That's a question people often ask.Honestly, my ideas come from all over the place. Although I have to admit, my best resource is print media, particularly the newspapers that show up in my driveway every morning.Here's a sampling:1. Obits--I love reading them. I'm always sad that I've missed the pleasure of meeting so many fascinating people. That said, their obits both inspire and tickle me. Today, the Washington Post ran an obit for Jean … [Read more...] about Where Do You Get Your Ideas?
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My Mother's Last Gift
Tonight or tomorrow the ornaments will come down. The tree will go out in the trash or in the back of our lot where the fox might use it for shelter. All the holiday trinkets will be wrapped in tissue paper. They'll go back into plastic boxes, to be carried down to the basement and stored for another year. I will linger over each ornament, but one in particular will be hard to put away. This small Bichon in a stocking (above) is a very, very … [Read more...] about My Mother's Last Gift
That Compulsion Known as Writing
I spent the holiday with my family in Disney World. I can't tell you if it's the happiest place on earth, but on December 26, it might have been one of the coldest. I did get to go through the Haunted House twice, so that made ME a happy camper. I wandered out of the spooky mansion, noticed this gypsy caravan, and took it for an omen. I choose to believe with all my heart that good times are ahead for me in my chosen profession.See, I've always … [Read more...] about That Compulsion Known as Writing
Book Excerpt from PHOTO, SNAP, SHOT
Book Excerpt from Photo, Snap, Shot:A Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft MysteryBy Joanna Campbell SlanPhoto, Snap, Shot is now available for pre-ordering at Amazon.com Release date is May 2010, so why not order it now and surprise yourself? It's the 3rd book in the Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series. Paper, Scissors, Death is the 1st and Cut, Crop & Die is the 2nd.Chapter 1"Anya is all right now," said my daughter's advisor, "but you need to come … [Read more...] about Book Excerpt from PHOTO, SNAP, SHOT
Gooey Butter Cake
Dawn Blankenship shares her Grandmother Ormsby's recipe for Gooey Butter Cake, a St. Louis specialty:Set oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 13x9 inch pan.Combine: 1 stick melted butter or oleo 1 egg 1 box yellow cake mixPress this mixture in the pan until it covers the bottom and sides well.Combine: 1 lb. powdered sugar 1 8 oz cream cheese (no light) 2 eggsBeat this mixture well then pour on the first … [Read more...] about Gooey Butter Cake
Why the Women Are All Strong…What's the Alternative?
My friend Victoria sent this to me:I get emails from "Prairie Home Companion" regularly and it's some of my favorite reading and listening. This is an email response to a reader's question about the closing of the Lake Woebegon story each week. I thought his response was so insightful.**Post to the Host Two Weeks In A Row!Your Lake Wobegon ending is "where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above … [Read more...] about Why the Women Are All Strong…What's the Alternative?
