Recapping The Week

So, last week was a whirlwind. I will try to recap it.

We had two swim meets. On school nights, which makes it even harder because they run late and the kids still have to get up the next morning.

I ran around like a crazy person trying to pull together teacher gifts. I will write this week about what I did for the kids' teachers, because it was fun and all the teachers seemed to like it.

My book launched. Thank you to everyone who posted reviews, tweeted about it, put it on your Facebook, sent me emails, or otherwise participated in helping get the word out about this book. You might think "What does it matter what I do?" Well I read recently that the secret to being a bestselling author is having 1000 committed readers/fans. That really doesn't sound like much, does it? If you helped in any way, I'm counting you among those 1000. I'm far from best selling status, but each person I add to that list helps me make another move towards it. It's not so much that I want to be a best seller, per se, but in a sell-or-die publishing climate, I'd like to sell... because the other alternative is just not appealing. And I am otherwise unemployable.

I finished my fifth novel, another Sunset Beach story with an inanimate object (a la The Mailbox, The Guest Book and The Wishing Tree) that connects two people. I'm excited about this one and had great fun with it. Lord willing it will be out next year this time. I'm not going to share the title yet, because there's a chance the publisher will change it. Don't want to confuse you but I can promise I will share more as soon as I can.

My kids had their last day of school. I posted about this on Friday. I am happy to be done for awhile. We are all looking forward to the break. This summer I hope to get a lot of reading done by the pool, get my tan on, and post here more regularly. I've got a whole list of posts I want to write, and sometimes coming up with the ideas is half the battle. Now just to find the time to write them all!

And finally, have you seen the huge giveaway we're doing at She Reads? Instead of choosing just one book for June, we've picked six "Can't Miss" summer novels. Enter for your chance to win all six books here. And even if you don't win, download these books or order them online or visit your local indie bookstore or reserve them at your local library. With so many good books coming out this summer, we should all include reading on our summer to-do list. I know my summer TBR list is long!

Summer Is Here!

Today is the last day I will pack lunches.

The last day I will wake sleeping children from a deep sleep. (They tell you not to do that with a baby-- why shouldn't it apply to children?)

The last day I will wake up myself.

The last day I will drive carpool.

The last day I will check emails from teachers.

The last day I will think about homework or projects.

Instead, bring on summer!

Bring on popsicles!

Bring on fireworks!

Bring on the beach!

Bring on the pool!

Bring on summer reading!

Bring on lazy days!

Bring on trips to the library!

Bring on no schedule!

Bring on peaches and tomatoes and blueberries!

Bring on vacations!

Bring on movies!

Bring on suntans and seashells and water guns and drippy ice cream cones!

Summer is officially arriving at our house today. And no one is happier about that than me.

I Didn't... But I Did...

How tenaciously we cling to the illusion that we will get our lives in order

and that they will stay that way.

AW Schaef

If you've read this blog at all, you know I'm a committed and passionate list maker. And this is good. It helps me get things done. But there is such a thing as being married to your list so much that you can't make time for the things that aren't on the list-- those unexpected life moments that just come up. Recently I had a day where I got nothing on my list done. This stresses me.

That evening as I reflected on my day I was thinking of all the things I didn't do. And then a thought came into my head: yes, there were a great many things I didn't do. But what about the things I did? With that perspective can there be such a thing as a wasted day?

I didn't clean out my daughter's closet, but I did have a wonderful conversation with a friend.

I didn't get my writing done, but I did jot down some insightful and promising notes for a new story.

I didn't run all my errands, but I did have lunch with my mom.

I didn't go for my run, but I did read a great book.

I didn't cook a gourmet dinner, but I did show up for lunch duty at my daughter's class.

For each thing we say yes to, there's a no that has to come in somewhere. Instead of feeling bad about the no, what if we worked at feeling good about the yes? If you're a champion list maker like me, then this might be a comforting way of looking at things. It's helped me to switch my thought life from "look at what you didn't do" to "look at what you did."

The Wishing Tree Releases Today

Today my new book, The Wishing Tree is officially available. Since that's the case, I thought I'd post about the book-- where I got the idea and some inside glimpses into what went into the writing. I promise I'm not giving anything away here that isn't alluded to on the back cover. Here goes...

I got the original idea for the book when I was doing research for The Guest Book. I was looking into the history of guest books, wondering if some aspect of this practice would be a good element in my novel. (You never know and it's always worth looking.) When I searched "guest books" the concept of a wishing tree at a wedding came up on some page somewhere. I had never heard of this, and thought it was a very cool idea, one of those things where you snap your fingers and think "Why didn't I have that at my wedding?"

As I read up on wishing trees out of pure curiosity, a story started forming in my mind. What if there was going to be a wedding at Sunset Beach NC? And what if that wedding was going to have a wishing tree because it was a custom in that family? And what if the person put in charge of that wishing tree was struggling with her own wishes for her marriage, now gone wrong? The elements were all there and my mind began chewing on the story, even as I was writing another.

One day I was watching Good Morning America and a guy proposed to his girlfriend on the show. She was a teacher and thought she was being interviewed for something to do with her students. I realized as I thought about this that it would make for a great opening scene-- the contrast of a main character (Ivy) watching her sister (Shea) get proposed to in this amazingly romantic way even as it's becoming unavoidably clear that the romance has disappeared in her own marriage. It became the perfect way to set up the tension that exists in this story.

The other element that somehow worked its way into my idea for this story was the idea of a husband who's desperate to talk to his wife (who is deservedly upset with him and wants nothing to do with him) resorting to Twitter in hopes that he will somehow get to her. It was fun to give readers a glimpse of who this guy is via his tweets. Is he sympathetic? Does he deserve forgiveness? Can he be trusted? What should Ivy do? What would you do?

One thing I have said frequently is that this is a great book for book clubs because it will provoke discussion. Does Ivy make the right decision? Do you feel sorry for her or angry at her? How has her past factored into her present? And how does this story apply to you, the reader?

The more I wrote this story, the more it became clear that it was a story about forgiveness-- the grace we can show each other, the grace we must allow ourselves, what it takes to give and receive forgiveness, and the freedom that can come when we do. It's a concept we can all probably identify with in some way or another and, I hope, a story that will consequently resonate with readers. It was one of my harder books to write, because the characters don't always do nice or appropriate things, and sometimes I wanted to shake them. But I had to let them make their journeys, learn their lessons, and apply those lessons to their lives. It's kind of like being a parent.

And now it's time for this particular baby to leave the nest and be received, for better or worse, by all of you. As for me, I'm immersed in another novel that I will hopefully be telling you about this time next year. In the meantime, I'd love to hear from you if you get a chance to read The Wishing Tree!

Here's a Pinterest board I created with the book in mind:

http://pinterest.com/marybeth6/the-wishing-tree-a-novel-june-4-2013/

And I'll leave you with the trailer, in case you haven't seen it:

Time Saver Tip For A Monday

After an unexpectedly long absence from blogging, I'm aiming to post something every day this week. I am going to overwhelm you with info.

 

This is Monday's installment:

 

Lately I've been taking a few extra seconds when I get junk emails to find the "unsubscribe" button at the bottom of the email and unsubscribe. It has really cut down on the volume of my emails. No more special offers I feel compelled to check out, no more missives from people I don't know, no more products that no longer apply to my situation. Just having less emails show up in my inbox is its own kind of relief. I'm convinced it's saving me time and bringing me greater peace. A lot of emails piled up in my inbox makes me anxious.

 

So that's my tip for you today-- start noticing those emails you get that you find yourself deleting without reading. Then take a moment to open them and unsubscribe so you don't even have to deal with them at all.

 

I know this isn't earth shattering but I'm of the mindset that every little bit helps. This would apply.

 

(It doesn't apply if you're thinking of unsubbing to the She Reads newsletter or this blog. Ahem.) 

A Resting Day



So this weekend I got to be on a panel at the SC Book Festival, an event I'd always hoped to be invited to. I was honored to be included in this one and excited to get to know some new authors and present on a panel about faith and fiction with the lovely and talented Denise Hildreth Jones and Kathryn Hewitt, with Sue Duffy moderating. The panel went well and I was happy to get to discuss things like how I write while sitting on my bed and the fact that all 3 panelists combined had a total of 15 children. Phew! Perhaps our panel should've been called "Faith, Fiction and Fertility."

That's me signing in the background. Someone actually wanted my signature on a book, if you can believe that.

 

The pic above is of Janna McMahan, one of the lovely authors I got to hang out with. We talked mostly about how hard it is to raise teenagers. I thieved this pic from her Facebook page because I, as usual, didn't take any photos. I also got to hang out with my friends Erika Marks and Kim Boykin and Patti Callahan Henry, and my new friend Mary Kay Andrews, who let me wear her lovely pink linen jacket to the reception because she and the wily Patti convinced me to go with them to the reception I wasn't planning to go to and I was woefully underdressed. (I was not being intentionally anti-social, I was sick-- more about that later.) Mary Kay literally gave me the shirt jacket off her back-- now that is kindness. Her New York Times bestseller status has certainly not gone to her head. She is down to earth and just plain nice, which makes me want to read her books all the more. And y'all should too.

And in the name of promoting fellow authors, here is a list of the ones I have mentioned in this post, with links to each of their new books, because I know y'all are making out your summer reading lists and don't want to find some great reads:

Denise Hildreth Jones: Secrets Over Sweet Tea

Kathryn Hewitt: Snow

Janna McMahan: Anonymity

Erika Marks: The Guest House

Kim Boykin: The Wisdom Of Hair

Patti Callahan Henry: And Then I Found You

Mary Kay Andrews: Ladies' Night


And so now it is Sunday and I am home (arrived home yesterday afternoon) and playing hooky from church. I was sick the latter part of last week but in denial because Curt was gone and someone had to keep driving the bus. Then I had to hightail it to SC for the fest and so the denial continued. But shortly after I arrived home and my husband heard me coughing he said, "Admit it. You're sick." And so, sweet man that he is, he has given me the day today to lounge and rest and try desperately to recover before another busy week is upon us.

I'm using the time to catch up on my reading, write a bit (including this blog post), and finish watching The Killing, an A&E show my husband and I have gotten hooked on courtesy of Netflix. This is a whodunit show that takes two seasons to solve one murder and does it well. I didn't know how they were going to do that, but I'm down to the last two episodes of the second season and am still guessing and anxious as I was in the beginning. As a writer, I'm taking notes as to how they've accomplished that level of suspense. The new season starts on A&E on June 1st and we will be ready.

So that is all I have to report for now. I'm sure I'll think of some other stuff to share later this week. But for now I'm resting. And reading. And setting goals and making lists. And being grateful for this life, in sickness and health and everything in between. 

Baked Potato Soup: The Fast and Easy Way

This is a post that reveals just how little it takes to make me happy.

 

First of all, let me say that my kids love baked potato soup. They love it in a passionate way that is not normal to me. And every time I make it, I marvel over their excitement about it. The bowls (plural) each of them will consume in one sitting is crazy. They beg me to make it, but I've always been hesitant to do so because it just takes so dang long to peel and dice all the potatoes needed like my recipe called for. But I felt bad about not making it more often because they do love it so much.

 

So the other day I had an epiphany. If peeling and dicing and pre-cooking the potatoes is the problem, was there a way around that? I thought of first baking the potatoes because if it's called BAKED potato soup wouldn't that make sense??

 

This was just crazy enough to actually work.

 

 

 

So, as you can see, I baked the potatoes. (8 of them) I just poked holes in them, laid them out on a foil-covered cookie sheet, didn't even wrap them in aluminum foil (I'm totally living crazy here) and cooked them at 500 for one hour. (This photo was taken after they came out of the oven and I had cut them open. I did not cook them like that.)

 

 

Then I sauteed some onion in butter and flour on medium heat. (Actual measurements are below)

Then I added milk and half and half and chicken broth and gave it a good stir.

Then it was time for the potatoes. My three youngest helped me squeeze the potatoes into the pot and thought it was great fun. I then used a potato masher to get them less chunky.

Then I served the potato soup with bacon bits and cheese. You could add other toppings your family likes but this is how mine want it. They ate multiple bowls of this stuff just the same way they did when I peeled and diced the potatoes, and it was SO much faster and easier to make. The full recipe is below and I'm telling you, this is the way to go.

 

This is one soup we eat all year long and don't just limit to fall and winter. Try it at your house. Your kids might not be as passionate about it as mine, but I bet they will like it.

 

Baked Potato Soup (The Fast and Easy Way)

 

4 Tbsp. butter

4 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

1 bag frozen chopped onions*

1 box chicken broth

8 baked potatoes

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup milk

1 cup half and half

 

Melt butter in dutch oven over low heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, for 2 minutes. Stir in onion, cook for 4 minutes or until tender. Add chicken broth. Stir. Simmer for about ten minutes. Add potatoes, salt and pepper, then milk and half and half. Use masher to break up potatoes. Heat through until thickened and ready to serve (20-30 minutes), stirring often so nothing sticks to the bottom.

Serve with toppings.

 

*A word about frozen chopped onions. They are the timesaver of all time savers. I keep these as a staple in my freezer at all times. They get added to the grocery list like milk or detergent or sugar. They are that necessary to have on hand. They will save you so much time in so many ways. You can find them in the freezer section near all the other frozen veggies, just sitting there like the broccoli and the okra and the squash, not looking at all like the amazing time-saving elements they actually are. I love them because they are humble like that and because I very rarely have to chop onions anymore. This is life changing and yet another indication of just how little it takes to make me happy.

 

Coming Soon: The Wishing Tree

In less than a month, my new book, THE WISHING TREE, will be out. I'm hoping folks will buy it, and like it. This one's a bit different than THE MAILBOX and THE GUEST BOOK (my other Sunset Beach novels) in that the love story doesn't take center stage (though it's definitely there).

Instead this one is about a woman in crisis regarding her family, her marriage, her past choices, and all that plays into her current state of affairs. It's much more women's fictiony, a word I just made up. Using the framework of the wishing tree (a Dutch tradition that involves putting a wishing tree out at the reception for guests to hang their wishes for the couple on), I was able to address the theme of the wishes we go into marriage with versus the realities we find once we get there.

And all the married ladies say amen.

For those of you who liked SHE MAKES IT LOOK EASY, this one is more along those lines as far as it's deeper and goes into more issues that women are facing than the light and fluffy fun summer romance feel of my other two Sunset Beach books. I hope I blended the two (women's issues and summer romance). That was my intent. I know some people are not going to like the book, the ending, the situation, etc. I've already had my crisis about that and-- I hope-- come to terms with it. I've decided I did the best I could and wrote the book I had to write. Y'all help me remember that later. Ok?

With that in mind, let me just say that this book is a good one for book clubs because it's going to spark discussion. Does the main character make the right choice? What could she have done differently in the past? In the present? What would YOU have done? That part-- the idea of women debating and discussing these issues because of a story I wrote while balancing my laptop in my lap in my house-- excites me no matter what the response. If you have a book club in your neighborhood, church, or community, please keep it in mind. Maybe this post will be your impetus to start one!

Today I'm sharing the trailer with you guys, to whet your appetite and hopefully inspire you to put THE WISHING TREE on your radar for June 4th.



I hope you'll email me after you finish it and let me know what you thought. As long as you're only going to say good stuff. Just kidding. Kinda. Launching a book is like sending your child off to college. You know you've done your best. You know you've made mistakes. You hope people are nice and kind. You know you can't control what happens out there and all you can do is hope for the best, and trust that God's purposes prevail. Writing-- no matter how many books you've written-- is not for the faint of heart. And launching a new book brings all that to the surface. Every. Time.

Monday Morning Musings

Thoughts... (as always random and basically nonsensical)

I think that Brene Brown's book Daring Greatly will go in the top three nonfiction books (other than the Bible) I've ever read, ever. I listened to more than half of it on audio and then had to stop because it was too rich and deep and I wanted it on my lap, in my hands, with a pen ready to pause and underline and jot down personal thoughts in the margin. This is why I will always, always, always prefer print books to ebooks. And don't hand me that "you can make notes and underline on an ereader" bit because I've tried it on my own and it is NOT THE SAME. There is something tactile and sensory about the energy of a pen scratching across paper and no one will ever change my opinion about that. I'm one of those dinosaurs who will hang onto the paper book until someone pries it from my cold, dead hands.

Anyway... I digress. About Daring Greatly, you should read it. And let it sink in. And then start living the way she describes. I'd love to start a quiet revolution where everyone reads this book and starts living this way. Giving voice to shame and living in vulnerability are the key to freedom, I am more and more convinced. But it is hard and raw and uncomfortable and for that reason a lot of people avoid it vehemently. Even me, at times. And I know better, after reading the book. But I'm trying.

I'm also making a reading plan for the summer. Boy are there a lot of books I want to read! Thankfully summer is a time when we spend lots of time at our neighborhood pool and there's not much to do while the kids play besides read. (Not that I mind at all.) You can get some ideas for what's on my radar by checking out my Pinterest board called, appropriately, The Massive, Infinite TBR List. Maybe you'll get some ideas for what to tuck in your pool bag this summer. Of course, I'm hoping my new one  THE WISHING TREE will be included. (Shameless plug.)

Listened to the Top 40 Countdown from 1987 this weekend on Sirius while I did stuff around the house. (The VJ's from MTV have a new book out that I think will have to procure from the library asap.) 1985 is my favorite year for music from my favorite decade in music, but I have to say I was surprised by how much good stuff came out in 1987. I think that henceforth 1987 shall be my second favorite year in my favorite decade of music.

In honor of Mother's Day yesterday and the many hits from 1987, I am sharing this video from Janet Jackson and Herb Alpert, Diamonds:



Just as a disclaimer, I don't care for diamonds, or gifts of any kind actually. Just ask my husband, bless his heart. I admit I'm hard to buy for. He recently tried to buy me a new iphone and a new Mac computer. I said no to both, but thank you for asking. I am resistant to change and am of the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" mindset. This includes gifts.

And finally, I shall leave you with this disturbing image. This is just not ok. (Photo courtesy of this link: http://www.wegotkidz.com/the-funnies/) My apologies to this family, whoever you are.

 

I will be back later in the week with news of my upcoming book and a post about the habits I've instilled in my life that have actually been beneficial. Maybe the post will inspire someone.

 

Three posts in one week? I know.

Happy Mother's Day From Monsters University (And Me)

Random Thoughts For A Humpday

I'm supposed to be writing but I'm taking a break to pop in here and say hi and happy humpday. I hate that term, humpday, so I'm not sure why I'm saying it here. This particular humpday is, for me, very busy because we have dental appointments this afternoon. My mom is a dental hygienist so I'm not supposed to hate going to the dentist, but I do. And I really hate taking myself and 3 children and spending hours in the tiny little waiting room. But it's the best way to do it-- all in one fell swoop. At least it always seems that way until I'm actually doing it. And I have to go to the grocery store. And get the comforter from the dry cleaner because the dog threw up on it. And mail some packages. But not until I get my writing word count accomplished for the day. Later I get to run a child to soccer and somehow feed my people dinner. I'm tired already.

The good news is that this weekend I get to go to Sunset Beach and participate in the Strawberry and Wine Fest at Silver Coast Winery. I'll be there most of the day Saturday, meeting people and signing books. And hanging with the lovely people from the Old Bridge Preservation Society and my fave bookstore, Pelican Books. I'm looking forward to that and also to spending time in my hotel getting more writing done. I'm heading into the homestretch with this latest Sunset Beach novel and it's nice to know I'm going to be there writing so I can inject some real-time atmosphere into it.

Here is a recipe I got from my friend Cadie, who has an amazing story and is now using it to help others. Check out her website at VDP Coaching.

Heath Bar Dip
1 large heath bar
1 carton of whipped cream cheese.
Break heath bar into tiny pieces. Combine with whipped cream cheese. Serve with apples or pears.

And also? I made this Caramel Cake for my son's birthday on Monday and let me tell you it is "stick your face in it" good. And because it uses a white cake mix as the base it is fast and easy too. It is not a good thing that it is sitting on my kitchen counter as I type, calling my name. My kids are supposed to eat these sweet treats in much shorter order so their mother is not tempted to partake while they're at school. That was the deal we made. They have not indulged fast enough this time. I might make them eat it tonight. Caramel cake at gunpoint. I'm sure that won't cause any food issues in their later years, will it?

And that is all I have to share. Now you're wondering why I bothered and remembering that promise I made not to post unless I had something worthwhile to say. You're thinking I broke that promise already, aren't you?

About This Blogging Thing

My computer rates my sites as to which ones I visit more often with a "more active" or "less active" distinction. I was dismayed when I went to the page to post today and found that it had been deemed "less active." It was a telling judgment of the kind of blogger I've been of late.

My apologies to those of you who are hanging in there. Maybe you've enjoyed the break from hearing from me. (I know my kids always appreciate my silence.) Or maybe you have actually missed my missives from the Land of Whalen. Either way, it doesn't change the fact that I've been a less than stellar blogger. There are a couple of reasons for that.

1. Blogs are falling out of vogue and I'm seeing that more and more. We're all on Twitter or Pinterest or Instagram. Our time-tight lives are driving us to look for short, quick soundbites of info instead of lengthy sermons. I certainly don't want to clog up your inbox or feed with stuff you don't want to hear. And, let's be honest, I don't want to spend time writing stuff that's not going to be read. My awareness of all of this has made blogging slip further down my priority list. It's not off the list, mind you. Just further down.

2. I have had a creative dearth of late. I do think of things I'd like to share-- just never when I can share them. I think of wonderful posts while running. Or while driving. Or showering. Or even in the middle of the grocery store. However, those posts are usually completely and totally vanished into the ether by the time I'm sitting in front of my computer. So you end up getting posts like the one I wrote last Monday-- a bunch of blather about what I'm doing, which probably just sounds like what you're doing. And why do you need to read that?

3. I'm really really busy right now. And so are you. We are all, sadly, busy in our own ways. Running ourselves ragged. Barely able to look up. And so I don't feel especially compelled to add to the noise. If I have something to say that is pertinent and relevant and not-to-be-missed, I'll post. If not, I'll be quiet. That's been my attitude of late. And yet, sometimes I feel the need to let you know I'm still around. Still mothering and chauffeuring and writing and puzzling over life's mysteries. And since this blog also pulls double duty as my site, I feel that the content should be somewhat recent when someone visits for the first time. Otherwise I look like a loser. And who wants to read a book by a loser?

And so with all of that said, I will just keep doing what I've been doing. Posting here at least once a week-- even if it's just to tell you what I've been cooking or reading or watching or listening to. Even if it's just to say "Hey, I've got a book coming out and I'd really love your support."

Or even just to say, "I'm still here. Are you? You are? I'm so glad."

Flags

Yesterday at my daughter's soccer practice I snapped these photos of flags flying at half mast. Something about the fact that someone, somewhere had made the effort to fly the flags at a park at half mast made me proud. Say what you want about America and our sense of entitlement and lavish living. Complain about our government, the state of our culture, our limping economy etc. But, when it comes down to it, I love this country.

And in moments like last night when I spotted these flags flying at half mast at a random park in tribute to those who were killed or wounded in Monday's Boston tragedy, I love it all the more. I choose to believe it's still a great place.

Monday

So, wow, it took me a bit longer to get back here than I anticipated. Mostly because my mind has been a series of jumbled, disjointed thoughts and ain't nobody got time for that. Trust me, I have spared you.

After The Worst Spring Break Ever (the new name for what was our spring break) that involved plague, pestilence and peril I needed last week to recover. I did manage to complete my weekly word count goal by the skin of my teeth and I did manage to get to the grocery store and stock up on meals and I did manage to get back to running so all was not lost. But I had nothing to give otherwise. Certainly nothing you wanted to read.

And now a new week is upon us. A new word count goal. A new list of to-do's. A new set of appointments and meetings and conversations to have. What will you be doing this week? Have you taken some time today to map it out? I know if I don't use Monday to get my feet under me, I spend the rest of the week feeling out of synch. That was part of the problem last week-- Curt and I were out of town and travelled back on Monday, so I felt like I lost that all important day, which meant Tuesday was Monday and well... that's just not right.

So today is about getting on track. And the rest of the week is about staying on track. Making sure I get where I've said I will go. Making sure the stuff that must be bought gets bought. Making sure the people I said I'd talk to hear from me. Making sure that, in all of this, those words get typed into the computer in a way that makes some sort of sense.

And in the meantime I will drive to the school and the sports. I will have a book with me at all times in case I get a few minutes to read. I will start my day with Bible study because my days are better when I spend time reading the Word first. I will cook the food that gets eaten and restock the food when it runs out. And not complain when I have to go BACK to the grocery store even though I swore I wasn't coming back this week. I will conduct the behind the scenes stuff that makes She Reads happen. I will give my kids chores and tell them it is good for them because it teaches them how to function in the real world and makes them better people, but really it just lightens my load and don't we all need our load lightened?

And most of all I will look around me at these people I do all of this for and count myself blessed, blessed, blessed. And that's about all you can do on a Monday.

Bonus Days

So, we aren't supposed to be here. We're supposed to be in Wilmington NC right now, enjoying some time at my aunt's house, doing All The Field Trips I so ambitiously planned a few weeks ago when all was well and I, apparently, had more energy.

Alas, our wonderful Easter/Spring Break plans got sapped by an insidious disease which infected first my youngest and then subsequent members of my family. Consequently, Easter was a quiet, low-key day at home, but a day in which I still had hopes for a speedy recovery and a contained outbreak. By yesterday, I knew that was not to be and began making calls and adjustments. The planned trip began getting shorter and shorter, All The Field Trips cancelled, and the agenda drastically altered.

And now we sit, and wait, and hope that by tomorrow or the next day we can still get away. I have to go for part of the trip as I have a research commitment that involves other people and quite a bit of planning. I sent a text to my husband that went like this, "Another kid is sick. I'm going to the beach Thurs/Fri regardless."

But here's the miraculous part of this vicious disease zapping my well-laid travel plans. We've gotten bonus days. Days that literally were not spoken for in any way because we weren't supposed to be here. And because they weren't spoken for it means my weekly agenda in my to-do notebook that I live by? That page? It's empty. I think that possibly this has never happened before.

Now the Type A in me was tempted-- so tempted-- yesterday to start filling it. And, I will admit, I did spend some time doing some She Reads stuff yesterday while my sicklings watched a movie. But beyond that I didn't revamp my writing schedule so I could write extra words I hadn't planned on writing. I didn't turn to the page ahead of this blank one and find stuff to move up. I. Just. Left. It. Blank. This is still quite amazing to myself even as I write this.

So how have I filled these bonus days?

I have done a lot of reading. But only stuff I truly want to read.

I've slept. Napped. Rested.

I've not felt particularly urgent about much of anything. Except tending to my kids, especially the sick ones. But that's about it.

I'm enjoying these bonus days-- and resisting the urge to fill them back up again. Or pout because life hasn't gone according to plan. One of the things I'm learning about life as I get older is that it rarely does. And the best we can do is try to find the bonus.

Where Have I Been?

So where have I been?

Speaking-- I had my first speaking gig in a long time last weekend, so I was busy preparing for it last week, and getting rightside up after being gone. (That usually takes at least one day, this time it took about a day and a half.) The event went well. Really well. I felt like I helped people. This is a new message and one I'm quite excited about after seeing the effect. Excited enough that I'm considering taking on limited speaking starting in the fall. Contact me if you've got an event you'd like to talk about.

Writing-- It's looking like I'm going to be writing a fifth novel. This one will also be set at Sunset Beach NC and will hopefully come out next summer, which means I've got a LOT of writing to do in a very short amount of time.

Family-- Cooking, getting ready for Easter, soccer and baseball, the usual. Kids are getting ready to start spring break, which we're all ready for. We've got some travel plans, which will double as a research trip for this new novel. Funny how last year I was researching the novel that comes out in June while we were on spring break. I see a pattern here...

Reading-- With running She Reads I am reading a lot as we make decisions about future selections-- but I'm also reading to learn and reading for fun. Good thing I love to read!

For the next few days I'll be gearing up for Easter and spring break. I doubt I'll be posting much. I hope you all have a great Easter and remember the reason we celebrate!

Live Near Charlotte NC And Looking For Something To Do This Weekend?

Sometimes I get to see movies early and share them with you guys. This time I'm offering a chance for you to get to see the movie early yourself! If you live near Charlotte NC and want to see the 3D version of Jurassic Park, here's your free chance! Just RSVP to the link provided and maybe I'll see you there! (My advice if you're going-- get there at least 30 minutes early)

Wanna Be An Influencer?

UPDATE: I am happy to report the 50 have been received. But sad to say I can't take any more influencers. To all of you who contacted me, thank you. And for those who didn't make it in, please consider buying the book this summer!

I talked a bit about my new book last week when I wrote this post. Go there to find a link to the book and the cover image. (The part about my book is towards the end.)

Now that you know about it, would you like to be an influencer for it?

What is an influencer? It's someone who agrees to let me send a book to you just before it's released. In return you offer to let people in your world know about it. You can tell people in your neighborhood, your church, your family. You can send out an email to your friends who like to read. You can post a review onto your Facebook page or tweet about it. You can write a blog post about the book. Or pin it on Pinterest. Or some combination thereof.

You're basically saying, "Yes, I'd love to tell people about The Wishing Tree!" And in exchange, you get a copy for F-R-E-E. All I ask in return is that you help to generate that oh-so-important word of mouth in whatever way you feel comfortable. Think your influence doesn't matter? Think again!

My publisher is asking me to send a list of influencers soon so if you'd like to be on that list and are one of the first fifty to get back to me, I'd so appreciate you being an influencer. Email me with your name, where the book should be sent to, and how you're going to share it at marybeth6@gmail.com.

The Menu Plan (With Links To Recipes)

Here's what we're eating on the homefront this week. I included our weekend menu because they were good and should be tried.

Saturday: Pork Carnitas. I served these with some of the good kind of salsa they sell in the produce section of the grocery store (fancy!) and tortilla chips, with some canned mandarin oranges on the side. I also made a pudding pie-- which is basically chocolate pudding made according to the pie filling directions on the box, spooned into a bought Oreo crust and doused with an entire tub of Cool Whip. My kids love this pie and it takes seconds to make. Ok, minutes. This was a very good Saturday night supper that fit our spring-like weather this weekend perfectly.

Sunday: Greek Chicken Gyros. These made a nice lunch after church-- I just started cooking them on high that morning and they were ready when we got home. All we had to do was assemble and eat with some potato chips. My husband made pancakes and bacon for dinner, which is one of my favorite Sunday night suppers.

Monday: Pork Tenderloin with baked potatoes and roasted broccoli

Tuesday: Potato Chip Chicken (recipe below), Broiled Asparagus, and Cooked Apples-- this was a meal created by my 13yo. Not cooked by her, mind you. She just came up with it, saying it sounded like the perfect meal to her. Then she asked me to cook it.

Wednesday: Stouffer's Lasagna

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Chicken Cacciatore over pasta, salad

Here's the recipe for potato chip chicken. It's not the best thing in the world for you, but it is baked, it tastes good and my kids ask for it often.

2 lbs. chicken breasts
1/3 cup melted margarine
2 cups crushed potato chips
1/4 tsp garlic powder
dash pepper

Dip chicken breasts into butter and roll in potato chips and seasonings. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with remaining butter and crumbs. Bake at 375 for 45 min- 1 hr. Don't turn chicken.

Got Any Big Weddings Coming Up In Your Family?

We just had a big wedding in our family this past weekend and-- while my family and I couldn't be there-- it seemed like it was the dominating topic for everyone involved-- directly and otherwise-- for a year. So when I found out that this movie is coming out April 26 I knew it'd be on "must see" list. I bet we can all relate. And just look at that all-star cast. I love fun movies like this! See below for a description:

With an all-star cast led by Robert DeNiro, Katherine Heigl, Diane Keaton, Amanda Seyfried, Topher Grace, with Susan Sarandon and Robin Williams, THE BIG WEDDING is an uproarious romantic comedy about a charmingly modern family trying to survive a weekend wedding celebration that has the potential to become a full blown family fiasco. To the amusement of their adult children and friends, long divorced couple Don and Ellie Griffin (De Niro and Keaton) are once again forced to play the happy couple for the sake of their adopted son's wedding after his ultra conservative biological mother unexpectedly decides to fly halfway across the world to attend. With all of the wedding guests looking on, the Griffins are hilariously forced to confront their past, present and future - and hopefully avoid killing each other in the process. Screenplay by Justin Zackham. Directed by Justin Zackham.

And speaking of weddings, my new book is called The Wishing Tree and is about a wedding at Sunset Beach NC. Something to add to your beach or pool bag this summer... Release date is June 4!

Memoirs For A Monday

I love a good memoir-- the true story aspect blended with plain old good storytelling sometimes results in faster page turning than any other type of book.

Here are some on my radar:

NORTH OF HOPE by Shannon Polson

After her parents are killed in a rare grizzly attack, the author is forced into a wilderness of grief. Turning to loves she learned from her father, Polson explores the perilous terrain of grief through music, the natural world, and her faith. Her travels take her from the suburbs of Seattle to the concert hall where she sings Mozart's Requiem, and ultimately into the wilderness of Alaska's remote Arctic and of her heart.

This deeply moving narrative is shot through with the human search for meaning in the face of tragedy. Polson's deep appreciation for the untamed and remote wilderness of the Alaskan Arctic moves her story effortlessly between adventure, natural history, and sacred pilgrimage, as much an internal journey as a literal one. Readers who appreciate music or adventure narratives and the natural world or who are looking for new ways to understand loss will find guidance, solace, and a companionable voice in this extraordinary debut.

Show more

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DAYS LIKE THESE by Kristian and Rachel Anderson

There are love stories and then there's the story of Kristian and Rachel Anderson. When Kristian wanted to show his wife Rachel how much he loved her after learning he was terminally ill, he ended up winning millions of hearts around the world, thanks to the now famous YouTube video he made for her 35th birthday. Social media is often seen as trivial and self-absorbed, but this heartfelt and moving tribute by a young Australian father of two in the midst of a battle with cancer, drew attention to a much larger story we all wanted to know more about and an ordeal so many families face alone. Like Oprah, who invited Kristian and Rachel on her show, and Hugh Jackman, who helped make one of Kristian's dreams come true by appearing on the tribute, many of us didn't know him but we were so inspired by him that we felt like we did. He touched lives, gave hope and left behind a precious legacy that will mean a longer and better quality of life for thousands of cancer sufferers. Kristian's faith was foundational to him and he openly shared his prayers, his struggles, and the hope he found in his relationship with God. His story, told in his own words from his blog entries, with additions from his beloved Rachel, will inspire others to know that even in the darkest moments, the light can shine through.

SATURDAY NIGHT WIDOWS by Becky Aikman

In her forties – a widow, too young, too modern to accept the role – Becky Aikman struggled to make sense of her place in an altered world. In this transcendent and infectiously wise memoir, she explores surprising new discoveries about how people experience grief and transcend loss and, following her own remarriage, forms a group with five other young widows to test these unconventional ideas. Together, these friends summon the humor, resilience, and striving spirit essential for anyone overcoming adversity.

Meet the Saturday Night Widows: ringleader Becky, an unsentimental journalist who lost her husband to cancer; Tara, a polished mother of two, whose husband died in the throes of alcoholism after she filed for divorce; Denise, a widow of just five months, now struggling to get by; Marcia, a hard-driving corporate lawyer; Dawn, an alluring self-made entrepreneur whose husband was killed in a sporting accident, leaving two small children behind; and Lesley, a housewife who returned home one day to find that her husband had committed suicide.

The women meet once a month, and over the course of a year, they strike out on ever more far-flung adventures, learning to live past the worst thing they thought could happen. They share emotional peaks and valleys – dating, parenting, moving, finding meaningful work, and reinventing themselves – while turning traditional thinking about loss and recovery upside down. Through it all runs the story of Aikman's own journey through grief and her love affair with a man who tempts her to marry again. In a transporting story of what friends can achieve when they hold each other up, Saturday Night Widows is a rare book that will make you laugh, think, and remind yourself that despite the utter unpredictability and occasional tragedy of life, it is also precious, fragile, and often more joyous than we recognize.

THE SPARK: A MOTHER'S STORY OF NURTURING GENIUS by Kristine Barnett

Kristine Barnett’s son Jacob has an IQ higher than Einstein’s, a photographic memory, and he taught himself calculus in two weeks. At nine he started working on an original theory in astrophysics that experts believe may someday put him in line for a Nobel Prize, and at age twelve he became a paid researcher in quantum physics. But the story of Kristine’s journey with Jake is all the more remarkable because his extraordinary mind was almost lost to autism. At age two, when Jake was diagnosed, Kristine was told he might never be able to tie his own shoes.

The Spark is a remarkable memoir of mother and son. Surrounded by “experts” at home and in special ed who tried to focus on Jake’s most basic skills and curtail his distracting interests—moving shadows on the wall, stars, plaid patterns on sofa fabric—Jake made no progress, withdrew more and more into his own world, and eventually stopped talking completely. Kristine knew in her heart that she had to make a change. Against the advice of her husband, Michael, and the developmental specialists, Kristine followed her instincts, pulled Jake out of special ed, and began preparing him for mainstream kindergarten on her own.

Relying on the insights she developed at the daycare center she runs out of the garage in her home, Kristine resolved to follow Jacob’s “spark”—his passionate interests. Why concentrate on what he couldn’t do? Why not focus on what he could? This basic philosophy, along with her belief in the power of ordinary childhood experiences (softball, picnics, s’mores around the campfire) and the importance of play, helped Kristine overcome huge odds.

The Barnetts were not wealthy people, and in addition to financial hardship, Kristine herself faced serious health issues. But through hard work and determination on behalf of Jake and his two younger brothers, as well as an undying faith in their community, friends, and family, Kristine and Michael prevailed. The results were beyond anything anyone could have imagined.

Dramatic, inspiring, and transformative, The Spark is about the power of love and courage in the face of overwhelming obstacles, and the dazzling possibilities that can occur when we learn how to tap the true potential that lies within every child, and in all of us.

The Weekend Report

Had a wonderful weekend at Quarter Moon Bookstore's Moveable Feast in Topsail Beach NC this past weekend. Not only was it an amazing event that gave me a chance to meet and hear from readers, but it was also an unparalleled opportunity for some girl time! The event organizer (thanks Lori!) arranged for four of us to stay in a gorgeous home on the ocean. And when I say gorgeous, I mean jaw-dropping. And when I say on the ocean, I mean on the ocean. See for yourself.

 

That photo was taken from the deck where we spent every available minute-- sipping wine while wrapped in blankets and talking talking talking. I used all my words, which my husband will tell you is rare. We also didn't get much sleep-- we saw the wee hours of the morning every night. But I reasoned I could sleep later-- I don't get this kind of time with girlfriends very often.

So now it's time to recover and reclaim my domain (my house, my kitchen, my laundry room, etc). My husband does a great job in my absence but he doesn't exactly do it like I do. (Nor do I expect him to.) So today will involve grocery shopping, errands, meal planning, tidying, laundry, etc. It won't take long til it feels like mine again.

I've thrown some chicken and black bean soup into the crockpot that I was forward-thinking enough to already have the ingredients on hand to do so. (That was an awkward sentence but you understand what I meant, right?) Sometimes present me wants to hug past me and say "Well done, you!" (This is rare-- usually present me wants to shake past me and say "What exactly were you thinking?") Today I'm happy with past me, and so is my family because thanks to her, we have dinner.

I'm also hoping to make some chocolate chip banana bars and a lemon pie for desserts after I pick the kids up from school. We have nothing sweet in the house and lately my kids have been thinking that is just not allowed.

I'm hoping to write this week and get back into the routine of making writing a priority. After a lo-ong time of not writing, it's time to get serious. My next novel is apparently not going to write itself. And yes, I do hope there will be a next novel. I'm working on it!

I hope whatever is on your to-do list-- work, household chores, catching up on rest, exercise, ferrying kids, watching mindless movies, tackling your TBR list-- you have a great week. I will be back as soon as I have something to say. As brain-dead as I feel right now, that may be awhile.

Monsters University

Anyone else looking forward to this movie?

This is a family favorite for us. We loved the original and can't wait to see the next one. But we have to wait til June! :(

Three Things You Should Always Have on Hand

I was thinking about this the other day-- how I think that you should always have on hand the means to make three things when the mood hits you:

Cinnamon Sugar: (for cinnamon toast and to shake liberally onto baked sweet potatoes) Mix 1 Tbsp of cinnamon with 1/2 cup sugar and keep in empty cinnamon spice jar. Refill as needed.

Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Chip Cookies

The ingredients for these items would include things like flour, sugar, brown sugar, sticks of butter, chocolate chips, confectioners sugar. I make sure to always have these things on hand, ready and waiting, on a special shelf in my pantry I think of as my baking shelf.

I think it's very telling that the things I want to be able to make are all sweet. I wish I kept the makings for salad just as ready.

Reading Quote

(Photo Source: AdoptANegotiator.org)

"A man reading should be a man intensely alive. A book should be a ball of light in one’s hand.” - Ezra Pound

What are you reading?

Of Mailboxes And Menus

The other night I tweeted that I had cut down my inbox to a mere 14 emails AND planned a menu for the week. What a great feeling that is! I'm happy to report that, while my inbox didn't stay at 14, I've managed to keep it below 25, which is always my goal. I know this will not stay that way, but for now it perpetuates the illusion of control that I love so much.

The other thing that makes me feel in control is having my menu planned for the week. And so, while it's a little late, I thought I'd share what we're having this week at the Whalens, with links to many of the recipes in case you'd like to plan a menu of your own. I used my Pinterest "Food Faves" board this time for my planning and it was a fast process! Plus it's nice to finally make some of the many delicious looking recipes I've pinned.

Here they are, in no certain order:

Teriyaki Chicken over Rice, Roasted Broccoli

Chicken and Gravy over egg noodles, black eyed peas

Pork Chops, Stuffing, Lima Beans

Pot Roast, Carrots and Onions, Mashed Potatoes

Crockpot Beef Fajitas

Pork Roast, Green Beans, Roasted Potatoes

Chicken Drumsticks, Corn, Rice Pilaf

Breakfast for dinner: scrambled eggs, grits, bacon, easy apple dumplings

And don't forget dessert! I love bars so I got the ingredients to make these:

Deep Dish Oatmeal Chocolate Cookie Bars

No Bake Reese's Bars

Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodle Brownies

Secretariat's Heart

My daughter brings me the Kentucky Derby glass, her finger marking the spot on the glass where the great horse's name is listed under the year 1973. We own a collection of these glasses from all the years when my parents went to the Derby. (This is an example of "My mom went to the Kentucky Derby and all I got was this glass." But I'm not bitter. And I'm also not here to talk about that.)

I wanted to share something my mom, who got to see the great horse at the farm where he retired, told me. Because I shared it with my daughter when she showed me his name on the glass. And it got me thinking. (Incidentally, those 5 words probably scare my husband more than any others.)

If you've seen the Disney movie, you know that one of the big concerns about Secretariat was that his heart would explode if they pushed him to go too fast. That had happened with another horse and the people around him were worried it could happen again. They were protecting their investment.

And so they stood on the sidelines and they wrung their hands and they held the reins (figuratively and literally) and they tried to control the outcome. Until one brave lady looked into that horse's eyes and knew there was more inside of him-- they were holding him back from what he could achieve, not because he was scared, but because they were.

And here's what my mom told me that she learned. After Secretariat died, they did an autopsy of him and his heart was massively larger than a normal horse's. He could run faster because he was made to. Those people who were holding him back couldn't see inside him. They didn't know what he was capable of.

This made me think of those of us who see people trying to accomplish things and we hold them back. They want to run faster, harder, stronger and we-- because we can't do it ourselves or we know someone who failed before-- pull back on the reins. We try to protect our investments-- into our children, our spouses, our friends, our family. We have poured money, time, love into them and what if we lost? Better to hold them back. Better to be safe.

But what if they were made-- specially crafted by the hand of God-- to do more? What if your child actually can play an instrument better than the rest? What if your husband really was given the talent to write that novel? What if your friend can succeed with that crazy idea because she really does possess a better business acumen than the average person? What if that emotional risk your loved one wants to take is actually safe for them because their heart is larger than average?

We can't see inside people. We don't know what they're equipped to do. This is what I've been thinking about as I parent these young adults launching into the future, do life with a husband who is making decisions that might feel risky at times, befriend women who dream things I wouldn't dare try. Who am I to hold them back? Better for me to stand on the sidelines and cheer them on, urging them to go faster, run harder, be stronger than I ever could, trusting that's what's inside will carry them safely across the finish line.

The Friday Post

Can I be frank? This week has sucked. Last week was not much better. While I enjoyed seeing Safe Haven with my daughter and putting on our Valentine's Day dinner, I was also unsuccessfully fighting off a cold and dealing with some other family health issues that just overall sucked the joy out of it.

I was supposed to be at the Grove Park in Asheville NC tonight enjoying a brief getaway with my husband but alas I am home taking care of children who needed me. And I'm now officially sick too.

I did get a much-needed haircut, so that was good. It's now four inches shorter. Everyone in my family agrees it looks better. This is either true or they're just being nice.

Today I have a post running over at Peanut Butter on the Keyboard you might want to check out. Since their focus is managing motherhood and work, I decided to write about my proclivity towards lists of all kinds because lists help me get stuff accomplished. I hope you enjoy it.

Well I'm off to take down my Valentine's Day decorations and put up my St Pat's stuff. And feed my kids who are home from school from now til next Wednesday. And get to the grocery store. And then lay down and do as little as possible. And pray next week is better.

Safe Haven Review

I saw Safe Haven the other night with my daughter and wanted to share my thoughts:

I had a friend ask about taking her 13yo daughter to see it. My daughter is 18 and she was totally fine. But I wouldn't take my 13yo daughter-- not because of the sex (there is one brief scene) but because of the violence. There are flashbacks to some domestic violence episodes that are pretty intense. That's just my opinion, of course you know your kid.

Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel had better chemistry than I thought they would.

I loved seeing the shots of Southport, NC especially since I had spent some time there this summer. It's truly a lovely place.

I was pleased with how they unfolded the story. While I thought I knew where they were going, I wasn't entirely sure. And since I love to guess what's going to happen, it's saying a lot that they kept me guessing at least somewhat. It wasn't as strait forward as you might envision a Nicholas Sparks love story to be.

There was one element I did not see coming at all, which earned my respect. I never once picked up on it. If you see it and guess what it was, feel free to email me and let me know if you did so you can have my respect as well.

I would recommend seeing this movie with a girlfriend, though if your husband is really looking to earn brownie points for Valentine's Day, he won't be totally miserable.



SAFE HAVEN (Relativity Media)
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 115 Minutes
 
An affirming and suspenseful story about a young woman’s struggle to love again, Safe Haven is based on the novel from Nicholas Sparks, the best-selling author behind the hit films The Notebook and Dear John. When a mysterious young woman arrives in a small North Carolina town, her reluctance to join the tight knit community raises questions about her past. Slowly, she begins putting down roots, and gains the courage to start a relationship with Alex, a widowed store owner with two young children. But dark secrets intrude on her new life with such terror that she is forced to rediscover the meaning of sacrifice and rely on the power of love in this deeply moving romantic thriller.

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Safehavenmovie/info
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/safehavenmovie
YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/safehavenmovie
Hashtag: #SafeHavenMovie

On Being Brave

Found this on a writer's site and wanted to share it.

Are you being brave with your life? What is one brave thing you could do today? Something that might inspire others-- even if the "others" in question are the people who call you mom?

The Noise Symphony

A poem, with my apologies:

The Noise Symphony

Outside there is a dog barking, a chainsaw grating
In the kitchen there are dishes banging
In the den a gun is shooting (on the tv)
Upstairs there is music thumping
Beside me there is my music playing (softly, gently)
In the bathroom there is water running
Somewhere in the house a phone is ringing
Above me, there are feet romping

I nearly complain about all this noise before I realize
This is the symphony of my life
So I sit and listen and think of when
This symphony will one day cease
And I then I will curse the silence

Baked Mediterranean Chicken

I had my meals all planned for the week and, because we live in the south and at the time I was planning it was 70 degrees outside, I had planned to grill some marinated chicken and serve it over salad with some french bread on the side. But the weather didn't cooperate and, because we live in the south, the temps changed in about a day and suddenly we were plunged into an icy cold snap. I looked at my husband and said, "I don't suppose you'd be willing to grill anyway." He gave me that look that required no further conversation. And yet, I needed to use up that salad and bread lest it go bad. Can't have food going bad in my house. That really bugs me.

So I stood in my kitchen for awhile and stared at the chicken, sitting there in the fridge taunting me. It was about to outwit me until I remembered one of my mom's old recipes-- a staple meal of my childhood. And right there, thanks to my mom, I had my solution. I adapted what my mom used to do some and updated it a bit, because the product I used wasn't available in the 70's. At least not that I ever saw.

So here's my recipe, complete with pics, in case you need to come up with an indoor alternative to grilled chicken.

Baked Mediterranean Chicken 

 

You will need the following items. Just four things, and that includes the foil to wrap your chicken in. I like recipes that have few ingredients. You need chicken breasts, extra virgin olive oil (my mom used butter), and McCormick Mediterranean Spiced Sea Salt (my mom used Jane's Crazy Salt).

 

If you look closely at this photo, you can see the laundry piled on my loveseat in the background. This is real life, folks.

 

 

This is what the spice looks like that you will use. I found mine in the spice section with the salt.

 

Lay your chicken breast in the center of a decent size piece of foil, turned diagonal. Drizzle evoo over it and sprinkle with the salt mixture. This is salt, so remember if you put a lot your meat is going to be salty, so keep that in mind. One time I went a little crazy and my chicken was too salty. (And I love salt so that is saying a lot.)

 

It is helpful if you have a small person in the background watching you intently and asking a lot of questions. 

 

Then wrap your chicken breast like a little tent, leaving space on top of the chicken, so it looks like this picture. Make sure to seal the foil all the way around. The steam that gets trapped helps to cook the chicken and make it moist. It also keeps in the juices, which form a sauce when mixed with the spices and oil. This will come into play later.

 

The nice thing about this meal is you can go ahead and make these packets up whenever you have a few minutes, then just stick it in the fridge until you're ready to bake them.

 

Put all of your little chicken packets on a cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 45 minutes. When you open it it will look like this. The best part is there will be a yummy sauce that has formed in the bottom. I made some Basmati rice to pour the sauce over and it was good. When I was a kid my mom used to always make baked potatoes. The sauce also tastes good poured over those. I served the salad on the side as a side item along with the rice. And the french bread because why have one carb when you can have two?

 

If you did your job correctly, your family should look like this while eating the meal. And they should never miss the grilled chicken you had originally planned.

 

Mediterranean Grilled Chicken

 

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken

McCormick Mediterranean Sea Salt

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Aluminum Foil

 

Lay chicken breast on large piece of foil, turned into diamond shape.

Drizzle a little bit of evoo over chicken breast.

Then sprinkle sea salt mix over top of that.

Tent the foil around the chicken and seal well.

Put chicken packets on cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 for 45 minutes.

(My chicken breasts were a good size-- you may want to reduce cooking size if your chicken breasts are smaller.)