Don’t Forget Your Common Sense

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Ann Roth

The experts say to follow your heart. I agree… As long as common sense play some part.

In my experience, relying only on my rational brain and ignoring what my heart wants takes me in the wrong direction. So does following my heart without some degree of mental processing. Not too much mental stuff, though, or I just might talk myself out of what really is best for my happiness and well-being.

A combination of both usually leads me down the right path.

How do I know how much of each to listen to? For that, I rely on instinct, aka that good old gut feeling. Does whatever I’m considering feel “right” in my gut, or do I feel queasy, tense or ill-at-ease? I don’t always pay enough attention to those gut feelings, and when I ignore them, I often end up in trouble.

Food for thought, for sure.

Until next time,

Ann

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Think About This

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Ann Roth

As we move at warp speed toward a new year, think about these things. You don’t need them! In fact, they are your worst enemies.

Imagine what your life would be if you stopped trying to please others over yourself. Pushed through those self-doubts and did it anyway. Replaced negative thoughts with positive ones. Embraced the possibility of failure as a learning tool rather than a source of fear. Praised yourself instead of criticized. Said “no” when you didn’t want to do something asked of you. Acted now instead of procrastinating until the last minute.

If there’s a map for reaching your highest potential, this list is a good place to start. It my seem daunting, so start with one or two.

I’m pulling for you!

Until next time,

Ann

Graffiti I Actually Like

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Ann Roth

Much of the time, graffiti turns me off. Not these amazing creations:

Turning otherwise drab or ordinary surroundings into something wonderful-now that’s exciting! Writers do the same thing with words. Turning ordinary words into a captivating story that entertains, enlightens, enriches–that’s what I find most rewarding about my work.

Until next time,

Ann

Laughter… It Really Is the Best Medicine

Posted on December 15, 2014 by Ann Roth

There is nothing quite like a belly-splitting, eye-watering laugh. I am not often prone to letting go like that, but when it happens… Oh, what a feeling. After I wipe my eyes and catch my breath, I always feel better than I did before.

Even (or maybe especially) when I wasn’t supposed to laugh!

I can still remember the time my husband and I were invited to participate in a two-hour survey. We were told that we would watch a pilot for a new TV show and rate it. We liked the idea, and showed up eager to do our part. The place was packed with adults, and we barely managed to find seats. What we quickly realized was that most of the session involved ads that might air on networks across the country. We were to rate those as well. The ads ran first. Near the end of the session we finally previewed the so-so pilot TV show that never saw the light of day.

Back to those ads. Like everyone else, we were serious about sharing our opinion, which we did by completing a form after each piece aired. Then it happened. An ad that happened to be for deodorant stuck my husband and me as funny.

Picture a dark night and a furious rainstorm. A woman in a raincoat and holding an umbrella stands under a streetlight. A male voice off-camera mentions a certain brand of deodorant. Suddenly she whips out a stick of roll-on deodorant and pretends to apply it under her arm. Wearing a raincoat, in the pouring rain, under the streetlight.

Hilarious!!! Okay, maybe you had to be there…

We started to giggle. Quietly at first, as no one else seemed to find the ad humorous. We tried to stop… But then, we would glance at each other and continue laughing. Before long, we were howling.

Oh, the dirty looks we got! We knew we should behave, which only made what we were doing funnier to us. Finally, we pulled it together and sobered up.

The amazing part of this experience is that I remember it at all. Another time, not long after my mother passed away, our family was sitting around, sharing Mom stories. I don’t remember what was said, but it was something funny enough to have us all in stitches. That time, I laughed so hard that I cried, big, drippy tears. What a great release that turned out to be.

Experts agree that laughing is good for us. http://bit.ly/1ypXAsq

For those so inclined, there are even laughter yoga classes available. http://www.laughteryoga.org/english/club/home

Until next time,

Ann

Projects, projects everywhere…

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Ann Roth

This week, I am madly working away. I’ll be back another day.

Until next time,

Ann

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Ann Roth

I am taking the week off to work on the current work-in-progress and to get ready for Thanksgiving. Shopping, baking, getting the tables set and ready.

That’s right, tables. At our house, we host a big crowd of family, friends, and people who need a place to sit down and enjoy.

Even when life throws you a horrendous curve-ball, there is much to be grateful for. May you find something for which you can give thanks.

Until next time, and wishing you a thankful Thanksgiving,

Ann

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Tunnel of Fudge Cake

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Ann Roth

Years ago, I cut this recipe out of our now-defunct, and dearly missed daily morning pager, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (http://www.seattlepi.com/). The paper has since moved online, but I really liked reading the hard copy over breakfast and coffee. Anyway… I finally got around to trying this recipe. Wow. Scrumptious, and rich, with a lovely, fudgy center. The directions are a bit wonky in places (I mean, if the mixing bowl doesn’t feel cool, stop mixing and place in the freezer for 5 minutes? Give me a break!) , so I made a few changes.

Note: the amount of sugar in this thing is staggering. I worried that it would taste too sweet. But it came out just right. I will definitely make this one again.

Tunnel of Fudge Cake

Adapted from a recipe by Shirley O. Corriher

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously grease a Bundt pan.

1 cup softened butter (original recipe called for more, but 1 cup is enough!)

3/4 cup brown sugar, packed

1 cup white sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/3 c vegetable oil

2 egg yolks

4 whole eggs

2 cups confectioners sugar (I used scant cups)

2 1/4 cup all purpose, unbleached flour (I avoid the bleached stuff–who wants to ingest anything that has been bleached?)

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup cocoa powder

In a bowl, mix together flour, and salt; set aside.

In mixer, cream butter and sugar and beat until airy. Add eggs and yolks and mix for about 20 seconds. Add vanilla and oil. Mix for about 30 seconds; add flour mixture. Mix until incorporated; add confectioners sugar and cocoa powder. When incorporated, pour into prepared Bundt pan. Bake about 38-45 minutes. Note: Because of the gooey center, there is no way to insert a toothpick to see if done. I have a convection oven, and baked for 38 minutes.

Place on a wire rack and let cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Then gently press on the top with the palm of your hand to eliminate the air pocket that formed while baking. Cool in the pan for 2-3 hours; then invert pan onto a serving platter to finish cooling. Or serve warm.

Until next time, and droolingly yours,

Ann

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Go to sleep, darling brain

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Ann Roth

I can’t tell you how often this happens to me. Of course, sleep is forgotten while I lie in the dark and sift through the “what ifs” and “that could work” possibilities.

A couple times, I promised myself that I would remember my brilliant stroke of creativity in the morning, and went on to dreamland. But when morning came, I’d forgotten everything. Let me tell you, that’s the worst!

Having learned my painful lesson, I now write it all down–legibly. (Not being able to decipher my own handwriting is just about as bad than forgetting the idea.)

Knowing the idea will be spelled out in its full glory when I wake up is huge relief, and both my muse and I rest much easier.

Until next time, and wishing you brilliant ideas and a pen and paper or device to jot them down,

Ann

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Motivational Monday: Take A Walk

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Ann Roth

Photo: A section of Burke Gilman Trail, Seattle (developed from an old rail trail)

I love summer, and here in the Pacific Northwest, there is so much to see and do and enjoy. One of my favorite activities is walking in the great outdoors. My preferred walk-time is late afternoon or early evening, when I’m tired and muzzy-headed from a long sit in front of the computer.

As soon as I start moving, my mind and body wake up. It’s great to listen to the sounds of summer: kids laughing and playing, birds calling, dogs woofing. And the smells–the sweet scent of clover and other flowers or freshly cut grass. The slanting sun feels good on my arms and shoulders, and the breeze is light and warm. What a lovely way to end a day of writing. As I write this, I can hardly wait to get out there and go!

Until Wednesday, and wishing you a gentle unwinding at the end of a long day,

Ann