Ghosties, Goblins & Dinner? Oh, my!

I love Halloween!

It's my second favorite holiday and a big deal at my house.  It has been for years.  I grew up in a small town where we knew everybody and kids could safely go door-to-door on Halloween night.  My mom made our costumes each year and neighbors went all out making homemade treats such as caramel apples and popcorn balls.  My late husband's childhood experiences were the opposite.  Growing up in a big city with a single mom who worked long hours and not having much money, he had never known the fun that could be had on Halloween. Imagine his shock when I charged into his life with the Halloween enthusiasm of your average 10 year old (though I was 24 at the time) and the complete confidence that he would be thrilled to dress up with me.  Poor guy didn't know what hit him!  lol!

To his credit, he indulged me that first year and had such a good time that from then on, he took over the planning of the Halloween "event" and had more fun than a litter of puppies! He'd plan our costumes, help me decorate the house and be dressed and eagerly awaiting the first ring of the doorbell about the same time the kids were getting out of school.  To say he got excited would be an understatement of mammoth proportions!


Whenever I said anything about how much he enjoyed Halloween, he'd say to me, "I may grow old but I'll never grow up."  My memories of our years together are a vivid testament to that!  It's been almost ten years since he died but every year his playful, enthusiastic spirit is with me as I dress in costume, apply my make-up and prepare to greet bright-eyed, laughing little goblins at my front door.  As you learned on my birthday, I have no problem sharing photographic evidence of silly life moments with the world so, with that in mind, here's a little stroll down our Halloween memory lane.

As you can see, the dh was a man secure in his masculinity.  Either that, or he had a hidden fondness for short skirts and curly blonde hair!  The kids who came to our door loved the costume, especially when he did a cheer for them.  For months afterward, kids would ride by on their bikes while he was mowing or working in the yard and chant, "Rah! Rah! Rah! Sis! Boom! Bah!" 

This was the year he was the Hunchback of Notre Dame and discovered that oatmeal tinted with green food coloring doesn't come off as easily as one might think.  He sported traces of the "look" until close to Thanksgiving! 

This year's costume was inspired by the late Dik Browne, who wrote the Hagar the Horrible comic strip, one of the dh's favorites. 

My brother designed our Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costumes and my husband made them.  I nicely thanked them both and took pictures.  I know my limits. *g*

The last year that he was well enough to dress up with me was widely recognized by the 100+ people who visited our house as our best Halloween costume ever.  As you can see from the photo, I was a chef and the dh was "dinner."  I kept the lid over his head until the trick-or-treaters walked up to the table to take their candy from the tray.  Then I'd offer them a taste of the "specialty of the house" and lift the cover.  Reactions were priceless!  Only one person was scared.  Mostly, the kids were amused, curious or downright fascinated. 

A neighbor girl refused to leave until I lifted the tablecloth to prove to her that yes, the rest of his body was still attached. 

Another little girl wanted to know how long it took me to bake him. 

But the cutest reaction was from one little boy who stood there staring at him for close to five minutes while his parents tried to entice him back to the street.  Finally, he turned to me and in a quiet, awestruck voice asked "Does he take batteries?"   I've always wondered how many Christmas lists the "dinner head" ended up on that year! lol!

I've continued the tradition of dressing up to greet the goblins who ring my doorbell on Halloween night.  A couple years ago I was a gypsy fortune teller.  I wish I'd thought to put out a recorder to capture some of the questions I was asked.  Had me laughing for weeks!






Do you celebrate Halloween?

Do you dress up?  If you do, what costume are you wearing this year?  If you're not dressing up this year, tell me about your favorite Halloween costume or favorite Halloween memory. 

What's your "must have" Halloween candy?

I love mini Butterfingers, Snickers and Kit Kat bars.  It's the only time of year that I allow myself to eat them so I enjoy every single bite.  I dump them in the bowl first so if I have any candy left over, it's my favorite kinds. *g*

I also make molded chocolates and chocolate-covered caramel apples for Halloween but they go to special people like the nurses and other volunteers at the hospital.  Being safety conscious, I only hand out store bought candy at the door. 

Since I'm all about having fun and giving out treats on Halloween, I'm going to randomly select one person who comments today to receive a treat from my book stash.  Happy Halloween!

~PJ

Lessons Learned....Or...It's All About Me

Today is my birthday. It’s not one of those big birthdays. You know which ones I’m talking about: the ones with a zero on the end. Not this year, though the next one of those is looming on the horizon and since I’m zooming toward the finish line of another decade it got me to thinking about what I’ve learned during my time on Earth and also what I have yet to learn. A person can soak up a whole lot of "stuff" in a lifetime so here, with a few visual aids, are some of my lessons learned.

One of the first, and most important, lessons we all learn is how to walk. I may look a bit tentative here and I’m sure I acquired my share of bumps and bruises, but I don’t think it slowed me down much.  Actually, according to what my mother wrote on the back of the photo, I seem to have mastered the skill of multi-tasking at a young age as well.  In this photo, I'm happily munching olives while taking my first tentative steps.  Even as the age of one, I knew good food should be a priority!

Once you master walking, move on to more challenging
tasks...like driving tractors... (it's a good idea to take along
a friend who can reach the pedals)

...and riding horses. (Not exactly a buckin' bronco but I seem to have the technique down.)  This was also about the same time I learned how to milk a cow…and to not try milking the bulls.  A very valuable lesson! 

I’ve always thought the skill of feeding oneself was highly overrated. Why go to all that work when one has so many willing helpers?

 

I learned at an early age that your fur-friend can be your best friend. I’ve had many over the years and they each hold a special place in my heart, especially the one who woke me this morning with neck nuzzles and ear kisses.  It did wonders for the lovely dream I was having about Hugh Jackman at the time!

You’re never too young to learn the value of a good bargain souvenir! This was also the summer I learned Spanish…and then proceeded to forget it because nobody in my little Midwestern town spoke the language. Lesson learned: use it or lose it!

Ah yes, table dancing: a frequently overlooked skill that comes in handy during the college years...or so I'm told.  Because I would know nothing about that.  Nope.  Not me.  Not a thing.  

I learned the value of a good hairstylist and complimentary colors ~ sadly, too late for the Junior Prom. A little blush would have helped too.

                        Everything’s better with chocolate!

Share your knowledge with the next generation.
"Why yes, it's perfectly acceptable to eat chocolate chip cookie dough!"






                                                              

Expand your horizons!

Venice, Italy

You’re never too old to be a kid.  Laugh at yourself and greet the world with a smile...especially when you're masquerading as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. That’s a lesson I hope I never forget!

                                        
                                               
                      Be willing to fight for what you want.














Hugs are my currency of choice.

Never underestimate the power of a good nap.

Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do something
just because you’re a girl.

Surround yourself with good friends and you will always be rich, no matter your material possessions.







One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that you’re never too old to learn something new. The Romance Dish is evidence of that! 

What lessons have you learned?  What are your special skills?  What would you like to learn?  I'm going to learn something new in the next year and I'm trying to decide what to choose.  Knitting?  A foreign language?  Should I improve my photography skills or maybe take a cooking class?  Toss some ideas my way!

Because it's my birthday and there should always be presents on a birthday, I'll send some goodies from my RWA stash to one randomly chosen commenter.  So, come on!  Let's hear those ideas! :)

~PJ

YOU'VE REGISTERED FOR CONFERENCE. NOW WHAT?

You’ve registered for your first RWA National Conference, scheduled vacation time from work, confirmed your travel reservations and you’re ready to…well…you’re not really quite sure what you’re ready to do next.

PJ: What clothes will I need to take? And how many clothes? Is the dress casual, business or dressy?

Andrea: What about shoes? Are sneakers okay? (I’ve heard there’s a lot of walking!) Should I take heels?


Buffie: What’s the etiquette for approaching favorite authors in the hotel lobby or bar? Is it okay to just walk up and say hello?

Gannon: What about workshops? There are so many! How will I know which one(s) to attend?

Dishes: What if someone asks for my phone number…email…website? Should I carry a pen and paper with me at all times? Should I have business cards made? (Actually, that's one we already figured out and we can't wait to show off our brand spankin' new Romance Dish business cards!)

These are only a small sampling of the thoughts that were swirling in Gannon's and PJ's heads when they started planning for their first National conference last summer in Washington, DC and currently have Buffie and Andrea spinning in circles as they prepare for their first National next month in Orlando! Not wanting anyone to step off on the wrong foot, we turned to our friend, Kim Castillo for expert guidance. As a conference veteran and assistant to many published authors, we knew she would have the advice we will all need to enjoy a successful conference experience. Please help us welcome Kim to The Romance Dish!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you so much to PJ, Andrea, Gannon and Buffie. They're such wonderful women and advocates for romance authors. I just adore each of them. Thanks for inviting me to the dish, ladies! (We adore you too, Kim!)

Kim & Eloisa James

Today we're going to chat about going to big conferences. The biggest thing to remember about conference is that it's overwhelming, especially if it's your first con. When I went to the Dallas con, it was the first time I'd flown, the first time I'd stayed in a hotel by myself and the first time I'd met so many authors. I was like a kid in a candy store, my head couldn't whip around fast enough, trying to take in all the sites and not miss anyone I wanted to meet. It doesn't matter if it's your first or tenth con, you're not going to be able to see or do everything you want to do. It's just not humanly possible. Make a detailed schedule. (PJ popping in to say I made an Excel spreadsheet last year and it was my lifeline!) Most cons put up their event calendar ahead of time. Put the events you want to attend in your schedule and prioritize them. Is it a "MUST DO" or a "Want to"? If there are people you know you want to spend time with, email them ahead of time and set up a time.

Anna  Campbell

The Literacy Signing: Every conference has a large mass book signing. The literacy signing at RWA is INSANE. It's always packed to the rafters, hot, loud and lines everywhere. The best way to deal with this is to make a list. Again, most events will list the authors signing at their mass signing. Orlando Signing Author List Go through and make a list of all the authors you'd like to meet, get a picture taken with and buy a book from. Again, it's like being a kid in a candy store. You WILL be overwhelmed and distracted. Stick to the list and then you can browse around.

Let's talk about what to pack a little bit. Comfortable clothes and shoes! You're going to be in one hot, over crowded room after another. You need to be as comfortable as possible. You're also going to be walking everywhere. These hotels are HUGE and the conference will be spread out. Forget those cute shoes-wear what's comfortable. It's not the time to break in new shoes either.

Harlequin Party

Take at least two evening/cocktail outfits. You never know who'll be willing to sneak you into the Harlequin party or invite you out for drinks!

Ready for the RITA Awards!

This is going to sound silly, but pants with pockets. It makes it so easy if you can just stick your room key, debit card and cell phone in a pocket and go. Plus you're not lugging around a purse that feels like cement.

A large, sturdy tote bag for the book signings.

Minimal make up-you're going to sweat it all off anyway.

Santa, J Perry and Kim

Your camera! You definitely want memories!

Print out your room reservation confirmation email. Trust me on this one. If there is any confusion with your reservation you're going to need this. Keep it with your airline tickets and other important travel documents.

My biggest tool for conference is my large Vera Bradley purse. It has several pockets and holds so much it can be used as an overnight bag. I use mine as a traveling office. Things that I have to have at a con: 2 black pens, Sharpie marker, tape, hand sanitizer and wet wipes. Trust me on the sanitizer and wipes. You're going to want those. A mini can of Febreeze or Lysol comes in handy too ;)

One of my favorite things about con, other than seeing all my friends and favorite authors, is of course, THE BOOKS! You're going to want to take home loads of books. This has become somewhat of an issue the past couple of years because of those horrible airlines and their baggage charges. One way around this is to plan ahead! If your suitcase is large enough grab one or two (I recommend two!) large flat rate boxes from your local post office. While you're there buy $14.95 in stamps for each box. The box should fold in half to fit fairly easy in a suitcase. Put the stamps in your wallet. Once you've gotten all your books together you want to take home, use the flat rate boxes to mail yourself as many books as possible. Don't forget to bring a small roll of packing tape ($1 at the Dollar Tree!). After you've got the box all packed up and addressed to yourself, affix the postage, take the box down to the front desk and ask if they can mail the box for you. You can even call ahead, after you've made your reservation to ask if this is a service they offer. Most hotels will have a business center but the shipping can get pretty expensive that way.

Kristan Higgins

My biggest piece of advice is-RELAX and HAVE FUN! This is conference! Don't be shy! Be out there, introduce yourself to people. I met one of my dearest friends this way. At my first con, we were always in line together. Then, my last day, we were both at breakfast together. Instead of sitting alone, we sat together and chatted. Every year Kristan Higgins is still my breakfast buddy!

Are you attending RWA in Orlando in July? Do you regularly attend conferences? If so, what's your best piece of advice for attendees?

Make sure to check the comments! I'll be sharing lots more tips, answering all of the Dishes' questions and maybe sharing a story or two in the comments ;)

Also, one lucky commenter will win some stash from my office! (PJ popping in again to say that Kim has some really good stash in her office!)

Kim, thanks for all that terrific advice! I'll be checking back throughout the day for more tips and those stories you promised!

~PJ

Kim Castillo really is the Author's Best Friend. A life-long bookworm, she started out with the Boxcar Children and Nancy Drew, and then turned her love of great fiction to the romance genre. Now alpha heroes and happily ever afters are a pre-requisite for her bookshelves. Kim was rescued from the drudgery of a 9-to-5 job when she discovered a passion and knack for marketing. Soon her marketing and organizational skills found a niche in the romance novel industry she loves so much. As a freelance personal assistant, Kim spends her days working with the crème de la crème of best-selling and award winning authors. The work she does for authors – everything from bookseller outreach to managing websites to handling fan interactions and contests – makes her authors’ lives easier, giving them more time to write and be with their families.

Your Horse or Mine?

It's not a national holiday but those living in the state of Kentucky may argue that it should be.  Today is the first Saturday in May - the day when women traditionally don outrageously huge hats, sip Mint Juleps and make discreet wagers. When men discuss bloodlines, training techniques and race records.  Today, for the 136th time, the eyes of the horse-loving world will turn to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky and the running of the first jewel in horse racing's Triple Crown:  the Kentucky Derby.

I've never lived in Kentucky, nor have I owned a horse, but I love watching the Derby.  I love its traditions, from the stirring singing of the Stephen Foster classic, My Old Kentucky Home when the horses enter the track (I cry every single time) to the garland of roses placed across the winning horse's back.  The roses made their Derby debut in 1896, when an arrangement of white and pink roses was presented to the winner.  Today, the red rose is the official flower of the Derby and the garland consists of more than 400 red roses.

Photo: Churchill Downs

Then there's that trophy.  Made of solid 14-karat gold, with an 18-karat gold horse and rider atop and set upon a jade base, the trophy has been awarded annually since 1924 to the owner of the winning horse.  While the horse and rider are cast from molds, the rest of the trophy is handcrafted during a process that takes hundreds of hours. 

The Mint Julep has been the official drink of the Kentucky Derby for almost 100 years and, let me tell you, there's a whole lot of sippin' going on during Derby Week!  There are an estimated 120,000 Mint Juleps served at Churchill Downs alone over Derby Weekend.  Of course, you don't have to go all the way to Kentucky to try one.  Here's a recipe from Early Times Kentucky Whiskey, the provider of the "Official" Mint Julep of the Derby.

The Early Times Mint Julep Recipe

* 2 cups sugar
* 2 cups water
* Sprigs of fresh mint
* Crushed ice
* Early Times Kentucky Whisky
* Silver Julep Cups

Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Early Times Kentucky Whisky. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

Lady Diane Hats

But while the hats, the music, and the lovely refreshments are important parts of Derby tradition, it's the horses that hold center stage.  Beautiful, disciplined, finely-tuned three-year-old athletes at the top of their game, they command the attention of every person there from their first step onto the track .

 Secretariat

The race they will run is 1-1/4 miles and you better not blink or you'll miss it.  The record for the fastest Derby time has stood since 1973 when the legendary Triple Crown winner, Secretariat ran it in 1 minute 59-2/5 seconds.  He was an amazing horse!  The Triple Crown, for you non-horse people, is awarded to a horse who wins the three premier horse races in the United States - The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness and The Belmont Stakes - in the same year.  It's only been done eleven times since 1919 and hasn't been accomplished since Affirmed won it in 1978.

Twenty horses will take to the track today to race for the first jewel in the Triple Crown.  Will you be watching?  Have you picked a favorite?  I have a friend who knows all the stats on each horse and jockey and uses a scientific method (that leaves me totally confused) to select his favorites.  Another friend chooses her favorites based on the horse's name.  Still another picks her favorite based on the color of the jockey's silks.  Me?  I use a combination of the three.  It's worked...once or twice...but I have fun doing it and that's really all that matters to me.   Here are my favorite and long shot picks for this year's Derby.

AP - Lookin At Lucky

Lookin At Lucky:  I like his name and his trainer, Bob Baffert and his odds are great at 3-1. 

Photo Credit: Adam Coglianese

Paddy O'Prado:  How can I not love a horse with an Irish name and owned by Donegal Racing?  He's a long shot at 20-1 but he's been running really fast and I like his jockey, Kent Desormeaux.  I wouldn't count him out.





Okay, now it's your turn.  Will you be watching today's Derby?  Have you ever attended the Derby in person or been to a Derby party?  Tried your hand at sipping (or making) a Mint Julep?   Who's your favorite to win today's race? If you live outside the U.S., tell us about the premier horse races in your country!

One lucky commenter, randomly selected, will receive a signed set of Elizabeth Bevarly's Derby Trilogy, stories set in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky - site of the Kentucky Derby.  The books in the trilogy are Fast & Loose, Neck & Neck and Ready & Willing.  Good luck!

~PJ

A Breath of Spring

Typically, when I'm asked to name my favorite season, my answer is Autumn.  I love the colors, the smell of wood smoke, the crisp, clean scent of the air, and football.  Especially football!






This year, however, I'm more than ready to embrace the wonders of Spring.  Winter has been long, dark, brown and cold - much colder than normal here in the Carolinas - and I'm tired of being bundled up and closed up.  I'm ready to break out of my cocoon and throw my arms open to the warmth of the sun.   So it has been with great enthusiasm that I have, over the past few weeks, welcomed the first signs of the Earth reawakening from her long slumber. First came the daffodils with their sunny yellow color, gently dancing in the breeze.

They were followed by the beautifully flowering Bradford Pear and Cherry trees.

Then last week, seemingly overnight, the dogwoods burst into bloom with their delicate white and pink flowers.

This week it's the azaleas, with their large blossoms of vibrant pink, white, red and purple.

The grass is greening, the yard is a riot of color and I LOVE IT!  I feel happier, more energetic.  I smile more, go for longer walks and revel in the miracle of Spring.

So, how about you?  What's your favorite season?  What makes it special?  Have the first signs of Spring arrived in your neighborhood yet?  Are you as excited about their arrival as I am this year? 

~PJ

Erin Go Bragh

       
     Happy St. Patrick's Day!





It's that time of year when we hoist a mug of ale, quote Irish Blessings and add an O' to the front of our name, even if that name happened to originate in Germany, Sweden or Russia.  Surely, someone, somewhere on our vast family tree must have been from the Auld Sod.  And if they weren't...well, what can it hurt to pretend for one day out of the year?

Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?   Attend parades?  Eat anything special?  Have you been to Ireland or, like me, do you long to one day visit the Emerald Isle?  Do you get a tear in your eye when the band plays "Danny Boy" or raise your voice in a rousing chorus of "When Irish Eyes are Smiling?"

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

Speaking of stealing your heart away, does your heart melt just a wee bit at the thought of a blue-eyed, dark-haired Irish lad casting a grin your way and, in a lilting Irish brogue, greeting you with "top o' the mornin', lass."  ::Sigh::   The mature Pierce Brosnan still makes me weak in the knees but it's the young Irish lad who first captured my heart in his role as Rory O'Manion, way back in the 1981 mini-series "The Manions of America."  I wanted to get on a plane to Ireland the very next day.

My St. Patrick's Day menu is corned beef, cabbage and boiled potatoes.  I don't remember ever having it while growing up but after sampling it at The Pretzel Bell (a local eatery) while in college, along with cold draft beer and hot black bread, it's become my March 17th tradition.

I have memories of being a little girl and wearing green so as not to get pinched at school on St. Paddy's Day.  It's a tradition I continue, though these days pinching someone can get you in a heap of trouble, St. Patrick's day or not.  I do lay claim to Irish blood in my ancestry and enjoy celebrating that part of my heritage. I've been to a few parades but not any of the big ones.  One of these days, I'd like to be in Savannah, Georgia on St. Patrick's Day.  They've been publicly honoring the day since 1813 and are recognized as having the second largest St. Patrick's Day celebration in the United States.

I admit to getting emotional whenever I hear "Danny Boy" and I've joined in many a rousing rendition of "When Irish Eyes are Smiling", usually after a few rounds of brew.  I haven't met the Irish lad with the twinkling blue eyes in person yet but I sure do enjoy meeting him on screen and in the pages of the many wonderful romances I've read.  Nora Roberts, in particular, is exceptionally talented at bringing both Ireland and Irishmen to life in her stories.

So, whether you're Irish, or only Irish for a day, I wish you a very happy St. Patrick's Day and leave you with two of my favorite Irish blessings.

An Old Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

An Irish Prayer  

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

~PJ


Do you have a favorite Irish blessing to share with us?  Or a bit of Irish trivia?  How about a favorite book set in Ireland or featuring a sexy, Irish hero?   One can never have too many of those on her tbr mountain!