Of Youth and Springtime

Spring sings her own song; every note finds its way

across winter's white drifts to that first, sun-soaked day.

She croons to young hearts (those who have eyes to see)

the gossamer wonders of life in a sea

of poppies and butterflies, grass and damp earth–

beginnings, renewals, reflections of birth.

Spring freshens the spirit like sweet, morning dew

and helps us to smile through our rainy days, too.

Photos of my cute granddaughter are courtesy of Tendershootz.

for more Y posts, click below

From Me to You...A Book or Two

I've sailed away on a couple of novels recently and really enjoyed the voyage, so naturally I wanted to share them with all of you.

The first is called Winter Sea, by Susanna Kearsley, and you can bet I will be reading more of this author's work. A good historical novel is exactly my cup of tea, and this one happens to be set in Scotland during the early 1700s, a favorite era (and area) for me. What's more, this author blends her own characters with the real Jacobite players so seamlessly that I simply could not put the book down. She does complete justice to the details of an uprising that could have put Prince James (Stuart) on the throne while artfully taking the reader to a venue so enchanting and compelling that it becomes almost another character. Using the book-within-a-book technique, alternating between two time periods, and injecting a hint of the supernatural that still manages to be mostly believable, Susanna Kearsley creates what can only be called a refreshingly good read. I would compare her voice to Mary Stewart's, and that is no small tribute. Don't get me wrong, the novel isn't earth-shattering or life-changing. It is, however, as thoroughly enjoyable as the proverbial warm fire on a winter evening (with hot chocolate, whipped cream, and some good-smelling candles thrown in for effect). Even better, it's long! I still found myself wishing more pages would mysteriously appear as I reached the end.

The second book, by Susan Fraser King, is called Queen Hereafter and chronicles the reign of Margaret of Scotland, a medieval queen of compassion and intelligence. While historical details are limited, King remains as true to them as possible, adding delightful bits and pieces of story line to flesh out a foundation based in truth. This book has many colors and is at once light and a little bit broody. Even better, it entertains without becoming fluff or anything approaching it. In fact, Queen Hereafter is by turns moving, amusing, and somewhat unsettling, with a subtle magic all its own.

Both are on Kindle and probably at the library. If not, Barnes and Noble is a good bet. Whichever way you go, give these a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed!

=)

Tradition Is Sweet!

This is my niece looking very proud of herself as she shows off her first (very successful) attempt at making the Danish tea ring that has rendered my parents world-famous. In our world, anyway. Grandma and Grandpa were at her side to direct that marvelous production, and I think the two of them felt pretty good about their student.

In the next couple of weeks, they've agreed to teach my eldest son the same skill, carefully handing down to the next generation this traditional breakfast treat that has met our eager eyes every Christmas morning for more years than any of us can count.

I'm glad our kids are willing to put in the time and care necessary to continue this and other traditions that have graced our favorite holiday and added so much happiness over the years. Sure, it's only a pastry, but even small things matter when you're making memories. Those little bits of love make up the whole picture, in the end.

Even better, if you keep the traditions alive from generation to generation, the end never comes. Great family memories, like great families, can be forever!

=)

for more happiness, click below

Winning Is a Good Thing

The bright red bowl has spoken.

Giveaway winners are Lisa H., Caroline, and Lisalulu, in that order.

Congrats to all of you!

If you haven't already, please email me with your mailing addresses.

In that email, please list all three pendants in order of preference.

Now check out the right sidebar and pick the book you like best.

(My email address is in my profile.)

As for the rest of you, thanks for playing!

And thanks even more for being such an integral part of my blogging experience.

You've got a friend in me.

=)

HR = HUMAN Resources: A Rebuttal

Jenny Matlock has thrown us a bit of a curve with this week's Saturday Centus. That wily woman has asked for a poem––a rhyming one––and we have 100 words to convince her that we can get the job done. The prompt, as always, is in red.

∞§∞

HR = Human Resources:

A Rebuttal

©2011 Susan Noyes Anderson

I’m not a chicken or a mouse,

nor yet a silly goose.

I’m no one’s little lamb, dead duck,

or sly fox on the loose.

Don’t call me pussycat, tigress,

or cheetah…That ain’t funny.

I’ll never be somebody’s sweet

care bear or honey bunny.

I’d dance the funky monkey, but

I wouldn’t wanna be one.

How can I laugh like a hyena

when I never see one?

People are people, animals

are animals. Done deal!

If owls were wise, they’d all know Whoooo;

if chicks were girls, they’d squeal.

I ain’t no eager beaver;

I’m the wrong species and class.

So where does my boss get off

calling me a lazy a**?!

∞§∞

PS. Today is the last day to enter my 800th-post giveaway. You can sign on here, if you do it before midnight!

Every Daffo-Day's a Dilly!

The darkest day, with all its ills,

succumbs to golden daffodils.

=)

PS. Be sure to make your day a little brighter by getting in on my 800-blog-post giveaway!

The X-static Tree

I don't know about you, but trees make me X-static.

So X-static, that I wrote a poem:

The X-static Tree

(scratch that, too unpoetic)

The Happy Tree

©2011 Susan Noyes Anderson

I'm swinging on the happy tree,

in love with everything I see.

White, fluffy clouds and bright blue sky

reach out for me as I fly by.

With heav’n above and earth below,

I sail as high as I can go.

And I’m a plane, a bird, a kite…

a red balloon, the first starlight.

I chase the sun and catch it, then

I let it chase me back again.

It captures me, but I don’t care;

I’m always happy in the air.

I know my home is safe and sound,

just waiting for me on the ground.

And life is sweet as sweet can be,

flying high and floating free...

swinging on the happy tree.

Don't forget to visit right here and get in on my 800-post giveaway!

It's easy to enter, and the prizes are pretty cool, too.

;)

For more X posts, click below.

The 800-Posts-and-Counting Giveaway!

It's true. Birds of a feather DO flock together. And I like it that way!

Which means that I couldn't begin to celebrate my 800th post blogiversary without expressing gratitude to all of the valued friends who have frequented my blog in the past 2 1/2 years. Much of the enjoyment I find here is derived from your support and interest, and your comments are so appreciated that I've actually come to prefer blogging to writing books (which surprises me more than anyone). Sue's News, Views 'n Muse has become my preferred writing arena, and you guys are a big part of that.

I also love visiting your blogs and being a part of the atmosphere you create there. The talents displayed never cease to amaze me, and I am touched, uplifted, amused, and taught by each of you on a regular basis. I appreciate the sense of community we have established, and I am glad every day to be a part of it.

By way of thanks, I've decided to host another giveaway! (I do love a good giveaway, and I hope you will find this one very good indeed.) All ya gotta do to participate is (1) be or become a follower and (2) leave a comment below, telling me which type of post you prefer from me (poem, essay, travel, review, Centus, family, humor etc.). Optional is (3): put a link on your blog and get your name placed one extra time in the lovely red bowl from which I draw the winners. Easy, right?

Now for the best part: the prizes!

The first place winner will have first choice of these pendants, the second place winner second choice, etc. These hand-painted glass tiles include 18-inch ball chain necklaces, and I hope the winners will enjoy wearing them. Additionally, each winner will receive a copy of one of my books, whichever he or she prefers. (If you scroll down, you can see all three in the right sidebar.)

The last day to enter will be Saturday, March 26th at 11:59 PM, and winners will be announced on Monday morning. Good luck, everyone!

And thanks again for being here.

=)

Happiness is a Full House

The welcome mat was out for our young friends yesterday.

It made us happy to see them lining up for dinner in our kitchen.

Oops. Traffic jam! But they still managed to get the job done...

Chowing down is their specialty. ;)

(Along with finding the desserts...)

Some of them eat in the dining room.

Others opt for the living room (shift 1).

(Or shift 2.)

The family room is a popular venue as well.

The most popular venue of all, you ask?

Ummm, that would be the garage...

where ice cream sandwiches are consumed by the dozens.

And darts

are the order of the day evening.

(she beat him)

THANKS FOR COMING, EVERYONE!

We loved having you, as always.

=)

click below for more happiness posts

Looking for the Sun Today

I'm looking for the sun today.

I hope it doesn't stay away.

I know it's good to bathe the flowers,

but they need sun as well as showers.

And so do I. I like the rain...

(It trickles down my window pane.)

But sunshine makes me warm and bright

and washes all my soul in light.