Weekly Missive 11/17
I will tell you this: It's Friday and I've got some good stuff to share
Thank you for being here! If you’re returning, thanks for coming back. If you’re new, I hope you’ll return. And please do consider subscribing— I hope that this platform will allow me to create the community I once enjoyed through my blog, Cheaper By The Half Dozen. (Anyone remember that? Those were the days!)
If you like what you see, I’d love it if you’d share it with friends and family.
Though I am planning additional content (free and paid), my goal is to post this basic format every Friday, free to all subscribers. I hope you have a great weekend and I’ll see you next Friday! Warmly, Marybeth
Quote of the week: “To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have your soul come alive.” Robert Lewis Stevenson
Post of the week: We rounded up some unexpected— but welcomed— new Christmas releases over at The Book Tide, which is the reboot of what you guys may remember as She Reads, a site I ran with my BFF Ariel Lawhon for years. If you’re not following us yet, please hop over and do so. We’re in a soft launch phase right now but we’ve got big plans for 2024!
What I’m reading: I decided this week to work my way through Erica Bauermeister’s entire catalog, starting with an old favorite, The School Of Essential Ingredients. I am happy to say my reread experience is just as endearing as my original read of this book.
What I’m listening to: I’m still listening to The Sugar Queen on audio, working my way slowly through it during November. It, also, is just as wonderful— and perfect for this time of year— as I remember it being.
What I’m watching: I’ve been on a writing retreat with an author friend this week, so not much tv watching has been happening. A lot of talking has happened instead! Which beats tv watching any day.
What I’m googling: the operating hours, and menus, of restaurants in Southport NC, where I’ve spent the week— picking the right restaurant after a long day of writing is a very serious process
What I’m cooking: I’ve been out of town so no cooking has happened either. And I am not sad about it!
What I’m following (True Crime): Annie Elise on You Tube covered the Lindsay Clancy case this week— a case I’ve been following since it happened. I always appreciate her comprehensive yet concise coverage of developing cases.
What I’m learning: If I learned something I don’t remember it. I used up all my brain cells— and all my words— writing at night and talking long into the evenings.
What I’m writing: I’m working on edits for my next novel, and hope to have news to share about that soon!
Gratitude: writing friends, the ladies in my Bible study, a supportive husband, my kids, finding a cute outfit at Walmart, clogs (the flip flops of wintertime), prayer, and wine
Photo From the Week
(Though I’ve adapted it, this format was originally inspired by author Kim Hooper’s blog. I loved her novel No Hiding in Boise. You should check it out.)
It was lovely AND productive-- the best combo!
Okay, I could use that view right about now! Glad you've gotten this time to work!