Books for kids, teens, & those who are young at heart
I’ve got a lot going on right now, so I thought it would be a good time for a picture post. I’ve labeled this winter and spring, but spring sure seems to be taking its sweet time getting here. Friday looks like it’s going to be sunny and warm (knock on wood), so there’s hope.
A quick bookish note first. Today I’m guest posting on the Middle Grade Minded blog about the cover for PIRATE ISLAND. It’s a fun inside look at the process that went into creating it.
Okay, now for the spring part. I’m inclined to say it’s been a weird spring, given that we had snow early on in the season and 90 degree weather last week. But when I think about it, that’s pretty typical for New England.
Some highlights of spring have included The Boy having a his artwork in the citywide show (a fire truck drawing of course!), riding on Thomas the Tank Engine, lots of park time, the New England SCBWI conference (I’ll be blogging some highlights soon), and moving into a room together and getting bunk beds (in preparation for The Gentleman’s arrival).
What have you all been up to this spring?
As the unofficial start of summer kicked off this past weekend, I thought I’d take a look back at what I did this spring. As seems to be the usual lately in coastal CT March weather was crappy, May proved far rainier than April, and June looks to be starting out hot, hot, hot. But you know what they say about weather in New England…if you don’t like it, just wait a few minutes.
So what I have been up to lately (other than writing Elixir Saved and editing other poeple’s books)? Mostly hanging out with The Boy. Here’s a picture essay of my spring.
Our first trip to the zoo…checking out the wolves.
Now looking at The Boy’s favorite animal…tiger!
Cousins hugging during out trip to the Poconos.
Hiking to the waterfall in the Poconos.
More hiking, this time at Sleeping Giant.
Walking (mostly running) to the top of the castle at Sleeping Giant.
One of many times climbing the dinosaur stairs at the park after library story time.
Mother’s Day tea tasting.
Our second trip to the zoo…this peacock may or may not have stolen my sweatshirt. It’s still a bit of a mystery what happened to the sweatshirt.
Baby goat at the zoo (we also got to see baby hogs)…too cute!
Beach time!
Footsteps in the sand…Mommy’s aren’t that much bigger than The Boy’s!
First backyard fire.
I’m sure summer will bring lots more zoo, park, beach time. Maybe some fireworks thrown in there. Perhaps a completed draft of Elixir Saved. A weekend trip to upstate New York for the end of the summer. The Boy’s 2nd birthday. I’m trying to plan a low key family trip for early September, but not making much progress on that. What are your plans for the summer?
Fellow Muser Suzanne de Montigny, author of the wonderful tween novel The Shadow of the Unicorn: The Legacy, was gracious enough to interview me on her blog today. Stop by and leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Elixir Bound.
April started off with an afternoon rain shower. Do you think that bodes well for May flowers or it was an April Fools’ joke and just means a rainy spring? Either way, the crocus are blooming, a bluejay has been spotted in the backyard, and the peas have been planted. It’s definitely spring in New England.
While I was out gardening yesterday, I realized I’ve been planting and harvesting crops since, well, since I can remember. My parents have always had a garden and I can remember going to Joseph’s house to pick strawberries. My dad had somehow befriended Joseph–who used a walker and seemed like he was the oldest man I’d ever seen, but was really not nearly as old as I thought.
He had a big strawberry patch in his yard and we’d go every summer to pick them. My older sisters would run around the yard and I’d chase after them, keeping up as best as I could. Seems I spent a good part of my childhood trying to keep up with my older sisters. Joseph always kept flying saucer ice cream sandwiches in the freezer for us. What a treat!
Funny how a little digging in the dirt can drudge up old memories I didn’t even know I had. I hope The Boy ends up with fond memories of gardening. He’s already been strawberry and apple picking, and I think he’s old enough to start working in our garden.
The mercury may only be in the 30’s this morning, but the sun is shining and the birds are chirping. Yup, it’s definitely spring!
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