs at a supermarket.