So I looked at the comments from the other day and basically pulled out the first five questions I saw and – DRUMROLL PLEASE – here are my answers. Just in case you don’t have any paint you can watch dry, you can read this instead.
I’ll answer more at some point and I have been planning to write a whole post about our outdoor kitchen complete with pictures, but I can’t do that tonight because it would require me to go outside and take pictures. And it’s hot. And I’m in my pajamas.
1. Can you tell us anything about your next book? What is it about? When does it come out? Can I get an advanced copy because I don’t think I can wait for the release date?
Several of you asked this question so I’ll tell you what I know about my next book. Be forewarned that I don’t know much.
The general focus is on the moments that make up a life and how it’s usually the small, day to day things that define us. But it’s still stories from my life and friends and family and all of that. I would love to tell you the title but it’s super secret. In fact, it’s so secret that I don’t even know it yet.
Which is my way of saying I haven’t actually decided on the title but we do have it narrowed down to one or four options. And I’m really excited about the cover art because we are going in a different direction with my next books that will be totally different from my first three.
It is set to come out October 3, 2017. I realize that is a sweet forever away but I will do my best to ensure it is worth the wait. And hopefully there will be a way for some of you to get some advance copies so I’ll keep you posted on that as soon as I know more. Which probably won’t be until some time in 2017 when the book actually has a title and a cover and has been edited.
But, seriously, thanks for being excited about it. I’m excited too but I can’t think about it too much because I tend to quit sleeping when I’m overly excited and I can’t not sleep between now and October 3, 2017.
2. Would you please share your list of favorite books that you’ve read this summer?
I haven’t read nearly as much this summer as I originally planned and I blame that largely on Parks and Recreation. But there’s something so fun about binge-watching a show with Caroline every night that I can’t make myself pick up a book as much as I have in summers past.
However, here’s what I’ve read so far with brief thoughts:
This is supposed to be loosely based on Laura Bush, but Gulley and I agreed we had to detach ourself from that to fully enjoy the book. I actually loved the middle of this book more than the beginning or the end, but it was pretty good overall.
Someone suggested this to me and it’s a great read if you’re interested in the Secret Service and/or the Kennedy presidency. I loved reading all the various details about protecting the First Family from an inside perspective.
This was a quick, easy book, perfect for the pool or beach. It’s about three friends who have a chance to return to the year they turned forty and do it all over again.
I’d seen this movie years ago but had never read the book. Nora Ephron is one of my writing heroes and I’ve read many of her other books so felt it was time to read this one. It was funny and made me laugh out loud, although I took a long time to finish it because I already knew the story and that made me forget to pick it up for days at a time.
I’m a huge fan of Carly Simon’s music and I liked reading about her life. My two takeaways were that I’m sad things didn’t work out with James Taylor and she has an incredible vocabulary. I can’t remember the last time I had to look up so many words while reading a book.
And here’s what I’m reading next:
Someone recommended this and it seems promising.
– The Undoing of Saint Silvanus
This is a novel by Beth Moore. It doesn’t actually release until September but I have an advance copy and can’t wait to read it.
Feel free to add any great books you’ve read this summer in the comments. I’m sure I’ll need at least five or six more to get me through the summer.
3. Would you be willing to share your ceviche recipe?
Cut fish in 1/2 inch cubes. Put in a tupperware container, pour fresh squeezed lime juice to cover it (I buy it in a bottle at HEB), and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 4-5 hours. Drain the lime juice and rinse the fish with cold water.
Cut up equal amounts of roma tomatoes, white onion (or green if you prefer), and cilantro (I actually go easy on the cilantro because a little goes a long way for me). We also like to add some fresh jalapeño (diced and seeded), and chopped green olives. Mix in a large bowl with the fish and squeeze about two limes over the whole thing. Salt and pepper to taste.
We serve it with avocado slices along with either Saltines or tortilla chips. It’s delicious as a meal or just an appetizer.
4. Are you not a part of DotMom this year?
I’m not doing DotMom this year. I really cut back on my schedule because I want to be home as many weekends as possible to watch Caroline play soccer and so I had to let some things go. But they have a great lineup of speakers this year and it’s always a great time. It really is one of my very favorite conferences.
5. What are the 5 things that are always on your grocery list?
This varies depending on the time of year, but I’d say my five things are:
– toilet paper and/or paper towels
– milk
– some combination of ingredients that I can turn into a quick, easy dinner (This can be anything from taco stuff to a frozen pizza depending on how busy I think our week is going to be.)
– always either candy, cookies or ice cream…or all three
– lemons (I’m on a big lemon water kick right now so I go through a lot of lemons)
P.S. This list is so boring.
P.S.P.S. Mabel requested that I add Dingo Chew Sticks to this list. Which is true. We go through an absurd amount of dog treats in a week.
6. Can you explain PokemonGo and why everyone is obsessed?
No one actually asked this and I have no explanation. Remember that time everyone bought Beanie Babies and they were a huge deal and people went crazy?
It’s like the 2016 version of that.