Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Poor little tater. . . doesn't stand a chance at our Thanksgiving dinner! :)

I hope you all have a blessed, happy holiday!

Twilight Temptation...

As though the movie isn't enough to be thankful for. . .

By Larry Carroll

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• It's been talked about, it has a screenwriter, and now it's official: Stephenie Meyer's "New Moon" will be coming to a theater near you. Summit Entertainment made the official announcement on Saturday (November 22), during a brief respite from counting the massive box-office receipts that Meyer's first film, "Twilight," is taking in this weekend.

"I don't think any other author has had a more positive experience with the makers of her movie adaptation than I have had with Summit Entertainment," the best-selling author said in a statement. "I'm thrilled to have the chance to work with them again on 'New Moon.' "

The news comes on the heels of the vampire flick selling out theaters nationwide, despite its mixed reviews. The madness began with some impressive advance ticket sales, then the film added to its $7 million midnight-screening take with a staggering $35.7 million on Friday, taking in money at a rate reported to be more than three times that of last week's box-office winner, "Quantum of Solace." To put it in perspective, "Twilight" is now second only to "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" in terms of biggest opening-day gross for a non-summer release.

"Twilight" is currently on track to become the highest-grossing film ever made by a female director, the highest-grossing vampire film of all time, and is also threatening several other records heading into Saturday. The film is currently projected to make more than $60 million this weekend, which would put it on track for the $150 million box-office haul that director Catherine Hardwicke has said would automatically green-light sequels.

Some critics are already whining about the quality or lack thereof concerning the special effects. For me, the romance was the ONLY factor worth considering.

The Giving of Thanks

I love Thanksgiving! Like the 4th of July, the holiday is a celebration of America and gratitude. A great heaping bunch of delicious food, and no presents to fuss over!

So here are some holiday facts; some well known, some a little more obscure:

• The Turkey Trot, a ballroom dance in the 1900s, was named for the short, jerky steps of the turkey. It became popular mainly because it was denounced by the Vatican as "suggestive."



• Turkeys are known to spend the night in trees! (Maybe to escape the Thanksgiving table?)



• Turkeys can drown if they look up when it's raining!



• A turkey's field of vision is 270 degrees--one of the main reasons they're able to elude some hunters.



• The average age of the Mayflower passenger was 32. The oldest Mayflower passenger was 64.



• There was no milk, cheese, bread, butter or pumpkin pie at the original Thanksgiving Day feast.



• Contrary to popular belief, the Pilgrims did not have big buckles on their clothing, shoes, or hats.



• The cranberry got its name because the pale pink blossoms on the plant resembled a crane’s head and neck. The name craneberry stuck, eventually becoming cranberry.



• Fresh cranberries are ideal for cranberry sauce. Cranberries of the highest quality will always bounce! (If you try this at home, please wash the cranberries before eating.)



• President Abraham Lincoln established the original date for our National Thanksgiving Day celebration in 1863.



• President Thomas Jefferson scoffed at the idea of establishing a national “Thanksgiving Day.” Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird of the United States. But it was Thomas Jefferson who opposed him. It is believed that Franklin then named the male turkey as 'tom' to spite Jefferson.



• Congress did not declare Thanksgiving a national holiday until 1941.

I hope you all have a lovely Thanksgiving week. I'm very, very thankful that TWILIGHT was released today....what are you thankful for?

Sugar or Cream?

Mmmm. . . can you smell it? Mine this morning is actual coffee, a rich breakfast blend from Gevalia that my husband prefers. (Actually he prefers a french roast so dark and bitter it would peel paint ;)). I'm usually a tea drinker, English breakfast or Tazo Passion. But it's cold and windy this morning, and the coffee sounded good, especially doctored with delicious hazelnut creamer.

Calories drank don't count. :)

For your blogging pleasure, I've added two new links to my Group blog listing. The Chatelaines are an eclectic mix of many of my favorite authors; Bonnie Vanak, C.L. Wilson, Cindy Holby....oh, I won't list them all. Stop by and visit when you have a chance.

I've also added Killer Fiction. You know, Gemma Halliday is the only name is their group I think I recognize. But I read one post, then another, and another...and I love their collective 'voice'. I'll recognize their names now when I'm out shopping, and their books will find their way onto my shelves.

Mmmmmm, big stretch. The cats are changing sleeping stations, from one chair to another, and I believe I'm ready for another cup, and perhaps a slice of pumpkin strudel bread. Yes, go ahead and believe it's homemade, if you are so inclined. What a lovely, lazy Sunday morning thought. :)

Thank you for stopping by, and pleasant reading as you meander through the blogs I've posted here or in the post below. Enjoy this tiny reprieve before the preparations for Thanksgiving and Christmas must commence...(and if I should have already started, I don't want to know :)...)

Bloggin' Love!

What a lovely Monday surprise: First Edition has gifted me with an I Love Your Blog award. So, now to follow the rest of the award rules:

1) Add the logo of the award to your blog
2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4) Add links to those blogs on your blog
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs


There are so many worthy nominees, but the following stand out:

1) Terry Stone-Western Romance. I adore Cowboy heroes and their Women of the West. Terry Jo does a magnificent job of introducing us to incredibly detailed bits of history that bring her stories alive, as well as wonderful books reviews. A not-to-be-missed site.

2) The Writer Side of Life. Lee McKenzie writes Harlequin American Romances, which are near and dear to my heart. She's a member of the Wet Noodle Possee, and her blog is a refreshing mix of yummy recipes and a peak into her beautiful Pacific Northwest home.

3) The Write Soul. Do yourself a favor; if you're a writer, run to this blog. Chiron O'Keefe's essays on what motivates and inspires a writer constantly amaze me. She is both insightful and delightfully down to earth.

4) Periodic Pearls Margaret Evans Porter's blog brings home a slice of New England heaven. She offers a look at her lakeside cabin, her beloved dogs, and her love of travel. Ah, to be in New Hampshire at Christmas...

5) Regency Ramble. Michele Ann Young writes both Regency romance and Westerns, and has been nominated for Foreword Magazine's Book of the Year award. Regency food, dress, occupation, and lifestyle are covered in her fascinating posts.

6) Being Bonnie Vanak I am obsessed with Egypt. Crazy, over the top, can't get enough of it, obsessed. I was THRILLED when I discovered Bonnie's Egyptian historicals (Dorchester), and then found myself hooked on her Nocturne line as well. In addition to writing can't-put-'em-down books, Bonnie works for an internation charity and spends a great deal of time trying to help those living a reality you and I cannot imagine. She's an all-around super gal. :)

7) Jennifer on Writing Jennifer Ashley/Allyson James/Ashley Gardner--whoever you know her as, you must have read her books. The woman is a writing dynamo, and she still finds the time to share the inner workings of the publishing world with us. Her motto on her blog is "I write, therefore I am." Words to live by.

Inspiration

"Desire is the Key to Motivation." - Mario Andretti

That's the quotation on my desk calendar for this weekend. I get one quote a day for Monday through Friday, and Saturday and Sunday must share a quote...so it had better be good, yes? I happen to find Mary Engelbreit very inspiring. I love the color, shapes, and subjects of her work, so having her calendar close at hand makes me happy. Autumn is my favorite season, so it is inspiring as well.

"Be a Lamp, a Lifeboat, or a Ladder."-Rumi

Go forth and help others. It fits with the well known "What goes around, comes around" and so theoretically if we're there for others, we are helping ourselves as well. This could quickly get bogged down into the whole "Why exactly are you helping others".... No, thanks. Just go help. The reasons will work themselves out. When someone is collecting canned goods for our local food bank, I don't care if you give because your heart is full of good cheer, you're hoping for a bit of good karma, or you've found the perfect reason to get rid of the canned beets. Someone in need will still have dinner this month.

"If you can't Excel with Talent, Triumph with Effort."- Dave Weinbaum

Now, there you go. I love this one. I have worked with hundreds of children over the years, and can say with absolute certainty (which for a Libra, is saying something!) that attitude and perseverance trump aptitude any ole' day. I have seen so, so, soooooo many children--and adults--who have every bit of cognitive brilliance a person could need to make dreams come true. . . and yet they flounder. They wait for the Dream to come to them.

I tell my girls if they want their Dreams to come true, they need to go out, hunt them down, and drag them home. Anything is attainable with belief and effort. :)

I'll leave you with something to mull over:

"It is only with the Heart that one can see Rightly; what is Essential is invisible to the eye."- Antoine de Saint Exupery

Inspiration and Motivation are both very personal things; what inspires you and your work? And check out my new link The Write Soul for some truly inspirational writing posts.