Saturday, November 12, 2005

Great Places I Visited

Todays, entry is a interesting blog I found yesterday check it out Mary Yerkes.

Mary wrote a very interesting article on November 10, 2005 titled, "Our Teens are in Trouble." She talks about being in the hospital and witnessing the saga of two young teens. Worth the read. She also links to an article on the topic of teens who cut. I found it shocking and a topic to add to my prayer list. She links to many good sources and has lots of information on her topics.

Sloboda's Cure for Stress

Paint!

Yes, that seems to be our way to handle the stress in life, "paint." My husband painted most of our home this weekend, it is great to have new colors and a fresh coat of paint. However, the downside of all the painting is the total upheaval that has happened. When you move furniture to paint it exposes all the dust bunnies, which need attention, and that causes more work. Life is like this process. Trying out new ideas or growing in character always involves getting things in order, which means exposing what still needs to put into order, so growth can take place.

Here I am with all my dust bunnies exposed, and I am taking the time to write. Cool! The funny thing is I thought my home was in order and clean, it seems that is not so.

Hey, do you know what spellchecks word for Sloboda is? "Slapdash" that is how life feels at times.

Webster's thoughts on slapdash: hurried, careless, haphazard, etc...

I wonder if spellcheck is telling me something???

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

My Potluck Sweet and Sour Meatballs

As a little girl I can remember my parents making homemade meatloaf and meatballs. The recipe that follows are the ingredients I remember being used as a child. These meatballs are a hit at potlucks and family gatherings. This receipe also makes great hamburgers for barbecuing.

2 lbs Lean Ground Beef
1 large onion chopped
15 soda crackers crushed
1 egg
2 Tablespoons seasoning salt

Mix all the ingredients, shape into meatballs, hamburger patties, or meatloaf.

Sweet and Sour Sauce for Meatballs


For meatballs: Roll into balls, cook under broiler until brown and cooked, add to sauce.

This is a quick and easy recipe, serve the meatballs with rice and a vegetable.

1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup flour
2 cups ketchup
2cups water
2 tablespoons Soya sauce

Mix all ingredients together in a large pot bring to a boil stirring often. When thickened add meatballs. Keep in pot on low heat for half an hour or place in a crock pot on low until ready to serve.

© Robin Sloboda, November 08, 2005

Monday, November 07, 2005

Encouragement

Oh dear, it really has been along time between my postings!

I think it is called writer's block, or setting good priorities, or just plain lazy, or too busy, or perhaps fear? I am really not sure, which category best describes the reason why I have not been writing online. Hopefully I will get better at posting more and find out along the way the reason why no blogging or maybe it will just remain one of those mysteries. "To get better at writing, I do need to write!" I will let this be my motto for now!

Today, I was hesitant about attending the monthly meeting for "IMPRINT" a local writing group. As it has turned out, I am glad to have taken the effort to go. Each one of the members are encouraging, inspiring, fun to be around, and knowledgeable concerning ideas for a writer's heart. Listening to their writing journeys brings hope for this writer who is stumped at the moment to find words.

A few tips I gleaned from today, written in my own words.

As writer's we are responsible to get the grammar right, we must be aware of this at all times...(I am far off the mark on this tip today!)

When doing research on your characters ask lots of questions for each one.

Set a date with yourself each day to write. Start writing within small amounts of alotted time, then learn to go for longer periods. You need to start right where you are at, small and slow steps. (I think this is what I am doing right now.)

Do not GIVE UP!

Thank You Imprint, for rekindling the passion to write. It is amazing, three years ago, I asked God for my own "ink spots" group, and He was faithful to answer this prayer.

A Robin Quote: "Everything we do in life can be a devotional, which will lead others to the heart of God."