Baking Day

Although I am still struggling with my sore throat; today was Christmas Baking Day.

It was a very, very hot day and I struggled with the pastry today, even working with it straight from the fridge - it was so soft; but we had lots of fun and managed to make around ten dozen Christmas Mince pies.

Olivia joined Elizabeth, Sarah and I in our Christmas Baking

Sarah in her new glasses and Christmas Apron

Pastry rolling in the heat - a challenge

Yummy fudge and Christmas Mince pies

Book Three - complete!

10am - 145 pages; 64 706 words and 29 days.

Despite a few days of true writer's block this morning I managed to finish Book Three - I am so happy. Now I can get this copy bound and hand it to my beautiful daughter Elizabeth who will be the first person to read it and let me know what she thinks.  I hope she is kind.

Three years and three novels - a trilogy - The Guild Chronicles.

Do you know I didn't have a clue how to write, or even if I could write; when I embarked on this journey. Now I am going to be a published writer next year.

Thank you everyone for your love and support.

Winner

Okay first of all to answer Darlene's question - NaNoWriMo - is National Novel Writing Month and is held every November - it is a non-profit organisation that encourages people to write. Check out this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Novel_Writing_Month 


This is now my 3rd year and I have just successfully submitted my novel for verification - (50 000 words +) in their word count verifier - that is all you have to do to win.

This year I am well over with over 60 000 words, but sadly no ending :(

I have put out a plea on Facebook - for help. I need an ending - so post a comment here and give me an ending - nevermind if you haven't read my book (or even book 1 & 2), just give me an idea; any idea for an ending - who knows it just might spark a really creative idea for me.

As not only do I have a sore throat and laryngits, but also writer's block - Grrr! 

So all help and ideas are welcome.

But, the good news is that "I am a Winner" and the novel will be finished. 
Thank you everyone for your support through another fun November.

Remember NaNoWriMo is open to everyone, so come and join me next November.

2,489,540,790

Do you know how many words that is?

An awful lot - it is the collective total of all NaNoWriMo writers in the world to date, for this year alone. I have contributed over 60 000 of those words.

I have laryngits and have spent the day in bed. I don't feel really well but have worked on my book for most of the day. At least I don't have to talk to write and so the story is now nearly finished.

Tomorrow the final battle and challenge begins, hopefully I will finish it before the end of the month. It is really close.

Thank you everyone for your support,

I have done it!

50 566 words

I have done it - three years in a row I have completed NaNoWriMo.

My novel is not complete yet, it is going to require another few, maybe as many as another 10 or so chapters, but the word count goal is completed.

What an experience.  I love the rush and the challenge. To sit down on November 1st and face 50 000 words and a blank word document and just 26 short days later, to have a 50 000+ novel is amazing.

I am grateful to all my family and friends for your support. Thank you today to my darling husband, who knowing that I just wanted to get close, told me to go and write.

So today after over 6700 words, I have achieved my goal. Book Three is nearly finished.

I am a writer and you know what?  I can write!

Christmas and Kittens

 Cleo loves Christmas as much as the rest of us, in fact I am beginning to think it is going to be as exciting as having a young baby.  When my children were just crawling I would block their access to the tree, but with a kitten it is proving more difficult, although just as much fun.

 See Mummy - my claws and paws are hidden - I am just looking.

And if I can't see you - then maybe you won't see me.

She is so cute it is hard to stay mad at her and when I catch her and talk to her, she lies on her back and meows sorry, but then runs straight  back to play.

Oh well the joys of Christmas and Kittens

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Today we started the magic of Christmas.

Sarah, Elizabeth and I spent the most wonderful morning putting up the Christmas Tree. Last week we had a family discussion about how magical our house is now feeling since we de-cluttered and renovated and part of me was reluctant to put up the decorations, because the house usually feels very cluttered.

So we made a decision to aim for a more streamlined decorating style - not sure we achieved that; but we did assess every decoration. Instead of putting it up and out because we own it, we put things up that felt right and perfect and the result is just wonderful.

Here are some photos:

Our tree

Light up my life

Feeling Christmassy

Girls just wanna have fun

Of course the Nutcrackers are ready and waiting

And when Ivan came home from work he put the Angel on top

We have a few special decorations that we do together

And the Boys have theirs

So with the Blessings of our Christmas Angel and the Spirit of Christmas - I wish you all a Joyful and Blessed Christmas Season