Friday, August 30, 2013

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

time


time is not an endless resource
or a faithful friend
it is like the sunlight
she tries to grab
it slips through
marveling fingers, frustrated hands
i try to tell her it's not something you can hold
when it leaves
you can only remember it as
something
beautiful

Robert Mercer
5/30/72-8/27/07





.

Monday, August 26, 2013

on my desk monday

It's Ling and Ting Share a Birthday magnets!


Aren't they cute? They coordinate with with magnets I gave last time! Would you like one of these? Come to my book party on September 14th (it's a Sat., please sign up and spread the word!!) or order an autographed book from White Square Books. I'll include the magnet and as many other book party goodies as possible with the book! Good stuff, I promise!*


*yes, this is shameless bribery but White Square Books is a really cute, independent bookstore that should be supported! They specially arranged for online ordering of my books at my request so I want to make is worthwhile for them!

Friday, August 23, 2013

Thursday, August 22, 2013

this week in our garden

The tomatoes are ripening!

They were only slightly interesting when they were green:


Though as they've changed color, they have become more intriguing:



Now, finally, they are identifiable:



Yes, they are really tomatoes!


And they are hers.


Monday, August 19, 2013

Book Party! You're invited!

So, the Ling and Ting Share a Birthday comes out in September! That is next month!

Usually, by now I am knee deep in booklaunch plans with a date already set. This time, if you haven't noticed, I've been hemming and hawing.

That's because with the move, I'm in a new area. I don't know that many people in the area and I don't think that many people know me. I honestly don't know if people will come to a book party. And it's no fun to plan a party that people don't show up to.

But I am proud of the new Ling and Ting book--it's already received two starred reviews!--and I love the characters of Ling and Ting. As you know, I'm already hard at work on the third book and my dream is to make Ling and Ting into a real bonafide series. I think it's a book worth celebrating.


So I'm going to give the book party a shot! Please come! Ling and Ting would love to share their birthday with you!

Come with a friend in a MATCHING OUTFIT... 
and get a special-limited-amount-which-will-be-very-limited-since-I'm-unsure-how-many-people-will-come-so-best-come-early-it's-only-while-they-last-handmade prize!! (I won't exactly say what they are but some new edition Pocket Pacys might be interested in traveling...)

Saturday, September 14th
 5-6 pm
White Square Books 
86 Cottage Street
Easthampton, MA 01027
413-203-1717

 Cake, balloons and other goodies! What are they? You'll have to come and see...but I promise they'll be good! They were last time, weren't they?

 Please sign up for a free ticket HERE if you can make it, but you are WELCOME to come last minute! (The tickets are just so the store has a rough idea of how many people are coming). Invite your friends, spread the word! The more the merrier!

 Not local? Do you want your book autographed plus some free, exclusive goodies? Pre-order from White Square Books and they will get signed and sent to you right after the party. Keep your eyes open here or my facebook page for online launch fun!

on my desk monday

Taking a brief procrastination breather with fabric:


The Sasquatch's mother very, very kindly has agreed to make curtains in the studio for me! The pink flowers is for the window seat window and the bird fabric is for the window behind my reading/writing chair.  Will post photos when it's all finished...I can't wait!

Friday, August 16, 2013

fortune cookie fortunes


"The heart is but the beach beside the sea that is the world."
-Chinese Proverb

Thursday, August 15, 2013

see you on Sunday (I hope!)

This Sunday is White Square Books (in Easthampton, MA) is having a Starry River of the Sky book club meeting and I'm going!   With the move and Rain Dragon, I haven't done too many public appearances this summer and I looking forward to meeting new (and familiar) readers!

White Square - Fine Books & Art
86 Cottage Street Easthampton, MA 01027
Sunday, August 18, 2013 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (I will arrive at 3pm)
Moon cakes and green tea will be served!

The event is FREE, but the store does ask that you register and have read the book. Send an e-mail to whitesquarebooks@gmail.com or call the store at 413-203-1717.

I hope to see you!!!

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

working on the progress

So, I am still setting up the studio. I admit I have pretty high standards for it, which is why it is taking so long. One of the things I want to do is have the stairway wall going up to it set up like a gallery, a la salon style like this:
found on Pinterest

This is actually rather difficult to achieve. You need two people and neither can be afraid of heights. Lucky for me, the Sasquatch is not afraid of heights. He just doesn't like them. He doesn't like them a lot. But he does like me! So, we have been hanging frames:


 of some of my favorite moments:

the menu of  the Newbery Honor celebration luncheon

my seat reservation card at the Geisel Award ceremony
as well as my proudest:
my one and only math award, given to me in 5th grade!

We are almost done:


But there's still more to go...and that's just the wall of the staircase! I still have the whole studio to address...

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

this week in our garden

Our beans are rather flourishing:


We were able to harvest two fistfuls:


Two tight-these-are-mine fistfuls:


Two you-can't-catch-me fistfuls:



Two I'm-hiding-and-I-still-have-them-ha-ha-ha fistfuls:




I did eventually get them, by promising to give them back.

Which I did:


Monday, August 12, 2013

on my desk monday

It's sketches for Ling & Ting Book 3!!


Yes, even though Ling & Ting Shares a Birthday isn't out until September, I'm already at work on book 3.  Three books make a series, right?

Friday, August 9, 2013

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

a working studio

Even though the studio is not completely set up (note the empty book tower in the back), work cannot wait for my perfectionist aspirations. Work has begun on the third Ling and Ting book (right now titled "Twice as Silly!") and, just like when I was working on the last book, my "assistant" is ever devoted:

her rabbit might make a cameo in the book

But I'm excited! I think it's going to be a fun follow up to Ling and Ting Share a Birthday (which comes out in September!!).


Tuesday, August 6, 2013

this week in our garden

For unknown reason, our pumpkin plant (flowers and all) withered and died:

But there is an early harvest of another vegetable:


Though Rain Dragon is not sure what kind of vegetable they are:


Are they beans? Even her book doesn't quite convince her:



But she keeps them, anyway:



Monday, August 5, 2013

on my desk monday

Eeks! Finished books!  Ling and Ting Share a Birthday is all bound and ready to go out into the world! I better start planning that launch party...


Friday, August 2, 2013