romance

More Nice than Naughty

Quote | | Melia Alexander

In a world of absolutes, I prefer to view my life as a “mostly.” As in, I’ve been mostly eating well versus not. Or, I’ve been mostly helping out around the house. Or, I’ve been mostly exercising instead of sitting at the keyboard eating chocolate and drinking red wine. Okay, maybe that whole red wine/chocolate thing’s true, but still….

The point is, this time of year, we all know the drill. Santa only brings you a present if you’ve been good. And while I’ve been sometimes bad, I think I’ve been mostly good. See how that works? I figure Santa’s got a direct line on this whole good/bad thing, and would likely find out that I’ve not always been good, so why lie about it, right? Truth should get me extra points. *Nods head sagely* Doesn’t that make sense?

Anyhoo, my whole reason for being good centers around these babies:

Aren’t they pretty? I figure that since I’ve been mostly good, and didn’t lie about it, then maybe, just maybe, Santa will realize I deserve all three this year. Wish me luck! 🙂

Have a great weekend,
Melia

Christmas in The Philippines

| Melia Alexander

I’m fortunate to have extended family within driving distance. And while I don’t get to visit as often as I like, it’s a real treat when I do make the two-hour trek to see them. Recently (just last night, in fact), my nephew practiced a speech he was to give to his class. 20141216_202241

The topic was Christmas and some of the cultural differences between his Philippine heritage as compared to that in the United States. It was adorable (because he is, after all, seven!), and it reminded me so much the traditions I’d grown up with. For instance, the typical Barong (which he was kind enough to model for me – isn’t he cute?) is worn by males during special occasions. There are also different games played, and definitely different food that graces a traditional Filipino table during the holidays (a roasted pig, for instance, complete with an apple in its mouth). Yum!

There were even visual aids used, like the FILIPINO FRIENDS book he brought with him (displayed here by his sister). And the part I’m most proud about? This little guy was thoroughly comfortable standing in front of a room full of people and giving his speech! How many adults can say that?

Even as a seven-year-old, he reminded me about the wide range of experiences (a.k.a. back story) that we all carry with us as we travel on this road called “life.” It’s these same experiences that guide us as we make choices and deal with what comes our way. It’s through testing our experiences that we grow. At least, I think so!

And as I plot my next book, remembering his speech helped emphasize the importance of my characters’ back stories. Apple, anyone?

Happy Travel Bug Tuesday,
Melia

Sunsational

| Melia Alexander

Welcome to Mash-Up Monday!

I shot this photo from the back steps of The Male Observation Lab (construction company day job) on a recent, chilly afternoon in the Pacific Northwest.

20141125_164605The setting sun struck me as an amazing display of oranges and yellows and reds, especially with some of our company equipment in the foreground. I stood there, lost in the moment, lost in the wonder of our world, contemplating the beauty of life….Then a dump truck came screaming into the yard. *Le sigh*

Ah, well. It was great while it lasted!

Have an awesome week,
Melia

One Man’s Ugly

| Melia Alexander

Okay, okay, I’ll admit it. I can definitely be a fashion snob – when it comes to what I wear. You ought to hear some of the conversations I have with myself.

“Really, Melia, those wedge heels sooo do not go with that dress.” Or, “Bare tummy when not in bikini? Just how old do you think you are? Three?” Or, my absolute fave, “Panty lines. You have panty lines showing. Change the bottom or lose the panty.” Only once did I go commando. But that’s a different story….

When it comes to other people and their clothing choices, I give them the a lot of leeway. After all, taste is very personal, isn’t it? So if you wanna show up at the grocery store in your PJ’s, have at ‘er. My attitude on this doesn’t change. Much. Even when I walked past this number on my way out of a shopping center one night.

20141209_172831The Ugly Christmas Sweater Kit. Kit, as in, you get to design your own piece of sweater magic. (Wasn’t some budding entrepreneur on the edge of brilliant when this was created?) And not all of it turns out to be a masterpiece. Which made me wonder if a Create an Ugly Christmas Sweater party – complete with prizes for the top three uglies –  would be a fun idea. What do you think? Would you go to such a party?

Happy Fashionista Friday,
Melia

Kitty in a Bag

| Melia Alexander

One of the things I lurrvv about the holidays is the newness of it all. Sure, there’s a tree and candy and gift wrap and Poinsettias and loads of cookies. There’s also Christmas music and parties and seeing friends and family. But each year, it’s somehow different. I know, I know. The same, but different.

Right about now my writer friends are snickering at what we often hear that editors and agents are looking for in our stories – the same, but different. But I digress….

This Take Me Back Thursday pic was from last year, shortly after Daniel Alexander came into our lives.

P1150982For him, everything was new, everything was exciting, and everything had to be explored. (Yay!) He climbed over packages under the tree, he batted at dangling ornaments on the tree, and if there was a bag sitting around, watch out! Nothing was sacred to this little guy. (Half chewed-on wrapped gift, anyone?)

And so it is again this year. But that’s a story yet to be written…. 🙂

Happy-almost-Friday,
Melia

 

Christmas at Grand Cayman

| Melia Alexander

Happy Travel Bug Tuesday!

I’m one of those peeps who loves collecting Christmas mementos when I travel. 20141209_194055There’s something about holding an ornament that, when gathered on a special trip, evokes some pretty powerful memories.

This one was picked up in Grand Cayman several years ago. Even now, I feel the warmth of the water as we played with sting rays on a sand bar….I taste the turtle burger we had for lunch….I feel the Caribbean breeze caressing us as we walked the dock. And it all makes me smile.

Travel mementos are beautiful reminders of happy times. For me, they’re also the promise of what can always be: a lifetime of collecting special memories.

Happy travels,
Melia

Oh, Christmas Tree!

| Melia Alexander

Admittedly, there are times during the holidays when it all becomes a bit overwhelming and just too much. Thankfully, that doesn’t happen very often. Mainly because I truly love all that comes with this time of year: the lights, the baking, the time together with family and friends, and, of course, the tree.

There’s something about the Christmas tree that touches a part of me. Maybe it’s the wonder that once came with awakening on Christmas day to find Santa delivered a present! (If you knew the child-me, you’d know why this was *always* a surprise. Ask my siblings…. On second thought, don’t!) Whatever it was, I’ve always adored Christmas trees.

This one caught my eye on a recent trip to Vegas.

DSC_1046It was the perfect height and was decorated with all sorts of fun ornaments! I was in heaven as I stared at it, imagining what it would be like in a grand hall instead of a Las Vegas boutique….On Christmas morning….With little kids gathered around it….Singing Christmas carols or opening their gifts….Or both! Yep, the possibilities were endless.

And the longer I stared at it, the more relaxed I became. Schedules and deadlines and baking and sending Christmas cards….none of it mattered. All I cared about at that moment in time was the beauty of this tree.

Really, the holidays can be pretty chill. If you let it. And with as crazy our lives are, isn’t it nice to let go and just “be” every now and then? What better time than around a Christmas tree somewhere in Vegas, right?

Happy Mash-Up Monday,
Melia

Christmas Catnip

| Melia Alexander

Welcome to Take Me Back Thursday!

Like most cat lovers, we give our fur babies Christmas prezzies. Their most fave is catnip – natch. I’m thoroughly convinced kitties can smell catnip even through extra-thick layers of plastic. And once a kitty gets his hands on it, watch out! It’s instant kitty love! 🙂 These pics from last year’s Christmas is the latest in a long list of examples.

Memories like these are what make life so much fun!

Are your fur babies on your Christmas list?

Happy almost-Friday,
Melia

The Battle of the Gingerbread House

| Melia Alexander

Welcome to Food and Wine Wednesday!

‘Tis the season of celebrating the beauty and wonder that is life, and those people and things we hold most dear. Not the least of which is the gingerbread house.

Tonight, Niece 2 decided that the two of us would face-off in a gingerbread decorating contest, one whose winner will hold bragging rights (of nearly unbearable proportions!). that clearly means more to one participant than the other (the other being me. Ha!).

We spent a fabulous evening together, talking. I learned that 1) Niece 2 has decided she’s no longer vegetarian, but will not consume a large amount of animal protein; 2) According to Niece 2, Nash Grier is still super-hot! (way more than I needed to know. Trust me on this…) 3) There’s not nearly enough candy that comes in the enclosed packets when a fifteen year-old is swiping at them while decorating (and when you’re not looking!). Just sayin’…

At the end of the evening, care to guess which side had been decorated by moi?

Gingerbread houses – yay or nay? Tell us what you think!

Happy gingerbread decorating,
Melia