Friday, October 14, 2011

Five for Friday and Pay It Forward

1. You guys, I've decided to do NaNoWriMo. I got this EPIC idea for a new story on Sunday night while I was dreaming ( I get a lot my ideas from my dreams, they are pretty vivid) and it won't go away. And I'm also way freaking excited about it.

2. I went to the library *squeals with excitement*, and found some treasure (the treasure being books in this case, just thought I'd explain before anyone starts asking for handouts). This is my first venture into the library nearest to us, which is kind of sad because it is literally down the street. The reason I don't go? Three little monsters that make taking trips just about anywhere impossible and cause much anxiety. However, the husband is home today because he was out of town from Tuesday- Thursday for work. So, he made it up to me by giving me some ME time, which is muy importante.

3. Halloween is a magical time of year filled with candy, monsters, ghouls, and children's laughter. But mostly candy. Now that I'm making up with chocolate, I am looking forward to raiding my children's stashes. My faves include: reese's peanut butter cups, milky ways, m&ms, starburst, and skittles. I've never been a fan of candy corn. I think it's because I never had any until we came to the states when I was 6, and therefore had never before celebrated Halloween. Over the years I've acquired a taste for them, but I can still do without. They're just way too sweet.
My kids, on the other hand, seem to love the stuff.

4. As mentioned, the fall season is here, and one of my favorite treats to bake is Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. They are delicious! My mother-in-law has the best recipe, and I would like to share it with you:
-1 stick butter, softened
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp lemon juice (optional)
Mix together and in a separate bowl combine:
-2 1/2 cups flour
-1 1/4 cups chocolate chips
2 tsps baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp pumpkin spice
a pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups pumpkin
Combine flour ingredients with the butter ingredients. Grease cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 15 mins. I check mine after 10 because my oven tends to cook a little faster. Enjoy!

5. I'm sort of cheating with this fifth one, but I really didn't want to do a whole different post, so here goes. I'm sure you all have heard about the Pay It Forward Blogfest being held by Alex Cavanaugh and Matt MacNish.



I've decided to join the fun and pay it forward. Here are the three blogs I hope you'll visit:

1. Christine Rains- she's a paranormal romance writer, stay-at-home mom much like myself, that has some really fun posts. I also enjoyed her entries in the Campaign challenges thus far.

2. Melanie Stanford: Melanie posts about her journey as she tries to break into the publishing world, and I've often found myself nodding along to the plights she faces at times. She was also wonderful enough to critique my writing and gave me some great feedback.

3. Tiffany Garner: Her blog title, Victim of Writing, says it all folks.

'kay you guys, I'll be back next week. Until then, hope you find many wonderful adventures to immerse yourself in.

21 comments:

  1. I got chills reading your number one! So exciting to get such a vivid exciting story idea! Congrats!

    Now I'm off to check out the blogs you recommended.

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  2. Thanks for the recommendations, and I hope NaNo goes well. I don't have time to do it this year, but loved doing it last year!

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  3. Thank you for recommending me. :) I'm blushing. I love Tiffany's blog too. I'm craving some candy now for some reason. ;)

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  4. Choc chip pumpkin cookies... ohh they do sound nice...

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  5. Hi, I am visiting from PIF. It is nice to meet you and I am eager to check out the blogs you have suggested

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  6. Yay! NaNoWriMo! Good Luck!

    *sigh* We don't have a a single good library where I'm at.

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  7. I love both of your lists. Good luck with Nano. I should go to the library more often, and I'm psyched about Halloween.

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  8. Christine is awesome! Thanks for participating in our blogfest.

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  9. You can send me your candy corns. I can't get enough of them. I also love those little pumpkins that are made out of the same candy corn syrup. Num, Num. Thanks for the blog recs and good luck with NaNo.

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  10. Okay.. pumpkin chocolate chip cookies????? That sounds incredibly delicious.. I want some right now!

    Good luck with NaNo! And thanks for the links :) This blogfest has been awesome.

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  11. Hi Prerna. I'm here as the co-host from the Pay It Forward blogfest. Thanks so much for signing up.

    And I wasn't following your blog until just now, so the fest is working!

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  12. These sound great! nice to meet you and your blog on the PIF!

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  13. Hey there,
    I couldn't resist being your #50 :p Plus, you give some great recs here, and I can't wait to read Jenny Downham's book. It's on my Christmas list :)
    New follower,
    Ninja Girl

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  14. hey to everyone that stopped by! I'm following the links from PIF to your blogs, it's taking a while but I am enjoying reading them. I'm also glad you're checking out my recommendations, wish I could pick three more!

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  15. Great links!

    I have a "dream" novel I want to write, but I'm in revisions with another. Soon. Very soon.

    Best of luck with NaNo

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  16. OMG pumpkin chocolate chip cookies? I'm simultaneously thrilled and angered that you posted that LOL! Now I have to make them...and eat them!

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  17. Oh my gosh, I get ideas from my dreams too! In fact, my current novel was inspired by a dream I had last October!! Crazy, isn't it?! Thanks for stopping by my blog :)

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  18. LOL, I'm having so much fun reading everyone's comments. Lindsay- you NEED to bake those cookies, there's not fighting it! Jess- I love going to sleep at night because my dreams almost always so much fun (sometimes they can be a little scary). And to everyone else, thank so much for stopping by, I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you!

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  19. Dropping by on the PIF blogfest. Will check out your links. I'm a new follower :)

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  20. Yay for boys with feelings and smart girls!
    Still Paying it Forward!

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  21. Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are AMAZING! Pumpkin is my favorite flavor.

    And thanks so much for the shout out! You're so sweet! :)

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