October Blog Anniversary (THE END)

Hard to believe October is almost over. It's been a great month - lots of fun, some good-read give-aways, and people coming to the party!

This is my last free give-away - two (2) books again - OUTCAST by Joan Johnston & PRINCE INCOGNITO by Linda Goodnight.

Simple Q&A today - whether you're a writer or reader, what have you enjoy reading about in my blog over this past month/year?

Is it the guest authors who drop in? The odd book review? Promotion of new authors? Some of the craft articles? Finding out information about the romance industry? Photos of conferences or my travels? The free give-aways?

Share your thoughts by 31st October (midnight Aussie EST) and you could win the last draw of my October Blog Anniversary. !!! Don't forget to leave a contact email address or check back in on the day I announce the winner! If you haven't claimed the prize in 48hrs I'll draw another name from my coffee cup.

Thanks, everyone, for helping me celebrate a Year of Blogging!

What are you reading and enjoying?

Sometimes we forget in the busyness of life to take time for ourselves and do something we enjoy. I love getting out and spending time in my garden, creating patchwork (not that I've done a lot of that lately) and curling up with a good book.

There are times I get so busy I don't read for weeks. It's only when the stress levels get to unmanageable that I realise I've ignored my need for down-time. I've become to tangled up in "everything else". That's when I make an effort to pick up a book from my To Be Read pile and spend a few hours escaping.

So, have you been taking time out to read for pleasure? And if not, why not?

And continuing in the spirit of my October Blog Anniversary month, a free give-away* will go to one commenter (local or international) who can tell me about a book you've recently read and why you enjoyed it.

Just a couple of sentences, it doesn't have to be an essay. Was it the character/s you identified with, the excitement of the plot, the interesting setting, a favourite theme running through the book? Leave a comment along these lines by midnight (Aussie EST) 16th October, and you'll go into the draw!

*Give-away prize is an autographed copy of COLTER'S WOMAN by Maya Banks.

!!! Don't forget to leave a contact email address or check back in on the day I announce the winner! If you haven't claimed the prize in 48hrs I'll draw another name from my coffee cup.

Mullaley Public School celebrates 125 years of schooling!

Today I attended Mullaley Public School's 125th Anniversary and what a fabulous day it was!

Native Rose arbour at the entrance to the school

Mullaley PS established 188

Mullaley (pop.approx.200) is a small rural village located about 40 kilometers from Gunnedah in northwest New South Wales, Australia. Many of the students who've attended the school over the last 125 years have come from the village or off properties surrounding the village.



There was quite a crowd - I've been told between 400-500 people attended the day - parents, past and present students, past teachers and principals, and community members. Those I talked to had very fond memories of their time spent at the school.

Tambar Springs SES unit

Mullaley PS staff in period costume

MP Peter Draper & Principal Tony Johnston

Cookbook & updated History book

Mullaley Rural Fire Service vehicle

Some of the events featured today included performances by the students (dancing, singing, play acting, maypole dancing), an official book launch for the Mullaley Remembers history book and Mullaley 2010 Cookbook, photographic and static displays of old school memorabilia, open classrooms, time capsule opening and cake cutting by the oldest ex-student & youngest present day student.

Wood-turning display

There were also a variety of craft stalls, a wood-turning display, several antique cars & tractors and the local Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service vehicles display. 

Happy Anniversary Mullaley PS - may the school continue to educate students for the next 125 years!

Balloons in school colours

Happy Birthday to Me!

Yes, it's my birthday and this will be the second one celebrated while in a foreign country! (The first was my 20th in the USA sometime last century.)

This is almost my last night in Italy - I'm in Rome (sigh). Erin and I are going to celebrate, probably by having dinner out somewhere really nice.

See you all when I fly back to Australia on the 18th!

Winter Rose Finalist

Just when I thought the last couple of weeks couldn't get any more exciting than they already have been, I've received an email informing me that my sci-fi romance (which you can find on my website) is a finalist in the Yellow Rose Chapter of RWA 2010 Winter Rose contest in the paranormal section!

One of goals I set this year was to only enter US contests geared towards getting my work in front of agents/editors interested in the paranormal genre.

The Winter Rose has Emmanuelle Alspaugh from the Judith Ehrlich Literary Agency judging the final round of the paranormal section. Results will be known on May 15th (my birthday) - fingers crossed!

Happy Birthday!

A friend of mine who owns a craft shop business called Robyn's Crafty Celebrations celebrates its 1st birthday on Valentine's Day. Hard to believe it's been a year since she opened its doors!

Robyn is the crafter who made my incredible front and back door stained glass windows that you've seen on my website.

She also knits, patchworks, scroll-saws, Paverpols, crochets, sews, creates wooden toys, makes knick-knacks, runs craft days for kids and workshops for adults and sells various craft products. A multi-talented lady!

She's also just created her own website. You can link to her site here.

Happy 1st Birthday, RCC!!!