Blogging today feels something like trying to jump aboard a moving freight train–but here I am! I don’t mind telling you it was touch-and-go for a while there. 
Our first Amazon and Barnes and Noble winners have been chosen and notified–congratulations to Brenda Cates and Janet. (Guess we don’t have Janet’s last name; if you are the Janet in question, you will have received an email from Jenni by now.) Brenda and Janet will each receive an autographed book as well as their $50 gift card.
Those of you who didn’t win, do not despair. There are three more weeks left in the contest. Keep trying!
What I did today: I got up very early, prayed and meditated, drank coffee, fed the cats and the dog and let them all out and then in again. (And then out again…) I made a run to Walmart–nobody has a better selection of Weight Watchers products, plus it’s a one-stop shop. Grabbed a few stocking stuffers, pet food, Linda food, etc. Returning home, I put everything away (Kat was here to carry it all in from the truck, bless her), had lunch–WW Chicken Fajitas, 7 points–and then went upstairs to write. I’m making some progress on the book, and I’m loving the characters, too; plan to go back for a couple of hours after I finish this blog entry.
I’ve had dinner–an adapted WW recipe featuring 93/7 ground beef, canned tomatoes, garlic, onion, oregano, and spaghetti squash. The squash has to be baked first–(I put it in a 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes, making sure to puncture the skin first so the thing won’t explode.) Once cooked, the squash should be allowed to cool, then seeded. When you scrape the “meat” out of the shell with a fork, it looks just like spaghetti, and it can be substituted for pasta, too. Having simmered the other ingredients in a frying pan for a while, I mix in the squash and pop the works into the oven for about 30 minutes. This is a great dish–I made it yesterday for supper, (charged myself 6 points total, 4 for the very lean burger and 2 for the 1/3 cup of grated WW cheese I sprinkled over my portion and melted). The stuff is so good, I had it again tonight. The batch serves four, and it gets tastier after being refrigerated overnight, like stew or chili. Sometimes, I just have spaghetti squash with some spray-on I-can’t-believe-it’s-not-butter (actually, I CAN believe it) and a little salt and pepper–delicious. There are lots of things a person can do with this particular veggie, and I plan to try some variations after checking the web for ideas. I added a green salad and, good to go.
The rocks continue to arrive–I have a combination of moss agate and Labradorite in a pretty dish, to offer visitors. (So much healthier than candy.) I’ll encourage my company to pick out half a dozen or so, the ones they’re particularly drawn to–have I mentioned that the gemstones you need most at any given time will attract you?) These two minerals are very handy, and when I hold them or even just hold my palm above them, I really feel a buzz. Last night, I put some in my bath water, and that was very soothing indeed. (There are some, like Selenite and salt crystals, for instance, that shouldn’t get wet because they will dissolve.)
I remain amazed!
And that’s not such a bad way to be.
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Those WW frozen foods are not too bad. I like having the point count right on the box. Nothing to figure out.
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Your spaghetti squash dinner sounds great! I’ve saved the recipe to try for myself. I don’t cook often as I live alone and am disabled so it’s too much of a bother most of the time, but your recipe sounds simple enough as well as sounding tasty.
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Congratulations, Ladies, on winning.
Someday, I am going to try spaghetti squash
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I love spaghetti squash. I bought a butternut squash today. I will make soup this weekend. It will get into the 40s this weekend. I live in Austin, TX. That would be a heat wave when I lived Minnesota but its cold here.
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So glad you are enjoying gemstones. What a lovely idea to put moss agate and labrodorite in a bowl for guests! Did you know labrodorite is also called “temple of the stars”? I love that! I have been very drawn to it and to amethyst lately. So happy to think about gemstones again. I had fallen away from them and the happiness gems and crystals bring me. My Dad was a rock hound, too. and flowers. lol Thanks for reminding me to enjoy “rocks” again!
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Congratulations ladies, hopefully I’ll be one soon:) I went to my Godson’s 40th birthday celebration on Saturday and had a wonderful time. I did a little Christmas shopping today, now I’m getting ready for work, so have a good night everyone.
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Sounds like a very productive day! Gotta love those! And a good deal on WW meals – makes for a great day! Enjoy!
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I love your books and anxiously wait for each new title. When I read about your gems and crystals. I think of my Dad and smile. He had a couple of “pet” rocks that he had on the farm. When he passed, they were moved to my house. And when I’m gone, my sons will take custody of them (which I hope doesn’t happen anytime soon).
Good luck with WW, I know how hard it is to stick to a life style change. Why is it when we know what’s good for us, we go ahead and make the wrong choices. I guess that’s one of the mysteries of life.
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Thanks for all the info on the gem stones. I’m really enjoying learning about them. I’ve even started looking for local shops that carry them.
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The recipie sounds great. I have to eat gluten free, and the squash is a great alternative.
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Love to hear about your days, and your rocks!! Keep the news coming and good luck with your writing! Have a great day tomorrow! ((hugs)) to all!
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You have me very interested in the gemstones. I would have never figured that a “rock” could do so much. Very interesting! I think I will have to read up about them! Have a great week!
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Congratulations to the winners. I’m totally jealous. I find the info on gemstones interesting. I’ve tried spaghetti squash and substitute for pasta. I have to watch my carbs due to health reasons. Let us know if you find interesting ways to use it.
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Love reading about your days! I am a rock hound also… and I’ve just finished two of the men from Stone creek books – loved them! Don’t know how I missed them, now to find the rest…
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Congratulations to the winners.
Sounds as if you have been busy with all of your projects. How cool is that?
Can’t wait for the new book. I am reading another author now and also become so involved in the books that I feel like I am one of the characters! (Dumb of me, but so it goes!) I always do the same with your books.
I have sick people to take care of so off I go…………..
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I’m glad everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving!!! I’m plenty thankful! Miss all you guys I think I’m getting busier and that’s just not goin well with me!! Lol it will certainly calm down after all the holidays!!! Love you all and great job Linda with your weight loss!!! So proud of you as we all know how hard it is to stick to something. Congrats and kudos to you ; )
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Congratulations ladies! What a busy schedule you have! I’m just glad you still find time to blog.
Taking it down now after the busy Thanksgiving holiday so I might need to look into those WW items at Walmart. Ha ha!
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Congrats to your two lucky winners!!!
Sounds like you’ve been a busy lady today. Glad to hear the book is coming along so well, looking forward to it. Your receipe sounds good and sounds like you’re doing well on Weight Watchers. Blessings.
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That recipe sounds delicious! Might have to try that out!! Have a great week
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Linda, I love that recipe idea and will be giving it a try
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Thank you so much, I can’t wait to receive my prizes, I rarely win anything. I wanted to pass on a website about WW, this lady lost 105 pounds on WW and has tons of recipes you might like. It’s http://www.dwlz.com , called Dottie’s weight loss zone. I’ve found a lot of keeper recipes on her site.
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Hi Linda,
The recipe sounds very good. When refrigerating leftovers the seasonings seem to go through the dish and make it taste better than it originally did.
I hope that you and your family had a blessed Thanksgiving!
Take care.
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Is that spaghetti squash also called acorn squash? They are hard dark green on outside w/few yellow streaks & kinda small. I cut them in half & bake cut side down after rinsing well & removing seeds. I have also baked em cut side up w/butter. Also good w/brown sugar
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No, spaghetti squash is different–oblong, usually yellow.
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Had a productive day myself. Have been offered a job after several months un employed. So thank ful
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You are amazing!!!! You have a blessed life. You get alot done in one day. Have a great week!!!!
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I love the CAN believe its butter comment!!
Is it tough to puncture the squash? That’s my fear!
Love u!
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No, it’s easy to puncture the skin on spaghetti squash–it’s quite thin.
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You made me tired just reading what you did. You were very busy. Congrats to the winners. I should try the ww dinners. I should find some of stones and see which ones appeal to me. Happy writing!!!
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You are such a busy lady, don’t know how you do all that you do. The recipe sounds delicious, I think I will try it. Congrats. to the lucky winners. Have a great week everyone!!
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Can’t wait for the next book to come out. Reading is my favorite past time. Heading to Pigeon Forge Tennessee this Friday. My Birthday was yesterday and we’re having a girls weekend. Maybe I can be lucky enough to find some stones while I’m there.
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Need to get some spaghetti squash, I love squash but have never tried the spaghetti variety. Your recipe sounds so delicious! Had to laugh while reading your blog, I think I get most of my exercise letting our 2 yellow labs, Maggie & Levi, in and out of the house! They have a doggie door to their enormous kennel, but with 5 acres to roam they prefer to go out the patio door!
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Here’s hoping you don’t really try jumping aboard a moving train. If so hoping you have one of the Yarbro men at your side! As always thanks for posting! Makes you feel like a friend instead of a famous author! Congratulations to the winners!
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I wouldn’t attempt this unless I WAS a Yarbro man.
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Sounds like you had a full day. Be glad when your new book comes out and the other series gets started. Have a good day.
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Yeah !!! It’s me, it’s me, I’m Janet and my last name is Finlayson, Janet Finlayson. Thank you, thank you, thank you, lol. How fun is that? Can’t wait for my autographed book, don’t have one yet, as I’m never close to one of your signings. and of course the gift card will be welcomed also. Yeah, more books!!! Have to admit, getting really interested in “the stones”. We can all use some good influence and if it’s just sitting there waiting to be helpful… Going to have to looking into that for sure.
Keep the blog coming Linda, I so enjoy it. Also going to try the squash, sounds so good. Have a great week, and Happy Holidays.
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Thank you, fellow readers for all the “congrats” on being one of the winners. ( I should have read all the other comments before I started mine, lol ). Hang in there, your day will come soon. So happy, thanks Linda, and Jennifer too. Happy days to everyone.
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I believe in the chakra stones helpng to maintain your balance. Do you tumble your own stones? A friend invited me to her studio where she was cutting amethyst geodes and tumbling them before making jewelry and we were interrupted by the artist in the neighboring studio wanting to know what we were doing because he couldn’t concentrate. Talk about good karma, they fell in love and got married!!
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Thanks for sharing your recipes. It is very helpful. I intend to try them. At my age (66 yrs), I need all of the healthy alternatives I can get.
Be blessed and keep your peace.
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Congratulation to Brenda and Janet, i am so happy for you both. Thanks Linda for some of your recipes they sounded pretty good. God blessings to everyone.
As always your friend,
Norma
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You’re making me hungry…..