Bleeding Espresso

When I did the Flickr photo meme, I mentioned that my MOO mini-cards were coming via my mom. Well they’re here!

To remind you, mini-MOO cards are about half the size of normal business cards, and you can choose from your own photos on Flickr for the front (or you can get pre-made MOOs as well). MOO makes more than just mini-MOOs, though–you can also get note cards, greeting cards, postcards, and more.

To be clear, I don’t get any remuneration or anything for telling you about these, but I did promise to come back and let you know what I thought when I saw the MOOs in person . . . and I think I’m in love.

(click on photos to see larger versions)

Seriously, how cute are these?

I got these “free” when I upgraded to a PRO Flickr account, but I’m going to have to order more because I find myself not wanting to give these away, and, um, hello? That *is* the point of them.

Anyway, I was planning on writing this post anyway, but then yesterday I got word from the MOOsers that they are offering a special discount to those placing orders for the first time. This was written in the MOOsletter (their word, not mine):

The code 8DN2MP* will entitle a brand new MOO customer
to 15% off their first order.

So there you have it. Go MOO and save MOOlah to boot.

And tell me do, what has MOOved you lately?

OK, I’ll stop.

Seriously though, tell me what you’ve been loving this summer–blogs, websites, books, food? Share your favorites in the comments!

P.S. If you’re looking for La Buona Cucina Americana, you’ll have to rejoin us in September when we kick start the series again; like good Italians, we’re taking a break throughout August (and even a bit of July).

Buon weekend!

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It’s disturbingly easy for me to fall into a rut and take for granted that what I’m doing is working so long as is it’s not *not* working.

During those times, I like plenty of quiet time to just think.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been examining my writing career and where I want it to go. I’ve realized that I’ve let some goals slip away while focusing simply on making a living.

Through my quiet time, I’ve been re-energized and re-inspired to pursue things that I had kind of forgotten even existed . . . like completing the novel I started a few years ago, or even the other one I started in November with NaNoWriMo, or goodness didn’t I start yet another nearly 10 years ago?

My personal way of organization has a lot to do with lists. When I’m making them, it means I’m in a good place.

I’m happy to report that lately I’ve been making lists and crossing things off like crazy–and I’ve finally realized that something rather interesting happens when I look at a list with lines through many of the items:

I feel like accomplishing even more.

I know it’s good for me to stop and recharge like this every now and again, to refocus and realign my priorities with my actions, but sometimes I forget. I get caught up in the daily grind and end up rather uninspired, unprepared to push myself and take risks. And I don’t like that.

I much prefer feeling ready to take on the big, bad world.

What do you do when you need to recharge?

P.S. Be sure to check out Judith’s Unraised Doughnuts at Think on It!
for this week’s La Buona Cucina Americana recipe.

P.P.S. Click on the photos to see them larger (advised!) and no, this is not one of Stella’s puppies, but he is a cutie, no?

Buon weekend!

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Just a quick Saturday hello to ask you to come visit me at Deb Ng’s Freelance Writing Jobs where I’m guest posting today:

A Freelance Writer’s Secret to Effective Time Management

To celebrate three years at FWJ, Deb has been kind enough to open up the blog to guest posts on freelance writing throughout the month of May. There’s still time to get yours in–see details here!

Hope you’re enjoying the weekend!

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Cu stavi mutu non po’ essiri servutu.
~ Calabrian proverb

Loosely translated, if you don’t speak up, you can’t get what you want.

Or if you prefer, tell the universe what you want.

Or, as my friend Tina wrote recently,

Thoughts become things.

Go. Think. Tell.

Buon weekend!

P.S. Go check out this week’s La Buona Cucina Americana recipe:
Barbecue Baked Beans with Bacon from Sara of Ms Adventures in Italy!

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Some of you may have seen George Ella Lyon’s gorgeous, moving poem Where I’m From. If you haven’t, go here but then please come back.

Now, after reading my thoughts below, do yourself, your well-being, and everyone around you a favor and use this form to guide you in writing something of your own.

And then please, please share it with us.

————–

Where I’m From

I am from coal, the black diamond, from the depths of the earth, from the veins of life mined by my ancestors so that I would never have to, those who toiled away sotto terra as their wives worked hard at home or in factories hoping to never hear the whistle call them to the breaker in the middle of a work day.

From Big Ben’s blue birch beer, a taste so unique and delicious, only a chosen few have ever had the pleasure.

I am from a quaint, white house with a brick-colored porch, off on its own on a block of row homes, rebuilt by my family after a fire destroyed it, smelling often of garlic and onions, but also of fresh-baked everything.

I am from the spider fern, launching its branches far and wide, hoping that someone, somewhere will take in a baby off-shoot, plant it and nurture it.

The lily, the gorgeous lily that was a fixture in the house at Easter time, sitting in front of the fireplace, dying with each passing day but bringing such joy to all who saw her.

I am from Christmas Eve at my grandmother’s house, squeezing into the kitchen, eating baked ham, potato salad, cheese, meats, and so many sweet pickles and black olives, I thought I might burst.

And different shades of dark hair from my mom and my dad and my brother.

I am from the daily dinner table shouting (not in a good way) and keeping feelings inside, quiet, and out of view (except for the shouting).

From the “no soda before noon” rule and stories of what is was like to grow up as an immigrant family in America in the 1930s and 40s.

I am from a strong base of Catholics, with a slight dose of agnostic, and have come to follow a similar path. I am from a study of many world religions and finding some of each that bring me at peace with the world, and yet complete failing to understand how so many religious people hate so much and so many in the name of one god or another.

I am from the desire to learn, to understand, to love, to be loved, and from the wish that we all, truly, can live in harmony.

I’m from a small town in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania, from Lithuanians, Italians, and Germans, from pierogies, gnocchi, and sauerkraut.

From the great-great-grandfather who was saved from a bull by his trusty black mutt, the aunt who constantly changed her first name because she didn’t like her given one, and the father who served in Vietnam.

I am from an accordion-file folder back in the States, a wall in my brother’s house, and a small black-and-white photo album here with me—a collection of family pictures, documents, stories, and history that are worth little monetarily, but that couldn’t possibly mean more to me.

A struggle of one family that has moved around the world, been laborers and professionals, helped build countries, fought wars, healed the sick, played professional sports, cooked for the masses, touched the hearts of many, seen the best and worst of people, experienced many successes as well as failures, but, most importantly, persevered as a unit, as a family.

————–

Reminder: check out Judith’s Chicken Pot Pie for La Buona Cucina Americana!

Buon weekend!

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