Dear Friends,
“I’m so glad I like in a world where there are Octobers.” (LL Montgomery) Fall has always been my favorite season, and October my favorite month, with the crisp air and the turning leaves. It’s the best time for bonfires (summer is just so hot in North Carolina), when I can’t resist going outside. Anne Shirley has it right.
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Fall is a time of rest, of gathering energy, and also of learning new things. It feels like a fresh start.
Hall Happenings
Our chicks we started in April are laying the cutest little eggs. I had 2 over easy for lunch with sauteed tomatoes from our garden and fresh avocado. Did you know my next picture book is called Cock-a-doodle Dino? The inspiration for my story came from my son’s experience with our own backyard chicks. Do you have chicks?
Summer favorites
A whirlwind trip to Iceland for BOOK research! I’m working on both a picture book and a YA fantasy set here.
Making lots of ice cream in our Ninja Creami. Here is my favorite vanilla base that we add lots of mix-ins into. This recipe is from my daughter Julia for our Deluxe Creami.
So much time at the beach!
I won’t go into details here, but let’s just say if you’re headed to Cape Lookout National Seashore (especially if you’re camping like we were), please, please, remember to pack bug spray to combat the no-see-ums. If you don’t, there will be lots of laughter, lots of screaming, and a ton of running into the ocean for relief. Also, those bites are toture for weeks.
Can you see the rainbow?
THE LITTLEST WEAVER Birthday Giveaway
Did you know today is the THE LITTLEST WEAVER’s birthday? I can’t believe she’s ONE! Do you know a teacher who might like a copy THE LITTLEST WEAVER for their classroom or school library? I’m giving away FOUR copies to a teacher or librarian and two virtual school visits.
To enter, please reply to this newsletter and tell me what you like to do in the fall. (18+ or parent permission to enter, U.S. addresses only, please respond by 10/10/24.)
Currently I am ...
Reading all of Kate O’Shaughnessy’s Middle Grade Books
Going stand-up paddleboarding at each full moon
Back to weaving after breaking a finger in June.
Starting my writer coaching business
Booking school visits for 2024-2025 school year. Reply to this email or click here to invite me to your school
Playing a lot of Monopoly Empire, the first monopoly game I’ve liked. It’s fast, so your luck changes quickly, making for an entertaining game. I’m always the transformer.
Working on Halloween costumes for our family. This year we are dressing up as Tangled. I am Mother Gothel, my oldest is Flynn Rider (he has a wicked awesome costume from his previous job as an entertainer at birthday parties), my husband is the Captain of the Royal Guard with our white dog as Maximus, my daughter is Rapunzel, and my two youngest are the Stabbington brothers. (We miss my daughter away at college. She can’t join in our fun)
If you’re decorating pumpkins, might I suggest making Laurel like a sweet student did last year?
And Now a Little Bit of Seriousness: Hurricane Helene
It isn’t lost on me that Laurel’s inspiration came from a massive natural disaster, and now here we are, a year later, with Western North Carolina suffering from Hurricane Helene. If you can give of supplies, your time, or money, it is all appreciated. Our local schools and churches are all drop-off points here in North Carolina, but aid can be given through Red Cross, United Way, and many other reputable organizations.
We can all weave kindness for those in need, just like Laurel does in THE LITTLEST WEAVER.
I’d love to hear what you’re up to.
Until next time!
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