Quite the Quote

"Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten."
- Neil Gaiman

New Year's Idea

You've heard the phrase that goes something like this: When life gives you lemons, turn them into lemonade.

I got to thinking how fresh-made lemonade would be a great drink for your New Year's Eve celebration. If you are spending the night on your own, contemplating, reading, drawing, dancing, singing, playing the canjo (not a typo) or whatever, or if you are with family and friends, squeeze the lemon and follow the simple recipe below.  As you raise your glass to 2016,  each or all resolve to make the best of any challenges the new year may present. Simple, easy, healthy, wholesome and safe!

                                    Lemonade by the Glass

2 tablespoons of sugar or 3 to 4 packs of stevia natural sweetener
1/4 cup hot water
2-3 tablespoons of fresh squeezed lemon juice
3/4 cup cold water

Mix the sugar or natural sweetener in 1/4 cup of water.  Microwave 30 seconds until hot and stir to dissolve sugar.  Add lemon juice and the rest of the cold water. Adjust sugar/lemon ratio to taste.  Serve with a couple of ice cubes.  Makes an 8 ounce glass.  To serve more folks, simply multiply each ingredient by the number of family members/ guests.  (This is also a good math activity for the kids.)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Annual Christmas Letter - 2015

Merry Christmas to all,

It has been a busy year on Amelia Island, in north Florida, USA! 

Here are just a few of the highlights from our past twelve months:

Father sniffed his wallet to see if it smelt of farts.

Uncle Fuzzie still showers. We’re all happy for him when it rains. 

Daughter was asked to alphabetize the books in the public library. She declined, citing it was her turn to wash the cracks in the sidewalk. 

The palmetto bugs squish when you step on them.

Grammy quit choir and volunteered, instead, to sing solos.  It seems handbells, cantatas and all that praying are using up the hour of church each week and the music director can't fit her in until 2024. Now, Mother must decide on which Tuesday of that year she will perform.  Oh, the pressure!  

Son bought a new home in a new neighborhood.  He lost the address though.  If you see an empty house anywhere, let him know.  He is listening for your call.

Uncle Blocktassel heard bananas will keep longer if they do not touch.  He thinks it best they don’t see each other either, so stashes them in separate rooms.  He is suspicious that Cousin Squirtfinger snuck in and ate the banana he had tucked away behind the third volume in The Dandelion and The Nut Pick series. Be warned. Uncle seeks proof.

 

Granddaughter ate too much chocolate and blew chunks clear across her newly decorated white and pink bedroom.  The chocolate stains look like polka dots.  Everyone knows brown and pink, together, are a very chic combination, and Aunt Snuffle says it adds designer tones.   

When Mother set Father's plate of leftovers before him, he said, "This looks like Sunday dinner in the state pen." Mother is grateful for a husband who is always so free with his compliments.    

The trees have no feathers, but the dog’s fur tastes like the sweeper.

The stop sign works best on Thursdays. 

Brother learned to eat cheese.  Grad school has taught him the riches of life.

That’s all we have time for as we are already sanding the grapefruit and plowing the paper towels to prepare for the coming year. 

Love from your favorite Amelia Island family.   X O X O X O

Goodbye Lie Diaries-Peeper's Dare to Wear

Our little Ava drew the picture showing the girl wearing different earrings. -jmm

1880s
Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida

Grandmother Peeper writes: You know I have many, many children.  They come in all sizes from big and old and tall ta wee little babies, with lots of in-betweeners, too.   It wouldn't be right ta say I like one over another. It would hurt feelin's and I don't care ta do that unless it's Aunt Noreen's feelin's 'cause she don't have none, really she don't.

Peeper

    So I had a idea and I'm adoin' it right now.  Since everybody has birthdays, or else they wouldn't be here, I thought I could show my love, ta two of my children at time, by wearin' different color earbobs that repersent the month they was born in. Every day I reach inta a bowl of simple jewels folks has give ta me over all my years and pull out two colors ta put on.  There ain't no pattern or reason ta which ones I wear.  Some fancy folks might get ta laughin' at me fer being a crazy old lady.  I may be crazy and I guess ya kin say I'm old, too.  It makes no nevermind, so long as I show my children they is each special ta me.

*******

Present day
Fernandina Beach, Florida

Jane Marie writes: Peeper, what a wonderful idea!  I love it.  In fact, I love it so much, I have two different earrings on right now!  Because I wear smaller studs, none of my friends noticed until I  pointed out what I was doing.  And yes, they laughed at me, but it was all in good fun.  I can be pretty wacky anyway.  I hope you're proud of me for not worrying what others think.  My plan is to get costume jewelry for the birthdays of the months of family members I don't have, and still not not break the bank.  It's fun, as you said, to randomly change them out. It reminds me to think special thoughts about a particular person each time I look in the mirror and see them.
   You know, too, you could wear the birthstones of your immediate children or just your grandchildren or, maybe, on an anniversary, wear your birthstone and your husband's. And they don't have to be studs.  If you like dangles, wear those in different colors.  Why not?  Let your ears tell the story of those you love.

Peeper is one of the most beloved characters in the Dunnigan family from the historical Amelia Island's Goodbye Lie Trilogy. By the way, she doesn't like to be called Grandmother Peeper, just Peeper, but for clarification purposes to those who are new to this blog, we sometimes address her as grandmother.

T-shirt Beach Bag Craft

Beach Bag???? Baby, it's cold outside, in so many parts of the world!  Am I crazy?  While that is often discussed, I thought it would be a fun, easy indoor project to make these simply totes.  With no sewing, I might add!

I'm just guessing, but is it possible t-shirts can propagate, stacked on top of each other, in the dark of the closet or cupboard, or in the corner of a bedroom or in the dirty clothes hamper or under a teenager's bed, inspired by the always growing family of dust bunnies thriving there?  Not sure? One thing is for certain, if you've supported a cause, had a family reunion, joined a club or won a prize, chances are you are the owner of a plethora of t-shirts.

I first saw this project a while back on Pinterest, I think. (If anyone knows who originated the idea, please comment below, and we, happily, will give them credit.) I was going to save it for this summer's annual Grammy Camp, but Ava couldn't wait to try it.  Neither could I. Since this was our first attempt, we didn't use a colorful shirt, but you'll get the idea of what to do from the pictures.  Have fun!

Step #1 - Cut off the sleeves and neck. Note the deep curve over the portion that covers the upper chest. The shoulder sections, which are left, will be the top of the handles.

Abby, is always available to help.

Step #2 - Smoothing the shirt flat, cut 1/2 inch strips from the bottom of the shirt, up 4 inches, cutting through the front and the back.

Step #3 - Now, simply tie each front strip to the back strip behind it.  We double knotted ours for safe keeping.  Once completed, you are done!

BONUS: Your pet has an instant shirt to wear from the neck piece you cut away! Trim the part by her feet so she/he doesn't trip then decorate at will.

Old Timey Book Stores

In this day and time, citizens of Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida are blessed to have two old fashioned, stand alone book stores, which just happen to carry my Amelia Island's Goodbye Lie Trilogy.  Hey, if I don't tell you these things, how will you know?

The new location for Books Plus is 1743-A South 8th Street. (Notice my three novels, at eye level. Perfect!  Thank you, Maggie  DeVries. She owns the store.) :

The Book Loft is found on 214 Centre Street, the main street in historic downtown Fernandina. :

 

Sea Jade (gift shop) at 208 Centre St.  It is fun to do book signings on Centre Street here because I tell readers how many scenes in the novels take place on the street right in front of them. 

 

I point to the marina and the beach, the roof of the Marina Restaurant as a vantage point for action out on the Amelia River, the Florida House Tourist Hotel around the corner... If you can believe it, I get very animated when I talk about my stories, the covers, the characters, etc.   Yesterday, during a  signing on a beautiful day, I heard a women say to her friends, "She was fun!"  I'll take that as high praise.  So, come to Amelia Island when you can and I'll be happy to introduce you to Breelan, Peeper, Aunt Noreen or any of the dozen folks in my trilogy.  Remember, the magic word is FUN!

Pirate Mysteries from Capt Fancy Patch

Captain Fancy Patch displays his hat and fancy patch

“Avast ye! Tis Captain Fancy Patch of the Rosey Freckle addressin’ all this day.  For ye landlubbers, I will explain a few mysteries about us pirates. Aw, now don’t let me name nor the name of me ship be foolin’ ya.  We are a gentle crew, it’s true, yet powerful mean should we be called upon to defend whatever we decide to defend.  

And why me eye patch?  Many do ask. A fine thing it be, considering the less than happy reason I wear it.  Me best wench, Jane Marie, decorated it special, and it be the prettiest patch on all the high seas.  Now, while many a pirate has lost his eye, there are many more who still have two good orbs, like Keg McBrewster and Darty Hoisterman.  Why would they have need of a patch then?  Aw, to improve their night vision, matey.  Ya see, keepin’ one eye covered in the light of day, makes for better spyin’ when havin’ to enter a dark cave or go below decks on the enemy ship. The eyesight has already adjusted itself to the blackness and, therefore, with your blade ready, no foe can come out of the darkness, unseen.  A cagey pirate is ready at all times!

Pirates and earrings go together. Have ye ever wondered why? The tellin’ of it is fascinatin’ for there be many a reason.  One is that piercing a lobe with a pin makes a man more virile, or so they say.  The Chinese acupuncture point to improve eyesight is in the very same place.

Now a pirate guards his earring with his life because it is made of the finest gold or silver, if he be a pirate of any worth.  His town of origin is oft times engraved on the ring so those buryin’ him know  where to send the body once he's sailed his last.  The earring is sold and the cash used to pay the cost of shipping his carcass and performing a service, should it be his custom.

One more thing I’ll share with ye and that is we pirates can be seen with a wad of wax hanging from our earrings.  The purpose being to plug our ears with the stuff when we fire our big guns aboard ship, so we don’t blow out our hearin' whilst we’re blastin' a hole in our attacker’s aft!       

Until my next communiqué, I’m off for some grog and boiled cackle fruit (eggs, me bukos)!  And remember, if ye done a thing, fess up.  Your friends will admire ye and your enemies will discover they can't use your sins against ye."

Captain Fancy Patch

Amelia Island, Florida, home port

Captain Fancy Patch has a cameo role in Amelia Island's Mark of a Man.  He also reads a bedtime story video called The Great Amelia Island Sniff Off  here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owujwL7dEng

 Source: Remy Melina, Life's Little Mysteries Staff Writer   |   March 08, 2011

Grammy Camp - Perfume People + Goodbye Lie Diaries - Marie


Granddaughter Ava and I planned on making Perfume People last summer at our annual Grammy Camp, that's when I first thought of the idea, but just ran out of time.  This year, we made sure to do this fun project and you can see the results. 




Ava's Bing-Bong

 

Some empty, fancy perfume bottles and scraps of ribbon, lace and netting, plus markers, buttons, rhinestone jewels, hot glue* and whatever is in your stash of craft goodies and you and yours can make your own Perfume People.  No two will ever be alike, either! Create a create family, a theme, create a holiday scene. Enjoy!

*Always keep a cup of water beside you when you work with hot glue.  Should you burn yourself on the glue, and it happens, quickly dip your finger into the water and it will stop the hurt.

Ava's Glugette

Grammy's Fruitie Hootie

Grammy's Clowngwin

Grammy's Calipsoul

Ava's Art-Pooch

***
1880s
Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida

Marie writes:  Oh my goodness! Your Perfume People are

Marie Dunnigan

delightful!  I can entertain the children for hours making these.  I will put forth the word immediately that all the women we know should save their empty perfume bottles. Between Breelan, Carolena, Nora, Sophie Belle, our mother, Miss Ella, and the girls in our Aqua Verde office, we should have enough in no time.  And with all the sewing and mending that goes on around Dunnigan Manor, there will be enough ribbons and so forth that the little ones won't fight.  I don't know what your hot glue is but it sounds dangerous.  We will use our usual paste and, hopefully, get the same wonderful results. I can't wait to tell everyone about the new friends, Perfume People, they are about to meet.

(Marie Dunnigan is a featured player in Amelia Island's Mark of a Man, part of the Goodbye Lie Trilogy, set on Amelia Island, Florida in 1898.)

My Dogs by Guest Blogger Ava

Coco and Nina (left to right)

 

 

Hi everybody!

 

It's Ava, Jane Marie's granddaughter. For a week in the summer, I always come to my Grammy's house for Grammy Camp with my two dogs, Coco and Nina.  I am going to tell you a story about how I got my dogs. One day, my mom went to the shelter.  She doesn't normally go in there but she said she had a feeling. When she was in there, all of a sudden, a dog started scratching, trying to get to my mom. My mom asked if she could hold the little doggie.  After everything, she ended up getting him.  We call him Coco. In 2011, we went to a parade and he won an award for the Smallest Holiday Package!

 

My other dog, Nina, was in foster care when we got her.  We were walking by the pet store and there was a booth for dogs.  I asked if we could go in there.  My mom said we could but just for a little bit. There we found a little dog the size of Coco.  My mom asked if we could buy her. Now we have two dogs. I'm glad we have Coco and Nina. 

 

Then we got another dog named Abby. We had three Chihuahuas at one time!  The trouble was that Abby liked my dad more than me and growled when I went to hug him. So we asked Grammy if she would take Abby.  She did and now Grammy calls her Abby, the Singing Sensation, and they make videos together.  My Grammy is lots of fun and we are always laughing.  Abby likes that, I think.  She doesn't growl so much anymore so everybody is happy and I don't have to worry about her chewing on my shoe laces.  Abby, I mean, not Grammy.

Pirate Ry Sings Theme Song

Need a great laugh? Click on the latest YouTube video featuring Pirate Ry singing and dancing to our wacky Goodbye Lie theme song!  Thanks, Pirate Ry.  You, too, Swiney! Oink, oink!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN1gFymDG8k&feature=plcp

Pirate Ry & Swiney starring in the
 Goodbye Lie video filmed on Amelia Island, Florida

Be Irish!

                                                               

a special Irish bell from Aunt Emily






"It's not a sin not to be Irish, but it is a great shame." Sean O'Huiginn 




This is just one of the Irish bits of fun at our website, http://www.greenlightwrite.com/stpatricksday.htm. Find Irish recipes, learn all about the shamrock plant and the claddagh, etc. 

Enjoy and Be Irish!