Silver And Gold

Raise your hand if you're a fan of Gordon Ramsey? I am. Love to watch the competitors on Master Chef but get a wee bit embarrassed watching Kitchen Nightmares. The reason I like Master Chef is because it reminds me that ANYONE can become successful at something they are passionate about.

It isn't easy. It's a process. A long, sometimes painful one where the bumps in the road can seem like brick walls waiting for someone to run into them. But nothing is indestructible with perseverance being rewarded with Silver and Gold.

As writers we need to remember that during this hectic time of the year. It doesn't matter whether you enjoy Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or some other winter celebration...whirlwind activities can easily distract us from our writing endeavors. We may even start to think to ourselves it's okay to settle for Bronze...that reaching for Silver or Gold can wait for some other time.

But who suffers? We may not realize it at the time, but we do. When we settle for less than our very best we subconsciously tell ourselves we aren't worthy, aren't deserving of that coveted Silver or Gold. And we are. We soooo are!

You know who else suffers? The world around us. It deprives others of the next best picture book, the next best novel, the next best piece of art work. You get the picture. How will we ever get the chance to entertain, inspire, and motivate if we decide to stop short of the finish line?

In 2014 I'm challenging myself to a number of goals and I want my lovely readers to help hold me accountable. I might even add a blurb on my blog at the end of each month to give an update of what I was able to cross off that month's list. I might not achieve Silver or Gold every time but at least I will have passionately given my best effort.

Donna's Monthly Writing Goals for  2014

1. Submit one story to critique group by the 1st of every month

2. Submit two stories to RYS by 15th of every month

3. Write new PB first draft

4. Submit monthly research for required writing assignment to third party

5. Write four Motivation Monday posts

6. Write four Book Nook Review posts

7. Write four Tales From The Bayou posts

8. Submit 5-10 query letters to different agents.

9. Add a chapter to Lunadar

10. Do research for nonfiction PBs

11. Critique two stories from critique group by the 15th of every month

12. Create time to read more

I know...it's a huge list but I'm an organized person and determined for this upcoming year to be even more productive than 2013 has been.  And I want to be one step closer to becoming an author.

What are YOUR monthly writing goals for the new year? Are you thinking about reaching for Silver and Gold?

Cooking With Style

I'm watching Master Chef and thinking how amazing Christine is...a blind competitor who continues to inspire me and Monti, a single mom not unlike myself ,who grows in confidence with her ability and cooking talent.  But, it also makes me think about how all the chefs over the centuries still managed to create visions in the kitchen with far less than what these cooks have.  So, I challenge you to look at these five cooking utensils from the 17th & 18th centuries and see if you can guess how they were used in those kitchens from long ago.  Remember, no peaking at the answers until you have written down your guesses!  ;~)



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1.  Eighteenth century antique wrought iron Scotch Broiler...mainly used throughout the United Kingdom.  This type of broiler was used to cook meat or poultry and could even be used to toast slices of bread.

2.   Nineteenth century wooden Wall Spice Box...usually found hanging near the open hearth or stove and used to store different spices or home essentials such as candles.

3.  Nineteenth century Antique Forged Iron Utensil Rack... this piece would have been used to hold fireplace cooking utensils as well as holding small game or fowl and root vegetables until needed.

4.  Eighteenth century French Egg Spoon...often used in France to create a meal centered around an egg cooked in the spoon before being placed on toasted bread.  

5.  Eighteenth century Barrel Churn...sometimes the entire churn would be turned by the handle or the handle would operate a crank turning paddles inside the barrel to produce butter.