I know that our family is often too busy. We consciously eek out family time anywhere we can. This week we have been given an unexpected gift: Snow Days.

Never given to sleeping in, our boys were up and out sledding early. We lingered over a hot lunch, and then they offered to help me bake cookies. This was a treat for me. My guys have not been interested in baking since preschool. They have been much more interested in gross motor activites that involve a lot of gear. The more gear it involves, the more interested they are. Baking does not fall in this category. But on this snowy day, we baked. The house was full of chatter, and Christmas carols and brotherly chiding. Later, they challenged my two year title to "Longest Distance" in a sledding contest. We live on a wicked hill, and this year they both beat me! (For the record, I am not a good loser but it was an opportunity to practice graciousness.) This day with my boys felt like a gift.

This is all reminiscent of my writing time. I eek out writing time when I can: in between chores, errands and activities. Sometimes writing time falls in my lap, like a snow day, and I am ever-grateful. When I write I feel clear, calm, and full of life. It feels like a gift.

May you all have a "Snow Day" of sorts--to be with family, friends and your favorite notebook. Warm and Wonderful Holidays to All!

Sometimes I daydream about my life as a writer. I am sitting at a clean, expansive desk, typing away on my newest laptop. I am writing crisp picture books or dense (but meaning-full) prose. I am bedecked in a cashmere wrap and probably sporting a pair of vanity glasses.

But that's not reality. This is what my writing life looks like this week: my dryer broke, so I have clothes hanging on the drying rack and dripping from every shower curtain rod. I can't hang clothes outside as we are experiencing a deluge of rain. Roads are closed and school is cancelled due to significant flooding.The boys are home and my mother-in-law is recuperating from knee replacement surgery on our couch. Needless to say, I'm not doing a lot of writing.

I certainly don't want to live out a bad counrty-western song: my dryer done broke and the river is arising! Tomorrow I will go to the laundromat and I am forever grateful that we have the means to order a new dryer. The kids will be back in school and my mother-in-law will be dancing a jig by Thanksgiving.

There's a lot of life going on right now, but its all grist for the mill. Someday it will filter down into my creative work. And for all you writers out there: I've discovered that the laundromat is a great place to get some writing done! (Thank goodness, because a lot of life is doing laundry!)

Boo!
Halloween is just around the corner. My boys have been planning their costumes for weeks. I am lucky to have two kiddos with big imaginations. Costumes are not reserved only for Halloween around here. As a matter of fact, when they were younger they so rarely dressed as themselves that I stopped noticing what they were wearing. We would be half way through a trip to the grocery store when I'd realize one kid was dressed as a bullrider and the other as a fire fighter. Then there was the day that they were "army guys". They marched in unison through out the store, referring to me as "Sir".

This makes me wonder about our own disguises. I often write for our local paper (www.rivercurrentnews.com) One of the gifts has been getting to know people in our valley, that I might not necessarily meet otherwise. I get to interview some pretty incredible folks. What strikes me today, is how many of them are disguised as moms or dads or PTA members or work-a-day folks! In reality, they are artists, craftsmen, athletes, coaches, and people of many talents! It makes me curious that as adults we often disguise ourselves, dressing up to be less than we are. Perhaps because of modesty or humility. Perhaps because we don't believe in that aspect of our selves yet. I am guilty of this too. Not very many people in my community knew I was a writer until they saw my book at our school auction. I think my mom disguise threw them off!

I'm still a bit shy in my writer's costume, but I'm working on it. It is part of who I am. What disguises do you wear? And, what costume would you like to try on? (Note to parents: if you can get your kids to march in unison and call you "Sir", your grocery shopping trip will run much more smoothly!)

Jen

Welcome!

Welcome to my updated website and blog. The launch of these technological tools coincided with an age old tradition: story telling. A few evenings ago I was fortunate to be part of The Inside Story, hosted at The University Book Store in Bellevue, WA. by SCBWI. The Inside Story invites local authors and illustrators to share the story behind their stories...hence, the story telling. I was awed by the diverse talent, varied backgrounds, and stunning work. Many of us had worked and waited for years, in some cases decades, for our writing or art to become published. Our stories were funny, poignant and decidedly our own. Despite the disparate stories, there was a common denominator: at some point each and every individual put pen (or brush, or pencil) to paper and begin to tell (or paint, or draw) their story. Most of us can't help ourselves. We have stories to tell.

I see and hear stories everywhere. I am most fascinated by the stories behind seemingly every day moments. I always know there is more than meets the eye! Stop by from time to time and we can share our stories.