Favorites

These are in no particular order and might change over time:

FIVE FAVORITE BOOKS 1. The Great Gatsby 2. Where the Wild Things Are 3. Pride and Prejudice 4. Harry Potter series 5. The Artist’s Way

FIVE FAVORITE SONGS 1. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A, Op. 92: II. Allegretto 2. Matchbox Twenty’s “Bent” 3. Don Henley’s “Boys of Summer” 4. Frank Sinatra’s “That’s Life” 5. Greensleeves (No, I’m not kidding. I have a collection of several different versions of this song and I listen to them throughout the year. I’d like to believe Henry VIII wrote it, but most historians say he didn’t).

FIVE FAVORITE MOVIES 1. Before Sunrise and Before Sunset (can’t wait to see the final installment in this trilogy!) 2. My Dinner With Andre 3. The Sound of Music 4. Chocolat 5. Blue from Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Three Colors Trilogy

FIVE THINGS I’M OBSESSED WITH RIGHT NOW 1. Les Mis (the movie) 2. Downton Abbey 3. Queen Elizabeth 4. Art Journaling 5. The FlyLady (www.flylady.net)

FIVE LITTLE KNOWN FACTS ABOUT ME 1. I know every word to every song in Les Mis, which essentially means I know the entire stage production by heart. 2. I am dyslexic and decided to write to prove to myself I could overcome my disability. 3. I have a corgi named Samantha and a pound kitty named Ruby Marie. 4. It took me three years to finish my first manuscript; one year to finish my second; six months to finish my third (It won RWA’s Golden Heart under the title of The First Kiss and it was published by Harlequin Next as Sisters in June 2006. 5. I can’t write to music with words. It has to be instrumental.

• Re-read all of Jane Austen’s books • Read the unabridged edition of Les Miserables • Follow the FlyLady plan for staying organized and on top of life • Cook at least one new recipe a week (check out the Quest of 52 tab above) • Be a better friend • Choose quality over quantity • Exercise at least three times per week • Keep track of everything I eat in my “Lose It” smart phone app • Work in my art journal at least once a week

I love to cook, but sometimes I fall prey to boredom and repetition. So I have a goal to prepare at least one new recipe per week in 2013. I’ll be posting my Quest of 52 recipes under the “Recipes” tab of the “Extra Fun” section. Here’s what I’ve cooked so far: 1. Kale with caramelized onions and roasted red pepper 2. The Pioneer Woman’s Pot Roast 3. Baby Carrots with Sweet Ginger Butter 4. Spaetzle 5. Osso Bucco