Question of the Day #281

I'm hungry. I think I'm going to pan roast a pork chop and some veggies.

What's your favorite thing to eat for lunch?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #280

Okay, so we all creeped each other out yesterday. Let's try and counter that with things that make us feel all warm and fuzzy. Here are a few for me:

1. The smell of roses. Reminds me of playing (and eating everything I could snatch off a plant) in my grandmother's garden as a kid.
2. The smell of food slow cooking. Makes me feel safe.
3. Happy little kids being playful with a parent.
4. People who take the time to stop and chat with older people.
5. Sunsets.
6. Finding a tiny new veggie sprouting on a plant.
7. Sittng fireside with my crazy family working on puzzles at Christmas.
8. Holding my Fairy Goddaughter.

Those are just a few few for me. You?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #279

Yesterday I encountered a man with long fingernails. I mean, Jersey Girl circa 1980's length fingernails.

I cringed and repeated to myself, "Don't look. Don't look. Don't look." I focused on anything but those fingernails.

This was not the first time I have run into men with long fingernails. Collecting grocery carts. Fixing my computer. Ringing up a purchase.

Men with long fingernails make my skin crawl.

What makes your skin crawl?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #278

Do you have trouble sleeping?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #277

This weekend is the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) annual summer conference. It's held in LA every year and over a thousand writers, illustrators, editors and agents gather to learn about what's going on in children's publishing, network and meet blogosphere friends in person.

It wasn't financially possible for me to go this year and I'm totally bummed about it. All weekend I've been wondering what's happening. Who met who. Who said what, etc.

I feel like I'm totally missing out.

What do you feel like you've missed out on?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #276

I'm giving a cooking class tonight. I will instruct fledgling cooks on how to pan roast. I sear something in a pan and finish it off in the oven just about every day. So it's interesting to me that something so automatic to me is mystifying to others.

But I guess it's kind of like when my brother, the football coach, taught me how to toss and catch a football. I was pretty darn scared and doing that scream and duck girly thing at first, until he showed me how to hold my hands and grab for the ball.

If you had to give someone lessons, what skill would you teach?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #275

Finally. My computer is fixed. I'm heading down to the Geek Squad to pick it up as soon as I type "xoxo, Suzanne." I have been waiting all week for Friday. Not because I'm dying for the weekend, but because I'm dying for my computer.

What has you saying "Thank God it's Friday?"

xoxo,

Suzanne

Question of the Day #274

Last night, I prepared a vat of Suzie Foods meatballs and offered them as the special at Sonny McLeans. Who would have thought Italian food at an Irish pub would have been such a hit?

We sold out. And as it turns out, I even have fans! The biggest little fans ever.

Sure, I love to cook. I've always loved to cook. But I've never had any training or illusions of culinary divinity. I'm a writer. That's who I am. But lately, I've been doing a lot more cooking than writing. I'm not unhappy about that, just surprised.

Have you ever surprised yourself by working at something you never thought you would?

xoxo,

Suzanne

 

Question of the Day #273

Your comments to yesterday's post fascinate me. A lot of you answered that the one person, dead or alive that you'd like to spend time with is your grandmother. Isn't it amazing what an impact grandmothers have on our lives? 

I just think that's so cool.

And the other cool thing is that I got an email from one of my favorite regulars, Kristen, who suggested a couple questions for today. I think they are great follow ups to yesterday's topic.

1. What celebrity would you like to have dinner with?

2. Who is your favorite person to have dinner with these days?

I'd like to have dinner with Sarah Dessen. She's my favorite YA novelist and I'd like to think that if we shared a meal, her success might rub off me. No, seriously, I'd like to hear her tell her story.

And my favorite person to have dinner with these days is H. Doesn't matter if it's cheeseburgers and beer or foie gras and a Flowers blend, it's always a great time.

You?

xoxo,

Suzanne

Question of the Day #272

I've got some cooking to do. And I'm feeling quite frustrated lately. Grumpy. Like I'm ready to get off the hamster wheel I'm spinning on. And if I could, I'd like to spend the day cooking with my Granny. Listening to her tell stories while we cut, chop and stir would really help to calm me.

But the closest I can get will be to keep her in mind and talk to her while I cook.

If you could spend the day with any person, alive or dead, who would you spend it with?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #271

I'm having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. I'm at the Geek Squad with my virused-up computer and H is actually typing this up. So, what's annoying you today?

xoxo,
Suzanne (H)

Question of the Day #270

So Cal is teeming with vanity license plates. Personally, I think they're kind of dorky. Like how many times to I need to see"STARGRL" or "OCSRWNR"? But let's say you had to have one? You had to choose a license plate that meant something. What would yours be?

Mine would probably be SUZIE C. I am who I am.

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #269

Confession: I am thumbing through the "If" book. The truth is I do not start every day with profound questions in mind. Sometimes I need a little help. And I just found one I like:

If you were to select a food that best describes your character, what would it be?

I'm going to go with my favorite food, cheeseburgers. They are my favorite because they are a consistently satisfying, dependable choice, a little decadent, and totally fulfilling.

On the other hand, too many of them can be a health risk.

Let's replace the cheeseburger with Suzanne: She is a consistently satisfying, dependable person, a little decadent and totally fulfilling. On the other hand, too much Suzanne can be a health risk.

I completely agree with that. How about you?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #268

It's FRIDAY! So, I'm going to do some work this morning and then head out to deliver some Suzie Foods and visit with my amazing writer/editor friend, Nancy, for lunch. Then I'll wait some tables at the pub.

Tomorrow, N is going to smoke a brisket again. So I'm all over that. And on Sunday, I'd like to catch up with some friends who will be out celebrating since the Professional Bridesmaid is coming to town.

What are YOU doing this weekend?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #267

I was just on the phone with my friend M, who was actually saying she has too much time on her hands. (Lucky M, huh?) So I tossed out the idea of volunteering since it always makes me feel good when I do something for other people. She agreed that it was a good idea.

I've been pretty wrapped up in my Suzie Storm lately, so I haven't volunteered in a long time. But in the past, I've collected clothing to transition women from homeless shelters to the workplace, read to kids, cooked for the homeless and walked for Breast Cancer.

Each event was rewarding in its own way, but as a writer, I gotta say, reading to kids was the most fun. Volunteers go to local schools on Saturdays and parents drop their kids off. And for an hour or so, we read to the kids. Sometimes it's picture books, other times chapter books, all depending on their ages and reading levels.

They're sooo cute and enthusiastic. And anything that nurtures a love of books is a hit with me.

What kind of volunteering do you do? And if you don't, what kind of activities do you think you'd like to get involved with?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #266

Today, I'm meeting with someone who needs help starting an online community that focuses on green living. I like to believe I do my part. I don't use chemicals or pesticides in my garden. I conserve water like crazy. I unplug appliances when they are not in use. I use CFLs and never leave lights or TVs on if I'm not in the room. And I try to buy local produce.

But I'm sure there a zillion other things I could do. What are some ways in which you go green?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #265

Have you ever sky dived or bungee jumped or leapt off a cliff or done any kind of crazy thrill seeker activity? If so, what did you do? f not, would you like to?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #264

I've looked through every scrap of paper in my purse. Read the back of all the Suzie Foods business cards, perused each receipt and piece of register feed.

I'm out of questions. Prepared ones, that is. Whenever my friends and I think up a great question, I jot it down on something and stow it in my purse. Or I text it to myself. Then when I need a little inspiration, I dig into my bag o' tricks.

My empty bag o' tricks has inspired a question on its own. How do you remind yourself of important things? Do you text yourself, write it on a calendar? Use an electronic calendar? Tie a string around your finger?

What's your solution to staying on track?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #263

This morning, N and I went to breakfast at the Good Neighbor Restaurant. It's become habit to go there whenever we spend the night in Hollywood. It's completely unnotable. (Is that a word?) But seriously, no decor or ambiance, it's all about getting your eggs and getting them fast.

And I always order the same thing. Two eggs over medium with polish sausage (Hey, it's Sunday. Why not?) cottage fries, rye toast and Diet Coke.

Is there a place you go where you don't even have to look at the menu? If so, what's your fave "regular" meal?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #262

The girls are back in town! The Mansfield girls, that is. Well, not all of them, but two. And that makes me pretty happy. (Although don't get me wrong, we are missing the rest of you.)

It's always fun to have friends come and visit. So...are you having guests this summer?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #261

Years ago, I had a horrible breakup. The can't eat, can't sleep, walking around shaking kind. I spent a lot of time driving, because driving soothes me. And I'd play Prince's "Pink Cashmere" over and over again. Odd song choice, I know. But somehow it worked to settle my shakes, stave off tears and calm the burn in my stomach.

Even now, years later, that song can still calm me when I'm a mess. I don't know if it's the strings or the mid tempo beat or what, but it works.

What song soothes you?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #260

As a new Fairy Godmother, I've been thinking a lot about granting wishes. I don't have a magic wand yet, but when I get one, I'd like to think I'll be able to zap things into fruition. (If anyone knows where to get such a magic wand, please let me know.)

If I could have one wish, I would wish for peace. Not necessarily world peace, although that would be nice, but unwavering inner peace.

So, if you could have one wish, would what it be?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #259

"She gets that from me!" That phrase has been repeated a zillion times in the last 36 hours.

But in reality, it's hard to tell from whom my fairy goddaughter got what...yet.

I am lucky to have my Granny's beautiful Italian skin. I'm grateful that I inherited my mother's singing voice. I'm proud of the curly locks passed down from her mother.

What family traits have you inherited? And from whom?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #258

We approach the nursery window all at once
But your eyes pop when you see me
And you smile
Like somehow you knew I'd be there
Then you look down and hold out your index finger
A tree trunk in your daughter's tiny hand
The nurse pokes
And your baby cries
So you sing song her name
Her head moves
and her eyes focus up
She knows your voice
Her grip tightens on your finger
And there's no more crying
Daddy's here.

Last night I became a Fairy Godmother. What a bright spot. What's more amazing than a newborn?

xoxo,
Suzanne

Question of the Day #257

As we drove to the mountains on Friday, N stopped for ice and a 100 Grand bar. I did a quick little gasp at the sight of it. Caramel, chocolate and little crunchy rice crispy like thingies. What could be better?

Maybe a Charleston Chew. But that's just me.

So what are some of your favorite candy bars?

xoxo,
Suzanne