Week 120, 4-8-2018

Thoughts and Quotes: The three grand essentials to happiness in life are something to do, something to live for, and something to hope for. 

                                                                   Joseph Addison

So I should be really happy, because I have all three, and they all point to THE TEA BOOK. I believe it's becoming an obsession. I was so frustrated this week because I didn't want to give up the page borders. When I checked the proof PDF, the right border on the left-hand page was in the gray area, and the left border of the right-hand page was in the gray area. I thought this meant they'd be cut off. After fussing and fuming and trying to fix things every way I knew how, I finally called the publisher, talked to Shawn, and discovered that the gray area is only the "suggested print area". My border is touching the gray area, but it will print.

Shawn told me that the publishers don't recommend borders because (l) the inside borders can "disappear" into the binding, and (2) they might not line up exactly at the top of the page from the left page to the right page. They can be off 1/16".

I explained that I've planned the book so that each recipe can print alone on an 8-1/2" X 11" page. This way it can be shared with a friend, punched and put in a 3-ring binder, put in a file folder, or used when cooking so that spatters won't get on the book. 

Also, the "plan" page can be copied and taken to the kitchen to check off or line through each item on completion.

Shawn suggested coil binding. I told him I'd considered that, but it is quite a lot more money than perfect binding. I told him that if I leave the food photo off the recipe page and group them all on one page following the five recipes for that month, it would probably compensate for the extra binding charge.

And he's so smart. He said that I can leave the photos on each recipe page and have them print in black and white, and then put the photo page in color.

So that's it. That's what I've decided to do. Once I got that settled, I've moved right along and just finished October. Two months to go! Can you believe?

Just when I was ready to start celebrating, I remembered that I still have to insert page numbers, put page numbers on the table of contents, create an index, and a cover. At least I'm moving in the right direction. 

If only I'd known months ago what I know now, I could have saved myself hours of anxiety. With this company, everything is simple. They're called Diggypod Publishing.

Create your book in Word. Convert it to a PDF. Check the PDF in the Diggypod website. Any problems (or imagined problems) will be on your report. If no problems, you're ready to email the PDF to Diggypod to print. That simple. Of course, if you're more adept with Word than I, you'll finish a lot quicker.

Save this website if you have any interest in publishing a book in the future. Click. There's even a place to get a quote, and it's very simple to follow.

Their prices are the best I've found, but the books will still be expensive. The selling price would be so high, no one would buy. I'm just doing this to leave a "footprint" which says that I was here, I walked on this earth, and I left this behind. I'm printing them for family and friends, hoping I won't be forgotten immediately once I'm gone. How's that for ego?

Microsoft doesn't support Blogger (my provider for this blog), so I can't copy and paste the Tea Book pages for all to see. As a matter of fact, those pesky borders disappear altogether. I've decided to print a month and then take photographs so you can see what I've been up to instead of working on my goals which was the purpose of this blog in the first place.

So here's January - not very good copies, but it will give you the idea. Each month will follow the same format. Remember: the photos on the recipe pages will print in black and white with the Food Photo page in color.

Like I told you, I'll have short posts for awhile. Maybe two more weeks before I totally finish.

Tasting: Nancy and I went to Cheddars this week. She had chicken-fried chicken and that's what I wanted.

I had grilled tilapia and shrimp instead. Good girl!

Termites?: Or carpenter ants? We'll find out Monday. Will I ever get everything fixed at once?

Think back: When's the last time you saw snow on the roofs and blossoms on the trees at the same time? 

The Pepper and Pals Report: Pepper and Stormy are feeling neglected since I'm on the computer all day. Stormy is even trying to kill her Easter Bunny.

Tidying: I wish I were. Joey just finished totally organizing her craft room. Take a look. I'm so jealous. Not only do I not have a craft room, but I'm reorganizing my crafting supplies and it's one huge mess. Doesn't this look wonderful?

Thank you: For hanging in there with me. We'll get back to fun stuff soon, and I'll fix my email notification and clean up my recipes.  

THINK THOUGHTS OF SPRING

AND FLOWERS

AND TROPICAL VACATIONS

AND SUNSHINE

SENDING LOVE AND HUGS

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE

Week 119, 4-1-2018

Thoughts and Quotes: I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.
                                                        Oliver Wendell Holmes

Good, because from where I stand I see my yard is a mess, my house is a mess, my car is a mess, I'm a mess, but I'm progressing each day.

My roof is fixed, my car had its 60,000 mile checkup this week, I got my checking account opened at my new bank, and I put my hair back to its natural color (also known as I colored my hair).

So many blessings this week. While my car was being serviced, my Lil' Bro' and Lil' Sis' (brother Jim and sister-in-law Becky) picked me up and took me to lunch, so some great 

Tasting: There's a new Mexican Restaurant and we had good food PLUS since it was my belated birthday lunch, a bunch of handsome young men in Mariachi uniforms came over and sang a song (I guess it was a birthday song - in Spanish, so I really don't know) and they put a huge sombrero on my head and handed me some maracas to play. They also brought a piece of the most gorgeous cake, surrounded by fresh strawberry pieces and drizzle. I was so excited, I forgot to take a photo. I did, however, remember to take the photos of our lunches.

Thank yous: To my Lil' Sis' who never sees anyone without handing them a gift. In my bag were these things plus the White Chocolate Chip-Macadamia Nut Cookies which were history by the time I took the photo. There was also an Easter egg filled with treats for Stormy, which will reappear the next time I do a kitty toy sweep through the house. And I'd already received a book for my birthday prior to this lunch.

And to everyone for their Easter calls, emails, cards, and e-cards. Easter cards are always so pretty.

And to my Special Northwoods Girls who sent me an extravagant CARE package.

Things to use in card making.

Things to use for my future book - A Year of Everyday Holiday Meals.

Things for my favorite pastimes - reading and eating.

A mirror to remind me that looking old doesn't mean that you have to act old.

Goodies for the kitties.

And a set of beautiful cards of Psalms to soothe my spirit.

Now am I spoiled or what?!!!

The Pepper and Pals Report: Everyone is happy right now. Stormy has a new trick. At night she gets up on the kitchen island, helps herself to a candy from the basket, pushes it off on the floor, unwraps it, and bats it around like it's a toy. Now the candy is in a plastic bag in the basket.

She's already at work destroying the new toys from My Girls.

Pepper's just too lazy to play Destruction Derby. A little inspection is all he can manage.

I caught Flower and Fred (brothers) napping and got a photo before they saw me and ran.

Tips: I've discovered the convenience of ordering from Walmart. I ordered ink for my printer and it was shipped right to my door. They're always out of my number in the store, but not online. I also order all the cat food and litter now. I buy the same things over and over, and it's heavy. Now it comes right to my door.

I also got the Walmart credit card and they gave me $35 right away and 1.5% on every purchase. And the sales tax is lower than in the store. Go figure.

The big problem: How can I use all this brown paper that comes in each box? Martha is reorganizing and using the boxes, but the paper is another story. I recycle, so I can just throw it in the recycle bin, but it seems there should be a way to use it. Any ideas? This is from one box.

Tea Book: Short post this week because I've been working on the book. Are you ready for this? Drum roll, please, and maybe a few blasts from the trumpets - I'm through June.

I wanted to show you some sample pages, but they won't cut and paste. I printed a few on paper, and while they're blurry as a result, at least you can get the idea.

Each month will have a page like this.

 Then a menu page. And I'm glad I printed this before I got any further, because I can easily see that the main text needs to move to the right. Another do-over. So many do-overs, I've lost count.

Then a page for each recipe; so two savories, two sweets, one scone, and possibly one for spread for the scones. Then finally a page of text for The Plan of what to do when before the tea.

Here are the names I've given each month. If anyone has an idea for the March name, please let me know, as I'm not happy with this one.

January - In the Pink

February - Cardinal Red

March - Come on Sunshine

April - Strawberry Fields

May - May Flowers

June - Tea on the Patio

July - Just Peachy

August - Pretend It's Venice

September - Autumn Gold

October - Colors of Autumn

November - Autumn Meadow

December - Holly

That's all I have for now. July-December should be easier and go faster. In the meantime, while I'm working on books, I'll be having meager posts - something to just stay in touch.

The Update on Notifications: I have my laptop back now, so I can see the correct email addresses of those I was sending a notification as soon as I published each week. I'm going to sign up everyone from that Blog list, so that Blogger will send you an email each time I publish. I know some of you were having trouble with this. 

If at any time you wish to discontinue getting the notification email, you can unsubscribe.

HOPE YOU HAD A HAPPY EASTER

TIME TO PLANT SOME VEGGIES

MAYBE SOME FLOWERS

EAT YOUR APPLES

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

START PLANNING A TRIP TO THE BEACH

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE