The Promise Of Provence

If it’s Friday, it must be France … Alloooo, I’m still deep in my revisions and very excited about how things are going for my next novel! In fact, I believe I’ve finally settled on a title *HUGE sigh of relief*. Now I can go back to counting chocolates to fall asleep instead of having

Christopher Plummer – still hot at 82!

On Saturday we drove to Stratford, Ontario, home of the renowned Stratford Shakespeare Festival.  A quick hour and a half from Toronto through rolling farmland, once you leave the craziness of Highway 401,  the summer schedule offered each year never fails to please. There is always something for everyone and on many occasions a production

Meet Anneli Purchase!

A few weeks ago I had a visit here from the talented Tele Aadsen, fisher person and writer, trolling the dangerously magnificent waters off the coast of Alaska. Today I’m happy to introduce you to Anneli Purchase, a writer whose life these days also very much revolves around the ebb and flow of the ocean.

Nice Jazz Festival 2012

If it’s Friday, it must be France … Excusez-moi, I’m slacking a little today and watching the men’s semi-final tennis matches at Wimbledon. SO good! And then my DH and I are slipping out to an afternoon movie. After reading all the fabulous posts author Barbara Conelli left on my blog this week and last,

A touch of Italy with Barbara Conelli

This week we’re going to take a short detour from the south of France and spend some time in Italy with my friend, travel writer Barb Conelli, whose book launch we are celebrating! Cue the fireworks, brass band, and bring on the vino! Va bene! The author of Chique Secrets of La Dolce Vita, Barbara

Thank you, Nora Ephron

Whenever I want to be reminded of smart, funny, poignant, meaningful writing, I read something written by Nora Ephron. Screenwriter, film maker, novelist, essayist and brilliant speaker, she was also a prolific blogger. Her talent was a constant inspiration to many women pursuing the dream of becoming a writer and a source of tremendous enjoyment

Channeling Mr. Rogers …

It’s a beautiful day in the neighbourhood, a beautiful day for a neighbour, would you be mine, could you be mine … *channeling Mr. Rogers* … and there’s a lot of blog-hopping going on today, which always guarantees a great time! For some reason, I’ve been humming the theme song from  the Mr. Rogers show all day.

World Oceans Day … oops, I forgot to click publish!

I was caught up in a wonderful graduation day yesterday (Friday) for the daughter of dear friends. She received combined MBA/Law degrees plus an award for top marks in both. It was indeed a day to celebrate! Beginning with a beautiful ceremony at Convocation Hall, in the magnificent grounds of the University of Toronto, we

Getting back on track …

Full disclosure: I have to admit taking a week to breathe, away from writing and social media, was truly a gift. I’m so glad I gave it to myself. Having finally written the ending to my next novel … even though we all know novels are never really *finished* … it was time to re-focus on

Taking a week to breathe …

I’ve been taking a bit of a break this week to celebrate typing the words “The End” on the last page of the manuscript of my next novel. Wooohoooo! Yippeeeee!  … ahem … sorry for the momentary loss of control … For those writers in the crowd, you know what I mean. There’s a bittersweet