Anne Liesse . . . C & I took a 3 day ski trip over Christmas and left Noe with Grandma and Grandpa, and I kept trying to feel sad or guilty about it. But after waiting four months to bring her home, 3 days feels like a drop in the bucket. And I’ll tell you, Anne Liesse, it’s amazing how much she seems to change in three days. So prepare yourself for that! And don’t feel bad if you miss Antoine . . . just make a concerted effort to focus on your husband and ENJOY yourself!

Laurie . . . You’re right, self-editing is so tough. I’ve probably got 500 pages or so of scenes and paragraphs I’ve cut from the manuscript over the course of the past few years. I’m just hoping this is the last pass!

Steph . . . I’m already dreading when Noe turns into a teenager. Teething is tough enough! I’ve come back from the coast to a sort of blizzard myself . . . the surrounding mountains are covered in snow, which is very unusual!

Foodette, Mike . . . Thank you both! Would you believe that I forgot my camera and took those with the webcam built into my computer? I looked absolutely ridiculous out there on the deck trying to position my laptop, like I was showing the ducks a presentation or something. But I had to capture it somehow!

Shauna . . . I’m so glad you got to Point Reyes when you were here; it truly is a unique place. It was great to have uninterrupted time on the book . . . but there are still several scenes to tweak. I’m trying not to get disheartened by the way the top of the mountain always seems to be just over the NEXT ridge. My literary legs are getting tired.

I can only imagine that three days there did wonders for your manuscript.

good luck!

Lia - that area looks wonderful and wish I could get over to the ocean. I drove through a blizzard this afternoon.

steph