Category: Writing

Planning a Yard Sale

Posted on by Diana Brandmeyer

a2z: “Y” is for Yard Sale

 

When is a good time to plan a yard sale?

Maybe not today. I’m pre-writing this post because it’s snowing–a lot. As in up to 12 inches before it’s all over and the temps –oh I can’t even write about those single and minus numbers. I can’t see my yard but I can see all the unnecessary things I own. They are taunting me. “Why not put me in a yard sale? Make a few dollars?”

Image credit: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/photo_9063448_yard-sale-words-in-vintage-wood-letterpress-printing-blocks-stained-by-color-inks-isolated-on-white.html'>pixelsaway / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

It’s so tempting to start piling unwanted items in the corner. I could price them right now…no, I can’t buy stickers because I’m sure I’ll slide into the ditch at the bottom of my driveway. Then I’ll have to call for help and there goes any money I might make at my yard sale.  But I can still prepare, right?

I searched the house for boxes to store things in–I found one, a shoe box.

Maybe I should take the time to read a book by the fire and forget about the yard sale for a while. Spring will come soon–not soon enough, but soon, then watch out– all of you things taking up space–watch out! You’re out of here. 

 

 

 HOW TO PLAN A YARD SALE

1. Pick a date (that makes it a deadline and you must meet it) along with a start and end time. 

2. Find an organization who will take the items left at the end of the sale.

3. Invite a few friends to bring their stuff–require they stay for the sale. You don’t want to be responsible for letting Great Aunt Hattie’s tea cup go for a      nickel when your friend thinks it’s worth $5.00.

4. Find out who has tables you can borrow that day. It’s easier to sell things off a table than the ground.

5. Set up an area in the house where you can ‘drop’ items to be marked.

6. Before you put something in the ‘drop’ area make sure it is clean. Dirt doesn’t sell for much.

7. Take time each day to mark items and move them to a priced pile.

8. The night before set up the tables and display items IN YOUR GARAGE with the door down! Otherwise you’ll have people dropping by to shop when you aren’t ready.

9. The day of the sale make sure you have sandwiches made for your lunch, a cooler with drinks and a way to make change. *It’s a good idea to have a change box with someone sitting by it the entire time.

10. Have your helpers walk the sale being helpful and watchful.

When it’s over order dinner for everyone and wonder why you spent the hours to preparing and holding the sale when you could have donated everything. 🙂

This is a blog hop!



The Ultimate Gluten Free Bread Book

Posted on by Diana Brandmeyer

Making Gluten-Free Bread

a2z is for “U”

 

I’ve been waiting for this gluten-free bread book to be released for quite some time. It is the ULTIMATE resource for those of us with gluten issues.

I read this book cover to cover before embarking on my first post.

I learned a few things–did you know chlorine in tap water kills yeast? Me either!

In her book, Gluten-Free on a Shoestring Bakes Bread, Nichol Hunn has offers many tips and tells what products and tools you’ll need to make bread that will remind you of what you used to eat. *affiliate link

I started with the first bread recipe in the book, Lean Crusty White Sandwich Bread. I can’t give you the recipe, but I do encourage you to get the book if you need to eat gluten-free. It would also make a great present. 

Shoesting bakes Glutenfree bread
Fresh From the Oven! Gluten Free Bread!

This is my finished loaf. It is crusty and has small air pockets –just like that ‘other’ bread that I can’t eat.

I think this cookbook should be called The Ultimate Gluten-Free Bread Book…next up on what to bake? Crescent Rolls! 

So what to you think? Does it look good enough to eat?

 

This is a blog hop.



The Best Wood Bowls

Posted on by Diana Brandmeyer

Wood Bowls from Trees

a2Z” The Letter “T”

 

After I wrote the title for this post-Wood Bowls from Trees I realized how silly that sounds. I will defend my choice of title!

The bowls I’m talking about are made from ONE piece of a tree. Yes! One piece, not glued together in section but one solid piece.

My friend Scott makes these amazing pieces from trees. He made one for me from a tree that fell during a storm a few years ago. It was a huge mess at my house and I can’t find the photos. One of the trees landed on my son’s car and totaled it.

Scott and his wife Barbara helped remove the trees. Later he gave me this bowl to remember the storm.

clemintines

I can’t remember what kind of tree this is made from, I think it was an ash tree. I use this bowl often for Clementines, apples and even Christmas bows.

It’s hard to imagine a bowl this pretty came from something like these logs.

logs

Since the time my bowl was made Scott has opened his own business Scott Schlapkohl Creations

Here are a few of the bowls he’s made.

110-1-150x150medium box

Aren’t they amazing? The one on the bottom is really a box.

If you’re looking for a special gift for some one check out Scott’s site.

Don’t forget to enter the goodreads contest! Look on the right sidebar!

AND…We’re Not Blended We’re Pureed A Survivors Guide to Blended Families has been nominated for Book of the Year on www.bookfun.org  I’d love your vote.

This is a bog hop.



Studios –is your’s as good as Pixar’s?

Posted on by Diana Brandmeyer

Pixar Studio

a2z:The letter “S”

 

Still in the recovery mode at my house so what’s a person to do when their foot looks like this?

foot in surgical boot
Yes, it hurts.

I spend a lot of time on the couch with my foot elevated while searching for things that make me laugh or inspire me to change things.

I stumbled onto this amazing youtube clip of PIXAR’s studios. I think my office might be to dull, lacking in fun and well–to pretty. I’d love, love, love to sit in the big chair.

 

What about you? After watching this are you thinking of adding some fun to your writing studio or home office?

 

This is a blog hop, so hop on over and read some more fun authors.


Pass it on: The Love of Reading

Posted on by Diana Brandmeyer

Pass it on!

a2z: The letter “P”

When I was a teenager I so hoped I wouldn’t be like my mother. Anyone else have that thought? Maybe it was your father you didn’t want to be like?

Now I realize how valuable my mom is, and what she has passed on to me is mostly good.

Not so good? I find that I have a need to be right about everything, and my medical history seems to be a copying hers.

I look at the keyboard while I’m typing, and I see her hands. I’ve heard her words coming out of my mouth and I think, “I am my mother!”

She’s passed on some great things to me. The love of Jesus, strength when life is really hard–unbearable even. I’ve watched her stand strong when many would have fallen. I’m not quite there yet but I can see some of her strength in me.

I learned how to compete and be a good loser by playing hands of canasta and a marble game called agrevation. Mom also passed on the love of words to me. She taught me to read by the age of 4 using Rebus readers. But then she modeled reading. Mom showed me the joy in the adventure and escape from everyday life by opening a book and turning the pages. She also read me books that made me cry, like The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. I discovered it was okay to be sad and to grieve–even the fictional characters.

I discovered this gem of a photo of mom reading. Look at all those books on the shelf! Not only did the love of reading come from my mom but my grandparents.

Woman reading a book

My advise? Pass on the love of reading to the little ones in your life. Or volunteer to help others learn to read. You’ll be giving them the world.



Overcomer

Posted on by Diana Brandmeyer

Overcomer

a2z: The Letter “O”

How many times do you give up when you think the odds are to impossible to succeed?

How do you overcome obstacles blocking your way?

I came across this song by Mandisa. I knew I wasn’t alone. I have Him who goes before me, after me and lives within me. How could I not overcome?

 

Like everyone, I’ve had to overcome hard things in life. Grief has been able to grasp my ankles and pull me under many times. Some days I wrestle with dark spaces, and I don’t understand why all of my brothers had to go to heaven so soon. I don’t get to experience the annoying, “Hey you’re older than me,” or “What do you think we should get mom for Christmas–since you’re a girl, why don’t you do it?”

God has helped me overcome the sadness through two men at church who have taken the ‘Brother Role’ seriously. They will do something to make me laugh or annoy me,and I remember that I have brothers on earth. We’re related through Christ. I am grateful to Eric. S. and P.V. for providing a bit of family that might  have been.

What have you overcome with God’s help?

 

Mandisa Overcomer youtube
Pin this!

 

It’s blog hop day!


In or Out?

Posted on by Diana Brandmeyer

a2z the letter “n”

IN sounds like “N” so go with it.

I’ve had a rough few months in the writing game and spent some time talking with author Staci Stallings. I told her I was afraid. She responded with, “You’re like Peter.” After listening to her I asked her to write a post about fear and Peter. Read it once, then read it again. Staci has shared a lot of wisdom through this piece.

In or Out?

If you’re a Christian, you’ve surely heard the story of Peter out there in the boat on the wind and waves.  Then out from the waves there comes a figure–walking.  At first Peter and his friends think it’s a ghost, and they freak out.

Through the wind, they hear a voice call out:  “Don’t be afraid!”

Okay.  I’m a scaredy cat.  Truly and honestly. In fact, me and fear go way back.  So I can tell you if a ghost came toward me, walking on the water, and said, “Don’t be afraid!” I would probably veer toward afraid even more!

But Peter didn’t.

Why?

Because Peter knew that voice.  It was the voice he had heard many, many times.  It was the voice of his best friend, Jesus Christ.

Have you ever heard that voice?  Maybe it was a whisper in your heart.  Maybe it was someone talking about a dream that’s been on your heart, but you’ve not really listened because it seemed so very unattainable.

Then out there from the waves, the voice calls to you, and you think you recognize it just like Peter did.  So Peter tested the voice (ever done that?).  “Lord, if it is You, tell me to get out of the boat.”

And Jesus says, “Come.”

Come.

Oh, it sounds so simple! Right?

At our church we’ve done this scene in VBS a couple of times, and when Peter starts to get out of the boat, the other disciples FREAK OUT!  “Peter! What are you doing?! You’ll drown!  Don’t Peter! NO! Don’t go!”

Have you ever been there?  Wanting to strike out and follow what God’s put on your heart with your family and your friends trying everything and every way they know how to talk you out of it?  In fact, maybe you are even good at talking yourself out of things.

“Well, I don’t have the money.”  “Well, what will other people think?”  “Well, it probably won’t even work.”

You know Nike’s slogan…  Just Do It?

Clearly you are not alone in this indecision because that campaign slogan is one of the most successful in all of advertising.

Peter made the decision.  Just do it.  Just get out of the boat.  Listen to Jesus. Don’t listen to all these people who are not Jesus.

And now we come to the pivotal moment that trips so many of us up… getting out of the boat.

I’m sure the first touch of his tooties on that water made Peter seriously question his own sanity.  “Wow! Is that water cold!  Maybe this isn’t a good idea.  Maybe being in the boat would be better.  At least there, I’m safe.”

Have you ever been there?  Half in, half out?  Have you ever wanted to get out of that boat so badly you could feel your heart dragging you, and yet…

And yet…

Here is a spiritual nugget of wisdom.  The most dangerous moment of all for Peter was being half-in, half-out of that boat.  With the wind and waves picking the boat up and dropping it, he very likely nearly capsized the whole thing.

What happens a lot is, we as Christians get to this moment and freeze.  Our decision become indecision. Our faith becomes doubt.  And we stop, clinging there.  Half-in, half-out.

I want to encourage you today not to stay there.  Do not let analysis-paralysis set in because it’s a cancer that kills dreams.  Your dreams.  And God’s dreams for you.

Listen to the voice. Make the decision.  Breathe and realize that yes, there are going to be challenges.  This will not solve everything.  But if it’s on your heart to do, God is the One Who put it there.  If you believe through the wind and waves, the fear and the doubt, that this really is Jesus calling you out of that boat, then it’s time to Just Do It!

Take a breath.  Make the decision.  And get out of the boat.

Image credit: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/photo_18853347_hands-and-foot-hangig-from-the-boat.html'>arocas / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Don’t stay in that most dangerous moment any longer than you absolutely have to because it truly can and will drown your dreams and you just as surely as staying in the boat will.

The boat will not save you.  Clinging to the boat with one foot in, one foot out will not save you.  The only way to truly be saved, to be truly free, is to be out dancing on the water with Jesus.  He’s calling to you.  He’s waiting for you.  What are you waiting for?

In or out?  Which will it be?

 

Copyright, Staci Stallings, 2013

Love to be inspired? A stay-at-home mom with a husband, three kids and a writing addiction on the side, #1 Best Selling Christian author, Staci Stallings has numerous titles for readers to choose from.  Not content to stay in one genre and write it to death, Staci’s stories run the gamut from young adult to adult, from motivational and inspirational to full-out Christian and back again.  Every title is a new adventure!

Check out Staci’s

“To Protect & Serve”

Now just 99 Cents!

It’s also blog hop day! Check out these other blogs.



Why Shouldn’t Gluten-Free People have Snickerdoodle Muffins?

Posted on by Diana Brandmeyer

A2Z: Snickerdoodle Muffins Gluten-Free!!!

 

I saw these snickerdoodle muffins on pinterest, but they weren’t gulten-free. I had to try to make them so I could eat them. When though? Time seemed to be filled every day.

 

Then the undesirable happened. My computer died. Well, that opened up a lot time. But we went to Michigan for a wedding. What is it about water lapping a sandy shore that instantly relaxes tension? I want to bottle that feeling so I can have some every day.

 

Beach with Sand fence
Hover Image to Pin!

Back to A2Z:M is for Muffins!

The original recipe appeared here on Eat Me I’m Delicious  if you aren’t eating gluten-free head over there for the real recipe.

Here’s the gluten-free version:

Snickerdoodle Muffins Gluten-Free

muffin on blue plate

  2 sticks unsalted butter

  1 cup of sugar

  1 tsp. vanilla (I use Penzey’s Spices)

  2 eggs

  3/4 tsp. baking soda

  3/4 tsp. baking powder

  3/4 tsp. cream of tartar

  3/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

  1 1/4 cup Vanilla Greek Yogurt mixed with 1 tsp. baking soda

  2 1/4 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour ( I use Jules which has       xantham in it, if you don’t have that you’ll need to add xanthm)

  1/2 cup sugar and 1 TBSP cinnamon mixed together for rolling

1. Cream the butter and sugar until soft. Add in the vanilla. Next add in one egg, mix, now add the other egg and mix.

2. In a separate shallow bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cream of tartar and nutmeg.

3. Alternately add the flour mixture and yogurt mixture to the egg-butter mixture. Start with flour and end with the flour. Scrape the bowl so you get it all.

4. Scoop about 1/4-1/2 cup of muffin batter and drop it into the a shallow bowl with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Roll the muffin until covered. Put into muffin tin. You should get about 12-14 muffins.

5. Bake about 20-22 minutes in a 350 degree oven or until pretty golden brown.

gluten-free snicker doodle muffin on blue plate
Hover Image to Pin!

These are so good even Mr. Quiet ate them.

Have you ever made snickerdoodle muffins? What’s your favorite muffin?

 “Gluten-Free Snickerdoole Muffins? Yes, please!” CLICK TO TWEET

It’s a blog hop! Check out what these other authors did with there a2z “M” posts.



The Right Way to Move Paintings

Posted on by Diana Brandmeyer

How do you move paintings?

What do you do if the work you produce can’t be sent by email, text or put on a blog? Because my idea of fun is writing I often forget about others who work in creative fields. Like my son, Andrew. He produces amazing art work and it’s often on large wall size canvases.

 

brittany Andrew Brandmeyer pin it

What if your work is so big it has to be moved from one floor to the next down steep concrete stairs, or by an elevator?

First you have to have a space to create work of that size. For my son that means an older building in the city. The building is ancient and has been used so much that the concrete stairs are worn in the middle much like wooden stairs of the early to mid 1800s.

This weekend we helped our son move his paintings from his studio to the Concrete Ocean Art Gallery in St. Louis. His show is Friday, Oct. 4 at 7 pm if you happen to be in St. Louis stop by and check it out. Here’s a painting by Andrew Brandmeyer that will be available–without the blue MOVING PAINTINGS rectangle –I added that.

Moving paintings require muscle, great care and a truck. We have the truck and trailer, and Mr. Quiet has the muscles. (He’s not going to like this photo…I took it when he wasn’t looking. That’s his thinking face.)

muscles needed

And a cat.

No artist or writer is ever without a cat right?

studio cat
Don’t touch these!

Andy packed the painting with care into boxes. Lot’s of protection to make sure the frames aren’t scratched or the paint chipped.

moving paintings from Andrew Brandmeyer studio

I couldn’t help it. I had to play with some of the fun apps I learned about in the iphonography class.

moving paintings

This one fit through the door. After one attempt we realized the bigger paintings couldn’t make the turn at the bottom of the stairs and had to be moved by the old building’s freight elevator.

Every time we left the studio for a few minutes the door gate had to be locked because of where the studio is located.

locking studio

 

We followed Andy to the gallery, driving slow, cautious of the cargo we carried. Works of art, creations only one person could do. With a sigh of relief we arrived at the Concrete Ocean Art Gallery and our responsibility ended.

concrete ocean

What special things have you moved?

 

 

 

 

Jukebox

Posted on by Diana Brandmeyer

a2z: J is for Jukebox

It’s “J” week on the a2z meme. I didn’t know what to write about so I asked my husband, Mr. Quiet, “Any ideas?”

Mr. Quiet, “Jingle, juggle, joy.”

Love the man, but while he can remember the oddest things he has trouble recalling what I’ve written about on this blog. While I’m mulling over the best wife responses to his suggestions, he comes up with another word.

“Jukebox.”

“What can I possibly write about a jukebox?”

“All those times you hung out with friends in college listening to music instead of going class? Dropping hard-earned money in the slot to play your favorite songs?”

Again, Mr. Quiet has forgotten a few things I told him about my college experience. It was nothing like his. I never went anywhere except to class, the cafeteria and the library. Oh wait, there was the year I discovered the foosball table. I might have missed a few math classes because I was winning.

“Do they even have those things anymore?”

Mr. Quiet, “Don’t know, maybe they’ve been replaced by the cloud.”

“Maybe. How sad.” In my hometown at the Frost Top restaurant there was a jukebox. My family went there sometimes for burgers. My favorite song was, “I Shot the Sheriff.” My dad seemed to run out of money after I played that one…wonder if it was because he was a policeman?

Just in case you are too young to know what a jukebox is let me define it for you. It a beast of a record machine, you put in your money and picked a song from the menu. There would have been a button next to the song with an A or a B and a number, and it looked like this:

Image credit: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/photo_14412112_retro-jukebox-isolated-on-white.html'>jvdwolf / 123RF Stock Photo</a>
Jukebox! Pin me I’m history!

Imagine carrying that around with you instead of an iPod.