7 Moments: What's Been Keeping Me Busy

November 11, 2017 Talena Winters

I know it has been way too long since I posted. When was the last time I went over a month without a post? It's been a long while. But the cool thing is that the reason I haven't posted isn't because I had nothing to talk about. In fact, it was the opposite--my life has been so full that I simply haven't had the extra time in my day.

I've barely even had time to post to social media. And though I'm catching up, I'm still a little short on time (what with Finding Heaven launching on Tuesday, for one).

So, rather than taking a bunch of your time and mine talking about it, I'm just going to give you a quick photo essay of what's been up with me.

Enjoy.

Combination Thanksgiving celebration/Grandma's 89th birthday celebration, which also included Mom and Mike. We're still working on getting Grandma to remember that she's now 89. :-)

The ground had already started to freeze by the time I dug up my carrots, but I still got most of them up. They reached a decent size, considering how neglected they were in terms of thinning and watering. (These are sweet Nantes variety, so not a huge carrot.)

This look of intense concentration brought to you by The Music Man Jr. Tonight is our last rehearsal, and performances start on Thursday! I'm excited (and a little terrified), but thankfully, the kids are all so amazing that no one will be looking at me. Unless I screw up. Lol. . Thank you to @amandamonettephotos for sharing this image with me. With all the hours I've spent at a piano in my life, I don't have many photos to prove it. :-) . Happy Tuesday! . #stretchingmycomfortzone #prayingidontscrewup #ilovemusicaltheatre #musicaltheatre #musicaltheatrenerd #peaceplayers #musicmanjr #pianist #musician

A post shared by Talena Winters (@talenawinters) on Oct 24, 2017 at 12:42pm PDT

A stunning display of Northern Lights on an only mildly-chilly evening with a camera handy and some time to experiment resulted in this photo. It was pretty fun.

And this, my friends, is why you order a proof copy. :-) This is my first time using the hardcover format, and I was a little disappointed to find that this is how it printed on the cloth binding with the way I set it up. But, it's all fixed now! (I hope.) #joysofselfpublishing . And, in related news, thanks to the help of my friend Philip, (@pjvernon), today I discovered that this book is not just #womensfiction, but also #romanticsuspense and even #domesticnoir. How fun is that? (Okay, not "fun" persay. That's not really an adjective one uses for domestic noir.) . Only 12 days left before launch. Excuse me while I go hyperventilate into a paper bag for a while . . . . #findingheavennovel #writersofig #amwriting #amreading #books #indieauthor

A post shared by Talena Winters (@talenawinters) on Nov 2, 2017 at 3:54pm PDT

New pattern inspired by Jabin, who loses mittens faster than you can say Dr. Seuss. Last year, he had to rely on Magic Mitties. This year, feeling inspired to make something, I thought I'd give him another chance to show me how responsible he's become. Hope it works. (After trying these one at this point, he also decided he'd rather have gloves than glittens. So, the transformation is underway.)

In between all the writing, teaching, practicing, performing, knitting, and marketing, I am occasionally able to sneak in some fiction reading. Looking forward to finishing this new book from Jane Ann McLachlan in the next few days. Also, like the mug my mother-in-law got me? (I do. I LUURRRRV it!)

And a bonus: my family in their Halloween costumes. :-)