Goodbye Flip Flops

Arkansas waited patiently for fall. It's finally here. It rained all night. I slept like a log for nine hours. No leaky roof like last year.

This morning was dark and drippy and cold. I turned on the heat. It seemed like a good day for a dress and tights and boots. Although, I can barely see my boots.

It also seemed like a good morning for hot chocolate in my car. The ducks swam in the rain. Boat dock lights twinkled in the distance. Goodbye flip flops. Welcome fall.

Good Weekend. Scratch That. Great Weekend.

Why so great? Energy. Lots and lots of glorious, wonderful, sunshiney energy.

This weekend consisted of a haircut. A shopping trip to Wal-Mart. (By the way, Wal-Mart has a couple of big jar candles - Mulled Cider and Pine - that are $4 a piece AND smell just like Yankee Candles.)

I cleaned house a little. Played with Mabel. Helped throw a bridal shower. Hung out with Matt and watched tv while cuddling under blankets in the chilly house. We had to turn the heat on.

And the best part? I cleaned my office, which has of late become dumping ground for all things baby related.

A Real Book

My agent, Laurie Abkemeier, sold the book I wrote. I'm still reeling.


My sister Rachel summed it up when she said, "Liz, you're going to have a REAL book."


In honor of such a huge announcement I thought it appropriate to revisit the "Monkey Face" picture. Not because it's related to the news. It's just funny. And Matt may or may not have caught me trying to reenact said Monkey Face in the mirror last week. I blamed it on my hormones.


So what's it about? The announcement went out yesterday and said this:


"Mabel's House blogger Elizabeth Owen's WHO STOLE MY GREEN GABLES? A Tale of Friendship and Faith -- and Learning to Love What You Have, a humorous memoir about what happens when the quest for domestic perfection meets reality, and comedy meets tragedy in the form of a best friend with cancer, to Mary Norris at Skirt, at auction, by Laurie Abkemeier at DeFiore and Company (world English)."

Anyone that's read my blog for the past few years knows about Angela. And yes, she's a central part of this book. I wanted to write a book that would make you laugh. I wanted to write a book that would make her proud. I wanted to write about losing her in a way that would leave a reader smiling and feeling hopeful, not sad. I hope you'll like it.

So that's my news. I'll keep you posted as the process gets started and let you know the release date (which will be at least a year). In the mean time, I'm going to search the house for my smelling salts. Or more realistically, pregnant-friendly Tylenol.

I Should Be Writing But...

I've got edit brainstorming to do. But life is distracting. Like watching TV. Waiting to feel tiny baby butterfly kicks. Planning Christmas gifts. Plotting nursery ideas. Trying to find a black maternity dress for a wedding. Admiring the crisscross patterns the late afternoon sun makes across the floor.

And then when I finally do make it into my office to do some work, there's that pesky problem of Christmas movies stacked on the book case, conveniently within reaching distance. It's a big toss up when you think, "Hmmm, writing, or Christmas in Connecticut?" Sigh. I'll put nose to grindstone very soon. Just as soon as I move all those movies into the den.

Thank you for ALL your well wishes yesterday. I am so thankful for the love and encouragement I've received from you ladies!

A Little Project

Perhaps I violated some sort of sacred brass-is-precious rule by spray painting this.

But that's OK.

It won't be the last time.

I really do hate brass.

Ah.

So much better.

I'm thinking this will make a good table centerpiece for Christmas.

And I love this color. It's almost the exact same color green as the dresser in the guest bedroom, soon to be nursery. Speaking of nursery, anyone have some inspiring baby-room links to send my way?