Last week I introduced a new feature to the Saucy Scribe blog, a weekly list of good things. Over the past few years I’ve found myself being way to negative, it’s pretty easy to find things that could be better. When I’m in my pity mode and feeling sorry myself I always hear my mother’s voice saying "you don’t have to look far to find someone who’s worse off than you or has more troubles, so celebrate that you HAVE good things in your life!"

Such inspiring words!

So, without further ado…here’s my Sunshine List for the week of February 20th

(1) Speaking of my Mom, this week she celebrated a birthday. A family birthday is always something to make me smile!

(2) Friends. My best friend and her family came for a visit last Sunday and to be honest, nothing cheers me up, keeps me grounded or gives me a warm fuzzy feeling more than spending time with her and her crew. Definitely part of my Sunshine List this week!

(3) Friends. This week a friend took time out of her busy life to come to my house and help me get started planning a DisneyWorld vacation for the family. She came loaded with books, maps, websites and great advice and wonderful tips. Beth, you’re a sweetheart!

(4) I faced my fear of driving in the dark and in the rain. I had to pick up hubby last night at the airport and driving in the dark is not something I do well – add rain, and I become one nervous woman behind the wheel. I’m proud of myself that I didn’t shirk away and beg one of the boys to pick him up instead. I did drive a little slow (and anyone that didn’t like it was welcome to pass me – and they did!) I even arrived at the airport before the flight did – YAY. Just this little thing make me feel pretty darn good last night.

(5) My novella, A Knight in Her Arms, is still selling steadily on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles and everywhere else ebooks are sold. At only 99 cents, I’m proud to say that 3,000 people have given it a try. I am humbled and thankful for each and every sale. All those readers without a doubt add some Sunshine to my week

Your turn!

What is on your Sunshine List this week?

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Meet Rocky.

He’s a little over a year old and obviously has very good taste *LOL*

Recently I switched back to this Coach bag – it’s the size of this bag that I love the most. Large pocket in the front and a zippered one on the back, it just manages to hold all my "must-haves" perfectly. One zippered compartment runs down the middle of the bag, great for keeping my wallet a little more secure. My new smartphone fits a little too snug in the pocket, but I’m learning to adjust!

What do you look for in a pocketbook? I’m all about the right amount of pockets and the way it feels on my shoulder (even though I don’t often carry the bag on my shoulder, I want to know I can )

This week I’m in the middle of a great workshop on plotting using the "W" method by Author Karen Doctor – and one of the first things we needed to complete was a character worksheet. As I stared at my worksheet on my heroine, I realized that one of the most important things I NEED to know about all my heroines is always what type of pocketbook would she carry.

Such a simple question, but so telling. Is she the tiny purse girl who only needs the essentials like her wallet, phone and keys? Or, is she the "kitchen sink" girl – like me! Maybe somewhere in between. In any case, I think knowing what my heroine’s got in the bag is an important part of her personality and it deserves some thought. Is she the type of girl who’s got three different shades of lipstick, just in case? Does this girl carry pepper spray? Maybe her pocketbook is filled with things like tissues and hand sanitizers. Any of these things gives the readers an impression of your character.

My current heroine is a bit of a challenge. When she stumbles her way from present day to an 18th century pirate ship, it’s not like this is a trip she’s planned for or packed for – she doesn’t come with her pocketbook!  But that doesn’t mean I don’t need to know what type of bag she’s left behind and what she’s used to carrying around – it’s those little tidbits that she’s going to be missing!

And now while I continue to plot and complete my character worksheet – it’s time to remove Rocky from his Coach bed before he gets too comfortable.

What’s your favorite type of bag – big or small?

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Happy President’s day!

In honor of the holiday, I hope you take a few minutes today to sit and relax with a nice cold drink.

Enjoy your week…

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Welcome to the newest weekly feature here on The Saucy Scribe!

Not to get too personal, but over the last year I’ve struggled with many ups and downs in just about every aspect of my life. Those struggles and some words of wisdom from the people that I hold dear in my life brought me to a better place emotionally – and I thank them from the bottom of my heart!

One of the things that I’ve discovered over the last year is that no matter how dark things might seem – there is always something good in your life to celebrate.

My Sunshine List is just that. It’s a weekly dose of recognizing the good around me, the happy moments, the small achievements.

I hope you’ll join me, by either commenting here or creating your own Sunshine list (leave me the link to yours in the comment section and I’ll follow you!)

Life is made up of small pleasures

~ Norman Lear

My Sunshine List for February 19, 2012

(1) After struggling for months (okay – maybe a year…) with car troubles and juggling two cars for four drivers…we bought 2 cars this week! (Used, but in great condition!)

(2)  My parents and my in-laws came to celebrate my daughter’s 13th birthday last Sunday, and I am so thankful that my kids are fortunate enough to know, enjoy, and have the opportunity to spend so much time with their grandparents. Memories are blessings!

(3) I downloaded some pictures to a digital picture frame for my foyer. It makes me smile when the kids stop and watch.

(4) With hubby working the late shift this past week, I managed meals that the kids actually ate and had dinner waiting for hubby when he got home! Score!

Big or small, there’s joy in everyday…we just have to notice it!

Hope you have a great week.

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I Love a nice, warm cobbler. Straight from the oven, with a little dollop of whip cream on the top or better yet, some vanilla ice cream…Oh yum!

But when I think about the word "cobbler," I can’t help but think of my own writing habits and all those notes I have stuck to my desk, hanging off my monitor and sticking out of my daily agenda book in my pocketbook.

Yup, I’m the note queen.

I ultimately take all those little notes and "cobble" together the pieces of my plot, character traits and even a setting. Even a line of dialogue or witty remark.

I think every writer has a similar way of doing things, we all take notes of one kind or another – whether it’s speaking into a recorder or jotting down a note while standing in line at the grocery store when inspiration hits… notes are our friends!

Weekend Writing Tip:

Don’t forget your notebook & pen. A small pad, sticky notes or a moleskin, anything to keep that inspirational thought fresh in your mind!

And now on to the real cobbler!

Easy Peach Cobbler

1/4 cup margarine or butter, melted

2 (16 oz) cans sliced peaches in light syrup – undrained

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup plus t tbs sugar

1/4 cup milk (skim if you prefer)

Preheat oven to 375.

Coat a 9-inch square baking dish with cooking sray, spread the melted butter in the bottom of the dish. Drain the peaches; reserving the peaches and 1/2 cup of liquid.

Combine flour, baking powder and sugar in a medium bowl. Add peach liquid and milk. Stir until combined well.

Pour the batter evenly over the butter, spoon the peaches over the batter – DO NOT STIR.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden on top.

Enjoy with a scoop of ice cream or some whipped cream!

Have an awesome weekend!

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I can’t remember a time that I didn’t have an obsession with tote bags.

My walk-in closet is filled with them, I have boxes in the attic filled with them…I just can’t resist a nice new tote!

Since the family decided a long time ago not to bother trying to curb my addiction – they instead feed the beast

Last month was my birthday and my Mom brought me this new Vera Bradley tote as one of my presents!

In true Vera Bradley fashion, the bag has some well-placed pockets on the inside to keep those little items organized so you don’t have to hunt for anything at the bottom of this deep bag. There’s even a cute "v" pocket on the front!

The straps are thin, but comfortable and stay on my shoulder as I’m running out the door to work.

A tall bag, it still holds all the crap I take with me on a daily basis.

So, what’s in the bag this week?:

* My 6×9 zippered portfolio (with a pad & pen in case I get the chance to write!)

* Current research book – "The Pirate Primer"

* umbrella

* extra gloves (hey, it’s NY in winter…you never know when you might need an extra pair of gloves!)

* pens, tissues and extra lipstick (a girl can never have too much lipstick!)

* a bottle of water

* my lunch

Yes, this is all in addition to my everyday pocketbook!

What are you carrying around this week?

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Let’s be honest, if you’re a chocolate lover, you LOVE the day after Valentine’s Day almost as much as Valentine’s Day itself.

Even though the Hubby always brings me a sweet treat for the holiday, I am NOT above hitting the stores in the days after the 14th and stocking up on marked down candy filled hearts for myself. (Who doesn’t love a chocolate sale?)

Chocolate fact:

Dark chocolate can stay fresh for more than a year. Both milk and white chocolate should be used before a year is up.

Armed with this little nugget of chocolate shelf-life info, I’m even more excited to hit the candy aisle of my local Wal-Mart over the next few days – not that anything chocolate lasts a year in my house…but still, it’s good to know.

Being a choco-holic is nothing to be ashamed of, but it is best to know your limitations. A few pieces in moderation isn’t going to kill your diet or add ten pounds to your hips – but indulging in a 20 oz. hot chocolate every day and sucking down a few full-size candy bars probably will add those pounds pretty darn quick.

For me, my biggest limitation is to remember NOT to eat chocolate after 8pm. I’m usually in bed between 11:30 and 12:00 and I need those hours to be chocolate free. Why? Because I’m a talker and a sleep-walker and chocolate seems to kick me into high gear where both things are concerned. Since my husband has grown fond of sleeping through the night, listening to me talk all night or being on watch that I don’t fall down the stairs isn’t high on his nighttime agenda. (I wonder why?) I need to be kind and pretend I’m a gremlin…no feeding me chocolate after 8pm!

None of the above will keep me from the "After Valentine’s Day Chocolate Sales."

So, if I go missing this week – look for me in the candy aisle. I’ll be the crazy women filling her cart and giggling.

Hope to see you there!

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If you ask me what my favorite food is, you will always get the same answer: CHOCOLATE. In celebration of my favorite food/treat I’ve decided that every Wednesday here on the Saucy Scribe is going to be powered by chocolate. Because every week should have something sweet to enjoy.

Fun Fact:

The Aztecs used the Cacao Bean as currency.

With next week being Valentine’s Day, you gotta love any holiday devoted to love and chocolate – and all those KISSES!

In 1907 the Hershey’s Chocolate Company introduced the "Kiss." No one knows for sure why it was called the KISS but rumor has it the sweet treat was named for the "smooching" sound the warm chocolate makes being pressed onto the conveyor belt during the manufacturing process – these little delights are not made in a mold.

The Hershey Company has plants in Pennsylvania, Virginia and California and together they produce 1,300 Kisses every minute – YOWZA.

In 1962 the Kiss joined the techno-color revolution and started using colored wrappers for holidays. It’s now common to find one of my favorite treats in bright red for Valentine’s day, pretty pastels for Easter and even orange and black for Halloween.

In 1990 the little Kiss took another leap forward into flavors! First came the almond and that was only the start – now you can find them in everything from caramel (YUM!) to my holiday favorite this year, the white chocolate and peppermint…OMG heavenly!

Did you know you can order your own personalized bag of Hershey’s Kisses? Choose your own chocolate flavor, color wrapping and your own message!

I hope you enjoyed the visit today with one of my favorite treats – the Hershey’s Kiss. And while I don’t think I’d be overly excited if my boss handed me a bag a cacao beans at the end of the work week instead of my check – I still think it’s pretty cool to know that we aren’t the only civilization that recognizes the wonders of the cacao bean.

Happy Wednesday. (And don’t forget that everyday deserves a little Kiss!)

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Another SuperBowl in the record books!

Eli Manning and Tom Brady both brought their teams to the field for the 2012 Super Bowl with nothing short of winning on their minds.

But, only one team can win the trophy.

Sadly, my numbers didn’t come up as winners, but the game was still fun to watch – I LOVE a close Super Bowl game. 

Congratulations to the New York Giants.

But, let’s be honest here, more than the game, I look forward to the commercials – there’s been some truly great stand-outs over the years (and some duds.)

Not being the biggest Vampire fan – this Audi commercial was definitely a stand-out for me.

If you watched the game – what commercial stood out for you?

Happy Monday – hope it’s a great week!

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Superbowl weekend. Time to break out the beer, the chips & dip and draw up the "boxes" so everyone can enjoy the game and maybe win a little cash too. (Have I mentioned my love of gambling?…hmmm…well, that’s a post for another day!)

Being that this will be a festive weekend (yes, even my Gang Green JETS loving family will be screaming for the Giants this weekend) I still haven’t given up hope that I will get in some writing time.

The Weekend Writing Tip:

Take your writing on a road trip!

Ohh…I know it’s scary to think of not writing while sitting in your favorite chair or huddled up to your trusty desktop, but trust me, a change of writing space and routine might be just the ticket to sparking a new twist.

Now, go enjoy some dip:

TOUCH DOWN TACO DIP

1 Can (16 oz.) refried beans

1 Pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1 pkg (1.25 oz) taco seasoning mix

2 garlic cloves, pressed

1 small tomato, chopped

1/4 cup onion, chopped

1/4 pitted, ripe olives, chopped

2 Tbs fresh cilantro or parsley, snipped

1/2 cup (2 oz) shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375. Spread refried beans at the bottom of a baking dish. In a bowl, combine sour cream with taco mix. Press the garlic over mixture, combine and spread evenly over refried beans. Sprinkle tomatoe, onions, olives and cilantro over cream cheese. Top with cheddar cheese. Bake 25-30 minutes or until hot. Garnish with more sour cream, if desired.

Serve with pita chips.

Enjoy the game!

What’s your go-to Superbowl dip?

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