 | 9 Mar 09 |
I know I’m not the only one who gets thrown off by Daylight Savings. It’s lovely that my husband gets home while it’s still light out, but I takes me a bit to get over being tired because I stayed up too late. (like right now…)
Jumping forward in time segues (in a way) into all the jumping around I’ve been doing lately.
Such as jumping forward in my reading. I’m not sure when I picked up the habit, but sometime in the last few years I’ve started leaping forward in the books I read, sometimes skipping all the way to the last few pages before going back to where I left off. I don’t do this with all books. Some keep me flipping pages in the correct order. Others, however–especially those with multiple plot threads–will have me following one particular thread while skipping the others. Hopping forward doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the book. If I don’t like a book, my solution is to stop reading. I just skipped around a book over the weekend and it was a great book. I really enjoyed it. There’s a sequel coming up, and I’ll be picking it up for sure.
I’m also jumping around diet ideas. I’ve contemplated a few over the last couple of weeks. Started a couple. Dropped one. Presently I’m doing a combination of things, but mostly trying to eat a lot more fruits and vegetables, as well as more organic foods (they taste a lot better). I’m also exercising more–taking the dog on longer walks, etc. I’m heading to the Romantic Times Convention in Orlando next month, which got me thinking about the RT Convention in Daytona just a few years back. I can’t wear the clothes I bought for the Daytona trip now. How sad is that? They’re cute, too, and perfect for a business trip in Florida. 
I’m jumping forward in years, too. My birthday is Wednesday. I’m taking the kids to Disneyland for the day. Since my son shares my birthday, we both get in free. Even though I take them every year, sometimes multiple times a year, they’re giddy with excitement. I am, too. I have so much fun hanging out with my kids. They’re my favorite people to spend time with.
Since I’m feeling really good after reading a great book, eating healthier and exercising more, and anticipating a fun time this week with my family, I’m thinking I want to give away an ARC of EVE OF DARKNESS. If you’re interested, let me know in the comments.
I’d also love to hear about any delicious vegetable side dishes you might love. Also whether or not you skip forward when you read books? How far do you go? All the way to the end?
Sylvia Day is the national bestselling, award-winning author of seventeen novels. A wife and mother of two, she is a former Russian linguist for the U.S. Army Military Intelligence. In addition to her novels, she’s written numerous novellas and short stories for both print and electronic-original release. Sylvia’s work has been called “wonderful and passionate” by WNBC.com and “wickedly entertaining” by Booklist. Her stories have been translated into Russian, Japanese, Portuguese, German, Czech, and Thai. She’s been honored with the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, the EPPIE award, the National Readers' Choice Award, and multiple finalist nominations for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award of Excellence.
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Hey, Sylvia! I’d love to be in your drawing for EVE. You are doing the ‘diet’ thing right. Eat healthier, eat smaller, and exercise. I’ve lost about 10 of the 50 pounds I need to lose just by doing this. The toughest part is being home all day with my computer in the kitchen. It makes it way too easy to ‘graze’. I’ve also found drinking lots and lots of water and green tea helps. . . then I have to take breaks to visit another part of the house!
by Margaret A. Golla March 9th, 2009 at 4:41 amHave fun in Disneyland! I’m a big fan of THE MOUSE and we’ve visit Disney World almost yearly.
Hi Margaret,
I always thought of myself as a pretty steady water drinker, but once I started counting how many ounces of water I was consuming, I realized that I was actually falling far short. So now I’m keeping track!
by S.J. Day March 9th, 2009 at 10:48 amJust an FYI: not drinking enough water when you are exercising or dieting can cause headaches and irratibility.
by Margaret A. Golla March 9th, 2009 at 10:54 amHubster thought it was sugar withdrawl, but this occured on day 7, which is way past the time of sugar withdrawal symptoms (usu. day 2-3).
Yeah, I’ve been on many, many diets. *sigh*
You know I want an ARC of Eve of Darkness. I can’t cook – so I can’t help you with the veggie side dish. As for skipping ahead in books. Sometimes – maybe if I’m reading a book and I get to a slow part. But not all the time.
by Greta March 9th, 2009 at 5:03 amNot a skipper. Maybe a skimmer but I have to read straight through (which is why I always have to start with book 1 in a series).
Veggie side dishes? A favorite around here is my take on one of the South Beach recipes. It’s for cauliflower, although it’s called something like “mashed potato surprise.” If you want the recipe, let me know.
But I also buy the green beans you can nuke right in the bag and season them. Mostly, though, we eat a lot of our veggies raw with low-cal dips. That always fooled the kids. We served them before dinner while they watched TV and called it happy hour.
I grew up in LA. Went to Disneyland the year it opened, and many, many times after that.
Now I live in Orlando. Never go to the Magic Kingdom. It’s not the same.
by Terry Odell March 9th, 2009 at 7:08 amTerry,
I’d love your recipe for mashed potato surprise!
Are you going to RT?
by S.J. Day March 9th, 2009 at 10:51 amYes, I’ll be at RT. If you can snag my email from my posting, drop me a line and I’ll send you the recipe. I’ve modified it enough so I don’t think posting it here would be a copyright issue, but better safe than sorry, I think. Since it began as something out of the SB cookbook.
by Terry Odell March 9th, 2009 at 11:03 amI like to use a liittle olive oil and sautee, red onions. garlic (to taste-for me a lot), add yellos and green bell peppers, zuchinni, and cherry tomatoes, coarsly chopped. Leave vegetables slightly crunchy. Great side dish.
I’ve been known to skip forward to see if a character lives. I know, I’m a cheater. I’d love to be in the book drawing. Carol
by Carol Shenold March 9th, 2009 at 9:03 amCarol,
This sounds delicious! I will have to try that this week.
by S.J. Day March 9th, 2009 at 10:52 amEarly Happy birthday to you, mine is today! Wish I was going to Disneyland but I’m having friends over tonight to play cards. I never skip ahead when reading.
by Teresa W. March 9th, 2009 at 9:19 amTeresa,
Happy Birthday! I have lots of boxes of playing cards (the cards have book covers from a bunch of different authors as the images.) I’d be happy to send you some, if you like.
It’s always fun to spend an evening with friends. That’s one of the reasons I like going to conferences. *g*
by S.J. Day March 9th, 2009 at 10:55 amWould love some playing cards, if you can contact me at my e-mail I’ll send my snail mail address! Thanks, Teresa!
by Teresa W. March 10th, 2009 at 3:06 pmSyl, I don’t skip but I do skim. Too many years of reading and writing mysteries keep from from skipping altogether as I’m afraid I’ll miss a clue.
However, I will skim. But when I have to do that, the book really begins to lose me.
Wow, I must be a cranky reader, LOL!
by Jen Lyon March 9th, 2009 at 9:29 amI never skip. Never, ever. If I skip, the book is over for me. If I even sense that I’ve missed a line (which happens when a book is fantastic and I’m reading really fast), I have this little voice in the back of my head urging me to return to that line on the page and read it! I can’t go on if I think I missed a word or sentence. If I want to skip or skim, I might as well put the book down because I’m done.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I never knew you can get into Disney free on your birthday! Is that true for Disneyworld, also?
There’s nothing like an upcoming conference to kick the diet and exercise into high gear! I love Carol’s veggie recipe! I’ve also discovered these bags of chopped veggies, very similar to the precut/prewashed lettuce and spinach, only these are nicely cut broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, all mixed in one microwaveable bag. Not frozen (but you can freeze them) and soooo easy to microwave or steam and throw on salad. You never need a knife and they’re ready in seconds for Lunch At The Desk, where I eat so many of mine.
See you at RT!!!
by Roxanne St. Claire March 9th, 2009 at 9:39 amRocki,
I always go back and read everything after I jump ahead.
Here’s the information about the birthday admission: HERE.
Can’t wait to see you at RT!
by S.J. Day March 9th, 2009 at 10:59 amHi, Sylvia!
I don’t jump ahead while reading. Years ago, I used to read the ending before even starting the book but I don’t do that anymore!
And yes, I’m soooo interested in that ARC of EoD!
by Wendy March 9th, 2009 at 11:24 amI usually only skip to the end with ebooks. Everything else must be read front to back, especially in series order. I can’t stand to read a series book out of order!!
Have fun at Disney!
by Louisa Edwards March 9th, 2009 at 11:46 amHi Sylvia, I love urban fantasy stories, so please throw my name in the hat for Eve of Darkness.
We have three March birthdays in my house, me and my twin boys, so March is always a fun month for me.
Thanks for the veggie recipe, Carol, it sounds delicious.
by Cathy M March 9th, 2009 at 12:07 pmI have to start at the beginning and work through to the end, though I do tend to skim the sexy bits. No matter how talented a writer, there’s only so many ways to describe it. LOL
I wish I was going to RT now but the budget decreed either RT or RWA this year and since the DH wanted to go to Washington, RWA won!
I love the steamer bags. Even the frozen ones make the veggies taste fresh. If you like hot-spicy, I do a variation on the relish served in Mexican restaurants – jalepenos in a jar or can, onions, and carrots. I’ll add other fresh veggies like celery, broccoli, green beans, or cauliflower (though I HATE cauliflower, other people like it.) Just dump it all in a bowl and marinate in the juice from the jalepenos. Makes for a great snack with a warm tortilla.
Happy Birthday, S.J. and Teresa. Mine was last week. The best people are born in March!
by Silver James March 9th, 2009 at 1:38 pmI skip. and i’m wondering if one-eyed jacks are on your new diet.
by Karin Tabke March 9th, 2009 at 3:23 pmand happy b day!!!
by Karin Tabke March 9th, 2009 at 4:39 pmI would love and ARC of Eve of Darkness. Thanks for giving one away.
About the books, I’m not a skipper when it comes to reading. I do, however, check to see how many pages and chapters are in each book I pick up to read. I think it’s my OCD. I’ve done it ever since I can remember.
Have a great day. Good luck on your diet and eating healthier. Wish I had some recipes for you,
by Roberta Harwell March 9th, 2009 at 4:51 pmsounds wonderful thanks for the giveaway as for books i am not a skipper i like to absorb each and every page
by mindy March 9th, 2009 at 5:14 pmI’d love to win an ARC of Eve of Darkness. We slice squash with a little low fat margarine and garlic salt and put it on a pan on the grill – yummm
by cheryl-kelley March 9th, 2009 at 6:23 pmI would love to read Eve of Darkness! Thanks for the chance!
by Amy S. March 9th, 2009 at 7:19 pmI’d love to be entered for the draw. The book sounds great. I hate vegetables so I won’t be any help there. I do try to drink more water which I also hate, lol.
I don’t skip ahead but I really want to sometimes.
by Lisa H March 9th, 2009 at 9:04 pmVeggie side dish huh? My sons favorite is:
Saute green beans in a smidge of butter until tender. Sprinkle with Lawry’s Garlic salt with Coarse Ground Parsley. Serve.
OR
Oven Baked Fries:
Slice redskin potatoes into strips. Place in large bowl. In small bowl combine 1Tbsp olive oil, 1tsp Natures Seasoning & 1tsp Mrs. Dash garlic and herb seasoning. Pour over potatoes, making sure to mix everything so the potatoes are well coated. Spread them on cooking sheet and bake for 45 min at 450 degrees. (even the neighbor kids love these)
As for skipping ahead? I admit that sometimes I do it. It’s not a good sign if I do, though as it means I’m a bit bored with the story I’m reading and looking to see if it gets any better.
by Sarah Reyers March 10th, 2009 at 4:46 amI would love to read the ARC
I’m a terrible cook so I don’t think I have any veggie side dishes to suggest since I don’t do much more then cook or steam veggies — not very exciting! As far as skipping — if I lose interest in a book, which happens occasionally, then I’ll skip or, even more likely, I’ll skim over some parts.
by Marie March 10th, 2009 at 12:42 pmHappy Birthday a little early! I hope you have a great day tomorrow!
I definitely skip around in books. Like you, there are some that keep me going in order, but most of the time I find myself skipping ahead to see what I have to look forward to. I only read a paragraph or two when I do this and then go back to where I was originally and read every word. I tend to do this a few times when I’m reading, especially if I end up skipping ahead and come to a really, really good part. I end up reading that part a number of times before I actually get to it by straight through reading. I’ve been trying to work on this habit, but it tends to pop back up when I get to a book that I’m anxious to read but know I won’t be able to read all in one sitting because of other things I need to do, like homework.
The only books I’ve never skipped ahead in are my ebooks. It’s just not as easy to skip ahead when reading an ebook as it is with a paper book, at least not for me anyway.
by Karin March 10th, 2009 at 1:25 pmUgh, I HATE the time going forward too!
I’m kind of bad though…if the beginning is kind of boring, I have been known to read the last chapter.
Best veggie sidedish – Cauliflower & Broccoli steamed with some pepper!
Thanks for the contest!!
by RachieG March 10th, 2009 at 8:50 pmI don’t skip forward unless I hit a really boring part of the book, then I might flip forward a page or two.
I like to steam vegetables. I have a basket steamer that fits in the bottom of a pan. You add enough water to come to the bottom of the basket, dump in your frozen or fresh veggies, cover and cook on high until they are tender. Make sure you watch that it doesn’t boil dry. We love broccoli, carrots and corn done this way. You can add a little butter and/or Mrs. Dash if you want.
I also like to saute the mini tomatoes in a little olive oil and garlic until they start to pop open, drain, sprinkle on a little basil and parmesan.
by Paula H March 11th, 2009 at 12:53 pmI love Disney in all sense of the word and its so much fun to take the kids. That whole birthday promo they have going rocks socks. My favorite veggies dishes are squash mix *yum* And summer veggie linguine * that can have tofu or chicken* Its not really all that low on the calories BUT it is really really tasty. Mutiplue plot threads usually have me jump around a bit but i really really try to resist.
Btw i would absolutely love to get my grubby little hands on the next Eve, book the first one was out of this realm great.
-Maggs
by Maggie R March 11th, 2009 at 2:56 pmI never jump to the end, I read every word.
by Judith VanAlphen March 11th, 2009 at 10:41 pmHappy Birthday it’s still Wednesday here.
Would love “EVE OF DARKNESS”.
book looks great..
by SANDY March 13th, 2009 at 8:20 pmas far as the dieting who knows i just put food away as I finish cooking for all, and also while cooking drink alot- nope not alchol but water or tea to fill me up and i tend not to be hungry or as hungry. I also have learned portion control- yes I couls eat a whole large pizza..but why when one or two will do just the trick