Author: K.V. Fischer

K.V. Fischer’s diverse experiences as an attorney, certified civil mediator, registered dietitian, teacher, speaker, and published author with more than 20 years’ experience in the corporate, government, and private sectors have fueled her desire to assist people live fuller, richer lives. Although she is extensively published in nonfiction, with one book and more than 100 articles (the majority of which were ghost-written), her passion has always been writing suspense thrillers. Search Beyond Lies is the first in the Search & Recovery International Series and her second suspense thriller. With 2 grown children, one a neurosurgeon and the other a radiation health physicist, she is fortunate to have go-to experts for some of her research. She lives in Colorado with her husband and their dog Brady; practices law in Colorado and Florida; and travels nationwide speaking and teaching.

The Music — A Requirement for Every Wedding Ceremony

The music is a requirement for every wedding ceremony regardless of where you have it. As the wedding planner, I never imagined one of my most difficult tasks would be finding the musician for the wedding ceremony. My dilemma arose because of the date — great for some aspects of wedding planning, but a major drawback when it came to the instrumentals.

The Musician

wedding, wedding planner, music, ceremony, River Flows in You, Canon in D - Palchelbel, bridal procession, bridal party procession, piano, organ, maid of honor, bride, videographer, pianist, singers, Christmas wedding — Organ, Our Lady of the Mountains, Estes Park, CO

Organ, piano, harp, guitar,…. your preferred instrument dictates your choice of musicians…so does the date and the church. The church typically has a list of musicians who play for weddings, but they may not be available, as was the case for us. What also surprised me was that very few felt comfortable on an organ.

A Christmas wedding precluded the entire list — they were either out of town, with family, or worked for the post office (the Saturday before Christmas is their busiest time of year). I then tried surrounding churches with similar results. Estes Park is driving distance from 3 major universities with music departments, but alas, it was Christmas break.

The groom’s mother was a pianist, but I couldn’t ask her, after all, she was the mother of the groom and wanted to enjoy the wedding, as she should. With less than a month before the wedding, I contacted Lisa, the Director of Music for my church and fortunately she agreed to rearrange her schedule in order to help out. Although she did not play the organ, she played a beautiful piano. She also agreed to come up before the rehearsal the day before to tune in with both singers. Thank you Lisa!

The Singers

We were blessed with the singers. Where some have trouble finding just the right beautiful voice, we had 2, both bridesmaids — my daughter’s former college roommate, Carleen, agreed to sing Ave Maria (a very difficult Latin song) as well as the Psalms, and the groom’s sister sang O Holy Night. Ave Maria filled the church as the mothers were escorted to their seats. Carleen set the perfect tone, her voice filling our hearts.

After the bride and groom exchanged rings, Sarah sang one of my favorite songs, O Holy Night. Our videographer, Jack Dorfman, did a phenomenal job memorializing the entire ceremony, including the music.

The Procession

I never thought about the music choices available for the procession — one for the bride and the other for the bridal party. Our pianist provided a list, but I contacted a former colleague, Cassandra, who not only had her master’s in music, but was fairly recently married (within the last 5 years, whereas I’ve been married 34 years) and she sent me a comprehensive list as well. Needless to say, the bridesmaid and maid of honor chose the music from Cassandra’s list: Yirma – River Flows in You for the bridesmaids and Canon in D – Palchelbel for the bride’s procession. Although our pianist did not know River Flows in You, she bought the music and learned it. Wow!

I love Christmas music, with Ave Maria and O Holy Night near the top of the list. Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (or Ode to Joy/Bach) was the Recessional as the bride and groom walked out of the church with big beautiful smiles. Thanks to everyone involved, the ceremony was indeed a memorable success.

What’s your favorite Christmas music?

My Journey As A Lesson/Inspiration/Gift by L.A. Sartor

journey, inspiration, writer, author, published, career, retired, teacher, novel, publishing, indie, Plantation of White Treasure, Prince of Granola, Be Mine this Christmas Night, Viking Gold, Dare to Believe, Forever Yours this New Year’s Night, Believe in Me this Christmas Morn, retired — Prince of Granola by L.A. Sartor

We welcome back L.A. Sartor to Thyme for Writers! When I learned about L.A.’s journey in becoming a successful author, I asked that she share it for our readers, especially since her latest novel, Prince of Granola was just released. Thank you L.A. for your lessons, inspiration, and gifts!

I started writing as a child, really. A few things happened on the way to becoming a published author … a junior high school teacher who told me I couldn’t write because I didn’t want to study … urk … grammar. I went to college, moved a few times, came home and found the love of my life (that is another novel worthy story, but for later), and got married.

We were super busy with our respective careers, mine a custom jewelry business with my mom, who was also teaching metalsmithing at the time, and my husband a crazy law career. We had two fur babies, Fudge (and briefly her brother Smudge, but sadly he didn’t live very long) and Two. Our cats would sleep with us and when they’d stretch out to their full length, we’d end up sleeping on the edge of the mattress.

journey, inspiration, writer, author, published, career, jewelry, retired, teacher, novel, publishing, indie, contests, mistakes, mailing list, gifts, Plantation of White Treasure, Prince of Granola, Be Mine this Christmas Night, Viking Gold, Dare to Believe, Forever Yours this New Year’s Night, Believe in Me this Christmas Morn — Fur Baby

I have always been a voracious reader and one night after throwing a particularly bad book at the wall (even putting a small ding in said wall), I realized that I could do better. I told my husband, and he said go for it. I called Mom and she revealed the junior high teacher story and she told I’d been writing all the time up to that point.

That blew me away. I didn’t remember any of it. But I started writing again, nearly the next day, pen and paper, learning, making mistakes, winning contests, nearly getting an agent, becoming disenchanted with the publishing industry and moving away from novel writing to screenwriting, getting a contract for a script and doing really well in screenwriting contests.

But none of that was making me much money. After numerous scary robbery drills I wanted to move away from my bank job (yes, this is many years later and a lot of stuff in between) and write full time for the green stuff.

My husband told me repeatedly that independent publishing was becoming a valid way to publish a novel and people were making big dollars. I didn’t believe him even after he showed me several Wall Street Journal articles. I thought indie meant vanity press.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

I started pursuing this direction seriously, retired from the bank and hit the keyboard, learned a litany of new things and published my first novel. My second book became a bestseller, and while I’m not rolling in dough, I’m absolutely on the right course in my life.

So if you have a dream, pursue it as hard as you can. Life can get in the way, but never give up.

Please come visit me at www.lasartor.com, see my books, some pictures, some screenplays and sign up for my mailing list. I have a gift I’ve specifically created for my new email subscribers. And remember, you can email me at Leslie@LeslieSartor.com

Links:
Website http://www.lasartor.com
Blog http://www.anindieadventure.blogspot.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Leslie.Ann.Sartor
Facebook author https://www.facebook.com/LASartor.Author
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/@lesannsartor
Amazon Author Page http://amzn.to/1e10fkd

Bookbub http://bit.ly/2kdhjkM

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6535151.L_A_Sartor

Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/lesann415/boards/

Good Food Is a Key Ingredient for a Great Wedding

magnesium, trace minerals, microminerals, enzyme reactions, bones, insulin, energy, muscle pain, weakness, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, heart health, blood pressure, heart, intracellular fluids, processed food, unprocessed food, minerals, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk, meats, and dried beans, diabetes, minerals — Heart Health & Magnesium

Good food is a key ingredient for a great wedding or any event for that matter. After all, a happy stomach brings lots of pleasure and good times. As a dietitian, healthy, delicious food prepared in a clean environment where sanitary food preparation procedures are maintained is critical. Just as critical is ensuring that there are no issues for those with food allergies, sensitivities, and preferences.

The Stanley

The Stanley enjoyed a good reputation in years past, and when we stayed there years ago, they lived up to that reputation. However, you can imagine my horror when last summer the news reported that they failed more than one health inspection. With plenty of time before the wedding, I arranged a meeting with my newly assigned wedding planner to discuss my concerns. And yes, I attended the meeting with a rather long list.

Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, CO, wedding, wedding planner, books, Hidden Bloodlines, wedding budget, Stanley Hotel, Christmas, Christmas wedding, budget, checklist, timeline, organization, organization tips, library, military discount, veterans, savings, cost savings, Our Lady of the Mountains, Estes Park, Colorado, University of Colorado, photographer, videographer, Laura Grace Petersen, Jackson Dorfman — The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado

The wedding planner put me at ease when she revealed that:

the chef was let go,a new 5 star
chef was brought in,they revamped the program to as
sure compliance, andthey passed subsequent inspections
with flying colors.

All good news, however, with the exception of a buried blurb, the news did not find that newsworthy enough to give it the same exposure. I love good news, don’t you?

The Menu

For those receptions held at a hotel, conference center, restaurant or another similar venue, you are given limited menu options based on the plan you choose. As the number of selections increase, so does the cost. However, you have the opportunity to tailor the menu to your budget.

Good food, weddings, events, menu, vegetarian, food allergies, peanut, shellfish, food restrictions, vegetarian, Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, reception, delicious meal, delicious, fuel, wine, ingredient, chef, food preparation, sanitary, health, budget — Food Restrictions

Quite a few of my guests had either food allergies or other dietary restrictions and it was important to me that there would be no issues. I provided a list of food allergies and other restrictions and was assured there would be no problems. Although a vegetarian entree was not an option on the “menu” for my vegetarian guests, it was upon request.

Wedding Day

Wedding Planner, decorations, creative, artists, reception, Hidden Bloodlines, bookclub, Stanley Hotel, Black Friday — Head Table
Photo – Courtesy of Laura Grace Photography

As we decorated the Music Room on the morning of the wedding day, the chef made a point to meet with me. He went over the list of allergies and other food restrictions and assured me there would be no issue with cross contamination (a common problem with peanut and shellfish allergies). He was true to his word and the meal was delicious.

Our guests had a happy stomach and used that delicious meal as fuel to dance the night away… I’m sure the wine didn’t hurt either… .

wedding, wedding planner, Hidden Bloodlines, wedding budget, Stanley Hotel, Christmas, Christmas wedding, budget, checklist, timeline, organization, organization tips, library, military discount, veterans, savings, cost savings, Our Lady of the Mountains, Estes Park, Colorado, preferred vendor lists, vendors, D.J., Disc Jockey, Sound Junction, Gary Liebowitz — The Dance Train – Courtesy of Laura Grace Photography

Any dining out suggestions for those with dietary restrictions?

Our Five Year Mission — To Seek Out New Life & New Perspectives with Brad Leach

writer, Brad Leach, Star Trek, Science Fiction, Fantasy, race relations, entertainment, Captain Kirk, Doctor McCoy, aliens, The Enterprise, Vulcans, fiction — Brad Leach

Welcome Brad Leach to Thyme for Writers as he shares Our Five Year Mission — To Seek Out New Life and New Perspectives…

Romance writers want to entertain readers – and to help them. This is especially true with writers of faith. If something from their story encourages a reader, it gratifies the author. With the fantasy genre, I hope to do the same.

I remember how a Star Trek episode (the original series) helped me see racial issues in a new way. I attended junior high in the early 70’s, and race relations had been turbulent. Think 1960’s. StarTrek had the Enterprise come across a planet where the entire population had died, save two humanoids. Beaming up these two individuals for a rescue, Captain Kirk and his crew were surprised to discover a violent and mutual hatred existed between the two men. Each survivor demanded that Kirk intercede with his power and authority to render “justice” against the other.

mission, writer, author, Brad Leach, Star Trek, Science Fiction, Fantasy, race relations, entertainment, Captain Kirk, Doctor McCoy, aliens, The Enterprise, Vulcans, fiction, Wizard of Oz, Dorothy, Christian writers, mystery, romance — Our Five Year Mission — To Seek Out New Life and New Perspectives… with Brad Leach

It was obvious that these aliens had a peculiar pigmentation pattern that divided their bodies vertically. One half of their body was black, and one half was stark white. Doctor McCoy noted that they were clearly derived from the same species. The only difference, but a major one to the aliens, was which half of their body was white or black. One alien’s right face and hand was white, while the other alien’s right hand and face was black. This minor difference over which side was black versus white festered for centuries, culminating in planet-wide violence, that killed all but these two survivors.

Captain Kirk, Doctor McCoy, aliens, The Enterprise, Vulcans, fiction, Wizard of Oz, Dorothy, Christian writers, mystery, romance — StarTrek Crew

Now the aliens blamed each other. The Enterprise members had to break up several assaults. The crew couldn’t understand such bigotry, while the aliens couldn’t understand how these humans accepted the differences between Asians, Blacks, Whites, and Vulcans. Someone had to be superior, someone subjugated. The episode ends with the aliens transporting back to their dead world, driven by their hate to try and kill each other.

I then imagined how earth’s racial strife might look to some alien. They wouldn’t have had the biases, the history, or the past wounds and insults that our various cultures had suffered. They would only see deep divisions over minor differences. Then I imagined how God must view such differences. He made all these places and cultures. Did He make skin of one color so it could hate another color? Star Trek didn’t solve bigotry, but it let me bypass the culture to see the issue in a different way.

And I found that equally amazing. Fiction’s power to take an issue, give it a new setting and different particulars, to produce a fresh perspective, intrigued me. Take the Wizard of Oz. Running from something – Dorothy’s black and white home, means running towards something else. In this case, technicolor trouble via a witch. Star Wars? Giving in to the dark side of our nature leads to our corruption.

So how can Christian writers put forth Biblical ideals in new ways? Can a romance novel personalize the pain adultery causes? Could ten mystery books illustrate a violation of each of the ten commandments? How about a science fiction trilogy chronicling an enslaved human race, rebelling against aliens, and after several impossible showdowns, leaving on a 40-year voyage for a new planet?

In what ways can your story offer helpful lessons in a new light? As authors reflecting Christ’s message, let’s strive “to boldly go where no man has gone before” so that people may see what they’ve never seen before.

The Wedding Planner’s Miscount Snowballs

A bridal party miscount has some serious implications. Last week my faux pas came to my attention during the rehearsal dinner when my daughter gave the bridesmaids their gifts and there was one short. The groomsmen were fine — the groom handled their gifts, but I was the only one local. As the wedding planner, my miscount snowballed.

bride, bridesmaids, jewelry, the Stanley, wedding planner, wedding, unique, original, rehearsal dinner, bridesmaids gifts, gifts, Swarovski Crystal, sterling silver, Christmas, bridesmaids dresses — Bride & Groom Courtesy of Laura Grace Photography

The Head Table

The head table set up would be 2 short, however, with the long head table, that was an easy fix. On the morning of the wedding, after I returned from my trip home to make the maid of honor’s jewelry set, we started to decorate the tables in the Music Room. I told the gentleman in charge about the miscount, and he added one more place setting on each side. It was a little cozier at the head table, but among family and friends, cozy’s good, right?

Beautiful Bridesmaids Dressed to Perfection — The Wedding Party at the Head Table — Courtesy of Laura Grace Photography

The Flowers

Wedding, Wedding Planner, flowers, Christmas, date, florist, bridal party, bridesmaids, groomsmen, best man, maid of honor, bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, mother of the bride, mother of the groom, grandparents, flowers, snow — The Father & Uncle of the Bride

Traditionally, the bride handles the flowers at the church, reception, and for the bridesmaids. The groom handles the bridal bouquet, boutonnieres for the groomsmen, fathers, and grandfathers, and corsages for the two mothers and grandmothers. It was Advent, so the church was easy. For the reception, the only thing I had to worry about was the table decorations because the Music Room was already decorated for Christmas. However, even though the groom’s parents were covering the cost for the groom’s flowers, as the only one present, I found the florist and ordered them. Oops… .

The Florist

The florist was last on my list for vendors because I thought I had the bridal party bouquets taken care of with silk bouquets made by those lovely ladies who came to my rescue. Fortunately, my daughter had her heart set on fresh flowers — simple Christmas bouquets, or the miscount would have been more serious. Those silk bouquets did not go to waste — they were incorporated into the head table decorations (always the original intention, as designed by Carlene), but I was quite late looking for a florist; by now, the wedding was only 2 weeks away.

I had the same problem locating an Estes Park florist as I did the baker — expensive and a limited selection. Since it was easier bringing the flowers to Estes Park rather than the cake, I searched my town and got estimates. The timing made the florists shutter. The only saving grace was the fact we wanted something simple — red and white roses with Christmas greenery. I was again saved by the local grocery store who had a phenomenal floral department. Their prices were reasonable, and they did beautiful work.

Fortunately, when I called after the rehearsal dinner, the grocery store was open even though the floral department was not. I spoke to the store manager about my problem — I needed a bouquet for the Maid of Honor and a boutonniere for the Best Man. He wrote a note for the florist who was due to arrive at 8 a.m., and she called. The florist who did the original design and work was out sick, and I did not have a picture to send. It was boxed up so nicely, I didn’t want to disrupt it and the manager at the Stanley was kind enough to put the large box in their wine room which I did not have access to. I described it — even if it’s a little different (which it was), the Maid of Honor and Best Man could have something a little different. My close friend and neighbor picked it up on her way to the ceremony and no one knew the difference. That was a close call… .

What close call did you have?

Thyme with Other Writers by Amanda Cabot

Texas Dreams trilogy, the Westward Winds series, the Texas Crossroads trilogy, A Stolen Heart, Christmas Roses — Amanda Cabot,
bestselling author of more than thirty novels

We are happy to have Amanda Cabot as our guest today on Thyme for Writers. Amanda is the bestselling author of more than thirty novels including the Texas Dreams trilogy, the Westward Winds series, the Texas Crossroads trilogy, A Stolen Heart, and Christmas Roses. A former director of Information Technology, she has written everything from technical books and articles for IT professionals to mysteries for teenagers and romances for all ages. Amanda is delighted to now be a fulltime writer of Christian romances, living happily ever after with her husband in Wyoming.

Thyme with Other Writers

I’ve been a fan of this column ever since Karen began it and continue to be impressed by the variety of advice other writers have provided in their posts. They’ve definitely added spice and seasoning to my writing journey.

I found myself nodding in agreement as I read Ann Gabhart’s “Thyme to Think and Dream” post last fall. Ann challenged us to spend time alone, just thinking, and to let ourselves be bored, since boredom can lead to daydreaming, and daydreaming can trigger the sparks we need for a new story. While I agree with Ann, today I want to talk about the other side of the coin, namely our need for time with other writers.

Texas Dreams trilogy, the Westward Winds series, the Texas Crossroads trilogy, A Stolen Heart, Christmas Roses, writing tips, writers’ group — Thyme for Writers

Writing is, almost by definition, a solitary pursuit, and many writers either are or become introverts, simply because they spend so much time with only their characters for company. Don’t misunderstand me. Characters can be wonderfully entertaining, but they have their limits. They are, after all, imaginary.

As writers, we’re communicators. I suspect that need is part of our DNA, which is why we spend so much time on email loops, reading various agents’ blog posts, and checking in with other writers. All of that is good, and it serves a valuable purpose. But it’s not a substitute for time with real, live writers. We need to emerge from our writing caves and spend time, not only with friends and family, but also with other writers. That’s why I recommend that all writers join a writers’ group.

Whether you call it networking or simple camaraderie, the sharing of ideas that occurs in a writers’ group is truly priceless. Only other authors understand the problems you’re encountering. Only other authors truly understand the joy of a first sale or the euphoria of receiving a letter from a reader telling you she stayed up all night to finish your book. Only other authors can help you find a way to salvage a manuscript when you’ve received what feels like the hundredth rejection on a story you thought would sell the first time out.

But, you might be saying, I can get all that online. Not so. Virtual hugs and smiles aren’t the same as real flesh and blood ones, and even Facetime conversations aren’t the same as being together. In order to grow, in order to thrive, we need to be in the company of other writers.

It may take a while to find one with the right chemistry for you, but once you’ve found a group where you feel comfortable, you’ll wonder how you ever existed without it. Share thyme with other authors. It’ll renew your enthusiasm for writing and provide the seasoning you need to turn a good manuscript into a great one.

Amanda Cabot, Cimarron Creek, A Stolen Heart — A Borrowed Dream
by Amanda Cabot
Cimarron Creek Trilogy

Check out Amanda’s second in the Cimarron Creek trilogy, A Borrowed Dream scheduled for release March 20.

There is no such thing as an impossible dream … .

Catherine Whitfield is sure that she will never again be able to trust anyone in the medical profession after the local doctor’s treatments killed her mother. Despite her loneliness and her broken heart, she carries bravely on as Cimarron Creek’s dutiful schoolteacher, resigned to a life where dreams rarely come true.

Austin Goddard is a newcomer to Cimarron Creek. Posing as a rancher, he fled to Texas to protect his daughter from a dangerous criminal. He’s managed to keep his past as a surgeon a secret. But when Catherine Whitfield captures his heart, he wonders how long he will be able to keep up the charade.

With a deft hand, Amanda Cabot teases out the strands of love, deception, and redemption in this charming tale of dreams deferred and hopes becoming reality.

Buying Links
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Christian Book Distributors

You may connect with Amanda at:

www.amandacabot.com
https://www.facebook.com/amanda.j.cabot
https://twitter.com/AmandaJoyCabot/
http://amandajoycabot.blogspot.com/

Beautiful Bridesmaids Dressed to Perfection

Every bride wants their beautiful bridesmaids dressed to perfection, with specially designed jewelry that sets off the gown and accents each girl’s beauty with just the right sparkle. My daughter chose a beautiful, reasonably priced, Christmas green dress in a style designed for many body types (the dress I was not going to touch, and you know why). Now the jewelry was right up my alley — about the only thing I was uniquely qualified to handle with the necessary experience.

A Little History

It all started when my daughter was just 13 years old. She asked for a small Swarovski Crystal necklace for her birthday. We lived in South Florida and at that time, the going rate was about $200. As a frugal, conscientious mom, my response was brief, “Sweetheart, unfortunately that’s a little steep and not in the budget.”

As a very creative young lady who thought outside the box, she responded, “What if I can find the crystal at a good price and we make it?”

I shrugged, “Why not?”

In short order, she found the Swarovski Crystal in bulk and at a fair price. Although the cost to make one necklace was reasonable, the up front cost to make the necklace with the remaining materials was not. Of course my creative, business minded daughter had the solution … . Since we already enjoyed making jewelry together, we’d make high quality jewelry to sell at art shows. Once we earned back our out-of-pocket expenses, we’d help others in need with the profits.

One of our offerings included original jewelry sets for the bride and bridesmaids …

Victoria designed the jewelry for her bridesmaids and I made it.

Oops

Last week it was all about the wedding cake, but that wasn’t my first major faux pas. My first lulu didn’t come to my attention until the rehearsal dinner. It was toward the end of a lovely dinner when my daughter gave the bridesmaids their gifts — a Swarovski Crystal and sterling silver jewelry set designed by her and made by me.

“Mom? We’re missing a set.”

“No we’re not. I made 6 sets.”

“But there are 7 bridesmaids with the maid of honor.”

“Uh oh… . Give the 6 bridesmaids their gifts and tell your maid of honor (my niece, Elizabeth) what happened. I’ll make the 7th set before the wedding….”

Unique

The designs we make for each bridal party are unique, and in this case, I didn’t know if I had the materials left to make another set. Although we were staying at the Stanley because of the distance, I had to

make it back home before the wedding,
in bad weather,
with the closure of the main road closest to my house.

My husband and I left early the next morning and made it back with plenty of time and materials to make just one more set (and I do mean just one more down to the last sterling silver tube bead). And fortunately, I had a photo of the set from which to work.

But that also meant, if I had the wrong count for the bridesmaids gifts, then I also had the wrong count for … . Stay tuned next week for the next twist of the lemons… .

What was your biggest event planning oops?

Humbly Grateful Or Grumbly Hateful? with Jane Choate

Welcome Jane Choate to Thyme for Writers! Jane is such an inspiration to so many of us… . Thank you for sharing!

“Are you humbly grateful or grumbly hateful?” (from a Hallmark movie)

High Risk Investigation, Jane Choate, humbly grateful, grumpy hateful, grateful, responsibility, words, praise Him, give thanks to Him, talents, our best, kindness, sticks and stones — The Tight Sweater

When Karen asked me to write a post for her excellent “Thyme for Writers,” I didn’t know what I could write about. I tried on several ideas, but none really fit. They chafed at me, like a too-tight sweater. And then I heard the above piece of dialogue from a movie, and I knew I had my subject.

We are all charged with being grateful to the Lord, but I think writers bear a special responsibility to use our words to praise Him, to give thanks to Him. It is the Savior who has given us our talents, and it is to Him we owe our best. What does it mean to give “our best?” Words have power. When we use ours to show our gratitude to the Lord, we give our best. When we use ours to lift another up, we give our best.

What about the “grumbly hateful” part of the above? Most of us have probably known an individual who uses words as weapons, as a means to put others down, to demean and to humiliate. Words have power for the grumbly hateful as well as the humbly grateful. Those of you of a certain age may remember a playground chant: “Sticks and stone may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Even as a child, I recognized the falseness of this, for I knew that words hurt. I knew it from personal experience. My heart knew it from my torment when I was bullied.

I have not always been kind with my words; I have been among the grumbly hateful, and sometimes I still am. I have used words as sticks and stones. Today I resolve to do better, though I know I will slip at times.

Humbly grateful or grumbly hateful? The choice is yours.

Jane McBride Choate is a proud mother and grandmother as well as being staff to a cat who believes she is of royal descent. Writing is Jane’s dream job, an avocation as well as a vocation. Sharing her belief in God and in the power of love is the perfect reminder for her that the best things in life are not things.

What Jane didn’t mention in her biography is that she is an amazing author and prolific writer with a multitude of published books and short stories. Her latest is High-Risk Investigation, a romantic suspense I could not put down. It’s a must read!

That Perfect Wedding Cake

That perfect wedding cake should be beautiful, delicious, a photo opportunity, and memorable. But just like everything, when you mention the word “wedding,” prices at a minimum are doubled, and in some cases quadrupled. When it came to the cake, the same was particularly true.

Quotes

When quotes came in around $950, I knew that was not going to work. Now I understand there is work and creative talent involved in decorating a wedding cake, but the same is true for a birthday cake, graduation cake, and other cakes, although not to the same level. Typically, a wedding cake is tiered and the more people you need to serve, the more difficult it is to create. But there are alternatives, and the wedding planner from the Stanley suggested a perfect one.

Alternatives

wedding, cakes, decorations, the Stanley, creative, Christmas, ornaments, Estes Park, bakeries, wedding cake top, wedding cake, decorator, baker — Cutting the Cake
Courtesy of Laura Grace Photography

The alternative to a large wedding cake that serves every guest, is a 2-tiered cake for the festivities and keepsake, with a sheet cake served up for the guests. The sheet cake is the same cake and icing as the wedding cake, and it’s already plated when served. The best part is, both cakes together were about a tenth of the cost.

Risky Business

There were only a few bakeries that handled wedding cakes in Estes Park, and I didn’t want to risk transporting it from down the mountain the day before the wedding. The church’s original wedding planner recommended the bakery of a local grocery store her grandson used. Since my daughter wanted a vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream icing, I was able to buy cupcakes made exactly the way she wanted her wedding cake to test them. They were delicious.

The wedding cake decorator was great to work with, and when I told her that I wanted the top to include the hand-blown bells from my wedding cake, she left space at the top, decorating around what should have been the bells (notice the word “should”). The only catch was that they didn’t deliver. Since they were located just around the corner from the Stanley, I didn’t see this as a problem, until… I forgot the cake.

Where’s the cake?

I didn’t just forget the cake, I forgot the bells that were to go on the cake and didn’t realize I did either until the lovely intern from France knelt beside me and said, “It’s time to cut the cake. Do you know where it is?” My eyes filled with tears and panic set it, “Oh no! I forgot the cake!”

The good part about using the bakery within the local grocery store was that it was still open. My brother-in-law volunteered to pick it up and was met with a perplexed employee who mentioned that this was the first time someone didn’t come to pick up a wedding cake.

The baker did a beautiful job decorating the cake and did exactly as I asked — left room for the bells, which I also managed to leave behind. Now I had a wedding cake with a rather obvious blank space for the missing bells. Fortunately, my husband’s quick thinking sister, Theresa, came to the rescue. She spied the beautifully decorated Christmas tree, and borrowed some ornaments to decorate the cake. She moved so quickly and did such a beautiful job that no one even noticed.

Punting became my end game… Stay tuned next week for the lemonade that was made from more lemons.

I’m probably not the only one who has forgotten a critical piece for an event. What have you forgotten?

Preparing Your Writer’s Garden to Grow: 6 Steps to a Fruitful Manuscript Harvest by Kathryn Ross

Kathryn Ross is our guest today on Thyme for Writers as she shares the next in her Write Spice Series: Preparing Your Writer’s Garden to Grow: 6 Steps to a Fruitful Manuscript Harvest.

The Write Spice: Writing Tips for Flavorful Words, The Gatekeeper’s Key, Kathryn Ross, writing tips, manuscript, garden, harvest, ideas, grow, writing life, inspiration, harvest, fruitful writing, procrastination, work space, clutter, organize, journey, editing, focus — Preparing Your Writer’s Garden to Grow

March is still pretty chilly where I live. Unseasonable warm days are kept in check with bursts of unseasonable cold and the last few roars of winter snow storms. I am dreaming about springtime and harvest, but not keen to venture out into the yard with spade and hoe in preparation for such dreams to come true.

In fact, I tend to regularly make the mistake of waiting until a happy, sunny day in May before I venture to the local garden shop looking for some green veggies to plant or springtime bulbs the wise gardener buried last fall. With a patient smile, the shop attendant explains that the reason there are so few vegetable greens left for planting in May is that they should have been planted in March for a truly fruitful harvest. But in March, I was only dreaming about such a thing, bundled in my sweater and hoping the wind chill and gray sky wasn’t so foreboding.

sweet Italian Basil, garden, herbs, farmers market — Sweet Italian Basil — Home Grown

Better gardeners than I brave chilly March days with solid plans and preparations for lush foliage and home-grown vegetable goodness later in the year. Whether it is planting trays of select seeds to sprout indoors before replanting after the frost dies or taking hoe in hand to whack away at the winter hardened earth, clearing away the leftover debris of last season greenery, smart and serious gardeners get to work by March to reap rewards in summer and fall.

I may never attain Master Gardener when it comes to preparing my floral and vegetable fields in a timely manner. But I can apply this principle of preparation and planning to my writing life and the harvests I dream of reaping from my Writer’s Garden.

The Writer’s Garden

When we don’t take care to prepare our fields for the desired harvest of a fruitful writing life, we reap little, with no healthy green goods to take to market. Here are six things you can do for properly preparing your Writer’s Garden in hopes of harvesting a manuscript in due season:

Break Up Fallow Ground in your lifestyle to prepare your Writer’s Garden soil for creating life-giving words. Removing the things that block you from your writing goals. This can be bad habits like procrastination, poor organization, a cluttered workspace, or an overburdened schedule of busy activities that dry up your mental focus and vitality. List the fallow ground blockages that keep your creative soils from being prepared and whack away at them.
Plant Inspiration Seeds Early by jotting down your ideas as soon as they come to you in a file or binder. When you come across a resource that you think will prove fruitful in the future, plant it right away. This could be a book (hard-copy or digital) you know will be invaluable to your research, or a computer file with website URLs saved to follow-up on later. Perhaps an image is inspiring to you for your project purposes, or even a physical object. Collect them as you find them and plant them in your creative space where you can brood over them for a time.
Water Ideas Daily with free writing on your project topic. If you’re working on a series of online posts, a fiction book, a non-fiction manuscript, poem, play, or what-all, visit your ideas on the project regularly. Discipline yourself to water it, in effect, by expanding on your previous work. This could mean reading another resource to add notes to your research. It could mean writing another chapter, or just adding another layer to a character description or plot outline. Visiting your Writer’s Garden with the water can of daily work feeds your inspiration seeds to take root and sprout.
Weed Carefully, at least once a week, with focused editing. Clear out unnecessary material and keep your writing and project work focused so only the strongest shoots are getting the nutrients of your skilled efforts. Don’t allow unruly vines to grow and choke out the full potential of your project.
Control Pests that seek to steal, kill, and destroy your precious harvest potential. Culprits such as Fear, Complaint, Laziness, Stress, Depression, Envy, Disobedience, and more can eat away at every new stem of writing produced if allowed to remain in your Writer’s Garden. Look for them hiding under the leaves of your work and brutally remove them.
Harvest on Time—not too early and not too late—to get the best nutrient return on your fruitful garden of words. In due season, under the blessing of the Lord, you will reap the benefits of what you have sown and stewarded, enriching both writer and reader.

This month, when farmers are already tilling the soil and planting crops for summer and fall harvests, are you planning how you’ll prepare and tend your Writer’s Garden?

clove, lemon oil, cinnamon, garden, harvestwriters, spice, fall recipes, editors, healing, manuscript — The Write Spice: Writing Tips for Flavorful Words
By Kathryn Ross

Writer-speaker, Kathryn Ross, ignites a love of literature and learning through Pageant Wagon Productions and Publishing. She writes and publishes homeschool enrichment and Christian living books for home, church, and school. Her passion is to equip women and families in developing a Family Literacy Lifestyle, producing readers and thinkers who can engage the world from a biblical worldview. She blogs and podcasts at TheWritersReverie.com and PageantWagonPublishing.com. Connect with Miss Kathy on Facebook.

Writer, speaker, teacher, and enrichment artist, Kathryn Ross, sweeps readers into the story-worlds of Jane Austen, C. S. Lewis, Hannah Hurnard, Marguerite de Angeli, John Bunyan, and others, exploring powerful truths to fulfilling God’s plan for your life in her latest publication, The Gatekeeper’s Key—nominated for the Christian Indie Awards 2018 in the devotional genre. Discern your place and season, with encouragement to see purpose in boundaries, find comfort in trials, and gain fortitude in going forth. Short story, personal testimony, excerpts from classic literature, visual imagery, challenge questions for discussion, and journal prompts for writing assignments draw you before the Gatekeeper. It’s quite a journey—but you’re never alone. Always in His Presence, with an Invitation, a Gatekeeper, and a Key. Perhaps more than one. Purchase on Amazon or direct from Pageant Wagon Publishing.

The Musician

The Singers

The Procession

Share this:

Share this:

The Stanley

The Menu

Wedding Day

Share this:

Share this:

The Head Table

The Flowers

The Florist

Share this:

Thyme with Other Writers

Share this:

A Little History

Oops

Unique

Share this:

Share this:

Quotes

Alternatives

Risky Business

Where’s the cake?

Share this:

The Writer’s Garden

Share this: