* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday!

(With a bit of a repeat post)

I first posted the following on Sept 28, 2011. Only one day away from exactly two years ago! How's that for Cosmic Karma?! I'm sharing it again today because of the symbolism of keys and doorknobs opening the way to success. And, because I also love wind chimes, which many of you are already aware of. 

(Did you know that if you're reading a Blogspot blog, you can search for archive blog posts in several ways? If you want to zero in on a certain word, such as....chimes....the easiest is to just type the word in the small search area in the upper left hand corner. All blog posts with that word will appear.)

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

* Doors Open & Keys Turn *

I've collected a few things over the years and shared an item or two on my blog. Somewhere along this journey of mine I became very interested in decorative doorknobs and vintage-looking keys.

When I began this collection, the idea of them having a deep meaning never entered my mind, until just recently. Ahhh.....doorknobs open doors (to success) and keys turn the locks (to success.)

And didn't you just love Aunt Clara on the TV show, Bewitched?? 

Aunt Clara: Wouldn't you like to see my doorknob collection?
Phyllis Stephens: I beg your pardon?
Samantha Stephens: Aunt Clara collects doorknobs.
Aunt Clara: I have three thousand.

Part Two

I'm still unpacking and sorting and deciding what goes where, and I just came across another decorative, antique looking, key-door-latch thingy that I bought last year! So, I took a couple of hurried photos to add here.

Can you see the tag is still on the back? It will definitely be in my office/guest room, along with the others....if there's room!

I took this picture in a store a few weeks ago! (It wasn't on sale, so I didn't buy it, but I needed to remember what it looked like...and where I saw it!) Could it be any more perfect?? Chimes, a doorknob, and keys!!

Wishing all of you a wonderful, blissful week. Find your own keys to open the doors and windows in your life.

~~~~~

"Willpower is the key to success. Successful people strive no matter what they feel, by applying their will to overcome apathy, doubt, or fear." -- Dan Millman

"Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by the person we become." -- Jim Rohn

 "Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." -- Anonymous

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friend, Vern

Vern, by my side this morning, as I continue moving forward with my memoir. I couldn't do it without him!

(And yes, there are tons of paper, books, and folders all over the floor next to my desk!)

"People teach their dogs to sit; it's a trick. I've been sitting my whole life, and a dog has never looked at me as though he thought I was tricky." -- Mitch Hedberg

Autumn is Here!

If you've read my blog in past years, during fall months, you know it's my favorite season. Not everyone loves fall, in fact, some people downright dislike it! I've heard the expression, "Everything is dying in the fall. How can you like it?!"

Pardon me, but the trees and other living plants are not dying! They are going into winter hibernation, so they can bloom again in the spring! You know....that long winter's nap?

I'm looking forward to witnessing and reveling in, the changing colors of the leaves here in our new neighborhood! My anticipation is like waiting to see a beautiful painting.

Photo taken by Becky 11/2010

Below are some of my favorite quotes about autumn:

"Listen! the wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves, we have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!" - Humbert Wolfe

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree." -- Emily Bronte

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." - George Eliot

"Listen to the trees as they sway in the wind. Their leaves are telling secrets...." -- Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration 

* I'M ALIVE AND WELL *

Hello Blogger Pals! 

Just a quick update to say I am indeed alive and well. 

I'm almost to the Finish Line! I'm in the very last editing stage (which means: I will not allow myself to read through my manuscript again!) 

A wonderful writer-friend is helping me with my cover and formatting, so everything will be ready to submit to Createspace...as soon as I'm finished with my part!

SO, hopefully, the next time I write a blog post, it will be because I have the news to say, "I've received my printed copies of From Pigtails to Chin Hairs: A Memoir & More." (♫♪ What a day that will be! Happy dance, Happy dance, and maybe a glass of wine...or two! ♫♪)

Please keep sending your well wishes and happy thoughts my way. I feel them encouraging me on my blissful, long & winding, and many times ziggy-zaggy path to publication. 

P.S. I didn't hear back from the New York agency, but I'm really fine about that. I didn't have any great expectations! It was an awesome experience and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to submit my memoir to them. 



"Becky, you haven't been the same since that crowbar fell on your head." -- my mother

* BLOG BREAK! *

Google image

Be back sometime soon!


Addendum Monday, September 9th

Y'all are so thoughtful! I'm fine....just taking a break from blogging, to get some much-needed things accomplished!

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

Cinnamon Sugar = Comfort Food

When I was a little girl, my mother would fix cinnamon sugar toast for me. I seem to remember the only time she did that was when I stayed home, sick, from school. It doesn't exactly sound like a bland snack, does it? I know I didn't get it when I was really ill, like with a fever or upset stomach. No, it was only for that stuffy-runny-nose-and-cough kind of sickness. I associated that crunchy toast, its taste and aroma with being home, covered with a blanket, and feeling the warmth of my mother's love.

That toast, along with her for-no-particular-reason homemade cinnamon rolls throughout the year, signified comfort food. 

I can assure you that after all these years, every cinnamon sugar recipe grabs my attention and any whiff of its magical aroma carries me back to those wondrous days. 

(It doesn't surprise me one bit that I crave cinnamon sugar much more than any kind of chocolate! Show me a huge chunk of chocolate cake, or candy, or fudge, etc. and then a big ol' Cinnabon, and I'll choose that Cinnabon every time!)

I'm getting hungry for an afternoon snack....think I'll look in the pantry and see if I have any cinnamon swirl bagels left! I'm feeling much better than I did on Friday, but I think I still need a bit more comfort food, don't you?!

P.S. While doing....ahem...research for this blog post, I stumbled upon a great recipe on a great site! http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2013/01/cinnamon-roll-sugar-cookies.html  You know I'll be making these, right??

How about you? What are some of your Comfort Foods?  

Addendum Tuesday, Sept 3rd: I realize I should've specified I was only referring to sweets when I wrote this. My "main dish" kind of Comfort Food is a tie. Pot Roast with potatoes and carrots - OR - Meatloaf with any kind of potatoes! Mmm...

"Food is a lot of people's therapy. When we say comfort food, we really mean that. It's releasing dopamine and serotonin in your brain that makes you feel good." -- Brett Hoebel