Thursday’s Guest
Colorado mystery author Cricket McRae will be our guest tomorrow as she celebrates the release of her latest home crafting mystery, Wined and Died.
If you’re an author and need a new website, check out Cricket’s celebration giveaway. You can find out how to enter at Hearth Cricket blog.
Northern Colorado Writers Blog Carnival
The carnival was held by The Writing Bug last Saturday for bloggers who are members of NCW. If you haven’t visited this blog before and are interested in meeting some of the those who participated, visit the carnival post.
Recommended Blog Posts
One of my favorite bloggers, Elspeth Antonelli of It’s a Mystery, has some great (and fun) advice for writers. Read 10 Ways to Reach Your Word Count Goals.
Hungry for something that sounds tasty like Chocolate Almond Butter Cups with Dried Blueberries or Pupusas with Mushrooms and Chiles? Check out more incredible recipes with plenty of how-to photographs at Foodie Road Show. Angela and her husband win prizes for their creations at cooking shows, too.
New Blog for Spunky Seniors
Oddly enough, it’s called Spunky Seniors. This new blog is the brainchild of Morgan Mandel, author, blogger, editor. Check out the July 7th post, Spunky Maggie Toussaint Kayaks in a Rice Plantation Canal to get an idea what you’ll find there. Spunky Seniors is also on Facebook.
According to the blog and Facebook, this is who Spunky Seniors are:
“We’re Forever Young at heart.
We’re not afraid of computers.
We offer compassion and guidance to members in need.
We like to offer tips on senior survival.
We like to share heartwarming and fun stories.
We respect differing opinions, and enjoy discussing them.
We speak our minds without being crude or offensive.
We’re Old Enough To Get AARP cards if we want.”
My First 30-Day Challenge
As of Sunday, July 10th, I gave up scones for 30 days. This will be very hard. I like the pumpkin scones at Starbucks, the orange scones and the cinnamon chip scones at Panera Bread, and the cranberry-orange scones at Whole Foods. When I visited the Farmers Market in San Francisco, I found more scones to die for: cornmeal cherry, oatmeal nut, and incredible blueberry.
Why am I giving up scones for 30 days? I figure that’s 1,000 to 1,500 calories cut from my diet per week. And doing anything for 30 days establishes a new habit or (hopefully) breaks an old one.
Learn more about the process:
How to break a habit at Self Improvement Mentor
How to Achieve Your Goals with Healthy Habits by Leo Babauta at Grow Yourself
Have you ever tried to break or establish a habit using the 30 day challenge? Did it work?
Elspeth, you’re most welcome.
Marlena, I went into Starbucks today and resisted. I’m so proud of myself. Deprived, but proud.
Alex, I’m sure you’ll be a spunky one when you get there. But take your time…there’s no rush.
Not a senior yet – nobody rush me!
But scones are amazing! They’re like little slices of heaven.
I’ll have to go check out these blogs you listed, especially Elspeth Antonelli’s It’s a Mystery. Thank you for all the new links!
Thanks SO much for mentioning my post! I shall definitely check out Cricket’s blog.
Margot, Elspeth’s posts are fun, aren’t they? I have a whole lineup of mystery writers and crime resource writers coming up this summer and fall. Cricket is one of my favorite.
Hi Dean — dumped you e-mail, I hear. A real Aaargh! moment,I’m sure.
And I think you’re right about the scones. I gave up donuts and sweet rolls a long time ago, but the scones…they’re so good.
30 minutes is my max for “challenging” myself on anything. Beyond that, it’s up in the air!
Stay strong…scones are just a baker’s way of making us feel good about not eating donuts!!
Pat – I’m so glad you mentioned Elspeth’s post – it’s a wonderful one, isn’t it? And thanks for letting us all know about Cricket’s visit tomorrow; I look forward to her post.