What did you do with your extra day?

Hi, Everybody!  How are you doing as we start our journey through March?

Since this is Leap Year, Monday was February 29th – our extra day this year. How did you fill it?

That was my first whole day home during my week off from Dad’s, and … know what I did with my extra day? I read my Bible, vacuumed my house and did a little tidying up, watered my two dozen or so plants, and so on … and prepared a story that had to be ready for 12×12 check-in by midnight. I’m finding it to be quite the balancing act, and my balance isn’t what it used to be or should be, but I haven’t been knocked off track yet.

Early Tuesday evening we made a quick trip to the library where I picked up fourteen of the over 100 books I have to borrow for ReFoReMo. I won’t be able to get them all as not all are in our library’s system, but I will gather many of them over the month. Our librarian put them on hold for me so that when the books become available they’ll be brought in for me to borrow. I must say, I was excited to get my hands on those fourteen beautiful books! 

first 14

Top to bottom they are:

  • My Teacher is a Monster! (No I am Not) – by Peter Brown
  • The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend – by Dan Santat
  • Raindrops Roll – by April Pulley Sayre
  • Tree of Wonder: The Many Marvelous Lives of a Rainforest Tree – by Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal
  • Water is Water – by Miranda Paul and Jason Chin
  • Weeds Find a Way – by Cindy Jenson-Elliott and Carolyn Fisher
  • Flora and the Flamingo – by Molly Idle
  • Who Done It? – by Olivier Tallac
  • Cheetah Can’t Lose – by Bob Shea
  • Duck! Rabbit! – by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
  • What To Do If an Elephant Stands on Your Foot – by Michelle Robinson
  • The Promise – by Nicola Davies
  • Infinity and Me – by Kate Hosford
  • Here Comes the Tooth Fairy Cat – by Deborah Underwood and Claudia Rueda

Of all the many, many books I’ve read over the years to my little girls, my nephew, my grandson, and occasionally other children – the only ones I’ve read that are on ReFoReMo’s list of (over 100) books assigned us for the challenge  are The Monstore by Tara Lazar and I Am Otter by Sam Garton. Gosh! It seems I’m waayy behind when it comes to reading picture books, at least the newer ones. And I love picture books!                                                                                   

Of that long list the only one I own is: I Am OtterGee … I’m on my way!  I have to get reading.  Gotta love that. 🙂

Have you read any of the above-mentioned books?

How did you use your extra day this year?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

Hurry! Time is running out to sign up for 12×12 & ReFoReMo!

This is a reminder post.

If you – or someone you know – is interested in signing up for Julie Hedlund’s 12 x 12 in 2016, there are only three days left to register. Don’t put it off because if you miss the date then you have to wait for registration in 2017! Please remind your friends who might be interested. Go HERE to register for this amazing challenge. There is so much offered, well worth the fee charged. 

12x12

Also, if you – or someone you know – is interested in signing up for Carrie Charlie Brown’s ReFoReMo (Reading For Research Month) for this year, tomorrow (February 27) Pre-ReFoReMo begins! Remind your friends because you and they won’t want to miss any of it. Registration for the challenge ends March 1 at 11 pm CST. Go HERE to register and get ready to read over 100 picture books! It’s free, by the way. 

ReFoReMo

12 x 12 and ReFoReMo work well together. If you have wanted to write picture books this could be your time to get started. Do check them out, and maybe I’ll see you there! Let me know if you sign up. 🙂

Do you enjoy challenges such as these?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

a Question, ReFoReMo, and a Quiz: what is your dragon personality?

It seems as if you, my readers, like the quotes I’ve posted each day of February. My question to you is: would you like to read a quote here every few days through March? or also whenever I find some good ones? I’d find some to do with reading and writing, and likely occasions and seasons. Please let me know so I can get that set up.

As you know, I am involved in 12×12 in 2016. It is proving to be amazing, encouraging, and a little stressful with all that’s going on around me – but I am not giving up. It already is helping me see how to be better at writing picture books.  I’m now part of a six-person critique group through 12×12, and we’re conducting our sharing and critiquing via email.

To add to the fun, another challenge I’ve taken on is ReFoReMo – Reading For Research Month, created by Carrie Charlie Brown. A lot of 12×12 members are taking part in it because it complements 12×12 so well. It runs during the month of March,  but the reading and research can be for as long as you need it to be for you. Today I contacted my local library and gave them the list of over 100 books I am to read and study to improve my own picture book writing. It’s going to be a busy month! If you are interested in taking that challenge you have until March 1 to sign up, so hurry!  🙂

Topic change:  I like dragons.

My grandson is reading a series called Wings of Fire by Tui T. Sutherland. In fact, he recently finished book 8, the newest in the series, which is a fantastic accomplishment for a reluctant reader, and he’s now reading another series by this author. He likes the Wings of Fire books so much he wanted me to read them because he knows I like dragons. He lent me book one and sometimes would ask me if I was to the part yet where … ?   🙂  I finally was able to finish book one last month and had really enjoyed it, although it was written for the younger set. 🙂  Now he’s brought me book two to read, but because I’m involved in 12×12 in 2016 I might not get into that book for quite a while. I’ll have to try, though. 

Now for a quiz you might enjoy.  What is your dragon personality

It seems I am a Japanese dragon.  Here’s what it says: You are a Japanese dragon. Also called “Ryu,” Japanese dragons are well known for granting wishes to humans. They are wingless creatures who are often associated with water and weather. Like the Ryu you are very generous and will do everything in your power to assure that your loved ones are happy. You are adept at picking out just the right gift for every occasion and recipient. Your happy place likely involves a beach, and you love bold colors and lively music.

Which dragon personality are you?

Do you want me to post quotes here daily? every few days?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂