Time to get F U N K Y



Saturday and Sunday -- March 8 & 9 I headed to downtown Fort Worth and attended the

6th Annual FUNKY FINDS Spring Fling ...

if you have never attended, please plan on coming to their

Christmas Event in November.

I love this event - I've met some wonderful artisans that have become friends.

Jessica & her husband Joe, who run the event are fantastic hosts!

And ... the event is for a great cause -- puppies get adopted -- which is awesome!

8 pups got adopted at the event this past weekend!

Edward Hancock
Check out his books at
amazon.com

Patty Wiseman
Check out her books at
amazon.com

 



My booth at FUNKY FINDS!

I have a children's coloring area ...

 

 KRISTY JARVIS -- love her art!

She has done some great artwork of Muffin & Shadow

please visit her web-site Kristy Jarvis

Isn't this adorable - I now have note cards

featuring Muffin and Shadow!

 

One row of vendors ... it's amazing all of the talented people!

 

This artwork looks familiar -- You will see more

of Dana's work in an upcoming interview!

 
I stopped at this booth because they had some really cute children's items ... I loved their pencil holders .... but then I saw the hair clips and FELL IN LOVE! Go to their shop on ETSY buckshotinconETSY  to see the Milk and Cookie hair clips-Super cute!!!!

I got the Owl hair clip and had to HAVE the

SOCK MONKEY!!!!



 

                

There are the pups! I love when they get adopted!!!!!

Jessica!!! She is absolutely wonderful

Thanks Jessica & (Joe) for putting on Funky Finds!

Some more booths ... I could spend a fortune here!

Here is RILEY! She was going to color, but then decided

to look at Muffin's book! I think it's RILEY approved!!!!

Riley's mommy, Danielle, makes really pretty jewelry

please visit her site at Don't Eat Beads

Listen

 

at your leisure ...

 

brew up some coffee or a spot of tea,

curl up with your laptop, and listen to me ...

it's blog talk radio - don't ya know ...

the show is called - Dellani's Tea Time ....

go ahead - click on the link, cuz I'm all out of rhyme(s) ...

 

Red River Radio -- Dellani's Tea Time

DELLANI's TEA TIME

Join me tomorrow 4pm EST / 3pm CST / 2pm Mountain / 1pm Pacific on Blog Talk Radio. Put your feet up, brew up some tea, relax and ENJOY!  Click on the link below to listen -- THANKS!

Dellani's Tea Time

A Time for

One of my favorite pictures with my doodlebug!

C H A N G E
It is a parent's job to watch their child grow up. From good times, bad times, mistakes made, lessons
learned, good news/bad news, dating, breakups, heartaches, to falling in love ....

I've had to do many hard things in my life, but one of the hardest was watching my baby drive away Saturday morning-January 6, 2014. 

I have started this post many times and every time I just can't get through it. Saying good-bye is never easy-and when you know the little blue Ford Focus will no longer be parked in front of the house, or Sunday breakfast will be missing Little Miss Sunshine, and going alone for Pedicures will become the norm - it's really tough. My daughter was married in August. Her husband is in the Navy and about a week after they got married, he was stationed in Virginia Beach, VA. They tried living apart, but it became tough on both of them - so in January he came to Texas, she packed up and they headed together to VA Beach to start their new life together. He is a wonderful guy and I'm glad they have each other, but, I miss her dearly every day ... I know that starting her new life is very special and exciting. She has started a new chapter in her life - I picked up her book, A Simpler Time a few days ago and read each word carefully and wished she and I could visit that time again - even if for a little while ... BUT --  she is beginning new memories and stories that she can share with her children someday. We were lucky to spend Christmas with Ashley and a very special New Year's with Ashley and Forrest ... and then ... there were good-byes ...

 New Year's Eve 2014

Opening presents - JENGA BOOM

 

We even took a really good FAMILY picture!

Forrest, Steven, Ashley, Shadow, Me & Miss Muffin!

Trust me ... this was a feat!!!!!!

and ... I was kidded because of the shirts we have ...

see if you "get it"

We saved a present for Miss Muffin to open

a quilt from Grandma! She loves it.

This is when it hit me ... all of her things were in that truck!

Her clothes, pictures, things ... on there way

There goes her stuff!

Yes -- I broke down crying - right there in the driveway.

No one was home but me when the truck drove away ...

Watching that truck drive away was really difficult.

 

January 6 -- very early --

they are leaving ...

Saying good-bye to Muffin and Shadow

They got in the car and sat there for a few minutes.

YES ... she ran back in tears to say good-bye and give

her Daddy -- BIG HUGS!

Steven gave her one of his walking sticks he meticulously

made - hopefully she cherishes it forever!

I'm crying so hard in this picture ... miss you AJ!

One last kiss for Miss Muffin

Well ... maybe one more Last KISS!

 

Looking forward to Hugging HELLO!!!!! and visiting VA Beach someday soon.

 

Any advice for AJ and her new husband .... leave a comment in the post for the

newlyweds and you could win a copy of A Simpler Time and AJ's next book

A Time for Change -- coming in 2015!

 

 

 

meet ELAINE

AUTHOR & SPEAKER - ELAINE LITTAU



Jane H., Me, & Elaine
North Texas Book Festival Dinner
April, 2010

When I got published I have to admit I absolutely knew nothing about marketing, finding events, setting up a booth, setting up a pretty looking display and just general author(y) things. I happened upon Elaine (who was also a newbie author) on FB and we instantly got along. It was great to have someone to bounce ideas and questions off of. We also were able to give one another advice and it was wonderful to have some to VENT frustrations when events and sales were scarce! After over a year of corresponding through FB and email we were able to meet -- Ashley and I were coming from Massachusetts to Texas for the North Texas Book Festival. Since then, Elaine and I have done several events together and still are able to discuss ideas and vent from time-to-time. I'm so blessed to have Elaine, her husband Terry and also their daughter-in-law Aimee as friends!

Elaine & I at the Perryton
Craft Fair - 2012

Elaine Littau writes historical fiction and the way she writes is phenomenal. Every story draws you in and you find yourself cheering for the characters! I am glad she took the time to answer a few questions.

She is a wife, mother, grandmother, author, speaker and a wonderful friend -- Meet Elaine Littau --

Elaine Littau

COULD YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT ELAINE: 

I am a pretty ordinary woman who got married and raised three sons. After they were all grown up, I began to work on a book because I heard the statement: "Every person has a book inside them." I actually thought I would type up a story and leave it in a drawer to be found years later by my heirs. **Elaine and her husband, Terry just celebrated their 39th Wedding Anniversary on March 1st! Happy Anniversary to a wonderful couple!

 

God had different plans. A publisher sent me a contract for the first book and I had to decide if I would continue writing or walk away with one book published and my goal met. I decided to write.

 

HOW DO YOU GET YOUR STORY IDEAS?I grew up watching Westerns with my parents and also reading a lot of books to my parents. Grace Livingston Hill was one of my favorite authors. Zane Gray was also a great Western author that I enjoyed. I loved to read Christian love stories and hearing how the people in my family got together and fell in love. Some of those stories were from the distant past. These really sparked my interest.

 

Here is a listing of Elaine's works:

The Nan's Heritage Series:

 Book I, Nan's Journey
Book II, Elk's Resolve
Book III, Luke's Legacy
Book IV, The Eyes of a Stranger
Book V, Timothy's Home

Rescued...a Series of Hope:

 Book I, Some Happy Day
Book II, Capture the Wandering Heart
Book III, Walk Slowly through the Dark
Book IV, The Restless Kansas Wind
(More coming soon.)

The Nashville Series:
Book I, Six Miles from Nashville
Book II, Christmas in Nashville
(More coming soon.)

 

   

HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED WRITER's BLOCK?
Yes, with my last book, The Restless Kansas Wind, I was stuck for over a month. I just couldn't figure out how to tie the ends together and make it conclude satisfactorily. Finally, a few new thoughts broke through and I knew how to do it.
  

HOW MANY HOURS A DAY DO YOU DEDICATE TO WRITING?
I wish I could truthfully say that I write many hours a day, but I can't. I work on marketing a lot each day. Per week I average several days and a few hours each time I sit down to write. There are some months that I just sit down and write each day for hours and other months, I think about the story and how it should develop.

 

WHY DO YOU LIKE TO WRITE?
I like writing because it stretches my mind and soul. Through writing about the struggles of my characters, I find out what I really think about conflicts and how to resolve them. I learn more about God and why I love Him so much. In writing each book, I have tackled an issue I needed to confront. Of course, my issues are not as dramatic, but the core is the same.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN A WRITER?

I have always made up stories in my head for entertainment since childhood. I created alternate endings to soap operas that my mom watched and movies that didn't end the way I wanted.

 

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTER (in your books) AND WHY?

There is a character in Elk's Resolve that I love. Her name is Purdy. She is unsophisticated and speaks her mind. Her remarks are never intended to bring harm. She just says things the way she sees them. I like that!

 

ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US: 

One of the best things that has happened to me since I have become an author is the opportunity to meet other authors face to face. It has been a pleasure to meet Laura, her daughter, and her mom. They are simply some of my favorite people. Knowing authors like Laura has made my life richer than ever.  **thanks Elaine -- I'm so glad you have been a part of my life for the past 6 YEARS!

Elaine and I "hanging" out before our

speaking gig at Lake Victor

 

 

WHICH DO YOU LIKE MORE - WRITING or SPEAKING?

I love speaking to groups. Some of the best experiences I have had are with small groups, although I love a huge crowd. I get excited about telling humorous stories about my life and I also love giving devotionals. I think I love to write. I say that because, even when I am not working on a novel, I am writing actual letters to my grands and friends or an article for a newspaper or something. Writing is my life.

**Our speaking engagement at Lake Victor was one of the BEST times I have had as an author!

Elaine and I at a speaking engagement in

Lake Victor, TX .... where, there is NO LAKE!

 

 

To purchase Elaine's books -- please visit her at Elaine's web-site  or Elaine's Blog

Elaine's books are also available at Amazon.com

COMMENT BELOW for a chance to win an autographed
copy of ANY of Elaine's books.  CONTEST ends
FRIDAY, March 7, 2014 at 12:00 am CST.

  

 

 

Upcoming Events

I have some wonderful events coming up and I hope some of you can attend .... On Saturday and Sunday, March 8 & 9 I will be at the 6th Annual Funky Finds Spring Fling. The 6th Annual Funky Finds Spring Fling is a FREE 2-day family AND pet-friendly handmade shopping extravaganza. Over 100 Artists, Crafters, Designers, Authors & Food Makers selling unique items they have hand-crafted! All proceeds from the Event Raffle benefit the Humane Society of North Texas!

Visit the FUNKY FINDS WEB-SITE  or the FUNKY FINDS FB Page for more information.




I was invited to The Tucson Festival of Books so I will be heading to Tucson, AZ on Friday, March 14 so that I'm there and ready to be a part of the Author's Pavilion on Saturday, March 15 from 2pm - 4pm.  If you know anyone in the Tucson area, please let them know of this great event!


 A great way to spend the FIRST DAY OF SPRING ... Come on out to the Spring Craft and Garden Show, Saturday, March 22, 2014 from 9am - 5pm. This is the first year for this event .... so stop on by, check it out and make it a HUGE SUCCESS!!

Ridglea Hills - 4th Grade

W R I T E R ' S    W O R K S H O P

After about 6 months of communication between the Ridglea Hills Elementary Counselor - Ms. Rogers and myself .... the 4th Grade Writers Workshop came to fruition! It was a pleasure to visit Mrs. Wengert and Ms. Hall's 4th Grade Writing classes on Wednesday, February 11. 4th graders always make me a little nervous ... so I knew I better bring my A game!

The teachers and children were welcoming and it was great fun to talk with them about creative writing.

I first spoke with them about the importance of keeping a journal and what kinds of things can go into a journal. It can be just about anything - sketches, definitions, new words, story ideas, thoughts and dreams ... I use mine for EVERYTHING! And read them a few excerpts from the sequel to A Simpler Time! My favorite journal is the Commonplace Journal from LEVENGER .

I explained to them about the writing process and the importance of working with the editor, illustrator and graphic designer to make your book PERFECT! I shared with them how long it took me to write The Life of Bud (10 years) and how my persistence paid off to get it published! One of their questions was how hard is it to give your book to an illustrator to do the illustrations. They loved seeing how Greg messed with me with the SpongeBob Nightmare Drawing! They agreed that The Life of Bud should NOT have been a cartoon book and really thought the illustrations were pretty!

I enjoyed sharing with them how I emailed Ted Kerasote asking for an endorsement, and him emailing me back in just TWO DAYS! I told them how he agreed to endorse the book, but he also gave me some great advice about editing A Simpler Time and all future works. I told them how exciting it was for him to invite me to his Austin book signing and actually meeting him!


 









The meat of the Writer's Workshop though was talking to the children about the importance of trying out new words in their writing ... using "high dollar" words. They agreed that using interesting language makes the reader want to continue reading ... So ... I read A Simpler Time and we began looking for Wonderful Words ... i.e. scanning, mesmerized, spying, persistence, picturesque, are just a few. I then challenged them to use two new words in their writing they are currently working on. Most agreed they would try!

The children had time for questions and I gave each of them one of my handmade pocket journals! I will be posting on Teacher's Pay Teacher's soon with some lesson plans for A Simpler Time! So you can see how to make and use a pocket journal!

Some students also wanted my autograph, and we were able to take a few posed pictures!

Thank you very much Mattrail Rogers, Mrs. Wengert, and Ms. Hall for inviting me to your school.  I had a wonderful time and hope to visit your school again!

 

If you would like me to visit your school for a Writer's Workshop, Literacy Night, or School Carnival please email me at thelifeofbud@aol.com

 

ALSO ... If you would like the chance to win a PetSmart Gift Card, download a rescue dog lesson plan, and win my TWO Muffin books ... visit Pre-K Pages to enter for a chance to WIN!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!  : )