There are a few more differences between Lillejuleaften and Christmas and I'll go over those differences a bit more tomorrow. Come back tomorrow and learn a little bit about the Danish way to celebrate as well as a few traditional ways we Americans party.
Check out my Little Library: https://youtube.com/shorts/yIsvIxeb-rc?si=xRYKVenExaozdDCZ
Siena and her mother Marcella, talked with me about their 17-year journey of selling handmade crafts, which began when Siena was only 6 years old, when they were homeschooling. Siena explained that she has dyslexia, which makes her more visual and naturally inclined towards creative activities, while Marcella shared that their family has a strong tradition of crafting, with both her mother and grandmother being artists. The conversation revealed how their homeschooling environment provided the freedom to explore various types of crafts, ultimately leading to the successful craft business they have built over the years. They have even been in Better Homes & Gardens magazines!
Siena talks about her family's artistic background, particularly her mother's embroidery and knitting work, which inspired her own creativity. She explained how having access to a variety of materials at home encouraged her to experiment and try new ideas without the pressure of saving materials for specific projects. Siena showcased some of her wool felt toys, including gnomes and mushrooms, which she creates without faces to allow children's imaginations to shape the characters and stories.
Siena explained the origin of the business name "Naturally Fun," which reflects their philosophy of incorporating natural materials and a focus on fun in their products and homeschooling approach. She emphasized that people often describe their items as fun, happy, and unique, which totally aligns with their mission to infuse joy into their creations.
Siena discussed her journey with crafting and selling items at markets, starting with school markets when she was very young and expanding to private markets during COVID-19. She noted that private markets reached a different audience and allowed her to explore her passion while balancing work and travel. Siena loves her flexible schedule and work-life balance that this creative business provides, motivating her to continue growing and pushing herself.
Siena and Kimbra discussed upcoming in-person events, including the Oswego Farmer's Market Reunion, Baltic Holidays, Portland Wilder School, and several events in December, such as the Scan Fair at the convention center. Siena highlighted her unique crafts, including felt ornaments and sweater trees, and we all want to encourage supporting small businesses.
If you want to check them out, here's a list of events they'll be at:
Vote down below
Ghosts?
or
Snowmen?
Or maybe even the reindeer...?
If you're having trouble deciding, check out my YouTube video: https://youtu.be/gJJ3SQZP_Yk and make sure to vote.
Margaret talks about her path to publication with her first book, "Killing Trail," published by Crooked Lane Books in 2014 after the arduous journey of finding an agent.
She discusses using a canine character and how her books appeal to both male and female readers, including animal lovers and professionals like retired police officers and veterinarians.
Margaret shared her success story with Crooked Lane Books, where her first two books were well-received, leading to a contract for ten books in total.
Margaret shares her experience of writing and publishing her books, emphasizing the importance of querying agents, crafting elevator pitches, and building a social media presence before securing a contract.
Margaret also talks about her transition from writing nonfiction to fiction.
I hope you'll check out her book and help out another reader and writer by giving her book a review - it really helps!
If you need sleep, check out the soothing sounds of ASMR hair brushing sounds. Just close your eyes and listen:
https://youtu.be/BO9w_gM27_8
I've always loved reading. Maybe because I grew up in a house filled with children. Mom had 9 of us and Grandma lived with us too. So, as you can imagine, Mom and Dad were always busy.
Plus, we only had one television when I was a kid, and it was black and white. Okay, I know that dates me to nearly the Stone Age but it's true. And, in those days you had to find ways to entertain yourself.
And being nearly at the end of that long line of kids, I never got to pick the television shows we watched, unless I ran home from school and was the first into the house. Then, if I was lucky, I could catch the last fifteen minutes of Dark Shadows and Barnabus Collins.
You might ask, "What does all that have to do with me getting published?"
And, I would have to say, "A lot!"
You have to be an avid reader to be a decent writer. And, even if you disagree with me on that one issue, you'd have to admit that if you read a lot, you at least have some concept of how words should be put together to tell a story and that definitely can't hurt with your writing.
And, if you've always wanted to write a book, my best advice to you is to...start writing.
There are a lot of people who dream of becoming an author, but the first step is to work on perfecting your craft (aka writing).
Once you've worked on that angle of the pie, you need to do some research. Check out the best writing groups in your area and of course the best critique groups, agents, editors and publishing houses.
You might not know where to begin looking, so I'm going to provide some helpful links and suggestions.
Manuscript Wish List: The Official Manuscript Wish List Website – #MSWL: What do you wish you had in your inbox?
Agent Query: https://www.agentquery.com/
We went to see a comedy show at the Lakwood Center for the Arts on Thursday night.
Even the grounds were spectacular. There were art pieces to catch your eye on the walk up to the venue.
And, once we got inside there were costume displays and previous show fliers to entertain us while we waited for the show to begin.
It was a farcically fun night out filled with physical comedy and spoofs plus bits and pieces of hilarity.
The show was performed in this intimate setting with beautiful backdrops and obviously perfect coordination from the cast and crew:
Director: Don Alder
Stage Manager: Cassie Kanios
Set Designer: Chris Whitten
Costume Designer: Janelle Sutton
Sound Designer: Marcus Storey
Executive Producer: Steve Knox
Prop Designer: Jim Crino
Lighting Designer: Dug Martell
ASM: Megan Misslin
The Cast Consisted of:
Dotty: Sarah Lucht (My favorite of the characters-though everyone was exceptional)
Lloyd: Tom Mounsey
Garry: Tom Walton
Brooke: Bonnie Auguston
Poppy: Ariel Puls
Frederick: Mark Schwahn
Belinda: Melissa Whitney
Tim: Andy Baldwin
Selsdon: Grant Byington
The show runs from February 28 to April 6, 2025, so there is still time to catch a fun night out in a quaint venue.
Ticket prices:
$42 Adults
$40 Seniors
$30 Students
If you have further questions, call the Box Office at 503-635-3901
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