November Updates 2019

November Updates 2019

November is here and you can smell the fresh air as the seasons change and the coolness of winter approaches

Wait to hold the fort…
For some a winter cold blast hit, for others, summer is here and the fresh warm sun and family picnics. Wherever you are in the world, enjoy your seasonal change.

A Question

A question I am asked a lot is what inspires me. It always makes me smile as it is so easy to answer, my family. I do not go into detail as I am about to share with you. I want you to have a little insight into who I am as the words were not always there. So here is a small window into my life. I have been blessed with the three wonderful children who grew up to be amazing adults.

I have a new beautiful, inspiring strong daughter-in-law, and of course, my husband, who continues to be the best friend to go through the journey of life. Then, of course, I draw ideas from experience, my beautiful mom and dad, and my five brothers. We are a close family. We have our ups and downs, but we are always there for one another.

Inspiration

In my newsletter, I posted a picture of a beautiful sunset in the clouds. I hope you check it out. I find inspiration in the sky and all its beauty. 

Experiences

This month was mostly a month of experience. The weather is beautiful in Dubai with winter approaching, so the air is clear and refreshing, so lovely walks take place. I have friends coming and going for visits, and how can you not be reinvigorated with friends you have shared so much life.

Busy

I have written a few stories, and now it is time to be inspired to paint. My mind is spinning on who to bring the words to life. So I listen to music and warm up my vocal cords to help bring the pictures in my mind. I know the inspiration will come.

I mentioned Johsua in Alyssa, who painted me a picture of Harry and shared how much they loved the book. Check it out in my newsletter.

Harry the Camel is now available at the Book Stop

Sweet Potato Pie

Based on the recipes from a taste of home

Note: Preheat oven to 425

Ingredients

  • 1-2/3 cups of pie crust mix
  • 1/4 cup of finely chopped pecans
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons of cold water
  • 1 1/2 – 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) of sweet potatoes, drained
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping

  • Whipped topping (cool whip)
  • Chopped pecans; you can toast the pecans before you garnish

    Directions

    Prepare crust

    • In a small bowl, combine pie crust mix and pecans
    • Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball
    • Roll out in a 9-in. deep-dish pie pan
    • Flute edges

    Filling

    • In a mixing bowl combine, sweet potatoes, milk, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, by hand stir till smooth (you can use a mixer or a food processor, but I prefer the good old fashion way by hand. I think it makes it lighter)
    • Pour into pie pan

    Baking

    • Place pie in the 425° oven for 15 minutes
    • Reduce the heat to 350° and bake for 30 -35 minutes longer or until you insert a toothpick and it comes out clean
    • Cool on a wire rack
    • Garnish with whipped topping and (toasted) pecans
    Click to read my answers after GoodReads asked me a few questions about being a writer…

    “Ask the
    Author Answer”

    by Diann Floyd Boehm

    Announcement

    I am breaking my newsletter up into three sections, so you have more time to enjoy the various parts. Be watching for;

    1. Shine
    2. Fun with Words and Biographies
    3. Newsletter with updates.

    I believe you will enjoy the bite size news.

    Remember to send in your favorite of one or all of the following (clean please); tongue twister, joke or picture about ‘Fall/Autumn’Watch for it in ‘Shine’!

    October Updates 2019

    October Updates 2019

    Booooooooooooo!

    October is the month of fall colors, celebrations of all kinds, and of course, Halloween.

    Visits

    This month has been an exciting month with the much-anticipated rollout of my new book, Harry the Camel. I am so touched by how well-received it is here in Dubai. Kings School was the first school to hear the story and the students were over the top excited. Once again, the positive response to my book was humbling.

    I was an invited author at the Victoria English School in Sharjah. I read to the various grades, and then the book’s co-illustrator Yoshita and I did a Q&A. It was my first time in a school in Sharjah and I was so impressed with the school, the studentsbehaviour and knowledge, and the commitment and skills of the faculty.

    See some school highlights below … 

    USO Dubai

    A fun time decorating the USO Dubai for our men and women serving in the military. Read more about the USO in my newsletter.

    Do send in your favorite Fall picture, via email, and next month it maybe on display … !

    A Moment to Shine!

    Favorite tongue twister from Maine.

    I saw Susie sitting in a shoe shine shop.
    Where she shines, she sits, and where she sits, she shines.

    An oldie but a goodie:

    A flea and a fly
    Flew into a flue
    And didn’t know what to do.
    Said the flea, “let us fly.”
    Said the fly, “let us flea.”
    And they flew through a flaw in the flue.

    Harry the Camel is now available at the Book Stop

    September Updates 2019

    September Updates 2019

    Exploration, Discovery and Transformation

    I had the fantastic experience to travel through parts of Greece and Portugal. The history, people, nature, food, could only conclude that I would grow as a human being.

    Greece

    I love meeting people from different walks of life; when you hear their stories, you always discover how much we are alike than different. For example, I met a man and his wife who make the best cheese ever, and then a woman who takes the beehives but one person stood out most of all. A gentleman shared his story on surviving as a child the, holocaust in his home town of Kalamata. Hearing his story and then visiting the schoolhouse museum where the fire took place touched your heart and soul. The most amazing miracle was how the town instead of concentrating on the horrors decided to take the hill where the men of the city died and build a monument. Here where hundreds died, there is a monument to remind people to break down the walls and create peace. A chappel to pray and a lantern to represent each person who lost their lives on that dreadful day. It is worth your time to learn more about that Kalvarta.

    Inspiration

    I love traveling, the smells, the different foods, flowers countryside is nothing more than inspiring for new thoughts and stories to be written. I feel ready to open my mind to knew inspirational stories for you to enjoy.

    Portugal

    I had the opportunity to catch up with a longtime neighbor from back home who is now living in Portugal. She and her friend showed me around the sites of their area of the world. Wow! We studied Portugal in school, but somehow I missed the beauty and the extent of this beautiful country. It is a country for sure, my husband and I will come back together and explore more in-depth. In the meantime, enjoy the collage.

    Recipes

    One of my favorite breakfast to make— Kids love it too!

    French toast with Blueberries – My take on it.

    1. Purchase a thick bread and slice it ( or take your favorite sliced bread). 
    2. Lightly toast it (you will be placing it in the frying pan so don’t over toast. I toast it first so that it does not become soggy)
    3. Crack two eggs and place in a stirring bowl
    4. Add cinnamon to the eggs Set aside.
    5. Take out a small frying pan and melt about a teaspoon of butter
    6. Dip the toasted bread in the egg mixture and quickly place it in the frying pan with the melted butter.
    7. When the egg is cooked on the one side flip to cook on the other side.
    8. Once both sides are cooked place on the plate.
    9. Add the blueberries
    10. Add your favorite maple syrup. Just a tad as it is excellent even without the sugar because of the blueberries (feel free to add your favorite berry for your french toast).

    Enjoy your breakfast!

    Tongue Twisters 

    Rachel North Carolina: Sent in Dr. Haim Ginott’s quote: “Kids are like wet cement whatever falls on them makes an impression”.

    GMF- Kansas: Fresh fried fish, fish fresh fried, fried fish fresh, fish fried fresh.’

    August Updates 2019

    August Updates 2019

    Where were you this summer?

    I escaped the summer heat and headed northeast to Nova Scotia and Maine. It was my first time in Halifax, Nova Scotia, a town filled with experienced ship builders, wonderful food and interesting history. The Lighthouse on Peggy’s Cove was a highlight. I never dreamed of being an invited author to a retreat in Halifax, and what a treat it was. Meeting other authors and hearing about their journeys was enlightening. I was able to interview several authors for my ‘Story Garden’ media series that will be up in the near future.

    Plus summer is always a fun time not just for you to escape but friends and family visiting you as well. My friend, Lorraine Taylor, author of ‘Be Brand You’ came to town on her way to showcasing her book at an event in Colorado. I had fun giving her a quick tour of some highlights of Houston and surrounding areas.

    Art Surprise

    I had fun teaching my little great nephews some new art tricks. They thought it was magical. This technique is called ‘marbling’ by some artists. Email me for details … !

    Summer tours

    I had a great week showing my friend Lorraine Taylor some highlights of Houston and surrounding areas. She is so inspiring to be around. If you have not heard her speak or read her book ‘Be Brand You’ then it is a must. Lorraine has not received international acclaim for nothing. Check out the sunset. Hope one day you can experience our beautiful sunsets.

    Your moment to shine!

    Share your favorite (clean!) tongue twister, joke or saying by sending it to me along with your name and state or country and I may share it in my newsletter or blog. Here is one of mine… from around 1813 by John Harris.

    Peter Piper

    Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers;

    A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked;

    If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,

    Where’s the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?

    I can wait to read your favorite or your child’s favorite one!

    How to Make your own Ice cream sandwiches
    1. Bake your favorite cookie
    2. Let them cool all the way
    3. Scoop out your favorite ice cream and spread on one of the cookies.
    4. When finished place a second cookie on top

    Voila, you just made an ice cream sandwich. Enjoy every bite!

    Harry the Camel is ready for preorder!

    Story summary: Harry does not like being a camel, but one day certain events happen and he discovers being a camel is great. Moral of the story: Nothing is better than who you are!

    You can order at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Magrudy’s and OC Publishing.

    July Updates 2019

    July Updates 2019

    I’ve been busy this month, here’s all my latest antics to catch you up on. But first …

    Meet Harry!

    Pre-order your copy with Amazon or Barnes & Noble in English and Gulf Arabic. Visit my website to schedule me to come and visit a school near you!

    Second Big Announcement

    The Story Garden is almost ready to launch with my story telling chair in place. My YouTube Channel and story telling is coming really soon. I look forward to updating more soon …

    School visits

    I am setting up my fall schedule for school visits be sure you contact me to arrange for me to be at a school near you!

    Products

    Check out my fun products with home decor, pillows and ottomans with the decor company, Origins CollectiveSpoonflower, a company in the United States is the host of my artwork on fabric, boxes, wallpaper and gift wrap. 

    Summer Fun

    I met up with some of my brothers and their families and we headed to Dallas for the Houston Astros Baseball Games. Family fun at the Rangers Ball Park. Basesball, hot dogs, peanuts and cracker jacks. Just like the song says!

    New summer fun ideas!

    Things to do with your children, friends, or grandchildren …

    Start with old fashion fun … colouring

    Print some fun coloring pages from this wonderful website! Coloring Pages for Kids.

    Backyard camping

    Take a beautiful summer night and set up camp in your backyard. The whole family can have fun without leaving the driveway. Set up the area just the way you want for story time fun and most importantly download the free app, ‘SkyView’. Don’t forget to take pictures and instagram. Enjoy the family fun night!

    If you missed the first summer fun activty remember you can always go back and read earlier blogs. See the June Blog for the family stories and more …

    June Updates 2019

    June Updates 2019

    I’ve been busy this month, here’s all my latest antics to catch you up on. But first …

    Meet Harry!

    Coming out this October in English and Gulf Arabic! Visit my website to schedule a time to have me visit your school!

    I am very excited to bring to you my new book, Harry the Camel! I have teamed up with the talented International Artist, Yoshita Ahmed!
    Yoshita:

    • lives in Dubai with her family
    • teaches art in a school in Sharjah
    • was an invited artist in Italy
    • is a private art teacher in silk painting, oil, acrylics

    It has been a delight to work with Yoshita. I can’t wait for you to enjoy our team work.

    Second Big Announcement

    The Story GardenThe Story Garden room is being set up and soon the Youtube channel will be up and running! Be watching to sign up in the next few weeks! I will be reading children stories for kids of all ages as well as having guests. Make sure you’ve subscribed to my newsletter for more announcements coming soon!

    School Visits

    I am setting up my fall schedule for school visits be sure you contact me to arrange for me to be at a school near you!

    Products

    Check out my fun products with home decor, pillows and ottomans with the decor company, Origins Collective!

    Spoonflower, a company in the United States is the host of my artwork on fabric, boxes, wallpaper and gift wrap. 

    Things to do with your children, friends, or grandchildren …

    … spend the summer gathering Family Stories of all kinds!

    I bet you are a storyteller and you did not even know it. Every day you share with someone something that happened to you, that is telling a story. From my creative tips I hope  that you have a comfort level knowing you can tell a story, so now let’s build on it …

    Writing a quality sentence is like putting a puzzle together. You know the basics, noun and verb. But if you want to paint a picture for the reader you need to include various parts of speech. Hence puzzle pieces!

    Why?

    In my humble opinion knowing your family history gives you a solid foundation of who you are and builds a stronger family relationship.

    Supplies

    1. A way to record or video with sound
    2. Select where you will store your recordings
    3. A box – decorate it and place items, pictures etc that your family member gives you.

    Extra bonus If you want make a family scrapbook with the pictures, letters, as well as any other treasures you collected.

    Make sure to check out the summer fun with my Storytelling Topic!

    Storytelling Topics for the summer time

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