Scare Tactics

So, a friend of mine was telling me that her son recently lost his first tooth and they had to have "the talk". You know the one, the one about the Tooth Fairy.

She wanted him to hide his tooth and look forward to the thrill of finding a little money beneath his pillow the next morning. But then they got to talking and she told him he had to always remember to brush his teeth or they would rot out of his head. (Okay so maybe that's not a lie--technically--but it is a scare tactic...right?)

I'm just curious...are there any mother's out there willing to talk about things they've told their kids to get them to do something...and used a little scare tactic to get the job done...? Doi you think it's a good idea to scare kids into doing something . . . ?

I have to admit, I once told my son he couldn't cut the cat's whiskers or she'd die...

He thought they were too long and wanted to cut them. I was afraid he'd poke her in the eye with the scissors. I was frantic..."No, she'll....die!" I told him. Now, it didn't hurt him and it might have saved the cat's . . . life...or at least her eyesight.

So, I don't know....is a little lie--okay?

WICKED WEDNESDAY - Haunted History

So, Halloween is just around the corner and it got me thinking...about haunted houses, scary stories and haunted histories...

Do any of you live in a haunted house? Have you ever visited a haunted location? Do you even believe in hauntings, ghosts, or ghouls...?

I think it would be fun to have a ghost story contest here on my blog for the first couple of weeks of October, with real prizes and frightening tales.

How 'bout you? Would you want to play?

Let me know, if there's enough interest I'll put the contest together.

Fifty Shades

So I just downloaded the book on my kindle. I don't know if I'll like it. . . or even what I'll think but everyone's talking about it so I want to know what all the hype is about and I don't think it's fair to judge a book by its cover or its hype so...I'm going to find out for myself what all this talk is about.

Have you read the book...are you willing to admit it...? What did you think?

I'll let you know when I'm done...

Wordstock

It's just around the corner....

Wordstock is coming.

Check it out here.

Ticket sales begin September 12th so don't miss out.

Earth-Friendly Friday

Here's a great way to put old clothes to use...simply cut them up :D into shoe string strips and use them to create a latch hook rug, pillow or home accessory. It's a great way to have your favorite skirt become a lasting part of your home. And, it won't be filling up the landfill.

Check this out:

Here's Beth busy crafting away instead of throwing away her old clothing.

And here are the strips of old clothing she's using. She simply puts them in a basket and away she goes: latching the pieces into her cloth.

It's still a work in progress but better a work to be completed than a stack of old clothing in the dump.

Way-to-go Beth!!!

SCBWI Upcoming Events in Portland, Oregon

September 8th:  Craft Workshop and Overview of Hamline Low-Residency MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults

When:  9:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m.
What:  Craft Workshop and Overview of Hamline Low-Residency MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults
Where:  Attic Institute, 4232 Southeast Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97215
Cost: $25.00 (fees go directly to Hamline)



September 15th: SCBWI Oregon Open House: Got Genre?

When: 1-4 p.m.
What: A chance to discuss SCBWI Oregon, writing, and more. See the event description on our website for more details, such as who is manning the various tables at the open house!

Cost: Free!Where: Multnomah Arts Center Auditorium (7688 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219)


September 28th: Illustration Connection
Sold out!



September 29th: New Member & Beginner Tea: "Scones and the Secrets of Writing for Children"

When: 10:15 am to 1:15 pm
What: All new members and beginners are invited to a workshop describing the basics of writing for children and young adults.  We will have author Addie Boswell talk about picture book writing, author Barbara Kerley talk about non-fiction, Emmalisa Sparrow (YA editor at Beyond Words) talk about YA, and Nicole Marie Schreiber (MFA in Writing from Vermont College) talk about middle grade.

Cost: $7 for members, $12 for nonmembers
Where: Wilsonville Public Library Rose Room, 8200 SW Wilsonville Road, Wilsonville, OR 97070



September 29th: PAL EVENT: Tears, Sweat, and True Blood: DIY Marketing in a Post-Twilight World

When: 3-5 PM
What: Holly and Shiraz Cupala

In this tandem presentation, Holly Cupala will share her experience building her brand and fan base, and marketing both her debut novel, TELL ME A SECRET (2010), which launched with over 5,000 fans and 150 bloggers, as well as her second novel, DON'T BREATHE A WORD (2012).  In addition, her marketing muscle and husband, Shiraz Cupala, will share his insights from 20 years of micro-publishing, media production, and online marketing both independently and for Microsoft and Nokia.

If you have a book coming out in the next few years, you won’t want to miss this dynamic duo.  Holly and Shiraz will send you home with concrete action items you can employ to give your book the best possible start.  Learn more about Holly and her books at hollycupala.com and on Twitter @hollycupala

Priority registration for PAL members will begin August 15th.  Registration for all other members will open September 3rd.  Reserve your spot early.  We expect this event to fill.

Cost: $12 (SCBWI Members only)
Where: Southwest Community Center, 6820 SW 45th Ave, Portland, OR

Guatemalan Breakfast

I've never been to Guatemala but Kathryn has. So when she invited us over for a homemade Guatemalan breakfast, I was like, "What time?" and ready to go before the food was even cooked.


She didn't think I'd like it because everyone in my family says I'm a boring eater and not daring (especially when it comes to food)--I like my meat (cooked) and potatoes, a little too much - but when my hubby wants me to try squid, blood sausage, or pickled herring- (which we seem to always have in the fridge) and steak tartar-- (call me odd--but, like I said, I like my beef cooked) - so, I'm not into trying a lot of new things my husband recommends (very highly), believe me.

(Pickled Herring)

Steak Tartare

But this was different. Kathryn was intending on having the eggs cooked, not cracked raw over uncooked meat then sprinkled with capers and Kosher salt.

And, Kathryn was very clear that I didn't have to eat anything I didn't want to put in my mouth. But I ate it all--and a little more than I should have.

She made home made red and green sauce, tortillas and fried plantains. 

They sliced the plantains thinly and then fried them in oil, then dried them off and refried them: YUMMMMMM!

Tomatillos

cilantro

And the green sauce was made with tomatillos, cilantro, lemon juice, and lime juice. It was so light and refreshing with just a hint of spice :D Good thing I went for a run that morning.