Tuesday Tidbits: GARDEN NEWS & REMINDER

Once again, I’m going to try to grow a vegetable/fruit garden. I think I’m a glutton for punishment, but I was excited that my feeble attempt last year yielded me a couple of handfuls of edible veggies and a strawberry.

I have started my seedlings inside.

I’m tickled they started growing so fast--just two days!

Under2Weeks

Look at these little guys go!

3 Weeks

They are really growing! That green bean in the front left corner as well as the other beans, peas, zucchini, and summer squash may cause me trouble because of how tall they are growing already. I have another 3 weeks—AT LEAST—before I can transplant them outside. It could be 5 weeks. I hope they don’t get too big for their little starter pods. I have some skewers I’m going to need to tie them to.

I, also, got a berry kit and started blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries. These ones are slow to start sprouting, but I’ll be patient.

Besides my seedlings, I bought a sweet cherry tomato, a pear tomato, and a mint plant. The couple of tomato plants I bought last year did better than the ones I started from seeds. I may or may not transplant the tomatoes into the raised garden beds. I’ll see how much room I have. The mint, on the other hand, is staying put in the pot, lest it take over the garden, yard, and neighborhood. I love the smell of mint.

In addition to those, we bought a pair of raspberry bushes and a pair of blueberry bushes. I love raspberries. They always take me back to my grandparents’ garden. Mm-mm good!

Last year, I tried to find rhubarb plants because I LOVE rhubarb pie. But I could never find them locally. Well, I started looking earlier this year, and I found some at Walmart, so I bought four. I also got some seed potatoes. I’ve never grown potatoes, but I love to eat them. I also have a few potatoes in my pantry that are growing that I’ll try planting as well.

I’m moving my garden from one side yard of my house to the opposite one, which meant moving a ton of rocks with a shovel and a rake. I did it over a couple of days. Then I laid down cardboard as a weed barrier.

The columbine is blooming again this year. So pretty!

I’m going to attempt to plant a few butterfly-and-hummingbird-attracting flower seeds in the landscape cloth holes in my flower garden rather than buy already started flowers. They may or may not grow. I hope they do, because one of the flowers that came up on its own attracted butterflies, and it was so fun to see them enjoying the blooms.

The flowering tree we planted last fall is blooming! It makes me so happy.

I’m excited to see how everything grows and to eat the fruits and veggies of my labor.

Will you be doing doing any gardening this summer?

***Don’t forget to enter in the multi-author giveaway.

You could win one of 17 Mountain Brook Ink books in a variety of genres. Giveaway runs from April 17, 2024, 12:15 am MST to April 27, 2024, 11:45 pm MST. Hurry! You don’t want to miss out.
Go to the link for contest details
https://kingsumo.com/g/zqujwr/mountain-brook-ink-and-mountain-brook-fire-multi-genre-author-giveaway
I hope you win one of the books!
Happy Reading! 

MRS. WITHERSPOON GOES TO WAR (Heroines of WWII series)
2023 SELAH Award 3rd Place in Historical Romance

A WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) flies a secret mission to rescue three soldiers held captive in Cuba.

Margaret “Peggy” Witherspoon is a thirty-four-year-old widow, mother of two daughters, an excellent pilot, and very patriotic. She joins the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots). As she performs various tasks like ferry aircraft, transporting cargo, and being an airplane mechanic, she meets and develops feelings for her supervisor Army Air Corp Major Howie Berg. When Peggy learns of U.S. soldiers being held captive in Cuba, she, Major Berg, and two fellow WASPs devise an unsanctioned mission to rescue them. With Cuba being an ally in the war, they must be careful not to ignite an international incident. Order HERE!

MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE LADY’S MISSION. Her other novels include THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET

(Quilting Circle Book 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3) is a Selah Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles include; The Widow’s Plight, The Daughter's Predicament, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection , Prodigal Daughters Amish series, "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.
Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of thirty-seven years and one cat. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at:


Books2Read Newsletter Blog FB FB Readers Group Amazon GoodReads BookBub

 

Tuesday Tidbits: MULTI-AUTHOR MULTI-GENRE GIVEAWAY

I am involved in a multi-author giveaway. You could win one of 17 Mountain Brook Ink books in a variety of genres being given away.

CONTEST DETAILS:
If you enjoy reading various genres of fiction and non-fiction, you’ll want to enter this giveaway! You’ll have at least seventeen (17) chances to win a free book or audio from one of these great authors. PLUS most of these authors will give a FREE BOOK TO EACH PERSON who subscribes to their newsletter.

There will be at least seventeen winners randomly selected by King Sumo. First winner will get first choice among the prizes. Other winners will be offered choices among the remaining prizes.

You can increase your odds of winning by sharing the contest link and graphic on social media and by signing up for each author’s newsletter. As mentioned above, added incentives for subscribing to each newsletter are 1) extra points giving you more giveaway entries for each sign-up, 2) learning about new-to-you authors, and 3) a free book or other freebie to each subscriber from many of these authors.

Contest is open to U.S. and International winners, however not all books are available in every region.

Giveaway runs from April 17, 2024, 12:15 am MST to April 27, 2024, 11:45 pm MST.

~~ Link to the contest ~~
https://kingsumo.com/g/zqujwr/mountain-brook-ink-and-mountain-brook-fire-multi-genre-author-giveaway

Books to be given away
TITLE - AUTHOR - GENRE - FORMAT
I will be giving away a copy of my THE DAMSEL’S INTENT - Mary Davis - Historical Romance - Paperback
The other books being given away are:
SIDES - Bradley Caffee - YA Sci-Fi/Dystopian - eBook
RAHAB’S COURAGE - Naomi Craig - Biblical Fiction - Paperback US, eBook Intl
THE SECRET OF STARDUST - Heather L.L. FitzGerald - YA Fantasy - Paperback
IN SEARCH OF FOREVER - Patricia Lee - Contemporary Romance - Paperback
RAIN - Dana McNeely - Biblical Fiction - Paperback or Audiobook
COURTSHIP OF HARRY’S WIFE - Jeanie Marie Mirach - Christian Mystery/Suspense - Paperback
HOLD YOUR BREATH - Kristen Hogrefe Parnell - Romantic Suspense - eBook
MADE LIKE MARTHA - Katie M. Reid - Women's Non-fiction - Paperback
THE PROMISE OF DECEPTION - Jessica Sly - Speculative/Historical Fantasy - Paperback
APRIL’S PROMISE - Terrie Todd - Historical Fiction - Paperback
EMMA’S HERO - Carrie Walker - Contemporary Romance - Paperback
ONE WOMAN FALLING - Melanie Campbell - Women's Fiction - Paperback
THE GLASS BOTTOM BOAT - Laura Thomas - Romantic Suspense - Paperback
HILLS OF NEVERMORE - Janalyn Voight - Historical Romance - Paperback
MBF book of your choice - Mountain Brook Fire - Speculative Fiction - Paperback
Choice from WOMEN OF THE WEST series - Miralee Ferrell - Western Historical Fiction - Paperback

I hope you win one of the books!

Happy Reading!

Tuesday Tidbits: HISTORICAL DISCONNECT, CABINET CARDS, & PHOTOSHOP

French Actress Mlle. Nostier, circa 1905

 

 

In school, I didn’t like history class. It was presented in a dry, boring fashion. I couldn’t keep all those dates and names straight. I also felt I had nothing in common with those long dead people.

So, why in the world do I write historical fiction?

I have discovered the joy and beauty of history and the characters who lived it. They are not who I thought they were. The more historical tidbits I learn, the more I realize not much has changed. Oh, sure we have more technology but people are basically the same. Same fears, same issues, same hopes and dreams.

A writing friend found little snippets in old newspapers that read a lot like current day social media posts about kittens and pranks. Who would have thought? Apparently, things haven’t changed so much.

One of the things with all our modern technology is how anyone can change how they appear in a picture with things like photoshop, face-tuning, and filters. A person can change the colors, put any background behind them, erase skin blemishes, modify facial and body features, and so much more, like special effects. It’s hard to know what’s real anymore. I don’t think this modern trend is doing us any favors. We’ll look back a hundred years from now and not know how people really looked.

Back in the good ol’ days, a picture spoke a thousand words. Or did they? Even back at the beginning of photography, some of those “words” were altered. Changing what we look like didn’t start with the computer age or even the invention of photography. Back when portraits were painted, people wanted their likeness to not be too accurate. Even before photography, the subject/s of a portrait requested that the artist “adjust” certain features to improve them.

But I figured before the advent of computers and photo-manipulating type software, altering a photograph was rarely if ever done. Today, there are so many apps that allow the casual user to change anything about an image to where it hardly resembles the original. Some of these are fun and hilarious.

 

Camille_Clifford_as_Marquise_de_Pompadour,_1907

 

This waist looks suspicious.

 

It seems since the beginning of photography, the subject of the image wanted to appear different than they were in reality. Photographs were first printed on paper in 1847. When photography was beginning to gain popularity, cartes-de-visite (visting cards) were created in France in the 1850s, a smaller (2.5 x 4 inches) precursor to cabinet cards. Cabinet cards consisted of a thin-paper photograph (roughly 4 x 5.5 inches) mounted on a light-to-heavy-weight cardstock (roughly 3.5 x 6.5 inches). Where the cartes-de-visite were small and designed to give as calling cards or to give to a friend, cabinet cards by design were meant to sit upon a cabinet and could be viewed from across the room.

Not everyone wanted others to see them as the truly looked. A skilled photographer could alter the negative before printing a photograph, anything from smoothing out a person’s complexion to slimming down the waist to achieve that perfect S-shaped figure. There were whole manuals on how to retouch negatives. Let’s take another look at that cabinet card from the beginning of this article.

Close-Up of the Waist--French Actress Mlle. Nostier, circa 1905

Notice the white space between the small of her back and her arm. That’s where the photographer scraped away her waist for the desired look. This one is quite obvious, but others were more cleverly disguised. Another technique was penciling in part of the background over the waist. The majority of the photo-altering was done to remove freckles, wrinkles, and other facial blemishes. (For more examples of historical photo-altering visit Bernadette Banner’s video on this topic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYGUfg_NJzg)

I guess I assumed the old photographs were accurate, but where there is vanity, there is retouching. The more I think modern people have little in common with people of bygone eras, the more I find out they aren’t much different.

In The Damsel’s Intent (Quilting Circle 3), a stranger watching Aunt Henny has a cabinet card he is often looking at. In The Débutante’s Secret (Quilting Circle 4), Aunt Henny learns who that stranger is and why that cabinet card is so fascinating.

THE QUILTING CIRCLE SERIES Box Set

Historical Romance Series

By Mary Davis

THE WIDOW’S PLIGHT (Book1) – Will a secret clouding a single mother’s past cost Lily her loved ones?

THE DAUGHTER’S PREDICAMENT (Book2) *SELAH & WRMA Finalist* – As Isabelle’s romance prospects turn in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams.

THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (Book3) *SELAH Winner* – Nicole heads down the mountain to fetch herself a husband. Can she learn to be enough of a lady to snag the handsome rancher?

THE DÉBUTANTE’S SECRET (Book4) – Complications arise when a fancy French lady steps off the train and into Deputy Montana’s arms.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNZPRRS2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3NJNTQ5SD1WGB&keywords=the+quilting+circle+by+mary+davis&qid=1700957455&s=digital-text&sprefix=%2Cdigital-text%2C155&sr=1-7

 

MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE LADY’S MISSION. Her other novels include THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET (Quilting Circle Book 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3) is a SELAH Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles include; THE WIDOW'S PLIGHT, THE DAUGHTER'S PREDICAMENT, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection, Prodigal Daughters Amish series, "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of thirty-seven years and one cat. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at: Books2Read Newsletter Blog FB FB Readers Group Amazon GoodReads BookBub

 

Tuesday Tidbits: QUILTING: AN EXTREME SPORT

A Mini Quilt made by ME

I’ve been sewing since I was in first grade. I ran my mom’s sewing machine at top speed, much to the consternation of my dad. “Slow down!” My reply was always, “If it’s not supposed to go this fast, then why did they make it able to go this fast.” Though I sewed as speedy as possible, I never thought of sewing as dangerous. That was until I read these stories where wildlife and quilting came together.

~~~This first story took place in Georgia in 1885. A group of ladies decided to bring a shy bachelor out of his shell and planned a quilting at his house. Well, he was no dummy and outsmarted them by escaping to the far side of his property. Unfortunately for him, he was chased back home by a vicious coach-whip snake that had sunk its fangs into the back of his coat. “He fell into the yard, when one of the girls rescued him and killed the snake.” I wonder if she snagged his heart as well. (Story originally in Marion Daily Star, Marion, Ohio, April 7, 1885, page 1)

I had never heard of this type of snake, so I looked it up. They are supposed to be one of the fastest snakes, reaching speeds of four miles per hour.

 

~~~Story number two happened in Kentucky in 1888. Some ladies gathered at a home that was a lean-to of sorts built against a mountain cliff. While the ladies quilted downstairs, the children played upstairs. The ladies heard a heavy thump but dismissed it as the children. Immediately, the children screamed and tumbled down the ladder from the loft. After the children, a big black bear popped his head through the opening—with a torn piece of clothing in its mouth from the last child down—and promptly somersaulted down. He had apparently lost his footing on the cliff above the house and fell through the roof.

The younger women screamed and ran for the door. The older women had steadier nerves and seized the children. The bear went to the kitchen for the savory meal cooking there and burned his nose. Meanwhile, the lady of the house grabbed her husband’s rifle from the smokehouse, poked it through the window, and shot the bear dead.

Even with the uninvited bear’s alarming arrival, the quilting wasn’t permanently dispersed, and the women gathered once again. The man of the house returned soon after the kerfuffle for lunch. He skinned the bear, and “. . . some of the choicest steaks graced the dinner Mrs. Holiday spread at her quilting.” What a woman! (Story originally in The Landmark, Statesville, North Carolina, November 22, 1888, page 1)

~~~Now on to North Carolina in 1889 for the third story. A man decided to take his pet raccoon to a quilting. The women were plying their needles to fabric when the coon ran inside covered in bees. (He had a sweet tooth for honey, and the bees were none too happy.) In his flight from danger, the coon dashed under the quilt. “…the chairs flew, and the dresses flapped and such a dancing was never seen before.” I guess this was a literal quilting bee. LOL! (Story originally in The Landmark, Statesville, North Carolina, July 4, 1889, page 4)

Apparently, quilting is far more dangerous than I ever imagined. Even though I was a daredevil with a sewing machine, that was the extent of my bravado. Stabbing myself with a needle was never fun but was, thankfully, the worst I had to worry about. I never realized this chicken girl participated in an “extreme sport.” 

THE QUILTING CIRCLE SERIES Box Set

Historical Romance Series

By Mary Davis

THE WIDOW’S PLIGHT (Book1) – Will a secret clouding a single mother’s past cost Lily her loved ones?

THE DAUGHTER’S PREDICAMENT (Book2) *SELAH & WRMA Finalist* – As Isabelle’s romance prospects turn in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams.

THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (Book3) *SELAH Winner* – Nicole heads down the mountain to fetch herself a husband. Can she learn to be enough of a lady to snag the handsome rancher?

THE DÉBUTANTE’S SECRET (Book4) – Complications arise when a fancy French lady steps off the train and into Deputy Montana’s arms.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNZPRRS2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3NJNTQ5SD1WGB&keywords=the+quilting+circle+by+mary+davis&qid=1700957455&s=digital-text&sprefix=%2Cdigital-text%2C155&sr=1-7

 

MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE LADY’S MISSION. Her other novels include THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET (Quilting Circle Book 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3) is a SELAH Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles include; THE WIDOW'S PLIGHT, THE DAUGHTER'S PREDICAMENT, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection, Prodigal Daughters Amish series, "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of thirty-seven years and one cat. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at: Books2Read Newsletter Blog FB FB Readers Group Amazon GoodReads BookBub
 

Resource: Quiltings, Frolicks & Bees: 100 Years of Signature Quilts by Sue Reich

Tuesday Tidbits: QUILTING SNIPPETS

As long as there have been women in reasonable proximity, there have been gatherings of one kind or another. Whether it was collecting water at the well, going to market, congregating at the river to wash laundry, or charity projects, women have come together.

While researching one topic or another, I ran across a book in the library about antique quilts and the gatherings (often called quiltings) that took place to create them. Throughout the book, the author quoted various newspaper articles about these socializing events. I found some of them fascinating and others humorous, so I thought I’d share a few.

I wonder if some eager young ladies purposefully sewed slowly.

Some sage advice

Mitchell Daily Republican, Mitchel, South Dakota July 1, 1886, page 4 

“It is entirely unfair for a man to sneer at a woman’s inability to understand a baseball game until he has proven his own ability to grapple with the mysteries of a crazy quilt social.—Fall River Advance”

Shhhhh! The deafening sound of silence. 

Ingenious men in California and Illinois succeeded where, for centuries, others have failed. They devised a way to get women to stop talking! 

In 1883 in California, a senator “offered the Lady’s Aid Society, $5 if they would make a quilt without speaking a word. Twenty-three ladies met…, made the quilt and earned the money in two hours.” 

In Illinois in 1899, three men offered the fifteen members of the Ladies’ Aid society $1 a piece for their society to sew without talking. In the August heat, they worked for three weary hours without speaking a word. They used signs and nods to make their needs known. The impressed men doubled their contribution. This silent quilting event was touted as a world record.

This one really piqued my interest.

“Bachelors at a Quilting” — In 1883 in New Jersey, bachelors of a church congregation were convinced to produce a quilt. The date was set and a ten cent admission fee was charge for spectators. The men labored for several hours before the ladies came to their rescue and completed the quilt. “Among the bachelor quilters were a railroad man, a printer, two brick manufacturers, and no tailor.”

I knew I needed to use that idea in a story at some point and let it percolate in the back of my mind until . . . it spawned one of the threads in The Lady’s Mission (The Quilting Circle 5). It was so much fun to explore this idea.

Another bachelor-type quilt was a sort of trade. In 1888 in Connecticut, the young people of a church decided to help replenish the church’s treasury. The men pieced together a bed quilt in front of a large crowd that had paid ten cents for the privilege of watching the men perspire over the quilt.

A few days later, an equally large crowd gathered to watch the ladies saw wood. Ten pretty maidens sawed a half-cord of wood into stove-sized pieces. The young men sang to the ladies as they sawed and sawed then succeeded! I need to use this one in a story as well.

It seems various ladies’ organizations came together to create quilts to raise money for one cause or another, whether it was something needed for their church building, a quilt to welcome their new pastor, a family in need, or to support one war or another and provide for soldiers. They worked hard to raise money and help others.

DNA is a powerful thing. Women have always sought out like-minded others with which to socialize, and their busy hands accomplished great things.

THE LADY’S MISSION (Quilting Circle 5)
2023 SELAH Award Finalist

Will Cordelia abandon her calling for love? Cordelia Armstrong wants nothing more than to escape the social norms for her station in society. Unless she can skillfully maneuver her father into giving up control of her trust fund, she might have to concede defeat—as well as her freedom—and marry. Every time Lamar Kesner finds a fascinating lady, her heart belongs to another. When a vapid socialite is offered up as a prospective bride, he contemplates flying off in his hot air balloon instead. Is Lamar the one to finally break the determination of Cordelia’s parents to marry her off? Or will this charming bachelor fly away with her heart?

Available for order on Amazon.

THE QUILTING CIRCLE SERIES Box Set

Historical Romance Series

By Mary Davis

THE WIDOW’S PLIGHT (Book1) – Will a secret clouding a single mother’s past cost Lily her loved ones?

THE DAUGHTER’S PREDICAMENT (Book2) *SELAH & WRMA Finalist* – As Isabelle’s romance prospects turn in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams.

THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (Book3) *SELAH Winner* – Nicole heads down the mountain to fetch herself a husband. Can she learn to be enough of a lady to snag the handsome rancher?

THE DÉBUTANTE’S SECRET (Book4) – Complications arise when a fancy French lady steps off the train and into Deputy Montana’s arms.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNZPRRS2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3NJNTQ5SD1WGB&keywords=the+quilting+circle+by+mary+davis&qid=1700957455&s=digital-text&sprefix=%2Cdigital-text%2C155&sr=1-7

 

MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE LADY’S MISSION. Her other novels include THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET (Quilting Circle Book 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3) is a SELAH Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles include; THE WIDOW'S PLIGHT, THE DAUGHTER'S PREDICAMENT, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection, Prodigal Daughters Amish series, "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of thirty-seven years and one cat. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at: Books2Read Newsletter Blog FB FB Readers Group Amazon GoodReads BookBub
 

Source:
Quiltings, Frolicks & Bees: 100 Years of Signature Quilts by Sue Reich

Tuesday Tidbits: Writing Goals: 2023 Recap & 2024 Goals

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Mine was great. Our daughter and son-in-law flew in and our son, daughter-in-law, and three grandkiddos were all here for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Though a bit chaotic with so many in our little house, it was so wonderful to have everyone together for Christmas for the first time in eight years.

On to goals—

Some people don’t like setting goals because they feel too confining and too much pressure. For me, they help me focus, and I have something to aim for. Like the old saying goes, Shoot for the stars (or moon). You might not make it there, but you will soar higher than if you had never tried. (I couldn’t find a specific author for this variation, but it’s close to Norman Vincent Peale’s quote “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” So, I guess this version is mine, Mary Davis.)

Each goal should have the caveat attached to the end . . . “Stated goal” or something better.

So, how did I do on my 2023 goals? Overall, I’m pleased. Here is a quick recap.

2023 Goals
~~ I will Proofread & Publish 1st-Cousin-Once-Removed Mary Linn’s Novel.
    I proofread and polished this, but I didn’t get it published. I’m waiting on a photo of Mary Linn from her sister. I could have published without it, but I really want her picture with her bio. So, I’ll wait little longer.
~~ I will Write 100,000-ish words or more.
    I didn’t quite reach this one with moving, trying to unpack, and playing with my grandchildren. However, I’m pleased to have written 85,151, which includes a 50k rough draft of book 2 in my time travel series. Playing with grands was the something better. =0)
~~ I will Finish Writing Silver Bells, a Christmas Novella.
    Nope, 2023 was again not my year to finally complete this novella. But I’m more hopeful for 2024.
~~ I will Participate in NaNoWriMo in November.
    I met this goal, writing over 50k, and also participated in CampNaNoWriMo in April and July.
~~ I will Complete a Proposal.
    I didn’t complete a proposal with moving and changing agents, because mine had to step away from being an agent due to family stuff.
~~ I will Complete HHH Posts by the 10th of Each Month.
    I met this one.

Non-writing goals:
~~I will Read Through the Bible in 2023.
    I met this goal early, December 4th. Quite an accomplishment for this dyslexic gal.
~~I will Continue trying to get regular exercise by walking or running up and down the stairs as well as continuing Intermittent Fasting.
    I met this goal.

My goal to move closer to my son and grandchildren is a reality, and I’m loving it! However, my related goal to go through all the boxes did not happen. It has turned out to be an overwhelming task. But at least the upstairs is looking respectable.

My word of the year was the prefix: “Re”. Rework. Republish. Re-edit. Rewrite. Reuse. Recycle. Repurpose. Reimagine. Revisit. Recharge. Relax. And other “re” words. I think I hit about half of them. Unpacking boxes, making the main level livable, and spending time with my son and grands took precedence.

On to 2024 Goals
~~ I will Publish 1st-Cousin-Once-Removed Mary Linn’s Novel with or without a photo of her.
    I want to get this published even if I have to do it without the photo. Now that the holidays are over, I’ll contact her sister for the photo. She’s having trouble figuring out how to send it.
~~ I will Write 100,000-ish words or more.
    I’m working on my Christmas novella and want to write a rough draft of book 3 in my time travel series this year. Then maybe I can get back to the treasure hunting series I didn’t finish. After that there are so many unfinished novels and novellas that I have proposed over the years that I would like to revisit. It will be hard to choose, but I might get back to additional books in my Quilting Circle series. Time will tell.
~~ I WILL Finish Writing Silver Bells, a Christmas Novella.
    I’m going to take this to my critique group this year, so hopefully that will keep me working on it.
~~ I will Participate in NaNoWriMo in November.
    This is the same as last year. NaNoWriMo stands for NAtional NOvel WRIting MOnth. Each year in November, thousands of writers all over the world make a mad dash to write 50,000 words in 30 days. My goal says “participate” not win. If I write 50,000 words or less than 50,000 words, I can still meet this goal by participating. I will also participate in CampNaNoWriMo in April and July. By setting your own goal, those are low pressure and a lot of fun. A good way to get started with NaNoWriMo.
~~ I will Complete a Proposal.
    I need to finish up my time travel series proposal, then I want to take another look at my bride series proposal to see if I want to finish it up. Then look at completing another proposal. So hopefully 3 proposals this year, but at least one.
~~ I will Complete HHH Posts by the 10th of Each Month.
    I want to continue this one. I contribute to the Heroes, Heroines, and History blog (HHH) once a month on the 23rd. It’s a lot less stressful to have posts completed early. Right now, I’m actually a few months ahead and would like to continue to be.

Non-writing goals:
~~I will Do a Bible study on the book of Revelation and one on the Holy Spirit.
    I had thought for most of 2023 that I would read through the Bible again this year, but there are these two Bible studies that are niggling at my heart to do.

~~I will Continue trying to get regular exercise by walking or by running up and down the stairs as well as continuing Intermittent Fasting.

And finally, I will Continue to go through boxes. It has been an overwhelming task. I want to get my craft room put together and arranged so I can start using it. It is still a heap of boxes. I’m itching to get down there and create.

My word for 2024? I don’t always do this, but I have a few times. I was thinking I wouldn’t have one in 2024, but then I did. This year, it didn’t come in a rush or hit me all at once. It sort of slowly crept in and whispered to me from a distance. My word is Release. I have no clue what that will entail. It could be one or more things I need to release (I have many) or something I will be released from. Perhaps even a new book release. Whatever it may be, I look forward to seeing how the Lord will work this into my life in 2024.

Do you have a word for 2024?

I hope you all are successful in meeting your goals in 2024. =0)

And I pray this year is happy and healthy, and may you find joy in the little things. =0)

For more information on how to set achievable, measurable, and controllable goals, you can reference my blog post on it HERE.

 

THE QUILTING CIRCLE SERIES Box Set

Historical Romance Series

By Mary Davis

THE WIDOW’S PLIGHT (Book1) – Will a secret clouding a single mother’s past cost Lily her loved ones?

THE DAUGHTER’S PREDICAMENT (Book2) *SELAH & WRMA Finalist* – As Isabelle’s romance prospects turn in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams.

THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (Book3) *SELAH Winner* – Nicole heads down the mountain to fetch herself a husband. Can she learn to be enough of a lady to snag the handsome rancher?

THE DÉBUTANTE’S SECRET (Book4) – Complications arise when a fancy French lady steps off the train and into Deputy Montana’s arms.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNZPRRS2/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3NJNTQ5SD1WGB&keywords=the+quilting+circle+by+mary+davis&qid=1700957455&s=digital-text&sprefix=%2Cdigital-text%2C155&sr=1-7

 

MARY DAVIS, bestselling, award-winning novelist, has over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE LADY’S MISSION. Her other novels include THE DÉBUTANTE'S SECRET (Quilting Circle Book 4) THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3) is a SELAH Award Winner. Some of her other recent titles include; THE WIDOW'S PLIGHT, THE DAUGHTER'S PREDICAMENT, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection, Prodigal Daughters Amish series, "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of thirty-seven years and one cat. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at: Books2Read Newsletter Blog FB FB Readers Group Amazon GoodReads BookBub