Carol's Tuna Noodle Casserole

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Hi, Maddie here. Poor Carol. She wanted to make a tuna noodle casserole last night. Apparently, her mother used to make a yummy one and Carol wanted to try her hand. She bought all the ingredients and had the recipe out on the counter. However, Carol's cleaning angel, who doesn't like anything out on the counter, put everything away. Carol couldn't find the recipe and cleaning angel is out of state on vacation. Never say die is Carol's motto. She tried to recreate the recipe from memory, guessing out the ingredients and proportions. Smart pup. The casserole wasn't a disaster; I quite enjoyed it. In fact, the casserole improves with age. On reheat it was even better tonight; I had seconds . Oh, yes. Carol did eat her share in case you're thinking she gave me the entire dish. I can't wait until her next cooking adventure. Later. Carol's program 'So You Think You Can Dance' is about to start. May the paws be with you, Maddie.

Treasure Hunter

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Okay, guilty secret. I've gotten hooked on this reality show. I'm going to have to watch myself as that now makes about 4 reality programs. Not good. But so far the teams eliminated have been the ones I wanted to see go. And I howled when Air Force found the artifact first last night. Talk about justice. I haven't liked the other teams ganging up on them. One of the Air Force members is a boy scout by nature and for the others to pick that good characteristic apart doesn't speak well for them. However, please, if there's more justice to be had, the Fogels will go next. One just wants to smack the daughter silly and all that screeching...sigh. Carol

Still no cover

Friday, July 14, 2006

My stomach's in knots. The Harlequin art department decided to change the Madonna Key covers at 2 books into the series...thus no continuity in covers. I was hoping to have my cover in time for the Romance Writers of America conference in Atlanta and was thrilled to hear that the Intimate Moments authors with October releases got their covers on Monday. So I waited with bated breath all week long, checking my email fifty bizillion times. No cover. With only 1 1/2 weeks to conference, it's not looking good. And why one line's October covers were distributed and not others is beyond me. So totally nerve wracking as to what the artists did/are doing as I had thought the first 2 covers were striking. Now I'll also have to scramble to get prints made of the cover if it comes out before the conference...or not if it's really suck-o. Since they are sticking with at least a monochromatic look, I'm praying for at least a nifty color like red or orange or even silver. Given the fact that my book entails a Spanish flu outbreak, I can't see them doing a fashion color like pink but who knows what idea lurks in the art department's mind. I'm going to go nuts worrying about something I have no control over. sigh, Carol

SYTYCD!

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Woohoo, Benjy and Donyelle!!!!! They can headline a Broadway musical any day!!! My friend Marcia King-Gamble was chatting tonight so I was participating in that at the same time I watched the dancing. Never let it be said that I can't multi-task. However, I'm up against deadline so back to the keyboard. :) Carol

Dennis Anniversary

Sunday, July 9, 2006

One takes the hurricane season in mile markers. We're at the first anniversary of Dennis striking Florida. While we still have ~4 1/2 months to go until the end of the season, so far we've only had tropical storm Alberto. Fingers are crossed that the ocean and Caribbean remain quiet. I think the entire Gulf region could stand a break. And since these storms typically move up the eastern seaboard, dumping rain, I'm sure the northeast could stand a break from rain as well. Carol

Pirates, Connery and stuff

Saturday, July 8, 2006

Maddie here as Carol's munching on her dinner. She left me alone ...on a weekend no less...to go see Pirates II. But Carol's cleaning angel came today and while she was busy [while Carol's not a dirty pup, she is a messy pup, constantly leaving puddles of paper everywhere!], I slipped out the cat's door and had a grand adventure outside.

Carol said she's ambivalent about Pirates II. Loved the 3 main characters, great special effects and loads of action...but no resolution of a single thread...whatever that means. It wasn't a stand alone movie, simply Part I of a two-part episode. It left her dissatisfied because she didn't think it fair play to the movie goers. The first movie gave the sense of being resolved but did leave enough hooks that you knew there would be further adventures. Pirates II simply was a further adventure that didn't actually end.

I'm sending a puppy hug to Connery. His human is Doranna Durgin, one of Carol's fellow Bombshell authors. He's got allergies and not feeling well. I hope he's soon up and about clowning around as good as ever. :) Maddie

SYTYCD

Wednesday, July 5, 2006

Woohoo, Benji!!!! Another stellar night. Thank goodness Dmitry got a partner who has a little bit more personality...whether they'll get a chance to work together longer and meld more like the other couples, we'll have to wait to see. Jessica and Jaymz lost any possibility of my vote in future rounds by being cry babies tonight. And I really don't like this 'krump' dancing. Bleh. No grace or beauty; nor is it fun to watch. I hope that's the last of the 'krump' for this season. :) Carol

Limitation on fireworks

Tuesday, July 4, 2006

I admit that I don't understand why people risk life and limb to set off their own fireworks rather than going to a park to watch a show. I can stand in my own front yard and see the city's display going on. However, what I do mind is the endless setting off of fireworks. I walked Maddie earlier than usual and then took her out again at 8:15 p.m. right before I knew the noise would really get bad. Well, it's been bad for two straight hours with no quiet in sight. My poor animals have been glued to my side, and I rather suspect I will have to deal with a few messes in the morning. It's also hard to sleep with noise and I know there are a number of elderly in the neighborhood who usually go to bed early. I would dearly love to for the law makers to place a limit on the time fireworks can be set off, no later than 11 p.m. and preferably 10 p.m. It makes no sense to keep setting them off all night long, and it shows a total lack of consideration for one neighbors. If I can pinpoint a few miscreants' houses tomorrow, I'll make sure Maddie takes her revenge by whizzing and pooping on their yards [and yes, I'm normally considerate and do the poop baggies]. Carol

Happy, Safe 4th of July

I hope everyone has a great day but please be safe. Everyone with pets...please get them inside and give them an extra cuddle. There are maniacs shooting off fireworks without regard to another's property or peace of mind. And to our military and their families, thank you for all you do.

New Orleans Writers' Conference

Monday, July 3, 2006

NYT best seller Heather Graham is one of the founders of my local RWA chapter, Florida Romance Writers. She also has a heart of gold. Heather's putting together a writer's conference in New Orleans to help with bringing much needed money into the area. Here is a web link about the conference, which gives a little more information. You can also download a registration form - go to_www.theoriginalheathergraham.com_ (http://www.theoriginalheathergraham.com/) . :) Carol