Take That, Martha!

November 11, 2015November 10, 2015 | Melia Alexander

After the unseasonably warm weather we’ve had in the Pacific Northwest, fall came as a bit of a surprise to me. Like, really. Temps in the 70’s one day, then dropping to a high of somewhere in the 30’s a couple of days later…and holding steady. I guess the cooler weather’s gonna hang for a while!

Which, of course, means that it’s time for comfort food. Now, I’m not exactly a lousy cook, but I’m no Martha Stewart, either, taking hours upon hours to find, prep, and serve meals. Half the time I’m wondering if stuff in my fridge is still edible! And with two nieces at home and a full-time job (not to mention the being-an-author part), I don’t have that kind of time. Or energy. Or, frankly, money.

So in true non-Martha-Stewart fashion, my first comfort food of the season was chicken soup thrown together with, basically, leftovers out of the fridge that were an hour or two away from being tossed in the trash. (Oh, c’mon! Surely you’ve cut out the icky parts of a vegetable and used the rest! Right? Right?)

By now I’m sure several of you are cringing and have decided not to ever accept an invitation to my house for dinner. But, really, the results weren’t too bad, if I do say so myself!

How could the scent of garlic and onions say anything but “yummy home cooking?” Add in somewhat-fresh vegetables and diced up chicken, then some homemade chicken broth and I think it’s a winner! Hey, the fact the family ate it without complaint was a huge plus!

What’s your favorite cold weather comfort food?

Happy Food and Wine Wednesday!

~Melia

The Bells Toll at St. Michael’s

November 3, 2015November 3, 2015 | Melia Alexander

Well, okay, I honestly don’t remember if the bells tolled when I first saw St. Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral. All I remember was that I was in a new city in a different state, and I got a chance to explore sans kids or husband. Translation: It was pure bliss!

Let me explain…As a writer, I tend to get lost in story when I come across anything interesting. Doesn’t seem to matter what it is – a smell, a sound, an awesome pair of shoes…Maybe one that a certain writer might gift herself with once she finishes her next book and sends it in to her amazing editor…*insert happy sigh!*

But I digress…

Let’s just say La Muse loves sipping her Bourbon, smoking her cigar and making stuff up at the slightest provocation…Unless, of course, I’m on deadline. It’s generally at this point she decides she needs a vacay. (Nice, huh?)

Anyway, while on a recent trip to Boise, I walked around the city a bit (and ooohhh, did I come up with a great story idea! But, again, I digress…sorry…) and came on this really cool little church just a block from the state capitol.

Isn’t it pretty? I love the details in the glass, the iron, and the woodwork. Gorgeous!

It didn’t take long before La Muse spun a few ideas about what might’ve happened in this church — sassy, sexy, fun kind of things! (Ssshhh! Don’t tell my mother…) And some of it was pretty good, too! Good enough to make it into a future book, even. 😀

Do you sometimes stumble on certain objects or places or things that make your head spin a tale? Please share!

Happy travels,
Melia

The Thing

October 2, 2015October 1, 2015 | Melia Alexander

Welcome to Photo Friday!

Allow me to present Niece 2. She’s your typical 16 year-old, complete with angst and drama. This was taken at a restaurant while we waited for the bill. Tell me how you’d caption it!

Thanks bunches for stopping by and playing along!

Have an awesome weekend,
Melia

Yeah, THAT!

September 7, 2015September 6, 2015 | Melia Alexander

Welcome to Mix-It-Up Monday!

It’s about time for Niece 2 to start school again, which means it’s shopping time! No surprise that what we find exciting are two completely different things.

I lurrvvv school supplies! Always seems that there aren’t enough pens, paper, Sharpies, highlighters, post-it notes, or index cards – necessary staples in my writer’s toolbox. Can you tell I’m a plotter? 🙂

Niece 2, on the other hand, loves shopping for clothes. (Well, duh!) And this graphic tee sums up my thought perfectly!Do you have a kiddo in your life? Which part of back-to-school shopping do you like best?

Have an awesome week!

~Melia

Cheese Niblets

September 2, 2015September 1, 2015 | Melia Alexander

Welcome to Food and Wine Wednesday!

With summer quickly coming to a close, so too, does our warm weather and the outdoor concerts that play throughout our part of the world. These concerts have become a bit of a tradition for Mr. A and me, and a great way to inject some mid-week fun into our lives. (Cuz there are never enough of those, right?)

One of the dilemmas we’ve had was figuring out what to eat. (Oh, how I love having a First World problem!) Warm afternoon…cool drinks..light food. Wasn’t this the perfect plate to share?

Pretty. Delicious. And definitely something we’ll have again. And we might not bother to wait until next summer, either. (We’re such rebels! 😉 )

What’s your favorite cheese and fruit pairing? Please share!

Happy eating,
Melia

Sit Your Bones Here…

August 22, 2015 | Melia Alexander

…And tell me a story! Extra points if it’s a romance. 😉

Have an awesome weekend!!

~Melia

Nudge

August 7, 2015 | Melia Alexander

Mr. A and I made were out one evening, enjoying some outdoor music, great food, and great company. Somewhere in the conversation, the setting sun hit just right, and I got to whip out my handy-dandy phone to take a shot of this: Makes me smile. And, frankly, shouldn’t most of what we do in life make us smile?

Happy Photo Friday!

~Melia

Hydrant in Color

July 27, 2015 | Melia Alexander

Welcome to Mix-it-Up Monday, everyone!

Aaah…It feels so good to be back. Miss me much? 🙂

In my part of the world, summer is in full swing, which means I’m outdoors a lot. Which also means I get to see things – funny how that happens! Anyhoo, I was on my way to a sporting event, minding my own business, when I saw this:

I haven’t the foggiest idea why it speaks to me, but it does. And so I’ll share it with you. Any idea why someone would go to the trouble of painting a fire hydrant? Inquiring minds wanna know!