My summer in photos

I've been a little negligent lately with blogging, so I thought one great way to catch up will be to post all the photos I took, planning to blog about them, so here we go.

At left, I just liked this photo since it made me think of summer. Isn't it beautiful?

Above right, our garden as it started to explode with life this summer. It's still producing tons of vegetables and fruit (if you count the tomatoes), but it is now winding down for autumn.

Above, we went on a hike in a nearby canyon back in July. It was a nice little place I didn't even know existed. Always great to discover those places.
Above left, I finally got up while water skiing! (For about 30 seconds before I crashed. But hey, at least I did it on my second trip ever trying to water ski.)

Above center and left. Aren't these gorgeous photos of my tent? I just loved the scenery when we were at Flaming Gorge. The only problem? The wind blew like no other on this promontory, so we got a little windswept during the day.
And lastly, but not leastly (I don't think that's really a word. Oh, well.) Yesterday we had a princess party with my niece and three of my roommates nieces. Fun was had all around as we decorated cupcakes during the tea party and later during our ball dancing and viewing of princess films. (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Cinderella were the choices for the day.) So we loaded all the kids up with sugar before sending them home with their parents. Isn't it great to be an aunt?

Me Meme

*3 Joys*
Being out in nature
Good food (Mmmm . . .)
Music

*3 Fears*
Ending up alone
Failure
Drowning

*3 Current Goals*
Get back in shape (not that I've ever been in shape)
Finish my book and get it published
Spend less money

*3 Current Obsessions*
Authonomy
Camping
Gardening

*3 Random Facts About Myself*
I read an average of 50 books a year
I enjoy collecting ceramic creamers
Window shopping is one of my favorite hobbies

My newest obsession: Authonomy

I just found out about this incredible Web site for new authors like me. It's called Authonomy and is run by HarperCollins in England. You can post your book for others to read, as well as read others and recommend them. The top 5 books each month will then be read by editors at HarperCollins, who will give feedback and (as everyone there hopes) a shot at a book contract, if it's good enough.

So, as you've already guessed, I posted Surviving Eden there and have already received one helpful comment. I'd love it if my devoted, though small, blogging audience would wander over there. Take a look, read a little, make some comments, and if you really like it, cast your vote for it. Plus, when you're there, post your own novel and get the process started for yourself.

P.S. Look at this great little cover I created for the book. I know, I know, it's very Twilight-esque, but I had limited choices to work with. Besides, it looks great.

Excuses, excuses

Well, it's time for another update post since I've been such a slacker and haven't blogged in more than a month. One reason, and I promise this isn't an excuse (at least not a good one), is that I've been sick for almost a month. First it was a nasty cold I got after my fun weekend of water skiing. (I actually got up this time, but only seconds before I completely crashed.) That cold lasted a good two weeks before it turned into a serious chest cough. So I'm pretty sure that I have bronchitis. So this Labor Day I'm doing absolutely nothing productive in the hope that enough rest will cure me of this malady. Plus it's raining cats and dogs outside and I couldn't do much anyway.

That's my abbreviated update. I'm planning to get my life back to (relative) normal, so that includes blogging on a much more regular basis. Stay tuned.