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Thursday, September 10, 2015

Celebrate the Small Things


Hello, Friday! And what a lovely one it is. . .well, sort of. It's raining. But are we going to let that ruin our fun? No way! Because today is the day we remember all those wonderful things that happened this past week--all those things which put a smile on our faces. Today, we CELEBRATE THE SMALL THINGS!

This is a weekly blog hop sponsored by the amazing Lexa Cain, and co-hosted by L.G. Keltner from Writing Off the Edge and myself.  If you'd like to join in and add a little more joy to your week, then go ahead and sign-up on the linky below!

This week, I'm celebrating. . .



1) A Park Library! I've been seeing these all over facebook and wondered if something like that would work in our little, very rural farm town. And sure enough, someone thought it would.




2) My daughter drew her version of a cover for my MS which is currently out on sub and framed it for me. I feel so loved! (I was totally impressed by it too)




3) Thanks to a birthday present my husband received, we took a day trip this last weekend to the Meramec Caverns. I've seen many caves in over a dozen countries, and I can honestly say that this one was worth visiting too. It was a hide out for Jessie James (which I found an interesting tidbit, but the cave was impressive all by itself). There was also a type of light/movie show on a large formation towards the end of the tour, which I found a bit unnecessary, but this wasn't the cave's fault. It was the first time I could walk along an underground river. The thing stretches on for 16 miles and has it's own river bed--just like the ones above ground--and one can walk along the 'shore'. There are stalactites/stalagmites and other neat formations (of course), which are quite impressive too.


So, what about you? What put a smile on your face this last week? Catch a beautiful sunset or sunrise? Were you lucky enough to hit Starbucks and grab one of their pumpkin spice lattes? Did you let yourself do something silly like coasting on a shopping cart through the parking lot? What are you celebrating this week?




31 comments:

  1. Superb drawing and loved the library! And wow, what cool hubby!

    shahwharton.com

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    1. The library is so cute, and the books inside new. I'm going to keep an eye on it and see how it works out.

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  2. Wow your daughter is amazing! What a great drawing!

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    1. Thanks! I was surprised she would take the time to draw it for me.

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  3. Fantastic Drawing by your daughter, and good luck with your book that's on sub...!!! Have a nice weekend!!!

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    1. Thanks! Even if no one wants the MS, I have a lovely cover ;)

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  4. Oh man--you went cave-walking? I am so jealous! And that drawing by your daughter is beautiful--I had no idea she was talented in so many areas (rather like her mom, ahem). I can just see it fleshed out and in color, making the clawing hand even scarier! Perfect symbolism too. AND you found a tiny library--so cool!

    This week, I'm celebrating FINALLY put the MAGE series up for pre-order (files formatted by moi and everything). It's been such a long road, and when they're pubbed in 2 weeks, I hope it will pay off! Okay, maybe not right away. But in the long run . . .

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    1. *squeal* I'm SO excited to see Mages out in the world. You've put tons of work into it, and I think they're fun! Who knows, maybe my daughter's drawing will be placed with my MS someday.

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  5. That would be cool to explore that cave!
    Your daughter is a talented artist.

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    1. I love caves-a fascinating world below us. And I'll pass the compliment on to my daughter. She'll be happy to hear that.

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  6. She's amazing! I love that drawing of your cover!!!! :D

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    1. Lol! I'm just glad she liked the MS enough to want to draw it.

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  7. Wow, that is an amazing drawing, no wonder you were touched to receive it. I've seen a similar free library set up in a disused phone box over here! It's a great idea. The caves sound like an interesting visit, I like seeing new places.

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    1. I've seen some pictures on FB of the phone box libraries--so neat! See if Americans can handle them with care. I'm betting you guys are over there tend to be better at things like that.

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  8. There's a park library like that in a town near where I live. I think they're a wonderful idea!

    Your daughter is talented! That drawing is absolutely stunning!

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    1. I love her drawings, and she so loves to do them. I keep telling her she should consider studying something that would let her continue her hobby, but she's not convinced yet. Kids!

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  9. Omg!! I love that drawing! It's perfect for that story, from what I've heard you say about it. ^_^

    And really, that library is all kinds of cool.

    I'be been to one cavern in my life. It was neat. This was sounds awesome. An underground river? The ideas I could get from that!!

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    1. You're right! An underground river like that would make some amazing stories!

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  10. I totally love the idea of the Park Library, sharing knowledge without expectations is something so brilliant. And your daughter is so talented, that sketch is absolutely amazing.

    Have to say I love caves and I haven't been in many, something I intend to rectify in the future. Caves are so beautiful and unique.

    Thank you for sharing and I hope you have a lovely weekend.

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    1. I'm hoping the Park Library is a success. Enjoy your week too!

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  11. A big thumbs up on the cover your daughter designed - it looks absolutely fabulous :) Over here in England we have some amazing underground cave systems I've visited - I love stalactites! I also agree with Aura that being able to share knowledge through a park library is a wonderful idea. Hope you have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by my blog :) Special Teaching at Pempi’s Palace

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    1. I'm going to have to add English caves to my must see list!

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  12. Tonja,
    What an awesome week! Park Library sounds fabulous and your daughter is really talented. I have to admit if I saw that cover it would definitely pique my interest! In fact, it has piqued my interest. Also, I love amateur (guided) spelunking! That sounds like tons of fun. Good luck with finding your book just the right home!

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  13. Your daughter has some talent, I'm impressed. And I've been to Carlsbad Caverns, so I understand how fascinating the underground can be, glad you got to do that. ^_^

    I'm celebrating that the rewrites on my book are going so well. I'm making some major changes and I was all kinds of nervous about it, but I think it's all going to work out. I hope.

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    1. Carlsbad is amazing-so much space underground. Makes a writer's fantasy take flight. Glad to hear those revisions are moving along. Self-doubt is a pain in the neck, but ignore it. I'm sure your story's getting better and better.

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  14. Your daughter's drawing is truly amazing! She's so talented! That caving experience sounds very interesting. It's hard to imagine the underground river being so big and long. Have a wonderful weekend! :)

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  15. Wow! Your daughter is super talented! And the caving sounds fun too.

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  16. I overcame laziness/inertia, drove to the aquarium, and walked Sunday.

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  17. I overcame laziness/inertia, drove to the aquarium, and walked Sunday.

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