Confessions of the Blond Duck

It's time.

It's time for me to reveal all my secrets, answer all your questions and reveal more about the Pond than I ever have.

Are you ready?

I've listed the questions with the answer, as well as sprinkled in a few little fun tidbits to make you giggle (or scream.)

I confess....

And if you want more after all this, go here.


Diana asked: What’s your favorite movie?


Legally Blond is my ultimate favorite movie. Elle Woods is my idol. And it all started at college.

My first week away from home at college, I was in tears at a university bookstore. I’d never been away from home, I didn’t know a soul other than my cranky roommate and I felt like a complete outcast. I had leopard print from my bed spread to my slippers; all the other girls had whatever sorority colors they were rushing.

At the counter, I looked down with watery eyes as the clerk bagged my text books. Suddenly, I heard a familar voice. My head snapped up to the TV over the clerk's head. Legally Blond was on. It was the scene where Elle is crying to Paulette about her misfortunes at Harvard.

At that moment, I knew it was a sign. And it was. For years, whenever I got down about myself or was moping about being rejected by another publisher, Elle Woods would appear. When my job made me cry all the time, Elle Woods was always on when I switched on the TV. No matter what was bad in my life, Elle was there. And whenever I saw her, I knew it was a signal I was going the right direction. I just needed to buck up, put on my cutest pink dress and keep going.

My other favorite movies are Enchanted, Stranger than Fiction and Muppet Christmas Carol.



Noble Pig asked: What color duck would you be?
I would be a pink duck with glittery eyelashes and a fluffy tail that looked like a tutu.

Sugar Fairy asked: What is your ultimate holiday destination?

Anywhere I can swim with dolphins. Ben promised me when we got married he’d take me to the beach to swim with dolphins. I haven’t forgotten. HINT. HINT.

I’d love to travel to Europe (and see Marie!) and explore all the places fairy tales and literature sprang from. But if I could have a vacation home anywhere, it’d be Colorado. We went in the summer for years when I was growing up, and I loved it.



And I really like the moose in Alaska.




Impromptu Confession: I've always wanted to be a bellydancer. Or a least take classes.




Francesca asked about this fabulous little picture. She asked: What is the crazy contraption that you are standing in? Also, the photo of you in the big, white mattress pad...is that from Halloween? What are you? A marshmallow?

That was a makeshift Christmas tree skirt I made for our first tree in college, the notorious spider tree. An old mattress cover had been sitting in Ben’s closet forever and wouldn’t fit on his bed. So I cut a hole in it and began dancing about the living room in it.

I get distracted easily.

Lisa Magic Sprinkles asked a ton of random questions:

Heels or flats? Cowboy boots

Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla. I’m allergic to chocolate.

Email or stationery? Both. I e-mail causal notes but mail thank you notes on stationary.

First day of spring or first day of fall? I love the first day of spring for the baby animals.

The Blond Duck is never too old for petting zoos.

But since it’s warm here most of the year, I also love when fall starts. Even though it’s hot until December, fall always feels like the the beginning of the year because of school starting.

Pens or pencils? Pens. I am the queen of blacked out writing and swirlies over words. But pencils for my menu scheldule for the week since I change it constantly.
Tastes great or less filling? Tastes great.

Colgate or Crest? Whatever. I love all toothpastes just as they were created.

Whipped cream or cool whip? Neither. Ice cream!

Biking or hiking? Hiking. Biking kills my knees.

Favorite song? “You know me better than that” by George Strait.

Favorite color? PINK!

Favorite magazines? Pscyhology Today and Taste of Home.

Shoe size? 9, narrow. I have the biggest arch. It’s really hard to find shoes.



Barbeque: beef or pork? Beeeefffffff

What publication are you the editor for? A local children’s magazine for a local newspaper group. I was also the editor of a tourist publication until December. Right now, I mostly write for our other publications because the children's magazine is on hold. My company started out as a small community newspaper group, but was bought out by an international media company two years ago. I don’t want to give the name because I don’t want them to find me. They’re very skittish about blogs.





Impromptu Confession: I once got so annoyed with my sister I shoved her out of a treehouse. But it's ok. She threw a rock at my head that made a major hole in the drywall. She also left scars on my arm from raking her nails into my skin during tantrums. And she bit the dog.

What time do you get up in the morning? 4:30 a.m. weekdays, 6 a.m. on weekends.

What time do you go to sleep? 10 or 10:30 p.m. weekdays, 10:30 to 11 p.m. weekends. If I’m lucky, I can get to bed at 9. But there’s always so much to do…

What's your favorite exercise / aerobic class? Kickboxing! I do it two to three times a week and run three to four times a week.

Why are you called Duckie? Marie started it. I think it comes from the Blond Duck and people just liked it. You can ask her! Personally, I love it.



Speaking of Marie, she asked: Who kissed who first? You or Ben? What was your first kiss like? Did fireworks go off? When did you know HE was the one?

First picture ever of the Blond Duck and Ben, dating one month

Ben kissed me first. We were standing outside his truck on a country road. Since we went to Baylor and had dorm visiting hours, most of our dates were driving around or going to I-Hop or Whataburger. He was showing me a spot where he and his racing buddies went all the time to “test their engines.” And it was toe-tingling and heart-thumping, yes.



I knew I was going to marry Ben during an argument after we’d been dating about a year. I was sure he was going to dump me because we were having an argument and was bawling. He took me by the shoulders and told me there was no reason to be so upset, that we would have plenty of arguments and we were going to work through all of them. This was just a bump in the road and he never stopped loving me. At that moment, I knew we were both committed to this for the long haul.

It’s romantic, I know.

Kitt asked: At what time of day do you do most of your writing? Do you have a general writing routine/schedule?

I write early in the morning and late at night. I used to take my laptop to work and write during lunch, but they made a no-laptop policy and I don’t trust company computers. Now I write during breakfast on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On weekends, I write from half an hour to two or three hours in the morning, depending on what’s going on that day. And I write my blog entries at night while Chihuahuas tapdance on my head and Ben wuffles for a foot rub.

It’s a exciting life. And If I could, I’d write more. I never get tired of it.


Impromptu Confession: I fall asleep after being in any car for more than thirty minutes, no matter what time day or night. I never have to drive on road trips.



Ingrid asked: Were you a dancer gowing up and how long did you train?

I was a dancer! I did ballet, jazz and tap from 3 until I was 18. I also took country western dancing classes at 16 and went dancing at a local dancehall with all my friends on weekends. That’s where Vivi came from. For awhile, I even wanted to go to Texas A&M University just to join the competitive country dancing team. I always wanted to join a dance team in college as well, and seriously considered it at Baylor.

The problem is I soon realized in college that my dancing was best suited to flailing about my living room or a dancehall. And no one wants to pay to see that.

What made you decide on "creative" writing?

I actually majored in journalism-public relations with a minor in corporate communications. I never wanted to work for the university newspaper because of the scheldule and I thought all the news writers were rude snots. Junior year, I discovered a creative writing minor and would have done it if I could have gotten all the classes I needed in time.

A lot of people think I should have majored in English, but I never was interested. I don't care about grammer. And while I loved discussing books and their themes and plots, I could never apply it to my own work. Whenever I try to analyze and break down my stories, they get bad. That's what I did when I was hitting the traditional publishing route. Everything you see is technically a rough draft. I don't try to think of plots or suspense or dialouge. I usually sit down over eggs and toast and basically bleed it out.

I'm still amazed ya'll like it.

To be truthful, I am toying with the idea of a masters in creative writing. But I'm not sure how useful it would be and am concerned it would water down my natural creativty.



Impromptu Confession: Ben and I picked out my engagement ring together a few days before Halloween and got engaged on my Dad's birthday in the fall of 2005. He was very gracious about it. I would have been mad. But I drag my birthdays out for a month.

Princess of Pink asked: From whom did you inherit your writing talent?
No one. I’m the only one!


Francesca asked: What is the process for you publishing a book like Twirl? Are you close to doing so?


The problem with Twirl is I've been writing it post by post. I know in my head what the end is, what will happen and the big secret of Vivi's dad, mom and Mrs. Angelson. I just don't know how they'll get there.

So I've got two choices: pull it off the blog, write it and have you all get bored or kill me; or write it, give it a quick edit and polish and publish it through lulu like I did with The Twelve Tales of Christmas.

I'm thinking I'll probably go with the second option because currently, I'm finishing the last details for the first Land of the Flowered Bed Book and putting together Kitchen Magic in book form. Then next up, I've got Miss Pickles to print!

She also asked: Are you only able to write in your free time or is working on your novel(s) a part of your daily job responsibilities as a magazine editor?
My free time. There's only a few people at work who know about my blog and the stories I write. I keep it very quiet.





Impromptu Confession: I wear a tiara on every birthday for a week straight. And I'm not at all ashamed or embarrassed.




Jen asked: I want to know how you find time to write all of those fun stories? How do you keep all the stories and plots straight?

My brain is like standing in the center of a movie theater. There's one main screen and ten other screens behind it. Imagine running into the theater and watching 15 to 20 minutes of a movie at a time, day after day. All these movies are swirling in your head and the story is revealed to you one bit at a time. But if you sit and watch the whole movie at once, you get tired and overwhelmed and hungry.

As far as time, Ben and I don't go out a lot and I make my writing a priority. I'll give up a lot to make sure it's done. It's my passion in life.


Erica asked: What's your favorite color and top three meals?
PINK!!!


Meal 1: Fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, green beans and wheat rolls glistening with butter and apple or peanut butter pie.



Meal 2: Bacon Cheeseburger, Fries and Apple Pie.



Meal 3: Barbecue. Ribs, brisket, sausage, chicken, baked beans, wheat bread with honey butter, potato salad, coleslaw, creamed corn, banana pudding and pecan pie.


Juliet asked: What is your most favorite story and why?

Story I've written: Twirl, because it's got all my favorite things: dancing, horseback riding, cowboys, pie, mystery and suspense.

Story I've read: The BFG or Wrinkle In Time. Or The Frog Prince Continued.
Also, what is your most favorite picture that you've posted and why?



This one.


Or this one. I think it says it all.

Chad asked: Do you write the entire story out ahead of time and then post it in pieces, or do you write each post individually as you go along?

Post it as I go. I write down notes about ideas I have, but I tend to change things. Every time I try to write outlines I just end up throwing them out, so I quit worrying about it.

Pumpkin asked : What's the best vacation you've ever been on, and why?




I think it was last summer when we went to Alaska. It was just really fun going somewhere so different with my family and Ben and being able to appreciate it. When I was younger, I never fully recongized the great things my parents did for us.

What's your dream car?

A silver Jetta. I had one when I was 16 and now I have a grey Jetta. I like what I like.

And, it's not really a question, but I wanna see a wedding picture!

Your wish is my command!


And yes. I really did get married at a barbecue restaurant and eat ribs in my dress.


Noble Pig asked: When do you sleep?

I don't sleep. I plug into a wall and recharge until the green light comes on.

Karen asked: What was your earliest writing assignment that you remember?

I had to write a fairy tale in the third grade. It had a lot of princesses, a mean king and a horse. I really wanted a horse.

Then I had to write my autobiography. I rewrote it three times so my teacher could read my terrible cursive.

I hate hand writing things now.


Sugar Fairy asked: Who is your favourite author?

I have three: Elizabeth Peters for her Egyptology mysteries (I'm fascinated with Egypt), Raold Dahl and Madeline L'Engle.


What is your all time favourite book?

That's too hard to answer. I'd have to say A Wrinkle in Time, A Ring of Light or The BFG.


What is the weirdest food combo that you like to eat?



Cheese Its and Gatorade, though I haven't had it since high school due to the fact I can't control myself around Cheese Its or Goldfish.

llegally blonde asked: What age did you begin writing and when did you realize that writing is truly your passion?


I wrote and produced little books when I was 7, all about Mr. Bunny. But in 4th grade, I decided I wanted to be a writer and illustrator of children's books and needed a job to support that.



I just have to master the illustration part.


Whitney asked: How many stories do you work on at a time? How many do you post on your blog?

I usually work on two to three for the blog and two to three not on the blog. Since I do this all week long at work, it doesn't confuse me. I get bored just with one story and tend to obsess, overthink and overwork a story.

Marie asked: Do you dream in colour?

Yes. But I daydream in a mixture of words and images. It's odd.

If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone you wanted, living now or an historic character, who would you invite?

Well, Ben, the Babies, my family and you for one. And most of my Invisible Friends. I'd also invite Madeline L'Engle, my father's mother that I never knew, Shannon Hale, Roald Dahl, Teddy Roosevelt...

I don't want to invite any celebrities. They're boring.


When can you come over to visit me?

As soon as someone starts paying me to write books all day.

Thrilled by the thought asked: Where do you get your imagination from?

Everywhere.

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! We have a special edition of Twirl this weekend where you will find out what's in the envelope. I swear. I promise. Cross my heart and hope to die. We also have a new candy animals, a new Gift and a week of whimsical fun! Stay tuned!

Comfort in the Pond: Chicken Pot Pie and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

You're all familiar with my attempts to re-create the world's best chicken pot pie from Alaska.



And before we get started, I have a confession. Mom and Mama K, I know you both bought me gorgeous ramekins for Christmas. But I just couldn't help myself. Ice cream dessert bowls and mini-chicken pot pies just seem to go together. Don't kill me.

Moving on.

Although most of my fabulous Invisible Friends think I spend my life inhaling pie and ripping meat off of ribs, I do attempt to eat healthy. Poor Ben is trying to eat healthy, and I keep making cinnamon rolls.

So I decided to throw him a pie, instead of a meat bone. A delicious, low-fat chicken pot pie.



That's right. Low Fat Chicken Pot Pie.

I got this recipe from Taste of Home: Healthy cooking Dec/ Jan issue.

And it's nice and simple. And low-fat. Did I mention that?



You simply make a roux, cook tasty chicken and vegetables...



And roll out a low-fat crust to top them.



Pop them in the oven for 20 minutes and you have four yummy pot pies at 443 calories each.

Just in case you were wondering--it's good. It's really good. Creamy, rich but not too rich and pure comfort.




And since we have all those calories left over...



We can have a cookie. Or two. Or ten.


I'm just trying to keep it balanced, ya'll.




Taste of Home: Healthy Cooking Chicken Pot Pie

1 cup plus 2 tblspns all purpose flour, divided
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
3 tblspn. cold butter divided
2 tblspn buttermilk
1 tblspn canola oil
1 to 2 tblspn cold water
4 medium carrots sliced
3 celery ribs sliced
1 onion, chopped
2 1/2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
2/3 cup fat free milk
2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
1 cup frozen peas
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 egg white

1) Combine 3/4 cup flour, baking powder, salt. Cut in 2 tblspn butter until crumbly. Add buttermilk and oil, toss with fork. Gradually add water, tossing with fork until dough forms ball. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

2) For filling, melt butter in large skillet. Stir in carrots, celery and onion and cook until crisp-tender. In small bowl, combine flower with broth and milk until smooth. Stir into veggie mixture. Bring to boil. Cook and stir for 2 min. or until thickened. Stir in chicken, peas and pepper. Transfer to four 16 oz. ramekins and set aside.

3) Divide dough into four portions. On lightly floured surface, roll out dough to fit ramekins. Place dough over mixture, trim and seal edges. Cut decorative center or cut slits in pastry. Brush with egg white.

4) Place ramekins on baking sheet. Bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until crusts are golden brown.



Ben's Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

(He consented to give it to you, dear Invisible Friends. But in return, Ben demands all positive feelings, good things, promotions, Porches and lottery winnings that come as result of his culinary creation of these cookies are subject to his "cut." Yes, he really said that.)

1 stick butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 cups oatmeal
2 small boxes raisins. (About a cup to 3/4 cup)

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2) Melt butter and stir with sugar in bowl.

3) Add egg and vanilla.

4) Add cinnamon, salt, baking soda and flour.

5) Stir in oatmeal and raisins.

6) When mixed thoroughly, scoop out golf-ball sized balls on greased baking sheet.

7) Bake 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees. Don't worry if they look gooey; they'll set.





But if you bake these, beware....

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! Tomorrow we have the Blond Duck Confessions!! Get ready to learn things you would have never guessed about me! Saturday, we have the second part of candy animals and Sunday, a special edition of TWIRL! And yes, you'll really learn what's in the envelope and who the Dance Hall Dreamers are.

Twirling

Have any of you seen "The Holiday" with Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz?

(heads bob)



Have you seen the part where Jude Law tells Cameron Diaz in his cute bumbling way why he can't date her and then says, "You're lovely."

Well, dear Rachel Ann thinks I'm lovely. And I think you're all lovely. But I can only give this to seven of you.

Actually, I can't do it. I give it to all of you. Seriously. Because you're all lovely and you all make my life so much better. I love reading through your comments. My favorite ones are when you tell me I've made you smile or made your day. My toes tingle, my heart flutters and my cheeks turn pink. The fact that my idiotic ramblings can make you giggle only encourages me. Because honestly, all I want to do is make you all happy.

So please, if you visit today, give yourself this award. I'm not being lazy. I simply can't choose.

In other news.... (I know you want to know what's in the envelope Wade's got! I'm getting there.)

Don't forget about the Blond Duck Confessions! Whether you want to know what my favorite breakfast is or what my workout routine is, ask away! You can ask me what the ending of Twirl is, questions about the Gift or why the cookie stealing bunny has a secret guilty pleasure for tacos. I'll tell you anything you want to know.

Just leave your question in the comments--only two more days for questions!

Have you read the previous Twirl?

No? Well go here.

And to catch up even further, check here and here.

Or e-mail me for all the text so far and you can get your own work-in-progress copy of Twirl!


And now, for the rest of the story. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Swept in a tornado of rage, Vivi tore around her room. She shook her dance bag empty and ripped several shirts off hangers trembling in her closet. Grabbing a handful of folded jeans and pants, she yanked them off a shelf lined with carefully folded garments.

As she filled another bag with dance clothes and shoes, a shy hand knocked against the door.


"Go away," Vivi snarled.

"Vivi, darling..." the weak voice trailed off. "Please." '

Gritting her teeth, Vivi jerked the door open. Her mother simpered, her head bowed under a curtain of greasy hair. The color, once as brilliant as Vivi's own strawberry blond hair, had darkened to a dull auburn streaked with grey.

Vivi knew from photos her mother had once been extraordinary--a gorgeous actress who had captured the breath of thousands by simply walking on stage. But something had happened when she was very small. It was like one day her mother had simply been switched off, and she had withdrawn deeper and deeper into herself ever since. And no one would tell Vivi what happened. It was the greatest dance of her life. A new sense of rage filled her as her mother cowed in the doorway.

"What?" Vivi snapped.

Her mother ducked her head and Vivi was flooded with remorse. She shouldn't yell at her mother like this. She really didn't want to. She was just so angry and frustrated.

"Please don't be angry with your father and I, Vivi darling," her mother said, a whisper of her normal voice remaining in the quiet words. "We're simply worried about your future. The entertainment world is a hard one..."

"Why don't you want me to go to college like a normal parent?" Vivi asked, leaning against the door. It was all she could do to keep her voice level. She had to remind herself to treat her mother like a tiny puppy--keep her voice calm and soft, and don't make any sudden movements.

"You have a talent that should not be wasted," her mother repeated what Vivi's father had told her since she was two. "You're one of the best dancers today, darling."

"Then why don't we live in New York or Europe?" Vivi asked. "Why am I not training with the best?" It was an old argument, one her mother was happy to follow. There was comfort in redundancy, Vivi thought bitterly.

"Your father is not welcomed in those arenas," her mother replied diplomatically. "That's why you must work harder. To prove yourself over his mistakes."

Vivi's eyes flashed. "What mistakes?" Her mother bowed her head, her voice so low Vivi could barely hear it. "You know I can't tell you, Vivi. It's your father's wishes"--

"What mistake, mother?" Vivi repeated, her voice biting. "Is Mrs. Angelson involved?"

Vivi's mother's head jerked and Vivi pounced. "Tell me, Mom," she said, grabbing her mother's hand. "I have a right to know. This is my life you're all directing. Tell me why it's so important that I dance. Tell me why it's so important I do this competition. Tell me why."

Vivi's mother raised her head and Vivi started at the anguish in her eyes. With tears streaming down her cheeks, her mother shook her head. "I can't," she whispered. And then she crept down the stairs like they had never spoken at all.

Vivi bit her lip. With renewed purpose, she resumed packing. She pulled her cell phone out of her purse.

"Susanna?" she whispered into the phone. "Can I stay with you tonight?"

The next day, Vivi drove out to the old dance hall. She'd barely had any sleep, but at least she'd had a shower at Susanna's house. Her mother had fussed over her, thrilled to have more children in the house. As the baby of a seven child family, her mother obviously loved to fuss over children, no matter who they belonged to.

Wearing a bright blue sundress that made her green eyes look teal and her hair shine, Vivi paced nervously around the front of the dancehall. She was meeting Wade's grandfather tonight, and she had no idea what to expect. She heard the roar of Wade's truck's diesel engine before she saw his blinding smile. He pulled the car into park and climbed out of the truck.

"What are you doing?" Vivi asked. "Aren't we supposed to meet the sheriff at his office?" Wade shook his head.

"He called this morning. He asked to meet us here instead for lunch. I'm not sure why," he said in response to Vivi's expression. "Something has him nervous. He's jumpier than a jackrabbit."

"Maybe we just got a ton of money," Vivi teased. A familiar pleasant shiver ran down her spine as he enfolded her tiny hand in his large rough one.

"If that's the case, I'd take you to the most beautiful place in the world every night," Wade answered. He helped Vivi up the rickety steps and brushed her hand against his lips.

"And where would that be?" Vivi asked, tossing her curls behind her shoulders. She smiled as his blue eyes twinkled down at her.

"Right here," Wade grinned, pulling the door open. "The best dancehall in Texas with the best chicken fry and pie you could ever find!"

Vivi giggled as they made their way to the back of the restaurant. The sheriff was squatting in a dark corner, jumping as every waitress walked by. He was huddled over clutching something to his chest and peering at everyone around him with narrowed eyes. Vivi raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. The poor man probably doesn't get much excitement, she thought with an amused smile. This is the most adventure he's had in years, most likely.

"Vivi!" a voice bellowed. The sheriff threw himself against the table. Vivi turned to see Hilda waving at her from the bar.

"What do you and Wade want?" Wade looked at Vivi.

"Just a turkey sandwich and a salad," Vivi told him.

"She'll have a turkey sandwich, some chips and some pecan pie," Wade yelled. He looked at Vivi. "You don't want the salad here. Trust me." He turned and yelled towards the back. "I'll have a cheeseburger with fries and a vanilla milkshake."

"Brisket is better," Hilda yelled back.

"Then fix me up some of that instead," Wade called. "You know what sides I like." He looked at the sheriff, who was patting his forehead with a bandanna. "Sheriff, what do you want?"

"I'm not here," the sheriff hissed, looking around furtively. "Don't say my name."

"What's the sheriff want?" Hilda bellowed. Wade tried not to laugh as the sheriff huddled deeper into the corner, hiding his face behind his hand.

"Brisket plate," he muttered. "Brisket plate," Wade yelled.

"Coming up!" Hilda crashed into the back of the kitchen, obviously delighted with their orders. "Now sheriff," Wade asked as he pulled out Vivi's chair, "What is wrong with you? You're acting like someone in a spy movie."

The sheriff glared at him. "And I've got good reason to. You have no idea what was in that envelope you found."

"Then tell us!" Vivi burst out. She glared at the sheriff as he glared at her. "I'm tired of waiting. I want to know what it is!" The sheriff leaned down so his chin was an inch above the table. He looked to his left. He looked to his right. He glanced at the doorway and bar.

"Have you ever heard of the Dancehall Dreamers?" he whispered.

To be continued.....

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! We have low-fat chicken pot pie tomorrow and Confessions of the Blond Duck Friday!

We All Need a Cookie

**Remember- Blond Duck Confessions Friday! Want to know who Ben is and why I got married at 21? Want to know why I'm obsessed with pie? Are you curious about the cookie stealing bunny? Leave a question in the comments and I'll answer them!

And now, for our post:





There are times in life when we all need a little something.




For the days when mooses won't even murmur a comforting word,



When everyone's trying to get in your space and shatter your dreams,



And the cinnamon rolls are all gone from the freezer and the oven is cold and dark,



You need one of these.







When you chew off your favorite toy's arm,



Fall a bit in the race against time that replays day after day after day,




And spend your days fighting corporate foes,



You need one of these.





And when the skies shine down on you,




When every step is a twirl,




And when you're finally being treated like the prince or princess you deserve,






Then you need one of these. Maybe two or three.




For no matter what size, shape, age or gender,




Critter, person, or baked-goods stealer,

There is one thing on which we can all agree:




Even the mashed cookies in the corner are a tasty treat.





So critters, friends and loved ones all,

Join me for a cookie won't you?




After all, it is the perfect day for one.

Or two.

Or three.



Back off, cookie-stealing bunny.


Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! Tomorrow we have a new Twirl with awards for some dear Invisible Friends! Will we find out what's in the envelope? What is Vivi's evil Dad and Mrs. Angelson up to? Who knows?!?

Well, I do.

Anyway, Thursday we have low-fat (and TASTY) chicken pot pies and Friday, the Blond Duck confessions! Stay tuned!

The Gift 5 and sussies for all!

Before we find out who has been leaving Samantha mysterious gifts, we have some fun awards to hand out.

First, my buddy Illegally Blond at Could've Been Blonde gave me the New Year Eve's Award.

The rules of the award are:

- You must be a true lover of the New Year to receive this award. The person to whom you give the award must also be in love with the New Year.
- List 5 things that you love about the New Year. If you can't limit it to 5 things, then keep going till you run out of space.
- Pass the award along to as many people as you like. That can be 1 or 50. It's up to you! But keep the New Year cheer going.
- Let your recipients know that you have tagged them by leaving a comment on their site. Also, link back to the person who gave you the award.

5 things I love so far about 2009:




1) Having the best ham and swiss sandwich and pecan pie at lunch with Libby Lou.


2) These two.





3) The man who offered to go see Inkheart with me. Without being in trouble. Without me having to whine, withhold cinnamon rolls or nag.



4) Having Ironworks with Dad. (Do you see a theme of lunch here?)


5) All of you leaving me such sweet messages every day and actually reading my stories! And like them! And wanting more!!!



And now, for the five friends who get this fabulous award...

1) Blue Violet at An nut in a nutshell

2) Elizabeth at Behind the Wheel Chef


3) Reeni at Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice


4) Diana at Diana Takes a Bite


5) Kristen at Pulsipher Predilections




And speaking of Blue Violet, she was kind enough to award me the honest scrap award again.


The rules for this award are:

1. Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design.

2. Show the 7 winners' names and links on your blog, and leave a comment informing them that they were prized with “Honest Scrap.” Well, there’s no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon.

3. List at least ten honest things about yourself.

Well, I'll skip number three because you're going to learn more than you ever wanted to know about me on Friday during the Blond Duck Confessions. That's right. Friday, I'll tell you everything you ever wanted and didn't want to know about me. Want to know if I ever wet my bed? What my worst fear is? My most embarrassing moment? My favorite high school memory? Are you dying to know who my favorite author is? Well, I'll tell you! Just leave your questions in the comments and all will be answered Friday. And the winners are....

1) Pumpkin

2) Lilly

3) Melissa

4) Illegally Blond at Could've Been Blonde

5) Elle

6) Heather

7) Sharon

Finally, did you read the interview with the Cookie-stealing bunny?

What about candy animals?

What about the special edition of the gift?

Ok. You may proceed. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"No one wants me back," Samantha said flatly as Ashley dragged her into the cabin's tiny kitchen. She plopped down at the table and slid her socks around the wooden floor. Watching as Ashley fired up her laptop, she traced her finger across the smooth table's surface.

"This pendant is amazing," Ashley murmured, twisting it gently under the florescent lights. "If this is fake, I'll do a tap dance in a pink mumu."

"I'd pay to see that." The two women turned to see Jeremy standing in the doorway. His grin faded at their frosty expressions. "Can I talk to you?" he asked. His wounded eyes held Samantha's. Against her better judgement, she found herself standing.

"Just for a few minutes," Ashley warned, her lip curling. "We're in the middle of something."

"Hopefully breakfast," Jeremy said.

"Not really," Ashley hissed. "Perhaps you could pick us up some. That is, if you're not afraid we'll blow the roof off the house with our ginourmous hips."

Samantha couldn't help snorting. Jeremy sighed. "Are you ever going to get over that? I thought she'd like the work out DVDs. Women like to improve themselves, right?" He was met with two fiery glares. " Can you forgive me?"

"Doubtful," Samantha growled.

"Of course not," Ashley replied, her tone shocked. "What good would I be as a friend if I did?"

Jeremy muttered under his breath as Samantha followed him into the tiny dining room. He shut the kitchen door behind her and blew out through his lips.

"Listen, Sam," he said, running his hand through his mussed mane. "I'm really sorry."

The only thing Samantha could think was if he really knew her, he would know never to call her Sam.

"I was a fool," he continued, pacing around the dark oak dining room chairs. "I should have realized you were waiting for me to...give you something more substantial. The thing is, the time just isn't right for me."

"To what, Jeremy?" Samantha was surprised at the calmness of her voice. "To propose?"

Jeremy coughed, turning red. "Er, yes."

"Then when will it be the right time?" Samantha asked, fluttering her eyelashes. "A year? Two? Three?"

"I just don't feel it's the right time to take that step," Jeremy stuttered. "I mean, neither of us are really adults yet. You and your friends cooked up this elaborate scheme to make me jealous and wanted to party for a week alone in your parent's cabin. Then the first time you get mad you kick me out"--

"Excuse me," Samantha interrupted. "Scheme?"

"Yea, scheme," Jeremy replied. "This whole mysterious gift thing? The flower? Are you trying to tell me some guy is so in love with you he's leaving these little elaborate gifts everywhere? Please. No guy does that."

Her cheeks flooded with color and her fingers itched to slap him. As she stared into his smug, sneering face, she could feel the anger boiling within her chest. "Not a guy," she spat. "A man. A true man. And he's real. A lot more real than you." Whirling around, she slammed the kitchen door behind her. Ashley squealed and waved a banana at her.

"Samantha! Oh my God. Look at this," she shrieked, ignoring Samantha's red face and shaking hands. "You won't believe this." She pointed to the computer screen.

Biting her tongue so hard it bled, Samantha leaned over and stared at the screen. It was filled with a single image. She looked at the pendant, then back at the image. They were identical.



"It's a Celtic love pendant," Samantha breathed.

She looked at Ashley. In unison they breathed the same word. "Rouge."

To be continued....

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! Tomorrow we have a ode to something we all can agree on. Wednesday we have a new Twirl, low-fat chicken pot pie Thursday and the Blond Duck confessions Friday!

Special edition: The Gift 4

First, for a few announcements.

Friday, I will be posting the Blond Duck Confesses, a giant entry about everything you ever wanted to know. Want to know my favorite meal? I'll tell you. Want to know what I do for a living? I'll let you know. Want to know why I wear colorful socks instead of white ones? I have no problem informing you. So post your questions in the comments, and I'll answer them Friday.

And tomorrow, we have a new edition of the Gift to accompany today's special edition accompanied by a new award for ten lucky Invisible Friends! So you won't have to wait too long.

And now, without further ado...

To read the previous edition of the Gift, go here.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Ten more minutes," Ashley pleaded, shoving her head under a pillow.

"You've got to see this!" Samantha cried, staring down at the flower floating in the vase. "I mean, this is amazing."

"Nine more minutes," Ashley moaned, burrowing under the comforter.

"Ashley Candace Beauford!" Samantha shouted. She leaped onto the bed and jumped up and down, prodding Ashley's form under the thick bedspread with her foot. "This is the most fascinating thing I've seen in my life and I want to share it with you. You can sleep later. Get up, get up, get up!" she cried, prodding her foot harder into the form.

"Get your foot off of my butt!" Ashley snapped. Flinging the covers back, she scowled and rolled out of bed. Yawning so hard her jaw cracked, she stumbled towards the vase. Samantha slid off the bed and rushed over, hopping up and down in glee.

"What's so important you had to drag me over here"-- Ashley looked down at the flower. She blinked several times and rubbed her eyes. Running her fingers through her crazed hair, she looked at Samantha with wide eyes.

"Is this real? Did you do this?"

"I didn't do anything," Samantha protested, holding up her hands. "Seriously. I woke up and came over here to look at the flower. And here it was."

Both girls stared down at the vase with identical expressions of wonder and shock. Floating in a small bit of water, the brilliant pink flower now held a jeweled pendant. Diamonds and bright blue topaz stones dotted a symbol that Samantha had never seen in her life.

"Do you know what it is?" she asked, looking at her friend.

Ashley shrugged. "I'm sure it's an original design. Maybe some hot New York designer or something. Nature stuff is really big right now. This thing looks kind of Celtic or hippie-ish."

"Do you think it's real?" Samantha asked, gazing at the glittering pendant.

"Only one way to find out," Ashley grinned. She lifted the pendant off the flower and giggled. "Hey, look. There's another little note." She handed Samantha a tiny yellowed scroll. The paper was so stiff to Samantha's fingers that one part of her couldn't help but to wonder the age of the note. After all, it was hard to find paper that looked this realistically age. And the brown, crackling edges that crumbled as she unrolled it was only something a professional print artist could have dreamed up.

For the first time, she realized someone was truly watching her. For a brief moment, terror flashed through her as she stared at the little scroll. But then curiosity overcame her and she let her eyes dance over the handwritten words.

"Don your hair with flowers and sprinkle your neck with jewels," Samantha read aloud. "But no matter what you wear, you're always beautiful to me. Until sunset. Love, Me." She crumpled her fingers around the note. "Who do you think Me is? Do you think it's Jeremy?"

Ashley snorted. "No offense, honey, but the man gave you workout DVDs for Christmas. He's not exactly the original type. Plus, if this is real, he couldn't afford gems like this."

"Well, then who is it?" Samantha asked, anxiety twisting in her stomach. "I mean, I'd like to thanks him--or her, I guess. I'm also a little...nervous."

"Nervous?" Ashley raised a disheveled eyebrow. "Honey, if I had some mysterious person sending me magic flowers that sprouted jewels, I'd marry them even if it was a 400 lb. mobster from New Jersey with permanent garlic breath who lived with his neurotic mother and nine cats." Seeing her friend's worried expression, she rolled her eyes and grabbed her hand.

"Come on," she said, pulling her towards the kitchen. "We got a lot of work to do."

"Huh?" Samantha replied inelegantly. "What do you mean?"

Ashley whirled around and dangled the gem. It glittered in the early morning light streaming through the hallway, shimmering among her parent's sleek wooden cabin furnishings.

"If you're anything like me," she said with a grin. "You've got a lot of ex-boyfriends. Let's figure out which one wants you back."

To be continued....

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! we have an award for ten of my favorite Invisible Friends and Tuesday we have an escape that we all can agree with! Wednesday is a new Twirl and We have a week full of whimsical fun! TomorrowThursday I share my perfected chicken pot pies with you--and they're LOW FAT! If that wasn't enough, we've got the Blond Duck Confessions on Friday. So grab some pie and settle in--we got enough whimsy to keep you twirling for days!

The Candy Animals and the Mysterious Drawer

Before we read about the candy animals' newest adventure, I have an award to share!

Ashley at Domestic Fashionista was kind enough to give me the fabulous Friends award.

The award states:

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Since I've had the pleasure of meeting so many lovely new friends lately, I decided to honor both the old and new Invisible Friends.

1) Jen at Tater Tots and Jello, for her never ending support

2) Diana, a fellow blond and fabulous fellow food-lover.

3) Prudy. I love Prudy.

4) Spring Fricks, because we writers got to stick together.

5) Molly at Less of a Marilyn, More of a Jackie. She's just too cute.

6) My good buddy Kristen.

7) Silvia at Magnolia Wedding Planner, who always seems so thrilled to stop by the Pond. It just tickles my toes.

8) And last but not least, Leslie at Stethoscopes and Stilettos. She makes fashion and nursing look good.

Thanks so much Ashley!

And now, for an adventure.

To read the previous edition of Candy Animals, go here. And here.

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It was early morning when Callie crept into her grandmother's dining room. The sun was barely peeking through the shades, and her grandparents were fast asleep. Tomorrow would be the end of winter break, and Callie would be back in her own house. Instead of spending days frolicking in the yard she would be carting books around and listening to teachers who didn't want to be there either drone on and on.

But for this morning, she had her kitchen.

Callie ran her hands over the tiny wooden stove and play refrigerator her grandmother had made for her. Biting her tongue, she wrapped her hands around the play oven door. It had been awhile, she thought to herself. But maybe...just maybe...they would be there. Excitement buzzed in her chest as she cracked the door open, peeking into the dark cavern.

There was nothing. The animals weren't there. Callie let out a sigh. She stared into the darkness for another moment, then closed the oven door.

Callie bit her lip and slid on her play apron. "It's ok," she said softly to herself. "I'm sure they're busy. I'll just make some cookies until Grandma gets up." She opened the play refrigerator and pulled some old tupperware her grandmother had given her to play with.

"I'll make glitter sprinkle cookies," she said to herself, cracking open the play freezer. "I need ice cream and honey and sugar to roll it all in...." Reaching in the freezer, her hand touched something soft. She gasped and took a step back. Pink bubbles streamed from the freezer door.

The animals were all beaming at her.

"Hello!" Bubbles the baby blue candy elephant beamed as pink bubbles billowed from his trunk in a steady flow. "We wondered when you would let us out!"

"It's been ages," whined a caramel giraffe known as George Hambleton Leafton the Third.

"Oh stop," Sasperilla, the pink hippo with an attitude scolded. "You're just a big baby. The freezer animals were quite kind to us. We had a wonderful Fall Freezer Party."

"We stayed until winter!" George Hambleton Leafton the Third bellowed. "We have overstayed by three months!"

"We went to the Thanksgiving party and the Christmas party and the Post Christmas party and the New Year's party and the New Year's Day party and the Post New Year's Party and the Winter Party," Bubbles informed Callie. "You missed quite a lot!"

"It sounds like it," Callie replied. "So what will you all do now?"

The animals looked at each other and shrugged. They looked at Callie. "What are you doing?" Bubbles asked.

"I'm going to make glitter sprinkle cookies," Callie replied. "I'll give them to my grandmother for breakfast."

"What's in them?" Sasperilla asked.

"Glitter and sparkles and peanut butter and ice cream and chocolate chips and icing," Callie replied. "I've got everything here," she said, gesturing to the empty play refrigerator. "Want to help?"

"I'd prefer to eat them," Bubbles giggled. A pink bubble floated into the air, landing on Callie's nose.

"With cookies as lovely as those, we must set the table," George Hambleton Leafton the Third informed Callie, peering up at her with his long caramel neck. "Where does your grandmother keep her most elegant dishes?"

"In that drawer," Callie said, pointing to a old oak hutch against the dining room wall. "The bottom one. You can set the table while I make the cookies."

"I'll help make cookies," Bubble said with a gleam in his eye. He licked his lips. Another bubble popped from his trunk.

"I'll watch," Sasperilla decided, daintily perching on the edge of the kitchen counter.

As Callie pulled out the old blackened baking pans her mother had given her and a bottle of glitter, the caramel giraffe scurried over to the drawer. Looping his long neck through the handle, he grunted as it slid open with out a sound. Hoisting himself up on the wooden edge, he peered into the drawer.

"You wouldn't believe what's in here!" he cried. "Come see!"

Part two to be continued next week.

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! We have a special edition of the Gift tomorrow and a new week of whimsical fun. Also, we have a special Blond Duck confessions post coming up. Anything you want to know about me? Whether you want to know what I do for a living or what my deepest secret is, I'll confess all next week! Leave your questions below! And stay tuned!

Interview: The Cookie Stealing Bunny

Today's guest is the notoriously quiet Cookie Stealing Bunny. He's a critter of few words, seen lurking about blog posts containing tasty treats such as cookies, pie and hamburgers.

He has a thing for cookies.

Let's learn more about him, shall we?




So, Cookie Stealing Bunny--is that your real name?

(Nose twitches)

What's your favorite type of cookie?

Carrot cookies.

They don't make carrot cookies.

That's why I steal them.

Are you a sock or real bunny? There's been speculation here at the Pond.

What do you think?

I'm asking you.

(Nose twitches)

You're not making this easy on me. Don't you ever talk?

I'm a bunny.

Fine. What's your favorite movie?

Babe. I dated a pig once. Didn't work out. She didn't like carrots as much as I did. And Wallace and Grommit-- the one with the wererabbit.

What's your favorite book?

Bunnicula.

What's your ideal vacation?

England during the spring. They have giant gardens over there.

Tell me about yourself. Where do you come from?

The forest.

What forest?

I can't tell you.

Why not?

It's a magical forest. Very exclusive.

What happens if you tell me?

He gets mad.

Who gets mad?

He does.


But that's just a wee little rabbit.

(Nose twitches nervously. Looks around) Next question.

Why do you steal cookies?

Why not?

Why can't you just bake them? Or buy them?

Because I'm the cookie-stealing bunny. (Eyes light up). Excuse me.




Apparently, the cookie-stealing bunny is done with us. He just ran into the bakery down the street.

And the sirens are going. Excuse me. I'm going to go pick through the scraps.

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! Tomorrow we've got a new Candy Animals story and Sunday, a special edition of the Gift. Then we've got a whimsical week of more fun! Stay tuned!